《上清八道秘言图》

The first of the secret utterances of the Eight Ways states that after the Beginning of Spring, on the Jia or Yi days of the first lunar month in the early morning, one faces north to observe. If purple, green, and white clouds appear, these are the Supreme Three Primal Lords (Taishang Sanyuan Jun) traveling upon the three-primeval flying clouds. At that moment the Three Primal Lords ride the wheels of eight carriages to pay homage to the Heavenly Emperor Great Thearch (Tianhuang Dadi).

Upon seeing these three-colored clouds one visualizes the Three Primal Lords in the mind, kowtows while patting the body with the hands, then performs four bows inwardly and addresses oneself as “great-grandson so-and-so,” praying: “From childhood I have cherished the Dao (the Way) and De (Virtue/Power), cultivated the Nine Perfected, bathed the Five Spirits, and have been inscribed in the registers by the Heavenly Emperor and the Imperial Lords. Today I am fortunate to encounter the Three Primal Lords on their outing and beg to serve beside their carriage wheels and hubs; grant whatever I request as you will.”

If the carriages of the Three Primal Lords are seen three times, one may ascend as an immortal in broad daylight. During the practice one must prostrate on the ground and concentrate fully on the visualization; the scripture states that these methods are to be performed repeatedly. The prayers and rites of homage used in the outings of the Eight Ways (eight secret transmission rituals) all follow this same pattern, and thus they are called the Secret Utterances of the Eight Ways. Those not entered in the immortal registers may not hear of them.

The attire of the Three Primal Lords consists of a cyan-green crown, a pale-green cloak, a red soaring robe, a red banner held in the hand, and riding amid five-colored clouds; the youths in attendance should be dressed fittingly. This is the ritual attire for one of the Secret Utterances of the Eight Ways.

The second secret utterance states that on the Spring Equinox or on Yin or Mao days at midnight one faces northeast to observe. If dark, cyan, and yellow clouds appear, these are the three-primeval clouds of the Taiwei Heavenly Emperor Lord (Taiwei Tiandi Jun). At that time the Taiwei Heavenly Emperor Lord rides the eight-scenery carriage to pay homage to the High Supreme Jade Emperor (Gaoshang Yuhuang). After seeing the clouds one visualizes in the mind and performs the kneeling bows according to the method already described. If the Heavenly Emperor’s carriages are seen four times, dragon carriages and feathered canopies will come to welcome and escort one to heaven.

The attire of the Taiwei Heavenly Emperor Lord is a cyan crown, a red robe bordered in cyan, riding amid five-colored clouds; the attire of the remaining attendants should be appropriate.

On the day of Lixia, the Beginning of Summer, as well as on the Wuchen and Jisi days in the first decade of the Jiazi xun, one observes facing northwest at dawn. If purple, azure, and yellow clouds appear, these are the Three Plain Clouds ridden by the Taiji Shangzhenjun, the Perfected of the Inner Palace of the Three Primes (the High Perfected of the Taiji [Supreme Ultimate] realm and the Perfected of the Three Primes Palace). At that moment the Taiji Shangzhenjun and the Three Primes Perfected ride a carriage resembling a mysterious-hued solar disk, departing northwestward at dawn toward the Purple Tenuity Palace. Upon witnessing these phenomena, one silently recites the invocation in the heart according to the method previously described. If the green carriage of Taiji is seen five times, one may ascend to heaven in broad daylight.

The prescribed attire consists of a turquoise crown, light-green cloud-patterned robes, and a crane-patterned cape, while holding a red banner; other ornaments may be furnished as appropriate.

On the day of the summer solstice, as well as on the Wuyin and Jimao days in the first decade of the Jiaxu xun, one observes facing southeast at dawn. If red, white, and azure clouds appear, these are the Three Plain Clouds of the Fusang Dadi Jun, the Imperial Lord who dwells in the Fusang lands of the east. At that time the Fusang Dadi Jun rides a carriage of eight luminous rays, proceeding to the Grand Tenuity Palace. Upon seeing this, one should silently recite the invocation in the heart and perform the rites, following the same protocol as before. If it is seen four times, cloud-dragons will come in broad daylight to receive one and enable ascent to heaven.

The prescribed attire consists of an imperial golden crown and deep crimson robes bordered in azure, while holding a red banner adorned with five-colored cloud patterns; other ornaments may be furnished as appropriate.

On the day of Liqiu, the Beginning of Autumn, as well as on the Wuzi and Jichou days in the first decade of the Jiashen xun, one observes facing due west at dawn. If white, red, and purple clouds appear, these are the Three Plain Clouds of the Taisu Shangzhen Tianhuang Baidi Jun, the White Emperor Lord among the Honored Perfected of the Three Heavens. At that time the Taisu Shangzhen Baidi Jun rides a jade palanquin of trailing rainbows, proceeding to the abode of the Mysterious Sovereign High Perfected of the Three Heavens. Upon seeing this, one should offer the invocation and perform the rites according to the method previously described. If encountered five times, one may ascend as an immortal in broad daylight.

The prescribed attire consists of a golden crown and deep crimson robes bordered in azure, while holding a red banner adorned with five-colored cloud patterns; other ornaments may be furnished as appropriate.

The dates, directions, cloud colors, and attire given here constitute the regulations set forth in the scripture’s methods of cloud-gazing and liturgical worship. The original text repeatedly states “invoke and bow as above,” indicating that the manner of prayer and ritual salute continues from the preceding instructions.

The sixth secret saying states that on the day of the autumnal equinox, as well as on the Wuxu and Jihai days in the first ten days of a Jiawu year, one should gaze southward at dawn. If clouds of green, red, and yellow appear, they are the manifestation of Nanji Shangzhen Chidi Jun (True Red Emperor Lord of the South Pole), the revered Red Emperor of the southern heavenly realm. He is then riding a Jianglin Binian (crimson-adorned jade carriage) to Langfeng Terrace to pay respects to Jiuling Furen (Lady of the Nine Numina). Upon seeing such clouds, one should offer prayers and perform ritual bows in the same manner previously described. Encountering the Chidi Jun allows one to ascend as an immortal in broad daylight.

Wear a crown adorned with gold ornaments and crimson garments with cyan-trimmed edges, decorated with five-colored clouds. Appropriate dress should likewise be worn when going out, and the same applies in the sections that follow.

The seventh secret saying states that on the day of the beginning of winter, as well as on the Wushen and Jiyou days in the first ten days of a Jiachen year, one should gaze southwestward at dawn. If clouds of green, purple, and cyan appear, they are the Sansu Yun (three-colored clouds) of the Shangqing Zhenren Dijun Huangzu, symbolizing the three-colored Qi of this exalted deity. At that moment the Shangqing Zhenren Dijun Huangzu is riding a Xuanjing Baguang Danyu (crimson carriage of mysterious eightfold radiance) to the High Supreme Nine Heavens to pay respects to the Jade Emperor. The practitioner should maintain a devout heart, offering prayers, reports, and bows as before. If such clouds are encountered four times, Zichen Taiyi Jun will arrive in a phoenix-patterned feather canopy to receive one, enabling ascent to heaven in broad daylight.

The eighth secret saying states that on the day of the winter solstice, as well as on the Wuwu and Jiwei days in the first ten days of a Jiayin year, one should gaze due east at dawn. If vermilion, emerald-green, and yellow clouds appear, they are the Sansu Yun of Taixiao Yufei Taixu Shangzhenren (Jade Consort of the Grand Empyrean, Upper Perfected of Great Void), a revered female immortal of the heavenly realm. At that time she is riding a lingering jade carriage to Taihuang Palace to summon Taiwei Tiandi Jun (Heavenly Emperor Lord of Grand Tenuity). Upon seeing these clouds, one should perform bows, prayers, and petitions as previously instructed. If they are encountered three times, the Jade Emperor will command Zhonghuang Siming (Central Yellow Director of Destinies, the divine official overseeing human life) to descend in a dragon-drawn jade chariot to welcome one, enabling ascent to heaven in broad daylight.

The secret words of the Eight Daos described on the right have now been fully explained. Those who witness these cloud phenomena should kowtow with sincere heart, slap their faces four times, and then perform two bows, stating their wishes in the manner previously described. One should also first bathe and burn incense, wait for a suitable hour, go outdoors to face the cloud-qi and observe it for the duration of a meal, then return indoors. The three kinds of plain clouds each have their colors, with the cloud-qi overlapping above and below, gathering in the sequence spoken of in the prayers. For example, when seeing the Three Lights and Three Plain Clouds at the Beginning of Spring, there should be purple clouds above, green clouds next, and white clouds below, overlapping one another. You must observe this carefully.

The so-called “first ten days” refers to within the first ten days of a month, coinciding with a jiazi day. Even if it is not on the prescribed day and hour, if one sees such clouds, one should still perform the rites of greeting, pray devoutly, and believe in them; when the corresponding day arrives, one will naturally see them.

Those who cultivate the Nine Perfected and take charge of the affairs of the Eight Daos will have celestial beings and spirits guarding their bodies, and the True Sovereigns (noble spirits) guarding their life-bones. Those whose names have not been entered in the Jade Registers of Immortal Names (the registers of the immortals) must not be shown this scripture; even if they eagerly seek it, they will ultimately not see it.

When cultivating this Dao (the Way), do not allow others to wear one’s own shoes, and do not let others remove one’s headcloth and coarse cloth garments. Shoes should always be kept clean and bright, and clothing neat and clean. There are many taboos in cultivating this Dao. The scripture says that the residual qi (vital energy) of a person’s seven po souls transforms into dragons and tigers, which guard the earth pass of the human body (a pass related to the body and the hun and po souls) and lurk beneath the shoes; the residual spirits of the three hun souls transform into clouds of the Five Numina, which appear upon the headcloth. If anyone violates these taboos, the practitioner’s mind and spirit will be shaken, thoughts will scatter, and one may even suddenly lose one’s normal state, thus damaging the spirit-qi, dispersing the hun and po souls, and obscuring and blocking the radiance of jing (essence)-qi. One should constantly be cautious and on guard. The undersides of the shoes must not be stained with soil, and one should also avoid the foul qi of dung and dirt; the inside and outside of the chest in which clothing is stored must likewise not be filthy, lest they be tainted by turbid qi.

Attending upon this scripture are seventeen Highest Jade Lads and seventeen Jade Maidens. The scripture says that those who possess this scripture can accumulate merit, correct their faults, and drive away evil influences and inauspiciousness. A gentleman reading this scripture should enter a quiet, secluded chamber and burn incense on both sides. When transmitting the scripture, both parties must fast, maintain purity and a sincere heart, and keep the mind concentrated; ghosts and spirits will examine the sincerity. The Lingbao method includes the matters of the Nine Perfected, among which are the names of twenty-four spirits; in practice one must visualize and recite prayers, stating one’s intent directly, and therefore before transmission one must solemnly fast and bind with an oath the act of leaking the scripture.

Master and disciple must jointly observe a fast of twenty-four days, and additionally fast for one day each before and after the formal transmission of the scripture. After the master has handed over the scripture, once the disciple has finished copying it, he should cut a lock of hair, bind it, and bring it to the master as a token of faith. Both parties should also use nine zhang of white silk in place of the blood-oath of cutting a finger. The use of white silk takes the meaning of the qi of Grand Simplicity; the use of nine zhang takes the number of the Nine Perfected. After receiving the scripture, one must not leak the text, must not boast of one’s merit or damage the orthodox Dao, nor must one act improperly in speech and conduct so as to defile the true Dao. Those who honor and cultivate this scripture will be able to ascend in broad daylight to the dawn (ascend in broad daylight).

The Right Attendant Scribes (divine offices in the heavenly realm responsible for serving and transmitting writings) consist of seventeen High Supreme Jade Youths. They preside over the proclamation that all who possess this Jing (scripture) should accumulate merits and correct their faults, thereby suppressing evil spirits and avoiding inauspicious events.