《上清无上金元玉清金真飞元步虚玉章》

The Jade Chapters of Pacing the Void of the Golden Perfected Flying Origin of Jade Purity of the Unsurpassed Golden Origin in Highest Purity (Shangqing)

First Hymn

I respectfully pay homage to the Heavenly Worthy (Tianzun), burning incense and turning toward the Ten Directions (Shifang, all orientations including the four sides, eight directions, above and below). Two beams of light revolve in mutual interaction, and soaring Brahmanic tones open the Dharma Wheel (Falun, the gateway that proclaims and sets the orthodox teaching in motion). All the heavens rejoice together, the spirit beings who drive the carriages set forth in unison, and they protect both the living and the deceased.

Streaming golden light illuminates the vast and boundless Great Void (Taixu, the immense cosmic space). The King of Ultimate Perfection is lofty, remote, and subtle. Circling three times, one ascends to the Jade Realm; hosts of immortals fly freely through empty space. The Great Luo Heaven (Daluo Tian, the highest celestial realm in Daoism) is profound and distant, and upon it the Hall of Golden Origin (Jinyuan Tang) stands in solemn prosperity.

Second Hymn

The Golden Numina reveal marvelous forms, their jade-like spiritual elegance naturally penetrating and unobstructed. Riding the light they ascend to the perfectly complete and limpid realm, and the Ten Directions all display the golden countenance of the Worthy. From the distant celestial horizon reaching to the summits of hundreds of millions of layered heavens, the scenes of the myriad Daos are identical to one another.

They emit the essences of sun and moon, scattering like blossoms; the Primordial Heavenly Worthy (Yuanshi Tianzun) rejoices in the golden wind. Having passed through kalpas as numerous as the sands of the Ganges (an immensely long span of time), they still dwell constantly on the peaceful peak of Jade Purity (Yuqing). Holding incense they pay homage to the Dao Sovereign and roam in the realm of Golden Mystery.

Third Hymn

Brocade-like rosy clouds gently brush past, raising wreathing smoke; within them stands the courtyard of the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang). Adorned with the Seven Treasures, its radiance illuminates the Highest Purity (Shangqing) celestial realm. Subtle awakening communicates with mysterious truth, and the immortals process through the City of Flowing Gold.

The Divine Empyrean (Shenxiao, one of the Daoist heavens) receives the command to come and escort, and the immortals reciting the Cavern Scriptures (Dongjing, Daoist classics) drift gracefully.

Fourth Hymn

The many wondrous scenes of the Jade Purity celestial realm gather into radiance that shines upon Highest Purity. Subtle awakening communicates with mysterious truth, and the immortals process through the City of Flowing Gold.

The Divine Empyrean receives the command to come and escort, and the immortals reciting the Cavern Scriptures drift gracefully.

Fourth Hymn

The capital of all wonders in the Jade Purity celestial realm towers at the extremity of the Luo Heaven (Luotian, the vast heavenly realms). The Supreme Primordial Heavenly Worthy is the most honored existence among the Ten Directions of the heavens. Flower-like radiance scatters through the Great Void, and jeweled canopies (symbolizing majestic protective umbrellas) cover the Golden Wheel.

The guardian spirits of the eight directions occupy the mysteriously pure and lofty heights, where golden light flourishes brightly. Forests of the Seven Treasures glow with brilliant splendor; phoenixes sing and flying luan birds answer in harmony. On the left the Heavenly Treasure Youths (Tianbao Tongzi) stand as attendants, and on the right the Jade Perfected Lord (Yuzhen Jun) accompanies.

Two bright rays of brilliance shine through the Golden Flower Gate.

Fifth Hymn

The supreme Palace of Golden Mystery stands high in the void upon a Jade Heaven Terrace. The Mysterious Perfected rides emptiness and arises, slowly touring the void. Numinous cypresses and divine beasts dance in unison, and the sound of Dharma drums comes from the heavens.

Marvelous lights of the Ten Directions sparkle, and mysterious music is complete everywhere. Pure fragrance accompanies elegant music, safeguarding lasting peace and stability so that ten thousand years of blessing and longevity may be opened.

Sixth Hymn

The original text contains only the title, with no main body provided.

Jin Zhen (a venerated Daoist deity) possesses ten kinds of mysterious observation methods, so subtle as to be difficult to discern, penetrating deeply into the obscure mystery and attaining the formless realm. The Golden Dawn Youth, ordered to bow and receive the command, drives the chariot and horses, advancing together with the high-ranking deities. Incense flowers drift with the wind, and mysterious chants arise of themselves.

The assembly sits upon the carriages, summoning Tianjun (the music or ceremonial procession of the heavens), while the flying Zhenren play music upon the jade carriages. In the midst of bright and magnificent radiance, the ten holy Zhenren gather together.

The Seventh Hymn

The silent and profound merits of the Great Vehicle are the most honored in the heavens of the ten directions. Moro (a mysterious power or designation in Daoist scriptures) turns the various Dharma wheels, and the true form of the Dao (the Way) naturally shines forth. Passing through the six perfections (the six kinds of virtues practiced by cultivators) is like scaling lofty peaks, wearing and practicing the Jinling Zhang (a sacred Daoist talismanic chapter).

Countless auspicious omens appear in succession, with radiance circulating and illuminating the four quarters. The seven treasures arise of themselves, and palaces are constructed in the empty and remote void. All the heavens rejoice, as banners and flowers emit a pure fragrance.

The Eighth Hymn

The Great Dao has no bounds, taking the universal salvation of sentient beings as the bridge for ferrying people across. Where the Heavenly Worthy manifests and descends, ten kinds of floral lights congeal, transforming into neighboring auspicious vistas. The Supreme True Ones, Great Sages, and other divine hosts scatter flowers, opening the expedient methods leading to the three realms.

Whether looking down or gazing up, one must adhere to the laws and admonitions and cultivate merit, in order to remain long in the presence of the Jade Emperor. Constantly taking jade mist as nourishment (referring to the pure and empty diet of the immortals), one harmonizes body and mind so as not to be tainted by dust. The physical form attains an enduring appearance, and one's Dao practice naturally renews itself day by day.

Sitting in command, one summons the deities of the various heavens to come and pay court, thereby forever cutting off the causes of the cold and bitter sufferings brought by the kalpas.

The Ninth Hymn

The distant Jade Mystery Capital (a heavenly immortal city) towers into the clouds, while the Golden Spirit Palace (the dwelling of the deities) stands lofty and magnificent. The dragon-smoke banners of the Void Emperor appear, and the Eight Assemblies (grand gatherings of the heavens) consolidate the true origin. Leading the kings of the nine heavens, one looks back toward the ancestor of the golden immortals.

Freely roaming amid the mysterious scenery, one rises transcendentally, and all sentient beings are delivered. With a wonderful and extraordinary appearance, one recites the Feixuan Bu (a hymn from the Daoist walking-the-void ritual). If one were not of the same kind as the Jade Emperor, how could one embark upon this path?

The Tenth Hymn

Together with the jade carriages, one soars through the air, reciting in unison the documents that pray for long existence. Golden feathers patrol the empty void, holding the jade-bright lotus. In a flash, one is liberated from the three nets (the net-like bindings described in Daoism), preserving oneself and extending one's lifespan through the kalpas.

Jade youths strike the jade chimes, and the sound of the jade bells resounds throughout all the heavens. Beings of the great chiliocosm gather, while dragon-shaped vapors rise from the Jade Void Palace. Immortal flowers dance and drift toward the ten directions, as all beings rejoice with delight before the Heavenly Worthy (Tianzun).

The wondrous Dao (the Way) cannot be exhausted by words. Upon entering a state of clarity as lucid as a mirror, one experiences its constant and mysterious nature.

The Eleventh Poem

The Void Origin of Utmost Truth (the original source of empty stillness, the realm of utmost truth) is mysteriously empty and natural. Profound, empty and bright, clear and pellucid, it condenses into pure Golden Truth. The Primordial Supreme Talismanic Mandate (the talismanic command conferred by the Primordial High True One) enables heaven and earth to be preserved for a long time.

The Dao of Original Form has three aspects, its light penetrating thoroughly. The radiance of the Dao spreads and infuses heaven and earth, as the three luminaries of sun, moon, and stars shine together. True Immortals of Supreme Clarity (Shangqing) arrive by chariot, protecting and assisting my body and mind.

Numerous numinous True Ones descend, their majestic radiance illuminating and circulating. I enter the subtle and mysterious realm and, together with the assembled True Ones, ascend to Jade Clarity (Yuqing, the highest heavenly realm in Daoism).

The Twelfth Poem

The Palace of Luxuriant Beauty Without Superior (name of a palatial hall in the immortal realm) towers high to the Court of Heavenly Treasures. Mysterious and yet more mysterious, unmatched in the world, its light illuminates all the heavens.

My body and mind receive the Seven Treasures (precious jewels, here describing purity and excellence), and the Brahma Scenery (sacred heavenly vistas) enters the formless realm. By virtue of the mysterious and utmost true De (Virtue/Power), flying celestial immortals offer a green chariot.

I am able to escape the calamities of seven lifetimes, and the Jade Emperor personally comes to greet me. Light rotates and illuminates the scenic realms of the ten directions. Then I leisurely and freely ascend into Jade Clarity (Yuqing).

The Palace of Luxuriant Beauty Without Superior towers high to the Court of Heavenly Treasures. Mysterious and yet more mysterious, unmatched in the world, its light illuminates all the heavens.

My body and mind receive the Seven Treasures, and the Brahma Scenery enters the formless realm. By virtue of the mysterious and utmost true De (Virtue/Power), flying celestial immortals offer a green chariot.

I am able to escape the calamities of seven lifetimes, and the Jade Emperor personally comes to greet me. Light rotates, illuminating the scenic realms of the ten directions, and I leisurely and freely ascend into Jade Clarity (Yuqing).

The Thirteenth Poem

Burning incense allows the fragrance to penetrate the secluded realm, summoning the various High True Ones (high-ranking immortal True Ones) to assemble. Blessings and celebrations flow to the Three Followers (the specific referents here are not clearly stated in the original), and the Five Sufferings (five kinds of hardships) likewise transform into joy. The Golden Dawn Youths attend and protect me at my side.

The Jade Palanquin of Eight Sceneries (an immortal vehicle) conveys me to the heavenly realm. Golden youths and Mysterious Maidens scatter immortal flowers, sweeping away worldly disturbances. Blessings flow toward the Imperial Lord, and all the heavens make vows of protection.

Jade Clarity (Yuqing) towers high, densely arrayed with the great chiliocosm. Various True Immortals descend from time to time, and many True Ones of Supreme Clarity (Shangqing) arrive in succession. All kowtow in praise and perform courtly homage to the Heavenly Worthy (Tianzun).

The Fourteenth Poem

Empty stillness and mystery, layered in profound depths, the realm of Jade Clarity (Yuqing) is brilliant and magnificent. Golden True Immortals scatter immortal flowers, their radiance spreading through all the heavens. With sincere heart one serves the Dao, cutting off miscellaneous thoughts, concentrating on visualization and reciting the scriptures (Jing).

One performs the zhai (fasting and cultivation according to Daoist ritual) and conducts incense rites, as heavenly treasures guard the spirits. The Seven Ancestors (seven generations of ancestors) celebrate together and ascend into the formless realm. All the heavens praise in unison, and the King of the Dao echoes in response.

The majestic light of the Palace of Luxuriant Beauty illuminates and penetrates Supreme Clarity (Shangqing), its radiance infusing all the heavens. With sincere heart one serves the Dao, cutting off miscellaneous thoughts, concentrating on visualization and reciting the scriptures (Jing).

By conducting fasting and purification, burning incense, and offering worship, one can receive the protection of Tianbao—the sacred power venerated in Daoism—that safeguards the spirits. The ancestors spanning seven generations of the family rejoice together as they ascend into the formless realm. The immortal realms throughout the heavens raise their voices in unison to praise, and the Dao King echoes in response.

A majestic and graceful divine light shines forth in all directions, illuminating Shangqing (the immortal realm of which Daoism speaks). Thereby, people escape the sufferings of the Three Realms and fly aloft, riding the luminous radiance. Heavenly demons join their palms in salute, while the Jade Perfected (Daoist immortal true ones) come forth to welcome them.

The Five Sufferings (the pains of birth, old age, illness, death, and so forth) dissolve at any moment, allowing one to proceed freely and at ease toward the immortal realm of the Upper Capital. Kowtowing in worship before the Three Venerables (the three highest sacred beings venerated in Daoism), one prays that they manifest throughout the ten directions. The realms ascend in successive layers, high and distant, reaching through to luminous clarity, where the Purple Void (a lofty and profound immortal realm) and the pure light shine in mutual radiance.

The High Perfected (immortal true ones who have attained the Dao) rejoice together, and the practitioner swiftly rises to the Jade Court immortal realm.