《上清曲素诀辞箓》

The Shangqing Qusu Jueci Lu, also known as the Great Book of the Mysterious Mound of Phoenix Qi (vital energy) of the Nine Heavens, was transmitted by the Left Perfected of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate).

The Most High (an honorific title in Daoism for the supreme deity) transmitted this scripture to the Left Perfected, who then transmitted it to the Great Lord of the Azure Youth of Fangzhu Palace in the Eastern Sea. The Great Lord of the Azure Youth is to transmit it to superior adepts—those of profound foundation who have succeeded in cultivating the Dao (the Way). These people have long had their names recorded in the jade registers and are destined to become immortal Perfected Ones.

After wearing this register for thirty years, one can meet the Three Primordial Lords (three divine lords revered in Daoism) and welcome the Sage Lord to the Golden Palaces of Shangqing (the palaces within the Shangqing realm). Only after seven hundred years may it be transmitted to two people. Transmission must be performed with ritual during a purification fast; once conferral is complete, a blood oath is sworn using gold silk, substituting for the blood-covenant rite performed upon the altar.

The Qusu Jueci

The Qusu (here referring to the fulu (talismans and registers) recorded in the scripture) can overawe the ghosts of the Six Heavens, command the Shen (spirits) of the various Jing (essences), issue orders to the Five Emperors, restrain the Five Sacred Peaks, and send fulu through rivers and marshes to summon a hundred ghosts.

The Jueci (oral formulas or phrases used in conjunction with the fulu) can subdue tigers and leopards in famous mountains, harness flood-dragons in a hundred rivers, command ten thousand ghosts, and expel every kind of malevolent influence.

All the above fulu are written in cinnabar.

In the original text the phrases “斋中胂阋唤铮” and the concluding “朊嗽E” are suspected to be corrupt characters or recognition errors, from which the original meaning cannot be determined.

Thirty chi of white silk serve as a credential for preserving the blood, taking the place of the blood-oath sworn with qu su (white silk fabric). Recipients of the register who have not observed fasting and purification may not perform the ritual of releasing the register. Twenty chi of plain brocade serve as a credential for protecting the immortals and for establishing the oath to transmit the teaching three times within seven hundred years. After receiving the register, one must wear it at all times, whether ill, entering water, fire or mountains, or going indoors. Three pairs of gold rings serve as a credential for preserving longevity and obtaining the power of great salvation, and also represent the covenant to keep the heart free of obstruction. A Daoist priest lacking this document cannot pay homage to the Three Primordial Lords (the three divine lords venerated in Daoism). Nine liang of incense serve as a credential for communicating with the spirits and as a token of alliance with the nether spirits; without it one cannot summon or command the ghosts of the Six Heavens.

When men receive the register they face north and the master faces south; when women receive the register they face south and the master faces north. When submitting documents and performing the sacrificial rite the master should personally transmit the relevant secret instructions by mouth. The conferral of the register is done facing north. Ten years after receiving the register a man must again observe fasting and purification and submit documents; ten years after receiving the register a woman must perform a sacrificial rite. Register wine and dried meat are placed on the seats in a quiet chamber, and the deities of the palaces of Taiqing Gaozhen, Jingling Zhenren and Taishang Zhangren are respectfully invited to come and receive the precepts. The recipient faces the register text while the master transmits the secret formulas orally; the related content is not written in the documents but is bound by burning incense, making oaths and similar means.

The Taiqing High Immortal Jingyun Zhenren opens the Great Register of Opening Heaven, which the Taishang Zhangren confers upon the Lords of the Five Sacred Peaks. Wearing this register can dispel disasters and avoid misfortunes, drive away evil and ward off wickedness, resist the various jing, drive away all kinds of flying birds and command ghostly beings. It can also extend life by ten years, restore the hun and po souls, delay aging and bring peace and long duration to the body. This register is also known as the “Three Heavens Contract of Inevitable Life.”

The Nine Heavens Elder commands ten White-Plain Jade Maiden Officials stationed to the left and right of the disciple.

The above Fulu (talismans and registers), except for those portions required to be written freehand and marked with colors, are all written in cinnabar.

The Nine Heavens Phoenix Qi Mysterious Mound True Scripture (the true scripture of the Nine Heavens Phoenix Qi Mysterious Mound) is the ritual protocol for immortals established by the Elder of the Mysterious Capital (Xuandu Zhangren, a Daoist immortal title). Three days after receiving the Fulu (talismans and registers), green silk and three pairs of jade rings are to be delivered to the recipient, and an oath is sworn with incense and silk fabrics as the Fulu are conferred. The recipient must record the Tai Sui (the Year God), must not be negligent or deceptive, must not harbor malice or act impatiently; one must practice benevolence and accumulate De (Virtue/Power), visualize the divine Shen (spirits), and hold the True Person in mind. Those who wear the Fulu are immortals.

Huoluo Seven Origins Register

This register comprises the Sun-Scene Cinnabar Origin Yellow-Written Talisman (the talisman of the sun, written in yellow), the Moon-Scene Yellow Origin Azure-Written Talisman (the talisman of the moon, written in azure), the Year Star Vermilion-Written Talisman (the talisman of the Year Star, written in vermilion), the Sparkling Deluder Yellow-Written Talisman (the talisman of the Sparkling Deluder, written in yellow), the Great White Black-Written Talisman (the talisman of the Great White, written in black), the Chronogram Star Azure-Written Talisman (the talisman of the Chronogram Star, written in azure), the Guardian Star Vermilion-Written Talisman (the talisman of the Guardian Star, written in vermilion), the Vermilion Talisman Vermilion-Written Talisman (the vermilion talisman, written in vermilion), the Vermilion Talisman Vermilion-Written Talisman (the vermilion talisman, written in vermilion), the Black Talisman Black-Written Talisman (the black talisman, written in black), and the Orpiment Talisman Yellow-Written Talisman (the orpiment-colored talisman, written in yellow).

This group of talismans is written by hand by the subordinate official and worn. Originally the “Seven Origins” referred to the sun, moon, and five planets; in addition five further talismans are listed, which should be those from the Scripture of Dispelling Demons. The Scripture of Dispelling Demons contains forty-nine talismans in all, and in the talisman scripture the positions of each talisman are left blank, the blanks varying in width. A few of them are also preserved here, while the rest have been lost.

There is also a yellow talisman which, according to the scripture, comes from the Demon Scripture in the Declarations of the Perfected. The text further mentions the “Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) Perfected Person’s Decree to the Northern Emperor of Fengtai Talisman” recorded in the Declarations of the Perfected, saying it appears in the Jade Horse Scripture, though this claim has not yet been verified. It may also be that the Seven Origins talismans have their methods of use roughly recorded in the transmitted scriptures; what is recorded here is a version for wearing, so specific usage is not explained. For the time being we follow the account in the Declarations of the Perfected, writing them with brushes of different colors on colored silks of different hues, to be worn after conferral. In the “Decree to Fengtai” account, the talisman declaration records that this talisman is to be placed in a deep purple pouch and worn on the head.

Shangqing Ten Heavens Summoning Dragons Register

All the above Fulu are written in vermilion.

Shangqing Eight Powers Summoning Dragons Register

On the first day of a given month in a given year, the register-receiving disciple and Perfected One of a given Peak, so-and-so, belonging to a given palace-temple in a given county of a given prefecture, respectfully presents himself before the Master of the Great Cavern of Highest Clarity (Shangqing), Lord so-and-so, to receive in homage the Secret Register of the Jade Sentiment of Returning the Carriage and Completing the Dao of Highest Clarity, the True Scripture of the Great Cavern (Dadong Zhenjing), and other scriptures and registers. The disciple swears to cultivate in accordance with the precepts of the Mysterious Gate, to rescue others and to save the world while delivering all beings. Should he violate this oath, he willingly accepts investigation and punishment in the netherworld and with his own person makes atonement to the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water, never harboring resentment. He respectfully follows the statutes and ordinances of the Mysterious Code of the Most High and immediately puts them into practice.

The above oath is likewise jointly declared: should the oath be violated, he willingly accepts netherworld investigation and punishment, atones with his own person to the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water, and never harbors resentment. He respectfully follows the statutes and ordinances of the Mysterious Code of the Most High and immediately puts them into practice.

All of the above is written in cinnabar.

Brief texts for depositing in mountains and waters during the four seasons are prepared as follows: at the Beginning of Spring on the Jia-yin day, at the Beginning of Summer on the Jia-wu day, at the Beginning of Autumn on the Jia-shen day, and at the Beginning of Winter on the Jia-zi day. These four talisman texts are all written on azure paper within cinnabar-bordered frames and inscribed in cinnabar. In accordance with the ritual they are deposited in mountains and waters at the corresponding seasons.

The thirty-five Sea Dragon Kings of the East are commanded to receive them. The thirty-five Sea Dragon Kings of the South are commanded to receive them. The thirty-five Sea Dragon Kings of the West are commanded to receive them. The thirty-five Sea Dragon Kings of the North are commanded to receive them.

The above authentic texts and Fulu (talismans and registers) are all written in cinnabar.

The Register of the Nine Sovereign Guests of the River Chart of Highest Clarity. On the first day of a given month in a given year, the register-receiving disciple so-and-so of a given palace-temple in a given county of a given prefecture respectfully presents himself before the Master of the Great Cavern of Highest Clarity, Lord so-and-so, to make an alliance and receive the Register of the Nine Stars of the Great Mystery River Chart of Highest Clarity.

On the first day of a given month in a given year, the register-receiving disciple and Perfected One of a given Peak, so-and-so, belonging to a given palace-temple in a given county of a given prefecture, respectfully presents himself before the Master of the Great Cavern of Highest Clarity, Lord so-and-so, to receive the hidden names of the Nine Stars and to make an alliance in receiving the Register of the Nine Stars of the Great Mystery River Chart of Highest Clarity.

On the first day of a given month in a given year, the register-receiving disciple and Perfected One of a given Peak, so-and-so, belonging to a given palace-temple in a given county of a given prefecture, respectfully presents himself before the Master of the Great Cavern of Highest Clarity, Lord so-and-so, to receive the hidden names of the Nine Stars and the talisman of long life without death. He must not violate the true codes of the Mysterious Gate; everything is carried out according to the ordinances of the Mysterious Capital of the Most High.

The Yangming Taiwei Palace has nine hundred twenty ranks and administers nine trillion spirit officials, flying-dragon cavalry officers, embroidered-robe envoys, jade boys, and jade maidens, with nine trillion in each category. The Yinjing Shangzai Palace has five hundred fifty ranks, likewise governing nine trillion of each type of these numinous beings. The Zhenren Sikong Palace comprises seven hundred seventy ranks with the same vast numbers of spirit officials, cavalry, envoys, jade boys and jade maidens. The Xuanming Youji Palace has eight hundred ranks and similarly oversees nine trillion per class.

The Danyuan Doujun Palace possesses seven hundred twenty ranks and commands nine trillion spirit officials, flying-dragon cavalry officers, embroidered-robe envoys, golden boys, and jade maidens in every category. The Beiji Taichang Palace has seven hundred forty ranks, the Tianguan Shangdi Palace nine hundred ranks, the Futianzun Yudi Palace nine hundred ninety ranks, and the Bitandi Zhenren Palace nine hundred ninety ranks, each administering nine trillion of the spirit officials, flying-dragon riders, embroidered-robe messengers, golden boys and jade maidens.

The above Fulu (talismans and registers) are written in cinnabar. The Shangqing Purple-Patterned Crossed-Belt Register (the purple-patterned crossed-belt Fulu of the Shangqing school) is also called the “Returning Carriage Crossed Belt,” also known as the “Completed Dao Certificate,” and also the “Yuanshi Great Certificate.”

The inner secret names of the nine stars are as follows. The taboo names of the nine stars are written all together using cinnabar. The above are the inner taboos of the Nine Sovereigns; those who receive this transmission must keep them strictly confidential. The true oral instructions must be passed down at the river mouth.

When opening the Chart of the Nine Stars, pacing according to the proper hours while practicing visualization (inward contemplation during cultivation), and likewise upon rising in the morning and retiring at night, one should first knock the teeth nine times, then silently recite the names of the stars together with the invocations.

The first star is Taixing, the Great Star, whose stellar Jing (essence) is named Xuanshu, the Mysterious Pivot. May the disciple ascend in flight and become an immortal, riding the void and driving the clouds. The second star is Yuanxing, the Primordial Star, whose stellar Jing is named Beitai, the Northern Terrace. May the disciple ascend in flight and become an immortal, coming and going among the grotto-heaven immortal chambers. The third star is Zhenxing, the True Star, whose stellar Jing is named Beiji Shangzhen, the Supreme Perfected of the North Pole. May the disciple ascend in flight and become an immortal, obtaining an immortal office that governs the Three Mysteries. The fourth star is Niuxing, the Knot Star, whose stellar Jing is named Xuangen, the Whirling Root. May the disciple obtain a name in the immortal registers and be enrolled among the flying immortals.

The fifth star is Gangxing, the Guideline Star, whose stellar Jing is named Tianping, the Heavenly Balance. May the disciple ascend in flight and become an immortal, mounting to Shangqing (Highest Clarity, a high celestial realm in Daoism). The sixth star is Jixing, the Chronogram Star, whose stellar Jing is named Mingji, the Pivot of Destiny. May the disciple ascend in flight and become an immortal, with their name registered in Taiwei (Grand Tenuity, the name of a Daoist heaven). The seventh star is Guanxing, the Barrier Star, whose stellar Jing is named Xuanyang, Mysterious Yang. May the disciple ascend in flight and become an immortal, able to command the jade youths (attendant spirits of the immortal realm). The eighth star is Dixing, the Sovereign Star, whose stellar Jing is named Gaoshang Yuhuang, the Jade Sovereign of the High Above. May the disciple ascend in flight and become an immortal, ascending the Terrace of the Latter Sage. The ninth star is Zunxing, the Honored Star, whose stellar Jing is named Taiwei Dijun, the Sovereign Lord of Grand Tenuity. May the disciple ascend in flight and become an immortal, with their name entered in the Cinnabar Jasper Jade Chambers.

After the nine invocations have been recited, knock the teeth nine times once more. Practitioners may cultivate according to their own circumstances, but must cautiously and respectfully guard the secret methods and not transmit them casually. By carrying them out in accordance with the regulations, the true Dao (the Way) will naturally be accomplished.

Taisui: ____

Guarantor: ____

Supervisor of Transmission: ____

Master of Transmission: ____

The Shangqing Qusu Jueci Lu is complete.