《上清金章十二篇》

Banqueting and gazing in the Palace of Grand Aurora (Taixia Gong, an immortal palace of the celestial realm), the Golden Towers (Jinque, the golden gate-towers of the immortal palaces) shine upon the purple heavens. Within the dwellings of the immortals, all gather joyfully in the realm of Grand Simplicity (Taisu), the windows on every side adorned with vermilion jade of finest quality. Driving the chariot wheels they fly across the Ford of the Hollow Void (Kongdong zhi jin, a crossing in the profound emptiness of space), flicking the reins to set the azure-green carriage dancing gracefully. The Jade Flower immortal arrives upon a canopy of clouds, while the Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu, a female immortal in Daoist legend) waves banners of woven brocade. In an instant one has already distanced oneself from the defilements of the mortal world, arriving at the courtyard inhabited by the beautiful ones. The resonances accumulated of old bring the appointed hour to pass; all that is gained was long since destined in the unseen. Riding the wind one muses upon the Nine Empyreans, sharing the drink of Cinnabar Flower (Danhua, the numinous essence of which immortals speak), gathering in tranquil delight. Turning to take leave of all things in the world, how could one know that the formless still conceals a numinous wonder?

Ascending northward the Tower of Mysterious Darkness (Xuanming Que, the deep gate-towers of the immortal palaces), they join hands to pass through the lofty Net Heaven (Luotian). Incense smoke diffuses in the eight directions, and mysterious winds stir the crimson-colored waves. Gazing upward they cross the Ford of Crystal Clarity (Langlang Jin, a ringing and luminous celestial crossing); looking down they overlook the inlets of Mount Qu Yue. Raising their voices they chant songs of the clouds, phoenix cries resounding through the Nine Caverns of the auroral sky. Riding upon Qi (vital energy, the primordial life-force of Daoism) they float through empty space—why still tread the mountain paths? The Golden Tallies (Jinjie, command tallies of the immortal realm) transmit orders to the Feathered Spirits (Yuling, divine beings of the immortal realm), dispatching troops to crush and subdue the myriad demons. They rinse and draw in the radiance of the Round Dawn, accumulating the qi of spring until infant-like vitality begins to sprout. In the clamorous, competitive world of humankind, people do not comprehend these matters—what then is to be done?

The northern hills are thick with cloud-qi; purple blossoms form upon the crimson trees. Azure immortal herbs fall amid the Phoenix Grove, and jade-green plants grow among the rocky cliffs. The numinous pavilions rise high into the vast emptiness, jade stone immortal chambers joining with the Grand Aurora. Cloud-qi arises within the winding still rooms, the winds of the eight directions stirring the dust of the nether gloom. They play upon the Nine Strings (the zither strings of immortal music), producing dragon-chant harmonies upon the Imperial Walls (Diyong, the city walls of the heavenly realm). Waving the fans, the wind then sweeps across the ridges of the Five Sacred Mountains; grasping the tallies they summon troops to campaign against the hosts of demons. In the twinkling of an eye even the millennial chun trees seem already to have endured long ages. Alas, those who live from dawn till dusk—how can they know the true length of the years?

In the Palace of Corner Radiance and Rare Grove (Yujing Xilin Gong, an immortal palace), they circulate the spirit and enter the realm of profound emptiness and stillness. The utmost wondrous contemplation shines forth in the Six Courts (Liuting, the six palatial courts of inner cultivation), and whether great or small, all may wander freely in unfettered ease. Dragon-like piping swirls around the cloud canopies, tiger roars shaking all things. The Three Simplicities (Sansu, the three kinds of pure and simple qi spoken of in Daoism) open distant vistas, cinnabar auroras rising in the morning sky. Feathered banners cross the numinous ford, purple immortal carriages flying toward the splendid heights. Driving onward they race beyond the Nine Heavens; raising the eyes to look up and down, heaven and earth appear empty, still, and boundless. The petty affairs of the dusty world tangle into clamor and filth, causing the spirit to decay and the Qi to wither with it. Why not seek the chariot of distant roaming through the heavens? A journey of eight thousand li can yet be completed in a single morning.

At dawn one crosses the billows of the emerald sea, riding a flying carriage to leave the Green Chamber Immortal Palace, loudly chanting verses in harmony with immortal companions while traversing the vast waters. Three times one has made appointments with the Jade Empyrean immortal guests and five times awaited the Donghua Child, yet one continues to gaze up toward the distant heavenly realms. The filth and vexations of the mortal world accumulate, causing the human spirit to decline and the primordial Qi (vital energy) to wither. Why not seek the methods of far-roaming in the immortal lands? Though the road is distant, one can arrive within a single morning.

At dawn one crosses the emerald sea, riding a flying carriage from the Green Chamber Immortal Palace, loudly reciting verses in duet with immortal friends while crossing the Canglang waters. Three times appointed with the Jade Empyrean immortal guests, five times expecting the Donghua Child to descend. Riding swift winds like wings, one ascends to the realm of Imperial Dawn and holds a banquet in Guanghan Palace. In the palace void the eight tones of music resound, a purple phoenix sings wondrous wind music; crimson clouds reflect the bright sunlight as the Eight Scenes immortal carriages fly into vast space. Chewing immortal springs like jade and agate, body and mind revert from old age to the purity of an infant. Supreme joy returns to the five spirits as the years accumulate through countless kalpas of hardship. To cast off the dusty world is like removing one’s shoes—what difficulty is there? Only through toil and anxiety does one deplete the innate Jing (essence), Qi (vital energy), and Shen (spirit).

At dawn one drives the carriage into the morning light, loosening the reins and setting out from the Purple Clarity immortal realm. Riding floating clouds to gallop amid gorgeous rosy glow, the carriage canopy fluttering, one arrives at the courtyard of Guanghan Palace. High Perfected Ones (the high-ranking Zhenren venerated in Daoism) guard the imperial palaces, while the palace ponds draw in Western immortal numina. Between the extreme domains of the ten directions and the empty caverns of the five directions, flying mists wreath embroidered screens. Divine tigers fan auspicious winds, purple clouds encircle the dragon carriage. In an instant one has traversed the eight directions; looking back, the vast lifespan of the Chun tree is but a moment. Distant flute notes linger as one meets with Xuanjingzi and other Perfected Immortals; why not seek the Dao of longevity?

In the gardens of the immortals, beautiful lingzhi fungi appear and recede while Kunlun Pond waters irrigate the fields. One gazes up at the palaces of Jade Clarity (Yuqing, one of the Three Pure Ones), lofty and towering beside the crimson heavenly river. Purple auroras illuminate the winding banquet, five-colored auspicious clouds brighten the nine heavens. Winds of the eight directions arise from the farthest reaches, cloudy vapors dense among the dim green pavilions. The Three Primes Perfected Ones dwell in the Western Palace, while the Donghua immortal realm holds fine immortals. The immortal of the Northern Darkness sings the seven whistles, Mingji chants of the Southern Perfected. Playing the ao instrument attuned to vermilion pitches, waving the jade baton to sound the six strings. Their hearts and minds mutually accord—how could this be chance? Together they proceed to the summit of Guangfeng, agreeing to jointly summon and command the myriad demons while dwelling amid the clustered darkness. To enter the immortal realm transcendentally is not difficult, thus opening boundless and endless longevity.

Harnessing the primordial Qi (Yuanqi, prenatal vital energy), I gaze upon the empty void, ride the radiance of sun and moon, and rest above the Nine Heavens. Condensed breath transforms into vast luminous wings, and a mysterious celestial canopy appears in the boundless expanse. Vapors from the eight directions whirl swiftly like wheels, yet the path of travel remains still, unbound by years. I play the ao (an ancient musical instrument), its music resounding through the eight directions; even my celestial steed finds no ford to cross. Holding the tally of office, I enter Donghua (the eastern immortal realm) and feast at dusk atop the peak of Xuanpu. I fasten my sash, carrying the Five Spirits (vital energies or deities of the five directions), unfasten my ornaments, and bring a fair companion. Through resonance from the unseen depths, I naturally accord with the timing of fortune; though it seems like wandering, there is inherent karmic affinity. Together we mount soaring wings and rise into the void; a single beat of the wings carries us a hundred million li. Descending through the radiance, we float amid mysterious vistas, riding a purple carriage drawn by clouds on a distant journey. Looking up, we pass over the Golden Palaces (celestial palaces); looking down, we behold Xihua City (the western immortal realm).

Donghua opens with five-colored radiance, divine light illuminating the Seven Spirits. Light and shadow interweave, lighting the Three Si (celestial waters), as flowing luminous Qi each returns to the unseen. Wind stirs the empty heavenly vault, incense smoke drifts through the jade courtyard. Taking the Weaver Girl by the hand, the green brocade of the garment flutters gently down. Yuanhuai (an immortal or spirit designation) intersects with the feathered banners, and the floral canopy tilts with the cloud vapors. Feasting and resting beyond the Nine Heavens, the rights and wrongs of the world have nothing to do with me. Embracing emptiness in the Niwan Palace (the cultivation chamber within the head), the innate bearing grows ever more infant-like in purity. Still more, if one can discern and wash away faults and defilements, the heart no longer suffers agony or emptiness.

On the verdant empty peaks of Fusang (the eastern divine tree), crimson cloud-blossoms gleam faintly. The heights of Langtai are spacious and ethereal, scenery on all sides reflected in the clear high sky. Riding flying light, controlling purple wheels, using the Three Su (three pure vapors of Daoism) as reins, driving a crimson carriage. Resting in the halls of the Great Emperor, then arriving at the lofty courtyard of the Queen Mother of the West. Washing both feet in the emerald stream, carrying a jar of jade nectar (immortal wine). Quchen (an immortal or spirit designation) comes riding the wind, floating down from time to time. Briefly arriving amid the mists of the human world, then turning the carriage back to seek the many Perfected Ones. Mysterious meetings have their own mutual appointments; wandering to and fro, allowing body and mind to enter the unseen depths. From this one comes to know honor and disgrace, fortune and encounter, and also understands that worry hastens the passing of lifespan.

A secluded quiet chamber can bring purity; I wish to wait in stillness for the divine spirits until cultivation is accomplished. Why speak of treading the path of power and influence? All manner of illness arises precisely from this. The heavenly court produces the Golden Flower (the essence that appears in Neidan internal alchemy), used to manifest and drive away yin evils. The Jade Valley (place of Qi circulation within the body) intermingles with Xuanqing (a Daoist deity or inner cultivation referent), and the precious Qi (Qiongqi, rarefied vital energy) support and interweave with each other. Celestial authenticity is thereby established, and only then does one realize that anxiety causes the lifespan to shorten.

The quiet chamber should be kept pure and peaceful, so that the spirits may await the proper time until cultivation is accomplished. Why speak of these matters on the thoroughfares where people come and go? All manner of illnesses and disasters often arise from this. The heavenly court (the celestial realm) generates a golden radiance, which is used to illuminate and drive away yin evils. The Jade Valley (a place of inner cultivation within the body in Daoist tradition) resonates with Xuanqing (a Daoist deity), and the jade Qi (vital energy), a subtle essence like jade nectar, intermingles and mutually supports. The Celestial Perfected (immortals who have attained the Dao) remain long established, and the medicine of ascent emits wondrous sand-like particles. At dawn one ceremonially welcomes the celestial horses and drives the carriage back to the home of divine mystery; immortals arrive in the chamber and together they eliminate all kinds of malevolent influences.

In cultivating the Dao (the Way), one should take fasting and purification as the foremost practice, and only through diligent cultivation can one ascend to the Golden Palaces (the celestial halls). Therefore the Great Dharma Bridge (a metaphor for the methods that ferry people in cultivating the Dao) was established, to universally save all classes of sentient beings. The practitioner repays the accumulated kindness from previous lives, and from this a transcendent heart of the Dao arises. By regularly performing the Six Fasts (the fasting days prescribed in Daoism) and paying homage to the Empty Cavern (Kongdong, a heavenly realm honored in the Shangqing scriptures), and by cultivating on the Ten Direct Days (the monthly fasting dates), one can communicate with the divine. The Five Elders (honored deities such as the celestial emperors of the five directions) register the practitioner in the immortal registers and come riding cloud chariots to welcome them. The practitioner's body flies up to the Mysterious Capital (Xuandu, the celestial realm where the perfected dwell), and the ancestors of seven generations are thereby liberated.