《太上求仙定录尺素真诀玉文》

The Golden Mother Lady Wang of the Western City (Xicheng Jinmu Wang Furen), a legendary female immortal and goddess, transmitted this.

On the jiazi day that fell on the first of a certain month in a certain year, a certain gentleman of Yuezhong, whose previous life had brought him the good fortune of cultivating the Dao (the Way) and whose blessings continued into the present life, received from Master Yuezhong and ritual master so-and-so the secret methods of the Inner Formula of the Silk Letter together with the documents of the various saints. By this means he ascended to immortality, entered the Dao, and had his immortal rank confirmed. Gold served as the token of transmission, and an oath was sworn in the blood of a white phoenix: only after one kalpa, and only if a person of worthy virtue appeared, might the teaching be heard and passed on.

Those of like mind who have just begun to study the arts of jia and yi have now received the great covenant and numinous code of the superior saints. This code is said to take overall command of the myriad spirits, to assemble demonic spirits, to drive the dragon deities, to employ the Perfected (Zhenren), to oversee the Five Peaks, and to supervise the sources of the rivers. At the moment the oath is taken one writes the oath text, flies up into the mysterious void, cuts blood to form the covenant so that the vow accords with the myriad Perfected, and the ancestors of seven generations jointly supervise the oath. The principles of this method are of the utmost importance and must not be transmitted lightly. Anyone who leaks the hidden oral formulas and written characters of the Silk Letter will fall into the netherworld after death; the ancestors of seven generations together with the parents will likewise undergo examination and punishment by the Three Officials (the deities who preside over Heaven, Earth, and Water), carried out according to the regulations of the Code of the Four Poles.

The taboo name of the Heavenly Sovereign Lord is “He,” consisting of four characters.

The taboo name of the Earthly Sovereign Lord is “Zha,” consisting of seven characters.

The taboo name of the Human Sovereign Lord is “Chang,” consisting of five characters. The punishment of examination by the Three Officials follows what is recorded in the Code of the Four Poles above.

The taboo name of the Heavenly Sovereign Lord is “He,” consisting of four characters.

The taboo name of the Earthly Sovereign Lord is “Zha,” consisting of seven characters.

The taboo name of the Human Sovereign Lord is “Chang,” consisting of five characters.

This passage appears to be a formula or ritual recitation concerned with praying for longevity and seeking immortality, but the surviving wording is frequently disordered and difficult to interpret as a continuous whole. Its general purport may be that a person’s allotted fate is bound up with Heaven and Earth, the sun, moon and stars, the directions, and the spirits. The text lists directions such as Qian, Kun, Xun, Dui and Gen of the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), as well as the heavenly stems Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Geng, Xin and Ren, and it further mentions a series of designations based on the number nine, including the Nine Heavens, Nine Earths, Nine Human Destinies, Nine Perfected and Nine Daos (the Way). It then prays that the deities will perceive clearly and confer protection, so that one may enjoy prolonged life and prosperity and be able to seek the immortals.

The text also contains phrases such as “nine Jian, Chu, Man, Ding,” which may relate to the names of days used in selecting auspicious dates or in ritual; “paying homage to the Three Stones,” “Jade Maidens,” “Five Emperors,” “Three Sovereigns” and the like appear to describe the objects of the rite or the deities being invoked. The latter half lists the Twenty-Eight Lunar Lodges (the ancient system of asterisms), together with Taiyi, the Northern Army, the Five Sacred Peaks, the Four Waterways, the Three Rivers, the Eastern Sea, the stars, and ghosts and spirits, praying that the various gods of Heaven and Earth will manifest themselves and grant protection. The closing employs language such as “those who look up to them survive, those who lose them perish” to emphasize that whether one reveres them or not is a matter of survival or destruction, and it prays that the celestial deities will attend in service, bestow blessings and extend life, so that both the young and the old may seek immortality.

Because the original text appears in many places to suffer from omitted characters, erroneous graphs or disordered copying, the foregoing can only summarize on the basis of recognizable phrases and cannot establish the precise meaning of every sentence. The concluding note “right, Heavenly Sovereign, three hundred fourteen characters” means that the preceding belongs to a section entitled “Heavenly Sovereign” (Tianhuang) and comprises three hundred fourteen characters in all.

This scripture appears to contain extensive corruption, omissions, or disorder, so that many phrases cannot be read as a continuous sequence; a complete meaning therefore cannot be established from it. The general sense of those portions that can be identified is as follows.

The text mentions the eight directions, the stars and constellations, the sun and moon, the Dipper and lunar mansions, rivers, seas, streams, and ponds, as well as “Heaven,” “Earth,” and other cosmological orientations and natural scenes. It also names deities or spirit-forces such as the “Six Ding” (Liuding), the “Fire King,” the “Thunder Lord,” “ghosts,” and “dragons.” Recurring phrases including “nine heavens, mountains, stones, and waters,” “jade Jing (essence),” “Qian,” “Gen,” and “Xun” (trigrams of the Bagua (Eight Trigrams)) appear to concern Heaven and Earth, directional positions, and spirits, yet the surrounding context is fragmentary and their precise referents cannot be determined.

In the later section one can make out terms such as “union and separation,” “ceasing doubt,” “supporting the branches,” “urgent ghosts,” “urgent guilt,” and “untimely fate,” after which there are mentions of peaks, trees, mounds, the imperial dragon, yin, the sun and moon, the Dipper, Heaven, and so on. Because the relations among these phrases remain unclear, it is not possible to judge reliably whether the passage treats cultivation practice, divinatory verification, or ritual.

The closing notation “the above, Earth Sovereign, two hundred thirty-three characters” means that the foregoing text belongs to a chapter titled “Earth Sovereign” (Dihuang) and comprises two hundred thirty-three characters.

These are two passages of incantations used in Fulu (talismans and registers) or in rites of prayer and warding. The wording consists largely of divine names, celestial official titles, and formulaic phrases; some lines may contain copyist’s errors, making a character-by-character reconstruction difficult. The general meaning is as follows.

The first passage, titled “Renhuang” (Human Sovereign) and totaling one hundred and fifty-eight characters, summons celestial spirit-generals and protective deities, commanding them to act in accordance with the decree of the Heavenly Emperor, to subdue ghosts and demons and to drive out evil influences. The text repeatedly mentions the Liu Ding (the Six Ding, protective spirit-generals frequently invoked in Daoism), the Three Heavens, the Three Sovereigns, and other divine names. It also refers to the Azure Tiger, the deities of the North, and the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions. The incantation petitions the spirit-generals to set forth swiftly upon their orders, to suppress ghosts and evil, to protect the ritual practitioner, and, by drawing on the statutes of Heaven, the power of the constellations, and the force of thunder, to achieve the aims of warding off evil and extending life.

The second passage, titled “Dafu” (Great Talisman) and totaling fifty characters, summons the Nine Heavens, the Northern Army, the Azure Lad of the Eastern Sea, the nether generals, the Spirit Kings, the Jade Maidens, the Mysterious Divine Great Emperor, the Thunder Lord, and other deities. It also enumerates the Yang Ding, the Three Sovereigns and Five Lords, the Six Dukes, and other celestial officers. Its intent is to invite these spirits to take their proper stations, gather their divine power, and support the Fulu and the related rites.

Gao Jiutian commands the Emperor of the Upper Heaven, the Lesser Northern Army, General Ma You the Little Lad of the Eastern Sea, the Divine King Father who answers the summons, the Queen Mother who assumes her throne, the Jade Maidens, the Mysterious Spirit High God of Clear Heaven, the Duke of Clouds and Thunder, together with the Yin-Yang Six Ding, the Three Sovereigns and Five Lords, and other spirits: should there be an urgent document, immediately summon the Lady of the Western Chamber of High Heaven to appear at the High Upper place. The talismans (fu) of the various maidens of Heaven and Earth dwelling in the forty-eight residences among the rivers and sacred peaks, once summoned, must answer the call and fulfill the command.

The Jade Father answers the summons, the Queen Mother assumes her throne, the Jade Maidens, the Mysterious Spirit High God of Clear Heaven, the Duke of Clouds and Thunder, together with the Yin-Yang Six Ding and the Three Sovereigns and Five Lords: should there be an urgent document, immediately summon the Lady of the Western Chamber of High Heaven to appear at the High Upper place. The talismans of the various maidens of Heaven and Earth dwelling in the forty-eight residences among the rivers and sacred peaks, once summoned, must answer the call and fulfill the command.

Jade Maidens, Plain Maidens, Jiaoying, Zihua, Xuanzhi, Hemiao, the Five Peaks, Bilin, the Father and Mother of the Nine Heavens, and the Earl of Wind: swiftly deliver the registers of names and act at once in accordance with the command. The Heavenly Chancellor, the Swift Censor, and the Divine Lady of Fire Above: as soon as the document arrives, press the matter forward and be certain to proceed according to the ordinances.

The Three Upper Luminous Lords Bao Hu, the Three Imperial Ladies, Nü Lao, and Peng Ziheng: upon receiving the urgent order, take your places at once; you must not delay or linger. Tianyi is charged with patrolling, investigating, and overseeing the affairs of the Nine Heavens.

The inner text above comprises one hundred sixty-two characters in all; the Three Sovereigns section totals nine hundred thirty-three characters.

The taboo name of the Lord of the Eastern Peak is “Qu Gengsheng”; that of the Lord of the Southern Peak is “Zhu Changzhong”; that of the Lord of the Central Peak is “Yu Jing”; that of the Lord of the Western Peak is “Ru Quzheng”; and that of the Lord of the Northern Peak is “Xuan Yinfeng.”

Here “fu” (talismans) and “shu” (memorials) refer to the inscribed charms and written documents employed in Daoist ritual to convey commands and summon spirits; “minghui” (taboo names) are the proper names of the deities. The original consists largely of divine titles and summoning formulas, and the structure of certain sentences is not entirely clear; it has therefore been rendered in the tone of ritual commands.

Wu Bizhu and the Father-Uncle of the Nine Heavens, swiftly receive and carry out the command. The Heavenly Minister Censor and the Most High Divine Heaven urge compliance according to the statutes and ordinances. Sanming Baohu rules and commands the Three Heavens. All assembled, Laozi Hengwen, proceed at once without the slightest delay. Heaven completes a circuit in a single day, investigating and reporting all matters of treachery and evil; anyone who fails to answer the summons is to be delivered to the emperors of Metal, Wood, Water and Fire for disposition. The taboo names of the Nine Heavens are present in the world: Long Jiutian Ming, Upper Heaven Little Northern Army, East Sea Youth, Dark General, Divine King Father, Responding King Assistant, Jade Maiden, Mysterious Divine Great Emperor and Numinous Thunder Duke, arrayed in due sequence. Yang Ding Three Circuits likewise investigate and report matters of treachery and evil; anyone who fails to answer the summons is to be delivered to the emperors of Metal, Wood, Water and Fire for disposition. The taboo names of the Nine Heavens are present in the world: Long Jiutian Ming, Upper Heaven Little Northern Army, East Sea Youth, Dark General, Divine King Father, Responding King Assistant, Jade Maiden, Mysterious Divine Great Emperor and Numinous Thunder Duke, arrayed in due sequence. The Three Sovereigns and Five Lords submit memorials that reach directly to the Highest Place; all who enter the inner chambers of High Heaven are concerned with the rivers, the sacred peaks and the four quarters together with the eight directions. The various female talismans of Heaven and Earth, whenever a request is made, must answer the commands of the Jade Maidens. The names of Jade Maiden Ying, Purple Flower, Mysterious Qi, He Wu Bizhu and the Father-Uncle of the Nine Heavens, swiftly receive the command. The Heavenly Minister Censor and the Most High Divine Heaven urge compliance according to the statutes and ordinances.

The above constitutes the talisman text of the Five Sacred Mountains, totaling one hundred sixty-four characters; the Five Sacred Mountains together amount to one hundred seventy-eight characters.

The surname and taboo personal name of Lord Lingbao.

In the east the Nine Qi (nine kinds of primordial vital energy) of the Primordial Sovereign Azure Heaven Jade Radiance. Within Yulei (a deity) there is an elder who oversees the verification of charts, registers and name-lists, absorbs primordial Qi and recommends persons for immortality. The Year Star assists the liver; the Horn and Neck lodges guard the true realm; Root, Room, Heart and Tail, the four scenes, revolve; the Winnowing Basket governs the seven chronograms, corrects the Dipper handle, clearly discerns the heavenly wheel, receives primordial Qi, seizes the heterodox and false, and sweeps away calamity. The divine spell of the Eastern Mountain summons and gathers the Nine Heavens; the red-script talisman mandate subdues Mount Feng, binds demons and dispatches ghosts and sprites. All who are to be executed or punished, without a single omission, are sent to the Wood Palace; those who dare delay are ordered to be dealt with at once. The water spirits of the Eastern River and the Dark Sea, together with the great-kalpa floods and the flood-dragons that bear bodies, have their paths opened by the Water Bureau so that passage remains unobstructed. The red documents of the hundreds of thousands of High Gods circulate as wind and fire among the primordial Qi.

The above is the eastern talisman text, totaling one hundred twenty characters.

The Nine Qi Azure Heaven serves to manifest the orthodox Dao (the Way). The jade talisman is employed to absorb primordial Qi and is a Dharma treasure held precious by all the Perfected.

The above is the eastern talisman text, totaling sixteen characters.

Within the Jade Hall of the Red Emperor in the southern Cinnabar Heaven there is a great deity titled the Red Sovereign. The red documents of the hundreds of thousands of High Gods circulate as wind and fire among the primordial Qi.

The above is labeled the eastern talisman text, totaling one hundred twenty characters.

The Nine Qi Azure Heaven serves to manifest the orthodox Dao (the Way). The jade talisman is employed to absorb primordial Qi and is a Dharma treasure held precious by all the Perfected.

The above is labeled the eastern talisman text, totaling sixteen characters.

Note: This scriptural passage belongs to the class of ritual texts that employ Fulu (talismans and registers) and summon spirits in order to dispatch ghosts. It contains names of deities, lunar lodges and directional gods and spirits; many of its sentences are arranged in fixed formulaic patterns as talisman incantations. In the original the two statements of character-count—“Five Sacred Mountains one hundred sixty-four characters” and “Five Sacred Mountains combined one hundred seventy-eight characters”—stand side by side; later the concluding labels attached to the southern material are still marked “eastern,” and this wording is retained here exactly as it appears in the source.

In the southern red heaven, within the Jade Hall of the Red Emperor, there is a great Shen (spirit) known as the Red Sovereign. He governs the upward-flaming Qi (vital energy), commanding the three kinds of breath that flow, coil, and ascend, with radiance bursting forth in brilliance. Immortals receive their mandates and accord with the celestial mandate; the sun and Yinghuo (Mars) assist the Heart Lodge, the Well and Ghost Lodges guard the Room Lodge, and the Willow, Star, Spread, and Wings Lodges garrison the four directions. The assembled lodges jointly safeguard the operation of the Heavenly Dao (the Way), convene the celestial mandate, urge the timely conjunctions, and cause the orthodox Dao to circulate.

The red-colored Fulu (talismans and registers) receive the mandate to manifest numinous power, subduing Feng Mountain northward, binding and escorting demonic kinds, and cutting off the roots of evil. All that the talisman teachings are to punish must have their crimes clearly listed. The divine incantation of the Southern Mountain overawes the eight directions, annihilating groups of demons and damaging their numinous light, destroying various heterodox techniques and trials. The Water Emperor of the Southern River and the Great Elder Dragon King implement the divine incantation, universally sweeping away inauspiciousness; floods and flying disasters cease, flood-dragons heed summons and commands, waterways are opened, and a thousand and ten thousand paths flow freely. If anyone dares to resist, they are arrested and escorted to the Fire Palace. What the Red Writings announce, none fail to follow.

The above constitutes the southern fulu, totaling one hundred and forty-eight characters. The Primordial Heavenly Sovereign uses this to open heaven and earth. The above constitutes the southern fulu, totaling eight characters.

In the Center, the Yellow Upper Heaven Primordial who comprehensively commands all Shen opens a thousand and ten thousand paths. If anyone dares to resist, they are arrested and escorted to the Fire Palace. What the Red Writings announce, none fail to follow.

The above constitutes the southern fulu, totaling one hundred and forty-eight characters. The Primordial Heavenly Sovereign uses this to open heaven and earth. The above constitutes the southern fulu, totaling eight characters.

The Central Comprehensive Spirit, the Yellow Upper Heaven Primordial, generates the Five Elders (the spirits of the five directions) and honorably occupies the position of Central Sovereign. He regulates Qi, inspects the true Shen, comprehensively leads the offices and name-registers of the drought immortals, manages the mysterious charts and registers, star-lodge slips, and jade writings, urges the celestial mandate and the ascending Qi, and universally commands the assembled Shen. He uses Zhenxing (Saturn) to assist the spleen and patrols the northern heavenly region. The original text has missing characters at this point, and later passages also have missing characters, so the meaning cannot be determined with certainty. Afterward it states that one should sweep away filth, eliminate deviant Qi, correct the Mysterious Dipper, and illuminate the Heavenly Pass. The fulu mandates of the Nine Heavens are transmitted by golden horses, receiving the command to bind the Northern Emperor, block the ghost gates, cut off inauspiciousness, so that deviant things have no way to invade. The divine incantation of the Central Mountain summons dragons to rise in clouds, constrains and unites the nine waters of the Yellow River, so that the river sources cannot flood at will; good and evil are clearly distinguished, and a thousand kinds of demonic evils and treacherous monsters all must receive judgment from the Emperor Lord. If anyone dares to resist, they are burned by the fire of the sun. The jade characters of the Red Writings proclaim this command to the four quarters, causing all Shen to hear it.

The above constitutes the central fulu, totaling one hundred and forty-four characters. Comprehensively commanding the assembled immortals, constraining and convening the Shen of the river sources. The above constitutes the central fulu, totaling nine characters.

In the west, the White Emperor (the divine sovereign who governs the west) dwells in the Plain Heaven and commands seven gates. A golden numinous light shines brightly; clouds and vapors drift over Mount Taihua, white rocks rise high, and seven kinds of qi (vital energy) swirl and spread. Above them dwells the Great Deity, Elder Sovereign of the Primal Birth, who presides over the lung qi, oversees the inspection of the Nine Heavens, verifies and fixes the charts and registers, and prepares talismans to summon the immortals above. The planet Venus inspects the lung qi, while the lunar lodges Kui and Lou guard the hun and po souls. The lodge Wei offers encouragement; Bi and Zi govern the control of the seven passes, and Shen commands the Dipper's head. The spirits receive the Red Writ in Jade Script of the Northern Origin, the Orthodox Text of the Nine Heavens, which gathers the myriad qi and returns them all to the Sovereign Lord. The Divine Mantra of the Western Mountain employs the power of the eight awes and relays talismanic commands through seven layers. Upon the talismanic water, dragons summon the mountains and carry along clouds and vapors, so that the registrar-spirits of that place arrive together at the Sovereign's gate, assist in protecting the Highest Perfected, and cut away the roots of evil. If any inauspicious matter arises, it is cut off with the golden barrier, and the Red Writ's talismanic commands are sent swiftly by wind and fire.

The above is the western section, one hundred thirty-six characters in all.

"Practice the true and gather the upright, and the myriad spirits follow." (By carrying out the true method and drawing in upright qi, the myriad spirits will come in response.)

The above is the western talismanic text, seven characters in all.

In the north, five qi circle in the Mysterious Heaven, and within it dwells the Black Emperor, the Twin Sovereigns, who command the talismanic decrees in the Palace of Great Tenuity (Taiwei). The immortals cultivate the eight awes, dressed in green skirts, armor made of feathers, and similar garments; these are the spirits whom the Highest Sovereign has raised to service, and by command they come to the jade steps. The Northern Star assists the kidney qi, and the lodges Dou and Niu guard the gates. Nü, Xu, Wei, and Shi stand open on all four sides like caverns, while Bi commands the seven stars, governs ill omens, investigates faults, and removes calamity and defilement, so that the radiance of the great Dao (the Way) may penetrate everywhere. The Divine Mantra of the Northern Mountain stirs the yang qi and rouses thunder; the Flowing Bell descends in brilliance, shaking the heavens and displaying awesome might. The myriad demons under the jurisdiction of Northern Fengdu are wholly destroyed, the nine rivers are drained dry, and flocks of Mother Crows take flight; flood dragons pass freely and the waterways open wide. The red talismanic script in jade characters is conveyed by courier dragons and races off on the wind.

The above is the northern section, one hundred twenty characters in all.

"Mysterious and lofty is Jade Purity; it gathers the dragons of Northern Fengdu." (The power of Jade Purity, subtle and far-reaching, summons the dragon spirits of Northern Fengdu.)

The above is the northern talismanic text, eight characters in all.

The sun and moon take their courses from this, mountains and waters are opened through it, and the Great Span of the Three Heavens lets the many Perfected Ones come and go on their rounds.

The above is sixteen characters for the Azure Emperor.

The jade voice breathes out its qi, and by it the qi of the Three Plains is mastered; life and nature are preserved, immortal ranks are fixed, and titles are set down in the jade calendar.

The above is sixteen characters for the Red Emperor.

It summons all of heaven and earth, so that within the Great Span of the Nine Heavens the many Perfected Ones come and go on their rounds.

The above is sixteen characters for the Azure Emperor.

The jade voice breathes out its qi, and by it the qi of the Three Plains is mastered; life and nature are preserved, immortal ranks are fixed, and titles are set down in the jade calendar.

The above is sixteen characters for the Red Emperor.

It gathers in heaven and earth, so that the Nine Origins are divided and distinguished and the five qi are returned to a single lineage, and the Sovereign above can observe them from afar.

[Note] The talismanic commands, divine mantras, and names of the star lodges in this scripture belong to the language of Daoist ritual: through writing talismans, reciting mantras, and relaying talismanic commands, they express the summoning of spirits, protection, and the suppression of evil. Some phrases appear to contain copying or transcription errors; the above gives a coherent reading of the text as it survives.

The sixteen characters under the name of the Yellow Emperor read: “Harnessing the five Heavenly Emperors, inspecting the Nine Capitals to the west; passing through hundreds of millions of kalpas, the multitude gathers as one, clearly stabilizing the Nine Rivers.” The sixteen characters under the name of the White Emperor read: “Arrayed within the Heavenly Net, the Northern Dipper sets the assembly of the nine periods; radiance spreads through the eight directions, revealing the mysterious and wondrous compassionate grace.” The sixteen characters under the name of the Black Emperor read: “The Heavenly Spirit commands the troops and generals, Taiyi ascends to the heavenly court; sunlight is opened upon the earth, giving birth to the Mandate of Heaven; the awesome mandate governs the Corpse Star, while the earthly mandate appears in the sun and moon, delivering and transforming heaven and earth.”

On the face of the True Writ Tablet appear twenty-eight characters: “Huichang cuts open the mountain path, delivering and transforming the people of the world.” On the abdominal plate appear seven characters: “The unsurpassed Great True One, commander of the Supreme Dao.” On the Tablet Staff Talisman appear twenty characters: “The numinous writ that governs the Three Heavens; crossing the great flood, opening the Great Dao, slaying demons and evils.” On the Eight Awesomeness Tablet appear ten characters: “Summoning ghosts and spirits together with the Jade Emperor; ascending into the Nine Heavens, mounting the realm of the Mysterious Origin.”

The following passages consist of syllables and names drawn from the scripture, presented according to the original as follows: 亶娄阿苍无和观音须延明首法揽菩昙稼那阿奕忽诃流吟华都曲丽鲜菩育臻答落大梵散烟庆云飞洒玉都明魔上门无行上首回跖流玄阿陁龙罗四象吁员, a total of sixty-four characters. 南爓洞浮玉眸铣谈梵形落空九灵推前泽洛菩台绿罗大千眇莽九上门无行上首回跖流玄阿陁龙罗四象吁员, a total of sixty-four characters. 南爓洞浮玉眸铣谈梵形落空九灵推前泽洛菩台绿罗大千眇莽九丑韶谣缘邅云上九都飞生自骞那育郁馥摩罗法轮霐持无镜揽资运容馥朗廓奕神缨自宫, a total of sixty-four characters. 刃利禅猷婆泥咎通宛薮涤色太眇之堂流罗梵萌景蔚萧嵎易邈无寂宛首少都阿滥郁竺华莫延由九开自辩阿那品首无量扶盖浮罗合神玉诞长桑□空度仙, a total of sixty-four characters. The latter three groups and the final group consist mostly of proper names, phonetic syllables, or esoteric phrases from Daoist True Writs; since the original supplies no character-by-character explanations, the original graphs are retained without being forced into ordinary lexical meanings.

The inner sounds Juewu Ziyu, Jiuri Dao, Qiankun Mu, Dongfu Xing, She Shangxuan, Tuoluo Yu, Miaomiao Qi, Heyun Feitian, Dachou Zongjian, Shangtian, Shatuo Jieliang, Longhan, Yingxian, Biluo, Fuli, Kongge, Baozhen, Eyi, Wupin Dongmiao, Zizhen, Yuanfan, Huimo, Youji, and Duren form a passage said to consist of sixty characters. The same sequence—Juewu Ziyu, Jiuri Dao, Qiankun Mu, Dongfu Xing, She Shangxuan, Tuoluo Yu, Miaomiao Qi, Heyun Feitian, Dachou Zongjian, Shangtian, Shatuo Jieliang, Longhan, Yingxian, Biluo, Fuli, Kongge, Baozhen, Eyi, Wupin Dongmiao, Zizhen, Yuanfan, Huimo, Youji, and Duren—is also presented as consisting of sixty-four characters. Taken together, these inner sounds (neiyin), the sacred vocalizations recited from the scripture, comprise two hundred and fifty-six recorded characters.

The names Wuchi, Chengfu, Yousu, Tianmen, Bokuang, Hezhang, Buxu, and Zhenshi are the demon-registering taboo names of the Eight Sceneries, divine names used to drive out demonic forces, totaling sixteen characters.

The text of the upper section is Shangtian Xuwu, Xuandong Jiuwu, Taishang Afang, Tongling Mieshi, Yuheng Sheqi, Zonghua Xuanguan, Tongyu Shangbu, and Tongshen Dagu, totaling thirty-two characters. The text of the middle section is Chimin Kaizhen, Santian Qihe, Dongdan Yangguang, Wuzang Buku, Sanqi Suobao, Zhugong Fusu, Nalian Liuquan, and Shengyuan Wucu, totaling thirty-two characters. The text of the lower section is Zhonghuang Liqi, Yuansheng Zizun, Weiguan Youtong, Liufu Jucun, Baiyuan Gongzi, Taokang Dechun, Yangyu Zhudan, and Dongshen Wanghuan, totaling thirty-two characters.

The eight talismans of the upper section read Qingtian Zongqi, Yuanshi Shangjing, Zhifu Shouli, Zhiyu Fengshan, Zhaolong Fushui, Qunmo Songying, Yunjiao Dixiu, and Yuwo Juxian, totaling thirty-two characters. A further sequence, Zhongshi Taizhen, Wuling Gaozun, Balang Xingyun, Suozhu Yuanjuan, and Wuse Weibo, is followed by a repetition of Qingtian Zongqi, Yuanshi Shangjing, Zhifu Shouli, Zhiyu Fengshan, Zhaolong Fushui, Qunmo Songying, Yunjiao Dixiu, and Yuwo Juxian, again identified as the eight talismans of the upper section and again totaling thirty-two characters. The eight talismans of the middle section are Zhongshi Taizhen, Wuling Gaozun, Balang Xingyun, Suozhu Yuanjuan, Wuse Weibo, Chuyou Ruming, Zhutian Gongfeng, and Shen Sheng Shangqing, totaling thirty-two characters.

These writings consist mainly of names of deities, designations of celestial realms, and ritual formulae. They are intended for recitation or for use together with Fulu (talismans and registers), and are not ordinary narrative sentences. The same passages recur in the scripture, and the character counts indicated do not always match the text as actually listed.

When wearing the “Luopei Simen” talisman one invokes the sun, the moon, the Five Stars, the Seven Origins (the stellar deities represented by the seven stars of the Northern Dipper) and all the spirits of the heavens. May the Heavenly River pour down, the waters surge in torrents, and the Fire Bell display its awesome power, summoning and subduing the host of demons so that they are bound, race like the wind, and obey every command.

In the lower right are eight Dao talismans totaling thirty-two characters. The sun, moon, Seven Stars and Three Heavens (the threefold celestial realms of Daoism) unite as primordial Qi (vital energy). The Nine Ancestral Parents (ancestral spirits) and Tai Zhen (the Supreme True One), following the Keyi (liturgy), clearly disclose the immortals and jade maidens. The power of the Dao (the Way) penetrates the eight directions; eight thousand treasures protect the spirit master so-and-so, enabling so-and-so’s hun and po souls to attain deliverance, receive new life, and remain in complete accord with the covenant.

To the right is the Eight Scenes Capital Talisman of thirty-nine characters. The Mingdu Official of the East summons the deities of the registers; the Qi of the azure heaven swirls, and the constellations together with the two Qi of Yin-Yang are brightly arrayed. In the south a hundred numina arise; the three Qi ride the mysterious and proceed, calling upon the true gods. The true gods stoop and descend, none failing to assist the spirits. In the west they ride the true and go forth, wearing the talisman of the Jade Dao, enforcing prohibitions according to the Plain Text and restraining tigers and leopards. The regulations are firmly disposed. In the north the Great God Xuanwu commands the primordial regulations; the seven stars of the Dipper revolve and a hundred demons conceal themselves of their own accord. The center governs the eight directions, Huoluo (mighty and illustrious) like a dragon soaring; on the left one wears the Fire Bell, and the Heavenly Net (the celestial snare) shines with radiance.

To the right are the Five Appellations in large characters, eighty in all: the Three Sovereigns, the Nine Origins, the crystal of the Supreme Emperor (sacred essence). On the right the tablet face bears seven characters: Jin Zhen (the Golden True One of the Golden Palace), Eight Dao, Shangqing, Xuan Yuan; Jia-Si (a stem-branch day designation) governs the cycle, the Nine Spirits press forward, and the Fire Bell and Heavenly Net shine brilliantly.

To the right again the Five Appellations in large characters, eighty in all: the Three Sovereigns, the Nine Origins, the crystal of the Supreme Emperor. On the right the tablet face bears seven characters: Jin Zhen, Eight Dao, Shangqing, Xuan Yuan; Jia-Si governs the cycle, the Nine Spirits press forward. The brilliance of Huoluo interweaves and coils; Su Xiao (one of the Three Mornings, a divine name in the original text) communicates with the Three Mornings and the Five Sacred Peaks; the Four Waterways (water deities of the four great rivers) converge into the Connecting River and reach straight to the source.

To the right are the Eight Majesties in large characters, thirty-two in all. Dragons fly the nine paths; a hundred billion water talismans. Greater and lesser Yangjiu (years of calamity in Daoist numerology) together with the Four Extremes revolve throughout; pointing into the void they summon numinous Qi, which gathers in a vaporous throng, and they wander together.

To the right are twenty-four characters of the “Great Kalpa”: the Unsurpassed Great True One commands within the Dao, ruling the Three Heavens, gathering and controlling the host of demons, and upholding the work of salvation in the world.

To the right are sixteen characters of “Cycle and Salvation.”

In the east, Azure Sprout: ingest Azure Sprout and drink the morning rosy clouds. In the south, Vermilion Cinnabar: ingest Vermilion Cinnabar and drink the water of the Cinnabar Pond. In the center, Wu-Ji (the Five Phases designation of the central direction): towering like Mount Tai, ingest primordial Qi and drink the sweet springs. In the west, Bright Stone: ingest Bright Stone and drink the numinous fluid. In the north, Mysterious Moisture: ingest Mysterious Moisture and drink the jade nectar.

The origin without death, the mystery without death, the beginning without death, the emptiness without death, the division without death; no birth above, no birth below, no birth to the left, no birth to the right. Qi (vital energy) divides into five Qi, circulating through the void; arising from the void and returning into the void. With this as an oath of alliance: living Qi on the left, dying Qi on the right, each occupying one half, combining to form a single credential that serves as the contract and covenant for receiving Qi.

The above is the “Stabilizing the Will” section, totaling sixty characters.

In the Golden Flower Jade Hall, the Mysterious Jing (essence) of the Northern Dipper (Beidou Xuanjing, the mysterious Jing symbolized by the stars of the Big Dipper) is located on the left, with the sun and moon beside it and the supporting-life Qi carried on the right. The Three Terraces, Seven Stars, Kui, Lou, Guan, Ming, Wei, Xu, Ding, Lu, Bi, Zi, Huan, Shen, Jing, Gui, Liu, and Zhang successively fly-step to the Southern Pavilion; Xing, Yi, Zhen, Ding, Jiao, Kang, Yulongshi, Fang, and Ji together determine and settle the name registers, returning them to the Golden Palace. The Mysterious Jing of the Northern Dipper is located on the left, with the sun and moon beside it and the supporting-life Qi carried on the right. The Three Terraces, Seven Stars, Kui, Lou, Guan, Ming, Wei, Xu, Ding, Lu, Bi, Zi, Huan, Shen, Jing, Gui, Liu, and Zhang successively fly-step to the Southern Pavilion; Xing, Yi, Zhen, Ding, Jiao, Kang, Yulongshi, Fang, and Ji together determine and settle the name registers, returning them to the Golden Palace. Dou and Niu open the laws and measures; Nü, Xu, Wei, Shi, and Bi in sequence lead people to transcend the world. The towers and halls of the Southern Dipper shake the Floral Canopy, governing Jing, refining and nourishing the Three Origins and Five Qi so that they generate and transform together, ultimately returning above the void.

The above is the “Flying through the Three Realms” section, totaling eighty-nine characters.

The Upper Origin text states: Life is prolonged within the Cavern Chamber, with jade writings inscribed amid the numinous void. After the Longhan Great Kalpa (a kalpa designation in Daoism), one returns to the Upper Origin Palace, enabling all beings to be delivered and obtain new life. The Primordial Azure of the Upper Origin has not yet condensed into form and constitutes the Life-Prolonging Text, commanded by the Heavenly Emperor who collectively governs the thirty-two heavens. This writing is also named the “Register of Mixing Truth Coextensive with Heaven,” the “Cavern Secret Heavenly Book,” and the “Life-Prolonging Text.”

The Middle Origin text states: The writing is inscribed in emptiness without fixed form, condensing into the “Spirit-Summoning Text” of the Middle Origin. It condenses the Qi of the void, enabling deceased souls to ascend to the heavenly court. The Great Kalpa text reaches the Chiming era (a kalpa designation in Daoism) and, after collation, is inscribed on golden slips to determine name registers for immortals. It is also named the “Cavern Void Numinous Golden Book Register,” the “Chapter of Generating Shen (spirit) in the Nine Darknesses,” and the “Spirit-Summoning Text.”

The Lower Origin text states: The Primordial Cavern is vast and boundless, encompassing the Great Cavern Water Palace; within it lie deep abysses, the Jade River Earl, and the Dark Numinous Divine Text. The Lower Origin regulations in the Great Void govern the water sources, commanding the host of dragons with the power of the Myriad Numina and Eight Majesties. The documents circulate the three Qi, illuminating the True Dao (the Way), summoning the Crow Mother, crossing heavenly disasters and great kalpas so that all beings may ascend together to the heavenly palaces. It is also named the “Dongshen (Cavern of Spirit) Majestic Numinous Three Origins Register,” the “Jade Book of Great Characters at the Heavenly Gate,” and the “Jade Talisman of Illuminating Truth Text.”

The above is the combined content of the three talismanic writings of the Three Origins for prolonging life, totaling two hundred and five characters.

Dongzhen (Cavern of Perfection) names, surnames, and taboos (the names, surnames, and taboo appellations used in the Dongzhen method).

The Highest Perfected of Jade Clarity (Yuqing Shangzhen, the supreme Perfected residing in the Jade Clarity realm) together with the Five Elders determine the name registers according to the commonly generated Qi, inspecting and verifying them with explicit texts that are collated by the Highest Emperor into jade books. This document is also named the “Jade Talisman of Illuminating Truth Text.”

The above is the “Three Talismans of the Three Origins for Extending Life,” totaling two hundred and five characters.

Dongzhen Names, Surnames, and Taboo Names

The Five Elders of the Highest True of Jade Purity arose from Qi (vital energy), and from this their surnames and taboo names were determined. The Supreme Sovereign inspects the name registers and records them in the Three Heavens; this startles Beifeng (the divine palace of the northern underworld), causing its thirty-six departments to operate accordingly. Weiqi Bailiu and the flying mysterious cloud dragons are all recorded with the surname Xuanchuan and the given name Wulong.

The above Jade Purity text totals forty-eight characters.

Proclaiming the Alliance of the Highest Precious Scripture of the Nine Heavens

The name is engraved into the imperial-rank name register and listed among the Nine Heavens. The Nine Heavens thereby protect my life. The texts stored in the numinous mountains, with all of one heart in unity, take the revered master’s admonitions as the covenant. Illuminated by sun and moon, bright outwardly and pure within, this text must not be divulged. The seven ancestors and your body will long be exempt from the punishments of the Fire Village, the twenty-four hells, and the coming and going of wind-knives.

The above imperial register totals sixty-one characters.

Genealogical Registers

The following passage consists of a string of characters used in genealogical registers, mostly specialized terms from ritual formulas, for which the original text provides no character-by-character explanations. Identifiable phrases include “the Two Caverns mixed and opened,” “the Bright Dao chaotic and elucidated,” as well as “the numinous abyss determines and extracts the upright and worthy,” “xinping ninglian zhiqi huiyan,” “fazong tongdong jingyou chang,” “chengzhu yingshi qingweng jingyun yanyingji,” and others. The remaining characters are likewise arranged in their original order, constituting the taboo-name text of the genealogical register.

The above universal register of taboo names totals one hundred and forty-four characters.

Welcoming the Five Talismans

In the east, Zhengming Taiquan of the Three Upper Nine Directions, immortal officials of the Azure Palace, totaling nine persons and fourteen characters. In the south, southern guidance of the Fire Heaven with red Qi flowing to connect the Three Heavens, totaling nine persons and twelve characters. In the center, the Director of Destiny of sun and moon, Fire Heaven regulating the spirits of Plain Mountain Paizheng, totaling nine persons and fourteen characters. In the west, the Western Plain of the Three Heavens, the Plain Emperor who governs merit, totaling nine persons and ten characters. In the north, the Director of Destiny of sun, moon, and stars, Great Heaven regulating the spirits of Plain Mountain Zhengfei, totaling nine persons and sixteen characters.

The above welcoming of the Five Talismans totals sixty-six characters.

Between Jiuyuan, Taihua, and Kunlun, the Supreme Perfected Immortals (Taizhen Shangxian) come and go through the Gate of Life, mastering the Dao of longevity and immortality. The orthodox true writings of the Three Heavens are employed by the Five Elder Celestial Lords (Wulao Shangdi) to subdue and seize inauspicious entities; the sun, the moon, the Three Luminaries, and the stars of the Five Dippers all shine forth with radiant illumination.

The above are the forty jade characters recorded by Zuo Tong.

The assembled stars... (this passage contains numerous character errors or illegible forms, making it impossible to ascertain the original meaning with certainty) ...the sun, the moon, the Three Luminaries, and the stars of the Five Dippers all shine forth with radiant illumination.

The above are the forty jade characters recorded by Zuo Tong.

The many stars… (the opening wording appears to contain corruptions and cannot be reliably interpreted) …are commanded to extend lifespan and expel evil qi (vital energy). The Heavenly Emperor orders the inspection of name registers and governs the shen (spirits) of the Three Realms. After ordinary people die, their hun and po souls migrate according to the decrees of Heaven; after a hundred years, sequential transformations also occur within three generations. Why do you alone remain stagnant in the world? Previously the Heavenly Emperor’s command has already been received to inspect and verify the name registers—why do you delay and refuse to depart swiftly? If there are still matters to be entrusted for the moment, you may petition and bid farewell. Thereafter the Northern Feng (the divine office in the north that oversees the underworld) will seize your demonic body and send it up to Heaven.

The spirit of the Heavenly Sovereign is chaotic and formless. Thirty-nine Imperial Lords and the Five Elder Supreme Perfected (honored deities of the five directional heavenly realms) dwell in the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) realm. Auspicious qi opens at dawn; High Immortals disperse jing (essence); the Eight Sceneries come and go; the Three Primes (the system governed by the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water) swiftly send down jade nectar and true qi, illuminating the courtyard of emptiness and stillness. I respectfully report with jade writings to the Great Spirit: the Three Officials are now examining the name registers; the jade inspection of hidden texts and the inner names of the Three Primes have all been recorded. You think of the underworld in your heart and call upon the spirits, yet have not seen the true form, but still wish to seek the Dao of the Highest Immortals. The gods of High Mystery will reflect the jing of the Nine Heavens, perceive all things, and comprehensively gather all Jing (scriptures). The Five Elder Supreme Perfected will dissolve the roots of previous lives and deliver seven generations of ancestors.

After receiving this Jing, the Three Primes will issue teaching decrees, enabling one to ascend to the rank of Immortal King. The scripture is entrusted to the Lord of Longevity of Taihua, Laozi of Donghua, the Honored Deity of the South Pole, the Central Marquis of the Western Terrace, the Central Perfected of the Northern Emperor, the Prince of Nine Spirits, the Jade Youth of the Great Spirit, and the God-Emperor of the Nine Heavens. The natural true writings, hidden names, and precious registers are concealed within it; ten thousand spirits escort it, enabling one to enter and exit the void, come and go in flight, always uniting with the radiance of the Heavenly Emperor.

Great disasters surge vast and mighty, and the ten thousand qi are incomplete; if the mysterious name has already been registered, one can then behold the true spirits. If the secret methods are leaked, the practitioner will fall into the Nine Springs, and seven generations of ancestors will also be implicated, sinking together into the river source. Riding the clouds and turning back, one naturally dons feathered garments. After the Cinnabar Sun determines the immortal register, one returns to the Golden Gate. The Heavenly Emperor is lofty and hard to fathom; one must carefully observe and carry this out, and must not forget the Three Primes. With the Dao of the Cavern Mystery of Great Simplicity (Dongxuan), one submits a memorial to seek blessings, jointly relying upon this numinous text together with the realm of High Void.

The above is the Record of Inspecting Heaven, totaling three hundred and seventy-six characters.

The Jade Registers, Purple Texts, Numinous Records, and talismanic writings (Fulu) presided over in Heaven by the Most High Lords of the Three Primes are numerous in name and kind. These documents record the affairs of the Three Primes, the Nine Heavens, mountains and rivers, Yin-Yang, and the host of spirits; they also comprise writings on the Mandate of Heaven, immortal palaces, flying immortals, and immortal officials. They are proclaimed by the God of the Nine Heavens and inscribed at Beifeng (the seat of the divine offices of the netherworld), where they serve to register the numinous destinies of the Three Primes. The text further lists the name-registers of the Three Primes, Dragon Writings, books of prohibition, and the hidden talismanic graphs of the heavenly palaces, and it records the names of three deities: Taisu is named “Ying,” with the courtesy name Yuangeng; Huangsu is named “Lin,” with the courtesy name Daji; Baisu is named “Huang,” with the courtesy name Xu.

The items listed above constitute the heavenly register of talismanic writings, totaling one hundred and seventy-four characters.

The Jade Vermilion Bright Fetal Dragon, the Upper Mystery of Ninefold Radiance, the Immortal Mushroom Jade Sovereign, together with Changgu, Bachui, and other spirits and immortal realms, gather vermilion numinous Qi (vital energy) and the unguent that communicates with the divine. The Charming Maiden (a term of Daoist Neidan, or internal alchemy, often referring to the image of yin refinement) enters the deep abyss; the Cloud-Radiance Divine Lad undergoes nine transformations. Waters surge from the Long Source, vast and unceasing. The Perfected Lords of the Three Heavens come to garrison and guard; the Elder of the Inner Portal raises a sacred altar; the Purple-Gauze Grandee welcomes the Eastern Spirit. Yunhua and Liuyi enter the Golden City; five-colored rays dart and interweave, and at last a spiritual body like that of an infant is accomplished.

The elixir fluid shines forth, and the world attains Great Peace; nourished with azure wine, one may obtain long life. Immortal radiance rises together, and the heavens grow clear and bright. One proceeds directly into the Crimson Palace-Gates (the vermilion palace towers), regulates a hundred kinds of Jing (essence) and Qi, and for a long time enters the Grand Clarity (Taiqing, the pure and still immortal realm spoken of in Daoist teaching) together with the Three Kings.

All should unseal and wear the written tokens (documents that serve as credentials) and must not disclose their contents. Practice the method of the Nine Subtleties in tranquility, so that the Six Ding (protective deities of Daoism) and the divine maidens stand guard, long protecting the practitioner. Thereafter one pays homage northward at the Immortal Capital and ascends Cang Island. The Director of Destinies of Great Emptiness (the deity who governs lifespan) arranges the allotted years; the Mysterious Primordial Heavenly Emperor commands the Nine Elders to present the name-register and transmit it down to the Five Offices. The laboring spirits of the Three Heavens preside over summoning the primordial Jing, calling the primordial Jing “Mother” and the mysterious Qi “Father.” Ascending the Six Cities, one attains longevity, receiving the Qi of Heaven and Earth and enduring alone for a long time. At last, bearing the Dao (the Way) of True Mystery, one pays homage to the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, traverses the ten directions of Heaven and Earth, and is thereby recorded in the registers.

On the right are two hundred jade characters from the Jian Di Lu. The Dubo Li charged with killing ghosts on Jia and Yi days is surnamed Song and named Juying. The Dubo Li charged with killing ghosts on Bing and Ding days is surnamed Zhi, named Tong, and styled Fasheng. The Dubo Li charged with killing ghosts on Wu and Ji days is surnamed Bo and named Xiziliu; another account holds that he oversees Geng and Xin days. The Dubo Li charged with killing ghosts on Geng and Xin days is surnamed Huang and named Anzhengli; another account holds that he oversees Wu and Ji days. The Dubo Li charged with killing ghosts on Ren and Gui days is surnamed Zheng and named Xuanqiubo.

On the right is the talisman script of the Jian Di Lu, totaling sixty-four characters. The content of another manuscript copy is as follows: “玄微九登仙神得生长保地□山张苟鬼食头金人……”

The Dubo Li charged with killing ghosts on Ren and Gui days is surnamed Zheng and named Xuanqiubo. On the right is the talisman script of the Jian Di Lu, totaling sixty-four characters. The content of another manuscript copy is as follows: “玄微九登仙神得生长保地□山张苟鬼食头金人雷张海吹风入柱金子文呜炎元上高生养食师真兽叩君侍灵算主何儒上电担益爱太长真平豹太天山天中上天飞虎衔身中集精元黄九上天石尔破禽紫上中游玄首啖从山剥微真理无灵目自兽贱凿朱来气永千四猛天踊齿宫监九津使刀斧使百衡称又微主人天牙山虚她太上玄和丈牙马兵行矍平元城太元长万众飞天猛赤精既下口走海走巅兽子总延生九兵行附牙四十卫尔形躯我抗魂强父八文蛟羊蹋辰斗付禽在我备仙神长益气命。”

On the right are two hundred and five characters from the Jian Xian Lu. The consecutive phrases listed here belong to the talisman script; missing characters are also interspersed in the manuscript, making the meaning difficult to interpret coherently, and the original wording is therefore retained.

The titles include the Taishang Zhongyuan Lu, the Shangqing Chu Liutian Zhenwen, the Santian Zhengfa, the Santian Jiuwei Xuandu Taizhen Yinyang Linglu, the Shangyuan Zhang, the Penglai Taixuan Jiuliu Zhenshu, and the Shenhu Xuandong.

On the right is the talisman script, totaling forty-three characters: “九玄元气生自然炼化八道含胎仙结落紫虚秀都太真阴阳灵录上元章蓬莱太玄九流真书神虎玄洞。”

On the right is the talisman script, totaling forty-three characters.

The primordial Qi (vital energy) of the Nine Mysteries arises of itself. Through refinement and transmutation it is transformed into the Eight Paths, which give birth to the embryonic immortals. They gather at the Pavilion of Purple Vacuity and Exquisite Jade, riding the tides of fortune and mounting Qi as they journey, passing through the Heavenly Gate, ascending the Nine Portals, and entering the Northern Pass. The Supreme Perfected of the Three Departments—the most perfected deities of the three celestial divisions—each receive their mandate and establish covenants; they number in the hundreds and thousands.

The above is the “Eight Purities Interwoven Sashes,” totaling forty-six characters.

The Qi of the Most High Yellow Center regulates the Nine Subtle Mysterious City, a wondrous city of the celestial realm. When Jing (essence) and Qi fill to abundance, the Most High and the deities who govern the life-mandate cause life to endure, free from extinction. The Long-Reckoning Numinous Attendants of the Nine Heavens look after the Supreme Perfected of the Middle Prime; the Red Infant of the Upper Prime oversees the extension of lifespan; the Elder of the Lower Prime dispatches numerous numinous officials. The Flying Perfected of Mysterious Heights oversees the nurturing of life, and the High Supreme Primordial Lord increases celestial Jing. Thus the Vermilion Palace of Purple Tenuity is called the Realm of Great Peace.

Fierce beasts and forty guards protect your bodily form: Nine-Mouthed Long Fangs; the Heavenly-Strength Four-Eyed Tiger-Swallowing Beast; Leveler of Rivers; Devourer of Golden Pillars; Eight Winds That Blow the Seas; Spreader of Flames; Knocker and Bearer of Mountains; Scorched Fowl; Stripper of the Mirror Source; Snake-Holding Infant of the Heavenly Summit; Fang Father; Pattern-Entering Flood Dragon; Half-Treader of the Chronogram Dipper; Hill-Resister Who Gallops Ten Thousand Horses; Fang Axe; Fierce-Eyed One; Blazing Stone; Guard of Appearances; Dancing Lion; Golden-Headed Ghost-Eater; Gou Zhang Mountain; [illegible] Earth-Thunder Howling Beast; Lightning Heaven-Ox of the Mountain-Breaking Rhapsody—each displays its divine might, racing in flight to become your Shen (spirit) guardians. They cause your vital strength and lifespan to endure, allow the hun and po souls to travel in peace throughout oceans and hills, and bring all manner of divine beasts to protect you as they accompany you. The Elder of the Perfected Writings of the Most High blesses me, granting me long life so that I may ultimately attain the Dao (the Way) and become an immortal, ascending to the Nine Subtle Mysterious Realm.

The above is the “Yellow Book of Grand Tenuity,” totaling two hundred and four jade characters. The sequence of beast names and deity names in the text consists mostly of designations of body-protecting spirits; some phrases are suspected to contain errors or omissions, and the original “□” cannot be identified.

The Primordial Heavenly Sovereign manifests and clarifies the Orthodox Dao, gathering primordial Qi by means of jade talismans; the Most High protects the body, extending throughout heaven and earth in order to assist the Orthodox Dao. Lord Lao is willing to establish this superior text so that heaven and earth may open and communicate. Practitioners who circulate Qi in accordance with the Orthodox Dao can subdue and eliminate a hundred kinds of specters and disasters; they may then wander freely in the realm of Jade Purity and together obtain deliverance. Those whose names are registered in the court of the Heavenly Emperor will all receive the assistance of the spirits of the various departments, arriving together at the Jade Court and passing through great calamities.

The above is the “Green Registers and White Slips” (a form of Fulu, talismans and registers), totaling seventy jade characters.

The Primordial One was born before heaven and earth had taken form; mysterious Qi moves of itself within the realm of Jade Purity. All living beings together obtain deliverance; those whose names are registered in the court of the Heavenly Emperor will all receive the assistance of the spirits of the various departments, arriving together at the Jade Court and passing through great calamities.

The above is the “Green Registers and White Slips,” totaling seventy jade characters.

Before Heaven and Earth had yet taken form, Yuanshi, the Primordial Beginning and origin of all things, dwelt within mysterious Qi (vital energy), chaotic and without physical form, transforming nine times within a single day. The highest azure Qi was called the “Nameless Lord.” After nine gatherings, and after passing through the number one hundred and six (a number of kalpic cycles in Daoist chronology), the teaching was proclaimed throughout the ten directions. The Heavenly Emperor set the great transformation in motion, inaugurating nine kinds of creative processes that caused immortals to become manifest and to ascend into the higher Dao (the Way).

I passed through one kalpa at the beginning of Yuanshi, circulating among the Three Heavens and governing therein. From this the sun and moon of the Sovereign Emperor began to open and distinguish Yin-Yang. The Heavenly Emperor, as master of the thirty-two heavens, governed the life spans of human beings. The yet-unillumined True Heavenly Sovereign Emperor, whose honorific title is the Unsurpassed Light Star, alternately took charge of affairs in the north and the south.

The Primordial Light Fire Emperor caused the sun and moon to shine brightly, received the transformation of Qi, and became the true Heavenly Emperor; within the Civilization Star, allotted fates were determined and seals and tallies were distributed. The Solar Emperor traveled through the heavens, drawing in the Qi from above, enabling me to be reborn and to return to my original destiny. Within a hundred days throughout the ten directions, inauspicious calamities were gathered and contained. What difficulty is there for the Heavenly Emperor to take hold of the Dao of True Unity? On the day of illumination, the Great Mystery Sovereign Emperor unified the Four Heavens, passing through twenty days; heavenly power passed through a thousand days. The Most High, the Most High Jing (essence) Emperor, distributed seals and tallies upon the Three Mountains.

The Solar Emperor traveled through the heavens, drawing in the Qi from above, enabling me to be reborn and to return to my original destiny. Within a hundred days throughout the ten directions, inauspicious calamities were gathered and contained. What difficulty is there for the Heavenly Emperor to take hold of the Dao of True Unity? On the day of illumination, the Great Mystery Sovereign Emperor unified the Four Heavens, passing through twenty days; heavenly power passed through a thousand days. The Most High, the Most High Jing Emperor, upon the Three Mountains, toured the Three Luminaries (the sun, the moon, and the stars), causing radiance to become manifest. The Mandate of Heaven completed nine cycles of going and returning.

May I attain immortality, that the primordial Qi of Qian and Kun may illuminate Heaven and Earth. The Sovereign Emperor and the Most High rely principally upon the power of Shen (spirit); the Great Emperor emits radiance by means of the higher Dao, and the Primordial Emperor Lord takes the Mandate of Heaven as his honor. The light of the Most High shines upon the Imperial Heaven; the Most High rules over the Nine Heavens. The Highest Emperor causes the sun and moon to shine; the mandate of the Heavenly Emperor Lord issues from the Three Mysteries of the Upper Prime (the Upper Prime heavenly realm spoken of in Daoism). Heaven and Earth, sun and moon, radiate unsurpassed light, vast in layer upon layer. The mandate of the Sovereign Emperor stands higher than the unsurpassed Three Heavens; the Heavenly Emperor is pure and true, the Great Prime Mandate of Heaven; the Emperor Lords receive successive honorific titles, the imperial mandate is exalted, and commands are transmitted in succession.

The Most High, the Most High Sun-and-Moon Emperor, together with the Queen Mother (the Queen Mother of the West) received the Mandate of Heaven. The Primordial Lady, the Highest Emperor of the Nine Heavens, and the Primordial Life Highest Heavenly Emperor rule over the sun and moon and the Heaven of Qian. The Most High Immeasurable Heavenly Emperor Lord of the human realm is not constrained by a mundane body and commands the hundred numina. The mandate of the Sovereign Emperor causes the Yang Qi of the Heavenly Emperor to rise in the west, transforming in mysterious ways and causing people to be elevated and delivered; on the left side of the great sun is worn the solar Jing, forever receiving the Qi of the sun. The Highest Three Heavenly Emperor Sovereigns, the Yang-Illumination celestial immortals and jade maidens, all receive the command of the Most High Heavenly Emperor Lord.

The Heavenly Emperor Mountain Protector of Primordial Unity, Sun-and-Moon Power Great Heavenly Emperor, titled the Great Solar Opening-Beginning Metal-Wood River-Cavern Great Heavenly Highest Emperor. Golden Truth, Luminous Truth, and Radiant Light: original destiny unites with the Three Primes; the Highest Emperor of the Nine Heavens commands the myriad spirits. The Heavenly Emperor Mountain Protector of Primordial Unity, Sun-and-Moon Power Great Heavenly Emperor, titled the Great Solar Opening-Beginning Metal-Wood River-Cavern Great Heavenly Highest Emperor. Golden Truth, Luminous Truth, and Radiant Light: original destiny unites with the Three Primes; the Highest Emperor of the Nine Heavens commands the myriad spirits.

The Primordial Yang Mid-Heaven Illumination Heavenly King received the command of the Mysterious Primordial Highest Perfected. The Light Yang Emperor and the Great Beginning Establishing Prime Most High Light Lord proclaimed: The Heavenly Emperor clearly discerns the allotted fates of the multitude of living beings, bestows a mandate of great auspiciousness, and preserves and delivers the vital Qi of life. The Nine Heavens Mountain Illumination King Upper Lord and the Five Emperors Yang Mountain Great Sage Emperor are all honored ones of the transformation of Qi.

In the heavens there are the Golden Chronogram Jade Emperor, the Bright King, the Heavenly Elder, and the various heavenly divine lords transformed from primordial Qi (vital energy) and the Three Qi. The Nine Perfected Golden Suns, the Mysterious-Qi Yellow Jade Maiden, the Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu), the Water-River Heavenly-Origin Husband King, the Heavenly Emperor, the Well-Sun Star Lord, the Jia-Yi King, the various Qi of Fire, Earth, Water and Metal, the Three-Qi Dragon Qi, the Three Spirits Taiyi River-Above King, Dragon Fire Transformed into Vermilion Brightness, the Supreme High Emperor, the Uppermost Jade-Bright Mysterious-Origin Radiance Lord, the Three Sovereigns, the Four Heavenly Emperors, the Bright Stone Lord, the Nine Heavens Supreme White Origin, the Nine Rivers Water Emperor, the Five Qi Lords, the Great-Heaven Small-Heaven Black Jia-Yi-Wu-Ji Lords, the Upper Jade Emperor who Controls the Three Heavenly Mandates, the Qi-Qi Lord, the Supreme High Middle Elder, the Taiyi Four-Palaces Origin Lords, the Jade-Treasure Six-Suns Heavenly-Non Great Lord, the Light-Water-Fire Heavenly Wood-Trust and other spirits all assemble together, forming the Three Heavens Orthodox Law of the Nine Heavens High Emperor Bright King Dao Lord. This is the contract-talisman writing used for daoyin cultivation.

The Nine Mysterious primordial Qi arises of itself; through refinement and transformation it unites with the Eight Paths, coagulating into the embryonic immortal that settles in the Purple Void Elegant Jade Pavilion. The cultivator rides the circulating Qi, traversing the heavenly realms, opening the Heavenly Gate, ascending the Nine Doors and entering the Northern Pass. The Upper Perfected of the Three Departments (the true spirits of the upper realm who govern the three departments) together with the Heavenly Wood-Trust Three Qi jointly swear an oath so that the Three Heavens Orthodox Law of the Nine Heavens High Emperor Bright King Dao Lord may assemble. This too is contract-talisman writing used for daoyin cultivation.

The Nine Mysterious primordial Qi arises of itself; through refinement and transformation it unites with the Eight Paths, coagulating into the embryonic immortal that settles in the Purple Void Elegant Jade Pavilion. The cultivator rides the circulating Qi, traversing the heavenly realms, opening the Heavenly Gate, ascending the Nine Doors and entering the Northern Pass. The Upper Perfected of the Three Departments form an alliance with me by means of the covenant text, which accords with the Purple Silk Register that I hold. After the corresponding rites, at the period of Nine-Five and in the Tang year, one serves the Sage Emperor and meets at the River Ford; advancing along the Eight Paths, circulating the Seven Origins, one mounts the void and flies through emptiness, assisting the Imperial Venerable. Once the covenant is united and the knots unbound, one is further granted three thousand immortal jade youths and three thousand jade maidens, in response to my name register, to protect the bodies of the myriad people. The jade writings are borne upon a white-patterned knotted sash.

The numinous chapters of utmost stillness and empty luminosity, of mysterious wonder and vacuity, are one and all the writings of the Nine Perfected. By following numerical principles and calendrical degrees in their unfolding, the movements of the myriad things naturally accord with the Heavenly Dao (the Way). It passes for a time through the hidden barrier of the Mysterious Mother’s generative transformation: the nine primordial Qi (vital energy) of the heavens above fill the Upper Perfected; the Jing (essence) Qi of the Nine Heavens condense to fill the Central Origin; the Five Emperors unite in transformation to fill the Five Shen (spirits); and the vast numina of the Three Mysteries combine to constitute the Imperial Perfected.

Those who would cultivate this Dao must receive the governing registers and scriptures. The Central Yellow and Purple Silk serve to preside over the numinous chapters. The practitioner’s bodily life corresponds with the Three Officials; riding the Qi of the Nine Mysteries, one may ingest the jade graphs and ascend in broad daylight into the immortal realm. After receiving the precepts and ordinances one naturally attains penetration. Should anyone dare to abandon the covenant oaths or violate the ritual codes, after death they will sink into the River Source, remaining long confined in gloom, bearing fiery punishments, traversing the nether darkness, and undergoing the Three Servitudes and Five Torments without obtaining pardon.

May those who come forward from this moment open their awakening, correct their faults and renew themselves. The Four Directors and the Five Emperors will memorialize the matter above; the Nine Heavens will send down the proclamation of command; the myriad spirits will manifest numinous response. Perfected beings arrive at the dwelling, riding light canopies of soaring clouds, draped in kingfisher feathers and wearing azure skirts, to welcome the practitioner’s form and cause it to ascend into the Imperial Dawn, flying at ease through the Nine Heavens and roaming freely among the Three Origins. When reporting upward to Heaven, may all requested matters be declared together; whatever is petitioned shall be fulfilled as wished.

The foregoing is the prayer of awakening and renewal: the Four Directors and Five Emperors present their memorial, the Nine Heavens issue the mandate, the myriad spirits respond; Perfected Ones come to the residence, riding flying-cloud light canopies and clad in kingfisher plumes and blue skirts, welcoming the cultivator to rise into the Imperial Dawn, soaring through the Nine Voids and banqueting among the Three Origins. On the day of announcement to Heaven, may every stated request be realized.

The above constitutes the Guiding Register, totaling four hundred and sixty characters.

The nine Qi of the Vast Numen of Cangyuan, the Master of Lesser Yang, attune my liver Qi and tranquilize the hun and po souls. Within the Hidden Palace floral radiance coalesces, vivid in the interior. Refine and nourish the bodily form so that the marrow becomes firm, changing from white to azure. Transformative Shen Qi issues from within and the luminous scene rises to the Purple Court. If anyone offends against the oaths they shall be crushed and governed by the flowing bells. The jade register of the Highest Emperor is the authentic formula of Great Clarity; once the practice is complete one may attain immortality, cross over as a Perfected being, fly aloft to Jade Clarity, ascend the Primordial Realm, receive the primordial Qi, and return circling upon the cloud chariot.

The above are the seventy-two jade graphs of the Azure Youth.

The cloud-mounted flying vehicle; the Jade Maiden of Azure Cassia receives the command of the Azure Youth. This talisman comprises twelve graphs.

The Upper Perfected, the Upper Minister and the Azure Youth; the announcement text of the Six Li for seeking immortality and delivering one’s destiny. Fourteen graphs follow the talisman.

The above are the twenty-six graphs of the Upper Minister Azure Youth.

The Crimson Essence replenishes and nourishes my body; the three Qi of the High Perfected return into the heart. This is my elixir. The announcement text for seeking immortality and delivering destiny; fourteen graphs follow the talisman.

The above are the twenty-six graphs of the Upper Minister Azure Youth.

The crimson Jing (essence)—referring to the Jing-Qi (vital energy) within the body—nourishes my physical form. The Qi of the high Zhen (true immortals of high rank) gathers in the heart; this is my Danyuan (the root of Neidan (internal alchemy)). It causes my bodily form to soar upward, proceeding directly to the heavenly court to report my intentions. With a resolute will and a peaceful Shen (spirit), the gates of the Nine Ling open. The radiance of the Golden Zhen illuminates from within, and purple vapors condense into clouds. On the green talisman characters of Taiwei (the palaces of the heavenly realm) is inscribed my name: Shenxian (immortal).

The above is the “Sanjiu Suyu,” totaling forty-seven characters.

The Jiutian Shengfu (Nine Heavens Life-Generating Talisman) can cause the hun and po souls to return and can extend life. It belongs to the Taiqing Jun of the upper heavens. The above first sentence totals thirteen characters.

The Santian Jiuwu Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Duming Qijiu Sanqi Xuanyuan Danfu can extend life. The above second sentence totals twenty-eight characters.

The hun Jing of the Supreme Deity, the Nine Shen (spirits), Shengyuan, the Sanwu Jing, and Qiyuan Shan. The above third sentence totals thirty-four characters.

The above are the Suling Dongxuan (Cavern of Mystery) Taiyou Three Talismans, totaling forty-five jade characters.

Suyuan Dongxu: the heavenly Zhen Shen reside in the Shenlu (the dwelling place of the spirits). The Seven Qi guard the lungs, and a hundred Shen dwell together. Refine and attune the five viscera so that the Jinghua (essences) converge and their flourishing glory unfolds. Clarify the will until it is as firm as stone. The Shen wanders in the realm of mysterious emptiness, and the True Book of the Nine Emperors is composed in white jade and golden characters. It enables me to fly up and become an immortal, to have my name removed from the death register, to roam the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing)—the Three Pure Heavens of Daoism—and to follow the wishes of my heart.

The above belongs to the Chapter on Transformations, totaling fifty-six characters.

Initially, the spirit of the left eye together with related celestial gods and perfected beings jointly enacted the methods of the chapter. Heavenly light shone down, the Three Dawns revolved, the Five Lodges shifted their positions, the Seven Origins circulated numinous Qi (vital energy), and nine-colored radiance manifested. Splendor poured from the heavens, immortal Qi filled the realm of Jade Clarity (Yuqing) and spread throughout the eight directions.

The chapter of myriad treasures descended upon the jade stairs. Flying immortals unfurled feathered canopies to guard the Supreme Perfected. Immortal youths and jade maidens numbered three thousand each; they subdued ghosts and spirits, causing the host of demons to withdraw and the wandering souls to dissipate. They turned in the soaring empyrean, divine phoenixes drawing the carriages, numinous consorts leading the way and bright stars opening the path. Three rays of light converged, lightning flashed and flew; the immortals drove toward the Nine Heavens, touring among the jasper palaces and feasting in the realm of the Three Origins. Within the Jade Empyrean the Purple Dawn heavenly realm appeared in clear brightness.

This imperial chapter is written in the boundless heavens. By the seal of the imperial chapter it causes the bodily form to tend toward the azure clouds; according to the jade instructions it regulates the foundations of previous lives; by means of the jasper texts it arouses awesome numinosity, thereby delivering celestial humans and spirits. Practitioners should still the mind and hold visualizations in the jade pavilion, regulate the Yin-Yang of heaven and earth according to the mysterious diagrams, administer the imperial registers of the ten thousand immortals, oversee the earthly officers of the Five Sacred Peaks, and command the Supreme Perfected of the Three Passes. Above it communicates with the boundless heavens; below it governs the secluded and profound cavern sources. From the heavens downward nothing fails to come under its jurisdiction; the hidden and obscure cannot be intermingled, the pure and the turbid cannot be thrown into disorder. This is the imperial chapter of supreme De (Virtue/Power) and also the celestial writing above the Nine Heavens. It issues from the naturalness of Yuanshi (the Primordial Beginning), was received by the Jade Emperor from the Nine Mysterious heavens, and then revealed by jade knots to the Western Floriate Jade Dawn.

The above is the Jasper Script Imperial Chapter, totaling two hundred sixty-four characters.

Lesser Yin (the stage when yin Qi first arises) announces the transformations of temporal destinies, the passages of the eight directions open, and the three images of heaven-and-earth, sun-and-moon, and stars circulate and operate. This imperial chapter of supreme De lies above the Nine Heavens and is a celestial writing generated naturally by Yuanshi. The Jade Emperor received it from the Nine Mysterious heavens and then made it known by jade knots to the Western Floriate Jade Dawn.

The above is the Jasper Script Imperial Chapter, totaling two hundred sixty-four characters.

After Lesser Yin announces the temporal destinies, the Heavenly Beam, following the edict of Yuanshi, rectifies order so that the four directions become aligned and harmonious. The spirits of the Orchid-Mysterious Peak ascend to the Jade Capital and receive inscription of their names from the Supreme Deity, the Honored God. Wuying, the Three Officials, and the Nine Bureaus carry out their offices in sequence; thereafter the Three Realms jointly welcome them.

The above is the Eight Arts of Hidden Earth, totaling fifty-six characters.

It generates ten thousand kinds of bodily forms. The following string of characters “儿羊上拍播公法开灾展无量通勃迫洛邓赭枭光明玉邵笃盈” has meanings and punctuation that remain difficult to determine; they may be secret taboos, divine names, or syllables within the scripture. On the basis of the extant wording they cannot be reliably rendered into coherent vernacular.

On the right are nine red-spotted jade characters totaling twenty-nine characters: “Yuanfu Hunwen, Xuanmu Fulian; holding Huangyan, whose cause belongs to the category of Boyuan, extending life.” To the right are feather-shaped characters totaling nineteen characters: “The Five Sacred Mountains: Eastern Peak Cangju Qiong Mangzi, Southern Peak Dongrong Yang Kai, Western Peak Haoqiu Bo Shou, Northern Peak Xuanshu Ming Shou, Central Peak Niu Linggen Xing. Yuanfu Hunwen, Xuanmu Fulian; holding Huangyan, whose cause belongs to the category of Boyuan, extending life.” On the right are feather-shaped characters totaling nineteen characters: “The Five Sacred Mountains: Eastern Peak Cangju Qiong Mangzi, Southern Peak Dongrong Yang Kai, Western Peak Haoqiu Bo Shou, Northern Peak Xuanshu Ming Shou, Central Peak Niu Linggen Xing.” Then comes: “The Four Seas: Eastern Sea Xubi Jingqi Haotao, Southern Sea Wange Jing, Western Sea Xuanqianyuan, Northern Sea...”

On the right is the Huang-Lao Central Record totaling forty-six jade characters: “Jade youths stand attending on the left, immortal maidens support on the right. The Nine-Five Supreme Emperor and Taiyi preside over subduing demons and binding the physical form; this is the decree jointly proclaimed by the myriad emperors. Opening the portals of the heavenly realm allows humans to communicate with true spirits; clouds of Qi (vital energy) swirl as dragon carriages come and go. The Directors of Destiny and Records, together with the southern and northern lords and the seven stars of the Northern Dipper, inspect and capture the troops; the twenty-eight lunar mansions encircle and protect the body. The Tai Xuan Yin-Yang three-chi method, with purified still thoughts, Bing turning to guard the path, reaches the nine heavens and traverses the heavenly degrees. In the Yang Nine cycle, the hundred rivers are gathered. Chimin, Dayou, Huanluo, Huoling, Jinzhen, and Wangmu, called the divine soldiers of the imperial court totaling one hundred thousand, drive away inauspiciousness. Some hold towels and registers guarding the Gate of Life; heavenly creases lead in front, tiger warriors block those advancing. The Great Existence Upper Dao (the Way) reports and transmits the true writings.”

On the right is the Register Commanding the Host of Immortals totaling one hundred thirty-five characters: “Demon-capturing talisman command, opening the decrees, summoning the immortals.” On the right is the Three Realms Empty Travel Register totaling eight characters: “The August Heavenly Supreme Emperor commands gathering the spirits of the ten directions to drive away filthy Qi. The Great Existence immortals and Nine-Five Upper Dao wander back and forth; Golden True registers and records proclaim the Three Heavens.” On the right is the Spirit Flying Register totaling thirty-two characters: “The Unsurpassed Three Heavens, Great Void, Northern Pole, Supreme Five Dippers, Firmly Established Four Stars, Red Emperor Heavenly Supreme Emperor command gathering the spirits of the ten directions to drive away filthy Qi. The Great Existence immortals and Nine-Five Upper Dao wander back and forth; Golden True registers and records proclaim the Three Heavens.” On the right is the Spirit Flying Register totaling thirty-two characters: “The Unsurpassed Three Heavens, Great Void, Northern Pole, Supreme Five Dippers, Firmly Established Four Stars, Red Script capturing improper listed statements, Nine Heavens left support, Three Heavens mandate writings.” On the right is the Returning Spirit Descending True Register totaling thirty characters.

Some characters are already missing from the Jade Chapters of the Talismanic Mandates of the Sun, Moon, and Five Stars of the Supreme Three Heavens Five Elder Emperors. The foregoing is the register text of the East and West Two Flores, totaling twenty-four characters.

A further passage reads: “Heavenly stars mountains already the two Dippers the son bears the northern master of killing above the master of life the Southern Dipper balances and rectifies the two Qi August Heaven of Great Possession Siming determines the registers.” This is the register text of the Two Dippers Siming, totaling twenty-eight characters. The text mentions the Northern Dipper, the Southern Dipper, and Siming (Director of Destinies), expressing the functions of governing life and death, regulating the two Qi (vital energies), and recording the ledgers of destiny.

Another passage states: “The Nine Stars, Three Terraces, and Azure Lad shine in radiance, raising and ferrying the Great Perfected; the Five Elders brightly summon the luminous registers, capturing the myriad demons—reverence the marvelous.” This is the Azure Lad register text, totaling twenty-four characters. “Azure Lad” (Qingtong) and “Five Elders” are titles of Daoist perfected deities; the passage describes their display of awesome radiance, the summoning of spirits who descend with registers, and the expulsion of hosts of demons.

The text continues: “Heaven above and earth below, formless and originally nameless, the mysterious upper perfected hidden-name writing of the ten directions.” This is the Hidden Scripture register text, totaling sixteen characters. “Hidden Scripture” refers to mysterious talismanic writings or texts that are not transmitted publicly.

Next comes: “The unsurpassed Mysterious Origin Five Emperors natural Jade Void talismanic mandates of the Nine Heavens.” This is the Five Emperors Direct Talisman register text, totaling fourteen characters. “Direct Talisman” refers to talismanic writings that represent the deities and act under their command.

A further inscription reads: “The Nine Heavens Jade Void generates the nine Qi of Eastern Wood, naturally governing the upper bright stars, the mysterious origin correct Qi of the Wood Palace.” This is the Jia-Yi Spirit-Communing Talisman, totaling twenty-two characters. Here “Eastern Wood” and “Wood Palace” designate the eastern Wood Qi; Jia and Yi are Heavenly Stems, also used to indicate the Wood Phase of the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water).

The brief phrase “Three Qi issue destiny heavenly transformation” is likewise labeled as a Five Emperors Direct Talisman register text, totaling fourteen characters.

The same wording—“The Nine Heavens Jade Void generates the nine Qi of Eastern Wood, naturally governing the upper bright stars, the mysterious origin correct Qi of the Wood Palace”—reappears as the Jia-Yi Spirit-Communing Talisman, totaling twenty-two characters. This passage duplicates the earlier one.

Another passage states: “Three Qi issue destiny; heaven generates the light of the Three Origins, azure-fire solar original Jing (essence), and the three-five-nine-one mysterious upper directing Qi.” This is the Bing-Ding Spirit-Communing Talisman, totaling twenty-three characters. Bing and Ding belong to Fire; the passage employs terms such as fire, sunlight, and original Jing to describe the corresponding Qi.

A further text reads: “Seven Qi of plain mysterious Metal Qi, Kun and Dui obstruct white king bright destiny Earth, Kun mountain generates heaven.” This is the Geng-Xin Spirit-Communing Jade Talisman, totaling eighteen characters. Geng and Xin belong to Metal; “Kun” and “Dui” are trigram names within the Bagua (Eight Trigrams).

Next: “Five Qi of the Black Emperor generate the mysterious void sequential Water, flying Water generating luminous Qi.” This is the Ren-Gui Spirit-Communing Talisman, totaling sixteen characters. Ren and Gui belong to Water; “Black Emperor” is a divine title associated with the north and the Water Phase.

Then: “Imperial Earth Metal destiny, Wu-Ji five Earth correct six mysterious, Ji five complete original Qi.” This is the Wu-Ji Spirit-Communing Talisman, totaling sixteen characters. Wu and Ji belong to Earth; the passage expresses the power corresponding to Wu and Ji through the Earth Phase, mysterious Qi, and original Qi.

A further inscription states: “Heaven possesses the Six Jia destiny, Jade Palace three generate the natural Five Emperors Qi.” This is the Jiazi Plain Memorial Cinnabar Talisman, totaling fourteen characters. “Six Jia” designates a system of divine names or symbols in Daoist numerological arts; “plain memorial” refers to presenting reports to the deities by means of talismanic writings.

The next reads: “Vast Heaven fire mountain bright light world mysterious same as the Supreme command Qi.” This is the Jiawu Plain Memorial Cinnabar Talisman, totaling thirteen characters. The text employs terms such as Vast Heaven, fire mountain, and bright light to describe the sacred breath borne within the talisman.

Finally, “Wu-Ji generates the mysterious Jiazi Plain Memorial Cinnabar Talisman,” totaling fourteen characters, is followed by the same phrasing: “Vast Heaven fire mountain bright light world mysterious same as the Supreme command Qi.”

The Su Zou Dan Fu (a type of elixir talisman written on plain silk and used for presenting memorials) employed on Jiawu days consists of thirteen characters: “Earth of Wuji transforms and generates; the three Qi (vital energy) of the Mysterious Origin (the three primordial breaths of which Daoism speaks) emerge; the Bright King of the Three-Five is rectified.”

The Su Zou Dan Fu employed on Jiaxu days consists of fourteen characters: “The Mysterious generates the Nine Above; the Original Sovereign Lord of the Three-Five-Six Harmony; the Beginning Azure Heaven.”

The Su Zou Dan Fu employed on Jiayin days consists of fourteen characters: “The Six Jia illuminate Heaven; the Three-Five Original Mandate; the Great Transformation of Natural Bright Heaven.”

The Su Zou Dan Fu employed on Jiashen days consists of fourteen characters.

“Wood-mandate Mysterious Origin, Water in the west reflects and forms the field; Bing-Chou lord uses four names; dawn-moon talisman king, and the human carriage of the East Lord King has fields shown, remaining not easy to travel; East Bright Bow Star directs the river; Di Zhong King left; Bing day above Bright Heaven; east of the mountain Yi six li, garments emerge from Green Hill; minister Wei Li Yi Wu stone Mysterious Mountain Great King Gate ties the field; bright people of two armies, settlement west directs culture; day four generates dragon-person river; Peace Male Heart King day; Corpse King person bright Jia Kang; bow four parts gentlemen west may; son Great Change from Heaven’s mandate ties north; Long Bright Corpse King emerges two; ties moon husband Su Lord; moon water mountain emerges mountain Chang Ming; Ji day great Chou four at same above King one Bright Hill stops bright hidden moon and King small field husband specializes fire already field Chang generates four parts north fire mountain Yu ties the image above stops King day star not four ties same Hui Great Mysterious Heaven Bright Heaven day Heaven.”

The passage above is called the Lingfei Liujia Fu (Spirit-Flying Six Jia Talisman) and totals one hundred eighty characters. The original lists the talismanic graphs in an unbroken sequence without punctuation; many of the phrases cannot be read as coherent ordinary sentences, and the original is therefore retained here without further speculation as to their meaning.

The Green Emperor begins to shine forth, and the Qi of Grand Clarity is lucid; the Red Emperor is mysteriously bright, and the Dao and De (Virtue/Power) manifest; the White Emperor… (what follows continues the preceding talismanic text).

The passage above is likewise called the Lingfei Liujia Fu and totals one hundred eighty characters. The scripture records it as a talismanic formula; its phrases should not be forcibly construed according to ordinary semantic meaning.

The Green Emperor first appears, Grand Clarity is bright and lucid; the Red Emperor is mysteriously bright, and the Dao and De open forth; the image of the White Emperor… shang zhi wang ri xing bu si xi tong hui da xuan tian ming tian ri tian. The talismanic graphs that follow the White Emperor continue the preceding text and remain a continuously written talismanic formula.

The above is the Wudi Ce (Registers of the Five Emperors) and totals thirty-five characters.

“The bow-dragon walking spirit emerges, expelling inauspicious calamities and avoiding the unpropitious.”

The eleven characters above constitute the Talismanic Formula of Human-Bird Mountain. The scripture states that those who privately transmit or compile this formula write it behind the alleyway.

The Taishang Qiuxian Dinglu Chisu Zhenjue Yuwen (Jade Text of the True Formula on Silk for Seeking Immortality and Fixing the Registers, from the Most High) ends here.

Note: The incantations, formulae, and talismanic graphs recorded in this chapter are left unpunctuated, so as to avoid errors in parsing.