《洞玄灵宝真灵位业图》

Gazing up at the heavens, one can observe that the radiance of the mysterious stars is sometimes great and sometimes small; looking down upon the earth, one can see how lofty and steep, how deep and broad, the mountains, rivers, and seas are. Examining the governing order of the human world, one can clarify the ranks and sequence of court officials; studying the scriptures (jing) of the celestial realm, one can infer the stations and duties of the perfected immortals and divine spirits.

Yet the titles of immortals and deities are sometimes manifest and sometimes obscure, and the designations of those who cultivate the Dao (the Way) also change as their practice advances. Even within the Four Palaces, their identities are at times easily confused with one another. The task now is to compare and correct them according to the scriptures, verify their ceremonial robes, distinguish higher from lower, and delimit the palace domain to which each belongs.

In some cases, only the status of a particular perfected immortal is indicated, for example the Supreme Sovereign Lord of the Dao, the Five Emperors, the Seven Elders, and others of this kind. In some cases only names are briefly cited, for example Moyu, Mengzhuo, and the like. Some share the same duties yet differ in rank, for example the Four Emperors of the Golden Portal, the Four Perfected of the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate), and the perfected immortals who receive mandates to instruct the lower realm. Still others hold the same official grade, yet their careers and duties each differ, for example the various pacers of the guideline (practitioners who carry out their cultivation according to the method of pacing the Dipper).

Take also the Perfected of Xilin, who serves as Right Duke of Taiwei yet at the same time presides over the Upper Minister of the Nine Palaces. Does he still belong to the Northern Banquet of Shangqing, and ought he personally to transmit the teachings down to the lower realm? Cases of this kind are difficult to verify with certainty. In general, the offices they oversee may be recorded together and arranged according to the higher palace domain; the particulars are explained entry by entry and left for a brief account in the text that follows.

My talent is slight and my knowledge shallow. I am only a later student of the lower realm, yet I rashly appraise the superior sages. I fear that I may throw into disorder the ranks of the immortals and deities, contravene the original arrangement of their stations, and thereby incur the punishment of the Mysterious Bureau (the divine offices of the celestial realm) and the guilt of the Underworld Administration (the offices of the netherworld). I cautiously set forth what I know and respectfully pray that the superior sages will examine it with clarity. If these arrangements are indeed improper, I earnestly beg to be granted admonition.

What is now arranged and explained rests on the profound purport of the scriptures, and it is also an important direction that cultivators ought to follow. When praying, seeking instruction, and paying homage to the divine perfected, one should understand the relative honor and humility of each station. When meeting perfected immortals and encountering spirits of other kinds, one must likewise discern the weight and grade of those one meets.

The Three Lords jointly composed this account, and the first point to be made is this: if students do not understand these principles, they will fall into error; placing a lower rank before a higher one is a deviation caused by insufficient understanding. Even when all are called “Perfected Persons,” there are different grades among them; even when all are called “immortals,” immortals have grades too numerous to count. If one does not carefully grasp these names and categories, nor understand the fundamental threads that run through them, it is like a rustic arriving at court who, seeing only officials in red robes, calls them all “clerks”; or like a person of Gouli (an ancient name for the inhabitants of the Korean peninsula) coming to the Central Plains and calling every official an “adjutant.” How could such a person distinguish the noble from the humble among gentlemen and commoners, or the differences among official posts and titles of rank?

Preface by Tao Hongjing.

The Dongxuan Lingbao Zhenling Weiye Tu (Chart of the Stations and Ranks of the True Spirits), a chart of the names, positions, and hierarchical grades of Daoist deities.

It was compiled by Tao Hongjing, Master Zhenbai of the Liang dynasty, and collated in the Tang dynasty by Lüqiu Fangyuan of Tiantai, Great Master of Miaoyou, Master Xuantong, who had been granted the purple robe.

In his preface Tao Hongjing says: “If everything is simply called a canjun, how can one tell the noble from the humble among gentlemen and common people, or distinguish differences of rank and title?”

Palace of the Three Primordials of Jade Clarity (Yuqing Sanyuan Gong)

First central position above

Above, he is joined with the Lord of the Dao, Sovereign of the Void; his honorific title is the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun).

Positions on the left

High Supreme Lord of the Dao, of the Five Numina and Sevenfold Radiance, born of commingling. High Supreme Lord of the Dao, Sovereign of the Void, of Eastern Radiance. High Supreme Lord of the Dao, Sovereign of the Void, of Western Florescence. High Supreme Lord of the Dao, Sovereign of the Void, of Northern Mystery. High Supreme Lord of the Dao, Sovereign of the Void, of Southern Cinnabar.

The Upper Primordial Palace of Jade Clarity has four Lords of the Dao, each with his own hui (the proper personal name of a Daoist deity). The Middle Primordial Palace of Jade Clarity has six Lords of the Dao of Purple Clarity, each with his own hui. The Lower Primordial Palace of Jade Clarity has four Primal Sovereigns of High Clarity, each with his or her own hui. In the scattered middle ranks of Jade Clarity are ten deities, whose hui are not recorded.

Positions on the right

High Supreme Primordial August Lord of the Dao of the Purple Void. Supreme August Lord of the Dao of Great Radiance, of the Three Primordials of Cavernous Void. Purple August Lord of the Dao of the Utmost Height, of Great Simplicity and Lofty Void. High Supreme August Lord Ting of the Middle Primordial, of Void Radiance and Purple Orchid. Lord Yuanchen, Elder Sovereign of the Void, of the Upper Mystery of the Three Primordials. Lord Yuanling, Sovereign of the Void of the Upper Primordial, of the Four Ultimates of the Three Primordials. Lord Yuantai, Sovereign of the Void of the Yellow Phosphor in the Dawn-Center of the Three Primordials. Lord Yuantai, Master of the True and Primordial Embryo, of Purple Reflection, Brandished Spirit, and Void Birth among the Three Primordials. Great August Lord of Jade Mystery. Supreme August Lord of the Dao. Jade August Lord of the Dao. Lord of the Dao of Pure Mystery. High August Celestial Emperor. Lord of the Great One of the Jade Heaven. Supreme Lord of the Dao, Sovereign of the Void.

The Supreme Jade-Perfected Dao Lord Who Protects the Sovereign (Taishang Yuzhen Baohuang Daojun), the Mysterious Sovereign High Perfected, the Jade Lord of the Great One (Taiyi Yujun), and the Exalted Jade Emperor.

These deities are ranked in the realm of Jade Clarity (Yuqing), with the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun) at their head. The Dao Lords (Daojun) beneath him have all received the Mandate of Heaven and been invested with registers, and through their cultivation of the Dao (the Way) they are able to command the Weizhen (Daoist divinities). The Celestial Emperor of Grand Tenuity (Taiwei) comes to receive his official charge, but he does not take part in the affairs of the lower world. All the high perfected immortal officials from the Nine Palaces upward and below Upper Clarity (Shangqing) may come here to attend court and banquets.

The second, central position: the Great Dao Lord of Upper Clarity, High Sage, Supreme Jade Dawn, and Mysterious Sovereign is the lord of the myriad Ways.

The left position: the Dao Lord of the Left Sage, Purple Dawn, and Celestial Emperor of Grand Tenuity.

The Left Sage of the Southern Pole and the Southern Marchmount, Perfected One and Left Immortal Duke, the Perfected One of Great Vacuity, Chisongzi (Master Red Pine). Chisongzi was a disciple of the Yellow Elder Lord (Huanglaojun) and the teacher of Lord Pei.

The Left Assistant, Later Sage and Supreme Chancellor, Perfected One of the Western Regions and the Western Extremity, the Lord of Assembled Perfection, surnamed Wang, given name Yuan, courtesy name Fangping. He was a disciple of the Lord of Purple Yang and the teacher of Lord Mao, the Director of Destinies.

The Dao Lord of Purple Clarity, Great Simplicity, Lofty Vacuity, and Cavern Radiance.

The Central Dao Lord of Great Vacuity, the Upper Empyrean, and Flying Dawn, Chisong.

The Supreme Dao Lord, Great Emperor of the Cinnabar Grove of Fusang in the Eastern Aurora of Grand Tenuity.

The Dao Lord of the Later Sage and Grand Preceptor, Left Perfected of Grand Tenuity Who Protects the Sovereign.

The Dao Lord of Purple Brilliance, Grand Tenuity, the Nine Ways, High Origin, and Jade Dawn.

The Dao Lord of Purple Prime, Grand Tenuity, the Eight Simplicities, the Three Primes, and Mysterious Dawn.

The High Dawn Master, Great Director of Destinies and Upper Minister of the Golden Portal, the Jade-Protecting King of Ninefold Subtlety and Great Perfection.

The Lord of the Azure Blossom Lad, Prince of the Eastern Sea.

Master Changli, Lord Xue, who presides over the Upper Ministers of the Nine Palaces. Lord Xue attained the Dao in the Zhou dynasty and, in a former life, was the predestined elder brother of Chief Secretary Xu.

The Perfected Lord Yan of Xilin served as Right Perfected Duke of the Grand Tenuity and held authority over the office of Supreme Minister of the Nine Palaces. He received his mandate from the Heavenly King of the Lesser Existence, and was later succeeded by Lord Wang.

The Director of Destinies, Supreme Perfected Minister of the Eastern Marchmount, and Perfected of the Grand Prime, Lord Mao (an immortal of the Mao clan of Maoshan): the Elder Lord Mao was named Ying, with the courtesy name Shushen.

The Perfected Lord Xu, Left Minister and Immortal Marquis, was named Mu and was a disciple of the Lady of the Southern Marchmount. In the Jin dynasty he served as Chief Clerk of the Protector Army, and later withdrew to Juqu Mountain.

The Perfected of the Azure Canopy, Attendant upon the Thearch’s Dawn, Lord Guo, was named Shigan. The Left Perfected of Purple Yang, Lord Zhou, was named Yishan. The Perfected of Pure Numinosity, Lord Pei, was a native of Youfufeng in the Han dynasty and attained the Dao (the Way) during the Han. Lingfei Taijin once served as Chief Clerk of the Protector Army and later withdrew to Juqu Mountain.

The Perfected of the Azure Canopy, Attendant upon the Thearch’s Dawn, Lord Guo, was named Shigan. The Left Perfected of Purple Yang, Lord Zhou, was named Yishan. The Perfected of Pure Numinosity, Lord Pei, was a native of Youfufeng in the Han dynasty and attained the Dao during the Han. The Spirit-Flight Great Perfected, Grandee of the Most High.

Attendant upon the Thearch’s Dawn, Senior Aide of the Eastern Florescence and Director of Destinies, Lord Yang. Grandee Who Assists the Dawn, Shi Shumen. Marquis of the Feathered Dawn of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity), Lord Yang Ziming. Lord of the Dao and Master of the Immortals of the Mysterious Continent, the Supreme Prince, surnamed Qin, who has charge of memorializing the names of immortals at the passes (presenting upward the registers of immortals’ names). Immortal Earl of Scriptural Mandate, Perfected Grand Guardian. Immortal Earl of the Eight Mysteries and Right Immortal Duke, Lord Gu. Gentleman of the Left Mystery Who Bears the Canopy, of Zhengyi, Xi Weixuan. Envoy in Embroidered Robes, Meng Liuqi. Qiu Wenjian, palace official of the Palace of Great Simplicity, Immortal Gentleman Who Guards the Forbidden Precincts. Yangwang of the Left, and Hua Zhongjie. Envoy in Embroidered Robes, Xilin Zao. Zhao Yueluo, lady attendant of the Right Consort. Guan Changtiao, Censor on Duty of the Left Bureau of the Three Heavens.

The Palace of the Far Domain, the City of the Eight Effulgences, the Terrace of the Seven Numina, the Phoenix Terrace and Jade Watchtowers, and the Floriate Watchtowers of the Golden Dawn.

The right-hand station (a marker of ranked position in the scripture).

The Right Sage, Thearchic Dawn of the Golden Watchtower, Later Sage, and Lord of the Dao of Mysterious Origin is due to be born into the world when the renchen turn of destiny arrives.

The source contains several repeated passages, and the connection between “Lingfei Taijin served as Chief Clerk of the Protector Army and withdrew to Juqu Mountain” and the titles before and after it is unclear; the above translates the text as it now stands.

The Right Assistant Attendant of the Imperial Dawn (Dichen), who holds the office of Director of Destinies of the Five Sacred Peaks, is the Right Aide Tongbai Perfected (Zhenren) Lord Wang of Golden Court Palace. Named Jin, he was the crown prince of King Ling and once descended to transmit the teachings. The Right Assistant of Xiaoyou Grotto-Heaven (Dongtian), the Great Simplicity Clear Void Perfected and Right Protector Lord Wang who oversees the Four Offices and Three Primes, is named Bao. He was the teacher of Lady Wei and likewise descended to transmit the teachings. The Right Immortal Duke Xu, Attendant of the Imperial Dawn, is the son of the Chief Clerk and is named Hui. The Supreme Elder of the Immortal Capital of the Mysterious Continent resides in the Purple Cassia Palace of Xuanzhou and is its sovereign. The Grand Protector Jade Gentleman Lord Li is named Fei. Next come the Grandee of the Observatory Attending the Imperial Dawn, the Grand Tutor of the Nine Palaces, and the Jade Dawn Gentleman. The disciple of the Northern Window and Middle Attendant Immortal, surnamed Fan, named Yao, courtesy name Dushi (formerly Yong), served as Attendant Gentleman to Emperor Huan of the Han and composed the Biography of Lady Wei.

The ranks of the female Perfected (nüzhen) are as follows. First is the Nine-Numina Great Perfected Primordial Lady of the White Jade Tortoise Terrace of Purple Tenuity Primordial Numen. Then comes the Purple Void Primordial Lady, Lady Wei of the Southern Peak who directs the Destinies of the Highest Perfected; her personal name is Huacun and her courtesy name Xian’an. She was a disciple of Lord Wang of Xiaoyou and the teacher of Lord Yang. She is followed by the Mother of the Eight Numina, Lady Jiang of the Western Peak; the Lady of Mysterious Clarity of the Six Subtleties of the Northern Sea; the Guard Lady of the Eastern Palace of the Highest Perfected; Lady Shi of the Seven Numina of Northern Han; the Nine Floriate Perfected Consort of the Purple Clarity Upper Palace, surnamed An, who descended to Mount Mao in the Jin dynasty; Lady Guo of the Left Palace of Purple Void; Lady Shi of Central Floriate of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate); the Great Perfected Lady Wang; Lady Wang of Right Floriate of the Canglang Cloud Forest; Consort Guan, Upper Consort of the Northern Extreme Terrace of Vermilion Mausoleum; Lady Li of Manifest Numen of Fangzhang Terrace; and Lady Shi of Extreme Central Floriate, Highest Perfected of the Northern Peak. The list then repeats the Great Perfected Lady Wang, Lady Wang of Right Floriate of the Canglang Cloud Forest, Consort Guan of the Northern Extreme Terrace of Vermilion Mausoleum, Lady Li of Manifest Numen of Fangzhang Terrace, and Lady Shan, Highest Perfected of the Northern Peak.

This passage of the Jing chiefly arranges the titles, offices, residences, and master-disciple lineages of the Perfected immortals. “Descending to teach” refers to an immortal’s descent or the transmission of doctrine, while “grotto-heaven” (dongtian) denotes the dwellings of immortals in the Daoist tradition. The original text repeats the entry for the Grand Protector Jade Gentleman Lord Li named Fei, the titles of the Grandee of the Observatory Attending the Imperial Dawn, and several of the later female immortal designations; these have been recorded here according to their meaning.

Lady Qionghua. Lady Feng of the Three Origins, a female immortal among the Three Origins. Lady Fan of the Ninefold Completion of the Right Florescence. Lady Wang of the Left Palace of Purple Tenuity, named Qing’e, courtesy name Yuyin, the twenty-sixth daughter of the Queen Mother of the West. Lady Du of Changling. The Left Lady of Mysterious Clarity of the Grand Tenuity. Hua Zhong, Flying Consort of the King of the Right Yang. Zhen Youxiao, Numinous Consort of the Western Florescence. Lady Ziyuan, Primordial Lord of the Southern Pole and Supreme Guardian of the Later Sage. The Primordial Lord of Great Simplicity, Supreme Tutor of the Later Sage. Chun Wenqi, Jade Consort of the Eastern Florescence, younger sister of the Azure Lad. Lady Wang, Central Marquis of the Eastern Palace, younger sister of the Perfected of Tongbo by the same mother. The Left Lady of the Supreme Perfected of Great Harmony. The Lady of the Western Han. The Lady of Mount Hua. Fang Su, divine woman of Jade Clarity. Wang Shanghua, attendant of the Queen Mother of the West. Dong Shuangcheng and Shi Gongzi. Yuan Jueqing and Lord Dicheng. Guo Mixiang and Gan Ruobin. Li Fangming and Zhang Lingzi.

The palace officials of the Palace of the Great Thearch were officeholders in the immortal palaces. Also recorded are the Jade Maiden of the Numinous Grove and Jia Quting; the palace officials of the Palace of the Golden Portal; Grand Guardian Marquis Fan Fa’an; Ya Shuping, Immortal Earl of Scriptural Destiny; Yan Jingzhu, jade maiden of the Palace of the Eastern Florescence; Song Bifei, attendant of the Lady of the Upper Origin; and Fan Yunhua, attendant of the Dao (the Way) Lord who presides over the immortals. Further names are Zhao Junzhu, jade maiden of the grove, and Jia Quting; the palace officials of the Palace of the Golden Portal; Grand Guardian Marquis Fan Fa’an; Ya Shuping, Immortal Earl of Scriptural Destiny; Yan Jingzhu, jade maiden of the Palace of the Eastern Florescence; Song Bifei, attendant of the Lady of the Upper Origin; Fan Yunhua, attendant of the Dao Lord who presides over the immortals; Zhao Junzhu and Wang Baoyi; Hua Jingdi and Li Boyi; and Xianyu Lingjin. The precincts named are the Hall of Great Harmony, the Hall of Liaoyang, the Portal of the Medicine Pearl, the Chamber of Seven Radiances, and the Tower of Enduring Continuity.

In the third central position is the Thearch Lord of the Golden Portal of the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate), surnamed Li. In a renchen year he descended into the human world to transmit the teachings, and he is the sovereign of the age of Great Peace.

In the left position are the Left Perfected of the Taiji, the Yellow Elder Lord of the Center, and the Left Perfected of the Taiji, the Left Immortal Duke of Purple Yang, the Noble Son of the Central Florescence.

Huang Guanzi was Left Minister of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate). The Unsurpassed Perfected One, Master Wenshi, was Yin Xi. The brothers Gong Zhongyang and Gong Youyang of the Vermilion Fire Cinnabar Spirit Palace once sought the Dao (the Way) from Lord Qingtong. Lingyang Ziming was the Perfected One of Dongyang. Shangxuanzi of the Center was the Elder of the Central Origin. An Qisheng was the Perfected One of the North Pole.

Also named are Laozi of the North Pole, the Mysterious Supreme Immortal Sovereign; the Heavenly Emperor Lord of Clarity and Harmony; the Elder of the South Pole, the Supreme Perfected One of Danling; Master Qingjing, who was Beigu Zi of Taiwan; and the Supreme Emperor of Mysterious Harmony at Yinling. The same sequence then appears again: Laozi of the North Pole, the Mysterious Supreme Immortal Sovereign; the Heavenly Emperor Lord of Clarity and Harmony; the Elder of the South Pole, the Supreme Perfected One of Danling; Master Qingjing, Beigu Zi of Taiwan; and the Supreme Emperor of Mysterious Harmony at Yinling.

Young Lord Yange was High Immortal Earl of Taiji. The Immortal Earl of Xuanzhou is also listed. Ge Xuan was Left Immortal Duke of Taiji. During the Three Kingdoms period, in the state of Wu, he transmitted and expounded the methods of the Lingbao jing (scriptures) and later became an earthly immortal. Suling Ziqi was the Elder of the West Pole. The Five Elders, who were Supreme Perfected Ones, together with the Old Lord of Xiandu, compiled the Lingshu Ziwen (Purple Texts of the Numinous Book). Young Lord Fuyang was the Elder of the East Pole. Master Beigu was Left Duke of Taiji. Wang Chang and Zhao Sheng served as Protectors-General of the Three Heavens.

Kong Qiu was Supreme Perfected Duke of Taiji. Yan Hui held the posts of Attendant of the Bright Dawn and Director of the Perfected of the Three Heavens. The Perfected One of Xuanpu was the Yellow Emperor Xuanyuan. The Mysterious Emperor Zhuanxu, grandson of the Yellow Emperor, once received the Lingbao Five Talismans. Prince Di Ku, great-grandson of the Yellow Emperor, likewise once received the Lingbao Five Talismans. Emperor Shun ingested the Nine-Times-Cycled Divine Elixir, entered Mount Jiuyi, and later attained the Dao.

□ Cheng Zigao withdrew into seclusion and took up farming during the era of Tang of Shang, practicing the way of walking the guideline (a method of stepping according to specific patterns in coordination with ritual and cultivation). Yu of Xia received the Lingbao Nine Ascents method transmitted by the Perfected One of Mount Zhong and became famous for his meritorious work in controlling the floods. King Mu of Zhou once traveled to Mount Kunlun and paid homage to the Queen Mother of the West. Emperor Yao is named among them. Fenghou was the teacher of the Yellow Emperor and is said by legend to have invented the four fans. Xiguizi is also listed, though his deeds are unknown.

Some passages in the original text are repeated. The first character of “□ Cheng Zigao” is missing, and “jiushan fa” is likely a variant arising from manuscript transmission or misreading. The lacuna is therefore retained, and the phrase is interpreted, following the original, as the “Nine Ascents method.” In addition, “Elder of the Shu Pole,” considered in connection with the four directional poles, should perhaps be read as “Elder of the East Pole.”

Pu Yi (a sage of high antiquity, said to have been the teacher of Shun) is the figure Zhuangzi calls "Bei Yi." Fengchezi left no notable deeds. Zhili's life is unknown. Bei Yi is ranked alongside Wang Ni (said to have been Bei Yi's teacher). Nie Que, Chaofu, Xu You and Bian Sui, Hua Feng (a border warden in the time of Yao) and Beiren (that is, Beiren Wuze), Zizhou (Zizhou Zhifu) and Shan Juan were all lofty men of high antiquity who declined the empire and lived in reclusion without taking office. Ma Huang (traditionally a horse physician in the time of the Yellow Emperor, who later ascended to heaven following a dragon). Lord An, surnamed Tao, is said to have ascended as an immortal riding a red dragon. Daxiang, personally named Tuo (that is, Xiang Tuo, who is said to have been astonishingly intelligent from a young age).

The above are the perfected ones of the right-hand position.

Following them, in order, are: the Right Perfected One of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate), Xiliang Ziwen; the Right Perfected One of Taiji, An Duming; Jiang Wenqi of the Immortal Capital of Xuanzhou; the Perfected One of Ziyang, Fan Mingqi; the Perfected One Yujue, Pei Xuanren; the Immortal Maiden of the Great Mystery, Xiling Ziduo; Sima Jizhu, who received from Xiling Ziduo the Dao (the Way) of "sword liberation" (a method of attaining immortality by entrusting the body to a sword and shedding it); the Immortal Marquis of Taiji, Zhang Feng; the Seven Perfected Ones of Dongtai Qingxu; Li Yi Zhongfu, Vice Director of Destinies of the Western Peak, who was the teacher of Zuo Yuanfang (Zuo Ci); the Eight Elders, Primal Immortals; Wang Zhong and Bao Qiu, Jade Youths of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) and the Supreme Mystery; the Jade Maiden of Nanling; the Perfected One of Yanggu, Governor of the Western Return, Fu Chunyu Taixuan; the Perfected One of Rongshan, Right Immortal Lord Fan Bohua; the Perfected One of Luhun, Overseer of Taiji, Xiguo Youdu; the Four Directors and Grand Master of the Central Yellow, who also governs the Lord of the Northern Sea, Juanzi, the teacher of Lord Su; the Taiji Dharma Master Xu Lailei, who during the Wu period of the Three Kingdoms transmitted the Falun Jing (Wheel of the Law Scripture) to the Immortal Lord Ge (Ge Xuan) on Mount Tiantai; Lord Zhang of Handan and Gengsangzi; Xiao Shi (skilled at playing the flute, who ascended as an immortal together with Nongyu); the Three Perfected Ones of the Supreme Mystery and Primal Unity, who descended to Mount Tiantai in the Wu period and transmitted the Lingbao scriptures to the Immortal Lord Ge; Liu Jing; Lord Su, Senior Minister of Xuanzhou and Grand Palace Attendant of Taiji, personally named Lin, with the courtesy name Zixuan, a disciple of Juanzi and the teacher of Lord Zhou; Nongyu; the Two Maidens; the White Water Envoy; Changsang Gongzi, who was the teacher of Zhuangzi; Wei Bian Lang Zhuang Zhou and Qin Yi; and Jieyu (a madman of the state of Chu, renowned for his reclusion).

Su Jun, the Supreme Minister of Xuanzhou and Grand Master of the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) Central Attendant, was named Lin with the courtesy name Zixuan. He was a disciple of Juanzi and also the teacher of Zhou Jun. Nongyu. The two daughters. The White Water Envoy. The Young Lord of Changsang was the teacher of Zhuangzi. The Leather-Bound Official Zhuang Zhou, Qin Yi, Jieyu, Bohun, Xijian, and Laopin.

In the fourth central position, the Taiqing Taishang Laojun is the Dao Master of Taiqing (Great Clarity) who oversees the myriad people of the lower realms. The Supreme Sovereign, the Taishang Yuanshang Great Dao Lord.

In the left position stands the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Perfected One and Master of the Three Heavens Zhang Daoling, the ancestral master venerated by the Zhengyi school of Daoism. The Left Immortal Minister of Donghua, Baishi Sheng. Zhang Shumao. The Primordial Heavenly King, who was the teacher of the Queen Mother of the West. The Supreme Sovereign of Xuancheng Azure Heaven. The above three occupy honored positions in Taiqing and do not govern living beings.

The Southern Supreme Great Dao Lord, the Taishang Elder, the Heavenly Emperor Lord, the Lord of the Nine Elders Immortal Capital, and the Elder of the Nine Qi. These all belong to the true officials of the Eastern Palace of the Three Heavens of Taiqing; ritual affairs such as presenting memorials and making petitions, as well as the transmissions received by those who study the Dao, are all related to them.

The Perfected One of the Central Peak Gaoqiuzi, the Jingyun Perfected One, Master Guigu, King Taiqing, the Langli of the Nine Heavens, the seven Direct Talisman Officers of the Northern Dipper, the Dingqi Perfected One, the Jianxian Perfected One, the Five Immortal Ladies, and Lady Guonei. Gaoqiuzi, the Jingyun Perfected One, Master Guigu, King Taiqing, the Langli of the Nine Heavens, the seven Direct Talisman Officers of the Northern Dipper, the Dingqi Perfected One, the Jianxian Perfected One, the Five Immortal Ladies, and Lady Guonei.

Twenty-four Official Lords and Generals. One thousand two hundred Official Lords and Generals, condensed and formed through the transformation of two kinds of Qi (vital energy). Zhao Boxuan, Liu Zixian, Zang Yanfu, Zhang Zifang, Ning Zhongjun, King Yanzhao, and Mao Chucheng. The Earl of Mount Shaoshi and the Lang of Beitai named Qianshou. Chisongzi. The Daliang Perfected One Wei Xianren. The Immortal Earl of Mount Hua, Qin Shuyin. The Geyan Perfected One Zhou Jitong. The Taihe Perfected One Shan Shiyuan.

This section primarily enumerates the names and ranks of the divine Perfected Ones from the Dongxuan (Cavern Mystery) Lingbao Zhenling Weiye Tu. “Zhangzou” and “guanqi” are Daoist ritual terms for submitting memorials and communications to the deities. The original text here consists mostly of lists of titles, and the relationships of certain appellations to preceding or following figures are not elaborated in detail.

The Perfected of Juqu (Juqu zhenren), Right Forbidden Master of Dinglu, Lord Mao, whose taboo name is Gu and courtesy name Jiwei, is ranked among the earthly Perfected (dizhen). The Perfected of Panjia (Panjia zhenren), Right Forbidden Gentleman Wang Daoning. The Right Duke of Taiqing Li Baozu. The Left Duke of Penglai Song Chensheng. The Right Duke of Penglai Jia Baoan. The True Earl of Qianshan Zhao Zuyang. The Immortal Marquis of Jiuyi Zhang Shanggui. The Left Minister of Penglai Jiang Shumao. Zhou Dabin, Mao Bodao, and Liu Daogong, three who attained the Dao on Mount Wangwu. The Immortal Marquis of Jiuyi Zhang Shanggui. The Left Minister of Penglai Jiang Shumao. Zhou Dabin, Mao Bodao, and Liu Daogong, three who attained the Dao on Mount Wangwu. Dongfang Shuo and Ma Mingsheng; Peng Keng, who went west into the Flowing Sands; Feng Gang and Han Zhong; Mo Di, who was liberated in the great flood of the state of Song; Yue Zichang; Li Ming and Lei Ping, who jointly refined the elixir; the Four Hoary Ones of Mount Shang; the Eight Dukes of Huainan; Master Qingwu; the Lord of Huangshan and Yu Feng; Fang Ming and Li Mu; Chang Yu and Zhuang Bowei. Zhuang Bowei was a man of the Han dynasty. The above are the names and ranks of the right column.

The Immortal King of Taiqing Zhao Chezi and the Immortal King of Taiqing Li Yuanrong. The Immortal King of Xiaoyou Deng Lizi, Director of the Five Peaks Ximen Shudu. The Central Perfected Song Dexuan, Immortal Minister of the Central Peak Yan Menzi. The Perfected of the Central Peak Meng Zizhuo, the Perfected of the Western Peak Feng Yanshou. The Perfected of the Southern Peak, Master Fu. The Perfected of Qingcheng, Master Hongya. The Perfected of Jiuyi Han Weiyuan, the Perfected of Minshan Yin Youzong. The four Perfected of Siming, Taiyuan, Dinglu, and Zitai. The Perfected of the Central Peak Wang Zhongfu, the Elder of Beiling. The Elder of Taixuan, the Elder of Beishang, the Elder of Nanshang, the Elder of Taiqi, the Elder of Yiming, the Elder of Feizhen, the Elder of Jiudao, and Shi An. The Perfected of the Central Peak Wang Zhongfu, the Elder of Beiling, the Elder of Taixuan, the Elder of Beishang, the Elder of Nanshang, and the Elder of Taiqi.

This enumerates the names and rank-titles of the immortals and Perfected Ones. “Perfected” (zhenren), “Immortal Marquis” (xianhou), “Immortal Minister” (xianqing), “Elder” (zhangren) and similar terms are titles in the Daoist genealogy of immortals and Perfected Ones; “Left Duke” (zuogong), “Right Duke” (yougong), “Left Minister” (zuoqing) and the like mark their order of precedence. Several personal names and titles appear more than once in the text and have been retained here as in the original.

The Zhangren of Increasing Life, the Zhangren of Flying Perfection, the Zhangren of the Nine Daos, the Zhangren of Displaying Peace, the Zhangren of a Hundred Blessings, and the Zhangren of a Hundred Thousand Divine Qi.

Four Jade Maidens (Yunu) of the Heavenly Registers for Ascending to Heaven (who manage the name registers of those who ascend to heaven), three Jade Maidens of Upper Heaven, one hundred Jade Maidens of the Three Heavens, ten Green-Waist Jade Maiden officials, lower-grade Jade Maidens, Jade Maidens of the Northern Palace, Jade Maidens of the Five Emperors, Jade Maidens of Great Simplicity, Jade Maidens of Heavenly Simplicity, Jade Maidens of White Simplicity, Jade Maidens of Peaceful Heaven, Jade Maidens of the Six Wu, Jade Maidens of Increasing Life in Azure Heaven, Jade Maidens of the Divine Elixir, and Jade Maidens of the Five Flows. The above are fifteen kinds of titles for Jade Maidens.

The High Supreme General, the Envoy of Mount Heng, the Strongman of Upper Heaven, and the Heavenly Ding Strongman: these four all have personal names and each commands one hundred thousand heavenly soldiers, collectively termed the “Four Generals.”

The Flying Heaven Messenger, the Nine Heavens Messenger, the Messenger of the True King of the Nine Heavens, the High Immortal Opening-Heaven Messenger, the Wandering Heaven Messenger, the Supreme Clarity Messenger, the Six Yi Messenger, the Six Bing Messenger, the Six Ding Messenger, the Six Ren Messenger, the Nine Heavens Messenger, the Messenger of the True King of the Nine Heavens, the High Immortal Opening-Heaven Messenger, the Wandering Heaven Messenger, the Supreme Clarity Messenger, the Six Yi Messenger, the Six Bing Messenger, the Six Ding Messenger, the Six Ren Messenger, and the Six Gui Messenger. The above are fifteen messengers, all spontaneously generated divine beings. “Six Yi, Six Bing, Six Ding, Six Ren, and Six Gui” refer to divine offices named according to heavenly-stem and other numerological concepts.

Lingweiyang of the East, Chipiaonu of the South, Yaopobao of the West, Yinhouju of the North, and Hanshuniu of the Center are the Five Directional Heavenly Emperors of Supreme Clarity (Taiqing), and they too are spontaneously generated divine beings.

The Lords of the Five Sacred Mountains, who are replaced every five hundred years, along with the Marquis of the River and the Earl of the River. These three types of divine offices are filled by those who have attained the Dao.

The Zhangren of the Western Peak, the Jade Youths of the Three Heavens, and the Divine Maiden of the Luo River: these three types of divine offices are also filled by those who cultivate the Dao.

The Zhangren of Flying Heaven, Taiyi Zhonghuang, the Jade Youth of Mysterious Supreme, and Master Fierce Beast are all spontaneously generated divine beings who preside over the ghosts, spirits, and animals throughout the world.

Zhao Shengqi once cultivated on Mount Wangwu. Yin Changsheng.

Liu Weidao was a man of the Han dynasty, the son of Guo Chong, and a man of Yin.

Guo Shengzi once practiced divination in the marketplace of Luo; he was a man of the Zhou dynasty.

Xu Ji once commanded ghosts and spirits, birds and beasts.

Zhao Shengqi once cultivated on Mount Wangwu. Yin Changsheng.

Liu Weidao was a man of the Han dynasty, the son of Guo Chong, and a man of Yin.

Guo Shengzi once practiced divination in the marketplace of Luo; he was a man of the Zhou dynasty.

Xu Ji once cultivated the Dao (the Way) on Mount Huming. Lord Deer-Skin.

Qiu Jizi was the Lord of Recording (the divine lord charged with keeping the registers of the immortals).

Zhang Jujun.

Guo Shaoyao and Zhao Ai’er.

Wang Lulian. The three persons above were all female perfected ones (female immortals).

Lord Gui, the Perfected One Who Saves from Suffering, was Controller of Peril (charged with matters of danger and distress).

The Controller of Adversity (charged with matters of calamity and misfortune) and the Controller of Destiny (charged with lifespan and the registers of fate).

The Eight Awes (the awe-inspiring spirits of the eight directions) and Chu Fu.

Bo He and Hua Ziqi.

Bao Cha and Yue Ba.

Ge Hong lived in seclusion on Mount Luofu. The Unsurpassed King of the Left East (the unsurpassed king of the east).

The King of the Four Celestial Offices, the Celestial King Who Flourishes Destiny, the Lord-King Who Assists Destiny, the Tiger King of Flying Perfection, the King of the Nine Capitals Who Goes unto Death, and the Yin King of the Four Seas.

The Primal Lord of the Great Unity, the Lord of Upper Vacuity, the Upper Prime Lord Who Strokes Away Illness, the Lord of Yaoguang among the Seven Stars, the Lord of the Three Primes and Myriad Blessings, Lady Night Radiance, and Lady Harmonious Accord.

Fifth Central Position

The Secretary of the Nine Palaces (the immortal official who administers the affairs of the Nine Palaces), surnamed Zhang, given name Feng, and courtesy name Gongxian, was a native of Henei. He first served as Marquis of Restraint and Protection under the Controller of Destiny of Hebei, and later became Duke of Immortal Ascent of the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate), directing the duties of the north and ranking within the immortal realm of the Taiji.

Left Position

The Left Chancellor (the assisting immortal official of the left), the Perfected One of Pure Vacuity, received instruction from the King of the Xiaoyou Grotto-Heaven; he was later succeeded by Perfected One Wang and has already ascended into the realm of the Shangqing (Upper Clarity).

The Left Immortal Duke Guo Siren originally served as Marquis of Restraint and Protection under the Controller of Destiny of Hebei, and later became Duke of Immortal Ascent of the Taiji, directing the duties of the north and ranking within the immortal realm of the Taiji.

Left Position

The Left Chancellor, the Perfected One of Pure Vacuity, received instruction from the King of the Xiaoyou Grotto-Heaven; he was later succeeded by Perfected One Wang and has already ascended into the realm of the Shangqing.

The Left Immortal Duke Guo Sichao concurrently served as Gentleman Who Holds the Canopy of the Jade Terrace (the immortal official who bears the flowery canopy).

The Left Immortal Duke Wang Yaofu was a disciple of the Red Lord and lived in the time of Duke Xian of Qi.

Xin Yanyun is a disciple of the Red Lord and descended to the human world together with his teacher. These people have not yet been assigned formal offices and belong to the scattered ranks. Zhu Lingpin Ding Shuying is the teacher of Guanchengzi and Yin Qianzi. Master Sumen, Zhou Shouling, Meng Deran, Female Master Zheng Jing, Song Jun, Li Facheng, Zhao Guangxin, Deng Yuanbo, Wang Xuanfu, the Huoshan Immortal, Yin Qianzi, Huashan, Zhang Shisheng, Li Fanghui, Zhang Lizheng and others are likewise listed among the scattered ranks. Zhang Shisheng was enfeoffed as Earl of the Eastern Source. Li Fanghui and two others all ingested “Wood”-category medicinal substances during the Jin dynasty. Zhang Lizheng resided on Mount Heng and ingested Polygonatum at the end of the Han. Zhi Ming is the teacher of Guangxin, Deng Yuanbo. Wang Xuanfu is a native of Huoshan, is also the teacher of Yin Qianzi, and is associated with Huashan. Zhang Shisheng was enfeoffed as Earl of the Eastern Source. Li Fanghui and two others ingested “Wood”-category medicinal substances during the Jin dynasty. Zhang Lizheng resided on Mount Heng and ingested Polygonatum at the end of the Han. Zhi Mingqi resided on Mount Heng. Zheng Jingshi resided on Qianshan in Lujiang. The above are listed in the “Right Position” column. The Right Minister has already been delivered and ascended into the Shangqing realm (the high-level immortal realm of Daoism). Right Protector Zhao Gongshi received this office from Luo Nanming Gong. Also listed in this position are Right Protector Si Zhan Shanggong, Right Perfected Lord Guo Shaojin, Lady of Harmonious Dawn Huang Jinghua (daughter of Huang Qiong), Wen De Right Immortal Overseer Zhang Shuyin, and Perfected Person Yu Junzhang. Also listed among the scattered ranks is Zhang Zhonghua, who ingested sesame in the early Jin; Ping Zhongqing resided on Mount Kuocang and once received “□ jing”; Zhao Guangxin resided on Mount Xiaobai at the end of the Wei; Yu Gongsheng resided on Langshan in the sea; Zhu Ruzi resided on Mount Chishui; Huang Luzi is Lord of the Western Peak, surnamed Ge, skilled in forbidding Qi (vital energy) (using Qi to impose restrictions) and summoning dragons; Sun Tianguang is also known as Sun Deng; Mo Changsheng is a disciple of Zhou Dabin. Xu Zhao previously served as Right Sichen of Lord Dongming in Luofengdu (the netherworld of Daoist legend). Xu Fu, courtesy name Zhongxian, cultivated the Dadong Zhenjing (Great Cavern Scripture). Sixth Central Position. Right Jinlang Dinglu Zhenjun Zhong Maojun, who oversees the Huayang Grotto-Heaven. Left Position. Sanguan Baoming Xiao Maojun; Sanguan Dali Du Li Feng.

Wang Fuzi, Guardian Grand Judge of the Three Officials.

Xun Zhong governs the Huayang Grotto-Heaven (a cavern-dwelling where immortals reside).

Among the positions on the left is the Younger Lord Mao, Protector of Life of the Three Officials—the Three Officials being the Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water, and the Younger Lord Mao an immortal of the Mao clan. With him are Li Feng, Chief Grand Judge of the Three Officials, and Wang Fuzi, Guardian Grand Judge of the Three Officials. There is also Marquis Xun Zhong, whose given name does not appear; Zhu Jiaofu of the Immortal Metropolis of White Water; and Tao Jun, Marquis Protector of the Proscriptions and Director of Destinies of the Northern River. Han Chong, Central Supervisor of the Left Administration, holds a standing equivalent to that of Chief Clerk of the Grand Office, while his office on the left corresponds to that of a Marshal. Also recorded are the Lady Who Assists the Dawn of the Nine Palaces; Wenjie—which may here be a divine office or a title—as Master of the Earthly Realm; Bao Jing, who once served as Governor of Nanhai; and Bao Yuanjie, Divine Marquis of Daizong, who commands the Right Forbidden Office of Luodeng.

In the scattered ranks of earthly immortals—earthly immortals not yet entered on any fixed immortal roster—are Xu Huya, given name Yi and courtesy name Wenhui, who received from Lord Yang the methods of Guarding the One; Wang Zhen, a native of Shangdang; Lord Meng, a native of Jingzhao; and Lu Nüsheng, who dwells on the Central Marchmount. These three cultivate the Way (Dao) of the Three Ones and the True One, methods of Daoist practice. Zuo Yuanfang, a disciple of Li Zhongfu, lives on Mount Xiaokuo. The female perfected Luo Yu of Mount Jiuyi now lives on Mount Xiangdong. The Lady of Duling and Song Ji of Yi’an both received the Azure Essence formula, a Daoist method of nourishing life through ingestion, transmitted by the Perfected of Xiliang, but their titles of rank were not recorded. Their origins are left to the immortal He to investigate, and for the time being they are listed among the earthly perfected. Xu Mai, courtesy name Shuxuan and childhood name Ying, later changed his name to Yuanyou; Donghua regards him as an earthly immortal. Weng Daoyuan and Jiang Bozhen—of whom it is said that he studied the Dao and gathered herbs on Mount Meng—were companions of Xu Ying. Guo Shengzi and Huang Ziyang—of whom it is said that he was the teacher from whom Lady Wei learned to eat peach bark—often associated with Ge Xuan, and Donghua regards them as earthly immortals.

Weng Daoyuan and Jiang Bozhen—of whom it is said that he studied the Dao and gathered herbs on Mount Meng—were companions of Xu Ying. Guo Shengzi and Huang Ziyang—of whom it is said that he was the teacher from whom Lady Wei learned to eat peach bark—often followed Ge Xuan.

Ge Xuan, courtesy name Xiaoxian, was a native of Juqu in Danyang and the paternal grand-uncle of Ge Zhichuan (Ge Hong). In his early years he lived on Mount Chang. He could ride tigers and command ghosts and spirits, and there was no place he could not reach. He is ranked in the Palace of the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate).

Zheng Siyuan was a disciple of Ge Xuan. In the first year of the Yongchang era of the Jin dynasty (322 CE) he entered Mount Kuocang. Dai Meng, originally surnamed Yan, given name Ji, courtesy name Zhongwei, was a disciple of Lord Pei. Xie Yun, a native of Liyang and disciple of Dai Meng, attained the Dao during the reign of Emperor Cheng of Jin. Shi Cun, also known as Wanpenzi, is said to have been one of those among Confucius’s three thousand disciples who attained the Dao. Liu Fenglin, a man of the Zhou dynasty, once ingested huanglian. Zhang Zhaoqi was the teacher of Fei Changfang.

There were two figures known as Lord Zhou; both attained the Dao after studying the seven volumes of the Su Shu. Of the Lei family it is recorded that the Zhou clan once raised dragons. Jiang Shu. Tian Gong Liu Anzhi, during the lifetime of Lord Pei, served as Biejia of Jizhou, an assistant official to the provincial governor. Chi Luban is the same person as Huang Chuqi. Fan Anyuan. Jia Xuandao, Li Shusheng, Yan Chengsheng, and Fu Daoliu all belonged under Siming, the divine office that governs human lifespan and destiny registers; at Mount Tai they were responsible for examining and testing those who studied the Dao.

The Perfected One (Zhenren) Fan Ziming. Elder Longwei. Liu Shaoweng resided at Mount Hua. Liang Boluan. Grand Master Fan. Wu Mu, a native of Chang’an, served as a county clerk in his youth. Zhu □, a native of Chenliu, had once been a robber. Guo Duan, a native of Yingchuan, lost his parents in childhood and later served as a county clerk. Fan Boci, a native of Guiyang, suffered in his youth from an “evil illness,” an ancient term for certain abnormal diseases or those believed to be caused by malevolent forces. Bao Shuyang, Wang Yangbo, Duan Jizheng, and Liu Weihui all studied under Xiling Zidu. Song Xuande was at Mount Songgao. Li Dong.

Tongchu Mansion and Xiaoxian Palace are among the mansions and palaces where male Perfected Ones reside. Yiqian Palace has eighty-three persons. Hanzhen Terrace has altogether two hundred persons, all of them female Perfected Ones. Positions on the right: Right Supervisor of the Inner Principle Liu Yi; Director of the Handle and Law Enforcement Officer Chunyu Zhen; Director of Prohibitions Zhang Xuanbin, an official in charge of rainfall who also oversees the documents for preserving life.

The Prefect of Tongchu Mansion is Shanghou Liu Kuan, who also serves as the chief administrator of Baoming Mansion. Four officials serve under him. Zhao Weibo administers the name registers of immortals and also has charge of torrential rains and flooding. Yue Changzhi is responsible for disasters. Zheng Zhizheng oversees assessments and record-keeping. Tang Gongfang superintends the life and death of human beings. Seven Mingchen Attendants occupy positions comparable to that of the Imperial Censor-in-Chief. Three male Perfected Ones are listed. Xia Fu, whose courtesy name is Zitian, came from Chenliu and was a disciple of the Perfected One of Tongqiao; the other two are not known.

Zheng Zhizheng oversees assessments and record-keeping. Tang Gongfang superintends the life and death of human beings. Seven Mingchen Attendants occupy positions comparable to that of the Imperial Censor-in-Chief. Three male Perfected Ones are listed. Xia Fu, whose courtesy name is Zitian, came from Chenliu and was a disciple of the Perfected One of Tongqiao; the other two are not known.

Four female Perfected Ones are recorded. Zhou Xiayou of Ancheng in Runan was the daughter of Zhou Chang, Governor of Henan. Zhang Taozhi of Pei was the mother of Zhu Yu, Colonel Director of Retainers; the remaining two are unidentified. Two supervisory officials are named: Fan Youchong of Liaoxi and Li Zheng of Henei, who served as a Minister in the Imperial Secretariat during the Han dynasty. Four Ghost Commanders of Martial Liberation are Wang Yan, Fan Liang, Fu Huang, and Chu Xian. These four have already crossed over from the world and become immortals.

Scattered Positions of Earth Immortals

The immortal Song Laizi of the Central Peak originally held the post of market director in the Chu region and later met Feng Yanshou. Master Li of the Central Peak is also mentioned. The five disciples of Bian Que were Zirong, Ziming, Ziwei, Zixi, and Ziyou. The Crown Prince of Zhao was one who practiced the ingestion of wood-type medicinal herbs. Master Jiang was the teacher of Zhi Ziyuan. Zhi Ziyuan himself had been the teacher of Lord Pei when the latter was young.

In the original text the passage after “the five disciples of Bian Que,” together with the material on Zheng Zhizheng, Tang Gongfang, the seven Mingchen Attendants, and the three male Perfected Ones, is repeated; the present version retains that repetition as it stands in the original. The names listed after “persons:” likewise overlap with earlier entries. Because the original structure is unclear, the content is transcribed according to what can be made out.

Lu Sheng. Hou Gong. Shi Sheng entered the Eastern Sea and afterward became an envoy of Qin Shi Huang. Wang Zhangxuan, the immortal of Linwu. Young Lord Shantu, who was a high minister in the era of King Ai of Zhou and who served as teacher to Zhang Jinbao. Chixuzi was the teacher of Xia Mingchen. Master Qinggu was the teacher of Liu Shangzhui.

Hui Chezi was the teacher of Chunyu Dianbing. Shi Changsheng was the teacher of Zhou Mingchen. Dongguo Youping was the teacher of Tao Beihe. Zheng Zizhen lived on Yangdi Mountain. Deng Yunshan. Tang Lan lived on Mount Hua. Lord Ji of Xihe was the teacher of Zhang Lijin. Zhou Zhengshi. Diao Daolin was the teacher of Long Bogao. Guo Zihua. Zhao Shukui. Zhang Jilian. The three persons above all lived on Mount Huo. Zhao Gongcheng lived on Mount Heming. Fan Qiulin was a female perfected (nüzhen), and was also the teacher from whom Zhao Weibo studied the arts of the Six Jia. Lord Xiuyang later transformed into a white stone.

Jiqiu Zi. Cui Wenzi. Shangqiu Zi ingested calamus and thereby attained long life without aging. Liu Gen ingested licorice. Jie Xiang. Lord White Sheep left no personal name. Jie Yan was a disciple of Lord White Sheep. The wife of Liu Gang. Yan Qing. The figures above were all skilled in the art of interdicting Qi (vital energy), that is, using magical methods to restrain and control the breath.

Cui Wenzi. Shangqiu Zi ingested calamus and thereby attained long life without aging. Liu Gen ingested licorice. Jie Xiang. Lord White Sheep left no personal name. Jie Yan was a disciple of Lord White Sheep. The wife of Liu Gang. Yan Qing. The six persons above were skilled in the arts of interdicting Qi and of injunctive command, that is, imposing restraints and talismanic spells by means of magic.

Chen Zhonglin. The Lord of the Dao (Daojun). Zhao Shudao. The three persons above were Perfected Persons (zhenren, those who have attained the Dao) of Mount Gaizhu. Wang Shilong was the teacher of Xu Yuanyou. Zhao Daoxuan. Fu Taichu was a friend of Xu Yuanyou. Gong Youjie. Li Kailin once answered in place of Xu Yuanyou. Wang Shaodao. Fan Shusheng. Li Boshan. The three persons above were figures singled out and commended in the Tongchu Bureau.

Li Zhongwen. Fu Zhili. A female perfected (nüzhen, a woman who cultivates the Dao). Dou Qiongying. Han Taihua was the younger sister of An Guo and the wife of Li Guangli. Liu Chunlong. Li Xizi. Wang Jinxian was the daughter of Yan. Guo Shuxiang. Zhao Sutai was the daughter of Xi. Zheng Tiansheng was the mother of Deng Ai.

Xu Kedou was the wife of the Chief Clerk (Changshi). Li Zhuangu was the wife of Xiahou Xuan. Also named are Zhang Meizi; Shi Shunü and Xu Nü; Song Piao Jinmu; the younger sister of Bao Jing; and Zhang Weizi. Fu He, two persons, were both administrators of Hanzhen Terrace (Hanzhentai).

Du Qi dwelt in a place slightly to the east, beyond the mountain. Xu Zongdu. Yan Xiansheng, two persons, were friends of Du Qi. Sun Hanhua was a female immortal. Chen Shijing, two persons, were disciples of Sun Hanhua. Zhao Xi. There was also the administrator of the cavern chamber beneath Fang Mountain. Zhang Zuchang, Liu Ping’a, Lü Zihua, Cai Tiansheng, and Long Bogao—five persons in all—dwelt together at Fang Terrace. Xie Zhijian, Wang Boliao, He Miao (styled Fanyangzi), Feng Liang, and Lang Zong—five persons—dwelt in Deer Track Cavern. Wang Shuming, Bao Yuanzhi, and the wife of Yin Gai: besides these three, the remaining thirty all dwelt in the deep caverns at the foot of North Mountain.

Xin Xuanzi styled himself the “Gentleman-General of Jinwu” and had charge of ghost and spirit affairs throughout the Wu-Yue region. Bi Gan was at Rong Mountain. Li Xi was a native of Nanyang. Wu Guang.

In the seventh central position is the Great Emperor of Northern Yin of Fengdu, the Flame Emperor of the Dating clan, named Lüjia. He is the chief of all ghosts and spirits under heaven, governing Mount Luofeng, with a succession every three thousand years.

In the left position, the Senior Chancellor of the Northern Emperor is Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of Qin. The Grand Tutor of the Northern Emperor is Emperor Wu of Wei. The identity of the Senior Chancellor of the Five Emperors has not yet been revealed.

The Western Bright Duke (Ximing Gong), the Bright Duke who governs the West, has charge of King Wen of Zhou, teacher of the Northern Emperor (Beidi, the Celestial Emperor of the North). His rank corresponds to that of the Junior Tutor in the human world.

His Guest-Friend (Binyou, an immortal official who assists and accompanies him) is Emperor Xuan of Jin.

The Central Protector-General is Zhou Zhuan.

The Eastern Bright Duke has charge of Qi of Xia, teacher of the Lord of the Dipper (Doujun, the stellar lord of the Northern Dipper).

His Guest-Friend is Sun Ce.

The Right Dawn Preceptor holds a rank equivalent to that of the Secretariat Supervisor in the human world.

Xu Zhao has already been promoted to a place in the Nine Palaces (Jiugong, a grade among the offices of the immortal officials).

The Southern Bright Duke is Shao Shi; another account calls him the Eastern Bright Duke, who has already ascended to the Nine Palaces and serves as Right Guardian Duke.

His Guest-Friend is Emperor Gaozu of the Han.

The Northern Bright Duke is Ji Zha of Wu. He was a son of King Shoumeng of Wu and an uncle of Helü, and his fief was at Yanling, so he is known as Jizi of Yanling.

His Guest-Friend is Xun, who has already been promoted to a place in the Nine Palaces.

The Southern Bright Duke is Shao Shi; another account calls him the Eastern Bright Duke, who has already ascended to the Nine Palaces and serves as Right Guardian Duke.

His Guest-Friend is Emperor Gaozu of the Han.

The Northern Bright Duke is Ji Zha of Wu. He was a son of King Shoumeng of Wu and an uncle of Helü, and his fief was at Yanling, so he is known as Jizi of Yanling.

His Guest-Friend is Xun Yu, courtesy name Wenruo, who served as a counselor to Emperor Wu of Wei and as Director of the Imperial Secretariat of the Han dynasty.

Zhao Shutai.

Wang Shiqing has not yet risen to prominence.

The four Bright Dukes above each command one of the four directions and each governs a single celestial palace. After one thousand six hundred years in office, they may be appointed to fill posts among the immortal officials; those who hold the remaining offices cannot be promoted.

The Lord of the Northern Dipper among the ghost officials is King Wu of Zhou, and he governs a single celestial palace.

The Chief Prohibitory Gentleman of the Three Offices is Duke Huan of Qi, surnamed Jiang and given name Xiaobai.

The Director of Destinies of the Water Office is Duke Wen of Jin, surnamed Ji and given name Chong’er.

The two Grand Dawn Prohibitors hold ranks equivalent to that of the Director of the Imperial Secretariat in the human world.

They are Emperor Guangwu of the Han and Sun Wentai, whose given name was Jian.

The two Central Prohibitors hold ranks equivalent to those of the Director and Supervisor of the Secretariat in the human world.

They are Yan Huai, courtesy name Siji, and Yang Biao, courtesy name Wenguang.

The Marquis of the Numinous Pass at the Great Gate of Southern Vermilion Yang under the Northern Emperor is Xi Jian. He previously served as Rectifier of Lofty Brightness and now occupies this post, whose rank corresponds to that of the Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat in the human world.

The Right Prohibitory Supervisor is Xie Youyu, whose given name was Hun. He once served as Minister of Ceremonies in the Jin dynasty.

The Marshal is Deng Yue.

The Right Prison Supervisor and Attendant of the Imperial Dawn (Shidichen), Yu Yuangui, bore the personal name Liang. The office he held in the Eastern Jin corresponded to Attendant-in-Ordinary, and he concurrently commanded the Right Guard. Another account says that Yuangui once served as Grand General of the Central Guard.

The Marshal Feng Huai, courtesy name Xiangsi, was Chamberlain for Ceremonials of the Eastern Jin.

Hua Xin.

The Chief Clerk Yu Fan, courtesy name Changxiang, was a native of Wuchang. When Yu Liang served as Regional Inspector of Jiangzhou, he summoned him to serve as a senior aide, but he did not accept.

The later Grand General of the Central Guard, Kong Wenju, bore the personal name Rong.

The Chief Clerk Tang Zhou once served as a Minister of the state of Wu.

The Marshal Zhang Xiu was a general of the late Eastern Han.

Wen Taizhen, Earl Who Supervises the Sea and governor of the Eastern Sea, held a rank equivalent to Grand General.

The Chief Clerk Du Yu, General Who Campaigns South of the Eastern Jin, held a rank equivalent to Left Tutor.

Tang Zhou of the Northern Emperor (Beidi) once served as a Minister of the state of Wu.

The Marshal Zhang Xiu was a general of the late Eastern Han.

Wen Taizhen, Earl Who Supervises the Sea and governor of the Eastern Sea, held a rank equivalent to Grand General.

The Chief Clerk Du Yu, General Who Campaigns South of the Eastern Jin, held a rank equivalent to Left Tutor.

The Northern Emperor’s Attendants of the Dawn (Shichen) number eight in all, and their offices correspond to Attendant-in-Ordinary: Xu Shu, courtesy name Wenzhi; Pang De, courtesy name Lingming; Yuan Yu, courtesy name Shidu; Li Guang, a general of the Han dynasty; Wang Jia; Xie Jie, courtesy name Shuyun; He Yan, courtesy name Pingshu; and Yin Hao, courtesy name Yuanyuan.

The Duke of Siming (Siming gong) and the Lord of the Northern Dipper (Beidou jun) each have five Attendants of the Imperial Dawn, none of whose names are recorded.

The Marquis of Hebei has two men: Liu Bei, courtesy name Xuande, and Han Sui.

All of these offices belong to the system of immortal officials.

Right-hand posts.

There are four Officers on Duty at the Central Stables, their standing like that of Ministers in the secular court: Dai Yuan, courtesy name Ruosi, General of the Agile Cavalry of the Eastern Jin; Gongsun Du, courtesy name Shuji; Wang Liaoshu; Guo Jia; and Liu Feng, who was Liu Bei’s adopted son.

The Northern Emperor’s Wardens of the Southern Gate number two: Bu Jian; and Zhou Fu, courtesy name Daohe, who succeeded Xi Jian in the post.

The Gentlemen Who Maintain the Gates of the Northern Heaven number two: Yu Hui and Ji Zhan.

There are eight Gentlemen Who Maintain the Gates. This office is also established in the service of the Lord of the Northern Dipper, but none of the names are recorded.

The Lord of the Northern Dipper’s Wardens of the Heavenly Gate number two: Zang Hong, courtesy name Ziyuan; and Wang Fang, who once served as a Secretariat Gentleman of the Jin dynasty.

There are two Qimen officials: Yu Hui and Ji Zhan. Eight Xiumen Lang serve in office. This post is also established under the Lord of the Northern Dipper, though their names remain unrecorded. Two persons hold the rank of Tianmen Tingzhang under the Lord of the Northern Dipper: Zang Hong, courtesy name Ziyuan, and Wang Fang, who served as Zhongshu Lang in the Jin dynasty. The Qimen Lang include Wang Yunzhi, cousin of Wang Dun, and Xie Feng. Fan Ming holds the title of Dianbing Hou. Zhou Fang, courtesy name Ziyu, is charged with inspection and evaluation. Gu He, courtesy name Junxiao, who served as Minister of Personnel in the Jin dynasty, is the Beidi Zhigai Lang. Wang Yu, courtesy name Shijiang, Inspector of Jingzhou during the Jin, serves as Bugui Jiangjun. Three unnamed ghosts known as Shagui Diying Riyou are often dispatched by the Northern Emperor to kill people.

Sixteen Ximen Lang, names unrecorded, oversee the ghosts that receive sacrifices in houses and ancestral temples throughout the world; they should also fall under the Siming Gong. Yan Baihu of Wu, slain by Sun Ce, serves as Zhufei Shizhe. Xu Fu, the Nantanfang Hou, commands one thousand Weinán troops. He has been promoted to a post in the Nine Palaces, though his successor is not yet known. Liu Zan, a native of Changshan belonging to the Siming Gong, is the Zhu Nanmen Yue Sima. Yan Baihu of Wu, slain by Sun Ce, serves as Zhufei Shizhe. Xu Fu, the Nantanfang Hou, commands one thousand Weinán troops. He has been promoted to a post in the Nine Palaces, though his successor is not yet known. Liu Zan, a native of Changshan who once served as a Wu general, is the Zhu Nanmen Yue Sima. Bao Xun, courtesy name Shuye and former Zhongcheng of Wei, is the Beitanfang Hou commanding one thousand Weibei troops. Wei Zun holds the post of Zhu Beimen Yue Sima; during the Wu period he oversaw the Zhongsun Beimen, handling arrests and detentions in a manner similar to the Yulin Jian of the mortal world. Tao Kan, courtesy name Shixing, is the Xihe Hou and likewise commands several thousand troops. The Zhangshi was first held by Xu Ning, later impeached; it is now filled by Cai Mo, courtesy name Daoming, who served as Situ in the Jin dynasty. Wei Zhao of Kuaiji is the Lushan Hou. Jiang Ji, courtesy name Zitong and former Grand Marshal of Wei, is the Nanshan Bo. These three offices each possess their own fiefs and administrative duties. Xun Yi, courtesy name Jingqian, is the Taishan Jun. Gu Zhong, courtesy name Changshi, who served as Governor of Danyang and Pushe in the Jin dynasty, holds the rank of Jiangjun.

Chief Clerk Huan Fan bore the courtesy name Yuanze. Military Commander Cao Hong was a younger brother of Cao Cao, Emperor Wu of Wei, and his courtesy name was Zilian. Another account holds that this post was first held by Jia Yi, a man of the Western Han. The Duke of Lulong, Cao Ren, courtesy name Zixiao, was a younger brother of Cao Cao, Emperor Wu of Wei, and he rose to the office of Grand General.

For the Chief Clerk and the Military Commander, no names are recorded. Zilian. Another account holds that this post was first held by Jia Yi of the Western Han. The Duke of Lulong, Cao Ren, courtesy name Zixiao, was a younger brother of Cao Cao, Emperor Wu of Wei, and he rose to the office of Grand General. For the Chief Clerk and the Military Commander, no names are recorded.

The Marquis of Nanba, He Zeng, courtesy name Yingxiao, once served as Minister over the Masses of the state of Wei. The Grand General of Dongyue, Liu Tao, courtesy name Ziji, was a man of the Later Wei. The foregoing are known as the “Four Garrisons.” Each garrison commands ten thousand ghost soldiers and has its own chief horse-officers; besides these there are several hundred lesser garrisons, each commanding several thousand ghost soldiers.

Duke Yan of Chu is King Zhuang of Chu, Xiong Lü. Zhao Jianzi: these two had not previously held office, and only now accept appointment. Xiang Liangcheng is the author of the Hymn of the Palace of Fengdu. Du Qiong was a man of Shu. Ma Rong. Liu Qingsun once contended for fame with Jia Yi. Wang Yishao. Deng You. The offices held by these six have not yet been made clear.

Of the class of ghost officials above, the records give seventy-five kinds of post in all, among which one hundred nineteen persons are identified by name.

The Dongxuan (one of the Three Caverns) Lingbao Chart of the Ranks and Offices of the Perfected Spirits is complete.

Textual note: This piece should belong among the scriptures (Jing) of the Dongzhen (Cavern of Perfection) Shangqing division. The Zhengtong Daozang titles it “Dongxuan Lingbao,” which may be in error.