《洞真上清龙飞九道尺素隐诀》

The Most High Lord of the Great Dao (Taishang Dadaojun), a revered Daoist deity, held an oath ceremony in Limitless Heaven (Wuliang Tian) on the jiazi day, the first of the second month in the first year of Shanghuang, transmitting the teachings to the Polar True Duke (Beiji Zhengong). At that time the Gods of the Nine Heavens together with the High Immortals and Great Sages all assembled at the site of the oath; the Five Emperors bound their sashes and arrayed themselves in full attire while the myriad spirits stood in attendance beside the divine carriage. The sun and moon released their radiance, the stellar lodges of the five directions each manifested their numinous glow, the Seven Origins of the Northern Dipper opened the heavenly gates, movement along the ecliptic paused for a time, and the very pivot of heaven and earth seemed to halt its turning. The Three Realms stood solemn and pellucid, crimson mists hung as shade, purple clouds rose on every side, the hour was harmonious and auspicious, and the scenes of the eight directions appeared together.

In the splendid morning light the Most High Lord of the Great Dao tore open the silk manuscript and orally transmitted the secret instructions. As he spoke, distant echoes answered from the Nine Heavens, the High God praised and rejoiced, the Celestial Perfected (heavenly zhenren) bowed and kowtowed, and even the Demon Kings found their forms bound. The assembled deities protected and upheld the mysterious and empty Dao (the Way), enabling the recipient of the transmission to ascend to Jade Purity (Yuqing), the supreme heavenly realm of Daoist cosmology. The Most High Lord of the Great Dao then commanded the Five Elders to supervise and examine, the Four Offices to assist the Perfected, with immortals serving at left and right; thereafter he directed that the spirits be invoked during the oath. In accordance with the ritual of the oath all present faced north and offered this prayer:

“Hanfei has mounted the oath altar and, receiving the superior mandate, summons the Nine Numina. Heaven and earth revolve, the seasons advance, the sun and moon never cease. Now, coinciding with this fortunate morning, I with a heart of utmost sincerity release the physical form; holding a blade in the mouth I proceed to the Southern Palace and inhale the cinnabar Qi (vital energy) in the Cold Court. With golden sheep and silver geese as gifts I present them to Highest Clarity (Shangqing); tearing open the silk manuscript I swear an oath to heaven and earth and also vow to the methods of the Jing (scripture). May this oath endure as lastingly as the four polar extremities, remaining unoverturned even through ten thousand kalpas. Should anyone disclose my words, disaster and punishment will reach their ancestors of seven generations; should anyone betray the oath, their form shall be annihilated by penal retribution. In life and in death they must repay the guilt, remaining forever sealed within the Nine Darknesses.”

When the prayer was finished the assembly tore open the goose-shaped offerings and presented them to Highest Clarity, tore the silk manuscripts, and swore oaths to heaven and earth as well as to the methods of the Jing (scripture). The wording of the oath once more declared that the covenant should never be overturned; those who leak the secret utterances bring calamity upon seven generations, those who violate the oath suffer punishment that destroys the form, they repay their guilt through life and death, and they are eternally confined in the Nine Darknesses.

After the ritual was completed, the plain silk was torn open, the Jing (scripture) was transmitted, and the secret words were explained orally. The Zhenren from heaven descended, and the Five Emperors guarded the spirits. The Nine Dawn bestowed nine hundred Golden Dawn Jade Youths, the Nine Sovereigns bestowed seven hundred Jade Flower Maidens, and each of the Five Sovereigns bestowed five hundred Jade Maidens of the Five Emperors. The Five Elders rode forth in carriages, the Four Directors held banners to escort them; purple-cloud flying carriages and twelve jade wheels accompanied them before and behind, with phoenixes singing ahead and mysterious music following, six masters opening the way and nine dragons guarding the carriage shafts, all jointly welcoming the True Lord. He ascended to the Northern Dawn Upper Palace of Jade Purity (Yuqing), banqueted and wandered among the Seven Origins, traveled among the Five Lodges, passed through the Heavenly Pass, and finally ranked among the Chief Immortals, dwelling in the Palace of Vast Numen at the North Pole. In the first year of Kaihuang, the True Lord entrusted this Jing to the Great Lord of the Azure Youth of Eastern Florescence, and according to the transmission regulations it is transmitted only once every ten thousand kalpas.

The “Dao (the Way) of the Dragon-Flying Silk Scroll” originates from the Highest God of the Nine Heavens. It records the names of heaven and earth, the Nine Dawn, the Five Stars, and the Empty Constant; it is a precious secret method and numinous sound of the Highest, and is therefore transmitted by means of covenant texts. If one is not a person who has undergone nine kalpas in previous lives, whose name was previously inscribed on the Mysterious Slips and recorded in Highest Clarity (Shangqing), and who is destined to become a Zhenren, one cannot view this Jing nor study the hidden sound formulas within it. Encountering this Jing is connected with the affairs of life, death, and becoming an immortal. Practicing this Dao is said to cause spiritual light to appear and emperors to descend; after seven years of secluded cultivation one can achieve various transformations, enter and exit the netherworld, and float and wander through the Nine Heavens; after fourteen years one can fly up to Jade Purity in broad daylight.

Even if one has the affinity to return to the origin but has not received the Jing, merely by worshipping and paying homage to the divine Zhenren one can still obtain longevity and extend one’s years, so that all manner of disasters and perils cannot invade, military calamities are eliminated, and all undertakings proceed smoothly. In going out and coming in one will have the protection of the Nine Stars, a circular light appearing above the head, the Five Emperors providing guard, divine officials coming to welcome, and ultimately one will be able to serve the Sage Lord in the Palace of Highest Clarity.

This Dao came into being at the same time as the Celestial Venerable of the Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun). The August Sovereign of the Nine Heavens transmitted it to the Great Dao Lord (Taishang Dadao Jun). The Great Dao Lord passed it on to the Lord of the Golden Gate (Housheng Jinque Dijun), the Grand Emperor Lord, the Celestial Lord of Great Tenuity, and the Perfected Lord of the Northern Pole, who in turn entrusted it to the Great Lord Azure Youth of the Eastern Florescence. By established rule, this scripture is to be handed down through ten thousand kalpas to those who, in later ages, have the affinity to attain the Dao.

When the scriptural instructions are transmitted, the recipient must, in accordance with the liturgy (keyi), prepare ninety feet of crimson patterned silk and fifty feet each of silk in the five colors, and then go to the master who holds the scripture. Master and disciple together observe a fast of one hundred days, seventy days, or seven days. Then, on Mount Xuan (Xuanyue), they choose a high, remote, and tranquil place, set up an altar, and write out the scripture. Facing north, they swear an oath of covenant, and the secret instructions are transmitted. One must also prepare a golden sheep weighing five taels, used to make announcement to the Five Stars, and a silver goose weighing nine taels, used to make announcement to the Nine Dawns, along with two kinds of ceremonial silk, fifty feet each, to be presented to the master who holds the scripture. Here the golden sheep and silver goose are ritual tokens used in the ceremony.

During the ceremony, the golden sheep and silver goose are offered up to the heavens in order to receive the scripture, and the master is reverently served with sincerity. At the hour of Zi (midnight), they are placed upon the altar: the golden sheep is received with a crimson patterned cloth and set to the east, and the silver goose is received with a white patterned cloth and set to the west. Then an oath is sworn to the Nine Heavens; master and disciple each keep one half of the covenant, and the master orally imparts the secret names. At the formal transmission, the same announcement rites described above are to be observed. This is a covenant of honoring the precious Dao, revering the Perfected, and vowing not to divulge the secret methods.

If the scripture is transmitted rashly without first forming the covenant, both master and disciple will suffer severe punishment, even calamity upon their own persons, and their ancestors of seven generations will be implicated, with no pardon through ten thousand kalpas. This is a prohibition of Heaven and must be observed with care.

At the covenant, the disciple holds the golden sheep and silver goose, faces north, and makes nine prostrations, then bows once to each of the five directions. The bowing begins from the west and proceeds in order, finally returning to the west for a full prostration. Then, facing east, the disciple places the golden sheep and silver goose on either side of the master, who sits in the center. Facing north, the master clacks the teeth nine times and recites:

"I, [name], Perfected Person of [such] Mountain, venture, on this auspicious and propitious hour, to..."

On an auspicious day and at an auspicious hour, a certain True Person of a certain Peak, so-and-so, ascended the imperial altar, bared his body, and with a heart of utmost sincerity, having practiced quiet fasting and purification, prayed for auspicious omens and swore an oath-covenant to Heaven. He prayed that the high supreme deities would shine upon and take notice of so-and-so; this person is the Master of a certain Peak, so-and-so, selected by the Northern Emperor. May he in this life forever achieve the True Dao (the Way) and never again undergo reincarnation; may the Nine Heavens send down blessings, causing his name-register to endure forever, and his destiny to receive a mysterious arrangement.

He further prayed that he might personally read the Cavern Chapters (Dongzhang, secret transmitted scriptures of Daoism) with his own eyes, recite the Emperor One (Diyi, Daoist divine true names or related method secrets) with his own mouth, admire the way of the immortals, and hope to accord with the numinous true ones. May he be granted in a certain Heaven the formula of the feathered chapters for flying through space (secret methods related to cultivation and flying ascension). He submitted a memorial to the Myriad Emperors, the Ultimate Primordial Sovereign, the High Immortal Great Sages, and the Boundless Dao Lords, praying that the various deities would shine upon and oversee this oath-covenant; may the Qi (vital energy) of the true immortals of the Jade Purity Upper Palace supplement the body of so-and-so, and inform the Five Emperors, the Five Peaks, the Myriad Spirits, and the Great Gods of Rivers and Seas to jointly inspect the covenant text. He requested the deities, according to the memorial and the regulations, to permit the transmission of this method.

Left Half of the Silk Document

One should take three chi of white silk to write this covenant text, and mark the left and right halves on the silk so that when the two halves are joined, the center can form a talisman. The recipient of the method writes the taboos (divine names or secret taboos used in Daoist rituals) with a purple brush and writes the covenant text and talisman with a vermilion brush. After the master transmits the taboo characters, invite the Jade Boys and Jade Girls to protect the recipient. After the ritual is completed, tear it apart at the central talisman, each taking one half to wear on the body: men take the left half, women the right half. Then place it in a red brocade pouch and wear it close to the body so that the covenant text is near the heart.

Do not let the covenant text and talisman be stained by unclean things. If one violates the taboos three times, the heavenly lodges will collapse, the Five Elders will weep, the hun and po souls and Shen (spirit) Qi will scatter; within a year, one will lose one's body. This is a major prohibition of the Nine Heavens; it must be carefully observed. If one observes the prohibitions, then the heavenly numina will shine, the true deities will descend, the Qi of water and fire in the body will generate, and myriad transformations will follow.

The Upper Record of the Supreme Flying Feather Scripture of Ascension to Mystery

The Primordial Nine Heavenly Parents (the Nine Heavenly Parents of the Primordial Heavenly Worthy) and the Great True Elder (a Highest Clarity immortal) rode together in a luminous dragon carriage to hold a banquet outing. Through the mulberry groves a thousand perfected immortals and ten thousand mounted attendants followed them; flying immortals drove giant dragons whose wheels flashed like lightning and raced as swiftly as smoke. They unfurled their forms in accord with the times, chanting numinous and wondrous verses as they roamed at ease through the cavern palaces of the Mysterious Hills and rested awhile beside the banks of the clear waves; they then visited the purple palaces and halls, bringing their carriages to a halt in the boundless realm.

At that moment the Qi (vital energy) of Heavenly Origin shone with brilliant radiance, the Five Dawn stars wheeled their light, the Qi of the Three Primes transformed into drifting clouds, purple mists released fragrance, flying incense encircled the sun, and perfume filled the vast emptiness of space. Gorgeous splendors intermingled and reflected one another as three kinds of light converged in illumination. The perfected immortals concentrated their Shen (spirit) in union with the Highest Dao (the Way), chewing the Jing (essence) and Qi of the sun, ingesting the primordial Qi of the Mysterious Heaven, and becoming empty, still, and luminously clear; they unrolled the bright golden chapters, uttered clear cries in the realm of the Nine Subtleties, and numinous Qi flowed freely through the jasper and jade pavilions. Their subtle thoughts communicated with the Great Silence, and the ideas within their hearts were opened by the Dao of spontaneity.

On the morning of the third day of the third month in the first year of the Supreme August, the Primordial Heavenly Worthy suddenly dispatched a mysterious spirit descending in a white luan carriage. A black-feathered phoenix held a plain-colored document in its beak, bearing the true instructions that recorded the Flying Feather Jing (scripture) and the methods of ascending emptiness and pacing the void. Jade-essence flying immortals guided the mists while the assembled Shen guarded the numinous vehicle. The immortal host gathered like clouds above the Nine Empyreans, their radiance illuminating the Jade Void court, and they descended to the dwelling of the Great True Elder to confer the precious Jing upon him.

That day the Great True Elder had just completed his purification fast in the Palace of Highest Clarity. The guests of the Great Emperor Lord, the Purple Tenuity Three Prime Ladies, the Heavenly Emperor, the Great Tenuity Heavenly Emperor Lord, and the High Jade Emperor all descended together and took their seats. They burned incense of a hundred blends, five-colored spirit officers loudly proclaimed the titles, and they arrayed themselves among the jade ranks and purple palaces. The assembled immortals paid homage to the Jing scroll and circumambulated it three times. The Three Prime Ladies rose, faced westward, and recited in clear voices the Feathered Chapter Celebrating the Perfected, praising this marvelous divine Jing with the following words:

“The palaces of the Great Void stand veiled in cloudy Qi, a numinous wind scatters wondrous fragrances. The rustling mysterious scenery...”

In the Taixu Hall, a celestial immortal realm, a gentle mist pervades the air while a wondrous wind carries an extraordinary fragrance. Above this mysterious scene a light breeze stirs, as if adding wings to the sun. White luan, immortal birds, and flying phoenixes race swiftly, holding sacred feathered documents—holy writings adorned with feathers—in their beaks. They beat their wings and soar across the Nine Heavens, their mournful cries echoing among the mysterious halls. Wondrous teachings then arrive from the air, and the pure transformation of the Dao (the Way) is inexhaustible. The assembled Perfected Ones (Zhenren) join in praise and celebration, kowtowing in homage to the Jade Emperor.

The recitation being complete, the Great Emperor Lord rose again, facing north, and recited: Mysterious phoenixes beat their wings and swiftly thread through the clouds; white luan circle in joy. Scattered fragrance blends with blossoms, and flowing radiance illuminates the great way among the clouds. Mighty dragons manage long reins while flying immortals support one another. The Perfected Ones celebrate auspicious fortune, and joyful phoenixes roam through the void. The Primordial Heavenly Worthy (Yuanshi Tianzun) is originally without form or trace; mysterious resonance causes them to seek one another naturally. They rise by beating their wings, needing no carriages; drifting lightly, they float upward on vapors. Precious documents command the mysterious laws, and the five bodies—the two hands, two feet, and head—uphold the numinous talismans (Fulu). The immortals offer congratulations and guard the blessed courtyards, dwellings of the immortals; each person circles three times, dispersing fragrance.

The recitation being complete. (The following text repeats the preceding passage.) Joyful phoenixes roam through the void. The Primordial Heavenly Worthy is originally without form or trace; mysterious resonance causes them to seek one another naturally. They rise by beating their wings, needing no carriages; drifting lightly, they float upward on vapors. Precious documents command the mysterious laws, and the five bodies uphold the numinous talismans. The immortals offer congratulations and guard the blessed courtyards; each person circles three times, dispersing fragrance.

The recitation being complete, the Heavenly Emperor Lord rose, facing east, and said further: Phoenixes with white wings bearing black markings ride the floating clouds, coming and going according to the times. Fragrance spreads through the ten directions of the heavenly realm, and aromatic lingzhi flourish in Taiwei, the celestial palaces. Numinous documents unlock the deep and mysterious secrets, while the Feather Scriptures (Jing related to transformation into feathered immortals) reveal mysterious radiance. The root of the Great Dao cannot be fathomed; by holding to the true Dao, spiritual brilliance appears of itself, as though in flight. Thereupon the recitation is complete.

Tai Zhen Zhangren donned his ritual robes and wore a jade crown that reached high into the boundless heavenly realms, symbolizing the Three Treasures. He draped himself in a seamless flying feather robe that shone with nine-colored radiance. On his left he wore flowing bells and on his right he fastened the Seven Origins, then prostrated facing due south. The Heavenly Emperor Lord of Taiwei rose, ordered the Feather Immortal Attendant to present a golden table and bring forth the Jing (scripture), then knelt facing north and conferred the scripture upon Tai Zhen. All the immortals praised together. Tai Zhen stood to receive the Jing; golden light shone from his face, and from five places on his body there immediately emerged naturally numinous flying jade Fulu (talismans).

Tai Zhen led the assembled Zhenren (Perfected Ones). Together they boarded a white luan carriage drawn by phoenixes with black wings and went to Changyang to hold a banquet. Eastward they reached the realm of Hao Forest and Jade Waters, the remains of Fusang, and the Mouth of the Nine Sources; westward they traveled through the domain of Mysterious Feather and Plain Wilderness to the shores of Mengsi; southward they arrived at the settlement of Nanxia where the Jing (essence) of Zhu Ling’s extreme fire resides; northward they reached the lodge of Shuoyin Dongxuan (Cavern of Mystery) and the land of Yanghan Waters. They then circled among the Ten Extremes, Yellow Qi (vital energy), Yang Jing (essence), and Tai Xuan Jade Capital of the center, as well as the Golden Terrace, Jade Chamber, and Cinnabar Jade Palace, touring the Ten Heavens and rendering the eight directions clear and luminous.

Tai Zhen commanded hundreds of millions of Zhenren. No heavenly realm lay outside his jurisdiction, no nether region unconnected to him, no Qi (vital energy) not under his command, and no immortal not subject to his regulation. He universally governed the host of Shen (spirits). From the Heavenly Emperor downward, none failed to regard Tai Zhen as the model of Dao (the Way) and De (Virtue/Power) and to honor the Yu Jing (Feather Scripture). Thereafter each emperor lord returned to his mysterious palace. After seven thousand kalpas this Jing was transmitted to Taishang Dadaojun (the Supreme Lord of the Great Dao).

The Upper Lingfei Jade Fulu is a talisman naturally manifested from the feather Jing (essence) of mysterious immortals. Worn for seven years, one can fly through the void and ascend to the Seven Origins. In practicing the flying-step method of the Yu Jing, this Fulu is indispensable for soaring into mysterious realms. The recipient must swear an oath to Heaven with ninety feet of blue brocade. On the first day of practice write the Fulu on the left palm and immediately grasp the azure aurora to fly. It may also be written on a nine-inch length of blue silk and worn on the left, whereupon the twelve Shen of the Six Jia and twelve Jade Maidens stand on the left to protect.

The Lower Lingfei Jade Fulu is a feather-mysterious jade writing formed from the Jing (essence) of Yuanshi (the Primordial Beginning). Worn for nine years, one can fly upon the auroras. Write it on a nine-inch length of blue silk and wear it on the left; the twelve Shen of the Six Jia and twelve Jade Maidens then stand on the left to protect.

The Lower Lingfei Jade Talisman (Xia Lingfei Yufu), or flying talisman of the lower part, is the Feathered Mysterious Jade Script transformed from the essence of the Primordial Beginning. After it has been worn for nine years, one can fly through empty space and ascend the Five Stars. In the cultivation of the Dao of Flying Steps to Ascend the Mystery (Feibu Shengxuan zhi Dao), this talisman is indispensable; without it one cannot soar into the air. The recipient must swear an oath to Heaven using sixty chi of plain silk brocade. On the day practice begins, the talisman is written in the palm of the right hand so that one may grasp the Plain Numen and fly; alternatively it may be written on a nine-cun length of white silk and worn on the right side. The Twelve Spirits of the Six Jia and the Twelve Lingfei Jade Maidens will then attend upon the right.

The Left Lingfei Jade Talisman is the Plain Feather Script transformed from the essence of Mysterious Qi (Xuanqi) at the moment of its first arising. After nine years of wearing it, one can fly through empty space and ascend the Five Stars. In cultivating the Dao of Flying Steps to Ascend the Mystery, this talisman is required; without it one cannot tread the clouds and rise to Heaven. The recipient must swear an oath to Heaven using eighty chi of cinnabar-red brocade. On the first day of practice the talisman is written on the sole of the left foot so that one may tread emptiness and fly; it may also be written on a nine-cun length of crimson silk and worn on the left side. The Twelve Spirits of the Six Jia and the Twelve Lingfei Jade Maidens will attend in front.

The Right Lingfei Jade Talisman is the Feather Script of Ascending Mystery transformed from the essence of Primordial Qi (Yuanqi). After it has been worn for nine years, one can ride the clouds and step into Yuqing, the Jade Purity that Daoists regard as a high celestial realm. In the practice of the Dao of Flying Steps to Ascend the Mystery, this talisman is essential; without it one cannot tread the Seven Origins or ascend into the void. The recipient must swear an oath to Heaven using fifty chi of mysterious dark brocade. On the day cultivation begins, the talisman is written on the sole of the right foot so that one may tread the mysterious void and fly; alternatively it is written on a nine-cun length of black silk and worn on the right side. The Twelve Spirits of the Six Jia and the Twelve Lingfei Jade Maidens will attend behind.

The Supreme Lingfei Jade Talisman is the Flying Feather Script transformed from the yellow essence of Yang Qi. After nine years of wearing it, a golden radiance appears on the face; whether sitting in stillness or standing, one can vanish in an instant, conceal one’s form, and fly through the Great Void (Taixu), the boundless emptiness. In cultivating the Dao of Flying Steps to Ascend the Mystery, this talisman is indispensable; without it one cannot look up and ascend the Imperial Kui or leap beyond the Nine Mysteries. The recipient must swear an oath to Heaven using twelve chi of yellow brocade. On the first day of practice the talisman is written upon the heart so that one may exhale Qi to form clouds and ride upon them; it may also be written on a nine-cun length of yellow silk and worn on the left side. The Twelve Spirits of the Six Jia and the Twelve Lingfei Jade Maidens will attend at one’s side.

All who practice the Dao (the Way) of visualizing the Seven Stars, upon entering the quiet chamber, must first ingest the Five Talismans and then write the talismans. When writing and ingesting the talismans, they face the east, knock the teeth twelve times, raise the head, and recite:

“The mysterious and wondrous Purple Clarity of the empty void, the Jing (scripture) method of feathered transformation and ascent, above reflecting the clouds and rosy mists, below able to summon the myriad spirits. Direct the Six Jia (the six groups of spirits of the heavenly stems and earthly branches spoken of in Daoism), set my bodily form in motion; treading the Heavenly Origin in flight, draw upward the Jing (essence) and Qi (vital energy) of the Northern Dipper. Concentrate the hun and po souls, making the souls firm and stable; let the inner Qi be full and abundant. Enter and exit the mysterious realm of empty void, abiding long with the primordial Qi.”

After reciting, ingest the talismans, then write the Five Talismans in the palm of the hand, and begin the practice. Cultivating in this way for nine years, one will be able to ride the void and drive the clouds, flying through the realm of Taiqing (Supreme Clarity).

The Left and Right Spirit-Flying Jade Talismans are generated from natural Qi and were transmitted by Taizhen (a revered Daoist deity) in the obscure mystery. By means of them one can ascend into the void and tread emptiness, stepping across Kui and Gang (stellar positions in the Northern Dipper), winding about and subduing the Seven Mysteries (the mysterious powers associated with the Northern Dipper), and thereby rise to the realm of Yuqing (Jade Clarity). These are the Fulu (talismans and registers) required for practicing the method of flight and feathered transformation. Those who obtain them can become divine immortals; those who wear them can become Perfected Ones (zhenren); those who practice them will be met by a white luan carriage and a black-winged phoenix, which will receive and guide them up to the Jade Palace, to feast and wander in the realm of Constant Yang.

The Most High Lord of the Great Dao once transmitted this method to the Lord of Supreme Primordial Simplicity of the Upper Prime and the Heavenly Emperor Lord of Taiwei. After cultivating according to this and attaining the Dao, it should be secretly stored in the Palace of the Most High Numinous Capital. According to the precepts, it is transmitted only once every three thousand years and must not be lightly leaked or the celestial secrets made public. Those who violate the sworn covenant will be pressed into the service of the ghost officials, and calamity will also implicate nine generations of ancestors, causing them to crowd the springs of the netherworld. All the talismans mentioned above must be written with cinnabar.