《洞真太上紫度炎光神玄变经》

The scripture of the Zidu Yanguang Jing (scripture/classic) was not composed in the human world. Rather, the divine Jing condensed primordial Qi (vital energy) from emptiness and formed into chapters. Mysterious and wondrous flames of light shone within it, and only after seven thousand years did the written characters become manifest. The Heavenly Thearch Lord of Grand Tenuity compiled the sections with purple orchids, inscribed the main text on golden slips, and named it the Zidu Yanguang Shenxuan Bian Jing. The name “Shenxuan Bian Jing” was given because the scripture transformed forth from the mysterious realm. Once the Jing had taken form, the High Jade Emperor commanded three thousand Golden Dawn Jade Lads and three thousand Western Floriate Jade Maidens to stand in attendance on either side of the scripture, guarding it within the Purple Chamber of the Six Harmonies of the Most High. The Primordial Lord of the Southern Pole presides over this scripture.

Record of the Thearch Lord of Grand Tenuity

The Thearch Lord of Grand Tenuity was born at the extremity of Primordial Azure. His radiance completely penetrated the hidden mystery. Before primordial Qi had yet coalesced, his bodily form condensed from flowing Jing (essence) and Qi. Luminous splendors joined upon his body; purple clouds flashed like lightning; mysterious vapors coiled about him; and cinnabar-colored radiance encircled his entire form. A mysterious awakening quietly opened within his heart. He received and absorbed the teachings of the upper realms, making his mind and nature pure, harmonious, and unobstructed. He also inhaled and exhaled the fluids of the obscure depths, and thus was born as a divine Shen (spirit) embryo, nourished with the Dharma Spring and Curved Zhi.

When he reached the age of fourteen, a golden radiance manifested within him and a jade-colored brilliance shone without. He was intelligent and penetrating, his spiritual thought keen and acute, able to clearly discern the principles of emptiness and mystery. Thereupon he assumed the title of Thearch Lord, his duties being to clarify the rosy Qi of the Nine Empyreans, to fly forth and gaze afar upon the source of Cavern Clarity, to perceive the essential secrets within the utmost mystery, and to oversee the circulation of countless myriads of fluids. As resonances continually accumulated, he united with the obscure depths, and mysterious wisdom opened of itself. Therefore he was able to master the method of Purple Crossing Blazing Light, Returning the Shen, Flying to the Empyrean and Ascending the Void. Cultivating this method, one inwardly corresponds with the upper realms and ultimately ascends to the high realm of Jade Clarity. After completing his cultivation, he transmitted this method to the Central Yellow Elder Lord.

Three Hymns Composed by the Queen Mother of the West When Transmitting the Scripture

I howl and sing upon the Nine Mystery Terrace, a chill and silent atmosphere filling the cliffs and mountain peaks. I rectify my mind, regulate the six senses, open my vision, and discard the miscellaneous thoughts of the dusty world. Flowing rosy clouds illuminate the golden palaces, and a mysterious fragrance emanates from the spacious halls. When the accumulation of heartfelt recollection reaches a certain degree, it can summon the descent of the numinous True Ones; even though the physical form remains alone, it seems as if one has transcended the distinctions of the mundane world. In the blink of an eye one has passed through ten thousand kalpas, yet it does not feel as though hundreds of millions of years have elapsed.

Beautiful gardens cover the divine steps, red jades shining upon the ornate courtyards. Clear winds circulate in the empty and silent realm, jade-like music arriving borne upon the void. Purple mists coil around the winding talisman characters, while cinnabar-red radiance illuminates the green carriages. Flying banners gather into a dark canopy, and feathered ceremonial processions gleam in the Purple Clarity immortal realm. Upon ascending to the Nine Heavens immortal realm, it is as if one has already experienced hundreds of millions of years.

Beautiful gardens cover the divine steps, red jades shining upon the ornate courtyards. Clear winds circulate in the empty and silent realm, jade-like music arriving borne upon the void. Purple mists coil around the winding talisman characters, while cinnabar-red radiance illuminates the green carriages. Flying banners gather into a dark canopy, and feathered ceremonial processions gleam in the Purple Clarity immortal realm. Upon reaching the Nine Heavens, one freely roams in the Phoenix City. May I be able to sustain this honored and beautiful realm, and together with fellow practitioners of the Way enjoy the joy of longevity.

Driving carriages and horses, I pursue the mysterious radiance, touring the wilderness in the peaceful sunlight. I seek out the numinous True Ones in all directions, uniting forms and meeting them in the lofty clouds. I personally push open the vermilion doors, my eyes clear and bright, as if the Shen thoughts are unobstructed, peaceful and unhindered. The Golden Towers stand tall and majestic, the immortal realm pure and free of dust. I unfasten my collar and stretch freely upon the Mysterious Lang Terrace, perfectly matching my heart's desire. It is not easy to break free from the three bonds of the dusty world; one must still maintain cultivation in order to firmly extend the years of life.

In the Purple Degree Flame Light it is recorded that one visualizes and summons the formless Shen (spirits) within the square inch, contemplating the heavenly methods.

When the Emperor Lord first condensed his physical form, he still studied the methods of summoning the true Shen (spirits). He thought far and gazed far, calmed his mind for inner observation, sat upright visualizing boundless realms, and deeply contemplated into the profound empty stillness. At only three years of age he could already examine the correct Dao (the Way); the true Shen (spirits) manifested and his mind opened brightly, enabling him to foresee events not yet occurred. He surveyed and exhausted the domains of the heavenly realms; there was no hidden place he could not clearly discern, no upper heavenly realm he could not reach, and no lower realm he could not observe. Thus he obtained the honored title of “Great Emperor.” This was the result of long-term accumulation of resonance that summoned the descent of the divine spirits, not an ability he possessed from birth.

Ordinarily, in the early morning when the sky is not yet bright and the clear heavenly light has just appeared, one rubs both hands together until warm, then wipes the inner and outer corners of both eyes twenty-one times each; next one knocks the teeth twenty-four times. Then using the tongue... (here the original text continues as “no below not gazing,” meaning able to observe everything below).

Usually in the early morning, when the sky has not yet brightened and the first clear light appears, rub both hands together until they grow hot, then wipe the inner and outer corners of both eyes twenty-one times each and knock the teeth twenty-four times. Next, use the tongue to lick all around inside the mouth, up and down, generating saliva, then swallow the saliva in nine portions.

After completing this, cover the head and entire body with a quilt and lie down calmly with the body held straight. At this time quiet both the inner mind and the outer world so that no sound can be heard; cover both ears with the hands, close the eyes, and concentrate fully on visualization. Imagine oneself situated ninety thousand li away in the east, seeing mountains and rivers, plants and trees, birds and beasts, as well as Hu elders and other scenery, as if they were right before the eyes, clear and distinct. If the vision is not clear, continue visualizing; with persistent practice one will naturally come to see it.

Once the scene is clear, imagine a bright sound of bells and drums arising in the ears. After a short while, then see the Immortal Official of the Eastern Peak (the true immortal in charge of Dongyue) riding an azure dragon and driving azure clouds, holding the Five Zhi (five kinds of numinous mushrooms), followed by twelve jade maidens. The jade maidens wear flying azure feathered skirts and carry Qingjing Yutai (a spiritual substance used in Daoist cultivation) in a golden platter, presenting it to oneself. Upon seeing the immortal official, salute him in the mind and accept it, then immediately imagine swallowing the spiritual substance, sensing its sweet taste. Then wipe the eyes, swallow the Qi (vital energy) nine times, and cease the visualization.

After cultivating in this manner for three years, it is said that one can see things ten thousand li away and hear distant sounds, all clearly and distinctly; one can also foresee future fortune and misfortune as well as omens of the length of one’s lifespan, the body emits an unusual radiance, and one can see through both interior and exterior. This method of the Dao of attracting the formless is extremely subtle and marvelous, transmitted only orally between master and disciple and never written down.

Next, following the previous method, gather and concentrate the mind and Shen (spirit), visualizing that one sees the mountains and rivers, plants and trees, colors of the land, flying birds and running beasts, and elderly people ninety thousand li away to the south, as if they stood right before the eyes. The scene must be made clear and accurate; if it cannot appear stably at first, continue the visualization, and after a long time it will naturally be seen.

Once the scene is clear, various sounds arrive in the ears, noisy and intermingled. After a while one further sees the immortal officials of the Southern Peak (the immortal officials of Nanyue) arriving astride flying dragons and driving clouds, holding magnificent banners, followed by twelve jade maidens. They wear flying skirts of azure brocade and hold the xuangang jiangshi contained in golden plates, which they present to the practitioner. Upon seeing the immortal officials, one salutes inwardly, accepts the bestowed items, and immediately swallows them, finding the taste sour; then one rubs the eyes nine times and ceases this stage of the practice.

Practicing thus for three years, one naturally discerns the deep, hidden, and subtle realms, seeing ten thousand li away with the eyes and hearing sounds from ten thousand li away. With long persistence, perception gradually grows lucid, and one can also foresee future fortune and misfortune; the body becomes moist and lustrous like jade, and the countenance displays a jade radiance. This is the “Dao of Summoning the Formless” (a method of cultivation so named in the Jing [scripture]).

Next, continue the visualization according to the previous method, gathering and concentrating the mind and Shen (spirit) to see the mountains and rivers, colors of the land, plants and trees, birds and beasts, and elderly people ninety thousand li away to the west, as if they stood right before the eyes. The scene must be made clear and accurate; if it cannot appear stably at first, continue the visualization, and after a long time it will naturally be seen.

Once the scene is clear, the sounds of golden drums arrive in the ears, ringing with a metallic clang. After a while one further sees the immortal officials of the Western Peak (the immortal officials of Xiyue) arriving in a flying chariot formed of plain-colored clouds and mists, followed by twelve jade maidens. They wear flying skirts of dark brocade and hold the golden-liquid elixir Jing (essence) contained in golden plates. Upon seeing the immortal officials, one salutes inwardly, accepts the bestowed items, and immediately swallows them, finding the taste sweet; then one rubs the eyes and swallows Qi (vital energy) nine times, and ceases this stage of the practice.

Practicing thus for three years, the gaze becomes penetrating, able to discern all manner of affairs ten thousand li away and to see clearly the fortunes, misfortunes, disasters, and blessings that have not yet occurred, while the countenance displays a golden radiance. This “Dao of Summoning the Formless” cannot have its method transmitted in written characters; it can only be orally imparted by the master to the disciple.

Next, visualize as described above: in your mind, see the scenery nine hundred thousand li to the north, with the colors of its mountains, rivers, and earth, its plants, trees, birds, and beasts, and the elderly men of the Qiang people, all as vividly as if they stood before you. Let what you see be clear and exact. If it is not yet distinct, keep visualizing, and transmit this method orally to others again and again.

Then visualize once more by the same method: in your mind, see the scenery nine hundred thousand li to the north, including its mountains, rivers, earth, plants, trees, birds, beasts, and the elderly Qiang men, as though it lay right before your eyes. Let the scene be clear and accurate. If you cannot see it at first, continue the visualization, and in time it will appear of its own accord.

Once the scene is clear, you will hear the pure, resonant sound of a bell drifting into your ears. After a long while, you will see the Immortal Official of the Northern Peak (an official of the immortal realm who governs the Northern Peak) arriving in a black cloud chariot, holding the Five Zhi (five kinds of spirit mushroom), with twelve Jade Maidens following behind. They wear black brocade skirts and carry Qiongye and Langyu (immortals' drinks) in golden trays, which they offer to you. Upon seeing the Immortal Official, respectfully bow in your heart and receive the immortal drink, then take it. If it tastes bitter, wipe your eyes and swallow Qi nine times before stopping.

After three years of this practice, you will be able to perceive all eight directions, see into what is deep and hidden, and probe the void; when sitting in stillness, you will see to infinite distances. Your body will become light and your form luminous, so that in stillness you seem to stand upon the empty air. This Dao method of drawing in the void is the highest and most genuine, and words can hardly express it fully.

Then continue to visualize according to the method given previously: hold in mind that you can clearly see the palaces and towers above the Nine Heavens, the mountains, rivers and trees, the birds and beasts, and the boundless distance wreathed in swirling clouds and mist. There you meet with the Perfected Ones and converse with the assembled immortals, the scene true and distinct. Do not stop the visualization on this account; persist for a long time, and you will naturally come to see it clearly.

When the scene has become clear, string music and the sound of chimes will be heard in the ears, as if they were right beside you. After a while, you will see the Immortal Official of the Central Peak (the immortal who presides over the Central Sacred Mountain) arriving, mounted on a dragon formed of yellow auroras, followed by twelve Jade Maidens. The Jade Maidens wear yellow flying skirts, hold five-colored floral banners (multicolored pennants), and present the elixir essence of the Five Numinous Mushrooms (the refined essence of immortal medicines named after the five zhi), contained in a golden platter, which they hand over to you. Upon seeing the Immortal Official, receive it with a reverent bow and then ingest it. After ingesting it, you will find the taste fragrant; then wipe the eyes and swallow Qi (vital energy) twelve times, after which you may stop.

The “Wondrous Method of Purple Crossing, Blazing Light, and Summoning the Boundless Ultimate” is an exceedingly mysterious method, difficult to transmit in words. After three years of practice, one can penetrate the realm of profound emptiness and subtle wonder, thoroughly perceive the Dark Mystery (the deep, distant, and mysterious realm), know one’s allotted fortune and lifespan as well as the omens of good and ill, gain thorough insight into one’s own condition, and a golden radiance will appear upon the face.

After completing the visualizations of the Five Directions (east, south, west, north, and center), rise, face the east, knock the teeth nine times, and recite the prayer:

“The transformations of the ten thousand things are generated in undivided chaos; a mysterious principle governs the heavens. The sun, moon, and stars move in silence, turning through the four directions, their radiance streaming over ten thousand li. I penetrate the cavernous void, and the precious light of the Three Essences (Jing; the sacred radiances representing the essences of the sun, moon, stars, and the like) shines forth, flying auroras dense and flourishing.” Face the east, knock the teeth nine times, and recite the prayer:

“The transformations of the ten thousand things are generated in undivided chaos; a mysterious principle governs the heavens. The sun, moon, and stars move in silence, turning through the four directions, their radiance streaming over ten thousand li. I penetrate the cavernous void, the precious light of the Three Essences shines forth, flying auroras dense and flourishing. In the morning, Jing (essence) and Qi are mysteriously infused, opening the nine orifices (the two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, the mouth, and the lower orifice), so that the four directions converge and the eight sides communicate. I visualize the empty void, summoning the formless wonder, that my Shen (spirit) and thought may become intelligent and clearly discern good and ill fortune; mounting a mysterious carriage, driving a green flying vehicle, I ascend to Tai Chen (the palaces of the celestial dawn) and present myself before the Jade Emperor.”

The Emperor Lord (Dijun) contemplates inwardly, summons the formless, and uses the method of penetrating vision to survey the heavens; cultivation is complete once it reaches this point. The method takes effect at once, and its subtlety differs greatly from other practices. Keep the mind upright and your visualization single-pointed, and practice in a quiet chamber for one hundred days, and you will faintly sense that the realm you contemplate is about to appear. After three full years, your shen (spirit) will commune with the obscure and shadowed realms, and your insight will be so clear that nothing is unknown and not a single thing is overlooked. This may be called seeking the true Dao (Way) from within the formless, whereupon the true Dao descends. This Dao is profound and subtle, beyond what ordinary people can discuss. Others prize official rank and salary; what I prize is this Way. Even if a ruler of all within the four seas wished to trade something else for this method, I have never heard of such an exchange. My Dao is the root of deathlessness. It lets one foresee what has not yet happened; it pierces the deep and the empty, looks up to fathom endless transformations, hears sounds from ten thousand miles away, and comprehends the strange affairs of the world. What could surpass it? One who attains the Dao may ride a blue-green carriage beneath a dark canopy like flying mist-clouds, and ascend to the Dichen (Imperial Dawn, the celestial realm). This method must be treasured and kept secret; never transmit it casually. If one violates the clear precepts and divulges the true jing (scripture), then oneself, one's patriarch-teachers, the Seven Mysteries (the ancestral lineage), and one's parents will all be made to serve as ghost-laborers; after death one will sink into the underworld, be interrogated and judged by the Three Officials (the deities governing Heaven, Earth, and Water), and suffer great hardship. Be clear about this and take care.

One who receives and carries the Purple Measure and Flaming Light (Zidu Yanguang) and practices the Dao of preserving the true and summoning the unbounded penetrating vision should always cultivate in a single, solitary quiet chamber, setting aside outside affairs. With a still mind, contemplate scenes from all four directions, ten thousand miles away: mountains, forests, grasses and trees, birds and beasts, and the peoples of every region, including the Xuanyi, Qiang, Hu, Cang, and Lao, all coming to pay homage to you. Next, visualize your two eyes emitting flowing flames of light, glittering like stars, red radiance bursting forth, its rays reaching ten thousand miles. The mountains and marshes of the four directions, the Huai and Ji rivers, and the forests all dissolve and are cleared away in the brightness, until the sky's edge is clear and pure, free of any dust or defilement. Then use your eyes to gaze upon the realm of the Limitless (Wuji), so that your vision extends everywhere and nothing remains unseen. All of the visualization above must be clear and precise. Then knock the teeth together nine times, lift your face, and pray, saying:

A mysterious radiance shines forth from within the heart, illuminating all things without end. The eyes can see into the distance, the ears can hear what is far away, and the nine apertures (the sensory openings of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and so on) all open, so that perception reaches the farthest places, pervading everything and leaving nothing untouched. To make these states appear clearly and accurately, knock the teeth together nine times, then tilt the head back and recite this invocation:

A mysterious radiance shines forth from within the heart, illuminating all things without end. The eyes can see into the distance, the ears can hear what is far away, and the nine apertures all open. The essence and breath (Jing and Qi) surge and flow, and everything within ten thousand miles becomes clear and open. In stillness one can behold the scenes of nature, foresee good and ill fortune in advance, and ride the flying mists up into the great void. When the invocation is finished, draw in the breath and swallow the saliva seven times, and then you may stop.

If you can practice this method, within a hundred days you will faintly sense that signs of its efficacy are about to appear. After three years of cultivation, you will see with your own eyes the realm of the Void (Kongdong), and while sitting in stillness you will see scenes ten thousand miles away and hear sounds from ten thousand miles away. This is an exceedingly subtle and profound method of the Dao (the Way). It cannot be transmitted through writing, but only from mouth to ear, and one must receive its secret oral formulas with great care.

Liujin Huoling (Flowing Gold and Fire Bell).

The Liujin Huoling (Flowing Gold Fire Bell, a sacred spiritual writing or Fulu (talismans and registers) in Daoism) is the mysterious radiance that manifested when the Most High Lord of the Great Dao (Tai Shang Da Dao Jun, a venerated deity of Daoism) was traveling and banqueting: the light surges upward to display the majesty of the Nine Heavens and downward to eradicate the malevolent evils of the Six Heavens. The mysterious light shines upon the nape of the Dao Lord’s neck, streaming forth to illuminate the eight directions and reaching as far as three hundred thousand li. At the beginning when the Three Heavens established the Orthodox Dao (the Way) and abolished the heterodox methods of the Six Heavens, this spiritual writing was transmitted to the Heavenly Emperor Lord of Taiwei.

This divine writing, even when it draws in its radiance, can still display the power of the Nine Heavens above and extinguish the evils of the Six Heavens below; the mysterious light illuminates behind the Dao Lord’s neck and streams across the eight directions for three hundred thousand li. At the inception of the Three Heavens establishing the Orthodox Dao and abolishing the heterodox practices of the Six Heavens, the divine writing was given to the Heavenly Emperor Lord of Taiwei.

The divine writing is stored within the Jade Chamber of the Qiong Palace. Although it shows no visible flames of light, it shines of its own accord, its radiance illuminating the Shangqing realm. Flying dragons and venomous beasts guard it nearby, while purple clouds and mysterious brilliance cover the roof of the palace; three hundred Jade Flower maidens and three hundred Golden Perfected youths each preside over the guarding of the spiritual writing and scatter fragrance throughout the empty courtyard.

After seven thousand years, the divine writing generated five Fulu, their light penetrating the eight directions, and thus officials were established to guard the five directions. The Heavenly Emperor Lord of Taiwei transmitted it to the Later Sage Dao Lord of the Golden Portal, who then entrusted it to the Upper Chancellor Azure Youth Lord so that he might pass it on to those who have cultivated themselves into Perfected Persons (Zhenren), who wear it and travel to and fro in the Shangqing realm.

Those who cultivate to become Perfected, if they lack the Liujin Huoling and have no circular halo of light at the nape of the neck, cannot ascend to the realm of the sun, moon, and stars. If a person possesses a constitution of golden bones and jade quality, has their mysterious name registered in the Azure Palace (a palatial hall of the Daoist immortal realm), and has the affinity to obtain this divine writing, then by wearing and cultivating it the heavenly hosts, sages, and immortal officials of all the heavens, all the earths, the four seas, and the Five Sacred Mountains will bow their heads in salute and come forth to welcome them. The divine light shakes the four directions, and its power is not to be taken lightly. The Three Primes (the three kinds of heavenly forces spoken of in Daoism) will immediately dispatch thirty-six jade youths and jade maidens to accompany and protect them.

After wearing it for nine years, one can ride the Eight Sceneries Jade Carriage (a jade vehicle of the immortal realm) and fly through the vast emptiness of space.

The Flowing Gold Fire Bell is the essence of the Nine Stars, also known as “Circular Light.” It is the majestic talisman and emblem of Tai Shang (the Supreme, a revered Daoist deity). It came into being even before the Nine Heavens were formed, condensed from mysterious and wondrous Qi (vital energy) into patterns, shining brilliantly and illuminating the ten directions. It hangs reflected above the head of Tai Shang. After ten thousand years it generated five Fire Bell spirit talismans, which descended mysteriously upon the Heavenly Emperor Lord of Taiwei (the divine lord dwelling in Taiwei Heaven). It can intimidate the demons of the extreme heavens, its divine majesty filling the courtyards of the Nine Auroras; from the celestial realms downward, nothing is not under its command.

The Great Dao Lord of Tai Shang treasures this method and has instructed the true immortals overseeing affairs throughout the heavens to supervise strictly, lest anyone leak it carelessly. If a person of true immortal quality obtains and wears this talisman yet fails to follow the Xuan Ke (Daoism’s secretly transmitted precepts and ritual methods), arbitrarily giving it to the unqualified or treating the numinous writings with disrespect or defilement, then seven generations of ancestors will be implicated, and the former teacher will likewise be punished, all serving as ghost officials.

It is written in vermilion characters on purple silk two chi and two cun in length and worn upon the head. If those of golden name and jade bone (persons possessing an immortal register and immortal constitution) obtain this writing and wear it, they are predestined to become immortals. When coming and going, the wearer should constantly visualize a circular light above the head, shining thirty thousand li into the distance. Over nine years, by diligently concentrating the mind on the True, practicing quiet fasting and precepts, and cultivating with single-minded devotion, one can induce the descent of true spirits; the circular light will appear of itself, enabling the practitioner to travel through empty space and also to conceal the body through seated visualization.

The “Upper Talisman of the Five Bells for Ascending the Void, Pacing the Void, and Protecting Immortality,” also known as the “Fire Bell.”

The Lord of Grand Tenuity Heaven first received the primordial Qi (vital energy) when the mysterious phenomena of the cosmos had just begun to differentiate. He ascended the Platform of Nine Mysteries and Void Birth, with the divine officials of the Five Directional Heavenly Emperors guarding the eight directions. Five kinds of talismanic scripts appeared faintly in the air, their lights and shadows hazy, reflecting upon the Phoenix Terrace and within the inner chambers of the agate palaces. After seven thousand years these scripts manifested, their radiance streaming across the Nine Heavens, and the precious Jing (scripture) shone brilliantly in the realm of Jade Clarity. The Emperor Lord cast with his left hand, transforming it into flowing-gold fire bells; with a flourish of his right hand he donned the Crown of the Unfurling Seven Origins, to command and subdue the demonic hordes of the utmost heavens, his awesome power spreading throughout the Nine Cloud Courts. This supreme and wondrous Dao (the Way) is profound, subtle, and difficult to fathom.

The Emperor Lord was performing a purification fast, cleansing the mind, in the Dongzhen Hall of the Jade Terrace in the Great Void. Within the hall were jade chambers and golden-flower rooms. Attendant maidens, hosts of immortal perfected ones, and five-colored divine officials numbered in the tens of billions; flying beasts and venomous dragons guarded the palace gates, while giant dragons a thousand fathoms long protected the ramparts. Phoenixes cried out and dragons roared, their various sounds echoing among the halls and pavilions, their majesty displayed in the vast courtyard. Lions roared as the immortals played numinous music; jade instruments rang out clearly, divine consorts sang in chorus, and jade maidens plucked strings to make music.

I then invited the Central Yellow Emperor Laojun and the Four Perfected Ones of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate), setting forth flowing-cloud fine wine, Huan’gang fruits, red-tree white seeds, hidden zhi mushrooms and other immortal fruits and lingzhi. Numerous fragrant aromas wafted forth, continuously arrayed for ninety days. Subsequently the Turtle Mother took up the brush, Taiyi wiped the seating mats, the Heavenly Consort attended the incense, and Jade Flower arranged the compiled registers; slips were made of white jade, the scripture written in gold characters, and handed to the Left Duke of the Immortal Capital. He sealed the scripture into jade cases and cloud-brocade pouches, then transmitted it to the Central Yellow Laojun. The Yellow Laojun, in accordance with the covenant, respectfully received the five talismans, kowtowed, and withdrew.

Afterwards the Nine Spirits Flowing Scenery Cloud Carriage descended, accompanied by fifty thousand five-colored divine officials. The charioteers wore capes of azure feather-dragons as they ascended the Golden Palaces of Jade Clarity. If someone presents a gold-written report to Donghua and by affinity obtains a glimpse of this scripture, it is because they were predestined in former lives to become an immortal. Cultivating while wearing the Fulu (talismans and registers), the myriad gods will all come to pay court; one can enter and exit the void and constellations, patrol the Five Sacred Peaks, circulate the Five Stars, generate the powers of water and fire within the body, and transform throughout the ten directions. After wearing them for nine years the Green Carriage will descend; then one may present oneself to the Three Primes and take a place in Jade Clarity.

This Dao is secret, profound, and wondrous, and may only be transmitted to those of true cultivation. If the scripture chapters are carelessly divulged, one will perish and the physical form be destroyed. According to the Mysterious True Illustrious Code, it may be transmitted to only one person every seven thousand years; should the oath be violated, calamity will implicate seven generations of ancestors, and both oneself and the former teacher will together sink to the status of ghosts in the lower realms, suffering the ten sufferings and eight difficulties.

The Superior Talisman of the Azure Emperor of Azure-Mist Flowing Bells for Ascending Emptiness and Pacing the Void belongs to the Azure Emperor of the East (the celestial emperor who governs the eastern direction and corresponds to the Wood phase) together with his subordinate officials, attendants and guardians of the numinous writings. The Yuandong Yuanming Yuanyao Yanlingyao Yuanjun each command nine thousand followers. Ninety Jade Youths of Azure Yang stand in attendance on the left to serve the numinous writings, while two thousand four hundred immortal officials of the Eastern Peak, Mount Tai, and ninety Jade Maidens of Azure Waist stand on the right to protect them. When so-and-so wears this talisman upon the person, its protection is obtained.

The Superior Talisman of the Red Emperor of Cinnabar-Mist Flowing Bells for Ascending Emptiness and Pacing the Void belongs to the Red Emperor of the South (the celestial emperor who governs the southern direction and corresponds to the Fire phase) together with his subordinate officials, attendants and guardians of the numinous writings. The Dadong Yuansheng Dalingji Huangjun each command eight thousand followers. Eighty Jade Youths of the Crimson Palace stand in attendance on the left to serve the numinous writings, while two thousand four hundred immortal officials of the Southern Peak, Mount Heng, and eighty Jade Maidens of Great Cinnabar and Red Gui stand on the right to protect them. When so-and-so wears this talisman upon the person, its protection is obtained.

The Superior Talisman of the White Emperor of Azure-Mist Flowing Bells for Ascending Emptiness and Pacing the Void belongs to the White Emperor of the West (the celestial emperor who governs the western direction and corresponds to the Metal phase) together with his subordinate officials, attendants and guardians of the numinous writings. The Jincheng Yaoyuan Yuandao Taixianjun commands six thousand followers. Sixty Jade Youths of Radiant Numen and Primordial Transformation stand in attendance on the left to serve the numinous writings, while two thousand four hundred immortal officials of the Western Peak, Mount Hua, and sixty Jade Maidens of Grand Simplicity stand on the right to protect them. When so-and-so wears this talisman upon the person, its protection is obtained.

The Superior Talisman of the Black Emperor of Green-Mist Flowing Bells for Ascending Emptiness and Pacing the Void belongs to the Black Emperor of the North (the celestial emperor who governs the northern direction and corresponds to the Water phase) together with his subordinate officials, attendants and guardians of the numinous writings. The Xuandong Yuanyin Wuyao Yanling Yuanhua Yudan Jun each command five thousand followers. Fifty Jade Youths of Imperial Mechanism and Supreme Ultimate stand in attendance on the left to serve the numinous writings, while two thousand four hundred immortal officials of the Northern Peak, Mount Heng, and fifty Jade Maidens of Grand Mystery stand on the right to protect them. When so-and-so wears this talisman upon the person, its protection is obtained.

The Superior Talisman of the Yellow Emperor of Cang-Mist Flowing Bells for Ascending Emptiness and Pacing the Void belongs to the Yellow Emperor of the Center (the celestial emperor who governs the central region and occupies the midst of the five directions) together with his subordinate officials, attendants and guardians of the numinous writings. The Zhongyao Wuyang Wuyin Zhonghuang Dongji Gaohuangjun each command one thousand two hundred followers. Twelve Jade Youths of Imperial Mechanism Upholding the Center stand in attendance on the left to serve the numinous writings, while two thousand four hundred immortal officials of the Central Peak, Mount Song, and twelve Jade Maidens of Yellow Simplicity stand on the right to protect them. When so-and-so wears this talisman upon the person, its protection is obtained.

Men attach the Fulu (talismans and registers) written in cinnabar to a piece of azure silk and hang it on the left; women attach the Fulu written in yellow pigment to a piece of white silk and hang it on the right.

Inner Visualization of the Flowing Gold Fire Bell and the Great Prayer of Raising Might and Divine Wisdom (concerning the prayer method of visualizing the Flowing Gold Fire Bell and raising its majestic power)

Those who cultivate by wearing the Flowing Gold Fire Bell (a protective ritual implement), whether going out or remaining, traveling far or near, and passing through dangerous places, bandits, illness, and calamities, should visualize the true light protecting their person and opening a road of ten thousand li for themselves.

When setting out, face the direction of travel, knock the left teeth fourteen times, and swallow Qi (vital energy) thirty-six times. Then clearly imagine in the heart the scenery of the destination, including mountains, forests, plants and trees, ordinary people, birds and beasts, and spirits (shen); next imagine them appearing distinctly and all coming together to pay homage to oneself. Subsequently visualize the seven stars of the Northern Dipper covering the crown of the head, and imagine the left eye transforming into a shooting star and the right eye into swift lightning. The starlight shines ninety thousand li distant, and the road ahead opens with the radiance; mountains, forests, plants, people’s dwellings, soldiers, thieves, and ghostly Qi are all cleared away without a trace, and the roads in the four directions become suddenly unobstructed. Then recite the prayer:

“The front opens, the rear closes; heaven is level and earth is high. The Divine Lord goes forth on his travels, the roads of the four directions open wide. May heaven and earth construct a bridge for me, so that front and back, left and right all communicate with the eight directions. From the left hurl a shooting star, from the right send forth swift lightning; flowing fire illuminates ten thousand li—what evil would dare to obstruct? Taiyi (a Daoist deity) provides escort, the myriad spirits come to welcome. Wherever one goes, all is auspicious and successful; riding the clouds and driving the void, one ascends into the Great Void.”

When the prayer is finished, withdraw the Jing (essence) and Qi of both eyes each to their original place; then take seven breaths of Qi from the left and seven from the right, and swallow them. Practicing according to this method, one may venture through perils, cross hardships, expel ghosts and defeat enemies, and all wishes will be swiftly fulfilled. This method is extremely mysterious and must not be transmitted casually.

“Knocking the teeth” and “swallowing Qi” are common bodily and breathing rituals in Daoist cultivation; “visualization” (cunxiang) consists in contemplating spirits, stellar images, and radiance in order to protect oneself and proceed unimpeded.

The Five Emperors Flowing Bells Five Talismans (Fulu held by the Heavenly Emperors of the Five Directions and endowed with divine might) possess the power to suppress the demons of the utmost heavens and to summon and subdue the spirits of the Five Directions. Above they correspond to the Five Dawns and take part in the turning of the Seven Origins; below they correspond to the human body and relate to the Nine Orifices and Seven Luminosities. They pervade Heaven and Earth, leaving no place unrelated to them; in the deepest and most hidden recesses nothing remains unprobed; even the most minute things nothing remains unilluminated. First visualize the talismans in the mind, then throw them forth, and they will shake forth their awesome power. If you wear them you must receive by oral transmission the secret formulas handed down by the master.

If in the world you come to a place where evil ghosts roam, you should perform the Great Incantation of Shaking Might (the spell that shakes forth divine power): face north, hold the breath for twelve respirations, and visualize the Qi of the Five Directions covering the entire body so that inside and outside become bright and transparent, as if nothing can remain hidden. Then knock the teeth thirty-six times and swallow the Qi of the Five Directions; next open and swallow sequentially three times, drawing all the Qi into oneself. Visualize one’s two eyes shining like shooting stars, their radiance illuminating the Five Directions, then recite the incantation:

“Heavenly Origin Seven Essences, Five Emperors Flowing Bells, light flung forth like lightning, racing like celestial shooting stars, illuminating the Ten Directions and revealing the true forms of ghosts. What petty demon dares to stand before my Gate of Life? Since the Most High has already issued the command, all are slain without regard to kinship or distance. Split the liver and excavate the belly, extinguish the ghost essences; thousands upon thousands are smashed, myriads upon myriads are overturned. Divine might issues through the incantation, capturing and binding without cease.”

After reciting, swallow Qi thirty-six times more before stopping. Reciting the incantation once in this manner, the divine officials of the Five Directions will protect the one who has received the registers, bind the local numinous Qi, and escort it to the Divine Court; reciting it three times can extinguish ghost-kings and similar spectral beings.

When entering the Five Peaks, traveling through mountains and rivers, or about to venture onto precipitous heights, one should, while still a hundred paces from the destination, knock the left teeth thirty-six times and recite the incantation. The original text at the end repeats the earlier statement concerning reciting the incantation three times to extinguish ghost-kings; “a hundred paces” is the distance reserved before performing the ritual.

When entering the Five Sacred Mountains (the five famous peaks), touring the mountains and rivers, or scaling steep and perilous terrain, one should, while still a hundred paces from the destination, knock the teeth on the left side thirty-six times. This is a visualization (cunxiang) and prayer ritual in Daoist cultivation.

If proceeding to the Eastern Peak, visualize the nine thousand subordinate officials of the Eastern Azure Emperor’s Xilin Zhu Official standing guard in front, behind, left, and right, covering the whole body with azure cloud-qi (Qi, vital energy). If going to the Southern Peak, visualize the eight thousand subordinate officials of the Southern Vermilion Emperor’s Danxuanzi Official guarding front and back, enveloping the body in red cloud-qi. For the Western Peak, visualize the five thousand subordinate officials of the Western White Emperor’s Shaohao Ling Official guarding front and rear, covering the body with white cloud-qi. For the Northern Peak, visualize the five thousand subordinate officials of the Northern Black Emperor’s Xuanming Hao Official guarding front and back, covering the body with black cloud-qi. For the Central Peak, visualize the twelve thousand subordinate officials of the Central Yellow Emperor’s Zhizhong Yuan Official guarding front and rear, covering the entire body with yellow breath.

After this, recite the prayer:

“The radiance of Qian Heaven, the mysterious jing (essence) of the Seven Chen, the floral canopy of the Five Dipper star deities, encircle and protect my bodily form. Five-colored cloud-mists soar and interfuse with me. Upon my person I wear the qi of the Seven Origins, circulating the light of the Golden Fire Bell, whose brilliance illuminates everywhere without omission, extending even to the secluded depths of the heavens. The spirit officials of the Five Emperors dispatch heavenly troops to subdue for me the thousand kinds of ghosts and demons and the myriad spirits of the mountains, rivers, and earth, causing them all to bow their heads, be bound, and reveal their true forms. Those in front are executed, those behind are punished; none of the captured shall be spared.”

Upon completing the prayer, it is said that reciting it once in this manner will cause heavenly demons to disappear and the myriad spirits to come and pay homage. When traveling to the Five Sacred Mountains or traversing mountains and rivers, one will encounter no further tests or disturbances. The immortal officials of the Five Sacred Mountains will moreover send the Five Zhi, the jade florets of five lives, and other immortal medicines to nourish the practitioner.

If one finds oneself amid warfare, chaos, and bandits, with blades hanging before the eyes, or encounters urgent danger and hardship, knock the teeth on the right side twelve times while visualizing the seven stars of the Northern Dipper covering the entire body. Their mysterious radiance illuminates all around, wrapping the whole person in light. Next visualize the liver transforming into the Year Star (Jupiter), appearing on the left; the lungs transforming into Taibai (Venus), appearing on the right; the heart transforming into Yinghuo (Mars), appearing in front; the kidneys transforming into Chenxing (Mercury), appearing behind; and the spleen transforming into Zhenxing (Saturn), appearing above the front of the chest. Let the Jing (essence) and Qi (vital energy) of the five stars encircle the body in front and behind, so that one is situated within the Doukui of the Northern Dipper (the forward cluster of its stars) and beneath the five stars. Then visualize the spirit officials of the Five Emperors guarding one on left and right, and recite: Heaven is my roof, the earth is my couch, the Five Sacred Mountains and the rivers and streams are all my bridges; the primordial Jing of the Mysterious Dipper is my garment. I conceal myself within the Seven Primes (the stellar Jing contained in the seven stars of the Northern Dipper), dwelling in the land of flowing fire. The one who ferries me across is Taiyi Wuyou; passing by my side is Baiyuan Wuying. Calamity cannot disturb me, weapons cannot harm me. The Five Sacred Mountains and the rivers and streams are all my bridges, the primordial Jing of the Mysterious Dipper is my garment; I conceal myself within the Seven Primes, dwelling in the land of flowing fire. The one who ferries me across is Taiyi Wuyou; passing by my side is Baiyuan Wuying. Calamity cannot disturb me, weapons cannot harm me. May my body ascend to the Golden Palaces (the palaces of the heavenly realm) and the Capital of the Nine Elders (the dwelling of the immortals). The rite is complete. By cultivating in this manner, even if trapped in hardship with life in peril, one can still obtain deliverance.

Additionally prepare fifty chi of brocade in each of the five colors to pray to and invite the immortal officials of the Five Emperors; five liang of purple gold as a token for Longnai Chenjie; five jin of agarwood to communicate upward to the Three Primes (the Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water); one liang of genuine pearls as the cinnabar token of the covenant; one writing knife to sever the path of death Qi; seven gold beads to offer to the Jing of the Seven Primes; and seventy chi of crimson patterned brocade as a symbol of the Qi of flaming radiance.

Whenever Fulu (talismans and registers) and Jing (scriptures) are to be transmitted, the recipient must bring precious tokens of faith to pay respects to the master, observe a three-day purification fast, bathe, and burn incense. After the master has written the talismans and scriptures, they must be placed upon a high altar and left overnight in the open air. At dawn the following morning, master and disciple together ascend the altar, report to the Northern Emperor (Beidi, the honored deity of the north), recite the covenant oath, and then transmit the talismans and scriptures to the disciple.

If one has not ascended the altar to make the report and sworn the covenant, one may not presume to open the chapters of the scriptures. A master who carelessly leaks the scriptures will suffer the punishment of the wind-knives; a disciple who examines the scrolls without having formally received the transmission will bring calamity upon seven generations of ancestors, even to the point of bodily mutilation and blindness. The regulations of the Four Extremes (the precepts of the four directional spirit realms) forbid the careless leaking of scriptures; the laws of the Great Scriptures (the precepts of the higher classics) require that a covenant oath be sworn. Only those listed in the golden names and jade ranks (the immortal name-registers and ranks of the celestial realm) may hear and read this Jing.

Those who seek immortality, if they do not wear the Five Talismans upon their person, the Immortal Officials of the Five Sacred Mountains (the immortal deities who guard the Five Peaks) will not protect their bodies, nor will the ghost registers (the name-lists of the ghost realm) strike their names from the registers of the dead. If they dwell in mountain caves to cultivate, they will be defeated by the Demon Kings of the Nine Heavens; if they come and go among humans, they cannot escape official calamities and the disasters of blades and weapons. Those who obtain and wear the Five Talismans receive the protection of Heaven, move freely, and come and go as they please. Visualizing the Zhenren (the Perfected Ones contemplated in cultivation) returning to their original palaces, the Five Mushrooms and Five Vitalities (immortal medicines and life-extending substances) cause the body to radiate a jade light; immortal officials stand guard, the Three Primes (the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water) arrive at the dwelling, and one rides the clouds through empty space, ascending into Yuqing (Jade Purity, the Qingwei Heaven where the honored Daoist deities dwell).

One hundred days after receiving the talismans, one should take five paulownia-wood tablets, each five inches long, and write a talisman upon each tablet; separately write five talisman-stakes (wooden slips used to mark or bury the Fulu). On the slips record the particular year, the day after the first of a certain month, a certain double-hour, together with the commandery, township, Master Wang Jia of a certain Peak, age, affiliated mountain, and similar information. Then bury the talisman-stakes at the Five Sacred Mountains. When burying the talismans, knock the teeth thirty-six times and recite the prayer:

“I report above to the Three Primes and the Honored Jade Emperor, and announce below to the Five Sacred Mountains and the Five-Colored Immortal Officials. I have respectfully received the Flowing Bells and the true words of the Five Talismans, observed a pure fast and burned the five incenses, and recorded the six communications. I hereby make this solemn prayer:”

One reports upward to the Three Primes (Sanyuan), known in Daoism as the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water, and informs downward the five-colored immortal officials of the Five Sacred Mountains (Wuyue). One respectfully requests that they bestow the flowing bells and the true incantations of the Five Talismans, prepares the five kinds of incense, purifies the mind through fasting and ritual abstinence, records the names of famous mountains and great rivers, and requests that designated true immortals come forth to guard the body. The five mushrooms and flowing yellow, together with the black, white, red, and azure Qi (vital energy) circulating within the body; water and fire generate one another inside, and the flames of the fire bells blaze brilliantly. Riding a dragon chariot one arrives at the dwelling and ascends the Jade Court. In this way the immortal officials of the Five Directions protect the practitioner’s body and transmit the Dao (the Way) of divine perfection, enabling one to roam the Five Sacred Mountains, mountains and seas, while numerous spirits come to pay homage.

The Night-Illuminating Divine Candle of the Emperor Lord

The night-illuminating divine candle (a method of the divine candle for nighttime illumination and protection of cultivation) was transmitted by the Nine Heavenly True King to the Taiwei Heavenly Emperor Lord. The Emperor Lord ascended a nine-layered high terrace and, in a hall illuminated by golden light and decorated with purple orchids, lit the divine candle within the Jade Chamber, bowing and praying to the Five Emperors. He recited the invocation according to the chapters of the Jing (scripture) and concentrated on visualization. After nine hundred days the spirits responded and the Five Emperors sent down numinous talismans. The talismans appeared from the void, manifesting the images of the Five Directions, radiating brilliantly in the realm of Highest Clarity, illuminating inward and piercing through emptiness, unfathomable to measure and not disappearing even if destroyed, their radiance shining upon palaces of agate and jade.

After seven hundred years the divine script appeared. Five-colored divine beasts guarded the numinous talismans and protected the divine lamp. This divine script is recorded as the “Night-Illuminating Divine Candle Penetrating-Light Numinous Talisman,” its five-colored radiance dazzling and able to illuminate the Five Directions. The Emperor Lord then withdrew to Highest Clarity for fasting and purification, casting the talismanic script in purple gold and receiving it in the Great Void. After the numinous omen appeared he commanded the Turtle Mother to take up the brush and Taiyi to wipe the table, writing the talismanic script on golden tablets, tying them with purple cords, and handing them to the Left Duke of the Immortal Capital to oversee the records. Above the Agate Palace purple clouds coiled, fragrance spreading like smoke, with thirty-six Jade Youths in attendance. This method was transmitted to the Later Sage of the Golden Portal, the Nine Mysterious Emperor Lord, and the Prime Minister Azure Lad Lord, and later to later students qualified to become Perfected Persons.

This is a precious and secret method, not transmitted to ordinary people of later generations. Only those possessing “golden bones and jade marrow,” whose names are listed in the Azure Palace and whose registers are recorded in Highest Clarity, ought to receive this text. Those who obtain this method can achieve the status of Perfected Person; after cultivating for nine years, Shen (spirit) radiance arises naturally, the body becomes luminous, primordial Qi pure, riding the void and driving through emptiness, ascending into the palaces of the Emperor Lord.

Hymn of the Shen (spirit) Candle of the Green Emperor: Place the lamp and candle in the east. When the night grows deep and still, enter the chamber facing east, knock the teeth nine times, close the eyes, and visualize the azure Qi (vital energy) of the east transforming into brilliant light that fills the entire room. Then, before the lamp, make obeisance in the heart, kneel at length, and recite:

The profound and mysterious true Qi first manifests; the whirlwind-like vital breath is lofty, distant, and limpid. The root of Yuanshi knows no bounds and is unconstrained by the sequence of time. Feather-patterned radiance rises brightly; having sought the true Dao (the Way) through ten thousand kalpas, the vast glory descends to become the Shen lamp. It washes away the calamities of ancestors spanning seven generations, so that all suffering souls may transcend and ascend. Natural light arises from the void; the body grows light and mounts the clouds to soar.

Hymn of the Shen Candle of the Red Emperor: Place the lamp and candle in the south, knock the teeth nine times, close the eyes, and visualize the vermilion Qi of the south transforming into brilliant light that fills the entire room. Before the lamp, make obeisance in the heart, kneel at length, and recite:

From within the Great Void is born cavernous emptiness, possessing neither form nor sound. The realm of Yuanshi is silent and voiceless; therein three kinds of pure Qi generate scenes of clouds and rosy mists. How empty and still is the dim dwelling; lighting the bright lamp allows visualization to rest upon it. Clearly behold the natural light, as the three luminaries of sun, moon, and stars reveal one and the same form.

Hymn of the Shen Candle of the White Emperor: Place the lamp and candle in the west, knock the teeth nine times, close the eyes, and visualize the white Qi of the west transforming into brilliant light that fills the entire room. Before the lamp, make obeisance in the heart, kneel at length, and recite:

Three kinds of numinous Qi emit wondrous radiance, penetrating the nine-layered heavens. The nocturnal glow is pure and unblemished; precious lights intershine, thoroughly illuminating the boundless wilderness. In the clear morning, place the lamp and candle in the west, knock the teeth nine times, close the eyes, and visualize the white Qi of the west transforming into brilliant light that fills the entire room. Before the lamp, make obeisance in the heart, kneel at length, and recite:

Three kinds of numinous Qi emit wondrous radiance, penetrating the nine-layered heavens. The nocturnal glow is pure and unblemished; precious lights intershine, thoroughly illuminating the boundless wilderness. The clear bright light penetrates the realm of Great Obscurity, rescuing ancestors of nine generations from hardship, causing blessings and De (Virtue/Power) to increase and calamities to dissipate.

The Hymn of the Black Emperor’s Divine Candle: Place the lamp-candle in the north, knock the teeth nine times, close the eyes, and visualize the northern black Qi (vital energy) filling the entire room. Then worship before the lamp and, kneeling, recite:

“O Brightness! The sun’s radiance illuminates the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) (the threefold heavenly realms of which Daoism speaks). The wondrous light reaches through to the Three Pure Ones, Qi disperses through the secluded and vast expanses, the vapor of emptiness rises from the Purple Court (the abode of immortals). Riding upon flying rosy clouds, drifting lightly and gracefully, transcending the world of form. May my seven generations of mysterious ancestors be delivered and reborn in the Southern Palace (the immortal mansion overseeing the transformations of life and death); may they long stand together with the three luminaries of sun, moon, and stars, never to be overthrown even at the farthest reaches of the heavenly vault.”

The Hymn of the Yellow Emperor’s Divine Candle: Place the lamp-candle in the center, knock the teeth nine times, close the eyes for inner visualization, and visualize the central yellow Qi filling the entire room. Respectfully worship before the lamp and, kneeling, recite:

“The Five Emperors (deities who govern the five directions) comprehensively command the mysterious unitary Dao (the Way), the Central Origin (the earthly of the three origins of heaven, earth, and water) governs the ten directions. They assist the orthodox Dao and command the netherworld; even the dark places are illuminated, appearing as bright as the void itself. Qi disperses to the boundless and infinite, universally delivering all sentient beings, including the lineages of the divine spirits. Reciting the chapters of the Supreme True, the people one after another walk through the void. May this sincerity communicate with the Jade Emperor, enabling one for a long time to pay homage at the immortal palaces of the Three Origins.”

This Emperor Lord received the Inner Hymn of the Divine Candle from the True King of the Nine Heavens. With prolonged practice and accumulated spiritual responses, the lamps at night can become naturally bright; the Connecting-Light Spirit Talismans of the Five Emperors will also descend upon the imperial chamber (the practitioner’s dwelling). The phrase in the recitation “May this sincerity communicate with the Jade Emperor, enabling one for a long time to pay homage at the immortal palaces of the Three Origins” expresses precisely this aspiration.

This Emperor Lord received the Inner Hymn of the Divine Candle from the True King of the Nine Heavens. If the practitioner possesses a jade name (a designation recorded in the immortal registers) and has comprehended the secret texts, they should prepare five taels of gold and perform rites toward the five directions; further prepare five-colored silks of fifty chi each, to be used in forming an alliance oath with the Five Emperors and announcing the oath to the Three Origins, only thereafter may they practice this method.

The Connecting-Light Spirit Fulu of the Five Emperors

The Jing (essence) of the Eastern Great Brightness, Great Void, and Great Cavern Mystery of Primordial Yang, which possesses the Jade-True Qi generated from ninety million layers of mystery, administers the nine thousand generating officials of the Jade Terrace, commands nine thousand varieties of Qi, and causes the immortal kings of the Three Heavens each to follow their proper order. Those who obtain this talisman may become immortals; those who wear this talisman may become Perfected Ones; those who practice this method can achieve luminous communion with the numinous and ascend to heaven in broad daylight.

The foregoing is the Divine Candle Connecting-Light Spirit Fulu that the Eastern Green Emperor manifests of his own accord. Write the Fulu (talismans and registers) in cinnabar on a piece of green silk nine cun in length and wear it on the body; write another talisman of nine cun in length, place it in the eastern part of the dwelling, and set it beneath the divine candle lamp. After nine years have passed, the divine candle will spontaneously emit light, and the spirit talisman will also spontaneously appear. The Green Emperor will moreover send twelve green-light lads to attend and guard the practitioner.

In the Southern Great Yang, the Jing (essence) of the Great Cavern of Fiery Beginning (the primordial Jing of the Southern Solar Deity) generates eighty million layers of mysterious superior Jade True Qi (vital energy). Place it beneath the divine candle lamp and cultivate for nine years; the divine candle will then shine of its own accord, and the divine Fulu (talisman) will also appear spontaneously. The Heavenly Emperor will dispatch twelve green-radiance youths to attend and protect the practitioner.

The eighty million layers of mysterious superior Jade True Qi generated from the Jing of the Great Cavern of Fiery Beginning in the Southern Great Yang command the eight thousand Life Officials of the Jade Terrace (divine officials who oversee vitality and life), regulate the Qi of the Nine Heavens, and assist and rectify the laws of the Three Heavens. Those who obtain it may become immortals; those who wear it may become Perfected Ones; those who cultivate it may achieve luminous spiritual communication and ascend to heaven in broad daylight.

The foregoing is the naturally generated Divine Candle Illuminating Light numinous Fulu of the Southern Red Emperor (the deity of the South). Write the talismanic script in cinnabar on a nine-inch length of red silk and wear it on the person; then write another nine-inch talisman and place it beneath the divine candle lamp on the southern side of the dwelling. After nine years of cultivation the divine candle will shine of its own accord, and the Red Emperor will dispatch twelve red-radiance youths to attend and protect the practitioner.

The Jing of the Western Great Treasure, Great Flower, and Great Cavern of Mysterious Radiance (the primordial Jing of the Western Deity) generates sixty million layers of Jade True Qi naturally produced in emptiness, commanding the six thousand Life Officials of the Jade Terrace, regulating the Qi of the Nine Heavens, and holding and rectifying the True Dao of the Three Heavens. Those who obtain it may become immortals; those who wear it may become Perfected Ones; those who cultivate it may achieve luminous spiritual communication and ascend to heaven in broad daylight.

The foregoing is the naturally generated Divine Candle Illuminating Light numinous Fulu of the Western White Emperor (the deity of the West). Write the talismanic script in cinnabar on a nine-inch length of white silk and wear it on the person; then write another nine-inch talisman and place it beneath the divine lamp-candle on the western side of the dwelling. After nine years of cultivation the divine lamp will shine of its own accord, and the White Emperor will dispatch twelve white-radiance youths to attend and protect the practitioner.

The Jing of the Northern Great Darkness, Great Mystery, and Great Yin of Northern Beginning (the primordial Jing of the Northern Great Yin Deity) generates fifty million layers of Jade True Qi produced in emptiness, commanding the five thousand Life Officials of the Jade Terrace, regulating the Qi of the Nine Heavens, and holding and rectifying the True Dao of the Three Heavens. Those who obtain it may become immortals; those who wear it may become Perfected Ones; those who cultivate it may achieve luminous spiritual communication and ascend to heaven in broad daylight.

The Spirit Candle Light-Penetrating Numinous Talisman born of the Black Emperor of the North (the black celestial emperor who presides over the north) is to be written with cinnabar on a piece of black silk nine inches long and worn upon the body. A second talisman of nine inches is then written and placed beneath the sacred lamp in the northern part of the dwelling. After nine years of cultivation, the sacred lamp will of itself ascend to heaven.

The Spirit Candle Light-Penetrating Numinous Talisman born of the Black Emperor of the North is to be written with cinnabar on a piece of black silk nine inches long and worn upon the body. A second talisman of nine inches is then written and placed beneath the sacred lamp in the northern part of the dwelling. After nine years of cultivation, the sacred lamp will of itself shine forth, and the Black Emperor will send twelve youths of black radiance to attend and guard the practitioner.

Tai Ming, Tai Huang, Tai Dong, and Tai Zhen of the Center are the Jing (essence) and Qi (vital energy) first generated by the Three Origins (the three primal principles of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity). Amid a thousand and ten thousand layers of empty void, the Jing-Qi of Jade Perfection is born. It commands the twelve hundred generating officials of the Jade Terrace, governs and regulates the Qi of the Nine Heavens, and oversees and sets aright the perfected spirits of the Three Heavens. Those who obtain it may become divine immortals; those who wear it may become Perfected Ones; those who cultivate in accordance with it will shine with luminous spiritual communion and ascend to heaven in broad daylight.

The Spirit Candle Light-Penetrating Numinous Talisman born of the Yellow Emperor of the Center (the yellow celestial emperor who presides over the center) is to be written with cinnabar on a piece of yellow silk nine inches long and worn upon the body. A second talisman of nine inches is then written and placed beneath the sacred lamp at the center of the dwelling. After nine years of cultivation, the sacred lamp will of itself shine forth, and the Yellow Emperor will send twelve youths of yellow radiance to attend and guard the practitioner.

The Night Candle Sacred Lamp Light-Penetrating Numinous Talisman born of the Five Emperors arises from the empty void. Its wondrous radiance shines in profound depth, illuminating the Great Nothingness (the undifferentiated void in which forms have not yet divided). The sacred lamp of the Celestial Emperor Lord will of itself shine forth, and he will send twelve youths of yellow radiance to attend and guard the practitioner.

The Night Candle Sacred Lamp Light-Penetrating Numinous Talisman born of the Five Emperors arises from the empty void. Its divine light shines in profound depth, illuminating the Great Nothingness. The Celestial Emperor Lord reverently honors this talisman and delivers it to the Sage Lord of the Golden Portal and the Azure Lad, the Supreme Minister, commanding them to transmit it to those who will later cultivate and study and become Perfected Ones. If one’s mysterious name (the spirit-realm register that records the names of those who cultivate the Dao) has already been entered in the Jade Roster (the heavenly register of names), one will be able to behold this method. Each night when the hour is deep and still, enter the chamber, burn incense, and pay homage to the sacred lamp. When the recitation is complete, face east, knock the teeth twenty-four times, and then offer this prayer, saying:

The Mysterious Truth is lofty and distant; its clear and bright radiance conceals itself in the night. The divine lamp shines with full brightness, and the jade Fulu (talisman) corresponds with it. The True Spirit illuminates from within, and the mysterious radiance shines in all directions. The Five-Colored Youths (the numinous spirit-beings spoken of in the scripture) radiate with brilliant light, enabling one to see through everything with clarity. The practitioner may then ride a flying chariot and ascend to the imperial throne.

After the ritual concludes, knock the teeth twenty times, then swallow the Qi of the five directions five times each, and stop. Cultivating in this way for five years, one obtains a divine lamp that shines of its own accord. The Five-Colored Youths encircle the body; the eyes become bright and clear, able to gaze far without obstruction, and one can trace and investigate infinite affairs. Keep the bright lamp always luminous; do not allow it to go out midway.

If one cannot yet live in seclusion, one should stay far from the dusty world and dwell in the mountain forests. If still residing among people, place the lamp in a separate room. Do not allow those carrying strange Qi or impurities to tread upon or offend the lamp chamber, lest the spirits be offended and the numinous light fail to appear. If the bright lamp is lit according to the method and its radiance illuminates an entire city, it can cause ten thousand demons to lose their forms and a thousand ghosts to go blind, and the True Officials will guard the gates wherever one is.

This method is truly secret and not to be disclosed; it must not be transmitted casually. Even if obtained in the morning and transmitted at night, rashly leaking the precious Jing-fa (scripture method) will cause oneself to become a ghost official, while the ancestors of seven generations dwell long in hell, sinking through ten thousand kalpas into the dark realms, with no further hope of becoming an immortal. One must be exceedingly cautious about this.

The Numinous Pill of the Seventy-Four Directions for Settling the Hun, Consolidating the Po, and Enabling Soaring Flight

This is a numinous elixir said to settle the hun-spirit, consolidate the po-body, and assist a person in flying and ascending. The ingredients include four liang of mica, four liang of realgar, niter, scrophularia, sophora seeds, five liang of dragon bone, polyporus, Qingqiu frost, Hu Mei flower (dried in the shade), two liang of cloves, two liang of aucklandia, two liang of agarwood, frankincense, two liang of zhan-tang incense, three liang of Rong salt, eight liang of kongqing, eight liang of cinnabar, stone dai, two liang of white quartz, two liang of Solar Infant-Child Feather Robe, two liang of Solar Essence Upper Plain Flower, four liang of peach blossoms, four liang each of true rose remnants, and one sheng two ge of Northern Knotted Yin Essence Flowing Flower.

Afterwards it again lists two liang of Infant-Child Feather Robe, two liang of Solar Essence Upper Plain Flower, four liang of peach blossoms, and four liang each of true rose remnants.

Take one sheng and two ge each of Northern Congealed Yin Jing (essence) Flowing Flowers, Congealed Qi (vital energy) Condensed Jing Plain Elixir, and Shen (spirit)-Transformed Yin Jing Flowing Pearls. The Northern Congealed Yin Jing Flowing Flowers are to be gathered on the jian day of the ninth month; the Congealed Qi Condensed Jing Plain Elixir on the jian day of the twelfth month; and the Shen-Transformed Yin Jing Flowing Pearls on the day of the winter solstice. The three materials are placed separately into different vessels.

Altogether there are twenty-seven medicinal substances: the first twenty-four each correspond to one of the twenty-four deities, while the additional three correspond to the Jing-Qi of the Three Origins, two of which correspond to the Nine Dawn. They are capable of congealing the hun and po souls, causing the five-colored flowing yellow to transform form and change scenery in unpredictable ways, so that after a person takes them, the Shen-Qi becomes settled and peaceful.

The compounding of the medicines should take place on the jian day of the third month, and they are to be made into pills for ingestion on the ren day of the fifth month. When beginning to prepare the medicines, starting in sequence from mica, pound each of the various medicinal ingredients separately for three thousand pestle strokes (the pestle being the wooden stick used for pounding medicines; “three thousand pestle strokes” indicates the prescribed number of poundings). Upon reaching the peach blossoms, combine the previous twenty-four medicines together and pound for a further seventy-two thousand pestle strokes. Once completed, place the medicines separately into twenty-four dishes.

Prior to pounding the medicines, one must first undertake a thirty-day period of fasting and purification. After the fasting period is completed, a young boy pounds the medicines while a young girl tends the incense fire. All those participating should speak little and be cautious in their speech, of mild temperament, speaking with kindness, and without any odor of meat on their persons. Place the medicines in the twenty-four dishes and set them in the open courtyard for three nights; do not allow chickens, dogs, or outsiders to see them, nor permit the medicines to hear the sound of crying.

After exposing them for three nights, place the medicines into the cauldron in sequence: first the mica, then the realgar, and last the peach blossoms, with the remaining twenty-four also placed in their proper order. Each medicinal ingredient must be carefully layered in sequence until the cauldron is filled. Subsequently add in turn one sheng two ge of Northern Congealed Yin Jing Flowing Flowers, one sheng two ge of Congealed Qi Condensed Jing Plain Elixir, and one sheng two ge of Shen-Transformed Yin Jing Flowing Pearls. Then pour one dou two sheng of clear millet juice over the medicines, cover with the earthenware cauldron, and seal the cauldron all around, above and below, inside and out, with a sealing layer seven fen thick.

This sequence of arrangement is because the mica is placed below, it being held that its Qi fills and rises upward; the peach blossoms are placed above, it being held that their color is able to cover what lies below, and therefore the medicinal substances must be placed in accordance with the stipulated order.

Before beginning the refining, one must first prepare two “Six-One Mud Earthen Cauldrons” (pottery vessels sealed with mud compounded from six ingredients). Take equal quantities of left-facing oysters from the Eastern Sea, Rong salt, red halloysite, minium, talc, and earthworm soil; mix them, grind them fine, and pass them through a sieve. Blend the powder with rice vinegar that has been aged for a hundred days, then pound and work the mixture repeatedly until it is perfectly uniform, producing the “Six-One Mud.”

Coat both the interior and exterior of the two pottery cauldrons with this mud. Apply a thin layer first and let it dry in the sun, then gradually increase the thickness until the mud coating on each side measures about two and a half cun. Once the vessels are ready, construct a furnace and set one cauldron in place facing south, its bottom raised one chi two cun above the ground, and calcine it over a fire of rice husks.

Fire the vessel for three days and three nights with the flames nine cun distant from the cauldron; then fire it for another nine days and nine nights, drawing the fire closer to six cun; finally fire it for nine days and nine nights more, bringing the flames right against the bottom. The total period of calcination is thus twenty-seven days. After the fire is extinguished, allow the vessel to cool for three days before opening it. If the essence of the ingredients has sublimed and adhered to the inner surface of the upper cauldron, the divine medicine has been successfully obtained. Should it fail to sublime, reseal the vessel with mud exactly as before and repeat the twenty-seven-day firing followed by three days of cooling; the elixir will then be complete.

Gently sweep the sublimate from the upper cauldron with the feathers of a three-year-old rooster; this is the Flying Elixir Purple Flowing Essence. It is said to display seventy-four distinct colors, its mysterious radiance shining in every direction.

Ingestion of a single zhu is said to cause the body to emit a flowing luminosity. Exhaling to the left makes the three hun souls appear; exhaling to the right causes the seven po souls to take the form of seven youths. Clad in feathered robes and riding divine carriages and jade palanquins, they present themselves at once.

Place the remaining substance in the pan of the cauldron and wait until the essence condenses at the bottom, forming the Jade Embryo Qiong-Liquid Paste. Mix this paste with white honey, transfer it to a mortar, and, facing east, pound it ten thousand times. Form pills using one zhu of medicine each, seal them, and leave them exposed in the open air at the center of the courtyard for three days and three nights. Thereafter take one pill at dawn; three pills taken over three successive mornings are said to enable one to travel through the air, walk in emptiness, and pass freely between the formed and the formless. Seven pills taken over seven days allow one to float upon the clouds and mists, soar over the Five Sacred Mountains, and be escorted by fifty thousand five-colored divine officials.

Facing east and swallowing nine pills is said to summon immortal officials in green-mist jade carriages drawn by green dragons, together with ninety Qingyang jade youths, ninety Qingyao jade maidens, and nine thousand immortal officials of the Eastern Peak, who come to receive the adept. Facing south and taking eight pills summons officials in crimson-mist cloud carriages drawn by red dragons, together with eighty Jianggong jade youths, eighty Taidan Red-Gui jade maidens, and eight thousand officials of the Southern Peak. Facing west and taking six pills summons officials in white-mist jade palanquins drawn by six dragons, together with sixty Yaoling jade youths, sixty Taisu jade maidens, and six thousand officials of the Western Peak. Facing north and taking five pills summons officials in black-mist flying palanquins drawn by dark dragons, together with fifty Taiji jade youths, fifty Taixuan jade maidens, and five thousand officials of the Northern Peak. Facing the Wu-Ji direction and taking three pills summons officials in yellow-mist jade palanquins drawn by twelve flying dragons, together with twelve Central Yellow-Mechanism jade youths, twelve Huangsu jade maidens, and twelve hundred officials of the Central Peak.

When the pills have been taken according to these directions, the immortal officials of the Five Sacred Mountains appear. They present jade tablets and phoenix documents, inviting the adept to the Nine Palaces and Golden Towers of the celestial realm and conferring the title of True Immortal. The wonders of this numinous pill are indeed vast. It is also capable of manifold transformations: it is said to turn into seventy-four varieties of gold, silver, and precious jade, as well as red trees bearing crimson fruit, and even to cause water and fire to appear from empty space. Its marvelous efficacy surpasses even that of the Langgan Eight-Scenes Four-Stamens Birth-Descending Divine Elixir. The scripture remarks that these transformations cannot be enumerated in full, and therefore only the more important particulars are outlined here.

Anyone wishing to roam among the Five Jades and gaze upon the crimson trees and scarlet fruits, even if able to generate water and fire at once, will still find it hard to exhaust the wondrous applications of langgan, the Eight Sceneries, the Four Stamens, and the Descending-Birth Divine Elixir. These cannot be set forth in full here; only a brief account of the mysteries of their creative transformation is given.

Those who wish to travel the Five Sacred Mountains and circulate through the eight directions, yet are unwilling to endure the toil of immortal official posts and unafraid of the tedium of bureau affairs, and who have not yet planned to ascend to heaven, may forgo the Five Directions Pills and instead take seven or three pills according to the ordinary method. This stabilizes the hun and po souls and concentrates the spirit (Shen), enabling one to soar through the seventy-four directions, roam the Five Sacred Mountains, and enjoy a lifespan equal to that of the sun, moon, and stars. Other methods of ingestion may follow the numbers of the Five Directions. Taking the Five Directions Pills, however, makes one an overseer of the Five Sacred Mountains with corresponding duties, so that one can no longer move freely in the human world.

The Upper Scripture of Flowing Light, Lightning-Transformed Scenery, and Preservation of Life

The Perfected of Taiji (Taiji Zhenren, a Daoist immortal) once ascended beyond the northern wastes to the Purple Tenuity Palace on Mount Xuanlong in the Feather-Bright Wilderness. There he saw the Lady of Purple Tenuity dwelling alone in a quiet chamber. She concentrated her spirit (Shen) and stilled her qi (Qi, vital energy), looking upward to receive the mysterious and wondrous qi, gathering and refining the jing (Jing, essence) of the two images of sun and moon, and exhaling and inhaling the qi of flying rosy clouds. She circulated five-colored luminous radiances to illuminate her body and moved the two luminaries of sun and moon to shelter her form. The five-colored luminous qi coiled densely about, shining upon the jasper terrace. Gazing at the walls of the Purple Tenuity Palace, she saw in the northwest corner jade-slip inscriptions titled “The Chapter of the Flowing-Light Five-Colored Youths.”

After a three-month fast the Perfected went to the Purple Tenuity Palace and received this chapter from the Lady of Purple Tenuity. She declared it to be the Upper Scripture of Flowing Light and Lightning-Transformed Scenery. He returned, practiced it for three years, and thereby attained the rank of Perfected. The Lady of Purple Tenuity had always treasured the scripture and would not transmit it casually; without credentials such as the Jade Sounds of the Golden Palaces or Purple Characters and Azure Flowers, one could neither hear nor see it. Practitioners of the method should fast and bathe, burn incense in a quiet chamber, and calmly visualize the Perfected for one hundred days, after which five jade youths and five jade maidens will come to assist. Thereafter cultivation must not slacken; the five-colored youths will then reside in the practitioner’s dwelling, and the flowing radiances will circulate through the body, enabling ascent to Yuqing (Jade Clarity, the highest heaven inhabited by the honored deities of Daoism).

Every morning at dawn, when the sun rises and its first rays of light appear, one should enter a room, face east, and visualize the Azure Light Youth of the East. The youth is named Qingshangyu, with the courtesy name Feizheng. His body is the color of emerald-green auroral light, and his radiance illuminates the eastern direction as brightly as lightning. He rides a chariot of emerald aurora, with profound mysterious light circulating around, shining upon and enveloping the entire body. One should feel one's own body transforming into the azure light, becoming dim and obscure both internally and externally; after a long time, it suddenly becomes bright and clear. Then knock the teeth twelve times, swallow Qi (vital energy) nine times, and stop.

Pray, saying: “Eastern Youth, Lord Qingshangyu, please bestow upon me efficacious radiance that shines upon and envelops my entire body, making me feel my body transforming into the azure light, becoming dim and obscure both internally and externally, and after a long time suddenly becoming bright and clear. Knock the teeth twelve times, swallow Qi nine times, and stop. Eastern Youth, Lord Qingshangyu, please bestow upon me azure lingzhi (green spiritual fungus), the spring of flowing light, and the mysterious-aurora emerald palanquin to come and welcome my body, allowing me to ascend the Jade Court (the palatial court in the immortal realm) and thereby become a Perfected One (an immortal who has cultivated the Dao and attained perfection).”

Next, visualize the Southern Youth. The youth is named Danhui, with the courtesy name Xuanji. His body is the color of crimson-red auroral light, and his radiance pervades the south as brightly as lightning. He rides a chariot of crimson aurora, with profound mysterious light circulating around, shining upon and enveloping the entire body. One should feel one's body entering the crimson light, becoming dim and obscure both internally and externally; after a long time, it suddenly becomes bright and clear. Then knock the teeth twelve times, swallow Qi nine times, and stop.

Pray, saying: “Southern Youth, True Lord Danhui, please bestow upon me the elixir of natal descent, the fragrance of flowing-light jade lingzhi, and the lightning-bright cinnabar aurora, letting them shelter my dwelling. Please ascend to heaven together with me and arrive together at the Imperial Court (the palatial court of the Celestial Emperor).” Knocking the teeth and swallowing Qi are accompanying actions in Daoist visualization cultivation. Knocking the teeth has the meaning of settling the Shen (spirit), while swallowing Qi coordinates with circulating Qi and visualization.

Then visualize the Western White Light Youth, named Hao Hua, styled Hui Shenzi. His entire body is the color of pure white clouds and mists, with flowing radiance illuminating the West, as bright as lightning. He rides a white-mist carriage, mysterious light circulating and reflecting as if covering my body. I feel myself transforming into the white light, inside and outside a intermingling of brightness and darkness, unable to hear or see. After a long time, sight and hearing gradually recover. Then knock the teeth twelve times, swallow the inner Qi (vital energy) nine times, and stop.

The prayer says: Western Youth Hao Hua Shangjun, please grant me the pure white water and jade zhi, the pearl-like flowing golden-liquid spring, and the carriage canopy formed of flying white mists. Please descend into my body, rise together with me, and jointly reach Tai Zhen (the supreme true realm as spoken of in Daoism).

Then visualize the Northern Black Emperor Youth, named Xuanming Shang, styled Taiyin Wen. His entire body is the color of black clouds and mists, with flowing radiance thoroughly illuminating the North, brilliantly bright like lightning. He rides a white-mist carriage, mysterious light circulating and reflecting, covering my body. I transform into the black light, inside and outside brightness and darkness intermingling, unable to hear or see. After a long time, sight and hearing gradually recover. Then knock the teeth twelve times, swallow the inner Qi nine times, and stop.

The prayer says: Northern Youth Xuanming Shangjun, please grant me black zhi and mysterious water, jade florets, the black-mist flying carriage, and the five-colored divine dragons. May the divine dragons with flowing light encircle and descend upon my body, enabling me to rise with the clouds and reach the Hua Palace (the palaces where immortals reside).

Then visualize the Central...

Next, visualize the Yellow Light Youth of the central direction (the spirit representing the central yellow divine light), named Zhizhong, courtesy name Huangluzi. His body has the color of yellow mist, like the essence of gold, its radiance brilliantly illuminating the center, with five-colored lights circulating and flashing like lightning. He arrives at my dwelling riding a yellow-mist chariot, pauses a moment, then circles around my body. I feel myself merging into the yellow light, inside and out both obscure and luminous, so that I can neither hear nor see. After a long time the vision suddenly dissipates. Then knock the teeth twelve times, swallow Qi (vital energy) nine times, and stop.

The prayer recites: Central Youth, divine true spirit who holds to loyalty and rectitude, please bestow upon me the yellow water and lunar splendor, causing Jing (essence) and Qi to reverse and fly up to the morning heavens; let the five-colored radiance appear in splendor, the light becoming distinct from within to without. Please cover and protect me with the vapor of yellow luminous essence, that I may soar into emptiness and fly up before the Imperial Lord.

After the ritual is completed, visualize the five-colored lights converging into yellow, overlaying one another in blazing brightness; cloud-Qi densely billows, filling the entire room and encircling my body. I feel warmth throughout the body, internally and externally thoroughly transparent and clear. After a long time the visualization manifests: the Azure Dragon on the left shoulder, the White Tiger on the right shoulder, the Vermilion Bird on the head, and the Soaring Serpent beneath the feet, guarding and covering my body.

The prayer recites: Five-colored cloud-Qi densely surges, white, black, red and azure hues intermingling; the central mysterious Qi descends, blending into a profound and dense atmosphere that transforms into celestial spirit-beasts coming to protect my body. Bestow upon me the Five Zhi (five numinous mushrooms, symbolizing immortal medicines), filling the five viscera; let the Crimson Palace (the inner palace of spirit-Qi) form into meridians, and the essence of Shen (spirit) naturally arise; make my lifespan equal to the sun and moon, long preserving tranquility. After a thousand transformations I shall finally ascend to the realm of Supreme Numinosity.

Swallowing saliva, nourishing the complexion and strengthening the teeth constitute the superior method for seeking immortality.

Every morning at dawn, at the moment when the two Qi (vital energy) of Yin-Yang have not yet separated, a mysterious luminous Qi already appears. Form and Shen (spirit) descend together and convene above in the Niwan (the center of the head, regarded in Daoist visualization cultivation as the gathering place of Shen and Qi), and Jing (essence), Qi, and saliva are generated along with them. Therefore one should swallow and ingest the saliva at this time. Practiced consistently for three years, the face will display a jade-like luster and radiate a youthful complexion; the Cloud Flower (here referring to the Jing-Qi generated through internal cultivation) can fortify the root, and teeth that have already fallen out will grow again. If cultivation is sustained over a long period, the Five Elders (honored deities representing the five directions and the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water)) will descend into the inner chamber, and the practitioner will ascend into the mysterious immortal realm, with a lifespan equal to that of the sun, moon, and stars, attaining immortality. This method must not be revealed unless it is transmitted to someone truly suitable.

When the time for cultivation arrives, settle the mind and Shen, allowing the Five Shen (inner spirits paired with the five viscera) to become calm and peaceful. Knock the teeth twelve times, then visualize the Green-Waist Jade Maiden (the goddess of the East) bringing the Qi of Lesser Yang from the East, irrigating the body with green-mushroom jade elixir so that it overflows within the Purple Tenuity Palace (the upper Dantian (energy center) within the body, that is, the palatial position in the head). Then recite this prayer: “Eastern Green Tooth, drink of the morning glow; jade elixir and sweet spring, waters abundant, flowing to moisten the six viscera. The Green-Waist Jade Maiden brings the Qi of Lesser Yang from the East, irrigating my body with green-mushroom jade elixir, causing it to overflow in the Purple Tenuity Palace. Eastern Green Tooth, drink of the morning glow; jade elixir and sweet spring, waters abundant, flowing to moisten the six viscera. Mysterious saliva flows like a river, making my body strong and my form light, ascending into the Grand Aurora.” After completing the prayer, lick the outer side of the upper row of teeth nine times with the tongue, then swallow the saliva in the mouth.

Next visualize the Southern Crimson-Gui Jade Maiden bringing the Qi of Greater Yang, irrigating the body with crimson-mushroom jade elixir so that it overflows within the Crimson Palace (the inner-cultivation palatial position where the heart is located). Then recite this prayer: “Southern Red Tooth, drink of the sweet spring; mysterious-mushroom jade elixir overflows like river waters, nourishing the Crimson Mansion. Cause the bones to transform and generate Shen-Qi, ingest the Qi of Grand Emptiness, so that the entire body attains immortality; riding clouds and driving through the void, ascend before the Celestial Emperor.” After completing the prayer, lick the outer side of the lower row of teeth eight times with the tongue, then swallow the saliva in the mouth.

Next visualize the Western Jade Maiden of Grand Simplicity (the goddess of the West) bringing the Qi of Lesser Yin, irrigating the body with plain-mushroom jade elixir so that it overflows within the Floral Canopy Palace (the palatial position within the body corresponding to the lungs). Then recite this prayer: “Western White Tooth, drink of the numinous fluid; jade waters rush forth, mysterious mushrooms flourish, irrigating my six viscera, settling the hun and po souls, causing Shen-Qi to dwell peacefully in the stomach, and inscribing my name in the Golden Register.” After completing the prayer, lick the inner side of the upper row of teeth six times with the tongue, then swallow the saliva in the mouth.

First imagine the numinous fluid (the saliva used in visualization and swallowing) rushing like jade water, and the mysterious mushroom (the numinous mushroom of the immortals) gleaming with brilliant radiance, filling the six viscera so that the hun and po souls are settled, the Shen (spirit) and Qi (vital energy) are at peace, and the stomach is comfortable. After the incantation is finished, lick the inner sides of the upper teeth six times with the tongue, then swallow the saliva.

Next, visualize the Jade Maiden of the North (the goddess of the north) holding the Qi of Great Yin (the gentle, secluded vital essence of yin), irrigating the entire body with mysterious mushroom and jade water, causing it to flow and fill the Palace of the Great Granary (referring to the stomach). The prayer says: “Black Teeth of the North, ingest the mysterious nourishment, drink my flying spring, and receive the nurturing of jade fluid. The spirit palaces are filled to overflowing, like elixir, like numinous mushroom; lifespan equal to heaven and earth, enduring together for hundreds of millions of years.” After the prayer, lick the inner sides of the lower teeth five times with the tongue, then swallow the saliva.

Next, visualize the Yellow-Plain Jade Maiden of the Center (the goddess of the center) holding the Qi of Central Harmony, irrigating the entire body with yellow water and elixir fluid like moonlight, causing it to flow and fill the Jade Hall (referring to the palace in the chest). The prayer says: “Yellow Teeth of the Center, white stones towering high; eat and drink the jade elixir, and when thirsty drink yellow water and moonlight splendor. The five viscera are filled, the fluids moistening like rivers; lifespan the same as the sun, moon, and stars, never decaying; the physical form ascends into the Nine Heavens, riding dragons and mounting rosy clouds to fly aloft.” After the prayer, lick the inner and outer surfaces of the upper and lower teeth on all four sides, then curl the tongue to touch the Mysterious Flower (the saliva beneath the tongue), gather the saliva twelve times and swallow it.

The method of swallowing saliva and caring for the teeth is what the Yellow Elder Lord of the Center and the Perfected of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) regularly practice. After practicing it, the complexion becomes like that of a child, the skin moist and lustrous like jade, the body filled with Jing (essence) and Qi; white hair turns black, the roots of the teeth become firm, and the teeth will not decay or fall out. Further, one may induce the descent of mysterious Qi, have one’s name recorded in the Jade Register (the roster of the immortal realm), take a place in the realm of Clear Emptiness, and sit together with the Celestial Emperor. If one wishes to practice this method, one should search for one’s own name in the Golden Towers (the immortal palaces) and look for it in the Jade Pavilions; if one has no immortal register, one cannot receive this method.

The Supreme Method of Returning to the Empyrean, Descending Rosy Clouds, and Riding the Void (the method of mounting clouds and rosy mists and riding the void to fly aloft)

Lord Azure Lad (the title of an immortal perfected) received…

The Sovereign Lord was born amid bright rosy light, his whole body entwined with five-colored cloud Qi (vital energy), the pure Qi of Heaven illuminating his features. His form was constituted according to the laws of the Sovereign Lord, and he received the title “Jade Void.” He condensed true Qi and firmly conserved Jing (essence), contemplating the circulation of himself by means of the Qi of mysterious rosy clouds, while his mind wandered among the cloudy heights and ascended into the sky; he drove the Qi of mysterious dawn to tour the ten directions of the heavenly realms, riding flying lightning and driving dragons. In this manner, through concentrated visualization he achieved the status of a Perfected One and finally rode emptiness into the formless realm. This set of oral instructions is concise and essential, unmixed with other methods; it is now transmitted to you so that you may follow and practice it.

The eastern green rosy cloud is secretly named Feixu; the western white rosy cloud is secretly named Sulu; the southern red rosy cloud is secretly named Danying; the northern black rosy cloud is secretly named Xuanxiang; the central yellow rosy cloud is secretly named Zongsheng.

If one knows the secret names of the rosy-cloud Qi of the five directions, one can cause the flying wheel to descend. By concentrating on visualization morning and evening, the Mysterious Empyrean (the lofty distant heavenly realm) will come forth to welcome and invite; the practitioner may then ride emptiness and ascend, personally reaching Taiqing (a high heavenly realm in Daoism).

To practice this Dao (the Way), every morning just as the sun first emits its light, go to the center of the courtyard, knock the teeth sixteen times, face east, and call the secret names of the five directions’ rosy-cloud Qi three times. Then raise the head and pray: “O mysterious rosy clouds of the five directions, circulating and shining in the mysterious void, participating in the revolutions of the Seven Controllers and Nine Heavens, turn and descend upon my dwelling, enabling me to ride the flying dawn and drive the purple heavenly chariot, ascending to the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) Heaven; I earnestly request that the true scripture be granted to me.” After the prayer, salute inwardly and swallow Qi thirty-six times. In the evening face west and practice in the same way.

Those who cultivate the superior methods of the Dao, if they do not know the inner secret names of the cloud mists, the cloud chariot will not descend for them; even visualization will scarcely produce a response. Once you have obtained this method, after eighteen years of practice Qi will naturally condense in your dwelling chamber, and the cloud chariot will descend to carry you up to Yuqing (a high heavenly realm in Daoism).

This method of the Dao is precious and secretly transmitted. The Jing (scripture/classic) speaks the secret names of the mysterious rosy clouds in order to induce their numinous response. Worldly people ought not to obtain or practice this method unauthorized; therefore it must be cautiously kept secret. Reckless disclosure will bring karmic sin upon oneself, with disaster even reaching seven generations of ancestors; one must be cautious.

The Imperial Lord said: If you wish to ascend in flight and enter the Golden Palace (the heavenly palace), you should practice the method of “Dongguan.” Circulate the heart-Shen (spirit) to pass through the Heavenly Pass, pay homage to your parents, visualize and invoke the true Shen within the body, roam the Nine Heavens, and proceed to the palace where the Imperial Lord dwells.

At midnight each night, walk into an open courtyard. Gaze upward and visualize the seven stars of the Northern Dipper shining clear and bright. Imagine yourself standing at the center of the Northern Dipper, moving with the rotation of the Dipper’s handle, passing through the Heavenly Pass, and arriving in the sky over the southwest. Next perform two bows, stand upright, kowtow nine times, then lift your head and softly invoke three times: “Heavenly Father, Earthly Mother, now I return this body of mine, coming back to the side of my parents and returning to the supreme of nature. Please set the heavenly degrees in motion for me so that I may attain deliverance and forever leave the path of confusion.” Visualize the two honored Shen and look up to receive the blessings they bestow. When this is complete, swallow Qi (vital energy) twice and then swallow saliva nine times.

The names of these two honored Shen are the most secret designations between Heaven and Earth, as well as the hidden names of the Dao (the Way) of Mysterious Perfection. They must never be casually revealed to others. Should you tell them to three people, the governing deities of the Nine Heavens will diminish your lifespan, causing you to die from the loss of years, to be interred in the Nine Springs, and ultimately preventing you from attaining immortality. Anyone who cultivates the Dao of Highest Perfection and wishes to travel with the seven stars of the Northern Dipper, crossing the Three Passes of Heaven, yet remains ignorant of these names, will be obstructed in their resonance and cultivation by the Jade Perfected of the Nine Heavens. If one does not belong to the lineage of the Mysterious Gate, this secret method cannot be transmitted, and the true numina will not descend upon the practitioner.

This is a wondrous method of Heaven and Earth. Those who receive the transmission should prepare one gold figurine and one jade figurine, then go to their master to receive the oral instructions in person and to swear an oath of initiation. The precepts of transmission must not be violated; otherwise, after death one will suffer punishment from the ghost officials, and the calamity will extend to seven generations of ancestors. Recipients of this method must exercise the utmost caution.

Here ends the Dongzhen (Cavern of Perfection) Scripture of the Most High on the Divine Mysterious Transformations of Purple Crossing and Blazing Light.

Collation notes: in the first instance the original was missing the character “着,” which has been supplied on the basis of the following text; after the character for Dao (the Way) in the second instance the original is suspected of having a lacuna; in the third instance the original lacked the two characters “分明,” which have been restored according to context; and in the fourth and fifth instances the original was each missing the character “毕,” both of which have been supplied from the surrounding context.