《洞真太上青牙始生经》

Cultivating the “Treasure Chart of the Five Sprouts”

The method of the initial generation of the Green Sprout is the cultivation practice of the Queen Mother of the West, later transmitted to Master Taigu, the Perfected Huangtong Gu Xizi. The Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) Perfected One sealed a copy of this Jing (scripture) and hid it in Daizong Mountain (Mount Tai). The Jing is transmitted three times every seven thousand years; only those whose mysterious names are recorded in the Purple Slips (Daoist documents that record the name registers of immortals and perfected beings) ought to receive this Jing. If such a person appears within a hundred years, it is also permitted to transmit it three times. After five years of cultivation, the Three Corpses (spirits that, according to Daoism, reside in the human body and hinder practice) will be eliminated, the Five Spirits will be stabilized, the Emperor Lords of the Five Directions will associate and meet, and the practitioner will be able to roam freely among the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing, the three supreme celestial worthies honored in Daoism and their immortal realms).

The Eastern Green Sprout corresponds to the Azure Heaven; in the heavens it is the Year Star (Jupiter), which flows and transforms into Wood Essence, corresponding on earth to Mount Tai, and it guards the human liver. When its Qi (vital energy) first begins to arise, it resembles spring grass just putting forth tender sprouts; when its radiance first appears, it is like the sun just beginning to shine. When two people swallow it together, they can unite as one with the spirits.

The Southern Vermilion Sprout corresponds to the Cinnabar Heaven; in the heavens it is Yinghuo (Mars), which flows and transforms into Fire Essence, corresponding on earth to Mount Heng and Mount Huo, and it guards the human heart. When its Qi first arises, it is like crimson clouds enveloping the white sun; when its radiance first shines, it is like dark jade reflecting in a vermilion pool. When two people swallow it together, they can unite as one with the spirits.

The Central Yellow Sprout corresponds to the Yellow Heaven; in the heavens it is the Stabilizing Star (Saturn), which flows and transforms into Earth Essence, corresponding on earth to Mount Songgao, and it guards the human spleen. Its Qi is like yellow silk wrapping red clouds; its radiance is like purple mist covering the setting sun. When two people swallow it together, they can unite as one with the spirits.

The Western Plain Sprout corresponds to the Plain Heaven; in the heavens it is Taibai (Venus), which flows and transforms into Metal Essence, corresponding on earth to Mount Hua, and it guards the human lungs. Its Qi is like colorful clouds winding around the bright moon; its radiance is like seeing a luminous pearl in the dim night. When two people swallow it together, they can unite as one with the spirits.

The "Dark Sprout" (Xuanya) of the north corresponds to the celestial pattern of the Dark Heaven in the sky. Its center is Chen Star (Mercury). When it flows and transforms, it becomes the Water essence (the refined essence of the northern water Qi); when it descends to earth, it becomes Mount Heng, the northern sacred peak, which guards the kidney storehouse (the kidneys) of the human body. Its Qi (vital energy) resembles white smoke coiling around a jade tree, and its radiance is like a shooting star racing toward a vast body of water. When two people swallow and absorb this Qi together, they can unite with the Shen (spirit) and the Qi.

Men and women under the age of twelve may learn this method of cultivation but cannot yet practice it. From twelve onward, they may practice it once they understand it, and those who have never had private sexual union are called "First-Born." Beginning cultivation only after fifteen is already considered late. Those who begin late have mostly suffered some depletion, and restoring what was lost becomes all the more difficult. Even if one has never had sexual union, starting late counts only as "Late-Born": such a person can still hope to extend their years, but cannot be called "First-Born."

If someone has had private sexual union and only afterward learns the Way of Life (the path of cultivation for seeking life and nourishing vitality), they should first observe a fast and make confession for their offenses, following the prescribed rites and dates. Those who do not know the rites of confession cannot take part in receiving the "Scripture of the First-Born." Those who are able to receive this scripture will not die, and those who are able to complete the cultivation will surely attain life. Those who cultivate as "First-Born" jointly swallow and absorb the Five Qi (the Qi of the five directions). Their five viscera form radiant colors, their five Shen rejoice, the Qi of the five stars spreads and circulates, and the Five Elders (the deities corresponding to the five directions) descend to bestow spiritual power. They roam the Five Peaks, ascend to the banquets of the Five Heavens, live forever without dying, and in the end become true immortals.

As for all those who have already suffered injury, if they cannot practice the "Scripture of the First-Born," do not swallow the Qi of the Green Sprout, and do not take in the Five-Colored Fluids (the essences and fluids corresponding to the five colors), then even if they practice all manner of other methods, they will never be restored in the end. If even restoration cannot be achieved, from where could they summon the opportunity to attain the Dao (the Way) and become immortals?

If they are kindred spirits single-mindedly devoted to cultivation, they can diligently cultivate the five De (Virtue/Power)—the five kinds of virtuous conduct—and persistently ingest the Five Sprouts (a method of absorbing Qi [vital energy] in Daoist cultivation, taking in the Qi of the five directions at the proper times), without cease day after day. They may also cultivate facing the directions where the Five Kings dwell. Practicing in this manner for no more than five years, they can take their place among the immortals and sages. The Five Emperors will dispatch envoys riding in feathered carriages and cloud chariots, coming day and night to welcome them, allowing them to be free and unfettered according to their own inclination.

Before they have ascended into the mysterious immortal realm and before they have concealed their traces in the dusty world, practitioners may still practice the Dao (the Way) and carry out teaching and transformation among people, coming and going without obstruction. Those who slander them will bring disaster upon themselves, and those who offend them will incur blame themselves; neither wicked people nor fierce demons can harm them. Even if they suffer insult, their character becomes all the more pure; even if they are obscured, their teaching becomes all the more manifest. Their grace and De circulate widely, and both heaven and the human world will revere them.