《洞真太微黄书九天八箓真文》

The text of the Taiwei Bahui is a writ of soaring mysterious purple Qi (vital energy) composed by the Supreme Emperor. Reciting it can subdue all manner of evil spirits and hauntings; wearing its characters allows one to roam the Nine Heavens, awe and subdue the Six Kingdoms, and the myriad Shen (spirits) will come forth to stand guard. Those whose destiny grants them the affinity to receive this Dao (the Way) may travel the Five Sacred Mountains, enter the realm of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), and ward off inauspicious influences.

Within Taiwei there are Three Sovereigns and One Emperor. The “Sovereigns” are the assistants of the ruler: one is called Huangjun (Sovereign Lord), one Huangtian (Sovereign Heaven), and one Huanglao (Sovereign Elder). These three are the Qi of the Three Primes, the true essence of primordial chaos, coming and going through the palaces of Shangqing Taisu and Taihe. The Heavenly Perfected Three Sovereigns concealed the Eight Assemblies script on Mount Weiyu; the Heavenly Emperor of Taiwei hid a copy on Turtle Mountain, engraved within a chamber of green stone.

In former times, the Immortal King of Xuandu received this text from the Three Elder Sovereigns of Taiwei and secretly transmitted it to immortals, and it was therefore called the Jiaodai Zhenwen (True Writ of the Crossed Sash). According to the established rule, one must receive transmission of this Dao from a master, present five liang of gold and one ritual robe, and bind a sash as a token of the covenant, thereby showing respect for this method of the Dao and strictly guarding the secrecy of the Jing (scripture).

Lord Wang of the Western Citadel received this text from the Queen Mother of Turtle Mountain, and it was therefore called the Taiwei Huangshu (Yellow Book of Taiwei), also known as the Jiutian Balu (Eight Registers of the Nine Heavens). If the scripture is transmitted to an unsuitable person, it is said that both the form and Shen of three generations of ancestors will be annihilated, and calamity will extend even to their descendants.

All who obtain the Jiaodai Zhenwen already have their names recorded in the Palace of Taiwei. The characters of the scripture, whether read from top to bottom, from bottom to top, or viewed from all four sides, can form coherent writing. When entering the mountains to travel the Five Sacred Mountains or when resting at night, if one recites it regularly, fierce beasts, all kinds of calamities, and evil spirits will not dare to offend. Wearing the scripture at the left elbow is said to allow one to travel the Six Kingdoms, subdue all under heaven, and avert the disasters of warfare.

The characters of the scripture, arranged from top to bottom, from bottom to top, and on all four sides, can all form lines. One should use azure silk as the ground and write with a yellow brush, then wear it at the left elbow, and one will be able to behold the Sovereign Lord of the Golden Towers of Great Peace. The scripture further states that the practitioner can command ghosts and spirits; reciting five of its characters from top to bottom continuously for five years, one may then command ghosts and spirits.

The Yellow Book of Taiwei (Taiwei Huangshu) consists of eight volumes, transmitted by the Heavenly Emperor of Taiwei to the Most High (Taishang).

The first volume is the High Sovereign Jing (scripture) of the Eight Ramparts and Four Gates of Taiwei. The second volume is the Purple Silk Scripture of the Nine Spirits of Central Splendor of Taiwei. The third volume is the Scripture of the Precious Chapters of the Jade Void of Taiwei. The fourth volume is the Inner Radiance of the Precious Clouds of the Jade Chamber of Taiwei. The fifth volume is the Mother of Water and Fire of the Three Qi (vital energy) and Nine Transformations of Taiwei. The sixth volume is Walking the Void and Flying along the Five Paths of the Central Spirit of Taiwei. The seventh volume is the Plain Scripture of the Golden Yang of Stone Radiance of Taiwei. The eighth volume is the Text of the Interlaced Belts of the True Writs of the Eight Registers of the Nine Heavens of Taiwei.

The Nine Spirits of Taiwei dwell in the land of Central Splendor. After five years of cultivation, one can command ghosts and spirits.

The above are the eight volumes of the Yellow Book of Taiwei. Of these, the first, second, third, and fourth volumes no longer circulate in the world today; the fifth, sixth, and seventh volumes are transmitted to those who will become Perfected Ones in the future; the eighth volume is this very scripture. It should be transmitted to those who are predestined and worthy to receive it in faith. It must not be casually transmitted to anyone who does not study with a concentrated mind, whose aspirations are not lofty, who does not revere the immortal Dao (the Way) and believe in the True Dao. If it is transmitted without authorization, the ancestors of three generations will suffer punishment before the Water Official.

If a spiritual response appears, this indicates that the person is suitable to receive the transmission. The scripture may then be given to him, and the essential formulas contained in it told to him as well. Those who possess this scripture can become immortals.

Before receiving the scripture, one must observe a three-day purification fast. After receiving the scripture, one must pay homage to the Emperor Lord of Taiwei nine times each year. When paying homage, choose the morning of the first day of each month, in a pure and quiet bedchamber, facing north, with the sash properly bound and wearing purification robes, performing the rite of four bows. After the bows, click the teeth three times, then kneel and recite the invocation:

“Supreme Perfected of Taiwei, Great Sovereign Heavenly Emperor: this humble servant [name], at dawn on the first day of each month, in a pure and quiet bedchamber facing north, with sash properly bound and wearing purification robes, performs the rite of four bows. After bowing, clicks the teeth three times, then kneels and recites the invocation:”

O Heavenly Emperor Taihuang of the Supreme Perfected of Taiwei (the highest perfected spirit of the Taiwei heavenly realm)! This humble servant so-and-so (the ritualist referring to himself) has a petition to make and a declaration to offer: May the Four Emperors of the Supreme Sovereign, the Director of Destinies of Taiwei, and the Purple Mystery Cinnabar Spirit shine together with the sun and moon. May the Golden Essence Treasure Awe and the Eight Powers of August Heaven (heavenly spirits and their might) grant me long life so that I endure as long as heaven and earth; let ghosts and spirits serve at my command, and let metal and stone open the way for me; enable me to subdue the Six Kingdoms and command a myriad troops, □□□□□□ rushing thunder; grant me endless longevity and abundant blessings, smooth departure and safe return; a light and radiant countenance, bright eyes and keen ears, limbs that never weaken; with jade maidens in attendance, riding the luminous rays toward Taiwei.

After reciting this, rise, bow twice more, then kneel.

By practicing and wearing the “Nine Characters,” one naturally comes to decipher the writings of all four directions and eight quarters, and thereby understands the languages of the thirty-six kingdoms.

Legend holds that after the Yellow Emperor obtained this text he dominated the world, commanded a myriad troops and employed ghosts and spirits, thus naturally possessing spirit-like wisdom. He Yu obtained three lines of it and could command ghosts and spirits; Du You and Fei Ci obtained thirteen lines and could command the spirits of the world; Xu Guang obtained five lines and, after wearing it for three years, could command fourteen kinds of ghosts and spirits and obtain all things under heaven. The Perfected One transmitted this text to Xu Yuanyou on Mount Chicheng; Xu Yuanyou in turn transmitted it to his disciple Sixuan and his second son Daoxiang.

The Supreme Yellow Center’s Regulation of Qi, the Nine Subtle Mysterious City

Once Jing (essence) and Qi (vital energy) have been harmonized they govern the lifespan so that it never fades; the Nine Heavens bestow long years, with numinous officers in attendance; obtain all things under heaven. The Perfected One transmitted this text to Xu Yuanyou on Mount Chicheng, and Xu Yuanyou transmitted it to his disciple Sixuan and second son Daoxiang.

The Supreme Yellow Center’s Regulation of Qi, the Nine Subtle Mysterious City

Once Jing and Qi have been harmonized they govern the lifespan so that it never fades; the Nine Heavens bestow long years, with numinous officers in attendance; Upper Perfected of the Middle Prime, come to inspect and govern; Red Infant of the Upper Prime, take overall charge of extending years and increasing longevity; Elder of the Lower Prime, command a thousand hundred numinous spirits flying above the Mysterious Heaven; the True Lord nurtures life, the High Supreme Origin Lord increases the heavenly years; the Purple Tenuity Vermilion Palace acclaims Great Peace; fierce beasts draped with registers guard your form and drive the nine-toothed long fangs in my mouth; Heavenly Power Four Eyes, the head that swallows tigers, pacify the rivers; golden pillars and eight winds blow the sea, open the blazing Qi, strike the eaves; mountains and peaks scorched dry, birds peck and strip, chisel-teeth holding snakes, gazing up at the azure sky; Inverted-Tooth Father Eight Scripts, flood-dragons and sheep trample the stars; stand against the hills, ten thousand horses gallop; teeth like axes, fierce gaze, swallow stones; holding a leopard in the mouth and dancing, the lion with golden head swallows ghosts and sprites.

In the original text the phrases “Golden Essence Treasure Awe,” “□□□□□□ rushing thunder,” and many expressions in the final section are quite distinctive and lack sufficient context; the above follows the literal wording and sentence meaning; missing characters are retained as they appear.

If this talismanic writing (Fulu) is hung, the spirit of the cypress trees in the mountain forests, Earth Thunder, the howling beasts, the spirit of Lightning Heaven, oxen, the force that splits mountains, and a hundred kinds of living beings that fly and run through the empty void—pupae, insects, and the like—will all come to attach themselves.

The Inverted-Tooth Father, the eight-patterned jiao-dragon, and the Goat Spirit pacing the Dipper; the spirit that contends with the hills drives away ten thousand horses; the Tooth-Axe Spirit, fierce of gaze, swallows mountain rocks; the Leopard-Bearer, the Dancing Lion, and the Golden-Headed Spirit devour ghosts and sprites.

If this talismanic writing (Fulu) is hung, the spirit of the cypress trees in the mountain forests, Earth Thunder, the howling beasts, the spirit of Lightning Heaven, oxen, the force that splits mountains, and a hundred kinds of living beings that fly and run through the empty void—pupae, insects, and the like—will all come to attach themselves.

Robust birds and beasts obey my command and furnish for you whatever the spirits require; they extend your years and nourish your Jing (essence) and Qi (vital energy). The spirits receive the charge, traveling between the oceans and the hills, and cause celestial beasts to attend you. The Supreme Perfected Elder (Taishang Zhen Zhangren, a venerable Daoist deity) blesses you with long life, that you may become a divine immortal and ascend to the Nine-Subtle Mysterious Realm (Jiuwei Xuanjing, the wondrous realm inhabited by immortals).

The foregoing is the Crossing Belt Text of the Yellow Book of the Grand Tenuity (Taiwei Huangshu Jiaodai Wen). It is to be made on a ground of blue-green silk, written with orpiment pigment.