《洞真金房度命绿字回年三华宝曜内真上经》

The Shangzhen Jinjun, overall director of the Southern Pole who oversees dinglu (the Shangzhen in charge of the Southern Pole immortal registers and dinglu), in the first year of the First Emperor, the cyclical year of Renwu, at noon on the seventh day of the seventh month, beneath the Qionglin of the purple terrace in the phoenix capital of the seven treasures Dongxu in the jade kingdom of the highest Chan Shan infinite-life heaven, respectfully kowtowed before the jade pavilion and inquired of the Jade Emperor, the Vacuous Sovereign Heavenly Worthy:

I received the heavenly mandate of the royal family, carrying in my destiny the foundations of previous lives. After nine transformations I was reborn, conceived in Qiongjin (a wondrous spiritual place in the immortal realms). The three Dans in my body—the upper, middle, and lower Dantians (energy centers)—manifested radiance. Opening on an auspicious morning, I inherited my imperial lineage, looking up in admiration to the Nine Mysteries (the profound heavenly realms of Daoism), studying the wondrous Jing (scriptures), and contemplating the true Dao (the Way) and the Shen (spirits). For a long time I have observed fasting and precepts in the jade palaces without interruption. Having passed through many kalpas and admonitions, my name has already been entered in the registers of the Heavenly Emperor; I am ranked among the superiors, commanding and inspecting the myriad immortals, yet I have still not received the opening and transmission of the methods for extending nature and life.

As time and fortune shift onward, my allotted lifespan draws near its end, and worldly affairs cannot last indefinitely. I earnestly request that you grant the precious secret methods, to be used in delivering and transforming the worthies of later generations.

Thereupon, Xuhuang Daojun (the Void Sovereign, Lord of the Dao, a venerated Daoist deity) said to the Supreme Perfected Lord of Restrictions, Director-General of the Southern Pole: “The secret formula of the Golden Chamber for Crossing Destiny and Returning Years is hidden in the Palace of Great Possession above the Nine Heavens, in the nine-bend chamber of the Golden Terrace and Jade Room, where three thousand attendant jade maidens who keep the canons preside over the scriptures. This method of the Dao (the Way) is mysterious and subtle; it is not something a middle-rank Perfected One can practice. The ancient precepts decree that it may be transmitted only once in the course of ten thousand kalpas.

By cultivating this method, one comes to share the same root as the Nine Qi (vital energy), to shine together with the Three Luminaries of sun, moon, and stars, and to endure as long as Heaven and Earth. After practicing it once, the stomach and viscera flow with fluids unobstructed; after ten times, the heart-spirit (Shen) becomes bright and penetrating, able to converse with the spirits; after a hundred times, one can extend life and inwardly transform into an embryonic immortal; after a thousand times, one can soar through the air and ascend to wander in the Upper Clarity; after ten thousand times, one’s cultivation of the Dao is complete, one is ranked among the immortal ministers, riding the smoke and mounting the void, going straight to the abode of the Sovereign Emperor. Now I impart this method to you; cultivate it with care.”

He then commanded the Recording Supervisor Sima, the Dingxian Shangzhen of the Nanchang Upper Palace in the Immortal Capital of the Five Elders, to transmit to him, by a covenant-oath ritual, the Inner Perfected Upper Scripture of the Golden Chamber for Crossing Destiny, Green Characters, Returning Years, and the Three Floriate Precious Radiances (Jing), and to establish an oath of alliance in the Heaven of Immeasurable Longevity. In the first year of the Middle Sovereign, it was transmitted in succession to the Southern Pole Lady of the Upper Prime, the Master of Myriad Beginnings, the Yellow Lad Middle Perfected, the Golden Flower Immortal, the Jade Maiden of Great Harmony, the Three Prime Lords of Great Simplicity, the Imperial Lord of the Golden Tower, and the Azure Lad Lord, the Upper Chancellor.

A copy of the scripture is now sealed and stored within Mount Emei. If someone possesses mysterious diagrams and registers (Fulu) and the Imperial Lord’s tablets, obtains the green-character Shangqing scripture, and has the constitution of golden bones and jade viscera, that person ought to be able to receive this scripture. Yet one must wait until the Three Dao have completed their circuits and the Nine Yang respond to their appointed times, and only a person whose nature is upright, who accords with the Dao of the Primordial Sovereign, who is meant to cultivate the orthodox Dao, and who already holds an immortal register from previous lives, may obtain the text. Those who obtain this scripture must treasure it in secrecy and must not transmit it casually.

In the Numinous Capital Palace of the Great Emperor there are two hundred and forty thousand upper Perfected immortals. They all have tablets cast of yellow gold, bound with white silver, and write the scripture with purple brushes. With one voice they accord with the True Dao, reciting and chanting this chapter. The sound of the scripture is distant and clear, like jade stones striking one another; it resounds through the Nine Heavens, communicates with the spirits, summons numinous responses, and causes people to return to youth and extend their years. They travel about in worship, chanting this scripture, whose subtlety crowns all the scriptures of Dongzhen (Cavern of Perfection). Thus it can extend life, causing people to share the same root as Heaven and Earth; those who obtain this method of the Dao will in the end be able to cultivate themselves into upper immortals.

In the original, the wording after “if there is” does not connect smoothly with the preceding names, and the phrase about sealing a copy in Mount Emei appears more than once; the account above has been rendered according to coherent meaning.

Reciting this Jing (scripture/classic) allows the voice to reach the Nine Heavens, communicating with the Shen (spirits) and attracting numinous responses, thereby returning life to its original vitality, restoring youth, and extending longevity. The worship, practices, and recitations mentioned in the Jing are all subtle and marvelous methods of cultivating the Dao (the Way), occupying the highest place in Dongzhen (one of the Three Caverns). Cultivating this Dao method can deliver and save life. Heaven, Earth, and humans originate from the same source; if a person obtains this Dao and completes its cultivation, they can become a supreme immortal.

This Jing is a jade chapter transmitted by the high and supreme Shen, as well as a numinous and marvelous composition of the Great Emperor. Its principles permeate the entire human body, connecting the hundred meridians, passes, and orifices. Reciting it once makes its wondrous principles manifest; reciting it ten times restores the facial appearance and reveals a youthful countenance; reciting it a hundred times can transform and nurture the immortal embryo (the immortal spirit formed through cultivation, as described in Daoism) within the body; reciting it a thousand times enables one to reach the state of form and Shen transcending even while sitting or standing; reciting it ten thousand times completes the cultivation of the Dao methods, allowing one to ascend to heaven in broad daylight.

If one can maintain long-term fasting and purification, live in quiet solitude without being disturbed by worldly affairs, the Dao will descend. As stated in the Jing, prolonged practice will lead to immortality. If the mind is resolute but one is still unable to leave the mundane world, one may continue to live among people, yet should always establish a quiet chamber, observe purity through fasting and burning incense, worship in the morning and evening, and recite this numinous Jing. This allows one to pray for the elimination of disasters and avoidance of calamities, causing misfortunes to dissipate in the Upper Palace (the heavenly realm) and karmic debts to be eradicated in the Nine Yin (the netherworld). When recitations accumulate to ten thousand times, one can communicate with the Shen and ascend to the Cloud Chamber (the dwelling place of immortals).

Those who cultivate the Dao (the Way) of Duming (the practice of seeking extended years and longevity) should, on their natal day, the Tai Sui day, as well as on Jiazi days and the eight festival days (Beginning of Spring, Spring Equinox, Beginning of Summer, Summer Solstice, Beginning of Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Beginning of Winter, Winter Solstice), enter an inner chamber, face east, ingest Qi (vital energy) nine times while visualizing the Great Emperor Lord, and then perform two bows. Next they turn in succession to the south, west, and north, ingesting Qi nine times in each direction while visualizing the Supreme Perfected Lord of the Southern Pole, the Longevity Lord of the Three Heavens, and the High Vacuous Sovereign Perfected Lord, performing two bows for each. Afterward they turn once more to the west and north, ingesting Qi, visualizing, and bowing in the same manner. Alternatively one may remain facing east throughout and perform the bows to the four directions inwardly while ingesting Qi.

When this is finished, face the direction of one’s natal destiny, knock the teeth thirty-six times, and swallow Qi thirty-six times. Then face the direction of Tai Sui, draw in Qi and swallow it twenty-four times. Next turn north and recite the Jing (scripture): every ten recitations count as one round. After each round ingest one Golden Chamber Life-Protecting Talisman; thus ten recitations require ten talismans, taken according to the number of recitations.

The Jing states that such cultivation communicates with the spirits and resonates with the Perfected, so that one seems able to sit still and see in all eight directions; it regulates the joints of the entire body, allowing numinous Qi to enter every place and causing the myriad Qi to return to unity, thereby attaining long life equal to heaven and earth and coeval with the sun, moon, and stars.

Facing north while holding the Jing, knock the teeth thirty-six times and visualize five-colored purple clouds filling the whole room, dense cloud-Qi enveloping both interior and exterior. Then softly chant the incantation:

“Mysterious and unsurpassed ninefold Qi, from which the supreme Dao generates the Upper Origin; the three heavenly wheels empty-alike yet jade-luminous, five transformations become the clouds of Duming; revolving the years of longevity amid the Nine Controllers, after ten thousand cultivations the Dao appears. How remote and empty-silent is the realm of the Great Vastness; concentrate the mind to visualize and retain the Emperor-One Lord; blend with it within the Golden Chamber, embryonic breathing remains tranquil, rendering all the body’s passes and orifices harmonious.”

After chanting this, recite the Jing.

Within the Golden Chamber there is a Perfected One who manifests in the Jade Kingdom, giving rise to the Precious Neighbor; purple clouds unfurl and drift, pervading the Nine Mystery realms, condensing into a jade terrace that forms of itself. Jade towers and golden palaces stand arrayed on either side.

The Highest Jing of the Inner Perfected of the Three Floriate Precious Radiances of the Green-Character Returning-Years of Golden-Chamber Duming.

In the Golden Chamber (the sacred inner landscape of cultivation) dwells the Perfected One. He is generated through transformation in the Jade Kingdom and manifests among the precious neighbors. Purple clouds of Qi (vital energy) unfurl and coil, densely pervading the realm of the Nine Mysteries, condensing into a lofty terrace like jade whose form is wholly in accord with nature. Jade towers and golden palaces stand arrayed on either side, while flowing rosy light and cinnabar-colored cloudy heavens protect and uphold the numinous Perfected. Vast green radiance illuminates the Central Field (a site within the body related to the circulation of Qi).

Above, the Ninefold Heavens rise high; below, it plunges to a depth of ten thousand zhang, with a spring in the secluded valley. The cavern gates join together, forming the foundation of the cloud-Qi. Three thousand Jade Maidens and three thousand Immortal Youths hold kerchiefs and attend to the incense, raising purple fumes; hundreds of thousands of immortals also gather here. They adjust their robes and caps, reciting the wondrous Jing (scriptures), circulating within the Golden Chamber so that longevity may be restored. The Three Flowered Precious Radiances (the three kinds of luminosity spoken of in the scripture) shine through with penetrating brightness. Reciting ten times, one may accomplish the Upper Prime (entering the superior immortal realm); then swallow the numinous Fulu (talismans), and upon completion, return.

Quietly contemplate the principles of the five viscera and the hundred passes throughout the body. Within each of the hundred passes there resides a spirit. The Taiwei Xiaotong (name of an inner spirit) stands facing the Imperial Perfected, stabilizing and guarding the root of the tongue so that the source of the fluids flows freely. Taiyi Wuyou (name of a spirit mentioned in the scripture) transmits the important oral instructions. Then bring the intention close to the Jade Pillow (a cultivation aperture at the back of the head), reciting ten times, one may accomplish the Upper Prime; after swallowing the numinous Fulu, the cultivation is complete.

Calmly contemplate the principles of the five viscera and the hundred passes throughout the body. Within each of the hundred passes dwell spirit-beings. The Little Lad of Grand Subtlety faces the Imperial True One, settling and guarding the root of the tongue while unblocking the source of the fluids. Taiyi Wuyou oversees vital speech, positioned near the Jade Pillow below the Niwan (Mud Pill). Imperial Lord Lingyang holds the Brahma Mandate Banner, moving back and forth between the two eyebrows. Young Lord Yuanying protects the numinous immortals, transforming into being at the left armpit behind the liver. Dongyang Yuling, who is Baiyuan, settles and guards the right armpit, uprightly protecting the four directions.

The Central Director of Destiny, the Elder Lord, oversees the registers recording life and death, bestowing life upon you. Mingchu holds the name registers, enabling your body to attain deliverance. Protect and nourish the Crimson Palace (the location of the heart) so that life may be prolonged. Peach Lord Daokang harmonizes Jing (essence) and Qi (vital energy) to extend longevity, descending to settle and guard at the palaces and towers while filling the numinous root.

The Heavenly Emperor Red Child ranks first among the Three Origins, within the Niwan and before the nine orifices. The Cinnabar Emperor turns the precious pearl as the spirit of the Crimson Palace, ascending to settle and guard near the Great Vertebra at the back of the neck. Primordial King Initial Brightness is born of original nature, settling and guarding at the confluence of the four directions connected to the mouth. The Eight True Ones unite their luminous scenes and blend with the Nine Mysteries, descending to settle and guard at the field position in the center of the spinal bones.

The Seven True Ones of Mysterious Yang extend longevity, settling and guarding between the Jade Pass and the right kidney; they communicate with Shen (spirit) illumination, preserve life, and circulate the fluids throughout the body. The Six True Ones of Upper Origin connect with purple vapors, settling and guarding at the junction of the inner and outer aspects of the head. The Five True Ones who Nourish Light employ the methods of the Three Origins, settling and guarding in the throat while holding the mysterious scriptures. The Four True Ones of Azure Brightness restore a youthful complexion, settling and guarding at the gastric duct and causing the myriad spirits to rejoice. The Three True Ones of Yellow Tranquility, with complexion like cinnabar, settle and guard in the nostrils, opening the deep and hidden passes and orifices. The Two True Ones of Firm Jade have Qi like fragrant orchids, settling and guarding at the Great Granary (the stomach) so that the body encounters no hardships. The One True One of Heavenly Essence has tranquil Shen and Qi, settling and guarding in the chest and governing the affairs of life.

These spirit-beings all wear brocade garments and flying cyan skirts, extending your lifespan and blocking the gates of death. Carefully visualize them while reciting this numinous text aloud; after reciting it ten times you will comprehend its inner meaning. This practice not only confers longevity but also enables ascent into the Nine Mysteries.

The taboo names of the nine true gods, written on the left ear, make the Shen (spirit) within the ear intelligent and perceptive. The divine beings silently reach across ten thousand li, entering boundless, infinite realms. Palaces flourish inside the body, and the immortal emperor dwells there in peace. Instructing all beings and saving lives all accord with the tally contracts. The taboo name of the Hun of the Imperial One, “Shanggui,” written on the right ear, enables one to oversee every affair, distinguish all sounds, and perceive the hidden and subtle. The three unite as one, their radiance equally brilliant.

The Shen in the left ear is intelligent, the divine beings silently communicate across ten thousand li and enter the boundless infinite; palaces thrive within the body and the immortal emperor resides there; teaching all beings and saving lives accord with the tally contracts. The taboo name of the Hun of the Imperial One, “Shanggui,” written on the right ear, allows one to command myriad matters, discern every sound, and see into the obscure. The three become one, their light shining together.

The taboo name of Purple Plain Primal Lady (Zisu Yuanjun), “Yiyu,” written on the forehead, causes the head and face to radiate light. Breathing the Qi (vital energy) of the Five Dawns and swallowing the essence of sun and moon fills one with the Qi of lingzhi, so there is neither hunger nor thirst. The taboo name of Yellow Plain Primal Lady, “Yuanhua,” written between chest and abdomen, weaves a net of cloudy Qi, commands the Northern Emperor, and inspects the heavenly demons; it safeguards and cultivates the orthodox Dao (the Way) and steadies the immortal household in vacuity. The taboo name of White Plain Primal Lady, “Qiming,” written at the lower pass, consolidates the Great Spirit; it opens communication through the nine orifices, making the radiance distinct, restrains Hun and Po, and brings long life.

The taboo name of the Director of Destiny in the sun, “Jiesheng,” written on the left hand, brightens the four limbs. The Five Flowers protect true Qi and settle it in the cloud encampment; one looks up to draw the Jing (essence) of sun and moon and swallows primordial Qi. Life is thereby extended and the years restored, so that one may reach the full heavenly span. The taboo name of the Peach Lord in the moon, “Fangying,” written on the right hand, turns the Northern Dipper, grasps the mysterious outline, and commands the Five Spirits; it circles the four quarters of the heavenly court, revolves three times, and becomes thoroughly clear and bright.

The taboo name of the Left-Eye Youth, “Feiling,” written on the left eye, makes the yang light brilliant, illuminating without limit so that one sees Jade Clarity. The radiance is majestic as heavenly might and shoots forth like a meteor. The taboo name of the Right-Eye Youth, “Chenying,” written on the right eye, makes the yin Jing internally luminous, perceiving the heavenly pass and inspecting the imperial court. The light opens suddenly, like the radiance of the three dawns, illuminating without end so that one sees Jade Clarity; the brilliance is majestic as heavenly might and proceeds with its force.

The taboo name of the Lung Youth, “Suming,” written at the gate of the lungs, clarifies interior and exterior. It delivers wandering Hun and Po to Huangning for oversight and inspects the imperial palaces so they neither lack nor overflow.

The primal Shen of the womb is named “Wuxuanzi”; the Jing Hun of Taiyi is named “Xuanguizi.” Writing their taboo names between the five viscera and the throat protects Jingshen, consolidates primordial Qi, and renders one undying. The Shenjun of the Qi that dwells in the navel is named “Anyanchang”; the Jing Hun of the Lordless One is named “Baogutong.” Writing their taboo names in the great stomach palace that houses the five viscera receives fluids and infant-like Qi, so that vermilion flower and jade zhi fill one of themselves. The Shen born of black Qi in the joints is named “Binlai”; the taboo name of the Imperial True Jing Hun is “Youtai.” Writing them on the nine intestines lets them oversee the four directions of the body. One who knows this true method enjoys unlimited longevity.

The Shen of yellow Qi in the placenta is named “Zumingche”; it co-rules with the emperor and shares one chamber. Its Jing Hun regulates the viscera and meridians and stores hidden scriptures. Why not concentrate the mind wholly on the mysterious vacuity? After ten thousand visualizations one naturally mounts the cloud chariot and ascends to heaven.

The Shen of red Qi in the blood is named “Hunlizi”; the Jing Hun of the Director of Destiny is named “Faniuzi.” These two gods together occupy the hundred passes of the entire body, harmonizing Qi and fluids and protecting the form. One who knows this Dao will in the end not die; a lifespan of ten thousand years is only the beginning.

The Upper Primal Father is named “Gaotongsheng”; the Lower Mysterious Mother is named “Shuhuowang.” Their taboo names are written in the Mingtang below the placental sac. Taiyi dwells in layered darkness and commands the mysterious outline; the Imperial Venerable manifests the true Dao and they unite with one another.

The taboo name of the Great Emperor’s Jing Hun, “Yangtai,” revolves through the eight directions of the body and assists the light. The imperial Hun shows no partiality and shares one chamber with the various gods; together they are placed in the Taiyou Palace of one’s original destiny. The seven gods’ tally contracts unite, operating the way of light, extending years, saving lives, without end.

The taboo name of the Three Plain Elder Lords, “Laozhang,” refines the Dao of the eight directions and enables one to enter the immortal realm. The Left Immortal “Zhongcheng” guards the center; the Right Immortal “Quwen” attends at the side. The three gods unite their Ling and dwell within the human body. The Mysterious One Elder “Linxuling” guards the mysterious pass, rendering it cool and silent. The Black Emperor “Baocheng” is placed in the bladder, the White Emperor “Anlai” resides in the scrotum, the Red Emperor guards the mouth, and the Green Emperor dwells in the palace of the five viscera. The Five Emperors, two elders, and two immortals together protect the body, so that the practitioner ascends to the cloudy heavens.

The Upper Primal Imperial Minister diligently condenses Jingqi; the Shen of the Crimson Palace makes the heart bright and firm; the Shen of the Lower Court returns to the upper brightness. The Three Ones True Lords protect the practitioner’s form, each dwelling in one palace and overseeing the Jingqi within it. One who carefully visualizes these Shen obtains long life; not only does one not die, but one also ascends to Jade Clarity.

The Imperial One True Lord is the father Shen and resides there in peace. The mother’s Jing and the two Shen attend the practitioner’s lifespan, placing them inside the form to guard the death pass. They are arrayed above and below, employing one another, never leaving the palaces and towers, and therefore remain constantly present. One who frequently recites this scripture will see the Red Infant.

The myriad primordial Qi (vital energy) of heaven and earth mix together and condense into immortal Perfected Ones; the celestial troops of all departments likewise fill your body. If you carefully visualize and contemplate them, they will naturally each return to their proper places. Through prolonged fasting and the accumulation of spiritual resonances, you will be able to behold the Perfected Ones (immortals who have attained the Dao) and receive the Golden Chamber Return-of-Years Chapter (the Jing chapter of the Golden Chamber for extending years and benefiting life). Your name will be recorded in the registers of the Celestial Emperor, showing that you possess a predestined affinity with the immortal Dao (the Way); yet all of this depends upon diligent devotion to the Dao and cannot be obtained without effort. Each time the Jing (scripture) is recited ten times, the ten thousand Shen (spirits) rejoice; within three years the Dao will manifest before you. You will see the Perfected Ones appear in the Purple Chamber (the celestial dwelling of Perfected Ones) and speak to you, dispatching green carriages and flying cloud vehicles to carry you on a tour of the Five Sacred Mountains, to the imperial court for morning audience, and to kowtow in homage before the Jade Emperor of the Great Void, thereby continuing to receive immortal methods.

Upon completing the recitation of the Jing, visualize purple primordial Qi naturally arising within the room. The purple Qi densely surges and gathers in successive layers, entering your body through the nose, mouth, and both ears. As you visualize, the body grows slightly warm; then slowly swallow the Qi from the mouth thirty-nine times while softly reciting the incantation:

The myriad primordial Qi mix and condense into palaces and lodgings where the Shen dwell; each fills its chamber, rendering the Qi within pure, clear, and empty-luminous. The dead Qi of the thirty-nine orifices and the inauspicious Qi of one’s allotted fate are all eliminated. Your name is written upon golden tablets in green characters, filled with auspiciousness and overflowing with blessings. The Shen ascend the Golden Towers and ride cloud carriages into heaven.

All those whose names are listed in the golden registers of the Celestial Emperor, inscribed in purple characters in the Shangqing immortal registers, and who have been granted this Jing, are individuals of longstanding immortal affinity destined by nature to become immortals. Their names are recorded in the Azure Palace (the celestial office that administers immortal registers), and they are attended by thirty-six jade youths and thirty-six jade maidens who serve to guard the jade Jing and protect those who cultivate this scripture. In practicing this method of the Dao, one must not set foot in polluted places nor consume the five pungent vegetables such as onions and garlic or rank, greasy foods, lest one offend the Shen within the body and damage the true Qi; otherwise one cannot become an immortal.

Jade Talisman of the Highest Perfected of the Golden Chamber for Crossing Life and Returning Years.

On each of one’s natal days (the days corresponding to the heavenly stems and earthly branches of one’s year of birth), write with azure pigment on white paper, face the Wang direction (a specific direction mentioned in the scripture), and ingest one piece. Then enter a quiet chamber and recite the Golden Chamber Inner True Scripture (Jinfang Neizhen Jing) once through. After drawing the talisman (Fulu) according to the prescribed method, ingest another piece. When one hundred pieces have been ingested, the Upper Prime (Shangyuan, one of the heavenly realms spoken of in Daoism) will become accessible, and the hundred passes of the body will all become bright and open.

On each of one’s natal days, write with azure pigment on white paper, face the Wang direction and ingest one piece, then enter a quiet chamber and recite the Golden Chamber Inner True Scripture once through. After drawing the talisman according to the prescribed method, ingest another piece. When one hundred pieces have been ingested, the Upper Prime will become accessible, the hundred passes of the body will all become bright and open, death Qi (vital energy) will dissipate, and all the Shen (spirits) will return. When one thousand pieces have been ingested, the True Lord of the Upper Prime will appear within the Niwan (a term in Daoist Neidan (internal alchemy), referring to the upper Dantian (energy center) in the head). While contemplating in stillness, one seems able to see the True Lord and converse with the Shen. When ten thousand pieces have been ingested, numinous Qi fills the hundred passes, every part can receive true Qi, and the Infant (a symbol of the body’s pure, undiminished Jing (essence)) rejoices. This moves the Vacuous Sovereign above (a Daoist deity), drawing Perfected Ones; the Northern Emperor expunges the death register, and the Southern Palace records one’s span of life. The Three Luminaries of sun, moon, and stars unite with one, and Heaven and Earth share the same root.

The Middle True Jade Talisman of the Golden Chamber for Extending Life and Returning the Years

On each of the Eight Seasonal Nodes (the Beginning of Spring, the Spring Equinox, the Beginning of Summer, the Summer Solstice, the Beginning of Autumn, the Autumn Equinox, the Beginning of Winter, and the Winter Solstice), write with red pigment on white paper and ingest one piece while facing the direction that corresponds to that seasonal node. Then enter a quiet chamber and recite the Golden Chamber Inner True Scripture once through. After drawing the talisman according to the prescribed method, ingest another piece. When one hundred pieces have been ingested, the Middle Prime (Zhongyuan, another of the heavenly realms spoken of in Daoism) will open the true Dao (the Way), the hundred passes of the body will receive numinous Qi, and both interior and exterior will become bright, clear, and pure.

When one thousand pieces have been ingested, the True Lord of the Middle Prime will appear within the Crimson Palace (a term in Daoist Neidan referring to the middle Dantian at the heart). While contemplating in stillness, the image of the True Lord seems to appear and then to vanish. In this way the Infant is preserved, and one may return from old age to youth.

When ten thousand pieces have been ingested, the numinous root is made full, every part of the body can receive true Qi, and the stomach palace becomes bright, clean, and lustrous. This reaches upward to the Grand Tenuity (Taiwei, a Daoist heavenly realm), drawing Perfected Ones who arrive in purple carriages. Northern Feng (the northern underworld) conceals the death register, the Southern Palace records the register of life, Heaven and Earth unite with one, and the Three Luminaries of sun, moon, and stars together manifest their numinous power.

The Lower True Jade Talisman of the Golden Chamber for Extending Life and Returning the Years

On every Taisui day or Jiazi day, write talismans (Fulu) on white paper with a yellow brush. Facing Taisui (the star-deity who governs the current year), ingest one talisman, then enter a quiet chamber, recite the Jinfang Neizhen Jing (Scripture of Inner Truth of the Golden Chamber) once through, and then write another talisman according to the prescribed method and ingest it. After one hundred have been ingested, one receives the nourishment of the Nine Numinous Qi (vital energy) of the Hidden Gateway of the Lower Origin (the deep and secluded pass in the lower part of the human body), so that all the joints of the body become clear and unobstructed, the primordial Qi of the whole person gathers, and both interior and exterior become luminous and translucent. After one thousand, one can faintly perceive the True Lord of the Lower Origin. After ten thousand, the meritorious practice of cultivating the Dao (the Way) is complete: numinous Qi condenses in every part, the Qi of death is entirely dispelled, and the physical form is transmuted, shedding its mortal shell to become an immortal. One resonates above with the Supreme Perfected (the true immortals of the upper realm) and welcomes Yuchen (Jade Dawn, a revered Daoist deity), thereby extending lifespan and restoring youth, sharing the same origin as the sun and moon, flying through the Great Void, and ascending into Dichen (Imperial Dawn, the celestial realm).

When writing the talismans, always face the Royal Direction (the honored and auspicious quarter). Knock the teeth thirty-six times, raise the head, and pray:

“Yuchen, grant me extended life and restored youth, that I may share the same root as the sun and moon, fly through the Great Void, and ascend into Dichen.”

Then continue the prayer:

“Heavenly numen, joints in glory; the nine orifices solemnly purified; the five officials and six palaces, divine radiance bright and distinct; the Three Origins filled and made firm; the myriad Qi overflowing; the Golden Chamber delivers life; green characters reverse generation; thrice refine the nine orifices, ascend into Taiqing (Grand Clarity); the Three Luminaries shine as one, Heaven and Earth joined together; fly through the Mysterious Void, feast and roam in the Purple Court.”

When the prayer is finished, swallow Qi forty-six times, then ingest the talisman.

In practicing the method of “Delivering Fate and Returning the Years,” on every one of the six Gui days take one hu of water from a northern spring; on one’s own natal day, further take white angelica, peach bark, and a leaf whose name is missing in the original text, one jin of each, and boil them together. When the water has reached a moderate temperature, use it to bathe. Before bathing, face one’s natal direction, knock the teeth nine times, and visualize three Jade Lads holding towels standing on the left, two Jade Maidens holding incense on the right, with a floral canopy of purple clouds covering and arrayed in front and behind. Then softly recite the prayer:

Heaven and earth become clear, luminous, and thoroughly penetrating; filth is washed away and dust is removed. Through ninefold refinement and transformation, the bodily form returns to Tai Zhen (the original state of pure authenticity). Every part of the body absorbs numinous Qi (vital energy), and the joints are renewed one after another. Body and mind become empty, clear, and luminous, fully manifesting both within and without. Choose an auspicious day and favorable hour to perform the cultivation of extending destiny and returning the years (continuing life and restoring youthful vitality). Jade Boys and Jade Girls hold towels for me; mysterious clouds and a purple canopy drape me in cap and robe, enabling me to attain long life and share the same root with heaven and earth.

When the ritual is completed, bathe. After bathing, once again enter the state of emptiness, clarity, and luminosity with inner and outer fully displayed, and still on an auspicious day and hour perform the method of extending destiny and returning the years: Jade Boys and Jade Girls hold towels for me; mysterious clouds and a purple canopy drape me in cap and robe, enabling me to attain long life and share the same root with heaven and earth. When the ritual is completed, bathe once more, then return to the inner chamber and lie down with the head facing east. Take powder and apply it to adorn the entire body, spreading it evenly over the whole body. Next, rub the two hands together until they grow hot, then wipe the face fourteen times, and recite in a low voice the prayer:

“The mysterious and wondrous Qi of heaven is clear and luminous; my body has already been purified. Dust, filth, and impurities have dissipated. Nine times I receive the numinous Qi, causing me to undergo transformation and restoring the bodily form of my childhood.”

When the prayer is finished, draw Qi into the body and swallow it thirty-six times, then stop.

Cultivate according to this method for three years, and the original bodily form and skin will be completely sloughed off and replaced; the bones will grow anew; the body will shine with a luster like jade, and the face will display a golden radiance. This is a wondrous method among the many gateways of cultivating the Dao (the Way); it is not to be transmitted to those who have not received authentic transmission. If it is carelessly divulged, seven generations of ancestors will suffer interrogation and torment, and the practitioner will remain long detained among the officials of the ghosts. Those who study the Dao should cultivate it in secret, and they will be able to become immortals.

To receive the method of extending destiny and returning the years, one must follow the regulations: both master and disciple must observe a purification fast for nine days, or alternatively for three days or five days. The silk fabric used for the oath is calculated according to years, one chi per year; the golden figurines (as tokens of the oath) each weigh two liang and four zhu. Swear the oath by the Nine Heavens as the token for seeking the extension of destiny and the replacement of the bodily form. If one cultivates without making the oath, the method will not produce a response, and the mind will be unable to open spiritual efficacy. If one violates the regulations or transgresses the prohibitions, one will be pursued by the Right Officials (divine officers responsible for examining and punishing those who cultivate the Dao). Those who uphold this method should be clear, cautious, and self-restrained.

The Perfected One of the Western City once transmitted this method to Wei Huacun in the Yangluo Palace. Now a copy of the Jing (scripture) is sealed and stored within Yangluo Mountain.

The Dongzhen Inner Truth Upper Jing (scripture) of the Golden Chamber for Delivering Destiny, Green Characters Returning the Years, and Precious Radiance of the Three Flowers ends here. The character “毕” at the end of the original text was added based on the context.