《太上洞神三皇传授仪》

The Zhen Guan Lu (True Official Registers), a roster of Fulu (talismans and registers) recording the names and official duties of the True Officials of the celestial realm, is as follows.

The Wushang Xuanlao Taiqing Tianhuang Zhengzhen, together with the respective Direct Envoy Gongcao of the Upper Officials, Grand Officials, Left Officials, Right Officials, Central Officials, Capital Officials, and Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity)—these Gongcao being the divine clerks responsible for transmitting missions and handling affairs—as well as the Left Ming and Right Ming Gongcao. The above nine departments each comprise ninety million personnel.

The Wushang Xuanlao Taiqing Tianhuang True Immortals, along with the Upper Department Gongcao of the Upper Officials, Left Officials, Right Officials, and Central Officials. The above four departments each comprise ninety million personnel.

The Tianhuang Taishang Shangzhen, together with the Gongcao of the Upper Department, Capital Department, Left Capital Department, Right Capital Department, Zhengyi Central Officials Capital Department, Capital Officials Front Department, Capital Officials Rear Department, Grand Officials Upper Department, and Upper Officials Lower Department. The above nine departments each comprise ninety million personnel.

The Tianhuang Taishang Shangzhen, along with the Cu Qi Gongcao (divine clerks who urge the circulation of Qi, vital energy), Left Cu Qi Gongcao, Right Cu Qi Gongcao, Ding Qi Gongcao (divine clerks who stabilize Qi), Left Ding Qi Gongcao, Right Ding Qi Gongcao, Yin-Yang Gongcao, Left Yin-Yang Gongcao, and Right Yin-Yang Gongcao. The above nine departments each comprise ninety million personnel.

The Tianhuang True Immortals, together with the Grand Officials Left Sheng Cu Qi Right Gongcao, Ding Qi Gongcao, Left Ding Qi Gongcao, Right Ding Qi Gongcao, Yin-Yang Gongcao, Left Yin-Yang Gongcao, and Right Yin-Yang Gongcao. The above nine departments each comprise ninety million personnel.

The Tianhuang True Immortals, along with the Grand Officials Left Sheng Qi Gongcao, Grand Officials Right Sheng Qi Gongcao, Central Officials Central Sheng Qi Gongcao, Grand Officials Central Sheng Qi Gongcao, Left Capital Officials Sheng Qi Gongcao, Right Capital Officials Sheng Qi Gongcao, Healing Gongcao, and Left and Right Healing Gongcao. The above eight departments each comprise ninety million personnel.

The True Immortal of the Heavenly Emperor (the true immortal of the heavenly realm), the Left Grand Official of the Five Qi (qì, vital energy) Gongcao (the Gongcao deity in charge of Five Qi affairs), the Grand Official Capital Supervisor Gongcao, the Grand Official Left Capital Supervisor Gongcao, the Grand Official Right Capital Supervisor Gongcao, the Right Grand Official of the Five Qi Gongcao, and the Central Grand Official of the Five Qi Gongcao. The above six departments each have ninety million people who can be delivered.

The Divine Immortal Upper True of the Heavenly Emperor, the Grand Official Supervising Gongcao, the Left Grand Official Supervising Gongcao, the Right Grand Official Supervising Gongcao, the Grand Official Three-Five Gongcao, the Left Grand Official Three-Five Gongcao, the Right Grand Official Three-Five Gongcao, as well as the Central Official Du (here suspected to be an official title or a textual variant).

The Divine Immortal Upper True of the Heavenly Emperor, the Grand Official Supervising Gongcao, the Left Grand Official Supervising Gongcao, the Right Grand Official Supervising Gongcao, the Grand Official Three-Five Gongcao, the Left Grand Official Three-Five Gongcao, the Right Grand Official Three-Five Gongcao, the Central Official Three-Five Gongcao, the Capital Official Three-Five Gongcao, the Nine Palaces Gongcao, the Left Nine Palaces Gongcao, the Right Nine Palaces Gongcao, the Five Stars Jade Immortal Gongcao, the Five Stars Jade Immortal Left Gongcao, and the Five Stars Jade Immortal Right Gongcao. The above fourteen departments each have ninety million people who can be delivered.

The Ultimate True Upper Immortal of the Heavenly Emperor, the Upper Department Messenger, the Left Upper Department Messenger, the Right Upper Department Messenger, the Grand Official Messenger, the Central Official Messenger, the Grand Official Central Messenger, the Upper Official Left Department Official Messenger, and the Upper Official Right Department Official Messenger. The above eight departments each have ninety million people who can be delivered.

The Ultimate True Upper Immortal of the Heavenly Emperor, the Grand Official Capital Messenger, the Left Capital Department Messenger, the Right Capital Department Messenger, the Grand Official Lower Department Messenger, the Upper Official Lower Department Messenger, the Lower Official Upper Department Messenger, the Lower Official Capital Department Messenger, the Upper Official Lower Department Left Official Messenger, the Upper Official Lower Department Right Official Messenger, and the Upper Official Spirit Official Divine Immortal of Great Harmony. The above ten departments each have ninety million people who can be delivered.

The Ultimate True Divine Immortal of the Heavenly Emperor, the Great Harmony Left Official Envoy Lower Department Left Official Messenger, the Upper Official Lower Department Right Official Messenger, and the Upper Official Spirit Official Divine Immortal of Great Harmony. The above ten departments each have ninety million people who can be delivered.

The names listed here are those of the Heavenly Emperor together with the various affiliated Gongcao, messengers, and other divine offices under his charge. Both “Gongcao” and “messengers” are designations for spirit officials in Daoist ritual who transmit decrees and carry out their appointed duties. “Du” ordinarily refers to deliverance or salvation. In context, the phrase “ninety million people delivered” may be understood as meaning that each department delivers ninety million people. The final group of titles does not appear to correspond in number with those given for the “right ten departments,” a discrepancy that may stem from copying errors or textual variants.

The deities belonging to the Heavenly Sovereign (Tianhuang) are the Ultimate True Immortals, the Left Official Envoy of Great Harmony, the Right Official Envoy of Great Harmony, the Envoy of Distant Worthies, the Left Envoy of Distant Worthies, the Right Envoy of Distant Worthies, the Envoy of Penetrating Insight and Distant Observation, the Left Envoy of Penetrating Establishment and Distant Observation, the Right Envoy of Penetrating Insight and Distant Observation, the Upper Official Envoy of Limitless Cavern Illumination, and the Merit Officer Envoy of the Capital Department. The above ten departments each save ninety million people. The true form, true talismans, divine generals, and official troops of the Heavenly Sovereign also each constitute a department for salvation. This completes the Heavenly Sovereign portion.

The deities belonging to the Earthly Sovereign (Dihuang) are the True Immortals, the Most High Divine Spirits, the Envoy of Limitless Cavern Illumination, the Left Official Envoy, the Right Official Envoy, the Upper Official Envoy, the Upper Official Spirit-Supervising Envoy, the Grand Official Spirit-Supervising Envoy, the Left Official Spirit-Supervising Envoy, the Right Official Spirit-Supervising Envoy, and the Capital Official Envoy. The above nine departments each save one hundred twenty thousand people.

The True Immortals and Most High Divine Spirits belonging to the Earthly Sovereign, as well as the Grand Official Heaven-Supervising Envoy, the Left Official Spirit-Supervising Envoy, the Right Official Spirit-Supervising Envoy, and the Capital Official Envoy, form the above nine departments, each of which saves one hundred twenty thousand people.

The True Immortals and Most High Divine Spirits belonging to the Earthly Sovereign, as well as the Grand Official Heaven-Supervising Envoy, the Left Official Heaven-Supervising Envoy, the Right Official Heaven-Supervising Envoy, the Capital Official Heaven-Supervising Envoy, the Unsurpassed Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Earth-Supervising Envoy, the Left Earth-Supervising Envoy, the Right Earth-Supervising Envoy, the Middle Official Earth-Supervising Envoy, and the Grand Official Earth-Supervising Envoy, form the above nine departments, each of which saves one hundred twenty thousand people.

The True Immortals and Most High Divine Spirits belonging to the Earthly Sovereign, as well as the Upper Official Water-Supervising Envoy, the Left Official Water-Supervising Envoy, the Right Official Water-Supervising Envoy, the Middle Official Water-Supervising Envoy, and the Zhengyi Official Water-Supervising Envoy, form the above five departments, each of which saves one hundred twenty thousand people.

The True Immortals and Most High Divine Spirits belonging to the Earthly Sovereign, as well as the Grand Official Military-Supervising Envoy, the True Official Military-Supervising Envoy, the True Left Official Military-Supervising Envoy, the True Right Official Military-Supervising Envoy, the True Official Military-Supervising Envoy, and the Zhengyi Capital Official Military-Supervising Envoy, these six departments each save twelve people.

The True Immortals of the Earth Emperor and the Highest Divine Spirits, together with the Grand Official Military-Supervising Envoys, the True Orthodox Official Military-Supervising Envoys, the True Orthodox Left Official Military-Supervising Envoys, the True Orthodox Right Official Military-Supervising Envoys, the True Official Military-Supervising Envoys, and the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Capital Official Military-Supervising Envoys, comprise six departments in all, each transforming 120,000 people.

The True Immortals of the Earth Emperor and the Highest Divine Spirits, together with the Grand Official Subordinate-Supervising Envoys, the Left Official Subordinate-Supervising Envoys, the Right Official Subordinate-Supervising Envoys, the Zhengyi Capital Official Subordinate-Supervising Envoys, as well as the Highest Life-Supervising Envoys of the Eastern Peak, Southern Peak, Western Peak, Northern Peak, and Central Peak, comprise ten departments in all, each transforming 120,000 people.

The True Immortals of the Earth Emperor and the Highest Divine Spirits, together with the Envoys of the Eastern Sea, Southern Sea, Central Sea, Western Sea, and Northern Sea, and the Water Official Envoys, comprise six departments in all, each transforming 120,000 people.

The True Immortals of the Earth Emperor and the Highest Divine Spirits, together with the True Orthodox Envoys in charge of the Three Rivers, the Nine Rivers Envoys, the Envoys in charge of the Seventy-two Famous Mountains, the Eight Directions Envoys commanded by the Divine King of Tanggu, the True Orthodox Spirits in charge of mountain forests, as well as the Mengchang Twelve Huai-Ji Envoys and the Pinghou Envoys in charge of the Twelve Rivers, comprise seven departments in all, each transforming 120,000 people. The latter half of the original text again lists the envoys of the Three Rivers, Nine Rivers, Seventy-two Famous Mountains, Tanggu Eight Extremes, mountain forests and Huai-Ji, and also includes the title “Master of the Twelve Rivers Pinghou Envoy.”

The True Immortals of the Earth Emperor and the Highest Divine Spirits, together with the Grand Generals, Left Mysterious Grand Generals, Right Mysterious Grand Generals, Central Mysterious Grand Generals, Upper First Grand Generals, Central First Grand Generals, Lower First Grand Generals, Front First Grand Generals, Rear First Grand Generals, Upper Prime Grand Generals, Central Prime Grand Generals, and Lower Prime Grand Generals, comprise twelve departments in all, each transforming 120,000 people.

The True Immortals of the Earth Emperor and the Highest Divine Spirits, together with the Taiyuan Xuanyuan Grand Generals, Left Taiyuan Xuanyuan Grand Generals, and Right Taiyuan Xuanyuan Grand Generals. At the end of the original text the phrase “people transformed” is incomplete; it does not indicate how many departments there are here, nor the number of people transformed in each.

The Earth Emperor True Immortal (Dihuang Zhenxian) and the Supreme Divine Spirits (Taishang Shenming), together with the Taiyuan Xuanyuan Grand General, the Left Taiyuan Xuanyuan Grand General, the Right Taiyuan Xuanyuan Grand General, the Taiyuan Upper Division Grand General, the Taiyuan Lower Division Grand General, the Taichu (Great Beginning) Grand General, the Taichu Left Commander Grand General, the Taichu Right Commander Grand General, the Taichu Vanguard Grand General, the Taishi (Great Commencement) Grand General, the Taishi Left Grand General, the Taishi Right Grand General, the Taishi Front Grand General, the Taishi Rear Grand General, the Taishi Central Mystery Grand General, the Taishi Upper Mystery Grand General, and the Taishi Lower Mystery Grand General. These are seventeen divisions of divine generals (Shenjiang), each commanding one hundred and twenty thousand troops and charged with deliverance and protection.

The Earth Emperor True Immortal and the Supreme Divine Spirits, together with the Taisu (Great Simplicity) Upper Origin Grand General, the Middle Origin Grand General, the Lower Origin Grand General, the Left Mystery Grand General, the Right Mystery Grand General, the Vanguard Grand General, and the Rear Division Grand General. These are seven divisions of divine generals, each commanding one hundred and twenty thousand troops and charged with deliverance and protection.

The Earth Emperor True Immortal and the Supreme Divine Spirits, together with the Taiyi (Great Ceremony) Grand General, the Supreme Grand General, the Left Commander Grand General, the Right Commander Grand General, the Front General, and the Rear Division Grand General. These are seven divisions of divine generals, each commanding one hundred and twenty thousand troops and charged with deliverance and protection.

The Earth Emperor True Immortal and the Supreme Divine Spirits, together with the Taiyi Grand General, the Supreme Grand General, the Left Commander Grand General, the Right Commander Grand General, the Vanguard Grand General, the Rear Division Grand General, the Upper Simplicity Grand General, the Middle Simplicity Grand General, and the Lower Simplicity Grand General. These are nine divisions of divine generals, each commanding one hundred and twenty thousand troops and charged with deliverance and protection.

The Earth Emperor True Immortal and the Supreme Divine Spirits, together with the Taixuan (Great Mystery) Grand General, the Left Upper Grand General, the Right Upper Grand General, the Vanguard Grand General, the Rear Division Grand General, the Central Mystery Grand General, the Lower Mystery Grand General, and the True Mystery Grand General. These are eight divisions of divine generals, each commanding one hundred and twenty thousand troops and charged with deliverance and protection.

The Earth Sovereign True Immortal (Dihuang Zhenxian) and the Supreme Divine Spirit of the Most High (Taishang Shenming), together with the Great General of Grand Simplicity and Great Treasure, the Great General of Grand Mystery and Great Treasure, the Left General of the Great Treasure, the Right General of the Great Treasure, the Central General of the Great Treasure, the Vanguard Great General of the Great Treasure, the Rear-Guard Great General of the Great Treasure, the Great General of the Great Treasure of the Upper Prime, the Great General of the Great Treasure of the Middle Prime, and the Great General of the Great Treasure of the Lower Prime. These ten departments each have one hundred and twenty thousand persons who receive salvation.

The Earth Sovereign True Immortal, the Supreme Divine Spirit of the Most High, and the Great Generals Shentu and Yulei, together with the Great General of the Great Treasure of the Middle Prime and the Great General of the Great Treasure of the Lower Prime. These ten departments each have one hundred and twenty thousand persons who receive salvation.

The Earth Sovereign True Immortal, the Supreme Divine Spirit of the Most High, and Shentu and Yulei (the spirit generals who guard the gates), together with the Nine Sovereign Lords of the Five Paths, the Sovereign Ultimate Lord of the Five Immortals and Nine Numina, the Nine Numina Lord of the Sovereign Ultimate, the Sovereign Ultimate Lord, and the Sovereign Numinous Lord. These six departments each have one hundred and twenty thousand persons who receive salvation.

The true form and true talismans of the Earth Sovereign, along with the spirit generals and official troops, all receive salvation together with the documents. The Earth Sovereign section concludes here.

The True Spirit of the Human Sovereign (Renhuang Zhenling) and the Supreme Divine Spirit of the Most High, together with the Primordial Sovereign Nine Heavens Lord Who Elevates Immortals, the Grand Sovereign Lord, the Nine Heavens Lord of Sovereign Radiance and Eternal Salvation, the Central Sovereign Lord of the Nine Vast Heavens, the Central Numinous Lord of Great Virtue, the Sovereign Lord of the Transformation of the Dao, the Sovereign Pivot Lord of the Nine Perfected, and the Primordial Sovereign Lord of Great Peace. These eight departments each have seventy thousand persons who receive salvation.

The True Spirit of the Human Sovereign, the Supreme Divine Spirit of the Most High, the Lord Who Guides Spirits to Penetrating Illumination, the Manifest Sovereign Lord of Penetrating Qi (vital energy), the Sovereign Spirit Lord of Penetrating the Origin, and the Sovereign Heaven Most High Yang Illumination, together with the Sovereign Lord of the Transformation of the Dao, the Sovereign Pivot Lord of the Nine Perfected, and the Primordial Sovereign Lord of Great Peace. These eight departments each have seventy thousand persons who receive salvation.

The True Spirit of the Human Sovereign, the Supreme Divine Spirit of the Most High, the Lord Who Guides Spirits to Penetrating Illumination, the Manifest Sovereign Lord of Penetrating Qi, the Sovereign Spirit Lord of Penetrating the Origin, the Sovereign Heaven Most High Yang Illumination Elder Lord, the Nine Qi Lord of Communicating with Perfection, the Primordial Numinous Lord of the Nine Luminaries, the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) Lord Who Returns to Perfection, the Lesser Yang Lord, the Upper Numinous Grand Immortal Lord, the Jade Youth Lord of the Sovereign Ultimate, the Green-Waisted Jade Maiden of the Sovereign Ultimate, the Azure Yang Bright Numinous Immortal Youth of the Eastern Sovereign, the Primordial Sovereign Azure Emperor Lord Goumang, and the Sovereign Immortal Primordial Numinous Lord of the Great Cavern. These fourteen departments each have seventy thousand persons who receive salvation.

The True Spirit of the Human Sovereign, the Supreme Divine Beings, the Lord of the Red Spirit Solar Great Elixir, the Lord of Law Enforcement, Life-Extension and Records, the Elder of the Shining Spirit of the Southern Pole, the Jade Youths, the Jade Maidens of the Imperial Spirit of the Red Emperor, the Immortal Youths of the Crimson Writ of the Red Emperor, the Lord of the Precious Po (corporeal soul) and Shining Hun (ethereal soul) of the Great Sovereign of the Southern Pole, and the Solar Lord Zhurong of the Red Emperor.

The above seven groups of divine spirits each have seventy thousand who attained deliverance (who were received and guided, obtaining salvation).

The True Spirit of the Human Sovereign, the Supreme Divine Beings, the Primordial Dao (the Way) Lord Taibai Ziliu, the Primordial Sovereign Lord of Primordial Essence, the Jade Youths of the Vast Sovereign’s Primordial Essence, the Jade Maidens of the Transforming Sovereign’s Primordial Spirit, the Jade Maidens of the Jade Pivot of the Great Cavern of the Nine Sovereigns, the Pure Immortal Numinous Youths of the Western Sovereign White Emperor, the Lord of the Precious Hun and Stabilizing Po of the Primordial Shadow of the Primordial Sovereign, and the Lesser Yin Lord Rushou of the Supreme Sovereign White Emperor.

The above eight groups of divine spirits each have seventy thousand who attained deliverance.

The True Spirit of the Human Sovereign, the Supreme Divine Beings, the Primordial Lady of the Numinous Treasure of the Eastern Extremity, the True Spirit Lord of the Precious Hun and Stabilizing Po of the Primordial Shadow of the Primordial Sovereign, and the Lesser Yin Lord Rushou of the Supreme Sovereign White Emperor.

The above eight groups of divine spirits each have seventy thousand who attained deliverance.

The True Spirit of the Human Sovereign, the Supreme Divine Beings, the Primordial Lady of the Numinous Treasure of the Eastern Extremity, the True Spirit Lord of Primordial Radiance of the Five Numina, the Jade Immortal Lord of the Five Numina of the Supreme Sovereign, the Five Immortal Lords of the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) of the Mysterious Gate of Great Yin, the Lord of Conquest and Execution of the Nine Sovereigns of the Great Chronogram, the Lord of the Sovereign Mechanism of Gloomy Darkness, the Jade Maidens of the Mother of the Dao, Highest Sovereign of Great Primordiality, the Immortal Spirits of the Immortal Sovereign and the Yin Sovereign, the Lord of the Precious Po and Stabilizing Hun of the Northern Supreme Sovereign, and Lord Xuanming of the Black Emperor.

The above ten groups of divine spirits each have seventy thousand who attained deliverance.

The True Spirit of the Human Sovereign, the Supreme Divine Beings, the Lord of Destinies of the Capital Records of the Three Heavens of the Central Sovereign, the Lord of Mysterious Heaven of the Cavern Ultimate of the Central Sovereign, the Highest Sovereign Lord of Mount Tai, the Jade Youths of the Primordial Sovereign who Superintend the Immortals, the Jade Immortal Lord of the Twelve Hundred Officials of Primordial Yang, the Lord of Mount Tai of the Imperial Spirit, the Lord of Protecting the Hun and Illuminating the Po of the Primordial Sovereign, and the Lord of the Twelve Hundred Officials of the Three Tai of Sovereign Earth of the Central Sovereign.

The above eight groups of divine spirits each have one hundred thousand who attained deliverance.

The True Spirit of the Human Sovereign, the Divine Spirits of the Most High, together with the Gongcao (Daoist divine officials) charged with delivering people from the human realm so they may ascend the Mysterious Dao, the Gongcao charged with harmonizing Yin-Yang and treating illness, the Dongyuan Gongcao, the Gongcao who treat illness by means of the primordial Qi (vital energy) of the Grotto-Heavens, the Grotto-Heaven Illness-Treating Gongcao, the Yin-Yang Life-Protecting Gongcao, the Purple-Origin Life-Delivering and Regenerating Gongcao, the Grotto-Heaven Limitless Life-Delivering Gongcao, the Grotto-Heaven Great-Origin Life-Delivering Gongcao, the Grotto-Heaven Purple-Origin Tiger-Tally Generals, the Grotto-Heaven Limitless Tiger-Tally Generals, the Grotto-Heaven Great-Origin Tiger-Tally Generals, the Grotto-Heaven Tiger-Brave Attendant Officials, and the Talisman Officials of the Grotto-Heaven Tiger-Brave Attendant Officials.

These fourteen departments each deliver seventy thousand people.

The True Form of the Human Sovereign, together with one department of True-Qi officials, generals, clerks and soldiers, is delivered along with the documents. Next the Vajra Mysterious Register (Jingang Xuanlu, a Daoist fulu named for the vajra) is transmitted. The spirit generals commanded by the Most High Dongshen Upper-Origin Grotto-Heaven Vajra Mysterious Register include the Great Vajra General who delivers the Taiyi Immortals and Spirits, together with the Left General and Right General; the Golden-Mystery Great General and his left and right generals; the Golden-Might Great General and his left and right generals; and the Golden-Light Great General and his left and right generals.

These twelve departments each deliver ten trillion people.

The Great-One Immortal-Spirit Vajra Feathered Chariots, Golden-Light Feathered Chariots and Phoenix Feathered Chariots.

These twelve departments each deliver sixty-six vehicles. Here “cheng” is the counting unit for carriages.

The Great-One Immortal-Spirit Vajra Feathered Canopies, Golden-Root Feathered Canopies, Single-Shaft Feathered Canopies, Vajra Flowing-Essence cavalry and the like, together with the Vajra Talisman Officials.

These five departments each deliver nine hundred sixty thousand people.

The Taiyi Immortal-Spirit Enemy-Breaking Vajra, the Flying-Dragon cavalry bearing memorials, the Most High Upper Great Taiyi Immortal-Spirit Vajra Feathered Canopies, Golden-Root Feathered Canopies, Single-Shaft Feathered Canopies, Vajra Flowing-Essence cavalry and the like, together with the Vajra Talisman Officials.

These five departments each deliver nine hundred sixty thousand people.

The Taiyi Immortal-Spirit Enemy-Breaking Vajra, the Flying-Dragon cavalry bearing memorials, the Most High Upper Taiyi Lord, the Heavenly-Soldier cavalry officials, and the cavalry that open the immortal path.

These four departments each deliver nine hundred sixty thousand people.

This liturgical text mainly enumerates the names of the spirit generals, officials, chariots and cavalry, talismans and registers transmitted in the ritual of receiving deliverance, and indicates by departments the numbers each delivers. The latter half of the original contains repeated phrasing or suspected omissions, so the relevant names have been retained exactly as they appear.

Initiation is conferred upon ninety-six persons in each of nine categories: the divine immortals of Taiyi and Taiqing, the Sovereign Perfected, the inspectors of the high chariots, the merit officers of the three yang, the merit officers of the five yang, the clerks of the sovereign perfected heavenly lords, the left and right law-enforcing lords, the left and right law-enforcing clerks, the law-enforcing lords of sovereign heaven, and the law-enforcing clerks of sovereign heaven.

Initiation is conferred upon ninety-six persons in each category of the Jingang divine immortals of Taiyi, the law-enforcing and transforming lords of the upper three heavens, and the left and right Yin-Yang (yinyang) merit officers.

Initiation is conferred upon ninety-six persons in each category of the jade-pendant envoys and feather-pendant envoys of the Jingang divine immortals of Taiyi.

Initiation is conferred upon ninety-six persons in each category of the Jingang divine immortals of Taiyi, the law-enforcing and transforming lords of the upper three heavens, and the left and right Yin-Yang merit officers.

Initiation is conferred upon ninety-six persons in each category of the jade-pendant envoys and feather-pendant envoys of the Jingang divine immortals of Taiyi.

Initiation is conferred upon ninety-six persons in each of seven categories: the illuminating-guide clerks, mysterious-penetration clerks, truth-penetration clerks, Dao (the Way)-penetration clerks, Jing (essence)-penetration clerks, Shen (spirit)-penetration clerks, and Qi (vital energy)-penetration clerks of the Jingang divine immortals of Taiyi (these being the divine clerks who manage the circulation of primordial Qi, Shen, and related matters).

Initiation is conferred upon sixty-six persons in each of ten categories: the limitless-longevity clerks, direct-talisman clerks, direct-affairs clerks, Jingang merit officers, registrar assistants, message-transmitting clerks, junior clerks of affairs, Lingxia five hundred clerks, cloud-center auxiliary chapter clerks, and supervising unloading attendants of the Jingang divine immortals of Taiyi.

The Primordial Cavern Mysterious Register of the Jingang divine immortals of Taiyi (a sacred Daoist register of names or ritual register) commands one billion four hundred million four thousand divisions of generals, chariot-cavalry, officers, merit officers, registrars, and all internal and external officials. These, together with the Great Jingang Talisman, the true Qi of the stars and Dipper (the authentic vital energy endowed by the stars), and the true forms of the clerks and soldiers conferred according to the documents, are all granted together.

Next, ritual ranks are conferred.

The disciples of the Inner Landscape of the Three Sovereigns of the Most High Dongshen (Cavern of Spirit), this humble servant so-and-so and others, are arranged according to Dongshen ritual ranks among the fourteen thousand divisions of generals, chariot-cavalry, officers, merit officers, registrars, and all internal and external officials; they are also granted the Great Jingang Talisman, the true Qi of the stars and Dipper, and the true forms of the clerks and soldiers conferred according to the documents.

Next, ritual ranks are conferred.

The disciples of the Inner Landscape of the Three Sovereigns of the Most High Dongshen, so-and-so and others, kowtow and report. The Dongshen (Cavern of Spirit) method stands foremost among the dharma gates of the Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen). When the ritual master sets forth he wears a yellow skirt and cape draped with thirty-two cape bands, the Taiyi Sanyuan sword three chi in length at his left side, a white jade pendant hanging at his right, and a tally of green, yellow and white in his hand.

Thereupon the ritual master proclaims his ritual rank and solemnly declares: I, disciple of the Three Caverns of the Mysterious Capital of Highest Clarity, Great Great Highest Most High Lord, inspector and grand supervisor under the gate of the Celestial Master (Tianshi) of the Taiyuan One Lord, Yellow-Red True-One Three-One Elder, Unsurpassed Taiyi Diamond Golden Palace Emperor Lord, Three Caverns ritual master and Left Supervising Spirit Grandee of Jade Clarity, gentleman of a certain sacred peak and junior-omen Perfected so-and-so, kowtow twice before the assembled honored deities and respectfully report to the Great Great Highest August Heavenly God the Limitless Most High Primordial Lord, the Taiyuan One Lord Grand Commander, the Ghost Supervisor Lord Wondrous Practice Perfected, the Heavenly Emperor Great King, the Nine Heavens Primordial Cavern Limitless Great Emperor Lord, the Great Emperor Elder, the Jade Cavern Nine Mysteries Dongzhen Cavern Chief, together with the Three Sovereigns, the Dongshen Cavern Spring True Lord, the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) High Spirit Great Emperor Perfected, the Fasting Supervisor Awesome Spirit Great God, the Great Cavern Honored God, the Primordial Beginning Lord, the Highest Clarity Golden Palace Later Sage Emperor Lord, the Great True Lord of the Thirty-six Sections of Precious Jing (scriptures) together with their talismans and diagrams, the Great True Elder, the Most High King of Dawn Void August Great Dao (the Way) Lord, and the Limitless Responsive Perfected Ones of the Ten Directions.

Your minister dwells amid the nine soils, no more than an insignificant speck in the dusty world. By good fortune I was born in an age when the teaching of the Dao (the Way) and the orthodox methods circulate, and I have been chosen among those who transmit the teachings, thereby receiving the methods, glimpsing the precious jing (scriptures) and talisman diagrams, and obtaining the conferral of numinous officials, lord-generals and soldier-clerks. Outwardly I may assist the state and rescue people from calamity; inwardly I may accumulate merit, preserving Shen (spirit) and life-destiny. This grace is profound, far more than a humble person such as your minister can bear.

Yet I still fear that the faults and sins accumulated since my ancestors have not been pardoned and that I myself harbor many unexpiated errors. Unless I first report and swear an alliance oath, how could I dare offend the heavenly statutes by privately transmitting and practicing the methods? According to the Mysterious Regulations (the precepts and ritual norms of Daoism), transmission of methods requires fulfillment of an alliance-oath covenant, and only after the stipulated years have passed may the methods be widely promulgated. Now so-and-so and the others have purified body and mind, taken refuge in the Great Dao, presented documents expressing sincerity, sworn oaths before the deities, and request to receive the Precious Texts of the Three Sovereigns and the Great Method of Dongshen.

Having examined the documents and scrutinized their sincerity, your minister finds no grounds for refusal. Together with the recipients we have therefore performed the purification fast, publicly displayed the alliance texts, and requested verification of the corresponding responses so that human and divine may enter into mutual communication in accordance with the heavenly regulations. On such-and-such a day we have already ascended the altar and completed the transmission.

So-and-so has always been a voluntary devotee of the Dao who aspires to longevity and has not been coerced into reluctant acceptance. All sins and faults previously committed by your minister and by so-and-so we earnestly beg may be graciously pardoned and completely swept away. Henceforth we shall restrain ourselves, correct our faults and make a fresh start. Your minister respectfully dispatches the Primordial Beginning Merit Officers and the Flying Cloud Envoys to carry the alliance texts, announce them and deliver them. This matter is hereby memorialized.

We earnestly beseech the Most High High Spirits, the Myriad Sages Most Honored, the August Heaven Most High Emperor and the Great Emperor Jade Majesty to take pity on the aspirations of those receiving the method, to approve the actions undertaken by your minister, and to grant permission for so-and-so to wear and receive this method.

Especially I pray and request a command to the Five Emperor Lords of the five directions—East, South, West, North, and Center—each to lead three thousand jade youths and jade maidens in serving, protecting, and guarding the scriptures and Dharma treasures, so as to bless and protect this disciple. I further command the lords of the Nine Yi, Eight Man, Six Rong, Five Di, and Three Qin, each to lead their respective followers in purifying the ritual altar, enabling this disciple to observe the fast, hold the body upright, and perform worship.

May all the deities constantly, like the Three Sovereign Sage Lords, look down and oversee, so that this disciple succeeds in cultivation and completes meritorious virtue. I pray that the Heavenly Officials and numinous immortals record my merits and recommend my good deeds, allowing my parents of seven generations to ascend to heaven; and may the faults accumulated over successive lives all be thoroughly washed away and purified today.

May I be able to command gods and ghosts, subdue fierce evil demons and monsters, become a teacher and model for heavenly beings and worldly people, benefit the common people, and assist the nation. When the day of completing meritorious virtue arrives, may I be enrolled in the ranks of the immortals.

If this disciple violates the oath, betrays the covenant, disrespects teachers and the teachings of the Dao (the Way), is not cautious in cultivation, and damages the innate true nature, then I should confess to the Three Officials (Sanguan, the divine offices in charge of Heaven, Earth, and Water) and long accept examination and punishment. If I can cautiously and respectfully observe the teachings, then may the Three Treasures (Dao, Jing, Shi) bestow protection, and the liturgical precepts be fulfilled.

When the period of cultivation ends, may this set of Dharma methods be transmitted to worthy, virtuous, and sincere people, so that they continue to promote the Great Dao and assist in perpetuating the liturgical methods of the teaching. All the myriad numinous beings of heaven and earth, please examine the oath I have established.

This disciple and others, with sincere and earnest hearts, respectfully repent and confess. We hereby report this. All rise and each perform three bows.

Then take a pan dai (a sash worn over the outer garment) and fasten it outside the clothing, placing the sun talisman in front and the moon talisman behind, tying them below the heart. Next, place the contract documents (the talismanic writs used in the ritual) into a pouch and fasten it at the elbow; place the large-character sovereign writings inside the sash; tie the Yellow Woman talisman at the waist; affix the Diagram of the Nine Sovereigns to the chest; place the Heavenly Water talisman in the hair bun; fasten the Nine Heavens talisman behind the elbow; tie the Ascending to Heaven talisman at the waist; carry the Transmission Tablet on the back; fasten the Numinous Writings at the elbow; tie the Cinnabar Writings at the waist; place the Eight Majesties and Five Victories talisman on the chest; hold the True Form of the Three Ones (an image or ritual implement depicting the divine forms of the “Three Ones”); fasten the Register of the Youths at the elbow; place the talismanic contracts at the elbow; tie the Seal of the Three Sovereigns Yue Zhang at the waist; place the Envoy talisman beneath the collar at the back; and place the Universal Descent Tablet upon the hu (the ceremonial tablet held in the hands during ritual), stacking them together and holding them. Men wear these items on the left side, women on the right.

Then proceed leftward to the Earth Door of the Shen altar (the position within the ritual space that symbolizes the gateway of the earthly realm).

The ritual master says: “Disciples of the Inner Landscape of the Three Sovereigns of Dongshen (the Cavern of Spirit), so-and-so and others, pay respects to the Pavilion Chief of the Earth Door and the numinous beings who guard the chamber.” All present perform one bow.

The ritual master says: “The Imperial Lord has issued a command, ordering the disciples so-and-so and others to pass through the Earth Door, traversing the five pestilences, five demons, and all calamities, diseases, and epidemic afflictions.” All present bow again.

They then exit the Earth Door, come before the lower altar, and stand in the central position.

The ritual master says: “Disciples of the Inner Landscape of the Three Sovereigns of Dongshen, so-and-so and others, pay court to Lord Taiyi.” All present bow again. He continues: “Pay court to the Great Imperial Lord.” All present bow again. “Pay court to the Heavenly Imperial Lord.” All present bow again. The ritual master further says: “The Imperial Lord has issued a command, ordering the disciples so-and-so and others to pay court to Taiyi, to be exempted from disaster and peril, to forever leave behind the sufferings of the human world, and to long preserve the blessings bestowed by Heaven.” All present bow again.

The disciples are then first directed to leave the altar area, after which the ritual master issues the Twelve Vows.

They then again pay court to the Imperial Lord. The ritual master says: “The Imperial Lord has issued a command, ordering the disciples so-and-so and others to pay court to Taiyi, to be exempted from disaster and peril, to forever leave behind the sufferings of the human world, and to long preserve the blessings bestowed by Heaven.” All present bow again.

The disciples are then first directed to leave the altar area, after which the ritual master issues the Twelve Vows, and finally they return before the incense burner (“returning to the burner” refers to going back before the censer in the ritual to continue the rites or practices).

The incense smoke transforms into Jade Maidens (Yunu), and the assembled official spirits stand in attendance at their posts. One should cause heroic fungi and jade essence to appear at the site where the Dao methods are transmitted, growing naturally before the throne of the Heavenly Emperor. May purple vein-patterns arise upon the bodies of myself and my disciples, with crimson cloud-smoke concealed among our hair; may all living beings enjoy blessings and prosperity, and may household and nation receive grace. Let the spirits of the ten directions who serve the True Dao have the Jade Maidens convey their memorials, so that the matters reported are presented directly before the True Lords of the Three Sovereigns.

The Hymn of Wandering Spirits is then recited.

The Guanghan Court, that vast and chilly immortal courtyard, stands solemn and magnificent, while the halls in which immortals banquet remain quiet and spacious. Xuanming sings songs in praise of Yang qi, and the Great Scene, a bright and grand vision, emerges from the clouds. One cultivates through bathing, nourishes the Yang jing, and recites Taiyi, a venerated Daoist deity, in a prolonged voice. If one is not a worthy person of steadfast aspiration, how could one delight in such pure wandering and leisurely ease?

One then studies the immortal methods and descends from the altar to perform the ceremonies.

The incantation for exiting the door must also be recited:

Tai Xu San Xuan, Xu Tian San Yuan, Su Ling Yu Nu, Qi Wei Hao Yu, Xu Ye Huang Jun.

In such-and-such kingdom, in the year of such-and-such Tai Sui, on such-and-such month, day and hour, in such-and-such prefecture, county, township and village, the disciple born on such-and-such year, month and day today registers as a Dongshen disciple of the Three Caverns. Upon the imperial altar at such-and-such place the rites are performed once more.

The first tablet is presented in homage to the Heavenly Sovereign Lord. Upon reading this far, the rites are performed again; one kneels for a long time and places the tablet upon the table. In ancient practice the tablets were made of vermilion jade inscribed in red gold; nowadays they are written with cinnabar.

The second tablet pays homage to the Earthly Sovereign Lord.

The third tablet pays homage to the Human Sovereign Lord, and the rites are performed again.

The first tablet pays homage to the Heavenly Sovereign Lord. Upon reading this far, the rites are performed again; one kneels for a long time and places the tablet upon the table.

The second tablet pays homage to the Earthly Sovereign Lord.

The third tablet pays homage to the Human Sovereign Lord. The wording of the three tablets is identical; each measures two chi two cun in length, two cun four fen in width and two fen in thickness. They may be fashioned from ivory, jade, gold, silver or wood. They are inscribed according to the sequence of the Five Phases, the text complete and thorough in accordance with liturgical method. The homage is thereby completed.

Next the master leads the disciples through the four gates in order to dispel disasters and calamities, arriving beneath the Moon Gate in the southwest of the central altar.

The master says: “Dongshen disciples of the Inner Landscape of the Three Sovereigns, so-and-so and others, pay homage to the Great Yin Moon Lord.” The disciples perform the rites again.

The master says: “The Imperial Lord has issued a command, ordering the disciples so-and-so and others to pass through the flood calamity of Great Yin.” The disciples perform the rites again.

They then proceed to the Human Gate in the northeast.

The ritual master says: “Disciples so-and-so of the Dongshen (洞神) Sanhuang Neijing (a Daoist scripture and method of cultivation) salute the Solar Lord of the Sun.” The disciples salute again.

The ritual master says: “The Imperial Lord has issued a command, ordering the disciples to be delivered from calamity and misfortune.” The disciples salute again.

They then proceed toward the Human Gate in the northeast.

The ritual master says: “Disciples so-and-so of the Dongshen Sanhuang Neijing salute the Solar Lord of the Sun.” The disciples salute again.

The ritual master says: “The Imperial Lord has issued a command, ordering disciples so-and-so to pass through the calamities brought by mountain forests, prisons and punishments, tigers and wolves, venomous insects, and the Sun Gate.” The disciples salute again.

They then move to the left and walk to the Heaven Gate.

The ritual master says: “Disciples so-and-so of the Dongshen Sanhuang Neijing salute the Lord of the Heaven Gate.” The disciples salute again.

The ritual master says: “The Imperial Lord has issued a command, ordering disciples so-and-so to pass through the calamities of weapons, sharp blades, punishments, and slaughter brought by the Heaven Gate.” The disciples salute again.

May the inner landscape of the Great Mystery and the spirit of the True Origin protect my body, so that as I recite the incantations morning and evening, my voice may reach the High Worthy; so that calamities may be dispelled, I may cultivate to become a transcendent, have audience with the Lord Taiyi of the Purple Palace (the Taiyi deity who dwells in the Purple Mansion), and at last enter the formless realm, uniting with the Dao (the Way) and becoming True.

They are then led by the cantor (the person who guides the hymns during the ritual) before the Mysterious Master, and the remaining rites proceed as usual.

If a jiao offering with the conferral of registers is to be held, the offering may be set up before the Twelve Vows; alternatively, it may be held early the next morning, after which a memorial is submitted to report the meritorious accomplishment.