《上清洞天三五金刚玄箓仪》

The Supreme Primordial Heavenly Worthy of Pure Mystery and Limitless Truth (the highest deity revered in Daoism) dwells in the Jade Bureau of Eternal Light and Golden Truth. On the left, he governs the primordial Qi (vital energy) of pure truth, in 99,999 layers. The Perfected of Flowing Light and Jade Heaven sits on the right and governs the primordial Jing (essence) of accumulated Yang, in 88,888 layers. The Perfected of Golden Radiance and Precious Brilliance sits in the center and governs the true Qi of mysterious spiritual luminosity, pure and immeasurable, in hundreds of thousands of myriads of layers. The Perfected of Jade Mystery and Golden Origin presides over the wondrous Qi of the Upper Scene's pure emptiness, which generates and transforms the myriad things, in 900,099,999 layers.

O Venerable Elder of Utmost Truth and Empty Mystery of the Thirty-Six Cavern-Heavens: I, your servant, now receive the command to hold the office of Supervising Inspector of the Thirty-Six Governances of the Exalted Heavenly Treasure and Jade Sovereign. The Flying-Heaven Divine Kings of the Ten Directions oversee the Nine Heavens, the Three Origins, the Eight Poles, and every place the Four Images reach, pervading above and below and commanding the myriad spirits. I now proclaim to the spirit officials of all the heavens of the ten directions, and to all ghosts, spirits, and bureaus of the Three Realms and Six Paths: I, your servant, have received the Golden Vajra Three-Five Nine-Heavens Primordial Register of the Exalted Upper Origin and Primordial Cavern-Heaven (the register of talismans and registers that Daoism confers on its adherents). From this day I shall promulgate it according to ritual law and transmit it to the heavenly beings and living creatures of the ten directions.

Now there is one, man or woman, named so-and-so, simple and pure by nature and inclined toward purity and truth. This person has submitted a vow and willingly seeks to receive the Golden Vajra Three-Five Primordial Register of the Upper Origin Cavern-Heaven. According to the Keyi (liturgy), titles are now conferred: Heavenly Vajra Generals, soldiers, celestial officials, and military and civil officers. Every rite of registration proceeds in accordance with the decrees of the Limitless Great Dao, the Primordial Supreme One, the Exalted Jade Sovereign, the Supreme Utmost Truth, the Great Sage of the Ten Directions, the Supreme Lord of the Dao, the Supreme Lord Lao of the Three Heavens, the Supreme Elder of the Nine Heavens, the Supreme Jade Dawn Lord of Empty Mystery, and the Jade Emperor of the Golden Gate.

From this day the Primordial Register is conferred upon so-and-so. The Golden Vajra Three-Five Nine-Heavens Primordial Perfected Generals, soldiers, celestial officials, and officers of the Upper Origin Cavern-Heaven shall, each according to rank and position, secure and guard this person's Three Origins (the upper, middle, and lower divisions). Around this person they shall set up protective sanctuaries, including the Golden Hall, the Jade Residence, and palatial chambers, and arrange the celestial guard, the feathered guard, the chamber guard, the spirit guard, and the phoenix guard to shield them. The encircling power of protection shall wrap around them layer upon layer, turning to the left nine hundred million myriad layers and to the right nine hundred million myriad layers, so that this person is guarded whether going out or coming in.

The Heavenly Vajra Generals command the ten directions and summon the heavenly spirits, earthly deities, and the myriad powers of the Eight Poles. They also summon the spirits of the Five Peaks and famed mountains, the great marshes, the Three Rivers and Four Seas, the Yangtze, Huai, and Ji rivers, the Four Waterways and Nine Regions, the ghost lords of villages and pavilions, the talisman temples of the Nine Provinces, the local village shrines, and the spirits of the void. Whether in the shadowy underworld or the clear void, whether in the upper realms or the lower, all deities of the deep abysses and water residences must carry out the talismanic command and submit to the direction of the celestial officials.

These divine generals shall also protect so-and-so, concealing their traces and veiling their radiance. If any malevolent spirits or evil ghosts, any roaming hunter-spirits among the clouds of the Six Heavens, or any sprites, demons, or goblins seek to harm this person, the Heavenly Vajra Generals shall join forces to shake heaven and earth and sweep them away with their might, and none may disobey. This command must be carried out at once, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances of the Exalted Supreme Jade Sovereign.

The Mysterious Gang of the Grotto-Heaven (Dongtian)—commander of the divine troops within the grotto-heaven—leads one billion myriad soldiers, and the Gang of the Numinous Vermilion Heaven likewise leads one billion myriad soldiers. Whoever intends to harm me, the various Gang deities of Heaven shall together unleash their power, causing heaven and earth to tremble and their awesome might to sweep through all four quarters, annihilating the harm; none may disobey. Swiftly, swiftly, let this be carried out in accordance with the statutes and ordinances of the Most High Jade Emperor of the Exalted Ultimate.

The scripture that follows repeatedly enumerates the Gang deities, flying immortals, generals, mighty warriors, and mounted officers of heavenly realms such as the Grotto-Heavens, the Vermilion Heaven, the Upper Prime, the Primordial Grotto, and the Unsurpassed Three Heavens, naming in turn the troops each of them commands. The roster includes divine generals and soldiers charged with overseeing the stellar lodges, the Five Qi (vital energies), primordial destiny, Fulu (talismans and registers), the expulsion of evil, the dispelling of calamity, the protection of the body, the capture of ghosts, the investigation of treachery, and the delivery of memorials. The text uses figures such as “one billion myriad,” “a hundred billion myriad,” and “three hundred and fifty thousand” to convey their immense numbers, and employs titles such as “mounted riders,” “mounted officers,” and “mighty warriors” to present the formation in which they set out, patrol, and execute their commands.

The entire passage is a statute-style prayer used in ritual to summon and dispatch these divine generals and troops. It petitions them to carry out their charge to drive out evil influences, eliminate disasters, protect the reciter, and execute the command swiftly according to the ordinances of the heavenly realms. The names of deities and the numbers of troops listed are very many; the original text also contains repetitions and what appear to be errors arising from scribal transmission, and so they are here summarized according to the overall sense.

The unsurpassed and exalted Yuanshi Taishang Xuanzhen Shangyuan Taiguang opens the true Dao (the Way), penetratingly illuminating the ten directions, its mysterious radiance shining upon the Golden Palaces of all the heavens. Charged with governing the four quarters, he occupies a high station in accordance with the celestial cycle. The divine might of Jingang shakes, the spirits of the Three and Five array themselves in order, and the Nine Heavens receive the command and carry it out. The primordial register governs the spirits and passes through the Heavenly Pass. Fierce and mighty spirits inspect, summon, and dispatch the various numina; heavenly demons are overthrown and scattered, while the Ghost Emperor gathers and restrains the goblins and sprites. Clear and subtle, vast and bright, primordial firmness rectifies and constrains, becoming the ancestral lord of the myriad spirits of the ten directions.

He administers the heavenly realms and lays out the earth, circulating through the great void with streaming light like lightning; his awesome power suffices to resist poisonous winds. The mysterious stellar images of the revolving heavens correspond with the yang Qi (vital energy) of the Primordial Father. When in motion they appear as the Yuyu Heaven; when transforming they appear as the Red Heaven. The Flying Jingang Spirit treads the celestial chronogram and commands the various spirits. His descendants are spread throughout the heavens. The dharma wheel accords with the celestial cycle; riding adamantine Qi he assists the true Dao, guarding kalpic destinies, checking disasters, and regulating the Qi of the seasons. The Flying Jingang Spirit comes riding forth to conceal the form and hide the shadow of so-and-so, eliminate disasters, save life, and carry him through tribulations. He causes the true forms of the Three Images to arrive mounted upon the stars and Nine Origins, so that the demonic spirits and form-po of so-and-so together reach the celestial court.

Your servant so-and-so, in such-and-such year, month, day, and hour, in such-and-such kingdom, commandery, county, township, and village, received transmission. Your servant so-and-so, of such-and-such age, on that day prepared as ritual pledges a pair of golden buttons, thirty-five chi of crimson patterned silk, seven liang of cinnabar, and ten jin of costus root, among other items. He ascended the numinous altar and respectfully received the Gaoshang Shangyuan Yuanshi Dongtian Jingang Sanwu Jiutian Yuanlu.

Your servant so-and-so then, on the twelfth day of the Taiqing Dongtian, again prepared a pair of golden buttons, thirty-five chi of crimson patterned silk, seven liang of cinnabar, and ten jin of costus root as ritual pledges, ascended the numinous altar, and respectfully received the Gaoshang Shangyuan Yuanshi Dongtian Jingang Sanwu Jiutian Yuanlu.

We respectfully invite the Twelve Mysterious Elders of the Taiqing Dongtian, the Limitless Great Dao Taishang Laojun, the Taishang Mysterious Elder Lord, the Taishang Three Heavens Mysterious Primordial Qi Sovereign Elder Lord, the Taishang Jade Dawn Lord, the Nine Elder Immortal Capital Elders, the Unsurpassed Taishang Great Dao Lord of the Shangqing Dongtian, the Limitless Taishang Most True Great Dao Primordial Sovereign Taishang Laojun, the Yuqing Dongtian Uppermost Taishang Upper Bright Jade Emperor Limitless Great Dao Most True Mysterious One Elder Lord, the Yuanshi Taishang High Mysterious Elder, as well as His Majesty the Jade Emperor who guards the Unsurpassed Golden Palace. We command the Upper, Middle, and Lower Sovereign Three-Five Perfected Ones, together with the generals, cavalry, soldiers, and heavenly officials and clerks under Jingang command, each to garrison within the body of so-and-so, surrounding him in layer upon layer, numbering in the hundreds of millions. All is to be carried out in accordance with the statutes and commands of the Gaoshang Yuanshi Taishang Great Dao Lord.

The covenant text (alliance document) on the right and the main body of the text are both written in cinnabar.

Three-Five Covenant Ritual

Fold the two ends of the document together so that they face each other, and write along the crease.

In a given year, under the Tai Sui of a given month, on the first day at the zi hour, in a given commandery, a given county, a given capital township and a given village, the resident subject so-and-so, of such-and-such an age, proceeds in accordance with the ordinances of the High Supreme Primordial Supreme Great Dao Lord.

The covenant text on the right and the main body of the text are both written in cinnabar.

Three-Five Covenant Ritual

Fold the two ends of the document together so that they face each other, and write along the crease.

In a given year, under the Tai Sui of a given month, on the first day at the zi hour, in a given commandery, a given county, a given capital township and a given village, the resident subject so-and-so, of such-and-such an age, with sincere heart establishes this covenant and solemnly swears an oath in the netherworld. Having now prepared a pair of golden buttons, thirty-five chi of crimson silk, seven liang of cinnabar, ten jin of wood incense and other offerings, I pray to receive transmission of the High Supreme Upper Primordial Cavern-Heaven Vajra Three-Five Nine Heavens Primordial Register (a Daoist Fulu (talismans and registers) that signifies the divine office and numinous power conferred upon the recipient), the True Vajra Three Images, the True-Form Primordial Flying Vajra Spirit, the Golden Cavern-Heaven Tiger Talisman, the Flying-Heaven Mysterious Covenant, and related items.

From this day onward, subject so-and-so, in accordance with the ritual procedures, receives the three generals Xuan Jingang, Tian Gang and Yuan Gang together with their soldiers, as well as their mounts, heavenly officials, officers and clerks, and celestial ceremonial feather ornaments. The relevant titles, numbers and true secrets must all be transmitted upon the altar, carried out one by one according to regulation, and the covenant broken (activated or opened according to ritual) at a time when Qi (vital energy) is abundant. Thereafter everything is received in accordance with the High Supreme Mysterious Regulations (the norms of High Supreme Dao methods).

After receiving the teaching, subject so-and-so is able to summon the ten directions and eight extremities and to command the myriad spirits. The ceremonial processions, titles, numbers and true secrets of the Five Sacred Mountains and famous mountains must likewise all be transmitted upon the altar, carried out one by one according to regulation, and the covenant broken at a time when Qi is abundant. Thereafter everything is received in accordance with the High Supreme Mysterious Regulations.

The Five Sacred Mountains and famous peaks, the great marshes, the three rivers and four seas, the Yangtze, Huai and Ji rivers, the Four Waterways and nine regions, the ghost lords of townships and pavilions, the talisman temples of the nine provinces, the village altars and mountain-forest Meng chiefs, the twelve river sources, the ford-and-bridge stream maidens, and all the deities of the Clear Spirit Water Palaces shall carry out the imperial edicts and talismanic commands, assist the operation of the Heavenly Dao, slay demons, rebellious ghosts and ferocious spirits, dispel disasters and avert calamities, cut down inauspicious forces, and protect subject so-and-so.

Having received the Dao, subject so-and-so swears never to kill without cause, never to indulge orthodox Qi or act contrary to the Dao, and never to employ heavenly officials arbitrarily. Should any of these prohibitions be violated, I willingly accept heavenly punishment. All of the foregoing is to be observed in accordance with the covenant oath now established.

Everything is to be carried out according to the ordinances of the High Supreme Primordial Supreme Great Dao Lord.

The ordinances of the High Supreme Primordial Supreme Great Dao Lord are to be followed in every respect.

Daoism holds that if heavenly officials violate the celestial regulations, they will receive heavenly punishment on the corresponding days; these sanctions are all carried out according to covenant. Those who receive the Dao (the Way) must swear an oath: not to kill wantonly, and not to give free rein to the upright Qi (vital energy); to act upon their commission, and not to set themselves against ghosts, spirits, or malevolent forces; to dispel calamities, cut down inauspicious influences, and guard one another by the power of the deities. All the deities concerned are to carry out imperial decrees and talismanic commands, assist the operation of the Heavenly Dao, and slay demons and monsters.

The spirits of the mountain forests, the water gods of the Twelve River Sources, the goddesses of fords, bridges, and streams, the pure spirits of the Water Palace, as well as the river deities of the Huai, the Ji, and other waters, the Four Watercourses (a collective name for the four great rivers), the Nine Domains, the ghost-chiefs of townships and pavilions, the talisman-temples of the Nine Provinces, the spirits of the village altars of the eight directions, and all the myriad kinds of spirits, are under the sovereignty of Heaven. The deities corresponding to the Five Sacred Peaks, famous mountains, great marshes, the Three Rivers and Four Seas, and the water Qi of rivers and streams must likewise all comply with the Supreme Mysterious Statutes (the legal ordinances of the upper realm).

After receiving the Dharma, one summons the spirits of the ten directions according to the Keyi (liturgy), prepares in full the heavenly processional regalia, vestments, name-counts, and taboo names, and ascends the altar to transmit the teaching according to the true formulas. When the registers are conferred, one must draw the talismans according to the rite and confer the names of the three generals Jingang, Tiangang, and Yuangang together with their soldiers, their mounts, the heavenly officials and officers, the Grotto-Heaven tiger tallies, the Flying Heaven Mysterious Contracts, and so forth. The recipient of the Dharma, so-and-so, must on that same day, according to the Keyi, additionally receive the Mysterious Five Nine-Heavens Primordial Register, the True Gang Three Images, and other Dharma registers, and prepare ritual objects including the True Form and ten catties of Yuanshi Flying Gang Divine Gold, seeking to receive the Supreme Upper Origin Yuanshi Grotto-Heaven Jingang Dharma.

The ceremony must also prepare a pair of gold clasps as the threefold offering, thirty-five chi of crimson patterned silk, seven liang of cinnabar, and muxiang incense. The recipient writes out name and age, swears the oath with the heart-mind, takes the pledge-objects as evidence, and solemnly makes a covenant before the deities of the netherworld. The date and place of the ceremony are to be filled in as: in such-and-such year, under Taisui, on the first day of such-and-such month, at the zi hour, in such-and-such commandery and county, metropolitan township, and such-and-such village.

Ritual of the Grotto-Heaven Three-Five Three Generals Talismans

Yuanshi Grotto-Heaven Three-Five Dongzhen Heavenly Gang Talisman

The following Fulu (talismans and registers) are all written in cinnabar.

Supreme Unsurpassed Yuanshi Most High Grotto-Heaven Self-Substance Heart Contract, and Verified Netherworld Oath

Now held in such-and-such year, under Taisui, on the first day of such-and-such month, at the zi hour, in such-and-such commandery and county, metropolitan township, and such-and-such village.

Ritual of the Grotto-Heaven Three-Five Three Generals Talismans

Yuanshi Grotto-Heaven Three-Five Dongzhen Heavenly Gang Talisman

In the grotto-heavens (dongtian) under the jurisdiction of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun), who dwells high above all the heavens, there is a Flying Origin Mysterious Void Jade Capital Left Assistant Upper Origin Nine Heavens Diamond Warrior, known as the “Three-Five Great Mighty Traversing and Leveling Heaven Great General.” He oversees the eight directions; his name is Ge Haoling, courtesy name Wenshi. Standing thirty million zhang in height, he commands the armies, cavalry, and warrior-officials of the Nine Heavens and supervises military affairs.

He leads hundreds of millions of cavalry arrayed in processions that blot out the sky and sun. His battle formations spread throughout the ten directions, encamping to protect the heavenly realm and governing the earth while flying amid the principles of the Heavenly Dao (Dao, the Way). His might is fierce; he can sweep away the Six Heavens (a class of malevolent forces in the Daoist pantheon), prevent disasters and kalpic catastrophes, eliminate calamities, travel between heaven and earth, take charge of Tianji (one of the stars of the Northern Dipper, also referring to the pivot of the Heavenly Dao’s movement), clearly perceive heavenly destinies and numbers, assist the Three Origins (the primordial Qi (vital energy) governed by the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water), garrison the Five Phases (wuxing; Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), and take responsibility for welcoming and escorting the divine officials of the Three Realms.

I now receive the Mysterious Talisman of the True Form of the Diamond Warrior (a Fulu (talismans and registers) symbolizing the true form and numinous power of the divine general), using it to garrison and protect my person. The Azure Flower Jade Palace of the Left Palace and the Nine Passes of Tianji are this divine general’s stations; he constantly governs the destinies of all beings in the Nine Heavens. His mysterious radiance shines down, interplaying with the brilliance of the sun and moon, transforming into flowing bright light and lightning that causes my physical form to appear luminous and manifest.

The cavalry, officials, soldiers, and warrior-officials led by the Diamond Warrior all guard me in successive layers, the protective host numbering hundreds of billions upon tens of millions of layers. When they appear, their divine majesty fills heaven and earth and their radiance illuminates the sky; when they conceal themselves they become silent and still, calmly protecting my body. From the High Upper Nine Heavens downward none fail to submit, and the host of spirits will also follow me. Whether passing through blades and sharp edges or encountering disasters of water and fire and the nine kinds of tribulation, nothing can harm me.

The divine officials of the Three Realms welcome and escort me as we ascend together to the Golden Palaces of the Imperial Court, the palaces of the Jade Emperor. I tread the Flying Steel Pacing of the Records (the stepping method of the Daoist ritual of pacing the guideline and treading the Dipper), eliminating heavenly disasters, extinguishing malevolent and deviant forces, and slaying evil spirits. Dragons and tigers whirl about me, summoning and capturing the deviant and strange among grasses and trees; the Vermilion Bird flies forth, the nine demons collapse and scatter, and the Dark Warrior patrols the empty void, inspecting the traces of sprites and goblins.

The General assists the operation of heavenly principle, supports the nation and the fortunes of the times, and subdues disasters. He dispatches the Nine Origins and Three Luminaries, the Seven Luminaries of the Armillary Sphere, the Jade Transverse of the Five Directions, and the Mysterious Dipper, arranging them according to directional positions. My physical form thereby receives the protection of the High Upper Unsurpassed Primordial Beginning Most High. The Left Assistant Three-Five Diamond Warrior takes charge of the fourteen lunar lodges of the East and South as well as the Yang Dipper, Yang spirits, and Yang Qi, penetrating heaven and earth, garrisoning and protecting the 990,000 of the Upper Upper Great Unity Generating-Spirit Department and the 880,000 of the Primordial Upper Mysterious Elder Generating-Spirit Department that governs the Liver Palace; he also pacifies and secures the two directions of the Left Palace of the grotto-heaven, overseeing and protecting the Heavenly Origin. Swiftly, swiftly, put this into practice in accordance with the method.

Yuanshi Taishang, a revered Daoist deity, issues this decree.

The figure is clad in golden armor, dressed in vermilion garments, and bound with a green sash.

This is the High Supreme Unsurpassed Yuanshi Taishang of the Grotto-Heaven (Dongtian), Flying Origin, Void Origin, Upper Capital, Right Assistant, Upper Origin, Nine Heavens, Origin Strength, Three-Five, Vast Might, Heaven-Spanning Great General who oversees the eight directions. Known as Gaochen Cheqi Tang Wenchang, styled Jinxuan, he stands thirty million zhang tall and commands the soldiers, warriors, generals, and officials of the three armies while managing military formations. He leads hundreds of millions of troops, riding swiftly through the air to array the heavenly processions; his forces are numerous and fully prepared in all eight directions. He inspects the heavenly realms, restrains the earth, and comprehensively governs the three principles of heaven, earth, and humanity. His flight causes the sky to tremble; he rides the wind to patrol the various heavens, his light shining upon all quarters. He subdues demons and monsters, summons the divine spirits, campaigns against the fierce and wicked, slays the demonic and strange, and eradicates all inauspicious influences.

He supports the Three Heavens. The person (here standing for the recipient of the talisman) now receives the True Form Mysterious Talisman—a Fulu (talisman and register) endowed with sacred form and numinous power—and installs it according to ritual at the Seven Treasures Towers of the Plain Heaven in the Right Palace of the body, atop the Golden Towers. It constantly directs the transformative processes of the spirit-generating forces of the Three Heavens; its brilliance illuminates the palaces of the sun and moon and shines downward to protect and guard the person's body. Heavenly soldiers numbering in the thousands upon thousands appear in successive ranks, their radiance circulating swiftly like lightning and penetrating the deepest recesses. The Heavenly Gang manifested from the person's body, together with the attendant heavenly officials, soldiers, generals, and officers, must fill the person's form completely: when they appear they saturate heaven and earth; when they recede they hide in silence within the realm of Yuanshi. Their light remains stably within the person's body, so that everything beneath the Unsurpassed Three Heavens submits and follows without exception.

Whether the person travels through mountains or across waters, the three armies and five weapons of every kind are completely overcome and brought to submission. Flying Origin treading among the stars gradually clears the wild ways of the ten directions; the spirits of the Six Heavens and the soaring tigers and dragons are all examined, bound, and subdued. The Vermilion Bird spreads its wings and the sharp points of a hundred ghosts are broken; the Mysterious Warrior leaps into emptiness and annihilates the multitude of misfortunes.

The general assists the Heavenly Dao and governs the flow of Qi (vital energy) and fortune. He aids the nation in warding off disasters, safeguards the state's destiny, dispels calamities, and preserves blessings. The Seven Origins and Three Luminaries (the seven stars of the Northern Dipper along with the sun, moon, and other heavenly bodies), the Seven Luminaries together with the Xuanji and Yuheng (the stellar officials and instruments used to observe celestial phenomena), and the stellar lodges of the five directions each take their appointed places. The person's body embodies the form of the High Supreme Upper Origin Yuanshi Taishang Right Assistant of the Three-Five, presiding over the spirit-generating forces of the fourteen lodges of the west and north as well as yin destiny, yin spirits, yin heaven, and yin Qi. It connects above to heaven and below to earth, garrisons the Taiyi Department of Transforming and Generating Spirits comprising seven hundred seventy thousand, administers the Lung Palace Mysterious Upper Most High Numinous Department of Transforming and Generating Spirits comprising five hundred fifty thousand, stabilizes the western and northern regions of the Right Palace of the Grotto-Heaven, and oversees the celestial mechanism. This order is to be executed with utmost urgency, all in accordance with the decree of Yuanshi Taishang.

The Most High Primordial Supreme, the Flying Brahma King of the Grotto-Heaven Void Primordial Capital, guards the Kidney Palace, bringing stability to both sides of the Right Palace of the Grotto-Heaven and covering the celestial mechanisms. This decree must be executed immediately in accordance with the statutes of Yuanshi Taishang (the Most High of Primordial Beginning).

Within the Most High Primordial Supreme Grotto-Heaven Flying Brahma King Void Primordial Capital is stationed the Great General of the Upper Origin Nine Heavens Primordial Strength Three-Five Pacifying Heaven of Upright Majesty and Vast Transcendent Might. He commands Zhou Wendu, courtesy name Jinguang, the Most High Chariot-and-Cavalry Martial Spirit Capital Army of the Ten Directions of the heavenly realm. The general stands three thousand zhang in height and leads the flying-heaven armies, officers, troops, horses, mighty warriors, and officials of the ten directions, presiding over campaigns of subjugation. The arrays under his command number in the hundreds of millions; his chariots and cavalry are beyond counting. Their might shakes the heavens and rips open the clouds; celestial majesty blazes forth, illuminating the void. With boundless hosts he guards the Nine Origins, deploys the awesome prestige of Heaven to overawe evil spirits, shakes the encampments of Heaven, drives out the Six Heavens (here referring to the evil forces that must be expelled), patrols and oversees Northern Feng (the netherworld), and subdues the myriad spirits.

Heavenly soldiers grasp spears and lances, issuing commands throughout the Three Realms, eradicating demons and all manner of monsters, setting up the banners and tokens of the Ghost Emperor, and destroying treacherous and vicious beings: when falsehood is found it is punished; when demonic evil is found it is slain; when wickedness is found it is cut down. When goodness is found it is protected; when the orthodox Way is found it is upheld; when a Zhenren (Perfected Person) is found he is guarded; when blessing is met it is shielded; when disaster is met it is dissolved; when auspiciousness is met it is preserved; when peril is met it is cleared away.

Thus he assists Heaven and Earth and protects living beings. A certain person now respectfully receives the True-Form Mysterious Fulu (talismans and registers) that embodies the divine general’s power, thereby guarding within the human body the Palace of the Central Sovereign in the Three Origins Great Subtlety Jade Mansion, the Five Cities of the Golden Towers, and the Hall of the Nine Dawn Stars. He constantly oversees the generation and transformation of Heaven and Earth and the circulation of the Shen (spirits), rectifies the pivot of the celestial bodies (the Xuanji), and causes the sun and moon to stand arrayed on left and right, their radiance filling the void.

Soldiers in fiery armor form ranks in front; fierce troops follow behind. On the left are arrayed warriors and successive ranks of Azure Dragons; on the right are arrayed divine generals and the White Tiger of Heavenly Charge. The Vermilion Bird, a numinous fowl, spits fire and howls with the wind; Gouchen and Xuanwu (the Mysterious Warrior) devour ghosts, monsters, and wickedness. On the left attend the Mighty Warriors Who Span Heaven, who slay and seize treacherous demons; on the right attend the Vajra Mighty Warriors, who swallow and eliminate evil spirits and ghosts. Their light flashes like lightning. Should any inauspicious thing appear, they sweep away filth and clear dusty evil with their awesome power, garrisoning the heavenly realm, controlling the earth, and covering the entire Great Void; when they conceal themselves they hide in the utmost stillness and subtlety. Heaven and Earth are made secure solely by the operation of this divine majesty.

Now this Fulu guards and protects the Three Origins within a certain person. From Heaven above to what lies beneath Heaven, from Earth above to what lies beneath Earth, there is nothing that does not fall under its jurisdiction. Should this person travel through hills and wilderness, rivers and the four seas, the eight directions and the nine provinces, all deities, ghost-kings, earth gods, temple spirits, and True Officials who govern the circulation of Qi (vital energy) must honor this Fulu and obey its commands.

The general perceives all matters with clarity. With the upright Qi of the Three Origins he assists the state and protects life, causing Heaven and Earth to operate unimpeded; he moves in accordance with the transformations of the four seasons and the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), circulating through the Nine Heavens. The Three Origins and Seven Luminaries, the Xuanji and Yuheng, the suns and moons of all the heavens, the stellar lodges, the Three Bonds and Six Regulations, and all the great gods of light are arrayed within this person’s bodily form and belong to the Most High Unsurpassed Yuanshi Taishang Great Subtlety Jade Void Central Sovereign Upper Origin Upper Mansion. This mansion oversees the Three Origins and Nine Palaces, the generation and transformation of the Taiyi primordial Jing (essence) and the circulation of the Shen, connecting through to the Primordial Beginning. It guards the twelve hundred million people of the Upper Origin Division of the Nine Heavens, governs the Spleen Palace, and commands the foremost of the pure true numinous circulatory transformations of the Most High Primordial Sovereign. All of this is to be carried out in accordance with this decree.

This passage belongs to a divine general’s edict within a Daoist Fulu ritual: by receiving the Fulu, one invites the divine general and protective spirits to guard the body, expel evil, and protect what is orthodox. The original contains numerous repeated phrases; the present rendering consolidates them while expressing the same content.

The Primordial Most High (Yuanshi Taishang) issues a decree.

In a given year of a given era name, on the first day of a given month, at the zi hour of a given day, in a given commandery and county, township, and village, a male or female officer named so-and-so, born in a given year and now of a given age, sets up an altar in a given commandery and village to receive the Highest Supreme Upper Origin Primordial Cavern Heaven Three-Five Vajra Mysterious Register (the Fulu conferred during Daoist register-ordination rites).

Ritual of the Upper Origin Cavern Heaven Vajra Three-Five Strategy Tablets, Boards, Staves, and Related Instruments.

The Earth Altar Lords (Shejun) of the nine provinces are Zou Hun of Yangzhou, Feng Qian of Jizhou, Fan Si of Yuzhou, Zhang Xiang of Jingzhou, Fei Meng of Yanzhou, Jia Meng of Xuzhou, Sheng Ji of Yongzhou, Han Yu of Qingzhou, and Yang Qian of Liangzhou.

The Primordial Lord Lao (Yuanshi Laojun) commands the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water, the mountains, rivers, and Five Sacred Peaks, the Nine Soils of Kunlun, the sun, moon, and Five Stars, the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, the Nine Stars and Seven Luminaries, the Thirty-Six Hui, the Xuanji Yuheng (ancient astronomical instruments and stellar designations), the Perfected Ones of the Five Dippers, and the billions of myriad deities, all to obey the command and protect so-and-so. They are to subdue demons and evildoers, capture ghosts and sprites, slay heterodox spirits, and eliminate malicious harms. The deities of the Nine Soils and altar boundaries must immediately transmit the command. The Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, Nine Stars and Seven Luminaries, Thirty-Six Hui, Xuanji Yuheng, Perfected Ones of the Five Dippers, and billions of deities must likewise obey the command, protect so-and-so, subdue demons and evildoers, capture ghosts and sprites, and eliminate evil. The command must be swiftly transmitted and immediately executed. This decree is as binding as a statute.

In a given year, with Tai Sui in a given year, month, and day.

Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, Ji, Dou, Niu, Nü, Xu, Wei, Shi, Bi, Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zi, Shen, Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang, Yi, Zhen—these are the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions (the ancient division of the sky into twenty-eight stellar regions). The Ling Tian Thirty-Two Degrees of Heavenly Gang (celestial star-spirit designations) transmit the order for the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions to protect so-and-so. The Three-Five Flying Gang (Daoist spirit or numinous-power designations) summon ghosts and extinguish armed forces. The True Officials of the Nine Provinces heed the command and carry it out. May so-and-so, on the day of attaining the Dao, fly up to Jade Clarity (Yuqing, the Daoist celestial realm of purity), with merit equal to that of the Perfected Ones, and manifest the true form. The command must be immediately executed. This decree is as binding as a statute.

In a given commandery, county, township, and village, the male or female officer named so-and-so, born in a given year and now of a given age, receives the ritual register.

The above document is written by a given commandery and county. May the recipient of the register fly up to Jade Clarity, with merit equal to that of the Perfected Ones, and manifest the true form. The command must be immediately executed. This decree is as binding as a statute.

The male and female officials of a certain commandery, county, township, and village, born in a certain year, received this register (lu) at a given age.

The text listed above is that written and placed upon the board by a certain commandery and county.

The five talismans on the Three-Five Board, together with the Turning Board Talisman, are all written in cinnabar and worn upon the person. The Zhenren (Perfected One) depicted on the board is surnamed Wang and named Wuzichi; he commands the Five Dippers. He stands three zhang and five chi in height, the names of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions bound about his waist, his feet treading the Three Bonds and Six Rules, and he presides over the village altars of the Nine Provinces. The name of this Zhenren is as given above.

The seal inscriptions used for the Three-Five Board, the staff, and similar items: The Memorial Ritual for Conferring the Three-Five Chapter Register

Next, strike the heavenly drum thirty-six times.

Then issue the furnace (perform the ritual of burning incense to invite the spirits).

The Pure Mysterious Limitless True Upper Three Heavens Mysterious Primordial Original Qi Limitless Great Dao Taishang Laojun (Supreme Lord Lao), together with the left and right incense officials, the flying immortal relay dragons, the mounts, the incense-bearing envoys, the flying heavenly dragon riders, and the Jade Boys and Jade Girls who serve incense for the Five Emperors, each numbering twenty-four, come forth. Thereupon they present the memorial:

“O Vacuous Primordial Spontaneous Original Honored Heavenly Worthy! This servant now burns incense, submits the memorial text, and performs the rite of transmission and conferral, wishing that the True and Upright Vital Qi (Qi) of the Ten Directions of the Supreme One may descend into our bodies, so that the matter presented may reach directly before the imperial presence of the Limitless Great Dao, the Most True Jade Emperor.”

Having spoken, they perform the double prostration.

Next they kneel at length before the incense table, summon forth the officials and generals, present the memorial, and carry out the rite of transmission and conferral.

I respectfully invite the True Officials of the Five Bodies within my person, as well as the officials and generals within the Three Bodies, to come forth, so that the matter presented may reach directly before the imperial presence of the Limitless Great Dao, the Most True Jade Emperor. Having spoken, they perform the double prostration.

Next they kneel at length before the incense table, once more summon forth the officials and generals, present the memorial, and carry out the rite of transmission and conferral.

I respectfully invite the Five Body True Officials (the divine officials governing the five parts of the body) within this humble servant, together with two each of the Three-Five Merit Officers, to come forth. I also invite two each of the Upper Origin Nine Heavens Three-Five Original Destiny Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Merit Officers, the Upper Origin Dongtian Three-Five Life-Delivering Merit Officers, the Upper Origin Dongtian Three-Five Disaster-Dispelling and Dao-Delivering Merit Officers, the Upper Origin Dongtian Three-Five Inspection Merit Officers, and the Upper Origin Dongtian Three-Five Yin-Yang Healing Merit Officers. Further, I invite two each of the Primordial Supreme Upper Origin Nine Heavens Upper Spirit Flying Heaven White Tiger Memorial-Sending Immortal Dragon Cavalry Officials to come forth.

The Three-Five heavenly officials, generals, and clerks under this humble servant’s jurisdiction, the various True Messengers, the Direct True Talisman Clerks of the Immortal Capital, and the messengers commanding the officials of the Immortal Capital, each numbering two thousand two hundred, now come forth. They compose their appearances, dress in orderly attire with hanging tassels, display the feathered banners and phoenix ornaments of the various Three-Five heavens, and array themselves in the clouds, guarding this humble servant in front and behind, left and right, and in all four directions and eight quarters. Their radiance flows and flashes like lightning, illuminating the vast emptiness, shaking heaven and earth with their awe-inspiring power to sweep away inauspiciousness. With their mysterious powers of inspection they examine the memorials submitted by this humble servant and the ritual of transmitting the Fulu (talismans and registers).

There are now a certain number of men and women from a given commandery, county, and village who have presented a written petition, sincerely taking refuge in the Three Venerables (the three honored deities of Daoism), and requesting to receive the Upper Origin Dongtian Three-Five Vajra Mysterious Register (a Daoist Fulu) together with the Three Generals’ True Form Mysterious Talismans, tablets, staffs, contracts, and other ritual implements. On that same day the names of those receiving the registers and the corresponding titles of the heavenly officials are to be written, and the registers conferred according to liturgical procedure. If a document is submitted, the time of submission is recorded; if a transmission ritual is performed, the time of conferral is noted. Thereafter, at a designated time, the heavenly officials of the Upper Origin Dongtian are respectfully invited to preside over the conferral, and a further memorial is submitted to report the matter.

The Limitless Great Dao (Wuji Dadao, the Way), Yuanshi Tianzun (Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning), Taishang Yuhuang (Supreme Jade Emperor), Yuanshang Zhizhen Dasheng Tianzun (the Unsurpassed Utmost True Great Sage Celestial Worthy), His Majesty the Jade Emperor of the Golden Palace, together with the True Officials of the Immortal Capital and the Capital Official Messengers who examine records of conduct and carry out summons: We earnestly request that all you compassionate true spirits descend, and with subtle discernment bestow your blessing from on high, to supervise, protect, and deliver us. The liturgical work must proceed according to the order of the rites. Please install official spirits within our bodies and garrison their palaces, causing them to encircle us densely and guard our physical forms: revolving leftward through nine hundred million myriad layers, revolving rightward through nine hundred million myriad layers, protecting our bodily lives.

Celestial Rites Radiant Form Capital Official Messenger: We earnestly request that the compassionate true spirit descend, and with subtle discernment bestow your blessing from on high, to supervise, protect, and deliver us. The liturgical work must proceed according to the order of the rites. Please install official spirits within our bodies and garrison their palaces, causing them to encircle us densely and guard our physical forms: revolving leftward through nine hundred million myriad layers, revolving rightward through nine hundred million myriad layers, protecting our bodily lives.

Celestial Rites Radiant Majesty, awe-inspiring Three-Five Generals of the Ten Directions, together with the mounted cavalry soldiers and the heavenly official generals and clerks: Please cause my physical form to unite with the radiance of the spirits, letting the light shine through both interior and exterior, so that my appearance may gleam with brilliance. To this end, the True Officials of the Land wherever I go, and all the lords and clerks who inspect the Qi (vital energy) and are charged with examination and summoning, please assist together. Rewards ought to be bestowed according to merit; do not fail the trust that has been placed in you. The matters reported above, please convey them directly before the throne of the Limitless Great Dao, the Utmost True Jade Emperor. Having spoken these words, perform the ritual of two bows.

Next, present the memorial. After the memorial is completed, again proclaim forcefully, explaining the efficacy of the memorial.

This servant, so-and-so, again commands the Three-Five Heavenly Officials belonging to the body, the assembled True Ones, Merit Officers, generals and clerks, soldiers, Capital Official Messengers, as well as the Flying Heaven White Tiger Immortals who deliver memorials, the Dragon Cavalry Clerks, and others: This servant, so-and-so, has just now dispatched the official spirits to present the memorial text and report the matter. Now that the reporting is complete, the assembled True Ones each soar into the void and return to their offices, going back to their original posts to garrison them, so that the arrangements of heaven and earth are complete and the protection is thorough. The hundreds of thousands of myriads of layers of True and Correct Heavenly Officials within this servant’s body also each return to their posts from the Vermilion Gates and Marvelous Towers. The matter reported by this servant, so-and-so, has already been presented before the Limitless Great Dao. The assembled True Ones return to their offices and settle in their original posts, causing the protection of heaven and earth to be complete. The hundreds of thousands of myriads of layers of True and Correct Heavenly Officials within this servant’s body each return to their posts from the Vermilion Gates and Marvelous Towers. The matter reported by this servant, so-and-so, reaches before the Limitless Great Dao. Having spoken these words, perform the ritual of two bows.

Then turn back before the ritual table, kneel facing north, and again invite forth the heavenly officials. After this is completed, hand over and confer the Three-Five sealed tablets, boards, and staffs (ritual objects related to the sealing and appointment of the Three-Five divine generals).

I respectfully issue this command once more to the Five True Langli officials within my body, the Three-Five Merit Officials, the left and right True Official Envoys, as well as the Three-Five Primordial Destiny Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Merit Officials, the Upper Origin Three-Five Life-Transmitting Merit Officials, the Three-Five Disaster-Averting and Dao-Transmitting Merit Officials, the Three-Five Opening Merit Officials, the Three-Five Inspection Merit Officials, the Three-Five Yin-Yang Healing Merit Officials, and other such spirit officials. I also command the Three-Five Capital Gang Lord Officials, thirty-five of each category of officials, together with officers, generals, and soldiers totaling ninety billion myriads, all to set forth.

I further command the Three-Five Vajra Envoys, the Three-Five Primordial Gang Envoys, the Three-Five Heavenly Gang Envoys, as well as the spirit officials who govern all the heavens, the sun and moon, and the Three Luminaries (that is, the sun, moon, and stars). I command the spirit officials associated with the Seven Luminaries (the seven principal celestial bodies), the Xuanji and Yuheng (ancient instruments for observing celestial phenomena), the seven stars of the Northern Dipper, the Mysterious Spirits of the Five Dippers, the Three-Five Circumpolar Spirits, the Three-Five Earth-Subduing Spirits, and the spirit officials of the stellar lodges throughout the ten directions of the heavens, all to set forth. There are several missing characters in the text, making it impossible to determine the precise offices referred to.

I also command the spirit officials charged with capturing and devouring spirits, ghosts and demons, deviant qi (vital energy), poisons, sprites and monsters, baleful killing forces, and noxious breaths to set forth. I command the Capital Array Spirit Lords of the four directions—north, east, south, and west—as well as the Seventy-Two Official Lords of the Red Yang Vermilion Heaven Jiazi Capital Officials, the Thirty-Five Official Lords of the Yang Heaven Bingzi, the Flowing Brightness Vajra Lord Officials, the Arrayed Heaven Gang, the Encompassing Heaven Gang, the Encampment Heaven Gang, the Heaven-Subduing Earth-Regulating Gang, the Life Gang, and other such spirit officials to set forth. The Primordial Gang of the Three Origins and Nine Heavens, the Three Qi, the Five Qi, the Nine Qi, the Twenty-Four Officials, and the spirit officials who govern Yin-Yang, water, and fire shall likewise set forth together.

I further command the Capital Officials, Official Lords, and Clerks of the Upper Origin Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens Primordial Yang Upper Prefecture, the Three-Five Capital Supervising Spirit Gang Envoys, the Capital Gang Flying Heaven Mounted Direct True Talisman Clerks, as well as the eight hundred forty thousand Gang Lords of the Flying Feathered Cavalry belonging to the Jade Lang of the Taiyi Mysterious Prefecture Opening Immortal Capital, and the rest of these spirit hosts to set forth. Named generals, heavenly officials, together with their cavalry, soldiers, and clerks, shall also set forth according to their respective numbers.

All these spirit hosts shall array themselves in proper attire, wearing heavenly insignia and feathered ornaments, their formations spreading so as to cover heaven and earth. They shall take up positions in ranks, their awesome power shaking the ten directions, standing in attendance within the courtyard of the void and arrayed at the farthest extremities of the eight directions, to suppress and guard heaven and earth and to summon the Three Officials. They shall send forth radiance that flashes like lightning to illuminate the four quarters, sweeping away all that is inauspicious.

At the same time I command heaven and earth, the Five Sacred Peaks, the Three Rivers and Four Waterways (the deities of rivers and bodies of water), the Huai, the Ji, the Yangtze, and the Yellow River, as well as the lords of the soil of the Nine Provinces and the True Officials, to jointly oversee the covenant and oath, to receive the documents according to the statutes, to escort, inspect, arrange the registers, and issue the certificates. The Upper Origin Grotto-Heaven Three-Five Vajra Mysterious Register (the divine register bestowed in Daoism) that we have received, the True Forms of the Three Generals, the Mysterious Talismans (Fulu), the Tablets of Command, the Staffs and Contracts, and the rest shall be registered item by item, conferred, and securely established. All the joint offices and palaces at every level, within and without the Five Cities, shall be carefully arranged, each with ninety million layers, without any confusion or error.

May all the True Ones jointly bear witness. The petition I now present shall be conveyed directly before the Supreme Origin Great Dao (the Way) Utmost True Jade Emperor. Having spoken, I bow twice again.

Next the covenant document is divided. On this day I (so-and-so) draw one divided tally, the talisman-tally that separates the covenant. One stroke is drawn for Heaven, one for Earth, and one for humanity. I swear by the Nine Heavens Three-One and establish a covenant with the Nine Heavens Parents, the honored deities of the celestial realm, so-and-so. Now pointing to Heaven and drawing upon Earth, I shall never fail the Three Honored Ones, the honored deities of Daoism, nor violate the Three-One, the divine true ones of Daoism. From the making of the divided tally onward, if I break the covenant and fail in my duty, if I slight my master or grow remiss toward the Great Dao, this body of mine shall undergo the calamities of seven lifetimes and long endure the trials of punishments such as wind-knives, water, and fire. The parents so-and-so… (at this point, according to the liturgical text, the preceding oath and punishments are repeated). After the words are spoken the divided tally is drawn: the master takes the right half and the disciple the left half, each fastening it by threading a golden button. The divided tally must also be worn on the person in the same way as a register, that is, the conferred Fulu (talismans and registers), and it is worn for the period stipulated by regulation.

Next the True-Form Kalpa Text of the Three-Five Talismans is transmitted. First the Heavenly Drum is sounded thirty-five times, this being a ritual action of tapping the body or an implement with the hand or a ritual instrument; after the sounding the incantation is recited: The Mysterious Heaven is vast and boundless, the Mysterious Origin is secluded, deep, and pure-still; the wondrous Dao of Clear Emptiness circulates, settling and consolidating the revolutions of the kalpas. The Primordial Heavenly Worthy opens the true Dao, causing the orthodox Dao to circulate and become manifest; constructing the celestial realms and governing the earth, causing the ten directions to startle and move. The Shen (spirits) display their divine feats, summoning and gathering the host of deities, causing the myriad emperors to restrain their forms; pervading and covering the Four Images, the four directions and the spirits they represent, causing both wind and fire to cease; the majesty shakes the Six Heavens, the divine realms of Daoism, not allowing heterodox paths to arise. Once the Mysterious Talisman edict arrives it drives the valiant and fierce Shen and employs the soldiers and generals, capturing and subduing evil hauntings, slaying demons and monsters, and pacifying the demonic realm; golden light circulates, electric light surges, destroying Fengdu, the netherworld spoken of in Daoism. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances!

Next the Board Text of the Edict is proclaimed. First the Heavenly Drum is sounded twenty-four times; after the sounding the incantation is recited: The Upper Prime Talisman Mandate, the talisman mandate of the celestial Upper Prime, its awe-inspiring command patrols the ten directions; Heaven and Earth carry out the edict, summoning and dispatching the Spirit Kings. The official Shen of the Three Realms all restrain themselves and submit; the true officials of the Nine Soils, the land of the Nine Provinces, assemble with so-and-so. Whether roaming the mountains or crossing the seas, the mountain spirits and water emperors come to welcome and escort; the command is transmitted to inform the Five Emperors, protecting the kalpa-destiny and lifespan of so-and-so. The stellar hosts of the various heavens likewise each lend their aid. Swiftly, swiftly, execute in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.

Next the Strategy Board Text of the Edict is proclaimed. First the Heavenly Drum is sounded twenty-four times; after the sounding the incantation is recited:

The mysterious light shines forth, and the spirits of the five directions display their divine power: when command is issued to Heaven, the Heavenly Gate opens; when command is issued to Earth, the earthly pathways become unobstructed; when command is issued to the mountains, the mountain spirits are bound and constrained; when command is issued to the stellar lodges, they assist one another and jointly provide protection. Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances, let this be executed!

Next, the command tablet is issued (a wooden board used in the ritual to inscribe or bear the commands). First, knock the teeth twenty-four times (called “sounding the heavenly drum,” a method of tooth-knocking employed in Daoist ritual). After this is complete, recite the incantation:

The mysterious light shines forth, and the spirits of the five directions display their divine power: when command is issued to Heaven, the Heavenly Gate opens; when command is issued to Earth, the earthly pathways become unobstructed; when command is issued to the mountains, the mountain spirits are bound and constrained; when command is issued to Water, the dragons within the waters are subdued; when command is issued to Fire, the fire is extinguished.

When command is issued to the spirits, the spirits come forth to welcome and protect; when command is issued to ghosts and specters, the ghosts and specters topple over; when command is issued to demons and evil influences, the demons and evil influences perish. Cause them to revolve through the ten directions, so that the myriad numina jointly provide protection. After wearing the command tablet, one may at all times accord with the Five Constants (ordinarily referring to benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness), so that the physical form and Shen (spirit) soul receive fortification and protection, remaining unharmed through ten thousand kalpas. Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances, let this be executed!

Next, the command is issued for the water that bestows Qi (vital energy) (ritual water conferred in the ceremony). First, knock the teeth thirty-five times, and recite the incantation:

The jade fluids of the Most High: the Three Qi generate and transform into flowing saliva-fluids; the numina of the Nine Origins and Three-Five, the Five Qi transform into divine vermillion. The cinnabar waters of the Heavenly River well forth, and the mysterious numen of the Heavenly Gang Luo descends; the Nine Qi transform following the moon and come soaring. The Twenty-Four Spirits each possess their power; they are the root honored by the myriad Qi. The towering Three Gang take unifying command, garrisoning the Nine Subtleties and causing numinous Qi to arise; they expel evil influences from the waters and guard the strategic passes; they protect the divine spirits, nourish the primordial Qi, and defend against external evils. Cause them to endure through successive kalpas and constantly follow in accompaniment. Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances, let this be executed!

When the incantation is complete, the water is conferred. The disciple blows three breaths onto the water, then stills the breath. Once the conferral of water is finished, the disciple immediately performs a long kneeling.

Next, the Inner Official (the ritual functionary responsible for recounting meritorious achievements) reports the merits.

This humble official [so-and-so] respectfully memorializes upward.

The Limitless Great Dao, Primordial Beginning, Most High, Utmost True Great Sage Heavenly Worthy, please summon the Five True Attendant Officials, Three-Five Merit Recorders, Left and Right True Officials, and Three Gang Lord Officials within my body, together with the suns and moons of the various heavens, the Three Luminaries and Seven Planets, the Xuanji and Yuheng (ancient astronomical instruments, also referring to the pivot of celestial movements), the various lord officials of the Seven True Ones, and others to come forth. Also invite the generals, cavalry, and soldiers affiliated with the Three-Five, the heavenly official generals and clerks, the ceremonial retinues and inspectors of the various heavens of the ten directions, as well as the true official generals and clerks responsible for examination and summoning, to present themselves.

Now that the ritual of transmitting the teachings for so-and-so has concluded, please proclaim and record the merits of each of you, promote you respectively to ranks of true officials, confer superior heavenly titles of nobility and substantial emoluments of the Heavenly Emperor, so that your accomplishments may compare with those of the Five Emperors. Once the rewards and promotions for each of you have been properly arranged, please each return to your numinous carriages, array the heavenly ceremonial processions in good order, soar aloft, and return to the Mysterious Palaces, Golden Halls, and Jade Mansions, to garrison the Three Primes (the upper, middle, and lower Three Prime heavenly realms as spoken of in Daoism), and together confer immortal ranks. Should you be summoned again in days to come, you must come forth once more.

The person whom I have transmitted and initiated, so-and-so, has received the Upper Prime Grotto-Heaven Three-Five Diamond Mysterious Register (the ritual Fulu (talismans and registers) conferred in Daoism), along with the true-form mysterious talismans of the three generals, the command tablets, staffs, tallies, and other ritual objects. From this day forward, may these ritual objects be worn upon the person, long protected and guarded, enduring through years and kalpas, forever serving as precious treasures of personal protection. I respectfully report this matter before the presence of the Limitless Great Dao, Utmost True Jade Emperor. The rite concluded, I bow again.

Thereupon collect the incense fire from the incense burner. Once the ritual is ended, one may withdraw.

Left and right incense officials, flying immortal relay dragons, mounted incense-bearing messengers, flying heavenly dragon riders, and others, please cause the numinous Qi (vital energy) of the ritual altar to rise and naturally manifest, with golden radiance and precious light mutually reflecting, mysterious and wondrous brilliance illuminating the jade-colored essence. Please employ the essence of the golden fluid so that so-and-so may receive the blessings of receiving the Dao (the Way), freely practicing and upholding it throughout the world, and receiving the grace of the ten directions. Let jade lads and jade maidens guard the incense smoke and present the matters I have memorialized directly before the presence of the Limitless Utmost True Jade Emperor. The rite concluded, one may withdraw.

Petition Text

In such-and-such commandery, such-and-such county, such-and-such village, the male and female devotees so-and-so, born in such-and-such year, of such-and-such age, with specific birth date of such-and-such year, month, and day. The above several persons now submit this petition text, requesting to receive the Upper Prime Grotto-Heaven Three-Five Diamond Mysterious Register, the true-form talisman diagrams of the three generals, as well as the command tablets, staffs, tallies, and other ritual objects. Respectfully submitted hereby.

Receiving the Three-Five Talisman Ritual Credentials

A pair of gold buttons, thirty-five chi of crimson patterned silk, seven taels of cinnabar, and ten catties of wooden incense.

Taking the Clear Mysterious Primordial Ultimate Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) mysterious Qi (vital energy) as credential, we proceed according to the statutes of the Celestial Master (Tianshi) of a certain parish. Your servant so-and-so respectfully kowtows and bows again.

The High Supreme True Awesome Orthodox Qi is above. I respectfully report according to the Mysterious Code (the Daoist legal canon): Now there is a pair of male and female disciples named so-and-so, presenting thirty-five chi of crimson patterned silk, seven taels of cinnabar, and ten catties of wooden incense.

Taking the Clear Mysterious Primordial Ultimate Zhengyi mysterious Qi as credential, we proceed according to the statutes of the Celestial Master of a certain parish. Your servant so-and-so respectfully kowtows and bows again.

The High Supreme True Awesome Orthodox Qi is above. I respectfully report according to the Mysterious Code: Now there are male and female disciples so-and-so and others. Previously we received guidance and deliverance from the teacher-realized persons (the transmitting masters and realized persons), and were granted celestial official posts in the parishes. We have received this unmerited grace, and our hearts remain mindful of this boundless compassion and beneficence.

Yet we were born into this dusty and turbid world, our destinies constrained by the Three Disasters (the calamities spoken of in Daoism), our bodies stained by the Ten Evils (ten kinds of wicked deeds), habits accumulated into nature, violating precepts and oaths, our sins so numerous they seem to fill the void, and thus we have repeatedly suffered disasters and misfortunes; we have no meritorious deeds with which to repay. Were it not for the compassion of the Heavenly Worthy, how could we obtain salvation?

We have heard that the compassionate realized ones of the Great Dao broadly extend their grace throughout the ten directions, saving all sentient beings and erecting a dharma-bridge to ferry them from hardship; all that is needed is fully provided, their grace moistening the Three Realms and pervading the Six Paths. We sincerely present this petition, taking refuge in the Mysterious True, and earnestly beseech the Three Worthies (the three venerated deities honored in Daoism) to look down and bestow the “Upper Origin Cavern-Heaven Three-Five Vajra Mysterious Register” together with the true forms, mysterious talismans, and tablets of the three generals, so that we may receive this grace and forever escape the long river of suffering.

After receiving and wearing the dharma register, we shall carry it out according to the Keyi (liturgy), not daring to transgress the prohibitions. Please, according to this petition, legally add and assign us celestial official titles. We respectfully record our commandery, county, village, names, ages and other details, and on this day perform the reverse-inscription (the procedure in Daoist ritual of filling out and submitting memorials), presenting them to the celestial officials. The requested celestial official ranks and the circumstances of the matter are as previously stated. We hereby prostrate ourselves and wish...

The Primordial Ultimate Dao (the Way; the supreme and unsurpassed Great Dao), the Jade Emperor of the Highest Golden Palace (the Jade Emperor in the Golden Palace of the heavenly realm), and the Most Perfect Great Sage issue a decree commanding the Immortal Jade Gentleman of the Upper Origin Nine Heavens Immortal Capital Office, together with the Nine Heavens True King Supervisor of Perfection and Life-Salvation Envoy, to convene the heavenly officials and assign each to their proper positions. It is set for a certain day of this month that such-and-such persons shall, in accordance with the regulations, receive the conferral of Fulu (talismans and registers), be registered, and have a document submitted to report before the throne of the Primordial Ultimate Dao.

Your servant so-and-so, filled with sincere trepidation and awe and knowing the gravity of his sins and duties, kowtows and bows twice, respectfully presenting this document.

We respectfully invite the Jade Emperor of the Great Origin Upper Origin Nine Heavens Golden Palace to examine and summon the Clear and Perfect True Qi (vital energy).

In the Tai Sui year of such-and-such, such-and-such month, such-and-such day, at the zi hour, your servant so-and-so in such-and-such commandery, such-and-such county, such-and-such township, such-and-such village respectfully presents this document, requesting the Most Perfect of the Great Mystery Upper Nine Heavens Primordial Highest True Illumination Great Assembly to descend and dispatch envoys.

The ritual of transmitting the Three-Five Chapters (the ceremony of conferring the Three-Five Chapter methods) is performed.

The Clear Mysterious Primordial Ultimate Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Mysterious Qi, which governs the Qi according to the methods of the Celestial Master (Tianshi) as prescribed, your servant so-and-so kowtows and bows twice.

In the Tai Sui year of such-and-such, such-and-such month, such-and-such day, at the zi hour, your servant so-and-so in such-and-such commandery, such-and-such county, such-and-such township, such-and-such village respectfully presents this document, requesting the Most Perfect of the Great Mystery Upper Nine Heavens Primordial Highest True Illumination Great Assembly to descend and dispatch envoys.

The ritual of transmitting the Three-Five Chapters is performed.

The Clear Mysterious Primordial Ultimate Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Mysterious Qi, which governs the Qi according to the methods of the Celestial Master (Tianshi) as prescribed, your servant so-and-so kowtows and bows twice.

O supreme and unsurpassed True Majesty and Upright Qi (Qi, vital energy)! I respectfully report in accordance with the Xuan Ke, the laws of Daoist ritual: At present a number of men and women have submitted documents and respectfully kowtow, requesting to receive the Three Generals from the Upper Prime Cavern-Heaven Three-Five Vajra Mysterious Register, along with their True Form Diagrams, mysterious talismans, tablets, staff tallies, and other ritual objects.

On such-and-such day of this month I, so-and-so, according to the ritual, registered the heavenly official ranks for these persons and, as previously stated, inscribed and submitted the memorial. I respectfully invite the Limitless Great Dao (Dao, the Way), the Ultimate True Great Sage Supreme Heavenly Worthy, to lower divine inspection, mercifully descend, instruct and save these persons, so that the received Fulu (talismans and registers) forever become treasures protecting their bodies.

I earnestly request that an imperial decree be issued for the Nine Heavens High Jade Emperor Supervising True Envoy, the Xuandu Immortal King Supervising Alliance Jade Youth Envoy, the Ten Directions Flying Heaven Opening-Salvation Jade Office Immortal Feather Youth Envoy, the Three-Five Opening-Salvation Envoy, and the Unsurpassed Three Heavens Golden Palace Jade Emperor Disaster-Dispelling Dao-Saving True Duke Envoy to descend together. May the true spirits of heaven ride in their carriages, filling heaven and earth; may their essence-light flow like lightning, illuminating the four quarters, sweeping away all evil and falsehood in the Six Heavens, summoning the divine officials of the Three Realms to jointly descend and supervise. For these persons perform the opening-salvation liturgy (Keyi, liturgy), granting the Fulu according to the ritual statutes, so that the Fulu long remain stationed within their bodies without losing spiritual efficacy.

I, so-and-so, prostrate myself and submit one paper memorial. I earnestly request the Limitless Great Dao, the Unsurpassed Golden Palace Jade Emperor, and the Ultimate True Great Sage to take pity on the memorial I present. According to the matter undertaken, separately bestow the Pure True Mysterious Qi and the marvelous spiritual power of living beings, and dispatch heavenly true officials and subordinate clerks to confer the Fulu upon these persons so that they may constantly guard them. May divine light like lightning fill the palaces and chambers, guarding the Three Origins.

I respectfully dispatch the Direct True Talisman Clerks, Flying Dragon Riders, Flying Heaven Jade Youths, Memorial-Delivering Flying True White Tiger Divine Dragon Riding Clerks and others, one thousand two hundred of each, to transmit the memorial by post-stations and submit it before the Supreme Ultimate True Jade Emperor.

I, so-and-so, in sincere trepidation and fear, declare myself guilty, kowtow twice. Respectfully submitted for hearing.

Your servant so-and-so, of such-and-such surname, affiliated with such-and-such palace-temple, serving as abbot.

The Taiqing Palace handles this according to ritual procedure.

In the year of the Great Year such-and-such, on such-and-such month, day and hour, submitted at such-and-such place.

The above memorial text is written in cinnabar, and the memorial inscription is likewise handled according to ritual form.

When submitting the memorial, one respectfully kowtows under penalty of death, kowtows again, and reports this matter. This servant, surnamed so-and-so, affiliated with such-and-such gongguan (Daoist temple) and serving as zhuchi (abbot), proceeds according to the Taiqing ritual (Taiqing being a Daoist term referring to the higher heavenly realms or associated ordinances). The presentation with kowtows takes place at such-and-such locality on such-and-such year, month, and day of the Taisui calendar at the zi hour. The vermilion memorial text and name card are likewise handled according to the ritual.

Respectfully addressed to the Taixuan Zhengzhen Xuanyuan Qingxuan Yuanji Zhenshang Tianjun, the Zhenming Yuanjun, the Yuanshang Santianjun, the Taishang Dadaojun, the Dao Lords of hundreds of millions of layers of Zhenxuan Shengqi (true mysterious generating Qi), the Taishang Zhangren Jiulao Xiandujun, and the Qi Lords of hundreds of thousands of layers, this memorial is submitted to all the honored deities of the celestial realm.

The foregoing is intended for the newly descended Taiqing rites, to be conducted in the same way as previously.