《太上三五正一盟威阅箓醮仪》

The Ritual for the Offering Ceremony to Review Registers of the Supreme One’s Three-Fives Orthodox Unity Covenant records that the register-review ritual is usually held on a Jiazi day, a Gengshen day, one’s birth-year day, a Three Assemblies day, a Three Primes day, the final day of the lunar month, or the first day of the month. It is performed at either the Mao hour or the You hour.

The “Opening the Incense Burner” rite follows, in which incense is burned to invoke the deities. The ritual text says:

“Supreme One, Mysterious Origin, Fivefold-Spirit Venerable Lord (a revered Daoist deity), summon the Merit Officers and Messengers (divine officials who convey documents and carry out assignments), the Lords of the Dragon and Tiger on the left and right, the Incense-Bearing Messengers, and the Three Qi True Spirits. Quickly deliver my invocation to the Supreme One, Mysterious Origin, Orthodox Unity Lord of the Three Heavens. I now enter the quiet chamber and burn incense. At an auspicious hour on the [day] of the [month], in [county], [prefecture], and [township], I respectfully follow the methods passed down by my former master and inspect the generals and officials and soldiers listed in the twenty-four ranks of precious registers of the Orthodox Unity Covenant of the High Immortals and High Spirits that I wear. I pray that they protect me. May the true, living Qi of the Eight Directions descend into our bodies, so that my invocation may be swiftly conveyed and presented directly before the Jade Emperor, the Supreme True One, the Limitless Great Dao.

Celestial Master [name], Originated Life True Person of the Three-Fives Pace of the Dipper, in the Red Heaven of [name of the Celestial Master’s jurisdiction] (a title stating one’s identity and affiliation in the ritual), I, [name], bow my head and prostrate twice, and respectfully present this invocation:

Taiji Mysterious Origin, Supreme One of the Three Heavens, the Limitless Great Dao, the Supreme Lord Lao; the Elder of the Supreme One, the Heavenly Emperor Lord; and Celestial Master [name], Originated Life True Person of the Three-Fives Pace of the Dipper, in the Red Heaven of [name of the Celestial Master’s jurisdiction]: I, [name], bow my head and prostrate twice, and respectfully present this invocation…”

To the Most High Lord Lao (one of the supreme deities revered in Daoism), the Elder of the Most High, the Heavenly Emperor Lord; the Elder of the Heavenly Emperor, the Lord of the Nine Immortals of the Capital; the Elder of the Nine Qi; and the officials of the Jade Steps of Taiqing, appointed to the Dao Qi through hundreds of thousands of layers and serving under twelve hundred offices: I, your humble and low-ranking subject, am of shallow understanding. Only after a thousand years have I had the good fortune to encounter you all, receive the benefits of your pure teachings, enjoy your protection, and be granted officials and troops (divine officers and soldiers appointed to guard me) to protect my person. I have always followed the ritual procedures, inspecting on each auspicious day the registers I carry, including those of the Zhengyi Upper Immortals, Upper Spirits, and Generals (registers listing divine generals and their offices). The merit officers, messengers, generals, and officers and troops recorded in these registers each have their own duties. May they protect my body, settle my spirit, cultivate my nature, and bring harmony to the palaces and offices within me (the parts of the body regarded as dwellings of divinities); may they cause the Three Corpses (spirits said to dwell in the body and obstruct cultivation) to fall away and disperse; may they dispel every calamity, remove illnesses within, and drive away signs of physical decline. I should report my merits and request promotion at the appointed times. I dare not disobey or fail in my duty. I respectfully submit this petition.

Next, strike the ritual drum twenty-four times.

Sit facing east with legs folded, and close your eyes. Visualize a Azure Dragon on your left, a White Tiger on your right, a Vermilion Bird in front, and a Black Tortoise behind. A qilin and a phoenix stand at the four corners, while the sun and moon, the Five Planets, the twenty-eight lunar mansions, and the seven stars of the Northern Dipper shine upon your body and spirit.

Next, summon the divine officers assigned to you.

I respectfully summon the one hundred and fifty Upper Immortal and Upper Spirit Generals within my body, the merit officers on duty, and Zhengyi Xuanwu. I also visualize a qilin and a phoenix standing at the four corners, while the sun and moon, the Five Planets, the twenty-eight lunar mansions, and the seven stars of the Northern Dipper shine upon my body and spirit.

Next, summon the divine officers assigned to you once more.

I respectfully summon the High Immortals and High Spirits within my body, the one hundred and fifty generals, the Direct-Summons Merit Officers, the Zhengyi Merit Officers, and the Merit Officers for Healing, fifteen of each, to go forth and heed my commands. They are charged with stabilizing the orthodox qi of the four directions—east, west, south, and north—and eliminating illness. I also summon the official messengers serving the High Immortals and High Spirits to escort the orthodox qi of the four directions and drive away calamities such as the Three Calamities, Nine Perils, Five Punishments, and Six Harms. They shall command the officials and soldiers, guard my left and right, and keep their ranks in order, neither advancing nor falling behind.

I respectfully summon fifteen Yin-Yang Divine Adjudicators under the High Immortals and High Spirits to go forth and harmonize Yin and Yang for me, determine my register of life, settle my mind and spirit, and nurture my body and nature, so that they accord with the Way of the True Immortals. I also summon fifteen Yin-Yang Merit Officers for Healing and fifteen Grand Physicians for Healing to go forth and regulate Yin and Yang for me, examine my five organs, and administer wondrous medicines to dispel illness and calamity.

I respectfully summon the one hundred and fifty generals under the two offices of the High Immortals and High Spirits to command the officials, generals, clerks, soldiers, and troops. They shall encircle my entire body and form three layers of guard, leaving no gap. I also summon the Gentlemen Clerks, Tiger Warriors, Inspectors of Treachery, Hooked Cavalry, and Clerks of the Three Offices’ Supervisory Bureau under the High Immortals and High Spirits, one thousand two hundred of each, to go forth and station themselves at the dwelling, rooms, and courtyards where I reside. They shall guard me on both sides and patrol east, west, south, and north, remaining within one hundred paces of me at all times. All weapons shall face outward, to attack and seize murderous, rebellious, treacherous, and evil beings, destroying them utterly and allowing none to escape. Together they shall protect the bodies of me and those with me.

I respectfully summon one thousand two hundred Heavenly Armored Troops and one hundred and twenty Heavenly Strongmen under the High Immortals and High Spirits to go forth and accompany me wherever I travel, east, west, south, or north. At the sound of their names, they shall answer and come at once. I also summon sixty Qi-Collecting and Qi-Consuming Clerks, Spirit-Collecting and Spirit-Consuming Clerks, Ghost-Collecting and Ghost-Consuming Clerks, Evil-Collecting and Evil-Consuming Clerks, and Poison-Collecting and Poison-Consuming Clerks to go forth and gather up and consume, on my behalf, the toxic epidemic ghost-qi and the demonic spirits and evil gods of the world, as well as cold damage, malaria, dysentery, toxic afflictions, warm-pathogen evils, insects, beasts, and all manner of murderous and evil forces, until all are collected and dispersed.

I respectfully summon ten Red-Talisman Clerks of the Ritual Chariots and ten Clerks of Memorials, who ride the fierce winds and post horses, under the High Immortals and High Spirits. They shall go forth to capture murderous and evil ghosts and bandits, along with unrighteous qi, and deliver memorials and petitions to the higher realms.

With due care, I summon the Supreme Highest Zhengyi River Chart Life-Protecting Fulu (a Zhengyi talisman and register for protecting life). The Perfected Ones, Merit Officers, Generals, Jade Youths, Jade Maidens, and other spirits within this register, please protect my body and life, answer my prayer, and bring all that I seek to pass.

With due care, I summon the Supreme Highest Zhengyi Six Harms Fulu (a talisman for driving away calamities). The Lord Taiyi, the Sovereign Lord of the August Heaven, the Primordial Lord of the Supreme Highest, the spirits of the Six Harms, and the Merit Officers and Generals who dispel punishments and eliminate harm within this register, please drive away demons, evil forces, and calamities, along with a thousand kinds of sprites and ten thousand kinds of ghosts, and subdue them.

With due care, I summon the Supreme Highest Zhengyi Nine-Phoenix Purging Impurity Fulu (a talisman for cleansing defilement and evil influences). The Celestial Spirit Red Officer who slays evil, together with the Generals, Envoys, Jade Youths, and Jade Maidens who punish, seize, behead, strike down, cut off, and destroy within this register, please cleanse away evil spirits unbound by official registers and manifest the efficacy of the spirits.

With due care, I summon the Supreme Highest Zhengyi General Chapter and Perfect Seal Fulu (a protective talisman bearing the General Chapter and Perfect Seal). The Celestial Officials, Merit Officers, Generals, Immortals, Daoist adepts, Jade Maidens, and Envoys within this register, please destroy a thousand kinds of evil influences and ten thousand kinds of demons, so they cannot harm the living.

With due care, I summon the Supreme Highest Zhengyi Great Canopy Fulu (a large talisman of the canopy type). The Merit Officers, Generals, Jade Youths, Jade Maidens, and Envoys of its various divisions, please punish the wicked and rebellious, dispel treachery and evil, and eliminate falsehood.

With due care, I summon the Supreme Highest Zhengyi Nine Heavens Military Fulu (a talisman for summoning heavenly troops and generals). The Merit Officers, Generals, officials, soldiers, and armored troops within this register, please guard my dwelling and make it secure. When summoned, come at once.

With due care, I summon the Supreme Highest Zhengyi Nine Palaces Calamity-Resisting Fulu (a talisman for guarding the Nine Palaces and warding off calamity). The Merit Officers, Immortal Spirit Officials, Generals, Envoys, and Celestial Embroidered Armored Troops within this register, please guard my dwelling and make it secure. When summoned, come at once.

With due care, I summon the Supreme Highest Zhengyi Nine Palaces Calamity-Resisting Fulu. The Merit Officers, Immortal Spirit Officials, Generals, Envoys, and Celestial Embroidered Armored Troops within this register, please assist the state and aid the people, so that what I seek may be sent forth according to my intention and fulfilled in accordance with my words.

With due care, I summon the Supreme Highest Zhengyi Eight Trigrams Body-Protecting Fulu (a talisman that draws on the power of the Eight Trigrams to protect the body). The Five-Direction Ghost-Summoning Generals, the Five Emperor Generals, and the officials and troops of the Left and Right Assistants within this register, please deploy your forces: station one soldier in every foot of ground and establish one camp in every mile. Let them grasp swords and wield halberds, cutting down and subduing sprites and evil spirits.

I respectfully summon the Supreme One’s Zhengyi Three-Five Register for Examination and Summoning, a Fulu used by the Zhengyi tradition to summon spirits and command divine generals. Generals of the Three Origins, Merit Officers of the Five Dippers, Merit Officers of the Five Planets, and all the youths and messengers listed in this register: please summon and seize the stars and Dipper mansions, bind the evil spirits and wicked people who possess and torment others, and bring them under control.

I respectfully summon the Supreme One’s Zhengyi Register of the Dragon and Tiger for Slaying Evil. Merit Officers, generals, messengers, Jade Youths, and Jade Maidens in this register: please defend me against demons and evil spirits and subdue them, so that what I hold in mind may secretly correspond with the spirits.

I respectfully summon the Supreme One’s Zhengyi Register of the Spirit for Repelling Evil. General Xuanlao, the Generals of the Five Marchmounts, the Generals of the Five Canopies, and the Supreme General, Merit Officers, and messengers in this register: please suppress the celestial spirits, the earth deities, mountain and river sprites, and spectral entities, so they can never again harm anyone.

I respectfully summon the Supreme One’s Zhengyi Register of the Four Divisions for Banning Qi, a Fulu used to restrain evil Qi. Merit Officers, generals, officials, soldiers, Jade Youths, and Jade Maidens of all the divisions of the Red Officials: please suppress the celestial spirits, the earth deities, mountain and river sprites, and spectral entities, so they can never again harm anyone.

I respectfully summon the Supreme One’s Zhengyi Register of the Four Divisions for Banning Qi. Merit Officers, generals, officials, soldiers, Jade Youths, and Jade Maidens of all the divisions of the Red Officials: please tread the constellations and step across the Dipper mansions, following the ritual steps used in Daoist visualization and the ritual of pacing the stars and Dipper. Through contemplation in accordance with the star cycles, bring the spirits into correspondence with my thoughts, so that I may remain free of illness.

I respectfully summon the Supreme One’s Zhengyi Great Register for Slaying the River’s Evil. Generals of the Five Companies; troops of the Hu, Yue, Shi, Qiang, and Cang peoples; the Tiger Braves of Lord Lao; the generals who raise the heavens and set the earth in motion, and those who shake heaven and move earth; armies beneath canopies of five colors; the Supreme General Xuanlao; officials, soldiers, messengers, Jade Youths, and Jade Maidens: please wield your halberds and turn your blades, hunt down demons and evil spirits, and guard my dwelling, so that all may be at peace.

I respectfully summon…

The Great High Perfected One’s Register of the Three-Five Merit Officers of Orthodox Unity, a collection of talismans and registers that records the merit officers, divine officials, and protective troops of Orthodox Unity Daoist practice, lists divine generals who conceal the body, hide one’s traces, and provide refuge and protection. They are entreated to guard the body’s Three Palaces—the vital centers of divine presence and Qi within the body—and govern the Three Realms of Heaven, Earth, and the human world. They sweep away disturbances brought by heavenly and earthly spirits, demons, and evil forces, and respond unseen to acts of visualization and prayer.

With due care, one invokes the Great High Perfected One’s Register of Orthodox Unity for Preserving Life and Longevity, a talismanic register for protection from death and the extension of life. The spirits named in the register—the Kui Gang, the merit officers of the departments to the left and right, the generals, officials, soldiers, and messengers—are asked to regulate the Five Organs from within, keeping malign Qi from entering the heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs. They are commanded to destroy the Three Corpses, spirits said in Daoism to dwell within the human body and record its transgressions, and to bring harmony and free flow to the Qi and blood throughout the body’s passages and openings. Thus one may ascend through the sky in broad daylight and rise to the realm of the immortals, receiving the spirits’ profound grace.

Next, one invokes the generals of each department and their troops.

I respectfully summon the Mysterious Elders of the various divisions of the Supreme One Zhengyi, the Five Marquis Generals, and their five hundred thousand troops to set forth. I also summon the Supreme Mysterious Elder to send forth the Great General Who Remains, the Great General Who Circles the Heavens, the Great General Who Covers the Heavens, the Great General Who Establishes Heaven, and the generals Zhongyue, Zhongwu, Zhongyu, and Zhongting, each leading one hundred thousand troops.

I further summon the Supreme One’s Five-Cover Generals, the Great General of the Celestial Camp, the Great General of the Nine Kinds, the Great General Who Charges the Heavens, the Great General of the Nine Passes, the Great General of the Northern Gate, the Great General of the Nine Pearls, the Great General of the Nine Roads, the Great General Who Rectifies Heaven, the Great General Who Pacifies Heaven, and the Great General of the Yue Gate. I summon as well the Great General of the Central High Emperor’s Collar, the Great General of the Eastern Green Collar, the Great General of the Southern Red Collar, the Great General of the Western White Collar, the Great General of the Northern Black Collar, and the Great General of the Central Yellow Collar, each leading one hundred thousand troops. Let every army take its assigned ranks, station itself according to the directions, and guard the camps. Let them protect me on all sides and drive away fierce spirits and destroy evil influences.

I further summon the Supreme One’s five kinds of troops, five hundred thousand in all. I summon the ten thousand troops of the Central Palace’s Five Camps Commandant, the four hundred thousand soldiers of the City Gate Commandant, the four hundred thousand troops of the Central Grand Army, and the one million troops of the Central Grand Army under the Nine Rectifiers Elder. I also summon the Supreme One’s City Gate troops and Celestial Ding troops, the grand army of the Eastern Camp of the Former Emperor, the Grand Army that Oversees Heaven, the Grand Army that Sets the Earth in Motion, and the Northern Five Qin troops, each numbering four hundred thousand.

I further summon the Supreme One’s grand armies of the Green Canopy, Red Canopy, White Canopy, Black Canopy, and Yellow Canopy, each numbering four hundred thousand. I summon twelve troops of the Left and Right Generals, and six hundred thousand troops who march across the flanks. I also summon the ninety thousand troops clad in reversed armor and bearing backward-pointing scales under Lord Hu of the East; the eighty thousand fire-camp cavalry officers and torch-bearing troops under Lord Yue of the South; and the sixty thousand troops of refined golden essence, armed with smelting staves, under Lord Shi of the West.

This passage is a summons used in a Zhaijiao purification ritual. It calls divine generals and troops by their directional, camp, and unit titles to guard the rite and drive away evil. “White Canopy,” “Red Canopy,” and the other canopy names distinguish military formations by color. The various “troops” are divine forces summoned for the ritual, not ordinary human armies.

In the south, mobilize 800,000 fire camp cavalry officials and fire torch soldiers under Lord Yue; in the west, 600,000 refined-staff, golden-essence soldiers under Lord Shi; in the north, 500,000 Wuwan Bian Que soldiers under Lord Qiang; and in the center, 500,000 official-lord soldiers under Lord Cang, numbering 250,000.

Also mobilize the Eastern Azure Origin Jia-Yi Lords, the Southern Red Origin Bing-Ding Lords, the Western White Origin Geng-Xin Lords, the Northern Black Origin Ren-Gui Lords, and the Central Yellow Origin Wu-Ji Lords, together with the Lords of the Celestial Pillar and Fate. Each is to bring 1,200 chariot and cavalry troops. Mobilize 12,000 great ghosts from the heights of the heavens and 12,000 kings of the hundred ghosts, along with 600,000 officials and soldiers.

Mobilize the High Merit Sima, the Senior Cavalry Grand General, the court officials, the Tiger Braves, the patrol cavalry who investigate treachery, and the Supervisors of the Three Offices, 1,200 of each. Also mobilize the Heavenly Charioteers, the Celestial Strongmen, and the officials charged with restraining and consuming Qi, Shen, ghosts, evil influences, Jing, and poisons. Along with them, mobilize 12,000 officials charged with destroying talismans and registers and demolishing temples of evil.

Now mobilize these subordinates to guard me, your servant, here before the altar table. Let them bear the might of Heaven, keep their weapons and ceremonial insignia in strict array, punish the wicked and rebellious, eradicate spirits and evil influences, and protect my person, so that those summoned will answer at once.

I respectfully mobilize the Red Register of the Primordial Mandate of Chaos of the Central Division of the Three Heavens and Three-Five Meritorious Officers, which I, your servant, carry, as well as the Direct Envoy Meritorious Officers and the Zhengyi Meritorious Officers, fifteen of each. I command them to serve me, your servant, travel in all directions, establish pure and upright Qi, heal all manner of illness, and lengthen life. I also mobilize fifteen envoys of the left office and fifteen of the right.

I mobilize them to enable me, your servant, to communicate with the netherworld and hidden realms, and to manage affairs together without delay or obstruction. I also mobilize fifteen Yin-Yang Spirit Adjudicators.

I mobilize them to harmonize Yin-Yang for me, your servant, and determine the registers of life, which record people’s lifespans and allotted years. I also mobilize fifteen officials of the Yin and Yang Offices who govern life-giving Qi, and fifteen Grand Physician officials who treat illness.

Dispatch the presiding deity to harmonize needles and medicines on behalf of your petitioner, so as to treat all kinds of illness, apprehend false and malign influences, drive away the evils of the underworld, and bring them under control together. Fifteen Yin-Yang Divine Decision clerks shall each carry out their assigned duties. Dispatch the presiding deity to harmonize Yin and Yang and determine the register of the living on behalf of your petitioner. Fifteen medical officials of the Yin-Yang offices of life-giving Qi shall be responsible for diagnosing and treating illness. Dispatch the presiding deity to harmonize needles and medicines and treat all kinds of illness on behalf of your petitioner. Fifteen Merit Officers and Messengers for Apprehending Falsehood and Repelling Evil shall be responsible for removing false and malign influences.

Dispatch the presiding deity to remove false and malign influences, eliminate misfortune, and punish and subdue baleful forces on behalf of your petitioner; fifteen Officers of the Department of Life’s Mandate shall carry out these tasks. Dispatch fifteen Officers of the Department of Official Emoluments, who extend longevity and add to one’s allotted years, to increase your petitioner’s lifespan and official fortune. Dispatch fifteen Officers of the Department of Peril, who confer rank and generous emoluments, to raise your petitioner’s rank, increase their stipend, and deal with dangers and afflictions. Dispatch fifteen Officers of the Department of Punishment, who bring order without disorder, to restore order and administer discipline. Dispatch fifteen Directing Historians of the Department for Slaying Demons and Annihilating Devils to destroy demons and devils. Dispatch fifteen Corrupt Officials of the Department for Righting Injustice and Curbing Excess to correct wrongs and restrain abuses. Dispatch fifteen Inspecting Officials of the Department for Restraining Evil and Licentiousness to put a stop to wicked and licentious conduct. Dispatch fifteen Chief Officials of the Department for Upholding the Right and Protecting the Innocent to affirm what is just and protect the blameless. Dispatch fifteen officials. Also dispatch fifteen Inspecting Officials of the Department for Restraining Evil and Licentiousness and fifteen Chief Officials of the Department for Upholding the Right and Protecting the Innocent.

Dispatch fifteen Lords of the Department of Life’s Mandate in the Central Palace of the Yellow Emperor, within the three upper heavens of Wenchang, who subdue rebellion and restore order, to suppress defiance and bring things back into proper order. Dispatch nine Great Generals of the Dipper’s Guiding Handle from the Red Heaven of the Three-Five Chaos, who shield the spirit of the body, to remove your petitioner from the register of the dead, correct their name in the register of the living, guard the Dantian (energy center), dispel calamities, and ward off illness.

Also dispatch nine each of the Left General and Right General of the Dipper’s Guiding Handle, the Great General of the Dipper’s Ladle, and the Left and Right Generals of the Dipper’s Ladle; dispatch several Great Generals of the Dipper Division and their Left and Right Generals, nine of each. Finally, dispatch nine each of the Great General of the Dipper’s Handle, and its Left and Right Generals. The Dipper’s Guiding Handle, the Dipper’s Ladle, and the other names refer to the stellar officials of the Northern Dipper. This passage in the ritual text invokes the gods and generals by title, assigning them to protect, heal, avert calamity, and set disorder right.

Let the following take their places: nine Great Generals of the Dipper □, nine Left Generals of the Dipper □, and nine Right Generals of the Dipper □; nine Great Generals of the Dipper Liao, nine Left Generals of the Dipper Liao, and nine Right Generals of the Dipper Liao; the Great General of the Dipper Strike, nine Left Generals of the Dipper □, and nine Right Generals of the Dipper □; nine Great Generals of the Dipper Liao, nine Left Generals of the Dipper Liao, and nine Right Generals of the Dipper Liao; nine Great Generals of the Dipper Strike, nine Left Generals of the Dipper Strike, and nine Right Generals of the Dipper Strike.

Together, govern the left and right kidneys in my body. The Dipper Handle, the handle portion of the Big Dipper, governs life. The Dipper Bowl, the bowl portion of the Big Dipper, gives rise to the liver; the Dipper □ gives rise to the hun; the Dipper □ gives rise to the body; the Dipper □ gives rise to the lungs; the Dipper Bi gives rise to the po; the Dipper □ gives rise to the human being; the Dipper Liao gives rise to the sinews; and the Dipper Strike gives rise to the spirit. Do not disobey. Beneath the Three-Five of the Red Heaven, let the nine Great Generals of the Dipper Strike who support the body, the nine Left Generals of the Dipper Strike, the nine Right Generals of the Dipper Strike, the nine Great Generals of the Dipper Attack, the nine Left Generals of the Dipper Attack, the nine Right Generals of the Dipper Attack, the nine Great Generals of the Dipper Slay, the nine Left Generals of the Dipper Slay, and the nine Right Generals of the Dipper Slay all take their places.

The Dipper Strike steadies the hun; the Dipper Attack stills the po; the Dipper Slay protects the immortal hun. Beneath the Three-Five and the Jade Pivot of the Red Heaven, let the nine Great Generals who drive off enemies, the nine Left Generals, and the nine Right Generals take their places, together with the Great General who defeats enemies, in a company of nine. Let the nine Left Generals who defeat enemies, the nine Right Generals who defeat enemies, the nine Great Generals who gather and strike, the nine Left Generals who gather and strike, and the nine Right Generals who gather and strike take their places as well.

Together, govern my body: Repelling enemies steadies the spirit; defeating enemies stills the po; gathering enemies gathers in the immortal po. No substitute is permitted. Beneath the Three-Five of the Red Heaven, let the nine Great Generals of the Central Yellow Director of Fate, the deity who governs life and the registers of destiny, and the nine Left Generals of the Director of Fate take their places.

Summon nine Right Generals of the Department of Fate, nine Great Generals Who Determine Lifespan, nine Left Generals Who Determine Lifespan, nine Right Generals Who Determine Lifespan, nine Great Generals Who Determine Immortality, nine Left Generals Who Determine Immortality, and nine Right Generals Who Determine Immortality.

Summon and dispatch the officials who govern the petitioner: those who stabilize the spirit and determine lifespan under the Department of Fate, and those who quiet the spirit and determine immortality. Command the hundred gods to disobey no order. Also summon twenty-four each of the High Immortal Capital’s Supreme Divine Upper Officials of the Central Palace; the clerks who seize the wicked; the Tiger-Bearing Strongmen, fierce guardian generals; those who defeat enemies and expose treachery; the hook-riding archers and strongmen; and the strongmen serving as deputy directors of the Three Offices for Beheading Evil. Let them guard the residence of the petitioner, so-and-so, seize the wicked and rebellious, punish the treacherous and evil, and destroy them all without letting any escape.

Again summon the deputy director of the Office of Severing and Cutting, among the High Immortal Capital’s Supreme Divine Upper Officials of the Central Palace, to carry out dispatches to the north and south. Whenever called, let him arrive at once. Then summon 1.2 million each of the clerks who ride the Dipper’s Dipper Ladle to collect and consume Qi, who ride the Dipper’s handle to collect and consume Shen, who ride the stars to collect and consume ghosts, who ride the Jade Pivot to collect and consume Jing, and who ride the Jade Balance to collect and consume evil. By command, let these divine clerks seize and consume the world’s vicious plague ghosts, baleful Qi, essence-demons, and spirits of calamity.

Also summon 1.2 million each of the clerks who ride the sun’s Three-Five ritual chariots bearing red talismans, and the lunar chariot’s ghost-catching envoys. By command, let them execute the wicked and rebellious, hunt down essence-demons and evil spirits, and pursue and seize them with red talismans until they are all extinguished.

Again summon one hundred thousand each of the clerks who ride the swift-wind post horses to submit memorials to Heaven, and the clerks of the Three-Five who remove names from the register of the dead and determine life. Here, Qi is a Daoist term for the breath that constitutes life and all things. Ritual chariots and red talismans are sacred vehicles and Fulu used to convey orders and ward off evil. Removing names from the register of the dead and determining life refers to the divine office of striking names from the death register and establishing the years and lifespan allotted to a person.

The chief officiant presents a memorial on behalf of the congregation, speaking for “your servant, so-and-so,” and asks the heavenly deities to remove the person’s name promptly from the register of the dead, enter it in the Jade Register—the register of immortals in Heaven—and place it among the ranks of the Immortal Capital.

The memorial then petitions the High Immortal Supreme Deity and the Celestial Officers of the Upper Realm, together with the Central Palace’s Central Yellow Ninefold Way Officers who stabilize intention, stabilize the gall, and stabilize wisdom, as well as its strongmen. May each dispatch 120,000 attendants. May “your servant, so-and-so,” attain clarity of mind and spirit and understand the subtle principles of the Mystery.

It further petitions the Central Palace’s Six Yin and Six Yang Officers of Embodied Formation. May each dispatch 120,000 attendants to help “your servant, so-and-so,” harmonize Yin-Yang, prolong life and preserve vitality, cultivate the Dao-body, become one with the Great Dao, and communicate with the spirits and draw near the Perfected Ones.

The memorial then petitions the Eight Divine Vajra Strongmen, the Eight Slaying Vajra Strongmen, the High Chariot Duty Envoys, the Red Chariot Talisman Envoys, the Inspection and Arrest Envoys of the Branch Chariots, and the Clash-Fighting Strongmen. May each dispatch 7,200 attendants to help harmonize Yin-Yang, prolong life and preserve vitality, cultivate the Dao-body, and communicate with the spirits and draw near the Perfected Ones.

It petitions the Heavenly Spirit Red Officers’ Duty Merit Officers, the Spirit-Commanding Protectors, the Prison-Commanding Officers, the Evil-Commanding Envoys, and the Spirit-Commanding Talisman Officers who slay and stab the wicked. May each dispatch two attendants to punish the violent and rebellious, cut down evil spirits, eliminate calamities and avert disasters, and drive away ghostly bandits.

It also petitions 120 immortals, Daoist practitioners, and Jade Maidens to attend; the Seven Spirit Protectors of the Body and fourteen generals and officers who must never leave the person; two Merit Officers for Healing and two Generals for Protecting the Body; nine Military Bureau Officers; and two Officers of Bian Que and two Heavenly Physician Officers.

May the divine spirits, in accordance with the laws and ritual procedures, punish evil and dispel falsehood, spare people from death and grant them rebirth. Protect the bodies of your servant So-and-so and the others, and bless them with harmonized, steady breathing. I, your servant, am only an insignificant commoner from the countryside. Once in a thousand years, I have been fortunate enough to receive my revered master’s compassion and mercy, and to be granted a register of talismans and offices (a credential conferring a religious rank, together with its list of affiliated spirits). It enables me to protect myself and preserve my life, and I have received profound grace. I truly have no way to repay this kindness.

Among the high immortals and exalted spirits listed in the register I received, and the generals, merit officers (divine clerks who relay commands and handle affairs), envoys, perfected officials, jade boys and girls, clerks, soldiers, and troops attached to the Twenty-Four Registers, I earnestly ask you all to carry out your respective duties, transmit commands as ordered, proclaim the essentials of the Dao, and guide people toward goodness and the cultivation of De.

If there are malevolent influences or vicious spirits from the offices of the lower realm, or county officials, troublemakers, or ill-intentioned people plotting to harm your servant So-and-so, then let the divine officials and envoys at his side report directly to the Celestial Bureau (the heavenly office overseeing the affairs of the spirits) and make a truthful account, concealing nothing. May this protection and reporting continue in cycles from year to year, month to month, day to day, and hour to hour.

The disciple carries out the rites as prescribed and asks the spirits to protect my life, free me from calamity, and see me through danger, so that I may live long and remain clear-minded. May my mind and spirit be at peace, and may all my actions accord with the true Dao. Whether entering or leaving, traveling on foot, journeying abroad, or attending to any matter, may everything proceed smoothly, like metal and stone opening when touched by fire, or water and fire working in harmony. Wherever Heaven covers and Earth supports, wherever the sun and moon shine, and wherever mountains and rivers meet, may every harmful spirit be subdued and all the myriad spirits respectfully comply. May the hundred channels throughout my body flow freely and my bodily fluids nourish me; may the five organs produce fluids, and may the true Qi, the vital energy at the root of life, descend upon me. May I refine my form and transform my substance through cultivation, until my merit and virtue are complete and I ascend to Heaven in broad daylight.

When the time comes, I will report my achievements truthfully and not betray the trust of the divine. I began my studies late, have little experience, and am dull and ignorant. I fear that the generals, officials, and soldiers whose registers I have examined and whom I have dispatched may not have been arranged according to the rites, and may have been placed out of order, resulting in many errors. I humbly ask for forgiveness. May they all receive deliverance and not be punished for failing to understand. I am filled with reverent fear and bow twice.

Next, swallow Qi three times, rise, kneel upright, and pray:

The rite of examining the registers—the documents recording the names and ranks of Daoist generals—is now complete. May all the High Immortals, numinous officials, meritorious officers, messengers, generals, officials, and soldiers summoned earlier return within my body. Let them enter through the Gate of the Many Mysteries and return in order to their appointed places: those on the left to the left, and those on the right to the right. May they dwell peacefully in the Golden Hall and Jade Chamber, the abodes of spirits within the body, under the supervision and restraint of the meritorious officer on duty, so that they do not fall into disorder. May they encircle and guard my whole body, within and without, leaving no part uncovered, and may all things between Heaven and Earth remain within the bounds of the law.

Then recite the Incantation for Restoring the Incense Burner, used in the rite to gather in and restore the incense burner.

Next, chant the verse for sending off the spirits:

“This teaching is profoundly mysterious; it can free your ancestors for nine generations from servitude. If someone is a suitable recipient, yet you do not transmit this teaching to them, you will separate people from the Dao and prevent them from joining together.”

Then recite the Incantation for Restoring the Incense Burner again.

Next, chant the verse for sending off the spirits:

“This teaching is profoundly mysterious; it can free your ancestors for nine generations from servitude. If someone is a suitable recipient, yet you do not transmit this teaching to them, you will separate people from the Dao. If you transmit it carelessly to someone unsuitable, the transmitter will be punished in this life and fall into the Three Hells after death, where suffering is endured. Even after ten thousand kalpas, regret will be of no avail.”

Then recite the Incantation for Leaving the Household, spoken when leaving the ritual space.

After consulting and verifying the Fulu (talismans and registers), may the three masters—the teachers who transmit the Daoist teachings—attain the Dao; may the ancestors of the nine generations ascend to Heaven; and may the living family members receive blessings. May everyone be kindhearted and gentle in manner, may fathers be loving and children filial, and may those who study the Dao ultimately complete their cultivation of the immortal Dao.