《太上正一延生保命箓》

A follower of Daoism named so-and-so, originally from such-and-such village and residing in such-and-such place, reports that he was born in such-and-such year, month, day and hour, and that according to his time of birth he is under the care of such-and-such Star Lord of the Northern Dipper.

He reflected that he carries within himself the divine Qi (vital energy) of the Most High August Emperor, yet does not know how to discern and make use of it. He therefore went to a Daoist temple and reported the facts, saying that he had been summoned by the Lords of the Three Qi (deities in Daoism associated with the three primordial vital energies). That very day he respectfully prepared the ritual tokens of faith (offerings presented to the Daoist community), kowtowed, and came to the gate of the Perfected Celestial Master (Tianshi) of the Han Succession at Longhu Mountain, where he received a first-rank Secret Register of the Most High Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) for Extending Life and Protecting Destiny (a Zhengyi Fulu used to pray for longevity and the safeguarding of life).

After receiving the register he is willing to cultivate himself and refine his person, to protect his life and preserve his body, to pass through every kind of disaster, to dispel all manner of misfortunes, to extend his years and increase his allotted blessings, and to cultivate the Great Dao so as to attain authenticity. If he should violate the Keyi (liturgy) precepts and covenants, he willingly accepts immediate punishment. He prays that the Great Dao will grant its gracious protection, increase his divine Qi and allotted lifespan, cause the True Qi (the fundamental primordial energy upon which life and cultivation depend) to circulate freely, extend blessings to all sentient beings, and bring deliverance to the seven ancestors and nine generations of forebears (a general term for ancestral generations of all periods).

He is also willing to issue Fulu (talismans) and command the empowered water (blessing talisman-water by means of spells and ritual), to heal the sick and aid those in danger, putting others before himself, giving without seeking return, and not claiming credit for any success. If he can practice in this way, the protection of the Dao will quickly become apparent. All of the above is to be carried out with urgency in strict accordance with the Most High Zhengyi Original Descent Commandments.

Taishang Laojun (the Supreme Lord Lao, a venerated Daoist deity) in the Primordial Highest Three Heavens, together with the Great Sages and most perfected venerable deities from the ten directions, as well as the Celestial Worthy of Longevity, Protecting Life and Guarding the Body and the multitude of immortals and Perfected Ones (Zhenren), jointly inspect the worlds in all directions. They see that the men and women of the world each encounter the Three Disasters and Nine Calamities, the Ten Sufferings and Eight Difficulties; when they meet with disasters they find no means of deliverance, some sinking into the Three Paths (the realms of suffering such as hell, hungry ghosts, and animals), drifting through the Six Destinies (the six realms of reincarnation), and even remaining trapped in hell for a long time.

The Celestial Worthy, seeing this scene, takes pity on sentient beings and therefore teaches people the method of repenting and atoning for faults, in order to relieve the living and deliver the deceased, enabling them to escape from karmic sins and sufferings.

If a person encounters sudden plagues and evil toxins, water and fire disasters, robber invasions, or is harmed by snakes, tigers, or chimei (ghosts and monsters of the mountains and forests), or suffers curses from evil people, or if disasters come in succession and illness arises due to the mutual overcoming of the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) according to directional positions, the entire family should unite in fasting and purification (zhai), set up an altar in the home, offer incense, flowers, lamps, and candles, and invite Daoist priests of the Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen) who are versed in the Three Caverns scriptures of Daoism to burn incense, practice the Dao (the Way), recite scriptures (jing) and wear Fulu (talismans and registers), cultivating according to the liturgical methods (keyi). The scripture holds that this can bring liberation from all kinds of disasters and unexpected calamities.

On the Ten Direct Days, the Eight Festivals, the Three Primal Days, one's natal day, as well as the birthdays of parents and other such days, practicing purification (zhai) and wearing Fulu can bless the family with peace and obtain the protection of great divine power. If one encounters unfavorable natal chronograms, the Six Harms, the Ten Evils and other ominous perils, practicing zhai and wearing Fulu can eliminate the disasters, protect life and guard the body.

If parents or spouse have passed away, practicing zhai and wearing Fulu and sincerely praying for the deceased to ascend to heaven can deliver the deceased, relieve their calamities, and also protect the living. If one encounters natal chronograms, the Six Harms or death Qi and other misfortunes, practicing zhai and wearing Fulu can relieve the harm, extinguish demonic evils, and spare people from disasters. For any sins, one may also pray for their elimination through resolving rituals, thereby protecting life and guarding the body and remaining long in purity.

In the East there are nine hundred million celestial soldiers and horses riding azure warhorses, together with nine hundred million vajra warriors who protect life and guard the body (divine generals of immense protective power).

In the South there are three hundred million celestial soldiers and horses riding crimson warhorses, together with three hundred million vajra warriors who protect life and guard the body; in the West there are seven hundred million celestial soldiers and horses riding white warhorses, together with seven hundred million vajra warriors who protect life and guard the body; in the North there are five hundred million celestial soldiers and horses riding black warhorses, together with five hundred million vajra warriors who protect life and guard the body.

In the Center there are one billion two hundred million celestial soldiers and horses riding yellow warhorses, together with one billion two hundred million heavenly cavalry and armored soldiers who protect life and guard the body (the cavalry and armored troops of the heavenly realm).

In the Ten Directions (the four cardinal points, the four intermediate directions, and above and below, referring to every quarter) there are one hundred billion soldiers who protect life, soldiers who guard the body, soldiers who dispel disasters, soldiers who expel illness, soldiers who eliminate calamities, soldiers who safeguard life, soldiers who destroy misfortunes, soldiers who cut down plagues, soldiers who remove poisons, soldiers who release the entanglements of oaths, soldiers who treat pain, soldiers who slay demons and evil, soldiers who assist in ritual ceremonies, as well as warriors who protect and uphold the scriptures.

There are three each of the Heavenly Spiritual Officials serving as Envoys Who Oversee Life, Envoys Who Protect Life, and Envoys of Longevity; three Bian Que Imperial Physicians among the Heavenly Spiritual Officials; and clerks charged with striking names from the Black Register (the ledger that records human lives and allotted lifespans). The scripture subsequently lists once more one hundred billion scripture-protecting warriors of the Ten Directions, as well as three each of the Envoys Who Oversee Life, Envoys Who Protect Life, and Envoys of Longevity.

Among the Heavenly Spirit Officials (divine functionaries of the celestial realm), there are three Bianque Imperial Physicians. Among the Heavenly Spirit Officials, there are three human clerks charged with expunging the Black Registers (the ledgers that record the appointed hour of death). Among the Heavenly Spirit Officials, there are nine lord-clerks charged with binding the Dipper stars and registering the years of one’s lifespan. Among the Heavenly Spirit Officials, there are three lord-clerks of the Southern Dipper who confer life. Among the Heavenly Spirit Officials, there are seven lord-clerks of the Western Dipper who record names. Among the Heavenly Spirit Officials, there are five lord-clerks of the Northern Dipper who record deaths. Among the Heavenly Spirit Officials, there are twelve lord-clerks of the Great Chief of the Central Dipper.

All of the above Fulu (talismans and registers) are written in cinnabar.

The Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Perfected One (the founding patriarch of the Zhengyi school) said: When the good men and faithful women of the world wear and receive the Most High Zhengyi Register for Extending Life and Protecting Destiny (a Fulu for praying that lifespan be extended and life be protected), and when they make offerings and pay homage with reverence, the true clerks of the immortal offices will guard that person, so that their name is inscribed upon the Golden Slips (the heavenly registers of names), they attain long life, their ancestors are able to ascend, and they themselves take their place among the celestial beings. You ought to observe and carry this out.

On this day, disciple So-and-so, bearing tokens of faith, respectfully proceeds to the gate of the Celestial Master (Tianshi) to receive in homage one rank of the Most High Zhengyi Register for Extending Life and Protecting Destiny, and vows to cultivate and practice it, never daring to treat the sacred Jing (scriptures) and Fulu with disrespect. Should there be any transgression, I willingly accept the punishments of the underworld, and dare not resent the Great Dao (the Way) or blame the master-teacher. All shall be carried out according to the Mysterious Statutes (the precepts and ritual methods of Daoism).

The Most High Zhengyi Register for Extending Life and Protecting Destiny

Ritual Words for Requesting the Register (the ceremonial formulary used when requesting the conferral of Fulu)

“Ritual Words for Requesting the Most High Zhengyi Register for Extending Life and Protecting Destiny”:

This is a register-receiving document recording the process by which a devotee applied for and received the “Supreme Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Register for Extending Life and Protecting Destiny.”

On a certain year, month, day, and hour, the devotee so-and-so recorded his native place, residence, and the year, month, day, and hour of his birth. According to the star to which his natal destiny is attached, a certain Star Lord of the Northern Dipper is charged with overseeing his fate. He therefore prepared the tokens of faith, kowtowed, and came to the gate of the Han Celestial Master (Tianshi) Perfected One at Mount Longhu, respectfully receiving one rank of the “Supreme Zhengyi Register for Extending Life and Protecting Destiny.”

The document states: The Dao (the Way) bestows upon humans their physical form, and the host of spirits silently guard within the Niwan (the dwelling-place of the deities in the head); Heaven bestows upon humans their body, and the myriad kinds of primordial Qi (vital energy) together nourish the Jade Portal (an important gateway of the body). If a person cultivates with upright rectitude, the spirits will secretly protect and bless him; if he becomes deluded and practices evil, disaster will be invited. After the register is received, awe-inspiring radiance protects the body, so that life need not pray for protection at every moment yet still receives support; after the heaven-conferred ritual register is received, the spirits, though they do not appear, silently abide and take effect. In this way one may extend blessings and lifespan and eliminate the noxious influences that harm the self; one maintains purity, stillness, and peace, and holds fast to the good fortune that comes from knowing when to stop and being content. Having received this grace, the devotee vows to respectfully observe the precepts and earnestly prays.

The establishment of the Celestial Master records accordingly: Disciple so-and-so, bearing tokens of faith, comes before the Dao to state his heartfelt wish, seeking to receive one rank of the “Supreme Zhengyi Register for Extending Life and Protecting Destiny,” and earnestly requests that the Perfected Master bestow a precious honorific name (the revered name used in Daoist ritual office or registers), to be reverently upheld throughout his life. Now that this petition has been received, a covenant is declared before Heaven and Earth and an oath is sworn to the Three Officials (the Official of Heaven, the Official of Earth, and the Official of Water), and in accordance with the Keyi (liturgy) the register is transmitted and conferred, with contents as follows.

One Rank of the Ritual Register

The Ritual

Essential Program of Zhengyi Cultivation of Perfection

Jade Honorific Names of the Ancestral Master, Mysterious Master, and Perfected Master

Ancestral Master: Great Ritual Master Who Upholds the Teaching of the Three Heavens and Assists the Primordial, Zhengyi Perfected Lord of Penetrating Mystery, Divine Transformation, Serene Response, and Manifest Protection, Zhang Daoling.

Mysterious Master: Successor Master, Taiqing Perfected Lord Who Expounds the Teaching of the Wondrous Dao, Zhang Heng.

Perfected Master: Lineage Master, Taiqing Perfected Lord of Illustrious Transformation and Broad Virtue, Zhang Lu.

Ritual Names of the Scripture Master, Register Master, and Ordination Master

The Jingshi (Scripture Master) is Zhang Zhengchang, the forty-second-generation Celestial Master (Tianshi) of the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) lineage, honored as the Perfected Gentleman of the Southern Bureau of Shangqing Three Caverns Scriptures and Registers, Senior Minister of the Jade Office, and Great Dharma Lord of All Heavens. The Jishi (Register Master) is Zhang Yuchu, the forty-third-generation Celestial Master of the Zhengyi lineage, honored as the Taiji Law-Enforcing Perfected Ruler of Shangqing Three Caverns Scriptures and Registers, Lingbao Leading Teaching Perfected, and Great Dharma Lord of All Heavens. The Dushi (Transmission Master) is Zhang Yuqing, the forty-fourth-generation Celestial Master of the Zhengyi lineage, honored as the Lingbao Leading Teaching Mysterious Transformation Perfected of Shangqing Three Caverns Precious Registers, Southern Bureau Law-Enforcing Immortal Ruler, and Great Dharma Lord of All Heavens.

Altar-attending Master dharma name: [fill in the dharma name of the altar-attending master.] Witness Master: [fill in the Witness Master.] Supervising Transmission Master: [fill in the Supervising Transmission Master.] Recommending Master: [fill in the Recommending Master.]

Celestial Master Zhengying said: The maxims of the Mysterious Sage (the supreme sage) and the secret essential writings of the Heavenly Perfected (celestial true immortals) can support the weak and resolve disasters. One should know that the Three Origins Floral Canopy (divine protection associated with the Three Origins and the Floral Canopy) possesses numinous efficacy and can protect life and extend longevity. This is what is called the “Register of Concealing the Body with the Five Dippers” (a fulu that borrows the power of the Five Dipper star gods to protect the body). It readily communicates with the spirits, and the blessings it brings are boundless.

Therefore the Most High established the teaching and transmitted it to later generations of those who study the Dao. Successive generations of Perfected Ones have all proclaimed these precious instructions, receiving and guiding those with affinity, passing them down from generation to generation without interruption. Owing to the blessed affinities I accumulated in previous lives, I have for generations received the gracious favor of the state, inherited the Zhengyi lineage transmission, and continued the ancestral vein of the Tianmu tradition. Because the dharma registers have circulated for a long time, I selected skilled artisans to carve woodblocks and print them as books so that they may be transmitted enduringly.

As for observing the prohibitions and precepts, carefully upholding them, and harboring a heart of compassion and pity, none of those who have attained the Dao since ancient times have failed to do so. The faithful who ascend the altar to receive the registers should all wash away distracting thoughts, clarify the mind, and continually accumulate good deeds and cultivate merit. In this way perhaps their wishes may be fulfilled, and from then on they may pass from the ordinary into the wondrous. Having already solemnly sworn the oath, one cannot but be cautious.

Celestial Master (Tianshi) Guangweizi said: My family has relied upon the Fulu (talismans and registers) of the Most High to save and deliver both the human world and the heavenly realms, protecting the stability of the nation, for more than one thousand five hundred years. The admonitions left by the ancestral masters are perfectly clear, and there is no need to add further praise. The former True Lords (a Daoist honorific for those who have achieved success in cultivation) were first honored at the time when a sagely dynasty unified the realm, and all the Daoist priests of the Jiangnan region came under their governance.

Since inheriting the teaching I have passed through three dynasties and have repeatedly received imperial favor. Respectfully encountering the accession of a new sovereign, the court has specially bestowed an edict title, likening my strict precision to that of Xujing and my solemn gravity to that of Chonghe; following the old Tang precedents, additional offices have been granted together with bestowals of land. In order to promote good deeds and transmit the Fulu so that the ancestral enterprise may continue, and in order to pray for blessings and avert disasters from the common people, I respectfully accept the instructions of the sage ruler. To pray that Heaven protect the long duration of the national fortune, how dare I not be diligent in my duties? Henceforth I shall transmit Fulu and confer register ranks, further manifesting the teaching: above, to repay the illustrious mandate of the Son of Heaven; below, to extend imperial grace to the people. So long as one acts with sincerity and reverence, one may receive great blessings.

The Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Mysterious Altar Recommending Master (the senior teacher in a Zhengyi altar responsible for recommending disciples to receive registers), in accordance with the Shangqing Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen) jing (scriptures) and registers (the three categories of scriptures and Fulu transmitted by the Shangqing school), recommends the Dao-devoted believer so-and-so to receive the Most High Zhengyi Register for Extending Life and Protecting Destiny, and to wear it upon the person and put it into practice. This altar has already prepared the particulars of the register conferral, has personally and respectfully invited the Zhengyi Hereditary Teaching Celestial Master Zhenren (the Celestial Master who inherits the Zhengyi teaching), and has reported the matter to the Ancestral Celestial Master Zhengyi Zhenren, to transmit and confer the register according to the Keyi (liturgy). This document is now specially issued as a certificate so that the recipient may observe the teaching and carry out its affairs. Should the sworn covenant be violated, the individual shall personally bear the penalties of Daoist law.