《正一出官章仪》

I respectfully summon the Five Bodily True Officials within my body (the divine officials who guard the five parts of the body), together with the Officers of Merit and clerks, who come by command from the Heaven of Three-Five Clear Subtlety, the Yuyu Heaven, the Great Red Heaven, and all the other heavenly realms. I summon the Officers of Merit of the Five Qi (炁, vital energy), the True Persons of the Supreme Sovereign, the Twelve True Officials, and the Envoys of the Red Chariot of Divine Origin and Red Qi. I summon the Lord of the Abdominal Eye, who governs the true Qi of Yin-Yang and the Yellow Book contracts and orders, along with his generals and clerks. I also summon the lords, generals, and clerks who govern the generative Qi of Yin-Yang and the conveying of the Dao (Way) and its transforming influence; the Elder of the Nine Qi and his generals and clerks of pursuit and summons; and the lords, generals, and clerks who dispel calamity, resolve misfortune, and restore the spirit. I summon the Generals of the Red and White Surging Pool of the Womb-Born and their officials, twelve of each.

Next I summon the two officials of the Upper Immortal and Upper Spirit within my body, and two Officers of Merit on direct duty each. I summon two Officers of Merit on direct duty of the Three-Five, two Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Officers of Merit, and two officials each who are responsible for seizing the violent and recording their crimes. I summon the Officers of Merit of the upper, middle, and lower divisions, who respectively seize wrongdoers, record deeds of rebellion, and arrest those who inflict harm, two officials for each task. I also summon two Officers of Merit and officials each who hasten the workings of Qi and oversee the affairs of Yin-Yang.

I summon the Envoy of the Upper Division, who seizes and records the violent hun-soul; the Envoy of the Middle Division, who seizes and records the po-soul; and the Envoy of the Lower Division, who binds the offender's arms behind the back, head and all. I also summon the Envoys Who Hasten the Qi, charged with supervising, watching, and attacking; the Envoys of the Left Office, charged with interrogation and confinement; and the Envoys of the Right Office, charged with removing the cangue and sealing the prisons, two officials of each. I summon the Envoys of the High Chariot and their officials with sharp heads who cut off ears, two of each. I summon the Envoys of the Red Chariot, together with twelve officials who watch the roads in cloth caps, and twelve officials with raised hands who cut off necks.

I further summon the officials who oversee executions, the direct-duty soldiers, the aides-de-camp, the Officers of Merit, the True Talismans, the Urgers to Battle, the Bearers of Banners, the Drawers of Swords, the Beaters of Drums, and those who carry long blades to sever heads, twelve of each. I summon the Riders of the Fierce Wind, the relay couriers on post-horses, and the officials who seize lawbreakers and go out to battle, twelve of each.

All the divine officials who come at this summons must ready their gear and put on bright, distinctive attire, with caps and sashes bound and tassels hanging down. They are to stand in ranks before and behind me and announce their respective titles. The talismanic mandate I have received, and the matter I am conducting, concern the grievance stated in the petition of a certain person. I request that this memorial be transmitted, that it suppress and reverse the calamity, and that it pursue and arrest the wrongdoer who plots against others. I act in accordance with the codes of Heaven and Earth.

The Dao of Heaven cherishes life and abhors killing; it rewards the good and punishes the wicked. I am fortunate to have received the Fulu (talismans and registers) and to hold this office. In receiving this commission, I am bound by the codes to proclaim the right way and to punish wrongdoers. Now, in a certain prefecture, county, and village, on a certain day of a certain month, a certain person met with a certain misfortune. The petitioner knocks their head to the ground and reports having seen nothing, yet suffering deeply, in a situation of great gravity. I therefore respectfully present one Red Memorial in accordance with the codes of the Celestial Master (Tianshi).

I report to the local Earth Deity, to the True Officials of this territory, and to the lords, generals, officials, and soldiers of the place where upright Qi resides. I ask that you inspect and investigate, and that you assemble the spirits of the village shrines and temple masters, so that together you may arrest the wrongdoer, a certain person, and send officials and soldiers to hook, seize, and bring them out. I command the divine officials who run errands to my left and right to seize this wrongdoer and make them halt at a certain place. Let them be restrained before and behind, as though hung by the head or severed by a sharp blade, with no delay permitted. When the matter is concluded, let them be dealt with according to the statutes, and let the wrongdoer be slain.

The celestial officials, generals, officers, and soldiers invoked in this memorial are to take their places before and behind me at once, listen as I read the text aloud, and carry out its provisions in order, suppressing and punishing the wrongdoer. Press on, too, with seizing their three hun-souls and seven po-souls and sending them under seal to the Celestial Bureau (the office of the heavenly court), where the wrongdoer is to be questioned as to why they ran rampant in evil, made to confess, and subjected to investigation, summons, and sentencing. Within three or four days, let them submit to guilt and die. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances!

By command of the Supreme Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun): Today I submit this memorial, requesting General Chitian to lead ten thousand officers and soldiers to the home of the wicked one, so-and-so, to seize, bind, and punish him. I further request that officials, generals, officers, and soldiers, ten thousand strong, cut away the deceitful words and deeds of this wicked one. Today I again request General Chitian to lead ten thousand troops to the home of so-and-so to seize and bind the wicked one and mete out punishment, cutting away his lying and bewildering speech. I also request three hundred thousand officials, generals, officers, and soldiers to come and investigate the wicked one, so-and-so. Because he has led others astray and wandered about deluding them, I request that the generals and soldiers seize him and judge him by right and wrong according to the Dao and De (Virtue). Let the three hundred thousand officers and soldiers come to bind the wicked one, wearing him out in his bonds, and, by the authority of the Altar Spirit, examine and impeach him so that he cannot open his mouth. He has slandered his teachers and elders, betrayed righteousness, and lacked reverence. Therefore I request three hundred thousand officers and soldiers to seize him and bind his arms behind his back until he is captured, and then to destroy him: boil him in scalding broth, burn him over fire, scorch his sinews and bones, and cast his body into the eighteen layers of hell. I request that the heavenly officials, generals, officers, and soldiers go promptly to the home of so-and-so to seize his soul and hand it over to the Altar Commander (the divine official in charge of altar-spirit affairs), who will hang him up, interrogate him, and punish him according to the law. Carry this out swiftly, as the statutes and ordinances command.

By the golden-mouthed statutes and ordinances of the Supreme One! Your servant humbly requests to open the memorial text upon the desk and recite it with bowed body. I solemnly command the Five-Body Direct Officials within my person, the Merit Officers and Envoys, the Clerical Scribes and minor functionaries, and the Vermilion Yang Headcloth (the divine officials or ritual designations as listed in the original).

When the presentation of the memorial is finished, walk thirteen steps in the direction of the Moon's Suppression. Write the name of the wicked one on a talisman (fu). With the left hand holding a knife, cut off the breath at the acupoint, then press the talisman beneath the big toe of the left foot. Repeat this three times. The incantation says:

"Ha! Why is the Heavenly Net (the cosmic order of Heaven) so bright? Why are the patterns of Earth so dark? I seize and gather the soul of the wicked one, so-and-so, and deliver it to the cauldron of boiling broth. Enter swiftly beneath the Heavenly Net, secretly suppressed and deeply hidden. If you come out, you will harm yourself; if you ascend above, you will lose your homeland. Just as I command the execution of so-and-so Zhang, carry it out swiftly, as the statutes and ordinances of the Supreme Lord Lao command."

Afterward, turn to the left and return to the direction of the Generating Qi (Qi, vital energy). Place the talisman of the good person beside the north wall, at a height of about three feet.

I respectfully invite one thousand two hundred Fan Gang Dao Di Great Generals (spirit generals summoned in Daoist petitions and memorials) and one hundred twenty Zhangyan Kuomu Lords; I further invite one thousand two hundred Da’e Divine Lords of each of the Five Directions (deities who guard the five directions), to seize and bind the three hun and seven po of the evil person, to investigate and punish their crimes, causing them to suffer wrongful blows and drawing a certain person into implication. I respectfully invite Lord Taibai (the stellar deity of Venus) to make the evil person change heart and turn toward goodness. May… [the invocatory phrases from “Zhangyan Kuomu Lords” through “Lord Taibai converting the heart of the evil person” are repeated once in the original]. May the evil person yield, hide, disperse, and be subdued. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.

There is another method: an altar is constructed at a certain place; the evil person’s name is written on paper, placed inside a bamboo tube, and set upon the Five Roads and the Yueyan (a Daoist term of calendrical and directional selection, referring to the taboo direction associated with the monthly ordinance), and there one strikes and issues commands. One then walks the guideline and paces the Dipper (a Daoist ritual of treading specific steps that simulate the movement of the Dipper stars), proceeding from the direction of the Yuejian to the direction of the Yueyan, and then from the Shengxi position toward the Yueyan. Recite the incantation:

“At dawn I set out from the Great Spirit Terrace, turning back to summon the talisman officials and spirit generals to arrive. The Heavenly Bureau slays the evil person; swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances of Taishang Laojun (Lord Lao the Most High).”

Recite the incantation:

“Heaven and Earth set the talismanic commands in motion, to seize and bind ghosts and spirits; the Great Dao (the Way) sets the talismanic commands in motion, to seize and bind true spirits; the Three Masters set the talismanic commands in motion, and the Way of Heaven is spontaneous. Know of yourselves that you are not true spirits; do not impersonate my divine beings. The illness that is treated is then cured; the person who is rescued then escapes danger; the one who is suppressed then submits. The Great Dao sets the talismanic commands in motion, to seize and bind true spirits; the Three Masters set the talismanic commands in motion, and the Way of Heaven is spontaneous. Know of yourselves that you are not true spirits; do not impersonate my divine beings. The illness that is treated is then cured; the person who is rescued then escapes danger; the one who is suppressed then submits; the one who is protected then lives. As protective divine beings, swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances of Taishang Xuandu Laojun (Lord Lao of the Mysterious Capital of the Most High).”

Use one dou and two sheng of salt, one shi and two dou of clear water, one large knife, three jin of charcoal, and one dou and two sheng of oil. Recite the incantation:

“The Five Phases (Wuxing: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) shift and succeed one another; I hold the guidelines, the disciplines, and the authority. The Six Disciplines assist me; the Three Worthies expel evil. Heaven turns and Earth revolves; the Three-Five and the Jade Pivot (referring to the order of celestial motion). May I enjoy long life and enduring vision, shining together with the sun and moon. Those who oppose me perish; those who turn away from the Great Dao decline. The Three Bonds and Six Disciplines sink before the guideline; the slander of the multitude all disperses; matters of punishment and imprisonment are thereby dissolved. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.”

This is the ritual content of “sending forth the officials” in the Memorial for Turning toward Goodness. “Sending forth the officials” (chuguan) refers to summoning the spirit generals and their official subordinates when the rites are performed.

I respectfully request that the Gongcao clerks of the True Officials of the Five Bodies within my person (divine clerks who attend upon one and convey documents) be dispatched, and further that two each of the Gongcao of the Messengers of the Immortal Spirit Officials recorded by the Great Sage True Spirits be dispatched. Let them decline (the original text reads thus; the meaning is unclear), and submerge the Three Bonds and Six Disciplines before the bonds (the original wording is unclear).

Let all slanderous talk and discord among the people be stilled, and let matters of punishment and imprisonment be resolved. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.

Dispatching the Officials for the Petition of Restoration of Harmony

I respectfully request that the Gongcao clerks of the True Officials of the Five Bodies within my person be dispatched, and that two each of the Gongcao of the Messengers of the Immortal Spirit Officials recorded by the Great Sage True Spirits be dispatched; that two Direct-Envoy Gongcao of the Two Offices of Taixuan be dispatched, two Capital-Division Gongcao, two Upper-Division Gongcao, two Middle-Division Gongcao, two Lower-Division Gongcao, two Left and Right Official Messengers, two Red-Carriage Messengers, two Yin-Yang Divine Decision Clerks, and two Red-Talisman (Fulu) clerks of the ordinance carriages; that eighteen each of the petition-submitting clerks on the relay horses of the Gangfeng (Stiff Wind) Cavalry, eighteen each of the Flying Dragon Cavalry clerks, and eighteen each of the Gongcao clerk-soldiers be dispatched.

May the spirit clerks who go forth put their attire in proper order, wearing conspicuous vestments and cap-sashes, and stand in attendance before me. I ask that you wait upon my command before and behind me, clearly convey the words spoken from my mouth, and on my behalf report separately to the relevant divine bureaus. The True Officials of this prefecture, county, township, and village, the deities who inspect and oversee the infusion of Qi (vital energy), as well as the lords, generals, and clerks of examination and summons of the village domain, and others: I now have a certain matter to present, and I respectfully submit on behalf of so-and-so one copy of the Three-Five Petition of Restoration of Harmony, placing it upon the white desk before me.

Petition Text

One copy of the Petition of Restoration of Harmony of your servant so-and-so, of the fifteen ranks under the command of the Primordial-Mandate Perfected of the Most High Middle Qi, of the Heming Parish of the Celestial Master (Tianshi) of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Pacifying Qi of the Taixuan Capital, is placed upon the white desk before me.

Petition Text

The Primordial-Mandate Perfected of the Most High Middle Qi, commanding fifteen ranks, of the Heming Parish of the Celestial Master of Zhengyi Pacifying Qi of the Taixuan Capital: Your servant so-and-so knocks his head to the ground and bows twice, submitting this memorial. I respectfully, according to the native place recorded in the documents—such-and-such prefecture, such-and-such county, such-and-such township, such-and-such village—your servant so-and-so respectfully states the following:

O Most High Limitless Great Dao (the Way), Most High Lord Lao, and the Celestial Master, the Female Master, the Successor Master, the Affiliated Master, and the Lords of the Five Qi under the gates of the Lord and Lady, and others: Now in such-and-such prefecture, county, township, and village there is so-and-so, of such-and-such years (the original text reads “like a thousand-year household, one family of like a thousand persons”; the meaning is unclear), presently residing in such-and-such village. Today I knock my head to the ground and present my statement, declaring myself to be of mortal womb and fleshly body, numbered among the descendants of the hundred officials. I have had the good fortune of a once-in-a-thousand-years encounter, and am subject to….

The Dao-Qi of the Supreme Lords, the Elders, and the Three Masters—the sacred Qi (vital energy) of the Dao (the Way)—has continually protected and upheld me, enabling me to cultivate with a purified heart and to receive their gracious blessings. For this I feel genuine consolation. Yet my natural endowment is dull, and I dwell amid the dusty world. Fortunately I have encountered this opportunity, and have been able to rely upon the numinous grace, wash away worldly defilement, bathe in the pure wind, and cultivate the Dao with a clear mind. I have received and hold the Fulu (talismans and registers), studying the arts of long life, looking up to the grace of the Great Dao, and constantly receiving its protection.

But I am benighted and ignorant. I have failed to dwell in seclusion among the mountain forests and devote myself wholly to upholding the law; my conduct has also violated the precepts, and I have often brought calamity upon myself through improper behavior. On such-and-such a year, month, and day, I suddenly encountered such-and-such an affair, or was deliberately harmed by wicked persons; and again, because of such-and-such a matter, officials or others, borrowing the name of transgression, have secretly done me injury. I have received the grace of the Great Dao and wear the secret methods upon my person; I ought, according to the ordinances received when I took the Dao, to perform rites that avert disaster for others. Now, however, wicked persons have conceived evil intent, plotting to harm me and striking in secret, so that I find it hard to resist. These wicked persons slander me from all four sides, bullying and oppressing me without restraint, implicating those above and below; the situation is urgent, and I am in extreme distress. Now I lodge my person in the secluded darkness, relying upon the gods of Perfected Truth, and earnestly beg that you bestow Dao-Qi to protect me, to dissolve the slander and controversy of wicked persons, and to transform their intent to do evil and harm others, so that when they see me they feel joy in their hearts, and so that I may have the truth upheld. If anyone persists in doing evil, plotting murder or slander against me, I earnestly beg that their wicked schemes collapse of themselves and meet with retribution, so that they take no further action. If there are still those who secretly slander and attack me, I also beg that their evil deeds be dissipated.

I respectfully invite the Azure Emperor of the East, the Red Emperor of the South, the White Emperor of the West, the Black Emperor of the North, and the Yellow Emperor of the Center, each to send one official commanding eight thousand troops and generals, to suppress and subdue the wicked persons who slander me from the four directions, as well as officials and common people, so that their malicious intent is dissipated and they cannot cause disaster. I respectfully invite the Star Lords of the Five Directions, the Lords of the Eight Poles of the Circumpolar Heavens, and one hundred twenty officials and generals, to turn the Net of Heaven and the Cord of Earth, so that the slander and controversy directed against me may be calmed and dissipated. I further invite the Lord of the Kui-Gang of the Northern Dipper to carry out transformation, so that wicked persons of the four directions are overawed and submit; if they still harbor malicious intent, then cover their mouths so that they cannot speak.

I further invite one hundred thousand soldiers of Dispersing Qi, to eliminate the disaster-Qi of the four directions, so that those who would come to encroach upon me are restrained. I invite one Lord of Official Statutes, one thousand two hundred officials and generals, and further invite one hundred thousand Mysterious Troops, the Governing Star Lords and one hundred twenty officials and generals, as well as the Officials who Govern the Earth, to seize the wicked persons who attack me, so that their evil deeds perish. I also invite the Lord of the Covenant of Awe, the Lord of the High Granary, the Protective Generals of the Heavenly Officials, and the Elder of Myriad Blessings, each leading one hundred twenty officials and generals, to jointly annihilate those who gather in crowds to stir up controversy, slander, and attack me, so that their minds and spirits are thrown into confusion and their evil deeds recede of themselves.

I further invite one hundred twenty Harmonizing Officials and Generals to dissolve the harm that wicked persons inflict upon me, causing it to withdraw into the Great Yin. I invite the Lords of Circulating Qi of the Four Seasons and Five Punishments, together with one hundred twenty officials and generals, to subdue the wicked. I further invite the Great Tablet Lords of the Five Directions and one thousand two hundred officials and generals, to calm the slander and controversy within government offices, so that those who slander and attack me are subdued and suffer the harm themselves in return. I also invite one hundred twenty soldiers of the Unsurpassed Mysterious Lords, one hundred twenty generals, officers, and troops of each of the Five Stars of the Southern Garrison, and thirty trillion Yue Maiden Troops, to descend together into the world to arrest the wicked, to eliminate their intent to slander in all directions and to strike in secret, so that they submit, unable to act or speak, and in the end dissipate of themselves.

May I pass through this calamity under the protection of the life-generating Qi. Now I wash my heart and seek release, setting out pure water and incense fire, praying that together there be eliminated the unexpected disasters caused by wicked persons, as well as the slander of government offices and the people, the disputes between officials and common folk, and the affliction of bandits and thieves, so that these calamities crumble like collapsing sand, are dissolved, and entirely dissipate.

I bear the taint of sin, yet have been granted the grace to wear the Fulu; my station is lowly and my capacity limited. Now I suffer the slander and false accusation of wicked persons, who damage my reputation; the evil is grave. I earnestly beg that these calamities be dissipated, so that I may be secure and without incident. After the matter is fulfilled according to my wish, I shall, in accordance with the regulations, return what is owed to its original place.

As for the various divine officials I have invited, I also request that after the matter is accomplished their merits be recorded and they be promoted rank by rank, entering the Central Palace (the hub of the celestial realm) to receive reward, and that they be assigned to hidden offices according to their respective duties. The various generals and officers, one thousand two hundred in number, and the soldiers, five hundred thousand in number, I also request be given corresponding recompense according to the regulations of the Heavenly Bureau (the celestial government offices), so that they are not disappointed. I graciously beg that you look upon this with attention.

This is the standard formulaic text of a memorial (zhang, 章). The Daoist Master (the "subject") respectfully reports to Heaven on behalf of a certain person concerning a certain matter. Prostrating and bowing, the Master presents one memorial, to be conveyed upward to the Celestial Bureau of the Three Heavens of the Supreme One (the heavenly office in charge of memorials), and awaits a reply. The 1,200 officials and lords and the 500,000 soldiers under its command are requested to act according to the statutes of the Celestial Bureau and to commit no negligence, for which the Master feels deep gratitude. Once more, in trepidation and awe, the Master kowtows and bows again, and submits this report.

The Master states their own name and the place of incense-burning and cultivation (fenxiu, 焚修) in their prefecture, county, or temple, and addresses the venerable deities: the Supreme Venerable Lord Laojun of the Great Dao of the Three Heavens, the Limitless, the Supreme Primordial and Mysterious Origin of Taiqing; the Supreme Elder; the Celestial Emperor Lord; the Lord of the Nine Elders of the Immortal Capital; the Elder of the Nine Qi (炁); as well as the hundreds of thousands of myriad layers of Daoist Qi and the 1,200 officials and lords, beneath the Jade Steps of Taiqing. Next comes Taisui (the deity presiding over the year).

Then follows the "Memorial for Opening the Prison" (a memorial submitted to release a person from the calamity of imprisonment), issued from the Left Pingqi office of the Yangping Parish, a post under the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Pingqi Celestial Master of the Taixuan Capital (a post belonging to Yangping Parish, one of the Twenty-Four Parishes of the Celestial Masters' Way). The Master kowtows again and reports: according to the document, a certain person of a certain village and hamlet in a certain prefecture and county, of such-and-such an age in a certain year, now residing at a certain place, on this day kowtowed and took leave, declaring that they are by birth a mortal born of the womb, a descendant of the hundred officials, and that they have been fortunate across a thousand years to be able to serve the Dao.

The Great Dao (Dao, the Way) has always protected me, yet I have suddenly encountered hardships and illness, and the dreams I have had in succession have all been inauspicious. Strange and monstrous events have appeared one after another, and disputes of words in both official and private affairs have arisen without cause. It seems that in a previous life I was tainted by prison punishments and enmities with adversaries, and now, because of a certain person and a certain matter, on a certain month and day I have been drawn into a certain official document case.

At present the case is under examination; I have been detained, fitted with a cangue, and confined in the legal prison. The circumstances of the case are chaotic, and the penalty appears severe. As an ordinary mortal my heart is filled with fear, and I have related my situation to the Daoist, requesting that he handle it on my behalf, with the details as previously listed.

When humans and ghosts receive punishment, each has its proper affiliation: ghost offenders circle to the right to enter the ghost prison, while human offenders circle to the left to enter the worldly official prison. Now the matter is difficult to escape, unusual signs have manifested, and various punishments and crimes are mixed together. I earnestly request that the Daoist examine this case for me, consulting the laws of both Yin-Yang, to ascertain whether I committed offenses against Yin-Yang in a previous life or in this life. If as a result I was judged to belong to the government office in charge of punishments and prisons, or because of a capital crime was escorted to prison, I am now already trapped in jail, suffering flogging, interrogation, detention, and confrontation. I wish to plead my case and seek redress but have no avenue, and the gravity of the offense I committed remains difficult to ascertain.

It happens to be the era of Yangjiu (in the Daoist context, a period of frequent calamities), in which both humans and ghosts encounter harsh punishments. Some may be oppressed by treacherous officials, or due to old grudges be colluded against and framed, unjustly convicted while under detention. Those who do harm only seek to extract confessions and force people to admit guilt, employing every possible means. The Daoist, using principle, seeks to save and deliver me so that I may escape the calamity of punishment; this is a matter that Heaven’s compassion regards as important.

Now that I have encountered this urgent prison disaster, if the matter is prolonged there may yet arise further complications, so it is not advisable to delay. Therefore the Daoist, braving dangers as if plunging into boiling water or walking through fire, in the open courtyard facing the sun, presents this single memorial (a prayer text submitted separately), earnestly requesting that Heaven swiftly resolve and open this matter.

Heaven above is compassionate and will surely send down aid. Respectfully, on behalf of a certain person, a petition is offered to the flying immortal officials of the ten directions and the overseers who ride through the three openings of the southern gate: may the karmic enmities accumulated by this person in previous lives, together with the yin sins and yang faults committed in the present life, be swiftly resolved.

Further petition is made that the Lord of Overseeing Faults dispatch one hundred twenty officers and generals each to enter the urgent left-official yang talisman and act according to the place where this person currently undergoes punishment. Should treacherous and wicked clerks pursue on account of old grudges, causing this person to be implicated and detained, petition is made that the Lord of Returning Transformation and Reversing Transformation dispatch one hundred twenty officers and generals to collate and investigate together with the officials who can turn back those gone astray and who grant clemency, causing them to withdraw and submit.

Should this person be entangled by treacherous and rebellious affairs, with hun and po souls confused and an evil nature difficult to transform, may collation be made with the officials who can turn back those gone astray and who grant clemency, so that the faults may be pacified. Should this person indeed be implicated by treacherous and rebellious affairs, then the soldiers of the Five Directions Great-Quota Lords, numbering in the thousands of myriads of talismans, are requested to seize the spirits of the prison barriers, examine and subdue the rebellious clerks and officials; all who would act tyrannically and do evil are to be made fearful and restrained, their six emotions (the six feelings and consciousnesses of humans) lost in confusion, their allotted fortune diminished, unable to speak, and their minds returned to Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity). Thereafter may the officials of clemency collate and investigate so that the faults may be pacified.

Should this person indeed be implicated by treacherous and rebellious affairs, then the soldiers of the Five Directions Great-Quota Lords, numbering in the thousands of myriads of talismans, are requested to seize the spirits of the prison barriers, examine and subdue the rebellious clerks and officials; all who would act tyrannically and do evil are to be made fearful and restrained, their six emotions lost in confusion, their allotted fortune diminished, unable to speak, and their minds returned to Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity). May the punishments and prisons dissipate, the sins and calamities be extinguished, and the body suffer no pain. If these petitions prove efficacious, the merits of the requested heavenly officials shall be proclaimed and their services reported, without betraying their grace and covenant.

O Taishang, earnest request is made that you separately bestow compassion. This servant respectfully, on behalf of a certain matter, bows and petitions the original officials, clerks, and soldiers to resolve disasters and calamities, and requests pardon together with the granting of grace. One vermilion memorial is submitted to the Three Heavens Bureau of Taishang, awaiting the proclamation. This servant so-and-so, in sincere fear and trepidation, kowtows and bows again in memorial.

Servant’s surname: ____

The Most High Mysterious Origin Unsurpassed Three Heavens Limitless Great Dao, Taishang Laojun, Taishang Zhangren Heavenly Emperor Lord, Nine Elders Immortal Capital Lords, Nine Qi Zhangren, together with hundreds of thousands of layers of Dao Qi and one thousand two hundred official lords, respectfully submitted to the Jade Throne of the Most High Clarity.

Taishui: ____

There is another method: when coming out from the door of the patient’s home, step with the foot over the Dujian seal on the threshold and recite the incantation:

“He! I am able to capture and subdue ghosts and evils. Command that ghost who has transferred harm to the patient so-and-so to extract the abdomen and pull out the liver. My master causes the pathogenic evil of patient so-and-so to recede and the cold illness to submit. Swiftly act in accordance with the statutes and commands; do not look back.”

Then knock the teeth and summon the spirit officials.

I cautiously dispatch the evil-subduing officials that I (the ritual master) wear within my body to investigate and handle the ghost harming the patient. This ghost draws out the patient’s abdominal Qi (vital energy) and injures the liver. I request that my master-teacher reverse the pathogenic evil so that so-and-so is subdued and the cold illness withdraws. This command must be executed at once, without turning to look back. After knocking the teeth, the spirit clerks are sent forth.

I cautiously dispatch the two officials of Upper Immortal and Upper Spirit that I wear within my body, together with two each of the directly subordinate Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Gongcao, two each of the Central Division Gongcao messengers, two each of the Five Emperors’ messengers, two each of the Four Seasons Gongcao, two each of the Four Seasons messengers, two each of the Yin-Yang Divine Granary clerks, two each of the ritual-chariot red-talisman clerks, and two each of the Fierce Wind cavalry post-horse memorial-submitting clerks. Let them hold the plain tablets, array themselves before me, receive the command together, listen carefully to the words from my mouth, and swiftly transmit my report upward by their several paths. Proceed strictly according to the memorial liturgy.

Your servant so-and-so, of the Tai Xuandu Zhengyi Pingqi affiliated with the Celestial Master (Tianshi) of the Yangping Diocese, kowtows once more. I look up to the Supreme Venerable of Primordial Radiance, the Compassionate Father and Holy Mother, to bestow grace, illuminate and inspect, distinguish true from false, and make the actual circumstances clear to all. The wicked of such-and-such prefecture, county and village act willfully, forging falsehoods and committing evils; they are by no means only one or two persons. I have heard that the descendants of the Most High Lord have repeatedly suffered injury, have been insulted and struck, and have endured countless unfounded slanders. The Heavenly Dao is deep and remote, and I previously dared not report this upward. Persons of this sort ought to be seized and interrogated. I hereby respectfully request\ldots

The Most High Three Heavens Bureau (Santian Cao)—the office in the Daoist celestial realm that oversees documents and transmits commands—specially issues an order to the Three Officials (Sanguan), the divine offices that govern Heaven, Earth, and Water: that the ancestors of a certain household, from the nine generations of forebears and seven generations of parents onward, be taken into custody and sent to a dark and remote place in the dungeon of the Northern Prison. The reason is that a certain person has indulged in reckless conduct and shown contempt for the celestial Dao (the Way).

A further edict is issued to the True Official of the Local Earth, the gods of the village altars, and the deities of the temples in the place where this evil person resides: that, in accordance with the statutes against slighting the master’s teaching of the Dao, they interrogate on the appointed day the three hun souls and seven po spirits (which Daoism holds constitute a person’s soul) of the said person. I respectfully request General Kuigang, together with his three thousand six hundred subordinates, to proceed—following the report uttered by my mouth—to the said household, seize that person’s three hun and seven po, deliver them to the celestial prison, and beat them to death with iron staves.

I further request the examining clerks of Qingwei Heaven, Yuyu Heaven, and Dachi Heaven, one thousand two hundred from each heaven, to descend together upon the said person, to inquire into and investigate his slighting of the Daoist dharma. I, the son of this officiant, call out his name: this crime is not to be taken lightly; according to the statutes of the scriptures (jing), it admits of no pardon, and interrogation ought to be applied.

I further request the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water to investigate the crimes of the said person in resenting the celestial Dao, slighting teachers and elders, neglecting the Daoist dharma, and not following Daoist teachings but acting willfully and recklessly. He has cursed and reviled, or struck and beaten, and has relied on official power to surveil and coerce the person of the spirit-master (the one who presides over sacrifice and serves the spirits). Let this be judged according to the statutes of the Three Officials. I respectfully wish that the celestial generals and clerks I have petitioned may at once concentrate their minds and intentions; now, regarding the cursing, the striking and beating, and the relying on official power to surveil and coerce the spirit-master, let these be adjudicated according to the statutes of the Three Officials. May actual results be verified; on the day when efficacy is seen, I shall report the merit and request promotion, and shall by no means fail this demonstration of efficacy. I earnestly request the bestowal of grace.

May the Most High separately adjudicate, bestow compassion and grant deliverance, accept the contents of what I have reported, and seize, interrogate, and punish the evil person. This person has given free rein to his mind in cursing others; I am therefore ashamed, and respectfully present this memorial, submitting it to the Most High Three Heavens Bureau, respectfully awaiting a notice in reply. I, so-and-so, in sincere fear and trepidation, knock my head and bow twice in report.

Your servant’s surname:

The Most High Lord Lao of the Great Clarity Mysterious Origin Unsurpassed Three Heavens Limitless Great Dao, the Heavenly Emperor Lord the Most High Elder, the Lord of the Nine Elder Immortal Capitals, the Elder of the Nine Qi (vital energy), the hundred thousand myriad layers of Dao-Qi, and the one thousand two hundred Official Lords, respectfully submitted upward to the Jade Throne of Great Clarity.

The Tai Sui (year-star):

Memorial of Returning Transformation (Huihua Zhang)—the name of the memorial, meaning a petition requesting transformation and disposal.

Tai Xuandu Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Pingqi lineage, Left Pingqi of the Celestial Master’s (Tianshi) Yangping Parish (titles of dharma-lineage, parish, and office related to the Zhengyi tradition).

Your servant knocks his head and bows twice.

I respectfully report as follows. According to the written records, a male disciple named so-and-so of a certain prefecture, county, and village, of a certain age, today states in his own words: I am originally a mortal of flesh and blood born from the womb, a descendant of the hundred officials. Having the rare fortune of a thousand years, I have been able to serve the Great Dao (the Way). Yet I am merely an ordinary person, foolish and ignorant; not daring to overestimate my humble status, I still boldly petition the Heavenly Bureau (the celestial government offices of Daoism). At present there is a servant in my household named so-and-so, of a certain age, who suddenly departed. On a certain month and day he fled with my household provisions, clothing, bedding, and miscellaneous articles, hiding here and there to evade his master and forgetting the kindness with which I raised and nurtured him.

I recaptured him on a certain month and day, brought him home, bound and beat him so that he would not flee or turn against his master. But on a certain night at a certain hour he tore through the ropes, his malicious intent unchanged, and fled once more in betrayal of his master. He has already run away a number of times before and after, rebelling year after year rather than only once; he has also stolen property and harbored jealous malice to inflict harm, his wickedness especially grave.

On a certain day all the men and women of my household, whether free persons or servants, old and young, large and small, together kept watch to seize him, yet we did not catch him. We searched and pursued in every direction, east, west, south, and north, covering far and near mountains and wilderness, still not knowing where he dwells. He conceals his traces, betrays his master, and will not let his master see him. Now my household has little fortune and much depletion; the people and property of the family are gradually wasting away, servants and assets continually draining off, unable to attach themselves to me but instead betraying and departing. Therefore I concentrate my mind in upward prayer, relying upon...

The Great Dao protects so-and-so. Now several chi of white cloth, several dou and sheng of rice, and other items are offered and delivered before the seat of the Three Treasures (Sanbao, the Dao, the scriptures, and the masters as honored in Daoism) at such-and-such temple. So-and-so comes to request the methods of the Dao to transform and subdue, causing the servant so-and-so to change his heart and turn back.

This servant so-and-so is himself confused and unclear, his mind troubled, wishing to rebel and flee but unable to succeed. Please cause him to return to his original dwelling, his spirit dazed, calling out as he walks the road to meet with so-and-so, unable to escape to the east or west. We earnestly request that he change his heart and be subdued. This servant so-and-so is himself confused and unclear, his mind troubled, wishing to rebel and flee but unable to succeed. Please cause him to return to his original dwelling, his spirit dazed, calling out as he walks the road to meet with so-and-so, unable to escape to the east or west. Urgently command him to return of his own accord while awaiting the manifestation of the Daoist methods; I shall successively report the efficacy and not fail the vows that have been made.

As this official’s duties lie herein, how dare I not submit a report? I respectfully invite the great troops of the Five Emperors Qin Hu, the various great generals of the Five Paths and Crossroads, together with their affiliated soldiers, jailers, and valiant troops, to search strictly, transform, and bring back the servant so-and-so, not allowing him to betray and flee from the residence and his master. Please deliver the servant’s three hun and seven po to the village shrine (the place of worship for the local earth god) and command the deceased relatives of such-and-such family, the stove god, the three generals who guard the house, and the twenty-four officers and soldiers to capture jointly the servant so-and-so, not allowing him to betray, so that he suddenly turns back and comes to his master’s side.

Command the Direct Talisman and the Point Ghost Merit Officer (Daoist spirit officials of talismans and messengers) to hang the corpse at the gates of the village shrine and the stove god, examining and holding him accountable three times each day, ensuring that he changes his heart, eliminates the thought of rebellious flight, and quickly returns home. The officers and soldiers must jointly capture the servant so-and-so, not allowing him to betray, so that he suddenly returns to his master’s side. Command the Direct Talisman and the Point Ghost Merit Officer to hang the corpse at the gates of the village shrine and the stove god, examining and holding him accountable three times each day, ensuring that he changes his heart, eliminates the thought of rebellious flight, and quickly returns home, not permitted to flee east or west, and must be firmly pursued and captured. On the day the matter receives the power of grace and takes effect, I shall report the merits according to regulation and repay the kindness. This official so-and-so kowtows, begs pardon, and submits this report, respectfully presenting this statement.

I respectfully invite the Capital Star General and twenty-four messengers to transform and subdue the thoughts of rebellious flight for so-and-so, causing him to return to the residence, not permitted to hide and flee east, west, south, north, or in the far or near wilderness. Please immediately intensify the capture so that he comes forth now to meet his master. On the day the matter takes effect I shall successively repay the kindness and report the verification. Urgently, urgently, as the statutes and commands.

Fire fire fire fire fire fire fire fire fire fire fire. Presided over by the twelve Supreme Fire Cart Messengers.

Command the spirit generals of the Fire Bureau to restore a certain person’s hunpo (soul) to its original condition and deliver it to the county yamen, handing it over at the shemen (the gate of the local earth-god shrine), to be executed immediately in accordance with the statutes.

Command the twelve Supreme Water Chariot Envoys, on behalf of a certain person, to seize and bind that runaway slave so-and-so, not permitting him to flee in all directions or to betray. Immediately seize him and bring him back, to be carried out in accordance with the prior agreement, swiftly as the statutes command.

Command the twelve Supreme Metal Chariot Envoys, on behalf of a certain person, to restore that runaway slave so-and-so to his original condition, causing him to know repentance and return of his own accord, not permitting him to flee in all directions, to be executed immediately in accordance with the statutes.

Command the twelve Supreme Wood Chariot Envoys, on behalf of a certain person, to stop the slave so-and-so from betraying, causing him to return quickly of his own accord, to be carried out in accordance with the prior agreement, swiftly as the statutes command.

Command the twelve Supreme Earth Chariot Envoys, on behalf of a certain person, to stop the slave so-and-so from betraying, causing him to return home at once, swiftly as the statutes command.

Command the twelve Supreme Iron Chariot Envoys, on behalf of a certain person, to arrest that runaway slave so-and-so, not permitting him to escape, everything to be carried out in accordance with the prior agreement, swiftly as the statutes command.

Here, “Fire, Water, Metal, Wood, Earth, and Iron” serve as the opening markers of each section of the talismanic commands (Fulu). “Chariot Envoys” refers to the spirit officers commissioned to carry out such tasks as seizing, binding, pursuing, and summoning. “Swiftly as the statutes command” (jiji ru lüling) is a common imperative formula in Daoist petitions and memorials, meaning that the order is to be executed immediately in accordance with the statutes.

The twelve Most High Knife-Chariot Envoys (a title of Daoist deities) hear this command and take charge of this matter.

Let the iron soldiers set out at once and act in accordance with the prior covenant. Swiftly, in obedience to the statutes and ordinances, let this be executed.

The twelve Most High Knife-Chariot Envoys are commanded to seize and arrest the servant so-and-so. This person has turned traitor and must not be permitted to flee; let him return at once according to the covenant. Swiftly, in obedience to the statutes and ordinances, let this be executed.

The twelve Most High Bow-Chariot Envoys are commanded to perform a rite for so-and-so in order to suppress the fleeing and rebellious servant so-and-so, and to summon him at once to turn and come back. Let everything be handled according to the prior covenant. Swiftly, in obedience to the statutes and ordinances, let this be executed.

The twelve Most High Crossbow-Chariot Envoys are commanded to seize and arrest the rebellious servant so-and-so and must not permit him to flee; let him return at once according to the covenant. Swiftly, in obedience to the statutes and ordinances, let this be executed.

The twelve Most High Sun-Chariot Envoys are commanded to use the crossbow chariots to seize and arrest the rebellious servant so-and-so and must not permit him to flee; let him return at once according to the covenant. Swiftly, in obedience to the statutes and ordinances, let this be executed.

The twelve Most High Sun-Chariot Envoys are commanded, on behalf of the petitioner, to suppress the fleeing and rebellious servant so-and-so, and to summon him at once back to his dwelling to abide by the covenant. Swiftly, in obedience to the statutes and ordinances, let this be executed.

The twelve Most High Moon-Chariot Envoys are commanded, on behalf of so-and-so, to recall and suppress the rebellious servant so-and-so. He has already betrayed and fled; summon him at once to turn back. Swiftly, in obedience to the statutes and ordinances, let this be executed.

The twelve Most High Kerchief-Chariot Envoys are commanded to take charge of this matter…

The words “Knife” (刀), “Bow” (弓), “Crossbow” (弩), “Sun” (日), “Moon” (月), “Kerchief” (巾), and similar terms that appear repeatedly in the text are retained in accordance with the original; these repeated designations may belong to the scribal or symbolic format of the petition liturgy (zhangyi). The final sentence is incomplete in the original, and therefore the translation can only proceed as far as the wording that survives.

These petition documents request the Heavenly Bureau (the Daoist celestial offices) to seize a certain person’s hun and po and to command the City God, the Commandery Governor, and other spirit officials to pursue and capture him, so that he will change his mind and return to his original place. The ritual texts repeatedly declare that the person has betrayed and departed and must be dealt with according to the prior agreement; once the command is issued, it is to be executed immediately.

Once the talismanic order is delivered to the Heavenly Bureau, the person’s three hun and seven po (the souls that, according to Daoist teaching, constitute a human being) must be seized and handed over to the City God, the Commandery Governor, and the spirit officials of local temples to be captured, causing him to change his mind, return, and no longer flee. If he still seeks to escape in various directions, hide, or travel far away, his souls are to be seized again and given over to the County Magistrate, the Gongcao, the Zhubu, and other local spirit officials for handling, with ghost clerks ordered to take an accounting. The ritual texts further state that he is to be made to lose his bearings so that he cannot journey far, returns to his dwelling, and is taken in by his master; if he continues to flee, he is to be rendered mad and unsettled in mind, with his Qi (vital energy) and blood disordered, to the point that he cannot move. Should the matter prove efficacious, successive reports of merit are to be submitted so as not to fail the demonstrated power of the deities. The entire text concludes with “Ji ji ru lüling,” indicating that the command must be carried out at once.

The final section is submitted by a male disciple of a given prefecture, county, and village, who reports his name and age and requests that the rite be performed so that a certain household servant will change his mind, return swiftly to his dwelling, come back to his master’s side, and no longer betray and flee; he further states that he respectfully submits this memorial and wholeheartedly entrusts the matter.

The Great Dao (the Way, the highest foundation revered in Daoism) is above: Your servant respectfully begs that the household-born slave So-and-so be called back, that his heart be changed, and that he submit again to his master. The details are as stated above.

Today I have reverently prepared these pledge offerings (the tokens of faith that accompany a petition): one length of white cloth, one shi and two dou of rice, one hundred sheets of white paper, one brush, and one inkstick, among other things. With a sincere heart I report and ask that the fugitive slave So-and-so be subdued. So-and-so has betrayed his master, So-and-so the Second, and has run away in rebellion. He is now being sought, but no one knows where he is. I beg that he lose his way and be unable to achieve what he wants, that he be strictly seized, and that he turn back of his own accord and return to So-and-so the Second.

Your servant is foolish and incompetent, and his merits are not enough to make up for his faults. In fear and trembling, I knock my head and confess my guilt, and I prostrate myself to present this memorial of utmost sincerity, reported to the Celestial Bureaus (the offices of the heavenly administration). I beg the celestial officials, clerks, and soldiers, the Lords and Elders of the Most High, the divine and perfected beings of the household of the Celestial Master (Tianshi) and his Lady, and the Lords of the Five Qi (Qi, vital energy) who oversee these affairs, to look with compassion upon the matter reported here.

I ask that you command the Lords of the Capital Stars and the Capital Qi, together with their million soldiers, to recall and seize the fugitive slave So-and-so on behalf of the living, and to urgently compel him to realize his error, find his way back, and return to his master of his own accord, forbidden to go far away. If he stubbornly persists in his flight, and after returning home still does not repent and his malice remains unchanged, then I further ask the Lord of the Net to lead a million soldiers to cut off the roads and surround him on all four sides, to bind and detain him, and to forbid him from fleeing east or west, so that he returns to his master of his own accord. I also ask Zhang Yuanfan, the god of the village shrine and city moat, to act in accordance with the circumstances described above and to hang his corpse at the gate of the shrine.

I respectfully invite the Azure Lord of the East, leading 810,000 soldiers; the Red Lord of the South, leading 640,000; the White Lord of the West, leading 360,000; the Black Lord of the North, leading 250,000; and the Yellow Lord of the Center, leading 12,000, to descend together and work with one accord to recover for So-and-so the household-born slave So-and-so. This slave has betrayed his master and fled, and his malice does not cease. I beg that he lose his way and be unable to go far, that he be swiftly brought back to his master's side, and that he be arrested without any omission. Please carry this out according to the terms previously agreed upon, and complete it within the appointed time.

If what I have asked is granted, then on the day the slave is safely found and recovered, your servant will report the merit and repay the kindness, and will petition for the promotion and reward of the celestial soldiers, the keepers of the prison, and the stalwart warriors, so as not to fail the trust placed in them. I humbly hope for your grace.

Officials in charge of documents under the Most High, please each present this petition on my behalf. I respectfully avail myself of two each of the Direct Envoys of the Two Offices, the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Merit Officers, the Left and Right Official Envoys, the Yin-Intestine Spirit-Deciding Clerks, the Red Talisman Clerks of the Ritual Carriage, and the Strong-Wind Mounted Courier Clerks who submit memorials by post-horse, sending them forth to handle this matter.

I respectfully petition the Heavenly Officials on behalf of a servant named so-and-so in a certain household: he has turned his back on his master, fled, and refuses to return. I earnestly request that the Heavenly Officials enact the method of compelling return, so that he may come back to his master’s side and not be lost or scattered. Wherever he has fled—east, west, south, or north—may he lose his way and his bearings, and of his own accord return from outside, come back to the household, and come to me here, to receive and present one copy each of the Cinnabar Memorial, the Red Petition, and the Linked Prison Document.

My station is humble; I dare not of my own accord obstruct or refuse this matter. I respectfully kowtow to the Heavenly Officials and beg pardon. I earnestly request that the Heavenly Officials look down and examine this, and transmit it to the Three Heavenly Bureaus (the celestial offices that oversee documents and receive memorials in the Daoist heavens). I await a reply here, in sincere fear and trepidation, kowtowing and bowing once more. The above request is hereby respectfully submitted for your hearing.

Your subject, [surname]

I respectfully invite the Limitless Great Dao of the Unsurpassed Three Heavens of Mysterious Origin of Great Clarity (Taiqing), Lord Lao the Most High, the Heavenly Emperor Lord of the Most High Elders, the Lords of the Nine Elders Immortal Capital, the Elders of the Nine Qi (vital energy), together with the hundred million myriad layers of Dao-Qi and the twelve hundred Official Lords, to look down from beneath the Jade Steps of Great Clarity.

Taisui (the stem-branch designation of the year).