《正一敕坛仪》

Before performing the ritual of commanding the altar, first prepare water and a sword, establish the “Earth Portal” (dihu, the position in the altar area that symbolizes the gateway of the earthly realm), and assemble the complete set of altar documents (tanjian, the written instruments used in the ceremony). When performing the ritual circuit, come to the place where the sword and water have been set. First visualize the Root Master (benshi, the ancestral master of the lineage) in the West, then visualize the Three Generals, and next visualize a True Official (zhenguan) dressed in crimson clothing who arrives mounted upon the Northern Dipper. Then make this report:

I have heard that in the harmonizing of Yin-Yang, nothing surpasses the power of the Hundred Spirits (bailing, the multitude of deities), and that in relieving families and the nation, nothing transcends the Great Dao (the Way). Therefore, when the Azure Void (biluo, the celestial realm) manifests transformations of disaster and auspiciousness, people ought to take warning from them; the Yellow Register (Huanglu, the liturgical rites used in Daoist Zhaijiao (purification ritual) for salvation and deliverance) has established methods of rescue and elevation, and people ought to cultivate according to them.

Though I have no particular talent, I look up in admiration to the mysterious teachings. Having been granted the honor of wearing and receiving the Fulu (talismans and registers), I serve as a governing official (zhiguan, a Daoist office). Wherever I go, among mountains, rivers, and lands, how dare I forget to repay the grace of the Great Dao?

Now, in such-and-such year of the Tai Sui, on the first day of such-and-such month, at such-and-such hour, we, in such-and-such prefecture, county, and township, leading a number of Daoist priests, respectfully on behalf of the disciple of the Great Dao so-and-so, because of such-and-such matter, establish such-and-such zhai, held for so many days and nights, in order to dispel disasters, ward off calamities, and pray for blessings and grace. We now establish the altar space, report upward according to the Keyi (liturgy), and perform the ritual service. A number of Daoist priests, respectfully on behalf of the disciple of the Great Dao so-and-so, because of such-and-such matter, establish such-and-such zhai, held for so many days and nights, in order to dispel disasters, ward off calamities, and pray for blessings and grace, establish the altar space, and report upward according to the Keyi.

We refine and purify our bodily form and Qi (vital energy), stilling the mind and spirit, and respectfully carry out the rites at the appointed time—how dare we not report this to Heaven’s hearing? We respectfully request the Most High to issue renewed decrees, to bestow the grace of protection and nourishment, and to command the True Officials of each office to descend and oversee, so that smoke and clouds may temporarily cease throughout the Three Realms, and wind and rain no longer operate in the netherworlds of the four directions. Confessions of repentance shall surely reach above, and the conveyance of prayers shall not be obstructed. We are utterly sincere and earnest, concentrating our minds in visualization of the deities, and respectfully await a response.

When the visualization of the deities’ response is complete, and after visualizing the Four Spirits (the Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, and Mysterious Warrior) is complete, then hand the altar documents to another person. Next, let both hands hang down, form the grasping-solid mudra (wogu, a common Daoist hand seal), and summon the Four Spirits:

Azure Dragon of the East, transformed from the Jing (essence) and Qi of the Horn and Neck lunar lodges, exhaling clouds of Qi, issuing thunder, soaring through the eight directions, patrolling the netherworlds of the four quarters—please come to my left.

Vermilion Bird of the South—let both hands hang down, form the grasping-solid mudra, and summon the Four Spirits:

The Azure Dragon of the East (Qinglong), one of the Four Directional Sacred Beasts, is the essence of the Jiao and Kang lunar mansions. It exhales breath like dense clouds, swallows thunder to give voice, soars to the farthest reaches of the eight directions, and wanders the four quarters of the netherworld. I invite it to stand at my left.

The Vermilion Bird of the South (Zhuque), one of the Four Directional Sacred Beasts, is the chief of all birds, transformed and born from the Cinnabar Cave. It utters a clear cry in the azure heavens, draped in wondrous five-colored plumage, its bearing mysterious and marvelous. I invite it to lead me forward.

The White Beast of the West, one of the Four Directional Sacred Beasts, corresponds above to the Zui and Shen lunar mansions. Its nature is pure white and refined, its voice solemn and ringing; it overawes the multitude of beasts, and its prolonged roar shakes the mountain forests. I invite it to stand in attendance at my right.

The Mysterious Warrior of the North (Xuanwu), one of the Four Directional Sacred Beasts, is generated from the Qi of Great Yin. It manifests its form through the Xu and Wei lunar mansions, turtle and snake united as one, coiling and traveling beneath the Nine Earths, commanding the hundred numina. I invite it to follow behind me.

Then gather both hands and hold them before the chest, stand with the feet in a T-step, and recite the incantation: I summon the assembled gods; once the gods have gathered they shall act, carrying the sun and moon to patrol the Nine Provinces. The sixteen divine generals heed my dispatch; the Heavenly Official, Earthly Official, and Water Official act together with the assembled gods.

Then tread the Three Powers Steps (Sancai Bu, a ritual gait according to the principles of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity) and come before the sword and water. Take the sword in the right hand and recite the incantation: The Five Phases circulate and operate in the sequence of Fire, Wood, Water, Earth, and Metal. I gird on the hard sword and command ghosts and spirits to halt and submit. The Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions follow my direction; the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper protect and uphold the numinous perfected spirit, causing it to travel the four quarters and bring a hundred blessings.

Then take the water bowl in the left hand and recite the incantation: The Yangtze, Yellow River, Huai waters, and sea waters are not the water of this place; this water is emitted by the Five Dragons to wash and purify Heaven and Earth. The Great Emperor drinks of it and enjoys a lifespan of thirty thousand years. Today I use it to cleanse away evil Qi. Quickly, as the statutes and ordinances command!

Then bring the sword and water bowl to face one another and announce one’s name and title: Celestial Master (Tianshi) of the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Pingqi lineage of the Great Mysterious Capital, libationer of such-and-such parish and such-and-such Qi, Primordial Destiny Perfected One of the Red Heaven Three-Five Pacing the Guideline, your servant so-and-so respectfully invites: I respectfully invite the Azure Emperor of the East and the Azure Dragon, holding a talisman (fu) in the mouth and wearing a sword, to enter my water. I respectfully invite the Vermilion Emperor of the South and the Vermilion Dragon, holding a talisman (fu) in the mouth and wearing a sword, to enter my water. I respectfully invite the White Emperor of the West and the White Dragon, holding a talisman (fu) in the mouth and wearing a sword, to enter my water. I respectfully invite the Black Emperor of the North and the Qi Dragon, holding a talisman (fu) in the mouth and wearing a sword, to enter my water.

Respectfully invite the Central Yellow Emperor (the Yellow Emperor who resides in the central direction) to ride a yellow dragon, holding Fulu (talismans and registers) in his mouth and wearing a precious sword at his side, to enter my water.

This water of mine is not ordinary water, but water transformed from the true Qi (vital energy) of the five dragons and five stars. This sword of mine is likewise no ordinary sword; it has been tempered nine times, becoming hard and unyielding, accompanied by the seven stars. It treads the Big Dipper, spanning the Kui and Gang stars. Taiyi transforms into water, causing it to circulate throughout the four directions. Please, divine generals holding the talismans and wearing the sword, enter my water.

This water of mine is not ordinary water, but water transformed from the true Qi of the five dragons and five stars. This sword of mine is likewise no ordinary sword; it has been tempered nine times, becoming hard and unyielding, accompanied by the seven stars. It treads the Big Dipper, spanning the Kui and Gang stars. Taiyi transforms into water, causing it to circulate throughout the four directions. No purifying water can surpass it, and no filthy impurity can overcome it. Use clear water to wash away turbidity and water to cleanse filth. Urgently follow the statutes and commands of Taishang Laojun, seize (to drive and capture by means of ritual magic), and spray the ritual water outward.

Then the ritual master walks to the Tianmen (Heavenly Gate) position, pauses briefly, and concentrates his mind in visualization (contemplating the deities and ritual scenes within his heart). After completing the summoning of the Four Spirits, he recites the Yubu incantation (the spell recited while performing the ritual paces of the Yu Steps):

Qian Heaven is honored and noble, the sun and moon shine brightly; Kun Earth is yielding and compliant, operating inwardly. The two polarities of Heaven and Earth join in harmonious union, conforming to the auspicious and correct Way. Matching Heaven and standing upon Earth, there is lasting peace, solemnity, stillness, and clarity. Responding to the mysterious Heaven and yellow Earth, wearing upper garments above and skirts below. The four trigrams Zhen, Li, Kan, and Dui of the Bagua (Eight Trigrams) assist and protect; the four trigrams Qian, Kun, Gen, and Xun enable me to stride like a tiger and rise like a dragon. Heaven Gate, Earth Door, Human Gate, and Ghost Gate—who protects me? It is the vast and lofty Heaven. Today I tread the Yu Steps, corresponding above to the heavenly principles so that ghosts and spirits submit; below there are protectors to assist me. The four trigrams Qian, Kun, Gen, and Xun enable me to stride like a tiger and rise like a dragon. Heaven Gate, Earth Door, Human Gate, and Ghost Gate—who protects me? It is the vast and lofty Heaven. Today I tread the Yu Steps, corresponding above to the heavenly principles, ghosts and spirits submit, and below inauspiciousness is driven away. All that is sought shall be fulfilled according to wish, and the numinous light shall appear in due time. Urgently follow the statutes and commands!

Then he walks to the northeast corner, facing east, and invites Qing Tong Jun (the Azure Youth Lord of the East):

Respectfully invite the Eastern Qing Tong Jun, nine hundred million zhang in height, attended by ninety million followers, riding the Jing (essence) Qi of the Eastern Year Star (Jupiter). True Qi soars through the void to arrive and descend upon the ritual altar. Please exercise your divine power and disperse true Qi, search out evil sprites and goblins, drive away ghosts, demons, and thieves; those who are guilty shall in no case be pardoned. Seize the ritual water and spray it outward.

Then, treading the Yu Steps, he proceeds to the southeast corner, sprays the ritual water and issues commands to expel evil, then faces south and invites Chi Tong Jun (the Vermilion Youth Lord of the South).

With respectful invitation we welcome the Southern Red Child Lord. The Red Child Lord is thirty million zhang in stature, attended by thirty million followers. Mounted upon the Jing (essence) Qi of the southern Yinghuo star (Mars), he bears True Qi (zhenqi, the primordial authentic vital energy of which Daoism speaks) as he arrives from the heavens, descending onto the altar ground. He exercises his numinous power and disseminates True Qi, seeking out evil spirits and wicked ghosts, incinerating demons, monsters, and thieves. Those who are guilty receive no pardon. He gathers and sprays the ritual water.

Subsequently, treading the Yu steps (the distinctive ritual gait employed in Daoist ceremonies) he advances to the southwest corner, gathers and sprays ritual water, and turning westward invites the White Child Lord.

With respectful invitation we welcome the Western White Child Lord. The White Child Lord is seventy million zhang in stature, attended by seventy million followers. Mounted upon the Jing Qi of the western Taibai star (Venus), he bears True Qi as he arrives from the heavens, descending onto the altar ground. He exercises his numinous power and disseminates True Qi, seeking out evil spirits and wicked ghosts, putting to death demons, monsters, and thieves. Those who are guilty receive no pardon. He gathers and sprays the ritual water.

Subsequently, treading the Yu steps he advances to the northwest corner, gathers and sprays ritual water, and turning northward invites the Black Child Lord.

With respectful invitation we welcome the Northern Black Child Lord. The Black Child Lord is fifty million zhang in stature, attended by fifty million followers. Mounted upon the Jing Qi of the northern Chen star (the ancient designation for Mercury), he bears True Qi as he arrives from the heavens, descending onto the altar ground. He exercises his numinous power and disseminates True Qi, seeking out evil spirits and wicked ghosts, sweeping away demons, monsters, and thieves. Those who are guilty receive no pardon. He gathers and sprays the ritual water.

Subsequently, treading the Yu steps he advances to the upper direction, gathers and sprays ritual water, and turning northward invites the Yellow Child Lord.

With respectful invitation we welcome the Central Yellow Child Lord. The Yellow Child Lord is one hundred twenty thousand zhang in stature, attended by one hundred twenty thousand followers. Mounted upon the Jing Qi of the central Zhen star (Saturn), he bears True Qi as he arrives from the heavens, descending onto the altar ground. He exercises his numinous power and disseminates True Qi, seeking out evil spirits and wicked ghosts, interring and subduing demons, monsters, and thieves. Those who are guilty receive no pardon. He gathers and sprays the ritual water.

In the source text a discontinuity of wording together with repetition occurs between the passages concerning the White Child Lord and the Black Child Lord; the foregoing reconstruction follows the sense of the complete liturgical text appearing subsequently.

Then proceed to the position of the Ghost Gate (Guimen) or Earth Door (Dihu) and pace the seven stars of the Big Dipper, with the back toward “Jian” (Establishment) and the face toward “Po” (Destruction). Turn and enter the Dipper position, as if wearing the Dipper stars upon the body and treading upon them with the feet. Visualize the heavenly officers and their troops, the immortals of the sun, moon, and stellar lodges, together with the troops of the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Waterways (the renowned peaks of the Five Mountains and the water systems of the four directions), each numbering nine hundred million, appearing in majestic array before the eyes. Next visualize the four directional divine beasts—the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise—standing to left and right, after which report the ritual proceedings once more. Then announce again one’s own ritual office and titular rank.

The Great Mysterious Capital Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) Pacifying Qi lineage Celestial Master (Tianshi) of such-and-such diocese, such-and-such Qi Libationer, Red Heaven Three-Five Pacing the Guidelines Primordial Destiny Perfected One, this humble servant so-and-so and companions, receiving the mandate of the Great Dao, have constructed for disciple so-and-so a certain Zhai (purification ritual) lasting several days and nights, praying for gracious protection, atoning for and removing faults, and seeking blessings to avert disaster. We respectfully invite the troops of the heavenly immortals, earthly immortals, sun-moon-stellar lodges, divine immortals, and the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Waterways, each nine hundred million in number. May all these troops swiftly marshal themselves, descending together like the rising of wind and the stirring of thunder, the surging of rain and the rushing of clouds, arriving at this place on this day at this hour.

Let the troops cover the buildings in three layers and encircle the altar three times; above spread the heavenly net, below lay the earthly web, so that the power of the Nine Earths is exerted in unison and the troops form ranks within the altar. Within the altar, beside the doorways, between well and stove, beneath flowers and fruit—wherever residual evil Qi from hidden corpses remains, sprites born of plants, trees, earth and stone, cat-ghosts and heterodox sorcery, together with harmful curses, gu-poison and ghostly thieves—all who do not submit are to be seized and confined beneath Kui-Gang (the Dipper star officials), driven ten thousand zhang into the earth, unable to stir or cause harm. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances—seize! Then immediately spray water outward.

Next gaze fixedly upon the precious sword and recite the Five Phases (Wuxing) incantation:

“The Five Phases mutually shift and proceed; the power of firmness and strength upholds majesty. The Six Records protect and assist me; the Three Terraces (star officials) drive out evil and falsehood. Heaven turns and earth revolves; Yin-Yang open and divide. Long life to cross the world; sun and moon shine as one.”

Then raise the precious sword pointing toward the ground, gaze at the sword’s edge, and recite:

The heavenly pardon-command shines with magnificent radiance, and the earthly pardon-command sets the four directions aright. Wherever I pace the Yu Step (Yubu, the ritual method of treading the Dipper and stars in Daoist ceremonies), the hundred ghosts must all conceal themselves; the Six Records (Liuji, celestial spirits or constellations) assist me, and the Three Terraces (Santai, a star group that also denotes celestial offices) sweep away the heterodox and false. The heavenly bodies move in their courses, heaven and earth revolve, Yin and Yang open and unfold; may people attain longevity and transcend the world, with the sun and moon shining together in radiance.

Then raise the sword, point it toward the ground to inspect, and recite the incantation: The heavenly pardon-command shines with magnificent radiance, the earthly pardon-command sets the four directions aright. Wherever I pace the Yu Step, the hundred ghosts must all conceal themselves. Swiftly obey and execute according to the statutes and commands! Then take up and spray the ritual water.

Afterward, swing the sword backward, then turn to the right, step out of the Dipper position to avoid it; tread across the star positions, proceed obliquely to the location of the Bi Lodge (Bixiu, a lunar mansion), and then continue the ritual path according to the ceremony.