《三官灯仪》

The ritual is performed according to the prescribed liturgy (Keyi).

With reverence we have heard: the Mysterious and Wondrous Dao (the Way), the source of all things, set one Qi (vital energy; the primal energy that forms heaven, earth, and the myriad things) in motion and opened up heaven and earth. The clear and the turbid separated, the Three Powers of heaven, earth, and humanity were thereby established, and the sun and moon were made bright. Day and night were divided into light and dark, and the four seasons into cold and heat.

Humans receive the harmonious Qi of balance and are the most spiritually endowed of all beings. Human nature is originally pure, still, empty, and luminous, but it later took on distinct dispositions through the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). In the world, rank and station differ between high and low, and a person's transgressions and blessings correspond to their karmic conditions. For this reason the Three Officials (the deities governing heaven, earth, and water) examine human conduct, fairly rewarding merit and weighing faults, while the Five Emperors record and make known people's errors so that each has its basis.

Humans live in the mortal world, yet their fates are bound to the heavens. As the stars move, a person may be touched by shifting fortunes, favorable or adverse, and as destiny unfolds they may meet with clashes and conflicts of fate. Some behave improperly and violate the Five Constants; some have ill luck and encounter the Three Calamities. Some are greedy and indulgent, killing living beings at will and harming others for their own sake; some curse and abuse with cruel words, or transgress the laws of heaven; some undertake construction and building, or offend against the prohibitions of the underworld. As for the many faults created through the six sense faculties (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind) and the three karmas of body, speech, and thought, they are hard to dispel without the power of the Dao's rites.

Today falls on an auspicious day, coinciding with the festivals of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Origins. These are the times when the Three Officials examine humankind, and a great assembly in which the Nine Heavens bestow blessings. Therefore the congregation fasts in body and mind and respectfully presents pure offerings: splendid lamps illuminate the layered heavens, and the glow of silver candles brightens the River of Stars. Ten thousand red lotuses bloom together at the season of the Three Origins; clear wine is poured three times as an offering to countless sages and perfected beings. The fragrance of aloeswood and sandalwood reaches far to the golden palaces of heaven, and the chanting of the immortals' liturgy swiftly travels to the realm of Jade Purity. The congregation then sincerely prays for great blessings, and the assembled ritualists reverently praise the merits and virtues of the deities.

The faithful respectfully pay homage to the Celestial Venerable of the Supreme Great Luo Heaven, Protector of Long Life and Preserver of Lives.

We, your servants, wholeheartedly take refuge in the Celestial Official of the Upper Origin, First Rank, Bestower of Blessings through the Nine Qi, the Great Emperor of Ziwei, together with all the immortals and the many divine officers.

Note: In the original text, the passage from "the assembly in which the Nine Heavens bestow blessings" through "ten thousand red lotuses" appears twice; the above has been merged and translated according to its meaning.

I have heard that the Great Sage of Ziran (Naturalness) holds the authority of the Nine Heavens and the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate), and presides over the perfected beings (zhenren) of the celestial realm, dwelling in the Purple Tenuity Palace adorned with the seven treasures. When the time comes for the ceremony of ascent and transfer, the Celestial Official descends in a phoenix carriage; on each of the days of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Origins, he travels back and forth in a cloud chariot. The Celestial Official examines the registers of names in heaven and among humankind, recording and making manifest merit and fault. At the time of the Three Yang, he bestows blessings, causing the Nine Qi (the primordial energy that constitutes all things in heaven and earth) to converge and radiate light.

Today, this person, with concentrated spirit (Shen), gazes up toward the lofty divine powers and sincerely presents offerings. Looking up to the Xuandu (the celestial palace of Daoism), we set up sacred images and arrange the ritual in a purified place. With one heart we take refuge in the Celestial Official of the Upper Origin, First Rank, Nine Qi, Bestower of Blessings, the Emperor of Purple Tenuity (the Celestial Official in charge of bestowing blessings in the Upper Origin). We respectfully pray that the Emperor will observe all things clearly and bestow pure and abundant blessings and goodwill; that our names may be forever recorded in the registers of Beidu (the Daoist realm of the underworld), never to be erased; and that the name of long life may also be entered in the Upper Palace of Nanchang (the Daoist palace of the immortals). May we be fully endowed with Dao and De (Virtue) in life after life, and may our hearts remain clear and bright generation after generation. We bow our heads and take refuge, and with devotion we praise the Celestial Official of the Upper Origin, First Rank, Nine Qi, Bestower of Blessings, the Emperor of Purple Tenuity.

We respectfully pay homage to the Celestial Official of the High Purple Tenuity Palace, who presides over the bestowal of blessings through the Nine Qi.

The Celestial Official is the lord of the True Capital and Primordial Yang, who governs the Purple Tenuity Palace; he is the Great Sage of Ziran, charged with bestowing blessings. He commands the celestial realm and commissions ghosts and spirits. When bells and drums sound, he rides his chariot and travels upon the clouds, leading tens of thousands of attendants and commanding the heavenly troops. He cleanses away malice and defilement, dispersing turbid qi and spreading clear qi. By decree of the Supreme Emperor, he universally saves all beings, driving out evil and supporting the righteous, so that the celestial realm may long endure in peace.

We, all together and with one heart, take refuge in the Earth Official of the Middle Origin, Second Rank, Seven Qi, Pardoner of Sins, the Great Emperor of Pure Void (the Earth Official in charge of pardoning sins in the Middle Origin), together with all the immortals and spirit officials (the divine officials of the celestial realm).

I have heard that in the Hall of the Great Yang, one looks up and receives the realm of the Great Dao and Pure Void; within the Palace of Grotto Yin, one gazes upon the Primal Lord and sees his radiance penetrating everywhere. The multitudes of the Five Marchmounts and the eight directions gather together to examine the registers of names; and the multitudes of the Nine Obscurities and Three Bureaus (the Daoist regions of the underworld), too, are attended by the immortals, the perfected, and the various spirit officials…

[The original breaks off here.]

Respectfully, I have heard it said: in the Hall of the Sun, one gazes up at the stillness and luminous emptiness of the great Dao (the Way); in the Gate of Hidden Yin, one beholds the radiance of the Primal Sovereign (Yuanjun, a revered Daoist deity). The spirits of the Five Peaks and the eight directions assemble to examine the registers of merit and fault, while the ghosts and spirits of the Nine Shades and the Three Offices also hope to receive the petition and proclamation that will bring pardon for their transgressions. How much more, then, do the living beings of the human world depend upon the Primal Sovereign's grace and virtue.

Today, I, your disciple, have washed away worldly thoughts and sincerely followed the sacred rites. I look up in reverence to the image of the Cavern Spirit and have set up a pure altar, arranged the ritual offerings, and devoted my whole heart to taking refuge in the Great Emperor of Pure Emptiness, the Earth Official of the Middle Origin, Second Rank, who pardons transgressions (the Earth Official Great Emperor venerated at the Zhongyuan Festival, who presides over the forgiveness of sins). I respectfully pray that the Great Emperor will send forth radiant light and look upon my sincerity and earnest entreaty; that all faults of beings, sentient and insentient, be forgiven so that they may grow and flourish unhindered; and that kindness be bestowed upon birds, beasts, and creatures of the waters, so that all may live in peace. May the Great Emperor, in utmost benevolence, extend salvation far and wide, so that the ten thousand things all receive protection. With bowed head I take refuge, and with sincerity I offer this praise.

With faithful heart I pay homage to the Earth Official of the Seven Qi who pardons transgressions, of the Supreme Palace of Cavern Emptiness.

The principal Sovereign of the Middle Origin who pardons transgressions is a numinous, wondrous, and true sage, and also a deity who protects the altars of the realm (the state and its lands). This deity nourishes the myriad things and sustains the people, drives away demons and sweeps aside perverse qi. Riding upon clouds and astride a tiger, the Sovereign travels between heaven and earth, safeguarding the stability of household and state and the peace of all within and without. The Sovereign can remove the nine kinds of transgression and dissolve the nine kinds of sudden calamity, extinguish the five pestilences, and send down auspicious omens and blessings, so that all beings may spread harmony and be united with the Dao in truth.

We, your servants, devote our whole hearts to taking refuge in the Water Official of the Five Qi who relieves distress, the Divine King of Yanggu, together with all the immortals and spirit officials.

I respectfully submit: the light of the Golden Numinous shines in all four directions, and the Water Official governs the Palace of Yanggu. The heavens divide authority according to the Precious Calendar, and the Great Emperor presides over the Way of Dongyin. The Water Official discerns the sources and courses of rivers and the categories of all beings, and examines the duties and spiritual power of the deities of rivers and seas. He gathers the Five Qi (five kinds of primal energy) and, at the moment of generation, illuminates all things, so that no dark place remains unlit. He honors the wish of all beings to be freed from calamity, and answers every petition with his full strength.

Today, this faithful disciple, [name], is fortunate to revere the Great Dao (the Way) and receive the teachings of the Unborn. Gazing up at the sacred images set up in Fusang, I arrange the ritual in this pure hall. With sincere heart I take refuge in the Divine King of Yanggu, the Water Official of the Lower Origin, Third Rank, who dispels calamity (the Water Official venerated in Daoism who oversees the Lower Origin and bestows blessings and relief from misfortune). I respectfully pray that his divine chariot descend, so that our devotion may reach the heavenly ear. I pray that the Great Sage of Long Life extend the lives of all beings in the world, and that the Venerable Deity who delivers from distress remove the calamities of both the living and the dead. May blessings and good fortune descend, and may misfortune quietly dissolve. I bow my head, prostrate myself, take refuge in the deities, and offer sincere praise.

I reverently bow before the Water Official of the Five Qi who dispels calamity, of the High and Supreme Palace of the Cavern Source.

The Water Official of the Lower Origin who dispels calamity dwells in the Golden Gate of Dongyin. He is the Great Emperor, Lord of Waters, the spirit of clear coolness. Riding the clouds and commanding the Qi (vital energy), he hunts down evil spirits and monstrous beings. He drives the thunder and lightning, bringing peace to the four seas and calm to the rivers. He quells waves and storms and commands the winds and clouds. If any lesser demon dares to disturb living beings, he will shatter it into ten thousand pieces, so that it can never appear again. When evil and filth have dispersed, the Qi of the Dao endures forever.

Recite the scripture, proclaim the memorial, and dedicate the merit.