《东岳大生宝忏》

Purifying Heaven and Earth Mantra; Purifying the Altar

Opening Declaration (Qibai)

Incense smoke rises, and its clear, gentle fragrance fills the entire Taixu (the vast, boundless sky). The officiants, with reverent and sincere hearts, dare not show the slightest negligence. Now we respectfully burn incense, invoking the many deities and presenting our offerings:

The Azure Emperor of Mount Tai in the East, Guangsheng Dijun; the Great Benevolent Sage Emperor Tianqi of the Eastern Peak; the Senior Minister and True Lord, Director of Destinies of the Nine Heavens; the Most Sacred Lord of the Upper Hall, Weixiong Bingling, Prince of Benevolence and Grace; Shuming, Empress of the Eastern Peak; the Great King Xiqi, Protector of the State; the Celestial Officials of Penglai Kongdong Grotto-Heaven; the Deputy Celestial Officials of Mount Changbai and Mount Liangfu; the Marquis Shengsi Youling, the Marquis Huiling, the Master Jingjian, and the Marquis Xuanling; the Four Sage Emperors of the Four Peaks; the Two Great Sages of the Left and Right Chancellors, Zhang and Kang; the Young Prince of Manifest Response and Thousand Sages; Lord Cui of the Underworld; the Elder of Haoli; the Minister of Increasing Fortune; the Prince of Illustrious Grace and Spiritual Manifestation; the Prince of Manifest Response, Protector of the State; the True Lord of Qingyuan, Master of the Wondrous Way; the Prince of Righteous Valor and Martial Peace, True Lord Chongning; the Marquis of the Lingpai Stream, Jiaying Duke and Protector of the State; the Ministers of the Six Ministries, including the Ministers of Good and of Evil; the Six Bureaus' Ministers and Supervisors; the Two Generals Guarding the Hall; the Generals of the Left and Right Golden Guard; the Three Primes' Wu, Ke, and Three Marquis True Lords; the Spirits of the Left and Right Gate Towers; the Great King of the White Mule; Marshal Wen, Commander of the Earth Spirits; the Nine Great Marshals of the Earth Spirits' Court; Grand Commandant Zhu, Summoner of Souls; Marshal Liu, Marquis of Harmonized Truth; the Judges of the Seventy-Five Departments; the Officials in Charge of the Twenty-Four Case Registries; the Celestial Officials of the Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens, the Seventy-Two Blessed Lands, and the Governing Immortal Officials of the Jinglu Blessed Land; the assembled sages of the Daiyue court; the Spirit Lord of the Year's Taisui and the Marquis Gao, Commander of Lingji; the governing deities of all City Gods (Chenghuang) throughout the realm; the Earth-Altar spirits of the Nine Provinces; the Four Dutiful Officials (Gongcao) who govern the year, month, day, and hour; and all the deities of the sacrificial temples of the prefectures, districts, and counties under them.

With genuine incense we respectfully make offerings to all the deities. The fragrance rises from Zixu (the pure, tranquil, lofty celestial realm); a spiritual wind gathers the smoke, and clouds of incense spread thickly, reaching straight to the Dongtian (the grotto-heaven where immortals and perfected beings dwell). May the envoy who oversees the incense memorialize on my behalf, reporting my petition to the Emperor-Lord, so that all I have laid out may be granted as I wish.

With genuine incense we respectfully make offerings to all the deities. The fragrance rises from Zixu; a spiritual wind gathers the smoke, and clouds of incense spread thickly, reaching straight to the Dongtian. May the envoy who oversees the incense memorialize on my behalf, reporting my petition to the Emperor-Lord, so that all I have laid out may be received into the sacred will. The sincerity and earnestness I hold in my heart have been set forth here.

We respectfully invite all the sages and perfected beings to descend: may banners of cloud surround you as your sacred chariot passes the Tiger Pass; may the wind be clear and the road tranquil as the harmonious bells of the phoenix carriage sound from afar. May the hundred officials and the many deities line up in attendance, and a thousand officers surround and guard you. We humbly beg the assembled sages to descend together upon this humble altar and to look upon the devout and upright intention found here.

Now the altar has been purified and prepared, and precious incense burns thick. Facing the sages and perfected beings, we proclaim the rite of repentance. With reverent prostrations, we take refuge in the Great Dao of Wuji (the Limitless).

Sincerely taking refuge in the Treasure of the Dao (Dao), in all ten directions. May all beings give rise to the mind of dedication, transferring their merit to every living being, and together revere and pay homage.

Sincerely taking refuge in the Treasure of the Scriptures (Jing), in all ten directions. May the minds of all beings be opened, that they may grasp the meaning of the scriptures, uphold them, and recite them without ceasing.

Sincerely taking refuge in the Treasure of the Masters (the teachers who transmit the Dao), in all ten directions. May all beings ascend together the bridge leading to the true Dharma, and may their cultivation meet with no obstruction.

Declaration of Invocation

I have heard that before heaven and earth were divided, the myriad things were in a state of primordial chaos, with only a vast and boundless mass of original Qi (vital energy). Once heaven and earth were distinguished as high and low, heaven, earth, humankind, and the myriad things came into being. The earth was divided into the Five Peaks (five renowned mountains), and among them the one of greatest authority and highest standing is Mount Tai. It looms between the lands of Qi and Lu, guarding the region of the sky in the east where the lunar lodges Jiao and Kang are located.

In the age of Yu Shun, when the sovereign made tours of inspection through the four quarters, great importance was placed on the rite of burning firewood on the mountain as an offering to Heaven. In the Zhou dynasty, when kings made their tours, they likewise solemnly prepared offerings of silk and treasures to sacrifice to Mount Tai. Mount Tai has been revered and honored by people, and no other mountain can compare with it.

We respectfully look up to the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, Tianqi, Great Giver of Life, Benevolent and Sagely (the deity of Mount Tai, the Eastern Peak). Following the creative transformations of heaven and earth, he appeared at the very opening of chaos; as Yin-Yang (Yin-Yang) became established, he guarded a vast territory. He is as enduring as Heaven, and his De (Virtue) grows with each passing day. Through benevolence he fulfills benevolence, embodying the power of the primal Qian to nurture the myriad things; sagely and ever more sagely, he dwells upon the lofty heights of Mount Tai.

Among the five directions, he sits in the east; among the three realms, he alone is supreme in the middle realm. Carrying out the mandate of Heaven, he governs the underworld. Age and Shilü are his deep and tranquil divine dwellings; in the golden casket and jade tablets are recorded the span of each person's life. He has established seventy-five bureaus to oversee rewards and punishments and weigh them fairly, and thirty-six hells to chastise the wicked. He long protects the state and its altars of soil and grain, and extends his shelter broadly over the common people.

The state holds sacrifices at the proper seasons, and the people of the four quarters also come to pay homage in the spring months. He sees clearly and is upright; when petitions are made, he responds. His divine power blazes forth and reaches however far one may be. All who pray with sincere hearts, we trust, will receive his compassion and mercy.

Therefore we sweep clean our humble dwelling and set up a ritual assembly with incense and flowers. With palms joined, we bow and strike our heads to the ground in reverence, gazing up as though the majestic countenance of the deity were right before us. We entrust our lives to him and offer our sincerity, hoping that the sins and defilements of all beings may be washed away. The deity's response is vast, as though he were present before our eyes; when the human heart is sincere and in communion, a response will be received. All those gathered at the assembly, filled with reverence, join together in praise and song.

We respectfully invoke the Emperor of Heaven's Equal Benevolence and Sage (Dongyue Dadi, the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak). Among the Five Peaks, Mount Tai in the east is the tallest and most majestic, and it stands as the foremost of them all.

The Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak oversees the affairs of both Heaven and the human world. He gathers the spiritual brilliance of Heaven and Earth and dwells solemnly in the east. Mount Tai rises into the clouds with a mighty and imposing form, said to be four thousand nine hundred zhang in height. Its summit is called Taiping Peak, and on the mountain are also the Terrace of Self-Sacrifice and Jieqiu Peak.

In the Hall of Benevolent Peace (Ren'an Hall), the Great Emperor's palace gleams with glazed tiles, and the Emperor, wearing a ceremonial crown, sits in majestic dignity within. The sovereigns of high antiquity went to Mount Tai to perform the Feng and Shan sacrifices (fengshan, ceremonies of announcing to Heaven and Earth). They ascended the altar to report to Heaven and Earth the change of dynasty, and carved inscriptions in stone to record their achievements. Tradition holds that seventy-two rulers performed the Feng and Shan sacrifices at Mount Tai, beginning with the Xuanyuan clan. The stone tablets carved in the Qin dynasty survive to this day, and the Great Officer Pines stand in a row east of the pool.

The emperors of the Tang dynasty had an image carved from aloeswood, and the Song dynasty built the Huizhen Palace (Palace of Meeting the Perfected). After the present dynasty unified the realm, it further venerated and honored the Emperor, lauding him with the grand title "Dasheng" ("Great Giver of Life"). The Emperor is supremely benevolent and supremely sage, the sovereign whom the people revere. When winds and rains come in due season, the harvests will be abundant. With utmost reverence we take refuge in him and make our petition, gazing from afar toward the celestial palace and paying homage to the compassionate and sacred countenance of the Emperor.

Together we praise this inconceivable merit.

Recite in unison: "With one further act of veneration, the two characters 'Dasheng' ('Great Giver of Life') are solemnly extolled. The Emperor is supremely benevolent and supremely sage, the sovereign whom the people revere. When winds and rains come in due season, the harvests will be abundant. With utmost reverence we take refuge in him and make our petition, gazing from afar toward the celestial palace and paying homage to the compassionate and sacred countenance of the Emperor."

Together we praise this inconceivable merit.

Recite the following verses of homage three times in unison:

With faith we pay homage to the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure of the East, within the Heaven of the Nine Qi on High.

With faith we pay homage to the Celestial Worthy of the Original Elder of Azure Numen, within the Heaven of the Nine Qi on High.

With faith we pay homage to the Celestial Worthy of the Supreme Minister of Eastern Florescence, within the Heaven of the Nine Qi on High.

Your servant has heard that Mount Tai, the Eastern Peak, lies between the southeast and northeast (Xun and Gen, two positions in the Bagua, or Eight Trigrams), and oversees the weighing of human good and evil, merit and fault. People live between Heaven and Earth, and with every movement they easily invite error. The registers are kept with great strictness and record everything truthfully, so that not even the smallest transgression is omitted.

We disciples who come seeking repentance lodge only briefly in this world, and it is by your sheltering protection that we are able to live as human beings. Our bodies, hair, and skin were received from our parents, and we are endowed with ears, eyes, mouths, noses, and a complete form and Shen (spirit). As the most spirited of all creatures, we receive the essence of the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Yet year after year, and day after day, our faults have piled up like hills, while our good thoughts remain as slight as dust or morning dew. The roots of our sins are hard to remove, and our evil deeds are easily accumulated to the full. We do not know the gateway by which disasters are dispelled and offenses pardoned, nor the path by which to confess and give account. When we reflect quietly on the cause, we find no way to excuse ourselves. So now we repent and examine ourselves, bowing low to beg forgiveness and the preservation of our lives.

We have respectfully chosen an auspicious day and offer a sincerity like the sunflower turning toward the sun. Fragrant incense is kindled in the burner, and bright red flames are lit on the candles. Bells are struck and chime-stones sounded in harmony with the chanting of Buxu (the chant of a Zhaijiao, or purification ritual, imitating the immortals walking through the void). Water is poured and flowers are offered, and our ritual courtesies do not go beyond honesty. Our sacrifice takes as its model the Yue sacrifice of the western neighbor, simple yet reverent (from the Book of Changes, meaning that though the offerings are slight, sincerity brings blessing), and our worship is directed to the most honored one of the Eastern Peak. Through this we hope to atone for past errors and to dissolve the sins of former lives. We rely respectfully on repentance and together pray for forgiveness. The whole assembly takes refuge in devout faith, offering praise and prostration.

Each person bows reverently and responds in unison, making one prostration each.

With single-minded devotion we bow before the one who governs the east and dwells in honor on Mount Tai, gathering the essence of the Qi (vital energy) of the azure spirit. His stone image is solemn and majestic, jade tablets have been presented to confer his investiture, and the title of Dijun (Imperial Lord) has been added to praise his virtue of giving life broadly to all things. His blessings have flowed unbroken since ancient times. Of great compassion and great vows, greatly holy and greatly merciful, he is the Azure Emperor of Mount Tai, the Eastern Peak, the Imperial Lord of Broad Generation.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Great Sage and Benevolent Emperor Tianqi Dasheng of the Eastern Peak (Dongyue): you embody virtue, discern the Way of benevolence, and guard the east. Mount Tai is honored as the foremost of the Five Peaks. It presides over the Three Palaces of the Void Heavens (a realm of the celestial world in Daoist thought), and it is also held to be the lord of the blessed lands, governing the offices that examine ghosts and spirits, assess transgressions, and mete out punishment. Since the age of emperors, people have solemnly offered sacrifice to you, and your divine seat governs Xuanxiao (an ancient name for a stellar division). Great is your compassion, great your vow, great your sanctity, great your mercy.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Perfected Lord (Zhenjun) of Blessing and Protection, Senior Minister and Director of Destiny of the Nine Heavens: you left home in your youth, wandered far and wide in search of teachers, received the prophecy of the Celestial Venerable Taiyi, attained the Dao (the Way), and ascended to heaven. You were later enfeoffed as the Perfected Lord, Director of Destiny, and together with the many spirits you share responsibility for oversight. You held office in the Directorate of Destiny on Mount Huo, and were afterward granted the title of Senior Minister of the Eastern Peak. Great is your compassion, great your vow, great your sanctity, great your mercy.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Prince of Benevolent Grace, Most Holy and Majestic Bingling of the Upper Hall: you were nurtured by the numinous qi (vital energy) of the Eastern Peak, and your descendants inherited the mandate of Heaven. You accord with the earth's virtue of nurturing all things, and you unite benevolence with filial piety. An emperor once dreamed of you and handed down your lineage, regarding you as mighty, vigorous, and worthy of cherishing. You became heir apparent, and were later enfeoffed as a prince. Great is your compassion, great your vow, great your sanctity, great your mercy.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Empress Shuming of the Eastern Peak.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Great King Xiqi, Protector of the Realm.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Prince of Benevolent Grace, Most Holy and Majestic Bingling of the Upper Hall. You became heir apparent, and were later enfeoffed as a prince. Great is your compassion, great your vow, great your sanctity, great your mercy.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Empress Shuming of the Eastern Peak.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Great King Xiqi, Protector of the Realm.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Immortal Official of the Penglai-Xuan Grotto-Heaven of the Void.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Immortal Official of the Deputy Seat on Mount Changbai.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Immortal Official of the Deputy Seat on Mount Liangfu.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Marquis Youling, Sacred Heir.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Marquis Huiling, Sacred Heir.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Master Jingjian, Sacred Heir.

With singleness of heart, I reverently bow to the Marquis Xuanling, Sacred Heir.

Sincerely pay homage to the Southern Peak, Emperor Sitian Dahua Zhaosheng.

Sincerely pay homage to the Western Peak, Emperor Jintian Dali Shunsheng.

Sincerely pay homage to the Northern Peak, Emperor Antian Dazhen Xuansheng.

Sincerely pay homage to the Central Peak, Emperor Zhongtian Daning Chongsheng.

The assembly recites the incantation:

The Qi (vital energy) of Azure Mystery spreads and transforms, and the primordial beginnings of every kind are illumined through and through. The spirits of Fusang govern and guard, and from this the ten thousand things begin to sprout. The Cinnabar Grove radiates light, conceiving form and nourishing spiritual refinement. Mysterious radiant Qi intermingles, dispelling and subduing all demonic obstructions.

Sincerely pay homage to the Eastern Peak, Emperor Tianqi Dasheng Rensheng, who presides over the vast reaches of the east.

Sincerely pay homage to the Eastern Peak, Emperor Tianqi Dasheng Rensheng, chief among all mountains.

Sincerely pay homage to the Eastern Peak, Emperor Tianqi Dasheng Rensheng, whose lofty height reaches the very heavens.

Sincerely pay homage to the Eastern Peak, Emperor Tianqi Dasheng Rensheng, who, like heaven and earth, is compassionate and treats all beings equally.

Sincerely pay homage to the Eastern Peak, Emperor Tianqi Dasheng Rensheng, generous and embracing, vast in radiance, profound in the bounty of De (Virtue).

Sincerely pay homage to the Eastern Peak, Emperor Tianqi Dasheng Rensheng, whose grace covers and protects all beings.

Sincerely pay homage to the Eastern Peak, Emperor Tianqi Dasheng Rensheng, generous and embracing, vast in radiance.

Sincerely pay homage to the Eastern Peak, Emperor Tianqi Dasheng Rensheng, whose grace covers and protects all beings.

Sincerely pay homage to the Eastern Peak, Emperor Tianqi Dasheng Rensheng, who regards all beings without partiality.

Sincerely pay homage to the Eastern Peak, Emperor Tianqi Dasheng Rensheng, wise and enlightened enough to attain sagehood.

Sincerely pay homage to the Eastern Peak, Emperor Tianqi Dasheng Rensheng, whose honorific title is "Emperor."

When the prostrations are complete, each person kneels upright for a long while, takes refuge, and repents.

We who follow the Dao (the Way) take refuge with utmost sincerity in the spirit, in the body, and in life itself. We pay homage to the Great Emperor of Dongyue Taishan, Who Widely Bestows Life; the Emperor Tianqi, Great Giver of Life and Benevolent Sage; the Perfected Lord Who Governs Destiny of the Nine Heavens; the Most Holy King Bingling; the True Sovereigns of the Daiyue court; and all divine beings of awesome power.

We have heard that the true form of Dongyue stands majestic and solemn, like a revered one seated on high. Our bodies, by contrast, are illusory, so how can we guarantee that every word and deed is free of fault? We respectfully beseech the sages, in their wisdom and compassion, to extend their grace widely and let great kindness fall upon all.

Today, we, the faithful, confess and repent. Since countless kalpas past, from the moment of our birth, we have borne the blue sky above and trodden the earth below, living between Yin-Yang. Yet like ants swarming together or flies chasing profit, we have busied ourselves with nothing but making a living. In our daily comings and goings, not one good deed is worth remembering. In our rising and resting, we have piled up many faults without noticing them. At times we have offended the sages, and at times we have been disrespectful toward the sun, moon, and stars (what Daoism calls the "Three Radiances"). We have acted against ritual propriety and done what is contrary to righteousness. Riding in tall carriages behind fine horses, we hurried along the roads of fame and profit. Dressed in fine linen and light, warm furs, we indulged excessively in what we used and enjoyed. Much of our conduct has been improper, and we have even schemed and grasped for what lay beyond our station. We received this body for nothing, yet never thought to examine ourselves from moment to moment. The sins accumulated in this way are boundless and beyond measure.

We humbly pray that the sages extend their grace widely and that the host of Perfected Ones bestow blessings. May the sages, in their wisdom, spread their kindness to all beings and release us from the bonds of bodily karma (the karmic obstructions produced by physical actions). May they preserve our lives and lengthen our years, so that our sins disperse like a mountain dissolving. We also pray that their vast and responsive grace descends everywhere and benefits all living beings. With utmost sincerity we bow our heads to the ground, pay homage, and give thanks to the Treasure of the Dao, the supreme and most true.

Heavenly Venerable, Great Sage and Treasure of the Dao

We take refuge in the supreme Dao and pay homage to the venerable deities of the Three Realms of Daluo. May the faithful who repent be freed from the faults of bodily karma, restrain and correct the four kinds of improper conduct, and strive a little more each day toward good deeds when they see them. When they examine themselves, may they always feel they have not yet done enough, so that their fortune, emolument, and lifespan are naturally prolonged.

Heavenly Venerable Who Dispels Bodily Karma

Incantation

The abundant virtuous Qi (vital energy) belongs to the Wood phase of the Five Phases and corresponds above to Jupiter, the Year Star. Dongyue is the foremost of the Five Peaks and a grandson of the Celestial Emperor. When the sun travels to the east, the east becomes the gate of heaven. Clouds gather and swirl in the east, and an air of joy and auspicious harmony fills and spreads through it.

With sincere devotion, we fix our spirit on the Wood phase. It corresponds above to Jupiter, the Year Star, and is the ancestor of the Five Peaks and the grandson of the Celestial Emperor. When the sun travels to the east, the east becomes the gate of heaven. Clouds swirl and gather, and an air of joy and auspicious harmony fills and spreads through it.

With single-minded reverence, I pay homage to the Great Benevolent and Sagely Emperor of Heavenly Equality and Great Life of the Eastern Peak, who holds the position of the sun in the east.

With single-minded reverence, I pay homage to the Great Benevolent and Sagely Emperor of Heavenly Equality and Great Life of the Eastern Peak, whom the spirits of the peaks of all four directions jointly revere.

With single-minded reverence, I pay homage to the Great Benevolent and Sagely Emperor of Heavenly Equality and Great Life of the Eastern Peak, whose grace and kindness are as vast as Heaven.

With single-minded reverence, I pay homage to the Great Benevolent and Sagely Emperor of Heavenly Equality and Great Life of the Eastern Peak, in whose person the Qi (vital energy) of the nine directions converges.

With single-minded reverence, I pay homage to the Great Benevolent and Sagely Emperor of Heavenly Equality and Great Life of the Eastern Peak, whose De (Virtue) is boundless and who is able to transform and nourish the myriad things.

With single-minded reverence, I pay homage to the Great Benevolent and Sagely Emperor of Heavenly Equality and Great Life of the Eastern Peak, who cherishes life and abhors killing.

With single-minded reverence, I pay homage to the Great Benevolent and Sagely Emperor of Heavenly Equality and Great Life of the Eastern Peak, who is gentle, charitable, humane, and generous in love.

With single-minded reverence, I pay homage to the Great Benevolent and Sagely Emperor of Heavenly Equality and Great Life of the Eastern Peak, who is wise, perceptive, and thoroughly penetrating in sagely insight.

With single-minded reverence, I pay homage to the Great Benevolent and Sagely Emperor of Heavenly Equality and Great Life of the Eastern Peak, who is united with the Earth and therefore bears the title of Emperor.

The act of homage is complete. All present kneel together in a long kneeling posture, taking refuge and confessing their transgressions.

The officiating Daoist priests single-mindedly entrust their bodies, Shen (spirit), and nature and life to the Lord Emperor Guangsheng of Mount Tai in the Eastern Peak (an honorific title of the Spirit Lord of the Eastern Peak), the Great Benevolent and Sagely Emperor of Heavenly Equality and Great Life, the True Lord Director of Destiny of the Nine Heavens (the deity who governs human lifespans and the registers of fate), the Most Sagely King Bingling (an honorific title of the Eastern Peak deity), and the True Sovereign Emperor of the Daiyue Court Assembly (the presiding deity within the court of the Eastern Peak).

The act of homage is complete. All present kneel together in a long kneeling posture, taking refuge and confessing their transgressions.

With one mind, we, the assembled congregation, take refuge in body, Shen (spirit), and life. We pay reverence to the Great Emperor of Life-Giving Benevolence of Mount Tai in the Eastern Peak, the Emperor Tianqi, Great Giver of Life and Benevolent Sage, the True Lord Who Governs Destiny of the Nine Heavens, the Supremely Holy Prince Bingling, the True Rulers in attendance at the court of Mount Dai, and all the spirits whose majesty and virtue answer with efficacy.

We have heard that mountains receive the numinous qi of Heaven, manifest compassion, and bring forth the myriad things. A single stirring of the heart, a single turn of thought, may become the starting point of calamity or blessing. We respectfully pray that the wise and compassionate spirits will spread their grace widely and send down blessings upon all.

We repent of our faults, from the past up to the present. Our senses chased after outward things, and our seven emotions lacked restraint. Our hearts grew full of scheming, and we indulged our greed. We let desire drive us into licentious excess, forgetting that we ought to love virtue and seeking only wealth and rank. There was no act of license, perversity, wickedness, or extravagance that we did not commit, and we were often unable to act rightly because of anger, fear, and other emotions. We concealed our own shortcomings and suppressed the strengths of others. We envied the worthy and capable, and clouded our original hearts without knowing it. We bullied the lonely, the weak, and the few, believing that no one could see us in dark places and that we might deceive at will. We mixed falsehood with truth, and forgot the old as soon as we gained the new. Our hearts were so dim that we did not grasp even the "Nine Thoughts" spoken of by the ancients, the nine ways of carefully examining one's words and conduct. In this way we have created many grudges, too many to recount one by one.

We humbly beg that the Holy Emperor, in compassion, will look upon us and understand the minds of living beings, and pardon the transgressions created by our thoughts. May the lives of all people be smooth and peaceful, as pleasant as climbing a terrace on a spring day. We further pray that the vast protection be extended to all beings. With one mind we bow our heads and give thanks to the supreme Jing (scriptures), the true and treasured scriptures, the sacred treasure revered in Daoism.

Celestial Worthy of the Great Sage, Treasure of the Scriptures

We take refuge in the unsurpassed Jing, and pay reverence to the thirty-six venerable scriptures. May the faithful who repent have the faults created in their hearts dispelled. May they remain pure and tranquil, so that desire does not arise of itself. May their hearts and their outward conduct be upright and unblemished, and may they long preserve a steady mind of the Dao (the Way).

Celestial Worthy Who Dispels the Karma of the Heart

All recite the mantra.

Lofty and towering, Mount Tai oversees and commands the spirits of every quarter. It receives the bright mandate of Heaven and presides over human relationships. Its direction is east, and its virtue is benevolence. From it the myriad things receive life, and the merit of Mount Tai extends to the common people.

With one mind we bow in homage and revere the Great Emperor of Life-Giving Benevolence of the Eastern Peak, Emperor Tianqi, who holds the eastern seat.

With single-minded reverence, we bow in homage: You stand first among the Five Sacred Peaks (the five famous mountains of China), Great Sovereign of the Eastern Peak, Benevolent Sage who Gives Life, Equal to Heaven (Dongyue Tianqi Dasheng Renshengdi).

With single-minded reverence, we bow in homage: Your laws accord with the Dao (the Way) of Heaven, and your efficacy knows no bounds, Great Sovereign of the Eastern Peak, Benevolent Sage who Gives Life, Equal to Heaven.

With single-minded reverence, we bow in homage: You bring the transformations of the myriad things into harmony and return them to unity, Great Sovereign of the Eastern Peak, Benevolent Sage who Gives Life, Equal to Heaven.

With single-minded reverence, we bow in homage to the foremost of the Five Sacred Peaks, Great Sovereign of the Eastern Peak, Benevolent Sage who Gives Life, Equal to Heaven.

With single-minded reverence, we bow in homage: Your laws accord with the Dao of Heaven, and your efficacy knows no bounds, Great Sovereign of the Eastern Peak, Benevolent Sage who Gives Life, Equal to Heaven.

With single-minded reverence, we bow in homage: You bring the transformations of the myriad things into harmony and return them to unity, Great Sovereign of the Eastern Peak, Benevolent Sage who Gives Life, Equal to Heaven.

With single-minded reverence, we bow in homage: You accomplish great and far-reaching works, Great Sovereign of the Eastern Peak, Benevolent Sage who Gives Life, Equal to Heaven.

With single-minded reverence, we bow in homage: You arise together with the vital force of the myriad things, Great Sovereign of the Eastern Peak, Benevolent Sage who Gives Life, Equal to Heaven.

With single-minded reverence, we bow in homage: You manifest benevolent De (Virtue), yet keep your wondrous workings hidden and unrevealed, Great Sovereign of the Eastern Peak, Benevolent Sage who Gives Life, Equal to Heaven.

With single-minded reverence, we bow in homage: You are both wise and compassionate, Great Sovereign of the Eastern Peak, Benevolent Sage who Gives Life, Equal to Heaven.

With single-minded reverence, we bow in homage: You have become sovereign through the power of your De (Virtue), Great Sovereign of the Eastern Peak, Benevolent Sage who Gives Life, Equal to Heaven.

When the homage is complete, all kneel upright, each in their place, take refuge in the deity, and make confession before the divine presence.

We, the congregation (the Daoist faithful taking part in this ritual), sincerely take refuge in body, spirit (Shen), and life. We take refuge in the Emperor Lord of Vast Generation of Mount Tai in the Eastern Peak, the Emperor of Heavenly Equality and Great Life, the True Lord Who Governs Destiny of the Nine Heavens, the Most Holy Prince Bingling, the True Sovereigns of the Daiyue court assembly, and all the powerful spirits.

We have heard that the mountains guard and keep watch over rivers and valleys. Their subtle and profound workings make no sound, yet reach all things. Human beings, by contrast, open their mouths and speak, and so often fall into right and wrong, into fault and error. We respectfully pray that you, the holy and venerable ones, will take compassionate pity on us, spread your kindness widely, and send down your great grace upon all.

We confess and repent. From past lives until today, we have spoken ornate and boastful words and clever, persuasive words, and we have also spoken harshly. We have talked loudly and at length, sung wildly at the top of our voices, and laughed and jested without restraint. We have indulged in drink, craved pleasure without ever being satisfied, and gorged ourselves on meat and strong-smelling foods, never feeling the taste was rich enough. At times we have scolded the wind and rain and complained about the heat and cold. We have been negligent toward the great Dao (the Way) and flattered ghosts and spirits, and we have looked down on the Confucians and slandered the Buddhists.

Relying on a tongue only three inches long, we have sown discord among our own kin. With deceit in our hearts, we have stirred up quarrels between two sides. With flowery words we have bewildered the crowd, boasted of wealth and oppressed the poor, and spoken glibly without care or restraint. The faults we have piled up are grave, too many to count.

We humbly beg the Holy Emperor to take pity on us, and the True Spirits to show compassion. May you, the holy and venerable ones, issue your compassionate teaching so that the karma of our speech (the faults we have created through our words) may be dissolved. May the world be at peace, and may the sound of right teaching gradually spread. We also pray that your holy grace extend widely to all living beings. With utmost sincerity we bow our heads to the ground, and offer reverence and thanks to the Supreme and Perfectly True Treasure of the Master (the Master Treasure revered in Daoism).

Great Sage, Celestial Worthy of the Treasure of the Master.

We take refuge in the Supreme Treasure of the Master. May all beings, in the human world and in the heavens, attain the Dao. May all of you, good and faithful ones, repent your faults and dissolve the karma of your speech. May we guard our words as carefully as a bottle's mouth is sealed, so that a single sentence is worth a thousand pieces of gold. May we speak with caution and commit no faults of the mouth, so that every word we utter becomes a pure sound.

Celestial Worthy Who Dissolves the Karma of Speech.

Lifting our steps, we perform the Buxu (the ritual pacing and chanting of Daoist liturgy). Turning our bodies as we walk, we advance along the guiding threads of the clouds.

A note on the source: a passage in the middle of the original text contained repeated, spliced sentences, and the translation above has been rendered to read coherently according to the surrounding context.

I have heard that, whether one does good or evil, the spirits are never unaware of it; and that the sending down of blessings or calamities is carried out by each divine office according to its own charge. Within Heaven and Earth, the four directions, the inner and the outer, all things great and small, so long as they have form and Qi (vital energy), fall under the jurisdiction of these divine offices. The celestial realm has officials who record transgressions and register merits, and officials who keep the registers of life and death. They oversee both the underworld and the human realm, and preside over the affairs of the common people and all living things.

Now the faithful penitents, so-and-so and others, dwell amid the turmoil of the mortal world and were born as ordinary human beings. In our daily lives, when righteous deeds were ours to do, we did not do them; thinking that small misdeeds did no great harm, we did not remove or correct them. Thus, as days and months accumulated, our offenses grew numerous, and we fear that they may bring down all manner of calamities. For this reason, with utmost sincerity, we respectfully pray that the spirits manifest their response: to guide the blessings of the future, and to ease and dissolve the transgressions of the past. We bow our heads in refuge and worship with devotion.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the Left and Right Chancellors.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the two Great Sages, Zhang and Kang.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the Little King of the Thousand Sages of Manifest Response.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to Lady Yongjia.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the Lady of the Jade Immortals.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the Lady of Gratitude.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to Lord Cui, Magistrate of the Underworld (the deity in charge of the affairs of the underworld).

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to Minister Haoli (a deity associated with the underworld and the dead).

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to Minister Zengfu, Increaser of Blessings.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the King of Luminous Grace and Numinous Manifestation.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the Duke of National Protection and Auspicious Response.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the True Lord of Pure Source and Wondrous Dao (Dao, the Way), that is, Erlang Shen, Yang Jian.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the Martial Peace King of Righteous Valor, True Lord Chongning (that is, Guan Yu).

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the King of National Protection and Manifest Response.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the Marquis of the Numinous Tributary of the Ju River.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the Ministers of the Six Ministries (the divine officials in charge of the affairs of each ministry).

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the Martial Peace King of Righteous Valor, True Lord Chongning.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the King of National Protection and Manifest Response.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the Marquis of the Numinous Tributary of the Ju River.

With sincere hearts, we pay reverence to the Ministers of the Six Ministries.

(Note: "With sincere hearts, we pay reverence" is a formula of homage used in Zhaijiao (purification ritual) penitential liturgies, expressing single-minded and sincere obeisance to the deities listed. The final section of the original repeats some of the divine names; the vernacular version preserves this as in the original.)

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Minister (a divine official) who oversees good deeds.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Minister who oversees evil deeds.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Ministers and Directors of the Six Bureaus (divine officials who each govern a different domain of affairs).

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the White Mule King.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the two Generals who guard the left and right of the hall, and to the General of the Jinwu Guard (a divine general responsible for protecting the palace).

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Perfected Lords of the Three Primes, Wu, Ke, and the Three Marquises, as well as the divine guardians of the Left and Right Gate Towers (spirits who protect the palace gates).

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Marshal Wen, Envoy of Winged Numinous Power and Manifest Martial Might.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Marshal Li, Envoy of Compliant Numinous Power and Manifest Transformation.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Marshal Tie, Envoy of Harmonizing Numinous Power and Manifest Aid.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Marshal Liu, Envoy of Guardian Numinous Power and Manifest Support.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Marshal Yang, Envoy of Penetrating Numinous Power and Manifest Protection.

With single-minded devotion, I lend my assistance to Marshal Tie, who manifests numinous power and displays the virtue (De) of aiding the world.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Marshal Liu, who guards the spirit realm and displays the virtue (De) of supportive aid.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Marshal Yang, who penetrates the realm of spirits and displays the virtue (De) of protection.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Marshal Zhang, who proclaims numinous power and manifests auspicious blessings.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Marshal Kang, who extends numinous power widely and manifests kindness.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Marshal Yue, who steadies the spirit realm and manifests responsiveness.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Marshal Meng, who spreads numinous power and manifests benefit.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Marshal Wei, who eternally spreads numinous power and manifests support.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Grand Commandant Zhu, who summons the souls of the dead.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to Marshal Liu, who assists the True Dao (Dao).

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Judges who oversee affairs in the Celestial Bureau and the Underworld Prefecture.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Judge who oversees records of official emoluments and longevity.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Judge who oversees descendants and officials.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Judge who oversees land and wealth.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Judge who oversees Buddhist monks, Daoist priests, and silk-making.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Judge who governs the Four Modes of Birth (womb-born, egg-born, moisture-born, and transformation-born beings).

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Judge who oversees the City God (Chenghuang) affairs and the clerks (subordinate officials).

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Judge who oversees fasting and the wind and rain.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Judge who oversees silk-making.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Judge who governs the Four Modes of Birth.

With single-minded devotion, I pay reverence to the Judge who oversees City God affairs and subordinate officials.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of fasting and of wind and rain.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of evaluation, measurement, and the cancellation of vows.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of lonely souls and the affairs of the underworld prisons.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of illness and the clouding of the mind and spirit (Shen).

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of merit and the five grains.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of releasing captive creatures and recording blessings.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of mountains and forests and of filial piety.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of temple construction and the taking of life.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of the Six Paths (the six destinations of rebirth for living beings) and the return of souls to life.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of loyalty and uprightness and of post stations and travelers.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of discerning the upright from the wicked, and of poisons.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of the Water Palace (the mythical divine realm of the waters) and the recitation of scriptures.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of medicine and of burning incense in worship.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of the arising of thoughts and intentions and of swift retribution.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of punishments and killing, and of covert plots to harm others.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of summoning souls and of sweat-inducing therapy.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of recording the time of death and of evil retribution.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of ritual water (purified water used in ceremonies) and of those who died with grievances.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of presenting petitions and of demanding lives in repayment.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of interrogation and inquiry and of impartial judgment.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of widows and widowers (those living alone after losing a spouse), of fire disasters, and of those who died with grievances.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of presenting petitions and of demanding lives in repayment.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of interrogation and inquiry and of impartial judgment.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of widows and widowers and of wild beasts.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of door gods and of unfilial conduct (defying filial piety and opposing one's elders).

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of poverty and of high and low station.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of seizing surplus wealth and of water monsters.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of mountain gods and of hastening the end of one's lifespan.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of treachery and calamity.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of lost souls and of flying birds.

I bow in utmost sincerity and reverence to the Judge in charge of spirit-demons and of abortion.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the magistrates of the Bureau of Injustice and the Bureau of Banditry (the divine officials who oversee grievances and thievery, respectively).

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the magistrates of the Bureau of Life Reduction and the Bureau of Illness Dispatch (the divine officials who oversee the shortening of lifespans and the sending of disease).

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the magistrate of the Bureau of Ghosts and Spectres (the divine official who oversees matters of ghosts and apparitions).

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the presiding divine officials of the Twenty-Four Case Offices.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the magistrates of the Bureau of Injustice and the Bureau of Banditry within the Thirty-Six Caverns.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the magistrates of the Bureau of Life Reduction and the Bureau of Illness Dispatch.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the magistrate of the Bureau of Ghosts and Spectres.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the presiding divine officials of the Twenty-Four Case Offices.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the immortal officials of the Thirty-Six Cave-Heavens.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the immortal officials of the Seventy-Two Blessed Lands.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the immortal officials who govern and transform the Blessed Land of Jinglu (a "blessed land" as designated in Daoism).

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the Four Sages of the Fire Pool and the Great Deities of the Five Paths.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the officials and sacred assembly in the court of Daiyue (Mount Tai, the Eastern Peak).

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the venerable deity Taisui who presides over the current year.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the sacred assembly who travel through the seasons of the year, governing plague and fire.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to Governor Gao, Marquis of Lingji, of the Eastern Peak Traveling Palace at Fushan.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the presiding deities of the great City Gods (Chenghuang) throughout the realm.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the deities of the Land and Grain of the Nine Provinces (the spirits of the soil and the altars of state).

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the four Duty Officers of the year, month, day, and hour (divine officials in Daoism responsible for transmitting documents and overseeing affairs).

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the City God of this prefecture.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the County Lords of the City God in each subordinate county.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the deities of the temples enrolled in the sacrificial canon and receiving the people's worship.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the Earth and Grain deities of this township and its borders.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the City God of the prefectural city.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the County Lords of the City God in each subordinate county.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the deities of the temples enrolled in the sacrificial canon and receiving the people's worship.

With sincere heart and reverence, I bow to the Earth and Grain deities of this township and its borders.

I raise the sacred title of the Celestial Worthy Who Dispels Karmic Obstacles.

Bufu (Pacing the Void; a ritual segment in Daoist liturgy in which participants walk and chant).

I have heard that people err mostly because of a momentary lapse in thought. If one takes goodness as one's teacher, all manner of auspicious blessings will be drawn near. If calamity is not guarded against beforehand, faults will quickly descend upon oneself. Therefore, people must be given the chance to reform and begin anew, so that they may awaken fully and reflect upon themselves. We take refuge in the Three Treasures (the Dao, the Jing (scripture), and the Master), hoping that the faults of body, speech, and mind may all be dissolved; we bow before the assembled Perfected Ones, praying that every transgression be swiftly swept away. When the six senses (eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind) are pure, the myriad sins can be eliminated.

The errors people commit arise in some cases from unintended mistakes, and in others from doing evil themselves and also inciting others to do evil. We repent of our former wrongdoings and ask for forgiveness; with each prostration, we trace the fault back to its root. Then, reflecting that we gaze up in sincere devotion at the spiritual radiance of the divine, we bow low and pray with earnest hearts, offering reverent obeisance each day, and though we state our plea again and again, we dare not grow slack. The mandate of Heaven is not forever fixed, yet blessings may be spread widely across the world. May the divine once more bestow grace upon those who are sincere and faithful, so that people may become those who no longer commit faults.

We respectfully pray that the divine spread benevolent virtue far and wide, like a wind that scatters the flowers of karmic hindrance; may sacred grace fall abundantly, nourishing good fruits and causing them to grow. Our gratitude is profound and hard to exhaust, and we respectfully present our heartfelt intentions in this report.

Three Invocations

Three Obeisances

Obeisance to the Scriptures

We, the assembled practitioners, with utmost sincerity take refuge in the Three Venerables of Supreme Purity and the sages of the ten directions, and, following the ritual protocol, pay homage to the scriptures.

With utmost sincerity, we bow our heads in homage to the Supreme Limitless Great Dao.

With utmost sincerity, we bow our heads in homage to the thirty-six sections of the venerable scriptures.

With utmost sincerity, we bow our heads in homage to the Great Master of the Mysterious Center (the master of transmission revered in Daoism).

Twelve Vows

The first vow: that all people be healthy and at peace, and that the nation be blessed.

The second vow: that the sun and moon shine brightly, and that heaven and earth be clear and serene.

The third vow: that farming go smoothly, and that the common people live and work in peace.

The fourth vow: that the four seasons be harmonious, and that the weather be mild and even.

The fifth vow: that the places of sacrifice be secure and stable, and that the protection of the spirits never cease.

The sixth vow: that all under heaven be settled and that the four quarters be clear and tranquil.

The seventh vow: that the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper shine down in protection.

The eighth vow: that the four seasons and eight festivals pass in peace and good fortune.

The ninth vow: that the realm of the Nine Springs and the dark underworld be at peace.

The tenth vow: that all kinds of living beings be able to grow and multiply.

The eleventh vow: that blessings spread to the faithful who do good.

The twelfth vow: that the Great Dao be propagated and put into practice.

Dedication of Merit

The rites of homage, cultivation, and repentance performed above are now complete. We respectfully offer thanks to the Great Emperor of Humane Sagehood Who Gives Birth to All, Equal to Heaven, of the Eastern Peak (Dongyue Tianqi Dasheng Renshengdi), and to all the awesome spirits of Mount Dai.

The Twelfth Vow: May the Great Dao spread and flourish far and wide.

The practices of pilgrimage, scripture recitation, and penitential rites described above have now reached completion. We now dedicate their merit and offer thanks to the Great Emperor of Humane Sagehood, Equal to Heaven, of the Eastern Peak (the principal deity of Mount Tai in the east), and to all the awesome spirits of Daiyue (Mount Tai). We humbly beseech the Sage Emperor, in compassion, to extend protection and to bestow grace and blessings widely.

First, we pray that the reigning emperor's life may be as long as Heaven itself, and that the fortunes of the state may continue without end. May warfare cease, may civil governance flourish, and may conflict be quelled forever. May the people sing the praises of a clear and upright government, and may all four directions share in peace. May Yin-Yang (yin yang) be in harmony, may the winds and rains come in their proper season, and may every year bring abundant harvests.

Second, we pray that the faithful petitioners seeking repentance, named here as so-and-so and others, may have the transgressions of all their past kalpas struck from the Black Register (the ledger in which sins are recorded), and may have their names of longevity entered in the Azure Roll (the roll that records those destined for immortality). May people in every place receive great auspiciousness, and may each person live in peace and joy. May the ancestors of nine generations together attain immortality, and may the ten directions rejoice as one.

Furthermore, we pray that all sentient beings may receive the grace of fulfillment and protection, and that the sequestered souls in the long night may likewise be delivered and released.

By virtue of this supremely auspicious karmic connection, we respectfully invoke the Celestial Venerable of the Numinous Treasure of the East (Lingbao), the Celestial Venerable Qingling Shilao, the Celestial Venerable Donghua Shangxiang, and the Celestial Venerable Fusheng Wuliang. Their merit and virtue are beyond comprehension.