《土司灯仪》

When Heaven and Earth first divided, the Yin-Yang (阴阳) qi (气) separated along with them. The four seasons began to turn, and the eight directions each received their fixed positions. The stars of the heavens were set in their order, and the lands below were assigned to their separate regions. All beings depend on the transforming work of Heaven and Earth to live, and none of the myriad things goes without their nourishment. Human beings are the most precious, dwelling between Heaven and Earth; even in their daily lives, they receive the bounty that Heaven and Earth bestow.

Alas, people are ignorant and ordinary, and they often accumulate faults. Humankind moved from living in caves to building nests, and then raised houses with beams above and roofs below. In digging wells, hauling earth, and constructing dwellings, people often disturb the taboos of certain directions, and in raising beams and building rooms they may unknowingly violate prohibitions. Sometimes the day chosen for beginning work is inauspicious; sometimes the year or month selected is unsuitable. The plans were not divined through tortoise-shell or yarrow-stalk methods, and the words spoken followed the improper claims of shamans. By the rules of both the unseen realm and the human world, all of these may count as transgressions.

Moreover, the venerable deity Taisui (the deity corresponding to the yearly movement of the earth and time) and the Tusi (the deities associated with the earth and with directional taboos) govern fortune and misfortune and oversee the regulations of every direction. They shift with the Liujia (the Six Jia, a system that uses the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches to mark days and directions) and follow the movements of the Seven Stars. For those who dwell or build and thereby violate directional taboos, fortunately the scriptures (Jing, 经) contain precepts and rules, and the liturgy (Keyi, 科仪) preserves corresponding rites. Those who do not understand these rules may see disaster arise and good fortune dissipate; those who practice according to the rites can dispel calamity and increase blessings.

Now, a certain person is building a residence, and the day on which work began was not appropriate. In digging the earth and carrying out construction, it is indeed possible that taboos were violated; in heaping soil to lay the foundation and opening the ground, it is hard to avoid having offended the stars of Heaven. We now respectfully choose an auspicious day and reverently prepare pure offerings. We recite the Cloud-Seal Script scriptures (Yunzhuan scriptures, a written form of Daoist scripture), praying that the accumulated faults be quietly dissolved; we perform the Langhan liturgy (Langhan Keyi, Daoist rites grounded in scripture and ritual), reverently welcoming the descent of the assembled true deities. We humbly beg that auspicious signs be bestowed, so that a hundred blessings gather at the family's gate; that calamities be averted, so that the thousand misfortunes of the household dissolve entirely; that thieves be driven away and fire be extinguished. All the assembly bow their heads in reliance and offer sincere praise.

We, the disciples and all who are gathered here, sincerely take refuge in the Great Sage of the Eastern Palace of Zhen and the Lord of the Three Green Star (the star deity corresponding to the Eastern Palace of Zhen).

I have respectfully heard that the Zhen (Thunder) trigram marks the beginning of the three Yang energies and holds first place among the four seasons. It ranks first among the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), and it also stands first in the Liujia (the system of the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches used to calculate time and sequence). Zhen can govern both construction and demolition, causing the myriad things to flourish and come alive. It instills reverence and caution in people's hearts, leading them to self-examination, and moves the common people to cultivate themselves and reflect on their conduct. It assists the creative transformations of Heaven and Earth and reveals the signs of all things beginning to sprout. In any building or construction work, there is always concern that some offense may have been committed.

Now, this person respectfully prepares a Zhaijiao (purification ritual; a Daoist rite in which an altar is set up for offerings and for praying for blessings and averting calamity). First, they confess their transgressions to the divine powers. In accordance with the Keyi (liturgy), they set up a star altar and prepare offerings of incense and flowers. With utmost sincerity, we take refuge in the Great Sage of the Eastern Palace of Zhen and the Star Lord of the Three Greens (a Daoist star deity). We humbly beg the true immortals to bestow blessings and protection, and the assembled sages to look down with compassion, to dispel the faults incurred through construction, and to grant auspicious and splendid good fortune. May the household be solemn and peaceful, with old and young in harmony; we pray for long life and a firmly established foundation of blessings. We bow our heads in refuge and offer our devout praise:

The radiance of the Dao shines forth; its profound origin is true, still, and silent. The stars of the Five Dippers revolve at the center, and the Five Phases give birth to and transform the myriad things. The host of ghosts of the Northern Capital can harm human lifespans; I possess sacred talismanic texts that enable people to pass through the calamities of the world and endure for long. We make offerings to the venerable deities and bow in reverence, to protect the Shen (spirit) of the master of this household. Profound beyond compare, the lofty Jade Capital (the realm of immortals in Daoist belief) rises on high. May calamities and obstacles be removed, and may the Qi (vital energy) of the Dao endure forever.

With utmost sincerity, we all take refuge in the Star Lord of the Four Greens of the Southeast Palace of Xun.

Here it is said that Xun (one of the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), representing the southeast) corresponds to the Shenming position and is governed by the deity Taiyi. Its place is in the southeast, in the seat of the Fourth Jade-Green Star. It oversees the seasonal movements of all beings, so that the myriad things each find their proper place and remain clean and orderly. Yet any building or construction work can hardly avoid offending against the relevant taboos.

Now, so-and-so reverently holds a Jiao ritual (a Daoist rite of prayer for blessings and thanksgiving to the deities). First they confess their faults before the spirits, then set up a star altar according to the Keyi (liturgy), make offerings of incense and flowers, and sincerely take refuge in the Lord of the Fourth Jade-Green Star in the Xun Palace of the southeast. They pray that the radiance of the divine beings will illuminate the darkness like a lamp or torch, observe the sincerity of today's prayer, and wash away the errors committed during past construction. May robbers and intruders never again endanger the household, and may no calamity of fire or burning arise. May all members of the family receive blessings, and may everything they undertake be auspicious and smooth. They therefore bow their heads in devotion and respectfully offer this hymn:

Great Sage of the Xun Palace, true deity who governs all affairs. Tiangang, Taiyi, and the many spirits who command thunder and lightning, disperse storms and disasters and subdue and destroy demonic forces. The deities carry out creation and transformation, nourishing living beings, and bestow blessings without cease, so that good fortune descends for a long time to come. Boundless and unsurpassed, they dwell in the Golden Gate Towers and Jade Capital (the celestial palaces where immortals live, according to Daoist tradition). May they remove all obstacles and calamities, and may we be granted long life.

Those present now sincerely take refuge in the Lord of the Nine Purple Star in the Li Palace of the south (one of the Bagua, representing the south).

The Dao (the Way) of centrality and uprightness is what allows Heaven and Earth to transform and nurture the myriad things and to teach and transform all under Heaven. Its light shines in every direction, like radiance that follows radiance without end. Through it, the myriad things become manifest, can see one another, and each settles in its proper place. This corresponds to the space between the two modes of Heaven and Earth (Yin-Yang), and it ensures that all things are illuminated.

In any dwelling, there are inevitably many transgressions. Today we hold the Lamp-Blessing ritual. The disciple, so-and-so, has prepared a solemn Jiao ritual (a Daoist rite of offering). We first give thanks to the True Spirits, and in accordance with the Keyi (liturgy) we set up the altar and prepare offerings of incense and flowers. We take refuge with sincere hearts. In a dwelling that faces south, transgressions are many. Today we hold the Lamp-Blessing ritual. The disciple, so-and-so, has prepared a solemn Jiao ritual, first giving thanks to the True Spirits, setting up the altar according to the Keyi, and preparing offerings of incense and flowers. We take refuge with sincere hearts in the Li Palace of the south (the Bagua position corresponding to the south) and the Star Lord of the Nine Purples (the Nine Purple star deity).

We humbly ask the Star Lord to observe our utmost sincerity and to descend to the altar, dispelling unforeseen calamities and bestowing boundless blessings. May the family and relatives be spared sudden misfortune, and may a thousand auspicious things gather at our gate. May fire and theft quietly recede, and may wealth and goods grow more abundant each day. We bow our heads in refuge and offer this reverent praise:

Great Sage of Yinghuo, Star Lord of the Nine Purples, your blazing light shines upon the world, and the power of your talismanic incantations reaches everywhere. The Willow and Star lunar mansions govern the regulations, while the Wing and Chariot mansions each fulfill their duties. The fire of Bing and Ding holds a central position, and the power of the Fire Virtue works unseen. May you leave your grace and grant blessings, so that good fruits and auspicious celebrations arrive together. May we ascend to the supreme Xuandu Yujing (the Jade Capital of the Mysterious Metropolis, an immortal realm in Daoist tradition), may our obstacles be removed, and may we be granted long life.

All of us take refuge with sincere hearts in the Kun Palace of the southwest (the Bagua position corresponding to the southwest) and the Star Lord of the Two Blacks (the deity governing the Two Black star).

The text then continues: "Turning the Kun position..." Here the original phrase "wo yun Kun" is incomplete. It may relate to the turning or revolving of the Kun position, but the scripture does not give the full sense of the sentence.

Later in the text, the prayer is repeated: to ascend to the supreme Xuandu Yujing, to have obstacles removed, and to be granted long life, and again to take refuge in the Kun Palace of the southwest and the Star Lord of the Two Blacks.

As heaven and earth turn, the Kun Palace (坤宫, the southwest position in the Bagua, or Eight Trigrams) extends the Way of the Earth. It receives the mandate of Heaven and follows the Dao of Heaven, embracing all things and nurturing them with light. The Kun Palace upholds the deep De (Virtue) of the Earth, bearing the myriad things without exhaustion; it accords with the changes of the four seasons, so that all things continue to grow and multiply. The Kun Palace corresponds to the Two Black Star and lies in the southwest. In any construction or building work, how could there be no chance of offending the spirits? Therefore, today, a certain person respectfully holds a Jiao (醮, a Daoist ritual of blessing and thanksgiving to the gods), first confessing their faults to the true spirits. In keeping with the Keyi (liturgy), they set up the altar and prepare incense, flowers, and other offerings. With sincere devotion, they take refuge in the Lord of the Two Black Star of the Kun Palace in the southwest. They humbly ask the Star Lord to extend boundless kindness and to send down unseen blessings; to strike their offenses from the black register and record blessings and longevity in the red writ; to let misfortune and calamity vanish forever, and to enjoy lasting health and auspicious joy. May a thousand true immortals protect them, and ten thousand sacred spirits support them. We bow our heads and take refuge, and offer our reverent praise:

The deep and abundant virtue of the Earth is vast and boundless, descending upon all. It receives the mandate of Heaven, moves according to the Dao, manifests De, and transforms and nurtures the myriad things. Its grace arises naturally and sustains the people; nothing is omitted and nothing is lost, so that all things benefit and find peace. It drives away demons and malevolent spirits, and bestows blessings and tranquility. Its realm reaches the highest height, extending to the Daluo Yujing (大罗玉京, the sacred celestial realm of Daoism). May obstacles and calamities be removed, and long life be attained.

We, the assembled, sincerely take refuge in the Great Sage, the Lord of the Seven Red Star of the Dui Palace (兑宫, the due west position in the Bagua) in the west.

The Seven Qi Plain Palace (七炁素宫, the western star palace corresponding to the Seven Red Star) lies in the western Dui position, which belongs to Metal. The Star Lord orders and rectifies all things, benefits the people, and accords with the seasons; he has compassion for obstacles and calamities, and prays for long life.

We, the assembled, sincerely take refuge in the Great Sage, the Lord of the Seven Red Star of the Dui Palace in the west.

The Seven Qi Plain Palace lies in the western Dui position, which belongs to Metal. The Star Lord orders and rectifies all things, benefits the people, and accords with the seasons; he has compassion for all beings, manifests De, and helps the myriad things to be transformed and to grow. Ordinary people are foolish and confused, and their faults are many; they offend the majesty of the spirits yet do not know how to repent and confess. Therefore, today, a certain person respectfully holds a Jiao, first confessing their faults to the true spirits. In keeping with the Keyi, they set up the star altar and prepare incense, flowers, and other offerings. With sincere devotion, they take refuge in the Great Sage, the Lord of the Seven Red Star of the Dui Palace in the west. They humbly ask the Star Lord to bestow grace and blessings, to turn back misfortune and remove calamity; to have pity on all things and cherish life, so that offenses may be eliminated forever; to receive the grace of auspiciousness and be granted flourishing joy. May their family be at peace and their household know happiness. We bow our heads and take refuge, and offer our reverent praise:

Empty, clear, luminous, and still (profound, distant, and silent), with the Dao (the Way) as its root. Highest in rank, beyond compare, is the Emperor of the Purple Tenuity (Ziwei Dijun, a revered Daoist deity). Within the true Dao there is numinous wonder; within the profound scriptures (Jing) there are upright spirits. The multitude of stars spreads across the heavens, each with its own appointed duty; the divine powers make their authority manifest and oversee the life and fate of human beings. The Supreme Sovereign and High Perfected (exalted celestial true deities) govern beginnings and endings, dwelling in the Jade Capital of the Supreme Great Net (the highest heaven in Daoist cosmology). May calamities be dispelled, and may the Qi (vital energy) of the Dao endure forever.

The assembled devotees sincerely take refuge in the Great Sage of the Qian Palace in the northwest, the Star Lord of the Six White Star (a Daoist astral deity).

Respectfully we declare: the merit and virtue of the Star Lord extend across the four seas, and he is the sovereign of the moral order and rightful principle. He leads all things, like the foremost of a company of dragons. Because he is strong, upright, and balanced, he is able to safeguard the harmony between heaven and earth, allowing every being to receive its life, so that none is left without the benefit of his grace. Now, living in our homes, we fear that we may have offended against the duties of the divine officials; if we did not repent and openly confess our faults, how could we turn misfortune into blessing? Therefore, I, [name], solemnly hold a Jiao ritual (an offering ceremony in which an altar is set up to honor the deities and pray for blessings and the averting of disaster). First I offer apology to the true spirits, and in accordance with ritual regulations I set up a star altar and prepare offerings of incense and flowers.

We sincerely take refuge in the Great Sage of the Qian Palace in the northwest, the Star Lord of the Six White Star. We humbly pray that your heavenly virtue be generous and vast, and that your divine light observe and illuminate us, so that our daily conduct may proceed smoothly and in peace, that calamities and obstacles be removed together, and that blessings and fortune follow us for long years. May our descendants flourish and enjoy lasting honor and renown; may our family live in harmony and share long life together.

The Qian hexagram is strong and vigorous, initiating all things; the Star Lord's majestic radiance shines brilliantly and illuminates all under heaven, nourishing the myriad beings and bringing peace to the age. As the one Qi (primordial energy) turns, it brings auspiciousness to all things; beneath the awe of divine light, demons, evils, and strange calamities all vanish and disperse.

The primordial Qi (qi) stirs into motion and manifests its radiant, awe-inspiring power. Its light shines through all under heaven, letting the myriad things grow and the four seasons rest in peace. As this one Qi drives the cycle onward, all things are blessed with good fortune. The divine light overawes demons and malign forces until every one of them is dispersed; the bright Yang essence (jing) shines forth and sweeps away calamity. The spirits (shen) of perfect truth lend their support and protection, raising people into the Jade Hall (the dwelling place of the immortals and the perfected). May disasters and obstacles be cleared away, and may the Qi of the Dao (the primordial energy of the Way) endure forever.

We, the assembled company, turn to you in sincere devotion and pay reverence to the Great Sage of the Kan Palace in the north (the northern water position among the Bagua, or Eight Trigrams), the Star Lord of the One White Star (the deity of the northern One White star).

We respectfully declare that the Star Lord's grace is vast, like a hundred rivers converging where they return to the sea. Its nature embraces three kinds of talent, and its merit combines seven kinds of goodness. As a trigram, it is the place to which all things return; as one of the stars of the Northern Dipper, it is encircled and attended by the multitude of stars. Water congeals into ice, and ice melts into water again; in the same way, the Star Lord's numinous power washes away the ignorance of all things and cleanses the defilements of living beings.

Anyone who has built or lived in a house, or has undertaken some work, and thereby offended against this direction should repent and show devout reverence, so that calamity may be turned into blessing. Today, N.N. solemnly holds a Jiao ritual (a Daoist rite of petition and thanksgiving). First we beg forgiveness of the true spirits, and, in accordance with ritual regulation, we set up the star altar and prepare incense and flowers as offerings. We turn to you in sincere devotion and pay reverence to the Great Sage of the Kan Palace in the north, the Star Lord of the One White Star. We respectfully pray that the Star Lord's virtue (De), clear as a deep pool, will wash away a thousand kinds of misfortune, and will protect our good fortune and emoluments so that they last long and our lifespans are extended.

We turn to you in sincere devotion and pay reverence to the Great Sage of the Kan Palace in the north, the Star Lord of the One White Star. We respectfully pray that the Star Lord's virtue, clear as a deep pool, will wash away a thousand kinds of misfortune, and will protect our good fortune and emoluments so that they last long and our lifespans are extended. May all lands and waters be at peace, and may every journey and every dwelling be smooth and auspicious. Bowing our heads, we take refuge in you and offer our devout praise:

Beichen (the Pole Star and the stellar deity it represents) is the root of all the stars, and the Great Sage's divine power is efficacious. This deity rescues people from hardship and frees living beings from suffering. If anyone has a petition to make, they need only practice and uphold these observances to find peace. May everyone give rise to a hundred kinds of blessing, protecting the myriad people; may they be joyful in generation after generation, with hearts that are pure and still. May the true immortals recommend them, so that they ascend to the Jade Capital (the heavenly realm where the immortals and perfected dwell). May disasters and obstacles be cleared away, and may the Qi of the Dao endure forever.

We, the assembled company, turn to you in sincere devotion and pay reverence to the Great Sage of the Gen Palace in the northeast (the northeastern mountain position among the Bagua), the Star Lord of the Eight White Star.

The heavens and earth move through endings and beginnings, working in secret the power that transforms and nurtures the myriad things. At times they rest and at times they move, quietly revealing the function of gathering in and withdrawing from view. The Gen Palace (the northeast in the Bagua, or Eight Trigrams, arrangement) governs the blockage and flow of fortune, and also presides over flourishing and decline. It stands among the positions of the three Yang and dwells in the palace of the Eight White Star. Earth and timber construction has now begun, and out of concern that it may have offended against directional taboos and invited misfortune, we carefully examine our faults and pray for the dispelling of calamity, the confession of transgressions, and the invocation of blessings.

Today, so-and-so has prepared a solemn Jiao rite (a Daoist ritual for honoring the gods and seeking blessings). We first confess our offenses to the true spirits, and, following the Keyi (liturgy) in accordance with its procedures, we set up the star altar and prepare incense, flowers, and offerings. With sincere hearts we take refuge in the Great Sage of the Gen Palace in the northeast and the Lord of the Eight White Star (the star deity who presides over the Gen Palace).

We respectfully pray that the Supreme Sage of the azure firmament and the Primal Lord of the Purple Palace will bestow their vast grace upon our household and courtyard, and extend their abundant blessings to our clan. May we continue to receive the protection of the Dao (the Way) and its methods, and long rely upon this offering of incense and flowers. With sincere hearts we take refuge in the Great Sage of the Gen Palace in the northeast and the Lord of the Eight White Star, and respectfully pray that the sacred spirits will spread their grace widely over our household and clan, so that we may long be shielded by their protection.

Bowing our heads in reverent refuge, we offer this praise with devotion:

Great Sage of the Gen Palace, Venerable Deity of the Azure Emperor, you hold the authority that sets the Dao-Qi (the generative Qi of the Dao) in motion. You raise thunder and rain, preserving the good and the true Dao; you extend the transforming power of heaven and earth, and cleanse away baleful and malign energies. May unbroken auspicious blessings descend in ceaseless succession forever. May the stars turn without obstruction and rise into the Jade Capital (the celestial realm of the immortals in Daoist belief); may calamities and obstacles be removed, so that the Dao-Qi endures.

All of us, with sincere hearts, take refuge in the Great Sage of the Central Palace and the Lord of the Five Yellow Star.

Heaven covers and Earth bears up the myriad things, and the virtue of Houtu (the Earth deity) is deep and tranquil. As all things grow and the crops ripen, they depend on the benevolent, generous De (Virtue) of the central Earth. Among the Five Affairs (the five virtues or functions spoken of in antiquity), the virtue of Earth is expressed as grace; among the Five Constants (benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness), it is expressed as good faith. Thus the virtue of Earth embraces all phenomena and nourishes all beings. Yet whenever construction or building is undertaken, some transgression is hard to avoid.

Now, [name], we respectfully prepare a ritual of offering, a Jiao (a Daoist rite in which an altar is set up to pray for blessings and avert calamity). First we beg forgiveness from the assembled true spirits. In accordance with the Keyi (liturgy), we establish a star altar and prepare incense and flowers as offerings. With sincere hearts we take refuge in the Great Sage of the Central Palace and the Lord of the Five Yellow Stars (the central star deity revered in Daoism). We humbly ask the Perfected of the Nine Ramparts (the venerable deity governing the realm of the earth) and the Sovereign of the Central Palace to bestow benevolence and auspiciousness, so that within the eight directions misfortune may be turned into good fortune; may calamities and hardships be dispelled, and may grace spread across the Nine Provinces. May crops and silkworm mulberries flourish, and may fires and banditry be driven away. We bow our heads in refuge and offer our sincere praise:

Virtue dwells at the center and governs the four directions. It gathers all phenomena under its rule, so that nothing oversteps the ordering principles. According to the decrees of the Jade Registers, it rewards the good and punishes the wicked, buries away demons, evil spirits, and thieves, and breaks down perils and disasters. Its merit in saving the world is boundless, and its renown shines to Heaven. With offerings and reverence, we sweep away all inauspiciousness; with calamities removed, the Qi of the Dao (the primordial energy of the Way) endures forever.

The recitation of the scripture is now complete, and we respectfully dedicate the merit to all the deities.