《太上上清禳灾延寿宝忏》

The Supreme One (Taishang, the Daoist honorific for the Dao) said: If any man or woman who sincerely believes in Daoism meets with a year of calamity or a month of misfortune, or has an illness that long treatment cannot cure, or is entangled with the authorities, or suffers quarrels and slander, or bears an unclear and unjust accusation without being able to defend themselves; or if they find their circumstances obstructed and their affairs going badly, their pursuits contrary to their wishes, their work difficult and their plans hard to realize, then on any of the following days they may set up images of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing, the three honored deities of Daoism: Jade Pure, Highest Pure, and Supreme Pure). These days are their own natal day (the day corresponding to their birth year), a jiazi day, a gengshen day, the Three Origins days (the Upper, Middle, and Lower Origins), the eight seasonal festivals (the Beginning of Spring, Spring Equinox, Beginning of Summer, Summer Solstice, Beginning of Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Beginning of Winter, and Winter Solstice), the seventh, seventeenth, and twenty-seventh days of each month, or the anniversary of the death of an ancestor or parent. They should make offerings of seasonal fruits, incense and flowers, banners, and lamps and candles, and personally bow in worship and recite this penitential text. They may also invite a Daoist priest to perform the worship and recitation on their behalf, praying for the dispelling of disasters and the forgiveness of transgressions.

When reciting, one may say: "Your penitent disciple, so-and-so, respectfully declares: I was born into the human world and have long dwelt in the land of China, receiving the nurturing grace of Heaven and Earth and living beneath the light of the sun and moon. Perhaps my fate has been struck by a clash, or my fortune has fallen upon Kuigang (a star and destiny concept in Daoist numerology). Perhaps I am passing through an unfavorable year of life and am affected by malign influences such as the Net of Heaven and Snare of Earth or the Hidden Glare and Evil Stars, which entangle the position of my destiny.

"It may also be that, in building a house, burying the dead and breaking ground, undertaking a business or craft, or moving house and traveling, I failed to avoid forbidden directions and offended the spirits and baleful powers. Or I gathered people together without choosing an auspicious day, or began construction and renovation and mistakenly violated a prohibited day. Perhaps, in disputes and dealings, I secretly schemed against relatives and friends, obstructed the right path and wrongly distorted proper principle, provoking the resentment of others and being cursed by them. Or I may have attached myself to the powerful, framed the loyal and upright, used my position and strength to oppress the weak, and seized what others treasured, in violation of benevolence and righteousness.

"Such conduct makes people harbor resentment and slander, and it leaves openings for ghosts and spirits to seize the chance to send down calamity. It diminishes one's blessings and emoluments and takes away one's lifespan. Offenses pile up in the unseen realm and in the end bring retribution in this present life, with misfortune reaching nine generations of ancestors and even extending to descendants. Now, before the sacred and honored ones, I confess all these faults together. I bow respectfully and devoutly entrust my life to you, and I faithfully revere and worship the sacred and honored ones of Highest Pure, of universal compassion, who protect the world:"

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in and pay reverence to the Celestial Venerable of the Realm of Shangqing's Perfected (the venerable deity of the Shangqing immortal realm), the Celestial Venerable Who Embraces Breadth and Holds Simplicity (the deity who contains profound tolerance and harbors unadorned virtue), the Celestial Venerable Who Prolongs Life and Increases the Lifespan (the deity who adds to one's years and allotted span), the Celestial Venerable Who Dispels Calamity and Quells Hardship (the deity who removes disaster and calms adversity), and the Celestial Venerable of Benevolent Love and Compassion (the deity who bestows grace, kindness, and mercy).

The sacred titles of the venerable deities are as follows:

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in and pay reverence to the Celestial Venerable of the Realm of Shangqing's Perfected, the Celestial Venerable Who Embraces Breadth and Holds Simplicity, the Celestial Venerable Who Prolongs Life and Increases the Lifespan, the Celestial Venerable Who Dispels Calamity and Quells Hardship, the Celestial Venerable of Benevolent Love and Compassion, the Celestial Venerable Who Nourishes Life and Transforms Creation (the deity who nurtures and generates all things), the Celestial Venerable Who Contains the Primal and Harmonizes Principle (the deity who embraces the original source and unifies the patterns of the Way), the Celestial Venerable of Abundant Virtue in the Purple Palace (the deity of profound virtue within the Purple Palace), the Celestial Venerable of Humble Serenity Who Assists and Extols (the deity who aids and supports through the virtue of emptiness and stillness), the Celestial Venerable Who Gives Widely with Great Eloquence (the deity who bestows generously and possesses great wisdom and eloquence), the Celestial Venerable Who Penetrates the Spirits and Is Vast in Learning (the deity who comprehends the divine and is broad in knowledge), the Celestial Venerable Who Responds to the Mysterious Mechanism (the deity who accords with the subtle workings of Heaven and answers petitions), the Celestial Venerable of Wondrous Wisdom, Perfect and Bright (the deity whose wisdom is subtle, complete, and luminous), the Celestial Venerable Who Illumines the Real and Nurtures Vastness (the deity who understands the true Dao and cultivates the vast, upright qi), the Celestial Venerable of Jade Chamber, Lofty and Forgiving (the deity of the Jade Chamber's honored seat who practices clemency), the Celestial Venerable of Radiant Sovereignty and Wondrous Stillness (the deity of bright harmony and subtle tranquility), the Celestial Venerable Who Rules the Pinnacle of the Nine Perfected (the deity who governs the realm of the Nine Perfected), the Celestial Venerable Who Roams Free in the Eight Radiances (the deity who wanders at ease through the immortal realms of the eight directions), and the Celestial Venerable Who Embraces and Harmonizes Ten Thousand Virtues (the deity who contains and unites all manner of virtues).

Again, with utmost sincerity, I take refuge in and pay reverence to the Celestial Venerable of Jade Chamber, Lofty and Forgiving, the Celestial Venerable of Radiant Sovereignty and Wondrous Stillness, the Celestial Venerable Who Rules the Pinnacle of the Nine Perfected, the Celestial Venerable Who Roams Free in the Eight Radiances, the Celestial Venerable Who Embraces and Harmonizes Ten Thousand Virtues, the Celestial Venerable Who Delivers the World through the Three Sovereigns (the deity who carries forward the teachings of the Three Sovereigns and guides people across), the Celestial Venerable Who Bestows Transformation and Reveals the Dao (the deity who carries out instruction and makes the Great Way manifest), the Celestial Venerable Who Honors the Real and Abides in the World (the deity who reveres the true Dao and protects the world), the Celestial Venerable of Jade Talismans and Golden Registers (the deity who oversees jade talismans, golden registers, and other Daoist Fulu), the Celestial Venerable of Jade Texts and Feathered Canopies (the deity associated with jade-made texts and feather-adorned ceremonial regalia), the Celestial Venerable Who Looks Far and Extends Blessings (the deity who watches over the distant future and prolongs good fortune), the Perfected Person Who Dispels Calamity and Prolongs Life (the Perfected who removes disaster and extends lifespan), and the Perfected Person Who Pardons Transgressions and Bestows Blessings (the Perfected who forgives faults and grants good fortune).

The repeated acts of reverence toward the venerable deities here are the prostrations and praises of the penitential liturgy (Keyi), expressing refuge and heartfelt petition; the term "Perfected Person" (Zhenren) is the Daoist honorific for those who have attained the Dao.

We disciples, following the Zhen Gao (Declarations of the Perfected, the divine pronouncements of the Daoist scriptures), reverently bow before the Highest Perfected (the venerable divine immortals), earnestly entreating them with utmost sincerity and repenting with a single mind.

Since beginningless time, I have at times served as an official or functionary, in charge of the affairs of state, issuing decrees and administering punishments, yet I abused my power, acted recklessly, and did not proceed according to just principles. I reverently bow before the Highest Perfected, earnestly entreating them with utmost sincerity and repenting with a single mind.

Since beginningless time, I have at times served as an official or functionary, in charge of the affairs of state, issuing decrees and administering punishments, yet I abused my power, acted recklessly, and did not proceed according to just principles. I deceived the public authorities, bent the law, and threw the constitutional order into disorder. I concealed the talents of the wise and worthy, and attached myself to treacherous and factional cliques. Above, I blocked the ears of Heaven (so that superiors could not hear the truth); below, I cut off the petitions of the people. Loyal counsel and rightful opinions could not reach those above, and the people suffered with nowhere to lodge their grievances. I accepted bribes and distorted verdicts, indulged cunning officials, and harmed the good and innocent. I raised the price of costly goods and lowered the price of cheap ones, preying upon ordinary people. I diminished the public good to enrich myself, and did not distinguish good from evil. I misused punishments and neglected government affairs, failing to determine right from wrong, failing to take note of the people's hardships, and showing no concern for their hunger and thirst. These evil deeds of former lives will cast me into hell, where I will suffer for a long time. When the suffering of hell has ended, I will be reborn as a hungry ghost or an animal, turning ceaselessly through the cycle of rebirth for hundreds of thousands of myriads of kalpas. When my karmic retribution is exhausted and I return to the human realm, I will still bear the residual consequences of my former offenses.

I, this disciple, since beginningless time have at times been a wu (shaman, one whose profession is communing with and summoning spirits), a physician, or a diviner, acting in the name of evil spirits and defrauding people of their money. I prepared poisons that worsened the illnesses of the sick; under the pretext of divination, I used magical arts to curse others and make petitions to ghosts and spirits; I seized other people's property for my own use. These evil deeds of former lives will cast me into hell, where I will suffer for a long time. When the suffering of hell has ended, I will be reborn as a hungry ghost or an animal, turning ceaselessly through the cycle of rebirth for hundreds of thousands of myriads of kalpas. When my karmic retribution is exhausted and I return to the human realm, I will still bear the residual consequences of my former offenses.

From beginningless time (a past so distant it cannot be traced), this disciple has at times lived in the marketplace, devoted to buying and selling without regard for benevolence or righteousness. I deceived others to gain profit, mixed coarse goods into fine ones, and used false adornments to blur the line between the genuine and the counterfeit, wasting the time of those who relied on them. I bought with a large scale and sold with a small measure, and committed all manner of unrighteous acts, thinking only of bribes and private gain, with deceit always in my heart. By the karma I created in these past deeds, I deserve to fall into hell and suffer there for a long time. When that suffering ends I am reborn, sometimes as a hungry ghost and sometimes as an animal, turning through the cycle of rebirth for hundreds of thousands of myriads of kalpas. When the retribution of my evil karma finally subsides for a time, I return to the human realm, yet because of the karma I made in the past, I must still bear the calamities that remain.

From beginningless time, this disciple has not recognized the true Way (Dao) and could not tell evil from uprightness. I craved beauty and loved wealth, despised poverty and chased after riches, and devoted myself wholly to scrambling for fame and profit, unwilling to cultivate humility and compassion. I kept close to frivolous and noisy people, and I failed to honor my parents. At the sight of profit I forgot righteousness, insulting the sages and slighting the worthy. At times I exposed my body between Heaven and Earth, and even relieved myself before the sun, moon, and stars. At times I resented Heaven and Earth, complained of the cold and heat, and spoke disrespectfully while pointing at rainbows (hongni) or shooting stars. At times I swore vicious oaths or cursed the ghosts and spirits. By the karma I created in these past deeds, I deserve to fall into hell and suffer there for a long time. When that suffering ends I am reborn, sometimes as a hungry ghost and sometimes as an animal, turning through the cycle of rebirth for hundreds of thousands of myriads of kalpas. When the retribution of my evil karma finally subsides for a time, I return to the human realm, yet because of the karma I made in the past, I must still bear the calamities that remain.

Now, before the Holy Venerables, I repent of all these transgressions in full. I take refuge in, and reverently bow before, the holy Venerables who show universal compassion and protect the world:

I take refuge in and reverently bow to the Celestial Worthy of the Realm of Wondrous Liberation,

I take refuge in and reverently bow to the Celestial Worthy of Immeasurable Light,

I take refuge in and reverently bow to the Celestial Worthy Who Embraces All Kinds of Beings,

I take refuge in and reverently bow to the Celestial Worthy Who Subdues Demonic Obstructions and Sweeps Away Defilement,

I take refuge in and reverently bow to the Celestial Worthy Who Constantly Offers Protection,

I take refuge in and reverently bow to the Celestial Worthy of Unfettered Virtue (De),

I take refuge in and reverently bow to the Celestial Worthy of Wondrous Deliverance,

I take refuge in and reverently bow to the Celestial Worthy of Wondrous Transformation.

I sincerely take refuge in and pay reverence to the Celestial Worthy of Boundless Joy, the Celestial Worthy of the Realm of Tranquil Joy, the Celestial Worthy Who Bestows Virtue and Transforms the Way, the Celestial Worthy Who Preserves the Dao and Reaches Utmost Essence, the Celestial Worthy of the Solemn and Pure Precious Realm, the Celestial Worthy of the Purple-Pure Wondrous Realm, the Celestial Worthy Who Delights in Nurturing De, the Celestial Worthy Who Upholds Rectitude in Conduct, the Celestial Worthy Who Transforms Beings, the Celestial Worthy Who Benefits Beings, the Celestial Worthy of Ever-Shining Radiant De, the Celestial Worthy Whose Vessel Contains the Myriad Phenomena, the Celestial Worthy Who Protects and Sustains the Empty Realm, and the Celestial Worthy Who Universally Aids All Sentient Beings, as well as the Perfected One of Great Compassion and Great Benevolence and the Perfected One Who Relieves Suffering and Delivers from Calamity.

I, your disciple (name), drawing upon the Daoist scripture Zhen Gao (Declarations of the Perfected), reverently pay homage to the Highest Perfected Ones (a Daoist term for venerable deities and Perfected Beings), earnestly offer my prayers, and repent with a single mind. I am keenly aware that the spiritual endowment I have received is slight and that my nature is dull. Although I have been graced with the profound blessings of Heaven and permitted to draw near the true Way, my merit is negligible, while my faults are piled as high as mountains.

Now, with utmost sincerity, I make my declaration and look up to the Highest Sages. I lay bare my heart, confess my transgressions, and beg forgiveness, entreating you to look kindly upon my humble devotion. May the Highest Sages bestow a measure of grace and pardon all my past faults; may I receive your compassionate protection, so that a hundred blessings descend upon the future. May I long dwell under the shelter of the Great Dao; may my whole family enjoy peace and health, and may our ancestors of nine generations be raised to higher realms. May all my wishes be fulfilled in harmony, and may all that I seek come to pass as I hope. Whether in movement or stillness, I rely upon the protection and transforming nurture of Heaven. Your disciple prays with utmost sincerity and earnestness, more than words can fully express.