《太上玄司灭罪紫府消灾法忏》

Incense is the medium through which one communicates with the divine and conveys sincerity, while the heart-mind is the gateway into cultivating the Dao (the Way). Human beings are born of Heaven and Earth, and the sages and perfected ones descend in response to earnest petition. Now, with reverence, we burn true incense as an offering and respectfully invite the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) and the high perfected ones of the ten directions, together with the Celestial Venerable of Universal Transformation of the Thunder Sound Who Responds to the Origin of the Nine Heavens; the Supreme Great Sage of the Solar Palace, Sovereign of the Sun (Taiyang); the Supreme Great Sage of the Lunar Mansion, Sovereign of the Moon (Taiyin); the Star Lords of the Five Directions and Five Virtues; the Star Lords of the Four Qi and Four Luminaries; the Star Lords of the Southern Dipper's Six Departments, who extend life and grant ascent to life; the Star Lord and Venerable Sovereign of the Nine Emperors of the Northern Dipper, Great Sage of the Central Heaven; the Star Lords of the Three Terraces and the Canopy; the Star Lords of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions; the Star Lords of the Twelve Zodiacal Palaces; the two immortal envoys of the Dipper, Qingyang and Tuoluo; and the Great Sage of the Heavenly Cang, Commander of the Purple Court, the Star Lord of Kui's Radiance.

We also respectfully invite the star officials of the Natal Star governing this person, the star officials of each phase of their fortune, the stars that illuminate their Life Palace, the constellations of the celestial sphere, the star perfected ones of the Silver River, the high perfected ones of the Purple Mansion and all the numinous sages, the Lord of the Grand Year (Taisui), and the duty-day envoys of the Dipper. May they descend to the ritual altar and observe the solemn order of the rite. With true incense we make our offering, reverently presented to all the sages and perfected ones. Your servant now submits a memorial concerning a certain matter; the matter sincerely sought in the heart has been written out in the memorial text. Now, following the ritual of court audience and repentance, we respectfully hope that the divine beings will grant their favor and look down upon us.

"Dragon City jade titles" and "Phoenix Garden jeweled texts" are honorific terms for sacred names and scriptural writings. By reciting these scriptures, one may repent and atone for transgressions; by bowing before the sages, one may dispel calamity and relieve distress. Thus we prepare incense and candles, display banners, streamers, and fresh flowers, and set up a solemn and purified altar, facing the sacred image of the Ancestor of the Dao.

People often create karmic obstacles through their various thoughts: the mind acts recklessly, craves without limit, and indulges the six emotions (the sensations and desires of the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind). Over days and months, the remaining faults gradually take shape, yet one gives no thought to cultivating goodness. Now that transgressions have accumulated, there is nothing to do but turn wholeheartedly in refuge and earnestly pray for the dissolution of calamity and the pardoning of sins. Therefore we bow before the sacred names of the one hundred and fifty Celestial Venerables, seeking thereby to reach the thirty-two tiers of golden gate-towers (the celestial palaces). As the precious Daoist scriptures are recited, it is as though the numinous sounds of the cavern-heavens of the ten directions resound; as the golden bell is struck, it is as though the jeweled halls of the Nine Pure Heavens answer in communion.

We respectfully beseech the Supreme Primordial Venerable and the Perfected Sage of the Central Heaven to receive our sincerity with grace and to grant special observation and favor. May the faults that people commit from morning till night, and the misfortunes that might befall them on Geng and Jia days, all be forgiven and relieved. May the deity of the Northern Capital who oversees the registers of life and death strike the evil names from the black ledger, and may the merit of our practice be secretly confirmed. May the deity of the Central Peak, by decree, bestow the cinnabar talisman so that good deeds grow day by day. May calamities melt away like ice and snow. Now the assembly exhausts its sincerity and performs the rites in person, each one bowing in reverence.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy (Tianzun) of the Upper Emperor of Qingdu, the Pure Capital (the supreme venerable deity within the Pure Capital).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy, August Sovereign of the Purple Palace (the honored celestial deity within the Purple Palace).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Burns Incense and Extinguishes Sins (the Heavenly Worthy who receives offerings of incense and helps to eliminate transgressions).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Erects Images and Dispels Calamities (the Heavenly Worthy who, through the enshrining of sacred images, helps to dissolve misfortune).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Devotes the Heart to Union with the Dao (the Heavenly Worthy who helps one concentrate the mind so that one's thoughts accord with the great Dao, the Way).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Quietly Contemplates and Cultivates the Truth (the Heavenly Worthy who stills the heart, meditates in silence, and practices the true Dao).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy, August Sovereign of the Purple Palace.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Burns Incense and Extinguishes Sins.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Erects Images and Dispels Calamities.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Devotes the Heart to Union with the Dao.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Quietly Contemplates and Cultivates the Truth.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Repents and Erases Traces of Evil (the Heavenly Worthy who helps one confess and repent, and remove the traces of wrongdoing).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Aids and Increases the Bounds of Goodness (the Heavenly Worthy who helps good deeds grow and good fruits multiply).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Universally Delivers at the Jade Altar (the Heavenly Worthy who saves beings everywhere at the Jade Altar).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Opens Wide the Precious Registers (the Heavenly Worthy who unseals the precious scriptures so that people may comprehend them).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Golden Gate-Towers of Ziwei (the Heavenly Worthy who dwells in the celestial palace of Ziwei).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Jade Palace of Qinghua (the Heavenly Worthy who dwells in the Jade Palace of Qinghua).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Releases from Evil Destinies (the Heavenly Worthy who helps beings escape the evil paths).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Gathers Good Affinities (the Heavenly Worthy who helps wholesome connections come to fruition).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Repents and Dissolves Errors and Mistakes (the Heavenly Worthy who helps one repent and dispel faults and errors).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Washes Away Flaws and Blemishes (the Heavenly Worthy who cleanses transgressions and deficiencies).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Enables Release from the Obstacles of Sin (the Heavenly Worthy who helps one be freed from the hindrances of sinful karma).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Keeps Us from Falling into the Wheel of Karma (the Heavenly Worthy who helps beings no longer sink within the turning of karmic force).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Repents and Dissolves Errors and Mistakes.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Washes Away Flaws and Blemishes.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Enables Release from the Obstacles of Sin.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Keeps Us from Falling into the Wheel of Karma.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Universally Receives the Wondrous Dao (the Heavenly Worthy who receives and spreads the profound Dao everywhere).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Widely Spreads Numinous Compassion (the Heavenly Worthy who bestows wondrous, numinous kindness far and wide).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Jade Grotto of the Nine Spirits (the Heavenly Worthy associated with the Jade Grotto of the Nine Spirits).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Golden Gate of Seven Treasures (the Heavenly Worthy associated with the Golden Gate of Seven Treasures).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Bestows Grace from the Mysterious Bureau (the Mysterious Bureau is the divine office that oversees the netherworld, sin and blessing; "bestowing grace" means conferring favor).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Whose Sagely Virtue (De) Silently Penetrates All Things (the Heavenly Worthy who, through luminous and sage-like virtue, quietly moves and connects with all beings).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Whose Compassionate Grace Discerns and Responds (the Heavenly Worthy who perceives clearly and answers prayers, bestowing compassionate grace).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Whose Majestic Power Shines Manifest (the Heavenly Worthy whose awesome virtue and divine power are evident and clear).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Constantly Acts to Rescue Beings (the Heavenly Worthy who always aids living beings).

The repeated phrase "with resolute heart, I commit my life" expresses the practitioner's sincere refuge in, and reverence for, the many Heavenly Worthies. By praising the Heavenly Worthies, the scripture voices a set of aspirations: through burning incense, venerating images, quiet cultivation of the Dao, and repentance, may sins and calamities be removed, good deeds and good affinities increase, and one be freed from the evil paths and the entanglements of karma.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Boundless Salvation (the deity who universally delivers all beings).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Dispels Calamities and Obstacles (the deity who removes disasters and hindrances).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Severs the Roots of Karma (the deity who cuts off the source of evil karma).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Numinous Penetration and Vast Reach (the deity whose marvelous power reaches everywhere without limit).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Inexhaustible Sacred Virtue (the deity whose holy and luminous virtue never runs dry).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Can Dispel Sins and Transgressions (the deity able to eliminate wrongdoing).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Delivers from Calamity and Misfortune (the deity who frees people from disaster).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Melts the Ice Court (the deity who dissolves and releases the suffering of sinners in the frozen prison).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Clears the Fire Prison (the deity who removes the torments of the fiery prison).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the deity who bestows grace and aids all beings for all time.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the deity who forever unties all entanglements and burdens.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the deity through whom anyone who prays sincerely may be delivered.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the deity who leads people to accord with the Great Dao and return to what is true.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Kongtong Precious Grotto (the deity dwelling in the precious grotto of Kongtong).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Purple-Jade Mysterious Terrace (the deity upon the purple-jade mysterious terrace).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Transforms Through the Golden City (the deity who carries out teaching and transformation in the Golden City).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Jade Hall Holding Light (the deity in the jade hall whose radiance is held within).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Quietly Removes the Myriad Evils (the deity who secretly eliminates all evil causes).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Prevents Falling into the Nine Depths (the deity who spares people from descending into the Nine Depths of the underworld).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the deity who dispels the karmic obstacles of past lives.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the deity who clears away lingering misfortunes.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the deity who eliminates calamity and gathers blessings.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Fragrant Grove Precious Throne (the deity seated on the precious throne in the Fragrant Grove).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Jade Terrace of Constant Joy (the deity dwelling peacefully on the jade terrace of constant joy).

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the deity to whom all things return in sacred radiance and power.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the deity who widely bestows mysterious and wondrous grace.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the deity who, with a single mind, watches over life, compassionate and loving of living beings.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Fragrant Grove Precious Throne, the Celestial Venerable of the Jade Terrace of Constant Joy, the Celestial Venerable to Whom All Return in Perceptive Power, the Celestial Venerable Who Widely Spreads Mysterious Grace, and the Celestial Venerable Who Cherishes Only the Love of Life.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Dharma Lamp Illuminating All Things (the deity who shines upon all beings with the light of the Dao's teachings).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable who will deliver the beings of the mortal world.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable whose power of wisdom and compassion is boundless.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable whose numinous majesty is inexhaustible.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the splendid celestial towers amid the golden light of dawn.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Mysterious Terrace of the Jade Capital (Yujing, the celestial realm of immortals in Daoism).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable who holds the nine-colored numinous tally (a ceremonial standard symbolizing sacred authority).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable who rides a chariot of seven-colored clouds.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable whose compassion is vast and whose grace is bestowed upon all.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable who discerns all beings and guides them to ascend the wondrous Dao (the Way).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable whose fragrance and light move freely and without hindrance.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable whose precious torch shines forever bright.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Supreme Sage Celestial Venerable of the Dragon City.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Most Honored Celestial Venerable of the Phoenix Towers (Fengque, celestial palace towers fashioned in the form of the phoenix).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of boundless power.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Supreme Sage Celestial Venerable of the Dragon City.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Most Honored Celestial Venerable of the Phoenix Towers.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of boundless power.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable whose light is without end.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable who can remove transgressions and faults.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable who can deliver beings and dissolve karmic bonds (the entanglements formed by past actions).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable whose sun of wisdom constantly shines back upon all beings.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable who makes the profound and subtle ways of the Dao forever secure.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable who brings people into accord with the true Dao.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Jade-Azure Heaven and the Purple Palace (the celestial residences of immortals and perfected beings).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Jade-Radiant Pure Palace.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable who rides a golden wheel and is attended by a feathered canopy as his ceremonial escort.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the cloud gate of the cavern-abode's treasures.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable who causes many wondrous realms to appear far and wide.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable whose grace moistens all spirits everywhere.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable whose majestic radiance is unfathomable.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable whose sacred virtue is vast and difficult to exhaust.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable who repents and removes karmic obstructions.

The original line "分解仇归命，威光莫测天尊" appears to be corrupted or incomplete, and its meaning is difficult to determine; later lines again praise the Celestial Venerable whose majestic radiance is unfathomable, the Celestial Venerable whose sacred virtue is difficult to exhaust, and the Celestial Venerable who repents and removes karmic obstructions.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable whose majestic radiance is unfathomable.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable whose sacred virtue is vast and difficult to exhaust.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable who repents and removes karmic obstructions.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in and petition the Heavenly Worthies: the Heavenly Worthy who dissolves hatred and reconciles grievances; the Heavenly Worthy who dwells in the golden hall of splendid purple; the Heavenly Worthy who dwells on the jade terrace of pure mystery; the Heavenly Worthy who rides a vermilion chariot of nine rays of light; the Heavenly Worthy who rides a cloud carriage of eight colors; the Heavenly Worthy who bestows vast grace; the Heavenly Worthy whose sacred power is impartial and selfless; the Heavenly Worthy who removes demonic obstructions and the traces of sin; the Heavenly Worthy who severs the roots of evil thoughts; the Heavenly Worthy who receives the merit dedicated by all the heavens; the Heavenly Worthy to whom beings of the Three Realms turn for refuge; the Heavenly Worthy who dwells in the jade temple of purple mist; the Heavenly Worthy who dwells in the golden city of azure clouds; the Heavenly Worthy of unhindered dragon majesty; the Heavenly Worthy whose lunar aspect is upright and radiant; the Heavenly Worthy who bestows a hundred blessings for all time.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Golden City of Azure Clouds, the Heavenly Worthy of Unhindered Dragon Majesty, the Heavenly Worthy of the Upright and Radiant Lunar Aspect, and the Heavenly Worthy Who Constantly Bestows a Hundred Blessings, and I petition all of them to protect and watch over us once more.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy who forever quells a thousand calamities; the Heavenly Worthy who answers prayers and grants strength to people; the Heavenly Worthy who accords with the mind's intentions and penetrates the profound mystery; the Heavenly Worthy who reveals wondrous good deeds; the Heavenly Worthy who brings about auspicious conditions; the Heavenly Worthy who transforms beings through heavenly majesty; the Heavenly Worthy who bestows wisdom, compassion, and grace in abundance; the Heavenly Worthy who dissolves accumulated resentments; the Heavenly Worthy who keeps all beings in mind; the Heavenly Worthy who causes a thousand spirits to bestow blessings and protection; the Heavenly Worthy who quells all misfortune; the Heavenly Worthy who sweeps away the evil paths to which karma leads; the Heavenly Worthy who halts the turning of the wheel of suffering and rebirth; the Heavenly Worthy who lets beings rely upon sacred power; the Heavenly Worthy who moves beings to contemplate the profound mystery and compassion; and the Heavenly Worthy of Jade Purity's Sacred Virtue.

The phrase "single-minded devotion" (zhixin guiming), repeated throughout, is a formula of reverence and petition in repentance liturgy (keyi), meaning to take refuge with undivided focus and to pray with respect. The epithets that follow "Heavenly Worthy" (Tianzun) mostly describe the deity's sacred dwelling, majestic virtue (De), and power to protect.

With single-minded sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Spiritual Might in the Golden Hall (the venerable one who manifests numinous power); I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Bestows Compassion and Aids All Beings (the venerable one who saves living beings through mercy); I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Expounds the Teaching and Delivers People (the venerable one who proclaims the doctrine and guides the world to salvation); I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Broadly Inherits the Wondrous Dao (the venerable one who widely carries on the profound Great Way); I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Cherishes Profound Compassion (the venerable one who remembers the mysterious and merciful); and I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Sacred Virtue of Jade Purity (the venerable one of sacred virtue in the realm of Jade Purity).

With single-minded sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Spiritual Might in the Golden Hall; the Celestial Venerable Who Bestows Compassion and Aids All Beings; the Celestial Venerable Who Expounds the Teaching and Delivers People; the Celestial Venerable Who Broadly Inherits the Wondrous Dao; the Celestial Venerable Who Spreads Profound Grace Widely (the venerable one who bestows mysterious and wondrous blessings far and wide); the Celestial Venerable Who Cuts Off Evil Thoughts (the venerable one who helps sever wicked intentions); the Celestial Venerable Who Cleanses the Worldly Heart (the venerable one who washes away mundane distracting thoughts); the Celestial Venerable Who Transcends the Three Karmas (the venerable one who helps beings rise above the karmic actions of body, speech, and mind); the Celestial Venerable Who Rescues and Redeems the Four Modes of Birth (the venerable one who saves beings born from the womb, from eggs, from moisture, and by transformation); the Celestial Venerable of the Supreme Dao of Upper Purity (the venerable one of the highest Great Way in the realm of Upper Purity); the Celestial Venerable, Exalted Perfected One of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) (the high-ranking Perfected One in the realm of the Taiji); the Celestial Venerable Compassionate Toward the Five Sufferings (the venerable one who mercifully relieves those afflicted by the five kinds of suffering); the Celestial Venerable Who Leads Beings Out of the Three Evil Paths (the venerable one who helps beings escape the realms of hell, hungry ghosts, and animals); the Celestial Venerable Who Responds to Vows and Transforms Through Influence (the venerable one who answers the wishes of beings and bestows transformative influence); the Celestial Venerable Who Dissolves Grievances According to Thought (the venerable one who resolves knots of resentment as they are brought to mind); the Celestial Venerable of Profound Compassion Toward the Five Sufferings, who increases benefit; the Celestial Venerable Who Leads Beings Out of the Three Evil Paths; the Celestial Venerable Who Responds to Vows and Transforms Through Influence; the Celestial Venerable Who Dissolves Grievances According to Thought; the Celestial Venerable Who Increases Profound Merit (the venerable one who augments mysterious and wondrous merit); the Celestial Venerable Who Sustains Magical Power (the venerable one who supports the power of ritual practice); the Celestial Venerable Who Extinguishes the Fire Hells (the venerable one who removes the torments of the hells of fire); the Celestial Venerable Who Melts the Ice River (the venerable one who dissolves the sufferings of the frozen river hells); the Celestial Venerable of the Supreme Dao of Great Purity (the venerable one of the highest Great Way in the realm of Great Purity); the Celestial Venerable, Exalted Sovereign of the Azure Heavens; the Celestial Venerable of the Boundless Sea of Blessings (the venerable one whose blessings and virtue are vast as the sea and without limit); the Celestial Venerable Who Spreads Compassionate Light Widely (the venerable one who bestows the illumination of mercy far and wide); the Celestial Venerable Who Keeps Beings Forever Free from Obstacles and Calamities (the venerable one who helps beings remain far from hindrances and disasters); the Celestial Venerable Who Constantly Severs Karmic Ties (the venerable one who helps beings continually cut the entanglements of karma); and the Celestial Venerable Who Repents and Removes Sins and Offenses (the venerable one who helps beings dispel their transgressions through repentance).

With single-minded devotion, I pay homage to the Celestial Venerable Who Releases Long-Standing Grievances, praying to be freed from accumulated wrongs and suffering.

With single-minded devotion, I pay homage to the Celestial Venerable Who Universally Nourishes Wondrous Fruits, praying to be broadly nourished by the fruits of good deeds.

With single-minded devotion, I pay homage to the Celestial Venerable Who Forever Departs from Obstacles and Calamities, praying to remain far from hindrance and disaster always.

With single-minded devotion, I pay homage to the Celestial Venerable Who Constantly Severs the Bonds of Karma, praying to continually cut off the causes and conditions that bring bitter fruit.

With single-minded devotion, I pay homage to the Celestial Venerable Who Repents and Removes Transgressions, praying to repent and dispel my offenses.

With single-minded devotion, I pay homage to the Celestial Venerable Who Releases Long-Standing Grievances, praying to be freed from accumulated wrongs and suffering.

With single-minded devotion, I pay homage to the Celestial Venerable Who Universally Nourishes Wondrous Fruits, praying to be broadly nourished by the fruits of good deeds.

With single-minded devotion, I pay homage to the Celestial Venerable of Abundant Blessings and Good Causes, praying to sow good causes widely and increase blessings.

With single-minded devotion, I pay homage to the Perfected of the Purple Palace Gate Who Sweeps Away Wrong and Washes Away Evil, praying to cleanse faults and wicked deeds.

With single-minded devotion, I pay homage to the Perfected of the Azure Firmament Who Extinguishes Sin and Dissolves Blame, praying to eliminate offenses and resolve culpability.

With single-minded devotion, I pay homage to the Perfected of the Crimson Garden Who Supports the Frail and Guards Against Hardship, praying for aid in weakness and protection from misfortune.

With single-minded devotion, I pay homage to the Perfected of the General's Terrace Who Averts Disaster and Quells Calamity, praying to remove harm and calm all misfortune.

Having completed these acts of homage, we bow reverently, praying for the dispelling of calamities and offering our apologies for our faults.

In my private view, taking oaths and dedicating merit both depend on reverence and sincerity. If we wish to uproot the karmic burden built up from the three poisons of greed, anger, and delusion, we must keep faithfully to a single-minded intention toward goodness. For this reason, following the teachings of Keyi (liturgy), we open our hearts and set out our faults. From this we know that sins can be averted through prayer, and hardships can be removed. We humbly ask permission to repent and make amends before Fengdu (the Daoist realm of the dead), so that the registers recording our wrongdoing may be erased. We also ask Daiyue (Mount Tai and its divine administration) to receive our prayers and strike our names from the rolls that record our faults.

The many errors committed in this life, and the harm brought on in the course of daily living, all arise from various causes and conditions; now we gather them all into this single act of repentance. With quiet minds we strike the ritual instruments and sound the melody of "Xiying," gazing from afar toward the palace of the South Pole (the dwelling place of Daoist immortals). We humbly ask Heaven to grant forgiveness, show compassion and mercy, and command the true spirits to carry down its decree. May our sins melt like ice on the day the Mysterious Bureau (the divine office in charge of transgressions) examines the registers, and may calamities scatter like mist when the Purple Palace (a dwelling of Daoist immortals) carries out its work of dispelling disaster.

Relying on the grace of the Venerable Ones, may our sincere prayers be fulfilled. And if any burden should still weigh upon body or mind, may all of it find refuge in the Dao and be washed clean. We bow our heads in homage to the Three Treasures of the Void Sovereign, the Supreme and Truly Orthodox (the Three Treasures revered in Daoism).