《太上瑶台益算宝籍延年忏》

With reverent hearts we praise the exalted titles of the Supreme Sovereign of the Jade Capital (the celestial realm) and the sacred scriptures (Jing) of the Golden Gate (the heavenly palace). By upholding these scriptures, one may preserve a long life for years to come; by paying homage to the divine powers, one may continually receive the protection of extended longevity. Thus the censer sends up its green, verdant smoke, and candlelight shines upon flames like red lotus blossoms. We chant the wondrous sounds of Lingbao and gaze up in reverence at the Supreme Sage within the Void. Then we pray for blessings from the Three Primes (the Heavenly Official, Earthly Official, and Water Official, venerated on the festivals of the upper, middle, and lower primes), and seek grace at the Eight Festivals (the four seasonal beginnings, the two equinoxes, the two solstices, and related days). In the Moon Palace, the celestial treasure bell of jade is struck softly; on the star altar, the jade chime of the Jade Pool sounds gently. The sacred sound of the Dharma is about to be proclaimed, and the Sanskrit-like chants of the immortal realm rise in answer.

We bow one hundred and fifty times, praising the sacred titles of the Celestial Worthy.

May the sound of this homage travel through ten thousand layers, reaching the lofty heavenly court as far as the Milky Way.

May the Celestial Worthy's might descend unseen, adding years to the Nine-Cycle Golden Elixir (the immortal elixir of Daoist legend); may his profound and mysterious compassion be broadly bestowed, so that people may be enrolled in the jade registers of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing: Jade Pure, Highest Pure, and Great Pure) and attain long life. With reverence we petition the August Sovereign of the Purple Palace and the Supreme Sage of the Pure Capital to grant a lifespan long and flourishing like the toon tree and the pine, and a virtue (De) as fragrant as orchid and cassia. May the divine powers hold the crimson axe, with white light covering their crowns; may the true immortals gather to bestow blessings, protecting the body with secret registers (Fulu) of longevity; may the dragon and tiger send down auspicious omens, warding off calamity with talismans (Fulu) that preserve life. May life grow as lofty as the Five Peaks, and may blessings arrive from all ten directions. With sincere hearts we take refuge and offer our homage.

With Utmost Sincerity, I Take Refuge

For each Celestial Worthy, first recite "With utmost sincerity, I take refuge," and then chant the sacred title of the Celestial Worthy.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Worthy, Supreme Lord of the Mysterious Firmament.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Worthy, Lofty Sovereign of the Taiji.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Worthy of the Golden Radiance and Purple Hall.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Worthy of the Jeweled Altar of Cinnabar.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Worthy of Vast Illumination and the Virtuous Dao.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Worthy Who Universally Delivers the Human Realm.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Worthy, Star of Blessing Who Bestows Protection.

With utmost sincerity, I take refuge in the Celestial Worthy of the Benevolent Sun Who Returns Its Light.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Nine Palaces Who Increases the Count of Years (the deity who presides over the lengthening of lifespans).

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Eight Trigrams (Bagua) Who Extends Life (the deity who presides over longevity).

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Broad Brightness, the Dao and De (Way and Virtue).

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Delivers All People in the human world.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable, Star of Fortune, Who Bestows Blessings and Protection.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Shines Down with the Light of Grace.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Nine Palaces Who Increases the Count of Years.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Eight Trigrams (Bagua) Who Extends Life.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable, Great Emperor of Pure Subtlety (Qingwei).

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable, Primal Sovereign of the Purple Culmen (Ziji).

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Floating Gauze and Emerald Sleeves.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Jewel Mountain of Dense Observation (Yucha).

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Makes Lifespans as lofty as the Five Peaks.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Makes Blessings Reach as far as the Four Seas.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Constantly Grants a Span as long as the Phoenix Calendar.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Is Able to Preserve the Tortoise's Age (longevity).

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Gathers Blessings and Virtue (De) from the Nine Heavens.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Bestows Auspicious Celebration from the Ten Directions.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Phoenix Gate of Emptiness and Nothingness.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Vast Tortoise Terrace.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Is Able to Increase a Hundred Kinds of Blessings.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Is Able to Receive a Thousand Kinds of Good Fortune.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Receives the Mandate at Mount Ting.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Phoenix Gate of Emptiness and Nothingness.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Vast Tortoise Terrace.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Is Able to Increase a Hundred Kinds of Blessings.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Is Able to Receive a Thousand Kinds of Good Fortune.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Receives the Mandate at Mount Ting.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Ascends to Perfection at Mount Song.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Whose Jade-like Brightness Illumines the Dwelling.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Rises and Floats in the Air like a Precious Torch.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Dispels Calamity through the Nine Spirits.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Prolongs Life through the Two Qi.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Sacred Virtue (De) of the Nine Pures.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Eight Effulgences, True Emptiness.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable, Star of Longevity, Whose Radiance Shines Brightly.

With utmost devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Whose Blessings are like the Sea, Clear and Serene.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Ascends Through the Ten Grotto-Heavens (the revered deity who governs the grotto-heavens of the ten directions).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Manifests in Response as the Three Sovereigns (the revered deity who appears according to need and is associated with the Three Sovereigns).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Constantly Nourishes the Myriad Good Deeds (the revered deity who ever nurtures virtuous conduct in the world).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Forever Harmonizes with the Thousand Spirits (the revered deity who is eternally in accord with the multitude of divine beings).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Attained the Dao by Honoring the Mountains (the revered deity who attained the Dao through paying homage to the sacred peaks).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Ascended to Immortality by Honoring the Trees (the revered deity who ascended to immortality through reverence for the numinous trees).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Reveals His Image in the Golden Heaven (the revered deity who manifests a sacred image in the Golden Heaven).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Sits Upright and Radiant on the Jade Throne (the revered deity who sits with dignity and clarity upon the jade seat).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Universally Receives the Sagely Transformation (the revered deity who everywhere receives the teaching of the wise and enlightened).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Spreads the True Custom Everywhere (the revered deity who causes the pure and upright customs of the Dao to circulate widely).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Mysterious and Plain Wondrous Dao (the revered deity who masters the profound, pure, and wondrous Dao).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Azure Jade Numinous Text (the revered deity associated with numinous texts as precious as azure jade).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Dwells in the Cinnabar Terrace, Increases Life Allotments, and Sits Upright and Radiant on the Jade Throne (the revered deity who resides in the Cinnabar Terrace, adds to people's allotted years, and sits with dignity upon the jade seat).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Universally Receives the Sagely Transformation, the Celestial Venerable Who Spreads the True Custom Everywhere, the Celestial Venerable of the Mysterious and Plain Wondrous Dao, the Celestial Venerable of the Azure Jade Numinous Text, and the Celestial Venerable of the Cinnabar Terrace Who Increases Life Allotments (the revered deity who adds to people's allotted years).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Precious Register Who Raises Upward (the revered deity who oversees the precious registers of the immortals and helps people ascend).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Constant Joy in the Nine Heavens (the revered deity who grants people lasting happiness in the nine heavens).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Preserves the Myriad Qi Forever (the revered deity who protects the primal Qi of all things so that it endures).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Seven-Radiance Simurgh Canopy (the revered deity who rides beneath a canopy of seven bright colors drawn by simurghs).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Nine-Colored Dragon Carriage (the revered deity who rides a dragon carriage of nine colors).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Soars to the Eight Extremities (the revered deity who flies to the farthest reaches of the eight directions of heaven and earth).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Illumines and Reflects the Ten Directions (the revered deity who observes clearly and shines upon the ten directions).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Auspicious Signs Sent Through Dreams (the revered deity who appears in dreams to reveal propitious omens).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Manifests Numinous Traces (the revered deity who reveals efficacious traces of divine presence).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Ever Extends the Realm of Longevity (the revered deity who continually lengthens people's lives).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Widely Pours Out the Wellspring of Blessings (the revered deity who bestows blessings far and wide).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Dispels Calamity and Wards Off Misfortune (the revered deity who drives away disasters and guards against ill fate).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Preserves Life and Prolongs the Years (the revered deity who protects life and extends the allotted span).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Jade Void Grotto Gate (the revered deity who guards the gate of the Jade Void Palace in the realm of the Golden Gate Towers).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Golden Flower Upper Palace (the revered deity who dwells in the Golden Flower Upper Palace).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Way of the Celestial Masters (Tianshi) of All the Heavens (the revered deity associated with the way of the Celestial Masters of the many heavens).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Revered Deity.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Jade Void Grotto Gate.

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Upper Palace of Golden Flower (the venerable deity who dwells in the Upper Palace of Golden Flower).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Way of the Myriad Heavens' Masters (the venerable deity who governs the myriad heavens and manifests the Way of the Masters).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Fathoms the Mysteries of the Three Realms (the venerable deity who penetrates the profound and subtle and is at home in all three realms).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Responsive Sanctity in the Western City (the venerable deity who resonates with the sacred realm of the Western City).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Spiritual Penetration of the Southern Pole (the venerable deity of the Southern Pole who reaches the numinous and subtle).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Accomplished Merit and Tiger-like Longevity (the venerable deity whose merit is complete and whose life is as sturdy as a tiger's).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable Whose Dao (the Way) Accords with Dragon Majesty (the venerable deity who is in harmony with the great Dao and possesses the majesty of the dragon).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Ever-Arriving Myriad Blessings (the venerable deity to whom blessings constantly come and in whom myriad blessings gather).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Secures a Thousand Years (the venerable deity who can make long life steadfast and extend it to a thousand years).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Dark Dragon's Ritual Chariot (the venerable deity who rides the ritual chariot drawn by the dark dragon).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the White Tiger and Cloud Carriage (the venerable deity who rides the white tiger and the chariot of clouds).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Luminous Moon-like Aspect (the venerable deity who manifests a radiant form like the orb of the moon).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Marvelous Radiance and Celestial Bearing (the venerable deity whose countenance displays wondrous brilliance).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Soars Through the Eight Radiances (the venerable deity who roams freely through the immortal realms of the eight directions).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Crimson Sash and Nine Blossoms (the venerable deity who wears a crimson sash and manifests the image of the nine blossoms).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Solemn Majesty and Surpassing Excellence (the venerable deity who is solemn, majestic, and supremely excellent).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Subtle Wonder and Vast Causes (the venerable deity who holds within subtle and boundless good causes).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Attained the Dao on Mount Song (the venerable deity who realized the Dao on Mount Song).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Prolongs Life on Mount Hua (the venerable deity who protects and lengthens lives at Mount Hua).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Purple Hall of a Thousand Springs (the venerable deity who dwells in the Purple Hall and whose years span a thousand springs).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Flower Forest of Seven Treasures (the venerable deity who dwells in the flower forest adorned with the seven treasures).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Golden Hall and Eternal Longevity (the venerable deity who dwells in the Golden Hall and safeguards long life).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Jade Grotto and Lasting Spring (the venerable deity who dwells in the Jade Grotto and preserves youth).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Gathers Auspicious Omens of the Myriad Spirits (the venerable deity who brings the myriad spirits together and causes propitious signs to appear).

The Celestial Venerable of the Precious Flower Forest.

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Golden Hall and Eternal Longevity.

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Jade Grotto and Lasting Spring.

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Gathers Auspicious Omens of the Myriad Spirits.

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of a Hundred Blessings and Manifest Good Fortune (the venerable deity who gathers a hundred blessings and causes auspiciousness to appear).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of a Peaceful and Flourishing Realm (the venerable deity who protects the nation and keeps it stable and at peace).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable Whose Transforming Influence Pervades Humans and Heavens (the venerable deity whose teaching nourishes both the human world and the heavens).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Supreme Power Who Answers Vows (the venerable deity who responds to prayers with the greatest power).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Fulfills the Heart's Wish According to Thought (the venerable deity who grants the heart's desires in accordance with one's devout contemplation).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Jade Palace of a Hundred Treasures (the venerable deity who dwells in the jade palace adorned with a hundred treasures).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Jade Terrace of Seven Reflections (the venerable deity of the jade terrace that reflects sevenfold radiance).

With single-minded devotion, this disciple takes refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Nine Lights and Crane Canopy (the venerable deity whose majestic image is marked by nine rays of light and a canopy of immortal cranes).

The repeated phrase "with wholehearted resolve, I entrust my life" is a formula of sincere reverence in penitential liturgy (keyi), expressing complete devotion in taking refuge in and paying homage to the Celestial Venerables.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Eight Scenes and Phoenix Carriage (the Venerable who rides a phoenix-drawn carriage and manifests eight kinds of scenes).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Mysterious Wind Widely Diffused (the Venerable whose profound Daoist influence spreads far and wide, benefiting all beings).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Sacred Virtue, Lofty and Luminous (the Venerable whose sacred De is exalted and enlightened).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Ever-Flourishing Jingyu (the Venerable whose scene of the Jingyu tree flourishes constantly).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Fulfills Every Prayer (the Venerable through whom all that is wished for is accomplished as soon as it is intended).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Protects, Steadies, and Endures (the Venerable who guards and stabilizes, and who abides for all time).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Moon Cassia Ever in Spring (the Venerable whose moon cassia stays evergreen, as though always in spring).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Supreme and Wondrous Dao (the Venerable of the highest and most subtle Great Dao).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Supreme Great Void (the Venerable who is unsurpassed and dwells in the realm of the Great Void).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Purple-Gold Immortal Realm (the Venerable within the Purple-Gold realm of the immortals).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Yellow Jade Mysterious Hall (the Venerable within the Yellow Jade Mysterious Hall).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Dragon-Achieved, Free and Unfettered Dao (the Venerable who has attained dragon-like accomplishment and freedom, and who manifests the Great Dao).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Supreme Great Void, the Celestial Venerable of the Purple-Gold Immortal Realm, the Celestial Venerable of the Yellow Jade Mysterious Hall, and the Celestial Venerable of Dragon-Achieved Freedom.

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Imperial Pavilion and Longevity (the Venerable of Longevity within the Imperial Pavilion).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of White Light and Auspicious Colors (the Venerable who manifests white radiance and auspicious, rosy clouds).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Red Axe and True Script (the Venerable in accord with the Red Axe True Script).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Widely Bestows Blessings (the Venerable who generously grants blessings and good fortune).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Ceaselessly Gathers Auspicious Omens (the Venerable who continually gathers good fortune and celebration).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Soaring Phoenix and Cloud Pavilion (the Venerable before whose cloud pavilion phoenixes soar).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Returning Dragon and Jeweled Palace Gate (the Venerable within the Returning Dragon Jeweled Palace Gate).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Jade Hall and Enduring Celebration (the Venerable of lasting auspiciousness within the Jade Hall).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of the Ever-Bright Golden Palace (the Venerable whose Golden Palace is perpetually luminous).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Perfect Penetration Beyond Fathoming (the Venerable who is perfectly harmonious and all-pervading, subtle and unfathomable).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Boundless Wisdom and Compassion (the Venerable whose wisdom and loving-kindness are without limit).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Roams the Jade Grotto (the Venerable who wanders freely in the immortal realm of the Jade Grotto).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable of Transforming Rain in Profusion (the Venerable who nurtures and transforms all things like a fine, abundant rain).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Through Whom All Receive Sagely Blessings (the Venerable who enables all beings to receive the blessings bestowed by his sagely brilliance).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable Who Forever Increases Affinities with the Dao (the Venerable who lastingly enhances the conditions for cultivating the Dao).

With single-minded sincerity and reverence, I take refuge in the Celestial Venerable, Supreme Sage of Jade Purity (the Supreme Sage Celestial Venerable within the realm of Jade Purity). Here, "with wholehearted devotion I take refuge" is the phrase used during penitential liturgy (Keyi) to express single-minded sincerity and complete reliance; the scripture repeatedly praises the names of the various Celestial Venerables, praying for blessings and long life, and for the growth of affinities with the Dao.

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of Utmost Perfection of the Golden Gate Tower (the Heavenly Worthy of Utmost Perfection who dwells in the Golden Gate Tower).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Gathers Blessings of the Nine Heavens (the Heavenly Worthy who gathers the auspicious omens of the Nine Heavens).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of Ascending Life of the Ten Grotto-Heavens (the Heavenly Worthy who presides over the ascent and generation of life in the grotto-heavens of the ten directions).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of Light Ascent of Penglai (the Heavenly Worthy who symbolizes weightless flight in the immortal realm of Penglai).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of Soaring Ascent of Kunlun and Langyuan (the Heavenly Worthy who symbolizes ascent in the immortal realms of Kunlun, the Langyuan Garden, and others).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Clear Sea of Blessings (the Heavenly Worthy whose blessings are vast and deep, and clear as the sea).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Towering Mountain of Longevity (the Heavenly Worthy whose lifespan is lofty, rising like a great mountain).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of Peace and Joy Everywhere (the Heavenly Worthy who brings people tranquility and happiness wherever they are).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of Great Peace in All Places (the Heavenly Worthy who brings stability and great peace to wherever they dwell).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Supreme Dao of Highest Clarity (the Heavenly Worthy who embodies the highest Dao within the realm of Highest Clarity).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy, Exalted Perfected One of the Void Tower (the exalted immortal who dwells in the palace towers of the void).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Golden Hall of Azure Mist (the Heavenly Worthy who dwells in the golden hall amid azure mist).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of Great Peace in All Places, the Heavenly Worthy of the Supreme Dao of Highest Clarity, the Exalted Perfected One of the Void Tower, and the Heavenly Worthy of the Golden Hall of Azure Mist. (These lines appear again in the original text.)

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Jade Pavilion of Purple Qi (the Heavenly Worthy of the jade pavilion encircled by purple Qi).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Widely Bestows Wise Transformation (the Heavenly Worthy who broadly bestows enlightened wisdom and instruction).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of Universal Heavenly Compassion (the Heavenly Worthy whose compassionate grace reaches all beings).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Brings All Hundred Blessings (the Heavenly Worthy who enables all beings to receive blessings in full measure).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of Constantly Continued Long Years (the Heavenly Worthy who allows the span of life to be prolonged).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of Accomplished Merit and Complete Depth (the Heavenly Worthy of profound merit and perfected cultivation).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Whose Dao Accords with the Mysterious Void (the Heavenly Worthy who is in harmony with the deep and subtle Dao).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Grotto Tower of Great Clarity (the Heavenly Worthy who dwells in the palace towers of the realm of Great Clarity).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Cloud Palace of the Upper Realm (the Heavenly Worthy who dwells in the cloud palace of the upper realms).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Jade Observatory of the Nine Voids (the Heavenly Worthy who dwells in the jade observatory of the void realms of the Nine Heavens).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Golden Tower of the Four Brightnesses (the Heavenly Worthy who dwells in the Golden Tower of the Four Brightnesses).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Constantly Brings Abundant Blessings (the Heavenly Worthy who causes vast blessings to descend continually).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy Who Eternally Preserves Long Life (the Heavenly Worthy who protects long life and enduring vitality).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Ever-Shining Star of Longevity (the Heavenly Worthy who keeps the Star of Longevity shining brightly, symbolizing long life).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of the Boundless Sea of Blessings (the Heavenly Worthy whose blessings are like the sea, extending without end).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of Life and Longevity of Chicheng (the Heavenly Worthy associated with the immortal realm of Chicheng and with prolonging life).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Heavenly Worthy of Immortal Attainment at Mount Hua (the Heavenly Worthy associated with the immortal realm of Mount Hua and with cultivation toward immortality).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Perfected One of the Purple Zenith, Who Lengthens Life and Increases the Allotted Years (the Perfected One of the Purple Zenith, an immortal revered in Daoism; one to whom prayers are offered for long life and an increased lifespan).

With single-minded devotion, I take refuge in the Perfected One of the Azure Firmament, Who Extends Years and Widens Blessings (the Perfected One of the Azure Firmament, an immortal revered in Daoism; one to whom prayers are offered for abundant blessings and a prolonged life).

The phrase "with utmost sincerity I take refuge" is repeated throughout, meaning to take refuge in and revere with the most sincere heart. The passage lists the titles of the Heavenly Worthies and Perfected Ones, expressing a devout wish for blessings, peace, and longevity.

With sincere heart I take refuge in the Perfected One of the Crimson Gate, Protector of Life through the Jade Talisman (an immortal who holds the jade talisman and watches over life).

With sincere heart I take refuge in the Celestial Worthy of Golden Destiny, Who Attained Immortality on Mount Hua (a Celestial Worthy whose office is to attain immortality on Mount Hua and to extend and protect lifespans).

With sincere heart I take refuge in the Perfected One of the Purple Ultimate, Giver of Long Life and Added Years (who presides over long life and increases the allotted span).

With sincere heart I take refuge in the Perfected One of the Azure Firmament, Bestower of Abundant Blessings and Extended Years (who presides over the wide granting of blessings and the lengthening of life).

With sincere heart I take refuge in the Perfected One of the Crimson Gate, Protector of Life through the Jade Talisman.

With sincere heart I take refuge in the Perfected One of the Cinnabar Empyrean, Guardian of Life through the Golden Register (who holds the golden register and watches over life).

The obeisance is complete. Having honored the divine, we now ask the spirits for blessings and give thanks.

I reverently uphold this solemn and profound faith, and I have prepared a pure and orderly rite to seek the rare and favorable conditions for a longer life, relying on the protection granted by the Way of Xuanyuan (the fundamental teaching of the Dao, the Way). Gazing up at the sacred images, I stand before the compassionate faces of the spirits. From this I know that life may be increased and that the way of the immortals may be learned. I earnestly hope the spirits will send down their grace and let auspicious signs appear, and that, through the transforming power of Heaven and Earth, they will quietly bestow their guard and protection.

Incense smoke curls upward in green, cloud-like wisps; lamplight shines bright, casting a glow like red lotuses. With these we open this solemn rite of cultivation and are able to perform the rites of homage. We strike the chime of Penghu (the legendary immortal mountain), and its sound carries across the terraces of the grotto-heavens of the immortal realm. We reverently pray that the immortals will ride the rainbow and descend to this ritual space, and that they will follow the rainbow-hued banners into this pure realm of the Dharma. May the years of the human world continue in peace and the calendar's seasons be ever renewed. And may life, in the hidden hours of the immortal realm within the gourd, be as long-lasting and firm as the spirit tortoise.

We pray that the spirits will transmit the essential formulas of the Nine Palaces and the writs of the Six Jia (the ritual formulas and documents of Daoist numerology and cultivation traditions), so that people in all four seas and eight directions may attain long life and lasting vision (to live long and to behold the world in tranquility). We bow in homage to the Emperor of Emptiness (the supreme deity revered in Daoism) and to the Supreme, Upright, and True Three Treasures (the Dao, the Jing [scriptures], and the Master).