《洞玄灵宝河图仰谢三十六天斋仪》

The purification altar is set on level ground in the shape of a square, with each side measuring three zhang and six chi. Plaques are erected outside the altar facing the ten directions. They are made and transmitted in the same way as those for the outer altar. Inside the altar, one chi from its edge, eight lamps are lit. The names of the Thirty-Two Heavens are then written in sequence: the names of the heavens in vermilion, and beneath each name its taboo name and the official bureau to which it belongs in black. Their order follows the scripture.

At the center of the altar hangs a blue banner, one zhang and six chi long, inscribed throughout with the celestial script of the Three Sovereigns, fifteen characters for each. Its staff is two zhang and four chi long and must be set straight and secured firmly. During the rite of walking the Dao, the number of lamps may be adjusted to suit the space. The arrangement recorded here may be used for offering sacrifice. When inviting the gods, six lamps are preferred; if these two details differ, follow the preceding procedure in all other respects.

Second: Offering Thanks to the Thirty-Two Heavens

After offering incense and completing the blessing, face north and chant.

We respectfully offer our lives in devotion to the Emperor Lord of Taihuang Huangzeng Heaven, one of the eight heavens of the north, and bow before him in turn. After paying homage to the eight heavens, we prostrate ourselves and knock our heads to the ground until the penitential rite is complete. In times of grave calamity, the hair should be left loose. The ritual master, however, recites the liturgical text in a low voice and need not let the hair hang loose.

We respectfully invoke the Emperor Lord of Taihuang Huangzeng Heaven, addressing him by his personal name, and then invoke, in turn, the various numinous officials of the Purple Pole Palace, continuing through the deities of the eight heavens of the north. We also respectfully invoke the northern asterisms Dongbi, Ying Shi, Wei, Xu, Xu Nü, and Qian Niu, along with the Southern Dipper, the seven asterisms of the northeast, and the emperor lords of the eight northern heavens. We beseech them to bestow their compassionate grace and grant a great pardon.

We ask the emperor lords to forgive the accumulated sins from past lives borne under the name of the mortal, and to pardon the faults and wrongs committed across generations by so-and-so’s three generations of ancestors, five forebears, and parents of seven generations. May every burden of guilt be removed through the grace of three pardons, allowing so-and-so to offer thanks to the eight emperor lords of the north, be released from offenses committed between life and death, escape calamities and punishments like a net cast across heaven and earth, gain years of life, and begin anew.

From this day forward, may blessings and merit flourish, and may public and private affairs proceed safely and smoothly. May career and studies advance, achievements be accomplished and virtue brought to fullness, the whole family rejoice, and every wish be fulfilled, through the grace of the Heavenly Emperor.

When the rite is complete, all rise together and first bow in thanks toward the east, then toward the south and west in turn. The rites in each direction follow the same procedure as before. By performing this rite regularly, one may escape the calamity of floods, become a seed of goodness that endures through the ages, and forever enjoy lasting peace and happiness.

First prohibition.

More days of preparation are needed for prayers held during the Zhongyuan Festival, one of Daoism’s Three Yuan Festivals. During this period, other affairs should be put aside, the necessary supplies prepared, and a separate ritual retreat set up. People with no role in the proceedings must be kept out, as must chickens and dogs. If any enter, this counts as a breach of taboo and must be dealt with separately; otherwise, they may cause disturbances and interrupt the retreat. The ritual offerings, cleaning, and meals should all be properly arranged, and suitable participants selected. Laypeople with no connection to the retreat may not enter. Participants should be Daoist practitioners who are loyal, trustworthy, cautious, clean, and dependable. The group should be only large enough to carry out the work; there is no need for many people. Larger groups make mistakes more likely, and illness, old age, or unexpected personal or official business may disrupt the rites. Fasting and ritual purification are difficult, so they must be observed with strict care.

Those practicing together may not leave during the retreat. Visitors and people bringing needed supplies must leave them outside the gate and may not enter. Someone inside the retreat compound should collect them and take them to another room for cleaning and handling. If someone must leave because of a life-threatening illness or an urgent personal or official matter, they may not return afterward. Even if they come back to the gate, they may only report their situation; they may not enter. Particular care must be taken to keep out chickens and dogs and prevent theft. Even close relatives, men or women, may not live in the same place as the ritual practitioners in the retreat compound.

Two: Altar and Lamps

The ritual altar should be set up on level, open, clean ground, in an area measuring twelve zhang square. Rope barriers should enclose it on all sides, with three layers of notices hung around it. The entrances and exits should be arranged according to the teacher’s instructions. The sizes of the three altars should be determined by the number of ritual practitioners and the arrangement of the rites. A quiet, open place near mountains and water is suitable.

Eighteen lamps should be placed inside the outer altar’s rope enclosure, about three chi from the barrier. They should be arranged in straight, even rows, set securely, and placed at the same height, about five chi above the ground. Each lamp should hold more than one dou of oil. Place one stick of incense in each and add oil. Set the lamps six chi apart so that their light is bright and the flames do not go out. In strong winds or heavy rain, the lamps may be moved into the main hall, which should measure two zhang square; there, the eighteen lamps should be about one chi apart. If there are not enough lamps, the number may be reduced, but arrangements should later be made to make up the shortfall. On nights when there are no lamps, the ritual procession may not be held; only morning lectures, reading, and practice may take place. Additional lamps beyond the ritual lamps, and their sizes, may be arranged according to each group’s circumstances.

At the center of the purification altar, set up a sturdy, long pole made from a large bamboo, more than one foot in circumference and forty-five feet long. Hang a blue banner, thirty-six feet long. The other arrangements beyond the ritual lamp may be adapted to the site and to practical needs in number and size.

Third: Banner Text

At the center of the purification altar, set up a sturdy, long pole made from a large bamboo, more than one foot in circumference and forty-five feet long. Hang a blue banner, thirty-six feet long, covered in the Three Sovereigns’ Writings, sacred Daoist script. Fit an iron crossbar and hooks at the top of the banner pole. Once the pole is upright, attach a rope and pulley so the banner can be raised and lowered smoothly, kept clear of wind and rain, and rolled up and unfurled securely. If the rope breaks or the pole snaps, this is considered an ill omen. Repent at once, acknowledge the fault and ask forgiveness, then remake the equipment according to the prescribed rules, ensuring it is sturdy and properly finished.

If an auspicious sign appears, such as clouds gathering or the Upper Clarity scriptures showing their efficacy, report it to the deities and offer thanks. On the evening the purification rite is established, arrange the hall and altar carefully, connecting the lamps and banners so that everything is orderly and solemn. Following the prescribed rules, write the Three Sovereigns’ Writings on plain cloth. Unfurl them across three tables, support them on both sides with zhen wood, and place ritual cloths underneath. During the ceremony, leave the writing exposed; do not cover it. Cover it only after the ritual procession is complete. When the purification rite ends, send the heavenly texts to a high place, bury the earthly texts in the altar, and cast the water texts into flowing water. Handle the accompanying written slips according to their respective categories.

Fourth: Differences in the Roles of the Ritual Officers

The six people who enter the purification altar—the ritual master, the chief lecturer (who assists the master by explaining the liturgy), the purification supervisor (who oversees the rite), the scripture attendant, the incense attendant, and the lamp attendant—follow the same procedure as described earlier. The difference is that additional personnel are assigned to the outer purification duties. When more incense and lamps are needed, appoint other ritual officers to pay respects outside the altar; they must not enter the hall. Their specific duties are to prepare incense, refine oil, and tend the flames. There should be no more than nine of them. A smaller group of capable, diligent, respectful, trustworthy people is preferable.

No one else may enter the purification altar or the hall.

The chief lecturer and purification supervisor should consult the ritual master and carefully determine whether each action is appropriate, so as to avoid mistakes. If anyone speaks incorrectly, they should first repent, perform a bowing rite of confession, and ask forgiveness. Otherwise, they will be held accountable. Everyone should therefore act with care.

Fifth: Differences in the Preliminary Gathering

At night, the assembly gathers for the communal meal. At dawn, they make obeisance and present petitions to the gods, proclaim the precepts, recite the documents, announce the official ranks, and perform the rites of investiture. They then rekindle the incense burner, chant, and withdraw; everything else follows the customary ritual. The only departure from the usual procedure is that those attending the scripture, incense, and lamps must wait in the open space directly facing the altar.

6. Similarities and Differences in the Main Purification Ritual

On the day of the main purification ritual, participants enter the altar precinct at daybreak. They rinse their mouths and offer prayers, walk in procession while chanting, practice visualization (quietly contemplating deities or images used in cultivation), bow and pray, then kindle the incense burner, dispatch the officials, offer incense, and make their petitions. All of this follows the customary ritual. The only difference is in the wording used when dispatching the officials and offering incense: after “We respectfully petition,” one adds “the Thirty-Six Heavenly Emperors and the Thirty-Six Terrestrial Sovereigns.”

Repentance Bows to the Nine Heavens in the East

We, your servants, sincerely entrust ourselves to the First Emperor of Heaven, the Heaven Without Scene, Without Color, and Without Measure. We perform two bows, then kneel and prostrate ourselves five times. After completing our confession in our hearts, we all rise together. In the event of a great calamity or serious illness, the scattered repentance rite is performed, with participants repenting separately.

With utmost sincerity, we entrust ourselves to the First Emperor of Heaven, Boundless in Form and Color, the revered celestial deity of Daoism. We bow down again, prostrate ourselves, and knock our heads five times. After sincerely completing our confession, we rise together. In the face of great calamity or serious illness, one may let one’s hair fall loose while knocking the head, without striking the cheeks.

We, your servants, respectfully report to the Most High, the True and Perfect One beyond all things, the Supreme Wuwei (non-action) Great Dao, the responsive and numinous True Essence, the First Emperor of Heaven, Boundless in Form and Color. Today, the emperor has received the subtle blessings of Heaven, inherited the good fortune of his ancestors, and shouldered the great responsibility of governing the realm and leading its countless people. His charge is as weighty as Mount Song and Mount Tai, and he looks to the virtue of Emperors Yao and Shun as his model. Since inheriting the great undertaking, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant. Now that moral conduct and custom have declined, it is difficult to revive the teachings of simplicity and sincerity. Without the Great Dao’s vast protection, how can the people live and work in peace? At times there are droughts and floods; at times the people suffer calamity and hardship. Seeing these disasters and epidemics, we bow and beseech Heaven’s protection, hoping that the foundations of the state may be secure and the people peaceful and prosperous.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn to the Great Dao and take refuge in the Emperor of Heaven, entrusting our lives and nature to the True and Perfect Way. We respectfully request that we, your servants, perform the “Great Fast of Prayer to the Three Sovereigns at the Mid-Yuan Festival,” a Daoist purification rite for invoking blessings during the Mid-Yuan season, to pray for the people. We are honest but foolish and inept, and are not capable of assisting the work of the Great Dao. Yet, having undertaken this duty, we dare not break our solemn pledge. We therefore observe the fast with care and perform the rite according to the laws of the Cavern of the Spirits (Dongshen). We establish an altar and divine seats to represent the thirty-six heavens, and burn incense and light lamps to correspond with the thirty-six earths. By these means, we dispel darkness, summon the divine beings, declare the sincerity of a certain person, and present the true document. We raise banners to seek Heaven’s mandate, open our hearts and reveal our sincerity, let our hair fall loose, confess our faults, and repent so that we may begin anew.

We humbly pray that the Emperor of Heaven will bestow vast compassion and boundless grace, granting the blessings of deliverance and the benevolence that enables one to amend one’s faults and be reborn. May Dao Qi flow freely and divine Qi be harmonized. May the numinous officials, the protective deities who serve in Daoist offices, be united and guard a certain person. May they pardon that person’s countless past and present offenses, and look kindly upon and commend the sincere repentance now being offered.

May the merit of this purification rite be dedicated to a certain person’s ancestral spirits of the Seven Temples, the Nine Mysteries and Seven Ancestors—the generations of distant forebears and kin—and all departed elders, so that they may escape the suffering of the underworld, ascend to a blessed realm, be reborn and cultivate the True Dao, and protect their living relatives with blessings. May the ancestral tombs be at peace, calamities cease, homes and residences be safe, and ominous dreams and strange portents vanish.

May Yin-Yang between Heaven and Earth be harmonious; may the sun, moon, and stars move with clarity; may wind and rain come at their proper times, and cold and warmth accord with the seasons. May the people be at peace, warfare cease, the realm enjoy peace, and adversaries submit. May a certain person recover from the particular illness afflicting them; if they face litigation or the threat of thieves, may the calamity be averted according to the circumstances. May all people escape disaster and enjoy long lives. May the royal family’s virtue flourish ever more; may calamities in the four directions dissipate, auspicious clouds gather, and the seasons remain harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings and celebration, follow the teachings of the orthodox Way, and ultimately return together to the natural Great Dao. Upon attaining the Dao, may they unite with the Emperor of Heaven and become perfected.

At the end of the ritual, the participants all rise together and pay their respects in order, continuing until the following day. Only the divine names written in red differ; all the remaining text is the same.

We, your servants, respectfully report to the Most High, the supremely true, the response and essence of the supreme, nonacting Great Dao, and to Fengti Asayuejiamoshuyunchi, the Heavenly Emperor of the Second Heaven of Formlessness and Clarity.

The present emperor has received the mysterious blessings of Heaven and inherited the lingering fortune of his forebears. He bears the weighty responsibility of governing all affairs and leading countless millions of people. He reveres the way of Yao and Shun and, since inheriting the great enterprise, has often examined himself and exercised caution. Yet the ways of the age have declined, and it is difficult to revive the simple, generous teachings. Without Heaven’s vast protection, how could the people live in peace? At times there are droughts or floods; at times the people suffer many calamities. Seeing these afflictions, we knock and beseech Heaven’s grace, hoping that the state may flourish further and the people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn toward the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the supremely true Dao. We respectfully request that we, your servants, establish the “Great Midyear Purification Rite of the Three Sovereigns” to pray for protection through a Zhaijiao ritual. Though ignorant and incapable, we cannot assist the Great Dao. Yet, because we bear this duty, we dare not violate the oath sworn upon ascending the altar, and so we carefully and devoutly follow the ritual procedures of the Dongshen Cavern. We establish an altar and divine seats to represent the thirty-six heavens; we burn incense and light lamps to represent the thirty-six earths. By these means, we dispel darkness and welcome the gods; we state the facts on behalf of a certain person, read the petition, raise banners to pray for the gift of life, open our hearts, and repent and renew ourselves.

We beseech the Heavenly Emperor to extend vast compassion, bestow boundless grace and blessings of deliverance, and grant the benevolence that allows one to reform and begin anew. May the Qi of the Dao flow freely and the spirits be in harmony; may they protect a certain person, pardon the countless sins of past and present, and recognize and commend his sincere repentance now.

May these merits be dedicated to the seven ancestral temples and the nine generations of ancestors of a certain person, as well as to all deceased relatives, so that they may escape the sufferings of the underworld, ascend to a blessed realm, be transformed into perfected beings, and protect their living kin. May the ancestral shrines and burial grounds be peaceful, calamities cease, the household be secure, and strange dreams fade away.

May Heaven and Earth be in harmony, and the movements of the sun, moon, and stars be well ordered; may wind and rain come in season, and cold and warmth accord with the proper times. May the people live in peace, warfare cease, all under Heaven be at peace, and adversaries surrender. May the illness afflicting a certain person soon be cured. If there are legal disputes, thefts, or other such matters, may he escape harm in safety; these may also be reported one by one according to the circumstances. May all people be freed from calamities and their lifespans extended; may the virtue of the imperial house grow ever greater, calamities across the Four Seas disperse, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons remain peaceful and balanced. May all living beings receive blessings and good fortune, follow the orthodox teachings, and return together to the natural way; having attained the Dao, may they unite in perfection with the Heavenly Emperor.

With reverence, we make our petition to the Most High, the Supreme True One without beginning or end—the supremely true Dao—the responsive True Essence of the supreme, non-acting Great Dao, and to the Third Lord of Heaven, the Perfect One, Yun Kui Ling Zhen Shi Zhe Yuan Tuo, of the Unalloyed Supreme Realm:

The present Emperor has received the mysterious blessings of Heaven and the inherited good fortune of his ancestors. He bears the heavy responsibility of governing all affairs and ruling over all the people. He admires the ways of Yao and Shun and, since inheriting the great undertaking, has often examined himself and remained watchful. Yet the moral climate of the age has declined, and it is difficult to revive the teachings of simplicity and sincerity. Without the hidden support of the Great Dao, how can the people live in peace and prosper? At times droughts or floods strike; at times the people endure many hardships. Seeing the many calamities, epidemics, and sufferings, we therefore beseech Heaven’s grace, hoping that the realm may be stable and flourishing and that the people may live in peace, health, and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn to the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the Perfect One. We respectfully request that the great Zhongyuan prayer fast of the Three Sovereigns be performed. Our wisdom and ability are slight, and we are not fit to assist the Great Dao. Yet, mindful that we have undertaken this duty, we dare not break our vow. With care and reverence, we perform the rites according to the Dongshen method: we establish an altar and set out the divine seats, symbolizing the thirty-six heavens; we burn incense and light lamps, corresponding to the thirty-six earths. In this way, we dispel the darkness and welcome the divine beings. We state the circumstances on behalf of a certain person and read the prayer text; we raise banners to plead for life, open our hearts, let down our hair, confess our faults, and repent so that we may begin anew.

We beseech the Heavenly Emperor to extend his compassionate grace and bestow boundless favor, granting the blessing of salvation and the kindness that allows one to amend past wrongs. May the Dao’s Qi flow freely and the spiritual officers be in harmony; may they guard a certain person in body and mind, pardon countless sins from past and present, and recognize and encourage this sincere repentance. May the merit of this fast be transferred to the spirits of a certain person’s seven ancestral temples, the nine generations of ancestors and seven generations of forebears, and all the departed, so that they may escape the sufferings of the netherworld, ascend to blessed realms, be reborn to cultivate the Dao, and also protect those who are living.

May the ancestral temples and tombs be at peace, the chain of calamity be broken, the palace and household be safe, and strange dreams fade away. May Heaven and Earth be harmonious, and the sun, moon, and five planets move in balance and shine clearly. May wind and rain come in due season, and cold and warmth accord with the seasons. May the people be at peace, warfare cease, all under Heaven be tranquil, and adversaries submit. May a certain person recover from a particular illness; if they face a lawsuit, theft, or similar trouble, may they be spared calamity, and may petitions also be made according to the circumstances. May the many disasters be dispelled and life prolonged; may the virtue of the imperial house grow ever greater, calamities in all directions vanish, auspicious clouds gather, and the seasons remain harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings, uphold the true teachings, and return together to the natural Dao. Once they attain the Dao, may they unite with the Heavenly Emperor and become Perfect Ones.

We, your ministers, respectfully address the Most High, the Utmost True One beyond all nonbeing, the Supreme Wuwei Great Dao, responsive to all beings, and the True Essence; and the Heavenly Emperor and King of the Fourth Realm, the Boundless Water Expanse of the Colored Realm, the Billionfold Net of Heavens, Awei Yibo Ruoyun Xuanzhi.

The present emperor has received profound blessings and, through the protection of his ancestors, bears the great responsibility of governing the state and leading its many people. His duty is as weighty as Mount Song and Mount Heng, and his heart looks up to the ways of Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great undertaking, the emperor has often reflected on himself and remained vigilant and self-disciplined. Yet moral conduct and customs have declined, and it is difficult to revive the simple, generous teachings. Without the broad protection of the Great Dao, how can the people live in peace and prosper? At times droughts and floods strike; at times the people suffer many hardships. Seeing these calamities, we appeal for Heaven’s grace, hoping that the foundations of the state may be secure and the people healthy and prosperous.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we dedicate our intentions to the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the Utmost True One. We respectfully request permission to establish the “Great Three Sovereigns Central Prime Petitioning Purification Rite,” a purification rite in honor of the Three Sovereigns, performed at the Central Prime festival. We are indeed dull-witted and unfit to assist in the work of the Great Dao. But burdened with our duties, we dare not betray our solemn vows, and therefore carefully and reverently conduct the rite according to the methods of the Dongshen Cavern: we set up an altar and place the divine images, symbolizing the thirty-six heavens; we burn incense and light lamps, corresponding to the thirty-six earths. By these means we dispel darkness, summon the gods, proclaim the True Writ for a certain person, raise the banners, and petition for Heaven’s mandate. We also lay bare our hearts, confess sincerely, and repent and reform.

We earnestly beseech the Heavenly Emperor to show great compassion and bestow boundless grace, granting the blessings of deliverance and the benevolence of renewal. May the Dao’s Qi flow freely and the spirit’s Qi be harmonized; may the numinous officials protect a certain person in body and mind. Pardon and forgive their countless past and present offenses, and look with compassion and approval upon their sincere repentance now.

May the merit of this purification rite be dedicated to a certain person’s ancestral spirits in the Seven Temples, their Nine Generations of Ancestors and Seven Forebears, and all their deceased kin. May they be freed from the sufferings of the netherworld, ascend to blessed realms, be reborn to cultivate the Dao, and protect the living. May ancestral temples and graves be peaceful, and calamities brought to an end; may homes be secure and strange omens in dreams disappear. May Heaven and Earth be in harmony, and the sun, moon, and stars move in clear order; may wind and rain come at their proper times, and cold and warmth accord with the seasons. May the people live in peace, warfare cease, the world be at rest, and hostile peoples submit. If a certain person is suffering from illness, may they recover; if they face litigation or theft, may they escape misfortune. May all people be delivered from calamity and enjoy longer lives; may the imperial house’s virtue flourish ever more, disasters in the four directions vanish, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal divisions be peaceful. May all beings receive blessings and good fortune, uphold the orthodox teaching together, and return to the natural Great Dao. Once they attain the Dao, may they unite with the Heavenly Emperor and become True Ones.

We respectfully report to the Most High, the Utmost True One beyond all, the responsive and numinous essence of the supreme Wuwei (non-action) Great Dao, and to the Heavenly Emperor of the Fifth Heaven of Limitless Purity, the Highest Meditation, and Boundless Life. The Heavenly Emperor’s sacred name is “Xipu Lingfa Boyi.”

The present emperor has received the mysterious blessings of Heaven and relies on the residual good fortune of his ancestors. He bears the weighty responsibility of governing all affairs and ruling over countless people, a duty as formidable as Mount Song and Mount Heng. He looks up to the virtue of Yao and Shun and, after inheriting the great enterprise, often examines himself and remains vigilant. Yet the ways of the world and its customs grow increasingly debased, and it is difficult to revive the teaching of sincerity and simplicity. Without the unseen protection of the Great Dao, how could the people live in peace and contentment? At times there are droughts and floods; at times the people suffer many hardships. Seeing the scourges of epidemic disease, we knock at Heaven’s gate and seek its grace, praying that the state may be honored and prosperous, and the people safe and well supplied.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn toward the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting our lives to the spirit of Utmost Truth. We petition to establish the “Great Central Prime Purification Rite of the Three Sovereigns,” a Zhaijiao (purification ritual) to seek protection, avert calamity, and receive blessings. Though ignorant and of limited understanding, and not fit to assist the Great Dao, we have nonetheless been entrusted with this undertaking and dare not betray our covenant. We therefore carefully purify body and mind and, in accordance with the ritual methods of the Dongshen lineage of the Three Caverns, establish a purification altar and divine seats representing the thirty-six heavens. We burn incense and light lamps to represent the thirty-six earths. These acts dispel darkness and invite the gods to descend. We submit sacred talismanic texts on behalf of a certain person, raise banners to petition for a blessing of life, disclose our intentions, and loosen our hair to confess our faults and mend our ways.

We earnestly beseech the Heavenly Emperor to extend boundless compassion, bestow inexhaustible grace, and grant the blessings of deliverance and the mercy of a new beginning. May the divine Qi flow freely and the spirit officials be in harmony, protecting the body and mind of a certain person. May his past and recent offenses all be forgiven, and may his sincere repentance at this moment be understood and commended.

May this merit be dedicated to a certain person’s ancestral spirits of the Seven Temples, the Nine Generations of Ancestors and the Seven Forebears, and all the departed, so that they may escape the suffering of the underworld, ascend to realms of blessing, leave the cycle of rebirth and attain the True, while protecting their living kin. May the ancestral tombs be at peace, the chain of calamity be broken, homes and residences be safe, and strange dreams vanish. May Yin and Yang in Heaven and Earth be in harmony, and the sun, moon, and stars move in balanced clarity. May wind and rain come in due season, and cold and warmth accord with the proper times of year. May the people be at peace, warfare cease, the world be tranquil, and those who oppose us submit.

May a certain person’s particular illness soon be cured. If he has fallen into misfortune through lawsuits, theft, or other such causes, may he be spared harm; the specific petitions may be stated according to the circumstances. May every calamity be dispelled and life prolonged. May the virtue of the imperial house flourish ever more, calamities across the Four Seas fade away, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal festivals pass in peace and harmony. May all living beings receive blessings, together uphold the teachings of the Orthodox Way, and return to their natural state. Upon attaining the Dao, may they unite in truth with the Heavenly Emperor.

We respectfully submit our petition to the Most High, the Unbounded and Utmost Perfect One; to the responsive, wondrous essence of the supreme, Wuwei Great Dao; and to the Lord Emperor of the Third Heaven, the Heaven of the Unbounded Essence, Boluomo Zhentian, Yunkui Lingzhen Shidi Yuantuo.

The present emperor has received the blessings of the mysterious and wondrous Dao and the protection of his ancestors’ merit. He now bears the weight of state affairs and governs countless people, shouldering great responsibility as he looks to the governing ways of Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great undertaking, he has often reflected on himself, remaining mindful and cautious. Yet the customs of the age have declined, and it is difficult to revive a simple and generous moral teaching. Without the Great Dao’s vast protection, how can the people live in peace and contentment? At times droughts and floods strike; at other times, many among the people suffer calamity. Seeing these disasters and epidemics, we knock and plead for Heaven’s favor, hoping that the state may be secure and prosperous, and its people healthy and well provided for.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn our merit toward the Great Dao, take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, and entrust our nature and life to the Utmost Perfect One. We respectfully invite and preside over the great purification ritual of supplication to the Three Sovereigns in the middle period of the year. Our knowledge and abilities are limited, and we cannot assist the vast work of the Dao. But mindful that we have already received an important charge, we dare not break the promise made when we entered the covenant and swore our vows. We therefore fast together and set ourselves in order, following the ritual procedures of the Cavern of the Spirits (Dongshen). We build an altar and establish its stations to represent the Thirty-Six Heavens; we burn incense and light lamps to correspond to the Thirty-Six Earths, dispelling darkness and summoning the deities.

On behalf of a certain person, we set forth the true writ, raise banners to petition Heaven’s decree, lay bare the heart, let down the hair in penitence, and resolve to amend past faults and begin anew. We earnestly ask the Lord Emperor to bestow great compassion and grace, to extend boundless favor and the blessing of deliverance, and to grant the kindness of a fresh correction and a new beginning. May the Dao’s Qi flow freely and the spirits’ Qi be in harmony. May the numinous officials protect this person, pardon all sins committed in the past and in recent times, and acknowledge and commend the sincere repentance now shown.

May the merit of this purification ritual be dedicated to this person’s ancestral spirits in the seven ancestral temples, the nine generations of forebears and seven generations of ancestors, and all the departed, so that they may together escape the sufferings of the underworld, ascend to blessed realms, be transformed into perfected beings, and protect those still living. May ancestral shrines and tombs be pure and peaceful, with calamities ended; may the household be secure, and strange signs and ominous dreams disappear.

May the Yin-Yang of Heaven and Earth be in harmony; may the sun, moon, and five planets move in balanced clarity; may wind and rain come in due season, and cold and warmth accord with the time of year. May all the people live in peace, warfare cease, all under Heaven enjoy tranquility, and foreign enemies submit. May the illness afflicting a certain person be cured at once. If this person is caught up in a lawsuit or in trouble with thieves, may they be spared its harm. May every calamity disperse and life be prolonged. May the royal house’s De grow ever more flourishing, may disasters across the four seas be dispelled, may auspicious clouds gather, and may the four seasons and eight calendrical divisions be peaceful and harmonious. May all beings receive blessings and joy, together uphold the orthodox teaching, and return to the natural Great Dao. When they attain the Dao, may they become perfected together with the Heavenly Emperor.

We, your servants, respectfully submit this petition to the Most High, the Utmost True One—supreme among the true gods—and to the responsive, true essence of the unsurpassed, Wuwei Great Dao, as well as to the Lord Emperor of the Seventh Heaven, the Upper Qi of Mysterious Clarity, the Heaven of Pure Bondage. The Lord Emperor’s sacred names are Fanmoshoubo and Nanweinasahanluo.

Today, the emperor has received the blessings of the mysterious Dao and inherited the good fortune left by his ancestors. He bears the responsibilities of government and rules over countless subjects, with duties as weighty as Mount Song and Mount Heng. He cherishes Dao and De and looks up to Emperors Yao and Shun. Since succeeding to the great undertaking, he has often examined himself and acted with care. Yet the customs of Daoists and ordinary people have declined, and it is difficult to revive an honest and generous way of teaching. Without the Great Dao’s vast protection, how could the people live and work in peace? At times droughts and floods strike; at others, the people suffer many hardships. Seeing these calamities and afflictions, we bow our heads and appeal to Heaven’s grace, hoping the state may prosper and the people live in peace and health.

Now we sincerely dedicate our prayers to the Great Dao, take refuge in the Lord Emperor of Heaven, and entrust our nature and life to the Utmost True One. We ask that your servants establish a Great Fasting Rite of Petition to the Three Sovereigns for the Mid-Yuan Festival, seeking blessings and the removal of calamities through a Zhaijiao purification ritual. Though your servants are ignorant and shallow, and are not fit to assist the Great Dao, we bear the burden of a sworn covenant. We therefore fast with care and follow the methods of the Dongshen tradition: setting up an altar and divine seats to represent the thirty-six heavens, and burning incense and lighting lamps to invoke the thirty-six earths. In this way, we seek to dispel darkness and summon the gods, present the true writings on behalf of a certain person, and raise banners to pray for his longevity. He lays bare his heart and loosens his hair to show that he seeks forgiveness, repents of his faults, and will begin anew.

We humbly pray that the Lord Emperor of Heaven will extend his compassionate grace without limit, bestow boundless blessings, and grant the mercy of deliverance and renewal. May the Great Dao open a clear path, may divine Qi and Shen come into harmony, and may the spirit officers protect a certain person. May his countless past and present offenses be pardoned; may he be shown compassion and praised for his sincere repentance at this time.

May this merit be dedicated to the ancestral spirits of a certain person’s seven ancestral temples, to his nine generations of forebears and seven generations of ancestors, and to all the departed. May they all escape the sufferings of the underworld, ascend to a blessed realm, and be reborn to cultivate themselves into perfected beings. May those still living also be protected. May the ancestral shrines and tombs be at peace, calamities cease, homes remain safe, and strange dreams fade away.

May Heaven and Earth be harmonious and at peace; may the sun, moon, and stars move in balance and shine clearly; may wind and rain arrive in season, and cold and warmth accord with the proper time of year. May the people be settled, warfare cease, the world be at peace, and those who oppose the realm surrender. May a certain person recover from his particular illness. If he is involved in a legal case, or has suffered theft or other such trouble, may he be spared the consequences; the specific requests may be stated according to the facts. May all people be freed from calamity and granted longer lives. May the royal house’s Dao and De grow ever more flourishing, calamities across the four seas vanish, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal divisions remain peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings, follow the Orthodox Teaching, and return together to the natural Dao. After attaining the Dao, may they unite with the Lord Emperor of Heaven and become perfected beings.

We, your ministers, respectfully submit this petition to the Most High, Unconditioned, and Perfectly True One—the supreme and authentic Dao—the supremely Wuwei Great Dao, whose true essence responds to all things, and to the Emperor of the Pure Heaven, Qina, of the Eighth Brahma Realm and Highest Clarity, a revered deity dwelling in that celestial realm:

The present emperor has received wondrous grace and inherited the blessings left by his ancestors. He bears the heavy responsibility of governing all affairs and ruling over countless people; his duty is as weighty as Mount Song and Mount Heng. He looks to the ways of governance of Emperors Yao and Shun and, since inheriting the imperial throne, has often examined himself and remained cautious and vigilant. Yet now morality and public customs are steadily declining, and it is difficult to revive the teachings of sincerity and honesty. Without Heaven’s vast protection, how could the people live in peace and prosper? At times droughts or floods strike; at times the people suffer many hardships. We have witnessed plagues and calamities, and so we knock at Heaven’s gate and implore its grace, hoping that the state may be stable and prosperous and the people may live in health and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn toward the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the perfectly true Dao. We ask permission to conduct the Three Sovereigns’ Midyear Great Purification Rite, offered in prayer for blessings and the dispelling of calamities. Our capacities are dull, and we are not worthy sages capable of assisting the Great Dao; yet, having accepted this responsibility, we dare not betray our covenant. We now observe purification with care and follow the ritual forms of the Dongshen Cavern. We establish an altar and arrange the divine tablets to represent the thirty-six heavens; we burn incense and light lamps to represent the thirty-six earths. In this way, we dispel darkness and welcome the deities. We lay out the facts on behalf of a certain person and raise banners to seek Heaven’s decree. We bare our hearts, let down our hair in penitence, and confess our faults, willing to reform and begin anew.

We earnestly implore the Emperor of Heaven to show great compassion, bestow boundless grace, and grant the blessings of deliverance and the mercy that allows one to repent and be reborn. May the Dao’s Qi flow freely and the spirit officials unite in harmony to protect this person. May his countless past and present offenses be pardoned, and may his sincere repentance at this moment be understood and commended.

May the merit of this purification rite be dedicated to the spirits of this person’s seven ancestral temples, his nine generations of forebears and seven generations of ancestors, and all his deceased kin. May they be freed from the suffering of the netherworld, ascend to blessed realms, be transformed into perfected beings, and protect the living. May the ancestral mausoleums and graves be at peace, with no further calamities; may homes be safe and strange dreams fade away.

May Heaven and Earth be harmonious, and may the sun, moon, and stars follow their courses in clarity. May wind and rain come in season, and cold and warmth be fitting. May the people live in peace, warfare cease, all under Heaven be at peace, and those who are hostile submit. May the particular illness afflicting this person be cured at once. If he faces legal proceedings or danger from thieves, may he be spared harm according to the circumstances. May all people escape calamity and live longer; may the imperial family’s virtue grow ever more flourishing, calamities throughout the realm disappear, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons remain harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings and good fortune, uphold the Orthodox Teachings, and return together to the natural Dao. Having attained the Dao, may they unite in perfection with the Heavenly Emperor.

We respectfully submit this prayer to the Most High, the Utmost True One beyond all things; to the responsive, wondrous essence of the Supreme, unacting Great Dao; and to the Heavenly Emperor, Lord Zeluole Fengleyu Mingsha, who presides from Suyan Heaven, the highest realm that surveys the uttermost reaches of the Ninth Heaven’s empty cavern.

The present emperor has received the mysterious grace of Heaven and inherited the blessings of those who came before him. He bears the heavy responsibility of governing all affairs and ruling over countless people. His duty weighs upon him like a high mountain, and he looks to the ways of governance practiced by Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great mandate, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant. Now both Daoist teaching and worldly customs are in decline, and it is difficult to revive the simple and generous ways of moral instruction. Without the Great Dao’s vast protection, how can the people live in peace and contentment? At times drought or flood strikes; at other times the people face all manner of hardship. Seeing these calamities, we beseech Heaven for its grace, hoping that the state may prosper and its people live in health and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we dedicate our merits to the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting our fate to the Utmost True One. We ask the officiant of this Zhaijiao purification ritual to conduct a great petitioning fast in the middle month of the year, in honor of the Three Sovereigns. We are sincere yet foolish, and are not people capable of assisting the work of the Great Dao. But mindful of the great responsibility we have already received, we dare not betray the promises made when we entered the covenant and swore our vows. Therefore, with care and reverence, we conduct this purification ritual according to the Dongshen method: we establish the altar and divine seats to represent the Thirty-Six Heavens, and burn incense and lamps in correspondence with the Thirty-Six Earths, dispelling darkness and summoning the spirits. We present the True Writings on behalf of a certain person and raise banners to pray for protection; we lay bare our hearts, loosen our hair, repent of our offenses, and begin anew.

May the Heavenly Emperor, Lord, bestow vast compassion and boundless grace, granting the blessings of deliverance and the mercy that allows one to reform. May Dao Qi flow freely and the spirits be in harmony; may he protect a certain person, pardon all past and present offenses, and recognize with compassion the sincere repentance he offers now.

May these merits be dedicated to a certain person’s seven ancestral temples, nine generations of ancestors and seven generations of forebears, and all who have passed away, so that they may escape the sufferings of the netherworld, ascend to blessed realms, be reborn to cultivate the Dao and attain true realization, and extend their blessings to the living. May the ancestral mausoleums and graves be peaceful, calamities cease, dwellings remain secure, and strange dreams fade away.

May the workings of Heaven and Earth be harmonious, and the sun, moon, and stars shine clearly and move in accord. May wind and rain come at their proper times, and cold and warmth follow the seasons. May the people be at peace, warfare cease, all under Heaven be tranquil, and adversaries submit. May a certain person’s particular illness be cured; and, if there are legal disputes, theft, or other such matters, may he be spared blame as circumstances warrant. May countless calamities be dispelled and life prolonged; may the royal family’s virtue flourish ever more, calamities in the four directions vanish, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal divisions be at peace. May all living beings receive blessings and joy, uphold the orthodox teaching, and return together to the natural order. Upon attaining the Dao, may they unite in truth with the Heavenly Emperor.

Auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal festivals remain settled and at peace. All living beings receive blessings and good fortune, follow the Orthodox Teaching together, and return to the Dao of Nature. Once they attain the Dao, they can return to the True together with the Heavenly Emperor.

(The original text has “respond” where it is read here as “the True,” in accordance with the meaning.)

When bowing and repenting toward the nine southern heavens, the disciples sincerely entrust their lives to the Lord Emperor of the Tenth Heaven, the Mysterious Brahma Jade Void, No Essence and No Net, Pure and Bright Heaven.

We, your officials, submit this petition together. With reverence, we address the Most High, the True One beyond all nonbeing; the supremely exalted, responsive and numinous essence of the Wuwei (non-action) Great Dao; and the Tenth Mysterious Brahma Jade Void, the Pure and Luminous Heavenly Emperor, Lord of the Unbounded Net of Essence—heaven’s divine emperor revered by Daoists, whose personal name is Zhou Ajiaxu, who arose in the Huaisu kalpa and took flight from Tuoluo.

The present emperor has received the blessings of the mysterious Dao and enjoys the accumulated good fortune of his forebears. He bears the weighty responsibility of attending to myriad affairs and governing countless people. His De (Virtue) and achievements are as lofty as Mount Song and Mount Heng, and his heart looks up to the way of Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great enterprise, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant in his conduct. Yet the ways of the age have declined, and it is difficult to revive the teachings of simplicity and sincerity. Without the vast protection of Heaven’s Dao, how could the people live in peace and prosper? At times they suffer droughts and floods; at others, hardship is widespread. Seeing these calamities, we beseech Heaven’s grace, hoping the state may flourish and the people enjoy peace, health, and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn toward the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the True Dao. We respectfully invite him to preside over our Three Sovereigns’ Midyear Great Purification Rite of Supplication, a Daoist purification ritual for praying for blessings, confessing transgressions, and seeking protection. Though ignorant and of limited understanding, and unfit to assist the Great Dao, we have been entrusted with this duty and dare not betray our pledge. We therefore solemnly follow the liturgical rites of the Dongshen Cavern, arranging an altar and setting out the divine seats to represent the thirty-six heavens. We burn incense and light lamps in response to the thirty-six earths. In this way, we dispel darkness and summon the spirits; present a memorial and recite a prayer on behalf of a certain person; raise banners to pray for the prolonging of life; and open our hearts in sincerity, confessing past faults and resolving to reform.

We beseech the Heavenly Emperor, Lord, to extend his compassion and bestow boundless grace, bringing down blessings and deliverance, and granting the opportunity to set one’s life aright anew. May the Great Dao convey the divine Qi (vital energy); may the numinous officials, divine attendants who guard the gods and carry out their commands, unite in protecting this person’s body and mind. May all past and present offenses be pardoned, and may his sincere repentance at this moment be recognized.

May the merit of this purification rite be dedicated to this person’s seven temple ancestors, nine generations of forebears, and all deceased relatives, so that they may escape the sufferings of the netherworld, ascend to blessed realms, be reborn to cultivate the Dao, and protect the living. May the ancestral tombs be at peace and calamities cease; may the home be secure and strange dreams fade away.

May Heaven and Earth be in harmony; may the sun, moon, and five planets follow their proper courses; may wind and rain come in due season, and cold and warmth accord with the times of year. May the people be safe, warfare cease, all beneath Heaven be at peace, and adversaries submit. May this person’s illness soon be cured. If there are legal disputes or thefts, may calamity be averted, with prayers offered according to the circumstances. May all people escape disaster and enjoy long lives; may the royal house’s Virtue flourish ever more, calamities across the four seas dissipate, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons remain peaceful and harmonious.

May all living beings receive blessings and good fortune, follow the teachings of the orthodox Way, and return together to nature. Having attained the Dao, may they unite with the Heavenly Emperor and become perfected.

We reverently address the Most High, the True Dao beyond all nothingness, and the supreme, nonacting True Essence that responds to and reaches all things. We ask that all return together to the natural state; once the Dao is attained, may all become one with the Celestial Emperor.

We reverently address the Most High, the True Dao beyond all nothingness; the True Essence responsive to the supreme, nonacting Great Dao; and the Eleventh Celestial Emperor, Lord of the Great Red Heaven above, the Profound Origin of Non-Mystery, a deity of the Daoist heavens, whose personal name is “Purity Rooted, Fulfilling the Hundredfold, Without Discord.”

The present emperor has received the mysterious grace of Heaven and inherited the blessings of his forebears. He governs all affairs and rules the people of the realm, bearing a great responsibility. He admires the virtue of Emperors Yao and Shun and, since taking up the great undertaking, has often reflected on his conduct and remained vigilant. Now moral standards and customs have declined, and it is difficult to revive the teachings of simplicity and sincerity. Without Heaven’s vast protection, how could the people live in peace and contentment? At times droughts and floods strike; at times the people suffer many hardships. Witnessing these calamities, we bow and beseech Heaven’s grace, hoping that the state may flourish and the people enjoy health and abundance.

Now we sincerely turn to the Great Dao and take refuge in the Celestial Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the True Dao. We respectfully ask the presiding deity to authorize us, your servants, to establish the Great Central Yuan Supplication Fast of the Three Sovereigns. We are foolish and of limited understanding, and are not those who assist the Great Dao in spreading its teachings. Yet, mindful of the duties we bear, we dare not violate the oath made upon ascending the altar. We therefore join in solemnly disciplining body and mind and, in accordance with the methods of the Cavern of Spirit (Dongshen), conduct the fasting rites. We establish the ritual altar and divine seats to symbolize the thirty-six heavens; we burn incense and light lamps to correspond to the thirty-six earths. Through these rites, we dispel darkness and summon the gods, present a written petition on behalf of a certain person, and raise banners to pray for the extension of life. We reveal our sincerity and loosen our hair to repent of past faults and begin anew.

We implore the Celestial Emperor to bestow great compassion, boundless grace, and the blessings of deliverance, and through benevolence allow people to reform themselves. May the Great Dao reach through the divine Qi, may the spirits be brought into harmony, and may they protect a certain person’s body, pardon all his past and present offenses, and recognize and favor the sincere contrition he now expresses.

May the merit of this fast be dedicated to a certain person’s ancestors of the Seven Ancestral Temples, the Nine Generations of Ancestors and Seven Forebears, and all deceased relatives. May they be freed from the sufferings of the netherworld, rise to realms of blessing, be transformed into perfected beings, and protect those still living. May the tombs and burial grounds of the ancestors be peaceful and pure, with calamities dispelled; may the home be safe and strange dreams vanish.

May Yin and Yang in Heaven and Earth be in harmony; may the sun, moon, and five planets move in clarity; may winds and rains arrive in due season, and cold and warmth follow their proper measure. May the people be settled, warfare cease, all under Heaven be at peace, and hostile forces submit. May a certain person recover from his illness; should there be legal disputes, theft, or other such troubles, may harm be averted as circumstances allow. May every calamity fade and life be prolonged. May the virtue of the imperial house grow ever more flourishing, calamities across the four seas disappear, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons remain harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings, uphold the Orthodox Teaching, and return together to the natural state; once the Dao is attained, may all become one with the Celestial Emperor.

We, your humble servants, respectfully address the Most High, the True One beyond all names, the supreme and nonacting Great Dao, the responsive and numinous True Essence, the Twelfth Brahmā, the Heavenly Sovereign Who Moves in Harmony with the Mysterious Primordial Qi (a revered celestial deity in Daoism, whose names are Zhou Fenruo, Yingchongdu, and Xuanjingche).

The present emperor has received the mysterious grace of Heaven and inherited the blessings and good fortune of his ancestors. He bears the grave responsibility of governing all affairs and ruling over countless millions of people. His station is lofty as Mount Song and Mount Heng, and his aspirations look toward Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great enterprise, the emperor has often examined himself and remained vigilant and cautious. Yet now moral conduct and customs have declined, and it is difficult to revive the simple, earnest teachings. Without the Great Dao’s vast protection, how could the people live in peace and prosperity? At times they suffer droughts and floods; at other times, hardship is widespread among them. Seeing these calamities and epidemics, we therefore beseech Heaven for its aid, hoping that the realm may grow more prosperous and the people enjoy health and abundance.

Now we sincerely dedicate ourselves to the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Sovereign, entrusting calamities and the people’s suffering to the True Spirit. We respectfully request that we, your servants, establish the “Great Purification Rite of Supplication to the Three Sovereigns at the Central Origin” (a Daoist ritual of purification to pray for blessings and avert calamities). Though we are dull and shallow, and lack the virtue to assist the Great Dao, having undertaken this charge, we dare not break our covenant. We now purify ourselves with care and, following the methods of the Cavern of Spirits (a category of Daoist scriptures and ritual teachings), arrange the altar and its positions to symbolize the thirty-six heavens. We burn incense and light lamps to correspond to the thirty-six earths. In this way we dispel darkness and summon the spirits. On behalf of a certain person, we proclaim the revealed texts, raise banners to pray for deliverance, lay bare our hearts, confess our failings, and resolve to repent and renew ourselves.

We beseech the Heavenly Sovereign to extend his compassionate grace, bestow boundless favor and blessings of deliverance, and grant the benevolence that makes it possible to cultivate goodness anew. May the Great Dao convey the divine Qi and bring harmony among all the spirit officers, so that they protect a certain person. May they forgive all his past and present offenses, and look with compassion and approval upon his sincere repentance now. May this merit be dedicated to the seven ancestral temples of a certain person, to his nine generations of ancestors and seven generations of forebears, and to all his departed kin, so that they may escape the sufferings of the underworld, ascend to the Hall of Blessings, and be reborn to cultivate the Dao. May they also protect those still living.

May the ancestral tombs and burial grounds be tranquil and undisturbed, with calamities dispelled. May the household be safe and peaceful, and strange dreams vanish. May Heaven and Earth be in harmony, and the movements of the sun, moon, and five planets proceed in due order. May winds and rains arrive at their appointed times, and cold and warmth accord with the seasons. May the people dwell in peace, warfare cease, all under Heaven be at peace, and those who are hostile submit. May a certain person’s particular illness be cured at once. If there are legal disputes or thefts, may calamity be averted according to the circumstances. May all people escape disaster and enjoy long life. May the imperial house’s virtue grow ever more flourishing, calamities across the four seas disappear, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal divisions be peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings and good fortune, uphold the Orthodox Teaching together, and return to the natural state. After attaining the Dao, may they unite with the Heavenly Sovereign and become True Ones.

We, your servants, respectfully address the Most High, the Utmost True, the Unbounded and Supreme One; the responsive, numinous essence of the Wuwei Great Dao (non-action, the Way); and the Thirteenth, Boundless, Highest-Emptiness Jade Bamboo, Mysterious Unity, Silent Heavenly Emperor, a celestial deity revered in Daoism. May all people uphold the orthodox Way and return to nature. Having attained the Dao, may they unite in truth with the Heavenly Emperor.

We, your servants, respectfully address the Lord Heavenly Emperor once more, and humbly ask that his honored name be invoked as “Jintuoe Asenhegen.” The present emperor has received Heaven’s grace, inherited the blessings of his forebears, and taken on the great responsibility of governing all under Heaven, ruling over countless millions of people. His charge is weighty, and he admires the virtuous governance of Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the imperial throne, he has also often reflected on his conduct, remained vigilant, and exercised careful restraint. Yet moral standards and customs are now in decline, and it is difficult to revive the teachings of simplicity and sincerity. Without Heaven’s protection, how can the people live in peace and contentment? At times droughts and floods bring disaster; at others, the people suffer many kinds of hardship. We, your servants, have witnessed plague and affliction, and so we knock and plead for Heaven’s grace, hoping that the state may flourish and the people live in health and peace.

We now turn with utmost sincerity to the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the Utmost True One. We request authorization to establish the “Great Purification Rite of Supplication to the Three Sovereigns for the Middle Origin,” a Zhaijiao rite (purification ritual) offered in supplication to the Three Sovereigns. Though we are foolish and ignorant, unfit to assist in the great work of governance, we bear in mind the oath we have sworn and dare not break it. We therefore solemnly and reverently perform the rite according to the methods of the Dongshen Cavern of the Three Caverns. We set up a purification altar and divine seats to represent the thirty-six heavens; we burn incense and light lamps to represent the thirty-six earths, dispelling darkness and summoning the spirits. We proclaim the true text of supplication on behalf of a certain person, raise banners to seek protection, lay bare our hearts and unbind our hair, sincerely confess our faults, and amend our conduct.

We humbly pray that the Lord Heavenly Emperor bestow his vast compassion and pour down boundless grace, granting the blessing of salvation and the kindness that allows one to amend past wrongs. May the Dao’s Qi flow freely, the spirits’ Qi be harmonized, and the numinous officials guard a certain person. May his countless sins, past and present, be forgiven, and may his sincere repentance at this moment receive compassion and approval. May the merit of this purification rite be transferred to a certain person’s seven ancestral temples, nine generations of forebears and seven generations of ancestors, and all the departed, so that they may leave the sufferings of the netherworld, ascend to a blessed realm, be reborn and attain perfected status, and protect the living.

May ancestral shrines and tombs be at peace and calamities disperse; may homes be secure and strange dreams cease. May Heaven and Earth be in harmony, and the sun, moon, and stars move with clear radiance. May wind and rain arrive in due season, and cold and warmth accord with the seasons. May the people be safe, hostilities cease, all under Heaven enjoy peace, and adversaries submit. May a certain person recover from a particular illness; if he faces a lawsuit or theft, may he be spared harm according to the circumstances. May every kind of disaster be dispelled and life prolonged. May the virtue and achievements of the imperial house grow ever more illustrious, disasters in the four directions be eliminated, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal divisions be peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings and good fortune, uphold the orthodox Way, and return to nature. Having attained the Dao, may they unite in truth with the Heavenly Emperor.

We humbly address the Most High Dao, supremely true and beyond all being, the supreme Wuwei Dao (non-action). May calamities across the four seas disperse, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight calendrical divisions be peaceful and harmonious. May all beings receive blessings, follow the right way, and return together to their natural state. Having attained the Dao, may we become one in truth with the Celestial Emperor.

We humbly address the responsive, true essence of the Most High Dao, supremely true and beyond all being, the supreme Wuwei Dao; and the Fourteenth Treasure, the Brahma, Formless Supreme Perfected One, Lord of the Panluo Xuanmiao Heaven—a Daoist celestial deity whose sacred name is “Sui Li Muyin, Yuan Luo Yuan Jia Mo Qian.” The present emperor has received the grace of the mystic Dao and inherited the blessings of his forebears. He bears the great responsibility of governing all affairs and ruling over countless millions of people. His burden is as heavy as a mountain, and he reveres the ways of governance practiced by Emperors Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great enterprise, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant.

Now moral conduct and customs are in decline, and it is difficult to revive the teachings of simplicity and sincerity. Without Heaven’s vast protection, how could the people live in peace and enjoy their work? At times droughts and floods strike; at times the people suffer many hardships. Witnessing these calamities, we bow and petition for Heaven’s grace, praying that the state be secure and prosperous and that the people enjoy health and abundance.

Now we sincerely turn to the Great Dao and take refuge in the Celestial Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the Most High Perfected One. We ask permission to conduct the Grand Central-Yuan Supplication Fast of the Three Sovereigns, a prayer rite of the Three Sovereigns’ fast tradition. Though ignorant and of shallow understanding, and no worthy assistants to the Great Dao, we have received its grace and dare not break the pledges made when we entered the covenant. We therefore prepare with care, setting up an altar and placing the divine seats according to the methods of the Dongshen Cavern, in symbolic correspondence with the thirty-six heavens. We burn incense and light lamps in correspondence with the thirty-six earths, dispelling darkness and inviting the gods.

On behalf of a certain person, we present the true texts and raise the banners to seek Heaven’s mandate. We reveal our hearts, lay out our repentance, confess our faults, and resolve to reform. We earnestly ask the Lord of the Celestial Emperor to show great compassion, bestow boundless grace, and grant the blessings of deliverance and the merciful favor of a chance to amend past wrongs. May the divine Qi flow freely and the spirit officials act in harmony, protecting this person in body and mind. May all past and present offenses be pardoned, and may the person’s sincere repentance now be understood and encouraged.

May this merit be transferred to this person’s seven ancestral temples, the nine generations of ancestors and seven generations of forebears, and all the departed, so that they may escape the sufferings of the underworld, ascend to blessed realms, transform themselves through cultivation and become perfected, and protect their living relatives. May ancestral mausoleums and graves be quiet and peaceful, calamities cease, homes remain secure, and strange dreams vanish.

May Yin and Yang between Heaven and Earth flow together in harmony; may the sun, moon, and stars move in clarity; may wind and rain arrive in their proper seasons, and cold and warmth accord with the time of year. May the people be peaceful, warfare cease, all under Heaven be at peace, and hostile forces submit. If this person suffers from an illness, may it be cured; if they face lawsuits or the threat of theft, may they be spared, according to the circumstances. May all people escape calamity and enjoy longer lives.

May the royal house’s moral prestige flourish ever more. May calamities across the four seas disperse, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight calendrical divisions be peaceful and harmonious. May all beings receive blessings, follow the right way, and return together to their natural state. Having attained the Dao, may we become one in truth with the Celestial Emperor.

We, your servants, respectfully address the Most High, the Inconceivably True One, the Supreme Wuwei Great Dao, responsive to invocation and endowed with true essence, as well as the Lord Emperor of Heaven of the Fifteenth Heaven, the Flying Brahma Realm of Action, the Upper Mystery of Qinnan and Blessings. The Emperor’s sacred names are Wang Weiboli and Boyini Fanbaozhen.

The present emperor has received the mysterious grace of Heaven and inherited the blessings left by his ancestors. He shoulders weighty affairs of state and governs the myriad people. His responsibility is as heavy as Mount Song and Mount Heng, and he keeps in his heart the way of Emperors Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great enterprise, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant. Now moral conduct and customs have declined, and it is difficult to revive the teachings of simplicity and sincerity. Without Heaven’s vast grace secretly sustaining them, how could the people live in peace? At times drought or flood strikes; at times the people suffer many calamities. Seeing these disasters, we knock and plead for Heaven’s grace, hoping the state may prosper and the people live in health and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn toward the Great Dao, take refuge in the Emperor of Heaven, and entrust our nature and life to the Most True. We ask to preside over the construction of the Great Purification Rite for Invoking Blessings in the Middle Origin of the Three Sovereigns, a Middle Origin blessing rite within the Three Sovereigns tradition. We are dull and shallow, not worthy sages who assist the Great Dao. Yet, mindful of the duties we bear, we dare not violate the vows sworn when we entered the covenant. Therefore, together we reverently carry out the rite according to the methods of the Cavern of Spirits: we build an altar and establish its positions to represent the Thirty-Six Heavens; we burn incense and light lamps to reach the Thirty-Six Earths, dispelling darkness and summoning the spirits. On behalf of [name], we proclaim the true writs and raise the ritual banners to petition for Heaven’s mandate; we lay bare our hearts, loosen our hair, confess our faults, and begin anew.

We humbly pray that the Emperor of Heaven will extend his compassion without limit, bestow boundless grace, and grant the blessings of deliverance and the benevolence of renewal. May he open a path for the Great Dao to reach the divine Qi, harmonize the spirit officials, and protect [name] in body and mind. May he forgive all sins committed in the past and present, and take pity on and commend the sincere repentance now offered.

May the merit of this purification rite be dedicated to [name]’s ancestors of the Seven Temples, the Nine Generations of the Mysterious Ancestors and Seven Forebears, and all deceased relatives. May they escape the sufferings of the netherworld, ascend to a blessed realm, and be reborn to cultivate and realize the True Way, while bringing blessings to the living. May the ancestral mausoleums and graves be peaceful and pure, with calamities dispelled; may homes be safe and strange dreams vanish. May the Qi of Heaven and Earth be harmonious, the sun, moon, and five planets move in due order, and wind and rain arrive at their proper times, with cold and warmth in their proper measure. May the people be settled, warfare cease, all under Heaven be at peace, and hostile forces submit. May the particular illness afflicting [name] be cured. If there are lawsuits, thefts, or other such troubles, may their consequences be averted; petitions may also be made according to each specific circumstance.

May all people escape calamity and enjoy long life. May the virtue of the imperial house grow ever more flourishing, calamities across the four seas disappear, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight calendrical divisions be peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings, uphold the orthodox teachings, and together return to the Dao of Nature. Having attained the Dao, may they unite with the Emperor of Heaven and become true beings.

We, your ministers, respectfully declare our petitions before the Most High, the Utterly True One beyond all absence, the supreme, nonacting Great Dao, whose true essence responds to prayer, and before the Heavenly Emperor Jun Zhu Li Ai Li Kui Ti Lan Bo Zhen of the Sixteenth Heaven, Lingfan Liujing, Zhongyuan Jinyi Ji Chun.

The reigning emperor has received the grace of the mysterious Dao and the blessings accumulated by his ancestors. He bears the weighty duty of governing all affairs and ruling over countless people—a responsibility as heavy as Mount Song and Mount Heng—and aspires to follow the way of Emperors Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great realm, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant. Yet the customs of Daoists and laypeople alike have declined, and it has proved difficult to revive sincere and generous instruction. Without Heaven’s vast protection, how can the people live and work in peace? At times droughts and floods strike; at times the people suffer greatly. Seeing these calamities, we bow and seek Heaven’s grace, hoping that the state may flourish and the people enjoy health and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn to the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting ourselves to the Utterly True One’s judgment. By command, we establish the Three Sovereigns’ Central Origin supplication fast, a blessing rite held during the Central Origin period. We are indeed dull and unworthy to assist the Great Dao, yet, having received favor, we dare not betray the pledge made when we entered the covenant and swore our vows. Together, therefore, we purify ourselves with utmost devotion and, in accordance with the Dongshen method, one of the Daoist scriptural systems of the Three Caverns, arrange the altar and its sacred seats to symbolize the thirty-six heavens. We burn incense and light lamps to correspond to the thirty-six earths, dispel darkness, and welcome the deities. On behalf of [name], we state and present the true writings, raise banners to petition for Heaven’s mandate, lay our hearts open, let down our hair in confession, repent of our transgressions, and resolve from this day forward to reform ourselves.

We humbly pray that the Heavenly Emperor Jun will extend boundless compassion, bestow unending grace, and grant the blessing of deliverance and the kindness of a fresh chance to reform. May the Dao’s Qi flow freely and the spirits’ Qi harmonize. May the divine officials protect [name], pardon all past and present offenses, and recognize and commend his sincere repentance at this moment.

May the merit of this rite be dedicated to the spirits of [name]’s seven ancestral temples, his nine generations of ancestors and seven forebears, and all his deceased relatives. May they all escape the torments of the underworld, ascend to blessed realms, be reborn to cultivate the Dao, and protect those still living. May the ancestral tombs be at peace, calamities be dispelled, the home be secure, and strange dreams vanish.

May Heaven and Earth be in harmony, and the sun, moon, and five planets move in clear and balanced courses. May winds and rains come in season, and cold and warmth accord with their proper times. May the people live in peace, warfare cease, all under Heaven be at peace, and adversaries submit. May [name]’s home be safe and strange dreams disappear. If [name] suffers from illness, may he recover; if he faces lawsuits or danger from thieves, may he be spared harm. Let any other petitions be presented according to the circumstances. May all be freed from calamity and granted longer life; may the royal house’s Virtue grow ever more flourishing, calamities across the Four Seas fade away, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight calendrical divisions be peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings, follow the Orthodox Teaching, and return together to the natural way. Once they attain the Dao, may they unite in truth with the Heavenly Emperor.

With reverence, we submit this petition to the Utmost High, the Supreme True One of Nonbeing, to the responsive and true essence of the supreme, Wuwei (non-action) Great Dao (the Way), and to the Heavenly Emperor of the Seventeenth Heaven—the Heaven of Mysterious Height, Utmost Cavern, Boundless Cliff, and Untroubled Joy—Ninghuo Shicong Namoyuanchen.

The present emperor, favored by the grace of the Mysterious, draws on the blessings left by his forebears. He bears the great responsibility of managing countless affairs and governing millions of people, a burden as weighty as Mount Song and Mount Heng. He looks up to the ways of Yao and Shun, and since inheriting the great enterprise, has often examined himself and remained mindful of danger. Today, moral conduct and customs have declined, and it is difficult to revive the teaching of sincerity and simplicity. Without Heaven’s vast protection, how could the people live in peace and prosper? At times there are droughts and floods; at times the people suffer many calamities. Seeing these plagues and disasters, we bow and appeal for Heaven’s grace, hoping that the state may flourish and the people enjoy abundance, health, and peace.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn toward the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the Utmost True One. We respectfully invite the officiant of this purification retreat to establish the Great Central Primordial prayer retreat of the Three Sovereigns, a Daoist purification and supplication ritual for invoking blessings and dispelling calamities. Our wisdom and ability are limited; we are not fit to assist in the work of the Great Dao. Yet, having accepted this grave responsibility, we dare not betray the pledge we made when we entered the covenant and swore our vows. Therefore, with reverence and solemn care, we follow the rites of the Dongshen lineage: we establish an altar and set out the divine seats, symbolizing the Thirty-Six Heavens; we burn incense and light lamps, responding to the Thirty-Six Earths. Through this, we dispel darkness and welcome the gods. We proclaim a prayer petition on behalf of a certain person, raise banners to make supplication, reveal our hearts, offer confession, and acknowledge and amend our faults.

We humbly pray that the Heavenly Emperor bestow vast compassion and boundless grace, granting the blessing of deliverance and the kindness that enables one to reform. May the Great Dao convey divine Qi (vital energy), and may the spirit officials unite in harmony to protect a certain person. May they pardon all sins, past and present, and show understanding and encouragement toward his sincere resolve to repent from this day onward.

May this merit be dedicated to the ancestral spirits of a certain person’s seven ancestral temples, to the nine generations of ancestors and seven generations of forebears, and to all the deceased, so that they may escape the sufferings of the underworld, ascend to blessed realms, be reborn to cultivate the Dao, and send blessings to the living. May the ancestral temples, mausoleums, and graves be peaceful and pure, with calamities dispelled; may the family home be safe, and strange dreams vanish.

May Heaven and Earth join in harmony; may the sun, moon, and stars follow their courses in peace; may wind and rain arrive in season, and cold and warmth accord with their proper times. May the people be at peace, warfare cease, all under Heaven enjoy peace, and adversaries submit. May a certain person recover from illness. If there are legal disputes or thefts, may calamity be averted as circumstances permit. May all disasters vanish and life be prolonged; may the emperor’s virtue grow ever more flourishing, calamities in the four directions be dispelled, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal divisions be peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings and happiness, follow the orthodox teaching together, and return to the natural way. When they attain the Dao, may they unite in truth with the Heavenly Emperor.

May we, your ministers, jointly declare to the Most High, the Utmost True One beyond all being—the supreme divine being revered by Daoism—and to the supreme, nonacting Great Dao, and to all living beings: may all receive blessings and joy, honor the orthodox teaching, and return together to nature. Once they attain the Dao, may they unite with the Heavenly Emperor in the True Dao.

May we, your ministers, jointly declare this to the responsive, true essence of the Most High, the Utmost True One, and of the supreme, nonacting Great Dao; to Qin, the Dark Azure Primordial Essence of the Great Brahma Heaven, the Eighteenth Heaven; and to Lord A Mingxiu, the Heavenly Emperor of the Nearby Realm. Now the emperor, favored by mysterious grace and relying on blessings accumulated in the past, bears the affairs of state and rules over countless millions of people. His responsibility is as weighty as Mount Song and Mount Heng, and his heart aspires to the virtuous governance of Emperors Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the imperial charge, he has often reflected on himself and remained watchful and apprehensive. Now moral teaching has waned, and it is difficult to revive the customs of simplicity and sincerity. Without the Great Dao’s broad protection, how could the people live and work in peace? At times droughts and floods strike; at times the people endure great hardship. Seeing these calamities and afflictions, we beseech Heaven’s grace, hoping the nation’s standing will be secure and honored, and the people healthy and prosperous.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn our merits toward the Great Dao, take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrust our nature and life to the Utmost True One, and respectfully invite the presiding deity to establish the Great Purification Rite of Petition for Blessings of the Three Sovereigns, held in the Middle Origin period. We are dull and ignorant, and are not fit to assist the Great Dao or support its teachings. Yet, having accepted this weighty charge, we dare not betray the pledge we made when we entered the covenant and swore our vows. Therefore, with care and solemnity, we follow the methods of the Dongshen Cavern to establish the ritual altar and arrange the divine seats, symbolizing the Thirty-Six Heavens. We burn incense and light lamps to respond to the Thirty-Six Heavens and Thirty-Six Earths. By these means we dispel darkness and welcome the gods; we proclaim the sacred, true texts to the emperor, raise banners in petition for Heaven’s mandate, open our hearts, let down our hair, and lay out our pleas, confessing our faults, giving thanks, and resolving to reform.

We humbly pray that the Lord Heavenly Emperor will bestow vast compassion, grant boundless grace and the blessings of deliverance, and in his benevolence enable people to reform themselves. May the Dao’s Qi flow freely, the spirits’ Qi be harmonized, and the divine officials guard the emperor in body and mind. May countless sins, past and present, be pardoned, and may his sincere repentance at this moment be commended. May the merit of this rite be dedicated to the ancestors of the emperor’s ancestral temples, to the Nine Distant Generations and Seven Forebears—the ancestors of successive generations—and to all the dead, so that they may escape the sufferings of the netherworld, ascend to blessed realms, be reborn and cultivate the True Dao, and protect those still living. May the imperial tombs, ancestral temples, and graves be peaceful; may calamities cease, palaces and dwellings be safe, and strange dreams vanish.

May Heaven and Earth be harmonious and in accord; may the sun, moon, and five planets move in clarity; may wind and rain come in their proper seasons, and cold and warmth accord with the calendar. May all the people live in peace, warfare cease, all under Heaven be at peace, and those who stand opposed submit. If anyone is suffering from illness, may their pain and sickness be healed. If anyone faces trouble from lawsuits, thieves, or other dangers, may they be spared fault and calamity and receive the help they seek. May all disasters vanish and lifespans grow longer; may the imperial house’s virtue flourish ever more, calamities in the four directions be dispelled, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal divisions be peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings, honor the orthodox teaching, and return together to nature. Once they attain the Dao, may they unite with the Heavenly Emperor in the True Dao.

Turn westward and bow in repentance toward the Ninth Heaven.

We sincerely entrust ourselves to the Nineteenth Rank, Brahmā Purple Void, Upper Primordial, First-Bearing Swift-Seeing Celestial Emperor.

We, so-and-so and the others, respectfully address the Supreme, Unborn, Most Perfect One; the unsurpassed, Wuwei (non-action) Great Dao responding to all beings with its true essence; and the Nineteenth Rank, Brahmā Purple Void, Upper Primordial, First-Bearing Swift-Seeing Celestial Emperor. The Celestial Emperor’s personal names are Liu Danshan and Tilu Yutou Ahe.

The present emperor has received the wondrous blessings of the Dark Mystery and the inherited good fortune of his ancestors. He bears the weighty responsibility of governing all affairs and ruling over countless millions of people. His charge is as heavy as Mount Song and Mount Heng, and he aspires to the virtuous governance of Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great enterprise, he has often examined himself and exercised careful restraint. Yet now morality and instruction have declined, and it is hard to restore the customs of ancient simplicity. The people receive no protection from Heaven and cannot live and work in peace. At times droughts and floods strike; at times calamities befall the people in great number. Witnessing these disasters, we knock and plead for Heaven’s grace, hoping the nation will be secure and prosperous and the people healthy and well provided for.

We now sincerely dedicate ourselves to the Great Dao, take refuge in the Celestial Emperor, and commit ourselves to the Most Perfect Way. We request permission to hold the Great Purification Rite of Petition to the Three Sovereigns in the middle period of the year. Though ignorant and inadequate, and unfit to assist in the work of the Great Dao, we have been entrusted with this duty and dare not break our oath. Together, therefore, we carefully observe purification and perform the rites according to the Dongshen method: we set up an altar and divine seats to represent the Thirty-Six Heavens, and burn incense and light lamps to represent the Thirty-Six Earths. By these means we dispel darkness and welcome the spirits; we present truthful documents on behalf of so-and-so, raise banners to petition Heaven, lay bare our thoughts, repent with sincerity, and reform our conduct.

We beseech the Celestial Emperor to extend his compassion widely and bestow boundless grace, granting the blessing of salvation and the mercy of a renewed chance to reform. May the Great Dao open a passage for the spirits and Qi, bringing harmony among the various divine officials. May they protect so-and-so, forgive his countless past and present offenses, and look kindly upon and commend his sincere repentance at this moment. May the merit of this purification rite be dedicated to the spirits of so-and-so’s family temples, the Nine Generations of Ancestors and Seven Forebears, and all the departed, so they may leave the suffering of the underworld, ascend to a blessed realm, transform body and spirit and attain perfection, and protect those still living.

May the ancestral mausoleums and graves be at peace and calamities be dispelled; may palaces and homes remain secure and strange dreams fade away. May Heaven and Earth be harmonious, and the sun, moon, and stars move in clear order; may wind and rain come in season, and cold and warmth accord with their proper measure. May the people be at peace, wars cease, all under Heaven be tranquil, and foreign enemies submit. May the illness suffered by so-and-so be cured; if there are legal disputes, thefts, or other such troubles, may blame and calamity be averted. May all people escape misfortune and enjoy long life; may the royal house’s virtue grow ever more flourishing, calamities across the Four Seas vanish, auspicious clouds gather, and the seasons remain harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings and good fortune, uphold the orthodox teachings, and return together to the natural Dao. Once we attain the Dao, may we become one with the Celestial Emperor in perfection.

We, your servants, respectfully report to the Great High One, the supremely true One beyond all nonbeing, and to the responsive, true essence of the Supreme Wuwei Great Dao (the Way), as well as to the Heavenly Emperor Peng Yina of the Twentieth Heaven, the Void Brahma Heaven of Shangqing’s Transformative Spirit, the Heaven of Suddha and Boundless Love, and to the True One of the Nether Ford, Wei Guangna.

The present emperor has received the profound grace of Heaven and inherited the blessings accumulated by his forebears. He occupies himself with the affairs of state, governs countless millions of people, and bears a responsibility as weighty as mountains. He admires the ways of Yao and Shun and, since inheriting the imperial succession, has often examined himself and exercised careful restraint. Yet virtue and customs are now in decline, and it is difficult to revive the people’s simple, generous way of life. Without Heaven’s vast protection, how can the people live in peace and contentment? At times droughts and floods bring disaster; at others, the people suffer many hardships. Seeing these calamities, epidemics, and troubles, we bow down and implore Heaven’s grace, hoping that the foundations of the state may be secure and the people healthy and prosperous.

We now sincerely turn toward the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the True One. We respectfully ask leave to establish the Three Sovereigns’ Central Primordial Great Fast, a Zhaijiao rite of prayer for protection and the removal of calamity and misfortune. We are ignorant and unenlightened, and are not fit to assist the Great Dao. But bound by our covenant, we dare not break faith. We therefore fast with care and follow the ritual procedures of the Cavern of the Spirits (Dongshen). We set up an altar and divine seats to represent the thirty-six heavens; we burn incense and light lamps to represent the thirty-six earths, dispelling darkness and summoning the gods. On behalf of a certain person, we present the true writ and raise the banners, praying for Heaven’s protection. We reveal our sincerity and loosen our hair, expressing through ritual our remorse and our resolve to reform.

We earnestly ask the Heavenly Emperor to show great compassion, bestow boundless grace, and grant the blessing of salvation and the generous opportunity to do good anew. May the Great Dao bring the divine Qi into harmony and unite the spirit officials to protect a certain person in body and mind. May all past and present offenses be forgiven, and may the person’s sincere repentance at this moment be understood and encouraged.

May the merit of this fast be dedicated to a certain person’s seven ancestral temples, nine generations of ancestors, and all deceased kin, so that they may escape the sufferings of the netherworld, ascend to blessed realms, be reborn and attain the Dao, and protect their living relatives. May the ancestral tombs and burial grounds be at peace, the chain of calamity be broken, the home be safe, and strange dreams fade away.

May Heaven and Earth be in harmony, and the sun, moon, and stars move in clear order. May winds and rains come at the proper times, and cold and warmth follow their due seasons. May all the people live in peace, warfare cease, the world be at peace, and hostile forces submit. May a certain person’s particular illness be cured; if the matter concerns a lawsuit or theft, may the person be cleared of fault and freed from danger. May everyone escape calamity and live longer. May the imperial house’s virtue flourish ever more; may disasters in all directions disperse, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal divisions remain stable and harmonious.

May all beings receive blessings, follow the orthodox teaching, and return together to the natural Great Dao. Upon attaining the Dao, may they unite with the Heavenly Emperor and become true.

We respectfully present this petition to the Most High, the Nonexistent and Supreme Perfect One; to the responsive, numinous essence of the supreme Wuwei (non-action) Dao; and to the Heavenly Emperor Lord of the twenty-first heaven, “The Heaven of Supreme Limit, No Image, Subtle Transformation, and Responsive Sound.” His taboo name is Hui; his rank is that of a noble of the Yu order, and he governs peace and harmony in the world.

The present emperor has received the mysterious blessings of Heaven and enjoys the inherited good fortune of his ancestors. He bears the weight of governing countless affairs and rules over hundreds of millions of people. His responsibilities are as heavy as Mount Song and Mount Heng, and his heart looks up to the way of Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great undertaking, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant. Yet virtue and customs have steadily declined, and it has been difficult to revive the teachings of simplicity and sincerity. Without the protection of the Great Dao, how can the people live in peace? At times droughts and floods strike; at others, the people endure hardship. Seeing these calamities, we knock and beseech Heaven’s grace, hoping that the state may be secure and prosperous, and the people healthy and provided for. Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn our hearts toward the Great Dao and seek Heaven’s protection. We entrust ourselves to the Way of Perfect Truth and respectfully invite the officiants of the purification rites to establish the “Great Zhaijiao (purification ritual) of Supplication to the Three Sovereigns at the Mid-Yuan Festival,” a rite of supplication held by Daoists during the Mid-Yuan season.

We are sincere but foolish and dull, unfit to assist in the work of the Great Dao. Yet we have received favor and kindness, and have truly failed to honor our vows. Now, with care and reverence, we follow the ritual procedures of the Dongshen Cavern, setting up an altar and divine seats to represent the thirty-six heavens. We burn incense and lamps to correspond to the thirty-six earths. May darkness be dispelled and the spirits be summoned. On behalf of a certain person, may the true writing be presented; may banners be raised to petition Heaven’s mandate. May this person lay bare their heart and unbind their hair, thereby confessing their offenses and repenting, and beginning anew.

We humbly pray that the Heavenly Emperor Lord extend his abundant compassion, bestow boundless grace, grant the blessing of deliverance, and show mercy by allowing this person to amend their ways. May Dao Qi flow freely, and may the spirit officials be in harmony as they protect this person. May they pardon the countless sins of past and present, and look with understanding and favor upon this person’s sincere repentance today. May the merit of this purification rite be dedicated to the spirits of this person’s seven ancestral temples, their nine generations of ancestors and seven generations of forebears, and all the departed, so that they may escape the suffering of the netherworld, ascend to halls of blessedness, be reborn to cultivate the Dao, and protect those still living. May tombs and burial grounds be peaceful, calamities dispelled, residences secure, and strange dreams cease.

May Heaven and Earth be in harmony. May the Seven Luminaries—the Sun, Moon, and five planets of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—move in balanced brightness. May winds and rains come in season, and cold and warmth accord with the proper times of year. May all the people live in peace, warfare cease, and the realm be at peace; may those who oppose the state submit. May a certain person’s particular illness be healed at once. If there are legal disputes or trouble from thieves, may this rite also avert calamity, with prayers adapted to the circumstances. May all people escape disaster and enjoy long life. May the virtue of the imperial house flourish ever more, calamities across the four quarters vanish, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal markers be peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings and good fortune, uphold the orthodox teachings, and return together to the natural Great Dao. Once they attain the Dao, may they unite with the Heavenly Emperor and become perfected.

We, your servants, respectfully submit this petition to the Most High, the Utmost True, who is beyond all absence; to the responsive, numinous essence of the supreme Wuwei (non-action) Great Dao (the Way); and to the Virtuous Celestial Emperor of the Second-Twenty-Second Great Brahma, the Nine Mysteries, and the Central Primordial Qi—the Celestial Emperor revered in Daoism—whose secret name is “Jian Ni Gou Yin Ye Bao Kai Yuan Sha.”

The present emperor has received the blessings of the mysterious Dao and inherited the lingering good fortune of his ancestors. He bears the weighty charge of governing all affairs and ruling over countless people. His duty is as great as Mount Song and Mount Heng, and his heart looks up to the virtue of Yao and Shun. Since succeeding to the great undertaking, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant. Yet now the customs of the age have declined, and it is difficult to revive the ways of sincerity and kindness. Without Heaven’s vast protection, how can the people live in peace and contentment? At times they suffer droughts and floods; at others, they endure many hardships. We have witnessed calamities and pestilence, and so we knock upon Heaven’s gate and plead for its grace, hoping that the state will be more secure and the people healthy and prosperous.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn toward the Great Dao and take refuge in the Celestial Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the Utmost True Dao. We request the establishment of an altar and the performance of the “Great Central Origin Purification Rite of Prayer of the Three Sovereigns,” a Zhaijiao (purification ritual) performed during the Ghost Festival season to pray for blessings and avert calamity. Our wisdom is shallow, and we are not people capable of assisting the Great Dao and accomplishing a grand undertaking. Yet, having received this heavy responsibility, we dare not break our pledge. We now carefully prepare the rites in accordance with the laws of the Cavern of the Spirits, building the altar and arranging its stations to represent the Thirty-Six Heavens. We burn incense and light lamps to correspond to the Thirty-Six Earths, thereby dispelling darkness and welcoming the spirits. On behalf of a certain person, we present sacred documents and raise banners to pray for Heaven’s mandate. We bare our hearts, let down our hair, confess our offenses to the Celestial Emperor, and resolve to amend our ways.

We beseech the Celestial Emperor to bestow compassionate grace and boundless favor, granting the blessings of deliverance and the kindness that enables one to cultivate goodness anew. May the Qi of the Dao flow freely, and may the numinous officers work in harmony to protect a certain person. May his countless past and present offenses all be forgiven, and may he be shown compassion and encouraged in his sincere repentance now. May this merit be dedicated to that person’s ancestral temples and forebears, his Nine Mysteries and Seven Ancestors, and all deceased relatives, so that they may escape the torments of the netherworld, ascend to realms of blessing, be reborn to cultivate the Dao and attain realization, and protect those still living.

May the ancestral shrines, mausoleums, and graves be peaceful; may calamities cease, homes remain safe, and strange dreams and omens fade away. May Yin-Yang between Heaven and Earth be harmonious; may the sun, moon, and stars follow their courses in clarity; may wind and rain arrive in due season, and cold and warmth accord with the time of year. May the people be settled, warfare end, the whole realm be at peace, and those who oppose us submit. May a certain person’s particular illness be healed at once. If he faces lawsuits or the danger of thieves, may he escape these troubles as well; the particulars will be presented as each circumstance requires. May all people be freed from calamity and granted longer lives; may the royal family’s virtue flourish ever more; may disasters across the four seas be eliminated, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons remain harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings, uphold the Orthodox Teaching together, and return to the natural state. After attaining the Dao, may we unite with the Celestial Emperor and become perfected beings.

With reverence, we petition the Most High, the Utmost True One beyond all things, and the supreme, radiant One beyond the sun: may calamities throughout the Four Seas disperse, may clouds of auspicious Qi gather, and may the four seasons and eight seasonal festivals be peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings, follow the Correct Way together, and return to nature. Once we have attained the Dao, may we unite in truth with the Celestial Emperor.

With reverence, we petition the Utmost True One beyond all things, the supreme, responsive True Essence of the Great Dao of Wuwei, and the Lord Celestial Emperor of the Twenty-Third Rank, Brahma-Origin, Clear, Lower Spirit Qi, who must reach the heavens. He is a revered Daoist deity, named Zhou Nanshou and bearing the ritual title Guangliang Liangguo.

The present emperor has received the wondrous grace of the Dao and the blessings of his forebears. He bears the heavy responsibility of governing the realm and ruling over countless millions of people. His duty is great, and his aspirations look to Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great enterprise, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant. Now, virtue and the customs of the world are in decline, and it is difficult to revive the simple, generous teachings. Without the hidden aid of the Way of Heaven and its widespread protection, how could the people live in peace and prosperity? At times droughts and floods bring calamity; at times the people suffer many hardships. Seeing these disasters, we bow and beseech Heaven’s grace, praying that the state may flourish for generations and the people enjoy health and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn toward the Great Dao and take refuge in the Celestial Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the Utmost True One. We respectfully invite him to preside over the great Sanhuang Zhongyuan supplication and purification rite, established to pray for blessings and avert calamity. We are dull and unlearned, and are not truly fit to assist the Great Dao. Yet, mindful of the favor we have received, we dare not break our pledge. Therefore, with care and solemnity, we follow the ritual procedures of the Dongshen Cavern: we set up altars and divine seats representing the Thirty-Six Heavens, and burn incense and light lamps corresponding to the Thirty-Six Earths, thereby dispelling darkness and summoning the spirits. On behalf of a certain person, we present a truthful petition, raise banners to beg for rescue and protection, lay bare our sincerity, confess our faults, and begin anew.

May the Lord Celestial Emperor bestow his compassionate grace and boundless blessings, granting the blessing of deliverance and the benevolence that enables renewal and correction. May the Qi of the Dao flow freely and the spirits unite in harmony; may he protect a certain person, pardon the countless sins of past and present, and take compassion on and commend that person’s sincere repentance.

May this merit be dedicated to the ancestral spirits of a certain person’s seven ancestral temples, the nine generations of ancestors and seven forebears, and all deceased relatives. May they escape the sufferings of the netherworld, ascend to blessed realms, transform themselves through cultivation and attain true realization, and protect those still living. May ancestral mausoleums and graves be peaceful and pure, with calamities brought to an end; may homes be secure and strange dreams cease. May Heaven and Earth be in harmony, and the movements of the sun, moon, and stars be orderly; may wind and rain come in season, and cold and warmth accord with the time of year. May the people be safe, warfare cease, all under Heaven be at peace, and those who oppose us submit.

May the particular illness afflicting a certain person be healed at once. If legal disputes or theft are involved, may that person also be spared fault and calamity; the specific circumstances may be stated separately. May the many calamities be dispelled and life extended. May the virtue of the imperial house grow ever more flourishing; may calamities throughout the Four Seas disperse, clouds of auspicious Qi gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal festivals be peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings, follow the Correct Way together, and return to nature. Once we have attained the Dao, may we unite in truth with the Celestial Emperor.

We, your subjects, respectfully submit this petition to the Supreme One, the Utmost True (the highest and most exalted divine being), to the Utmost Wuwei (non-action) Great Dao, the responsive True Essence, and to the Heavenly Lord of the Twenty-Fourth Brahma Heaven, Subtle Cavern, Ninefold Numinous Qi, Xudai Anatu (the heavenly ruler who dwells in the corresponding celestial realm). The Heavenly Lord’s sacred names are Zhu Minghe, Bomi Li, and Tijia Kehe.

The present emperor, blessed by profound and wondrous grace and drawing on the residual blessings of his ancestors, bears the heavy responsibility of governing the realm and ruling over countless millions of people. His charge is as weighty as Mount Song and Mount Heng, and his heart looks up to the ways in which Yao and Shun governed. Since inheriting the great enterprise, the emperor has often examined himself and remained vigilant. Yet now moral conduct and social customs have declined, and it is difficult to revive the teachings of simplicity and sincerity. Without Heaven’s vast protection, how can the people live in peace and prosperity? At times droughts and floods strike; at other times the people suffer many hardships. Seeing these calamities, we beseech Heaven’s grace, hoping that the realm may flourish and the people enjoy peace, health, and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn toward the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Lord, entrusting our nature and life to the True and Perfect Spirit. We request that the Great Purification Rite of Supplication for the Three Sovereigns on the fifteenth day of the seventh month be performed. We are ignorant and limited, and unworthy to undertake the weighty task of assisting the Great Dao; we do so only because we are bound by a solemn covenant and dare not violate it. Together, with reverence and solemnity, we establish the altar and arrange the sacred seats according to the liturgical procedures of the Cavern of the Spirits, symbolizing the Thirty-Six Heavens. We burn incense and lamps in correspondence with the Thirty-Six Earths. May darkness be dispelled and the spirits summoned. On behalf of a certain person, may the True Writs be displayed and the banners raised in prayer for Heaven’s mandate; may this person reveal a sincere heart, confess past faults, and reform.

We humbly pray that the Heavenly Lord extend great compassion, bestow boundless grace, and grant the blessings of deliverance and the mercy of renewal through repentance. May Dao Qi flow freely and the Numinous Officials be in harmony. Protect a certain person, pardon their innumerable past and present offenses, and look with favor upon their sincere repentance at this time.

May the merit of this purification rite be dedicated to a certain person’s ancestors of the Seven Ancestral Temples, the Nine Generations of Ancestral Spirits and Seven Generations of Forebears, and all departed relatives. May they all escape the sufferings of the netherworld, ascend to blessed realms, be reborn to cultivate the True Way, and protect the living. May the ancestral shrines and graves be at peace, calamities come to an end, the family home be secure, and strange dreams vanish. May Heaven and Earth be in harmony; may the sun, moon, and stars move with clarity; may wind and rain arrive in season, and cold and warmth accord with the proper times of year. May the people live in peace, warfare cease, all under Heaven enjoy tranquility, and foreign enemies submit. May a certain person recover from the particular illness they suffer. If legal disputes or theft are involved, may misfortune be averted; the specific circumstances may be stated according to the actual petition.

May the many calamities disappear and life be prolonged. May the royal house’s virtue grow ever more flourishing, disasters in the four directions be dispelled, auspicious clouds gather, and the seasons remain harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings, uphold the Orthodox Teaching together, and return as one to the natural Great Dao. After attaining the Dao, may they unite in truth with the Heavenly Lord.

We reverently submit our petition to the Supreme One, the Utmost True One of Nonbeing, and to the responsive, numinous essence of the supreme, nonacting Great Dao; we also pray to the august deity who, after the Nameless Ultimate Dao of the Twenty-Fifth Heaven, has joined in truth with the Celestial Emperor.

We reverently submit our petition to the Supreme One, the Utmost True One of Nonbeing, and to the responsive, numinous essence of the supreme, nonacting Great Dao; we also pray to the Celestial Emperor of the Heaven of Nameless Ultimate, Subtle Cavern, and Brahma Treasure Virtue in the Twenty-Fifth Heaven, whose personal name is Jingwuyun.

The present emperor has received the wondrous grace of the mysterious Dao and relies on the blessings left by his ancestors. He bears the weight of countless affairs of state and rules over millions upon millions of people. His responsibility is as great as Mount Song and Mount Tai, and he looks to the governance of Yao and Shun as his model. Since inheriting the great undertaking, he has often reflected on himself and remained vigilant. Yet morality and social customs have steadily declined, and it has been difficult to revive the teachings of simplicity and sincerity. Without the hidden support and boundless protection of the Way of Heaven, how could the people live in peace? At times, droughts and floods strike; at others, the people endure many hardships. Seeing these disasters and epidemics, we implore Heaven’s grace, hoping that the state may be honored and prosperous, and that the people may enjoy health and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn our merits toward the Great Dao, take refuge in the Celestial Emperor, and entrust our nature and life to the Utmost True One. We humbly ask that you preside over the grand purification retreat for prayers to the Three Sovereigns in the middle period of the year. We are ignorant and shallow, and are not worthy to assist the Great Dao or accomplish a great undertaking. Yet, having received this weighty responsibility, we truly dare not betray the oath sworn upon ascending the altar. We therefore observe purification with care, following the methods of the Cavern of the Spirits. We establish an altar and divine seats to symbolize the Thirty-Six Heavens, and burn incense and light lamps to reach the Thirty-Six Earths. May darkness be dispelled and the spirits summoned to reveal efficacious scriptures for a certain person. May banners be raised to pray for Heaven’s mandate, while we open our hearts, loosen our hair, confess our faults, and reform ourselves. The altar, incense, lamps, and banners are all ritual acts within a purification liturgy through which prayers are offered to the spirits.

We humbly pray that the Celestial Emperor will extend his compassion and bestow boundless grace, granting the blessings of deliverance and the benevolence of renewal. May the Great Dao flow unobstructed and the spirits and Qi be harmonized. May the numinous officials protect a certain person, pardon his countless past and present offenses, and look with favor upon his sincere efforts now to reform and repent.

May these merits be transferred to a certain person’s ancestral spirits in the Seven Temples, to his Nine Generations of Ancestors and Seven Forebears, and to all the departed before him. May they all be freed from the sufferings of the netherworld, ascend to blessed realms, be reborn and attain the Dao, and protect the living. May the ancestral temples and graves be at peace, calamities come to an end, homes be secure, and strange dreams cease.

May Heaven and Earth be in harmony. May the sun, moon, and five planets follow clear courses; may wind and rain arrive in their proper seasons, and cold and warmth accord with the calendar. May the people live in peace, warfare cease, the world be tranquil, and adversaries surrender. May a certain person’s particular illness be cured at once; may he also be spared any troubles involving lawsuits, thieves, or other misfortunes, which may be specified according to circumstances. May all people escape calamity and enjoy long lives. May the virtue of the imperial house grow ever more splendid, disasters in the four quarters disperse, auspicious clouds gather, and the eight seasonal divisions of the year pass in peace and harmony. May all beings receive blessings and good fortune, together uphold the Orthodox Teaching, and return to the natural state. Having attained the Dao, may they join in truth with the Celestial Emperor.

We respectfully announce our petition to the Supreme, Unbounded, Most True One; to the responsive, numinous essence of the unsurpassed, Wuwei Great Dao; and to the Heavenly Emperor of the Twenty-Sixth Subtle Brahma Heaven, the God of Daoist devotion. The Heavenly Emperor’s personal name is Luoxu Ama, and his title is Fengyun Landan Baolin.

The present emperor has received the mysterious grace of Heaven and inherited the blessings of his forebears. He governs the myriad affairs of state and rules over countless people. His responsibilities weigh as heavily as Mount Song and Mount Heng, and his heart looks up to the virtuous governance of Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great undertaking, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant. Now both Daoist virtue and worldly customs are in decline, and it is difficult to revive the teachings of simple honesty. Without Heaven’s vast protection, how could the people live in peace? At times droughts and floods strike; at other times, the people face all manner of calamities. Seeing these disasters, we bow and beseech Heaven’s grace, hoping that the realm may become more secure and the people live in health and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn toward the Great Dao, take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, and entrust our nature and life to the Most True Way. We request the performance of the Three Sovereigns’ Central Primordial Great Purification Rite, a Daoist ritual for seeking blessings and averting calamities. Though dull-witted and unlearned, and not among those who can assist the Great Dao and accomplish great deeds, we have received its grace and dare not break our vows. Therefore, with reverence and purity, we follow the ritual procedures of the Dongshen Cavern, erect an altar and arrange the divine seats to symbolize the Thirty-Six Heavens, then burn incense and light lamps to symbolize the Thirty-Six Earths. By these means, we disperse darkness and invite the gods, read aloud and proclaim the sacred document on behalf of a certain person, and raise banners to seek the gift of life. We openly lay bare our hearts, confess our faults, and resolve to reform.

We beseech the Heavenly Emperor to bestow great compassion and extend boundless grace, granting the blessings of deliverance and the benevolence that allows a person to begin anew. May the divine way be clear and the numinous officials be in harmony as they protect a certain person, pardon all their past and present offenses, and regard with compassion and approval their sincere repentance at this moment. May the merit of this purification rite be dedicated to that person’s ancestral temples and forebears across nine generations and seven lines, as well as all deceased relatives, so that they may escape the sufferings of the underworld, ascend to blessed realms, and be reborn to cultivate the Way and attain perfection. May they also protect those who are living. May tombs and ancestral graves be at peace, calamities disperse, the household remain safe, and strange dreams cease.

May the Yin-Yang of Heaven and Earth be in harmony; may the sun, moon, and five planets move in proper order; may wind and rain arrive in season, and cold and warmth accord with the proper times of year. May the people live in peace, warfare cease, the realm be tranquil, and hostile people submit. May a certain person recover from their particular illness. If there are legal disputes, theft, or other such troubles, may their harms be averted; prayers may also be made according to the specific circumstances. May all people escape calamity and enjoy long life; may the virtue of the imperial house grow ever more flourishing, calamities across the Four Seas disperse, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal nodes be peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings, uphold the orthodox teachings, and together return to the natural Great Dao. Once they attain the Way, may they unite with the Heavenly Emperor and become perfected beings.

We, your humble servants, respectfully address the Most High, the utterly transcendent and supremely true, the responsive and numinous essence of the supreme Wuwei (non-action) Dao (the Way), and the Heavenly Emperor of the twenty-seventh heaven, “Heaven of Empty Brahma, Primordial Qi, and Cicada-like Consciousness and Wisdom.” The Heavenly Emperor’s personal name is Yunwutuo, and his honored title is “Vast and Measureless Light, Profound and Open, Here and Forested.”

The present emperor has received the mysterious grace of Heaven and inherited the blessings accumulated by his forebears. Amid the ceaseless business of government, he rules countless subjects, bears a heavy responsibility, and cherishes the Way of Yao and Shun. Since succeeding to the great undertaking, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant. Yet moral conduct and customs have declined, and it is difficult to revive the teaching of simplicity and sincerity. Without Heaven’s vast protection, how could the people live in peace? At times droughts and floods strike; at times the people suffer greatly. Seeing these calamities and epidemics, we therefore knock and plead for Heaven’s grace. May the nation’s standing be secure and honored, and may the people be healthy and prosperous.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn our merit toward the Dao, take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, and entrust ourselves to the way of perfect truth. We respectfully request the establishment of the “Great Fasting Rite of Petition to the Three Sovereigns for the Middle Origin,” a purification rite seeking protection. We are indeed dull and ignorant, and cannot claim to assist the Dao. But having been entrusted with this duty, we dare not betray the vows made upon ascending the altar; with care and reverence, we therefore follow the ritual procedures of the Dongshen Cavern. We set up the altar and divine seats to symbolize the thirty-six heavens; we burn incense and lamps in response to the thirty-six earths. In this way, we dispel darkness and invite the divine beings. On behalf of a certain person, we recite and present the true writings, raise banners to petition Heaven’s command, and bare our hearts in sincerity. We let down our hair to acknowledge our faults, repent our transgressions, and begin anew.

We humbly pray that the Heavenly Emperor will bestow great compassion, spread boundless grace, and grant blessings of deliverance and merciful kindness for changing one’s ways. May the Dao’s Qi flow freely and the numinous officials act in harmony to guard a certain person, and may all their past and present offenses be forgiven. May the Heavenly Emperor also show compassion and approval for the sincerity of their present repentance.

May this merit be dedicated to the ancestral spirits of a certain person’s seven ancestral temples, their nine generations of ancestors and seven generations of forebears, and all who have died before them. May they all escape the suffering of the underworld, ascend to blessed realms, be transformed into perfected beings, and use their blessings to protect the living. May ancestral mausoleums, temples, and graves be at peace, and calamities cease; may palaces and homes be safe and secure, and strange dreams disperse.

May Yin-Yang between Heaven and Earth be harmonious; may the sun, moon, and five planets move in balance and shine clearly. May wind and rain arrive in season, and cold and warmth accord with the proper times. May all the people live in peace, warfare cease, all under Heaven be at peace, and foreign enemies submit. May a certain person’s particular illness be cured; if there are lawsuits, thefts, or other troubles, may they be spared fault and misfortune. Requests may be stated according to the circumstances. May the many calamities be dispelled and life be prolonged. May the royal house’s virtue flourish ever more, disasters in the four directions vanish, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal markers be peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings and good fortune, together uphold the orthodox teachings, and return to the natural Dao. Once they attain the Dao, may they unite with the Heavenly Emperor and become perfected beings.

Facing north, we bow before the Nine Heavens and confess our faults.

We, your servants, sincerely entrust our lives to the Twenty-Eighth Heaven: the Celestial Lord of the Heaven of Pure Emptiness, Continuation of the Origin, and Yitan.

We, your servants, respectfully submit this petition to the Supreme One, the Utmost Truth beyond all, and to the responsive, true essence of the supreme Wuwei (non-action) Great Dao; we also address the Celestial Lord of the Twenty-Eighth Heaven of Pure Emptiness, Continuation of the Origin, and Yitan. The Celestial Lord’s personal name is Zhu Zhongsheng, and his title is Yuanna Jing Rushiqiong.

The present emperor has received the wondrous grace of Heaven and inherited the blessings left by his ancestors. He bears the heavy burden of state affairs and rules over countless people; his responsibility is as weighty as a mountain, and he aspires to follow the examples of Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great enterprise, he has often reflected on himself, remaining mindful and cautious. Yet the moral climate of the age has declined, and it is difficult to revive the teachings of sincerity and kindness. The people lack Heaven’s protection: how can they live in peace and prosper? At times droughts and floods strike; at times the people suffer one calamity after another. Seeing these disasters, we bow and seek Heaven’s grace, hoping that the nation may flourish and the people live in peace and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn our merit toward the Great Dao and take refuge in the Celestial Lord, entrusting ourselves to the Way of Utmost Truth. We respectfully request permission to establish the Great Central-Yuan Prayer Retreat of the Three Sovereigns, a purification rite to pray to the Three Sovereigns for blessings and the dispelling of calamities. We, your servants, are ignorant and unworthy of serving the Great Dao. Yet, mindful that we have already received its grace, we dare not break the pledges we made when we entered the covenant. Therefore, we purify ourselves and carefully perform the rite according to the methods of the Cavern of Divinity (Dongshen): we set up an altar and divine seats to represent the Thirty-Six Heavens, and burn incense and light lamps to correspond to the Thirty-Six Earths. In this way, we seek to dissolve the oaths of sin concealed in darkness and summon the spirits to descend.

On behalf of a certain person, we present a truthful petition and raise banners to ask for Heaven’s mandate. We open our hearts, loosen our hair, confess our failings, and turn from our past errors. We humbly pray that the Celestial Lord will extend his compassion and bestow boundless grace: the blessing of deliverance and the benevolence that enables one to cultivate goodness anew. May Dao Qi flow freely and Shen Qi harmonize; may the divine officers protect this person in body and spirit. May the Celestial Lord forgive his countless past and present offenses, and look with kindness upon and encourage his sincere repentance now.

May this merit be dedicated to the spirits of this person’s ancestors in the seven ancestral temples, to the nine generations of forebears and seven generations of ancestors, and to all the departed, so that they may escape the sufferings of the netherworld, ascend to blessed realms, be reborn to cultivate the Way, and protect the living. May the ancestral tombs be at peace; may calamities and retribution be dispelled, the home remain safe, and strange dreams vanish.

May Heaven and Earth be harmonious; may the sun, moon, and stars move in clear order; may wind and rain come at their appointed times, and cold and warmth accord with the seasons. May the people be at peace, warfare cease, and all under Heaven enjoy tranquility; may hostile forces submit. May the illness afflicting this person be cured at once. Should he face litigation, theft, or other such troubles, may he be spared calamity according to the circumstances. May all people escape disaster and enjoy long life; may the virtue of the imperial house flourish ever more, calamities in every direction disappear, auspicious clouds gather, and the seasons be peaceful in all eight directions. May all living beings receive blessings and good fortune, uphold the Orthodox Way, and return together to the natural order. Once the Way is attained, may they unite with the Celestial Lord in the true Way.

We, your servants, respectfully address the Most High, the Utmost True One beyond all existence, the supreme Wuwei (non-action) Great Dao, and the responsive, numinous essence of true perfection, as well as the Celestial Lord of the Twenty-Ninth Heaven, the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) Boundless Purple Void, Cavernous and Mysterious Brahma Heaven of Jiamoyi. The Celestial Lord’s sacred name is “Xuan Ming He A Fang Xue Gu Bing.”

The present emperor has received the subtle blessings of the heavens and, through the good fortune accumulated by his forebears, bears the great responsibility of governing all affairs and ruling countless millions of people. Mindful of his duties as ruler, he looks up to the virtue of Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great enterprise, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant. Yet now moral conduct and custom have declined, and it is difficult to revive the teachings of simplicity and sincerity. Without the hidden protection of Heaven’s vast benevolence, how could the people live in peace and enjoy their livelihoods? At times droughts or floods strike; at other times the people face many hardships. Seeing these calamities, we bow and beseech Heaven’s grace, hoping that the foundations of the state will be secure and the people healthy and prosperous.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn toward the Great Dao, take refuge in the Celestial Lord, and entrust our nature and life to the Utmost True One. We humbly request permission to perform the “Great Mid-Yuan Rite of Supplication to the Three Sovereigns,” a rite of purification, altar-setting, and prayer to seek protection. Though ignorant and unlearned, and not fit to assist the Great Dao, we bear this duty and dare not betray our oath. With care and undivided devotion, we therefore perform the rite according to the methods of the Dongshen Cavern of the Three Caverns: we establish an altar and divine seats, symbolizing the Thirty-Six Heavens; burn incense and light lamps to make contact with the Thirty-Six Earths. By these means, we dispel darkness and summon the gods; present a truthful petition on behalf of a certain person and raise banners to seek the protection of Heaven’s mandate; reveal our hearts and set forth our plea, confess our faults, and resolve to reform.

We beseech the Celestial Lord to bestow compassionate grace and extend boundless blessings, granting the good fortune of deliverance and the benevolence that enables one to correct past failings. May the Dao’s Qi flow freely, and may the spirit officials be in harmony as they guard this person in body and mind. May all their past and present offenses be forgiven, and may their sincere repentance at this moment be understood and encouraged.

May the merit of this purification rite be dedicated to the spirits of this person’s ancestors in the Seven Ancestral Temples, the Nine Generations and Seven Ancestors, and all the departed. May they be freed from the sufferings of the underworld, ascend to blessed realms, attain rebirth and the Dao, and protect their living kin. May the ancestral shrines and tombs be peaceful, calamities dispelled, homes secure, and ominous dreams vanish.

May Yin-Yang between Heaven and Earth be harmonious; may the sun, moon, and stars move in balanced radiance; may wind and rain arrive in season, and cold and warmth accord with the proper time of year. May the people be at peace, warfare cease, all beneath Heaven enjoy tranquility, and adversaries submit. If this person is afflicted by illness, may the pain be healed at once. If they face lawsuits or the threat of thieves, may they escape harm; their specific requests may also be stated according to the circumstances. May all people be delivered from calamity and granted longer life; may the virtue of the imperial house flourish ever more, calamities across the Four Seas vanish, auspicious clouds gather, and the seasons in all eight directions be peaceful. May all living beings receive blessings, together uphold the Orthodox Teachings, and return to the natural Great Dao. Once they attain the Dao, may they join the Celestial Lord in true union.

We, your humble servants, respectfully report to the Supreme One, the Utmost True One beyond all absence, the responsive and wondrous essence of the supreme, nonacting Great Dao, the Thirtieth Green Brahma, Naturally Awakened and Wise, the Heavenly Emperor Lord who enters Heaven—a revered deity of the Daoist celestial realm. His sacred name is Jieshi Wenluo, and he governs the flying primordial Qi of the Seven Luminaries.

The present emperor has received the wondrous grace of the Mysteries and enjoys the blessings left by his ancestors. He bears the great responsibility of governing the state and ruling over countless people. Admiring the ways of Yao and Shun, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant since taking up the great undertaking. Yet moral standards and customs have steadily declined, and it has proved difficult to revive the teachings of simplicity and sincerity. Without the protection of the Great Dao, how could the people live and work in peace? At times droughts and floods strike; at times the people suffer greatly. Seeing these calamities, we pray for Heaven’s gracious protection, and wish for the state to prosper ever more and its people to enjoy health and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn to the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the Utmost True Dao. We respectfully request permission to perform the Grand Offering of Prayer to the Three Sovereigns for the Mid-Yuan Festival, a Daoist assembly of purification and rites seeking the gods’ protection. We, your servants, are ignorant and unenlightened, and are not among those who assist the Great Dao. But having received profound favor, we dare not betray our sworn pledge. We now carefully and solemnly follow the ritual procedures of the Cavern of the Spirits: we establish an altar and arrange its sacred seats, symbolizing the Thirty-Six Heavens; we burn incense and light lamps to invoke the Thirty-Six Earths. By these means, we dispel darkness and summon the gods. We present a sacred petition on behalf of a certain person, raise banners to pray for long life, and loosen our hair and bare our hearts to express remorse, repent of past wrongs, and begin anew.

We beseech the Heavenly Emperor Lord to extend his abundant compassion and bestow boundless grace and blessings of deliverance, mercifully granting an opportunity to make amends. May the Great Dao convey the divine Qi, may the numinous officials be in harmony, and may they protect the body of a certain person. May the countless sins of past and present be forgiven, and may he be shown compassion and favor for his sincere repentance now.

May these merits be dedicated to a certain person’s ancestral temples of seven generations, the ancestors of nine generations and seven forebears, and all the departed, that they may escape the suffering of the underworld, ascend to the Hall of Blessings, transcend the cycle of rebirth and become perfected beings, and protect those still living. May the ancestral shrines and burial grounds be pure and peaceful, with calamities dispelled; may palaces and homes be safe, and strange dreams vanish.

May Heaven and Earth be in harmonious union, and the movements of the sun, moon, and five planets be well ordered. May wind and rain come in due season, and cold and warmth accord with the proper times. May all the people live in peace, warfare cease, and all under Heaven enjoy tranquility; may adversaries submit and surrender. May a certain person’s particular illness be cured at once; if there are legal disputes or thefts, may their harm also be averted. May the many calamities be dispelled and life prolonged; may the royal house’s virtue flourish ever more, calamities in the four directions disappear, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons be peaceful and balanced.

May all beings receive blessings, share in the teachings of the Orthodox Way, and return together to the Dao of Nature. Having attained the Dao, may they unite in perfection with the Heavenly Emperor.

We, your ministers, respectfully present this petition to the Most High, the Unborn and Utmost True One (the supreme True Dao), to the responsive True Essence of the Supreme, Non-Acting Great Dao, and to the Celestial Emperor of the Thirty-First Heaven, the Mysterious Brahma Heaven of Great Practice, the Unseen Heaven of No Thought—whose divine name is Boyitan’a, one of the gods of Daoism’s Thirty-Six Heavens. May the Celestial Emperor bring peace to the world, harmonize Yin and Yang, and make all things flourish in harmony.

Now the emperor has received the subtle blessings of Heaven and inherited the good fortune left by former dynasties. He governs the affairs of state and rules all under Heaven, bearing a great responsibility. In his resolve to govern, he looks to Yao and Shun as models. Since inheriting the imperial mandate, he has often reflected on himself and remained vigilant. Yet morality and custom have steadily declined, and it has proved difficult to revive the teachings of simplicity and sincerity. Without the Great Dao’s vast protection, how can the people live in peace and prosperity? At times droughts and floods strike; at other times, the people endure many hardships. We see illness and calamity spreading throughout the world, and so we knock at Heaven’s gate and plead for its grace. May the state be peaceful and prosperous, and may the people and all things enjoy health and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn to the Great Dao and take refuge in the Celestial Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the Utmost True Dao. We respectfully invite those of us who preside over the purification rites to establish the “Great Purification Rite of the Three Sovereigns for the Middle Origin,” a rite of prayer to the Three Sovereigns for protection. We are indeed ignorant and limited, unable to assist the Great Dao in its vast work. But having been entrusted with this task, we dare not betray the vows sworn upon ascending the altar. We therefore proceed with care and devotion according to the methods of the Dongshen Cavern: we establish an altar and place the divine seats to symbolize the Thirty-Six Heavens; we burn incense and light lamps in response to the Thirty-Six Earths, dispelling darkness and welcoming the gods.

On behalf of a certain person, we set forth and present the True Writings, and raise banners to seek Heaven’s mandate. We open our hearts, let down our hair, perform the rites, confess our faults, and resolve to reform ourselves. We beseech the Celestial Emperor to show great compassion, bestow boundless grace, and grant the blessings of deliverance and the benevolence of renewal. May the divine Dao flow freely, and may divine Qi be harmonized. May the Spiritual Officials protect this person, forgive all past and present offenses, and recognize and commend the sincerity of his repentance at this moment.

May the merit of this purification rite be dedicated to this person’s seven ancestral temples, nine generations of ancestors, seven generations of forebears, and all departed kin. May they be freed from the sufferings of the underworld, ascend to blessed realms, be reborn to cultivate the True Dao, and protect the living. May ancestral tombs and burial grounds be at peace; may signs of calamity disappear, homes and dwellings remain secure, and strange dreams cease.

May Yin and Yang between Heaven and Earth be in harmony; may the sun, moon, and stars move in clear order; may wind and rain arrive in season, and cold and warmth accord with the calendar. May the people be at peace, warfare end, all under Heaven be tranquil, and hostile peoples submit. May the particular illness afflicting this person be cured. If the petition concerns a lawsuit or thieves, may the related calamity likewise be averted. May all people escape disaster and enjoy longer lives. May the virtue of the imperial house grow ever more powerful, calamities across the Four Seas vanish, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal divisions remain peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings and joy, accept the teachings of the True Dao, and ultimately return together to Nature. Once they attain the Dao, may they unite with the Celestial Emperor in the True Dao.

We, your servants, respectfully address the Most High, the Truly Perfect One beyond all nothingness; the supreme, Wuwei Great Dao, whose responses accord with those who seek them; and the Heavenly Emperor of the Thirty-Second Heaven, the Cloud-Brahma Heaven of Ascending Radiance and Adan. The Heavenly Emperor’s sacred name is “Zhongyun Xunbo, Zhongbao Shuruo Laihua.”

The present emperor has received the blessings of the Mysterious and inherited the lingering fortune of his ancestors. He bears the great responsibility of managing all affairs and governing all the people. Taking Yao and Shun as his models, he has often reflected on himself and remained vigilant since inheriting the great enterprise. Now moral conduct and customs have declined, and it is difficult to revive the simple, generous teachings of old. Without Heaven’s vast protection, how could the people live in peace? At times they suffer droughts and floods; at other times, hardship is widespread. Seeing these calamities, we knock and plead for Heaven’s grace, hoping that the state may prosper and the people live in peace.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn toward the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting our nature and life to the Truly Perfect Dao. We respectfully request that we, your servants, establish the “Great Purification Rite of Petition to the Three Sovereigns at Midyear,” a petitionary rite in Daoist ritual practice. Though we are dull and unlearned, and are not fit to assist the Great Dao, we bear a sworn covenant and dare not betray it. We therefore carefully purify ourselves and establish this rite according to the laws of the Dongshen Cavern: building an altar and setting out its stations to represent the Thirty-Six Heavens; burning incense and lighting lamps in response to the Thirty-Six Earths. By these means, we dispel darkness and welcome the divine. We present a truthful memorial on behalf of a certain person, raise banners to pray for long life, and lay bare our hearts, loosening our hair to atone for transgressions and turn from past errors.

We humbly pray that the Heavenly Emperor will extend generous compassion, send down boundless grace, and grant the blessings of deliverance and the mercy that allows one to begin anew and amend one’s ways. May Dao Qi flow freely and Shen Qi become harmonious. May the divine officers protect the body and mind of a certain person, forgive the countless sins of past and present, and look kindly upon and commend the sincere repentance now offered.

May the merit of this purification rite be transferred to the seven ancestral temples of a certain person, the nine generations of ancestors and seven generations of forebears, and all deceased relatives, so that they may escape the suffering of the netherworld, ascend to blessed realms, be transformed into perfected beings, and protect those still living. May ancestral shrines and tombs be at peace, calamities be dispelled, homes and dwellings be secure, and strange dreams fade away.

May the movements of Heaven and Earth be harmonious; may the sun, moon, and stars shine with balanced radiance; may wind and rain come in due season, and cold and warmth accord with the seasons. May the people be at peace, warfare cease, all under Heaven be tranquil, and adversaries surrender. If a certain person suffers from an illness, may they receive grace and recover. If they are troubled by legal disputes or theft, may they be spared misfortune. May all calamities disperse and life be prolonged; may the imperial house’s De grow ever more flourishing, calamities across the four seas be eliminated, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal divisions be peaceful and harmonious. May all living beings receive blessings and joy, uphold the righteous Dao, and return to spontaneity. Having attained the Dao, may they unite in perfection with the Heavenly Emperor.

We, your servants, respectfully submit this petition to the Supreme One of No-Being, the Most True; to the responsive, wondrous essence of the unsurpassed, nonacting Great Dao; and to the Heavenly Emperor of the Third Heaven of Formlessness, Mysterious Clarity, Subtle Waves, and Pearly Radiance, whose sacred name is Wangling Huangyuan Yuanli Yuna.

The present emperor has received the blessings of the Mysterious and the lingering fortune of his ancestors. He now governs the state and leads the people. Bearing this great responsibility, he reveres the virtue of Yao and Shun. Since inheriting the great undertaking, he has often examined himself and remained vigilant. Yet today, moral conduct and custom are steadily declining, and it is difficult to revive the teachings of purity and sincerity. Without the protection of the Great Dao, how can the people live and work in peace? At times they face droughts and floods; at others, many among them endure hardship. Seeing these calamities and afflictions, we bow and appeal for heavenly grace, hoping that the state will flourish further and that the people and all things may enjoy peace and abundance.

Today, we sincerely turn toward the Great Dao and take refuge in the Heavenly Emperor, entrusting our lives and nature to the Most True Way. We ask to establish the “Great Purification Rite of Petition to the Three Sovereigns in the Middle Origin,” a Daoist purification ritual for seeking blessings and warding off calamity. Our learning is shallow and our abilities limited; we cannot assist the Great Dao. Yet since we have been charged with this undertaking, we dare not break the oath sworn upon ascending the altar. We therefore fast and purify ourselves with care, and perform the rite according to the methods of the Dongshen Cavern: we set up the altar and arrange the ritual seats to represent the thirty-six heavens; we burn incense and light lamps to evoke the thirty-six earths, dispelling darkness and inviting the gods. We present a truthful petition on behalf of the person concerned, raise banners to pray for the prolonging of life, disclose our intentions, and distribute offerings in atonement, resolving to amend our ways and begin anew.

We beseech the Heavenly Emperor to extend his vast compassion, bestow boundless grace, and grant the blessings of deliverance and the kindness of a fresh start. May the Great Dao convey the divine Qi, may the spiritual officers be in harmony, and may they protect the person’s body. May he be pardoned for the countless offenses of past and present, and may his sincere repentance at this moment be understood and encouraged.

May the merit of this purification rite be dedicated to the ancestors in the person’s ancestral temple, to the nine generations of ancestors and seven generations of forebears, and to all the departed. May they be freed from the sufferings of the netherworld and ascend to blessed realms. Even if they remain within the cycle of rebirth, may they gradually cultivate the True Way and bring blessings to the living. May the ancestral mausoleums and graves be clean and peaceful, with calamities cut off; may homes be safe and strange dreams fade away.

May the Yin and Yang of Heaven and Earth be harmonious, and the courses of the sun, moon, and stars be well ordered. May wind and rain come in season, and cold and warmth accord with their proper times. May the people live in peace, warfare cease, all under Heaven be tranquil, and adversaries submit. If the person concerned suffers from an illness, may he receive protection and recover. If he is involved in litigation or threatened by thieves, may he likewise escape harm. May all calamities be dispelled and life prolonged; may the imperial house’s virtue grow ever more flourishing, calamities across the four seas vanish, auspicious clouds gather, and the four seasons and eight seasonal divisions remain peaceful and harmonious.

May all living beings receive blessings, follow the orthodox teaching, and return together to the natural Way. Once they attain the Dao, may they unite with the Heavenly Emperor and become perfected.

We, your ministers, reverently address the Most High, the Utmost True, the Supreme Dao of nonbeing and Wuwei (non-action), whose teaching responds to all who seek it: all things return together to their natural state. Those who attain the Dao can unite with the Celestial Emperor and become true.

We, your ministers, reverently address the Most High, the Utmost True, the Supreme Dao of nonbeing and Wuwei, its true essence, and the Celestial Emperor of the Thirty-Fourth Heaven, “Heaven of Subtle Mystery, Supreme Brahma Qi, A Jie Han Na.” The Celestial Emperor’s taboo name is “Huan Duo Shi Zong Tiao Qiong Jie Jin Shi Luo.”

The present emperor has received the blessings of the mysterious Dao and, by good fortune, inherited the protection bestowed by his ancestors. He bears the great responsibility of attending to all affairs and rules over countless people. His duty is as weighty as Mount Song and Mount Heng, and in governing he looks to the examples of Emperors Yao and Shun. Since succeeding to the great inheritance, the emperor has often reflected on himself, remaining mindful and apprehensive. Yet the ways of the age and its moral teaching have steadily declined, and it is difficult to revive the customs of simplicity. Without Heaven’s boundless protection, how could the people live in peace and prosper? At times droughts and floods strike; at others, the people face many hardships. Seeing these disasters and epidemics, we bow and plead for Heaven’s grace, hoping that the state may flourish and stand firm, and that the people and all things may enjoy health and abundance.

Now, with utmost sincerity, we turn toward the Dao and take refuge in the Celestial Emperor, entrusting our lives and nature to the Utmost True Dao. We respectfully request the performance of the “Great Purification Rite of Prayer to the Three Sovereigns at Midyear,” a Zhaijiao (purification ritual) held at midyear to seek the Three Sovereigns’ protection. We are truly dull and ignorant, and are not fit to assist the Dao. We only reflect that we have already received…