《黄箓破狱灯仪》

The Perfected Person of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) and the Great Void said: Yin-Yang forms the images of the myriad things, and Heaven and Earth are thereby divided. Day and night differ from each other, and brightness and darkness are likewise distinct. Light and pure Qi (vital energy) rises and forms the visible heavens; the Nine Heavens become the dwelling places of the ancient sages. Heavy, turbid, and dense Qi sinks and forms the earth; the Nine Earths become the abodes of ghosts and spirits. Above the Nine Heavens, Yin Qi disperses; beneath the Nine Earths, sunlight never reaches. Therefore the netherworld has no light. Even in the daytime it is as if wrapped in thick mist; when night comes, it is still darker and more dim. The souls of the dead are trapped in an endless night and cannot await the dawn. They sink into the Northern Bureau (the nether realm) and receive retribution in Fengdu (the legendary capital of the underworld), seeing no light through millions upon millions of kalpas.

Therefore the Celestial Worthy (Tianzun), relying on the supreme power of the Dao (the Way), gives rise to vast compassion, lights the divine lamps of the Nine Hells, and rescues the souls in the deep and heavy darkness. The numinous light of the divine lamps shines down upon the lower realm and illuminates the dim roads of the Northern Bureau; auspicious and harmonious Qi quietly descends and melts the icy prisons of the underworld.

The Celestial Worthy further commands the divine officers of the underworld—the Three Officials, the Nine Bureaus, the one hundred and twenty departments, and the rest—together with the examining officers of the Five Emperors and the mighty warriors of Great Heaven, to obey the sacred command as one and save the departed souls. Not one soul fails to bow and take refuge, reverently receiving the compassionate teaching. Thereupon wind and thunder subside, and the tong pillars cease their shaking. Amid the flames and the wind-knives, lotus flowers are spread and sweet dew descends; ice halberds and frost blades turn into qi trees and qian forests (legendary immortal trees). Each soul, according to its own karma, obtains rebirth, and all turn their hearts toward the Dao. The hells and the offices of the underworld thus become empty and still, and no wronged souls remain detained. All the souls together set foot on the immortal road to the heavenly halls and attain liberation and ascent. Blessings extend to both the netherworld and the human world, and joy reaches later generations. This merit is lofty beyond compare and cannot be measured. All those present are respectfully invited to join in praise.

What the Lamp Ritual for Breaking the Hells of the Yellow Register describes is the rite, within the Daoist Yellow Register Zhaijiao (purification ritual), of lighting lamps, offering confession, and praying for the deliverance of the deceased. The “divine lamps of the Ninefold Darkness” in the text are ritual lamps established for the souls of the dead in the underworld, and the “Precious Yellow Register Retreat” is a Zhaijiao rite used to save and ferry the departed souls.

The liturgical writings recorded in the Golden Registers of the Upper Prime belong to the rank of true immortals, and both the ceremonial observances of the lamp-lighting rite and its Keyi (liturgy) procedures are of the greatest importance. Now a certain retreat officer establishes the Precious Yellow Register Retreat and also kindles the divine lamps of the Ninefold Darkness, in order to offer memorial rites for a certain person who has died. All the underworld officers of the Hell of Wind and Thunder are respectfully invited to extend compassion widely and to bestow grace universally for deliverance.

It is prayed that the black winds may disperse and the thunderbolts cease; that the whirling spears and halberds may stop early, no longer causing the limbs of the deceased to be torn apart. May the gates of the dark prisons be illuminated, and may the hell become pure and clear, so that the souls of the dead are rescued and delivered and soon ascend to the realm of light. Confession is humbly offered for the sufferings of the Hell of Wind and Thunder in the East, and the relevant talismanic mandates are reverently proclaimed.

The Supreme Worthy of Jade Treasure is respectfully invited. The sound of praise reaches upward to the worlds of the ten directions, while the thoughts of confession and prayer descend into the Ninefold Darkness. The lamplight shines upon the East, and the Hell of Wind and Thunder is thereby opened to brightness. Flying dagger-axes and drifting halberds bring a thousand kinds of suffering; the scattering of limbs causes people to endure ten thousand kinds of hardship. May the deceased, receiving this confession and prayer, be born into heaven, and upon seeing this lamplight ascend into the celestial realm. The above is offered in ritual praise of inconceivable merit.

The liturgical text that follows explains once again that the writings recorded in the Golden Registers of the Upper Prime and the lamp-lighting Keyi are exceedingly solemn. A certain retreat officer establishes the Precious Yellow Register Retreat and kindles the divine lamps of the Ninefold Darkness to offer memorial rites for a certain person who has died, respectfully inviting all the underworld officers of the Hell of the Copper Pillars to extend compassion widely and to bestow grace universally for deliverance.

It is prayed that the molten copper may be entirely consumed and the copper pillars broken, that the fierce fire may burn out and the ashes scatter; that the hands and feet of the deceased may no longer climb in suffering, and that neither the back nor the abdomen may suffer the slightest injury. May the gates of the dark prisons be illuminated, and may the hell become pure and clear, so that the souls in the underworld are rescued and delivered and soon ascend to the realm of light. Confession is humbly offered for the sufferings of the Hell of the Copper Pillars in the Southeast, and the relevant talismanic mandates are reverently proclaimed.

The Worthy Who Cherishes Life and Delivers Destiny is respectfully invited.

By the merit of invoking the sacred name of the Celestial Worthy (Tianzun), the Celestial Worthy follows the sound and delivers the souls of the dead in the Ninefold Darkness (Jiuyou, the depths of the underworld).

The lamplight continues without cease, illuminating the southeast, and the Copper Pillar Hell is thereby entirely opened and released. The great flames that originally filled the Copper Pillar Hell will all subside, bringing cool relief to those who suffer. Receiving the radiance of the lamps, the souls of the dead are able to pass out through the dark prison gates, behold the Celestial Worthy in person, and enjoy peace and happiness.

This merit accords with inconceivable merit.

The memorial slips, the ranks of the true immortals, and the lamp-lighting rites used in the Upper Prime Golden Register (Shangyuan Jinlu, a Keyi [liturgy] within Daoist Zhaijiao [purification ritual] for praying for blessings and delivering the dead) are all governed by extremely solemn regulations of the Keyi. Now a certain ritual officer establishes the Precious Yellow Register Retreat and lights the divine lamps of the Ninefold Darkness, in order to offer memorial rites for a certain deceased person. With reverence we present this rite, praying that all the underworld officials in the Fire-Obscuration Hell broadly extend compassion, stoop down in grace, and deliver the souls of the dead.

We humbly pray that the fierce flames of the mountains of fire be stilled, and that the scorching prison bars no longer bring suffering; that iron which has been swallowed turn into lotus flowers, and charcoal which has been eaten be transformed into sweet dew. May the dark prison gates be illumined by the lamplight, the hells become pure and clear, and the shadowy souls be delivered, entering the realm of light before long. We reverently make repentance for the sufferings in the Fire-Obscuration Hell of the south, and respectfully proclaim the related talismanic mandates.

Please raise the chant “Xuanzhen Wanfu Zun” (Venerable of Mysterious Truth and Myriad Blessings).

Phrase by phrase, the praises ascend to the realm of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing jing, the pure celestial realm where the exalted deities of the Dao reside); line by line, the prayers descend into the Ninefold Darkness.

The lamplight shines upon the south, and the fierce flames of the Fire-Obscuration Hell disperse accordingly. The suffering of bodies cut by wind-blades and of swallowing fire will all be transformed into lotuses and sweet-dew nectar. Receiving this repentance and these prayers, the souls of the dead are able to be reborn in the celestial realms; seeing this lamplight, they can all be freed from suffering.

This merit accords with inconceivable merit.

The documents of the Upper Prime Golden Register (Shangyuan Jinlu)—a class of rite within Daoist Zhaijiao (purification ritual) for seeking blessings and delivering the dead—bear the character of the true immortals, and the lamp-lighting ceremony follows procedures of great solemnity. Now the retreat officer, a certain person, performs the Precious Yellow Register Retreat (Huanglu Baozhai), a retreat rite for blessing and deliverance, and lights the Divine Lamps of the Ninefold Darkness (Jiuyou Shendeng), thereby offering memorial rites for the form and soul—the body together with the hun and po—of a certain deceased person.

We respectfully invite all the underworld officials of the Hell of Slaughter and Cutting to bestow compassion widely and to grant grace and salvation universally. May the departed soul be freed from suffering like that of being hung upside down, and may the torment of blades upon the body be removed; may the three hun regain clarity within the five palaces, and the seven po be made whole within the four limbs. May the portals of darkness be illumined, the hells made pure, so that the departed soul may be delivered and soon reborn in a realm of light. We reverently repent the sufferings in the Hell of Slaughter and Cutting in the southwest; all talismanic mandates are hereby solemnly proclaimed and issued.

Proclamation of the Venerable Sovereign of Great Numinous Emptiness (Tailing Xuhuang Zun), a Daoist honored deity:

The sound of praise fills the worlds of the ten directions,

so that heaven above and earth below may all hear.

The lamplight illuminates the southwest,

and the Hell of Slaughter and Cutting is thereby entirely liberated.

Swords and blades cut the body; the pain is past endurance.

Through myriad kalpas of suffering, release seems never to come.

The lamplight shines throughout the dark underworld,

and every afflicted departed soul may pass on to rebirth in the heavenly realms.

This merit is inconceivable.

The documents of the Upper Prime Golden Register bear the character of the true immortals, and the procedures of the lamp-lighting rite are exceedingly solemn. Now the retreat officer, a certain person, performs the Precious Yellow Register Retreat and lights the Divine Lamps of the Ninefold Darkness, in order to offer memorial rites for the form and soul of a certain deceased person.

We respectfully invite all the underworld officials of the Adamantine Hell (Jingang Diyu) to bestow compassion widely and to grant grace and salvation universally. May the golden hammers be destroyed and melted, and the iron staves dissolved; may the departed soul’s appearance be preserved, and the limbs no longer maimed. May the portals of darkness be illumined, the hells made pure, so that the departed soul may be delivered, soon transcend suffering, and enter a realm of light. We reverently repent the sufferings in the Adamantine Hell in the west; all talismanic mandates are hereby solemnly proclaimed and issued.

Proclamation of the Venerable One of Supreme Wonder and Ultimate Extremity (Taimiao Zhiji Zun).

With wholehearted devotion we bow in worship toward the worlds of the ten directions, paying reverence to that Great Compassionate Honored One who, upon hearing a cry for help, comes forth to relieve suffering. We guide the lamplight to shine toward the west, praying that the Vajra Hell be entirely destroyed and all within it set free. All the sufferings brought by golden hammers and iron staves, through the power of the methods of the Dao (the Way), wholly cease. The Celestial Worthy who saves from suffering extricates the souls of the dead from the passes and barriers of the dark underworld; may they, according to the wishes of their hearts, be reborn in the realms of the various heavens. The merit of the foregoing is inconceivable.

In accordance with the brief writs of the Golden Register of the Upper Prime—the Golden Register documents used in Daoist Zhaijiao (purification ritual) and Keyi (liturgy)—and with the lamp-lighting rite among the grades of the True Immortals, the procedures of the liturgy are of the utmost solemnity. Now a certain Retreat Official holds the Precious Yellow Register Retreat, a Daoist Zhaijiao established for the deliverance of the souls of the dead, and kindles the Divine Lamps of the Ninefold Darkness, dharma-lamps that illuminate the underworld, in order to offer memorial merit for the form-and-soul—the bodily form and the soul—of a certain person who has passed away. We respectfully entreat all the underworld officials of the Fire-Chariot Hell: broadly bestow compassion, and universally extend grace so as to deliver and liberate. May the five chariot-wheels cease to turn and the fierce flames be extinguished; may the underworld officials greatly bestow compassion, so that the dead universally ascend into realms of peace and joy, the gates of the dark prisons receive light, the hells grow clear and tranquil, and the form-and-soul of that certain deceased person is delivered. We respectfully entreat all the underworld officials of the Fire-Chariot Hell: broadly bestow compassion, and universally extend grace so as to deliver and liberate. May the five chariot-wheels cease to turn and the fierce flames be extinguished; may the underworld officials greatly bestow compassion, so that the dead universally ascend into realms of peace and joy, the gates of the dark prisons receive light, the hells grow clear and tranquil, the souls of the dead are delivered, and they may soon transcend and rise into the realm of light. We respectfully make repentance for the sufferings within the Fire-Chariot Hell of the northwest. All talismanic mandates—the Fulu (talismans and registers) and the statutory commands observed in the liturgy—shall respectfully be proclaimed and sent down.

We raise high the name of the Boundless Taihua Honored One. We take refuge and pay homage to the Boundless Honored One Who Extracts Sin from the Ninefold Darkness, above the Three Realms. By the light of these lamps and candles we break through the darkness of the underworld, so that the Fire-Chariot Hell ceases to turn. Five wheels tear the body apart and the four limbs fall scattered; each wheel bears blades. The souls of the dead pass through such bitter suffering and long endure torment; when they see this lamplight, all of them obtain liberation. The merit of the foregoing is inconceivable.

In the Golden Register of the Upper Prime (Shangyuan Jinlu, the Golden Register documents used in large-scale Daoist purification rites), the liturgical texts, the ranks of the perfected immortals, and the procedures of the lamp-lighting ritual are all exceedingly solemn. Now the officiant of the fast, so-and-so, establishes the Precious Yellow Register Fast (Huanglu baozhai, a Daoist purification rite for invoking blessings and delivering the dead) and lights the Divine Lamps of the Ninefold Darkness (Jiuyou shendeng, lamps that symbolize the illumination of the underworld), in order to offer memorial rites for the form and soul of the deceased, so-and-so. We respectfully invite all the underworld officials of the Mingling Hell (Mingling diyu) to bestow compassion widely and to extend grace and deliverance universally. May the cold pool-prisons grow warm and the sharp blades of frost melt away; may the souls of the dead sunk in the dark underworld all be delivered, and may those who suffer cold and hunger all obtain warmth and food. May there be light even within the dark prison gates; may the hells be pure, the souls of the dead be rescued and raised up, and soon ascend to the realm of light. We reverently perform the rite of repentance for the sufferings of the Mingling Hell of the North; the required talismanic mandates are now respectfully proclaimed.

(Intoned:) Venerable Jade Dawn of the Mysterious Heights.

Taking refuge, we universally announce this to the realms of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing)—the Jade Clarity, Upper Clarity, and Great Clarity realms revered in Daoism—and to the venerable deities of compassionate response who save beings from suffering.

Behold this lamplight shining toward the north: the sufferings of the Mingling Hell are all dissolved.

May all sinful souls who endure the torment of cold ice, upon hearing the holy name, have their pain entirely cease.

The Celestial Worthy universally announces this to the realms of the Three Pure Ones and to the venerable deities of compassionate response who save beings from suffering.

Behold this lamplight shining toward the north: the sufferings of the Mingling Hell are all dissolved.

May all sinful souls who endure the torment of cold ice, upon hearing the holy name, have their pain entirely cease.

The Celestial Worthy pities and delivers all living beings, so that they may soon see the lamplight and be born into the pure realm.

The merit set forth above is inconceivable.

In the Golden Register of the Upper Prime, the liturgical texts, the ranks of the perfected immortals, and the procedures of the lamp-lighting ritual are all exceedingly solemn. Now the officiant of the fast, so-and-so, establishes the Precious Yellow Register Fast and lights the Divine Lamps of the Ninefold Darkness, in order to offer memorial rites for the form and soul of the deceased, so-and-so. We respectfully invite all the underworld officials of the Boiling Cauldron Hell (Huotang diyu) to bestow compassion widely and to extend grace and deliverance universally. May the True Lords send down blessings and the wardens of the hell accumulate auspicious signs; may the scalding cauldron broth grow cool and the boiling great tripods turn into sweet dew. May the dark prison gates be filled with light; may the hells be pure, the souls of the dead be rescued and raised up, and soon ascend to the realm of light. We reverently perform the rite of repentance for the sufferings of the Boiling Cauldron Hell of the Northeast; the required talismanic mandates are now respectfully proclaimed.

(Intoned:) Venerable Supreme Saint Who Delivers Immortals.

I reverently prostrate myself and take refuge in the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning within the realm of the Great Canopy Heaven. The Celestial Worthy comes in response to the karmic conditions of living beings and, never forsaking compassion, descends into the ritual space, illuminating the northeast by the light of this lamp.

May the boiling cauldrons in the hells that cook human beings cease to seethe, so that the limbs of sufferers, boiled to ruin, may be restored whole. May the Celestial Worthy, in compassionate pity, show mercy to living beings who have lost their way; when the souls of the dead behold this lamplight, they may ascend into the heavenly realms. The merit set forth above is inconceivable.

What the Golden Register of the Upper Prime records—the document presented to the heavenly realms in Daoist Zhaijiao (purification ritual)—are the brief codes concerning the ranks of the True Immortals. The lamp-lighting rite is a ritual service within the Keyi (liturgy) that illuminates the northeast. We pray that the cauldron broth cease to boil and that the shattered limbs of sufferers be restored whole; may the Celestial Worthy compassionately save beings who have gone astray, so that, having seen the lamplight, they may ascend into the heavenly realms. The merit set forth above is inconceivable.

The brief codes of the Golden Register of the Upper Prime record the ranks of the True Immortals; the lamp-lighting rite is of the utmost importance within the liturgy. Now the Retreat Officer, so-and-so, establishes the Precious Yellow Register Retreat—the Daoist Zhaijiao rite performed for the souls of the dead—and lights the divine lamps of the Ninefold Darkness, offering posthumous rites and prayers for blessings on behalf of the form-and-soul (the physical body together with the hun and po souls) of the deceased, so-and-so.

We respectfully address our prayer to all the underworld officials of the Hell of Universal Flogging, earnestly begging them to extend compassion broadly and to open grace universally for salvation. May whipping and caning cease forever, and may the punishments of beating no longer be carried out; may the souls of the dead no longer fall upon the Mountain of Knives, and may their bodies no longer be wounded by sword blades. May the dark prisons receive light, and may the hells be pure and at peace, so that souls sunk in the nether gloom may be rescued and soon ascend to the realm of light. We now carefully repent the sufferings in the Central Hell of Universal Flogging; the related talismanic mandates will be reverently proclaimed and sent down.

One intones the Worthies Who Save from Suffering of the upper and lower regions: please rise to welcome the Celestial Worthies Who Save from Suffering, coming from above, below, and the four directions.

With undivided heart I entrust my life to the Celestial Worthies Who Save from Suffering of the worlds of the ten directions. Hearing the cries of living beings, the Celestial Worthies come in response to relieve suffering. Please illuminate the center with the light of this lamp, so that all beings in the Hell of Universal Flogging may be released and freed from distress. May all the souls of the dead who endure the torment of whipping and caning, upon hearing the holy name of the Celestial Worthy Who Saves from Suffering, be saved and delivered.

With undivided heart I entrust my life to the Celestial Worthies Who Save from Suffering of the worlds of the ten directions. Hearing the cries of living beings, the Celestial Worthies come in response to relieve suffering. Please illuminate the center with the light of this lamp, so that all beings in the Hell of Universal Flogging may be released and freed from distress. May all the souls of the dead who endure the torment of whipping and caning, upon hearing the holy name of the Celestial Worthy Who Saves from Suffering, have their sinful suffering removed. May the Celestial Worthies, in compassionate pity, show mercy to beings who have lost their way, so that every soul in the nether gloom may ascend into the heavenly realms. The merit set forth above is inconceivable.

After the scripture has been recited, one bows to the deities and dedicates the merit to the deceased.

With reverence it is said: the divine lamp (the lamp used in Daoist ritual to invite the deities and to symbolize light) illuminates the darkness and restores brightness to the Nine Hells (the legendary ninefold hells in which the souls of the dead are confined). The Three Heavens (the celestial realms of Daoism) open the gates through which the departed may be saved, and the host of holy perfected ones send down their compassionate grace.

May the merit of the praise just offered to the divine lamp free the departed souls from their prisons, extinguish their karmic offenses, and secure for them the protection of the hundred deities. May the immortal music of the Nine Heavens welcome them into the pure and wondrous realm of the immortals, and may the numinous banners of the Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen; the banners used in Daoist ritual to guide the souls of the dead) lead them onto the path of liberation into a higher existence.

We respectfully ask that, by the power of the methods of the Dao (Dao), this most excellent good affinity be brought to fulfillment. Recite: Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun, the Heavenly Worthy Who Saves from Suffering—boundless and inconceivable merit.