《金箓上寿三献仪》

The bright intelligence and spiritual refinement between heaven and earth form the root of the myriad things, and auspicious portents continually appear in later ages. The light of the sun and moon proceeds in due order, shining upon the palaces and bringing celebration.

I, the official holding such-and-such office, together with the acting ritual officers and others, filled with joy and reverence, kowtow and bow again, and submit this memorial to the Great Emperor of Purple Tenuity of the North Pole, Star-Lord of the Central Heaven (the celestial sovereign honored by the sun, moon, and stars); the stellar deities of the sun, moon, and Dipper; the Star Lord of the Emperor’s Natal Root Destiny (the divine lord who governs the stars of the emperor’s natal destiny); the Old Man of the South Pole, Star Lord of Longevity and Virtue (the star lord who symbolizes long life); the Star Lord of Blessing and Virtue of the Supreme Clarity; the Star Lord of Emolument and Virtue of the Supreme Clarity; and the stellar officers who shine upon the imperial throne, together with the exalted perfected ones among the stellar lodges of the entire heavens who surround and guard the North Pole. We respectfully ask the deities to bestow compassionate grace widely and to discern clearly the sincerity of our hearts.

We have heard that the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning established the order of heaven and earth and dispersed the pure and upright Qi (vital energy) of the Dao (the Way) among the myriad things; the Vacuous Sovereign (a Daoist designation for exalted celestial deities) transforms and circulates heaven and earth, causing the beneficence of moral teaching to flow through the ten directions. All things in the world are born in dependence upon heaven and earth, and all living beings receive their lives between heaven and earth.

We respectfully reflect that His Majesty the Emperor occupies the most exalted position under heaven, administers the affairs of the myriad states, and nurtures the people, enabling the people of the four quarters to dwell in peace and longevity. Harmonious Qi fills the palace halls, and sounds of joyful celebration spread throughout the land.

Now, on the occasion of the Emperor’s sacred birthday, we reverently follow Daoist ceremonial rites in performing a Zhaijiao (purification ritual) and establish a Golden Register altar (the ritual altar used in the Golden Register Keyi (liturgy)). We kowtow toward Heaven above and respectfully emulate the classical allusion in which the people of Huafeng offered wishes of long life to Emperor Yao, wishing the Emperor longevity, abundance, and many descendants. With utmost sincerity we turn toward the Great Dao, praying that the sage Son of Heaven enjoy boundless longevity.

We respectfully request that the Supreme Sages extend their grace and the Primordial Worthies confer blessings: may the dark dragon arrive in state, attended by immortals riding jade-wheeled carriages with feathered canopies; may the vermilion phoenix spread both wings to escort the green palanquin and cinnabar carriage in which the Emperor rides. We earnestly beg the deities not to overlook our sincere prayers, but to grant the corresponding auspicious responses.

I, together with the ritual officers and others, filled with joy and reverence, kowtow and bow again, present incense, and offer the first round of wine.

Ritual service.

Music is performed.

We, your servants, have heard that the profound grace of De (Virtue/Power) takes the nurturing of life as its foundation, and that the Supreme Lord governs all things, extending even to the boundless and the infinite. Among the Five Blessings, the first is longevity, and the hopes of subjects for it are especially deep. We therefore present our petition to the celestial court with sincere reverence, hoping to receive gracious favor and thereby prolong our years. May Heaven look down and respond, so that our earnest prayers may be fulfilled.

We have been fortunate to inherit the tradition of Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity), an important Daoist school, yet we have not grasped “hansan,” the profound principle that encompasses the Three Powers of Heaven, Earth, and humanity. Although we strive to quiet and purify body and mind, we are ashamed that our practice often falls short. The substance of the Dao (the Way) is hidden, subtle, and far-reaching, and truly difficult to comprehend fully in words or thought. Happily we live in an age of prosperity and may draw near the grace of sagely brilliance. On this auspicious day we carefully observe the rites of Xuanyuan, Laozi as revered in Daoism.

We respectfully wish for His Majesty the Emperor: may the sovereign be blessed, and may all the states of the world be at peace. May the stars of blessing, emolument, and longevity shine before the imperial throne; may the bright and harmonious Qi (vital energy) of the Three Dynasties of Xia, Shang, and Zhou gather in the court of the present age. May Your Majesty long enjoy a luminous age of prosperity and widely open a realm of longevity and blessed grace.

We, together with the ritual officers, filled with joy, kowtow in salute, bow again to offer incense, set forth wine and sweet liquor, and perform the secondary offering, the second presentation of wine. Thereafter the ritual service is held and music is played.

I have heard that the deities of Heaven see all and hear all, and that only when the emperor’s mind is clear and pure does he receive the favor of Heaven above. The cheers of the multitude shake the earth, offered to wish His Majesty a long life. We follow the principle of Yin-Yang resonance, so that Heaven and Earth respond to one another in harmony. We respectfully carry out the command and, with care and sincerity, proceed according to Daoist Keyi (liturgy)—the procedures for conducting a ritual service—setting out each part of the rite in turn, and praying that the nation’s blessed fortune remain secure and that all affairs be peaceful.

We respectfully pray: the Great Dao (the Way) has no end, and sacred De (Virtue/Power) may be received both near and far. Through the four seasons and eight nodal periods—the seasons and seasonal observances of the whole year—harmonious Qi (vital energy) constantly gathers at the imperial residence; through the Three Primes and the Six Jia—important festivals in Daoism and the traditional calendar, together with the stem-and-branch system of reckoning days—stars of good fortune all move in accord with the destiny of the state. May the nation enjoy lasting order and stability, and the realm be peaceful and flourishing. May humane virtue be as vast as Heaven, and sagely brilliance as radiant as the sun. May the hundred officials be loyal and worthy, so that excellent decrees spread within the court and beyond it; may the people rejoice, and voices of praise reach both old and young. May the blessings of the imperial house continue without end, and the fortune of the state be long-lasting and auspicious. Filled with joy, we kowtow and perform the rite, bow twice and offer incense, and finally present wine.

Music is played.

The Scripture of Constant Clarity and Stillness Spoken by the Most High Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun Shuo Chang Qingjing Jing; abbreviated as the Qingjing Jing) is recited.

The memorial—a document setting forth prayers before the deities—is presented.

The memorial text and the offerings are burned.

The ritual service ends here.

Dedication of merit—directing the merit and prayers of the ritual service toward those for whom they are offered:

Just now we have respectfully stated our intentions before the Venerable of the Dao, and our sincere feelings have been fully expressed. Although the ritual service and ceremonies we have offered are now largely complete, we still respectfully ask the holy perfected ones to look down and examine them with clear discernment. We respectfully pray: may blessings and auspiciousness gather in the imperial palaces, and may years be added to the emperor’s allotted life; may the grand enterprise of the nation receive the aid and protection of the deities; and may grace, vast and profound, enable the people to enjoy lives of peace and joy. May wind and rain come in their proper seasons, and the fortune of the dynasty endure. Once more, relying on the divine power of the Great Dao, we sincerely invoke the “Heavenly Worthy of Ten Thousand Years of the Mysterious Capital” (Xuandu Wanshou Tianzun). The merit is beyond conception.

The assembly kneels and offers praise, calling out the holy name three times.

The rite is concluded.