《太上净明院补奏职局太玄都省须知》

The Taixuan Capital Bureau is the government office through which the Jade Emperor communicates directly and conducts affairs. It is staffed by two classes of officials, the Wenlin and the Wulin: the Wenlin are responsible for documents, registers, and ritual protocol, while the Wulin are responsible for destroying malign spirits and carrying out punitive campaigns. Those who hold office are all practitioners of the methods of the Dao (the Way), and they advance according to merit.

Ordinarily, the merit a person earns while alive is called “remote merit” (yaoxun), and an official post is formally conferred only after death; this is called “regular appointment” (zhengshou). If someone already possesses exceptional ability or outstanding merit in life, is entered on the Mysterious Register (Xuanpu, the roster of immortal officials of the celestial realm), and is recognized by the True Sages, a formal office may also be granted directly. Some are appointed according to their blessed virtue and meritorious achievements: their soul and Shen (spirit) take up residence at the corresponding official grade, and their celestial duties are then determined in dreams. Others have long been listed in the statutory registers of ghosts and spirits and secretly administer the laws of the celestial realm. Keen in hearing and discernment, their minds accord with Heaven, and their spiritual thought can communicate with the unseen world; they therefore receive formal commissions, each with its own rank. Officials are examined every year, and after one year they enter the Dongshen Document Hall (the celestial institution that handles documentary examination; Dongshen is one of the Three Caverns).

The offices of the Wenlin include Commissioner in Charge of the Taixuan Capital Bureau, Circuit-Inspecting Commissioner of the Taixuan Capital Bureau, Deputy Command Commissioner of the Taixuan, Commissioner of the Taixuan, Administrator of the Affairs of the Taixuan Capital Bureau, Director of the Taixuan Capital Bureau, and Adjudicating Director of the Taixuan Capital Bureau. These seven grades are held by first-rank immortal officials of the Upper Prime and are conferred as Grand Chief Commissioner of the Capital Command.

There are, in addition, Chief Recorder of the Taixuan, Chief Accountant of the Taixuan, Director of Historians of the Taixuan, Left and Right Directors of the Archival Historians of the Taixuan, Joint-Assembly Chief Historian of the Taixuan, Joint-Assembly Left and Right Historians of the Taixuan, Archival Left Historian of the Taixuan, Sectional Inspector of the Taixuan, Chief Reckoner of the Taixuan Directorate, and Assistant Reckoner of the Taixuan Directorate. These ten grades are held by first-rank immortal officials of the Middle Prime and are conferred as Bureau Commissioner and Sectional Director.

Chief Clerk of the Taixuan (Great Mystery) Capital, Chief Clerk of the Taixuan Bureau, Duty Clerk of Taixuan, Adjudicating Clerk of Taixuan, Directorate Clerk of Taixuan, Assistant Directorate Clerk of Taixuan, Assistant Clerk of the Taixuan Directorate, Assistant to the Capital Directorate of Taixuan, Communications Clerk of the Taixuan Directorate, Co-emolument Directorate Clerk of Taixuan, Examining Manager of Taixuan, Register Copyist of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department (Dusheng), Left Assistant Clerk of Taixuan, Assistant to the Capital Directorate of Taixuan, Communications Clerk of the Taixuan Directorate, Co-emolument Directorate Clerk of Taixuan, Examining Manager of Taixuan, Register Copyist of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Merit-Ranking Director of the Left and Right Bureaus of Taixuan, Grand Adjudicator-in-Chief of Taixuan, and the Left and Right Adjudicators of Taixuan. The above together comprise fifteen ranks. What follows lists the posts held by immortal officials (xian’guan) of Prime First Rank (Yuan yipin), who serve as sectional envoys of the ten bureaus of the Chief Registry (Dulu).

Secretary for the Assembled Affairs of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, and Associate Signatory for the Affairs of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department: these two ranks above are the posts held by personnel newly entering the bureau.

— Wulin

Grand Supervisor-in-Chief of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Junior Supervisor-in-Chief of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Deputy Supervisor of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Upper Merit Examiner of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Bureau Chief of Command of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Senior Mounted Clerk for Investigating Malfeasance of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Junior Mounted Clerk for Investigating Malfeasance of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Middle Merit Examiner of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, and Lower Merit Examiner of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department. The above list ten ranks, held by immortal officials of the Upper Prime (Shangyuan), First Rank.

Upper Supervisor of Merit of the Taiwen (Great Pattern) Metropolitan Department, Lower Supervisor of Merit of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Senior Duty Officer of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Junior Duty Officer of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Grand Numinous Officer (Lingguan) of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Guard Gentleman of the Numinous Officers of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Assistant Gentleman of the Numinous Officers of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Commandant Court Gentleman of the Taixuan Metropolitan Department, Court Gentleman Commanding the Guards of the Taixuan Department, and Court Gentleman of the Feathered Forest Guard Bureau of the Taixuan Department. The above list ten ranks, held by immortal officials of the Middle Prime (Zhongyuan), First Rank.

Chief Manager of the Taixuan Department, Court Gentleman Commanding the Guards of the Xuan Department, and Court Gentleman of the Feathered Forest Guard Bureau of the Taixuan Department. The above list ten ranks, likewise held by immortal officials of the Middle Prime, First Rank.

Chief Manager of the Taixuan Department, and the Managerial Bureau of the Taixuan Department.

The ranks of office in the Taixuan Department (Taixuan sheng), in descending order, are: Commissioner of the Taixuan Department (Taixuan sheng zhishi), Chief of Documents of the Taixuan Department (Taixuan sheng zongwen), Commissioner-General of the Taixuan Department (Taixuan sheng zongshi), Service Attendant of the Taixuan Department (Taixuan sheng zhiying), Commissioner of the Chancellery of the Taixuan Department (Taixuan sheng menxia zhishi), Gentleman of the Taixuan Xuanyi Guard (Taixuan xuanyi weilang; Xuanyi, “Proclaimed Valor”), Assistant in Proclamation Affairs of the Taixuan (Taixuan zanxuan chengshi), Assistant of the Taixuan Xuanyi Guard (Taixuan xuanyi weizuo), Deputy Assistant in Proclamation of the Taixuan (Taixuan zanxuan chengzuo), and Chief Discipline Officer of the Taixuan (Taixuan du yuhou). These together are known as the twelve ranks. Below them are established immortal officials of Primal Unity, First Rank (Yuanyi pin), who serve in the Right Wulin (You wulin, the Right Martial Grove) and all come under the jurisdiction of the Chief Registrar (Dulu).

Civil commissioned posts are established at each grade from the Chief Scribe (zhushi) downward, one for each bureau and office. Military commissioned posts are established at each grade from the Senior Supervisor of Merit (shang jiangong) downward, one for each bureau and office.

The Taixuan Bureaus and Offices

The Taixuan Chief Registrar is stationed in the Palace of Jade Clarity (Yuqing gong). The office manages memorials from throughout the world, reviewing and transmitting memorial documents together with the registers of origin and status of the various immortals. It concurrently oversees the Chief Penal Administration (Duxing), entering in the records the case files of those guilty of capital crimes.

The duties of the courts are as follows, and each court is staffed with one emolument officer (ludeng). The Court of Emolument Ranks (Ludeng yuan) has charge of the life and death of human beings. The Court of Prolonging Life (Yansheng yuan) has charge of the number of years in a person’s lifespan. The Court of Administrative Offices (Zhizhi yuan) assesses the grades of ritual officers (faguan) throughout the world. The Court of the Celestial Dao (the Way; Tiandao yuan) administers those who pursue cultivation throughout the world. The Court of Yang De (Virtue/Power; Yangde yuan) records deeds of good De throughout the world. The Court of Yin Calamity (Yinhuo yuan) records evil deeds throughout the world and the retribution they incur. The Court of Immortals and Ghosts (Xiangui yuan) has charge of the promotion of immortals and ghosts. The Court of Celestial Troops (Tianbing yuan) has charge of the soldiers and horses of the Three Realms. The Court of Fundamental Provisions (Genliao yuan) has charge of the provisions allotted for the use of human beings. The Court of Lifespan Punishment (Fashou yuan) has charge of cases in which people die because they have suffered injustice.

The Court of the Black Prison (Heiyu yuan) has charge of the criminal cases of ritual officers. The Court of Immortal Registers (Xianji yuan) has charge of the various master registers and rosters of names. The Court of Transmission and Presentation (Tongcheng yuan) has charge of the categories of memorials from throughout the world and of the business of forwarding and presenting them. The Court of Audit and Review (Mokan yuan) has charge of the affairs of the Audit and Review Offices of the Four Heavens (Sitian Mokan si); “mokan” means to verify and examine merit and fault. The Court of Palaces and Temples (Gongmiao yuan) has charge of sacrifices throughout the world. The Court of Celestial Thunder (Tianlei yuan) has charge of the affairs of celestial talismans. The Court of Celestial Rain (Tianyu yuan) has charge of the rain sent down from heaven. The Court of Scattered Immortals (Sanxian yuan) has charge of the records of origin of the various fazi (those who cultivate the ritual methods of the Dao). The Court of the Military Bureau (Bingju yuan) has charge of military tallies and of matters related to death. The Court of Inspection (Jiancha yuan) has charge of the records of merit and fault of the gods and immortals of the upper realm.

The Celestial Immortal Court (Tianxian Yuan) oversees the various courts and offices of the celestial realms and also administers matters of origin for the fazi who cultivate the various methods—that is, Daoist practitioners.

The Military Bureau Court (Bingju Yuan) is responsible for military tallies and for matters of death.

The Inspection Court (Jiancha Yuan) is responsible for examining the merits and faults of the gods and immortals of the upper realm.

The Celestial Immortal Court handles the memorials and documents submitted upward to the various heavens.

The Court of the Various Methods (Zhufa Yuan) is responsible for the affairs of the Ten Continents and Three Islands.

The Edict-Reception Court (Zhaowen Yuan) is responsible for transmitting the decrees issued downward from the upper realm.

The Penal Regulation Court (Xingzhi Yuan) is responsible for registering the penalty rolls of those guilty of capital crimes.

The Court of Extended Blessing (Yanzuo Yuan) is responsible for recording the fortunes of states and the names of their sovereigns.

The Yang Officials Court (Yangguan Yuan) is responsible for the governmental affairs of the human world, the realm of Yang (Yin-Yang).

The Yin Officials Court (Yinguan Yuan) is responsible for the governmental affairs of the underworld administration, the realm of Yin.

The Court of Fulfilled Righteousness (Yicheng Yuan) is responsible for recording the filial conduct of all people under Heaven.

The Court of Pure Integrity (Qingjie Yuan) is responsible for recording deeds of upright, pure, and lofty conduct.

The Court of Illumination (Zhaolin Yuan) is responsible for the Five Stars and related documentary affairs.

The Metropolitan Penal Court (Duxing Yuan) is responsible for punishments and prison litigation in the yang realm.

The Court of the Controller of Destiny (Siming Yuan) keeps the registers of the lifespans of all living beings. “Zhusheng” means registering and fixing a person’s life and allotted span of years.

Essential notes on the ranks of officials in the Metropolitan Department of the Celestial Pivot Court (Tianshu Yuan Dusheng)

Civil posts

Offices of this kind are held by those who cultivate the arts of the Dao, compose memorials and documents, perform ritual services, and have established merit.

True Duke (Zhengong), True Earl (Zhenbo), True Person (Zhenren), True Official (Zhenguan), True Assistant (Zhenzuo), Immortal Earl (Xianbo), Immortal Official (Xianguan), and Immortal Assistant (Xianzuo): the foregoing are called the “Upper Six Offices.” Each post is assigned a secret character, a special graph used to identify the office.

The Golden Luan Hall (Jinluan Dian), the Five Spirits Hall (Wushen Dian), the Fixed Light Hall (Dingguang Dian), the Grand Tenuity Hall (Taiwei Dian), and the Purple Tenuity Hall (Ziwei Dian) belong to the third rank of “merit-bearing” posts. Those who hold them may be styled Scholar (Xueshi), Text Explicator (Shiwen), or Register Copyist (Tengji). There are also commissioner posts that carry secret characters, for example the Commissioner of Benevolence and Resolve (Renyi Shi).

The Qian Numinous Pavilion (Qianling Ge), the Kun Completion Pavilion (Kuncheng Ge), the Celestial Envoy Grand Tenuity Hall, and the Purple Tenuity Hall likewise belong to the third rank of merit-bearing posts. Officeholders may be styled Scholar, Text Explicator, or Register Copyist, and there are also commissioner posts bearing secret characters, for example the Commissioner of Benevolence and Resolve.

The Qian Numinous Pavilion, the Kun Completion Pavilion, the Celestial Envoy Pavilion (Tianshi Ge), the Literary Assembly Pavilion (Huiwen Ge), and the Hall of Central Harmony (Zhonghe Tang) belong to the third rank of pavilion posts. Officeholders may be styled Scholar, Register Copyist, or Text Explicator.

The Hall of Bright Integrity (Mingjie Tang), the Garden of Bright Joy (Mingle Yuan), the Garden of Assembled Immortals (Huixian Yuan), and the Jade Pool (Yaochi).

The foregoing are called the “three grades of sacred talismans.” Some are termed commissioned envoys, and others commanders. From this point downward, the special offices that stand outside the ordinary roster are all talismanic mandates specially bestowed by the celestial realm. There are, in addition, certain posts established beyond the regular establishment, such as those of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), the Left and Right Emissaries for Receiving Directives, the Grand Envoys, the officials of the Mysterious Capital, the officials of the Grand Tenuity, and the various altar posts of the Purple Tenuity Palace.

The offices of minister, academician, textual expositor, register copyist, and judicial officer belong to those posts for which Heaven issues a patent of appointment.

The censors of the Three Capitals are established separately in the Mysterious Capital, the Pure Capital, and the Divine Capital. There are the supreme ministers of the Thirty-Two Heavens and the ministers of the Five Departments; the mobile altars of the judicial officers of the Thirty-Two Heavens and those of the judicial officers of the Five Departments; the recorders of the various bureaus, such as the minor judicial officers of the seventy-four bureaus; the judicial officers of the various courts, such as the judicial officer of the Court for Expelling Malevolence; the joint secretaries of the various bureaus, such as the co-administering judicial officer of the right; and the registrars, who comprise one hundred and twenty grades, such as the registrar for examination and verification.

All of the above are called “entering the roster,” that is, admission into the sequence of ranked appointment. Officeholders may be promoted or transferred according to seniority and merit. Appointments are drafted by the metropolitan bureau, which memorializes the names; once the celestial court has decided, it issues the patent.

Military posts of this kind are conferred on those who have earned merit by capturing and slaying malign spirits—for example, by campaigning against ritual grounds or destroying heterodox temples—and also on those who in life were renowned military commanders. Some civil officials, if they distinguish themselves in documentary affairs, may likewise be transferred into military office.

The posts of general, army commander, army leader, emissary, and commander are called the five offices of the upper grade. Each has its corresponding secret character, as in the cases of the six ranks and the six offices. There are also the Five Youth Lords, the Five Youths, the deployers of the Ten Directions, and the emissaries for transmitting dispatches.

The foregoing are called the “Four Grades of Personal Guards.” In addition there are the “Commissioners of Secret Characters,” such as the “Commissioner Who Controls the Cranes of the Sun” and others of this kind.

The Duty Officer of the Sword, the Duty Officer of the Seal, the Duty Officer of the Talisman, the Duty Officer of the Tally, and the Duty Officer of the Banner are together called the “Five Grades of Those Who Bear Commissions.” All these office titles are prefixed with the two characters “Nine Heavens,” as in the “Sacred Talisman of the Civil Grades of the Nine Heavens.” From this point downward they are termed “extraordinary appointments,” and all of them are office titles specially conferred by celestial talismans. There are also titles granted outside the regular grades, such as the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), the Lord of Great Might, Great Might, and the Celestial Soldiers (Tianding). These titles are bestowed by proclamations issued from Heaven.

Next come the Directors of the Four Saints and the Directors of the Three Heavens, for example the directors of the rank of the Five Boys and below; the Chief Civil Officers of the Four Saints and the Chief Civil Officers of the Three Heavens; the Chief Commanders of the Four Saints and the Attendants in Waiting of the Chancellery of the Three Heavens; the Directors of the Chancellery of the Three Heavens and the Martial Heralds of the Five Marchmounts (Wuyue); the Assistant Heralds of the City Gods (Chenghuang) and the Guard Officers of the Five Marchmounts; and the Boundary Commissioners of the City Gods, together with the directors of the first grade of supernumerary officers and below.

There follow again the Chief Civil Officers of the Four Saints and the Chief Civil Officers of the Three Heavens; the Chief Commanders of the Four Saints and the Attendants in Waiting of the Chancellery of the Three Heavens; the Directors of the Chancellery of the Three Heavens and the Martial Heralds of the Five Marchmounts; the Assistant Heralds of the City Gods and the Guard Officers of the Five Marchmounts; and the Boundary Commissioners of the City Gods. In all there are one hundred twenty grades of supernumerary officers. The supernumerary officers of the Bureau of Examination and Illumination of Grand Clarity (Taiqing) are also included among them.

The foregoing are called the “Army Generals.” Those who hold office are promoted according to seniority and merit. In every case the Metropolitan Office drafts the proposal and memorializes the names, then requests the directive and issues a writ of appointment.

Among the celestial offices described above, both civil and military, those who have earned merit during life may be transferred to honorary distant posts; after death they are formally appointed to substantive offices. Service is divided into three grades. Whether the assessments and merits are those of life or of death, candidates are entered in due sequence into the corresponding posts.

The Statutes and Regulations of the Various Bureaus of the Celestial Pivot Metropolitan Office

Regulations for Entry into Office

Those who are filial to their parents and affectionate toward their brothers, loyal and steadfast in integrity, devoted to cultivating the Dao (the Way), and who accumulate hidden merit and manifest De (Virtue/Power)—all who establish great merit in the Three Realms of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity—may, according to their origins, be placed in the grades of civil or military office and promoted in order. An office may be conferred honorarily during one’s lifetime, or it may be granted by skipping grades after death.

Regulations on Secret Characters

Civil offices are divided into three grades, and their titles contain four characters, three characters, and two characters respectively. Military offices are divided into three grades, and their titles contain six characters, four characters, and three characters respectively. In all these categories, the office whose title has fewer characters ranks higher, and the office whose title has more characters ranks lower.

Verification and Issuance of the Secret Characters

Loyalty and courage, talent and counsel, filial devotion, the proclamation of goodwill, compassionate love that benefits others, incorruptibility and uprightness, calmness held within due measure, dignified adherence to righteousness, literary grace answering the occasion, the fine beauty of De (Virtue/Power) in conduct, martial valor and heroic splendor, secluded quiet and gleaming purity, plain simplicity and clear understanding, unsullied cleanliness, reverent solemnity, gentleness and peaceful stillness, the preservation of safety and well-being, confluence and thorough communion, radiant illumination, illustrious flourishing, silent stillness and numinous grace, and bright, open clarity.

The above amounts to forty-four characters in all.

Checked against secretly transmitted writings, the following is confirmed:

Loyalty and courage, talent and counsel, filial devotion, the proclamation of goodwill, compassionate love that benefits others, incorruptibility and uprightness, calmness held within due measure, dignified adherence to righteousness, literary grace answering the occasion, the fine beauty of De in conduct, martial valor and heroic splendor, secluded quiet and gleaming purity, plain simplicity and clear understanding, unsullied cleanliness, reverent solemnity, gentleness and peaceful stillness, the preservation of safety and well-being, confluence and thorough communion, radiant illumination, illustrious flourishing, silent stillness and numinous grace, and bright, open clarity.

These forty-four characters are called zhenggong (upright merit), that is, the categories of positive merit. Besides these, there are more than ten thousand titles of commendation conferred according to particular deeds; they belong to the secret character-books of the celestial realm.

Conditions for deliverance after death and exemption from imprisonment

Filial conduct that earns praise; steadfast observance of the methods of the Dao (the Way), with cultivation maintained without cease; being upright and sincere as a person; doing good in secret, with merit that no one can equal; openly manifesting virtuous goodness; cherishing life and loathing the killing of living beings; compassion joined with courage and resolve, and gentleness joined with caution.

Circumstances of imprisonment after death and prolonged perdition

Deceiving and concealing, and wronging others; doing evil in secret so that it remains unknown; acting in darkness and secrecy while supposing that no one knows; evil deeds seen by neither human beings nor spirits; and committing the Ten Evils and the Five Rebellions (a collective term in Buddhist and Daoist classics for grave evil deeds and crimes of rebellion).

The True Statutes and Regulations of the Purple Court (Ziting zhenlüge). The Purple Court refers to the palaces and offices of the celestial realm; the True Statutes and Regulations refer to the related articles of celestial precepts.

“Jie” means that the inner mind is pure and undefiled by impurity; “qin” means constant caution and vigilance, together with a heart of reverence. Only when desire has not yet been satisfied is it called “true desire”; only when craving has not yet succeeded is it called “true greed.” The saying “taking that is not reckoned as taking, stealing that is not reckoned as stealing, licentiousness that is not reckoned as licentiousness, and opposition that is not reckoned as opposition” means that one cannot judge the nature of an act by its outward appearance alone, but must also look at the actual circumstances of the act and at the original mind.

Constant caution and vigilance is called “qin.” Desire not yet satisfied is called “true desire”; craving not yet achieved is called “true greed.” If one can clearly distinguish what accords from what does not, what is contrary from what is not, and good from evil, and can examine oneself, repent, and study the methods of the Dao (the Way), this is called “supreme goodness.” To falsify one’s nature and feelings and depart from the correct Dao is called “great evil.”

The saying “giving life that is not reckoned as giving life, and killing that is not reckoned as killing” must likewise be judged by the actual circumstances and the intention. To cover up good deeds is concealment; to hide evil deeds is deceit. To kill another while claiming that one wished that person to live is called “loving life”; to see someone alive yet hope that the person will die is called “loving to kill.” One who resents his parents is unworthy of life; even though his parents gave birth to him, he may be put to death. Therefore, one who is truly filial does not die, and one of the utmost filial piety can become an immortal. The way of the immortals is easy; the way of ghosts is difficult.

Good people often detest evil people who pretend to do good. Original nature is good; it is only habit that makes people become evil. Evil is not beyond change: if one can correct one’s faults, one may return to goodness. The ghost registers—records concerning the ranks of ghosts and spirits—should be stored in secret. Those who receive them obtain the highest reward; if they divulge them or treat them negligently, they suffer public punishment. Urging others to do good by false means is called “trustworthiness”; using honesty to cover up faults is instead counted as “wrong.” Harm caused in secret is great; harm caused in the open is small. When an evil thought arises within the heart and is not shown outwardly, the offense has already taken form; when conduct appears outwardly and the heart feels shame, the offense may still be forgiven. One who oppresses and bullies others certainly cannot cultivate the Dao; even if such a person will on this account suffer public punishment, that cannot be used as a plea of exculpation. Even one who seizes another’s property may still continue to practice the Dao.

The Bureau of the Heavenly Pivot Directorate

The Chief Registrar of the Heavenly Pivot is responsible for registering the living in this world, and exercises authority over and superintends such matters as the collation of documents and the work of the recording clerks. There are seven recording clerks in all. Seven caoyuan—subordinate officers who handle documentary affairs—are also appointed to undertake, receive, and issue the official business of the various recording offices. Under its jurisdiction, the Yuanhui commands ten thousand soldiers, and it may summon and dispatch celestial troops and take unified command of the armies. The first recording office is that of Xiangti Zhenren (Perfected) Shen Quan. The second recording office is that of Maoquan Zhenren Wang Yang. The third recording office is that of Yangming Xianzuo (Immortal Assistant) Chuanshou.

The Fourth Recorder Office (Lushi Si): Feng Xiu, whose Daoist name (daohao) is True Person (zhenren) of Illumined Healing and Continuance (Mingjiu Zhixu Zhenren).

The Fifth Recorder Office: Hu Zhu, who contentedly keeps to his proper station and has not yet assumed an immortal office.

The Sixth Recorder Office: Kong Wen, who contentedly keeps to his proper station and has not yet assumed an immortal office.

The Seventh Recorder Office: Fang Zheng, who contentedly keeps to his proper station and has not yet assumed an immortal office.

Besides separately registering seventy-four categories of affairs, the seven recorders also serve concurrently as sectional officers (jieyuan), officials who assist in handling affairs, of the Office of Recording and Reckoning (Lusuan Si). They are subordinate to the First Recorder Office and jointly administer the basic registers (sulu) of the seventy-four offices. All seven recorders are living persons still in the human world. Their registers are managed by the Metropolitan Office (Dusi), and their identities remain secret and are not disclosed to outsiders.

The First Recorder Office is linked with the sectional officers of the Assembly Prefecture (Huifu) and the Office of Recording and Planning (Luchou Si), and twenty-seven offices are established in all.

The Office of Recording and Reckoning has charge of such affairs as the total numbers of births and deaths among human beings. True Person Cai Yuan holds this post.

The Bureau of Prolonging Life (Yansheng An) has charge of such affairs as the increase of allotted lifespan. True Person of Mysterious Crimson Cinnabar Clouds (Xuanjiang Danxia Zhenren) Wang Zi holds this post.

The Court of Recording Merit (Jigong Yuan) has charge of the records of merit and virtue of all people under Heaven. True Person Lu Cangyong holds this post.

The Office of Official Duties (Zhishi Si) has charge of such affairs of the ritual officers (faguan) throughout the world as the “assignment of rank and auspicious response” (fangdi xiuying). True Person Jia Yi holds this post.

The Court of the Heavenly Dao (Tiandao Yuan) has charge of the name registers of practitioners throughout the world. True Person of Wondrous Virtue (Miaode Zhenren) Wu Chen holds this post.

The Court of Hidden Merit (Yinji Si) has charge of such affairs as the hidden virtue and hidden misfortune of people throughout the world. True Person of Wuwei (non-action) Who Orders the Dao (Wuwei Zhidao Zhenren) Zhu Fu holds this post.

The Bureau of Ghost Immortals (Guixian An) has charge of the name registers of ghosts who ascend to immortality, and is responsible for investigation and correction. True Person Who Exalts the Numinous (Chongling Zhenren) Xiao Shi holds this post.

The Office of Armies and Cavalry (Bingma Si) has charge of such affairs as the numbers of troops and horses of the Three Realms. True Person of Daily Repose and the Upper Prime (Rixiu Shangyuan Zhenren) Ouyang Li holds this post.

The Office of Root Endowments (Genliao Si) has charge of such affairs as the endowed quantities that human beings receive and make use of. Master of Numinous Radiance (Linghui Zi) Ouyang Du holds this post.

The Bureau of the Controller of Fate (Siming An) has charge of the predestined mandates fixed for human beings before they are born, and is responsible for preserving merit and virtue. True Person Fu Yuan holds this post.

The Bureau of Wrongful Death (Wangsi An) has charge of such matters as the allotted lifespan and the numbers of penalties of human beings after a wrongful death. True Person of Dragon Radiance (Longguang Zhenren) Bai Minzhong holds this post.

The three entries preceding the Bureau of Wrongful Death—the Office of Armies and Cavalry, the Office of Root Endowments, and the Bureau of the Controller of Fate—are copied out once again in the original text.

The Black Prison Register records cases of immortal officials who have committed offenses, and is administered by the Solemn Perfected of Fengle, Kuang Xiu.

The Court of Venerating the Perfected reviews and decides the affairs of the Court of Merit Records, and is administered by the Yellow Official Perfected Liao Li.

The Court of Immortal Registers keeps the master roster of all immortals, and is administered by the Cinnabar-Cloud Perfected Wu Quan.

The Bureau of Detailed Determination copies the memorials sent in from throughout the world, and is administered by the Western Flourish Perfected Wu Cai.

The Bureau of Memorial Presentation transmits and submits memorials, and is administered by the Northern Cavern Perfected Wang Qiaonian.

The Metropolitan Penal Court administers punishments and prisons in the human world, and is administered by the Perfected of Clear Distinction, Gaoyao.

The Court of the Celestial Pivot handles the affairs of the various hells in the underworld and receives documents reporting matters of the netherworld, and is administered by the Perfected of Secluded Depths, Ge.

The Bureau of Scrutiny verifies the affairs of the Four Heavens, and is administered by the Perfected of the Eight Openings, Jiang Wei.

The Register of Palaces and Temples records the ghosts and spirits entered in the canonical registers of sacrifice, and is administered by the Perfected of Ceremonial Vestments, Zhao Fenghou.

The Desk of Thunder and Rain handles matters of thunder and rain, and is administered by the immortal official of thunder and rain, the Perfected of the Ordered Prefecture and Bright Wilds, Xiao Zhuang.

The Desk of Unattached Immortals manages the documents concerning the origins of the various immortals, and is administered by the Precious Stillness Perfected Jian Chang.

The Procuratorial Court oversees the ritual procession—the ceremonial escort when an emperor or a deity travels—celestial patterns, and the governing implements of female immortals, and is administered by the Supreme Immortal Perfected Fu Xing.

The Desk of Troop Deployment manages the military tallies of the Three Realms (Sanjie), together with matters of death, victory, and defeat, and is administered by the Numinous Virtue Perfected Guo Maoxian.

The Office of Inspection examines the merits and faults of the judges of the upper realm, and is administered by the Clear Radiance Perfected Liu Zhen and the Stillness Perfected Jian Chang.

The Procuratorial Court oversees the ritual procession, celestial patterns, and the governing implements of female immortals, and is administered by the Supreme Immortal Perfected Fu Xing.

The Desk of Troop Deployment manages the military tallies of the Three Realms, together with matters of death, victory, and defeat, and is administered by the Numinous Virtue Perfected Guo Maoxian.

The Office of Inspection examines the merits and faults of the judges of the upper realm, and is administered by the Clear Radiance Perfected Liu Zhen.

The Memorial Court of the Various Heavens manages the memorials of the immortal officials of the various heavens, and is administered by the Perfected of Literary Esteem and Perfected Governance, Zhen Shanji.

The Memorial Desk of the Various Heavens manages the memorials of the Three Isles and Ten Continents, and is administered by the Unsurpassed Perfected of Wondrous Response, Cai Fu.

The Second Bureau of Clerks is named the Metropolitan Bureau of the Left Eight Offices.

The Right Office of Inspection manages the rosters of the judges of the middle and lower realms, and is administered by the Perfected of the Du Court, Jiang Zhen.

The Left Office of Inspection manages the memorials and documents submitted by the Five Marchmounts (Wuyue), and is administered by the Yanghua Perfected Liang Song.

The Court of Received Documents manages the legal documents issued from the heavens above, and is administered by the Equal Wonder Perfected Pei Yan.

The Court of Penal Regulations manages the rosters of offenders and of those subject to capital punishment, and is administered by the Huayang Perfected Feng Yuan.

The Office of Prolonged Blessings (Yanzuo Si) is responsible for overseeing the fortune of the state and the names and surnames of sovereigns, under the direction of the True Person of Unadorned Vastness (Suguan Zhenren), Cui Ji.

The Bureau of Yang Officials (Yangguan Yuan) is responsible for overseeing the bureaucratic affairs of the yang realm of the human world, under the direction of the True Person of Pure Frankness (Qingdang Zhenren), Yin Jue.

The Bureau of Yin Officials (Yin'guan Yuan) is responsible for overseeing the bureaucratic affairs of the yin realm and its underworld administration, under the direction of the True Person of Blazing Radiance (Hexi Zhenren), Wu Qi.

The Dihou Directorate (Dihou Dian) is responsible for overseeing documents concerning sinners and the deceased in Fengdu (the underworld as spoken of in Daoism), under the direction of the True Person of Jade Well-being (Yaokang Zhenren), Huang Huang.

The Third Recorder: the Chief Bureau of the Right Six Offices (here the name of an official bureau).

The Bureau of Righteous Accomplishment (Yicheng Yuan) is responsible for registering the loyal and filial throughout the world, under the direction of the True Person of Broad Brightness (Guangming Zhenren), Qiu Lan.

The Bureau of Yin Officials is responsible for overseeing the bureaucratic affairs of the yin realm and its underworld administration, under the direction of the True Person of Blazing Radiance, Wu Qi.

The Dihou Directorate is responsible for overseeing documents concerning the sinners and the deceased of Fengdu, under the direction of the True Person of Jade Well-being, Huang Huang.

The Third Recorder: the Chief Bureau of the Right Six Offices (here the name of an official bureau).

The Bureau of Righteous Accomplishment is responsible for registering the loyal and filial throughout the world, under the direction of the True Person of Broad Brightness, Qiu Lan.

The Bureau of Pure Integrity (Qingjie Yuan) is responsible for registering persons of incorruptible moral restraint, under the direction of the True Person of Talismanic Assembly (Fuhui Zhenren), Huang Ding.

The Court of Illumining Oversight (Zhaolin Si) is responsible for overseeing the affairs of persons in the foreign regions of the four quarters, under the direction of the True Person of Collegial Standing (Tongliao Zhenren), Ouyang Mian.

The Court of Broad Illumination (Guangzhao Si) is responsible for overseeing the fortunes of states and the stability of the foreign regions of the four quarters, under the direction of the True Person of Preserving Well-being (Baokang Zhenren), Liao Xin.

The Office of the Sun and Moon (Riyue Si) is responsible for overseeing documents that report the affairs of the sun and moon, under the direction of the True Person of Respectful Harmony (Gonghe Zhenren), Qiu Xiang.

The Bureau of the Five Stars (Wuxing Yuan) is responsible for overseeing the documents of the various stellar lodges and the conjunction of starlight, under the direction of the True Person Shi Yao.

The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Recorders are responsible for overseeing the affairs of the four quarters and of the Twenty-Eight Lodges—the system of stellar lodges that encircle the celestial regions and are assigned to the four quarters—as they move into their proper stations. This is called the “Eight Joint Receivers.” Of these, seven offices are responsible for verifying documentary cases, and one office is responsible for regulation and dispatch; together they are collectively styled and granted the title of True Person (Zhenren).

The Fourth Recorder of the East, eight adjudicating officials collectively styled the True Persons of Clear Radiance (Qinghui Zhenren): Yang Qi, Wang Ji, Feng Lang, Wang Jue, Zhang Liang, Hou Fu, Niu Qing, and Niu Du.

The Fifth Recorder of the South, eight adjudicating officials collectively styled the True Persons of Blazing Splendor (Hehua Zhenren): Dou Jian, Wan Sheng, Feng Yan, □□, Mao Zhong, Feng Zhen, Hua Jian, and Zhi Xiang.

The original text then lists the Fifth Recorder of the South and the same group of adjudicating officials’ names once more; the content is repeated.

The Sixth Recorder of the West, eight adjudicating officials collectively styled the True Persons of Plain Stillness (Suji Zhenren): Huang Wen, Xiao Zong, Guan Ziming, and Hu Gan.

Hu Zhu, Huang Wansheng, Liu Zhiji, and Liu Zhang.

The Seventh Registrar of the North is staffed with eight judges, jointly enfeoffed as Youling Zhenren (Spectral Perfected): Lu Jiguang, Guo Yuan, Wang Zhidao, Li Yunzhong, Li Huang, Cao Hong, Hu Jiang, and Hu Zhen.

The Tianshu Commissioner for the Transmission of Dispatches is charged with forwarding documents to the various offices and is subordinate to the Metropolitan Directorate. The chief officer is Cui Long, Left Crane-Guiding Commissioner. The bureau officer is Hu De, Right Dragon-Driving Commissioner. The staff officer is Bao Sheng, the Right Scarlet Lad.

Statutes and Regulations of the Dongshen Office System

The Dongshen Hall—Dongshen being one of the Three Caverns—is called the “Three Halls” and lies east of the Three Side Gates at the Mysterious Pass (Xuanguan) of Zhongshan. The Dao Lord, the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure (Lingbao Tianzun), received the methods of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun). After cultivating and realizing the Great Dao, he opened a lecture hall here and expounded the teaching for the Most High Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun).

Among candidates of every kind, only those whose conduct is exceptionally pure and upright, who truly possess cultivation, and who have obtained a corresponding post are qualified to enter this office system. They must once have made a great vow before the Most High Lord Lao, resolving to save and deliver all living beings; only after their own cultivation is complete does the turn come for their personal fulfillment. Those who have performed great deeds of goodness in the human world and who accord with the will of the Supreme Thearch (Shangdi) are called “fixed officials” (dingguan). “Fixed official” means that, although the office is low, its renown is high. Those who reach this standing are neither promoted nor demoted.

The Nine Ranks of Dongshen Civil Officers

The Dongshen Zhenqing (Perfected Ministers) comprise the Grand Academicians and officers of that class. The Dongshen Zhenwen (Perfected Scholars) comprise the Lesser Academicians and officers of that class. The Dongshen Zhenweng (Perfected Elders) comprise the newly confirmed fixed officials, the compilation officials, and officers of that class. These are the upper three ranks. From the Perfected Elder upward, such ranks are difficult for ordinary mortals to obtain. Even the Six Perfected Masters are styled Dongshen Zhenqing.

The Dongshen Xianqing (Immortal Ministers) comprise the compilation officials, the reviewing officials, and officers of that class. The Dongshen Xianliao (Immortal Colleagues) comprise such posts as drafters of memorials, excerpt recorders, copyists and annotators, collators and correctors, and section inspectors; for details, see the fixed officials discussed above. The Dongshen Canyi (Counselors) comprise the Three Censors-in-Chief, the Ministers of the Five Ministries, the Three Luminaries of the Various Heavens, the directors of music, and officers of that class. These are the middle three ranks. If personnel serving in the various counselor posts are to be incorporated into the grades of the Dongshen office system, the title “Dongshen Counselor” must be added to their designation.

The Dongshen Canzuo (Assistant Counselors): the original text is incomplete at this point.

The Dongshen (Cavern of Spirit) Counselor—the counselor post within the Dongshen ranks of office—includes such posts as the Censors of the Three Capitals, the Ministers of the Five Departments, the Three Luminaries of the Heavens, and the Director of Music.

The above are counselor officials of the middle three ranks. When they are entered in the Dongshen roster of offices, they must bear the title “Dongshen Counselor.”

Officials of the various bureaus and offices, from Dongshen Assistant Counselor and above and from the officials of Purple Tenuity and below, are all included in this establishment.

The Dongshen Director of Affairs is the director-of-affairs post among the Dongshen officials.

Officials from Dongshen Vice Minister and above, and from Counselor and below, are entered in the order of rank as “Sangchong Liaodai” (attendant sashes of mourning and veneration) and belong to the lower three ranks.

The foregoing are the lower three ranks.

The Dongshen Martial Gentlemen are divided into nine ranks. The upper three ranks are the Dongshen Chief Deputy, the Dongshen Guard Attendant, and the Dongshen Attendant Gentleman. The middle three ranks are the Dongshen Assistant Guard, the Dongshen Regulation Guard, and the Dongshen Proclaiming Guard. The lower three ranks are the Dongshen Upper Guard, the Dongshen Middle Guard, and the Dongshen Lower Guard.

The format for handling and dispatching memorials is as follows. Memorials presented upward and documents sent on are all processed according to the usual format.

The cover of a memorial petition should use yellow paper to indicate the matter being reported, and the date and hour of submission or dispatch should be noted at the head of the petition. Whenever a decision is requested, a slip of paper is attached beside the year, month, and day, stating, “Please issue this to such-and-such place.” If a seal is later to be borrowed, that too is noted there. If someone is sent out on business, a further slip is attached, stating, “Your servant is now stationed at such-and-such place and, on such-and-such day of such-and-such month, will set out for such-and-such place.”

These requirements are likewise followed when a formal memorial is used. The cover must state your servant’s office and name, together with the note “respectfully sealed in full”—that is, the flap is folded at the corner, and seals are stamped at both ends of the closure. Where there is no seal, the name is simply written. The cover of a formal memorial does not bear yellow paper. When a memorial is submitted from outside the capital, one need only attach the words “confidential” or “urgent.”

When the zha form, a simplified kind of document, is used, the opening does not give the office, does not sign the name, and does not record the year. The word “petition” is changed to “brief,” and the close reads, “Please render a decision.” Such a document is sent directly to the receiving office and does not pass through the bureau to which the sender belongs.

Urgent items use a bangzi, a short notice or document. One need only omit the year; the writing need not fill the whole sheet, and the document is not sealed. If a memorial is written in small characters, a silent memorial—a report not read aloud in public—is conducted facing north and is burned before the incense burner.

The format of a memorial of guarantee is the same as that used when an official of guarantee transmits a ritual command on another’s behalf.

First set down the official title and personal name, and, in accordance with the statutes or regulations then in force, briefly list the qualifications required for the recommendation. The servant So-and-so, whose name is set out to the right, having seen the name of a certain official and having turned the matter over in his mind, now recommends this person, holding that he is fit to fill a certain post. The particulars are as follows. Should circumstances later change, the matter is to be dealt with under the laws of the celestial realm. The items set forth are respectfully recorded and submitted in memorial, humbly awaiting the edict. If the person making the recommendation does not hold office in this place, the submission is styled “in receipt of an immortal command” (feng xianzhi); the year, month, and day are noted, and the petition is presented upward.

The single petition (a document submitted on its own)

When an office submits a written petition on its own initiative, it should state the standing of the officials of that office and the business being transacted. If there is no specific occasion, write “to the right” at this point, then write “respectfully set forth as above,” and thereafter list the matters one by one. At the end of the petition write: “The foregoing matters being as stated above, this office respectfully submits this petition in report.” If a ruling is requested, write “humbly awaiting instruction.”

At the close, inscribe the year, month, and day and the standing of the official who draws up the petition.

Every report addressed to an office under one’s own jurisdiction uses this format. When reporting to the Eastern Peak (Dongyue), for example, one must still note, before the text of the petition, the date and the double-hour of issue.

When one office issues a dispatch to another, it names the receiving office, the official concerned, and the business at hand, then sets out the contents item by item. At the end it writes “respectfully dispatched,” and notes the year according to the Taisui cycle, the year, month, and day, together with the signed endorsement of the official who issues the dispatch.

Whenever the two parties stand in no relation of command, correspondence between them uses this format. Dispatches sent to the deities of the various circuits are handled in the same way; one need only change “such-and-such office” to the name of the addressee, and must not leave the space blank. Even when the two parties do stand in a relation of command, if there is no established practice of proceeding by petition, or if their ranks are comparable, this format is likewise used. If a document is sent to a place under one’s jurisdiction, yet there is no established practice of using a warrant-dispatch, one states the place or official to whom the dispatch is sent, again leaving no blank, and notes the year, month, and day together with the signed endorsement of the issuing official.

Those who belong to one and the same system but serve in different bureaus use a format on the order of “A communication (guanwen) from the Academy of the Celestial Way (Tiandaoyuan), transmitted to the Section of the Immortal Registers (Xianji An) (Celestial Pivot, Tianshu).”

The form of the fu (the format of the warrant)

State the business handled by the office. Then write: “The warrant to the right is issued to the officer in charge at such-and-such place… Upon arrival of the warrant, let it be carried out.” Then note the year and month, and the official named affixes his signed endorsement.

Those who belong to one and the same system but serve in different bureaus use a format on the order of “A communication from the Academy of the Celestial Way, transmitted to the Section of the Immortal Registers (Celestial Pivot).”

The form of the fu

State the business handled by the office. Then write: “The warrant to the right is issued to the officer in charge at such-and-such place… Upon arrival of the warrant, let it be carried out.” Then note the year, month, and day and the signed endorsement of the official who issues the warrant.

Every document issued to a subordinate office uses this format, for example one issued to the Sheling (the spirit-official in charge of the local altar of the soil).

Format of the Dispatch

“Such-and-such office, such-and-such matter, and so forth.” To the right, the dispatch is issued to such-and-such place and such-and-such official, with the content as listed above. Every dispatch that sets out particular items is written in this format. At the end of the dispatch one writes: “The items on the right: a dispatch, and so forth.”

Dispatched on such-and-such year, month, and day.

The incumbent (fill in official title or status) signs.

Whenever divine generals are dispatched, or ritual methods are performed to treat illness, this dispatch format is used; if a date is to be specified, the date is written in.

Format of the Proclamation

“Proclamation: such-and-such office, such-and-such matter, and so forth.” To the right, such-and-such place is informed of such-and-such matter, with the content as above. If the notice concerns other matters, one writes: “The items on the right, and so forth.”

Proclaimed on such-and-such year, month, and day.

The incumbent (fill in official title or status) signs.

The seals to be used are as follows. When memorials are submitted to the Lord on High, the seal of the Jingming Court is used; when petition texts are presented, the seal of office is used. When documents are transmitted to the celestial realm, the seal of the Taixuan Bureau is used; when documents are transmitted to the Nine Earths, the seal of the Jingming Fazhu (Dharma Lord of Pure Brightness) is used. For praying for blessings and averting calamity, and for delivering the souls of the dead, the seal of the Daojun (Lord of the Dao) is used; for healing illness, dispatching divine generals, and writing talismans (Fulu) to summon spirits, the seal of the Supervisor-General of Ghosts and Spirits is used.

Seal Formats

The seal legends, in order, are: “Seal of the Taixuan Metropolitan Bureau” and “Seal of the Supervisor-General of Ghosts and Spirits”; “Seal of the Daojun” and “Seal of the Jingming Fazhu.”