《太上洞渊三昧帝心光明正印太极紫微伏魔制鬼拯救恶道集福吉祥神咒》

The Divine Incantation of Taishang (the Most High) Dongyuan (Cavern Abyss) Samādhi, the Orthodox Seal of the Radiant Light of the Imperial Heart, of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) and Ziwei, for Subduing Demons and Controlling Ghosts, Rescuing from Evil Paths, and Gathering Blessings and Auspiciousness, is the title of an incantation centered on Daoist revered deities and sacred powers such as Taishang, Taiji, and Ziwei. “Subduing demons and controlling ghosts” means overcoming evil demons and stopping ghosts and specters from doing harm; “rescuing from evil paths” means saving beings who are in harsh circumstances or have fallen into evil paths; and “gathering blessings and auspiciousness” is a prayer that merit and blessings may gather and that auspicious peace may prevail.

This scripture is included among the Daoist ritual-method texts of the Zhonghua Daozang (Chinese Daoist Canon); its base text comes from the Original Texts category of the Dongxuan division of the Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen) in the Zhengtong Daozang (Daoist Canon of the Zhengtong Reign). The author is unknown; related catalogues record that this fascicle contains two incantations.

The subtle truths of Taiwei and Ziwei are gathered into the splendid chapters of the Jing (scripture/classic). The text lists the titles Min Ren, Zong Taiying, Han Yuan, Wen Xiang, Guo Shu, Gu Jie, Wen Diao, Pan Lu, Fu Zhaoming, Shu Hundong, Taiwu, Yuhuang, Xuanzhong, and others. This is followed by the repeated chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

Cang Kui, He Xiang, Tu Bo, Shan Fu, Nan Gao, and Xuanmu sit upright upon the terrace, abiding in the realm of Chihun Taiwu and Yuxu Yuansheng. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The titles Yi Ju, Chu Ling, Nei Zhang, Yuandi, Lan Qi, Wu Zi, Jiang Jilou, Shai Shou, and others penetrate through to the primordial Shen (spirit) of Yuxu. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The purple-radiance flying Shen of Taiqing can deliver and transform life; it is named Cen Bao Guhua. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The cinnabar-radiance flying light of Taiqing can preserve life intact; it is named Yin Bi and Shuo Maomi. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The azure-radiance flying immortal of Taiqing is able to refine Shen; it is named Kai Zhen Ming Fenli Wan. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The white-radiance flying numen of Shangqing is able to refine the bodily form; it is named Jin Hu Tang Pengyan. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The secret of Shangqing. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The azure-radiance flying immortal of Taiqing is able to refine Shen; it is named Kai Zhen Ming Fenli Wan. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The white-radiance flying numen of Shangqing is able to refine the bodily form; it is named Jin Hu Tang Pengyan. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The yellow-radiance flying transformation of Shangqing is able to refine Qi (vital energy); it is named Wa Chao Lou Gaoheng. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The green-radiance flying brightness of Shangqing is able to protect and sustain the hun and po souls; it is named Jue Ying Ke Yanguan. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The jasper-radiance flying mystery of Yuqing is able to grant people long life; it is named Lan Su Dan Zhu Bao Qimo. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The cyan-radiance flying yellow of Yuqing is able to make people into flying immortals; it is named Jing Luo Jieli. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The jade-radiance flying mystery of Yuqing penetrates the realm of the mysterious and wondrous; it is named Dongxuan Duming Zui Xuchen. This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

The golden-radiance flying mystery of Yuxu possesses a mysterious and numinous nature; it is named Xu Hui Chenlu. It is also called “Yin Lu.” This is followed by the chant: “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.”

This passage consists mainly of the titles of divine perfected ones, the titles of radiant lights, and the repeatedly occurring phrase “Auspicious sound: Tan Chi Jun.” “Taiqing,” “Shangqing,” and “Yuqing” are the realms of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) spoken of in Daoism. Expressions such as “refining Shen,” “refining the form,” “refining Qi,” and “protecting the souls” point to the functions of Daoist cultivation, or of safeguarding life. In the original text, many strings of consecutive characters resemble proper names or voiced incantations and cannot readily be explained character by character according to ordinary meanings; the original characters are therefore retained, and their general sense is explained according to context.

The Profound Chapter of the True Seal of Great Cavern Radiance—the Imperial Heart Samadhi of the Yellow Blossom of the Cavern Abyss—is the mysterious and wondrous chapter of the method of the true and constant Dao (the Way) of the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) and of the True Mother of Purple Tenuity. It can subdue the Six Heavens and command the myriad ghosts, saving beings who have fallen into evil destinies; it settles and orders affairs, dispels every kind of calamity, and gathers every form of blessing and merit, so that living vitality coalesces and courses into the Mysterious Ford (the subtle fluid, or a spiritual passage), sends forth an auspicious sound, and returns to the Elixir Mother (the root of the practice of Neidan [internal alchemy]). It brings forth inner treasures, such as jade mushrooms, langying blossoms, the yellow sprout, and golden liquor; and it subjects the langgan gems and the mysterious pearl to refinement through the nine reversions and the eight jades, until at last one realizes the sacred realm of the perfected immortals, perfects the ten kinds of penetrating wondrous practice, and saves living beings. This is the auspicious sound proclaimed by the Venerable Lord of the Great Cavern, the Emperor-One.

At that time the Celestial Worthy, amid the radiance of jade tones, added solemn and beautiful splendor, so that the way of penetrating contemplation began to open. Auspicious sound: Tanchijun. Penetrating the hidden and minute, and reaching the Brahma realm; auspicious sound: Tanchijun. Penetrating attainment of the principle of emptiness and non-being; auspicious sound: Tanchijun. Penetrating vision of the splendid realms within the void; auspicious sound: Tanchijun. Penetrating communion with numinous and wondrous power; auspicious sound: Tanchijun. Penetrating clarity of the mysterious numinous light; auspicious sound: Tanchijun. Penetrating communion with the spirits of the original source, clear attainment of the mystery of the Imperial Heart, purification of the dark underworld, and access to the wisdom of the Primordial Beginning. Auspicious sound: Tanchijun.

In the end, the practitioner returns to the unity of the pure and the true, abides securely in the wondrous practice of Wuwei (non-action), and, within the Middle Contemplation of the One Vehicle (contemplating truth with unbiased wisdom), thinks upon Shen (spirit) and is mindful of the True, so that the life of wisdom is brought into use, the Qi (vital energy) is harmonized, and the myriad numina are commanded. Auspicious sound: Tanchijun. Thereby one reaches through to the spirits, and merely by sitting at ease elicits the response of the spirits of spontaneity; abiding in the wondrous practice of Wuwei, within the Middle Contemplation of the One Vehicle one thinks upon Shen and is mindful of the True, so that the life of wisdom takes effect, the Qi is harmonized, and the myriad numina are commanded. Auspicious sound: Tanchijun. After communion with the spirits, the numinous response of spontaneity comes of itself, and whether sitting or rising one attains accomplishment in freedom. Auspicious sound: Tanchijun.

When the methods of the Dao are fully complete, the practitioner may ascend at dawn and fly up into the Grand Void, take a place among the Immortal Dukes, attend upon Jade Clarity (one of the abodes of the exalted deities of Daoism), and become a supreme perfected immortal. Auspicious sound: Tanchijun. The mysterious talisman of the Great Truth universally saves the beings of the heavens and of the human world. Auspicious sound: Tanchijun.

At this time, the Celestial Worthy of the Primordial Beginning and the Celestial Worthy of Majestic Virtue and Sovereign Freedom together once more proclaimed the Auspicious Divine Incantation of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) and Purple Tenuity for Subduing Demons and Restraining Ghosts, Delivering Beings from Evil Paths, Dispelling Calamities, and Gathering Blessings. As the sound of the incantation went forth, the Six Heavens trembled and the demon mountains collapsed. The very roots of enmity were utterly severed, and the beings of the ghost path likewise dispersed and perished, all of them transforming into benevolent spirits.

At that time, within the ritual assembly there were countless flying immortals, Jade Maidens of Pure Harmony, True Consorts of the Water Scribes, Jade Maidens Who Gather Fragrant Blossoms, and other divinities, numbering as many as hundreds of thousands of millions of myriads. From the heavens they scattered celestial flowers of eight colors, and the petals drifted down in profusion. Fragrant breezes rose in wave after wave, and a mild, genial Qi (vital energy) spread all around.

The Celestial King of Primordial Beginning said to Zhenren (Perfected) Dingyi and Zhenren Weiluo: “This jade text of the divine spell is the Imperial Heart of Samadhi and the Orthodox Seal of Radiant Light; it is also the mysterious root of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate), transmitted by the Zhenren of Purple Tenuity. It can dispel the grievance-demons that disturb the human heart, deliver beings from suffering in the ghostly destinies, eliminate every kind of calamity and tribulation, and gather all manner of blessings and auspiciousness. Its merit has no bounds and is hard to measure by ordinary principles. Today I proclaim this jade text to you anew, supplementing the essentials of the incantation so that cultivation may be brought to fulfillment. Thus you may recite and uphold this spell and reverently practice this seal-method, benefiting heaven and the human world, saving and delivering all beings, so that all may attain the fruit of sagehood. I now declare the jade edict and charge you with the task of relieving disastrous calamities and gathering blessings and good fortune. The merit is boundless and beyond conception.

“I now entrust this jade edict to you two Zhenren: you are to carry out the command and broadly rescue and deliver sentient beings. I respectfully call upon the Celestial Worthy of Majestic Virtue and Sovereign Ease, together with Zhenren Dingyi and Zhenren Weiluo: let the spell-method extend throughout the worlds of the ten directions and turn the wheel of my radiant light; with the Seal of Samadhi and Great Stillness (the dharma-seal of entering deep concentration) and the Imperial Heart, practice a vast heart of compassion. Subdue the demons of the Six Caverns and put an end to the droughts brought by the host of ghosts and specters; dissolve the twelve kinds of knotted grievance, so that the misfortunes that entangle all disperse and subside. Cut off the root of evildoing within the ghostly destinies, and transform fierce demonic kinds into benevolent spirits.

“The Qi (vital energy) of the Dao (the Way) that I transmit courses through heaven and earth; with clear and harmonious Qi it carries teaching and transformation abroad, passing everywhere like the wind. Even ghostly beings of the darkness can thereby leave the realm of suffering and ascend directly into the Three Good Destinies (heaven, human, and asura—three comparatively favorable destinations). The Imperial Heart becomes a vast heart of compassion, and upright Qi endures long in harmony and free communion. Cultivating immortality and studying the Dao, and practicing the Great Vehicle (cultivation aimed at the broad deliverance of beings), they fulfill the work of the Dao through wondrous merit and deeds. With inborn numinous wisdom, single-mindedly awakening to the true Dao, they at last become Zhenren who ascend to immortality.

“Enable them to penetrate fully the profound and mysterious heart, and with the wondrous Dao to master the three dragons; let the hearts of beings accord with the Dao, radiant and perfectly clear, reaching through the ten directions. Let them abide in peace in the dwelling of Supreme Truth, roaming free and at ease upon Jinghua Peak; let them stand in quiet delight in the court of the Golden Portal, jade light merging as one with their persons. Let their breath communicate with the Dao of Primordial Beginning, accomplishing auspiciousness and a vast work of merit.”

Thereupon the Dao-Father of Great Mystery, the Celestial Worthy of Majestic Virtue and Sovereign Ease, Zhenren Dingyi, Zhenren Weiluo, the Jade Maidens of the Flying Immortals, the Jade Maidens of Clarity and Harmony, the True Consort of the Water Scribe, the Jade Maidens Who Gather Fragrant Blossoms, and the immortal hosts of all the heavens spoke with one voice, their tones in harmonious accord: “Great Harmony, spontaneous and natural…” They then began to chant words of praise.

The Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) Ziwei Emperor Heart Spell—the Emperor Heart divine spell of the Taiji Ziwei Heavenly Worthy (Tianzun)—reaches throughout the ten directions, brings auspiciousness, and blazes with solemn majesty like sandalwood.

We practitioners offer praise through the six faculties of eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind—the six modes of perception and thought—and earnestly beseech the compassionate deities to bear witness for us and to deliver all beings.

The candlelight of the divine spell is inexhaustible and illuminates the entire Dharma-realm, all worlds of existence. Its radiance is vast and bright, like the course of the three luminaries, the sun, the moon, and the stars. Brighter than the sun, the moon, and the light of heaven, it shines upon the dark roads of the underworld and makes everything universally clear.

The sound of the divine spell is inexhaustible and reaches throughout the Dharma-realm. Divine thunder, the heavenly drum, and jade tones all spread abroad. Radiance and the cadence of the teaching vibrate; subtle, wondrous sounds echo, opening beings to awakening and making wisdom plain.

The fragrance of the divine spell is inexhaustible and fills the Dharma-realm. It brings a breath that neither increases nor decreases, peaceful and smoothly balanced. The fragrance becomes Dharma-rain and becomes cloud and mist; its aroma reaches all beings and renders everything universally pure.

The savor of the divine spell is boundless and extends throughout the Dharma-realm. Taihe and Taiyi, the origin of harmony and undifferentiated unity, are the source of every good deed. Outwardly it transforms into divine water; inwardly it transforms into the Huachi, the inner realm that in cultivation symbolizes pure nourishment, moistening beings and increasing their blessings and longevity.

The divine spell manifests endless transformations. Its true body and its response-bodies—the differing forms in which a deity appears according to circumstances—are as numerous as dust and sand. The spell makes the body like flesh of gold and bone of jade, fully endowed with every power of the Dao (the Way), firm as diamond and indestructible.

The heart of the divine spell reaches the ten directions and pervades the Dharma-realm; whether high or low, all is universally illumined. Dragon light, spiritual radiance like that of a dragon, rises from the Central Mountain (Zhongshan); a single point of brightness shines through the human world and manifests endless transformations. The true body and the response-bodies are as numerous as dust and sand; the body is like flesh of gold and bone of jade, fully endowed with every power of the Dao, firm as diamond and indestructible. The heart of the divine spell reaches the ten directions and pervades the Dharma-realm; with neither high nor low, all is universally made clear. Dragon light rises from the Central Mountain, shining through the human world and the heavenly realms, so that all beings may awaken.

The might of the divine spell is immeasurable and its spiritual powers vast, surpassing Nayesha Guzun, the title of a venerated deity in the scripture. It subdues the great demon armies of the Six Caverns, cuts off the sharp edge of ghosts and sprites, and lets the orthodox Dao proceed freely.

The blessings brought by the divine spell are boundless and complete; not even a king of wealth and rank can surpass them. Like the wish-fulfilling jewel of the Heavenly Worthy, its light shines upon an inexhaustible treasury of merit and virtue.

The merit of the divine spell is immeasurable and embodies great compassion, practicing benevolence from one kalpa to the next. The lofty and venerable Sanqi Daozhong Zun, a title of a revered Daoist deity, universally relieves the human world and the heavenly realms, bringing beings to fulfillment.

We practitioners, having already praised the divine spell with the six faculties, go on to plant the mysterious root (Xuangen)—the foundation deeply set in the Dao—outside the body. May this mysterious root flourish long in the human world and the heavenly realms, so that all beings may together cultivate the true and wondrous practice of the One Vehicle, the fundamental method of the Dao that leads to final awakening.

At this time the Dao Father of Great Mystery (Taixuan Daofu), the Heavenly Worthy of Majestic Virtue and Sovereign Freedom, Dingyi Zhenren (Perfected), Weiluo Zhenren, and the Zhenren and immortals of the various heavens were all present. The scripture’s closing line, “From heaven it comes to planting the mysterious root outside the body,” repeats what precedes it, and the sense appears incomplete.

The fundamental Great Dao (the Way) flourishes eternally, extending throughout the human world and the celestial realms, and all living beings together cultivate this one supreme and wondrous teaching.

At this time, the Dao Father of Great Mystery (Taixuan Daofu), the Celestial Worthy of Majestic Virtue and Sovereign Freedom (Weide Zizai Tianzun), the Perfected of Settled Unity (Dingyi Zhenren), the Perfected Weiluo (Weiluo Zhenren), together with the perfected beings and divine immortals of the various heavens, the celestial emperors and spirit kings, the immortal officials and immortal kings, the flying immortals and jade maidens, the True Consort of the Water Scribes (Shuishi Zhenfei), the Jade Maiden Who Gathers Fragrant Splendor (Fanghua Cai Yunü), and others, having finished their hymns of praise, bowed in reverence to the Celestial Worthy (Tianzun), took their leave, and withdrew.

The Divine Spell of the Most High Cavern Abyss Samādhi, the Imperial Heart’s Radiant Orthodox Seal, of Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) and Purple Tenuity, for Subduing Demons and Controlling Ghosts, Rescuing Beings from Evil Paths, and Gathering Blessings and Auspicious Fortune