《太上洞真经洞章符》

The three Qi of the Most High (Taishang) coalesce to form a divine talisman. This talisman is called the “Boundless Cavern Chapter of the Three Origins” (Sanyuan Wuliang Dongzhang). It can command the divine generals of the Six Jia, set the Qi of the Five Phases (Wuxing) in motion, bring what has separated back into harmonious union, and restore vitality to those on the verge of death. It can also eliminate the Three Ghosts and purge the Five Spirits. The Three Ghosts are also called the “Three Worms,” and the Five Spirits are also called the “Five Corpses.” Worm and corpse are only different names; they disturb a person’s spirit (Shen), confuse ghosts and spirits, and lead people to do evil.

On an auspicious day and at an auspicious hour, one should report to the Mysterious Office (Xuansi, the divine office that governs the affairs of the underworld). The Most High issues a command, ordering the gods of the various heavens to inspect the corpse-ghosts and examine a person’s offenses. The Director of Destinies (Siming, the deity who governs lifespan and the registers of fate) weighs merit and fault on this basis: the foolish and obstinate are demoted and dismissed, while the worthy and good are advanced. The worthy and good should continue their study and practice, keep themselves pure through fasting and abstinence, cultivate body and mind, give up bad habits, do good and accumulate De (Virtue/Power), and restrain the Qi of the ghost-corpses within the body. They should drive out baleful Qi and welcome auspicious spirits. Receiving and wearing this talisman, while visualizing its divine power in the mind, enables the Great Unity (Taiyi) to send down its spirit, so that one’s name is entered in the Upper Register of Life (the roster of those who ascend to heaven). One is then forever spared the afflictions of the Nine Earths (the realms of the underworld) and long enjoys the blessings of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing, the revered deities of Daoism and the pure celestial realms).

Announcement Text of the Cavern Chapter Talisman

In such-and-such a year, when the Grand Year Star stands in such-and-such a position, on such-and-such a month, day, and hour, I, an ordinary and lowly subject dwelling in such-and-such a prefecture, county, township, and village, and named so-and-so, by the good conditions accumulated in a former life received this body through blessing and good fortune. Through the turnings of the Nine Heavens, this favor has continued without end. Now I am fortunate to have encountered the scriptures (Jing) of the Mysterious Cavern and to study the subtle arts of tempering and refining body and mind. Fearing that the Three Worms within me have not yet been cleared away and that the Five Corpses may still bring illness, I respectfully request the secret talisman of the Cavern Chapter, that the corpse-worms be destroyed, my name struck from the register of the dead, and my name entered in the register of the living. All of this is carried out according to the Keyi (liturgical) statutes and ordinances of the Covenant of Supreme Truth (Taizhen).

The Three Corpses are divided into the Upper Corpse, the Middle Corpse, and the Lower Corpse; the Five Corpses are divided into the Blue Corpse, the Red Corpse, the White Corpse, the Black Corpse, and the Yellow Corpse. May the Three Corpses and the Five Corpses all return to the Yellow Springs, while I ascend to the Blue Heaven, long preserve my life, know joy without end, and dwell generation after generation in the realm of the Heavenly King.

The secret incantation of the Five Corpses given above should be recited silently every morning.

On the left is Wuying, the spirit who guards the hun and po souls; on the right is Baiyuan, a spirit within the body; in the center is Siming, the spirit who governs lifespan; above is Taiyi, the exalted spirit; and below is Taokang, a spirit within the body. Concentrate Shen (spirit), gather in the hun and po, prolong life, settle the various spirits, increase Jing (essence) and Qi (vital energy), erase the entries in the register of the dead, and have the name in the register of the living confirmed. The Five Elders, the Celestial Emperors of the five directions, verify my talismanic registers, and the Five Numina, the spirits of the five directions, carry out the Dongzhang (Cavern Chapters). May the spirits uphold me, so that I may wander free and at ease and go to feast and roam in the Jade Capital, the abode of the Celestial Emperor.

The above is the secret incantation of the Five Numina. It should be silently recited every night, in order to gather in the hun and po, prolong life, settle the various spirits, increase Jing and Qi, erase the records in the register of the dead, and confirm the name in the register of the living. The Five Elders verify the talismanic registers, the Five Numina carry out the Dongzhang, and they uphold me so that I may wander free and at ease and go to feast and roam in the Jade Capital. This is the secret incantation of the Five Numina, and it should be secretly recited every night.

The Five Talismans of the Life Registers

The first talisman is the Talismanic Register for Preserving the Spirit and Prolonging Life. On one’s own benming day, the day fixed according to the earthly branch of the year of birth, write two copies at noon in cinnabar on blue-green paper. At midnight enter the quiet chamber; when the visualization—stilling the mind and contemplating—is complete, face the direction of one’s benming and ingest one copy. Then, with a knife, divide the talisman at the upper and lower black dots on it: cast the left half into the stove fire and the right half into the well water. Do this on every benming day. The scripture says that this is done so that one’s register of destiny may be recorded by the Celestial Emperor.

The second talisman is the Talismanic Register of Deathlessness and Flying Immortality. On the morning of the benming day, write it in blue-black ink on white paper and ingest it while facing east.

The third talisman is the Talismanic Register for Annihilating the Corpse and Settling Destiny. At noon on the benming day, write one copy in cinnabar on white paper and ingest it while facing south.

The fourth talisman is the Talismanic Register for Recording the Years and Settling the Bodily Form. In the evening of the benming day, write it in cinnabar on white paper and ingest it while facing the direction of one’s benming.

The fifth talisman is the Talismanic Register for Restraining and Binding the Po and Treasuring the Mandate. In the benming month, on the benming day, and at the benming hour, write it in cinnabar on white paper and ingest it while facing north. If one does not know one’s month, day, and hour of birth, choose noon on a wuwu day to ingest it.

The five kinds of talismanic registers and the five kinds of Fulu (talismans and registers) are ingested according to the prescribed rules; when one goes out, they are worn on the body. When the Fulu are visualized in meditation, they are called “ce” (command-tallies); the key to practice lies in concentrated and diligent effort. When one’s name is entered in the Jade Register—the roster of names kept by the deities of the Daoist tradition—the Five Shen (spirits) descend with numinous response, so that one may ascend with them into the mysterious and wondrous realm. In ordinary times, reciting incantations and refining and nourishing the One Qi (vital energy) can settle the mind and Shen and drive back evil demons. When a ritual is about to be performed, one should visualize one’s own person and click the teeth to rouse one’s authority, thereby putting both the inner and the outer on guard. First silently recite the “Incantation for Destroying Evil”:

“The Yellow Center commands Qi and cuts off the root of demons and evil; with piercing clarity it subdues violent and overbearing Jing-monsters (essence-specters) and severs the followers of wickedness. The Most High (Taishang) issues a command, transmitted to the chamber of the Most High, urgently summoning the Northern Emperor (Beidi) to proceed to the Jade Palace. Carry out the mandate of awe and proclaim it to the Demon Kings: the Nine Qi are rich and abundant, in correspondence with the Mandate of Heaven. The secretly stored jade writs thereby flourish; the destined cycle of the Three Heavens is bright and prosperous, and the destined cycle of the Six Heavens comes to an end. O worthy and enlightened one!”

After the incantation has been silently recited, one then reads aloud the Jing (scripture/classic) of each division. If this is not done, the host of evils will harass those who cultivate the Dao (the Way); if one practices diligently, demon-Shen will respect and protect the cultivator. If one wishes to ingest talismans, carry out talismanic methods, or wear Fulu, yet does not recite any other incantation and only silently recites this single secret spell, one may still ingest the talismans and deploy them. O worthy and enlightened one!

After the incantation has been silently recited, one then reads aloud the Jing of each division. If this is not done, the host of evils will harass those who cultivate the Dao; if one practices diligently, demon-Shen will respect and protect the cultivator. If one wishes to ingest talismans, carry out talismanic methods, or wear Fulu, and does not recite other incantations but only silently recites this single secret spell, then afterward one may ingest or wear them as one pleases.

Wearing the “Talismans of the Five Awe-Inspiring Powers and the Five Martial Powers” is said to lengthen one’s years and increase one’s allotted span of life, to overawe ghosts and monsters, and to inspire such fear that they withdraw in submission. Ghosts, wraiths, and every kind of Jing-monster dare not intrude, and longevity and good fortune are brought about.

What is described above is the Great Shen of the Most High, who holds a numinous serpent and puts a stop to poisonous harm; by the force of awe this power subdues the ferocious and evil, so that those of the correct Dao are kept from injury.

The original diagram of the Fulu is missing.

What is described above is the Divine Tiger of the Most High together with the heroic Jing of the Five Martial Powers, able to crush demons and evil and to protect the loyal and worthy.

The original diagram of the Fulu is missing.

What is described above is the Unsurpassed Mysterious Elder (Wushang Xuanlao), king of dragons and serpents. This awe-inspiring Shen stirs with solemn power and reaches even into places dark, deep, and hidden. Among vicious persons and among ghosts and monsters, there is none who does not fear and submit.

The original diagram of the Fulu is missing.

On the right, the Celestial Worthy of Great Unity (Taiyi Tianzun) holds the handle of the Dipper—the part of the seven stars of the Northern Dipper used to indicate direction. Wherever the Dipper’s handle points, baleful spirits are broken and dispelled; wherever the Celestial Worthy descends, baleful spirits reveal their true forms. The Celestial Worthy protects the good and punishes the wicked, and descends to receive and guide those who cultivate purity in true practice. The Five Numina stand guard at his side, and divine officials attend him in ordered ranks.

The person who receives the talisman must keep these matters in the heart, remember them with care, and not forget them. After three years, one will be able to see the exalted deity with one’s own eyes.

In such-and-such a year under the Year Star, in such-and-such a month, on such-and-such a day, and at such-and-such an hour, in such-and-such a prefecture, commandery, county, township, and village, a certain man or a certain woman, of such-and-such a name and of so many years of age, respectfully petitions for the Divine Talisman of the Limitless Grand Commander of the Five Awes and Five Martials. Wearing this talisman, one may avoid the calamities of war. Entering the waters, one will not meet flood-dragons; entering the mountains, one will not meet tigers, wolves, or venomous serpents. When the wicked see me, they are seized with terror and lose their courage; when ghosts and spirits see me, they prostrate themselves and dare not rise. By the talisman one executes baleful spirits, destroys illicit shrines and deviant temples, and cuts off the “Six Heavens” (in the Daoist context, six kinds of evil ghosts and spirits, or their powers). All other kinds of sprites and ghostly bewitchments, no matter where they may be, once the talisman’s command reaches the local village altar or the towns and cities, must come forward to pay homage upon seeing me. Relying on divine awe and martial force, I range freely through the world, and the host of evils all submit. I reverently receive and carry out this true talisman, in all things according to the statutes and commands of the Most High Lord Lao.

The above is the Talisman of the Five Awes and Five Martials. When wearing it, draw the talisman diagram accordingly, and do not inscribe notes on the right side of the diagram.

The Divine Talisman of Great Unity for Sustaining Destiny and Prolonging Years is as follows: I reverently receive and carry out this true talisman, in all things according to the statutes and commands of the Most High Lord Lao.

The above is the Talisman of the Five Awes and Five Martials. When wearing it, draw the talisman diagram accordingly, and do not inscribe notes on the right side of the diagram.

The Divine Talisman of Great Unity for Sustaining Destiny and Prolonging Years is as follows:

In such-and-such a year under the Year Star, in such-and-such a month, on such-and-such a day, and at such-and-such an hour, in such-and-such a prefecture, commandery, county, township, and village, a certain man or a certain woman, of such-and-such a name. This person delights in the Great Dao (Dao) and cherishes life, is a descendant of the Most High, is entered in the Jade Register—the register of immortal names—of the immortals of such-and-such an affiliation, and is also under the protection of the Lords of the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper. Now the age is hard and evil runs rampant; baleful spirits harass this person’s body, and there is fear that one may not pass through in safety. Therefore this person petitions to be granted the Divine Talisman of Great Unity for Sustaining Destiny and Prolonging Years, to be used to protect the body and preserve life. After an ordinary person receives the talisman, whether walking, coming and going, or going out and coming in, there is no need to fear calamity. Wangliang demons and ghostly marauders, on seeing the talisman, immediately hide; the local earth gods and the true officials of the place all escort and receive the bearer together, and must not disobey. Let this be carried out swiftly according to the original purport of the divine talisman and the statutes and commands.