《清微斋法》

The Upper Scroll of the Qingwei Purification Rites

The Lineage of the Dao

The Heavenly King of Primordial Beginning. “Primordial Beginning” is an honorific for the supreme Dao, the source of the myriad Dao. He is pure and profound, and established the lineage of the teachings before the rise of emperors. He resides in the Qingwei Heavenly Palace, in the Upper Capital on Jade Mountain in the Mysterious Metropolis. During the Longhan kalpa, an age of cosmic calamity in Daoist legend, he transmitted the Way of Qingwei’s Subtle Mystery to the Dao Lord Yuchen in the Hall of Clear Splendor and Wondrous Primordial on the Precious Terrace of Mysterious Primordial in the Great Luo. He also transmitted to the Most High Lord Lao the Jade Tablets of the Mysterious Metropolis, bestowed in response to the age.

The Dao Lord Yuchen is the Venerable Lord of Lingbao. Before the establishment of the ancient cosmic cycles, he was the source from which the Great Primordial gave rise to transformation. He blended and transformed himself to bring forth the myriad things, radiant and bright. He resides in the Heavenly Palace of Yuyu, on Jade Capital Mountain in the Great Luo. Through the most mysterious and subtle Qi, he transmitted the Jade Ritual of Qingwei’s Communion with the True to the Heavenly Emperor of True Primordial Wondrous Transformation, and the Precious Chapters of the Flying Mystery’s Pivot to the Heavenly Emperor of Purple Empyrean and Great Florescence.

The Heavenly Emperor of True Primordial Wondrous Transformation, whose personal name is Yihui, rules the Heaven of Wondrous Transformation. He resides in the Palace of Wondrous Transformation in the Mysterious Cavern, and also in the Palace of the Myriad Spirits of Primordial Beginning.

The Dao Lord, August Sovereign of Jade Void, whose personal name is Bangxu, is the Mysterious Central Great Master who leads the assembled immortals and perfected beings. He oversees the affairs of the Celestial Pivot Bureau.

The Perfected One, Supreme Mystery and Mysterious Unity, whose personal name is Yuluoqiao and who is also known as Emperor Yihui, rules the Heaven of Wondrous Transformation. He resides in the Palace of Wondrous Transformation in the Mysterious Cavern, and also in the Palace of the Myriad Spirits of Primordial Beginning.

The Dao Lord, August Sovereign of Jade Void, whose personal name is Bangxu, is the Mysterious Central Great Master who leads the assembled immortals and perfected beings. He oversees the affairs of the Celestial Pivot Bureau.

The Perfected One, Supreme Mystery and Mysterious Unity, whose personal name is Yuluoqiao and who is also known as Langyunqi, is the Heavenly Lord of the Wondrous Dao of Jade Clarity. With the chapter on summoning spirits from the Jade Terrace, he resides in the Dragon Brahma Palace, oversees the Mysterious Metropolis’s Office of Bright Response, and also resides in the Palace of the Golden Origin of the Wondrous Dao.

The Second Perfected One of Supreme Mystery and Mysterious Unity, whose personal name is Guangmiaoyin and who is also known as Juezhenxuan, is the Heavenly Lord of Wondrous Transformation of Highest Clarity. Through the inner methods of immortals of the Wondrous Dao, he resides in the Universal Illumination Palace, oversees the Mysterious Metropolis’s Office of Ancestral Beginning, and also resides in the Palace of Lofty Chapters of Wondrous Transformation.

The Three Perfected Ones of the Great Mysterious Mystery: his personal name is Zhen Dingguang, and he is also called Zhe Xiyuan. He is the Celestial Lord of Subtle Response in the Great Clarity, resides in the Guangqing Palace, governs the Office of Upright Prosperity in the Mysterious Capital, and also presides over the Palace of Subtle Response and Venerable Continuance.

The Great Emperor of Clear Subtlety, Radiant Illumination, and Wondrous Heaven: his personal name is Qiong Hong, and he resides in the Palace of Pervading Origin in the Jade Clarity.

The Great Emperor of Vast Spirit, Primal Transformation, and Profound Wonder: his personal name is Fu Gaoyun. He resides in the Palace of Primal Transformation in the Highest Clarity and also in the Palace of Primal Transformation in the Cavern of Mystery.

The Great Emperor of Divine Radiance, Impartial Unity, and Cinnabar Firmness: his personal name is Bing Yu. He resides in the Palace of Divine Cinnabar at the Jade Capital and also in the Palace of Impartial Unity.

The Emperor of the Way, Zhu Changxing, who governs the Clear Subtlety, Level Heaven: he resides in the Central Palace of Settled Grandeur.

The Clear Subtlety Emperor of Cavernous Yang and Radiant Brilliance: his personal name is Wandu. He is an embodiment of the Celestial Official and resides in the Office of Primal Yang.

The Supreme Emperor of Heaven, Dark Mystery, Illustrious Clarity, and Resplendent Virtue, Kang, the Emperor of the Way, Zhu Changxing: he resides in the Central Palace of Settled Grandeur.

The Clear Subtlety Emperor of Cavernous Yang and Radiant Brilliance: his personal name is Wandu. He is an embodiment of the Celestial Official and resides in the Office of Primal Yang.

Kang Wanchen, the Supreme Emperor of Heaven, Dark Mystery, Illustrious Clarity, and Resplendent Virtue: he resides in the Palace of Upper Clarity in the Celestial Administration.

The Imperial Lord of Subtle Response, Who Expounds Transformation and Esteems Illustrious Clarity, Duan Beiliang: he resides in the Palace of Expansive Transformation in the Great Subtlety.

The Great Emperor of Floating Radiance, True Brilliance, and Cavernous Clarity, Long Chongyi: he resides in the Palace of Cavernous Yin.

The Primal Lady Xu Zhaoli, who stores blessings in the Celestial Administration and broadly transforms with majestic brilliance, governs both the Office of Auspicious Mandate and the Office of Transformed Mandate in the Celestial Administration.

The Primal Sage Lady Zhao Shun, who stores blessings in the Celestial Administration and is a vast spirit who governs transformation, presides over the Office of Stored Blessings in the Celestial Administration.

The Primal Lady Zhang Kongshi of Cinnabar Red, Harmonious Radiance, and Celestial Great Abundance, also known as the Holy Mother of Primal Reverence in the Nine Heavens, resides in the Palace of Primal Spirit in the Nine Heavens.

The Primal Lady Bu Chaozu, who harmonizes with the Nine Heavens, illuminates the Way, and flies with thunder and lightning to bring about transformation, is also known as the True Consort of Upper Spirit in the Nine Heavens. She resides in the Central Palace of Settled Blessings in the Nine Heavens.

The Celestial Official of Floating Radiance in the Southern Mound: his personal name is Lang Qi. During the Tang dynasty, he descended to the Western Capital, Chang’an, and governed the Palace of Floating Radiance at the Southern Pole.

The Celestial Lord of Flame Brilliance, Cavernous Spirit, and Returning Radiance: his personal name is Fu Yi, and he resides in the Palace at the Center of Blessings.

The Celestial Official of Floating Radiance in the Southern Mound: his personal name is Lang Qi. During the Tang dynasty, he descended to the Western Capital and governed the Palace of Floating Radiance at the Southern Pole.

The Celestial Lord of Radiant Flame and Returning Light in the Grotto (a celestial deity) is named Fuyi. He oversees the Palace of Radiant Flame in the Grotto of Yang. The Divine King of the Sun’s Valley is named Jizhong. He lives beside the altar in the Sun’s Valley, beneath the Long Mulberry Grove.

The Holy Mother of Tenfold Simplicity, the Jade Immortal of Ten Thousand Transformations and Nine Truths, is named Shijiezhao. She lives in the Luminous Palace on Mount Xuanguang, atop the Western Jade Terrace, and oversees the Palace of Blessed Origins on Mount Wu.

The Primordial Lord of Grotto Radiance, whose title is Metal Origin, Responds to the Mandate and Surpasses the Profound, is named Hui and oversees the Palace of Preserving Truth. The Primordial Lord of Subtle Resonance, whose title is Communes with Excellence, Unfolds the Clouds, and Transforms at the Summit, is named Xuan and oversees the Palace of Numinous Truth. The Primordial Lord of the Radiant Way and Exalted Transformation, whose title is Spiritually Subtle, Vastly Beneficent, and Illuminating, is named Xu and oversees the Palace of Great Truth. The Primordial Lord of Pure Radiance and Flourishing Unity, whose title is Clouds Gather and Abundance Is Bestowed, is named Hong and oversees the Palace of Complete Truth. The Primordial Lord of Harmony and Rare Radiance, whose title is the Numinous Official of the Dark, Surpasses Transformation and Shines Like a Dragon, is named Hong and oversees the Palace of Clouded Truth.

The Primordial Lord of Returning Radiance and Illumined Scenes, whose title is True Unity, Great Harmony, and Shimmering Clouds, is named Mo and oversees the Palace of Majestic Truth. The Primordial Lord of Ancestral Understanding, whose title is Form Transforms into Clear Mystery and Vast Brightness, is named Shu and oversees the Palace of Contained Truth. The Primordial Lord of Subtle Harmony, whose title is Vermilion Mound, Cinnabar Firmness, and Lofty Clouds, is named Piao and oversees the Palace of Origin Truth. The Primordial Lord of Self-Illumination, whose title is Purple Numinous Light, Broad Beneficence, and Spirit Blended as One, is named Guan and oversees the Palace of the Dao’s Truth. The Primordial Lord of Brahma’s Radiance, whose title is Empty Transformation, Luminous Prosperity, and Silent Emptiness, is named Hui and oversees the Palace of Nurturing Truth. The Primordial Lord of Unified Peace, whose title is Abundant Nurturing, Exalted Purity, and Vast Illumination, is named Sui and oversees the Palace of Lofty Truth. The Primordial Lord of Great Radiance, whose title is Dark Capital, Bright Harmony, and Grotto Purity, is named Guo Qin. Also known as the Dark Maiden of the Nine Heavens, she oversees the Palace of Great Radiance at the Primordial Dark.

The Primordial Lord of Grotto Purity and Luminous Radiance, whose title is Pure Subtlety and Vast Illumination, is named Fu Huiqi and oversees the Palace of Vast Illumination at the Jade Capital.

The Primordial Lord of Bright Fortune in the Great Flower of Pure Subtlety is named Han Jun. She lives in the Palace of the Dao’s Origin on Mount Taihua.

The Primordial Lord of Mysterious Illumination, whose title is Ninefold Radiance, Divine Fortune, and Naturalness, is named Yang Xi. She is from Youzhou and oversees the Palace of Divine Fortune and Primordial Illumination.

The Primordial Lord of Good Fortune in the Purple Origin Palace is named Shen Zongqing. Her title is Purple Clarity, Golden Light, and Treasured Celebration of the Dao. She is from the land of Qi and oversees the Palace of Blessed Splendor in the Purple Origin.

The Primordial Lord of Lightning Radiance in the Purple Mist, whose title is Vermilion Mist, Cinnabar Light, and Lightning at the Summit, is named Su Gang. She oversees the Palace of Purple Mist and Thunder’s Radiance.

The Primordial Lord of Natural Transformation and Illumination in the Palace of Great Unity is named Guan Fangzhong. He is from the Eastern Capital and oversees the Palace of Great Unity and Luminous Clarity.

This passage lists several revered celestial deities and Primordial Lords, giving their names, dwellings, and the palaces they oversee.

Yao Yu, Lady of the Primordial Origin of Zongchang Fu, governs the Palace of Profound Radiance and Ancestral Blessing. Wang Shuo, the Consort of the Primordial Radiance and Protector of Illumination, Lord of Jade Mound, Elixir Fortress, Pure Splendor, and Violet Light, is styled Jue. She is from Nanjing and is also known as the Holy Mother of Profound Light. She governs the affairs of the Four Seas. In the Tang dynasty, she descended to the Palace of Pure Radiance at the Eastern Sea and governed the Palace of Primordial Mystery in the Western Florescence.

Wen Yong, Lady of the Primordial Origin of Great Purity and Supreme Mystery, governs the Palace of Radiant Splendor and Great Harmony. She is a divine immortal who bestowed the title of Lady of the Primordial Origin upon the ancestors.

The Lingbao Lineage

The Daoist Lord of the Jade Empyrean.

The Violet Empyrean Emperor of Great Florescence, whose personal name is Zongchang, is the Heavenly King of Mount Taihua. He governs the Palace of Radiance and Illumination in the Great Tenuity.

The Daoist Lord of the Eastern Florescence, Commander of Destiny and Green Youth, whose personal name is Aluoluo, is the Duke of Wood of the Eastern Florescence. He resides in the Palace of Fangzhu and governs the registers of the immortals.

The Heavenly Emperor of the Three Heavens, Manifestor of the Dao and Enforcer of the Ordinances, Fang Shisui, is the Primordial Elder of Green Numen. He governs the Palace of the Primordial Ordinance of the Jade Heaven.

The Heavenly Emperor of Abundant Mystery, Transcendent Dao, and Natural Spontaneity, Dong Hou, is a star before the Eastern Dipper. He governs the Palace of Abundant Transcendent Radiance.

The Heavenly Emperor of Violet Tenuity, Ninefold Radiance, Flying Mystery, and Inner Transformation, Gao Yingze, is from Caizhou. He resides in the South Sea and governs the Office of Ninefold Radiance and Firm Grandeur.

The Heavenly Emperor of Great Numen, Grotto Radiance, Bright Fortune, and Universal Illumination, Gong Zongqing, governs the Office of Fortune and Essence and the Palace of Transcendent Radiance.

Wang Bao, Perfected of the Western City and Grotto Illumination, is the Chief Minister of the Golden Gate. He governs the Left Office of the Palace of Flourishing Fortune in the Golden Gate City and also the Office of the Western City’s Assembly of Eminent Ones.

Wang Yuan, Perfected of the Assembly of the Realized, styled Fangping, resides in the Small Abode Grotto-Heaven. He governs the Palace of Bright Nurture and Transmitted Beacon and also the Office of Pure Harmony and Primordial Yang.

Wei Huacun, Lady of the Primordial Origin of High Primordial Radiance and Violet Emptiness, styled Xian’an, lived in the Jin dynasty and was the daughter of Wei Shu. She governs the Office of the Golden Gate’s Violet Registers and Elixir Assembly, resides in the Palace of High Primordial Radiance, and also governs the Great Elixir Palace.

Ouyang Changsheng, the Violet Light, Peaceful Brightness Primordial Lady, oversees the pivotal workings of bodily transformation. She is from Fengxiang Prefecture and governs the Palace of Peaceful Brightness.

Zhou Yunsheng, the Violet Flood, and Tang Zongchao, the Pure Mystery Primordial Lady, are from Zizhou and govern the Lingguang Prefecture of the Divine Land.

Long Yan, the Store of Blessings, Protection, and Abundance, Cave Radiance, Ancestral Dynasty Primordial Lady, is from Daozhou and governs the Yuan Radiance Prefecture of the Celestial Mountain.

Zhou Yunsheng, the Nine Cycles, and Tang Zongchao, the Pure Mystery Primordial Lady, are from Zizhou and govern the Lingguang Prefecture of the Divine Land.

Long Yan, the Store of Blessings, Protection, and Abundance, Cave Radiance, Ancestral Dynasty Primordial Lady, is from Daozhou and governs the Yuan Radiance Prefecture of the Celestial Mountain.

Lin Changqing, the Nine Heavens’ Divine Vastness, Clear Brightness, Broad Vastness, Perfect Lord, is from Daming Prefecture and governs the Broad Vastness Prefecture.

Chen Huanran, the Celestial Splendor, Rushing Spirit, Violet Spirit, Huayang, Mysterious Response Perfect Lord, is from Pengzhou and governs the Celestial Splendor, Rushing Spirit Prefecture.

Xi, the Highest Clarity, Mysterious Radiance, Floating Mound, Great Merit Perfect Lord, governs the Violet Brightness Prefecture.

Zhang Rentong, the Harmonious Rushing, Great Origin, Cave Spirit, Celestial Origin Perfect Lord, is from Shouzhou and governs the Harmonious Spirit Prefecture.

Zhu Qinxian, the Violet Sovereign, Rushing Spirit, Great Brightness, Inner Origin Primordial Lady, is from Qiongzhou and governs the Violet Sovereign’s Life-Protecting Prefecture.

Wang Shudao, the Dragon Radiance, Universal Illumination, Cave Splendor Primordial Lady, is from Hanzhou and resides in the Cave Splendor Palace.

Xu Lingqing, the Nine Heavens’ Cave Clarity Primordial Lady, descended to Jianzhou in the Qin region and governs the Nine Heavens’ Cave Clarity, Nurturing Mystery Palace.

Yu Guo, the Nine Heavens’ Majestic Mystery, Great Brightness, Harmonious Communion Primordial Lady, is from Ezhou and governs the Nine Heavens’ Great Brightness Prefecture.

Yang Che, the Nine Heavens’ Wondrous Dao, True Fortune Primordial Lady, descended to the strategic hub of Hezhong Prefecture in the Qin region. She commands the forces of the Thunder Division, serves as their marshal, and governs the Nine Heavens’ Longyuan Palace.

Liu Chongzhong, the Rushing Wonder, Elixir Transformation, Mysterious Harmony, Natural Primordial Lady, is from Zhuyajun and governs the Nine Dragons’ Elixir Harmony Palace.

Song Xixian, the Violet Tenuity, Rosy Radiance, Wondrous Communion, Cave Brilliance Primordial Lady, is from Guangzhou. She governs the Rosy Radiance, Bright Goodness Prefecture and resides on Nong Mountain in the Southern Li region.

Immortal Zhu Xuan of the Jade Hall was from Dongjing. He presided over the Phoenix Pavilion of the Taiqing Palace and the Xuanling Palace, and lived on Mount Jinhua.

Immortal Yang Maozhong of the Lush Grove of Flourishing Radiance was from Xijing. He presided over the Yuan Chang Prefecture of the Lush Grove and lived on Mount Donghai.

Lord Bu Ji, the Verdant Beneficence, Luminous Transformation, and Fusang, was from Suizhou. He presided over the Zhaoling Prefecture and dwelt among the stars Jiao and Kang.

Immortal Yang Xihe, Assistant to the Supreme of the Eastern Florescence and Director of Destiny, presided over the Right Prefecture of Dongyang Duanling and the Eastern Florescence Directorate of Destiny.

Xu Hui, Chancellor to the Supreme of the Eastern Florescence and Immortal Elder of Shangqing, presided over the Ziyang Jixuan Palace.

Lady Xie Jingang, of the Purple Spirit, Wondrous Dao, Flaming Radiance, and Luminous Grotto, presided over the Purple Spirit Celestial Transformation Prefecture.

Lady Ji Shizheng, Immortal of the Grotto of Truth and Ten Thousand Blessings, presided over the Grand Void Grotto-Clear Palace.

Lady Chen Ying, Immortal Lady of Shangqing and Holy Mother of Western Florescence, entered the registers of the immortals at an early age. She spread the teachings of the Filial Piety and Luminous King and presided over the Danyang Liangguang Palace. When manifesting in response, she used more than one surname.

Xu Xun, High Illumination Envoy and Inner Chancellor of the Celestial Mechanism, once received the Shangming Jade Register, a Daoist ritual register used by Lady Chen to summon true spirits. He attained the Dao on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, and his whole household rose into the heavens, taking their residence with them. He presided over the Celestial Mechanism Directorate and lived in the Qingqing Palace of the Jade Capital. He was from Hongzhou; details appear in his biography.

Lady Zu.

Daoist Lineages

The Most High Lord Lao is supreme in Dao and De and the forefather of the myriad methods. Born from primordial Qi, his merit and sovereign power are beyond telling. He dwells in the Great Red Heaven Palace on Mount Jinhua of Daluo. In an incarnation, he passed through Hangu Pass and taught the Scripture of Subtle Clarity and the Turning of the Mysterious to Master Wenshi, the Guardian of the Pass. The Most High Lord Lao lived in the Zhou dynasty.

The Guardian of the Pass was surnamed Yin and named Xi. He wrote books that were handed down to later generations. Foreseeing the auspicious sign of purple Qi appearing, he met the Most High Lord Lao as he arrived riding an ox cart, and personally received the Mysterious Dao. He presided over the Central Palace of the Great Pivot and later transmitted…

The Perfected Master Tai Ming Qing Hui was originally an incarnation of the Divine Lord of Eastern Florescence, a revered Daoist deity. He was born in Hanzhou. He presided over Tongming Cave on Longqiu Mountain and also lived at Mount Guang Sang in the Eastern Sea and at Huangqing Prefecture.

The Lady of Primordial Florescence, Vast Mystery, and Subtle Dao, Yuanjun Pang Qiaodao, was from Gengchu Ward in Mianzhu County, Hanzhou. She presided over the Palace of Vast Sainthood in Western Florescence.

The Lady of Primordial Spirit, Vast Mystery, and Subtle Dao, Yuanjun Shang Zhu, was from Pengzhou and presided over Yunyang Prefecture.

The Lady of Jade Florescence, Vast Sainthood, and Great Spirit, Yuanjun Zhong Yuangui, was from Qingzhou and presided over Tianchang Prefecture.

The Lady of Great Rosy Clouds, Heavenly Veneration, and Daoist Transformation, Yuanjun Yue Ji, was from Nanjing and presided over the Palace of Vast Sainthood in Western Florescence.

The Perfected Master of Harmony, Pure Spirit, Luminous Radiance, and Mystery, Xu Zizhong, was from Hengzhou and presided over Mingyi Prefecture.

The Perfected Master of Great Mystery, Zhao Shouzhen, also known as Chen Gong, was from Suzhou. He presided over the Palace of Great Mystery and Clear Brightness and over Taiyuan Prefecture.

The Perfected Master of Heavenly Mountain, Hong Bin, also known as Xiao Liu, was from Yongzhou. He presided over the Palace of Heavenly Unity and Supreme Yang and over Tianhui Prefecture.

The Perfected Master of Mystery Above, Lu Huiyuan, was from Dengzhou. He presided over the Palace of Preserving Truth in the Cavern of Mystery.

The Immortal Elder of the Left Palace of the Supreme Ultimate, Lord of Fulfilling Response and Blessings, Ge Xuan, courtesy name Xiaoxian, was from the region of Yue. Through cultivation he attained the Dao and rose to become an Inner Minister of the Supreme Ultimate. He presided over the Palace of the Numinous Court of the Supreme Ultimate.

The Perfected Master Who Assists from Within the Northern Numinous Realm of Qingrong, Zheng Siyuan, presided over Qingrong Prefecture of Primordial Harmony and lived at Leimaiyang Palace.

Patriarch Yuanjun.

Zhengyi Lineage

Transmitted by the Most High Lord Lao.

The Sage Master of the Three Heavens, Lord of Supreme Mystery and High Minister, surnamed Zhang and named Daoling, was from the region of Wu. He was born on the fifteenth day of the first month at Tianmuchong Prefecture and lived at Leimaiyang Palace.

Patriarch Yuanjun.

Zhengyi Lineage

Transmitted by the Most High Lord Lao.

The Three Heavens Sage Master, Supreme Minister of Tai Xuan, Perfect Lord Zhang Daoling, was from the land of Wu. He was born on the fifteenth day of the first month on Mount Tianmu. He once served as a Court Secretary in the Han dynasty, but later left office to cultivate the Dao and attained the Dao. He oversaw the Tai Xuan Metropolitan Office, resided in the Palace of Primordial Radiance, and passed his teachings on to his son.

The Taiqing Perfected One, Successor Master Zhang Heng, served as a Palace Attendant in the Han dynasty. He was the son of Sage Master Zhang Daoling.

The Taiqing Perfected One, Lineage Master Zhang Lu, was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Langzhong in the Han dynasty. He was Zhang Heng’s eldest son.

The Tai Xuan Holy Mother, Female Master Zhang Wenji, was the daughter of Sage Master Zhang Daoling. This entire family attained the wonders of the Dao and, in the end, ascended to heaven together.

The Taihe Yixuan Yuanjun Song Yicheng was from Xijing in the Eastern Han dynasty. She was responsible for expounding and spreading the teachings of the Three Heavens and overseeing the affairs of the Maohua Palace.

The Qingwei Dongxuan Baoheng Zihua Yuanhe Mingdao Taiyi Shenjing Yuanjun Wang Zhenghong resided beneath the Purple Radiance Palace, to the right of the Tai Chong Tower in the Mysterious Capital.

The Qingwei Maochen Baoyun Jinming Yuanjun Peng Hanyuan resided in the Danzhao Palace, associated with the lunar mansions of Jing and Gui. She guarded Danzhao’s wind, fire, and thunder, and personally served as Marshal of Thunder, commanding the Thunder Department.

The Shenyao Baotian Daohua Yuanjun Guang Rong was from Fengzhou. He oversaw the Shenyao Palace and governed the immortals of the sea.

The Huitai Left Assistant, Zhenbai Ziran Tongmiao Yuanjun Weng Jian, was from Tokyo and oversaw the Zhongshu Lingzhen Palace.

The Ziwei Zongzhen Yuanjun Liang Fu was from Huizhou and oversaw the Zhenhe Palace.

The Taihua Siming Liujin Feiguang Danxia Perfected One Zhu Andao was also known as the Dongmiao Shenlie Perfected Lord. He oversaw Chongxia Palace.

The Taihe Mingyi Perfected One Qiu Liangsou was from Zizhou and oversaw the Mingyang Zhaoyuan Palace.

The Shangqing Miaodao Changfu Zongyuan Perfected One Lin Zirong was from Yuezhou and oversaw the Yuanchang Palace.

The Lingmiao Hening Yuanjun Xu Dong was from Pengzhou in the Eastern Han dynasty and oversaw the Qionghe Palace. She later served as Marshal of Thunder and manifested various spiritual wonders.

Lady Mother of the Sacred Primordial Origin, Jade Eyes and Numinous Radiance, Zhu Heng, was from Guiyang Military Command. She governed the Qionghe Prefecture and later became a Marshal of the Thunder Department. Many miraculous and numinous events are attributed to her manifestations.

Another account also calls her Lady Mother of the Sacred Primordial Origin, Jade Eyes and Numinous Radiance, and says she was from Guiyang Military Command. It states that she governed the Purple Radiance Palace of Numinous Response and also the Prefecture of Numinous Radiance and Transformation.

Patriarch Yuanjun.

The Four Lineages Converge as One

Primordial Lord of the Golden Terrace, Luminous and Serene, Grotto-Clear and Bright, Protector of the Way, Immortal, and Transformer; Clear Tenuity’s Primordial Attendant to the Emperor, Zu Shu, also known as Sui Dao and styled Fangzhong, was from Lingling Commandery. Patriarch Yuanjun resolved to cultivate the Dao. He traveled widely to visit and pay homage to Perfected Xu, Perfected Zheng, and the Master of the Numinous Mother of Sacred Radiance. Later, in the Grotto of Clear Emptiness in the Western Capital, beside the Stream of Divine Transformation, he encountered the Primordial Lord of Great Clarity and Supreme Mystery. The Primordial Lord descended to the streamside. Astonished, Patriarch Yuanjun stepped forward to bow. He followed the lord into the grotto and received instruction in the Great Dao of the Primordial Beginning. The lord had him ride a section of deadwood downstream, leaving it to stop wherever it would. Before long, the wood returned to its starting point, but the heavenly being had vanished. In this way, Patriarch Yuanjun brought together the Daoist methods of the four lineages and united them as one. Later, he dwelt at the Golden Terrace Palace of Luminous Clarity and governed the Prefecture of Grotto Illumination. He also dwelt at the Golden Terrace Palace of the Luminous Dao, in the Upper Capital on Mount Linong, and governed the Prefecture of Numinous Radiance and Illumination in the Golden Terrace.

Lord of the Inner Jade Chamber, Grotto-Clear and Uppermost Radiance, Guo Yulong, was from the capital. He served as Clear Tenuity’s Attendant to the Emperor in the Great Rosy Clouds and governed the Purple Clarity Prefecture and the Grotto-Clear Prefecture.

Primordial Lord of Purple Radiance, Luminous Truth, Blessing, and Harmony, Fu Yangyu, styled Zifang, was an Upper Assistant of the Three Heavens and dwelt in the Changyao Prefecture on Mount Linong. Another account says he dwelt on Mount Taihua, among the Sea and Peaks, and governed the Dragon Radiance Prefecture.

Dragon.

Primordial Lord of Purple Radiance, Luminous Truth, Blessing, and Harmony, Fu Yangyu, styled Zifang, was an Upper Assistant of the Three Heavens and dwelt in the Changyao Prefecture on Mount Linong. Another account says he dwelt on Mount Taihua, among the Sea and Peaks, and governed the Dragon Radiance Prefecture.

Primordial Lord of Dragon Radiance and Illuminating the Dao, Yao Zhuang, styled Shuqii, was from the Western Capital and was sometimes called Primordial Lord of Broad Prosperity. He served as a Scripture Attendant of the Three Heavens, dwelt in the Guang Sang Palace of Impulsive Harmony, and governed the Longhui Prefecture. He traveled between two or three prefectural palaces.

The High and Sublime Lady of Purple Radiance and Jade Grace, the Lord of Primordial Transformation (an honorific title for a Daoist female immortal), resides at the entrance to a valley on Mount Wei in Yanjing. She serves as an attendant to the Three Heavens and oversees the Cave of Radiant Scenery at Mount Guang-sang and the Palace of Luminous Jade Blossoms. She has a dwelling in each of these three places.

Lady Quan Mao, the Primordial Merit and August Spirit, serves as an attendant to the perfected beings of Heyang and oversees Heyang Palace. The Perfected Hua Ying of Western Florescence and Clear Emptiness is from Fengxiang Prefecture. Born on the third day of the first month, she is the High Minister of Dongyang and an Immortal Minister of Clear Subtlety and Luminous Origin. She resides on Mount Xihua.

The Perfected Zhu Dongyuan of Qingcheng, who Pervades and Benefits, is from Chengdu. Born on the first day of the second month, he serves as Envoy of the Jade Pivot of the Divine Empyrean and as a Senior Minister of the Clear Subtlety Cavern Guard. He lives in seclusion on Mount Qingcheng.

The Perfected Li Shaowei of Yunshan, who Preserves the One, is from Fangzhou. Born on the fifth day of the third month, he serves as Envoy of the Five Thunder Court and as a Right Minister of the Clear Subtlety Metropolis of Primordial Origin. He lives in seclusion on Mount Qingcheng.

The Perfected Li Shaowei of Yunshan, who Preserves the One, is from Fangzhou. Born on the fifth day of the third month, he serves as Envoy of the Five Thunder Court and as a Right Minister of the Clear Subtlety Metropolis of Primordial Origin. He lives in seclusion on Mount Qingcheng.

The Perfected Nan Bidao of Meishan, the Hidden One, styled Douwen, is an Immortal Minister who Preserves the Primordial. He was from Meizhou. At the hour of Yin on the third day of the eleventh month in the Bingchen year, he was born on Mount Mei. He cared little for fame or profit and was learned in both astronomy and human affairs. While in office, he rose steadily through the ranks of the Song dynasty and eventually became a provincial surveillance commissioner in Guangxi. He once met the Perfected Li Shaowei, who transmitted the Highest Dao to him, enabling him to command spirits.

One day, an official dressed in red came into the courtyard and said to the Perfected One, “The Supreme Emperor has heard of your reputation. He now appoints you Envoy in Charge of Water among the Six Powers of the Dipper. You should spread the profound teachings and widely aid living beings. When your merit is complete, the Supreme Emperor will summon you back to the Golden Palace, the abode of the Celestial Emperor.” After speaking, the red-clad official slowly rose into the sky and departed. Nan Bidao later lived in seclusion on Mount Qingcheng.

The Perfected One of the Deep Waters and Thunder Abyss, Huang Shunshen, styled Huibo, was from Jianning. He was born in the hour of the Goat on the fifth day of the intercalary eighth month in a jiashen year. Bright beyond his years from childhood, he read widely in the books of the Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist traditions. While serving with his father in Guangxi, he met the Perfected One Hunyin, an investigating censor, who judged him to be extraordinary and entrusted him with all his own books. Master Huang probed their subtle meanings deeply, gathered and organized their teachings, and compiled a complete work. Students came to his door in an unending stream. Later, summoned to court for an audience, he received an imperial order to return to the mountains. He lived in seclusion at Zixia Isle and became a leading master of his age.

On Dispelling Doubts about Daoist Methods

Daoist cultivation is, in truth, much like the Confucian study of “investigating things”—examining the principles underlying them. Cultivation takes rectifying the heart and making one’s intentions sincere as its foundation. If the heart is not upright, it cannot respond to things beyond itself; if one’s intentions are not sincere, one cannot communicate with the spirits. When the spirits move here, things respond there. Thus, even across ten thousand miles, they can answer one another as if close at hand. Without the utmost sincerity, who could accomplish this?

The heart is boundless, and the spirit is wondrous: it can pass through barriers and communicate unseen. Yet if the heart and spirit are not settled and preserved, they cannot perceive clearly; if the spirit and Qi (vital energy) are not nurtured, they cannot be efficacious. Only by maintaining an upright heart over a long time will the heart naturally become clear; only by nurturing the spirit and Qi with sincere intent over a long time will the spirit naturally become responsive. Practitioners in the world who do not cultivate themselves or guard their hearts in daily life, yet expect to perform magic in haste one day, are like drawing sweet water from a dry well or picking rare flowers from a dead tree. Their efforts are bound to fail. When their strength is spent and their hearts and spirits are thrown into confusion, inviting scorn and humiliation, they blame the spirits for being unresponsive and their methods for failing. This is truly lamentable. Some ritual masters of the time did not understand the deeper principles. They taught people only that holding sacrifices and performing magic would bring results, thereby misleading those who sought the Dao after them.

This practice leads later students to focus solely on offering sacrifices and repaying the gods, wasting wealth and harming living beings. It also attracts ghosts who have no support and survive by begging. These ghosts grow more numerous by the day and gradually gather into groups. Practitioners believe they can summon and command them at will, not realizing that they are using deviant methods to combat deviant methods, which in fact harms their body, mind, and cultivation.

Since childhood, I have loved cultivation and performing ritual methods. I once gathered books on ritual arts from many places, filling several chests, and carved and printed hundreds of seals. At the time, I thought that was all there was to these arts. Later, I resolved firmly to seek the Dao and received inspiration from Heaven. I suddenly met a Perfected One, a person of high attainment who had realized the Dao. He taught me a few lines of oral instruction, and with them I became able to understand and apply all kinds of methods. Only then did I realize that the generals and officials of ritual methods—the divine generals and troops summoned and dispatched—are within oneself, and that the deities are never apart from the square inch where the mind dwells. Those in the world who hold lofty aspirations and devote themselves wholeheartedly to cultivating the Dao and practicing ritual methods must understand this principle.

The Great Lingbao Purification Ritual

After the Primordial Cavern—the state in which Heaven and Earth had not yet divided and chaos had not yet opened—differentiated, it formed the Three Caverns, also called the Three Heavens, and together they are known as the Three Treasures. Dongzhen corresponds to the Clear Tenuity Heavenly Treasure and is the sovereign; Dongxuan corresponds to the Jade Surplus Lingbao, while Dongshen corresponds to the Great Red Divine Treasure. These two are ministers. Thus, in accordance with the purpose of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, the Dao of Clear Tenuity was expounded, and these scriptures came into being.

The Lord of the Dao, Jade Morn of Lingbao, was born in the Western Jade Kingdom, from which the Phoenix Registers and Dragon Chapters—scriptures bearing sacred emblems—were transmitted to the human world. Later, the Perfected One of Taiji descended to the Left Palace, while the Immortal Elder appeared in the Great Clarity in response to the times, teaching and ordering the Dao of Zhengyi. The lineage was transmitted from generation to generation, branching into a thousand paths and myriad forms, as sacred beings arose in succession. These teachings are called the “Inner Essentials of Lingbao.”

The tradition is generally called the “Great Purification Ritual of Initial Azure,” with its administrative office operating under the Gate of Initial Azure. It is also called the “Lingbao Purification Ritual,” with its offices operating in the Yellow Registers Court, or the “Office of the Great Lingbao Method.” These are all official administrative titles.

The “Great Purification Rite of the Azure Beginning” is a method for establishing divisions under the Azure Beginning Gate to conduct purification rites. It is also called the “Lingbao Purification Rite” and is administered by the divisions of the Yellow Register Court. Another name for it is the “Great Lingbao Bureau of Rites.” The official administration is collectively called the Palace of the Mysterious Operations of the Primordial Beginning, under which various offices are established. The scriptures refer to these offices as the Twenty-Four Offices and list their names, including the Office of the Primordial Luo and Brahma Radiance, the Office of the Divine Origin and Purple Sovereign, the Office of the Great Brahma and Cinnabar Spirit, the Office of Purple Origin and Radiant Scenery, the Office of Numinous Origin and Manifest Response, and the Office of the Heroic Essence and Purple Jade Pivot.

Purification rites are divided into several types according to their purpose.

The Great Unity Purification Rite is used for emperors’ sacrificial offerings to Heaven and is presided over by the Great Unity deity. The Nine Heavens Purification Rite is used to pray for blessings upon the state and peace for the people, and is presided over by the Nine August Heavenly Emperors. The Golden Register Purification Rite is used to pray for the emperor’s peace and stability throughout the state, and is presided over by the Heavenly Official of the Upper Origin. The Jade Register Purification Rite is used to protect palace consorts and others, and is presided over by the Earthly Official of the Middle Origin. The Yellow Register Purification Rite is suitable for emperors, empresses and consorts, scholars, and commoners. Its prayers address a wide range of needs. It is presided over by the Water Official of the Lower Origin, or jointly by the officials of the Three Origins.

The True Illumination Purification Rite is used to deliver the dead and is presided over jointly by the officials of the Three Origins. The Cavern Abyss Purification Rite is used to avert and dispel epidemics, and is presided over by the Northern Emperor. The Ninefold Darkness Purification Rite is used to deliver the souls of the dead in the Ninefold Darkness, and is presided over by the Celestial Worthy of the Ninefold Darkness. The Five Refinements Purification Rite is used for the ascent of a Daoist priest’s spirit: a purification ceremony is performed to elevate the priest’s spirit and soul. It is presided over by the Celestial Worthy of the Ninefold Darkness.

At the end, the scripture reiterates that rites concerning the dead are jointly presided over by the officials of the Three Origins; the Cavern Abyss Purification Rite is used to avert epidemics, the Ninefold Darkness Purification Rite to deliver the dead, and the Five Refinements Purification Rite for the ascent of a Daoist priest’s spirit.

These are called the “Nine Grades of Ritual Fasts,” meaning nine categories of fasting rites.

Memorials, Scriptures and Registers, Tablets and Proclamations, Talismans and Dispatches

The Jade Memorial of the Numinous Treasure for Flying Spirit and Ascending to Immortality: Conduct a daylong formal fast and pay homage in the evening.

The ritual implements and procedures include memorial credentials, talismanic envelopes for memorials, formats for sealing memorials, introductory petition slips, talismans for access to the celestial gates, talismans for paying homage and summoning the spirits of memorials, a talisman worn on the head, seals worn on the person, nine-platform seal scripts, and talismans for submitting memorials and dispatching officials. The procedures also include proclaiming, handling, ironing, sealing, dispatching, and burning memorials, as well as talismanic rites of homage and prostration. A “memorial” is a document submitted to the celestial realm. These talismans, seals, envelopes, and rites are used respectively to prepare, deliver, proclaim, and burn the memorial.

The Jade Book of the Purple Palace, Spirit’s Journey, and Boundless Azure Mystery for Ascending Spirits.

Introductory petition slips, letters, expedited memorials, and the delivery of talismans.

The Cavern Scripture of the Numinous Strategy of Primordial Beginning for Giving Life to Spirits.

Its introductory petition slips and the formats for scripture credentials and talismanic letters are the same as those described above.

This scripture is used to deliver Daoist priests and laypeople, as well as ancestors and teachers. During the rites, it is not worshipped or chanted together with the scriptures described above.

The Yellow Register of the Numinous Treasure, Golden Canon of Yang Radiance, for Giving Life and Ascending: Issued to departed souls during universal deliverance.

The Yellow Register of the Numinous Treasure for Ascending to Truth through the Mixed Cavern: Issued to departed souls during regular Zhaijiao rites.

The Yellow Register in the Jade Casket of the Most High, Luminous Truth, for Flying Spirits: Used to proclaim and carry out universal deliverance; it is generally used for the deceased.

The Yellow Register in the Jade Casket of the Most High, Cloud Radiance, and Gathering Shadows, for Communing with Truth: Issued to departed souls.

The Precious Register of the Jade Capital of the Numinous Treasure: Used in refining and delivering souls so that they take form—that is, through Daoist rites, refining and delivering departed souls until they assume a form.

The Golden Register of the Numinous Treasure for Flying Dawn and Immortal Transformation: Issued to the deceased during ancestral commemorations.

The Yellow Register of Boundless Azure Mystery for Transcending Spirits: Used to proclaim and carry out deliverance, rescuing suffering departed souls.

The Precious Register of the Most High for Pardon and Ascension to Heaven: Issued to departed souls.

The Jade Tablets of Compassionate Deliverance and Long Life comprise twelve grades and are used to proclaim deliverance and issue it to the deceased.

Talismans and Writs for Paying Homage to and Summoning Dragon Officials

The Qingwei inner seal-script Jade Tablets of the Three Origins comprise three tablets and are used for formal submission and dispatch.

The Qingwei Nine Heavens Jade Tablet of the Luminous True Talisman: After summoning the various deities, burn it and report to them.

The Qingwei Ten Directions Jade Tablet of the Great Vastness Talisman for Aiding the Mystery: Used for formal submission, invocation, and dispatch.

The Jade Tablets of the Thirty-Two Heavens comprise four tablets in total and may be used separately. They may also be burned and presented as an offering after the rites of refining and delivering souls and stabilizing Qi.

The Qingwei Inner Registers and Supreme Elixir Jade Tablets are jade documents used to present petitions to the Three Realms and transmit official writings.

When closing the altar, three kinds of tablets are used: mountain, water, and earth. Talismans are burned together with an accompanying written notice and sent to the mountain gods, water gods, and earth gods.

The Purple Dais Supreme Mystery Jade Proclamation of Primordial Origin is used to inform the various parties that universal deliverance is being carried out—a ritual for saving the souls of the dead.

The Supreme Origin Void Primordial Natural Treasure Proclamation is used to deliver the departed souls.

The Sun Cavern Radiance, Lush Brilliance, Flowing Light Jade Proclamation and the Moon Cavern Spirit, Congealed Phosphorescence, Treasure Light Jade Proclamation are documents proclaimed and then burned during the Refining and Deliverance ritual. Refining and Deliverance is a Daoist liturgy that saves the souls of the dead, transforms them, and raises them to a higher realm.

The Supreme Origin Numinous Light, Generating-Spirits Jade Proclamation is used to deliver the departed souls.

The Four Proclamations of Recommendation are proclaimed and burned after the precepts have been recited during the Refining and Deliverance ritual.

The Primordial Cavern Jade Register is burned during a great Universal Deliverance rite. It may also be used to summon and capture the hidden spirits of the dead.

The Lingbao Jade Register of the Numinous Flight Palace in the Great Florescent Splendor is used to summon and capture the spirits of the dead during Universal Deliverance, and is transmitted during the formal petition rite.

The Northern Dipper Mystery Canon, Cavernous Abyss, Heavenly Pardon Jade Writ is used to summon and capture the spirits of the dead during ordinary offerings or rites of posthumous cultivation.

A Jade Register Writ refers to a register writ that has already been issued. When the rite is held, the souls of the dead are first recommended for deliverance, and the document is then further annotated and put into use.

The Primordial Cavern Jade Register, Mysterious Expansive Numinous Chapter is used to summon and capture the spirits of the dead.

Format for the Celestial Courier Method of the Cinnabar Heaven of Primordial Radiance

Lingbao Jade Charter for Flying Spirits and Ascending to Immortality

Use fine paper for a register writ, seven chi long, and write out the contents in detail according to the matter at hand. Use three, five, or seven sheets. Write seventeen characters on each line, with characters as large as large coins. Write each document separately. Leave a blank space of one chi and nine cun at the top, then write the talisman in four lines:

Pure Truth Summons and Assembles

Flying Spirits Ascend to Immortality

All Are Gathered and Governed, the Mystery Transmitted

Wondrous Transformation Reaches Heaven

A certain appointed official respectfully memorializes: I have heard that the Great Brahmā’s writings can bring universal deliverance to living beings, illuminate the principle by which those trapped in the netherworld may find a way out, and reveal the purpose of ascending beyond the mortal realm through the flight of the spirit. I respectfully submit this memorial on behalf of a certain official from a certain circuit, prefecture, and county, together with the faithful participating in the Zhaijiao (purification ritual). All understand that prosperity and decline alternate, and that life and death turn in ceaseless cycles. We therefore knock at the gates of Heaven above, that our prayers may reach the celestial realm, and communicate with the underworld below, hoping that the departed souls detained there may ascend. I humbly offer my meager sincerity and look up to Heaven for grace. As the fifteenth day of the month, the full moon, coincides with the Zhongyuan Festival, we have specially established an altar in the realm of the perfected and opened the precious Hall of Luminous Yang. We perform a Zhaijiao rite in reverence for the Yellow Register and carry out the ritual liturgy of the Qingwei school of Daoism.

On one appointed day, the altar is set up in advance and an oath is sworn, secretly communicating with Heaven, Earth, and the four directions. On another, a formal memorial is presented to petition for a gracious decree. The Jade Calendar is promulgated, numinous talismans are proclaimed, and the souls of the departed are summoned so they may be reached throughout the netherworld.

On an appointed day, the ritual altar is solemnly established, with separate altars and canopies for the various offices. Memorials are presented and the Mysterious Heaven is invoked; the curtains are drawn back to pay audience to the sacred perfected ones. Golden bells ring in succession, jade chimes answer one another, and the ritual sounds shine upon the celestial realm of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), reaching the steps of the ninth heaven.

On an appointed day, the ritual procedures are proclaimed three times and the prayers of the altar are recited. That night, a Jade Memorial is presented in worship to petition Heaven, break open the prisons of hell, summon the departed, bestow clothing, and offer food through incantations.

On an appointed day, a petition written on blue paper to the celestial realm is presented three times, and the profound ritual liturgy is proclaimed anew. That night, all the souls sunk in the prisons of hell, suffering and detained there, are refined and delivered. Their souls are tempered so that they may recover their original nature and return to the realm of the perfected. They are also given numinous talismans and registers of deliverance to help them realize the fruits of the Dao and ascend beyond the mortal realm.

On an appointed day, prayers and memorials are again offered at morning, midday, and evening. Jade talismans are used to refine their bodily forms, and Golden Registers help their spirits ascend. Finally, a written petition is presented once more in supplication, setting forth the merits of the rites performed.

The altar officiant recites the prayer once more, then explains that the altar will be dismantled and the gathering concluded the following day, to make known and repay the emperor’s grace. When the Zhaijiao rites have been completed, a Qingjiao rite is held, invoking the exalted perfected beings of the Three Realms—the honored deities of each realm—to bestow their compassionate grace and exceptional blessings. Prayers are offered for the emperor’s ten thousand years of life and the crown prince’s thousand years of longevity, and for all those who attended in advance and entered the covenant to share in these blessings.

I, your minister, relying on the pure Dao Qi and the myriad spirits of Hongqing Palace, prostrate myself on this auspicious day to present this petition and make my respectful request. I pray that the Primordial Beginning will bestow the celestial jade seal, “The Lingbao Flying Spirits’ Assembly and Covenant for a Thousand Ages, with Auspicious Blessings Extended to All.” I request deliverance for the departed and await the imperial decree.

Your minister is filled with awe and trepidation. I bow my head twice, and, after bathing and observing the fast, carefully prepare this memorial and present it beneath the jade steps of the Great Emperor of Shangqing and the Celestial Worthy of Lingbao. I respectfully pray that the Great Dao, in its compassion, will grant my request and issue an imperial decree, entrusting it to the Three Departments for transmission at Zhongyuan—the Ghost Festival and the related season of sacrificial rites and deliverance—and informing the Celestial Official of Qingxu, the deity who governs the underworld. May the decree be announced throughout the Three Realms and made known in the Ten Directions. I pray that those attending the ritual assembly be rescued and delivered, and that deliverance also be offered to their ancestors, parents, and deceased relatives on both sides of their families, near and far, so that the many spirits sunk and stranded in the netherworld may all receive salvation. May they, through the power of the Daoist rites, rise to higher realms without exception. I look up and pray that Heaven’s grace be widely bestowed and its pardon extended; together, we bow in gratitude for this great beneficence.

I presume to submit this petition and disturb the majesty of Heaven. My heart is overcome with trepidation: I feel as if standing at the edge of an abyss or treading on thin ice. I prostrate myself and submit this report. Respectfully presented above.

On the [day] of the [month] in the [year] of the cyclical designation, your minister [name], of the rank [title], submits this petition.

Petition Sealing Terms and Envelope Format

“Ke Lou”: a mark or sealing phrase used where a petition is sealed.

The Lingbao Flying Spirits’ Celestial Jade Seal is carefully sealed by your minister [name], of the rank [title].

The outer envelope bears the words “Respectfully and with utmost care, presented above,” and is sealed again by your minister [name], of the rank [title].

A second envelope is sealed, bearing the words “The Lingbao Flying Spirits’ Celestial Jade Seal of the Seven Treasures of the Purple Palace in the Jade Capital of the Mysterious Metropolis of Shangqing.” It is carefully sealed by your minister [name], of the rank [title].

The outer envelope likewise bears the words “Respectfully and with utmost care, presented above,” and is then sealed by your minister [name], of the rank [title].

The final envelope is inscribed, “Presented for submission to the Purple Tenuity Palace of the Seven Treasures in the Jade Capital of the Mysterious Metropolis of Shangqing.”

The talisman paper placed inside the envelope is blue, three cun high and one and a half cun wide, and is written on in cinnabar. It is placed inside the envelope. The talisman reads: “Submitted above by your minister [name].”

Place half a liang of cinnabar, half a liang of borneol, and twelve strands of green silk in the wooden case for the memorial. Each strand should be one zhang and two chi long. Put these items in the case as prescribed, affix a talisman paper inside, then seal it according to the instructions below. Once sealed, add a further protective seal, wrap the case in yellow silk, and place it on the memorial table.

Make the wooden case and affix the talisman paper as prescribed. Carve three seal positions into the case, leaving channels that cross vertically and horizontally. Wind five-colored cord around it from top to bottom: make eight turns around the upper section and tie a knot; make eight horizontal turns around the middle section and tie a knot; then make eight turns around the lower section and tie a knot. Finally, tie a crosswise knot and tighten the cord from top to bottom to secure the seal. This method of binding takes its pattern from the Twenty-Four Bureaus and the Three Departments of the Eight Radiances. As you wind the cord, silently recite the sacred titles of the Heavenly Worthies of the Twenty-Four Bureaus and the names of the Perfected Ones of the Three Departments, one phrase for each turn. Then apply a seal to each of the three positions and seal the case as prescribed.

Affix the talisman inside the wooden case and add a protective seal on the outside. On the cover, write “Respectfully presented,” followed by “Your servant, of [rank and office], surnamed So-and-so, respectfully seals this sevenfold.” Then write “Three Departments of the Eight Radiances, Jade Court of Brilliant Radiance, Capital of the Sun Valley.” Bind the case, recite the invocations, and apply the seals as described above.

Wrap the outside in a double-layered yellow silk cloth decorated with gold-threaded coiled dragons. On the memorial table where the talisman-sealed case is placed, also set the “Spirit-Companion for Burning” and the “Guiding-In Memorial Slip.”

The Guiding-In Memorial Slip reads:

Your servant, of [rank and office], surnamed So-and-so, respectfully submits this memorial on behalf of So-and-so of Such-and-such County, Such-and-such Prefecture, and all those attending the purification retreat. On this auspicious day of the Zhongyuan Festival, when amnesty is widely granted, we respectfully perform a grand Lingbao Zhaijiao to deliver the ancestors recommended by those attending, so that the wandering souls mired in the depths may all be delivered. We have carefully prepared one case containing a Lingbao Flying Spirit, Ascending Immortal Jade Memorial, to be submitted together with this slip. We humbly request that it be carried to the Office of Memorials and forwarded to the Three Departments, where we await the issuance of an imperial decree. We further request that the decree be proclaimed throughout the Three Realms and displayed in all directions, so that all quarters may act in accordance with it. The duplicate memorial enclosed by your servant is also submitted. We present this report with reverence and due care.

Enclosed with the petition is a memorial. I respectfully request that it be carried to the Court of Memorials and then forwarded to the Three Ministries, where we shall humbly await the issuance of the imperial decree. Thereafter, I respectfully request that the decree be proclaimed throughout the Three Realms and displayed in all ten directions, so that all may know of it and carry it out accordingly. I submit the accompanying duplicate memorial as well, respectfully presenting it before the sacred presence of the Perfect Origin Sage Master, the August and Pure One of Wondrous Transformation, Violet Hero, Jade Beneficence, Primordial Sovereign (a revered Daoist deity), and humbly beseeching special approval for its implementation. I have presumed upon Heaven’s dignity, and my heart is filled with fearful unease. I bow low and await your gracious command. Respectfully submitted with this letter and memorial.

On the [day] of the [month] in the [year] of the Grand Year, your servant [name], holding the rank of [rank], respectfully submits this letter and memorial.

Seal inscription (on the envelope flap)

Before the sacred presence of the Perfect Origin Sage Master, the August and Pure One of Wondrous Transformation, Violet Hero, Jade Beneficence, Primordial Sovereign: Letter and memorial from your servant [name], holding the rank of [rank]. Respectfully sealed.

Outer envelope

Respectfully submitted.

Your servant [name], holding the rank of [rank], respectfully seals it again.

For presentation at the Jade Hero, Radiant and Pure Palace of the Upper Capital at Yanggu.

The duplicate memorial need not bear a seal; place it inside the scroll together with the letter and memorial.

Report to the Right Office of Linghua

Your servant [name], holding the rank of [rank]:

Upon reviewing the submission, I find that [name], concerning the matter described therein, has prepared one letter containing the Lingbao Flying Spirits, Superior Immortals, and Jade Register, and one letter and memorial. I respectfully request compassionate special approval to have them carried and presented before the Daoist presence of the Perfect Origin Sage Master, the August and Pure One of Wondrous Transformation, Violet Hero, Jade Beneficence, Primordial Sovereign. I therefore submit this report.

I respectfully prepare this document and present it before the seat of the Lady of Clear Abyss, Praiser of the Mysterious, and numinous Linghua (a revered Daoist deity), humbly requesting special approval, so that both the netherworld and the human realm may receive its beneficence and the merit of this good deed may be brought to completion. Respectfully submitted.

On the [day] of the [month] in the [year] of the Grand Year, your servant [name], holding the rank of [rank], respectfully submits this report.

Seal inscription

Before the seat of the Lady of Clear Abyss, Praiser of the Mysterious, and numinous Linghua: Report from your servant [name], holding the rank of [rank]. Respectfully sealed.

Outer envelope

Respectfully sent.

For the Right Office of Linghua at the Jade Hero, Radiant and Pure Palace to forward.

Your servant [name], holding the rank of [rank], respectfully seals it again.

Talisman for delivery (a talisman sent with the documents)

Use yellow paper and write in cinnabar. Send it together with the documents.

Shangqing Jade Talisman for Passage through the Heavenly Gate (a talisman used in Shangqing Daoist documents to gain access to the celestial realm).

Respectfully, for a person of a certain place and others, a purification ritual is established to deliver the departed soul from the underworld. One packet of the Jade Writings of the Numinous Treasure for Sending Forth Spirits and Ascending to Immortality, one packet of memorial petitions, and one packet of formal submissions are respectfully presented together and sent to the Right Office of Spiritual Radiance at the Jade Heroic, Luminous, and Condensed Palace in the Upper Capital of Yang Valley, for forwarding. The talismanic commands are to be issued in accordance with regulations.

Talismanic Dispatch

This talisman is entrusted to the Thunder’s Swift-Flying Talisman Envoy, Lord Zhang Yuanbo of Yang Valley. Ask him to report to the revered master about the matter of providing aid, and to deliver it swiftly to the Gate of Heaven without the slightest delay. Await the departed spirit’s ascent. Once the talisman arrives, carry out its command.

Issued at the year, month, day, and hour of the Grand Year.

I, the duly appointed official, whose surname is such-and-such, receive the sacred decree and respectfully carry it out.

List the titles of the lineage of transmission.

The order for prostrating and presenting the memorial is as follows: Ask Zhang Yuanbo to report to the revered master about the matter of providing aid, and to deliver it swiftly to the Gate of Heaven without the slightest delay. Await the departed spirit’s ascent. Once the talisman arrives, carry out its command.

Issued at the year, month, day, and hour of the Grand Year.

I, the duly appointed official, whose surname is such-and-such, receive the sacred decree and respectfully carry it out.

List the titles of the lineage of transmission.

The order for prostrating and presenting the memorial is as follows:

After the prostrations and presentation of the memorial, summon the deities the following day. The talisman’s form must conform to ritual requirements. Offer the prescribed sacrifices and burn the prayer text with due ceremony. Select a particular day and hour to perform the rite.

The talisman paper used by the Primordial Netherworld Palace of Brahma’s Radiant Landscape is yellow. Its writing is done in black ink, and its seal script is drawn in cinnabar.

A grand Lingbao purification rite is established for the deceased by a person of a certain place. This large-scale Lingbao Daoist purification ritual lasts for a specified number of days and nights. A certain day is the principal purification rite’s morning audience with the Primordial Sovereign; the memorial is therefore presented that night at a specified hour.

Commanding the Mighty Spirits

Commanding and Summoning the Attendant Spirits

Talismanic Text

The myriad spirits of the One True One who accompany the memorial from the Palace of Brahma’s Great Chaos are scheduled to proceed, on a certain day and hour of this month, to the purification altar at a certain place and escort the memorial petitions up to the Heavenly Court. I shall send forth spirits to pay court, silently exercise my spiritual powers, and cause the petitions to reach the Gate of Heaven swiftly. I respectfully pray for the bestowal of grace. Once the talisman arrives, carry out its command.

Issued at the first day and hour of the month in the year of the Grand Year.

I, the duly appointed official, whose surname is such-and-such, receive the imperial command and respectfully carry it out.

List the titles of the lineage of transmission.

Corner Seal

The Jade Talisman of the Ninefold Numinous Perfected One is hereby reported.

Respectfully issued at the year, first day of the month, day, and hour.

I, the duly appointed official, whose surname is such-and-such, receive the imperial command and respectfully carry it out.

List the titles of the lineage of transmission.

Corner Seal

The Jade Talisman of the Ninefold Numinous Perfected One is hereby reported.

Respectfully, I, the duly appointed official, whose surname is such-and-such, receive the imperial command, respectfully carry it out, and seal this document.

The myriad true spirits of the One in the Great Mound Palace of Brahma’s Chaos, accompanying the memorial.

Written on the reverse

Issued at the year, first day of the month, day, and hour in the year of the Grand Year.

Before submitting the memorial, use the Purification Talisman: write it in cinnabar on blue paper and sprinkle water with it. Write the Body-Cleansing and Bathing Talisman on paper in cinnabar; burn it, then place it in the hot water for bathing.

When performing the memorial rite, first visualize the deities in your mind, silently recite the incantation, and then burn the talisman. At the same time, silently recite: “Shang wu, shang qin, shang dan, shang xu, shang re, shang hui, shang li, shang ying, shang hui.” Then burn another talisman, click the teeth together, and sit upright.

Write the Talisman for Summoning the Memorial Deities in cinnabar on blue paper and burn it over incense. On a yang day (an odd-numbered day), command and invite the yang deities; on a yin day (an even-numbered day), command and invite the yin deities.

The Incantation for Summoning the Deities is also called the “Incantation for Surveying the Myriad Deities from Above.” As you recite it, silently intone the large characters in your mind, visualize the small characters, and burn incense. The incantation reads: “Xu, yi dian si tun kang xian yan cao ni.”

When summoning the talisman, command and invite the yang deities on a yang day and the yin deities on a yin day. Recite the same “Incantation for Surveying the Myriad Deities from Above,” silently intoning the large characters and visualizing the small ones, while burning incense: “Xu, yi dian si tun kang xian yan cao ni.”

The General Summoning Incantation is used on both yin and yang days. It reads: “Yi qi shi shun ji zhuan.”

When summoning the talisman again, use the Mao character on a yang day and burn the talisman after reciting “Qing”; on a yin day, use the You character and burn it after reciting “Dan.”

Write the Taiyi True Talisman in cinnabar on yellow paper, one cun and three fen long and one cun wide, and attach it inside the headpiece. Wear the Yellow Spirit Seal at the left waist, the Yuezhang Seal at the right waist, and the Central Heaven Department Thunder Bureau Seal at the center of the lower back. Stand within a circular field of light and tread the pattern of the Nine Platforms. On entering the altar, burn the talisman within it. Write the Ascending the Steps Talisman in cinnabar on yellow paper, three cun long and three cun wide, and burn it at the altar.

After the Official Dispatch Talisman, a sequence of talisman names and a format for the officiant’s name are given: “Rushing True Talisman, Flying True Talisman, Paying Homage to the True Talisman; Numinous True Talisman, Refining True Talisman, Supporting the True Talisman; Radiant Blossoms Talisman, Ascending the Origin Talisman, Completing the True Talisman.” The same sequence of talisman names is then listed again. “Your servant, [name]” is a format in which the officiant fills in their own name.

After reading the memorial aloud, first cleanse the face and recite the liturgy. The presiding ritual master (gaogong) strikes the case three times with a dragon-headed knife, silently reciting the three Heavenly Taboos—the three sets of divine names used in Daoist ritual. Next, the master marks the positions of the Big Dipper’s seven stars on the case with the knife, then draws a straight line to open the case. At the same time, using the prescribed hand gestures with the knife, the master takes out the memorial and hands it to the assisting priest who reads it (zhizhang).

The assisting priest opens the formal memorial and places it on the presiding master’s incense table, with the lines of writing facing the imperial presence. The master holds the memorial with the third and fourth fingers of the left hand, while supporting the ritual implement called the Golden Fish with the first and second fingers. With the third and fourth fingers of the right hand, the master holds a brush, while the first and second fingers grip the Jade Vine, another ritual implement. Holding the dragon-headed knife, the master reads the opening of the memorial up to the words “bowing my head.” The assisting priest then takes the duplicate and continues reading. Meanwhile, the master checks each character and line with the knife and brush, visualizing divine officials on both sides checking the text as well. After the reading, the master places the knife, brush, Golden Fish, goose, and other implements on the memorial beside the “sacred names of the Three Treasures,” then weighs them down with two golden dragons.

Following the ritual procedure for handling the memorial, the master continues reading and uses the dragon-headed writing knife to trim overly long brush hairs and neaten the brush tip in accordance with the text. Any errors or unsuitable wording are corrected as they occur, so the text can be silently recited with focused intent. This continues up to the phrase “to make the Heavenly ordinances clear.” The master then warms the memorial: raising the tablet to the forehead, drawing in breath and reciting the three Heavenly Taboos, then lifting and holding the breath so that its intent appears upon the memorial. The master next seals and fumigates the memorial, reciting the fumigation spell. These sealing and fumigation procedures are then repeated according to the liturgy; the seal used for sealing was described earlier. The master then welcomes the memorial and pays homage to the one being dispatched. Holding the memorial, the master reads up to “distinguish the cinnabar radiance,” then holds the breath to seal it, continuing until “I humbly await the response and burn the memorial.” The master then visualizes bowing in homage, traces a flying talisman in the air, brings a radiant circle into being around the body, and performs the rite with hands clasped firmly.

“Facing the dead without a flying-body talisman” is the title of a talisman method for facing the deceased without causing their body to ascend. “Facing the ancestral source and flying” is also the name of a talisman method.

To burn the talismans, first blow out breath and proclaim the command. An attendant burns them while performing the rite with prescribed astral steps, burning and casting the Fire-Reaches-Ten-Thousand-Li talisman. The master then performs the astral steps and carries out, in sequence, the Flowing Bell Eight Directions talisman, the Wind Rises at the Jade Steps talisman, and the Thunder Moves at the Golden Gate talisman. Other related talisman names include “Henglie” and “Wind and Thunder.”

All the talismans described above are written on blue paper. During the rite, the practitioner follows the astral pacing—a prescribed sequence of steps symbolizing entry into the celestial realm—and burns and casts out the “Fire Flung Ten Thousand Li Talisman.” While pacing the astral steps, the practitioner uses the “Eight-Direction Charging Flowing Bell Talisman,” the “Wind Arises at the Jade Steps Talisman,” and the “Thunder Shakes the Golden Palace Talisman.”

The “Eight-Direction Charging Flowing Bell Talisman,” “Fire Flung Ten Thousand Li Talisman,” “Wind Arises at the Jade Steps Talisman,” and “Thunder Shakes the Golden Palace Talisman” are used in their respective rites. “Henglie” and “Wind and Thunder” are the accompanying talisman formulas. All of these talismans are written in red on blue paper and burned in the four incense burners. After bowing before the altar, the practitioner uses the talismans in sequence: “Thunder Shakes the Golden Palace,” “Fire Flung Ten Thousand Li,” “Wind Arises at the Jade Steps,” and “Eight-Direction Charging Flowing Bell.” The astral steps and incantations used when burning these talismans must be transmitted orally.

Format for the Petition to Receive an Official Appointment

The talisman document bears the phrases “Jade Book for the Spirit’s Ascension through Purple Palace Divine Movement to the Eastern Pole’s Azure Mystery,” “Shenji Shuyin Xia,” “Book of Azure Mystery’s Descent and Pardon,” “Ascension and Promotion at the Gathering of Bright Scenery,” and “Flying to Court and Taking Residence.” It also includes “Your petitioner, the appointed official, [surname],” specifying the ritual master’s title and surname.

The petition reads:

Your petitioner has heard that spiritual response may extend throughout the ten directions, and that the Eastern Pole reveals the seal of Azure Mystery. The deliverance of living beings is boundless, and the Purple Palace opens the celestial book within its jade case. Your petitioner respectfully submits this petition on this matter, reverently following the “Jade Book for the Spirit’s Ascension through Purple Palace Divine Movement to the Eastern Pole’s Azure Mystery,” bestowed by the Primordial Beginning, and awaits the imperial decree.

Your petitioner, in sincere fear and trepidation, bows twice. After fasting and ritual purification, your petitioner has written this document and submits it to the Heavenly Worthy Who Relieves Suffering, Great One (Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun), and the Azure Mystery Emperor (Qingxuan Shangdi). Your petitioner respectfully asks the Heavenly Worthy to extend compassionate mercy, approve this petition, issue a decree, and entrust it to the relevant divine offices. May it be proclaimed throughout the Three Realms and made manifest in the ten directions, so that all realms may respond in concert. Your petitioner prays that the ancestors, parents, and departed kin who take part in this ritual assembly and are included in its offerings may be delivered; and that all souls sunk in darkness, imprisoned and suffering, may also be saved, so that through the power of the Dao they may ascend.

Your petitioner presumes to address the authority of Heaven, and is filled with anxious reverence, as though bearing up Heaven and treading upon Earth. Prostrate, your petitioner submits this petition. Respectfully submitted.

On [day] of [month] in the [year] of the current sexagenary cycle, your appointed petitioner, [name], submits this petition.

The leakproof document case and square envelope used for sealing are the same as those for the petition. The petition is addressed to the Eastern Pole’s Palace of Sublime Adornment, written in red on blue paper, and placed inside the case.

Letters should be written on paper the color of brain cinnabar and tied with blue silk. The procedure is the same as described above, except that the section summoning and inviting the divine officials of the memorial is omitted. If this letter is to be presented with prostrations, it must be bowed to before the memorial; one may also bow only to the memorial and not to the letter. This procedure applies to matters large and small alike.

Letter of Introduction (a memorial letter recommending someone or submitting documents), respectfully presented to Lady Wei Yuanjun (a Daoist goddess)

Your servant, an official of rank, of the surname [name]:

Your servant now reports that a Grand Lingbao Zhaijiao (purification ritual) is to be held for [name] in [place], to recommend the ancestral spirits of the deceased, deliver all suffering souls in the netherworld, accumulate abundant merit, and respectfully seek auspicious blessings.

We have now prepared one letter, the Jade Document for the Spirit’s Journey East to the Pole of the Purple Palace, the Azure Mystery, and the Ascension of the Spirit, together with one copy of the letter. We submit them with this letter of introduction to the sacred presence of Lady Yuanjun of the Purple Void, Illuminated by the High Primordial Palace. We respectfully pray that, in her compassion, Lady Yuanjun will graciously grant approval for the matter submitted by your servant.

We further earnestly request that this memorial be presented before the Azure Mystery Great Emperor, where it may await his command, and that the relevant provincial and prefectural offices be ordered to act promptly. May the matter be announced throughout the Three Realms and proclaimed in the Ten Directions, so that all quarters may respond together and carry out the work of deliverance. Your servant has presumed upon the sacred authority and is inwardly fearful and unsettled. Prostrate, we await gracious approval. We respectfully submit this letter of introduction.

On the [day] of the [month] of the [year] of the cyclical Grand Duke, your servant, an official of rank, of the surname [name], respectfully submits this letter.

Sending the Talisman

Write it in black ink on a full sheet of yellow paper, and draw the talisman in vermilion.

Shangqing Jade Talisman for Swift Memorial Submission (a talisman used in Shangqing Daoism to submit memorials swiftly)

Respectfully, a Zhaijiao is to be held for [name] and others in [place], to deliver the ancestral spirits of the deceased and those suffering in the netherworld. We now respectfully submit one letter containing a Jade Document and one Letter of Introduction, to be sent to the Palace of the High Primordial, Illuminated by the Purple Radiance. We request that it be presented on our behalf before the Heavenly Court and handled in accordance with the relevant talismanic commands.

Fu (a term used in talismanic inscriptions)

The talisman is here.

Yang Jie, Envoy of the Nine Heavens for Swift Memorial Submission: promptly convey this matter to the Master and swiftly deliver it to the Heavenly Palace. Do not delay for even a moment. Await the order to ascend and transmit the memorial; once the talisman arrives, carry out the instructions at once.

Issued for dispatch on the [day] of the [month] of the [year] of the cyclical Grand Duke, at the [hour].

Scripture Format

This scripture is used for universal deliverance.

Fu

The talisman is here.

Yang Jie, Envoy of the Nine Heavens for Swift Memorial Submission: promptly convey this matter to the Master and swiftly deliver it to the Heavenly Palace. Do not delay for even a moment. Await the order to ascend and transmit the memorial; once the talisman arrives, carry out the instructions at once.

Issued for dispatch on the [day] of the [month] of the [year] of the cyclical Grand Duke, at the [hour].

This scripture is used to universally deliver the ancestors, teachers, and elders of Daoist clergy and laypeople. Take three to five sheets of blue paper and write on them in cinnabar, following the format of a memorial to the heavens.

Scripture of the Primordial Beginning, Summoning the Spirits and Nurturing the Gods of the Grotto

The wondrous Dao transforms in its depths;

it delivers the spirits of the dead, enabling them to ascend to the true realm;

its radiance shines through the Grotto of Yang;

with primordial Qi, it refines and transforms, returning them to the immortal Dao.

Your appointed servant, surname [name].

Your servant respectfully hears that the Wondrous Scripture of Limitless Salvation, Supreme Grade of the Lingbao says: “Above, it can liberate ancestors and parents, as well as relatives throughout kalpas without number; all this depends on Heaven’s vast benevolence, bestowed in compassion and protection.” Your servant now respectfully submits this request and, in reverent obedience, upholds the Scripture of the Primordial Beginning, Summoning the Spirits and Nurturing the Gods of the Grotto, bestowed by the Primordial Beginning. May it deliver all beings far and wide. Your servant humbly petitions that an edict be issued to grant salvation.

Your servant is sincerely fearful and trembling, bowing his head twice. After fasting and bathing, he has respectfully written this memorial and, with a hundred bows, submits it:

Before the jade steps of the Great Emperor of Highest Clarity, the Celestial Worthy of Lingbao. Your servant respectfully prays for the Dao’s heavenly compassion. May Your Majesty grant approval for the matter submitted and issue an edict, entrusting it to the Three Ministries to proclaim to the offices of the Jade Terrace and Cinnabar Radiance, the Office of Primordial Radiance and Cinnabar Heaven, the Southern Cinnabar Heaven realm, the infinite worlds of the ten directions, and the offices where divine ordinances are made manifest. May they deliver the spirits of the ancestors, parents, teachers, and elders of all Daoist clergy and laypeople, as well as relatives near and far, within and beyond the family. May they all, through the Dao’s power in these immortal offices, heavenly realms, and worlds of the ten directions, ascend beyond. Your servant has offended against Heaven’s majesty and is inwardly fearful and unsettled. Looking up to the blue sky and bowing low to the earth, he can only submit this memorial with reverence.

In the year, month, and day of the specified Tai Sui cycle, your appointed servant, surname [name], submits this memorial.

Blue Talisman Inside the Envelope

The memorial states: “To be conveyed by your servant [name].”

The square envelope, letter form, introductory note, duplicate of the petition, and talismans produced may all be prepared according to the preceding format. When using them, only the relevant details need to be changed. This scripture is not combined with the bows performed during the ritual for writing memorials.

Talisman for Gathering the Spirits

Burn the words of invocation after paying homage. Write them in cinnabar on plain blue paper, three inches wide; they may also be written on a strip of incense paper.

Your servant [name].

Format for the Words of Homage

Your appointed servant [name] respectfully submits this invocation.

Above, before the Most High, the Jade Emperor of Taiwei, one of the supreme deities revered in Daoism: I, your servant, have long received the Emperor’s favor and have been fortunate enough to hear the source of the true Dao (the Way). Whenever I offer words of prayer, I hope they will reach the spirits and receive a response. With reverence, I summon the true officials of the Five Limbs within my body and the great gods of the local shrines, spirits who protect the body and the land.

I have heard that Heaven has opened the Eight Gates and that the flying celestial wheel is turning. With reverence, I summon the sixty-four perfected spirits of Qiongying, who command and join with the great gods of the Eight Radiances to manifest together. The manifested spirits wear pendant tassels, crowns, and ceremonial robes. Their bearing is dignified as they follow me to present my petition above.

With reverence, I summon nine hundred million blue Qi (vital energy), nine thousand spirit officials, and myriad billions of mounted attendants. The manifested spirits bear themselves with dignity and follow me to present my petition above. I also summon with reverence three hundred million red Qi and three thousand spirit officials. The manifested spirits bear themselves with dignity and follow me to present my petition above.

With reverence, I summon nine hundred million blue Qi, nine thousand spirit officials, and myriad billions of mounted attendants. The manifested spirits bear themselves with dignity and follow me to present my petition above. I also summon with reverence three hundred million red Qi, three thousand spirit officials, and myriad billions of mounted attendants. The manifested spirits bear themselves with dignity and follow me to present my petition above.

With reverence, I summon seven hundred million white Qi, seven thousand spirit officials, and myriad billions of mounted attendants. The manifested spirits bear themselves with dignity and follow me to present my petition above. With reverence, I summon five hundred million black Qi, five thousand spirit officials, and myriad billions of mounted attendants. The manifested spirits bear themselves with dignity and follow me to present my petition above. With reverence, I summon one hundred million yellow Qi, one thousand spirit officials, and myriad billions of mounted attendants. The manifested spirits bear themselves with dignity and follow me to present my petition above.

When the officials who present the memorial step forward, they must be properly dressed, with their hat cords hanging down, and conduct themselves with dignity. They follow the attending ministers in order as they present the memorial. I respectfully invite the thirty million mounted attendants of the Tawei Changqing Longguang Inner Transformation, Flying Heaven, to step forward; then respectfully invite the thirty million mounted attendants of the Three Heavens Tawei Mingshi Elixir Transformation, Roaming Beyond, Flying Mystery, to step forward; then respectfully invite the nine hundred million mounted attendants of the Great General Who Leads the Way with Relay Horses and the Emissaries of Transformation, to step forward; then respectfully invite the nine hundred million mounted attendants of the Four Aids of Tawei, who assist the True and fly aloft, to step forward; and finally respectfully invite the Lord Emperor of Mysterious Origin, Presenter of Petitions at the Jade Office of Tawei, to step forward.

I ask the Lord Emperor of Mysterious Origin to lead me and escort me to the Hall of Precious Treasure of Illumined Clarity and Primordial Jun in the Jade-Clear Palace of Tawei, so that the memorial I present may swiftly reach the imperial court of Heaven, its subject may be conveyed, and my petition may be granted. Whatever I earnestly implore, I hope to receive an immediate indication and response. I respectfully draw upon the power of the two direct emissaries—the divine officials charged with delivering memorials—and reverently submit this message to His Majesty, the Jade Emperor of Vast Heaven.

After bowing in obeisance, burn the memorial. Then place the Return Elixir Talisman, used to summon back the divine officials, into the incense burner and burn it. Write “Your servant, [name]” in vermilion on yellow paper for the talisman.

The heart mantra is: “Clear and limpid.”

Write “Your servant, [name]” on the Tawei Daoist talisman.

Kneel for a long time and summon the officials back, saying: “The memorial I presented has reached the presence of the Celestial Emperor. The divine officials of the ranks of Assistants to the True in the Jade-Clear Palace of Tawei whom I previously summoned are to return to the palace if they are within it, and to return to their posts beyond the palace if they are outside it. When summoned again in the future, they are to come as before.”

This memorial-presentation rite is generally used in various Zhaijiao ceremonies. The memorials for the nine-day Yellow Register Zhaijiao ceremony do not use this method. The format for a Blue Petition is as follows: in the Tianbao era of the Tang dynasty, the passage “The divine officials of the ranks of Assistants to the True in the Jade-Clear Palace of Tawei: those within are to return within, those outside are to return outside; when summoned again, they are to come as before, according to precedent” was changed to the corresponding format.

This format of petition is commonly used in various Zhaijiao (purification rituals). It is not used in the nine-day Yellow Register Zhaijiao.

The format of Qingci (blue petitions): During the Tianbao era of the Tang dynasty, people began writing prayers that had previously been inscribed on wooden prayer tablets onto paper instead. These were called “Qingci.” During the reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song dynasty, they began writing them on blue paper, giving rise to the name “Qingci.” Both names, “Qing” and “Qing,” have their own origins, and these should be understood.

A Qingci should be no longer than sixty or seventy characters, and should not use expressions such as “zhongxie” or “funian.” These belong to the format of formal memorials. A Qingci should be precise and concise: state the matter being prayed for at the outset, then give the reason directly. Do not labor over parallel phrasing or string together ornate expressions. Even when such writing sounds smooth, readers may not understand its meaning. Parallel phrasing can also repeat the same point, making the text seem imprecise and wordy.

The rules of the liturgy stipulate that petitions should be substantial in content without being showy, plain without deliberate ornament, sincere and truthful, direct rather than roundabout, clear rather than complicated, gentle rather than vulgar, lucid rather than muddled, and upright rather than crooked. Only when the wording is concise and the sincerity full can it move Heaven, Earth, and the spirits, allowing the document to reach the Celestial Bureaucracy directly and receive a swift response. Those who violate these rules will be held accountable by the officials who investigate and punish wrongdoing.

Yellow Register format

Lingbao Yanghua Golden Code for the Ascent of the Living and the Dead through the Yellow Register

This Yellow Register document is written on yellow paper, with the main text in black and the seal script in vermilion. It is given for the use of the deceased soul.

In reverent observance of the commands handed down from Heaven, we respectfully report, on the basis of the petition submitted by [person] of [place], that a rite is now being performed at the altar to cultivate merit on behalf of the deceased [person], with the liturgical procedures and regulations being proclaimed and carried out. We request that a talismanic mandate be issued to open a passage for rescuing souls in the Nine Depths, and that good works be accumulated on a broad scale to aid the deceased in their deliverance. The document has already been sent up to the Celestial Court; this matter should now also be proclaimed to the assembled gods.

The Golden Code of Qingwei (the liturgical code of the Qingwei school)

By imperial command, let this be proclaimed:

Let all the gods hear and obey,

Rescue the souls of the netherworld,

And let them roam freely in Shangqing (the pure celestial realm in Daoism).

This Yellow Register proclamation is hereby issued.

In the heights of the supreme Three Heavens, amid the dark and empty reaches of the Three Realms, a person’s spirit and soul are delivered beyond suffering. The Eastern Dipper governs spiritual awareness; the Western Dipper receives Heaven’s mandate; the Northern Dipper determines the spirit and soul; the Southern Dipper brings one’s original nature to wholeness; and the Central Dipper brings the mind and intent back to truth. The Emperors of the Five Directions each take their proper place: the Azure Emperor corresponds to jade script, the White Emperor to golden script, the Red Emperor to cinnabar radiance, the Black Emperor to dark crystal light, and the Yellow Emperor to the mind and intent brought to perfection. Then the spirits are summoned from afar, so that the deceased may attain the Dao and ascend to Heaven, with spiritual awareness clear and unobstructed, free in movement, and roaming at ease in Shangqing, the pure immortal realm in Daoist teaching.

The Dipper stars bring the mind and intent back to truth, and the Emperors of the Five Directions each take their proper place: the Azure Emperor corresponds to jade script, the White Emperor to golden script, the Red Emperor to cinnabar radiance, the Black Emperor to dark crystal light, and the Yellow Emperor to the mind and intent brought to perfection. The spirits are summoned from afar, so that the deceased may attain the Dao and ascend to Heaven, with spiritual awareness clear and unobstructed, moving freely and roaming at ease in Shangqing.

The notification and memorial rites are performed in accordance with the year, month, day, and hour of the Grand Marshal of the Year.

The ritual official, [surname], duly invested with a ritual rank, receives the edict and carries out its command.

List the titles in the ritual lineage.

Lingbao Yellow Register for Ascending to the Real through the Primordial Cavern (a Lingbao document in the Yellow Register tradition for delivering departed souls and aiding their ascent to the Real)

Written on yellow paper in black characters, with talismanic script in cinnabar. It may be issued for the deceased regardless of the extent of their merit.

As stated by [person] of [place]: We humbly petition that a Zhaijiao (purification ritual) of a specified kind be held at [place] for the spirit and soul of the deceased [person], and that various meritorious deeds be performed, in prayer for deliverance and ascent to the heavenly realm. All is to be carried out in accordance with the instructions previously issued.

Protect and prevent the departed soul from sinking into darkness,

raise it to Zhu Ling, the immortal realm said to receive departed souls,

pardon its sins by order of the Yellow Register,

and let it dwell there forever in peace and enjoy long life.

The above follows the wondrous, numinous writ of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. It carries the soul across the Five Households, so that the deceased’s name may be entered in the Southern Palace. We respectfully summon:

the Heavenly Emperor of Yudan Wuliang, together with the assembled Heavenly Emperors up to and including those of No Thought, No Knot, and No Desire.

All is to be carried out in accordance with the instructions previously issued.

Protect and prevent the departed soul from sinking into darkness,

raise it to Zhu Ling,

pardon its sins by order of the Yellow Register,

and let it dwell there forever in peace and enjoy long life.

The above follows the wondrous, numinous writ of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. It carries the soul across the Five Households, so that the deceased’s name may be entered in the Southern Palace. We respectfully summon:

the Heavenly Emperor of Yudan Wuliang, together with the assembled Heavenly Emperors up to and including those of No Thought, No Knot, and No Desire.

In reverent obedience to the jade writ of the heavenly realm, once this talismanic mandate has been delivered, carry out the command and perform the rite of deliverance.

The notification and memorial rites are performed in accordance with the year, month, first day of the month, and hour of the Grand Marshal of the Year.

The ritual official, [surname], duly invested with a ritual rank, receives the edict and carries out its command.

List the titles in the ritual lineage.

Supreme Covenant with the Real: Jade Casket Yellow Register for Sending Forth the Spirits

At this time of Longhan and Yankan—the legendary calamities of antiquity—we respectfully obey the command of the Celestial Emperor and hold a grand purification fast to deliver all beings, setting forth exquisite scriptures. We humbly receive the divine mandate from Heaven to rescue and redeem all beings, delivering countless people. We summon the Celestial Emperors of the Thirty-Two Heavens and bring together the true spirits and all the gods.

The Talismanic Mandate of the Heavenly Worthy of Primordial Beginning

It is conveyed one by one to the passes of every Heaven,

and proclaimed throughout the Three Realms,

commanding the spirits of the earth to submit to its authority.

The talismans above are used to subdue demons and evil influences and to commend the souls of the dead, enabling them to enter the Southern Palace. Through refinement and deliverance, the souls of the dead shed their mortal forms and are transformed into immortals. They follow the turning cycles of the kalpas, live as long as Heaven, and are forever freed from the Three Paths of Suffering—the hells, hungry ghosts, and beasts—as well as the Five Sufferings and Eight Obstacles. They transcend the Three Realms and roam freely in the Shangqing realm. All is to be carried out in accordance with this mandate.

In the year, month, day, and hour of [specified] cyclical year, this mandate is issued.

The ranked official of the Southern Palace shall cause the souls of the dead to undergo refinement and deliverance, shed their mortal forms, and be transformed into immortals. They shall follow the turning cycles of the kalpas, live as long as Heaven, and be forever freed from the Three Paths of Suffering, the Five Sufferings, and the Eight Obstacles. They shall transcend the Three Realms and roam freely in the Shangqing realm. All is to be carried out in accordance with this mandate.

In the year, month, day, and hour of [specified] cyclical year, this mandate is issued.

The ranked official, surname [specified], receives this decree and carries it out as commanded.

The titles of the officiating masters are listed in order, ending with Wei.

Envoy of the Yellow Register Court of the Mysterious Three-Origin Numinous Dao Lord.

Envoy of the Yellow Register Court of the Mysterious Second-Origin August Dao Lord.

Envoy of the Yellow Register Court of the Mysterious First-Origin Luminous Dao Lord.

Sealing the Corners

The transcendent covenant of the perfected, the jade coffer of divine flight, and the Yellow Register are respectfully submitted above.

The ranked official, surname [specified], receives this decree and respectfully seals it.

Send it to the gate of the Three Heavens and request that it be presented within.

Reverse

In the year, month, day, and hour of [specified] cyclical year, this mandate is issued.

The supreme, luminous-cloud, image-gathering, truth-communing jade coffer and Yellow Register.

The purpose of delivering the deceased is hereby reported and respectfully set forth according to the ritual.

In accordance with the supreme Celestial Policy Scripture, guide the departed soul to the Court of Blessings, contemplate the spirits, and nurture the primordial Qi, so that it may ascend to the Cinnabar Radiance, the luminous realm described by the immortals.

Mighty, perfect, and wondrous.

Divine refinement gathers and guides the scripture.

The spirit of auspicious radiance, taboo name.

The talismans above are entrusted to the soul of the deceased, [name specified]. May it receive the power of deliverance, gather primordial Qi, rise into the void, and ascend to the realm of Supreme Mystery. May clear Qi gather and turbid Qi disperse; may the wondrous power of transformation be widely brought into operation. May it leave the path of the netherworld, and may its primordial Qi ascend to the Cinnabar Radiance.

Mighty, perfect, and wondrous.

Divine refinement gathers and guides the scripture.

The spirit of auspicious radiance, taboo name.

This talisman on the right is issued to a certain departed soul. Relying on its power to deliver the soul, it stirs the original Qi and gathers it in the void, so that the soul may ascend to the realm of Great Mystery. It nurtures pure Qi and dispels turbid Qi, widely applying wondrous methods to lead the departed soul away from the road of the netherworld and up to Jade Capital, the celestial realm of Daoist legend. All is to be carried out swiftly, in accordance with Heaven’s original decree.

Issued on the first day of a certain month, in a certain hour, during a certain year of the Grand Year.

A certain minister, surname omitted, holding the appropriate ritual rank, receives the mandate and carries it out as ordered.

The titles in the lineage of transmission are listed.

Precious Register of the Jade Capital of the Mysterious Metropolis.

Written in vermilion on blue paper, this document announces a rite of refining and gathering the form. “Refining and gathering the form” refers to refining a departed soul through a Zhaijiao ritual so that it may leave the netherworld and be elevated.

It is said that a certain person from a certain place, together with those attending the assembly, held a grand Lingbao Zhaijiao on the day of pardon during the Zhongyuan festival. They performed rites to elevate the ancestral spirits of various households and rescue wandering souls trapped in the depths. They looked up in prayer to the true registers and precious talismans, seeking to communicate with Primordial Beginning and reach the mysterious. They set the wondrous essence and Qi in motion, letting it circulate through the Vermilion Radiance, the luminous celestial realm described in Daoist tradition. May the departed souls ascend to the immortal realm and leave behind the filth of the netherworld. All present carry out the mandate and deliver the souls by means of the talisman, in accordance with the decree.

The names of the body’s deities are then listed: the deity of the brain, Lord Azure Radiance; the deity of the eyes, Lord Penetrating Light; the deity of the tongue, Lord Primordial Brightness; the deity of the nose, Lord Central Radiance; the deity of the ears, Lord True Cinnabar; the deity of the marrow, Lord Primordial Completion; the deity of the channels, Lord Blended Mystery; the deity of the heart, Lord True Origin; the deity of the liver, Lord General Repository; the deity of the lungs, Lord Great Florescence; the deity of the spleen, Lord Inner Movement; the deity of the kidneys, Lord Great Abyss; the deity of the hands, Lord Established Origin; the deity of the feet, Lord Protector; the deity of the bones, Lord Transformative Gatherer; the deity of the blood, Lord Harmonious Flow; the deity of the limbs, Lord Primordial Chestnut; Lord Clear Chapter of the Great Abyss; the deity of the large intestine, Lord Guiding Pattern; the deity of the small intestine, Lord Flourishing Transformation; the deity of the rectum, Lord Eternal Bell; the deity of the skin, Lord Embracing Origin; the deity of the body hair, Lord Spirit in Motion; the deity of the fetus, Lord Resplendent Contest; the deity of the stomach, Lord Cavernous Essence; the deity of the membranes, Lord Self-Generation; the deity of the hair, Lord Changing Flourishing; the deity of the teeth, Lord Auspicious Attainment; the dark deity, Lord Inner Refinement; the deity of bodily fluids, Lord Primordial Transformation; the deity of the hun soul, Lord Yang Essence; and the deity of the po soul, Lord Summoning Yao. These are names for the deities of the human body found in Daoist traditions of visualization and internal refinement.

The talisman on the right is presented under the Emperor’s decree and is to be handled in accordance with the laws of the Mysterious Metropolis and Jade Capital.

The Most High Jade-Cosmic Lord (a revered Daoist deity) issues the sacred command of the Lingbao and grants it to the lords who bring forth and transform life in the Nine Heavens. By the power of this sacred command, the departed souls and ghosts who have received deliverance follow its talismanic mandate: their souls and spirits become pure and upright, their original Qi (vital energy) endures, they suffer no further anguish, and their bodies radiate light. The Five Emperors of the Three Realms then submit a report of this matter to the celestial court of Shangqing. Let this be carried out swiftly, in obedience to the command.

Carry out the decrees and regulations of the Lingbao Cavern Chapter.

On the first day of a certain month, at a certain hour, in a certain year of the Grand Year, this is announced for execution.

Your servant, holding the appointed rank, of the surname [X], receives this proclamation and carries it out.

List the master’s official titles, then add the sacred ranks after them.

The Holy Mother of Great Simplicity, Lady of the Jade Immortals of the Nine Truths of Ten Thousand Transformations, shall swiftly carry this out in obedience to the decrees and regulations of the Lingbao Cavern Chapter.

On the first day of a certain month, at a certain hour, in a certain year of the Grand Year, this is announced for execution.

Your servant, holding the appointed rank, of the surname [X], receives this proclamation and carries it out.

List the master’s official titles, then add the sacred ranks after them.

Your servant, the Holy Mother of Great Simplicity, Lady of the Jade Immortals of the Nine Truths of Ten Thousand Transformations, Zhuang.

Your servant, the Lady of Primordial Illumination of the High Origin and Purple Void, Wei.

The Dao Lord of the Three Primordial Mysteries, emissary of the Yellow Registers Bureau (the divine office responsible for Yellow Register purification rites).

The Dao Lord of the Second Primordial Mystery, emissary of the Yellow Registers Bureau.

The Dao Lord of the First Primordial Mystery, emissary of the Yellow Registers Bureau.

The Lingbao Flying Dawn Immortal Transformation Golden Register.

This Golden Register is written on yellow paper, with the main text in black ink and the talismans in cinnabar. It may be used in renewal rites regardless of the register’s size, and is issued to the departed.

From the statement of the deceased’s purpose through the end of the rite, memorials must be submitted to the celestial court requesting that the Golden Register be bestowed. The following are invoked:

May the Emperor of the Great Sovereign Yellow Cosmic Heaven grant deliverance;

May the Emperor of the Great Bright Jade Perfection Heaven grant deliverance;

May the Emperor of the Clear Bright He Tong Heaven grant deliverance;

May the Emperor of the Mysterious Womb Universal Peace Heaven grant deliverance;

May the Emperor of the Primordial Bright Literary Exposition Heaven grant deliverance;

May the Emperor of the Seven Luminaries Moyi Heaven grant deliverance;

May the Emperor of the Void Origin Transverse Balance Heaven grant deliverance;

May the Emperor of the Supreme Ultimate Veiled Heaven grant deliverance;

May the Emperor of the Red Bright Harmonious Yang Heaven grant deliverance;

May the Emperor of the Mysterious Bright Reverent Splendor Heaven grant deliverance;

May the Emperor of the Radiant Bright Ancestral Fluttering Heaven grant deliverance;

May the Emperor of the Zhuluo Imperial Reed Heaven grant deliverance;

May the Emperor of the Void Bright Hall Radiance Heaven grant deliverance;

May the Emperor of the Observant Bright Upright Tranquility Heaven grant deliverance.

I respectfully petition the Heavenly Emperors of the Heavens of Xuanming Gongqing, Taihuan Jiyao, Yuanzai Kongsheng, Tai’an Huangya, Xianding Jifeng, Shihuang Xiaomang, Taihuang Wengzhong, Wusijiangyou, Shangdie Ruanle, Wuji Tanshi, Haoting Xiaodu, Yuantong Yuandong, Taiwen Wanchong, Taisu Xiule, Taixu Wushang, Taishi Yulong, and Longbian Fandu, as well as those of the Great Ultimate Heavens of Pingyuan Cave and Pingyu, to descend and offer protection. The phrase “the Heavenly Emperors’ passage” in this document is a petition addressed to the various Heavenly Emperors.

Let this be proclaimed throughout the Three Realms—the heavens, earth, and human world. Command all the myriad spirits to come and hear this order, and to carry it out in accordance with the decree.

This proclamation is used to deliver departed souls for all time, freeing them from the Three Evil Paths—hell, the realm of hungry ghosts, and the realm of animals—as well as the Five Sufferings, the many kinds of suffering, and the Eight Obstacles to cultivating the Dao and hearing its teachings. May they transcend the Three Realms and roam freely in Shangqing, the Daoist realm of pure and sublime heights. Let all be carried out in accordance with this proclamation.

Issued on the first day of a certain month, in a certain year of the Grand Year, at a certain hour.

The appointed official, a certain person of a certain surname, receives this edict and carries out its command.

The ritual master’s lineage titles are listed here.

“Yellow Register for Delivering Spirits to the Eastern Pole’s Azure Mystery Realm”: written in vermilion ink on yellow paper, this document is used to petition for the deliverance of wandering souls trapped in suffering. The ritual master carefully states the purpose of the petition. Once the rite is complete, the document is sent up to the Heavenly Court, proclaimed throughout the Three Realms and made known in the ten directions. The command of the Nine Dragons Talisman is also proclaimed, and the order is carried out in coordination with the prescribed ritual procedures.

Command the Three Realms to obey.

The above is a talismanic document.

Within the netherworld of the Three Realms, the administrative offices of the Three Origins, and the Six Directions and Eight Regions, let this be made known in the ten directions. Proclaim the command of the Nine Dragons Talisman, and carry it out in coordination with the prescribed ritual procedures.

Command the Three Realms to obey.

The above is a talismanic document.

The netherworld of the Three Realms, the administrative offices of the Three Origins, and the Six Directions and Eight Regions must all obey this order. Command the various gods to heed it together: deliver the souls of those who died violent deaths within a certain province and now languish in the netherworld, so that their karmic obstructions may be cleared and their grievances resolved; may their spiritual awareness be restored and may they ascend to a realm of blessedness. Let all be carried out in accordance with this proclamation.

Issued on the first day of a certain month, in a certain year of the Grand Year, at a certain hour.

The authorized ritual master, holding a Daoist office, of the surname [name], receives the imperial command and carries out its instructions.

List the names and honorific titles in the master’s lineage.

Peerless Covenant with the True: Jade Coffer for Communicating with the True and Yellow Register (a Yellow Register document for reaching the realm of the True and delivering the spirits of the dead)

Write on yellow paper, with the main text in white or vermilion. Use it when issuing proclamations and guiding the spirits of the dead.

We respectfully establish Zhaijiao (Daoist rites for blessings and the deliverance of the dead) for [person] of [place] and their relatives, performing good works on a wide scale for their benefit. With the blessing of Fulu (talismans and registers), we guide the spirits of the dead who have sunk into the netherworld, delivering them to the far shore of the Dao realm.

Gather and secure them completely; nurture them in peace.

Ascend to the Purple Court, the celestial palace of the immortals in Daoist tradition.

The above constitutes the register text.

The Heavenly Worthies of the East, South, West, and North, each manifesting brightly through wondrous transformations and operating throughout the ten directions, shall carry the petitions above to the heavenly court. Let all proceed in accordance with the command.

Issued and put into effect at [time] on the first day of the month, in the year of the Grand Duke of Jupiter.

The authorized ritual master, of the surname [name], receives the imperial command and carries out its instructions.

List the names and honorific titles in the master’s lineage.

Supreme One’s Precious Register for Birth in Heaven (a talismanic register that helps the souls of the dead ascend to heaven)

Write on yellow paper, with the main text in black and the talisman drawn in cinnabar. Deliver it to the departed spirit. From one hundred up to one hundred thousand copies may be burned.

By command, pardon the departed spirit.

Let the soul ascend to heaven.

The above constitutes the talismanic register. Let it be proclaimed throughout the Three Realms (Heaven, Earth, and Humanity), made known to the myriad spirits, and used to deliver the departed spirit, so that it may roam freely in the Shangqing realm, the Daoist celestial paradise. Let all proceed in accordance with the command.

Issued and put into effect at [time] on the first day of the month, in the year of the Grand Duke of Jupiter.

The authorized ritual master, of the surname [name], receives the imperial command and carries out its instructions.

List the names and honorific titles in the master’s lineage.

Supreme One’s Precious Register for Birth in Heaven

Write on yellow paper, with the main text in black and the talisman drawn in cinnabar. Deliver it to the departed spirit. From one hundred up to one hundred thousand copies may be burned.

By command, pardon the departed spirit.

Let the soul ascend to heaven.

The above constitutes the talismanic register. Let it be proclaimed throughout the Three Realms, made known to the myriad spirits, and used to deliver the departed spirit, so that it may roam freely in the Shangqing realm. Let all proceed in accordance with the command.

Issued and put into effect at [time] on the first day of the month, in the year of the Grand Duke of Jupiter.

End of Volume One of the Qingwei Zhaijiao Method

Qingwei Zhaijiao Method, Volume Two

Simplified Forms

Twelve Types of Brief Tablets for Deliverance from Suffering

Make the tablets from catalpa wood and write on them in cinnabar. Place them in a blue pouch.

First: The Emperor Ascends to the True

The myriad lights shine everywhere and join in communion.

The Dragon Origin issues its command.

The golden register and jade tablet of talismanic commands from the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning—the Azure Essence Wondrous Dao True Talisman—are proclaimed to the lower Caverns: the Heaven of Rosy Radiance, Brilliant Light, and Primordial Origin; the Lord of Great Rosy Clouds and Fusang; the Lord of Yang Valley, Profound Origin, and Numina; the Left Superior Perfect of Yuhua; and the Right Superior Perfect of Qinggu. They are also presented to the emperor, inviting him to attend court among the treasures of the Dao, commune with the True Dao, and attain penetrating understanding. Let all proceed in accordance with the command.

In the year, month, and day of a certain Tai Sui cycle, the duly appointed official, Minister So-and-so, carried out the proclamation by command.

The Ascension to Perfection of Empresses and Consorts, Part Two

The dragon through which the Heavenly Venerable of Primordial Beginning manifests in response.

The document is made clear; the command is carried out.

The Heavenly Venerable of Primordial Beginning issues the talismanic command: the Golden Register, the Golden Tablets, and the True Talisman of the Nine Yangs for Transcending the True. It informs the Heaven of Golden Spirit, Primordial Vastness, and Jade Radiance. Minister So-and-so, of the Great Cinnabar Golden Rank, carries out the proclamation by command.

The Ascension to Perfection of Empresses and Consorts, Part Two

The dragon through which the Heavenly Venerable of Primordial Beginning manifests in response.

The document is made clear; the command is carried out.

The Heavenly Venerable of Primordial Beginning issues the talismanic command: the Golden Register, the Golden Tablets, and the True Talisman of the Nine Yangs for Transcending the True. It informs the Heaven of Golden Spirit, Primordial Vastness, and Jade Radiance. To the True Lord of Immortal Origin, Diagram of Ten Thousand Qi, of the Great Cinnabar Golden Primordial Rank; and to the Supreme Perfected One, the Great Shitian, Exalted and Bright, of the Three Blossoms, Nine Blessings, Seven Radiances, and Ten Luminaries: we respectfully request that the empresses and consorts be granted an audience with and pay homage to their revered master and the Three Treasures, thereby attaining the rank of perfected immortals. Let this command be carried out accordingly.

In the year, month, and day of a certain Tai Sui cycle, the duly appointed official, Minister So-and-so, carried out the proclamation by command.

Transcending the Dead: Dukes, Marquises, Generals, and Ministers; Wives of Officials of the First through Third Ranks; and Eminent Daoist Masters Holding Registers of the Three Caverns, Part Three

The Nine Yang Great Cycle Rite for Transcending the Dead.

The ranks are pure and true; the command is carried out by imperial decree.

The Heavenly Venerable of Primordial Beginning issues the talismanic command: the Golden Register, the White Tablets, and the True Talisman of the Nine Dragons. It informs the Heaven of Vermilion Radiance, Purple Purity, and Glorious Brilliance. We request that the True Perfected Ones of Harmonious Yang, Scarlet Brightness, Flourishing Yang, Nurturing Illumination, and Primordial Radiance transcend So-and-so, enabling them to ride this wondrous and subtle celestial hymn, recover their original nature, perfect their true body, ascend beyond the mortal realm to the realm of immortals, and have their name entered in the Upper Clarity Capital. Let this command be carried out accordingly.

In the year, month, and day of a certain Tai Sui cycle, the duly appointed official, Minister So-and-so, by command requests that the True Perfected Ones of Radiant Primordiality transcend So-and-so, enabling them to ride this wondrous and subtle celestial hymn, recover their original nature, perfect their true body, ascend beyond the mortal realm to the realm of immortals, and have their name entered in the Upper Clarity Capital. Let this command be carried out accordingly.

In the year, month, and day of a certain Tai Sui cycle, the duly appointed official, Minister So-and-so, carried out the proclamation by command.

Transcending the Dead: Wives of Officials, the Four Assistants, and Eminent Daoist Masters Holding Zhengyi Registers, Part Four

The Heavenly Venerable of Primordial Beginning issues the talismanic command: the Golden Register, the White Tablets, and the True Talisman of the Nine Dragons. It informs the Heaven of Mysterious Brilliance, Pivot, Response, Numinous Power, and Primordial Splendor, as well as the True Perfected Ones of Purple Tenuity, Spring Radiance, Primordial Sovereignty, Pure Dawn, and Jade Spirit. We request that they deliver So-and-so from suffering, grant them an audience with and homage to Lingbao—the revered Daoist deity and the precious treasure of the scriptures—and enable them to ascend smoothly to the rank of perfected immortal. Let this command be carried out accordingly.

In the year, month, and day of a certain Tai Sui cycle, the duly appointed official, Minister So-and-so, carried out the proclamation by command.

Receiving the Degree in One’s Lifetime, Part Five

The ascent through the transformation of Azure Florescence.

The decree to confer a degree upon a person and grant them a True Register is hereby carried out.

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issues a talismanic command, using a Golden Register—a document recording the names and ranks of divine beings—a white tablet, and the True Talisman of the Nine Dragons. It announces the command to the Heaven of Auspicious Radiance beneath the Purple Canopy, where the northern origin is patterned with stars, and to the divine beings known as the Officials of the Mysterious Flower Who Guard Yin’s Cavern, the Responding Luminary of the Wind Marsh and Spirit Abyss, and the Perfected One of Utmost Truth. They are to deliver the previously named person, who has undertaken purification, so that they may endure through the calamities of age after age, remain forever, transcend the Three Realms, and wander freely at the Jade Terrace. In all matters, carry out the command as written.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Year, the appointed official, your servant of the surname [name], receives the command and issues this notice.

Protecting the State, Overcoming Calamities, and Quelling Warfare, No. 6

The True One of Utmost Truth, whose dragon script is reflected and manifested through embryonic transformation, is to deliver the previously named person, who has undertaken purification, so that they may endure through the calamities of age after age, remain forever, transcend the Three Realms, and wander freely at the Jade Terrace. In all matters, carry out the command as written.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Year, the appointed official, your servant of the surname [name], receives the command and issues this notice.

Protecting the state and securing its people, dispelling calamities, and quelling warfare, No. 6.

The dragon script is reflected…

Enact this by command according to the method of Azure Mystery.

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issues a talismanic command, using a Golden Register, a white tablet, and the True Talisman of the Nine Dragons. It announces the command to the Heaven of Vast Space beneath the Canopy of Peng, the Five Sacred Peaks and Four Great Rivers, the borders of the Nine Provinces and Eight Directions, and the earth spirits, myriad numina, and perfected beings of the famous mountains and great rivers. They are to protect the foundations of the state forever, keeping the country stable and its territory secure. In all matters, carry out the command as written.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Year, the appointed official, your servant of the surname [name], receives the command and issues this notice.

Deliverance for Attendants, Ministers and Censors, Court Officials, Nobles, Inspectors, Local Officials, and Noblewomen, No. 7

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issues a talismanic command, using a Golden Register, a white tablet, and the True Talisman of the Nine Dragons. It announces the command to the Heaven of Seven Reflections, where the jade blossoms of Mount Taihua shine, and to the gods of the Supreme Perfected of Jade Glory, the Mysterious Spirit and Primordial Darkness, the Nine Spirits of the Ten Flower Realms, and the Great Luminary of Natural Being. They are to deliver [name], so that their spirit may enter the Purple Palace in Heaven and their name be entered in the vermilion register of immortals. In all matters, carry out the command as written.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Year, the appointed official, your servant of the surname [name], receives the command and issues this notice.

Deliverance for District Magistrates, Officials, Noblewomen, Daoist Practitioners, and Register-Bearing Adepts, No. 8

The mighty talisman of the dragon restores the soul; the True Command that gives life to the spirit is to be enacted.

Primordial Beginning issues the talismanic command.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Year, the appointed official, your servant of the surname [name], receives the command and issues this notice.

Deliverance for District Magistrates, Officials, Noblewomen, Daoist Practitioners, and Register-Bearing Adepts, No. 8

The mighty talisman of the dragon restores the soul; the True Command that gives life to the spirit is to be enacted.

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issues the Golden Register, White Writ, and Nine-Dragon True Talisman, proclaiming to the boundless worlds in the ten directions, as well as to the Three Officials, the Nine Offices, the One Hundred and Twenty Bureaus, the Five Emperors’ examining officials, the Lords of the Nine Yin, and the spirits of the Yin realm. May a certain person be rescued and delivered, so that their spirit and soul may take their place among the immortals and their name be entered in the purple-script register of immortals. May all the foregoing be carried out in accordance with this proclamation.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Year, the duly appointed minister, of the surname [name], carries out this proclamation by command.

Rescuing and Delivering the Stagnant People, Officials, and Commoners, Section Nine

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issues the Golden Register, White Writ, and True Talisman for Saving from Suffering, proclaiming to the boundless worlds in the ten directions, as well as to the Three Officials and Nine Palaces, the One Hundred and Twenty Bureaus, the Five Emperors’ examining officials, the mighty heavenly warriors of the Ninefold Netherworld prisons, the divine soldiers who enforce punishments, the gods in charge of destiny, records, merit, and execution, the ox-headed jailers, and the great demons of the Three Realms. May a certain person be rescued and delivered from the prisons of hell, forever leave behind the dark, endless night, and behold the light; may all sins and karmic offenses be cleansed, and all enmities resolved. Through the wondrous precepts of the Nine Truths—the Daoist rules of conduct—and the merit of rescue and deliverance, may they ascend to Heaven. May all the foregoing be carried out in accordance with this proclamation.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Year, the duly appointed minister, of the surname [name], carries out this proclamation by command.

Delivering Those Who Died Violently

Deliver those who met with calamity or died an unnatural death. Through the wondrous precepts of the Nine Truths and the merit of rescue and deliverance, may they ascend to Heaven. May all the foregoing be carried out in accordance with this proclamation.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Year, the duly appointed minister, of the surname [name], carries out this proclamation by command.

Delivering Those Who Died Violently, Section Ten

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issues the Golden Register, White Writ, and True Talisman for Saving from Suffering, proclaiming to the Office of the Abyssal Yin Terrace and Northern Spiritual Mystery, which governs the cycles of destiny, as well as to the Ten Primal Powers, the Eight Proclamations, the Assistant Deities of Vast Destiny in the Lower Caverns, and the other gods. May a certain person be rescued and delivered from the evil paths, with their consciousness made clear; may all sins and karmic offenses be cleansed, and all enmities resolved. Through a certain register and the merit of reconciliation and deliverance, may they ascend to Heaven. May all the foregoing be carried out in accordance with this proclamation.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Year, the duly appointed minister, of the surname [name], carries out this proclamation by command.

General Use, Section Eleven

The sacrificial proclamation uses the same wording as the preceding text, adopting the section “Rescuing and Delivering the Stagnant People, Officials, and Commoners, Section Nine.”

Aiding and Delivering the Blood Lake, Section Twelve

(The title means aiding and delivering the souls of the dead associated with the “Blood Lake.”)

By command of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, issue the golden-register white document bearing the Nine-Dragon True Talisman. Inform the heavens of Clear Essence and the myriad Qi, the perfected ones of the Golden Tower of Great Eminence and Curved Plain of Radiant Essence, and the Lady of Night Radiance and perfected immortals of Pure Embrace and Wondrous Vastness at the Purple Origin’s Lofty Terrace in the Yellow Radiant Vast Earth. May they deliver a certain person from suffering, swiftly lead them away from the lost path, and enable them to realize and enter the Way of Life, the righteous path to which the living return. May their true wisdom shine through with perfect clarity, and their roots of goodness become pure and upright.

Again, inform the Lady of Night Radiance at the Purple Origin’s Lofty Terrace and the perfected immortals of Pure Embrace and Wondrous Vastness. May they deliver a certain person from suffering, swiftly lead them away from the lost path, and enable them to realize and enter the Way of Life. May their true wisdom shine through with perfect clarity, and their roots of goodness become pure and upright. May they, by virtue of this Yellow Register purification rite, ascend to the heavens. Let this command be carried out accordingly.

In the year, month, and day of the designated Tai Sui cycle, the appointed official, a minister of the surname [X], receives the command and announces its execution.

Twelve Grades of Longevity Documents

The document is made of cypress wood and written in cinnabar. It is placed in a blue pouch and conveyed by a Golden Dragon officer.

First: Emperors Ascending to True Immortality

By command of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, issue the golden-register jade document and the longevity jade almanac safeguarding the True Spirit talisman. Inform the heavens of Clear Subtlety and Cavernous Yang, the Nine Qi and Nine Perfected Ones of Purple Clarity and Imperial Radiance, the Three Venerables of Primordial Yang, Jade Dawn, and Azure Way, and all the gods. Respectfully inform the Emperor: may he join himself to the True Way, receive the blessings of a life endowed with spirit, gather true Qi through the Dragon Script, and ascend to Jade Capital, the celestial city of the immortals in Daoist lore. Let this command be carried out accordingly and conveyed by a Golden Dragon postal envoy.

In the year, month, and day of the designated Tai Sui cycle, the appointed official, a minister of the surname [X], receives the command and announces its execution.

Second: Empresses and Consorts Ascending to True Immortality

By command of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, issue the golden-register gold document and the purple edict and cinnabar radiance spirit talisman. Inform the relevant celestial realms. May the recipient of the command gather true Qi through the Dragon Script and ascend to Jade Capital. Let this command be carried out accordingly and conveyed by a Golden Dragon postal envoy.

In the year, month, and day of the designated Tai Sui cycle, the appointed official, a minister of the surname [X], receives the command and announces its execution.

Second: Empresses and Consorts Ascending to True Immortality

By command of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, issue the golden-register gold document and the purple edict and cinnabar radiance spirit talisman. Inform the heavens of Great Sovereignty and Primordial Radiance, the Venerables of Radiant Clarity, Mixed Essence, Wondrous Transformation, and Cavernous Brilliance, and all the gods. Respectfully inform the empresses and consorts: may they join themselves to the True Way, become one with the Dao, and ascend to the celestial realm of Purple Clarity. Let this command be carried out accordingly.

In the year, month, and day of the designated Tai Sui cycle, the appointed official, a minister of the surname [X], receives the command and announces its execution.

Third: Delivering Dukes and Marquises, Generals and Ministers, Ladies of the First and Second Ranks, Officials Registered in the Three Caverns, and Eminent Adepts

Primordial Ancestor Qi: talisman of command for protecting life and prolonging spiritual longevity.

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issued the Golden Register, White Slip Talisman of Long Life. It informs the Heaven of Southern Pole Primordial Radiance, Curved Truth, and Three Yang Jade Mounds, as well as the True Sovereigns of the Hundred Blossoms of the Three Grades of Changyang: deliver a certain person beyond this world and enable him to ascend to the Palace of Heaven at Vermilion Mound. All matters shall be carried out in accordance with this proclamation.

In the year, month, and day of a certain sexagenary cycle year, the official of rank, whose surname is a certain name, was commanded to proclaim and carry this out.

Talisman for Deliverance

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issued the Golden Register, White Slip Talisman of Long Life. It informs the Heaven of Southern Pole Primordial Radiance, Curved Truth, and Three Yang Jade Mounds, as well as the True Sovereigns of the Hundred Blossoms of the Three Grades of Changyang: deliver a certain person beyond this world and enable him to ascend to the Palace of Heaven at Vermilion Mound. All matters shall be carried out in accordance with this proclamation.

On a certain year, month, and day of the Grand Duke’s cycle, the official of rank, whose surname is a certain name, was commanded to proclaim and carry this out.

For Delivering Ranked Officials, Their Wives, High Officers of the Four Assistants and Zhengyi Registers, and Adepts of the Fourth Grade

Talisman of the Heavenly Treasure, Responding to the Mandate, for Long Life and the True Dao

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issued the Golden Register, White Slip Talisman of Long Life. It informs the Heaven of Vermilion Mound, the Great Elixir of the Cycle of Zhou, and the thirty-six Primordial True Ones of Radiant Splendor: elevate a certain person beyond this world and enable him to ascend to the Vermilion Palace. All matters shall be carried out in accordance with this proclamation.

On a certain year, month, and day of the Grand Duke’s cycle, the official of rank, whose surname is a certain name, was commanded to proclaim and carry this out.

Receiving Deliverance in the Present Life, Fifth

The Primordial Beginning’s Wondrous Dao, Harmonizing Yang and Bringing Forth Life by Command

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issued the Golden Register, White Slip Talisman of Long Life. It informs the Heaven of Nine Capitals and Jade Yang, the Six Departments and Eight Assistants, and the deities who support the true Dao and transform and nurture the myriad things: deliver a certain person, who cultivated in advance, beyond this world, so that he may endure through life after life and kalpa after kalpa. Carry this out in accordance with the proclamation.

Receiving Deliverance in the Present Life, Fifth

The Primordial Beginning’s Wondrous Dao, Harmonizing Yang and Bringing Forth Life by Command

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issued the Golden Register, White Slip Talisman of Long Life. It informs the Heaven of Nine Capitals and Jade Yang, the Six Departments and Eight Assistants, and the deities who support the true Dao and transform and nurture the myriad things: deliver a certain person, who cultivated in advance, beyond this world, so that he may endure through the kalpas, realize the true Dao amid the cycles of reincarnation and kalpa, and ultimately ascend to the Palace of Heaven at Vermilion Mound. All matters shall be carried out in accordance with this proclamation.

On a certain year, month, and day of the Grand Duke’s cycle, the official of rank, whose surname is a certain name, was commanded to proclaim and carry this out.

Protecting the State, Delivering It from Calamity, and Quelling Warfare, Sixth

Talisman of Qingwei, Responding to the Mandate, Bringing Forth Qi and Enduring Long

The talismanic decree of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, together with the Golden Register’s white tablets and talismans of long life, is proclaimed to the Heaven of Purple Tenuity, Green Jade, and Supreme Mystery, and to the Great Unity Sovereign Lord, the Ten Primal Great Unity Heavenly Lords, the dragon guards of the Green Gate, Yellow Portal, Purple Forbidden City, and Black Pass, the tiger-chariot Celestial Perfected, and all the honored divine beings. May the divine beings grant their protection, so that the state may be secure and the people prosperous, well provided for, and at peace, sharing in an age of great peace. All matters shall be carried out in accordance with this talismanic decree.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Duke’s cycle, the duly ranked subject of the surname [X], acting under orders, proclaims and carries out this decree.

(Repeated passage from above) We beseech the tiger-chariot Celestial Perfected and all the honored divine beings to grant their protection, so that the state may be secure and the people prosperous, well provided for, and at peace, sharing in an age of great peace. All matters shall be carried out in accordance with this talismanic decree.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Duke’s cycle, the duly ranked subject of the surname [X], acting under orders, proclaims and carries out this decree.

The stars descend in obedience to the decree. The gods of the meridians and parallels, Dongyang and Yinyi, together with the deities of Jie Lin, the Five Planets, the Four Luminaries, the Northern Dipper, and the Southern Dipper, jointly preside over the release from misfortune and the deliverance of the dead. The text then mentions a certain true god of ritual thunder and associated techniques.

Deliverance of Attendants, Ministers, Court Officials, Gentlemen, Nobles, Inspectors, Local Governors, and Noblewomen, Section Seven

Talismanic Decree of the Divine Command for the Transformation of the Primordial Mixture into Life

The talismanic decree of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, together with the Golden Register’s white tablets and talismans of long life, is proclaimed to the Heaven of Southern Extremity, Empty Clarity, and Flourishing Splendor, and to the Yang Primal Red Mixture’s Sovereign of All Perfected, the Divine Lord. It commands the deliverance of [a certain person], so that they may realize the true Dao and ascend to the Southern Palace. All matters shall be carried out in accordance with this talismanic decree.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Duke’s cycle, the duly ranked subject of the surname [X], acting under orders, proclaims and carries out this decree.

Deliverance of District Magistrates, Officials, Noblewomen, Daoist Adepts, and Register Holders, Section Eight

Talismanic Decree of the Primordial Emperor for Preserving the Mandate and Generating Spirit from True Qi

The talismanic decree of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, together with the Golden Register’s white tablets and talismans of long life, is proclaimed to the Southern Vermilion Heaven and the world of the Southern Vermilion Mound Fire Court, to the Long-Life Great Lord of Nanchang, Lord Han, and to the honored deities Sima, Siming, Silu, Yanshou, Yisuan, and Due, as well as the Great God who restores bones, revives the dead, and oversees life. It commands the deliverance of [a certain person], so that they may ascend to the Vermilion Palace and the Court of Flowing Fire. There, the Jade-Eyed One shall refine and transform their body, while Yellow Splendor washes away their former shape; their name shall be entered in the Purple Register, and they shall receive transformation and new life. Through this Golden Register, they shall gain the merit of deliverance and life, and be promoted in due course. All matters shall be carried out in accordance with this talismanic decree.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Duke’s cycle, the duly ranked subject of the surname [X], acting under orders, proclaims and carries out this decree.

The ninth proclamation for rescuing the stagnant and distressed common people has the same text as the preceding one.

Primordial Qi (the vital energy that is the source of the universe at its beginning) arises from the hidden and mysterious depths.

The true spirit appears through the authority of edicts and talismans.

The tenth proclamation for delivering and saving those who have suffered sudden calamity or an untimely death has the same text as the preceding one.

The wondrous Qi of the Primordial Beginning

nurtures living beings and cultivates their true nature.

The eleventh general proclamation has the same text as the preceding one.

The talismanic mandate of the Primordial Beginning

shakes the memorials and petitions, and commands the spirits.

The twelfth proclamation for rescuing those sunk in the suffering of the Blood Lake has the same text as the preceding one.

The talismanic mandate of the Primordial Beginning

is pure and bright, penetrating all and revealing itself.

Corner-Sealing Format

Make it from blue paper.

Primordial Beginning,

I have carefully prepared this document. I, your servant of the surname [surname], have received the sacred instruction and act under its command. I respectfully submit and seal this document.

Talismanic mandate.

Reverse-Side Format

The numinous talisman of long life is hereby issued:

On [day], at [place].

Transit Warrant Format

The Prefecture of the Celestial Realm of Primordial Radiance, the Divine One of the Purple Emperor of Heavenly Aid, and the Dragon Officers who serve the Celestial Lord shall jointly receive this warrant and await assignment; they are assigned from the offices of [palace] and [prefecture]. Now, by command issued from above:

The Primordial Beginning’s talismanic mandate, the Golden Register and White Slip True Talisman for Rescuing from Suffering, shall deliver [person] and raise them into the Heavenly Palace.

The Primordial Beginning’s talismanic mandate, the Golden Register and White Slip Numinous Talisman of Long Life, shall deliver [person] and enable them to ascend to the Heavenly Palace.

This warrant is entrusted to [number] courier officers of the Linglong station, who are to carry the talismanic mandate swiftly to the Heavenly Palace and proclaim it before the Celestial Court. This warrant is hereby issued.

Issued at [hour] on [day] of [month] in [year] of the current sexagenary cycle.

Talisman to Precede the Warrant for Rescuing from Suffering

Use yellow paper, three inches wide, and write in cinnabar. Paste it to the front of the warrant.

Command the fierce spirits; employ the Jiaolong officers.

Talisman to Precede the Warrant for Long Life

Command the fierce spirits; employ the Golden Dragon officers.

Summoning the Linglong Officers

Gao Hong is the chief of the Jiaolong officers.

Gao [surname], your servant [name].

Summoning the Golden Dragon Officers

Bin Yi is the chief of the Golden Dragon officers.

Bin [surname], your servant [name].

Notes on the slips.

The function of “brief registers” includes the salvation of souls in the netherworld, and their contents cannot all be described here. Zhang Lihua’s case is particularly notable. The record says that when the scriptures had been recited for the ninth time, it was the moment for confessing sins, and the brief memorials were then burned. From this we can see that memorials written on registers should be presented when the merit-making rites have been completed.

Recently, some people have burned all the talismans for rescuing the distressed as soon as they begin presenting memorials, believing this will free the deceased from hell. The reasoning behind this practice is unsound. There are specific documents for summoning the souls of the dead. The white register should be proclaimed during the transmission rite, so that the deceased may be saved through the merit cultivated at the ritual altar, together with the power of making vows, observing precepts, confessing sins, and correcting faults. Afterward, the register memorial should be offered and proclaimed, with prayers that the ten directions pardon sins and resolve grievances. Only then can the deceased be said to have escaped hell and ascended to the Vermilion Palace, the Daoist celestial palace.

Thus the scripture says that when beings in the Ninefold Hells hear that the Northern Emperor has made extensive prayers on their behalf, they awaken to remorse and seek deliverance. Only then does the Celestial Worthy proclaim the precepts for them and bestow talismans and registers. This passage is especially useful as evidence.

Reciting, writing, and drawing talismans in seal script is not difficult. One need only be able to write the twenty-four faces of the talismans to commit them to memory, because their forms correspond to their meanings. Try it yourself and you will see that this is true.

Three Faces of the Three Primordial Registers

Upper Primordial Register

Radiance shines forth,

the slender carriage reaches the imperial court.

By the command of the Primordial Beginning, an inner seal in pure subtle script, this Jade Register of the Three Heavens informs the officials and clerks of the thirty-six bureaus of the Upper Primordial Heavenly Official’s Taiji Palace:

Rescue and summon the spirits of so-and-so, and attach them to this offering. Extend this deliverance to all souls sunk in the netherworld and suffering there, so that they may leave the Celestial Prison, proceed directly to the True Capital, wash away their transgressions, and pay homage to the Most High.

The precious talismans of the Golden Registers are to be honored throughout the Three Realms. In every matter, carry out this command; let the golden dragon convey it.

In the year, month, and day of the specified sexagenary cycle, I, the official of rank, so-and-so, hereby issue and carry out this command.

Middle Primordial Register

“Wear the crown, mount the chariot, and lead the host” and “restrain and prohibit, and face the court in reverence” are talismanic formulae used in the text of the slips.

Middle Origin Slip

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issues a talismanic command, written in the inner script of the Qingwei school of Daoism on a jade slip of the Three Heavens. It informs the examining clerks and ritual officers of the Forty-Two Bureaus in the Palace of Clear Emptiness, where the Middle Origin Earth Official, the deity who governs the affairs of the underworld, resides. It orders them to deliver a certain person’s soul from suffering and to rescue all the departed spirits lingering in the netherworld, so that they may leave the gates of the underworld and receive the sun’s light. The precious talisman of the Golden Register, used in Zhaijiao rituals, is to be observed throughout the Three Realms and carried out in accordance with this command, which is conveyed by a golden dragon.

On the day and month of a certain year of the Grand Year, the duly ranked official, whose surname is such-and-such, announces and carries out this command.

Lower Origin Slip

The command of the Fierce Dark Emperor brings forth the transformation and generation of all things and makes the perfected beings manifest.

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issues a talismanic command, enabling the departed spirits to leave the gates of the underworld and receive the sun’s light. The precious talisman of the Golden Register is to be observed throughout the Three Realms and carried out in accordance with this command, which is conveyed by a golden dragon.

On the day and month of a certain year of the Grand Year, the duly ranked official, whose surname is such-and-such, announces and carries out this command.

Lower Origin Slip

The command of the Fierce Dark Emperor brings forth the transformation and generation of all things and makes the perfected beings manifest.

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issues a talismanic command, written in the inner script of the Qingwei school on a jade slip of the Three Heavens. It informs the examining clerks and ritual officers of the Forty-Two Bureaus in the Cavern-Source Palace, where the Lower Origin Water Official, the deity who governs the water realm and the affairs of departed spirits, resides. It orders them to deliver the spirits of certain people from suffering and to rescue all the departed spirits lingering in the netherworld, freeing them from distress and raising them to a blessed existence. The precious talisman of the Golden Register is to be observed throughout the Three Realms and carried out in accordance with this command, which is conveyed by a golden dragon.

On the day and month of a certain year of the Grand Year, the duly ranked official, whose surname is such-and-such, announces and carries out this command.

Nine Heavens Slip

The text may be written on a single face or divided among nine faces; the format is the same.

“Clear and bright, radiant and lofty Qi” and “nurturing brightness, vast and ordered, soaring” are talismanic formulae used in the text of the slips.

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issues a talismanic command, written in the Qingwei Opening-Brightness True Talisman on a white slip of the Golden Register, used in Zhaijiao rituals. It informs the lofty perfected deity of a certain heaven. It orders them to deliver a certain person’s soul from suffering, so that the spirit may ascend and pay audience to the Celestial Emperor, receive the grace and illumination of the True Dao, and rise to life in the heavenly realms. This is to be carried out in accordance with the command.

On the day and month of a certain year of the Grand Year, the duly ranked official, whose surname is such-and-such, announces and carries out this command.

Ten Directions Slip

The text may be written separately or together; the format of the sealed corners is the same as that of the Nine Heavens Slip.

“Path of Lou, from the vast wilderness” and “might that steadies, surges through the broad origin” are talismanic formulae used in the text of the slips.

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issues a talismanic command, written in the Qingwei Aid-to-the-Mysterious, Great-Vast True Talisman on a white slip of the Yellow Register, used in Zhaijiao rituals. It informs the boundless world in a certain direction. It orders them to deliver a certain person from suffering, so that the spirit may travel to the Purple Palace, the immortal realm where perfected beings dwell, and have its name entered in the Cinnabar Court, the abode of perfected beings. This is to be carried out in accordance with the command.

On the day and month of a certain year of the Grand Year, the duly ranked official, whose surname is such-and-such, announces and carries out this command.

The Thirty Great Hong True Talisman proclaims to the limitless world in a certain region: release the departed soul of a certain person, so that its spirit and awareness may ascend to the Purple Palace, the immortal realm spoken of in Daoism, and take its place among the ranks of the Cinnabar Court. Let the command be carried out accordingly.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Marshal of the Year, the official of a specified rank, your servant of a certain surname, carries out this proclamation under command.

The Thirty-Two Heavenly Tablets

The heavenly tablets may be placed separately in the four directions or used in scattered locations. The corners of the proclamation should be sealed in the same manner as the Nine Heavens format.

The eight heavens of the east: Senliang Hanhong, Huiyi Husheng.

The eight heavens of the south: Fugeng Gaofu, Jingzhuo Binhui.

The eight heavens of the west: Jinggao Yuanhun, Hongxie Niaotong.

The eight heavens of the north: Hegong Sihe, Yuejie Luoqian.

Tablets of the Three Realms, submitted in a memorial and issued

The Great Cinnabar transforms and circulates; the jade talisman is to be raised in response.

By command of the Primordial Beginning, the jade-script talisman of the Great Cinnabar from the Qingwei tradition proclaims to the Lord of Heaven in the Pengxuan Great Void, the True Lord who assists the Mandate and serves as deputy heir, the Lord of Mount Tai, the True Lord of Fate, the Illustrious Lord of the Upper Hall, the King of the Western Qi, the Elder of Haoli, and the gods who serve in the various departments, including their record keepers and assistant clerks. They are commanded to release the departed souls, suffering souls, and spirits of those who attended the ritual assembly and received offerings on behalf of the dead, from the five surnames of the Nine Provinces who remain trapped in the netherworld. Let them leave the realm of darkness, have their transgressions pardoned and cleansed, and ascend in spirit and awareness to the Purple Palace, where they will take their place among the ranks of the Southern Court. Wherever this jade document arrives, the King of the Western Qi, the Elder of Haoli, and the gods of the various departments, together with their record keepers and assistant clerks, shall carry out its instructions. A golden dragon shall convey the document.

Proclamation to the Water Court

Proclaim to the Dragon Court of the Water Court, the Nine Rivers and Four Waterways, the Eight Seas and Five Lakes, the streams, springs, pools, and caverns, the Dragon Courts of the marshes and valleys, and their subordinate governing gods: carry out the release of departed souls and related matters as set out above.

Proclamation to the Earth Court

Proclaim to the Nine Ramparts and Netherworld Passes, Shuodan Yujue, Fengze Dongxu, and the related governing gods: carry out the release of departed souls and related matters as set out above.

Tablets of mountain, water, and earth for dismantling the altar

The tablets are shaped like jade discs: mountain tablets are round and green; earth tablets are square and yellow; water tablets are hexagonal and black.

Mountain tablet

Proclaim to the lofty mountains and peaks, and to the gods who guard them, protect and aid them, and keep their sacred realms secure.

With reverence, on a chosen day and at a chosen hour this month, we, so-and-so, will perform a grand Lingbao Zhaijiao (purification ritual) on behalf of so-and-so in such-and-such a place. Beginning on a chosen day, we will serve the divine with reverence, seeking to deliver the souls of the dead and bring peace to the locality.

With reverence, on a chosen day and at a chosen hour this month, we, so-and-so, will perform a grand Lingbao Zhaijiao on behalf of so-and-so in such-and-such a place. The rites will begin on a chosen day and conclude on another, when the altar is dismantled. Now that the Zhaijiao rites and ritual observances have been completed, we send this petition to a certain mountain, praying that the divine spirits and immortal perfected beings grant blessings, so that people may attain long life, transcend the world, and ascend to Shangqing (the Daoist celestial realm). We respectfully invite the Perfected Ones of the Five Marchmounts, who are supremely holy and numinous, and pray that they erase people’s names from the registers of sin and enter them in the immortal registers of the Nine Heavens. With reverence, we proceed to the numinous mountain to submit the petition, which will be conveyed by a Golden Dragon courier.

In the year, month, day, and hour of the Grand Year, on the first day of the lunar month, I, so-and-so, an official of such-and-such rank, respectfully make this announcement at a certain mountain.

May this announcement be heard in the grotto-heavens.

Earth Petition

An announcement to the Earth Sovereigns below, the Nine Earthly Layers, and their three hundred and sixty thousand divine hosts: by command, bring peace to this place.

With reverence, we make this prayer on behalf of the matter stated above, praying that the divine spirits and immortal perfected beings grant blessings. We respectfully invite the Central Sovereign of the Nine Earths, the Yellow Spirits of Wu and Ji, and the Five Emperors of the Earth Bureau to erase people’s names from the registers of sin and send this petition to the Central Palace (the central Earth Bureau), where it is to be entered in the Great Mystery (the profound celestial realm of Daoist belief). A white letter, secured with a golden clasp, serves as its credential; it will be conveyed by a Golden Dragon courier. The year and month of the Grand Year are as stated above. This announcement is made to the Earth Bureau of the Central Palace at so-and-so’s residence.

Water Petition

An announcement to the offices, courtyards, pavilions, and towers of the Water Palace, to the Dragon Pools, and to all water deities, asking them to render aid and assemble the divine hosts.

With reverence, we make this prayer on behalf of the matter stated above, praying that the divine spirits and immortal perfected beings grant blessings. We respectfully invite the Grotto Palaces of the Three Origins, the Water Emperors of the Nine Rivers, the deities of the Twelve River Sources, the water deities of the Yangtze, Yellow, Huai, and Du Rivers, and the Great Deity Mingling, to erase people’s names from the registers of sin and enter them in the immortal registers of the Nine Heavens. We respectfully ask the deities of the pavilions, towers, and Dragon Pools to render aid and assemble the divine hosts.

With reverence, we make this prayer on behalf of the matter stated above, praying that the divine spirits and immortal perfected beings grant blessings. We respectfully invite the Grotto Palaces of the Three Origins, the Water Emperors of the Nine Rivers, the deities of the Twelve River Sources, the water deities of the Yangtze, Yellow, Huai, and Du Rivers, and the Great Deity Mingling, to erase people’s names from the registers of sin and enter them in the immortal registers of the Nine Heavens. With reverence, we proceed to the Water Palace to submit the petition, which will be conveyed by a Golden Dragon courier.

The year and month of the Grand Year are as stated above. This announcement is made at a certain pool and a certain river.

After the petition has been burned, proceed with the Fulu (talismans and registers) and prayers.

The deity of Zhang River, who brings peace to the land.

The beginning of the Immortals’ cultivation is to submit a written petition to the Three Offices—the Heavenly Office, the Earthly Office, and the Water Office—requesting that faults be erased and merits recorded. Hence the saying that one prays to become a god or an immortal. After the worthy sages of earlier generations completed their petitions at the ritual altar, they would solemnly declare the merits of their purification and fasting, along with their own aspirations. This, too, was proper practice.

The petition is made from hibiscus wood to express the purity of one’s resolve, and a Golden Dragon carries it. A hollow platform should also be made to match the petition’s length and width. Place the petition on the platform, then set the Golden Dragon in its hollow to carry it. Some say that the Golden Dragon presented to the Earthly Office should sit and guard the household; this is a popular belief. If the Golden Dragon is responsible for conveying documents, how could it deliver them while sitting still?

Blue silk is used in place of cut hair. Each petition is accompanied by twenty-four feet of blue silk, used to bind the petition and attach it to the Golden Dragon. The number of turns used to wind the silk is prescribed separately for each of the Three Offices. There are twenty-one gold clasps in all, seven for each petition. They are fastened to the silk as the Golden Dragon’s bridle, signifying firm restraint. A jade disc is also added as a sign of respect: a precious gift expresses reverence. The Heavenly Office uses a blue, round disc; the Earthly Office, a yellow, square disc; and the Water Office, a black, hexagonal disc, symbolizing the completed number of water.

Form of the Jade-Paper Pavilion

Purple Palace, Mysterious Heights: Jade Primordial True Edict, Yellow-Silk Vermilion Writ

In accordance with the received command, we respectfully follow the true regulations and proclaim the ritual norms of the Daoist tradition. We look up to receive the precepts transmitted from Purple Clarity, the celestial realm, and look down to comply with the statutes issued through Mysterious Grace. In this way, we elucidate the Way of the Golden Origin and widely put into practice the method of Jade Harmony.

Imperial Decree Proclaiming Pure Absolution

Subtle insight reaches the source of life.

The proclamation above is received from the Great Void and spread throughout the eight directions; it is therefore recited and put into practice. Yuanyuan uses it to conduct the ritual, uphold and follow the Golden Registers—the Daoist laws written in golden books—and submit a memorial requesting the presence of the following: the Purple Palace Celestial Lord of Cinnabar Firmament and Wondrous Origin; the Purple Palace Celestial Lord of Lush Radiance and Nine Qi; the Purple Palace Celestial Lord of Crimson Insignia and Three Qi; the Purple Palace Celestial Lord of Brightnumen and Seven Qi; the Purple Palace Celestial Lord of Mysterious Truth and Five Qi; the Purple Palace Celestial Lord of Yellow Yang and One Qi; and the Purple Palace Sovereign Dao Lord of the Thirty-Six Luminous Mixtures. They are asked to deliver the soul of the deceased to freedom from the realm of darkness, so that it may behold the light; to let its spirit-consciousness ascend, its bodily form be refined, and its essence be nourished; and to raise it to the Purple Pole, where it may rest in the Cinnabar Court. This rite is carried out in full accordance with the commands reported by the Celestial Lords and the Purple Palace Sovereign Dao Lord of the Thirty-Six Luminous Mixtures.

Proclaimed and put into effect at the specified hour on the specified day, month, and year of the sexagenary cycle.

The appointed official, Minister of the surname [name], receives the proclamation and carries out this rite.

List the ritual master’s titles.

The Supreme Origin, Void Origin, and Natural Treasure Proclamation, written in red characters on yellow paper.

With reverence, carry out the commands bestowed by the Primordial Beginning upon the Heavenly Treasure Lord, the Numinous Treasure Lord, and the Divine Treasure Lord. Deliver [name] from suffering and raise them to the Court of Blessings, the realm of blessed virtue. If a purification retreat is performed in advance, one may also specify: extend this person’s life, dispel misfortune, deliver them in this life, and preserve them through all generations. Carry this out in full accordance with the commands.

The nine celestial chapters above are transformed from the Qi of the Three Caverns’ Flying Mystery. They are used to deliver [name], so that, in accordance with the celestial registers determined by their destined allotment, they may return to their source, unite with the Primordial Beginning, endure without end, roam freely, and merge with the Dao in perfect truth. In full accordance with the proclamation, they are conveyed by the wind-and-fire courier.

Proclaimed and put into effect at the specified hour on the specified day, month, and year of the sexagenary cycle.

The appointed official, Minister of the surname [name], receives the proclamation and carries out this rite.

List the ritual master’s titles.

Solar Site Pavilion (a ritual altar or venue associated with the sun).

The Jade Proclamation of the Sun’s Brilliant Grotto, Lush Radiance, and Flowing Light.

With reverence, carry out the Jade Register proclamation bestowed by the Primordial Beginning from the Brilliant Grotto. For [name] at [place] and those attending the assembly, conduct a grand Lingbao purification and offering rite, delivering the ancestors and deceased relatives of all households, so that all spirits trapped in the underworld may receive deliverance. We look to Heaven to enable them to ascend.

Command Yuyi, the divine name of the Sun God, to turn back the sunlight and restore the True Qi.

This proclamation declares that the light of the Brilliant Grotto is set in motion, shining broadly in all ten directions. The golden radiance of Yuyi rises, delivering the ancestors and deceased relatives of all households and universally rescuing spirits trapped in the underworld. We look to Heaven to enable them to ascend.

The decree to Yuyi is a document that, by imperial command, petitions the Sun deity to carry out deliverance and transformation.

The Sun’s Radiance Returns to the True Realm

This decree proclaims that the Sun’s radiance returns to the True Realm and shines far and wide in the ten directions. Yuyi, the divine spirit of the Sun, responds wondrously in Nanchang with golden radiance. We respectfully address our petition to the Lord Emperor of Fiery Radiance, Yuyi of Dongyang; the Lords Emperor of Radiant Splendor in the thirty-two heavens of the Sun Palace; and the True Sovereigns who command cinnabar radiance and primal decrees.

In accordance with the jade decree, we carry out the command of pure Yang. May a certain person’s soul return, and may their spirit and awareness ascend to Huangyuan, undergo the Three Transformations and Nine Refinements—layer upon layer of transformation and refinement—and rise to the Celestial Gate. May the true Qi of Fiery Radiance be clarified and set in order, and may its fragrant beneficence spread abroad. By the command of the Jade-Edict Lord of the Way, the Supreme Lord of Primordial Beginning, may this be carried out with all haste.

Proclaimed on the designated hour, on the first day of the month, in the specified month and year, under the Tai Sui.

I, your servant of rank, [surname] [name], receive this decree and carry out its command.

List the titles of the lineage masters.

Lunar Decree

Jade Decree of the Luminous Treasure-Light of Jielin, Spirit of the Grotto of Taiyin

With reverence, in accordance with the jade edict and decree bestowed from Heaven, we make clear the intent of the matter presented and pray for deliverance beyond this world.

Decree of Illumination from the Grotto: Radiance Shines upon Huanghua

This decree proclaims that the moonlight shines clear and penetrating, its radiance appearing in the center of Huang. The full moon contains its splendor, and its numinous power flourishes. We respectfully address our petition to the Primal Sovereign Lady of Wondrous Transformation, Jielin of Dongyin; the Emperors of the thirty-two heavens of the Moon Palace; the Primal Sovereign Lady of Huanghua; the Jade Maidens of Flowing Radiance; and the True Sovereign Mangyang, who commands the light of the celestial bodies.

In accordance with the jade command, may the person receive the vast, boundless Qi of celestial crystals, draw in the Qi of the Grotto Emperor, and don a divine, radiant feathered robe. Through reciprocal refinement, may their form be transformed and brought into accord with the Dao, and may they soar to the clear, cold realm of moonlight. By the command of the Jade-Edict Lord of the Way, the Supreme Lord of Primordial Beginning, may this be carried out with all haste.

Proclaimed on the designated hour, on the first day of the month, in the specified month and year, under the Tai Sui.

I, your servant of rank, [surname] [name], receive this decree and carry out its command.

List the titles of the lineage masters.

The corner seal for the Lunar Decree follows this same format; only the name of the palace needs to be changed.

Respectfully presented: the Jade Decree of the Radiant Splendor and Flowing Brilliance of Yuyi of the Sun Grotto.

Respectfully submitted by me, your servant of rank, [surname] [name], who receives this decree and presents it under seal.

Submitted to the Palace of Yuyi of Tongyang.

Format for the reverse:

Proclaimed on the designated hour, on the first day of the month, in the specified month and year, under the Tai Sui.

Jade Decree of Supreme Numinous Radiance and the Generation of Shen

The Nine Heavens’ Inner Origin (the primordial divine spirits within the Nine Heavens) sends down a Jade Proclamation. With reverence, it carries out the decree issued by the Primordial Origin and confers it upon the Lord Lady of Great Harmony, Numina, and Mystery. The decree is now proclaimed and enacted.

The Assembly for the Generation and Transformation of Mysterious Qi

Edict for Ascending to Purple Tenuity

This decree is issued by the Sovereign of the Nine Heavens and arranged in nine lines. Through the natural Qi that saves people without limit, the Sovereign bestows it upon a certain person, bringing forth and transforming their body and spirit-soul, guiding them into a wondrous, tranquil, and empty realm, and raising their spiritual awareness to the Highest Clarity. This is carried out in accordance with the decree and conveyed by the Wind-and-Fire Courier.

In the year, month, day, and hour of the Grand Year, let it be proclaimed and enacted.

Natural Qi is bestowed upon a certain person, bringing forth and transforming their body and spirit-soul, guiding them into a wondrous, tranquil, and empty realm, and raising their spiritual awareness to the Highest Clarity. This is carried out in accordance with the decree and conveyed by the Wind-and-Fire Courier.

In the year, month, day, and hour of the Grand Year, let it be proclaimed and enacted.

The minister of the appropriate ritual rank, of the surname [name], receives the decree and carries it out as commanded.

List the titles and ranks of the ritual masters.

Corner Seal

With reverence, it is submitted: the Jade Proclamation of Spirit-Generation in the Nine Heavens, the Supreme Numina.

The minister of the appropriate ritual rank, of the surname [name], reverently receives the decree, carries it out as commanded, and seals and presents it.

The Supreme Sovereign of the Nine Heavens

Four Proclamations for Refinement and Deliverance: write in vermilion on blue paper

The Branch Office under the Yellow Register Bureau:

In response to the matter presented by [person] of [place], we reverently establish a Great Lingbao Zhaijiao for [matter], accumulating meritorious deeds on a broad scale and joining in support of the deliverance of the departed soul. We respectfully follow the decree sent down by the Primordial Origin and recommend that the departed soul of [name] ascend to the realm of the immortals.

The above is the talismanic command of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Origin: it orders the departed soul to ascend at the appointed time and leave the Northern Capital’s Cold Pool Bureau, the underworld prison of Daoist teaching. It protects the body and spirit-soul of [person], subdues demonic hindrances, and recommends that they enter the Southern Palace according to their rank. It enables the dead soul to undergo refinement and become an immortal, while also delivering the living. May they endure through every generation and every kalpa, turn with the cycles of the kalpas, and share the longevity of Heaven; may they forever escape the Three Paths, Five Sufferings, and Eight Hardships, transcend the Three Realms, and roam freely in the immortal realm of Highest Clarity. All is to be carried out in accordance with the decree.

In the year, month, day, and hour of the Grand Year, let it be proclaimed and enacted.

The minister of the appropriate ritual rank, of the surname [name], receives the decree and carries it out as commanded.

List the titles and ranks of the ritual masters.

The Branch Office under the Yellow Register Bureau:

In accordance with the intention presented from [place], we respectfully follow the decree sent down by the Primordial Origin to deliver the departed soul of [name] and enable it to transcend the Three Realms.

The above is addressed generally to the divine offices of the Three Realms’ boundless sacred realms, the Office of the Springs and Curves, the Northern Capital of Luofeng, the Three Offices and Nine Bureaus, and the sources of the Twelve Rivers. They are asked to release a certain person’s ancestors, parents, and relatives of every generation from the offenses accumulated over many lifetimes; remove their names from the registers of guilt; eradicate the roots of evil; and neither detain them nor force them to join the ranks of ghosts. All the foregoing is to be carried out in accordance with this proclamation.

Issued in the year, month, day, and hour of the Grand Duke of Jupiter.

Your appointed subject, of the surname [name], respectfully carries out the commands.

List the ritual master’s titles.

Subdepartment under the Yellow Register Office (the agency responsible for Yellow Register retreat rites).

In response to the prayer submitted by [location], and respectfully in accordance with the ordinances issued by higher authority, protect and deliver the soul of [name], so that it may ascend to life in Heaven.

Document at right: A request to rescue and subdue the earthly deities, to protect, escort, and welcome the soul of [name], freeing it from the Five Sufferings and Eight Calamities of the Earthly Gate; to raise the ancestors of seven generations and remove them forever from the ghost offices; and to send their souls across to Zhu Ling, where the Daoist dead are refined, so that they may undergo refinement and be reborn. All the foregoing is to be carried out in accordance with this proclamation.

Issued in the year, month, day, and hour of the Grand Duke of Jupiter.

Your appointed subject, of the surname [name], respectfully carries out the various commands.

List the ritual master’s titles.

Subdepartment under the Yellow Register Office.

In response to the prayer submitted by [location], and respectfully in accordance with the ordinances issued by higher authority, protect and deliver the soul of [name], so that it may ascend to the Jade Void, the realm where the revered Daoist deities dwell, undergo refinement, and be reborn. All the foregoing is to be carried out in accordance with this proclamation.

Issued in the year, month, day, and hour of the Grand Duke of Jupiter.

Your appointed subject, of the surname [name], respectfully carries out the various commands.

List the ritual master’s titles.

Corner seal.

Primordial Beginning (referring to the revered Daoist deity, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning).

Respectfully sealed and enclosed by your appointed subject, of the surname [name], in accordance with the commands.

Talismanic proclamation.

Format for the reverse:

Issued in the year, month, day, and hour of the Grand Duke of Jupiter.

General proclamation and command to process the transit registers; same format as above.

Earthly deities of the Three Realms and the gods of the heavens (the deities of the Three Realms and the heavenly gods addressed in the proclamation).

Format for the Jade Calendar.

Primordial Cavern Jade Calendar (a document used in Daoist rites for delivering the dead).

Use three sheets of split white paper, writing in black ink in characters about the size of coins, with seventeen characters per line; write the seal script separately in vermilion.

In response to the prayer submitted, respectfully carry out the edict issued by higher authority.

Phrases such as “the murky cavern opens to light” and “the Dao is formless, and breath is fortunate…” are mostly strings of characters that cannot be read together according to ordinary sentence meanings. Terms such as “surveying the utmost depths,” “high immortals,” “mysterious visions,” “communing with spirits,” and “subduing and bringing down” are likewise insufficient to establish a complete meaning. Two passages in the original are repeated, and the final phrase “hereby reported and made known” means “the above is reported and passed on by word of mouth.”

The Bi Xuan Pill and the Gang Dong radiate through the thirty-two heavens, as do the Yu Hui and Yao Guang through their thirty-two heavens; together, their light shines back upon the twenty-eight heavens of Dan Kong Da Ming. Tongxuan commands and oversees the three hundred and sixty spirit kings, wondrous and flourishing in their powers, along with the Three Primordials and Three Realms; the seas and mountains; the Ten Great Grotto Heavens, thirty-six Lesser Grotto Heavens, seventy-two Blessed Lands, thirty-six Jinglu, and twenty-eight administrative centers; and the myriad gods throughout the inner and outer regions of the eight directions, the Nine Sovereigns and thirty-six ramparts, and the Fengze Dongxu.

With reverence, the Jade Register (a legal document used in Daoist rites to proclaim pardons and grant deliverance) is carried out. The souls of the netherworld are delivered, their spiritual awareness restored to wholeness, and they come before the Mysterious Court, the celestial realm where the gods dwell. Wherever the Jade Register reaches, heavenly light shines in all directions and purple clouds circle overhead. Amid the Eight Assemblies of Auspicious Clouds in the celebratory skies, numinous winds stir up fine dust. The sun and moon shine forth, and the Five Stars descend with their nectar. Vital forces flow between Heaven and Earth, while incense smoke drifts through the air. Rivers and seas grow still and silent; clouds gather around the mountains.

The Five Sufferings, afflictions endured by beings in the netherworld, are dispelled together, and the Three Paths of punishment in the underworld are pardoned. The Ninefold Darkness no longer pursues guilt, and even the long night opens the way to liberation. Those who were blind or deaf regain sight and hearing, and every kind of illness is cured. The qi of the Earth Treasury, the underworld, disperses, revealing forms like gold and jade. Flesh and blood grow anew upon white bones, and decayed remains regain human form. Dragons and qilin leap and dance with joy; birds and beasts, too, rejoice and take flight. The Three Realms enjoy lasting peace, inspiring awe in gods and humans alike. This is a day of great celebration, renewed and radiant through ten thousand kalpas.

Wherever the Jade Register reaches, wind and fire revolve without cease. Sinful karma is erased in the underworld, and the names of the dead are entered in the Southern Palace, the celestial office that governs the registers of immortals. Carry this out swiftly, in accordance with the decree of the Primordial Lord, one of the highest deities revered in Daoism.

The Grand Year, year, month, first day of the month, and hour are hereby announced:

I, your servant, respectfully dispatch a certain deity to report to the Celestial Court.

I, your servant, holding the appropriate ritual rank, carry out this matter in obedience to the ritual command.

List the titles of the master.

Lingbao Taihua Qiong Palace Numinous Flying Jade Register

Proceed as above. Use white split paper. Write the talisman in cinnabar and the text in black ink.

For a certain person in a certain place, on account of a certain matter, establish a ritual altar and cultivate the purification rite. Respectfully request that the talismanic command be issued and the rite for deliverance from the Ninefold Darkness be opened.

Lingbao Taihua Qiong Palace Numinous Flying Jade Register

Proceed as above. Use white split paper. Write the talisman in cinnabar and the text in black ink.

On behalf of a certain person in a certain place, and for a certain matter, a ritual altar is established and a purification rite is performed. We respectfully request that a talismanic command be issued, opening the means to deliver the departed souls of the Ninefold Darkness, to accumulate merit widely, and to assist in their deliverance.

This matter has already been reported to the Celestial Court, the court of the heavenly realm, and announced throughout the Three Realms, with notice given to the Grass Bureau, the divine office overseeing the relevant affairs. We now respectfully comply with the command issued from above:

The void is vast and undifferentiated; Heaven and Earth are clear and bright. All things are brought into being, and their wondrous principle is complete. Flying spirits do not perish; gathering together, they become immortals.

The authentic seal-script of the original source above is used to notify the Three Realms and proclaim the matter in the Ten Directions. At the time of the purification rite, we respectfully summon one thousand two hundred flying immortals and divine beings from the heavenly palaces, along with the many spirits of the stars, the true gods who govern Heaven and Earth and Fengdu, and the earth deities. In accordance with the matter stated above, let them summon the departed souls recommended at this ritual assembly. At the appointed time, may these souls come to the ritual altar to hear the scriptures and learn the Dao. May their spirits be at ease and ascend to a blessed realm. Wherever this document arrives, may its orders be carried out with the speed of shooting stars.

Issued for execution at a certain hour, on a certain day and month of a certain year under the Grand Marshal.

We respectfully dispatch one hundred and ten talismanic envoys of the Five Directions’ Cloud Roads to pursue and summon the spirits and deliver this proclamation.

The appointed official, Minister of the surname [name omitted], carries out the command.

List the master’s titles and offices.

Seal:

The Jade Almanac of Divine Flight from the Qionggong Palace of Taihua, sealed by the appointed official, Minister of the surname [name omitted].

Text on the reverse:

Issued for execution at a certain hour, on a certain day and month of a certain year under the Grand Marshal.

Summon the Red-Defense Talisman of the Direct Talisman Officer of Profound Spirit and Wondrous Response.

Heart mantra: Yuxiang transmits the proclamation.

The appointed official, Minister of the surname [name omitted], carries out the command.

List the master’s titles and offices.

Seal:

The Jade Almanac of Divine Flight from the Qionggong Palace of Taihua, sealed by the appointed official, Minister of the surname [name omitted].

Text on the reverse:

Issued for execution at a certain hour, on a certain day and month of a certain year under the Grand Marshal.

Summon the Red-Defense Talisman of the Direct Talisman Officer of Profound Spirit and Wondrous Response.

Heart mantra: Yuxiang Sword.

Format of a jade document, a document used in Daoist rites to transmit divine commands:

Jade Document of Heavenly Pardon from the Northern Dipper’s Mysterious Pattern and Deep Abyss.

Use white split paper and black ink to write large characters, then draw a red talisman. The format is the same as that of the Jade Almanac.

On behalf of the deceased, a certain person from a certain native place and registered community respectfully prays for deliverance. Since the person’s death, it is unknown whether they have ascended to Heaven or sunk into the depths. This office has received the petition, whose words are deeply earnest. The matter has already been reported to the Celestial Court, submitted to the provincial administration, and announced throughout the Three Realms, with notice given to the Drought Bureau. We now respectfully comply with the command issued from above:

The wondrous light shines everywhere, commanding and summoning the myriad gods.

In Shangqing ritual methods, documents for “Rescuing and Redeeming Souls in the Primordial Realm” take the form of tablets, proclamations, and similar writings. They summon divine generals and convey the order to deliver the souls of the dead.

“Jade Calendar of the Primordial Cavern” refers to the relevant Daoist ritual calendar or decree. “Longhan Yankang” is the name of a cycle of cosmic calamity in Daoist tradition. In its name, the document proclaims its command to all the gods and respectfully summons He Chang, Qiao Xun, and Wei Mu of the Northern Dipper’s Dark Pattern, along with the Divine Tiger Generals Zhao Hou and Liang Wei. They are to seize the deceased souls named above and escort them to the Right Office of Numinosity and Splendor in the Jade Essence’s Luminous Congealing Palace, where the souls are to hold their registers of names as they ascend to deliverance. Once the tablet arrives, its orders must be carried out as swiftly as a shooting star.

The document specifies the year, month, day, and hour of departure, and dispatches the Iron-Armored Lightning Messenger, Wei Zhongjian, to deliver it. The ritual master who receives the decree must enter their surname and status, and list their lineage and titles. The sections of the main text that summon and escort the souls, specify the departure date, dispatch the messenger, and give the ritual master’s signature are written out a second time.

The cover is inscribed, “Jade Tablet of Celestial Pardon from the Northern Dipper’s Dark Pattern Cavern, Presented Above.” It also bears the ritual master’s status and name, indicating that it is being delivered under the authority of the decree. The departure date is written on the back of the cover.

This jade tablet and the “Jade Calendar” are different kinds of documents and must not be used interchangeably. The Jade Calendar is used in large merit rites, which may involve two or three thousand souls, and can also be used for universal deliverance rites. The jade tablet is suited to three or five souls, or to nearly a hundred, and may be used for merit rites of any scale. It can also be used alongside the “Register of the Merged Cavern,” a list for recording and processing the souls of the dead. After the register is issued to the souls, it is submitted to the Right Office of Numinosity and Splendor.

The “Talismanic Proclamation Summoning the Iron-Armored Lightning Messenger, Wei Zhongjian” is the proclamation that summons and dispatches this messenger. It is written in black ink on white split paper, with a vermilion talisman added. In accordance with the purpose of the rite, the ritual master states that a Zhaijiao purification ritual is now being held and that the Iron-Armored Lightning Messenger, Wei Zhongjian, is to be summoned. The jade proclamation is to guard the rite and aid in delivering the souls, so that the dead in the underworld may find release and ascend in peace.

The proclamation is presented to the chief deity who oversees the Assistant Officials of the Spirit-Flying Office in the Jade Palace of Taihua. It asks the deity to subdue demonic obstacles and protect those who have been recommended, so that the souls may ascend to the Southern Palace. Everything specified in the jade proclamation must be carried out with utmost urgency.

Hold the sacrificial announcement ritual at the year, month, day, and hour determined by the sexagenary cycle of the Grand Duke Jupiter.

Carefully dispatch the Great Spirits of the Flying Cloud Routes of the Five Directions and others to report this matter to the heavens. The “Five Directions” are east, south, west, north, and center. The “Great Spirits of the Flying Cloud Routes” are divine generals invoked in Daoist rites to convey documents.

I, so-and-so, a ritual minister holding the appropriate rank, carry out this duty by order of the mandate.

List the names and titles in the transmission lineage.