《靈寶無量度人上品妙經》Vol. 4

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, the supreme celestial deity revered in Daoism, once taught the immeasurably precious upper-grade scripture Extending the Kalpa, Preserving the Age, and Bringing Peace to the World in the “Pure Land of Wonderful Transformation and Flying Sound” within the Heaven of Imperial Spirits. When the Celestial Worthy began preaching, he recited and explained the scripture ten times, summoning the heavens of the ten directions.

As the scripture was preached for the first time, great spirits, holy sages, exalted beings, and accomplished Perfected Ones from the heavens came riding through the air, along with countless living beings. Auspicious radiance filled the four quarters, and sacred incense drifted through the sky. Dragon chariots and purple canopies shone against one another, while flowing clouds glimmered brightly. Across the myriad heavens, the sun, moon, and stars seemed to halt together. Sun and moon reflected each other’s light, and the lands of the eight directions grew clear and bright. The mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, marshes, and deep valleys throughout the realm became broad and level; their plants flourished, and their beauty shone forth. The ground took on a gentle jade hue, bright and pure, without a trace of other colors. The Perfected Ones stood in attendance before the seat as the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning preached from his throne, a nine-colored dark dragon set in the open sky.

At the end of each recitation, corresponding auspicious signs and transformations appeared between Heaven and Earth. With the first recitation, the holy beings of the heavens all praised its goodness. With the second, all things and the people found their proper place. With the third, epidemics vanished and the people no longer lived in fear. With the fourth, people lived and worked in peace, no longer fighting over possessions. With the fifth, the age became prosperous and joyful, and people no longer worried about calamities. With the sixth, lands everywhere submitted, and customs near and far became harmonious. With the seventh, birds, beasts, fish, insects, and all living things born from wombs or eggs were able to preserve their lives and grow without hindrance. With the eighth, auspicious creatures such as qilin and phoenixes appeared, and Heaven and Earth sent down favorable omens. With the ninth, the influence of De spread widely, and people and all things returned to simplicity. With the tenth, rulers and lords were able to preserve their ancestral foundations for generations, and all the people under Heaven could grasp the mystery of the Great Dao.

At that time, every man and woman within the realm sincerely turned toward the Dao. All received protection and deliverance, and attained long life.

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning continued: Each time he preached the scripture, immeasurable great spirits and living beings from the worlds of the ten directions—the East, South, West, North, and beyond—came riding through the air. The scripture next describes what took place in the North.

The Perfected, Great Gods of Extending the Ages and Preserving the World, from countless categories, came crowding through the air. They had heard the scripture five times.

From the northeast came the Perfected, Great Gods of Extending the Ages and Preserving the World, from countless categories. They came through the air and heard the scripture six times. Those from the southeast heard it seven times; those from the southwest, eight times; those from the northwest, nine times; those above, ten times. Those below also came through the air. When the ten recitations were complete, the many Perfected Gods from the boundless heavens of the ten directions arrived all at once. Men and women throughout the realm sincerely revered and took refuge in the Celestial Worthy. Those who came to hear the teaching numbered in the trillions and filled the land in every direction. All gladly made their vows and came before the Celestial Worthy to hear the highest teaching. They understood its wondrous mysteries and wished for the age to endure, peace to prevail in the world, the myriad nations to take refuge, and harmony between heaven’s people and humankind.

Because the arrivals were so numerous, half the land in the realm was crowded until it tilted and sank; the situation could not be stopped. Then the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning focused his spirit and lowered his eyes, releasing mysterious Qi that gathered into a round mass of light, as large as the red sun, suspended in the air nine zhang above the ground. The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning led the Great Gods of Heavenly Truth, the High Sages and Venerable Ones, the Perfected of Wondrous Practice, and the countless Perfected, Great Gods from the boundless reaches of the ten directions into the circle of light. Everyone in heaven and on earth looked up and watched. They could only make them out faintly as they entered through the light; once inside, they vanished without a trace.

After the people dispersed, the earth became level again and no longer tilted or sank. The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning then finished expounding the scripture within the circle of light. The assembled Perfected Gods watched over and bore witness to the occasion, and passed this scripture on to me. At that very moment…

In that age, people were delivered from suffering, calamities faded away, and society remained peaceful for a long time. Blessings and De (Virtue) were limitless; the Dao (the Way) unfolded naturally, nourishing all things. Everyone rejoiced and celebrated—more than words can tell. When the ritual was largely complete, the gods and spirits of the heavens each returned to their appointed places. In the blink of an eye, all around fell silent, and no sound remained.

At that time, the heavenly beings who encountered this scripture and its teachings all received universal aid and deliverance. They were able to preserve their natural span of life and suffered no harm. All beings under heaven turned their hearts toward it in reverence, and fully accorded with the Great Dao: there was no untimely death or obstruction, no misfortune or calamity, no conflict or disorder, and no evil. There was no favoritism or factionalism; hearts were free of greed and resentment, and all shared compassion for one another. Even people of different surnames and lineages could live as closely as one family. The state was secure and the people prosperous, gladly enjoying peace and order. After the scripture and its teachings began to spread, everyone in the realm took the Dao as their guiding principle. Those who believed sincerely and worshiped with reverence could ensure that the cycles of calamity were kept at bay for a long time.

The Dao says: In the scripture spoken by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, every written character is a secret inner name or hidden, subtle sound belonging to the lords of the heavens. The text also contains the secret taboos of demon kings and the hidden names of the myriad numinous beings. These are the profound and wondrous principles of the Great Dao, as well as writings concealed by Heaven and Earth. Practicing in accordance with the scripture can prolong the cycles of minor and major calamity, protect lasting peace in the world, grant emperors a reign of ten thousand years, and bring peace and well-being to the people and all things. These are no ordinary words of the world. Only perfected sages who have attained the Dao, or those who understand the mysteries and investigate what is hidden, can fully comprehend its passages.

Reciting this scripture ten times can bring harmony and stability to Heaven and Earth, keep the cycles of calamity running without disruption, dispel the Three Calamities, maintain the Qi of the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) in a state of balance, and bring down every kind of auspicious sign, while extending and flourishing the emperor’s blessings and mandate. If a cultivator of the Dao recites it ten times, they can secure their own life for the long term, extend their lifespan, and protect lasting peace in the world. They can commune with the true Dao and thereby become an immortal. They can also save those on the brink of death, whose breath is failing, and bring them back to life.

The reason is that a cultivator’s Dao Qi is not yet pure and abundant, and their physical form has not yet fully united with the numinous Dao. Their power to summon and subdue the spirits of the ten directions is not yet sufficient to command the celestial government, and their De has not yet reached the point where it can subdue and command the earthly spirits. Thus, reciting the scripture can delay calamity and decline and avert death, but cannot yet bring the dead back to life. If one recites this scripture carelessly, one may instead bring calamity upon oneself.

Making offerings to this scripture and reverently bowing before it can bring prosperity to one’s household, flourishing across generations, and an unbroken succession of good connections. No disaster can intrude; the spirits will guard the household’s gates. This scripture is exalted and mysterious, unique in the Jade Capital, the heavenly palace of Daoist tradition. It can protect blessings that endure without limit. It is the root of the myriad Dao, vast and sublime, and its merit is beyond telling.

The Dao says: Whenever someone recites this Jing ten times, all the heavenly beings will descend together, set the wondrous Qi in motion and sustain it, and subdue water and fire so they cannot trouble the human world. The cycles of calamity and change will endure without interruption, disasters will cease, and the world will remain peaceful and secure forever.

Anyone who studies this supreme classic and brings their practice to completion and their De to fulfillment will receive protection and attain supreme governance, bringing joy to the people and abundant harvests. Those who have made progress in their practice and study can recite this Jing to protect the Six Directions (heaven and earth in all directions) outwardly and guard themselves inwardly. The principles within and without are interconnected, and both can receive lasting benefit. People of every rank will receive its blessings; those in the unseen realm and the visible world alike will benefit from its grace.

This Jing is supremely subtle, and its protection has no end. There is no heavenly or human being who fails to gain blessings and good fortune from it. All receive immeasurable blessings and benefit from it through ten thousand kalpas. It is a classic treasured by Heaven and must not be passed on to those of low standing. A Daoist practitioner of utmost sincerity should prepare gifts of gold and jade to demonstrate sincerity, swear an oath to Heaven, and only then transmit it. Anyone who carelessly reveals or neglects this Jing will bring disaster upon their nine generations of ancestors, and will themselves be long conscripted into service by ghost officials.

The Five Emperors (the Daoist deities who rule the five directions) who attend this Jing each have twenty-four Jade Boys and Jade Maidens. They guard the text and protect those who receive it.

The Dao says: Observing an extended fast and reciting this Jing in the first month can preserve the transformation of the Dao through ten thousand generations. Observing an extended fast and reciting it in the seventh month can dispel rebellious and evil Qi and bring good fortune. Observing an extended fast and reciting it in the tenth month can bring peace to kings, rulers, ministers, and fathers and sons, stabilize the fortunes of the state for generations to come, and regularly bring peace to the lands governed by the ruler, so that the people praise the age as peaceful.

Reciting this Jing on the Eight Seasonal Nodes (the eight important solar terms in Daoism) can prolong the cycles of calamity and change and preserve peace in the world. Those who recite it will attain the Dao and De, while their ancestors will also ascend and become perfected beings of the Nine Palaces and Three Heavens. Reciting it on days of separation and union can bring universal deliverance to living beings, granting everyone blessings and long life. Conflict will vanish forever, and peace will prevail throughout the world. The myriad spirits will stand guard and protect; each of the Five Emperors will oversee their own duties, ensuring lasting peace for millions of years to come.

The Dao says: On days when Daoist rites are performed, one should bathe with fragrant water, observe a fast, purify oneself, and then enter the room. Facing east, one should click the teeth thirty-two times so that one’s prayers reach the Thirty-Two Heavens; then bow thirty-two times, close the eyes, and meditate in stillness. Envision yourself seated upright amid clouds of blue, yellow, and white Qi, with dense clouds swirling within and around you. The Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise, lions, and white cranes stand in rows on either side. The sun and moon shine, filling the room with clear light. A round radiance appears above your head, its light illuminating the ten directions. These images should be envisioned with clarity and precision.

Then silently recite the incantation:

“Supreme and Mysterious Origin, Most High Lord of the Dao, summon forth the Three-Five Merit Officers (divine officials who convey documents from the heavenly realm) within my body, the officials and messengers to my left and right, the Jade Boy attendants who tend the incense, the Jade Maiden who conveys messages, and the Five Emperors’ Talisman Officers (talisman messengers on duty under the Five Emperors)…”

The thirty-two incense officials on duty each report to the heavenly realm on our behalf: “Today is auspicious and joyful. In this pure hall of purification, we are practicing and reciting this supreme scripture, praying to save and deliver countless beings.” Their report has already ascended to Heaven and been presented before the Most High Primordial Emperor, Supreme One of the Thirty-Two Heavens. (Report completed.)

Then guide the breath thirty-two times, face east, and recite the scripture.

The Wondrous Supreme Scripture of Primordial Beginning on Delivering Beings Without Limit

The Dongxuan Lingbao scriptures transmitted by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning contain the essence of the wondrous teachings of the highest grade. The scripture’s subtle meaning is arranged in ten chapters and expressed in veiled, natural verses. Its wondrous transformations arise from the exalted, profound Jade Perfected High God.

Primordial Qi gives birth to all things. It gathers and blends, transforming into countless layers of heaven and bringing light to heaven and earth. Splendid forms and the Qi of Yin and Yang harmonize with one another; when Yin and Yang unite, further transformations occur. The Qi of the Five Phases circulates, cold and heat alternate, and all things come into being. The transformations between heaven and earth are profound and vast.

The patterns governing the transformations of heaven and earth contain subtle numerical principles. The rise and decline of the world turn in cycles, each with its end. Yang Nine and Hundred Six mark the cycles in which calamities arrive. Floods and fires bring disaster upon one another; these are called kalpas. The workings of creation, too, undergo change. When a great kalpa comes, water and fire sweep through and consume heaven and earth. All things lose their light, while the Dao alone endures.

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning steadies and guards the heavens, preserving within them the upper scroll of the immortal scriptures. He commands the perfected ones, governs the numinous officials, and inspects the stars of the heavens, ensuring that their divisions, courses, and movements remain without error. He summons the flood dragons and orders them to block the river’s source, keeping the Dongjing constellation steady and upright, and bringing the rivers and seas to rest and the deep pools to stillness. He governs and protects the world, with perfected spirits guarding the human realm everywhere.

The High Venerable of Great Peace, the Mysterious Elders of the Five Spirits, the Elders of the Three Qi, and the Great Sages of the Ten Directions who protect the realm together hold calamities at bay for a long time. They save the honored spirits caught in misfortune, dispel disaster, and bring peace and purity to the world. Today, as this scripture is proclaimed, the divine beings of all the heavens have come before the hall.

In the east, south, west, and north, and in the northeast, southeast, southwest, and northwest, each of the eight directions is home to the Infinite Flying Celestial Spirit Kings who prolong the kalpas of the world, and to the Great Sages of Long Life. They have come to perform the boundless merit of delivering beings.

The Wuwei Flying Celestial Kings of the upper and lower realms, who preserve the world through the ages of calamity, and the Great Sages of Long Life all possess boundless power to save people. The truly perfected Flying Celestial Kings of the Ten Directions also join in protecting the world, prolonging the cycles of calamity and bringing peace to society.

The many great deities ride auspicious, numinous clouds and sit in luminous, rosy-hued jeweled carriages, with emerald canopies and splendid wheels. Jade dragons draw the carriages, while guardian beasts that ward off evil accompany and protect them. Purple banners of rank and divine standards woven with cloud brocade rise above the carriages. Luan birds sing ahead, their songs flowing and clear; behind them, flutes and pipes play together in answer. All beneath Heaven rejoice and celebrate. Golden youths scatter fragrance, and jade maidens steady the carriage shafts. The Generals Who Secure Heaven, clad in red armor, lead ten thousand soldiers, who wave their banners in unison and escort the carriages.

The High Perfected protect all beings and help them pass through calamity; they cleanse disasters and dispel the qi of demons and evil. The Three Primordial Rectifying Officials and the High Spirits of the Nine Heavens command the Transforming Primordial Elders and the Great Deities Who Stabilize and Secure. They inspect the movements of Heaven and the appointed times, then report their findings briefly to the Celestial Emperor. When Yin-Yang qi becomes blocked and knotted between Heaven and Earth, they clear and harmonize it according to the circumstances. In this way, they restore the proper order of Heaven and Earth and ease conflicts and misfortunes in the numinous passes and calendrical cycles.

Water and fire each fulfill their proper role, flowing and spreading their influence as all things arise naturally. The world is thereby freed from danger and becomes peaceful and settled. The roots of disaster are cut off, violent forces are extinguished, and every kind of blessing and celebration can arrive without mishap or calamity. The sacred jade characters of Lingbao, divine talismanic writings in Daoist scriptures, stabilize the cycles of calamity and prolong the fortunes of the state, bringing the people happiness and enduring prosperity.

Heaven and Earth grow still; the sun and moon shine brightly in harmony. Insects and all living things can follow their nature, and the transforming power of instruction extends without limit. Immortals and perfected beings join in offering their aid, bringing prosperity from age to age and lengthening the fortunes of the state; their merit is credited to the heavens. All beings can transcend the Three Calamities and attain complete blessings and good fortune. Countless beings live freely through Wuwei, roaming at ease in an age of peace.

The pivot of peace is gathered in the colorless, highest realm of the Mysterious Origin, a lofty and tranquil realm described in Daoist teaching, where the practices of purity and holiness unfold.

The Eight Heavens of the East

• The Heaven of Bright Dawn and Manifest Rectitude; its Celestial Emperor is named Di Shu Shiyanxi.
• The Heaven of Great Wisdom and Clouded Yang; its Celestial Emperor is named Miaoding Wuyan.
• The Heaven of Flourishing Mechanism and Wandering Mystery; its Celestial Emperor is named Zhaochu Zicheng.
• The Heaven of Lu Si and Primordial Elevation; its Celestial Emperor is named Zhuanghua Yong’en.
• The Heaven of Mysterious Patterns and Transforming Brahma; its Celestial Emperor is named Wujing Ruanjian.
• The Heaven of Harmonious Movement and Subtle Sound; its Celestial Emperor is named Yangyu Lisheng.
• The Heaven of Deliverance and Salvation of Spirits; its Celestial Emperor is named Bianhun Chilei.
• The Heaven of Encircling Wells and Empty Qin; its Celestial Emperor is named Yunliang Zaomi.

The scripture next turns to the content on “The Eight Heavens of the South.”

Zhuhaixiacang Heaven (a celestial realm)—Emperor Haosai Chongtu (an imperial title or name).

Yaohuxuanlü Heaven (a celestial realm)—Emperor Jiqin Dongyou (an imperial title or name).

Lizhengjingfu Heaven—Emperor Jinju Yize.

Liuchangbinsu Heaven—Emperor Jiufang Zhen Tong.

Huchigenghui Heaven—Emperor Baoji Dingming.

Kuishenzongling Heaven—Emperor Penggang Feixiao.

Baoriqingjiao Heaven—Emperor Quesheng Dingfu.

Lianghuwengong Heaven—Emperor Sena Dong.

These are the Eight Heavens of the East. In each line, the first half gives the name of a celestial realm, while the second half, marked by “Emperor,” gives the imperial name or honorific associated with that realm. Many of these names are proper terms found in Daoist scriptures, and their characters should not be forced into ordinary phrases.

The Eight Heavens of the West

Chafeizhengxian Heaven—Emperor Chongsi Qinling.

Zhaojiluogong Heaven—Emperor Zhan [𦍙] Douping.

Chumumiaodu Heaven—Emperor Loudu Neizhen.

Gandingdaoyong Heaven—Emperor Leming Baoxian.

Longluosongchi Heaven—Emperor Piaocu Weiyi.

Housutui霞 Heaven—Emperor Dawei Liangzong.

Daozhiyuhan Heaven—Emperor Qiming Jutang.

Shangxubaoyou Heaven—Emperor Quze Huifang.

This section lists the eight celestial realms of the West and the imperial names or honorifics associated with each.

The Eight Heavens of the North

Shenyuanfansheng Heaven—Emperor Guanghou Wuxi.

Minghuiyaoji Heaven—Emperor Weilan Bianxiang.

Yuyanlouji Heaven—Emperor Jumen Yunmang.

Yuanlinglangyuan Heaven—Emperor Turong Gengqu.

Liaoweiduanji Heaven—Emperor Jianbo Zhenmou.

Dingchunzhaoqi Heaven—Emperor Lüwu Gougui.

Zhuobing’aoming Heaven—Emperor Zhuohan Lian.

Miaoweikunding Heaven—Emperor Daoyan Zhonghuang.

This section lists the eight celestial realms of the North and their corresponding imperial names or honorifics. The passage as a whole is chiefly a catalogue of celestial realms within the Daoist cosmological system, arranged in the format “heaven name—imperial name.” Many of the words are proper names, and the text as it stands does not provide enough evidence to determine their meanings from the characters alone.

The thirty-two heavens and their thirty-two celestial emperors, along with the secret sacred names of the heavens, their hidden names, their mysterious rhythms, and the sounds of the celestial realm, are all contained within this numinous and natural sacred text. The revered deities and celestial gods of the heavens, the great demons who have endured long kalpas, and the celestial officials gather the imperial Qi and together govern and nurture all things. These matters are concealed in the boundless mysteries of the Highest Clarity (Shangqing), the exalted celestial realm revered in Daoism, and are difficult to explain in full. They carry out their teachings and protect the Divine Empyrean (Shenxiao), so that their protection may continue without end.

Today, a rite is being held to celebrate the recipient’s acceptance of deliverance. This means receiving transformation and protection through a Daoist ritual. Having undergone the trials and governance of the heavens, may this person receive their united care and protection, so that the world may be nurtured and guarded and peace may prevail throughout the realm. May the calendar and the reckoning of years continue, may the currents of fate run without error, and may all things be harmonized with the Great One (Taiyi), the principle of origin or supreme order in Daoism.

May the movements of the celestial bodies harmonize the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water): Jupiter protects life; Venus presides over accomplishment; Mercury oversees storage and nurture; Mars enables all things to spread and flourish; and Saturn occupies the center and governs. The Qi of the August One flows without cease. The Spirit of Azure Radiance establishes benevolence; the Spirit of Bright Radiance assists righteousness; the Spirit of Vermilion Radiance supports ritual order; and the Spirit of Dark Radiance safeguards wisdom. The Elder of the Central Origin spreads the Qi of balanced harmony.

The Great God of the Eastern Emperor sweeps away the evils of the Wood Phase in the east. The Great God of the Southern Truth subdues the disasters of the Fire Phase in the south and restores calm. The Great God of the White Emperor dispels the military calamities governed by Metal. The Great God of Primal Crystal brings the subtle Qi together in harmony, while the Great God of the Central Emperor oversees all talismanic commands. The spirits of the five directions, the ten realms, and the myriad paths hold bells and wield axes and halberds, guarding the domains closely. The gods set the ordinances of transformation and nurture in motion, summon and command the immortals and perfected spirits, and protect Heaven and Earth through the cycles of the kalpas, keeping them secure and upright.

The Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions ward off disasters brought by the stars of the four directions. The Central Dipper, the pivot of the Northern Dipper constellation, shines upon the four directions, dispelling calamities and opening the way to new life. The seasons proceed in order; cold and heat cycle in turn; and Yin and Yang revolve, preventing strange and baleful Qi from intruding. When the great kalpa arrives, may all manner of calamity be averted. The Great God of the Five Rivers, ruler of the depths, is ordered to intensify the inspection of registers, strike out what must be removed, and clear the waterways. The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning issues a talismanic command: anyone who dares delay or neglect these duties is to be taken to the upper palace for punishment, with no exceptions. May treacherous Qi disperse and the roots of demonic disorder be uprooted, so that generations may receive great blessings and the transformation of the Dao may prevail.

May the world be clear and tranquil, and enjoy good fortune and prosperity for a long time. May benevolence, virtue, and good conduct arise and flourish, and be practiced everywhere. May all people together receive the mysterious Dao, ascend to the upper palace, and follow the order of the calendrical cycles—the courses of celestial time and destiny—as they present their report to the heights.

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning uses the three Qi of the Great Brahma, the realm of supreme vastness and purity, to set change and extension in motion. He divides the two forms of Yin and Yang, establishes the heavens, arrays the celestial spirits within them, and brings forth all things. Thus all things come into being and are shaped and nurtured. The Five Qi circulate, while the Six Qi—the forces of climate, such as Yin, Yang, wind, rain, obscurity, and brightness—alternate and shift, and flourishing follows decline in turn. When the currents of Qi are blocked and unable to flow, great kalpas arrive one after another; human lifespans, too, have their appointed limits. Disasters of water, fire, and wind descend; the radiant world is destroyed, and living beings may be annihilated. Heaven and Earth return to a vast darkness, undivided and unformed.

Good and evil forces intermingle, and disasters and calamities follow one after another. The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning brings peace to the world, allowing blessings and De to descend of themselves. In the heavens, sacred writings, great registers, and precious records set down the Dao of Heaven.

The first section summons the great gods of the Ten Directions to command the mysterious charts and registers of the Dao of Heaven. Their workings continue without end, embracing the Qi of the Dao and bringing forth its wondrous effects, so that the divine order is made manifest. They move like the warp and weft, setting the cycles of tribulation and the Dharma Wheel in motion, and governing transformation so that Heaven and Earth remain pure. Sacred winds blow through the eight directions, bringing harmony and accord. All kinds of auspicious signs and blessings descend, and the ordinances of the Dao of Heaven are thereby proclaimed.

Through the ages, the heavens have presented petitions to the Highest Perfected Ones—perfected immortals of exalted rank. Among them are the Great Lord of Long Life, the Posterior Sage of the Divine Empyrean, the Emperor Lord of Azure Florescence, and other revered deities. The immortal ministers of the Eastern Pole and Western Terrace assist on either side; holding Fulu (talismans and registers), they examine and correct the documents in order to protect all living beings. Majestic divine generals, officers, and troops sweep away every calamity. Above, they honor the commands of the Nine Heavens; below, they quell the Three Calamities. They guard the four quarters and eight directions, bringing all under Heaven into a single De.

All beings turn toward the right path; evil and defilement are swept away, and demonic afflictions and epidemics are destroyed. For countless millions of years, the world is prosperous and content, peaceful and harmonious, with no room for treachery or evil to run rampant. The customs of supreme goodness are renewed day by day, while loyal and worthy people assist in teaching and transforming the people, bringing the ways of the world into accord with the radiance of the Great Dao. By cherishing the Great Dao, one can preserve life, extend blessings, and pass through immeasurable cycles of tribulation. Disasters caused by ghostly thieves, wind, and fire are all dispelled. Within the Four Seas, all is tranquil and serene; Heaven and Earth are vast and clear.

Blessings of celebration also reach the netherworld: trapped spirits of the dead are delivered and elevated, and sunken souls are freed from suffering. Enmities and offenses are resolved; all beings return to purity, and all things are cleansed and unimpeded. The holy assemblies of the heavens rejoice and praise, chanting hymns in the empty expanse. The Demon King, too, joins in with sacred verses, whose words accord with those of the Highest Perfected Ones.

First: The Song of the Desire Realm, Flying Through the Air for Eternity

The wondrous teaching is widely put into practice, and auspicious events are now flourishing. Evil paths are destroyed and blessings gather; the radiance of the Dao of Heaven shines forth, and the breath of demons and spirits subsides. The benevolent turn toward supreme De, while the treacherous and wicked sow the seeds of calamity. Greed makes people forget their true nature, turn against the Dao of Heaven, and act without due measure. Do not let mistakes grow into offenses; instead, keep the world at peace.

Evil demons delight in harming and ruining others. They injure and torment suffering beings, disturb the tranquil realm of the immortals, and spread ceaseless resentment and malice. We pray that the High Jade King of the Jade Clarity Heaven will bestow the sacred chapters of the Numinous Treasure, subdue calamities and tribulations, and make this protection endure, bringing the supreme merit of the Dao without end. Now that the wind of the True Dao has swept widely through the world, the world’s good fortune will flourish ever more.

The Venerable of Purple Clarity, Who Bestows Blessings in the Subtle Grotto Heaven: Precious Talisman for Eternity.

Second: The Chapter of the Demon Kings of the Form Realm, Extending the Cycles of Fortune

Heaven and Earth are vast and primordial; the cycles of tribulation shift unpredictably, and the movements of Yin and Yang fall out of balance…

When calamities and disasters draw near, floods and fires sweep through and destroy everything. All things, the sun, moon, and stars sink into darkness, as though they no longer exist. Thanks to the many deities, the world is brought to order, the great calamity delayed, and the roots of disaster removed.

The deities harmonize the Qi of the four seasons, bringing cold and heat into balance. How could people know that this is happening? They enjoy the deities’ blessings, and calamities gradually subside, until the world is naturally peaceful and settled. At that time, all beings rejoice, protected and delivered from harm, and live out their years in peace. All beings flourish in radiance and return together to the Real.

The Supreme Emperor’s precious talisman—his sacred mandate bestowed from on high—is promulgated among the mountains and rivers, bringing peace and solemnity to the state and ancestral temples and preserving lasting peace. Good deeds receive auspicious responses. Our Dao is continually revered.

Precious Talisman of the Great Sovereign, Heavenly Worthy Who Prolongs the Fate of the Age

The third demon king of the Formless Realm sang:

Above the Three Heavens lies the source of all appearances. The Primordial Sovereign rules and commands all; he is the one I revere. The Primordial Sovereign issues edicts to the deities, bidding them guard the foundations of Heaven and Earth. He disperses the three calamities and clears the eight directions. The cycles of calamity and fortune flow unimpeded, moving in accord with change. The courses of the stars are kept under observation, and every constellation has its proper domain and measure.

I carry out the Supreme Emperor’s talismanic mandate and command the host of demons. Should evil run rampant, let the sun’s light shine down fiercely. Thus the teaching of Great Peace spreads, and the world remains secure and enduring, blessed with good fortune and firmly established for ages. The wondrous pivot of Heaven and Earth’s transformations governs the secrets of the heavens. If one does not understand this Dao, how can one step onto the ladder to becoming Real?

Do not let people fall into the cycles of calamity, allowing the host of demons to run wild and wield their power.

True Talisman of the Heavenly Worthy Who Protects the State in Great Peace and Preserves the World

The three talismans above are cast in gold and copper and placed above palace gates and towers, halls, and covered walkways. This is most auspicious. Dao cultivators may wear them to prolong life, dispel calamities, and pass safely through adversity. According to ritual prescription, the talismans are written in cinnabar on red paper.

The passages above are songs chanted by the true demons in the heavens above the Three Realms; their melodies are blended with the sounds of the Dongzhang, the Daoist sacred hymns. Receiving and reciting them can prolong the cycles of calamity and fortune, and bring prosperity to the sovereign’s blessings. Reciting them one hundred times can dispel the disasters of the time; reciting them one thousand times will lead the demon kings to guard the deities; reciting them ten thousand times, the Dao…

This passage from the scripture says that chanting and upholding these scriptures can protect countless generations, bring stability to the world, transform calamities, and destroy all manner of misfortune. After hearing the wondrous sounds of the scriptures, even demon kings will respectfully guard them and submit to their commands. Earth deities will attend and protect the divine perfected beings—the immortals and realized adepts—so that the people may live in peace and happiness, free from calamity. Blessings and auspiciousness will follow, benefiting everyone. This is why it is called “boundless protection and deliverance”: its protection has no end.

These scriptures are writings kept secret by Heaven, revered by all the heavens. Anyone who reveals them or treats them with contempt will fall into hell, bringing misfortune upon seven generations of ancestors.

The scripture also says that the two chapters above are secret sounds kept by the lords of Heaven and the supremely numinous demon kings. They belong to the “speech of the Great Brahma,” the fundamental sacred language of Heaven. They support the cycles of calamity, protect the world, and bring down auspiciousness. They can summon perfected spirits and bring the deities to descend, benefiting the people and bringing stability to the state. The scriptures do not seek elegant phrasing or beautiful rhymes. Their mystery is profound, making them impossible to investigate fully. Heaven treasures them and keeps them hidden in the scripture chambers of the Jade Palace in the Divine Empyrean and Jade Clarity. Only after sixty thousand kalpas will they be transmitted in accordance with Heaven’s timing. If a person who has attained the Dao comes to possess these precious scriptures and is wholly sincere, they may transmit them to that person only after swearing an oath before the Nine Heavens in accordance with the established rites.

The scripture further says that the motions of Heaven and Earth will one day come to an end, and the sun, moon, and five planets—Jupiter, Mars, Saturn, Venus, and Mercury—will wax and wane. Kalpas and the fortunes of the age may be long or short; even the most exalted sages and divine beings may encounter times of ease or hardship. Those who are only beginning to study the Dao may also suffer illness or injury. Whenever such calamities occur, fellow practitioners should join together in fasting and purification, burn incense at six intervals throughout the day, and recite the scriptures ten times. In this way, blessings and De will descend, dispelling every kind of ill omen. This boundless scripture can deliver all beings.

If someone who is only beginning to study the Dao has not yet completed the cultivation of their immortal rank, and their allotted lifespan is nearing its end or they have met with calamity, fellow adepts who have attained the Dao should burn incense and recite the scriptures ten times on their behalf, thereby delivering their corpse. This is connected with the “Five Refinements of the Living Corpse,” a Daoist method for refining and delivering the dead. The scripture says that the deceased person’s soul and spirit can ascend directly to the Southern Palace, where their name is entered in the Mysterious Office of Heavenly Mechanisms. Their days are then reckoned according to the merit of their cultivation, and they receive new life. When they are reborn, they will no longer be deluded, and in the end they can become immortal.

Finally, the scripture says that when the cycles of Heaven and Earth are nearing their end, one should fast and purify, burn incense, and recite the scriptures. The same should be done when the stars move irregularly and the sun and moon grow dim; when the seasons fall out of order and Yin-Yang becomes unbalanced; and when great and lesser kalpas end, the Five Cycles change, and generations succeed one another. When epidemics spread and the people…

When people suffer from plague or death and injury, or face poor harvests, they should observe purification, burn incense, and recite scriptures. The merit of purification and recitation is immense: above, it can dispel natural disasters and protect and stabilize the emperor; below, it can eliminate harm and relieve the people, giving them support at the threshold between life and death. This blessing and virtue are beyond measure, which is why it is called “unlimited salvation of beings in Heaven and among humanity”—that is, the widespread deliverance of living beings in both the celestial and human realms.

The scripture says: Anyone who cultivates the merit of this scripture for Heaven and Earth, the emperor, and the people, and on the day disaster strikes resolves to observe purification, burn incense, and recite the scripture ten times, will have their name recorded by the celestial beings and receive the protection of the gods. Such a person may one day become a “Perfected One” (someone who has succeeded in cultivating the Dao) and serve among the ministers of the “Golden Palace” beside a wise and enlightened ruler. The celestial beings record people’s merits and faults, overlooking nothing, however slight; even the demons of the heavens will recommend you. Only after attaining the Dao can one truly penetrate the highest truths described in the scripture.

The “Great Brahma Hidden Words” among the celestial beings are immeasurable sounds, composed by the Lord of the Dao.

Jade Text of Primordial Beginning’s Spiritual Writings, for Prolonging the Kalpas, Protecting the World, and Bringing Peace

Eight Heavens of the East

Yu Luo Gao Zhang　Hua Yun Xuan Yong　Li Pu Yuan Shi

Min Kui Ci Gong　Xing You Yi Gong　Fu Zhuo Jian Qiu

Lu Jing Ti You　Jue Zu Yi Gou　Zhu Tu Du Xu

Lin Ju Bi You　Da Ge Sheng Ji　Zai Lu Bing You

Xian Yue Gou Sai　Yun Ye Dao Jie　Ci Chou Di Fang

Lue Wu Chu Jian

Eight Heavens of the South

Bao Yao Chu Qi　Xing Jian Fang Tai　Shen Yin Jin Chen

Jiao Bo Hu Zai　Mo Yan Cu Chi　Fa Ling Li Xin

Di Yue Zhu Yan　Gao Shi Geng Heng　Zhao Fu Jiang Su

Shan Shi Mao Fan　Yi Su Tong Fu　Juan Bai Bi Guan

Sheng Tong Zhao Nao　Jing Yan Nei Jian　Yun Yi Shen Zhan

Cun Kuang Yun Xian

Eight Heavens of the West

Ming Si Biao Tuo　Duo Ge Jing Cong　Qiong Fu Yan Hui

Gou Zi Lü Ji　Meng Xu Yao Chen　Lu Ye Mi Le

Bao Lian Mao Xu　Xuan Ming Dong Jue　Wu Jing Mi Chang

Huo Yu Chi Gu　Chi Dong Ming De　Wu He Jie Kong

Ding Ben Wei Fang　Zhen Jue Guai Dang　Yi Tong Long Chu

Zi Tai Huan Ru

The passages above for the eight heavens of the East, South, and West belong to the “Great Brahma Hidden Words.” They are celestial divine speech recorded in the scripture, not ordinary prose, and therefore cannot be translated word for word into modern language.

The hidden words of the Eight Heavens of the North number seventy-two characters in all. They are the profound and boundless sounds of the Great Brahma Heaven. In their original form, each character measured ten feet square, and they were inscribed on crimson jade tablets by the Heavenly Perfected Sovereign (Tianzhen Huangren, a perfected being of the celestial realm). These sounds are honored as the correct sounds. They were proclaimed over the terraces and towers of the various heavens, and over the halls and chambers of Taiwei and Ziwei (celestial palaces), in order to govern the greater and lesser kalpic calamities (periodic catastrophes of heaven and earth), the fated allotments of the world, and the many inauspicious events in which water and fire overcome one another in endless cycles.

The Dao (the Way) says: if someone understands these sounds and can recite them after observing a fast, the heavens will send down Kings of the Flying Heavenly Spirits to observe that person. These kings record the person's merit and diligent cultivation and report it to the heavens. The myriad spirits will also bow in reverence, and the earth spirits (local deities of the land) and the Great Meritorious True Kings who attend the gates will recommend the person. Once the conditions for cultivating the Dao are fulfilled, the person can become a high immortal, roam freely through the Three Realms, and ascend into the Golden Gate (the gate of the immortal realm).

There is nothing these sounds cannot dispel, nothing they cannot avert, nothing they cannot deliver, and nothing they cannot accomplish, for they are the sounds of natural, heavenly truth. Therefore, reciting them summons the Kings of the Flying Heavenly Spirits to descend and observe. The Supreme Sovereign responds from afar in harmony, the myriad spirits bow in homage, and the spirits of the Three Realms stand in attendance beside the chariot. All manner of demons and baleful forces bow their heads and are bound, and ghosts and goblins vanish of their own accord. The jade-like resonance of the sounds echoes through the ten directions, and the ten directions are thereby purified. Rivers, lakes, and seas fall still, and mountains swallow their mists. The myriad spirits tremble and submit, and the host of immortals is gathered in. There is no defiled qi (vital energy) in the heavens and no uncanny dust upon the earth. Every dark and hidden place is illumined by wisdom and made clear. This is a realm vast and immeasurable, mysterious and more mysterious still.