《太上長生延壽集福德經》

The Scripture of the Supreme Longevity, Life Extension, and Accumulation of Virtue and Blessings describes how the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, the highest deity in Daoism) expounded the Dharma during the Red Brilliance Kalpa (a cosmic cycle in Daoist cosmology) at the Hall of Good Fortune in the Xiao Ling Garden of Huacheng Kingdom, surrounded by immortals and sages. At that time, the Divine King of Longevity and Guardian of Blessings asked the Celestial Worthy: "Why do virtuous men and women in the secular world, though performing good deeds yet not entering the Daoist path, often encounter misfortunes? How should they cultivate to attain peace, joy, and longevity?"

The Celestial Worthy replied: To obtain blessings, one must first achieve the "Three Purities"—purity of body (maintaining cleanliness), purity of mind (freedom from distracting thoughts), and purity of speech (avoiding harmful words). Only after fulfilling these three requirements can one be taught the profound methods of the Dao, thereby receiving the Five Blessings (longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a peaceful death) and the protection of a hundred spirits.

The specific practice is as follows: On important festivals (such as the Three Origins [Shangyuan, Zhongyuan, Xiayuan], Five La Sacrificial Days, and Eight Solar Terms) or one’s birthday, burn incense in a purified room, kneel facing east, perform the Daoist cultivation techniques of "knocking teeth and swallowing saliva" (kouchi yanye), and recite two incantations:

The first, the Incantation of Longevity and Life Extension, conveys that through cultivation of the True One Body, one may ascend to the Great Brahma Heaven (Daluo Tian), pay homage to the immortal sages, and attain an undying form.

The second, the Incantation of Accumulating Virtue and Blessings, signifies that immortal youths record virtuous deeds, divine spirits safeguard the household, blessings increase daily, and body and mind become radiant, ultimately returning to the Supreme Dao.

The Celestial Worthy emphasized that those who persist in such practice will dispel evil influences, see their blessings grow daily, and achieve luminous clarity of body and mind, forever returning to the true path. After hearing this teaching, the Divine King of Longevity and Guardian of Blessings was deeply enlightened.

(Note: The "Three Origins" refer to the three major Daoist festivals—Shangyuan, Zhongyuan, and Xiayuan; the "Five La" are five ancestral memorial days; the "Eight Solar Terms" include the beginning of spring and other seasonal markers; "knocking teeth and swallowing saliva" is a Daoist health-preservation technique.)

This Scripture of the Supreme Longevity, Life Extension, and Accumulation of Virtuous Merit records the methods revealed by the Celestial Worthy (the highest deity in Daoism) for sentient beings to attain blessings:

When the Celestial Worthy expounded this vast dharma gate of blessings to the assembly, all present listened with reverent stillness of heart, bowing in gratitude for the profound kindness of the Celestial Worthy. Then, with solemn voice, the Celestial Worthy proclaimed:

"The mysterious teachings of the Celestial Worthy pervade the ten directions (referring to the entire cosmos), and their meritorious grace can benefit living beings in this very life, extending their lifespan boundlessly. Accumulating virtuous deeds and meritorious merit brings auspiciousness—we must reverently give thanks to the sovereign of these profound teachings."

After this proclamation, all present—immortals, perfected beings, celestial dragons, spirits, and ordinary people—aroused the aspiration to pursue the supreme Dao (the Way), awakened their inclination toward goodness, and sincerely accepted these teachings to practice them faithfully. Having paid their respects, the assembly withdrew with reverence.

[Context Note] This scripture primarily explains methods for attaining blessings and longevity through faith in the Celestial Worthy and the accumulation of virtuous deeds. "Accumulating virtuous merit" refers to gathering blessings through virtuous conduct—a key cultivation concept in Daoism.