《元始天尊說梓童帝君本願經》

The Scripture of the Original Vows of Lord Zitong as Spoken by Yuanshi Tianzun: the scripture in which Yuanshi Tianzun (Celestial Worthy of Original Beginning, one of the highest Daoist deities) proclaims the original vows of Lord Zitong (Zitong Dijun, a Daoist deity often associated with the cult of Wenchang Dijun).

The True Scripture of Yuanshi Dissolving Calamities and Revealing Zitong’s Original Vows: a true scripture in which Yuanshi Tianzun resolves calamities and reveals Zitong’s original vows.

Opening Gatha: the verse that opens scriptural recitation. The minds of sages and worthies are supremely lofty and far-reaching; they broadly proclaim teachings firm as metal and stone; they investigate the original nature within the heavenly nature; they hold to simplicity and do not burden themselves with affairs; if the heart (the square inch) is set upon exalted cultivation, the mysterious and wondrous realm can then be sought and reached; the precious scripture repeatedly guides, with the hope of thoroughly awakening to the original primordial beginning; when the resolve is firm and strong, one illumines the One and awakens; bowing the head and seeking within, one naturally encounters the source; take refuge in the patriarch who opens the teaching and transforms; look inward, in stillness without clamor.

The Upper Chapter of “Rectifying the Mind and Opening Transformation.”

At that time, Yuanshi Tianzun was within the golden gate of Qingwei Heavenly Palace (a Daoist heaven). He assembled the celestial emperors of the various heavens and the boundless assembly of sages, ascended the jade-flower jewel throne, emitted a great radiance that illumined all worlds, and saw living beings meeting with kalpa calamities, enduring immeasurable suffering, tossed about in the dusty world, and cycling through birth and death. He sighed with emotion and said: “Living beings, living beings—who has brought them to this?”

At that time, a Zhenren (an accomplished Daoist cultivator) named Ciji rose from his Dharma seat, stepped out from the ranks, knelt upright before the Dao, and addressed Tianzun: “This humble minister is without virtue. Relying on the protection of the Dao and its teachings, I have been able to escape this suffering. Yesterday I saw the Jade Emperor, the honored sovereign, inspecting the registers (ledgers recording names and kalpa destinies) and fixing the kalpa destinies. He commanded Beiyin Heisha, Duomu Yuanli (both names of divine baleful spirits), and all the demon kings of the heavens to descend and inspect the human world, to incite war, spread pestilence, and slaughter living beings by the trillions, leaving almost no one in the world alive. Now I see among living beings fathers and sons, brothers, husbands and wives, men and women, their livers and brains smeared on the ground, wailing and weeping bitterly, unable to preserve one another. Then heavenly calamities spread on a grand scale, and ghosts appear in broad daylight. Some may perhaps escape the earlier calamities, but in the end they cannot escape this one. I do not know what these living beings have transgressed, having created various karmic offenses since distant kalpas, that they should suffer such retribution. How could this not cause grief? How could it not cause heartbreak! I earnestly pray that Tianzun, in compassion, will reveal it to those who have not yet awakened.”

Tianzun told him: “Since past kalpas, these living beings have failed to revere the Three Treasures (in Daoism, Dao, Jing, and Shi), have been unfilial to their parents, have engaged in sexual misconduct and greedy craving, and have been treacherous, jealous, and vicious. All kinds of evils have daily grown more intense and flourishing. Therefore the Jade Emperor has fixed the kalpa and caused people in the world to meet with disasters. Though this is indeed grievous, it is also what they have brought upon themselves.”

At that time, Zhenren Ciji and the assembled sages each bowed their heads and paid their respects to Tianzun.

This passage describes a dialogue between the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun) and the Imperial Lord Zitong (a revered Daoist deity overseeing literary fortunes and official positions) regarding the salvation of humanity during calamitous times:

Moved by the suffering in the mortal realm, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning convened with celestial officials to deliberate on deliverance. After profound contemplation, the supreme deity revealed: "In the Shu region resides the exalted Lord Zitong, who dwells in the highest heavenly realm (Haotian), equal in status to the Celestial Worthy of Great Unity (Taiyi Tianzun). He governs the cycles of life and death, oversees scholars' fortunes, and has manifested over ninety incarnations throughout countless kalpas (cosmic cycles), ever devoted to humanity's welfare. The Jade Emperor himself bestowed upon him the Ruyi scepter, empowering him to manifest in the human world to guide sentient beings."

Resolving to summon Lord Zitong for this apocalyptic calamity (mokie), the Celestial Worthy dispatched jade maidens bearing ritual banners for a threefold summons. Arriving on five-colored auspicious clouds from the northwest, Lord Zitong paid reverent homage, explaining his delay due to ongoing salvation work and begging the supreme deity's forgiveness.

The Celestial Worthy expounded: "Humans, though born from the harmonious interplay of heaven's Yang and earth's Yin, fail to cherish their precious human form and peaceful existence. Their boundless greed and cunning have spawned wars, plagues, floods, and conflagrations. Now the entire celestial pantheon petitions for this kalpa's resolution, and We specially appoint you for this sacred task."

As Lord Zitong prepared to withdraw after receiving the mandate, the Celestial Worthy pressed further: "This profound calamity runs deep—what method will you employ for its resolution?" The imperial deity advanced again with bowed reverence to present his salvational strategy (though the scripture leaves his specific methods unrecorded in subsequent passages).

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (the supreme deity in Daoism) was recounting the cultivation journey of Emperor Zitong (the deity overseeing literary fortunes): "Throughout countless kalpas of tribulations, I have repeatedly lost this incarnation. Now entrusted with official duties in the Shu region, my heart trembles with apprehension, fearing I may prove unworthy. While deeply reflecting on my shortcomings, I received heavenly grace. To dispel this impending calamity, I believe we must first rectify human hearts: teach children filial piety, ministers loyalty, brothers fraternal respect, spouses harmonious coexistence, superiors compassion for subordinates, and officials impartiality in service. If these principles can be implemented, perhaps we may slightly alleviate the disaster."

Hearing this, the Celestial Worthy revealed an expression of profound satisfaction and praised: "How rare! For the Emperor to show such compassion for living beings and speak these truths. If people can persistently practice them, calamities will dissolve, nations will know peace, longevity and wellbeing will flourish, all things will grow naturally, harvests will abound, and joyous songs will resound everywhere. Otherwise, endless wars and plagues will leave corpses strewn across the land, bringing humanity to the brink of extinction. You must strive diligently!" After Emperor Zitong bowed in gratitude, he departed riding five-colored auspicious clouds from the northwest.

At this moment, the Compassionate Relief Perfected Being (an immortal dedicated to saving the world) heard these words and rejoiced, spontaneously composing a gatha: "Alas, sentient beings drown in deceit, greed and hatred, busily toiling without repentance, hastening the apocalyptic kalpa's arrival. The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, moved by compassion, specially commanded Emperor Zitong to awaken people through literary means, teaching them first to rectify their hearts. Even those lost in worldly dust may thus be guided, with blessings and prosperity naturally following."

All the assembled immortals and perfected beings rejoiced upon hearing this, considering it an unprecedented revelation. (This scripture passage originates from the "Lingbao Scripture for Dispelling Kalpas through Mind-Rectification and Spiritual Response")

The narrative continues: The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning sat in serene meditation upon the Jade Flower Throne, his divine radiance withdrawn. The jade terrace glowed with splendor, enveloped in immortal mists. As bells and drums resonated in harmony, the wind of benevolence circulated, with the subtle Dao principles descending like spring rain nurturing all things. All golden immortals and guardian generals stood reverently holding ceremonial implements. Then the Heaven-Lord of Kongsheng from the Yuanzai Heaven, the Perfected Being Who Saves from Depths and Extinguishes Sins, the Prefect of the Eastern Peak, and other perfected beings rose together, kneeling before the Dao... (the subsequent content remains incomplete)

The Heavenly Worthy said further: “What did you, my servants, cultivate in former kalpas that you have been able to join this Dharma assembly and personally receive the words of the Dao?” Secretly rejoicing and grateful, yet aware of our own ignorance and delusion, we said: Though our hearts rejoice upon hearing this scripture explained, we still cannot fully comprehend it. To speak precisely, it is the unrighteousness of the human heart that has brought about this kalpa. If the Heavenly Worthy had not extended his great golden arm, emitted great radiance, displayed great spiritual powers, and commanded the world-patrolling deities each to return to their proper stations, perhaps other Daoist methods would not yet seem so urgent. Now the great kalpa has arrived, and the calamitous turn of destiny is immense; the opening transformation of the Nine Heavens is precisely meant to rectify the human heart. We fear it may be too slow, and humbly beg the Heavenly Compassion to grant instruction to those who have not yet awakened.

The Heavenly Worthy heaved a vast, long sigh and told the assembled true beings: “Alas, you have not yet comprehended the root of the principle! When people are first born, good nature is their root; the four beginnings—humaneness, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom—are all present; the Five Phases—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—provide the model; loyalty and trust are the embryo; harmony and humility are transmitted; only this is called being human. Humans cannot be classed together with grass, trees, birds, and beasts; all who have human form seemingly ought to possess these qualities equally. But when the ways of the world decline and human hearts are no longer as in antiquity, people eagerly practice cunning, treachery, greed, envy, cruelty, and disorder—all kinds of unwholesome deeds. Therefore they see the Three Treasures—Dao, Jing (scripture), and Shi (teacher)—without reverence; they show no respect to the Three Luminaries—sun, moon, and stars; they scold the wind and curse the rain, resent Heaven and blame Earth, treat father and mother like strangers, and regard brothers as enemies. In reproving others they always demand a full account, while toward themselves they are often lenient. Seeing goodness in others, they conceal it; when concealment does not suffice, they slander it, stopping at nothing. Seeing evil in others, they delight in it and envy it, then imitate it, fearing only that they may not match it. The rich and noble are arrogant, extravagant, licentious, and idle; they treat the worthy and capable with contempt, profane teachers and elders, stride with heads held high, and regard the poor and lowly as grass to be trampled. They do not know to cultivate planting—doing good and accumulating blessings—nor do they practice hidden virtue—secretly accumulating merit. They recklessly waste the gifts of Heaven, ensnare profit in the marketplace, and have no sense at all of restraint or sufficiency. The poor and lowly flatter and fawn, are greedy and angry, blame ghosts and spirits, and do not understand the karmic causes of former lives. They cannot remain content in their station and keep to themselves; they commit sexual misconduct and theft, transgress their proper place, offend ritual propriety, and from beginning to end never repent. Thus evil people fill the world, malevolent ghosts run rampant, slander and malice advance together, and defamation and resentful words arise all at once. Government becomes perverse and erroneous, the people suffer hardship, mountains and rivers are depleted, ghosts and spirits are unsettled, and resentful Qi gathers and congeals, surging upward into the great void. When the ways of the world have reached this point, how can there be no change? Therefore the registers and charts—the heavenly ledgers—are examined and checked; the cycles of destiny and number converge, and this great kalpa is calculated: sun and moon are eclipsed, Yin-Yang are discordant, demons and ghosts patrol the world, rebellious people rise in succession, and weapons and epidemics come repeatedly without cease, unable to be stopped.”

This scripture recounts how the Primordial Heavenly Worthy (Yuanshi Tianzun, the supreme deity of Daoism) instructed the Imperial Lord of Zitong (a deity overseeing literary fortunes) on saving humanity. The Heavenly Worthy warned that if people persist in committing evil, they will inevitably face apocalyptic calamities—mountains of corpses and rivers of blood—potentially leading to human extinction. To truly deliver sentient beings, the fundamental transformation of human hearts is essential.

The Heavenly Worthy specifically appointed the Imperial Lord of Zitong to descend to the mortal realm via "flying phoenix carriages" (immortal vehicles) to guide humanity toward renewal and virtuous living. Key practices include:

• Children showing filial piety to parents
• Subjects demonstrating loyalty to rulers
• Siblings maintaining mutual respect and affection
• Spouses living in harmony
• Superiors showing compassion to subordinates
• Officials upholding impartiality and integrity
• Rejecting greed, envy, deceit, and falsehood

If all cultivate these virtues persistently, their influence will permeate the world, earning reverence even from spirits and deities. Heaven and earth will naturally stabilize—the elderly will enjoy longevity, the young will be nurtured, nations will know peace, harvests will flourish, and chaotic eras may return to the simplicity of antiquity.

The Heavenly Worthy emphasized: Though divine powers could intervene to save people, such efforts are futile without rectified hearts. True resolution lies in correcting human minds first; then great calamities will dissolve of themselves. When celestial inspectors encounter those with upright hearts, they will withdraw in awe, refraining from harm.

Attending deities—including the Lord of Yuankai Kongsheng Heaven, the Perfected Being Who Alleviates Suffering, and the Eastern Sacred Mountain's Prefect—rejoiced, paid homage, and silently returned to their abodes.

The Heavenly Worthy further expounded: Humans are the most spiritually endowed beings, with the heart as the body's sovereign. By maintaining inner purity—untainted by desire or hypocrisy—one’s words and deeds naturally become gentle, compassionate, and upright. Thus:

• Filial piety arises effortlessly, without forced effort
• Loyalty manifests spontaneously, without pretense
• Sibling and marital bonds harmonize naturally
• One neither harshly judges others nor acts with selfish bias

Living in accordance with innate nature aligns seamlessly with the Dao (the Way).

Such a society will inevitably achieve tranquility and prosperity, reviving golden ages. Even in this Dharma-ending era, those who diligently uphold these principles—holding them in constant remembrance—may still receive blessings and avert cataclysms. The Heavenly Worthy concluded with a gatha (a verse summary common in Buddhist and Daoist scriptures), distilling these truths into poetic form.

Scripture of the Original Vows of Emperor Zitong as Spoken by the Heavenly Worthy of Primordial Beginning: a classic in which Yuanshi Tianzun (the Heavenly Worthy of Primordial Beginning, one of the highest deities of Daoism) expounds the original vows of Emperor Zitong (Zitong Dijun, also known as the Wenchang Emperor).

How wondrous is that single point of numinous luminous original nature—undisturbed, unagitated, free of deluded thoughts and miscellaneous anxieties, reaching the utmost sagehood and utmost clarity. The Heavenly Principle (natural right principle) becomes bright and manifest, and the roots of goodness (good roots) are perfected within one’s own nature. Once falseness is mixed in, the five limbs (the four limbs and the head, referring to body and mind) will be broken and overthrown. If one can return by oneself to the right path, a hundred blessings will gather; be reverent and cautious, and let the great assembly hear together.

At that time, after the Heavenly Worthy finished speaking the verse, the true assemblies in the various heavens, countless immortals, and the deities of the Five Peaks and Four Waterways all rejoiced and leaped with joy, praising this as something never before known. This is the lower section of the “Lingbao Chapter on Eliminating Calamities, Rectifying the Mind, and Karmic Retribution”; “Lingbao” (Numinous Treasure) refers to the Daoist scriptural and ritual system.

At that time, the Perfected Man Baohe Yinghua (Preserver of Harmony and Responsive Transformation) bowed his head before the Dao and said: I do not know what other merit this scripture has besides eliminating disasters and resolving calamities. I earnestly request the Heavenly Worthy, in compassion, to explain it in detail for the fourfold assembly (four types of believers), and to broadly proclaim the benefits of this scripture to the immortals of the heavens, the deities of the peaks and waterways, and all sentient beings in heaven and earth and in the future.

Thereupon the Heavenly Worthy told the Perfected Man Baohe Yinghua: “Excellent. If kings of various countries, emperors, and chief ministers uphold this scripture, propagate and fulfill this Way, practice it personally without cease, and teach and transform the world, then naturally customs will be honest and fine, government affairs good, the people peaceful, the five grains abundant, and all things harmonious and well-ordered. If people in the world, in ordinary times when dwelling peacefully without trouble, use a heart of utmost sincerity to contemplate calmly and diligently read and recite it, then naturally parents will be long-lived, descendants honored and noble, the family prosperous, the body healthy, and whatever they seek will be fulfilled in various ways. If someone enters mountains and forests or rivers and seas and encounters fierce winds or poisonous beasts, if only they repent and silently recollect this scripture in their hearts, naturally the mountain deities will guard them, the Hebo (river god) will support them, fierce beasts will naturally withdraw, and wind and waves will immediately cease. If someone is in a military formation or encounters enemies and foes, if only they repent and silently recollect this scripture in their hearts, naturally hostile people will be dissolved by good intentions, misfortune will not come upon them, and ultimately no harm will be done to them; they will remain peaceful and secure as usual. If women face peril in childbirth or pray for children, if only they repent and silently recollect this scripture in their hearts, naturally they will be safe and peaceful, give birth to sons and daughters of blessed virtue, wise and intelligent, and honorable among people. If someone recites this scripture for the many temple spirits, these ghosts and spirits should escape the ghost realm and instead increase heavenly blessings. There are also Daoist priests, consummate persons (those of extremely high cultivation), and good men and faithful women who establish a pure and quiet chamber, change into clean new clothes, and engage in painting.”

The Scripture of the Original Celestial Worthy on the Vows of the Imperial Lord of Zitong expounds the extraordinary merits of reciting this sacred text:

First, it details the ritual protocol for scripture recitation: One must reverently offer incense, flowers, lamps, fruits, and pure water to the Supreme Sovereign of the Nine Heavens (the highest deity in Daoism), purify distracting thoughts, and sit upright with focused mind while chanting.

The scripture then reveals its vast benefits: All sentient beings who hear its words receive deliverance—ghosts may transcend their spectral forms to attain immortal fruits; hungry ghosts are liberated from thirst and starvation to be reborn in the Southern Palace (a Daoist celestial realm); animals escape the beast realm to regain human form; even withered plants hearing it will flourish anew. All conscious beings receive spiritual transformation through this scripture.

Special emphasis is placed on its protective power: Those who enshrine or recite this text will be constantly guarded by infinite celestial protectors—the Great Sages of Flight from the Ten Directions, the Perfected of Salvation from Suffering, the Diamond Warriors, and countless other divine beings—accumulating immeasurable merit.

In the latter section, through a dialogue between the Perfected of Preservation and Transformation and the Original Celestial Worthy, the proper attitude toward the scripture is clarified: Those who harbor doubt, slander it casually, or recite without purification and fasting will incur karmic offenses, while sincere practitioners reap blessings. The Celestial Worthy particularly emphasizes that true cultivation must stem from inner sincerity—filial piety requires genuine devotion beyond superficial gestures, loyalty to rulers demands heartfelt commitment, brotherhood thrives on authentic affection, marital harmony depends on true mutual respect, and social interactions must align inner and outer virtue. Only by embodying these principles can one truly walk the Dao.

(Note: "Southern Palace" refers to the celestial palaces of the southern heavens in Daoist cosmology; "Great Sages of Flight," "Perfected of Salvation from Suffering," etc. are all Daoist guardian deities.)

The title of the scripture means: a scripture in which Yuanshi Tianzun (one of the highest Daoist deities) proclaims the original vows of Zitong Dijun (a Daoist deity).

Even if one harbors doubts about the Dao and slanders it, one may still be said to have faith; but if one does not practice this Dao, then even if one fasts and reverently recites scriptures, one is still considered to be without faith.

Those who do good accumulate good; those who do evil accumulate evil.

When such accumulation has gone on for a long time, heaven and earth, ghosts and spirits will descend to examine and confront them, and to bestow blessings or send down misfortune. All this is the natural result of corresponding response.

What more can I say?

Thereupon Baohe Yinghua Zhenren (a Daoist immortal title) and all the celestial immortals praised him in unison and spoke a gatha:

Great indeed—amid the vast jade stars,

reckoning and comparing the river sources, all alike share this kalpa.

The slain living beings are countless billions;

they bow to the Supreme and seek release from guilt and the granting of pardon.

Thereupon the Tianzun sends forth compassion;

the Nine Heavens open and transform, universally washing away guilt.

One need only teach everyone to rectify their own minds;

doubt and believing acceptance both follow the teaching, bringing beings’ minds of doubt and faith to exhaustion.

I now bow my head in gratitude to the Compassionate Worthy;

countless living beings bow to his virtue.

At that time, after Baohe Yinghua Zhenren and all the immortals had finished speaking the gatha, they bowed before the honored countenance of the Tianzun, made obeisance, and withdrew, receiving it with faith and putting it into practice.