《太上元始天尊說大雨龍王經》
About this page. The original text of 《太上元始天尊說大雨龍王經》 (Dongzhen 洞真部, 1 volume) is shown in Classical Chinese as transmitted in the Kanripo (Kyoto University) edition. An English interpretation of the 2 passages on this page accompanies it: select a passage or press “Interpretation” to show it. All texts in English
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Source textInterpretation
Vol. 1
These four scriptures are compiled together in one volume:
1. The Supreme Scripture on the Great Rain Dragon Kings Spoken by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning
2. The Supreme Scripture for Protecting the Nation, Praying for Rain, and Dispelling Demons
3. The Supreme Divine Incantation Scripture of the Northern Emperor Tianpeng for Protection and Disaster Elimination from the Dongyuan Canon
4. The Supreme Wondrous Incantation Scripture for Dispelling Epidemics from the Dongyuan Canon
The Supreme Scripture on the Great Rain Dragon Kings Spoken by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning
At that time, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (the highest deity in Daoism) safeguarded the lands of the five directions. If devout men and women sincerely recite and venerate this scripture in their own country, rain will fall during droughts, and fierce winds will subside. All beings within the land who recite, transcribe, explain, or listen to this scripture will receive the protective power of benevolent deities. Why is this so? Because this scripture contains divine power capable of universally saving sentient beings. Thus, the Celestial Worthy expounded this scripture for the multitude.
With compassionate intent, the Celestial Worthy taught the Dharma for all beings. The merits of this scripture are wondrous beyond words—prayers are answered, and sweet rain descends universally. With sincere devotion, all methods will manifest accordingly.
If devotees recite or transcribe the Scripture of the Dragon Kings, they will be praised by the masses. When a nation seeks rain, they should observe the six monthly purification days (designated days for Daoist purification practices), select a clean space, purify the area, burn incense, and reverently pray. The Celestial Worthy, responding to their sincerity, will summon the Dragon Kings to bring rain, dispel calamities, and shower sweet dew upon the land.
The scripture enumerates the names of twenty-eight Dragon Kings:
1. Pure and Clear Dragon King
2. Great Earth Dragon King
3. Dharma Ocean Dragon King
4. Wondrous Net Dragon King
5. Cultivating Auspiciousness Dragon King
6. Beloved Dragon King
7. Great Sea Dragon King
8. Fierce and Stern Dragon King
9. Pure Eyes Dragon King
10. Lion Dragon King
11. Resonant Shell Dragon King
12. Golden Hue Dragon King
13. Golden Radiance Dragon King
14. Black-Maned Dragon King
15. Great Rain Dragon King
16. Celestial Master Dragon King
17. Thunderbolt Dragon King
18. Nine Rivers Dragon King
19. Water Emperor Dragon King
20. Winged Net Dragon King
21. Suo Mountain Dragon King
22. Great Brahma Dragon King
23. Vow-Accepting Dragon King
24. Yila Dragon King
25. Rain-Showering Dragon King
26. Ganges Dragon King
27. Wondrous Dharma Dragon King
28. Celestial Blossom Dragon King
(Note: In Daoism, Dragon Kings are divine beings governing rainfall and water bodies, each with distinct responsibilities. Rain prayers are a vital Daoist ritual for aiding the world, where scripture recitation and worship serve to communicate with deities and plead for the people’s welfare.)
This scripture enumerates various categories of Dragon Kings (deities governing clouds and rain in Daoism), including twenty-eight types such as Non-Human Dragon Kings, Virtuous Dragon Kings (De), Celestially-Descended Dragon Kings, and Earthly-Descended Dragon Kings. It states that when these Dragon Kings hear devotees chanting their sacred names, they manifest divine responses—riding clouds and mists to bestow life-giving rain.
The text describes the miraculous effects of such rainfall: it showers upon the human realm, alleviating drought, reviving withered plants, protecting crops from harm, ensuring unobstructed river flow, and replenishing water sources. These merits surpass what words can fully extol, truly embodying the sacred power to deliver all beings from suffering.
The scripture instructs that when a region suffers prolonged drought—causing Yin-Yang imbalance and public distress—devout men and women should prepare a purified space. They must invite virtuous Daoist priests to establish a ritual platform (Daoist ceremonial space), hang scripture banners, make floral offerings, and recite this sacred text. Through such practices, they may move Heaven to send nourishing rain and Earth to produce spiritual springs, resulting in lush vegetation, bountiful harvests, public tranquility, auspicious years, permanent dispelling of calamities, enduring land blessings, household joy, and boundless blessings. All virtuous deeds will thereby reach fulfillment under divine protection.
The text concludes by emphasizing that even after receiving abundant rain, devotees must maintain pious hearts through regular scripture recitation. Hearing these teachings, the assembled listeners joyfully committed to practice them before respectfully withdrawing.
(Note: Attributed to the supreme Daoist deity "Most High Primordial Heavenly Worthy" [Taishang Yuanshi Tianzun], this scripture primarily details rain-invocation rituals through Dragon King veneration, reflecting Daoism's integration of nature worship with divine devotion.)
Source text: Kanripo 漢籍リポジトリ（KR5a0051）; Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Report an error / feedback