《太上洞淵辭瘟神咒妙經》

Interpretation of the Supreme Mystery Cavern Abyss Dismissal of Plague Divine Incantation Scripture

At that time, the Celestial Venerable of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, the supreme deity of Daoism) was expounding the Dao to the assembly of immortals in the Upper Yang Palace. The Celestial Venerable of Cavern Abyss (Dongyuan Tianzun) stepped forward and reported: He had witnessed mortal beings suffering from a devastating plague, with symptoms including unrelenting high fever, body aches, headaches, blurred vision, internal organs burning as if pierced by needles, and inability to eat. He sought guidance on how to alleviate their suffering.

The Celestial Venerable of Primordial Beginning explained: This calamity arises because people no longer revere the Three Treasures (Dao, scriptures, and teachers), defile heaven and earth, and act without awe or restraint. Their deceitful and wicked conduct has summoned this retribution. People, relying on their physical strength, remain unrepentant, and their daily actions show no regard for moral boundaries. In truth, this is the work of the Five Thearchic Emissaries (deities governing plagues), who carry out celestial decrees based on the records of merits and transgressions in the Registers of Good and Evil. For households afflicted by the plague, the entire family must observe the following:

1. Abstain from the Five Pungent Vegetables (garlic, onions, and other stimulants)

2. Speak with gentleness

3. Maintain physical and mental tranquility

4. Cultivate compassion in the heart

5. Set up an incense altar to welcome the true deities

6. Establish a ritual space to recite this scripture

7. Prepare fasting meals, incense, and candles for proper ceremonial offerings

The following deities must be reverently invited to descend upon the ritual space to dispel the plague:

• The Divine Kings of Epidemics Who Govern the Twelve-Year Celestial Cycles
• The Five Thearchic Emissaries
• The Seventy-Two Seasonal Sages
• The Sacred Assembly of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms
• The Judges Who Administer Plagues and the Officials Who Dispense Healing
• The Various Plague Emissaries (those governing livestock epidemics, disaster relief, and pestilential toxins)
• The Earth Deities, Local Guardians, and their retinues

Sincere recitation of this scripture can dissolve the plague. Even if one is fated to undergo this tribulation, this method can still expunge karmic debts. If devotees genuinely take refuge in the Three Treasures, the deities will withdraw the plague toxins, preventing further spread of disease.

Finally, the Celestial Venerable of Primordial Beginning summarized with a verse:

The Supreme Venerable Sovereign (Taishang Laojun) established these teachings—

Sincere faith dispels calamity and averts misfortune.

Plagues arise to punish wicked deeds,

But hearing goodness and turning to the Dao brings blessings.

Wholeheartedly taking refuge in the Three Treasures’ guidance,

One’s household will surely find peace and well-being.

(Note: This scripture reflects the Daoist doctrine of "inherited retribution" (chengfu), which holds that plagues result from collective karmic transgressions. Through repentance, purification rituals (zhaijiao), scripture recitation, and other liturgical practices, such calamities can be resolved.)

This passage comes from the Supreme Scripture of the Grotto Abyss for Dispelling Epidemics with Divine Incantations, describing the miraculous effects of reciting this sacred text.

The scripture conveys that if one can devoutly recite this text, all calamities caused by malevolent spirits will spontaneously vanish and withdraw. When the Celestial Worthy of the Grotto Abyss (a revered Daoist deity) and all present listeners heard this divine teaching, each was filled with profound joy. They respectfully bowed before departing, wholeheartedly accepting and committing to practice the scripture's guidance.

This scripture primarily contains divine incantations for warding off plagues. Reciting it invokes divine protection, shielding practitioners from disease and misfortune. During ancient outbreaks of epidemics, Daoist priests would frequently chant such scriptures to pray for safety and peace.