《元始天尊說甘露昇天神咒妙經》

Interpretation of the "Marvelous Scripture of the Divine Nectar Ascension Incantation Spoken by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning"

At that time, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun) was seated upon a seven-jeweled lotus throne in the Fragrant Grove Garden of the Western Land of Jade (Xina Yuguo), a celestial paradise in Daoist cosmology. First, he expounded the supreme true Dao (Wushang Zhendao) to the celestial immortals, guiding them toward the gate of great liberation (dacheng), transcending the illusions of emptiness. Then, he explained to the heavenly and earthly immortals the profound mysteries of the transformations of the Five Phases (Wuxing), elucidating the merits of the lesser vehicle (xiaocheng) of Daoist practice, thereby enabling beings from all ten directions to enter the path of the Dao.

The Celestial Worthy specifically addressed the "immortals among ghosts" (guizhong xian)—those who, during their lifetimes, accumulated three thousand acts of hidden virtue (yinde) but, after death, passed through the realm of Great Yin (Taiyin, the underworld) without falling into the evil destinies. These beings could wield supernatural transformations akin to ghosts and spirits, ultimately attaining the state of ghostly immortality. For them, the Celestial Worthy transmitted the method of the "Nine Transformations to Refine Yin and Revive the Corpse" (Jiuhua Lianyin Shengshipian), aiding them in refining their yin-substance and generating yang-energy, ultimately ascending to the Nine Heavens.

During this assembly, a youth named Serene Moonlight (Jingming Yueguang) rose and bowed in reverence, praising the Celestial Worthy for expounding such wondrous teachings to universally deliver sentient beings. The youth then posed a question: "In the world today, beings are often mired in the Ten Evils (killing, stealing, etc.) and enslaved by the Five Poisons (greed, anger, delusion, arrogance, and doubt). Their negative karma is boundless, and the deceased suffer in the hells, tormented by hunger and thirst, where even clear water turns to scorching flames. How can they be saved?"

The Celestial Worthy revealed the method of salvation: If any deceased souls from the Three Realms and ten directions have fallen into the evil destinies, their living relatives and friends may take a handful of pure soil, place it in a clean vessel, and offer it with incense, flowers, and food. Then, following the proper ritual procedures (Keyi), they should recite the Incantation of the Divine Nectar for Opening the Path to Truth (Kaiyedao Ganlu Tongzhenzhou). This method can help the deceased escape the sea of suffering and attain liberation.

(Note: The terms "great vehicle" (dacheng) and "lesser vehicle" (xiaocheng) are borrowed from Buddhist terminology but here refer to different levels of Daoist practice. "Transformations of the Five Phases" denotes the cycles of generation and conquest among Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. The "Three Wretched Paths" (santu) refer to the three evil destinies: hells, hungry ghosts, and the animal realm.)

This scripture describes the "Divine Incantation of Nectar Ascending to Heaven" transmitted by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun), primarily expounding on the merit of this divine chant to liberate departed souls and dissolve the sufferings of hell.

The text opens by depicting a sacred vision: golden rays of merit illuminate the netherworld, while pools of lotuses flow with true fragrance, their canopies floating upon auspicious clouds. Countless deities dwell in harmony, eternally abiding within twelve-tiered pavilions (symbolizing celestial realms). By swiftly reciting this numinous treasure (the highest Daoist scriptures) incantation, departed souls may freely roam the heavenly paradise.

The Celestial Worthy declares: When souls in hell hear this incantation, they spontaneously attain joy. They drink the nectar (symbolizing pure energy), awaken virtuous intentions, and sever afflictions and karmic obstructions. When assembly participants jointly chant this "Incantation for Purifying Fengdu (legendary underworld capital), Breaking Hell, and Ascending to Heaven," they accomplish the following:

Within the boundless underworld, they shatter formidable barriers like diamond mountains. The immeasurable radiance of the Numinous Treasure Celestial Worthy penetrates the sea of hellfire's suffering. Seven generations of ancestors rise upon fragrant clouds. Through the purity of meditative wisdom (Dinghui) like blue lotuses, they ultimately ascend to divine realms and attain eternal peace.

The scripture concludes: After the Celestial Worthy revealed this teaching, celestial beings, dragon kings, ghostly multitudes throughout heaven and earth, along with the Serene Moonlight Youth (Daoist immortal child) and all beings of human and celestial realms, simultaneously awakened immeasurable wisdom. They gave rise to the mind of non-action (Wuwei), entered the gate of the Great Vehicle (highest spiritual attainment), and accomplished supreme Dao-fruits. The assembled congregation rejoiced, paid reverence, and withdrew with devout faith in this true Dharma method.

(Note: This passage exemplifies Daoist ritual concepts for soul liberation, emphasizing how sacred incantations can deliver departed souls from hell's torments and facilitate their transcendence.)