《太上三洞神咒》Vol. 5
About this page. The original text of 《太上三洞神咒》 Vol. 5 (Dongzhen 洞真部, 12 volumes) is shown in Classical Chinese as transmitted in the Kanripo (Kyoto University) edition. An English interpretation of the 18 passages on this page accompanies it: select a passage or press “Interpretation” to show it. All texts in English
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This scripture records several important Daoist incantations used for exorcism and dispelling malevolent forces, primarily invoking various deities to assist in subduing demons, upholding justice, and protecting the people.
The first incantation summons Marshal Xuantan (Zhao Gongming, the Daoist guardian deity). It describes this divine general wielding iron chains and steel whips, commanding eight mighty officers with golden drums shaking the heavens. Upon hearing the summons, he immediately descends to the ritual altar, riding dragons and tigers to patrol the four seas. He is preceded by Marshal Tianpeng (the Big Dipper deity) and followed by the True Lord of Literary Virtue, leading divine troops from all directions. The incantation employs esoteric mantras like "jiu hong" to suppress evil forces, uses talismans (fulu) to burn away plagues, hunts down demons, eradicates worldly injustices, and delivers sentient beings. It concludes with the imperative phrase "ji ji ru lü ling" to emphasize the incantation's binding power.
Next is the incantation for summoning the Fierce Troops (Changbing). These are Daoism's most ferocious divine soldiers—wide-eyed and wrathful, capable of slaying demons and devouring ghosts. The chant vividly portrays their formidable presence when storming demonic strongholds, asserting the authority of Orthodox Unity (Zhengyi) Daoism (the orthodox Celestial Master tradition), demanding their immediate manifestation upon invocation.
The final incantation calls upon the Immortals of Harmony (Hehe Erxian, deities symbolizing marital bliss and harmony). It depicts these crimson-robed immortals treading golden lotuses, shaking ritual bells, leaving fragrant breezes in their wake. The chant seeks their blessings for peace and prosperity, particularly for commercial success ("li shi" denoting financial fortune). Through reciting mantras like "om hong zha li," the incantation accelerates the immortals' manifestation to facilitate auspicious outcomes.
These incantations collectively demonstrate Daoist religious practices of invoking divine power through specific ritual language to exorcise evil, avert disasters, and safeguard devotees. The frequently recurring phrase "ji ji ru lü ling" (urgently as by divine mandate) serves as a standard Daoist incantation conclusion, indicating the command must be executed as swiftly and authoritatively as a legal decree.
This scripture is a collection of Daoist incantations for exorcism and demon subjugation, containing numerous practical spells. These mantras are primarily used in ritual activities such as summoning deities, suppressing evil entities, and praying for rain.
The first segment, "The Supreme Emperor decrees," is an emergency deity-summoning incantation. It means: The Heavenly Emperor issues a command, urgently gathering divine generals like Nezha and the Vast Heaven General, along with various deities including the Ten Great Barbarian Kings, Eight Fierce Generals, and Six Poisonous Gods. Upon hearing the summons, all must immediately obey the Celestial Master's (high-ranking Daoist priest) orders, capturing evil spirits on sight. The concluding phrase "urgently, urgently, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances" is a common Daoist incantation ending, emphasizing immediate execution like a legal mandate.
The "Command of the Mystic Altar" is a spell for suppressing malevolent forces. When the Golden Wheel Marshal receives this command, he must eradicate demons wherever he goes, binding evil spirits with iron chains and making ghosts vanish before his iron whip. Phrases like "Om Julun Zha" are esoteric mantras possessing special spiritual power.
The "Command of the Rampant Troops" directs the Rampant Soldiers (Daoist guardian warriors). The Zhengyi school's Celestial Wound Primordial Chief (guardian deity) obeys the Celestial Master's orders to swiftly capture troublemakers, thoroughly investigating the Nine Netherworlds to behead evil ghosts. Blessings are bestowed upon the virtuous, calamities upon the wicked, ensuring all who bear hatred suffer punishment. The Rampant Troops may fully demonstrate their divine might in executing these commands.
The "Returning Generals Spell" recalls divine commanders after mission completion. All spirits between heaven and earth, including the Three-Five Celestial Warriors (guardian generals), having fulfilled their duties, shall now return to their original posts. Should they need summoning again, they will respond as effectively as before.
The "Gathering Gangqi Spell" collects the Gangqi (energy accumulated during cultivation). The stars return to their positions, divine beasts assist me, and a hundred deities support me. Wherever I point, my radiance matches the sun and moon.
The "Seal Consecration Spell" refines ritual seals. The Celestial Assistant Star combines with Bing Fire to generate thunderlight, while the Northern Dipper's Pivot Star descends with spiritual energy. Harnessing the Bagua's divine communication power, it shakes the Nine Regions. The Water Department restrains water demons; the Fire Department exterminates fire fiends. It prays for the descent of mysterious qi to permeate the Nine Heavens.
The "Jade Pivot Divine Gang Spell" employs Jade Pivot thunder magic. By command of the Jade Purity True King, it breaks earthly boundaries to summon thunder, executing wickedness. The Five Thunder Envoys swiftly approach the altar, driving out inauspicious forces with the incantation. It informs the Five Thunder Departments to descend divine light, empowering my brush to write talismans. Water demons perish; heretical paths flee.
The "Rain Prayer Spell" invokes precipitation. The Grand Primordial Thunder Master (a thunder deity) embodies thunder-fire essence, condensing Yin-Yang qi to guard the Thunder City. Wind-fire deities ascend the abyss, raising storms and summoning lightning. The Supreme Emperor's decree must be urgently executed—gathering Yang qi to bring sweet rain, instantly commanding dragon kings to release showers.
These incantations demonstrate concrete Daoist ritual methods for summoning deities and dispelling disasters, embodying the religion's principle of "using deities to control ghosts." Each spell's conclusion emphasizes "urgently, urgently, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances," highlighting its mandatory, immediate enforcement.
This scripture is a collection of Daoist incantations for exorcism and demon suppression, containing several powerful divine spells. These incantations are primarily used in rituals to summon thunder deities and subdue malevolent forces.
The opening phrase "Lightning emerges from the dark abyss" serves as an urgent mobilization order, indicating action is taken under the command of the Jade Emperor (the supreme deity in Daoism), with severe punishment for disobedience. The concluding phrase "Swiftly as the law commands" is a common ending in Daoist spells, meaning immediate execution like a legal decree.
The "Dispatch Spell" emphasizes the priest's authority as heaven's representative. Wielding the Celestial Master's (Tianshi) seal and talismans (Daoist ritual implements), the priest commands spiritual affairs, requiring messages to travel faster than shooting stars and magic to manifest quicker than thunder. No delays are permitted across the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and the human realm), and spirits must respond immediately. Any hesitation invites heavenly thunder punishment.
The "Inverted Dipper Spell" harnesses the power of the Eight Trigrams (Bagua: Qian, Kun, Zhen, Li, etc.). Through Yu Steps (a special Daoist footwork technique), it connects with the Tian Gang stars (the Big Dipper) to subdue spirits and dispel inauspicious forces. The mentioned "Kui Gang" refers to the Kui and Gang stars of the Big Dipper constellation, renowned for their demon-quelling power.
The "Thunder Oath Spell" specifically summons thunder generals. Thunder Master Fenglong (a thunder deity title) dominates all directions, commanding the Nine Palaces (a directional system). The priest declares knowledge of the thunder god's true name (in Daoism, knowing a spirit's true name grants control over it), threatening to demote disobedient thunder gods to the status of insects.
The concluding "General Deployment Spell" and "Blazing Fire Great God Spell" both mobilize thunder troops. Thousands upon thousands of thunder-fire officers (thunder department soldiers) stand ready to eradicate all demonic entities. These spells particularly target troublesome spirits haunting ancient temples, springs, and rocks, using celestial might to crush them and protect the people's peace.
These incantations embody the Daoist concept of "acting as heaven's agent." Through specific rituals and true words, priests mobilize cosmic righteous forces to expel evil and uphold virtue. The frequent references to constellations and directional systems reflect Daoism's cosmology of heaven-human correspondence.
The Taishang Sandong Shenzhou (Divine Incantations of the Three Caverns) records several commonly used Daoist incantations for summoning deities, exorcising evil, curing illnesses, or handling specific matters. These incantations all conclude with the phrase "jiji rulüling" (urgently as by the law's command), signifying an immediate order to be carried out.
The first passage is an incantation to summon the thunder generals of the Leibu (Thunder Department). The ritual master claims the ability to control the Five Thunder Envoys (Leibu deities) through breath—summoning them with an inhale and dismissing them with an exhale—demanding swift execution of the command.
The childbirth incantation invokes the radiant light of the sun and moon to ensure a smooth delivery. It includes a line about transforming a female infant into a male (reflecting ancient patriarchal values), safeguarding the mother and child, and granting long life. Jiansheng (the deity overseeing births) leads the way, while Siming (the deity governing life and death) follows behind, holding talismans to hasten labor.
The malaria-curing incantation summons the Qi (vital energy) of Heaven and Earth's Five Phases, the essence of the sun and moon, and the true power of the Four Saints of the North Pole (four Daoist guardian deities). It threatens to bind the malaria-causing demons with golden chains, warning of beheading if they disobey.
An incantation recited before breaking ground for construction. It mentions the nine stars of Heaven, the nine auspicious spirits (Jiuliang) of Earth, the three malevolent spirits (Sansha) of the hour, and the year's Taishi (Golden Deity of Time), along with the mutual generation and restraint of human Five Phases. It warns buried spirits to hide or face annihilation upon the arrival of the divine talisman.
An incantation summoning Celestial Lord Xin (Xin Hanchen, a thunder general of the Leibu). It describes his sword-like teeth, his power to overturn rivers and seas, move mountains, and crush rocks, striking fear into malevolent spirits. Where his gaze falls, mountains crumble; he rides a fiery wheel, soaring on clouds and mist.
The Taiyi (Supreme One) incantation is used to vanquish demons. It speaks of subduing Hanba (the drought-causing monster) and commanding water, fire, wind, and rain. It demands the Thunderous Fire Bells (ritual instruments) act without hesitation to execute the Heavenly Emperor's decree.
Lastly, an incantation for summoning talismanic commands. It invokes mystical forces like the solar essence of Taobin and the lunar essence of Liuxing, praying for the merging of the sun and moon's brilliance and the scattering of jade spring radiance. Through the power of Taishang Laojun (Lord Lao the Most High) and Taiyi, it seeks to annihilate the Nine Demons (various evil spirits).
This scripture contains multiple sets of Daoist exorcistic incantations (spells with supernatural power), primarily used in rituals for summoning deities and subduing evil forces. Here is a section-by-section interpretation:
The first section describes the directional steps of Pacing the Dipper (a Daoist ritual where priests walk according to astral patterns): Starting from the Central Palace position, I move through Yongzhou (corresponding to the Qian trigram), proceed to Liangzhou (Dui trigram), and establish the ritual altar at Yanzhou (Gen trigram). The southern region, belonging to the True Fire position, is Jizhou (Kan trigram), while Jingzhou (Kun trigram) resides above in the Zhen position. Xuzhou (Xun trigram) serves as the foundation of the Azure Dragon, with Yuzhou at the Central Palace. At this moment, the Great Cavern Method (an advanced ritual technique) is performed, capturing malevolent spirits under my spiritual authority.
The phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances" is a common concluding formula in Daoist incantations, signifying immediate execution of celestial law.
The second incantation summons sacred beings from all directions: Four Holy Truths patrol while the Seven Slayers follow. Demon-generals under the Five Directional Thearchs and immortal officials from the Eight Cavern Heavens all submit. As the celestial pivot turns, heavenly troops and earthly generals deploy formations across all directions. By decree, divine soldiers bearing spears and banners guard the left and right, strictly adhering to talismanic commands without disobedience. Capable of soaring to the highest heavens or plunging into the underworld, they inspire awe in ghosts and spirits. Those who comply prosper, while resisters face annihilation.
The third incantation, the Wind-Thunder Covert Capture Talisman, specializes in apprehending evil entities: The Soul-Protecting Black General of Fengdu (the Daoist underworld) eternally exists between heaven and earth. Upon hearing the Supreme Lord Lao's decree, fierce generals must manifest immediately. Harnessing wind and thunder, they secretly seize malevolent forces, binding them instantly.
The fourth incantation, the Three Qi (heaven-earth-human energies) Radiant Light Talisman, offers praise: The Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, the Void Emperor Celestial Worthy, and other supreme deities generate the Nine Heavenly True Script through the Mysterious, Primordial, and Beginning Qi. The Three Luminaries (sun, moon, stars) shine brightly while the Seven Origin Star Lords (Big Dipper) circulate their blessings. Divine light guides departed souls upward along the celestial path.
The final Great Majestic Spirit Incantation summons numerous protectors: The Ding-Jia Generals, Marshal Tianpeng, the Nine Dipper Lords, the Six Jia and Six Ding Spirits, and the Twenty-Eight Constellations all heed the command. The Vermilion Bird, Dark Warrior, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger—the four directional beasts—each fulfill their duties, connecting with the celestial court above and aligning with the underworld below, governing all ghostly troops. Upon issuance of the celestial mandate, ten thousand demons instantly flee.
These incantations exemplify characteristics of Daoist ritual systems: creating powerful fields of spiritual efficacy through specific orientations, astral veneration, and collective deity summons. The recurrent phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances" functions like a modern administrative "execute immediately" order, emphasizing the incantation's instantaneous potency.
The Divine Incantations of the Supreme Three Caverns contains multiple sets of Daoist exorcistic mantras, each concluding with the phrase "urgently as the law commands" (急急如律令), a common formula in Daoism for compelling spirits to act swiftly.
The first incantation, "Annihilation of Transgressors," describes celestial deities deploying formations across the Five Sacred Peaks (五岳), driving out malevolent forces from all directions, with the Thirty-Two Heavens' divine beings in swift pursuit. Amidst the majestic arrangement of all phenomena, the righteous gods command with solemn authority, guarded by eight divine steeds, bringing peace to all things. Those who defy perish, while those who submit receive blessings and wisdom—the divine will flows unimpeded. When the names of the Six Jia and Six Ding (六甲六丁, Daoist guardian generals) are invoked, demons flee in terror wherever the talismanic power reaches.
The "Demon-Subduing Incantation" summons the Six Jia and Six Ding generals, acting under the decree of Lord Lao (太上老君), with the Star Lords of Kui and Gang (魁罡星君, from the Big Dipper constellation) subduing mountain spirits, wild specters, and malevolent earth deities. The incantation concludes with the Book of Changes hexagram phrase "Originating, Penetrating, Beneficial, and Steadfast" (元亨利贞), reinforcing righteous energy.
The "Spirit-Restoring Incantation" describes the practitioner harnessing the power of celestial stars (星罡) from the Xun position (巽位, southeast), wielding thunder and lightning to disperse demonic entities. The incantation depicts the ritual moment—darkened skies, flashing lightning—until the demons are vanquished, the cosmos restored to clarity, and all divine forces merging with the practitioner's body and mind.
The "General Summons Incantation" calls upon the Thunder Department's gods: the Thunder God (雷公), the Azure Lad (青童君), and others hastening from the eastern Xun Palace, each displaying their divine prowess. It mentions Thunder Gods of different attributes (mountain, water, earth, etc.), all capable of toppling peaks and slaying demons, with the Five Directions' envoys arriving upon command.
The "Demon-Slaying Incantation" invokes the power of the Big Dipper (北斗七星), describing how the rotation of its handle causes mountains to crumble and rivers to dry—a force that eradicates calamities and annihilates wicked spirits. It emphasizes that those aligned with the Dipper thrive, while those opposing it perish; the Supreme Deity's decree orders the extermination of demons, and with a single shake of the Fire Bell (火铃), demonic souls scatter to oblivion.
The "Fire Bell Divine Incantation" extols the Fire Bell as the refined essence of the Flame Emperor (炎帝), its radiant flashes illuminating the realms of the Three Pure Ones (三清境). The incantation describes its power incinerating evil across ten thousand miles—a single stamp of the divine seal reduces demons to ashes. The Three-Five Generals (三五将军) lead celestial troops in ceaseless demon-slaying, while flying talismans transmit orders to purge all malevolent forces.
This scripture is a collection of Daoist incantations for exorcism and demon-subjugation, comprising several functionally distinct spells:
The first passage is a Ghost-Dispelling Charm. The practitioner wears the Five-Star crown (a ritual headdress) and wields the fire-bell ritual implement to intimidate all ghosts and spirits. It mentions how the Six Heavens' demonic thieves (six types of malevolent ghosts) shall be handed over to the Celestial Guardians (protective deities) for disposal. The Five Numinous True Elders (guardians of the five directions) serve as the practitioner's root masters, possessing unobstructed supernatural powers. The incantation declares the complete annihilation of evil spirits, with the mighty power of the Central Yellow Ninefold Dao (the path of the central Dantian) permeating all directions, leaving no trace of malign Qi unaddressed. It specifically mentions eliminating the Five Pestilences and Seven Infections (various epidemic diseases), before which no ghost or deity dares disobey. The chant culminates with imagery of the Northern Dipper (Big Dipper constellation) executing corpse-demons and divine swords destroying ghosts.
The second passage is a Fire Deity Charm, venerating the mysterious truth of ancestral Dao (Daoist patriarchs) and the majestic spirits of the Crimson Bright Harmony Yang (fire department deities). It describes how the Central Guardian Star (Saturn) can purge ghostly energies, causing various elements to disintegrate upon encountering this divine power: water boils away, wood burns to ashes, and metal melts. The incantation repeatedly recites the esoteric mantra "Miluo Naro An An Hong Hong," concluding with an invocation of the Eastern Sea's Azure Youth (water deity) to assist in subduing evil entities.
The third passage is a Southern Fire God's Ghost-Capturing Charm, summoning the Southern Bingding Lord (fire department general) to hurl molten metal and fire-bells when seizing demons, demanding ghosts truthfully confess their names under penalty of immediate execution.
The fourth passage is a Household Protection Charm. By the Supreme Emperor's decree, it summons thunder department officers to command the Virtue of the Year and Grand Year Deity (annual guardian) to subdue malevolent earth deities, protecting common people from harm with severe punishment for violators.
The fifth passage is a Plague-Containment Charm. Using the Flying Talismans from the Supreme Mysterious Capital (highest celestial realm), it mobilizes the Nine True Celestial Soldiers to collect plague ghosts' souls and deliver them to Fengdu (the underworld's demon-judgment precinct).
The sixth passage is an Earth-Disturbance Charm. When breaking ground in the five directions (east, south, west, north, center), it invokes the corresponding Wood Star (Jupiter), Blazing Spark Star (Mars), Great White Star (Venus), Chronogram Star (Mercury), and Guardian Star (Saturn) for protection. Should any offense be committed against the deities governing the year, month, day, or hour, the Four Seas' deities are petitioned to mediate resolution.
All these incantations conclude with the emphatic phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with statutes and ordinances," indicating immediate execution akin to legal decrees. They exemplify Daoist religious practices that harness sacred power to control nature, exorcise evil, and cure diseases.
These are several Daoist incantations for exorcising evil spirits and subduing demons, primarily used to vanquish ghosts and summon celestial generals. I will explain them section by section:
The first segment is an exorcism chant meaning: Those zombies lurking in the Northern Sea, malignant energies (Xieqi), and mountain demons (Wangliang) seeking to harm humans must retreat immediately. They shall be beheaded ten million times, their evil qi severed, all calamities eradicated, with no exceptions. The concluding phrase "急急如律令" (urgently as the law commands) is a common Daoist incantation ending indicating immediate execution.
The second segment, the "Fire Bell Possession Incantation," summons the divine generals of Beidi Fengdu (the Daoist ruler of the underworld): The Northern Emperor Fengdu commands countless spirit troops, with eight generals who comprehend spiritual truths. All deities must swiftly capture wandering souls, arriving like rushing clouds, recording life and death, interrogating wronged spirits. According to the talismanic decree (Fulu), they shall possess mediums and declare their names, while the North Pole issues orders to separate humans from ghosts.
The third segment, the "Capture and Dispatch Incantation," commands the Governor of Fengdu (an underworld official): Lead thirty thousand troops to exterminate evil entities—those who dare resist shall be executed immediately. Quickly bind and interrogate them, imposing severe punishments. Following the talisman's decree, attach these spirits to child mediums, as Fengdu's fierce generals deliver precise retribution.
The fourth segment, the "Demon Subduing Incantation," invokes the power of the Dark Emperor of the Northern Yin Golden Palace (an epithet of the North Star Emperor): Slay ghostly entities while the Six Heavens' Demon Kings marshal divine troops bearing blades, spears, and armor. Seize all harmful specters and demonic creatures, delivering them to the Dark Capital (the underworld) for complete annihilation of form and spirit (Xingshen). The talismanic decree of Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) spreads swiftly like wind, fire, and thunder—ghosts perish, humans find peace, heaven and earth are purified.
The fifth segment, the "Summoning Marshal Guan Incantation," is issued by the Northern Emperor's authority: His might shakes the Nine Heavens, his commands reach directly to Fengdu. Urgently summon the great general Guan Yu (Daoism's guardian deity), who upholds this imperial edict to destroy both spirits and ghosts. Pursue all targets regardless of relation—none may disobey, all must respond instantly.
The sixth segment, the "North Pole General Summoning Incantation," harnesses the power of the Polestar: The Northern Emperor's jade decree (Yuzhang) illuminates the celestial realm, penetrating the Central Yellow Emperor's domains within and without, as the North Star's radiance shoots forth. Chanting this incantation generates yang energy, making the Vermilion Brightness (southern quadrant) shine as yin and yang mutually engender. The Vermilion Prison Fire Palace (abode of southern fire deities) suppresses the Three Calamities (disaster, catastrophe, and annual afflictions), while the Southern Dipper Star Lord stands firm. The Horn and Chariot constellations and others guard their stations—when yin and yang unite in summoning, divine majesty descends without delay.
The seventh segment, the "Four Saints Summoning Incantation," invokes the Northern Emperor's decree: Summon the Four True Lords (Daoism's guardian deities), the Jade Commander-in-Chief, thirty-six generals, the radiant Yuan Yaoqi (a divine general's name), twenty-eight lunar mansions, twelve palace deities, celestial warriors (Tian Ding Lishi), and others to provide assistance.
This scripture is a Daoist thunder ritual incantation for exorcising evil forces and suppressing malevolent energies, vividly depicting the summoning of celestial generals to vanquish demons. Terms like "Heavenly Soldiers" (Tianbing, divine warriors) and "Heavenly Marshal Tianpeng" (leader of the Four Saints of the North Pole) refer to the pantheon of Daoist protector deities.
The opening section invokes the Thunder Department's deities—spirits of lightning, wind, clouds, fire, and water—along with the underworld officials of Fengdu (the Daoist realm of the dead), commanding them to heed the summons without delay. The "Decree of the Heavenly Soldiers" section portrays celestial warriors descending at the command of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing, the highest Daoist deities), unleashing divine might to crush demons: mountains crumble, evil spirits bow in submission, the wicked face punishment, and the virtuous are granted life.
The "Four Departments Invocation" meticulously summons the four great protector divisions: the Purple Tenuity Department led by Marshal Tianpeng, the Cosmic Void Department under Vice-Marshal Tianyou, the Demon-Slaying Department of General Heisha, and the Water Department of the Perfect Warrior (Zhenwu). Parallel phrases amplify their awe-inspiring power: iron spears and fans clash, the Thunder God (Leigong) and Lightning Mother (Dianmu) unleash deafening strikes, fire deities unleash blazing infernos, and dragon kings of the water department summon towering waves. Finally, the Northern Emperor (Beiji Ziwei Dadi) personally issues orders, uniting the four departments to pursue and eradicate malignant entities.
These incantations exemplify the Daoist thunder method's principle of "commanding Qi through divine agency," using esoteric mantras to mobilize specific deities and natural forces against evil. The recurring phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances" (急急如律令) is a classic Daoist formula emphasizing the urgency of divine enforcement.
This incantation is the "Purple Tenuity Edict Dispatching Spell" (Zǐwēi Chìqiǎn Zhòu) used in Daoism to summon deities and exorcise evil. It vividly depicts the awe-inspiring scene of the Great Emperor of Purple Tenuity (Zǐwēi Dàdì, a supreme Daoist deity who commands all celestial bodies) marshaling divine generals.
The Great Emperor of Purple Tenuity issues his decree, commanding all gods: Gale winds rush from the southeast (Xun position), thunder roars mightily, the Water Palace (northern water deities) unleashes torrential rain, and the Fire of Li (southern fire deities) surges violently. Clouds soar to the highest heavens, while lightning and thunder intertwine. The Four Demon-Subduing Generals lead the Thunder Gods, and the Dragon-Tiger Riders leave no hiding place for malevolent spirits. They can pierce through mountains, demolish unholy temples, behead demonic creatures, capture evil dragons, subdue fiends, and eradicate ominous forces. The Three-Five Divine Soldiers (a Daoist celestial army) display their might—once they receive my talismanic command, they immediately accomplish their mission. Swiftly, as according to the statutes!
The Great Emperor of Purple Tenuity issues another decree: Seize the vicious demons, overturn heaven and earth, and shake the void. Marshal Qiongkui (another name for Marshal Tianpeng) manifests celestial majesty, while Tianpeng (chief of the Four Saints of the North Pole) radiates awe-inspiring power, his fiery aura towering—he is the ancestor of all deities. The Fierce and Mighty Vice-Marshal Tianyou (one of the Four Saints) proclaims his valor, and all celestial spirits unite in service. The Great Sage Yisheng (another of the Four Saints), also known as the Supreme Spirit of Heavenly Pivot, bears the inner title of the Star Lord of Beckoning Brilliance (Zhāoyáo Xīngjūn), tasked with eradicating wickedness. The Great Sage Zhenwu (the fourth of the Four Saints), also called the Heavenly Warrior and Heavenly Youth, is internally revered as the Dark Warrior (Xuánwǔ), majestically guarding the northern Fengdu (the underworld capital). The Four Saints of the North Pole manifest their divine presence—fierce and heroic, they descend to the mortal realm and ascend to the Jade Lofty Palace (Yùlóng Gōng) of the heavens, stationed within the Southern Dipper and standing amid the Northern Dipper.
The text further describes the divine weapons and powers of the generals: Iron wheels fly westward, fire chariots charge eastward, thunder seizes and lightning dashes, clouds race and winds howl. Heaven and earth plunge into darkness; the sun and moon lose their light. Celestial soldiers form ranks, heavenly steeds gallop, black banners flutter, and divine drums thunder. The Azure Dragon of Jia-Yi (eastern wood deities) appears as an elder with four eyes, spitting meteoric fire and shaking the Imperial Bell. The Vermilion Bird of Bing-Ding (southern fire deities) dwells in the Scarlet Mound Fire Palace, capable of hurling flames for ten thousand miles and striking in all directions with flowing bells (exorcism instruments). The White Tiger of Geng-Xin (western metal deities), the Luminous Spirit, wields weapons, driving crows ahead and releasing venomous wasps behind. The Dark Warrior of Ren-Gui (northern water deities) launches simultaneous assaults of water and fire, while the Celestial Pivot and Earthly Axis (cosmic hinges) reveal their sharp edges. The Serpentine Chariot of Gouchen and Tengshe (central earth deities) seals the four directions, as the Celestial Sovereign Emperor presides at the center of the firmament.
The Thunder Lord of the Jade Pivot Court (Yùshū Yuàn) commands all thunder generals, controlling lightning, water, fire, and wind. The golden-essence beasts, the White and Azure Thunder Beasts (Bái Xún Qīng Lì), enforce the Mandate of Heaven, annihilating baleful stars and severing demonic rainbows. The boundless power of thunder pervades the high heavens, with wind-fire edicts transforming endlessly. The incantation concludes with cosmic phenomena: Black qi rises, purple qi merges, the Dharma-realm glows crimson, and flickering red light intertwines with murky darkness. Yin qi chills, yang qi blazes. The Thunder Immortal, Wind Immortal, Water Immortal, Lightning Immortal, and Thunderbolt Immortal each display their powers—flying spears and whirling halberds, moving mountains and uprooting trees, dense fog and swirling dust, stones hurled through the air.
This scripture records several important incantations for exorcising evil spirits in Daoism, primarily drawn from the Fire Section spells of the Taishang Sandong Shenzhou (Divine Incantations of the Three Caverns) and the decrees of the Northern Emperor. These mantras are used in Daoist rituals to summon deities and subdue demons.
The first incantation describes the fiery deity known as the Great God of Swift Fire (欻火大神): crimson-haired with massive wings, eyes flashing like lightning, wielding divine implements such as the Thunder Drill and Thunder Axe, capable of splitting mountains and overturning seas. This deity acts under the command of the Four Saints of the North Pole (Daoist guardian spirits) to eradicate all manner of demonic entities. The incantation also lists the names of fire gods from the four directions: Zhurong (祝融), the Solar Fire God of the southeast (an ancient fire deity); Chuli (楚澧), the Golden Fire God of the west; Songgong (宋恭), the Thunder Fire God of the northeast; and Masong (马娀), the Blazing Fire God of the northwest—along with various other fire generals of heaven and earth. It concludes with the standard Daoist phrase "Jiji rulüling" (急急如律令), meaning "swiftly, as decreed by law," signifying immediate execution.
The second incantation, the "Summoning the Malevolent Spirits Spell" (召煞咒), petitions the Northern Emperor (北极紫微大帝, an important Daoist deity) for his decree, invoking the powers of Rahu (罗睺, an inauspicious star) and the Earthly Fiend (土宿). The incantation depicts terrifying scenes of darkened skies, obscured sun and moon, and commands the immediate sealing of mountains, rivers, seas, and winds to suppress demonic forces.
The third, the "Lowering the Protective Net Spell" (下罩咒), also begins with the Northern Emperor’s decree, constructing a spiritual barrier by sealing the Celestial Gate (天门) and Earthly Door (地户, Daoist cosmological concepts). It sequentially summons 100,000 celestial soldiers from each of the five directions (east, south, west, north, and center): the Wood Division from the east, the Fire Division from the south, the Metal Division from the west, the Water Division from the north, and the Earth Division from the center—all uniting to guard and vanquish evil.
The "Great Numinous Nine Palaces Spell" (太灵九宫咒) petitions the Great One of the Nine Palaces (九宫太一, a Daoist stellar deity) for protection, ensuring the safeguarding of a hundred spirits and the tranquility of the soul, ultimately leading to longevity and harmony with the heavens.
The final three short incantations include: the "Decree Spell" (敕令咒), commanding swords to stand like a forest in battle formation; the "Urging Capture Spell" (催捉咒), ordering the Northern Emperor’s divine generals to swiftly bind demons; and the "Tranquil Water Spell" (澶水咒, partially lost, likely a water-based ritual). These spells exemplify the Daoist belief in harnessing sacred language to mobilize cosmic forces and subdue malevolent entities.
This scripture records several powerful divine incantations in Daoism, primarily used for summoning deities and exorcising evil spirits. Each incantation concludes with the phrase "urgently as by divine decree" (jiji rulüling), commanding immediate execution of the order.
The first incantation, "Decree of the Northern Emperor," summons various deities under the command of the Great Emperor of Purple Tenuity (Zǐwēi Dàdì, an important Daoist deity) from the northern celestial realm. These include deities governing heaven and earth, dragon kings of the four seas, and the Iron-Faced General, all mobilized to eradicate malevolent forces. The incantation specifically invokes nine water deities (such as Dongzi and Mingzi), each presiding over aquatic domains.
The "General-Summoning Incantation" specifically calls upon thunder department generals, including the Five Thunder Generals (important thunder deities in Daoism) and the Two Saints of Kuí and Gāng (deities associated with the Big Dipper), harnessing lightning's power to vanquish demons. The "Sword-Consecration Incantation" empowers ritual swords with divine might, enabling them to shake heaven and earth, crumble mountains, and destroy ghosts.
The "Celestial Warrior Summons" and "General Chen Summons" respectively invoke the Heavenly Warriors (Tiāndīng lìshì, celestial soldiers) and the Northern Pole's Great General Chen Sheng (a Daoist guardian deity). These martial deities wield divine weapons specialized in subduing evil. The "Commander Lingguan Decree" summons Marshal Ma, Chief of the Lingguan (foremost among Daoist guardian deities), who commands thunder department generals and rides clouds to capture demons.
The final "Decree of Divine Mobilization" emphasizes that these incantations derive their supreme authority directly from the Celestial Emperor's mandate, equivalent to the emperor's personal presence. All summoned deities must obey immediately or face severe punishment. These incantations exemplify Daoist religious practices that employ sacred language to harness cosmic forces and subdue malevolent entities.
This scripture is a collection of incantations from Daoist Thunder Magic (a ritual practice harnessing the power of lightning), containing multiple secret spells for summoning thunder deities, activating lightning, and exorcising evil spirits. Each incantation concludes with "ji ji ru lü ling" (urgently as the decree commands), a specialized Daoist phrase commanding spirits to act immediately.
The first passage invokes the pantheon of Thunder Ministry deities. "Ju ni lei fu mie xing" (those who resist shall be annihilated by the thunder axe) warns of divine retribution, while "om hong hong" represents seed syllables (sacred sound vibrations with magical potency) in Thunder Magic, followed by orders for all deities to respond to the talismanic summons without delay.
The "Jade Sound Summoning Spell" consists largely of Sanskrit-derived syllables, primarily invoking Deng Xie (a principal Thunder General, also known as the Great Deity of Swift Fire). Repeated syllables like "tan ti" carry specific vibrational frequencies serving as secret codes to communicate with thunder deities.
The "Decree for Thunder Deployment Spell" systematically summons the Five Directional Thunder Deities (from Thunder One to Thunder Five), along with the Thunder Ministry's celestial officers including the Dark Master and Six Matriarchs. Each thunder god has distinct functions—for instance, "Black Qilidi" likely refers to a thunder deity governing shadowy realms.
The "Three Marshals' Thunder Activation Secret Spell" details Thunder Magic's concrete powers: the first thunderclap terrifies humans, the second splits the earth, and the third forces even celestial beings to cover their ears. This passage vividly demonstrates Thunder Magic's awe-inspiring capability where "one sound startles mortals, two sounds fracture the earth."
The "Thunder Acceleration Spell" employs onomatopoeia to depict varying thunder intensities: "de de" for faint thunder, "𡅗𡅗" for mighty thunder, "ji ji" for joyous thunder, and "le le" for wrathful thunder. It concludes by beseeching thunder deities to soar from all directions to assist.
The "Soul Flight and Possession Spell" involves soul manipulation techniques, summoning elemental spirits like the Metal Star (representing metallic essence), True Water, and True Fire to bind living souls with ghostly entities. The phrase "patrolling heaven and earth with a soul-catching bag" vividly illustrates the process of spirit capture.
The "Exorcism Spell" mobilizes esoteric energies from the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition—including the Three Luminaries and Eight Scenes—harnessing natural forces like black winds and thunderbolts to expel possessing demons.
Finally, the "Summoning Marshal Yin Spell" briefly invokes the Fierce General of the Year (one of the annual Tai Sui deities), demanding his swift arrival like wind and fire. These incantations collectively embody Thunder Magic's foundational principle of "merging one's primordial Qi (vital energy) with thunder Qi," achieving resonance with thunder deities through specific sound vibrations.
This scripture is a collection of Daoist incantations for exorcising evil and subduing demons, containing several potent divine spells. It primarily depicts scenes of summoning celestial generals and mobilizing cosmic forces to vanquish malevolent entities.
The first spell, "Thunder Dispels Clouds and Wields Lightning," vividly portrays the majestic mobilization of thunder deities: lightning flashes amidst rolling thunder, meteors streak like fiery rain, as divine generals advance with yellow banners leading the way and panther-tail flags bringing up the rear. Seventy-two types of vicious ghosts and malignant spirits are instantly slain upon encounter, while mountain goblins and spectral creatures are utterly annihilated. The passage concludes by emphasizing the immediate execution of the Celestial Emperor's decree—disobedience results in destruction by wind and fire.
The second passage, the "Seal Invocation Spell," harnesses the power of the central Earth phase (Wuji Earth among the Five Phases): myriad deities submit, while all evil spirits dare not look directly. The incantation can reverse the Yellow River's flow, topple the Five Sacred Mountains, and wither entire forests. The practitioner channels the power of the Big Dipper deities ("Dou Niu" refers to the Northern Dipper) to disperse demonic entities, with local earth gods safeguarding righteous energy. The final line declares that when this divine seal shines upon them, all evil beings will dissolve into pools of blood.
The third passage, the "Refinement and Forging Spell," details Neidan (internal alchemy) practice: practitioners must calm their minds and regulate breath ("spirit in silent focus"), circulating crimson Qi (vital energy) through the Dantian (energy center) until it ascends to the crown point (muddy pellet). Through the "Golden Bridge" (an energetic pathway in internal visualization), they connect with the Seven Origin Star Deities, inviting the Kui Star's descent. The practice involves mindful breathing ("inhale gently, swallow softly"), concentrating golden light between the eyebrows, ultimately transforming it into a flying sword to slay demons.
The subsequent two passages summon specific divine generals:
The first calls upon the Great Black Tiger Deity (Liu the Great) of Wudang Mountain, who commands three hundred thousand celestial troops and shakes thunderbolts to capture demonic creatures. The incantation urgently commands his swift arrival at the ritual altar.
The second summons Marshal Wen (a Daoist guardian deity), directing him to mobilize the forces of Heaven and Earth to subdue supernatural beings. The spell concludes with esoteric mantras ("Om Hong Hong" resembling Buddhist dhāraṇī), reinforcing the immediate execution of the Northern Emperor's (Zhenwu the Perfected Warrior) decree.
All spells terminate with the standard Daoist phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with statutes and ordinances," emphasizing immediate enforcement akin to legal mandates. Collectively, these passages demonstrate Daoist religious practice—harnessing divine power through incantations to conquer evil and subdue demons.
The incantations in the Supreme Three Caverns Divine Spells serve as mystical formulas in Daoism for summoning deities and exorcising demons. Each chant corresponds to specific scenarios, possessing distinct functions and powers.
The first incantation, "Qi (vital energy) lingers while dark mists gather," is a secret phrase for invoking deities. It enables practitioners to perceive subtle energies and commune with the divine, compelling the summoned spirits to respond immediately. The concluding phrase "urgently, urgently, as the law commands" is a common ending in Daoist spells, emphasizing that the command must be executed without delay.
The "Demon-Slaying Incantation" is specifically designed to subdue malevolent spirits. It describes the Demon-Slaying General leading celestial troops to encircle and vanquish evil entities amid dark clouds, ensuring that all demons—whether close or distant—are subdued without defiance.
The "Ghost-Capturing Incantation" is used to seize haunting specters. It summons divine generals such as the Heavenly Origin True General and the Earthly Armor Great General, demanding their immediate manifestation to capture malevolent ghosts from all directions—east, west, south, and north—ensuring they face due punishment.
The "Thunder God Summoning Incantation" calls upon the Thunder Department’s divine generals. The Five Thunder Generals, capable of multiplying into countless forms, command lightning, wind, and clouds. The chant requires them to descend swiftly to the ritual altar and obey the practitioner’s directives.
The "Servant-Dispatching Incantation" is used to send divine envoys on missions. It summons deities like the Heavenly Joy Venerable God, who carry talismanic decrees to the Xun Palace (southeast direction) to relay orders, demanding the swift appearance of Yuanbo (a certain deity).
The "Evil-Purging Edict Incantation" is a decree for capturing malevolent entities. It commands celestial and earthly deities, including City Gods, to jointly execute the divine mandate—capturing rebellious ghosts, crushing evil spirits, and showing no mercy. Those who resist will face heavenly retribution.
The "Four Duty Officers Summoning Incantation" calls upon the Year, Month, Day, and Hour Duty Gods (Zhigongcao). It demands they traverse the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and the underworld) and respond swiftly to the summons.
The "Filth-Destroying General Summoning Incantation" invokes purifying deities like the Nine Phoenix Perfected Being (Jiufeng Zhenren). Clad in crimson robes and wielding a sword, the Nine Phoenix Perfected Being hovers above the practitioner to offer protection. Though the chant is incomplete, its formidable power in dispelling impurity and evil is evident.
These incantations are magical formulas from the Daoist scripture Taishang Sandong Shenzhou (Divine Incantations of the Three Caverns), used for exorcism, blessing, and cultivation practices. Each chant concludes with "urgently and swiftly as the law commands" (jiji rulü ling), a standard Daoist talismanic phrase indicating immediate execution of the command.
The first segment is an exorcism chant. When casting this spell, the practitioner visualizes spewing forth towering flames from the mouth, assisted by nine phoenixes (symbolizing auspiciousness) to dispel foul and evil qi. This is commonly used by Daoist priests for purifying sacred spaces or expelling malevolent forces.
The "Gaodou Weiyin Zhou" (Subtle Sound Petition to the Dipper) is an invocation to the Big Dipper (a primary object of stellar worship in Daoism). It mentions the seven stars of the Dipper's bowl (the first four stars of the Big Dipper), two auxiliary stars, the Three Terraces constellation, the Six Ding Jade Maidens (Daoist guardian goddesses), and the Four Generals of the Purple Tenuity (deities from the Purple Forbidden Enclosure). Reciting this chant a hundred times can prolong life, avert disasters, exterminate demons, neutralize poisons, and bring prosperity and well-being.
The "Secret Summons Incantation" is an esoteric chant for longevity and wish fulfillment. Deities like the Yang Brilliance Star and Yin Essence Star (two of the nine stars in the Dipper constellation) will assist in erasing death records from the registers, granting immortality, and ultimately enabling ascension to the celestial realms.
The "Dipper Seal Incantation" accompanies rituals using the Big Dipper seal. Practitioners must light ritual incense and devoutly petition the Northern Emperor (supreme deity of Dipper worship), the Three Luminaries (sun, moon, and stars), the Nine Luminaries (major celestial bodies), and celestial troops to align the ritual's power with cosmic harmony.
The "Transformation Incantation" facilitates advanced shape-shifting magic. Through visualization of heaven and earth's primordial qi, the practitioner unites the body's authentic qi (innate vital energy) with the Hundred Spirits (internal deities), ultimately achieving astral projection and celestial travel.
The "Purification Incantation" prepares the body and mind for cultivation. The Green Yang (yang qi of the east) stabilizes true essence, while golden light (the illumination seen in Daoist practice) permeates the entire being, aiding the practitioner's meditative state.
The final "Lingyang Swift Response Great Achievement Incantation" seeks immediate divine intervention. Whether in heaven or earth, sincere petitions will prompt deities to manifest through spirit writing (such as planchette divination) and grant guidance to fulfill wishes.
This scripture collects various Daoist incantations primarily used for summoning deities, exorcising evil spirits, and conducting rain-praying rituals. Each incantation concludes with "ji ji ru lü ling" (urgently as by divine decree), a standard Daoist talismanic phrase commanding immediate execution.
The "Spirit Child Quick Descent Incantation" summons protective spirit children (hufa tongzi) to descend swiftly. The "Celestial Child Incantation" depicts a heavenly child residing in the central palace (a key acupoint in the body), riding a tiger and commanding a fire dragon while holding a precious fan with effortless grace. Supplicants may make any request, with urgent matters being revealed through dreams.
The "Great Northern Dipper Incantation" invokes the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper (crucelestial deities in Daoism). These stars govern the world's righteous Qi, capable of severing evil at its root. They descend upon altars riding clouds, their authentic Qi (primordial energy) penetrating water and fire. Reciting this incantation repels ten thousand demons, slays evil spirits, and assists the deceased in ascending to immortality.
The "Marshal Guan's Great Oath Incantation" summons the Radiant Spirit General (Lord Guan the Sage), robed in white astride an iron steed, with crimson forehead and azure headscarf, commanding a million underworld troops specialized in capturing ghosts and binding demons. The incantation vividly describes his awe-inspiring presence and formidable spiritual power.
The "Summoning Psychic Messenger Incantation" calls upon Jiang Rui, a spirit messenger residing within the Northern Dipper who rides clouds and lightning to swiftly aid sentient beings. The incantation sternly warns of calamity should the messenger delay response.
The "Five Thunder Embodiment Incantation" explains how cultivation enables practitioners to embody the Five Thunders (Daoist representations of celestial thunder), wielding their power to eliminate disasters. It references harmonizing the Three Palaces (upper, middle, and lower Dantian) to return true Qi to the Flowery Chamber (Dantian), merging with cosmic energies.
The "Dragon Summoning Incantation" for rain rituals vividly portrays the Dragon King arriving with black clouds. It mentions the Rain Master, Five Dragons, and other precipitation deities, alongside supreme elders like Taihao Haoweng and Ebo who govern wind and rain.
These incantations exemplify Daoism's characteristic use of specialized language to communicate with the divine, requiring corresponding ritual implements and ceremonial protocols for proper application.
This scripture contains several Daoist incantations for summoning thunder deities and harnessing celestial forces to expel evil influences. Here is the detailed content:
The first passage is an incantation for mobilizing mountain and river energies. Chanting the mantra "Om Hong Hong" calls forth the vital energies (Qi) of sacred landscapes and stellar essences to coalesce into a protective canopy (a ritual umbrella-shaped auspicious cloud in Daoist liturgy). It commands the earth to rise as mist, ordering thunder messengers and spirit lords governing Qi to immediately execute the Celestial Emperor's decree without delay.
The second passage summons dragon deities through talismanic commands. It invokes the Five Thunder Commanders (Wulei Sheling) - the supreme thunder deities - demanding their swift manifestation. References to flaming wheels, axe-drums and other ritual implements emphasize the thunder gods' fierce power and immediate response.
The third passage specifically invokes Commander Du Lingyang of Yang Thunder. Beginning with ritual homage, this deity governs yang thunder and commands the Five Directions' earth spirits. The incantation describes the thunder pantheon's awesome might: thirteen lieutenant generals displaying miraculous powers to shatter mountains, overturn seas, and splinter forests amid lightning strikes and torrential storms. The practitioner petitions these thunder gods to purify heaven and earth, with five directional thunder energies (yellow, azure, white, etc.) striking from their respective quarters to eradicate all malign forces. The conclusion emphasizes the Thunder God's awe-inspiring power across all directions, with various lightning manifestations requiring instant fulfillment.
Each incantation concludes with "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with statutes and ordinances" (Ji Ji Ru Lü Ling), the standard Daoist command phrase for immediate enforcement. Names like Yang Ji and Sun De refer to thunder generals, while "Nine Palaces" denotes the eight trigram (Bagua) directions plus center. Terms like Xun-wind and Gen-palace are classic Bagua directional references.
Source text: Kanripo 漢籍リポジトリ(KR5a0078); Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Report an error / feedback