《上清瓊宮靈飛六甲左右上符》

This scripture describes the practice methods and effects of the "Lingfei Liujia Talismans" (Spiritual Flight Six Jia Talismans), a set of important Daoist talismans transmitted within the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition, a major early Daoist school. It explains how wearing and cultivating these talismans can summon the Six Jia Divine Generators and Jade Maidens as protectors, granting various supernatural abilities.

The main content can be understood as follows:

The full name of these talismans is the "Shangqing Qionggong Lingfei Liujia Left and Right Upper Talismans," containing the names of sixty Six Jia Jade Maidens along with their corresponding left and right talisman diagrams. They were transmitted by the Supreme Ultimate Perfected Lord of the Nine Bureaus of the Supreme Ultimate from the Great Lord of Jade Dawn (Yu Chen Da Dao Jun), also known as the "True Formula of Jade Essence" or the "Way Within Radiance."

The effects of cultivating these talismans are extraordinary:

• Summoning the Six Jia Divine Generators (Daoist guardian deities, divided into six yang and six yin divisions) to ride six dragons on celestial patrols.
• Riding white phoenix carriages or black phoenixes to roam immortal mountains.
• Gaining abilities such as invisibility, invulnerability to weapons, and immunity to fire and water.
• Commanding wind and rain, and controlling spirits and deities.
• Receiving protection from mountain deities and being welcomed by Jade Maidens.
• After six years of continuous practice, the Six Jia Divine Generators will manifest and converse with the practitioner.
• After fourteen years of cultivation, one may be welcomed into the immortal realms, ascending in dragon chariots or phoenix carriages.

Specific practice methods:

1. On every jia day (days marked by the celestial stem jia) at dawn.

2. Face the designated direction (wang fang) with closed eyes, engaging in inner observation.

3. Visualize all Six Jia Jade Maidens of the current ten-day cycle arriving before you.

4. Clearly visualize their attire and appearance.

5. After visualization, perform prostrations.

The scripture particularly emphasizes the need for purity of heart, few desires, and solitary practice in a quiet chamber during cultivation. Lustful or delusional thoughts must be avoided, as only a clear and tranquil mind can achieve results. This exemplifies the Shangqing tradition's cunsi (visualization) practice, where focused mental concentration facilitates communion with divine beings.

This scripture outlines a Daoist ritual practice with the following key elements:

Begin by performing six tooth-tappings (a cultivation technique) and swallowing saliva sixty times, then softly recite the incantation. The mantra essentially invokes divine protection from celestial guardians on both sides, seeking supernatural powers to command all beings, ward off evil, and avoid harm. The practitioner visualizes wearing immortal robes and wielding ritual implements (such as sacred talismans [Fulu] and the Flowing Gold Fire Bell) to summon spirits, subdue demons, and ultimately achieve rejuvenation and immortality. The incantation also mentions the "Six Jia Jade Maidens" (six goddess-generals) who will heed the practitioner's commands.

After reciting the mantra, close the eyes in seated meditation with palms resting on the knees. This practice must be conducted in secrecy—being observed by others would diminish its efficacy. Total concentration is required without distraction.

Before ingesting the talismanic scriptures (Fulu, ritual texts for divine communication), first invoke the name of the Jade Maiden governing that particular day, then chant another incantation. This second mantra petitions the vital energies [Qi] of heaven and earth for empowerment, granting supernatural abilities to summon deities and command all creation, ultimately attaining ascension to the immortal realm.

The scripture concludes by listing the names and titles of the Eight Supreme Mysterious Jade Maidens, each corresponding to specific celestial stems and earthly branches (e.g., Jiazi, Yichou days). These divine beings must be invoked during practice, and their talismans should be inscribed with cinnabar.

(Note: This text reflects the Shangqing tradition's cultivation methods through incantations, visualization, and talismanic ingestion, pursuing supernatural transformations and longevity. The "Six Jia Jade Maidens" constitute an important system of guardian deities in Daoism.)

This scripture records the names and iconographic attributes of three groups of jade maidens serving as Dharma protectors in the Lingfei Liujia talismans (Fulu) of the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) Daoist tradition. These celestial maidens belong to three distinct palaces—Tai Xuan (Great Mystery), Huang Su (Yellow Simplicity), and Tai Su (Great Simplicity)—each overseeing specific ritual talismans.

The first group corresponds to the Tai Xuan Palace maidens for the Ren Shen (壬申) to Gui You (癸酉) years:

• The Ren Shen year maiden is named Shuang Huang, styled Feng Wen ("Phoenix Script")
• The Gui You year maiden is named Long Ying, styled Huan Sheng ("Joyous Birth")

They wear dark crimson brocade capes over blue gauze skirts with floral motifs, carrying the Jade Essence Divine Tiger Talisman, a ritual implement used in Daoist practice.

The second group comprises ten Huang Su Palace maidens for the Jia Xu (甲戌) to Gui Wei (癸未) years:

From Jia Xu's maiden Shen Guang (styled Fei Lian, "Swift Wind") to Gui Wei's Liang Ying (styled E Chang, "Radiant Beauty"), each possesses unique names and epithets.

They don blue upper garments with crimson skirts, adorned with tri-colored cloud collars (blue, red, and yellow) and vermilion shoes, holding green jade spirit talismans.

The third group consists of ten Tai Su Palace maidens for the Jia Shen (甲申) to Gui Si (癸巳) years:

From Jia Shen's Zhen Yuan (styled Qiong Shi, "Jade Rock") to Gui Si's An Tian (styled Sha Feng, "Desert Wind").

Their attire features green robes with crimson skirts, blue-and-red cloud collars, and azure shoes, similarly bearing green jade talismans.

Note: These jade maidens constitute vital protective deities within the Daoist cultivation system. During specific rituals or meditative practices, practitioners recite their names and visualize their forms. The notation "adjust as appropriate" indicates flexibility in practical application. Each maiden's name carries profound Daoist symbolism—for instance, "Phoenix Script" signifies auspiciousness, while "Swift Wind" embodies rapid movement—reflecting their respective cosmological functions.

This scripture records the names and attire of three groups of Lingfei Jade Maidens (celestial female immortals) in the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) Daoist tradition:

The first group comprises ten Jade Maidens from the "Jiawu Crimson Palace Jade Maiden Division":

1. Danchun (Daoist name Yunling)

2. Sanyang (Daoist name Linghua)

3. Zhujing (Daoist name Xuanzhu)

4. Baoyun (Daoist name Lüxian)

5. Fangbin (Daoist name Shixiang)

6. Qingying (Daoist name Nanling)

7. Lingqun (Daoist name Qudeng)

8. Sumei (Daoist name Qiqing)

9. Fenhua (Daoist name Weizhi)

10. Yaoying (Daoist name Xi'an)

They wear light crimson upper garments with dark blue long skirts, adorned with blue-crimson celestial ribbons (xianjia ornaments), holding green jade talismans and wearing vermilion immortal slippers.

The second group consists of ten Jade Maidens from the "Jiachen Worship Essence Palace Jade Maiden Division":

1. Longyuan (Daoist name Lingsu)

2. Huanting (Daoist name Yitai)

3. Yingzhi (Daoist name Yusheng)

4. Zhaofeng (Daoist name Chang'e)

5. Yehua (Daoist name Yunying)

6. Mimming (Daoist name Shengfei)

7. Zixu (Daoist name Ronghuan)

8. Fenghua (Daoist name Lü'an)

9. Yifang (Daoist name Shangqi)

10. Baohua (Daoist name Yizhao)

They don yellow upper garments with light blue long skirts, similarly wearing blue-crimson celestial ribbons and vermilion slippers while holding green jade talismans.

The third group presents the first four of the "Jiayin Azure Essence Jade Maidens":

1. Qixian (Daoist name Huijing)

2. Qingxiang (Daoist name Esheng)

3. Youchang (Daoist name Chenhui)

4. Fuhua (Daoist name Guangfu)

(The record here appears incomplete, suggesting there should be ten maidens as in previous groups)

These Jade Maidens' names predominantly incorporate natural elements (clouds, blossoms, fungi) and luminous imagery (radiance, dawn light), reflecting Daoist veneration of natural forces. Their color combinations (crimson-blue, yellow-blue, etc.) likely correspond to specific symbolic meanings within the Five Phases (Wuxing) theory. In Daoist cultivation practices, these Jade Maidens are frequently invoked as protective deities.

This scripture records the detailed contents concerning the "Green Essence Jade Maidens" (Qingyao Yunü) from the Lingfei Liujia (Spiritual Flight of Six Jia) talismanic methods of the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition. It primarily includes the names of the jade maidens, methods for ingesting talismans (Fulu), and related taboos.

First listed are the names of the six Green Essence Palace's Spiritual Flight Jade Maidens:

• The jade maiden corresponding to Wuwu day is named Lüyun (Green Clouds), styled Anhe
• The one for Jiwei day is named Jinsheng (Golden Sound), styled Qutai
• For Gengshen day: Biaoyou (Soaring Wanderer), styled Yunfei (Cloud Flight)
• For Xinyou day: Qinxian (Intimate Virtue), styled Gaoying (Lofty Excellence)
• For Renxu day: Shenzhu (Divine Pearl), styled Guanzhong (Penetrating Multitude)
• For Guihai day: Yunhui (Cloud Return), styled Baosheng (Embracing Life)

The text then explains two primary methods for ingesting the talismans:

1. Supreme Ultimate Jade Essence True Formula Upper Talisman (for male practitioners only):

• Begin on Jiazi day, ingesting every two days
• Take at dawn, with an additional dose at midday during the eight seasonal nodes (Baije)

2. Supreme Ultimate Jade Essence True Formula Upper Talisman (for female practitioners only):

• Begin on Yichou day, ingesting every two days
• Take at dawn, with an additional dose at midnight during the eight seasonal nodes

Essential cultivation instructions:

• These two talismans form the foundation of the Lingfei Liujia method
• Six days of purification (Zhai) are required before ingestion
• Only after sixty consecutive days may one ingest the Sixty Jade Maidens Talismans
• Prolonged practice can connect with divine spirits (Shen), access myriad essences (Jing), and aid in ascension to immortality
• Male and female practitioners must use their respective designated names

Strict prohibitions:

• Avoid contact with funeral affairs or places of death
• Must not share beds with others
• Clothing cannot be lent to others
• Abstain from the Five Pungent Vegetables (onions, garlic, etc.) and meat of the Six Domestic Animals
• Strict prohibition against sexual relations (emphasized particularly)
• Violations will cause loss of spiritual essence (Shen) and invasion of pathogenic Qi (Xieqi)
• Regular incense burning at the bedside is recommended

Finally, the text describes the attire characteristics of the jade maidens from various palaces:

• The Taiyuan Palace's Jiazi Jade Maiden wears a dark brocade cape with a blue gauze skirt
• The Huangsu Palace's Jiaxu Jade Maiden wears a yellow brocade cape with purple gauze skirt
• The Taisu Palace's Jiashen Jade Maiden wears a white brocade cape with red gauze skirt
• The Jiang Palace's Jiawu Jade Maiden wears a red brocade cape with blue gauze skirt

All Spiritual Flight Jade Maidens hold the Jade Essence Spirit Tiger Talisman, wear their hair in triangular topknots, with the remaining locks flowing down to their waists.

This scripture records the cultivation methods and transmission history of the Shangqing Qionggong Lingfei Liujia Zuoyou Shangfu (Highest Clarity Jade Palace Numinous Flight Six Jia Left and Right Upper Talismans). It primarily describes the iconography of the Six Jia Jade Maidens (Daoist guardian goddesses), the requirements for talismanic cultivation, and stories of accomplished practitioners.

Iconography of the Six Jia Jade Maidens:

• The Jia-Chen Jade Maiden wears purple brocade shoulder drapes and a flying skirt of jade-green gauze
• The Jia-Yin Jade Maiden wears purple brocade shoulder drapes and a flying skirt of cinnabar-blue feathers
• Both hold the Jade Essence Golden Tiger Talisman (a Daoist ritual implement)
• Their hair is arranged in three cloud-like topknots, with the remaining locks flowing down to their waists

Cultivation Requirements:

1. Requires 62 special talismans originally obtained by the Four Perfected Ones of the Supreme Ultimate Upper Palace from the Supreme Lord of the Dao

2. Practitioners must:

• Maintain physical and mental purity
• Abstain from the five defilements (wulei)
• Renounce worldly desires
• Focus on visualization (meditation)
• Burn incense in quiet cultivation
• Accumulate virtuous deeds (De)

3. With diligent practice, the Six Jia Divine Maidens will descend to assist within one year

4. Mastery leads to immortality, while disbelief condemns one to the Nine Springs (hell)

Transmission History:

• This method can only be transmitted to those of utmost sincerity
• First attained by Song Dexuan during King Xuan of Zhou's reign, who could travel 3,000 li daily and shapeshift into birds and beasts
• Later transmitted to Xu Weiyuan, a perfected one from Mount Jiuyi
• Several female practitioners achieved success:
• Guo Shaoyao: daughter of Han dynasty general Guo Qian
• Zhao Ai'er: elder sister of You Province governor Liu Yu's wife, attained liberation from the corpse (shijie xian)
• Wang Lulian: daughter of a Wei dynasty city gate commandant who later became a mountain recluse

The scripture concludes with verification by Lady Wei of Southern Peak (a renowned female immortal), noting these practitioners now dwell either in the Mystic Isle paradise or the Eastern Florescence Fangzhu immortal terrace.

This scripture records the transmission rituals and taboos of the Shangqing Qionggong Lingfei Liujia Zuoyou Shangfu (The Left and Right Superior Talismans of the Six Jia from the Jade Palace of Highest Clarity). Its main contents are as follows:

When this secret method was first transmitted to Ziqi (a scholar from the Wei state during the Warring States period and tutor to the Prince of Qinghe), a supernatural phenomenon occurred—a woman suddenly went mad, ran wildly, and then vanished without a trace.

The scripture emphasizes that to cultivate the Shangqing Liujia Lingfei concealment and flight technique (a Daoist method for invisibility and aerial travel), one must ingest these authentic talismans to move freely through the eight directions. Transmission of this sacred text must strictly follow the selection criteria outlined in the Siji Mingke (Code of the Four Poles): the core scriptures of the Shangqing tradition require an oath-swearing ceremony and may be transmitted to no more than six individuals within seven hundred years. Beyond this time limit, further transmission is forbidden.

Recipients of the transmission must: observe seven days of purification fasting and present ritual offerings to the scripture-transmitting master (including six taels of gold, sixty feet of white silk, six pairs of gold rings, six taels of blue silk thread, and twenty-two feet each of five-colored silks). These offerings replace the ancient "hair-cutting and blood-drinking" oath ritual. Practitioners must strictly maintain secrecy; violating this oath will subject both their seven generations of ancestors and themselves to the "wind-blade punishment" (a Daoist concept of excruciating torment). After death, they will be condemned in the underworld to carry stones from Mount Meng to fill the Mengjin River (symbolizing eternal suffering).

The master receiving these ritual offerings must use them solely to aid the poor, sick, orphans, and elderly—never for personal gain. Violators will be monitored by the Sanguan (the Three Officials: celestial, terrestrial, and aquatic deities of Daoism) and degenerate into lowly ghosts after death. The text concludes with a stern warning for practitioners to uphold reverence and caution at all times.