《太上九真妙戒金籙度命拔罪妙經》

The Marvelous Scripture of the Nine True Precepts and Golden Register for Salvation and Deliverance from Sins (Modern Interpretation):

At that time, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, the supreme deity of Daoism) resided in the Three Origin Palace within the Nine Pure Marvelous Realms. Seated upon a magnificent jade throne formed from the congealed Three Qi (heavenly, earthly, and human energies) beneath the Qianshu Tree, he was joined by the Lord of the Dao (Taishang Daojun), the Most High Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun), the Nine August Sovereign Perfected Ones, the Great Sages Soaring Through Heaven, the Perfected Ones of Wondrous Practice, and countless other immortals. Together with the Four Directors and Five Thearchs, celestial dragons, divine beings, and ghostly officials, they gathered upon the Precious Terrace of the Kalpa's Edge.

Immortal hosts from the ten directions arrived riding five-colored jade carriages and eight-scene phoenix chariots, holding dark-green jade scepters while flying beneath white canopies of clouds. Their processions included qilin-drawn carriages and phoenix-feather banners, accompanied by the harmonious cries of lions and white cranes. Burning incense and scattering flowers, they walked through the void, chanting scriptures while paying homage to the Celestial Worthy.

As the Celestial Worthy examined the registers of merit to relieve the suffering of sentient beings, the Upper Palace of Three Origins radiated brilliant light that illuminated the entire cosmos. The purple radiance of the Polestar (Ziwei) shone across the ten directions, penetrating even the deepest Ninefold Netherworld (the lowest hell realms). Within this radiance, the karmic roots of all beings—whether virtuous or wicked—became clearly visible. Every celestial palace could witness the Celestial Worthy and the assembled sages expounding the Great Dao (Da), teaching celestial and human beings, recording virtuous deeds, and inscribing names upon the golden registers and jade tablets of the Yellow Register (Huanglu, the Daoist celestial records).

Simultaneously, throughout all hell realms, the condemned souls beheld the Ten Directions Saviors of Suffering descending into the Ninefold Netherworld to deliver them. The Celestial Worthy commanded the Northern Thearch (Beidi, ruler of Fengdu), the Three Officials (Heavenly, Earthly, and Water Officials), the 120 Bureaus of the Nine Departments, the Five Thearchs' Examiners, the Life-Inspecting Youths, along with the Directors of Fate, Records, Merit, and Execution. Earthly Sovereigns, Ninefold Earth Spirits, the Four Luminous Dukes, the Five Sacred Peaks' divine officials, the punishing spirit-soldiers, the mighty celestial warriors, the ox-headed jailers, the Sword-Wielding Divine Kings, the Great Demons of the Three Realms, and the 900 million ghost kings—all assembled in the Ninefold Netherworld to receive the precepts.

At this moment, the Northern Thearch of Fengdu and all the ghostly officials trembled in awe, thinking: "We became hell officials due to our heavy sins, ruling the dark underworld for countless eons without ever seeing light. Why does the Celestial Worthy's majestic radiance suddenly illuminate our abyss?" They wished to ask but dared not speak. Meanwhile, in the Hell of Universal Torment, the names of many sinners were recorded in the Black Registers, and the ox-headed jailers were about to....

This passage depicts the various tortures in Daoist hell realms and how an adept transcends such suffering.

The hells contain terrifying punishments: on the Mountain of Knives, condemned souls are torn apart, yet one practitioner walks upon the blades as if treading on level ground, the sharp edges transforming into lotuses beneath his feet. The Northern Ghost Emperor (ruler of the underworld), witnessing this marvel, prostrates before the Celestial Venerable in repentance, confessing that during his eons overseeing the Fengdu City of the underworld, he has only witnessed sinners enduring torment.

The text details eight directional hells with their specific torments:

In the Eastern Wind-Thunder Hell, sinners are pierced by black gales, lightning, and flying spears. The Southern Blazing Fire Hell sees souls burned by raging flames and forced to swallow burning coals. The Western Diamond Hell subjects the condemned to iron hammers and pitchforks tearing through their bellies. The Northern Icy Abyss Hell immerses sinners in freezing, poisonous fluids. The Central Torture Hell impales victims on iron forks and suspends them on mountains of blades and forests of sword-trees. The Southeastern Bronze Pillar Hell forces souls to embrace red-hot metal columns. In the Southwestern Butchery Hell, the damned hang upside-down while being flayed alive.

These punishments continue ceaselessly, day and night, with sinners enduring suffering for countless kalpas (immeasurably long periods). Only the practitioner, through disciplined cultivation and observance of precepts, becomes exempt from these torments—even the instruments of hell transform into auspicious lotuses in his presence.

This scripture describes the various torments suffered by sinners in hell and their eventual process of redemption.

The condemned endure excruciating punishments in the underworld: their limbs, sinews, skin, and internal organs are sliced by blades, leaving pools of blood in ceaseless agony day and night. In the Fiery Chariot Hell of the northwest, sinners are torn apart by five horses, their limbs rent asunder. Others are bound to blazing chariot wheels studded with knives, their flesh shredded by rotating blades while flames scorch their bodies to charred ruin. In the Cauldron Hell of the northeast, iron forks plunge sinners into boiling oil until their bodies dissolve into festering wounds, with pus and blood flowing freely in unbearable stench.

Yet remarkably, some sinners traverse these mountains of blades and forests of swords unscathed. Before them, the sharp weapons transform into lotuses, their faces radiating solemn dignity as they walk fearlessly, untouched by suffering. This occurs only when high-ranking deities descend, and the Celestial Venerables (Tianzun) extend their boundless compassion to universally deliver all beings.

At this moment, when the denizens of the Ninefold Netherworld (the deepest hell realms in Daoist cosmology) hear that the Northern Emperor (Beidi, the Purple Tenuity Emperor who governs hell) has interceded for them, they awaken to remorse, weeping and pleading for mercy. The Ten Directions' Salvation Venerables (specialized deities of deliverance) employ their great compassionate wisdom and divine powers, guiding these sinners to close their eyes in contemplation. In mere moments, they comprehend the karmic transgressions committed throughout their past and present lives.

Through contrasting hellish torments with divine salvation, this scripture emphasizes the vital importance of repentance and virtuous transformation. It demonstrates that sincere remorse can bring deliverance, allowing beings to transcend the sea of suffering.

This scripture describes the various transgressions committed by people and the process of attaining salvation through spiritual practice.

It first enumerates numerous offenses: regicide and patricide, unfilial conduct toward parents, slandering Daoist truths, abandoning the true path for falsehoods, harming siblings, plotting against teachers, incestuous relations with close relatives, banditry and murder, slaughtering living beings, bullying the weak, oppressing the poor and humble, wavering devotion to the Three Treasures (Dao, scriptures, and teachers), disrespecting masters, defiling sacred texts, harboring malicious thoughts, envying others, using abusive language, sowing discord, killing creatures for sacrifices, and exposing one's body to defile the Three Luminaries (sun, moon, and stars). Whether conceived in thought, spoken aloud, personally committed, or instigated in others, these accumulated transgressions spanning multiple lifetimes now become vividly remembered, filling one with deep remorse and longing for deliverance.

The Celestial Worthy (the supreme deity in Daoism) declares to the assembly: These transgressors have long disregarded scriptural teachings, continuously committing evil deeds. Their accumulated misdeeds have reached full measure, their names recorded in the ledgers of wickedness. After death, they will fall into the Ninefold Netherworld (the deepest hell in Daoism), suffering in the Three Evil Realms (hell, hungry ghosts, and beasts). Yet among them is one who during life established the Great Ninefold Netherworld Purification Ritual (Zhaijiao), received and upheld the Golden Register White Slips (important Daoist scriptures) and the Nine Perfect Precepts (nine essential commandments), accumulating profound merit that moved heaven. The Celestial Worthy shall employ divine power to save them, severing the roots of their transgressions.

Hearing this, the Northern Emperor (supreme deity of the north) rejoices greatly, praising the Primordial Celestial Worthy (supreme Daoist deity) for showing paternal compassion toward sentient beings, using wisdom to deliver souls suffering in hell.

Finally, the Celestial Worthy prepares to expound upon the merits of the Nine Perfect Precepts and Golden Register White Slips, revealing how these scriptural commandments possess inconceivable divine power to relieve suffering. All divine beings reverently attend to the Celestial Worthy's teachings.

This passage primarily emphasizes that even grave transgressions can be redeemed through sincere repentance and disciplined practice. By establishing purification rituals, reciting scriptures, and strictly observing precepts to accumulate merit, one may receive the Celestial Worthy's compassionate salvation.

The Supreme Scripture of the Nine Perfect Precepts of Golden Register for Salvation and Absolution primarily addresses two key aspects:

First, it presents nine essential precepts for spiritual cultivation:

1. Maintain loyalty to one's sovereign

2. Practice filial piety toward parents and cultivate humility

3. Abstain from killing and extend compassionate aid to all beings

4. Avoid licentiousness and uphold moral conduct

5. Refrain from theft while championing righteousness and self-sacrifice

6. Eschew wrath and harsh treatment of others

7. Reject deceit and the harming of virtuous people

8. Shun arrogance and the disparagement of truth

9. Single-mindedly uphold the precepts without distraction

The second part details rituals for the salvation of departed souls:

The scripture describes how the "Primordial Decrees" (the highest divine mandates in Daoism) and "Golden Register White Slips" (sacred Daoist documents) facilitate the liberation of souls. These documents are transmitted across the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and water) to various divine officials, including the Three Officials (Celestial Official, Earth Official, and Water Official), the Nine Bureaus, and the Five Thearchic Examiners, commanding them to release souls from infernal suffering. Through this process, souls regain spiritual clarity, absolve their karmic burdens, and resolve karmic grievances. Those who observe the Nine Perfect Precepts may ascend to the celestial realms through these accumulated merits.

The text further references the Vermilion Fire Palace of the Southern Cinnabar Heaven (a Daoist purgatorial realm), where souls undergo purification through the "Jade Eyes Refinement" (spiritual light cleansing the soul) and "Yellow Blossom Cleansing" (divine waters purifying the form) rituals. These rites enable rebirth, with the soul's name recorded in the Purple Register (the celestial roster of immortals).

Finally, the scripture states that those who uphold these precepts and talismans can eradicate even the gravest transgressions and receive protection from divine beings. During national calamities such as war or plague, rulers and citizens alike should perform the "Great Ritual of the Nine Darknesses" (a major zhaijiao ceremony for mass salvation) to dispel collective misfortune.

This scripture passage expounds on the merits of upholding precepts and the consequences of violating them as described in the Supreme Ninefold Marvelous Precepts Golden Register Scripture for Delivering from Suffering and Extinguishing Transgressions. The text is divided into two main sections:

I. Merits of Upholding Precepts

1. Receiving and maintaining the Ninefold Marvelous Precepts (a core Daoist ethical code) and Golden Register talismans (sacred fu incantations) brings multiple protections:

• Quells warfare and dispels demonic influences
• Brings peace to the nation and joy to celestial and human realms
• When encountering wild beasts in mountains, focused meditation on the Golden Register spiritual talisman summons protective Dharma Guardian Kings
• Visualizing the talisman during sea storms calms wind and waves
• In battlefield situations, such meditation averts weapon injuries
• When wrongly imprisoned, meditation brings deliverance
• When haunted by evil spirits, meditation eliminates misfortunes

2. Salvation for the deceased:

• One may perform the Great Ceremony of the Nine Darknesses (ritual for saving lost souls)
• Through receiving precepts and burning the Black Registers (records of transgressions), deceased souls achieve liberation and ascension
• The departed may attain rebirth as Perfected Officials of the Nine Palaces (high-ranking celestial immortals)

II. Consequences of Violating Precepts

1. For those who slander or disrespect the precepts:

• Names are recorded in the Registers of Evil
• After death, they descend to the Ninefold Darkness Hell (Daoism's deepest hell realm)
• Suffer endless torment

2. For initial believers who later develop contempt:

• The Observant Lads (deities recording good/evil deeds) report them to the Three Officials (Celestial, Earthly and Water Officials)
• Names are erased from the Golden Register and entered in the Death Records
• Immediate retributions include:
• Contracting loathsome diseases that repel others
• Meeting with violent accidents
• Facing legal punishment
• Family discord and constant disputes
• Ultimately lose all opportunity for Dao cultivation

The scripture concludes by emphasizing strict adherence to precepts without wavering. These teachings simultaneously warn practitioners and embody the Daoist cultivation principle of "retribution for good and evil deeds." The content maintains the original structure while presenting specialized Daoist terminology (marked with pinyin on first occurrence) in accordance with standard academic translations of Daoist texts.

This scripture passage depicts the scene of liberation when Beiyin Fengdu Dadi (the Daoist deity governing the underworld) and the sinners in the Nine Nether Hells hear the wondrous Dharma:

Upon hearing this sacred scripture, the Northern Emperor and the hell-beings experienced sudden spiritual awakening, giving rise to wholesome thoughts. Their physical and mental sufferings dissipated completely, attaining inner peace as they all developed the aspiration toward the Dao (the Way), with this enlightenment remaining irreversible. At this moment, the Black Registers (documents recording karmic transgressions) in the Nine Nether Hells were instantly incinerated, the volcanic eruptions ceased, and the frozen pools of the icy hells became still. For those sinners condemned to swallow fire and consume charcoal, the burning coals in their mouths transformed into sweet dew; the golden hammers and iron rods used for punishment turned into blooming lotuses. The sinners gained the ability to soar through the air, praising the Dao's teachings amid the void.

Their praises conveyed these essential meanings: Homage to the Supreme Dao (Wushang Dadao), taking refuge in the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun). The Most True and Sacred Savior of Suffering opens the mysterious gateway of teaching. The Nine True Precepts (Jiuzhen Miejie) harmonize the deities of the five viscera, while the Golden Scripts and Precious Registers (Jinshu Baolu) admonish countless divine beings. Examining destiny and determining immortal registers, they employ spiritual talismans (Lingfu) to liberate suffering souls. Riding auspicious clouds to pay homage to the Jade Emperor, they join perfected beings (Zhenren) in realizing the profound mysteries.

(Here concludes the full text of the Supreme Nine True Precepts Golden Register Scripture for Salvation and Transgression-Cleansing)

Note: The "Nine True Precepts" (Jiuzhen Miejie) represent essential Daoist ethical codes, while "Golden Registers" (Jinlu) refer to esoteric Daoist texts written in gold powder, often used in salvation rituals. This passage exemplifies the Daoist soteriological view that "sin's nature is fundamentally empty, and liberation can be achieved through single-minded devotion," demonstrating how hell-beings may attain deliverance through precept-keeping and scripture recitation.