《靈寶無量度人上經大法》Vol. 11

The Heavenly Sovereign said: The scriptures of the Highest Clarity and the Three Caverns, in nine grades, belong to the Four Supplements and comprise ten thousand chapters.

The texts of the Numinous Treasure’s Jade Steps have their own lineage. Their divine chapters serve to save the dying and deliver the living. Those in the Upper and Lower Eras who cultivate and study in search of truth often begin with diligence, then grow lax. This is because worldly habits weigh heavily upon them and their understanding is clouded: the six kinds of wisdom do not open up, and they are misled by the demons of the Six Heavens. Four kinds of delusion arise as a result. They perform all manner of transformations, yet cannot fully understand the principles.

Among the Three Caverns, the highest is the Cavern of Truth (Dongzhen): ordinary people cultivate themselves into perfected beings, bringing body and consciousness into accord. Only when they see a perfected being with their own eyes can they be said to have joined with the Dao. Next come the Cavern of Mystery (Dongxuan) and the Cavern of Divinity (Dongshen). They are the source of the myriad methods and the foundation of the six spiritual powers.

Thus the Celestial Worthy realizes the Dao through the Dao-eye and wisdom-eye, while perfected beings establish its laws through the Dharma-eye and compassionate eye. They observe the Three Realms as though they were objects in the palm of the hand. The heavenly perfected wield magical arts, turning their gaze inward as well as acting in the outer world. Cavernous insight imitates the eye of Dao-wisdom; cavernous sight, penetrating sight, and distant observation are ways of perceiving through the compassionate eye of the Dharma. Together, these are called the “Three Caverns.”

Anyone who cultivates the Cavern of Truth must first see a perfected being in order to become perfected. Anyone who studies the Cavern of Divinity must see a divine perfected being with their own eyes in order to commune with the divine and wield divine arts. In short, to study the myriad methods of the Three Caverns, one must first understand the Three Caverns. Only then can one commune with the divine and bring spirits to descend into oneself.

The methods of the Cavern of Divinity, the Cavern of the Abyss, the Cavern of the Numinous, the Eight Histories of the Great Cavern, the Numinous Flight of the Six Ding, the Fiery Radiance of the Six Jia, and cavernous insight all include practices for extending the power of sight. How can men sunk in lust or women harboring improper thoughts, with their six senses impure and their original vital energy depleted, penetrate the true Dao and commune with the divine? For those of pure Yang, the immortals do not hide themselves; for those of pure Yin, ghosts and spirits appear.

This is the one scroll of the Jade Register, secretly transmitted by the ancestors and the foundation of the Three Caverns. After a hundred days of practice, one can commune with spirits and the numinous; after a thousand days, perfected immortals will appear. Once they have been seen, one can command spirits and summon the heavenly perfected. When merit is complete and one’s De is in accord, one can ascend by daylight.

The methods for summoning perfected beings and seeing spirits in the Three Caverns cannot be fully understood without this Jade Register, even if one practices them in vain. Sadly, this book was not passed down to later generations. Later, the Numinous Treasure teachings spread, and demons and evil spirits began emerging from the underworld. Practicing this method enables one to discern them, so they cannot conceal themselves and one will not be deceived by them.

The Jade Register used by Daoist priests records the inner taboos and hidden names of the Highest Perfected, the high-ranking divine perfected. Used in accordance with the prescribed method, it enables one to become perfected within the allotted time. Those receiving the transmission must choose a day of the Three Primes, one of the Eight Nodes, or one of the Ten Observances, and bring two jade tablets, nine liang of gold, and one thousand chi of white silk.

Use a hundred and twenty strings of cash as a token of trust to establish the covenant and receive the teaching.

When a Three Officials Master (a teacher who transmits the Three Officials methods) passes on magical arts, the covenant must be made and its terms kept. If the master carelessly reveals the Heavenly Treasure, he must suffer the punishment of wind and blades in the disciple’s place. A disciple who practices this method without observing the covenant will ultimately achieve nothing and will lose ten cycles of lifespan. Those who cultivate the Dao in poverty and seclusion should understand that they must neither pass the method to someone unfit to receive it nor reveal its teachings for money. Otherwise, they too will suffer punishment under the Daoist law.

The Five Precepts for the Lingbao Practice of Inner Vision

The scriptures of the Three Caverns and Four Supplements number in the millions, while the texts on Dao and De and the divine powers contain hundreds of millions of words. Yet the foundation of Daoist cultivation lies in just three methods of “inner vision”: Dongzhen, Dongxuan, and Dongshen. In the highest method, Dongzhen, one becomes perfected only after True Qi descends. In the middle method, Dongxuan, one becomes an immortal after Mysterious Qi descends. In the lowest method, Dongshen, one attains the Dao after Spirit Qi descends. To practice inner vision, one must first understand and observe the Five Precepts.

First, maintain strict purity and focus during purification and fasting. Only then can the numinous spirits descend into you. If you cannot devote yourself fully to purification and fasting, the divine powers will surely punish you.

Second, keep both body and mind pure. When body and mind are pure, the divine light can shine through clearly. If they are impure, foul Qi will intrude, dimming and obscuring the divine light.

Third, remain steadfast. With sustained practice, the spiritual power will manifest sooner; without perseverance to the end, the mysterious response will be hard to achieve.

Fourth, keep the mind and spirit quiet and the breath even. Only then can you summon the True Spirits to meet you. If the mind and spirit are unsettled and the breath is uneven, the spirits will withdraw.

Fifth, practice in secret and never disclose the method. If you reveal hidden workings—the secret formulas and the workings of Heaven—the divine powers will punish the practitioner.

These methods require careful observance of the Five Precepts. Choose a day around the winter solstice, or a day such as Wuchen, Wuxu, Jiazi, or Jiawu, to begin practicing inner vision. If you do not follow these prescribed conditions, inner vision will surely be difficult to attain. Practice with sincere intent, uprightness, and resolve; keep body and mind pure; avoid meat, fish, and other impure foods, excessive drinking, and sexual activity. Only then may you practice according to the method.

Next, swallow the talisman slips so that True Qi enters the body, washes away worldly impurity, and refines Yin into Yang. The True Immortal will then appear in bodily form. Therefore, do not conceal this method.

Weather Talisman

The talisman bears phrases such as “The True One Who Guards Within, Joining Qi at the Jade Capital,” “The Virtue of Mount Taihua, Revolving Without End,” “Qiu Hong, Wondrous Joy,” and “The Round Net That Nurtures the Numinous.” (These are specialized phrases on the talisman, and their meanings are difficult to determine with certainty.)

Incantation of the Sound Luminaries:

“Ya, Yuan, Heng, Li, Zhen: the sun and moon join with me. I receive the True Qi of Heaven and use it to regulate my body and drive away poison and harm. I cultivate within and without as one. Within, I remove all illnesses; without, I gather in the hundred essences. I bring peace to the household, help others, drive away poison and harm, and conceal my form. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the statutes and commands.”

On the first day of each month at the fifth watch and its second division (an ancient timekeeping measure, around four in the morning), clasp both hands firmly, drawing the thumbs inside the palms, and face east. Take three steps following the Dinggang pattern (a prescribed way of walking), silently recite a formula such as “Seal the Qi,” then clasp your hands and chant the incantation. When you have finished, look east, tilt your head back, and inhale nine times. Chant the incantation once more. Then face south and inhale three times, face west and inhale seven times, face north and inhale five times, and face the center and inhale twelve times. After the fifth day of the month, the practice may be performed at will.

Earth Qi Talisman (Earth Qi is the primal energy arising from within the earth)

The inscription on the talisman says it was made by the Primordial Origin of Mount Yuelu in Clear Metropolis. It contains the meaning of the generative transformation of the Kun Way and of creation’s inexhaustible workings. It also says, “The Yellow Center regulates Qi,” calling it the source of all mysteries. The notation “read as a reduplicated sound” indicates that the relevant words or symbols should be chanted with repeated syllables.

The incantation says: “Heaven sends down primal energy; earth brings forth the myriad things. Take my talisman and you will receive nourishment, grow, and take form. Hasten, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.”

On days of the Dragon, Dog, Ox, or Goat, face the direction corresponding to the “Earth Gate.” Visualize Earth Qi surging up from beneath the ground, rising ten thousand zhang, then inhale it through the mouth into the Spleen and recite the incantation.

The disciple, holder of a ritual rank, respectfully bows and petitions: “In reverence to the Way of Heaven and in emulation of the earth, I respectfully invite the Holy Mother Empress Houtu, of abundant virtue and great radiance; the Sovereign Lords of the Nine Earthly Layers; and the Perfected Ones who govern birth and fulfillment—the True Sovereign, the Cave Spirit Heavenly Worthy, the Vajra Strongmen, the Spirit Kings, the Numina Officers, and the rest—to bestow true Qi and let it enter the disciple’s body. The disciple believes in and upholds the vows that have been made, and wishes all that has been set forth to come to pass. May I also perceive all things beneath the earth, and may the ghosts and spirits above ground reveal their forms. I respectfully submit this petition.”

After the invocation, inhale Qi through the mouth ten times, visualizing it entering the Spleen.

Three Heavens Hidden Taboos Talisman (the Three Heavens are the Three Pure Ones’ heavens in Daoism; “hidden taboos” refers to secret talismanic characters)

The talisman’s inscriptions list the relevant names and formulas of the Jade Clarity, Highest Clarity, and Great Clarity heavens. To perform the rite, inhale through the nose the blue, yellow, and white Qi of the Three Heavens, visualizing them flowing into the brush. Then write the talisman in cinnabar on yellow paper and swallow it.

The text alongside the talisman pairs the earthly branches Mao, Chen, and Yin, in that order, with phrases concerning the earth’s impartial support, transformation into form in Jade Emptiness, the Five Reds of the Earthly Chariot, connection above to the Sovereign Lord, the Ninefold Ancestral Soil, and the Three Qi of the Cavern’s Origin.

Next, inhale through the nose the “two Qi of the Nine Earths”—the yellow Qi and the Northern Emperor’s Qi—visualizing them flowing into the brush. Write the talisman in cinnabar and swallow it. The text alongside it also lists the phrases “A thousand spirits transform and subdue the hosts of demons,” “The Primordial Sovereign and assembled Perfected Ones condense cloud buds,” and “The inner image of the Yellow Center transforms through resonance into an infant,” paired with the earthly branches You, Shen, and Hai.

Then inhale the Nine Qi of the East through the nose, write the vermilion talisman, and swallow it.

When swallowing the talisman, recite the incantation: “The Primordial Father joins with the Female Primordial; the Mysterious Mother returns to the Male Primordial. Heaven and earth are mixed in primal unity, and the human way dwells within them. The Jade Talisman preserves nature and life, causing the Qi of the Five Viscera to flourish and rise, and the ears and eyes to become clear. Through this, my Daoist practice will prosper.”

When performing the method, first draw the “Inner Taboo Names Talisman of the Three Heavens,” a Daoist ritual talisman representing the secret names of the deities of the Three Heavens. Visualize such images as the pool of pure, abundant waters and the transformations of the primordial aeon, then write the taboo names of A-tuolong, Luojianfu, and others according to the instructions. Next, contemplate the Four Symbols, Jade Purity, Luofan, and other images, gathering spirit and Qi. Then inhale the Qi of the Three Heavens through the nose and write the “True Taboo Name of Hong Taiyi,” the “True Taboo Name of Taichu,” and the taboo names of perfected immortals and perfected beings.

Next, draw the “Inner Taboo Names Talisman of the Supreme Emperor.” Visualize such images as the spirit gate and the dwelling of the True Sovereign, and write the associated talismanic signs according to the instructions. After inhaling through the nose the Qi of the Zi and Wu directions and the central palace, draw the talisman and recite the incantation: “Taiyi bears the talisman; Taichu commands the spirit. Perfected immortals protect life; the Three Emperors attend and receive. Qi passes through the Mysterious Gate; the Po is refined and the Hun made radiant. Take in Qi and swallow the talisman; penetrate and perceive the myriad spirits.” This asks Taiyi, Taichu, and the perfected immortals to protect life, and the Three Emperors to attend and receive the practitioner, so that Qi passes through the Mysterious Gate and the Hun and Po are refined and cultivated. By taking in Qi and swallowing the talisman, one can then perceive the myriad spirits.

The “Inner Taboo Names Talisman of the Seven Luminaries” refers to the inner taboo names of the Sun, Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn—the seven celestial bodies or luminaries. Following the method for each, draw in Qi from the corresponding direction and write the talisman in the prescribed color and form. Swallow seven talismans each day to summon the Seven Luminaries. While taking the talismans, recite: “From the east, move through Fusang; from the west, pass through Xianyang. The Five Phases correspond and combine in the center.”

Next comes the “Sun Qi Talisman.” Recite, “The Sun’s soul, a pearl of radiance, shines through veiled green reflections; returning rosy mists, a red child, dark flames, a soaring image.” Then face the sunlight, close your eyes, and draw in the Qi of the sunlight through the nose nine times. Recite “Yuzhen Li,” and draw the Qi into the heart nine times. On the first, fifth, fifteenth, and twenty-fifth days of each month, one may receive the Sun’s Qi in this way.

Finally, the “Moon Qi Talisman.” Recite, “The Moon’s Po is warm and fragrant, its beauty veiled in the vastness; in the emptiness it bends around the numinous threshold, lush radiance gathers aloft; pure gold shines clear, its bright form marks the terrace.” Then face the moonlight, close your eyes, and draw in the Moon’s Qi through the nose ten times.

Recite the incantation again:

Form the Zhen Kan seal.

Using the right hand, guide the Qi ten times and send it into the kidneys. Each time you absorb the Moon’s Qi, on the third, eighth, fifteenth, and nineteenth days of the month, visualize the moonlight transforming into ten rays of light.

Five-Star Qi Talisman: Select the Qi of the corresponding star according to the day’s Heavenly Stem: on Jia and Yi days, take the Qi of Jupiter; on Bing and Ding days, the Qi of Mars; on Wu and Ji days, the Qi of Saturn; on Geng and Xin days, the Qi of Venus; and on Ren and Gui days, the Qi of Mercury. Recite the incantation:

“Essence and Qi of the Five Stars—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—enter my body and inwardly refine and nourish my five organs, making my ears and eyes keen, able to see ten thousand miles away and perceive spirits and gods. May I cultivate the Dao, become an immortal, and ascend to Shangqing. By the urgency of the law, let it be done.”

The number of times to draw in Qi by this method is: Wood nine times, Fire three times, Earth five times, Metal seven times, and Water once. Inhale through the nose, circulate it in turn, then send it in through the mouth. Recite the incantation again.

“The Nine Luminaries (Nine Stars) move in their appointed order; the divine power of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning circulates to and fro. The essence of the stars shines with pure, clear radiance; the spirit of Primordial Beginning spreads abroad, and the gaze ranges endlessly far. May you grant me your brilliance, raising me to Zhujing, the immortal realm, dispelling obstructions and bringing sudden clarity. May I ride the flying rosy clouds, my body rising to Ziwei, the celestial realm. May you let me know in advance all affairs of the human world. By the urgency of the law, let it be done.”

Continue to inhale through the nose and, following the prescribed counts above, swallow the Qi through the mouth: send Wood Qi into the liver, Fire Qi into the heart, Metal Qi into the lungs, Water Qi into the kidneys, and Earth Qi into the spleen.

Southern Dipper Qi Talisman: In the talisman, write six characters in layers, drawing on the Qi of the Southern Dipper. Place the character “Li” at the top as the hand seal, then proceed in reverse order to the “Zi” position. Recite the incantation:

“The great Brahma Qi pervades the ten directions. Within it are the immortal gods who save people from death, the Lord of Longevity of the South Pole, the Great Divine Officer Sima who governs deliverance from the world, the life-loving gentleman Han and the scholar Wen, as well as the Southern Director of Destiny, the Director of Records, and other revered gods who extend life, increase one’s years, and free people from calamity. May they bring withered bones back to life and raise the dead again, transforming living beings through immeasurable power. By the law of the Supreme Emperor of Primordial Beginning, let it be done.”

For this method, click the teeth together six times and visualize facing the stars of the Southern Dipper. Visualize a fiery light, inhale through the nose the Qi of one star three times, then send it through the mouth into the Dantian (energy center). Practice this method for thirty-six nights.

Northern Dipper Qi Talisman

Write a talisman by overlapping the names of seven stars, such as “Kui,” with their corresponding written forms, using Qi from the north. Begin reciting the formula at the Hour of the Rat and continue until the Hour of the Horse.

Choose an auspicious day and swallow seven talismans to summon the Seven Primordials of the Northern Dipper. The incantation is:

Within the Jade Tower of Qingcheng dwells the Lord of the Nine Mornings of the Dipper Lodge. The High Spirit shakes the Heavenly Mallet; bright sunlight drives away foul Qi. Within the five-colored Jade Tower, the Lord of the Upper Morning climbs toward the Kui Star.

Nurturing the infant stirs forth bright radiance; Yin essence opens the Gate of Life. Within the Yellow Terrace Jade Tower, the Lord of the Immortal Hua Morning returns to guide all beings to salvation. The Perfected One Ji descends with a misty Qi.

Within the Vermilion Terrace Jade Tower walks the Perfected Lord who treads the Dipper’s astral pattern, arriving in a flying canopy from the highest heavens. The Dark Pivot shakes the Pillar of Heaven. Within the Plain Terrace’s Golden Tower, the Seven Lords of the Morning arrive, treading the cords of cosmic order.

They open transformation above and travel throughout the Five Paths. The Cinnabar Origin disperses nine kinds of fragrance. Within the Dark Terrace Jade Tower, the Northern Lord of the Morning, who treads the astral pattern, shines with numinous clarity. The Northern Pole of the Upper Origin descends with wondrous power.

Within the nine-tiered Jade Tower, the Lord of the Northern Canopy, riding a dragon, returns from the Dark Pivot. The Gate of Heaven protects the virtuous. Within the Purple Qi Jade Tower, spirits roam through the Three Realms.

The Imperial Lord, the Lord of the Nine Mornings, opens upward as Jing and Qi remain ever empty. Within the Jade Terrace and Purple Lodge, he wanders among the Three Yang and returns to the True Imperial One. The Lord of the Nine Mornings dwells in the depths of emptiness; the radiance of Yang brightness illuminates the four directions.

For this method, first click the teeth together seven times. Face the Northern Dipper and visualize each star emitting five-colored light. Recite the incantation silently. After every four lines, inhale through the nose nine times, gather the Qi in the mouth, then send it into the Dantian (energy center) in a single breath. Repeat until you have done this eighty-one times. Practice in this way on the night of every twenty-first day.

When swallowing the talismans, recite:

The southern authority and northern governance shape and temper the hun and po souls. In accord with the Great Way, they bring forth transformation; they turn back the wheel of Heaven’s course. Moving through the wondrous celestial patterns, they bring the dead back to life.

Divine Tiger Qi Talisman

“What the dark and mysterious transforms, the Primordial Movement creates; responses and changes are without limit. The hun and po souls are purified and refined; the myriad stars gather in homage. The flying immortals obey, and spirits race swiftly to convey messages like couriers.”

The orthodox formula says: “The Dark Origin responds and transforms; the stars fly, bringing blessings.”

(The Sevenfold Turning formula reads: “Transform the Origin, regulate the po soul; the stars fly to the marsh.”)

“Visualization” in Daoist cultivation means inwardly contemplating spirits, stars, or luminous forms. “Treading the astral pattern” refers to walking a prescribed sequence of steps. Some characters and formulas in the scripture have variant written forms or readings; the parenthetical readings given in the source are retained.

First write the seven characters on top of one another, then infuse the brush with the Qi of the Kui Star and draw the talisman.

The Hai-Day Incantation (a formula used on Hai days): Swallow seven pills each day, summon the Seven Consorts, and recite:

The divine tiger brandishes its halberd and takes flight, setting the Dipper’s Ladle Star in motion and commanding all things. The vital essences and radiance of the ten directions are drawn in together. By the urgent command of the Law.

When performing this method, face the Northern Dipper on the third and twenty-seventh days of each month and visualize purple Qi. Recite the spell toward each star and inhale seven breaths of purple Qi; take a total of forty-nine breaths for the seven stars. Hold the Qi in your mouth, then use intention to send it downward.

Talisman of the Divine Tiger’s Spirit Officials

(The talisman text marks the positions and forms of its characters, including Qingfu, Hunyuan, Yedu Banji, Yuxuan Yan, Jiyuan Miao, Jizhong Hunqing, and Huangda Wu.)

(Transcribed seven times, forming characters such as Yunchang, Xun, Kui, Di, Di, Xin, and Gui.)

Write the seven characters on top of one another, infuse the brush with the Qi of the Northeast Office of the Mysterious Pattern, and draw the talisman.

When taking the talisman, recite:

The Kui Star reveals the power of the Mysterious Pattern, whose transformations are boundless. It governs the Azure Statutes, granting deliverance to the dead and moving their souls and spirits onward. It sends souls flying across the Five Gates, speeding them by relay and conveying them on the wind. The Nine Chou of the Primordial Emperor delight in appearing. Within the Three Fields, Kui and Di inspect the courses of life, transforming and drawing things in; Chang, Yan, and Xun uphold the commands; Gui and Xin reach into the mysteries. The divine offices that govern the Three Realms all obey my authority.

Secret Taboo Talisman of the Central Dipper’s Chief Emissary

(The talisman marks the secret taboos “Four Radiances Returning to the Pivot,” “The Dipper Turns and Passes through the Winnowing Basket,” and “Great Mystery’s Jade Channel,” along with their writing positions.)

(Transcribed eight times, called “The Central Dipper’s Great Kui, Overseer of All Spirits.”)

Write the eight characters on top of one another, infuse the brush with the Qi of the Central Dipper, and draw the talisman according to the formula. Write it with the middle finger and recite:

The Central Dipper’s Great Kui sets the Dipper mansions in motion and passes through the Winnowing Basket mansion, returning all things to the right course. It makes the body conceal itself and escape at Heaven’s Gate. Taiyi, Tianyi, and the Two Beginnings spread out and open; the visions of the eight directions join in obscurity, and they command the offices of Fate and Taokang.

Secret Taboo Talisman of the Two Beginnings

Taiyi’s characters, transcribed three times, are called “Youzhi Zongyan Tai’a”; Tianyi’s transcription is called “Tianyi zhi Zong.”

The five-turn formula is written “Distantly contemplating the constant Heaven.”

(The five characters above are written twice in two stacked rows, together forming the eight-turn formula. Use the middle finger to draw Qi from the center, then ingest the talisman. The incantation is the same as before.)

Secret Taboos of the Three Terraces Talisman

The talisman text includes: “Great Clarity, aid to destiny”; “The Three Qi: Qian is Heaven, Kun is Earth, the numinous is the Primordial Perfected One; central imperial Qi gathers in a mist”; “The Void Emperor gathers all Qi; the essence’s origin has its brilliance”; “Heavenly Treasure transforms wondrously, at last ascending to the Six Great Vacuities, and joining the Qi above the four fingers”; “Hunyuan stills the numinous; treasure transforms and gives birth to the Supreme Dao, the hidden, winding Flower Chamber; the flower nurtures the soul’s origin and ancestral source; the characters between the four fingers prolong life and deliver the world”; “The Divine Treasure guards the ancestral source, and the myriad spirits protect and gather in; the text below the four fingers.”

The incantation for ingesting the talisman says:

“The embryos of the Eight Radiances in the upper region form in the Niwan (head); the embryos of the Eight Radiances in the middle region form in the Crimson Palace (heart); the embryos of the Eight Radiances in the lower region are fresh and tender at the root. The Three Origins shine upon the terrace; the hun and po souls are clear and bright.”

Ingest three of these talismans each day, to summon the Three Terraces—the three star terraces spoken of in Daoism.

Inner Taboo of the Heavenly Emperor Talisman

The talisman text includes: “Vast Radiance, Great Rosy Clouds; Lady White Plain of the Jiazi year; chanting and intoning the Cavern Chapters, extinguish the imperial soul Qi of the Nine Mysteries.”

“Untying and riding the embryonic immortal” is the six-turn formula, written “Liuhe Baliu Xuanming Qian.”

Inner Sound of the Earth Emperor Talisman

The talisman text includes: “Vast, primordial Great Brahma; Earth Emperor of the Jiashen year; the myriad Qi spread far and wide, without light; the secluded, dark Lady Yellow Plain, Primordial Sovereign.”

“Ninefold Radiance, Primordial Yang” is the six-turn formula, written “Bayuan Lingyao Qi Sheng Kun.”

Inner Sound of the Human Emperor Talisman

The talisman text includes: “Formless and shadowless; Primordial Elder of the Jiayin year; the Great Tenuity is mysteriously without limit or end; the Dawn-Purple Plain Human Emperor Lord descends.”

“Primordial Chaos” is the six-turn formula, written “Dongyou Jiama Fanhui.” Write it in the middle with the middle finger.

The incantation for ingesting the talisman says:

“Heavenly Emperor, Human Emperor, and Three Plain Primordial Ladies: untie what is knotted, disperse what is obstructed, and seal the gate of death. Drive away what is improper and the filth of corpses, and bring the mind and spirit to peaceful stillness.”

Secret Taboo of the Mysterious Lady Talisman

The talisman text includes: “The Eight Radiances unite in darkness; Qi enters the mystery within mystery”; “Brahma Qi fills the net of Heaven; the myriad patterns unfold”; “Jade sounds gather Qi; numinous winds collect the mist.” The three-turn formula is written “Mysterious Movement Pearl.”

Secret Taboos of the Three Masters

Dingguang (True Stillness, Radiant Wisdom), Luoqiao (Great Net, Lofty Wisdom), Miaoyin (True Wondrous Flowing Sound, Brahma-Scenery Empty Chant).

Note: The original consists largely of talisman texts, formulas, and instructions for writing or ingestion. Some characters and phrases may be corrupt or missing; the translation above follows the surviving text literally.

(All the formulas above should be performed in time with the breath: form the mudra with the middle finger and move it in sequence; when reciting each corresponding character, turn the finger, coordinating the movement with blowing and finger snapping.)

Secret Taboos of the Four Saints Talisman

(Write the talisman characters above layer by layer in accordance with the Nine Turns method, in time with the breath. When you reach the si position, draw the talisman to the middle finger; then inhale Qi inward through the middle finger. Next, use the four fingers to draw the talisman to the hai position and blow out.)

Great Method of the Upper Scripture of Numinous Treasure for Delivering People Without Limit, juan 11