《靈寶無量度人上經大法》Vol. 13

This passage, from the “Materials for Practicing Dongshi” in scroll thirteen of the Lingbao Wuliang Duren Shangjing Dafa, lists taboo names, courtesy names, and divine names used in the practice of the “Dongshi” method. It is not continuous prose, but a secret register of taboo names for consultation during ritual or cultivation.

Jade Names for Yang Days: taboo names in jade script used on Yang days. The list begins with taboo names for Heaven, Earth, the Sun, the Moon, and the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), followed by the names of the star deities of the Southern and Northern Dipper, and titles such as Sun Sovereign, Moon Emperor, Sun, Moon, the Three Masters, the Heavenly Emperor, the Earthly Emperor, and the Human Emperor. It then gives the inner and hidden names of the “Three Heavens,” the names of the “Three Perfected,” the titles of the “Three Terraces,” and the names of the Divine Tiger, his consort, his chief officer, and the Jade Maiden, as well as those of the Five Sacred Peaks, the Three Crossings, the Six Ding, the Six Jia, and the Four Duty Officers of Merit. Some taboo names appear as missing characters or symbols and cannot be read from the text.

Jade Names for Yin Days: taboo names in jade script used on Yin days. The list includes divine names such as Cui, Lu, Deng, and Dou, as well as the names of the Four Duty Officers. It also gives titles including “Taiyi,” “Heavenly Perfected,” “Great Simplicity Heavenly Perfected,” and “Great Harmony Heavenly Perfected,” followed by designations such as “Primordial Beginning Heavenly Perfected,” “True Immortal,” and “Perfected Person.” The Eight Trigrams—Qian, Kun, Kan, Gen, Li, Zhen, Xun, and Dui—then mark the entries, followed by Taiyi titles such as “Wuyou,” “Shouyan,” and “Lingfan,” and the imperial taboo names “Chongmingkong” and “Zhang Lieshirong.”

Here, “jade names” refers to specific divine names, taboo characters, or symbolic designations used in magical rites. “Yang day” and “Yin day” indicate that different names are selected according to the Yin-Yang character of the day. The original has many missing characters; this reading can only interpret the text that survives and cannot restore names that are obscured or illegible.

The emperor of the East is Gou Mang; the emperor of the South is Zhu Rong; the emperor of the West is Ru Shou; the emperors of the North are Yu Qiang and Xuanming; and the emperor of the Center is Ge Xian.

The original text lists the names of Xuanyuan and the Five Directions’ Emperors, as well as those of the Mysterious Maiden, Jupiter, Mars, and the Morning Star. It also gives the true names of the Five Sacred Peaks, the names of Heaven and Houtu, and the hidden taboo names of the Supreme God, all in the form of proper names or concealed names. These are followed by the hidden names of Qingxuan, the Thunder Ministry, and the ancestral Qi of the myriad thunder-and-rain talismans. The names of the Four Seas include the water deities Feng Yi and Zixu. The name and style name of Lord Wood are Wuwei and Junjie; those of the Metal Mother are Ziran and Junsi. The names of the stars of the Southern Dipper’s six stars, their soul names and po-soul names, and the secret taboo names of the six stars are also listed in sequence.

Write all these hidden names in vermilion ink on thin yellow paper, using one each day according to the Yin-Yang calendar. After twenty-one days, rewrite them on an incense board and lick it with the tongue. After another forty-nine days, write them on the inside of a porcelain vessel, wash them off with water, and drink the water. After a further forty-nine days, add the hidden names of the Thirty-Two Heavenly Emperors. After seventy-two days, enter them into the middle section of the Book of Numinous Writings.

For the practice of inner vision (a Daoist art of inward contemplation and perceiving the hidden), choose an auspicious day around the winter solstice, when Yang Qi first begins to arise. First prepare a memorial to Heaven, reporting to the Heavenly Office, the sun and moon, the Northern and Southern Dippers, the ancestral masters of the Five Offices, and others; also invite the immortals associated with the ritual registers to come and assist. On the chosen day, follow the usual procedure: pay respects to the true deities, burn incense, and silently report the purpose of the inner vision practice. When the report is complete, perform the steps of the Big Dipper: in spring and summer, begin with the right foot; in autumn and winter, begin with the left. Enter the mouth of the Dipper, perform three bows, offer incense, and strike the ritual drum twenty-four times. Then kindle the incense burner, silently present a memorial, perform the inner vision practice, and write the talismanic script on a jade tablet.

The practitioner burns incense and bows nine times, clicks the teeth thirty-two times, summons the Three Qi (the three primordial energies in Daoist teaching), and visualizes being within clouds of three colors, with dense clouds surrounding the body inside and out, a Azure Dragon on the left and a White Tiger on the right.

In front stands the Vermilion Bird, the divine bird of the south; behind, the Black Tortoise, the sacred beast of the north. Lions and white cranes stand in formation on either side. The sun and moon illuminate the altar chamber, filling it with light. Above the chamber’s lintel, a round radiance seems to appear, shining in all ten directions. Then silently recite the incantation:

“Supreme Lord of the Dao, Most High of the Mysterious Origin, summon forth from within my body the Three-Five Merit Officers, divine officials who convey memorials; the left and right messenger officials; the incense-attending golden boys; the message-bearing jade maidens; the Five Emperors’ warrant-bearers, who carry out the commands of the Heavenly Emperors of the five directions; and the incense officials on duty today, thirty-two of each. When you emerge, make yourselves neat and proper: adjust your caps, robes, and belts, let your tassels hang down, and take your dignified places before and behind me, to my left and right. Convey my sincere intent without hindrance.

“At this hour today, I perform rites solely within the altar chamber, opening my spiritual sight to perceive what is hidden and subtle, and writing talismans, jade documents, and celestial writings. I have already reported all the secret essentials in silence. I respectfully ask the Three-Five Merit Officers, the left and right messenger officials, and the assembled retinue to present my words directly before the supreme Three Heavens and Three Treasures Emperors.”

Offer incense three times and bow three times. Rise, kneel, and present the memorial:

“Your servant, [name], holder of a ritual rank, approaches in fear and trembling, bowing his head and prostrating himself twice to present this memorial to the Three Treasures Emperors.

“Your servant reflects that he was born into the dusty world, yet fortunately encountered an age of clarity and peace. Long ago, he formed a bond with the True Dao and personally received the teachings of Daoism. By good fortune, after many years of cultivation, he studied and received the registers, was permitted to officiate at rites of the Three Caverns, and was entered into the true ranks of the Dao. Now, by further good fortune, he has encountered [person], who, in [year], transmitted to him the Jade Documents of the Primordial Origin, the Numinous Treasure Scripture of Divine Sight, and the inner secret names of the numinous perfected beings.

“Today, at this hour, your servant performs rites solely within the altar chamber, carrying out the method of opening spiritual sight, perceiving what is hidden and subtle, and summoning the true numinous beings. He writes the inner secret names and true writings. I respectfully ask the founding patriarchs and emperors, the Heavenly Emperors of the Three Treasures, not to punish your servant for presumptuously disturbing the heavenly court. Instead, grant him the true and pure Qi of life, the wise radiance of the Great Dao, and the blessings of the Three Treasures’ teachings. Let the great wisdom of the six spiritual powers flow into your servant, cleanse the dust from his heart, and temper his eyes, so that he may perceive the Three Realms and see spirits and ghosts clearly.

“May the sacred decree also be conveyed to the immortals and officials of the Numinous Offices, including those who govern divine sight, and may they be dispatched into this altar chamber. Let your servant remain forever a disciple of the Three Treasures, widely saving both the netherworld and the human realm, and bringing all things to life and transformation. Since first practicing the method of divine sight, your servant has not dared to violate the clearly established precepts, nor to divulge the teachings lightly or treat them with neglect. Should he transgress, he willingly accepts punishment under the laws of Heaven.

“With such sincere intent, your servant respectfully presents this oral memorial to the Great Dao and the Three Treasures Emperors, and humbly asks them to hear it.”

Having received Heaven’s gracious approval of my petition, I bow before the altar and wait reverently for a response. My heart is overwhelmed with excitement and apprehension, and I respectfully set down the following.

After awaiting the decree, perform nine bows and rise. Form the Jade Emperor hand seal, a Daoist mudra, with both hands. Then summon the Three Qi, the three primordial vital energies in Daoist teaching, and inhale through the nose thirty-two times. Face the Qian direction, the northwest, and trace the talisman of the Three Heavens’ true form with your gaze. Then draw the talisman into the body’s Three Palaces—the upper, middle, and lower inner energy centers—and visualize it transforming into the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), who appear riding upon the Three Qi.

Next, visualize yourself taking the form of the Divine Lord: wearing a gold-and-jade cicada crown and a crimson cloud-and-feather robe, with a broad sash, red shoes, and a crimson skirt, seated amid clouds of Qi in three colors. Form the Seven Stars seal with the left hand, making the Ziwei seal; with the right hand, form the Three Fires seal, then the Yuqing seal. Recite the names of the thirty-two Heavenly Emperors, beginning with Yulian Yuming, Emperor of Taihuang Huangzeng Heaven, and ending with Daze Famen, Emperor of Taiji Pingyu JiaYi Heaven. The thirty-two heavens, their thirty-two emperors, and the Five Emperors of the Three Realms then proclaim in turn:

“By command of the Most High Qing, swiftly and urgently, in accordance with the decree of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning and the laws of the Lord of the Dao.”

Incantation for Summoning the Immortal Officials:

“Precious Bureau of Jade Clarity, gather and command all true spirits. Open the eyes and see through ghosts and spirits. Let the true spirits descend and reveal their true forms. Swiftly and urgently, in accordance with the law.”

After offering incense, recite the General Incantation for Summoning the Immortal Officials: “The High and Lofty Heaven…” (the full incantation appears in “The Section on Vision, Descent, and Summoning”).

Then trace with your gaze the true talisman of the Three Heavens and Three Realms at the Gate of Heaven, the imagined portal connecting to Heaven. Visualize the talisman in three colors, then draw in the Three Qi through the mouth and let them flow into the Three Palaces.

The True Talisman of the Three Heavens and Three Realms

The “Three Realms” refers to the numinous, empty, wondrous Qi formed from the true essence of the Three Qi at the beginning of the Five Kalpas, within the highest three heavens. This true script is the natural utterance of the heavens and the source and foundation of all things. It was never meant to be transmitted to ordinary people; only perfected beings pass it on orally and mind to mind. Those who are fortunate enough to see or hear this script, and who possess a Dao connection from past lives and cultivate diligently, can attain the way of the immortals.

If one observes long periods of fasting and abstinence, recites scriptures and cultivates in a quiet place in the mountains or forest, practices the true methods of the Eight Coordinates and the wondrous methods of the Seven Scriptures, and ingests the true script, then within nine days the Three Corpses—spirits believed in Daoism to inhabit the body and obstruct cultivation—will disappear of themselves, Qi from grain will cease, and the body will become stable and strong. The face will glow like jade, and the body will shine like gold. This effect differs from that of medicines; it comes from the natural true Qi. In this way one can live long and transcend the world, never growing old; sustained practice will surely lead to immortality.

As you silently recite and write the talisman, say:

“Spirit divine, Qi numinous; Qi joins the Three Pure Ones. Six Ding and Six Jia, your mighty swords show no mercy.”

Nine celestial talismans, by which Nature saves and aids all living beings, harmonize brush and ink and protect health and peace.

What evil spirit cannot be subdued? What ghost or demon cannot be made to appear? The Fire Bell, the Heavenly Dipper, the White Beast, and the Golden Essence guard the four quarters, fierce and mighty. The Three Pure Ones and the High God issue talismanic decrees, commanding the vital essences to remain hidden. Evil and malign forces are destroyed, and the Dao’s Qi is at peace. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the decrees and commands of the Three Realms of Shangqing.

Recite once more the great general incantation given earlier, then blow toward the ten directions to spread its power. Recite the incantation again to gather the Qi of the ten directions; blow it out toward the east, south, west, and north, and click your teeth nine times. Then recite the “Incantation for Opening the Eyes of the Immortal Court.”

“Jade Clarity’s Precious Office” (the full incantation appears earlier): recite seven times.

With reverence, pray:

Taiyi, Celestial Worthy Who Relieves Suffering; the Great Minister of Fate, High Chancellor of the Golden Palace; Lord Qinghua Qingtong; the True Youth of Qingxuan’s Spiritual Response; the Divine Lord of Bixiao, Who Sees Through the Caverns; the Great God on the Left, Tiger of the Spirit, Who Sees Through All; the Youthful Lord on the Right, Tiger of the Spirit, Who Sees Through the Caverns; the Jade Maidens Who Receive Decrees from the Ten Heavens; the Jade Maidens Who Receive Decrees from the Three Heavens; the Spirit Officials Who Present Memorials to the Ten Heavens; the Spirit Officials Who Present Memorials to the Three Heavens; the Spirit Officials Who Present Memorials to the Five Emperors; the Spirit Officials Who Present Memorials to Taiyi; the Spirit Officials Who Present Memorials to the Great Clarity; the Jade Maidens Who See Through the Caverns; the Jade Maidens Who See from Afar; the Immortal Officials in charge of celestial writing and talismanic treasures; the Immortal Officials in charge of cloud-script celestial writing; and the Jade Maidens Who Distinguish Demons: I beseech you all to descend together and bestow the true Qi, letting it flow into my body, so that I may write talismans, jade tablets, and divine texts for seeing through the caverns. Once swallowed, these will enable me to see through the myriad spirits and perceive all directions.

Visualize the gods appearing solemnly before you, then recite the “Incantation of Kui and Gang”:

The sacred method of the Most High Lord Lao; the auspicious sacred method of the Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens. Spirit of Kui and Gang, sacred power of Kui and Gang. When evil ghosts appear, at once, by command, seize and subdue them.

Next, gather Qi from the north and blow it into the inkstone. Then recite the “Incantation of Qianyuan”:

Qianyuan, prosperous, favorable, steadfast and true; the sun and moon unite with me. I am neither hungry nor thirsty; I rely only on divine water to cleanse and refresh me. The Five Phases—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—the essence of the Six Jia, the celestial granary of the Three Qi: turbid Qi is always abundant. The Yellow Father and the Red Child guard the central palace, keeping it from falling into danger. May numinous water enter my five viscera and bring me lasting peace. May I ascend on feathers alongside the immortals and perceive the realm of Shangqing. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the decree.

Next, draw in a breath and blow it into the inkstone. Then visualize a solar wheel of fire, the sacred wheel that symbolizes the sun, coming from the east and turning within the water. It emits a powerful, brilliant light that illuminates the entire room. Then recite the “Incantation of Taiyi’s Heavenly Truth.”

With reverence, I invite Taiyi Tianzhen, Taichu Tianzhen, and the True Immortals and Perfected Ones—celestial numinous beings and immortals honored by Daoism—as well as the Six Ding attendant spirits and Six Jia protective troops, who correspond to the positions of Heaven, to receive Heaven’s intention on my behalf and broadly deliver all beings. By means of the numinous incantation of Taiyi, I summon the southern wheel of fire to dispel evil, relieve illness, and perceive all beings.

Take Qi from the south and blow it into the water. Then recite the “Incantation of the Heavenly Ford”: “Perfected spirits of the Heavenly Ford, preserve the fluid and keep the spirit clear. With one incantation, behead the ghosts; forever drive away demons and spirits.”

Then recite: “The true Qi of the Celestial Dipper cuts away baleful Qi and evil afflictions; the water of true Yang sends them far away forever.” Take Qi from the north and breathe it into the water. Then offer incense and place cinnabar in a vessel. With the middle finger, grind it counterclockwise forty-nine times, while reciting the names of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions and their stellar spirits, the Kui and Gang stars, and the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper. Also praise the stellar spirits Tanlang, Jumen, Lucun, Wenqu, Lian Zhen, Wuqu, and Pojun, thereby bringing the laws and boundaries under control.

Take Qi from the five directions and blow it into the water in a single breath. With the left hand, form the hand signs according to the Twelve Earthly Branches; with the right, hold a brush and recite: “Three times in the year, this disciple receives the method of Qi and takes in the Qi of Heaven, Earth, the Sun, the Moon, and the Five Planets; the numinous Qi of the Northern Dipper, the life-giving Qi of the Southern Dipper, the gentle Qi of the Six Ding, the fierce martial Qi of the Six Jia, the Qi of wind, clouds, thunder, and rain, the Qi of the four seasons on their appointed days, the wondrous protective Qi of the Five Sacred Peaks, and the Daoist Qi of the Three Heavens and Three Treasures, together with the Qi of the divine tiger of the Northern Dipper. Heaven cannot cover me; Earth cannot bear me. Whoever collides with me must die; whoever offends me must perish. Urgently seize and carry out this command.”

Set down the vermilion brush. Beside the water, form the hand signs of the Five Emperors with the left hand, reciting as you make each sign: “Red apricot (Mao), ink-black (Ren), grind the true (Dui), socks and wax (Li), Lingbao (the middle joint of the middle finger), raise life and turn (Yin), Duli move (Mao), Kehan bright (Chen), success achieved (Si). Cut the corner, set it right (at Wu, move the finger from above to the middle joint of the middle finger, then form and hold the sign).” Then form the hand signs to seize the souls.

Next, take the Qi of the three paths of Heaven, Earth, and humanity, and blow it onto the paper and the vermilion brush, reciting: “Gather the souls through accomplished merit; summon the swift messengers of the eight directions, the gods of Heaven and spirits of Earth, and all numinous beings…”

Note: Several characters in the source are damaged or may be corrupt, especially the symbols following the Six Ding and Six Jia, the names of stellar spirits, and the hand-sign formula. The translation above follows the legible text as literally as possible; the formula retains the original characters and includes the hand-sign instructions given in the source.

“Unite in concord and join with the Heavenly Emperor’s decree; unite with the Bright Heavenly Emperor—swiftly, swiftly,” and “Lu su lu, li li li, qian luo qian luo qian luo, come swiftly, come swiftly, come swiftly” are incantations recited during ritual procedures.

Gather Qi from the eight directions, hold a mouthful of it, and blow it onto the paper while keeping the hand seal in place. Hold the brush in your right hand, three inches from your mouth. Then summon the Three Qi—the three primordial energies described in Daoism—hold a mouthful of breath, and blow it onto the brush. Use this brush to write the jade document, a ritual text made of jade, and the talisman for summoning spirits to descend. After writing them, offer incense, then resume your original ritual role as a ritual master.