《靈寶無量度人上經大法》Vol. 19

Chapter on the Cloud Sprouts of the Five Directions (Wufang Yunya Pin)

The Five Sections of the True Writ in Crimson Script (Chishu Wupian Zhenwen) of the Primordial Beginning Heavenly Venerable (Yuanshi Tianzun) came into being within the Great Void (Taixu). At that time heaven and earth had not yet begun to shine, and the world had not yet opened and become manifest. In the hidden depths, the true writ condensed into the root of all things. From it the Three Luminaries (the sun, the moon, and the stars) took form, and the Five Qi arose along with them. The Five Colors were distinct, and their radiance illuminated the Five Directions. Each direction was governed by its own Five Emperors, who guided the circulation of the Five Qi through the qi of yin and yang. The Five Qi turned the pivot of the Nine Heavens and caused the Five Planets to shine. They also established the Five Peaks to guard the earth and nourished the Five Palaces so that the spirit-qi (shenqi) could be sustained and settled.

For this reason, adepts of the highest perfection often follow the bright qi of the newly risen sun, receive the upright qi of the Primordial Dao above, and draw the Jade Spring up from below so that it flows and nourishes the body. They gather the primordial Jing into the Supreme Ultimate (Taiji) and summon the Five Emperors to the place where the Numinous Youth dwells, irrigating and tending it without interruption, so that it does not decline. Through visualization (cun) and sustained holding of these images, one's life may continue without end. Even across myriad kalpas, it can begin anew, and the Five Sprouts remain preserved within the countenance. This is the subtle secret of the Lingbao method, the fundamental practice that all the Sages revere in common.

Primordial Beginning Crimson Script Jade Method for Ingesting the Green Sprouts and Guiding the Nine Qi of the Azure Heaven

This is the method for cultivating the Green Sprouts and guiding the Nine Qi of the Azure Heaven in the east. On each day of Lichun (the Beginning of Spring), at cockcrow, enter the chamber, face east, and bow nine times. Then sit upright and knock the teeth together nine times.

Visualize the Green Spirit Ancient Lord of the Eastern Treasure Flower Forest (Dongfang Anbao Hualin Qingling Shilaojun). His surname is Yan and his personal name is Kaiming; his style name is Lingweiyang. He stands nine cun tall, wears a green jade crown of refined essence and an azure feathered robe condensed from the Nine Qi, and rides a carriage drawn by the Azure Dragon, raising the Ying banner. The Lords of Jiayi and Hu Lao, together with ninety myriad attendants, accompany him. The gods descend from the Azure Heaven of the Nine Qi into the chamber, and in a moment green qi is generated. The green qi is dense as cloud and mist, covering the entire body. It then enters through one's own mouth and reaches directly to the Liver Palace (ganfu). Next, visualize the light of Jupiter (Suixing) shining brightly and illuminating the self, so that all of this becomes clearly visible. When the visualization is complete, open the eyes, raise the head, and offer the following prayer:

"Supreme Elder Lord of the Primordial Beginning, Supreme Sovereign of the Nine Qi Azure Heaven, clothed in the green feathered robe and governing the celestial palace: the light of Jupiter (Suixing) blazes forth, scattering radiance and fragrance, washing and nourishing my body. I ingest the morning glow from above, draw in the essential qi of Jupiter, and firmly protect the Green Sprouts, preserving my form so that it will not decay. May the Liver Palace be full and replete, and may the jade fungus grow of its own accord. Through a hundred million kalpas, may my countenance return to that of a child. When the Five Qi are blended together, may I endure in harmony with heaven and earth forever."

When the prayer is finished, draw in the green qi and swallow it nine times, then stop. Next, ingest the twelve characters of the Eastern Crimson Script Jade Text.

These twelve characters are the name of the Nine Qi of the Azure Heaven, used to guide the Nine Qi of the Azure Emperor (Qingdi, the Divine Lord of the East). When ingesting the Azure Sprouts, write these twelve characters in cinnabar on white paper. Once the visualization is complete, swallow it immediately. In this way the Nine Qi will descend of their own accord without being summoned, and the Azure Emperor will manifest in response. The Five Sprouts, spirit sprouts transformed from the Qi of the five directions, will grow firmly in the Liver Palace of the Eastern Peak, and jade fungus will naturally emerge. A Spirit Youth will bring the true writ to the side of the bedchamber, and the Azure Waist, a spirit assistant of the east, will come forward to attend and receive orders. After nine years of cultivation and accumulated responsiveness, one may accomplish transformation, become an immortal, and pass through the calamities of the world without collapse.

At the crowing of the cock, when the sky is just beginning to lighten, face east and click the teeth nine times. Rub the palms together until they are warm, then rub the face and eyes with the palms nine times. Then tilt the head back and offer this prayer:

"Azure Sprouts of the East, ingesting the Azure Sprouts, taking the morning glow as drink."

After the prayer, touch the tongue to the inner surface of the teeth and purse the lips three times so that the mouth fills with jade spring (a practice term referring to saliva). Swallow it in three portions. Then draw in the Azure Qi and swallow it in nine portions so that it settles and stabilizes in the Liver. This concludes the practice.

The Secret Method of Ingesting the Vermilion Sprouts of the Yuanshi Vermilion Writ and Guiding the Three Qi Cinnabar Heaven Sovereign

The method for cultivating the Cinnabar Sprouts and guiding the Three Qi Cinnabar Heaven of the South (three primordial Qi of the south) is as follows. On the day of Lixia (the beginning of summer) each year, enter the room at the crowing of the cock. Face south and bow three times, sit evenly, and click the teeth three times. Visualize the Venerable Lord of the Cinnabar Heaven, the Divine Lord Qingyang of the Southern Numinous Pearl: his surname is Dongfu, his given name is Jiyan, and his style is Chibiaonu. He is three cun tall, wears a red headcloth and jade crown, and is dressed in a cinnabar feathered garment woven from three Qi. He rides a jade chariot drawn by a cinnabar dragon and raises a vermilion banner. He commands three hundred thousand beings, and he descends into the room from the Three-Five Cinnabar Heavens. In an instant he transforms into a bright, fire-like Red Qi, which pours into and envelops you, then enters through your mouth and reaches the Palace of the Heart. Next, visualize the fire star shining brilliantly and the light of the south illuminating the whole body, making everything clear and visible.

When the visualization is complete, open your eyes, tilt your head back, and offer this prayer:

"Three Qi Cinnabar Heaven, Spirit Youth of the Vermilion Palace, Primordial Venerable Lord, mounted on the Red Dragon, you descend. Wearing the cinnabar feathered garment and draped in a brocade mantle of light, you drive the hun and po souls upward to the heavenly palace, turn the Great Dao, and set Yin and Yang in motion. The three Qi exhale radiance and pour it into my Crimson Palace (the Palace of the Heart). The Infant of Red protects and stabilizes it, and the Golden Sprouts adorn my countenance. In the morning I draw in the vermilion radiance, and the jade fungus fills my body. Halt the calamities, and let this decaying body return to youth. May my lifespan be as long as heaven and earth, enjoying endlessness; and within my body may water and fire blend, transforming without limit."

After the prayer, draw in the Red Qi and swallow it in three portions. Then ingest the twelve characters of the Vermilion Writ of Jade Script of the South.

Yuanshi Chìshū Fúshí Wǔjǐ Dǎoyǐn Yuánqì Huángtiān Yùjué

(Scripture of the Yellow Heaven Jade Formula: Guiding the Primordial Qi of the Wuji Stems, Taken from the Red Writings of the Primordial Beginning)

The twelve characters above are the names of the Three Qi Cinnabar Heaven (Sānqì Dān Tiān), and they are used to summon the Three Qi of the Red Emperor (Chìdì).

Write the cinnabar sprout (dān yá) on white paper, and once the visualization is complete, swallow it all at once. In this way the red Qi will be drawn in, flow through the body, and fill it. The fragrant fungus (fāng zhī) and the dark fluid (xuán yè) pour into the Crimson Palace (Jiànggōng), the heart-palace. The Red Emperor descends with true Qi, and in the visualization the practitioner receives red writings from the Spirit Youth (líng tóng), which keep the cinnabar sprout stable over the long term. Consuming the Three Qi brings the glory of Zhurong (Zhùróng), the god of fire. Wearing the red jade tablet (chì guī) allows one to communicate with the spirits, and reciting the five sections of the scripture summons divine beings. With long-term fasting and quiet communion with Great Stillness (tài jì), a profound and silent realm, Heaven will record your name upon the southern window. This can be described as attainable while seated at ease and not difficult to accomplish, and its benefits, once enjoyed over time, are inexhaustible.

Ordinarily, at cockcrow, just as dawn is breaking, face south and tap the teeth three times. Rub the palms together until warm, then wipe the face and eyes three times. Then raise your head and recite the invocation:

"Southern Vermilion Cinnabar, I take the Vermilion Cinnabar; I drink with the water of the Cinnabar Pool."

After the invocation, press the tongue against the lower teeth, moisten the lips, and rinse the mouth. When the mouth is full of jade fungus (yù zhī), which here refers to the spiritual fluid obtained in visualization, swallow it in three portions. Then draw in the red Qi again and swallow it in three portions, so that it settles and is steadied in the heart-palace. With this, the practice is complete.

Examining the hun and controlling the po so that they are trained, inner and outer clarity becomes bright and penetrating, and life endures without decline. One reaches the true Dao and the realm of spiritual subtlety, ascending to Taiwei (the lofty region of the heavens).

Guide the Yellow Qi and swallow it in twelve installments. When finished, take the sixteen-character Central Red Writing on Jade (the talisman written in vermilion on a jade tablet).

These sixteen characters are the name of Zhongyang Huangtian (the Yellow Heaven at the Center), used to guide the twelve Qi of the Yellow Emperor. When ingesting Huangya (Yellow Sprout, the refined essential Qi of cultivation), write the text in cinnabar on white paper, visualize it fully, and then swallow it in one draught. In this way one draws the primordial Qi of the Nine Heavens from above and pours it downward into Xuanying (the Qi channels around the throat) and Miaomen (the Wondrous Gate). Even if the Taicang (the granary of the stomach) has no grain, it fills itself, and even if the spleen palace receives no tending, it is warmed from within. In old age the body still responds to the will, the inner harmony flows smoothly, and the spirit-youths open their robes and transmit Wensu (here apparently referring to the relevant immortals or texts). Qi circulates and sustains life. This jade formula is supremely subtle and is the starting point of practice for all the immortals.

Each day at cockcrow, at first light, face the honored position and knock the teeth twelve times. Rub the hands together until warm, then rub and wipe the face and eyes twelve times. Then raise the head and pray:

"Central Wuji (the Heavenly Stems associated with the center) rises high like a mountain. I take in the essential Qi and drink the springs within my body."

After the prayer, touch the tongue to the palate, moisten the lips three times with the jade spring (saliva) from Xuanying, and swallow. Then draw in the Yellow Qi and swallow it in twelve installments, settling it in the spleen palace. The practice ends here.

Yuanshi Chishu: Ingesting Susu and Guiding the Seven Qi of the Suitian Jade Formula

To cultivate Susu (the white sprout) and guide the Seven Qi of the Suitian (the white heaven of the West), enter the chamber at cockcrow on the day of Lichun (Beginning of Autumn), face west, and perform seven bows. Then sit upright, knock the teeth seven times, and visualize Haoling Huang Laojun (the Venerable Lord of Radiant Whiteness) within the Golden Gate of the Seven Treasures in the west.

Haoling Huang Laojun's surname is Shangjin, his given name Changkai, and his style Yaopo Bao. He stands seven cun tall, wears a jade crown of white essence, is dressed in plain feathered robes, rides a white dragon, and raises a purple banner. His attendants are the officials of Gengxin Xuanlao, seven hundred thousand in all. Next, visualize them descending from the Seven Qi Suitian into the chamber. Soon they transform into a vast white Qi that spreads across the sky like autumn clouds, passes through and covers the body, enters through the mouth, and reaches the lung palace. Also visualize the Golden Star shining brightly, its western light illuminating the body so that everything becomes clear.

Then open the eyes, raise the head, and pray:

"Golden Spirit Seven Gates, light shining on the Western Flower; within them dwells the household of Suhuang Yuanshi (the Primordial Lord of the White Sovereign). Riding the white dragon, the Seven Qi rise high and steep, lingering at the jade gate and scattering essential Qi like vermilion clouds. The Golden Star exhales its radiance, and fragrant fungus falls like rain. Mysterious Qi surrounds my body and nourishes my Susu."

The Mingshi (a numinous substance in Daoist cultivation) shines with brilliant luster and does not decay even after countless kalpas. Take it with flowing spring water, and nourish it with the Qi of Taihe (Supreme Harmony).

Gold Nine, Six.

The Supreme Thearch of the Nine Heavens bestows jade blossoms, enabling a person to preserve their natural span of years and keep their countenance ever youthful. Their radiant light spreads everywhere, reaching throughout the net of the cosmos and enduring between Heaven and Earth for as long as the sun, moon, and stars.

Finally, draw in the white Qi and swallow seven times. Then ingest the Jade Script of the Red Writ of the West (a talismanic script used for visualization and ingestion), twelve characters in all.

These twelve characters are the names of the Seven Qi of the Pristine Heaven of the West. One guides the Seven Qi of the White Emperor and ingests the Pristine Sprout (a sprout of spiritual essence symbolizing pure vital essence). Write the characters on white paper, and after completing the visualization, swallow them all at once. The Celestial Spirits of the Seven Qi mysteriously send down pristine radiance that pours into the body. The Mingshi thereby gives rise to jade fungus within, which penetrates the Lung Palace and opens the lung-chamber, so that true Qi can be received into the Taicang (an important energy-chamber of the body, as termed in Daoism). Even without eating, the body is naturally nourished. The Pristine Numinous Beings (pure spirits) answer the summons and urge the practitioner on, enabling them to ascend and present themselves at the Gates of the Nine Heavens. With continued ingestion, one's lifespan may equal that of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable (Yuanshi Tianzun).

Usually at cockcrow, as dawn is just breaking, face west and knock the teeth six times. Then rub the palms together to warm them, and rub the face and eyes with the hands seven times. Tilt the head back and recite the prayer:

"West Mingshi, ingest the Mingshi; drink the numinous fluid."

After the prayer, lick the upper teeth with the tongue, close the lips, and rinse the mouth, so that the jade fungus fills the mouth. Then swallow it in three portions. Again draw in the white Qi and swallow seven times, settling it in the lungs and viscera. In this way the practice is complete.

Primordial Heavenly Red Writ: Ingesting the Dark Sprout and Guiding the Jade Formula of the Five Qi of the Mysterious Heaven

Cultivating the dark sprout and guiding the Qi of the Five Qi Mysterious Heaven is usually performed on the Day of Lidong (the beginning of winter). At cockcrow, enter the chamber, face north, and make five bows. Then sit calmly and knock the teeth five times. Visualize the Venerable Lord of the Five Numinous Mysteries of the Northern Yin-Dark, Dongyin Shuodan Yujue Wuling Xuanlaojun, the Mysterious Venerable Lord of the Northern Mysterious Heaven. His surname is Heiie (Black Node), his personal name Linghui, and his style Yinhou. His body is five cun (Chinese inches) tall. He wears a crown of dark-essence jade, dons robes of dark feathers, rides a jade carriage drawn by a black dragon, and raises black banners. Fifty thousand officials of the Ren and Gui ranks, the Qiang Elders, follow him, descending from the Five Qi Mysterious Heaven into the chamber.

After a moment, layers of black Qi stack upon one another, shining brilliantly and gleaming like shooting stars. They pass through and envelop the practitioner's body, entering through the mouth and reaching directly the Kidney Palace. Next, visualize the planet Mercury shining brightly, its northern radiance illuminating the whole self until the entire body is luminous. Then open the eyes, tilt the head back, and recite the prayer:

"Mysterious Heaven of the North, the Five Qi scatter numinous light; above, there is the Great Spirit, the Primordial Essence of the Venerable Origin. Driving the dragon-tree banner, roaming to the Supreme Capital. This day is auspicious, auspicious clouds spread out, and radiance flourishes."

Flying Zhi (lingzhi) fungus flows and spreads in all directions. The Jade Maiden (Yunü), a fairy who governs the mysterious numinous breath, pours into my body.

The Kidney Palace becomes full and steady, and the withered vitality sprouts anew. The five viscera receive true qi and communicate upward with the spirits.

The Five Elders (Wulao) descend to welcome and guide me, and the Way of the immortals is quickly accomplished. The form transforms, circulating like water and fire, and the garments take on a blue feathered robe.

Flying through the vast space and roaming the Purple Court, one's lifespan equals that of the Three Luminaries (the sun, moon, and stars, the bright images spoken of in Daoism), and one endures through myriad kalpas.

When the recitation is finished, draw in the black qi and swallow five times, then stop. Next, take the twelve characters from the Red Writing and Jade Text of the North.

These twelve characters are the names of the Mysterious Heaven of the Five Qi of the North, used to guide the qi of the Black Emperor (Heidi). When practicing the method of the Five Nothings (Wuwu), write the Mysterious Sprout on white paper in red ink. After visualization is complete, swallow it in one gulp. In this way, the Mysterious Elder registers the practitioner's name in the Vermilion Hall, and the Spirit Youths inscribe the name in the red writings. The qi of the five directions flows into the withered body like lingzhi fungus. The Jade Spring wells up within the body, and water arises at the Gate of the Origin. Spirits guard the Numinous Pivot, and the Taixuan qi is born in the Kidney Mansion. The Jade Maidens are put to service, coming and going east and west. The practitioner endures through myriad kalpas without decay, and the Mysterious Elder often remains at their side.

Ordinarily, at cockcrow, when the sky is just brightening, face north and click the teeth five times. Rub the palms together until they are warm, then rub the face and eyes five times with the hands. Raise the head and pray:

"Mysterious Nourishment of the North, I take in the Mysterious Nourishment; drinking it is like drinking jade syrup."

After the prayer, use the tongue to lick the inner side of the lower teeth and the lips, and rinse the mouth so that it fills with the jade-fungus fluid. Swallow it in three portions. Then draw the black qi into the abdomen to guard the Kidney Mansion, and the method is complete.

In former times, Daoist scriptures transmitted the methods of guiding and circulating the qi and of taking in numinous sprouts. On each of the eight seasonal nodes (Bajie), namely Lichun, Chunfen, Lixia, Xiazhi, Liqiu, Qiufen, Lidong, and Dongzhi, one should enter a quiet chamber in accordance with the solar term, observe a purification fast, visualize the forms of the Five Elders, and chant the corresponding incantations. Upon completion, guide the qi according to each direction and take in the names of the celestial heavens. Practicing in this way for eight years, the celestial officials will come to welcome the practitioner. Jade Maidens will attend and guard them, and their body will emit light that shines across the ten directions. When they go out and travel, the Five Emperors bow to them, and the Three Realms send envoys to receive them.

This rank belongs to the title "True Ones of the Three Heavens." The relevant scripture is fully kept in the Vermilion Cavern of the Five Cities in the Southern Garden, strictly guarded by the celestial officials of the Three Heavens. It is stored in the twelve-tiered immortal pavilions, placed in a jade casket, carved in gold on thin tablets, and hung with cinnabar lingzhi herbs. The Middle Chapter of the Most High is transmitted only to those who already hold immortal registers, whose names are recorded in the Cinnabar Terrace, and who are destined to become Second-Heaven True Persons. Those without such a foundation may not see the titles of the scripture. Old regulations state that this scripture is released only once every four hundred years.

When practicing, generally after cockcrow, settle the body and mind, and perform the methods in sequence: first take in the qi of the green sprouts of the east, then the south...

Next, visualize the Western and Northern directions, using the same method as before. Once the Five Directional Sovereigns have all been visualized, knock the teeth (kouchi) thirty-six times, then swallow the breath twenty-five times, and recite the general incantation:

"White stone rises high, and springs flow forth in succession; the spring waters surge like jade nectar. Drink them and you will attain longevity, and your lifespan will be extended."

After the recitation, gently stir the mouth's upper and lower regions and its center with the tongue, so that the mouth seems full of "jade fungus" (yuzhi), a Daoist term for a numinous qi or saliva used in cultivation. Swallow it in three portions. Then draw in the Qi, swallow the breath twenty-five more times, and continue until the breath is abundant, at which point swallow it down. This concludes the cultivation method.

Lingbao Wuliang Duren Shangjing Dafa (The Great Method of the Upper Scripture of the Lingbao Boundless Salvation of Mankind), Scroll Nineteen