《靈寶無量度人上經大法》Vol. 29

The Order of the Highest Heavens

In the Jade Clarity realm, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning resides above the thirty-fifth heaven, in the realm of the Nine Sages. He dwells in the Great Being Jade Clarity Palace and governs the Clear Tenuity Heaven.

In the Highest Clarity realm, the Lord of the Dao, the Most High, resides above the thirty-fourth heaven, in the realm of the Nine Perfected. He dwells in the Highest Clarity Purple Tenuity Palace and governs the Yu-yu Heaven.

In the Great Clarity realm, the Most High Lord Lao resides above the thirty-third heaven, in the realm of the Nine Immortals. He dwells in the Great Clarity Supreme Ultimate Palace and governs the Great Red Heaven.

The Jade Emperor of the Vast Heaven resides above the thirty-second heaven, in a realm beyond the Three Realms. He dwells in the Great Tenuity Jade Clarity Palace and governs the Unsurpassed Heaven.

Those who study the Dao often know that above the thirty-second heaven lie the three Great Luo Heavens, but do not know that above the Great Luo there are thirty-six more heavens. These thirty-six heavens have no color, shadow, form, or name; they are heavens of emptiness and natural spontaneity. Of them, twelve belong to Jade Clarity, twelve to Highest Clarity, and twelve to Great Clarity, making thirty-six in all.

Below the thirty-six heavens are the four heavens of the People of the Four Kinds. Below these are the four heavens of the Formless Realm, the eighteen heavens of the Realm of Form, and the six heavens of the Realm of Desire, making twenty-eight heavens in all. The Qi of these twenty-eight heavens is linked to the twenty-eight lunar mansions, so they are called the starry realm.

The Great Emperor of the Ziwei Celestial Emperor commands the multitude of stars and their constellations, directing the movement of the heavens. He resides within the inner palace of Gouchen. This is also one manifested incarnation of the Great Clarity Supreme Emperor. The Great Emperor of the North Pole Ziwei rules over the great spirits of all the heavens and is positioned within the Great Dipper of the Central Dipper. The number of great celestial spirits is without limit: above, they subdue the assembled demons; below, they guard Beifeng, the northern underworld in Daoist belief.

Palaces and Offices of the Thirty-Two Heavens

The Heaven of Huangzeng has the Purple Pole Palace, also called the Lower Yi Palace, and the Office of Wandering Years.

The Heaven of Yuwan has the Purple Chamber Palace, also called the Ascending Heaven Palace, and the Office of Qiongyang.

The Heaven of Hetong has the Nine Dawn Palace, also called the Chengli Palace, and the Office of Advancing Well-Being.

The Heaven of Pingyu has the Original Scenery Palace, also called the Taiyang Palace, and the Office of Prolonging Life.

The Heaven of Wenju has the Vast Cold Palace, also called the Banhui Palace, and the Office of Riding the Beginning.

The Heaven of the Seven Luminaries has the Great Yin Palace, also called the Hidden Gate Palace, and the Office of Heavenly Sincerity.

The Heaven of Yueheng has the Great Mystery Palace, also called the Jade Pivot Palace, and the Office of the Limitless.

The Heaven of Mengyi has the Dark Capital Palace, also called the Palace of Separation and Union, and the Office of Primordial Birth.

The Heaven of Heyang has the Everlasting Brightness Palace, also called the Opening Yang Palace, and the Office of Yin and Yang.

The Heaven of Gonghua has the Eastern Splendor Palace, also called the Cinnabar …

The Huanglu (Yellow Register) Prefecture of Yang Palace belongs to the Haoyuan Palace of Zongpiao Heaven and is also known as Tianheng Palace. The Taiyuan Prefecture belongs to the Qingxuan Palace of Huangjia Heaven and is also known as Dushen Palace. The Huagai Prefecture Hall belongs to the Chonghua Palace of Yao Heaven and is also known as Tianzao Palace. The Tianhua Prefecture belongs to the Guanghua Palace of Duanjing Heaven and is also known as Baoming Palace. The Renguang Prefecture belongs to the Kaihe Palace of Gongqing Heaven and is also known as Yunwu Palace. The Shunyang Prefecture belongs to the Dikang Palace of Jiyao Heaven and is also known as Liming Palace. The Lingyang Prefecture belongs to the Yanming Palace of Kongsheng Heaven and is also known as Shangyi Palace. The Huayang Prefecture belongs to the Kaiming Palace of Huangya Heaven and is also known as Mingmen Palace. The Huangqian Prefecture belongs to the Dahe Palace of Jifeng Heaven and is also known as Fusang Palace. The Changming Prefecture belongs to the Taidan Palace of Xiaomang Heaven and is also known as Zhongyi Palace. The Situ Prefecture belongs to the Huagai Palace of Wengzhong Heaven and is also known as Lingmen Palace. The Xiandu Prefecture belongs to the Mingtang Palace of Jiangyou Heaven and is also known as Juque Palace. The Shaoyao Prefecture belongs to the Yunlian Palace of Ruanle Heaven and is also known as Yuhu Palace. The Yuanzhen Prefecture belongs to the Zhongyuan Palace of Tanshi Heaven and is also known as Ziji Palace. The Chengxing Prefecture belongs to the Qiongyao Palace of Xiaodu Heaven and is also known as Tianjing Palace. The Tongtian Prefecture belongs to the Zhenyuan Palace of Yuandong Heaven and is also known as Shangdi Palace. The Hengguo Prefecture belongs to the Lingyou Palace of Miaocheng Heaven and is also known as Beiping Palace. The Tian'e Prefecture belongs to the Hualing Palace of Jinshang Heaven and is also known as Wuxiao Palace. The Danjing Prefecture belongs to the Wanfu Palace of Changrong Heaven and is also known as Xiadi Palace. The Jiehao Prefecture belongs to the Baigai Palace of Tengsheng Heaven and is also known as Zhongdi Palace. The Naoying Prefecture belongs to the Yunbao Palace of Fandu Heaven and is also known as Wushang Palace. The Yuli Prefecture belongs to the Tianbao Palace of Jiayi Heaven and is also known as Shenji Palace. The Yuanxiao Prefecture.

The four kinds of sentient beings in the Two Realms, together with the Thirty-Two Heavens (the thirty-two layers of heaven as spoken of in Daoism), differ in grade according to their lifespans and the fruition ranks they attain through cultivation. The celestial realms governed by the Heavenly Thearchs, as well as their duties and statuses, also differ. All these are found in the Dongshen Dayou Jing. This passage comes from the Yangxie ritual (the ceremony of thanking Heaven).

The Palaces and Gate Towers of the Various Heavens (celestial palaces)

Shiqing Heaven is the Eastern Nine-Qi Shihuang Qingtian. Dafuli Land is the Great Kingdom of Fuli. Yujing (Jade Capital) is Mount Yujing in Daluo Heaven. Zhu Palace (Vermilion Palace) is Nanshang Zhu Palace, the palace where the Red Emperor refines and delivers the hun and po souls. Nangong (Southern Palace) is the Nanchang Gexin Hunhuo Prefecture (Soul-Fire Prefecture), the palace-prefecture where the souls of the dead are renewed and refined for deliverance.

The realm of Taikong (Great Void) lies within Taiqing (Great Clarity) and below Taiji. Without passing through Nangong, the spirit-soul cannot ascend into Taikong; among the Nine Palaces, except for the central palace, which is supreme...

The True Palace is not the ordinary nine-tiered heavenly palace. It is the empty palace on the mountain, the Heaven within Heaven: the mystery within mystery, the Dao within the Dao, the realm of the supreme Great Brahma beyond the Great Luo Heaven.

In the celestial realm where the Heaven of Primordial Beginning is located stand Yuluo Xiaotai and the Upper Capital on Jade Mountain—that is, Jade Capital Mountain in the Great Luo Heaven. On the mountain is a seven-jeweled mystic terrace, still and secluded, with nine levels. Its forests are lush, and its radiance is bright.

The Palace of the Three Flowers, also called the Jade Clarity Palace of the Three Origins, comprises the Upper Origin Palace of Jade Flowers, the Middle Origin Palace of Golden Flowers, and the Lower Origin Palace of Nine Flowers. The Palace of Departure, the Palace of Great Abundance, and the Palace of Wondrous Courtyards lie north of Mystic Capital Jade Capital and serve as resting palaces for the Celestial Worthies. In the human body, the north corresponds to the Palace of the One Yin, where the Niwan Palace is located.

The Golden Towers and Jade Chambers are palaces within the Jade Clarity realm, with golden gates and chambers of white jade. Above Purple Tenuity, the Golden Towers of the High Sovereigns and the White Jade Mystic Chambers stand in ordered ranks, solemn, pure, and deep. The Golden Towers and Jade Chambers, along with three other palaces, lie south of Jade Capital. The Grand Elder of Great Simplicity, the Lord Emperor of Huayang, the True Spirit of Flowing Pearls, and the Lord of the Red Child dwell there. In the human body, south of the Niwan Palace is a place of purity and depth; the two pools of Jade Clarity also correspond to the eyes.

The Ten Heavens

In the eastern heavens lies the Land of the Hall of Peace, which governs the World of Receiving the Worthy among the great thousand worlds. In the southern heavens lies the Realm of Wanli, which governs the World of Abandoning the Worthy. In the western heavens lies the Continent of the Hall of Blessings, which governs the World of Awe-inspiring Conduct. In the northern heavens lies the Wilds of Yudan, which governs the World of Purity.

In the northeastern heavens lies the City of Gathered Blessings, which governs the World of Long Peace. In the southeastern heavens lies the Field of Original Blessings, which governs the World of Employing the Worthy. In the southwestern heavens lies the Land of Extended Blessings, which governs the World of Benevolence and Tranquility. In the northwestern heavens lies the Wilds of Blessed Virtue, which governs the World of Extending the Worthy.

Above is the World without Measure within Mystic Capital, Jade Capital, and Purple Tenuity; below is the World without Measure within the Boundless Cavernous Abyss of Clear Spirit.

Realms Governed by the Various Perfected Ones

The Three Realms are the heavenly, earthly, and watery realms, also known as the Desire Realm, the Form Realm, and the Formless Realm. The Divine Land of the Boundless is the dwelling place of countless spirits and deities in the boundless worlds of the ten directions.

The Northern Capital of Luofeng is Mount Luofeng in the north. Within and around the mountain are ten palaces in all, known as…

The Six Heavens, the Three Officials, the Nine Courts, and the heavenly, earthly, and watery palaces each have their own palace. The “Nine Courts” means that each of the Three Officials has three courts: the Three Courts of the Celestial Official of the Upper Origin are divided into left, central, and right; the Three Courts of the Earthly Official of the Middle Origin are likewise divided into left, central, and right; and the Three Courts of the Water Official of the Lower Origin are also divided into left, central, and right. Another account speaks of the “Three Officials of Northern Fengdu,” who also have Nine Courts; their details are all depicted in the diagrams.

In the northern capital’s Cold Pool and Fengdu’s shadowy night lies a frozen underworld palace called the “Pool of Mound and Cold.” There are three kinds of forced labor here: first, “the Long Night”; second, “the Cold Pool”; and third, “hauling stones.” Another account says that the Celestial Official’s laborers are driven to wield thunder and lightning, the Earthly Official’s laborers carry sand on their backs and stones on their shoulders, and the Water Official’s laborers continually draw water from the netherworld.

The three evil thoughts are lust, attachment, and greed. The phrase “the three evils form one path” means that they make up a single evil way. “Five Households” and “Five Gates of the Way” are related terms. Another account calls decline, illness, death, burial, and extinction the “Five Gates of Burden.”

The “Heavenly Gate” is the gateway to the heavens of the Three Realms. Another account says that the Great Lord takes the Horn constellation as the Heavenly Gate; some also call the practice of calculating the trigrams and severing the roots of the earth the Heavenly Gate. The Heavenly Gate of Wu and Ji changes in accordance with the cycle of the days. The east, south, west, and north each have their constellations, making up the twenty-eight lunar mansions: Horn, Neck, Root, Room, Heart, Tail, and Winnowing Basket; Dipper, Ox, Maiden, Emptiness, Rooftop, Encampment, and Wall; Legs, Bond, Stomach, Hairy Head, Net, Turtle Beak, and Orion; Well, Ghosts, Willow, Star, Extended Net, Wings, and Chariot.

The Perfected Ones of the Four Dippers oversee counting, recording names in registers, and deciding whether the dead are destined for death or rebirth. The “Central Dipper” refers to the Jade Balance and the Celestial Pivot: the place where the seven stars of the Northern Dipper move through the center of heaven, shine in all directions, and harmonize the Seven Regulators. What people call the “Northern Dipper” is in fact what is meant here by the “Central Dipper.” It is also called the “Great Culmen,” and has overall authority to supervise and inspect the spirits.

Ghost camps are spread throughout the twenty-eight lunar mansions and the Six Heavens of Fengdu. “Wind Marsh, Grotto Void” refers to the Nine Strata of the Grotto Abyss and the Thirty-Six Earths. These places are the domain of the Earth Emperor. “The Five Constant Principles” refers to the enduring moral qualities embodied in the Five Phases: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. The “Thirty-Five Divisions,” the “Thirty-Two Heavens,” and the so-called “Unsurpassed Three Heavens” all belong to the workings, transformations, and mysterious dominion of the Primordial Heavenly Worthy in the Great Luo Heaven.

The “Eight Gates” are the eight kinds of portals in the arena where the Dharma Wheel opens the way and dispenses punishment or blessing. They are the Gate of Sin, Gate of Blessing, Gate of Prohibitions and Precepts, Gate of Past Lives, Gate of Causes and Conditions, Gate of the Dead Soul and Living Body, Gate of Bodily Rebirth, and others. The Eight Gates are where the turning of the Dharma Wheel of the Three Perfected Ones is witnessed.

The “Six Ghost Peaks” mentioned in the Scripture of the Dharma Wheel of the Three Perfected Ones are the six mountain peaks in the Six Heavens of Fengdu Mountain. Each peak has its own palace, and each palace extends a thousand li in every direction. The first is the Palace of the Heaven of Extinguishing Yin under Zhou; the second, the Palace of the Heaven of the Supreme Severe Judge; the third, the Palace of the Heaven of Bright Dawn and Enduring Offenses; the fourth…

In Tiandan Heaven there is a Celestial Palace for Purging Sinful Qi. The Fifth Realm has the Celestial Palace of Lingqi Fei, and the Sixth Realm has the Celestial Palace of Lianwan Lü. On the mountain there are also six outer palaces, which oversee the retinues and registers of the ghosts and spirits.

Zhuling is the Fire Bureau of Zhuling in the Upper Palace of Nanchang. Each of the heavens has its own terrace-city.

At the foot of Mount Jade Capital stands a long tower, also called the Tower Metropolis. It has a drum named Huangzeng. In the heavens there is a terrace where the imperial lord goes on excursions, called the Thin Terrace, as well as a gate of the sun and moon called the He Gate. Outside the gate, five-colored flying, mysterious Qi surrounds it.

The northwest gate of Yuwan Heaven is called Xuyan Gate. In Hetong Heaven stands a seven-treasure forest tree named Ayi, whose branches and leaves spread over the four quarters. Pingyu Heaven has the Palace of Supreme Ultimate in the Flowery Capital, the Azure Radiance Gate, and the Immortal-Venerable Tower. There, jade-colored auspicious clouds appear.

Wenju Heaven has the Yuluo Jade Pass, a convenient passage leading to the Three Realms. Within the gate is an auspicious-cloud purple lodge. Mayi Heaven has the Gate of First Birth; whoever enters through it brings blessing and celebration to all nine generations of their kin.

Yueheng Heaven has Mount Kongfeng. Mengyi Heaven has Mount Jiuxin and the Ridge of Aqiu. Heyang Heaven has a Courtyard of Flowing Fire, also called the Southern Yan Courtyard. There is an imperial lord there whose taboo name is Dongfu, responsible for refining and governing souls. In the Courtyard of Flowing Fire is an ointment called Jade Eyes.

Gonghua Heaven has the Observatory of the Four Dippers and the Flowery Terrace. Zongpiao Heaven has Mount Ze, the abode of the gathered dragons. In the heavens are a golden chamber, a jade hall, and the Puyu Terrace, where the Perfect Morning Dao Lord governs.

Huangjia Heaven has Mount Jinhua, atop which stands the Palace of the Five Emperors. Those who attain the Dao come here to receive the Talisman of Taiyi, by which they withstand demonic trials. Tangyao Heaven has the Ninefold Mysterious Terrace and a five-colored forest of soaring trees. Duanjing Heaven has a celestial pass associated with the wheel of emptiness, through which the celestial perfected may be summoned.

Gongqing Heaven has the deep abyss of the Dragon Pool. The people of heaven use the water of the Eastern Well to irrigate the celestial perfected. In the heavens there is also the Gate of Heaven of the Three Realms. Within the gate is the Ford of Great Harmony, from which transformation gives rise to spirits.

Kongsheng Heaven is also called the Land of Chanli. Above the land are the Dongyang Palace and the Hall of Blessings and Virtue. Huangya Heaven has the Palace of Great Subtlety. The chariot of radiant clouds welcomes immortals who nourish their roots and carries them up to the Hall of Transformation and Birth. Jifeng Heaven has rites of purple-cloud excursions and banquets, which serve to preserve the root of Jifeng. Xiaomang Heaven has a quiet courtyard.

Wengzhong Heaven has a nine-tiered high terrace before the Jade Tower, as well as a courtyard for binding ghosts and chambers for restraining them.

The palaces, gates, terraces, mountains, and bureaus mentioned here are specialized names within the Daoist celestial hierarchy. “Three Realms” refers to different levels of the heavens, while “celestial perfected” means perfected immortals in the celestial realm. The text also records the functions of the various celestial palaces, the abodes of immortals, and practices such as refining souls, receiving talismans, and resisting demons.

The text is a translation request, and the translation itself is straightforward, so I'll render it directly.

Among the myriad subduing demons of the heavens, the Jiang You heaven contains the Ridges of the Dragon Mountain (Longshan); the Heavenly King Ayiu rides the Three-White Carriage (sansu pengche) up onto the Dragon Mountain. The Ruanle heaven holds the Hall of Mystery and Blessing (Xuanzhong Futang), which is used to record and register the ledgers of the nocturnal netherworld. The Tanshi heaven contains the Eastern Florescence Palace (Donghua Gong) and many Qian trees; on the Green Mist and Jade Peaks there are green pheasants that roost and cry, and on the trees grow the reverse-fragrance herbs. The Fenggu Xiaodu heaven contains the Gate of the Nine Mysteries and a chariot with a wheel of celestial design. The Yuan Cavern heaven holds a phoenix chariot, used to welcome those who study to become immortals. The Miaocheng heaven contains the Yun'a Ridge and the Palace of the Feathered Forest Clouds. The Feixuan Qi of the heaven above the forbidden realm rises into the high sky and condenses into a hollow scripture. The Changrong heaven holds the Shalan Palace, where immortals gather at the Tuoqiu Immortal Spring; by reckoning their merit, they ascend to the Purple Subtlety Hall of Jade Clarity (Yuqing Ziwei Guan). The Yulong heaven contains the Azure Mist Qi, within which stands the Palace of Seven Treasures; inside the palace is a natural cavern chapter called the Kongge (Empty Song). The Fandu heaven holds the Great Void Hall and the Wonderful Transformation Hall, where the Heavenly King holds the Register of the Nine Immortals (Jiu Xian Lu). The Jia Yi heaven is the colorless Brahma heaven, with the Clear Cavern Floating Realm, in which dwell the true heavenly beings.

Register of the Three Heavens' Numinous Officials

The scripture states that the jade youths and jade maidens belonging to the Five-Directional Emperors who serve the scripture number twenty-four each, responsible for guarding the sacred scripture and also protecting the body of the one who receives it.

The Azure Numinous Initiating Youths of the East, the Vermilion Numinous Initiating Youths of the South, the Bright Numinous Initiating Youths of the West, the Dark Numinous Initiating Youths of the North, and the Yellow Numinous Initiating Youths of the Center each number twenty-four, for a total of one hundred and twenty.

The Nine-Qi Azure Numinous Jade Maidens of the East, the Three-Qi Vermilion Numinous Jade Maidens of the South, the Seven-Qi Bright Numinous Jade Maidens of the West, the Five-Qi Dark Numinous Jade Maidens of the North, and the One-Qi Yellow Numinous Jade Maidens of the Center each number twenty-four, likewise totaling one hundred and twenty.

The scripture states that one should summon the Three-Five Meritorious Officers arising from within one's own body, the Left and Right Official Envoys, the Golden Youths who attend the incense, the Jade Maidens who convey messages, as well as the Five Emperors' Duty Talismans and the Daily Duty Incense Officers, each category numbering thirty-two.

The Three Heavens' Self-Generated Renewal Meritorious Officers number thirty-two, the Three Heavens' Self-Generated Memorial Meritorious Officers number thirty-two, and the Three Heavens' Self-Generated Messenger Meritorious Officers number thirty-two. Listed here are the names and numbers of the spirit-officials responsible for transmitting messages, submitting memorials, and similar duties.

Two Heavenly Mysterious Merit Officers (Gongcao), who carry out divine affairs under command, make thirty-two in all. Three Heavens Natural Flying Fragrance Merit Officers likewise number thirty-two.

The Five Emperors' Natural Renewal Merit Officers number thirty-two; the Five Emperors' Natural Memorial Merit Officers, thirty-two; the Five Emperors' Natural Messenger Merit Officers, thirty-two; the Five Emperors' Natural Mysterious Merit Officers, thirty-two; and the Five Emperors' Natural Flying Fragrance Merit Officers, thirty-two.

The Xuan Master (Xuanshi) says: "The Three Five Merit Officers fall into two kinds, each with its own division of divine transformation. One kind is the Three Origins and Five Virtues Merit Officers, who belong to the Dongshen (Cavern of Spirit) of the Taiqing (Great Clarity) Three Caverns. What is discussed here are the Five Emperors' Merit Officers of the Three Heavens. They are not beings with form and kind, as those born from the womb or transformed from moisture are. They are formed from the natural true qi of the Three and Five. By summoning and recording the vital qi of the Three Dantian (Dantian, energy centers) and the Five Viscera within the body, through the qi of the Dao of Truth, they condense and transform into numinous spirits. Each serves in the bureau that matches its office, and so they are called Gongcao, or merit officers."

There are thirty-two Left Attendant Envoys and thirty-two Right Attendant Envoys, thirty-two Golden Youths who attend the incense, and thirty-two Jade Maidens who convey messages.

The Xuan Master says: "The Left and Right Attendant Envoys are spirits that allow the qi of Yin and Yang to circulate. They also lead the Five Officers (the various sense organs and functions within the body) as they stir thought and act. The Golden Youths who attend the incense are transformed from the pure, clean qi present when yang qi first arises. The Jade Maidens who convey messages are the pure and cautious spirits inherent in yin qi. Conveying words, dispersing fragrance, presenting intentions, and expressing sincerity are the duties of these four kinds of Primordial Beginning True Spirits."

The Eastern Azure Emperor's Duty Talismans number thirty-two, the Southern Vermilion Emperor's Duty Talismans thirty-two, the Western White Emperor's Duty Talismans thirty-two, the Northern Black Emperor's Duty Talismans thirty-two, and the Central Yellow Emperor's Duty Talismans thirty-two.

The Xuan Master says: "These spirits are likewise transformed from the true qi of the Five Viscera and from qi in accord with Virtue (De)."

The Daily Incense Officers number thirty-two.

The Xuan Master says: "The Daily Incense Officers keep watch over the days of the sixty-day cycle (liujiazi). They are the descendants of the Three Sovereigns. The Heavenly Sovereign of Jiayin governs Jiachen, and Jiachen is the soul of the Six Fields as well as the parent of Jia. Each day thirty-two Incense Officers keep watch, and their duty is to use fragrant qi to disperse filth and summon the true spirits. Both male and female Incense Officers are transformed from the Six Jia qi of their respective births. Numerous spirits are not limited to thirty-two; only when summoning and reporting do they use four..."

The Fangtian (Square Heaven) officials number thirty-two persons. Each heaven has two Merit Officers of the Three Fives (Sanwu Gongcao), two Attendant Envoys (one on the left and one on the right), one Golden Youth who attends to incense, one Jade Maiden who conveys messages, one attendant of the Duty Talisman (Zhifu) for each of the Five Emperors, and one Incense Official on duty for the day. Each heaven therefore has twelve persons, and the thirty-two heavens together total three hundred and sixty. [The source gives 360 as the total; thirty-two heavens of twelve persons each would come to 384.] Among them, the Merit Officer, called "one each for the Three Heavens and Five Emperors," responds upward to the one thousand two hundred officials and lords and joins downward with the thirty-six thousand spirit-breaths.

The Daoist master says that the Heavenly Immortal Inner Court of the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) within the Palace of Jade Clarity and Numinous Void (Yuqing Lingxu Gong) has Immortal Offices (Xiancao), assigned to serve the Immortal Officials of the palace. All of these persons request their commissions from the upper realms and then descend from the lower ones.

Demon-Discerning Department (Bianmo Bu)

Two Demon-Discerning Jade Maidens (for Immortal Lords and above, up to four may be assigned). Five Eight-Majesties Demon-Governing Capital Commanders (for Immortal Lords and above, up to ten may be assigned). Five Ghost-Slaying Capital Overseer Clerks (for Immortal Lords and above, up to ten may be assigned).

Treasure Scripture Department (Baozhang Bu)

One Perfected Lord of the Talismanic Treasures of All Heavens. Two Celestial Scribes who support the recording of celestial patterns. Two Scribe-Officials who translate talismanic writings and record treasures. Two Jade Maidens who support and manage the treasure records of all heavens.

Reception Department (Chengshou Bu)

One Jade Maiden of reception for each of the Ten Heavens. One Jade Maiden of reception for each of the Three Heavens. One Jade Maiden of reception for each of the Five Emperors. Three memorialists to the Numinous Palace for each of the Three Pure Ones. One Jade Maiden of reception for each of the thirty-two heavens.

Administrative Department (Zhuzhi Bu)

Seal-Holding Numinous Officials of Lingxu, Law-Holding Numinous Officials of Lingxu, Adjudicating Numinous Officials of Lingxu, Dispatching Numinous Officials of Lingxu, and Prison Numinous Officials of Lingxu, each numbering eleven. ["Each numbering eleven" is retained as stated in the original.]

Celestial Physician Department (Tianyi Bu)

Celestial Physician Immortal Officials of the Imperial Medicines, who examine pulses and conditions. Celestial Physician Numinous Officials of the Imperial Medicines, who prescribe medicines according to the illness. Celestial Physician Spirit Clerks of the Imperial Medicines, who compound and refine medicines. Celestial Physician Taiqing Doctors of Body Regeneration of the Imperial Medicines, in charge of restoring the form of the body and regrowing flesh. Celestial Physician Sanwu Merit Officials for Healing, who take pulses and judge diseases. Celestial Physician Imperial Medicines officials who request medicines and treat illness. Minor stone-needle clerks, who treat with stone needles, acupuncture, and moxibustion. In addition, there are Poultice Numinous Officials, Poison-Collecting Generals, and Envoys, two of each.

Ceremonial Guard Department (Yiwei Bu)

[The source text ends at this heading.]

The Daoist Dharma-protectors include two Kings of the Way, thirty-two Linghua Jade Maidens, thirty-two Linghua Celestial Officers, twelve Merit Officers (Gongcao) of the Jade Clarity (Yuqing) Court, and the Great Generals of Yuqing.

The Mysterious Master says that Yuqing, the celestial realm revered in Daoism, has awe-inspiring Heavenly Generals and great spirits who can assist the rite and dispel demonic obstacles. When they are summoned by command, they descend at once.

The Lingguan (Daoist guardian spirit officers) who pass through the checkpoints and patrol the heavens do the following. From the Xu position to the Chen position, they cast out the ghostly evil spirits of the ghost path, and from the Chen position to the Xu position, they cast out the evil spirits of the hells. From the Kun position to the Gen position, they cast out the evil spirits of the animal path, and from the Gen position back to the Kun position, they sever the root of the womb. Other Lingguan sever the root of the placenta, the root of binding, the root of joints, the root of desire, the six roots, and the root of earth.

The Chen-position Lingguan fly through the gate of entanglement by form, the Shen-position Lingguan through the gate of entanglement by desire, the You-position Lingguan through the gate of entanglement by love, the Yin-position Lingguan through the gate of entanglement by emotion, and the Si-position Lingguan through the gate of entanglement by greed. The Hai-position Lingguan are listed under the Taixuan (here a title or office within the Daoist heavens). The Demon King of Shangqing oversees and raises up the Lingguan, and the Chou-position Lingguan of Yuqing open the heavenly gates without restriction.

Next are the Perfected Officials (Zhenguan) who keep the heavenly registers and the records of fate. The Qian-position Perfected Official of the Dou lodge in the east keeps the calculations and records. The Mao-position Perfected Official of the Dou lodge in the west keeps the registry of names and the Ministry of Fate. The You-position Perfected Official of the Dou lodge in the north, the North Star, oversees the registry of deaths and disputes. The Zi-position Perfected Official of the Nan Dou (Southern Dipper) oversees the registry of births and hardships. The Wu-position Perfected Official of the Zhong Dou (Central Dipper) oversees the registry of the great rank and prohibitions. (Dou lodge refers to a lunar mansion or star group; these titles name the offices listed in the scripture.)

In the middle of the finger there are Perfected Officials who oversee and supervise all the spirits and check their records. In the Zi and Wu Dippers there are the Perfected Man of the Azure Emperor who guards the hun-souls, located in the Zhen direction; the Perfected Man of the White Emperor who attends the po-souls, located in the Dui direction; the Perfected Man of the Red Emperor who nourishes the qi, located in the Wu direction; the Perfected Man of the Black Emperor who circulates the blood, located in the Kan direction; the Perfected Man of the Yellow Emperor who presides at the center, located in the Kun direction; and the Perfected Man of the Myriad Spirits who does not transgress, located in the Qian direction.

The Great Demon King of the Azure Heaven appears from the Yin and Mao directions, the Great Demon King of the Red Heaven from the Si and Wu directions, the Great Demon King of the White Heaven from the Shen and You directions, and the Great Demon King of the Black Heaven from the Hai and Zi directions. The Great Demon King of the Yellow Heaven dwells at the corners of the four mountains, above the Gen direction. The Great Demon King of the Azure Emperor is in the Zhen and Xun directions, the Great Demon King of the Red Emperor in the Li and Wu directions, the Great Demon King of the White Emperor in the Dui and Shen directions, the Great Demon King of the Black Emperor in the Kan and Hai directions, and the Great Demon King of the Yellow Emperor……

The Wang (Kun/Xu), commander of the ghost soldiers, is the Grand Marshal of the Three Heavens and the Venerable Father of the Nine Heavens, holding the command banner in hand. On the left, the Divine King of the Leading Spirits (lingshen wang) carries the canopy banner; on the right, the Great Spirit who commands the drums beats the drum; behind him, strong warriors hold the tallies of authority, and in front, the Celestial Stewards (tianding) clear the way. The Jade Clarity Divine Lord and the Grand Mystery Supreme Minister belong to the sixth rank of divine office, and when they are summoned, the Jade Clarity Formula (Yuqing jue) and the Purple Tenuity Seal (Ziwei yin) are used.

The Azure Dragon Great Spirit guards the Zhen direction, the White Tiger Great Spirit guards the Dui direction, the Vermilion Bird Great Spirit guards the Li direction, and the Black Tortoise Great Spirit guards the Kan direction. The Pixiu Great Spirit guards the Dui direction, the Lion Great Spirit guards the Kun direction, the Qiongqi Great Spirit guards the Gen direction, the Qilin Great Spirit guards the Xun direction, and the Heavenly Horse Great Spirit guards the Wu direction. The Great Celestial Steward of Great Strength leads the way in front.

The Grand Marshal of the Ming-Mo Banner, the Great Spirit General of the Jade Clarity Hurling Fire, the Great Spirit General of the Jade Clarity Flowing Bells, the Great Spirit General of the Golden Axe Vanguard Slaughter, the Great Celestial Empress Punishment General, the Jade Clarity Envoy of Butchery, the Jade Clarity Wind-and-Fire Punitive General, the Great Spirit who Cuts Off Ghostly Pollution, the Great Spirit who Inspects the Ghost Camps, and the Great Spirit of the Golden Horse Post Route, together with the Recorder of the Upper Clarity who issues the lists, are all generals of the Jade Clarity system. The text in brackets gives the hand seals, finger techniques, and gestures used when summoning these generals. Names such as "Hurling Fire," "Flowing Bells," and "Golden Axe" indicate the implements these generals carry or the duties they hold.

The Mystic Master says: these great generals and great spirits of the Jade Clarity Heaven all belong to the command of the Jade Clarity Divine Lord and the Grand Mystery Supreme Minister, and they share merit with the Grand Marshals of the Heavens and the High Numinous Ones. They call themselves the illustrious assisting spirits of Jade Clarity Numinous Treasure, charged with aiding Jade Clarity in managing the shifts of calamity and fate, destroying demonic obstacles, sweeping away disasters, and helping those who cultivate the Way and seek immortality to be delivered and elevated.

They patrol the Three Realms, drive out demonic and evil kinds, strictly restrain the Northern Fengdu (the netherworld region that governs spirits and ghosts), subdue phantoms, search the ghost camps, and purify the Qi of the Way, preparing the way for future generations to witness Great Peace. All of them are ministers who support, guard, and sweep away evil spirits. Jade Clarity keeps the Ascension Tallies, which it bestows upon those who attain the Way and ascend to immortality; the Heavenly Lord also bestows the tallies upon those who…

Envoys sent to deliver souls from suffering must travel to the Southern Palace. Without a pass, the officials at the Heavenly Gate will halt them and forbid them to proceed. Once they hold a pass, the Gate no longer detains or obstructs them.

The heavens eliminate the Three Evil Paths because beings create the three karmas of body, speech, and mind within themselves, and outwardly give rise to the three poisons of greed, anger, and delusion. Through these, they fall into the realms of ghosts, animals, and hells. Now that they have received salvation in Yuqing (Jade Clarity), they must report to the thirty-two Celestial Masters on the day of their birth, whether a Jia or Yi day, and request official credentials one by one to extinguish the three evils. Inwardly, they must no longer create the karmas of body, speech, and mind. Outwardly, they must cut off the three poisons of greed, anger, and delusion. Only then will they avoid falling into hell, avoid becoming ghosts, and avoid being reborn as animals. Even after receiving salvation, if karmic obstacles and poisons have not been removed from within and without, they still cannot escape falling.

At birth, a person has twelve joints in the upper body, which are the roots of death inherited from their parents. The middle of the body has twelve knots, which are the roots of death borne by the self. The lower body has twelve enclosing knots, which are the roots of death passed down to descendants. All of these are called the "roots of earth." Therefore, on the day of salvation, these roots must be severed. Inwardly, the thirty-six roots must be purged. Outwardly, the roots of evil destinies arising from the six senses must be subdued. Cutting the roots of earth seals off old debts and secures the physical form. Only then can one fly past the Gate of the Five Afflictions (the barrier that burdens people and traps them in hardship), be enrolled in Taixuan (Great Mystery), be escorted and overseen by demon kings, and ascend through the Heavenly Gate. This is the essential purpose of the salvation rite in which both bone and flesh ascend together to Shangqing (Highest Clarity) and then rise to Yuqing.

The following describes what Divine Lord Shen carried out under orders in the sweeping campaign. Shen was a subordinate of the Earth Emperor and a descendant of Great Ancestor Ma, and he was the father of the great deity of the Jiaolong Chenxing constellation. His divine rank was Divine Lord of Yuqing and Supreme Minister of Taixuan. He was styled the Malong clan, and his personal name was Kuoyi.