《靈寶無量度人上經大法》Vol. 37

“Three True Ones Flying Through the Dipper” is a method for calming the spirit and settling the po, praying for a long life, and extending one’s allotted years. It is also used to avert calamity. If someone’s life is nearly over and calamities weigh heavily upon them, they may wish to perform great meritorious deeds but have no time, or may have begun doing good without completing it. They could then face worldly reproach because their life has been cut short. In such circumstances, this method may be used to pray to the heavens, summon back the hun and po, restore the deceased to life, renew their life force, and extend their years.

The rite is usually performed over three days; five or seven days are the next choices. It may be scheduled for the third or twenty-seventh day of the month, or for one of the Eight Seasonal Nodes, the Three Primal Days, the Ten Purification Days, a Jiazi or Gengshen day, or the person’s natal day. In an emergency, there is no need to choose an auspicious date, but days when Kui or Gang falls upon the patient’s or ritual master’s natal sign must be avoided. If a person’s days and allotted years are exhausted, and circumstances such as “meeting the Nine” occur, there is no remedy. The text also explains which times are meant by Kui and Gang, and lists seasonal taboos such as the corresponding “Bath Basin Days.” Even if a date is otherwise suitable, violating a taboo may prolong the illness and make a long life difficult to attain.

Before the rite begins, sweep and purify the room, then arrange nine lamps according to the pattern of the Northern Dipper. Place three lamp wicks in each lamp and fill them with clean oil. Prepare five kinds of fresh seasonal fruit, nine portions of fresh flowers, nine pints of clear wine, nine cups of pure mountain spring water, nine burners of incense, twenty-seven cloud cranes, and nine cloud horses. Write one memorial to the heavens for each cloud horse, and a natal talisman on each saddle. Nearby, set out nine offerings for the Yang and Tuo emissaries, four offerings for the Four Directional Duty Lords, and one offering each for the local earth deity, the person’s natal guardian spirit, and the True Official of their natal destiny. Arrange incense, tea, wine, and fruit in order as well.

During the rite, Buddhist monks and nuns, women who have recently given birth, people in mourning, chickens, dogs, and talkative people must not be allowed to witness it. Do not ring bells, strike chimes, or make loud announcements. When entering the altar space to present the memorial, offer incense first, then recite the “Spell for Purifying Heaven and Earth” and use the spell to purify water. The text holds that performing the rite in accordance with these procedures can establish a connection with the spirits and elicit a response.

Once the ritual mat and the altar for the Jiao (a site where Daoist purification rites are performed) have been swept clean, light the lamps. In spring and summer, begin with the mouth of the Big Dipper; in autumn and winter, begin with its handle. As each lamp is lit, recite the incantation once and burn one talisman. The incantation says:

“The seven stars shine with brilliant light in the north. Beneath them lie the Terrace and the Street; beside them stands the Imperial Court. They govern all things and order Yin-Yang; they reward good deeds, punish evil deeds, bestow blessings, and avert disasters. May the people live long and not die young; may they live in peace and comfort, free from fear and distress. Within the Northern Dipper is a numinous light. Hear me as I proclaim this.”

When all the lamps have been lit, perform nine bows, offer incense, and recite the Purification-of-the-Altar Incantation:

“By Heaven’s command, let flowing Golden Qi wash away all that is stagnant. Let the seven lodges in the four directions shine clear; let filth disperse and dust be cleansed.”

Recite it nine times, blow toward the eight directions, and then perform nine more bows. When the rites are complete, recite the invocation:

“I, the ritual officiant [name], holding the appropriate Daoist rank, now respectfully invoke the Incense Attendant Golden Youth, the Message-Bearing Jade Maiden, the Five Emperors’ Talisman Officers, the Incense Officials on Duty Today, the Talisman Officers of the Three Realms, and the Talisman Officers of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Realms: Zheng Yuanxi, Jiao Gongnu, and Zhang Yuanbo. I also invoke the Year’s Attendant Cui Shuxuan, the Month’s Attendant Lu Jiquan, the Day’s Attendant Dou Yangguang, and the Hour’s Attendant Deng Hengwen, together with the Lords of the Azure Dragon and White Tiger on my left and right, and the emissaries Qiangyang and Tuoluo. Please convey my message to the divine beings on my behalf.

“True Lord, Ancient Emperor of the Five Spirits of the North; Holy Mother of the Nine Heavens; Sovereign Lords of the Nine Morning Stars of the Northern Dipper; True Lords, Marshals of the Four Sacred Ones; and all the holy beings within the Dipper: I have now established an altar and set forth the star configuration of the Northern Dipper, urgently addressing the celestial stars. I beseech all the holy and divine ones to descend with compassion, bestow true Qi, and permit my petition, so that what I seek may be fulfilled. I, [name], respectfully submit this petition.”

Then offer incense again, perform nine bows, prostrate yourself, and click your teeth thirty-six times. Next, visualize the Five Viscera emitting true Qi in five colors: the Qi of the liver is green and transforms into the Azure Dragon; the Qi of the heart is red and transforms into the Vermilion Bird; the Qi of the lungs is white and transforms into the White Tiger; the Qi of the spleen is yellow and transforms into the Yellow Dragon; and the Qi of the kidneys is black and transforms into the Dark Warrior. The true Qi of the Five Viscera rises like a rainbow, surging straight north to a point before the mouth of the Northern Dipper. After holding this visualization for a moment, see the Qi transform into the “Bridge to Transcendence” and a jade pillar.

Next, visualize yourself wearing the robes appropriate to your rank. Purple Qi rises from the crown of your head; riding upon it, you ascend the Bridge to Transcendence and travel to the Dipper Palace. Each star is as large as a wheel and as bright as the sun. Within the stars are golden towers and jade halls, jeweled mountains, jade nectar, and trees like fine jade. They are surrounded by the guards of the Nine Sovereigns, who wear embroidered robes and have wondrous, numinous appearances…

The officials, Golden Youths, and Jade Maidens each performed nine bows before every star, presenting the matters for which prayers had been offered.

After a long while, they went down from the altar. If they saw purple clouds or smelled a wondrous fragrance, they would see the two envoys, Qiangyang and Tuoluo. They looked like Jade Maidens: one held a golden tray bearing a sheep’s head, while the other carried a flowering branch and a sword. They first came to inspect the jiaoyan, the ritual banquet set out for the gods during a Daoist ceremony. When the rite was complete, the envoys ascended into the Dipper. If a wondrous fragrance was then smelled or purple clouds were seen, it signified that the holy ones of the Nine Stars had descended. After nine bows, tea was poured and wine offered. At the first offering, the participants made nine bows and read the memorial. The jiaozhu, the presiding officiant, offered tea and wine three times and prayed three times. At the second offering, wine was presented three times, the memorial was read, and nine bows were made. At the final offering, wine was likewise presented three times.

After the guanwen, the formal notice, had been read, the divine generals were led to cast the memorial into a blazing fire and burn it. The ritual master, together with the Four Duty Officers, the Three Envoys, the star official governing the person’s birth year, and the Yuancheng, the star deities corresponding to the person’s birth date, carried the memorial to the palace of the Dipper Lord to whom each belonged. Before each star, they made three sincere bows. They returned to the ritual banquet and waited for a response from the deities. Then they burned the remaining offering petitions, paper money and horses, cloud cranes, and other offerings, while reciting the spell for dismissing the spirits:

“Celestial spirits return to Heaven; terrestrial spirits return beneath the earth. In the future, summon them again according to the established custom, and let the spirits come once more.”

Next they recited the spell for restoring the censer and dispelling calamity nine times, made nine bows, and prayed:

“At dawn, pay court at the Celestial Spirit Terrace; at night, lodge above the Nine Heavens. May the celestial spirits report to Heaven through the night and dispel every misfortune and calamity.”

They then removed the offering table and closed the altar. If the illness had not worsened but had eased somewhat, they could perform the rite called “Nourishing the Dead Pattern and Changing the Life Name.” This meant changing the pattern of death and establishing a new life name, in order to remove guilt, dispel misfortune, and extend one’s lifespan. To perform it, they could prepare the necessary ritual objects and carry out the rite of “Addressing and Inviting the Thirty-Two Heavens” to offer thanks to the celestial realm. They could also perform the “Jiao for Restoring the Soul and Delivering the Po.”

Memorial Used in the Dipper Offering Rite

Your servant, a ritual master of the rank of [title], surnamed [surname]:

According to the prayer submitted, and in view of the date and time of birth governing this person, [name], I now come to confess and atone for a certain illness … I am also troubled by grave offenses and therefore seek pardon. I fear as well the calamities of the year and the afflictions of the month, the fate of encountering Kuigang, the Five Phases in mutual punishment and harm, the nets of Heaven and Earth, and the illumination of the life position by inauspicious stars and baleful spirits. I do not know how these should be addressed. I now respectfully record and submit the matters for which prayers are sought.

Star Sovereigns of the Nine Morning Stars of the Northern Dipper, the Nine August Ladies, the Inner Consort of the Great One of the Northern Dipper, the Numinous Consort, the Dark Mother, the Eldest Daughter, the Middle Daughter, the Youngest Daughter, the Ladies of the Left and Right High Sovereigns, the True Rulers within the Dipper, and all the numinous officials:

We earnestly beseech you, holy and compassionate ones, to send down your true light and behold our sincere devotion. Forgive and pardon our offenses, dispel calamities, cleanse away all evil and illness-bearing Qi, drive off the harm of malign ghosts, and grant a long life.

May He extend the life of the one who has made this petition, increase their years, heal their illness and suffering, and swiftly grant them peace. Thereafter, I look up in gratitude to Heaven for its boundless grace. I presume to submit this petition for the sacred ear; my heart is filled with utmost trepidation. I respectfully await a response and humbly listen for the edict.

On the [day] of the [month] in the [year], I, [name], holding the following ritual rank, submit this petition.

Scripture Master: Perfected One of Wondrous Practice of Shangqing; Register Master: Perfected One, Lord and Consort of Shangqing; Initiation Master: Perfected One Who Descends at the Spring of Shangqing. The seven copies of this petition need not be sealed in separate square cases. Seal them together, attach yellow paper, and submit them.

List separately the seven Lords of the Morning Stars. I, [name], holding three ritual ranks, respectfully seal this petition.

The paper money and cloud cranes offered to the other nine deities should be made according to the usual forms and placed on the saddles. In the middle of each saddle arch, write the Seven Primordial Talismans and the talisman of the Scripture of the Dipper in cinnabar.

There is another method:

Use nine large cloud horses. On each horse, write the petitioning ritual master’s rank and the matter being presented, asking for guidance on how it should be carried out. Address each horse’s petition to one of the Lords of the Dipper, and await the sacred decree together. At the chosen year, month, day, and hour, and with the altar facing the prescribed direction, stamp the saddle with the jade seal of the Three Qi of Flying Mystery. Then write on it the talisman from the middle section of the Scripture of the Dipper and the talisman of the Assistant Lords. Divide incense, tea, wine, and fruit into nine portions and burn them as offerings. Pray at that time, asking the three Perfected Ones to submit the petition on your behalf and respectfully requesting clear instructions and a response. With both hands, form the Zi-Wu mudra and the hand gesture of the Dipper’s steps; visualize the cloud horses flying into the Northern Dipper. The cloud horses bear the sacred names of the three Perfected Ones and are wrapped in a covering before being presented. Write the name of the particular Star Lord and the name of the person holding the ritual rank, then seal the petition carefully. Inform the officials of Ding and Jia and the Four Directional Spirit Lords, ordering them to carry the petition swiftly into the Dipper. Take a little of the burned ash and mix it with purified water of the Dipper, prepared according to the matter being sought. Drink a small amount, then apply it to the body’s five vital points and quietly await a response.

The Seven Primordial Talismans above are written in cinnabar and may be used to ward off and treat demons and other such matters.

The Flying Spirit Enters the Dipper: A Seal

The Human of Antiquity said: In the lower realm—the mountains, rivers, seas, cities, and villages spoken of in Daoism—there are spirits of rocks, water, birds, and beasts; deities arising from disorder in the Five Phases; fierce ghosts of the lower realm; and demons, goblins, and other uncanny spirits. They act recklessly and cause trouble, manifesting strange signs that confuse and entangle people. Some cases cannot be cured by ordinary methods.

Other calamities come from the divine officials of Northern Yin Fengdu, the netherworld underworld spoken of in Daoism, and from the spirits of the dead who receive offerings. Entangled with ancestors and deceased relatives, they bring lawsuits before the underworld authorities. The resulting calamities also ensnare the living, subjecting them to misfortune; these entanglements are difficult to resolve. In such cases, follow this method: establish the Three Luminaries’ Mysterious Pivot Spirit Altar and set up a purified chamber for prayers to avert misfortune, seeking the swift fulfillment of one’s wishes.

Conducting a Rite for Peace and Tranquility

The oral instructions say: Choose a clean place, which may be consecrated ground, a private chamber, or an open, uninhabited, secluded place in the countryside, and set up an altar there. Make the altar three feet high. On it, arrange the spirit tablets according to the positions of the Seven Southern Stars, the Six Offices of the Southern Dipper, the Nine Morning Stars, the Three Platforms, the sun, and the moon, and light twenty-one lamps. Also venerate the Great Emperor of Ziwei. In front of the altar, place a ritual table and set out twenty-one spirit tablets. List the Three Officials, the Four Sages, the Perfected One of Orthodox Unity, the Three Generals, the Four Duty Messengers, the Grand Year, the local earth deity, and the two lords Qingyang and Tuoluo.

Lay five-colored cords from the mouths of the Dipper lamps all the way to beneath the ritual table. Then draw a square on the ground with white chalk, three feet six inches on each side, with a gate on each of its four sides. Take the true taboo names of the Southern and Northern Dippers and burn them in the brazier.

The ritual master should enter through the Gate of Heaven, visualize the spirits flying into the mouths of the Dipper lamps, and secretly report to the High Perfected Ones. He should also write down and conceal transgressions in secret, so that the allotted years of life accord with one another, ghosts and monsters cease their activity, and the human world returns to stillness.

The efficacy of this method is remarkably strange, and its spiritual response is profoundly wondrous. First, step the astral pattern and walk the Dipper: proceed from the handle into the Dipper’s mouth, then step back to the handle and bow low. Next, enter the Dipper’s mouth again and bow three times. At the third bow, prostrate yourself and visualize yourself in accordance with the method: a figure in white appears at the lower Dantian; a figure in blue appears in the Crimson Palace, the palace within the heart; and a figure in purple appears in the Muddy Pellet, where spiritual awareness resides above the head. Then visualize the Five Viscera emitting Qi in five colors, guided by the mind. The tongue transforms into a bridge leading to the land of the immortals, shaped like a rainbow. At first it is faintly visible; after a while, it gradually becomes clear.

A pool of water appears before the ritual master, and a bridge shows itself on its surface, leading straight to the Dipper’s mouth. Riding the Qi, the master ascends the bridge and reaches the Dipper’s mouth, where he sees a radiant light, bright as the moon. Inside are a jade palace and golden steps. The master silently recites the names of the Four Duty Messengers and explains the purpose of the purification offering. He then sees the messengers enter the Dipper and report in turn to each stellar palace.

Next, he suddenly sees the two messengers Qingyang and Tuoluo descend to inspect whether the altar is clean. After the inspection, they report again to the stellar palace. Once the report has been presented within the Dipper, a spirit official leads the master forward to make his own report. If a sign of approval is received, the master bows twice and returns, continuing to visualize himself according to the method already described.

He then visualizes himself arriving in the Southern Dipper to present his report. He sees the Fire-Bell General and the Six Star Youths descend and inspect the altar according to the same method. After a long while, if purple clouds appear, a strange fragrance arises, or red light enters the doorway, this indicates that the Southern and Northern Dippers have descended.

The presence of filial mourners, women, chickens, dogs, Buddhist monks, or nuns is forbidden during this rite.

Flying the Dipper

Make a cloud-horse from a large sheet of paper, and write the talismans of the Southern and Northern Dippers on its saddle arch…

Write the scripture in vermilion ink in the blank spaces. Prepare a separate petition, one for each paper cloud-horse used to carry it.

Write the star lord’s title and submit the petition in the customary format. Read it aloud just before the burning.

The Life-Restoring Method for the Dying

The scripture says this method can bring a person back to life, turning death into life, and can also avert calamities and undo misfortune. The “Method of Turning Death into Life” is a marvelous teaching, compassionately left by the Perfected Ones to save all beings, and its effects are swift.

When an ordinary person is gravely ill or afflicted by calamity and decline, write a talisman and record the person’s birth year, heavenly stem and earthly branch, and name. Take a record of the person’s sins throughout their life and seal it away. Then prepare ten strings of ritual money. Late at night, make an offering to the Northern Dipper, perform the ritual steps that symbolize entering the stars, enter the mouth of the Dipper, and face north while reciting the incantation. Determine the direction of the person’s natal star, blow toward it, and burn the talisman. After a while, write another talisman, burn it to ash, and have the sick person swallow it. Write a third talisman for the person to wear. That same night, report how many years of life have been added. The “Hundred-Moment Verification Method” must also be performed alongside it.

Incantation for writing the talisman:

I respectfully summon the numinous-responsive Emperors of the Five Stars to harmonize the birth fate of so-and-so. Swiftly, in accordance with the command of the Supreme Lord of the Primordial Beginning.

Format for the Petition to Be Burned

Your servant, of the surname so-and-so, holding the ritual rank of …

According to the record, so-and-so was born in the year, month, day, and hour of …, and their fate is governed by the … star of the Northern Dipper. The illness suffered is as follows: … We fear it may have been caused by grievances and wrongs from a former life, sins committed in this life, or an inadvertent violation of a prohibition. We respectfully seal and submit the true circumstances, praying for rescue from suffering, an extension of life, and deliverance from calamity.

Written in vermilion:

We respectfully summon the numinous-responsive Emperors of the Five Stars within the Northern Dipper to harmonize so-and-so’s birth fate, pardon their sins, dispel calamities, resolve all perils, and deliver them from the suffering of illness, so that so-and-so may recover completely. Swiftly, in accordance with the command of the Supreme Lord of the Primordial Beginning.

By the command of the Celestial Master, the Perfected Lord.

In the year, month, and day of the Grand Year, your servant, holding the rank of … and of the surname so-and-so, submits this petition.

If there is no response that night, perform the following talismanic method in the manner described above.

The Method of Delivering People from Death and Making Them Immortal

Incantation for writing the talisman:

Within it are the gods who deliver people from death; within it is the Lord of Longevity of the South Pole; within it is the Great God Sima, Director of Deliverance from the World; within it is Lord Han, Elder of the Way of Life. Within it are the revered gods of the Southern Upper Realm: the Directors of Fate and Records, the Extenders of Life, the Augmenters of Years, and the Deliverers from Calamity. They command the dead to return to their bodies, rise from death to life, and broadly deliver and rescue all people. Swiftly, in accordance with the command of the Lingbao talisman.

Chapter on Rapidly Delivering the Souls of the Dead

The Dark Master says: Whenever one establishes an altar, performs rites, and suppresses demonic spirits, the foremost duty is to benefit both the living and the dead.

To deliver the departed, first perform the ritual for breaking open the prisons. This ritual is performed in the same way as a large-scale rite for delivering the dead.

Incantation for Breaking Open the Prisons

The Supreme Dao Lord of the Mysterious Origin teaches me to wield the talisman and shine through the prisons of the netherworld, so that souls may escape suffering. Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the statutes!

After reciting the incantation, face the Gate of Heaven and recite it nine times. Then blow toward the departed, enabling their hun and shen to leave suffering behind.

Next, perform the Water Refinement rite and recite the incantation, forming the Kan mudra and carrying out the ritual in accordance with its prescribed gestures:

What has withered shall flourish again; what has been extinguished shall live again. May they be born in Heaven and receive once more the qi of the Great Numinous One. After passing through the calamities of the nine heavens, may they be reborn. May their stains and burdens of sin be cleansed, and their corpse be transformed from death to life.

For the ritual, prepare a vessel of clean water and face due north. Click the teeth together nine times. Visualize three Jade Youths emerging from the heart; for a woman, visualize seven Jade Maidens emerging from the kidneys. Then spit seven mouthfuls of saliva into the water.

Next, perform the Fire Refinement rite and recite the incantation, forming the Li mudra and carrying out the ritual in accordance with its prescribed gestures:

The radiance of the sun and the splendor of the moon flow and turn within Dongyang. Flowing fire enters the vessel and refines away the dark qi. The corpse’s defilements are removed, and the ten thousand qi return to harmony, so that the departed soul may swiftly escape the Five Sufferings and ascend to Heaven.

For the ritual, prepare a vessel of fire and face due south. Click the teeth together three times, recite the preceding incantation seven times, and breathe three times into the fire.

Then take the True Form of Fengdu and recite the incantation for transforming the fire into ashes:

By the talismanic command of Yuanshi, subdue demons and evil spirits and carry out his command. Protect and raise up the departed soul, enabling it to be delivered and take its place among the ranks of the Southern Palace. May the yin qi of Fengdu be wholly dispersed, the forms of the Three Palaces released, and the bonds of karmic wrongdoing pardoned. May the soul be transformed and reborn, receive refinement and deliverance according to its rank, and ascend to a realm of good fortune.

When the incantation is complete, press the tongue against the upper palate and visualize yourself as the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. Silently recite the hidden words once in your heart. Then visualize golden light filling your mouth. Form the Jade Clarity mudra with both hands, blow the ashes toward the northeast, and release the mudra at the same time. The departed soul can then ascend to the Vermilion Palace, a celestial palace in Daoist belief. This is an important method for swiftly delivering departed souls, and it must be performed with utmost sincerity.

Lingbao Talisman for Summoning Souls

In accordance with the precious registers of Jade Clarity, issue the true talisman for summoning souls and command the numinous officials of the Three Realms and the local authorities to pursue and gather the departed souls. The divine officials must obey the talismanic command of the Supreme One and swiftly retrieve the souls who were killed by evil demons, held captive and not released, and left submerged without rebirth. They must bring them at once to the Mysterious Altar to receive deliverance, without detaining them, and promptly send them on to rebirth. By means of this true talisman, they shall ascend beyond the Dao realm. The entire process of transmitting the command must be as swift as official documents carried by wind-and-fire couriers.

Secret Talismans of the Nine Refinements for Generating Spirits in the Nine Heavens

First, the Chapter on Generating Spirits

(The Li trigram’s script, cinnabar, represents the red Qi of heaven.)

Chapter Two: Generating the Spirit

(The Dui trigram’s script, plain white, represents the white Qi of heaven.)

Chapter Three: Generating the Spirit

(The Zhen trigram’s script, blue-green, represents the blue-green Qi of heaven.)

Chapter Four: Generating the Spirit

(The Kan trigram’s script, dark and mysterious, represents the black Qi of heaven.)

Chapter Five: Generating the Spirit

(The Xun trigram’s script, Brahma, represents the purple Qi of heaven.)

Chapter Six: Generating the Spirit

(The Gen trigram’s script, Brahma, represents the jade-green Qi of heaven.)

Chapter Seven: Generating the Spirit

(The Kun trigram’s script, Brahma Heaven, represents silvery luminous Qi.)

Chapter Eight: Generating the Spirit

(The Qian trigram’s script, Brahma Heaven, represents golden luminous Qi.)

Chapter Nine: Generating the Spirit

(The Jade Emperor’s formula for ascending to heaven represents three kinds of Qi: blue-green, yellow, and white.)

This is the “Jade Light Divine Incantation of the Nine Chapters of Retribution”:

Spirits of the soul, Yin essence, bitter vitality, and all the other divine beings, listen to this incantation of mine and enter Upper Kunlun.

A thousand kinds of demons and ten thousand strange beings are all descendants of the Most High. Appear in dreams and take form; leave the realm of darkness.

Great demons of the Six Heavens, protect life and preserve it forever. Obey at once; do not delay!

These are the decree and command of the Great Emperor of Shangqing.

For the talisman method above: make the “Jade Clarity Hand Seal” (a Daoist hand gesture) three to five times, draw in the Qi of the Heavenly Gate, and blow it toward the Ghost Gate. Then draw in the Qi of the Ghost Gate and blow it toward the spirit tablet or ritual banner. This will make the spirits appear in visible form and descend onto the banner, through which they can communicate.