《靈寶無量度人上經大法》Vol. 38

The methods of the Numinous Treasure tradition are endlessly transformative and arise from nature; at the outset, they cannot be predicted through personal speculation. Whether one makes talismans or inscribes seal script, there is nothing with which they cannot communicate. Heaven and earth, spirits, mountains and rivers, plants and trees, people, birds and beasts, stars, the sun and moon: every formed thing has corresponding talismans and registers that can be used to govern it. This does not mean that each talisman has its own fixed correspondence. In the end, between heaven and earth there is only the primordial Qi. Since all things are born from this Qi, wherever it reaches can naturally become a talisman. Talismans differ because Qi divides and takes on different qualities. Besides the Binding Spirit Talisman, the methods of the Numinous Treasure tradition include more than two hundred other talismans, all transformed from this same Qi.

While writing the talismans and registers, recite these incantations:

“Turn back the radiant light and return the carriage; solemnly inspect the heavens.”

“Om vajra hūṃ na li svāhā.” (Red light)

“Om vajra nuo mu li svāhā.” (Yellow light)

At the same time, form the hand seal with the middle finger. As you write the talismans and registers, write “sun” seven times to the left of the name and “moon” seven times to the right. Visualize the red and yellow light of the sun and moon mingling and entering the talisman. Then draw in one breath of Qi from the east and one from the west, and exhale them together while reciting the incantation and forming the hand seal.

If you wish for a boy, turn your hand leftward from the Yin position (one of the twelve Earthly Branch directions) to the Si position, then exhale. If you wish for a girl, turn it rightward from the Shen position to the Si position, then exhale. The husband and wife should sit facing one another: the husband facing west, the wife facing east. At dawn, take one talisman each day for one hundred consecutive days. After conception, the talisman may also be worn: recite the earlier incantation and write it in cinnabar on white silk. To seek a boy, wear it on the left; to seek a girl, wear it on the right. The talisman may also be burned to ashes and swallowed.

The Supreme Lord’s Secret Method of the Divine Talisman for Nurturing Children

This is the secret method of the Divine Talisman for Nurturing Children, bestowed by the Supreme Lord Laozi upon the Holy Mother Guardian of the Chamber of the Nine Heavens.

Laozi said: Of all the myriad things in the world, human beings are the most spiritually refined. For this reason, a human body is difficult to obtain: its form comes together from the father’s Jing and Qi, the mother’s blood, and the two Qi of Yin-Yang, just as the finest Qi between heaven and earth condenses into form. Heaven and earth nurture the myriad things, allowing them to flourish and grow in spring and summer, then wither and decline in autumn and winter; yet even they cannot bring all things to an end. How much less should this happen to human beings? To make people’s descendants cease would be an act of grave defiance. Heaven and earth cherish birth and nurture, and do not delight in killing; I feel compassion for those affected by this. Are people without descendants not the poorest in the world? I now solemnly once again, for…

Living beings transmitted this method to the Han Celestial Master Zhang Daoling, who then passed it down to the human world to save all beings.

Those in the world who have no children and are isolated without support may have the husband and wife abstain from meat. Each morning, they should burn incense before an image of the Nine Heavens Holy Mother, pray, state their names, and bow, asking for the gift of a child. Then each should swallow one talisman pill, so that the fetus may form soon and the womb be secure. The child born will have a clean and handsome appearance, a refined spirit, a love of learning and writing, and great intelligence, and will stand out for wealth and distinction.

After taking it for forty-nine days, signs will naturally appear. Sometimes one may dream of swallowing the sun and moon, or of swallowing various strange things. These are signs that the method has taken effect: in time, an extraordinary child will certainly be born. A written petition must be prepared beforehand and presented to the Nine Heavens Holy Mother and the assembled gods, with offerings of wine, fruit, and fine incense.

Divine Talisman and Incantation for Nurturing a Fetus in the Nine Heavens

The incantation is: “The true Qi of the Nine Heavens guards the womb and gathers it in.”

When writing the talisman, pray before the divine image, then recite the incantation fourteen times before writing the talisman. Once the incantation has been recited, the talisman is complete. Mix cinnabar and coptis with vinegar, draw the talisman on paper, then roll it into a pill and take it with a decoction of frankincense.

Methods for Praying for Rain and Stopping Rain

The Master Xuan said: When the Qi of Heaven descends and the Qi of Earth cannot rise, the sun blazes fiercely and drought wreaks havoc. When the Qi of Earth rises and Yin Qi suppresses Yang Qi, unending rain falls and floods bring disaster. Those who have accumulated hidden virtue should wait for Heaven’s mandate to give a sign. Those who have performed good deeds that benefit the people may make petitions.

Build a Gui altar to pray for rain, and establish the Bing-Ding rites to stop persistent rain. Report to Yanggu and submit a memorial to the Great Emperor. Charge the Dragon Gods to fulfill their duties, and pray to the Three Officials. When the appointed time arrives, pay homage at the Jade Palace, bring down talisman slips, and dispatch the Thunder and the Divine Generals of Ding and Jia to carry out the rites. The God Taiyi lends his aid; Douhua dispels demons and evil influences, brings disasters under control, and upholds the right while removing the corrupt. The Four Goddesses each take charge of their duties, causing the dark clouds to disperse. When the rites are complete, the people all receive blessings, and the myriad things flourish and grow. After reporting the merits and offering thanks, the officiant’s divine rank will be advanced, their name entered in the register of Celestial Immortals, and their virtue will be comparable to that of the Divine Lord. If they act perfunctorily and achieve no results, they will be punished with a shortened lifespan and demotion. Practitioners must heed these warnings.

The essential instructions say: Ordinarily, rain falls because the Qi of Heaven descends and the Qi of Earth rises, bringing Yin and Yang into union. Drought occurs when the Qi of Heaven descends but Yang Qi moves alone, while the Qi of Earth cannot rise. Yin and Yang are then out of harmony, and the sun blazes high while Yang Fire rages, causing drought. Another cause is a local ruler who governs with cruelty and violence, arousing resentment and destroying the right way; this too can bring about such disasters. If the Qi of Earth rises and Yin Qi encroaches on Yang, so that the Qi of Heaven cannot descend, then Yin…

Prolonged rain and flooding cause disasters. This also governs plots to assassinate the leaders of the people.

When punishments and benevolent governance lose their fairness, and loyal and worthy people are secretly harmed, such disasters often follow. Since one is in charge of the ranks of Daoist offices, one should personally practice good deeds, accumulate hidden De, and pray for the people in secret. If someone sincerely seeks help and asks for healing, this counts as open De, good deeds performed publicly.

To pray for rain, establish an altar in the shape of the character gui; to pray for clear weather, establish an altar in the shape of bing and ding. The Great Rite takes three days, the Medium Rite seven days, and the Lesser Rite nine days; the desired result should appear once the appointed period is complete. First, build the altar, observe purification and abstinence, and recite and uphold the true scripture, Dongyuan Longwen. Report to the Sheling, the deities who oversee the land and local affairs, as well as the dragon gods in charge of bringing rain, the Divine King of Yanggu, and the Water Official Siming. Next, submit a memorial to the Great Emperor of Fusang and report the matter to the Celestial Bureau. Then pay homage to the deities in the Golden Palace and submit a memorial to the Supreme Lord. The Supreme Lord will appoint the divine generals Taiyi Yuanjun, the Six Ding and Six Jia, the Samadhi Fire Casket, and others to subdue the water demons. Han, in charge of thunder, will eliminate the wicked harm causing the trouble. The cinnabar-feather fan is used to clear the skies, while the black talisman tablet is used to bring rain. Summon the dragon gods to command thunder, and use incantations to bestow rain. The goddess of lakes and seas parts the clouds and releases the light; the Sea Consort Taihe harmonizes the Qi above and below. Once the command has been delivered, the weather should clear. If rain has not yet fallen, and at first there is only rumbling thunder and oppressive heat, without the air turning moist and mild, this is still part of the process. The result is not achieved by the ritual master alone. When De and sincerity accord with Heaven and Earth, Heaven will not refuse. All things must accord with De to be in harmony with the Dao.

Praying for Rain

To pray for rain, first build an altar in the prescribed manner on clean ground, in the shape of gui. In an emergency, use black mud to draw the shape of gui on the ground, and set up the place for the ritual offering to the north of the altar. Ascend the altar six times each day, recite the Great Brahma Hidden Words or passages from the Dongyuan Jing, and chant the dragon-summoning incantation and prayers. Set the period at nineteen days.

During the first three days, on the first day report to the Sheling and the dragon god currently in charge of bringing rain. Also submit a report to the Divine King of Yanggu and the Siming Office of the Water Bureau, specifying “Office of the Great Lingbao Rite.” The wording of the report should be composed according to the document being submitted. If no set wording is available, state the cause of the prolonged drought and follow the format below for the rest. Alternatively, prepare seven kinds of offerings, such as incense, tea, wine, and fruit, and have the celestial officials convey them.

If there is still no response, on the following day submit a memorial to the Great Emperor of Fusang, asking him to send word down to the Water Palaces of the Three Origins and the Water Administration of Penglai in the Eastern Sea, and report the matter to the Supreme Mystery Provincial Bureau. Send the documents as before. If there is still no response, prepare a formal petition to the Jade Emperor, submit a memorial to the gods of the Three Heavens, and pay homage in the Golden Palace to request an imperial decree for the Water Bureau. Only then begin writing with a vermilion brush…

First write the Dragon-Summoning Talisman in ink on an iron staff, then cast it into a river or the sea.

Next, first petition the Five Thunder Envoys, the Great Gods of Ding and Jia, the Earl of Wind, and the Master of Rain. Then send documents to the City God, the Nine Rivers and Four Seas, and the Dragon Gods of lakes, pools, streams, and marshes, ordering them to bring rain by a set deadline. Begin with three days as the deadline. If there is still no response, follow the earlier liturgical procedure and proceed with the middle method, setting seven days as the deadline and counting each two-day period as one term. If there is still no response, proceed with the lower method, setting nine days as the deadline and counting each three-day period as one term. Follow the earlier liturgical procedure in this case as well.

If there is still no response after a total of nineteen days, no further petitions are permitted. There are three possible reasons: first, the prevailing times and natural calamities are as they are, perhaps as punishment for evildoers; second, the petitioner lacks De; third, the petitioner’s sincerity is insufficient. Moreover, the Most High always cherishes the wish to save all beings. At most, after three terms, the request for rain will surely be answered. If there is even slight negligence in the matter of bringing rain, the Three Officials—the deities who govern Heaven, Earth, and Water—will investigate, demote the petitioner, and reduce their merit. After a response has come, perform a Zhaijiao ritual to give thanks, and report the results and official duties.

The Altar of Clear Insight into Gui Water (an altar for praying for rain)

Set up the altar according to the usual conventions, regardless of its size: remove the northwest and northeast corners of the upper tier; extend two rows on the left and right of the middle tier; and remove the southeast and southwest corners of the lower tier.

The True Talismans for Summoning the Dragon and Bringing Rain from the Three Heavens:

Make these two talismans from iron, each one chi and two cun long and four cun wide. Write the Dragon-Summoning Talisman on the front in cinnabar, and the Rain-Bringing Talisman on the back in ink. Go to a body of water inhabited by a Dragon God and cast the talismans into the water. As you cast them, take three steps in the Ding-stance and Gang-pace ritual walk. Raise the talismans in your left hand and hold a sword in your right, then recite the incantation:

“By command of the Three Heavens’ talismans, summon the dragon and bring rain. The Heavenly Officers of Ding stand before you; the Earl of Wind and the Master of Rain raise the jade dew, close off Yin and Yang, and block the ascent and descent of the two Qi, so that the wind flies and the rain arrives. Dragon Gods on duty, you must carry out this talisman’s command. If you dare disobey, the Water Official will send a flying report to Shangqing, and the Heavenly Officers of Ding will slay your bodily form. By the numinous command of Yuqing, you must respectfully obey. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the laws of the Three Heavens!”

After casting the talismans, withdraw quickly so that thunder and rain do not frighten people.

The Ritual for Presenting a Rain Petition and Inviting the Officials:

With reverence, we invite the Grand Unity Talisman-Registrar, the Five Thunder Envoys, the Jade Maidens of the Six Dings, the Divine Scribes of the Six Jias, as well as the Jade Maidens of the rivers, the sea, and the lakes. May you descend at the appointed time, carry out the imperial command, and convey it to the Water Palace of Fusang, the Divine King of Yanggu, the Grand Water Supervisor of Penglai, the Water Official in charge of fate, the Four Seas and Nine Rivers…

Three Yuan Water Officials (deities who oversee affairs in the realms of Heaven, Earth, and Water), along with the dragon deity in charge of bringing rain this year, the Earl of Wind, the Master of Rain, the Lord of Thunder, the Mother of Lightning, and the Dragon Deity, Divine Official of the Nine Rivers and Local Altars: distribute yourselves throughout the regions under your jurisdiction and command the local water and rain dragon deities. Quickly bring Yin and Yang into harmony, raise clouds, and send down rain, spreading sweet showers everywhere in abundance to relieve drought-stricken lands parched by heat.

If any demons or malign spirits destroy righteous Qi and commit evil, causing harm, let them await the thunderbolts that strike them down, so that Heaven’s laws may be made clear. Do not obstruct the beneficence of the rain. For all else, follow the ritual wording spoken by the Most High (an honorific title for the supreme deity in Daoism).

Stopping the Rain and Praying for Clear Skies

Set up a canopy in the open air and establish a Bing-Ding altar (a prayer-for-clear-skies altar representing the Fire phase through Bing and Ding) beneath it. Alternatively, use red clay to mark the shape of the Bing-Ding altar on the ground. Make a fan from deep crimson silk, and write an “Opening the Clear Skies” talisman in each of the eight directions.

Submit petitions to the Water Officials’ Court, the Divine King of Yanggu (a deity who governs sunrise and is associated with prayers for clear skies), and the dragon deities who govern rainfall. The following day, submit two memorials requesting that the rain cease. If the rain still does not stop, worship the Jade Emperor directly and ask him to dispatch the Primordial Lord Taiyi (a Daoist deity) and the Great Divine Generals Ding and Jia (protective divine generals), bearing a casket of Samadhi Fire (fire symbolizing divine power in Daoist ritual) to restrain the water Qi, cut down water demons, and place them separately in the Yin and Yang regions. Once the ritual is complete, hold a Zhaijiao (purification ritual) to give thanks, and chant the Great Brahma Hidden Incantation (a secret spell used in Daoist ritual) six times, day and night, at the altar.

Yanggu Bing-Ding Altar

Set up the lower level according to the usual altar plan. Build a separate processional path on the middle level, and build two separate paths on the upper level, following the established design without adding or removing anything.

True Talisman for Clear Skies: Opening the Jade Road in the Three Heavens

If rain continues for many days and flooding causes disaster, set up an altar in the open air and cover it with an oilcloth canopy. Make a fan from red swan feathers, write the “Jade Road” talisman on it in yellow, and recite:

“Metal and Water are naturally generative, yet now they have turned to mutual affliction; the Qi of Fire and Earth restrains this affliction. Han Si, set the laws in order; let the Three Luminaries (the Sun, Moon, and stars, whose light is spoken of in Daoism) shine again. Let Yin and Yang each return to its proper place and reach the Purple Court (the heavenly realm where immortals dwell). The Great Dao of Primordial Beginning: Wu, Ji, Bing, and Ding—hasten as swiftly as the laws of the Most High of the Three Heavens!”

Then stand the fan upright in each of the eight directions while chanting. In less than an hour, the rain will ease and the skies will clear, bringing light to the realm of the Three Heavens.

Official-Style Memorial Requesting an End to the Rain

I respectfully petition the Jade Maidens of the River, the Jade Maidens of the Sea, and the Jade Maidens of the Lake, as well as the Water Edict Bearer (an official who conveys commands from the Water Court). Inform the Three Brothers, the Water Officials’ bureaus of the Water Court, the dragon deities who govern the waters of rivers, lakes, and seas, and the springs, streams, and ravines; the deities of the Cloud, Thunder, and Rain Bureau; the Earl of Wind; and the dragon deity and Master of Rain responsible for bringing rain this year: quickly gather up the clouds and mist…

Separate Yin and Yang, and return each to its proper place to stop the rain. Then perform the opening of the light, a ritual that uses spells to make divine images, ritual implements, and the like manifest their efficacy or acquire sacred power. Let each fulfill its own assigned function, thereby providing proof that the spell has taken effect.

Chapter Two also says: “After saying this, continue by inviting the Primordial Lady of Great Oneness, the Six Ding Jade Maidens, the Great Deities of the Six Jia, and the Celestial Strongmen and Warriors to descend together. Let them swiftly gather in the water energy, slay the water monsters, divide the sources and courses of the springs, open the Jade Road—the path along which the spirits travel—and reveal the light of the sun, moon, and stars. In this way, they provide proof that the spell has taken effect.”

This is from the thirty-eighth volume of The Great Rites of the Lingbao Scripture of Boundless Salvation.