《靈寶無量度人上經大法》Vol. 41

The Celestial Sovereign said: The method of presenting a memorial to Heaven is a secret Lingbao teaching received by the Bright Emperor, Lord of the Dao. It is a ritual of silent audience before the Three Heavens, in which one makes a spoken memorial and submits a petition. This method is not something ordinary people may learn. Only those whose names are recorded in the Three Heavens and who hold the rank of Perfected Ones are qualified to enter and leave the Golden Gate, the celestial palace. Celestial officials of insufficient rank may not perform the prostrations and memorial rites of the Great Lingbao Method.

In a world beset by astral winds, the light of Lingbao’s true wisdom cannot break through. The rite should therefore be performed on a gengzi day, when the weather is clear and fresh. Prepare an incense table facing the Gate of Heaven. First form the Supreme Emperor’s hand seal with both hands, then visualize yourself taking the form of a Perfected One. Next, follow the directions of the Five Phases as you walk the Transcendence Astral Pace, a ritual sequence of steps. Then take up the writing brush and click your teeth, visualizing the Three Primordial Qi of the Primordial Lord descending to its tip. Write talismans on yellow silk using orpiment, realgar, and cinnabar. Place one in your hat and one in each shoe. Write the Joining Radiance Talisman and the Chief Artisan Talisman as well, and set them in a clean room. Offer the memorial text and seals before the sacred image, and prepare a diagram of the complete memorial. Afterward, recite the incantation, burn incense, and visualize the rite each day until you have mastered it.

The Five Phases Transcendence Astral Pace

As you walk the astral pace, recite:

“Om su ju bo jia se … lu si … he.”

When you have finished, visualize a chariot of the Three Qi carrying you.

• Talisman inside the hat: Write the secret words of the East.
• Talisman in the left shoe: Write the secret words of the South.
• Talisman in the right shoe: Write the secret words of the West.
• Chief Artisan Talisman: Write the secret words of the North.
• Joining Radiance Talisman: Place it on the memorial tablet just before prostrating to present the memorial.

The text accompanying the Joining Radiance Talisman says: “The heart joins with the spirit, and the spirit joins with Qi. Yang corresponds to the radiance of the sun, and Qi joins with the Real. Yin and Yang unite with the Real; Yin corresponds to the radiance of the moon. The Three Heavens set light in motion, and the Emperor joins with the Real. The numinous mechanism revolves, transforming the myriad things and reaching into the hidden and subtle, like the rising sun turning without limit.”

Talisman for Removing Impurity: Make three copies and place them in the bathwater. The words on the talisman mean: “Wash away the impure Qi and corpse Qi between Heaven and Earth. With dark water, cleanse away defilement; with fragrant water, draw in and release the essence Qi. Dark radiance spreads forth, clear and bright. Jia and geng correspond to the image of the East.”

Talisman for Summoning the Merit Officer to Bear the Memorial: The words on the talisman mean: “Brahma Qi fills the nether heavens. The light of Heaven passes freely in both directions, allowing the submitted memorial to travel directly to the Gate of Heaven.”

Holding and carrying a jade memorial tablet—the jade or symbolic tablet used for submitting memorials—one passes between the Yin and Yang realms, traveling ten thousand miles in the blink of an eye. Upon entering the Yang realm, wind steeds gallop ahead and clouds follow.

Carry out the Celestial Mandate for Opening Heaven: write the talisman on yellow paper and the accompanying proclamation on white paper.

The Perfected Ones in the celestial grotto-heavens, together with the three classes of messengers who have access to Heaven’s Gate, swiftly descend with divine might and numinous power. They open the way and clear the path ahead. The officials who control passage between Yin and Yang carry fire implements to ward off baleful forces. They scatter the vast currents of Qi and forcefully break through the astral winds—the powerful currents or numinous forces that obstruct the memorial’s ascent.

Proclamation

The Jade Maidens, numinous officials, and messengers of the Supreme One’s Celestial Mandate for Opening Heaven are commanded to carry and take charge of the memorial, traveling far to the Three Heavens, the threefold celestial realm in Daoist teaching. The astral winds, vast Qi, and other numinous beings encountered along the way must not obstruct the memorial. Deliver it swiftly to the presence of the Supreme One. Carry this out urgently in accordance with the laws of the Great Lingbao Method.

Issued in the [year], [month], [day], at the [hour].

The officiant: [surname], with signature.

The seal and twelve small talismans.

After bowing in reverence, submit the memorial once more: I, [surname], submit this memorial to the Supreme One. Enter the cyclical year, month, day, and hour, and other details, according to the prescribed memorial format.

Visualization Instructions (visualization means contemplating deities, vital energies, or scenes during a ritual)

First face the altar, read the ritual text according to the liturgy, and summon the officials and generals under one’s command; then open the case. Make the Mao hand sign with the left hand and support the case. Open it with the right hand and recite the incantation:

“Om, wulun motu she.”

Next take out the memorial and place it on the table. Set the ritual implements—the silver knife, golden goose, jade fish, and vermilion brush—on the memorial. Unfold it only enough to expose part of the position for the Supreme Clarity case. After reading the memorial, hold the brush over incense to fumigate it, then write the words “Your Majesty” and apply the seal. Once the seal has been applied, roll up the memorial, fumigate it over incense, and recite the incantation:

“Five-colored smoke rises through the memorial and reaches Heaven above.”

At this point, make the hand sign with the lower joint of the middle finger. Visualize the Qi of the five viscera transforming into purple smoke and swirling around the memorial.

“Five-colored Qi rises through the memorial and carries it to the presence of the Celestial Emperor.”

At this point, make the hand sign with the upper joint of the middle finger. Visualize the true Qi of the five directions transforming into a purple cloud chariot.

“The baleful Qi of officials in the lower realm must not intrude recklessly. Carry this out urgently in accordance with the laws.”

At this point, make the Yin hand sign, blow upon the memorial, and snap the fingers.

Then recite the incantation for sealing the memorial:

“By the Supreme One’s ritual injunction, let the blue, purple, and vermilion memorials follow my intent and proceed directly to the Dark Pass, the gateway to Heaven. Seal them with true Qi, so that the Jade Maidens may carry the case and accompany the memorial on its mission, expelling defilement and sweeping away treachery. Officials of the upper realm and the gods who hold office must neither refuse nor return it. Condense and secure it with true primordial Qi, and let it pass directly through Heaven’s Gate. Let its comings and goings be unobstructed as it enters and leaves the netherworld and the quiet, secluded realms. Let the sun and moon shine together, and Heaven and Earth follow their courses. Carry this out urgently in accordance with the laws.”

After completing the ritual of “holding and reciting the petition”—reciting and performing the ritual text—make a hand seal with the left hand and trace upward from the chest to the hairline. Then visualize yourself turning into a withered tree. The True Official of the Nine Phoenixes in the south breathes out flames that burn you until you become ashes. Suddenly a great wind rises and blows the ashes away, leaving only the place where the burning took place. A stream of white Qi rises there and takes the form of a Perfected One. Visualize the light of the Five Dipper stars covering your body. Then circulate Qi and perform the astral-step sequence: walk according to prescribed steps that accompany visualization and Qi circulation.

At the ninth step, face the Gate of Heaven and bow three times. When you rise, spray sword water—purifying water used with a sword gesture or ritual sword—in the four directions. Bow three more times, then press the tongue against the upper palate. Visualize a purple-cloud carriage appearing beneath the altar, with its retinue of officials, attendants, and troops rushing in from the ten directions. Board the cloud carriage and ascend, while visualizing that both Heaven and Earth are empty and still.

The oral instructions say: “The purple carriage turns the axis of the Earth. White Qi rises from the lower Dantian, the energy center in the lower abdomen, and shoots straight to the Niwan, the point within the crown of the head on which one focuses awareness.” A moment later, visualize white Qi entering through the Golden Gate. See ten thousand rays of golden light illuminating your body. Then visualize a white jade-like light shining from your body, emerging through the Gate of Heaven at the crown of your head and meeting the golden light. The radiance encircles your whole body, making both within and without clear and luminous.

Suddenly you see a precious pearl suspended in empty space. Bow inwardly and silently report your matter. After a while, ten thousand rays of golden and jade light stream from the pearl, illuminating the worlds in the ten directions and making everything clearly visible. A Perfected One takes the petition from your hands and presents it on your behalf to the Most High, a Daoist title of the highest divinity. A moment later, a jade attendant delivers a message. Bow repeatedly, then withdraw, visualizing yourself descending from the Gate of Heaven to the altar and rising to stand. Next, sense your True Qi becoming full and the three Qi energies merging; then use intention to gather the Qi into the lower Dantian.

Format for Writing Petitions

Ritual rules require that before writing a petition, a document presented to the deities, one rinse the mouth, wash the hands and face, arrange one’s clothing and headwear, clean the quiet chamber, and burn incense according to the prescribed procedure. Leave eight fen of blank space at the top of the paper, measured by the provincial ruler: eight tenths of a cun. At the bottom, leave a gap wide enough for ants to pass through. Write seventeen characters on each line, with one cun and two fen between lines. The character for “minister” must not appear at the beginning of a line, and the character for “ghost” must not begin a line. When writing, do not let the strokes trail as if dying or reveal signs of vitality, and do not split a person’s name across lines.

After “with utmost sincerity and trepidation,” bow twice; do not begin a new line. After writing “submitted for your notice,” leave one cun of space, then write “Your servant, [surname].” After “submitted for your notice,” leave three blank lines, then write “Taiping Xuanyuan.” After that, leave three blank lines and write “Tai Sui.” After “Tai Sui,” leave three blank lines and write “Taiqing.” After “Taiqing,” leave three blank lines and write “Taiheng Hou.” Then leave another three blank lines. The format that follows is given here only up to “at least,” and the explanation remains incomplete.

Add one sheet of paper bearing the three characters “Ta Qing Jie,” making fifty-two characters in all. The characters should be arranged closely together and written in a tall, narrow hand, each two cun and four fen in height.

The memorial text venerates thirty-six sacred offices:

The Two Mysterious Lords above the Dao; the Five Emperors of the Five Directions; the Five Youthful Lords; the Great General Who Establishes Banners and Supervises Meritorious Deeds; the Four Beast Lords of the numinous altar; the Great General of the Plain Chariot and White Horse; the Zhengyi Merit Officer (a divine clerk who conveys documents in Daoist memorial rites); the Left and Right Official Messengers; the Star-Wind Mounted Courier Officer; the Yin-Yang Divination Officer; the Ritual-Carriage Red Talisman Officer; the Direct Messengers of the Two Offices of the High Immortals and High Spirits; the Hooked Cavalry Officer of the Metropolitan Office for Investigating Treachery; the Attendant Director of the Metropolitan Office of the Three Palaces; the Two Lords called Red Radiance; the Petitioning Officers Who Supervise Merits in the Four Capitals; the Celestial Stable Grooms, Armored Soldiers, and Clerks; the Tiger Guards; the Officers Who Collect and Consume Spirits; the Officers Who Record Qi and Supervise Examinations and Summon Officials; the Lords of the Officials of the Three Origins and Four Beginnings, and of the sexagenary cycle; the Thirty-Five Lords of Red Yang; the Clerks of the Celestial Master’s household; the Officers Who Collect and Consume Qi; the Officers Who Collect and Consume Ghosts; the Officers Who Collect and Consume Evil; the Officers Who Collect and Consume Poisons; the Officers Who Collect and Consume Calamities; and the Officers Who Execute Talismans and Destroy Temples.

In addition, twelve clerical assistants handle the memorial, along with officials responsible for supervising, reviewing, recording, transmitting, submitting, examining, carrying, settling, presenting, and proofreading it. There are also the Superior Official on duty for the day; clerks in charge of memorials; the four merit officers on duty within the memorial; the messenger who transmits the petition; the courier officers who deliver it by post horse; and the local earth deity and attendant spirits who guard the altar precinct.

Affiliated Palace Offices: Assignment by Month

In the first and twelfth months, the memorial is submitted to the Palace of the Supreme Elder of Void Nonbeing. In the second month, it is submitted to the Palace of the Supreme Mysterious Elder and Immortal Capital. In the third and fourth months, it is submitted to the Palace of the Supreme Three Heavens and Great Clarity. In the fifth month, it is submitted to the Palace of the Supreme Revered Dao. In the sixth and seventh months, it is submitted to the Palace of the Supreme Nine Qi and Literary Brilliance. In the eighth month, it is submitted to the Palace of the Supreme Celestial Emperor. In the ninth and tenth months, it is submitted to the Palace of the Supreme Great Dao. In the eleventh month, it is submitted to the Palace of the Supreme Attendant, Left and Right Supervisors, and Various Generals. In an intercalary month, it is submitted to the Palace of the Supreme Mysterious Capital.

Affiliated Palace Offices: Assignment by Date

On the first day, the Jade Office is established, with its seat at the Palace of Red Numen. On the second day, the Great Simplicity Mysterious Office is established, with its seat at the Palace of Great Subtlety. On the third day, the Great Subtlety Office is established, with its seat at the Palace of Northern Peace. On the fourth day, the Metropolitan Rectification Office is established, with its seat at the Lower Palace of Great Clarity. On the fifth day, the Zhengyi Office is established, with its seat at the Palace of Penetrating Illumination. On the sixth day, the Mysterious Unity…

On the seventh day of each month, the Office of Great Simplicity governs the Palace of Great Clarity and Lofty Efficacy. On the eighth day, the Office of Gathered Clouds governs the Palace of Primordial Efficacy. On the ninth day, the Office of Primordial Efficacy governs the Palace of Attendant Spring. On the tenth day, the Office of Great Clarity governs the Palace of Purple Efficacy. On the eleventh day, the Office of Three Waters governs the Palace of the Plain Maiden. On the twelfth day, the Office of Record-Keeping governs the Palace of Great Wilderness. On the thirteenth day, the Office of Clear Order governs the Palace of Western Brightness. On the fourteenth day, the Office of Mysterious Rectitude governs the Palace of Upper Crimson. On the fifteenth day, the Office of the Central Capital governs the Palace of Canonical Balance. On the sixteenth day, the Office of Faults governs the Northern Office. On the seventeenth day, the Office of Hidden Wrongdoing governs the Palace of the Director of Destinies. On the eighteenth day, the Office of Unified Divisions governs the Palace of Eastern Brightness. On the nineteenth day, the Office of Unified Records governs the Palace of Western Efficacy. On the twentieth day, the Office of Supervision and Examination governs the Palace of the Director of Destinies. On the twenty-first day, the Office of Supervisory Officials governs the Palace of Yang Brightness. On the twenty-second day, the Office of Canonical Examination governs the Palace of the Sun. On the twenty-third day, the Office of Official Affairs governs the Palace of Lesser Yang. On the twenty-fourth day, the Office of Primordial Mystery governs the Palace of Yin. On the twenty-fifth day, the Office of Great Mystery governs the Palace of Lesser Yin. On the twenty-sixth day, the Office of the Chief Directorate governs the Palace of the Northern Dipper. On the twenty-seventh day, the Office of Chief Inspectors governs the Palace of Great White. On the twenty-eighth day, the Office of Direct Messengers governs the Palace of Restful Brightness. On the twenty-ninth day, the Office of Direct Officials governs the Palace of Yang Brightness. On the thirtieth day, the Office of Canonical Examination governs the Palace of Rising Brightness.

Documents submitting petitions must be reported to the Three Primes, the divine offices overseeing Heaven, Earth, and Water; the Three Perfected Lords Tang, Ge, and Zhou, revered in Daoism; the true officials who usher petitions through the Three Heaven Gates; the numinous officers who handle petition texts; the senior officials and record keepers on duty; and the twelve hundred official lords.

The petition report is to be written in the following form:

I, [name and rank]:

On [day] of this month, at [time], for the sake of [person or matter], I respectfully submit [number] copies of a petition, sealed in the prescribed square envelopes and marked with seals, and deliver them in full to the governing officials of the [name] Palace and Office, requesting that they be copied into the records and reported upward.

The Supreme One of the Three Realms, [name of deity], accompanies the petition as it is presented. I respectfully request that your will be made known and a reply given. The officials on duty have now been ordered to carry the petition. Once it has been delivered, they must submit a formal report.

With due respect, I submit this report.

To the Sacred One, [name and rank]: I respectfully request that, in your compassion, you grant this petition special attention. There is no need to wait for other petitions of the same kind to be gathered; please present this petition to the throne at once.

The petition is to be delivered to the lofty hall in the Golden Palace of the Supreme Emperor and entrusted to the divine attendants, including the Jade Maiden Qingyao Chengyi and the Vermilion Bird Youth Changyang, who will immediately report it upward. I respectfully await your decree.

Carry out the command and convey its contents, and please also issue it to all the offices under your jurisdiction.

By the compassionate, life-nurturing grace of the Great Dao, its beneficence extends downward to the netherworld and the human realm. I humbly hope you will bestow your favor. I venture to submit this petition, though I fear I may disturb the sacred presence.

Respectfully submitted in writing.

Year, month, day. Your humble servant, [rank and name], respectfully submits this petition.

Format for a Petition to the Celestial Master (using a vermilion memorial when closing the altar)

Your humble servant, [rank and name], respectfully petitions:

We have received a report from [place] that the altar-closing ceremony will be held tonight, when the ritual services have ended and the altar is dismantled. We are concerned that, when the altar was first established, our thoughts may not have been sufficiently proper and our conduct sufficiently reverent, and that we may have violated the altar’s precepts. We have now prepared a vermilion memorial of apology and respectfully submit it to the imperial courts of the Three Realms in Heaven.

We are also concerned that the format of the vermilion memorial may not conform to heavenly regulations. We therefore submit this formal petition to clarify the matter.

I respectfully record and submit this petition to the Great Master of the Three Heavens, the Zhengyi Jingying Perfected Lord, the Celestial Master revered by the Daoist tradition. I humbly hope you will compassionately take notice and pity us, ignorant mortals who do not understand the orthodox, pure Qi. Please forgive us for any shortcomings in carrying out the matter fully. We respectfully request special instruction permitting the scribes to remove the outer cover. Should there be any errors, please verify and correct them, then submit the memorial directly. We are filled with trepidation and respectfully submit this petition.

Year, month, day. Your humble servant, [rank and name], respectfully submits this petition.

Format for a dispatch to the left and right offices

Office of the Great Lingbao Rites:

On [day] of this month, at [hour], under orders, we respectfully submitted one memorial concerning [matter], together with its square envelope, sealed wrapper, and complete seal, as well as one petition. These were presented for distribution and submission to the appropriate bureau in [palace] under the Three Gates of Heaven. The memorial was read aloud before the sacred presence and checked item by item. A formal dispatch must now be issued to notify the relevant offices.

This dispatch is addressed to the attendant envoys of the left and right, the Yin-Yang spirit officers who determine affairs, and the spirit officials of the left and right who receive memorials. Please convey the documents in sequence to the three great gates below Heaven. Do not allow the senior registrar, who oversees documents, to incur punishment. Upon receiving this dispatch, proceed according to regulations.

Respectfully issued by dispatch.

Issued by dispatch on [year, month, day, and hour].

[Rank and name], signed and sealed.

Secret incantation before the rites

The immortals above the Nine Heavens cultivate and nurture all things through the Dao, abiding eternally in the chamber of spirit. The Great Radiance shines in tranquil stillness; the deep, secluded abodes of the immortals gleam like pearls and jade. The Cinnabar Origin receives its charge in Jade Clarity. Through ten transformations and nine turnings, it passes through seven mixtures and five completions. The radiance of spirit rises together, riding swiftly through the celestial court. The Dao scripture undergoes three transformations, and body and spirit unite in numinous communion. The Jade Emperor scatters blessings, while wondrous scriptures appear and disappear in concealment. A thousand perfected immortals array themselves in circling ranks; the Five Stars descend at command. Clad in finely woven scarves and feathered robes, the immortals stand in solemn ranks in the imperial court. The spirit tiger is commanded on the left, and golden weapons are carried on the right. The Nine Heavens launch their campaign, hurling blazing fire bells in radiant arcs to destroy demonic obstacles, shatter baleful spirits, and cut down evil, while seizing demons and strange beings……

Wind and fire roar and shake the Six Heavens, the underworld powers that govern ghosts and spirits, plagues, and punishments. They destroy the walls and ramparts of Beifeng, the northern city of ghosts, and plunge the nine kinds of demons into cold mist.

Those who abandon the righteous Way will be punished; those who follow it will survive. The Lord on High has already issued his command, ordering the divine troops who guard the realm to destroy every evil force, test and subdue the myriad ghosts, and allow none to remain. Anyone who dares to disobey is handed over to the Heavenly Soldiers for judgment.

Where there is demonic evil, kill it; where there is poison and harm, punish it. Protect the spirits and guard the righteous Way; gather in evil Qi and destroy the monsters. The Six Heavens obey the command to destroy evil, their might subduing all spirits. The Treasure Spirits drive out impurity, leaving the realms of the Three Pure Ones clear and bright.

The Perfected Ones carry out their orders and gather together at the imperial court. The six celestial signs are in harmony, and the lights of the seven luminaries—the sun, moon, and stars—shine brightly. Divine winds scatter demonic obstacles, and the ritual ground grows still and pure. Divine grace sweeps away ghosts and spirits, while the Jade Emperor prays that all beings may be reborn.

The Nine Heavens carry out their orders, gathering the Perfected Ones and commanding the spirits. Reverently request that they carry out the emperor’s edict; only then can the Immortal Way be accomplished.

Ritual Procedure for Bowing and Presenting Memorials

All present bow in turn, quiet their minds and visualize, then proceed according to the ritual method.

Reciting the Incantation

Strike the ritual drum twenty-four times.

May the Most High Lord Lao of the Mysterious Origin and Five Spirits summon the Merit Officers, divine officials who carry documents and convey commands, together with the Lords of the Left and Right Dragons and Tigers, the Incense-Bearing Messengers, and the True Spirits of the Three Qi. May they swiftly present a memorial to Heaven.

The Dao Lord of the Most High, Mysterious Origin, and Three Heavens: I am now burning incense and presenting a memorial. I pray that the righteous Qi of the eight directions descend upon me, so that what I report may be swiftly conveyed and delivered directly before the Jade Emperor, the Venerable Sovereign of the Utmost Truth, the Boundless Great Dao.

Kneel upright and send forth the spirit. The officiant visualizes the spirit leaving the body and traveling to Heaven.

Reverently summon the Five-Body True Officials within our bodies; the Merit Officers and clerks; two Directing Merit Officers; two Zhengyi Merit Officers; three Merit Officers for healing illness; two Messengers of the Left and Right; two Yang-Spirit Decision Officers; two Yin-Spirit Decision Officers; and two each of the Red Talisman Officers of the Ritual Chariot, the Mounted Courier Officers of the Dipper Winds, and the Memorial Couriers on Relay Horses.

When these divine officials emerge, they must dress in orderly fashion, wearing bright official robes, hats, and sashes. Let their tassels hang down and their bearing be composed. They are to stand in formation before and behind me, listen together to what I say, and each carry out the matter entrusted to them.

Here, the True Officials of the four quarters are commanded to infuse Qi and keep watch. The officials and lords who examine and summon along the Way, together with the officials and lords of the Second Mystery, the Three Origins, the Four Beginnings, and the sexagenary cycle; the two Lords of Red Radiance; the thirty-five officials of the Five and Seven Red Yangs; the twelve Lords of the Four Beginnings, the Five Elders, and the twelve earthly branches; and the officials and lords, generals, and clerks who conduct examinations and summons on behalf of the Three Officials—all are to present a joint memorial to the Most High Lord Lao, the Most High Elder, the Supreme Elder of the Mystery, the Celestial Master, the Inheriting Master, and the Lineage Master, the Three Masters, along with the stewards, officials, generals, soldiers, record keepers, and junior clerks under their authority.

The officials responsible for carrying out the documents first observe purification, perform the court rites, and submit memorials and formal petitions. The ritual talismans used for any petition, along with the ritual officers, soldiers, troops, and all local true officials and numinous spirits summoned, must protect the parts of my person that are to receive reward. The matter submitted now is as follows… In accordance with the ritual, I respectfully bow to the ground and present one copy of a memorial, placing it on my writing table. Then I open the document case, bow over the table, and recite the memorial.

Next, I take the memorial from the case and chant:

“Five-colored vapor rises straight through the memorial and reaches the heavenly court; the five-colored Qi travels with the memorial directly to the Heavenly Emperor. May the lingering evil Qi of the lower realm not interfere recklessly. Haste, in accordance with the statutes and commands.”

When the chant is finished, I pass the memorial through incense smoke, then kneel and recite it.

I then hold the memorial. I place it on the table, set to the left of the Supreme Clarity position the knife inscribed with the upward-facing characters for the Supreme Clarity and the Grand Year—a Daoist ritual designation for directions and dates—and place a vermilion brush to its right. I burn incense three times, hold the bamboo slips at my heart, lift the memorial, and recite:

“Respectfully, I dispatch the five-body true officials within my person, one official, and twelve clerks, and solemnly command the Merit Officer messenger: each of you, prepare your travel gear; dress in bright attire, put on your caps, fasten your belts, let the cap cords hang, and compose your bearing. Grind the ink, wet the brush, gird on your sword, and carry the registers of the ritual community—Daoist registers of ritual authority. At the proper time, carry one copy of this memorial on my behalf to the Three Heavenly Offices, the celestial bureaus responsible for documents, present it with the memorial, and make the report.

If the memorial contains errors or omissions, unclear writing, confused phrasing, or an improper sequence, let the Merit Officer take up a long, sharp brush and correct it immediately: insert what has been omitted and amend what is wrong. Do not give the supervising officials above any reason to send it back.

Hold your breath in silence and proceed directly to the presence of the Supreme Lord Lao, the Great Dao without limit of the Three Heavens. Be especially careful and do not delay: the officials on the left are to relay the official notice in sequence, and those on the right are then to present it. Ensure that the matter I have requested receives a timely response, that those I have summoned arrive on time, that the calamities I have asked to be removed are dispelled, that the evil influences I have asked to be subdued are brought under control, that those for whom I seek aid are saved, that the matters I have reported are conveyed, and that the matter I have submitted reaches its destination.

If evil Qi, malign Jing, or ghostly bandits from the lower realm obstruct the memorial along the road or in the clouds and mist, preventing it from reaching its destination, register their names and send them to the Northern Prison of Tianyi for confinement. Punish them according to the orthodox law of the ghosts in Xuandu, thereby making the laws of Heaven manifest.

I, so-and-so, bow before the table and quietly await a response bestowed by the mysterious grace of Heaven.”

Then I remain bowed for a short while and visualize the three generals, the true officials on the left and right, the Merit Officer messenger, and the courier officials carrying the memorial, all setting out together by carriage and horse. Above them are purple clouds and blossoms…

After completing the “Sealing the Petition” step of the petition ritual, I then ascend to Heaven riding on crimson Qi (vital energy). Though it seems to take only an instant, in the blink of an eye it is as if I have traveled tens of thousands of miles. The crimson Qi billows like clouds and mist. On either side there are no other rosy vapors or clouds, only numerous treasure trees, so tall that they seem to stretch for hundreds of miles.

Suddenly, I see a road running across my path: this is the Yellow Path of the Sun and Moon. After crossing it directly, I glimpse a faint expanse of purple clouds five or six miles ahead. I continue onward and pass through the purple clouds, whereupon the Gate of Heaven comes into view. After entering the gate and walking a few steps, I pause, and the attendant spirit officials stop as well. Only General Zhou, the Directing Envoy and Merit Officer, the Jade Youth attending the petition, and the Jade Maiden carrying the petition table continue forward.

After the Directing Envoy and Merit Officer announces our arrival, he proceeds straight to the Jade Pass Gate to pay his respects to Grand Merit Officer Zhang, under the authority of the Orthodox Unity Perfected One and Great Master of the Three Heavens. After bowing twice, he explains the purpose of the petition. The Celestial Master grants his request and then goes to wait outside the Golden Gate of the Phoenix Pavilion. A short while later, an immortal youth wearing red robes and a dark cap comes out from within, takes the petition from the Jade Youth attending it, and carries it inside.

Soon, the person sent to guide me leads me in to pay my respects to the Most High. The Most High wears a nine-colored cloud mantle and a crown of the Nine Virtues, and sits upright in the hall. The Perfected Ones Left Mystery and Right Mystery attend and guard him, while a Taiyi attendant in red robes stands nearby. After the Most High reads the petition, Taiyi understands his intent and writes the character “Approved” beneath the jade steps of the Great Clarity Palace. Then a young immortal gathers up the petition and hands it to the duty officer of the Bureau on the right-hand steps. I sincerely take my leave of the Most High, go out through the Jade Pass Gate, and then take my leave of the Celestial Master.

Next, I and the Direct Officer who accompanied me in presenting the petition return joyfully to the altar where it was presented. On arriving, we rise and report, “It has been delivered above; it has been delivered above.” Then we take the petition and burn it to the northwest of the altar. When presenting a petition on behalf of an ordinary person, it is enough to visualize the Perfected Officials, their clerks and soldiers, and the generals carrying the petition on their way. When a practitioner presents a petition for himself, however, he must personally travel with the Perfected Officials of his region.

Returning the Officials and Restoring the Furnace

My petition has now been presented. The Merit Officers and envoys previously dispatched from within my body, together with all the spirit officials and officers, each return through the “Gate of the Many Mysteries”: those who were on the left return to the left, and those who were on the right return to the right. They wind around the body and pass through the bones, filling the space between Heaven and Earth. They move through and protect the body’s hundred channels, then finally return to their respective palaces. Everything resumes its former position, without the slightest error.

“Returning the Officials and Restoring the Furnace” refers to recalling and settling the divine officials employed in the ritual once it has ended, so that each returns to its proper place. “Visualization” refers to the practice of using mental contemplation in conjunction with ritual performance.

The Supreme Scripture of the Great Method of Deliverance Without Measure of the Numinous Treasure, Volume 41