《靈寶無量度人上經大法》Vol. 58

Receiving Deliverance for the Living Body

The master said, “The Lingbao Fivefold Refinement for Receiving Deliverance for the Living Body is called ‘Returning to the True and Entering the Cavernous Mystery.’”

The Supreme Secret Essentials of the Jade Marrow records that, in ancient times, the Celestial Worthy of Lingbao received a secret method transmitted by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, then entrusted it to the Perfected One of the Taiyi Purple Palace, the Lunar Palace of Nine Blossoms, who passed it down. The Lord of Deliverance at Nanchang, a spirit who oversees the deliverance of souls, presides over this method. It originally came from the Palace of Great Being: its words were formed through refinement with gold, engraved on jade, and compiled into a canon. Spirit children attend the carriage, while immortal consorts oversee the scriptures and their cases.

This method can, above, stabilize Heaven and Earth; in the middle, regulate the sun, moon, and stars; and below, transform and nurture the myriad things. It is truly the root of the ten thousand Dao and supremely exalted. In the beginning, during the early years of the Red Bright era, the Highest One brought life to all beings. Seeing them suffer because of the three forms of karma—body, speech, and mind—and the six kinds of desire, then fall into hell after death and remain trapped there through countless kalpas, with little hope of deliverance, he felt great sorrow. So the Highest One commanded the Lord of Deliverance at the Southern Pole to receive this sacred Lingbao text and its secret method. Refining and delivering the living body can dispel karmic obstacles. Even when one’s allotted years are exhausted, the Bureau of Earth, which keeps the registers of the underworld, will not detain one. Jade light will appear on the practitioner’s body, allowing them to accompany the Perfected Ones and lodge among the clouds. Through receiving deliverance for the living body, they will endure through generation after generation; as the kalpas turn, their lifespan will match Heaven’s.

In time, these jade scriptures housed in cases adorned with langgan stone were passed down and gradually spread among humankind. Their mystery is deep and far-reaching. They are said to deliver all beings and accomplish every undertaking—surely their benefits go far beyond a little help. Those who cultivate this great Lingbao method should not envy others, but treat one another equally and with compassion, even forming kinship with people of other surnames. Only then can the Dao be realized. If one violates the ritual regulations and precepts, misfortune will affect seven generations of ancestors. Take heed—take heed!

Method for Establishing the Altar

To establish the altar, first click the teeth together three times, visualize yourself transformed into the Red Bright Harmonious Yang Heavenly Emperor, and form the prescribed hand mudra. Then, using the middle finger, write the talisman on the palm while reciting the Purifying Heaven and Earth Incantation. Next, draw in the breaths of the east and south and recite:

“Within the chaotic cavern, the red text is the supreme truth beyond all being. In the primordial kalpa of the Ancestor of Primordial Beginning, the heavens were brought into being. The Three Luminaries were opened and made bright; this is called the root of Heaven. Above, there is no further disclosure; the Dao alone is the body. The five texts open the expanse and plant divine spirits everywhere. Without the text, nothing shines; without the text, nothing is bright; without the text, nothing is established; without the text, nothing is accomplished; without the text, nothing is delivered; without the text, nothing is born.”

When you have finished reciting, visualize the five colors of light shining from your five organs, emerging from your mouth and illuminating the heavenly realm. Then visualize the altar grounds and call the eastern altar the “Jade Yang Pavilion.”

Within the empty expanse, a blue-green radiance shines brilliantly, like jade. Next, visualize the altar in the south, called the “Court of Flowing Fire”: its flames blaze fiercely, and its light is like the sun. Then visualize the altar in the west, called the “Altar of Golden Splendor.” True Qi (the primordial vital energy spoken of in Daoism) shines in intersecting beams, taking on a golden hue and illuminating the ten directions. Then visualize the altar in the north, called the “Altar of Nine Refinements for Yin Corpses.” Amid the blue-green Qi is a spirit official who governs divine water, whose clear radiance gleams like crystal; in the River of Heaven, clouds of flowing light in five colors appear. Then visualize the altar at the center, called the “Great Yellow Altar.” True Qi illuminates its surroundings, and clouds of light in five colors appear within the yellow Qi.

Each altar has a palace containing officials dressed in three-colored brocade robes. Around each of the five altars, build an altar of clean sand, thirty inches high and thirty-two inches wide, in accordance with the thirty-two heavens. Surround each altar with thirty-two banners, writing the name of one celestial realm on each. Then arrange thirty-two lamps in the four directions, and place the “Heaven of the Three-Colored Realm” at the center.

Place an incense burner at each altar, and prepare water and fire. Outside each altar, write its name on a wooden tablet. During the rite, perform the Dipper steps of the Southern Dipper and summon the Qi of each direction in turn: first carry out water refinement, then refine the east, south, center, west, and north in sequence. As you refine each form in turn, sustain the visualization without interruption or dispersal. This is called “Great Yellow Refinement of the Form.”

Next perform “Golden Liquid Refinement of Substance”: the east is called “Jade Yang’s Return to the Body,” the north “Washing and Refining with Divine Water,” and the next stage “Receiving the Passage through True Fire.” Carry out each of these steps in turn according to the prescribed method.

Transformation of the Spirit

“Transformation of the Spirit” means visualizing yourself becoming the Red-Bright Yang Emperor, who is also the Lord of Deliverance and Destiny at the South Pole. The practitioner forms a hand seal with the middle finger to summon the Qi of the east, and visualizes their own appearance as that of the Emperor. Then visualize the Celestial Worthy Who Relieves Suffering, Taiyi, standing above your head; the Patriarch Donghua Emperor in front; Lord Han on the left; and countless divine generals surrounding you. Then direct them in accordance with the ritual’s intent.

Next, transform the spirit as before, form the Shangqing seal with the left hand, and call out loudly: “Officials and attendants of the Lingbao Great Dharma Office, all those in charge of refining and deliverance!” Visualize the officials and attendants arrayed before you. Then say: “Divine generals, officials, and soldiers, summon the celestial merits officers on my behalf. Come at once to the altar and heed my command.” After visualizing their arrival, form the Yuqing seal, announce the command, guide the blazing fire in its refining, and refine the form with Jade Liquid.

Jade Liquid Form-Refining Incantation (East):

Primordial Beginning nurtures the young; within, the radiance of the Law is complete.

The Jade Field’s wheel rises, carrying one beyond dark and yellow.

Bright and clear, without obscuration, it extends in graceful course through the Nine Auspicious Realms.

Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.

The “Incantation for Refining the Body with Great Liquids” (South) says: The Qi of Crimson Radiance rises upward, revealing a clear, bright glow. Its dense splendor shines upon the tranquil, empty hall. Upright and harmonious, free of ugliness; blessings and celebrations descend, and Yin-Yang is brought into balance. Swiftly, in accordance with the ordinances, carry this out.

The “Incantation for Refining the Body with Golden Liquids” (West) says: The Primordial Youth opens the light, and true radiance appears. The countenance, like that of Brahma, is calm; there is no confused thought or frenzied movement. Cross rivers, climb high cliffs, bear the winding path, and return to Great Yellow. Swiftly, in accordance with the ordinances, carry this out.

The “Incantation for Refining the Body with Mysterious Liquids” (North) says: The mysterious abyss reaches through to the clouds. The dragon transforms and soars upward; its movement accords with the constant Way, and it condenses into jade-like essence. Marvelous transformation nurtures things of graceful pattern and beauty; its beneficence nourishes the Primordial Shen. Swiftly, in accordance with the ordinances, carry this out.

The “Incantation for Refining the Body with Great Yellow” (Center) says: Clear and harmonious Qi rises upward, bringing flourishing life and transforming one into a numinous immortal. Return to the realm of Brahma, transform, and become true. Preserve and strengthen the true radiance; bring to completion the jade body of the Primordial Beginning. Swiftly, in accordance with the ordinances, carry this out.

The rites above are performed in sequence at the five altar positions. After completing them all, do not yet announce the talisman. Instead, go before the fire pool and perform the rite called “Flowing Gold, Refining by Fire.” Visualize the refined radiance of the Eastern sun at noon: five-colored rosy clouds stream and shine upon the courtyard of fire refinement. Form the “Sun Lord’s Hand Seal,” symbolizing the sun deity, and recite:

The Solar Emperor Lord is the essence of the Sun Palace. May he send down true Qi to pour into my body; refine my soul, increase my Jing, and nourish my Primordial Shen. Evil Qi cannot assail the righteous Way, and darkness cannot obscure the light. May body and Shen alike attain perfection, making me a perfected person; may my physical body be delivered and ascend to the Jade Court. Swiftly, in accordance with the ordinances of the Solar Emperor Lord, carry this out.

When you have finished reciting, visualize a mass of purple Qi appearing in the light, as large as an eyeball. It glimmers amid the five-colored light, then enters the fire pool. Next, recite:

The Sun Soul, the pearl of radiance, shines; its subtle green glow reflects the returning rosy clouds. The Red Youth’s mysterious flame marks the form.

When you have finished, draw a ray of sunlight and send it into the pool. Visualize a Youthful Yang Lord within the sunlight, wearing a flying-immortal crown and a cinnabar robe of the Vermilion Mound, descending from above. Then visualize another Youthful Yang Lord within your own left eye. The two merge into one and enter the pool. The sunlight shines brilliantly in five colors, illuminating both inside and outside the pool.

Then announce the talisman, click your teeth twenty-four times, and recite:

The sunlight has now coursed through me, and the scattered radiance has been renewed. The wondrous imperial light flows abundantly, sheltering and pouring into body and mind. Looking upward, I receive mysterious, sweet moisture, and fragrant blossoms descend; the palace dwelling opens wide, washing away the turmoil of the earthly world. My body shines with jade light, and my face reveals the aura of the immortal perfected. My numinous Shen ascends, treading the Yu steps, and rises to the Sun Gate. Swiftly, in accordance with the ordinances of the Solar Emperor Lord, carry this out.

Click the teeth three times and swallow saliva three times. Internally visualize golden light issuing from the lungs, scattering into golden radiance and fiery light, brilliantly intermingling and illuminating the ten directions.

Fire Refinement Talisman

(Wondrous Qi and yang essence—radiance appears in the Purple Court; yin defilement is washed away, cleansing dust, grime, and clamor.)

Next, visualize the essence-light within the moon transforming into five-colored streaming radiance and shooting into the divine water. Form the Moon Lord mudra (a cultivation hand gesture involving finger postures) and recite the incantation:

“Taiyin Huangjun (Sovereign Lord of the Moon), essence of the moon palace, please descend true Qi and pour it into my body. Gather and bind the hun and po souls, settle them, cause qi and blood to circulate, and make body and mind flourish; moisten withered bones and make parched places flourish again. May form and spirit both attain the mysterious realm and ascend high to the Jade Court. Swiftly, swiftly, as by statute and command.”

After reciting, visualize a ball of yellow Qi within the light, the size of an eyeball, bright and sparkling. The moon po (the essence of the moon) is pure and fragrant, its radiance gorgeous; it is serene and numinous, rich with orchid fragrance, and its flowery light condenses and rises upward. There is also pure golden light, clear and bright, revealing the scene of the Jiongrong Terrace.

After reciting, take a ray of moonlight and send it into the pool. Then visualize within the moonlight a maiden named Ejing, three cun and five fen tall, wearing a Seven-Star Jinxian Precious Crown and plain silk robes with a flowing skirt, descending from above. Then visualize another maiden Ejing, identically dressed, in your right eye. The two maidens merge into one and enter the pool with the light. The moonlight transforms into five colors, brilliant and bright, clearly visible both inside and outside the pool.

Make obeisance to the talisman, click the teeth twenty-four times, and recite the incantation:

“Yellow Qi circulates and condenses; the three combine into light. Mysterious radiance returns to the true path, crowning and girding the light of the eight directions. Refine and deliver at the Eastern Well, receive the light; golden blossoms scatter, and the numinous Qi of the Five Lords flows with fragrance. The Lady sends down sweet dew, sprinkling it throughout the ten directions; vast fragrant grace flows downward, moistening the six fu. Golden essence undergoes nine transformations, changing form and restoring countenance. Swiftly, swiftly, by the statute and command of Taiyin Huangjun.”

After reciting, take a ray of moonlight, blow it into the pool, and click the teeth three times. Visualize the mysterious Qi in your kidneys rising and the crimson Qi in your heart descending; the two qi meet and transform into jade light. The jade light pours from the water of the Heavenly River into the pool. Then visualize the jade light in the water as clear and bright.

Water Refinement Talisman

(Water flows and swirls, congealing essence; the Five Qi blend and condense, and within them appears the moon scene of the great void, changing with the waxing and waning of the new and full moons. The yellow flowery light is called “Suling” (Plain Numen); its radiance illumines heaven and earth everywhere, mysterious brilliance penetrates and reflects, illuminating the ten directions, and streaming light enters the dark underworld. The three unite as one, congealing into light, refining all yin forms; changing form and restoring countenance, forever keeping the yellow garments.)

The “Divine Spell for Gathering the Spirits in the Body” says: During the Longhan and Yankang kalpas recorded in the Jade Register of the Primordial Cavern—remote eras of upheaval around the creation of the cosmos—Heaven and Earth were still in deep, murky chaos. Above there was no sky, below no abyss. Winds and waters converged in the void, while the energy of adamantine upheld the heavens. There was no darkness or stillness between Heaven and Earth, nor any forms or images; all was boundless and endless. No light shone in the vast energy of chaos. Only when Heaven and Earth were opened in the age of Chiming, a Daoist kalpa, did the movement and transformation of the myriad things naturally begin. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

The “Spell for Uniting the Hundred Spirits” says: The talismanic command of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning draws in primordial Qi and gathers clouds and mist, causing the Qi of the Purple Void to flourish in lush beauty and assisting and protecting the myriad immortals. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands! The Great Emperor Lingbao orders the hundred spirits to assemble and carry out the command!

The “Talisman for Restoring the Form and Returning to One’s Nature” concerns returning to the source, restoring one’s allotted life, and going back to the root. Yin and Yang energies intertwine to form the body, and Yang energy brings the body into being. The hour of the Horse corresponds to the Gate of the Po, while the hour of the Rat corresponds to primordial Qi; as the energies intertwine, the Hun and spirit descend into birth. When the divine spirit weakens, the Po disperses and the Hun falters. The changing light of the sun, moon, and stars is connected to the principles of nature and life. Through refinement in the fire of Bing and Ding, the body can be made whole again. The embryo is formed in the Highest Mystery, and the heart receives the Great Truth. After awakening to the Dao and hearing the scriptures, one can leave the ordinary world and return to unity with Shangqing.

The “Spell for Taking the Talisman” says: Restore one’s nature and return to one’s form. Perform the astral steps in nine paces and eight directions, then make seven turns, bringing both inner and outer cultivation to completion. The Three Terraces, the names of stellar spirits, and the Qi of Zi and Wu receive true Qi within the Crimson Palace, the Dantian located in the heart, and transform it into sovereign Qi, discerning the true nature of Primordial Beginning. Returning to the body and transforming its substance, one prospers in every ascent and descent, coming and going. Between Heaven and Earth above and below, all becomes clear and open, radiant and manifest. One will never again undergo rebirth, but will return to unity with Shangqing.

The Emperor says: Once cultivation and the rite of deliverance are complete, give thanks to the Celestial Perfected, face east, and bow twice. Then take this talisman chapter, and you will never again fall into the cycle of rebirth. This method uses thin yellow paper on which the writing is done in cinnabar. When used to deliver the dead, it is likewise written in cinnabar on yellow paper and incorporated into the rite of refinement and deliverance.

The “Talisman by Which the Primordial Lord and Supreme Emperor Removes the Dead from the Register and Enters Them in the Register of the Living” says: The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning pardons sins, removes the dead from the Northern Capital, the underworld, and raises them to the Southern Palace to undergo refinement and deliverance. Refined through the Qi of Zi and Wu, they are transformed into immortals. Refinement in directions such as Kun and Li secretly opens the way to immortality; in the end, the efficacy of the wondrous Dao becomes manifest. Remove the name from the register of the dead and enter it in the register of the living.

The two characters “formless” in the talisman are written inside the middle finger.

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning commands: Pardon sins and forgive transgressions; resolve enmities and dispel grievances. Remove the name from the register of the dead and enter it in the register of the living. Engrave the name on a golden tablet and place it among the jade steps. Use true light to guide the way, extend compassion widely, spread golden lotuses to support each step, and let purple Qi carry the soul across the passes. After three transformations and nine refinements, one can change one’s appearance and return to one’s original nature. The demons of the Three Heavens…

Wang Baoju’s aspiration to attain the state of an immortal is clear and bright; his blessings, De, and wisdom naturally increase, enabling him to serve the dragon chariot ridden by the immortals.

By receiving primordial Qi, one can attain long life; this accords with what is stated in the proclamation.

Spell for Cutting Off Death and Ascending to Life:

In life after life, may you receive the favor of the Celestial Emperor, and may your name be entered in the register of immortals. Within the many gates, in the Purple Chamber—the celestial palace or inner spirit chamber described in Daoist teaching—the five spirits unite. May your hun and po souls always be preserved, and may the seven gates, the vital apertures of the body in cultivation practice, receive immortal light. May the primordial Qi of the kings within the Five Organs cross together the heaven of Water and Fire. May the Four Harmonies, the free-flowing Qi arising from the concord of Yin and Yang, appear and return upward to the Imperial One Son, a Daoist deity, facing your hun and po souls.

Swiftly, in accordance with the command of the Supreme God!

After reciting the spell, burn the talisman and, together with it, the True Text of the Five Elders’ Refining and Deliverance.

The Man of Mystery said: Anyone who wishes to refine and deliver the physical body must obtain the “Talisman for Cutting Off Death and Ascending to Life.” Only then can the body unite with the Great Void and prolong its years. To make it, take a piece of catalpa wood nine inches long, two fen thick, and two inches and four fen wide. Paint the surface pale blue-green, write the talisman in cinnabar, and place it in a blue-green pouch. Then burn it together with the “Two Documents for Ascending to Heaven.”