《靈寶無量度人上經大法》Vol. 66

Great Method of the Scripture of Limitless Deliverance through Numinous Treasure, Scroll 66

The Chapter on the Divine Tiger’s Pursuit and Seizure · The Hidden Writ of the Divine Tiger

“The Hidden Writ of the Divine Tiger: Heaven One, Northern Mandate, Great Unity, Purple Origin, Primordial Unity, Jade Register” is a secret text of the Divine Tiger, kept in the hidden treasury of the Northern Dipper.

Long ago, when Celestial Master Ye attained the Dao, he concealed this secret text in the Bilu Cave on Mount Longhu and had an inscription carved into stone:

“The Hidden Writ of the Divine Tiger: Northern Dipper, Dark Oblivion, Heaven One, Northern Mandate, Great Unity, Purple Origin, Primordial Unity, Jade Register is secretly stored in the Palace of Heaven One in the Mysterious Pattern, the Purple Palace of Great Unity, and the nine heavens of the Northern Dipper. The Divine Tiger’s Nine Sovereign Ladies govern the eight extremities of the lower world; distinctions of rank and status; kings, nobles, and officials in the ten directions; and the souls, life and death, allotted years, coming and going of consciousness, and length of fortune and destiny of the people and all things. These are all under their charge.

“All the diverse peoples of the four quarters of the human world, the barbarian lands of the eight directions, the nine provinces and ten circuits, the six Rong and five Di peoples, and the twelve celestial divisions—as well as the people of every country beneath the vault of heaven and all beings above the nine tiers of the heavens—fall under their jurisdiction.

“When a person is born, the Northern Dipper sends down a current of divine Qi (vital energy), which enters the person’s body. Thirty-six thousand perfected spirits each take the Hun (soul) as father and the Po (corporeal soul) as mother, and together govern a person’s original destiny and lifespan. The upper limit of human life is thirty-six thousand days, or one hundred and twenty years. If a person observes the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues, preserves the Hun, Po, and spirit, and neither does evil nor practices goodness and accumulates merit, then, when the allotted years come to an end, the perfected spirits return to the divine bureau of the Northern Dipper. One perfected spirit is taken away each day; when all thirty-six thousand have been taken, this is called the end of one’s heavenly lifespan.

“At that time, the Northern Dipper governs death, while the Taiwei Palace oversees the removal of the person’s name from the register of the living. A celestial tally is issued to inform the terrestrial bureau, and the corresponding spirits carry out the order: in the world of the living, the Hun is taken; in the underworld, the Po is taken. The earth takes the person’s water, Heaven takes the person’s Qi; fire and wind disperse, and the body returns to Great Yin. Consciousness flies apart and is entrusted to the workings of creation. According to their karma, people receive retribution and pass through the cycle of birth and death, turning through countless kalpas without end.

“If, during life, a person practices goodness and establishes merit, the Jade Register adds to their allotted years, and the spirits send good Qi into their body. If they commit evil and transgress, the terrestrial bureau deducts from their allotted years, and the spirits disperse evil Qi into their body. Great evil shortens life; lesser evil reduces the count. Great goodness lengthens life; lesser goodness increases the count. One count is equivalent to three days, and one allotted year to one year; twelve counts make up twelve years of lifespan. When a person’s allotted years are deducted, the perfected spirits depart as well. If they commit great evil, exhausting their allotted years and severing their count, the perfected spirits will then…”

If people turn away from the gods and lose the Zhengyi Qi within their bodies, they may die suddenly. Their souls then return to the Dipper Court, and their consciousness suffers because of evil deeds. Their allotted years are cut short; ghosts, demons, and monsters come to afflict them, while benevolent gods withdraw. The body becomes empty, and may even take on the appearance of a walking corpse. They fall into danger and distress, beset by illness and evil forces. Even when their evil deeds are slight and only shorten their lives, their souls become unsettled, and pernicious Qi becomes the cause of illness.

If they can correct their faults and turn toward goodness, cultivate good deeds and accumulate merit, establish Virtue, practice benevolence, and devote themselves to cultivation through fasting, they can move the True God of the Imperial Ultimate to descend once more. Their consciousness will regain its clarity, their souls will be healthy and joyful, and the gods will rejoice together. As the days and months accumulate, the gods will become complete within them, and their divine powers will manifest. Those whose cultivation is most accomplished can ascend to immortality in broad daylight; those of the next rank can attain the Dao through corpse liberation; even those whose attainment is more modest can prolong their lives. This is what is meant by “Heaven’s Sovereign supports and protects people of Virtue; Heaven blesses the good.” The Dao of Heaven may seem far away, yet it hears the subtlest things. The consequences of good and evil follow as surely as a shadow follows a body and an echo answers a sound.

The Taishang Secret Admonitions (Taishang Mibao) says: “Do good, and good Qi will come; do evil, and evil Qi will come.” In the Northern Blessings Mysterious Bureau and Dipper Court star palaces, every palace and bureau has hundreds of millions of Nine Sovereigns’ divine officers, embroidered-robed envoys, golden boys and jade maidens, as well as heavenly generals, clerks, and troops. They descend into the human world to record the good and evil deeds of all people under Heaven, missing nothing, however small.

Among them, the highest in rank are the Lady of the Nine Sovereigns’ Divine Tigers, the Great Sages to the left and right of the Divine Tigers, the Divine Tiger Lord who governs life and death, and the Jade Maidens of somewhat lower rank. There are also the Divine Tigers’ Soul-Chasing Envoys and their Soul-Seizing Clerks and Troops. If one can cultivate goodness and establish merit, dispel evil and renounce desire, correct one’s errors, and support the Orthodox Way, one can be entered in the Heavenly First Purple Court and serve in the office of the Northern Blessings of the Great One. Then one may summon the spirits to descend and assist in putting the Great Dao into practice: they can make corpses rise, bring the dead back to life, and return souls to their bodies. One can also eradicate demons and monsters, command the offices of the netherworld, and govern the bureaus of the underworld. For people, one can register allotted fortunes, extend lifespans, cure calamities and illnesses, and ward off misfortune, thereby earning merit from Heaven. When one’s accomplishments are complete and good deeds have fully accumulated, one can become an immortal in broad daylight.

The Mysterious Statutes of the Five Dippers

The Celestial Worthy said: The Eastern Dipper governs the registration of lifespans. It is the bureau of Azure Yang’s generative Qi, governed by the Celestial Lord of the Nine Qi of Azure Spirit, the Primordial Elder. The Western Dipper governs the recording of names. It is the bureau of Bright Spirit’s nourishment of the essence, governed by the Celestial Lord of the Seven Qi of Bright Spirit, the Plain Elder. The Southern Dipper governs ascent to rebirth. It is the bureau of Red Flame and Cinnabar Spirit, the Great Abyss, governed by the Celestial Lord of the Three Qi of Cinnabar Spirit, the True Elder. The Northern Dipper governs the recording of death. It is the bureau of Stifled Extinction and Central Harmony, governed by the Celestial Lord of the Five Qi of the Five Spirits, the Primordial Elder. The Central Dipper, the Great Chief…

This Celestial Lord is the “Celestial Lord of the One Qi of the Yellow Spirit and Yellow Elder,” the office that oversees all spirits (a Daoist divine name). The Lords of the Eastern Dipper are responsible for recording people’s lifespans and allotted destinies. People are born receiving the One Qi, while the Five Directional Heavenly Emperors oversee their birth. The God of Fate determines their lifespan, reviews their merits and faults, and enters their names in the registers. Broadly speaking, lifespan is called “longevity”; its yearly measure is called a “count.”

At birth, a person’s register usually records a lifespan of 120 years. Twelve years make one cycle, and one cycle is reckoned as 1,200 counts. If the God of Fate finds that someone has accumulated outstanding merit, he reports this and increases their allotted years: a larger increase is 360 counts, a smaller one 120. If he finds that their wrongdoing has accumulated, he deducts from their lifespan; for lesser offenses, he reduces their counts and shortens their years. Increases and reductions in lifespan follow set gradations, with not the slightest discrepancy.

The Lords who assign counts in the Eastern Dipper carry seals and banners, and wield great authority. After death, a person’s Yin soul comes under the jurisdiction of the Northern Depths, the realm of the dead. If the lifespan decreed by Heaven has not yet run its course, or if the person committed offenses while alive, the departed soul may be confined in the Dipper Prison, a condition called “Heavenly One, Northern Destiny.” Relatives still living in the human world may also bear the consequences and suffer examinations in the underworld. Some families fall into poverty and have no heirs; some remain poor yet have many descendants. Some men die in sudden calamities, while women are injured or die during pregnancy. Others become embroiled in lawsuits and lose their property, or suffer epidemics and skin sores, enduring years of hardship and illness. Such misfortunes are said to be disasters reaching the living world as a consequence of the dead being tried.

Those who do good and establish merit during life, keep an upright heart, honor and cultivate the Dao, remain loyal and filial, and build up good deeds unseen over many years leave a record of merit. The demon kings recommend them, and the heavens rejoice on their behalf. Their souls may then ascend to the Southern Dipper, while their Yin souls are refined and delivered in Dongyang. Their offenses in the underworld are pardoned, and their failings in the human world may be expiated.

If someone’s allotted years remain and an examination finds no offenses, they are kept at Southern Peak, where the spirits arrange for them to oversee a place in the human world temporarily, until their lifespan is complete and they die a natural death. Afterward, they must pass through the Palace of Wenqu in the Northern Dipper, receive a celestial book bearing the “Correct Sounds of the Great Brahma” together with a matching true text, and deliver them to the Southern Palace. The spirits then assign them a new human birth according to their share of good fortune, determining their status and whether they will be born male or female in their next life.

Those whose lifespan ends without any merit to record or good deeds to enter in the register, but who instead carry grave karmic offenses and no trace of goodness, are imprisoned directly in the underworld of Fengdu. There they undergo examinations in the underworld and pass through many kalpas without seeing the light. They may also be reborn according to their offenses as various nonhuman beings, losing human form forever. This is truly pitiful. Therefore, the Primordial Sovereign, a revered Daoist deity, compassionately pities living beings. Seeing them…

Good people are few, while those who do evil are many. Thus, sentient beings sink into the Five Paths—the five destinations of reincarnation—where they are punished and made to serve, and fall into the Three Paths of Suffering, such as hell, the realm of hungry ghosts, and the animal realm. They endure suffering through countless kalpas, with no prospect of release. Therefore, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun), moved by great compassion, proclaimed the methods of the Great Dao. Using primordial Qi and jade tallies bearing Fulu, he disseminated true writings and immortal scriptures, along with secret edicts and commandments. Through jade slips and golden books, he transmitted the essential teachings of the Lingbao tradition and set out the texts to be studied. Practitioners of the Dao act on behalf of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning to teach and transform, saving all those who are ignorant and deluded.

Within this method, the divine officials, including the tally officers, each have distinct roles, yet all obey the commands of the Celestial Emperor and carry out the rites according to prescribed procedures. By means of incantations and hand signs, one can go to Xuankui and the Northern Darkness to seek out and summon the souls of the dead. The phrase “nothing cannot be delivered, nothing cannot be accomplished” means “delivering beings without limit.” Those who perform rites and cultivate the practice must therefore understand these methods.

When summoning the gods, visualize yourself as still and settled like a withered tree. Form the Yuqing hand sign with your left hand and hold it before your chest. Visualize the true fire in your heart blazing until it burns you to ashes. Then make the Wu sign with your left hand and the Zi sign with your right, and place both hands at your waist. Visualize the true Water in your kidneys turning like a wheel and meeting the true Fire. Suddenly, a gust of wind surges up and blows the ashes away until none remain.

Next, click your teeth twelve times, face the Gate of Heaven at the crown of your head, and draw in twelve breaths of primordial ancestral Qi. Hold your breath briefly. Visualize purple clouds descending at the Gate of Heaven and entering the crown of your head. Then visualize yellow-white Qi rising and swirling from the central palace within your body, joining with the purple clouds. Next, visualize yourself becoming the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, wearing a Shangqing crown and a ritual robe.

Then visualize the Celestial Worthy of Great Unity from the Eastern Pole Palace descending through the sky and appearing before you, seated on a nine-headed lion throne and holding a willow branch with water for purification. Draw the Azure-Profound Qi from the crown of the Celestial Worthy of Great Unity and combine it with the Qi of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. They transform into radiance from a hundred treasures that envelops you. Then visualize purple clouds and blue-green vapors from the Gate of Heaven coming before you. As the clouds disperse, divine officials, tiger guards, jade boys, jade maidens, and tally officers appear, bearing Fulu and holding ritual tallies. The practitioner then sweeps the signs across the ears and eyes, thereby commanding these divine officials. Once the signs have been flicked into place, guide the Qi forward, burn incense before the altar, and present the matter.

Next, click your teeth again and take twelve steps according to the Ding Dipper footwork, then turn to face north. Form the Divine Tiger seal with both hands: cross the little fingers of both hands, and press both thumbs against the middle fingers. Recite the incantation:

“Om ju she lu qi rong zha lu ping she.”

When you have finished, call aloud:

“I summon the Lord of the Divine Tiger, the Chief Official and the Officers (or, one may say, the soul-pursuing envoys of the Three Departments, and so on) to come forth.”

When you arrive before the altar, follow my instructions. Visualize and pray:

“I carry the talismanic command issued by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. By the authority of the august dragon-script, I govern the numinous treasures of the Mysterious Origin and the Netherworld offices of the Divine Tiger. You are upright and wise, majestic in appearance and fierce in spirit. You are charged with discerning the darkness of the netherworld and distinguishing the two paths of life and death. Since the departed souls still suffer and have not yet been released, go forth with compassion to gather and guide them. In accordance with the jade register’s command, proceed directly to the Yellow Springs. Gather their Yin souls and return them to their bodies; summon back their Yang souls and reunite them with their bodies. Clearly reveal the causes and effects of karmic retribution at the Mysterious Altar. Bring all Qi into harmony, so that all beings may become immortals and receive universal guidance and deliverance. Open the wondrous Way of the Eight Gates and draw the departed souls out through the passes of the netherworld. Do not falter or retreat, lest the teaching of True Origin be abandoned. Carry this out with all haste. Act swiftly, in accordance with the statutes!”

After finishing the prayer, click the teeth together nine times, form the hand seal, and blow Qi into the jade register. Then burn the register according to ritual procedure.

The ritual master says: When performing the methods of the Lingbao rites, such as pacing the Dipper, summoning generals, refining and delivering souls, and calling back the spirits of the dead, press the middle finger of the left hand at the middle-finger position and form the Yin-Shen hand seal with the right hand. Quiet the mind and visualize the Celestial Worthy of Great Oneness and the Azure Mysterious Emperor in the Eastern Pole Palace. Visualize the Azure Mysterious Qi seven times, inhale once, and swallow it down to the Dantian. Then imagine the Qi of the Dantian joining with the Azure Mysterious Qi and forming cloudlike vapor. Let it pass straight through the Niwan Palace and emerge, transforming into the Celestial Worthy of Great Oneness.

Divine Tiger Lady of the Northern Dipper’s Mysterious Pattern: The seven ladies of the Great Sage of the Northern Dipper’s Dark Realm each govern the souls of the dead born in particular years of the sexagenary cycle:

• The First Lady, whose name is missing from the original text, governs those born in the years of the Rat and Snake.
• The Second Lady, whose name is missing from the original text, governs those born in the years of the Ox and Pig.
• The Third Lady, whose name is missing from the original text, governs those born in the years of the Tiger and Dog.
• The Fourth Lady, whose name is missing from the original text, governs those born in the years of the Rabbit and Rooster.
• The Fifth Lady, whose name is missing from the original text, governs those born in the years of the Dragon and Monkey.
• The Sixth Lady, whose name is missing from the original text, governs those born in the years of the Snake and Goat.
• The Seventh Lady is named Si. She governs those born in the year of the Horse.

One chief immortal clerk of the Jade Bureau and one principal clerk: The masculine left-side chief of the Jade Bureau governs the Hun soul and is named He Mou; the feminine right-side principal clerk of the Martial Luan governs the Po soul and is named Qiao Mou. These two deities oversee the souls of the stars, nobles and officials, and ordinary people.

There are also seven Divine Tiger Jade Maidens. The terms “reverse-born” and “Mysterious Office” appear in parentheses in the original; they may be variant readings or marginal notes, and their precise meanings are unclear.

The first Jade Maiden is Jiang Rengui; the second is Jiang Renxian (some versions write “Renxi”).

The third Jade Maiden is Wang Zhen (the name is missing a character at the end); the fourth is Huang Wen (the name is missing a character at the end).

The fifth Jade Maiden is Chang Daoren; the sixth is Dong Xiqing; the seventh is Zhai Puqing.

These seven Jade Maidens govern all manner of accidental and premature deaths. They wear purple robes, capes embroidered with phoenixes, phoenix crowns, vermilion shoes, and feathered skirts. They wear jade ornaments and carry the register of life and death.

Seven Jade Maidens Who Administer Talismans

The first Jade Maiden is Jiang Rengui; the second is Li Hua; the third is You Feng; the fourth is Zhao Shen; the fifth is Wei Bian; the sixth is Zhang Xin; the seventh is Xu Ming.

These seven Divine Tiger Jade Maidens each govern the passage of the souls of the living after death, including rebirth and transformation, and the destinations to which the dead go. These matters are recorded in the Jade Record, the register of life and death kept by Daoist deities, so the maidens know where the dead are. They are responsible for pursuing and seizing souls, verifying the causes of death recorded in the register, and together summoning the Great Sage of the Mysterious Bureau. Carrying mixed-origin jade documents, Daoist dispatches, the maidens go to the Four Births and Six Paths—the various forms of life and destinations in the cycle of rebirth—to pursue and seize departed souls. The souls then arrive immediately at the altar.

Iron Tracks and Radiant Light Emissaries

There are fifteen Divine Tiger emissaries:

Zhang [illegible], Hou, and Wei (the three who govern those born in the years of the Rat and Horse);

Ding, Ming, and Zhuo Shenzhi (the three who govern those born in the years of the Ox and Pig);

Wang Hu, Wang, and Liu Zihe (the three who govern those born in the years of the Tiger and Dog);

Zi Tianyou, Ren, and Zeng Wu (the three who govern those born in the years of the Snake and Goat);

Shao Gongquan, Ling Feizhen, Kong, and [illegible] (the three who govern those born in the years of the Rooster and Dragon).

(A “▲” after a name indicates that the original text is missing a character or that its form cannot be identified.)

Three Emissaries

The first emissary wears a purple embroidered robe and a red embroidered forehead band. His name is Hou (the name is missing a character at the end).

The second emissary wears a red embroidered robe and a yellow embroidered forehead band. His name is Wei (the name is missing a character at the end).

The third emissary wears a green embroidered robe and a red embroidered forehead band. His name is Zhang [illegible].

Eight Divine Tiger Merit Officers

The Merit Officer of the Heavenly Way is Gao Tianzhen; of the Earthly Way, Ran Wenzhong; of the Human Way, Hu Dang; of the Immortal Way, Suo Zhong; of the Spirit Way, Zu Gongbi; of the Ghost Way, Zhai Shang; of the Way of Karma, Wan Yun; and of the Animal Way, Wang Jing.

Each of these Merit Officers has 120 attendants, of whom seven are actually used.

There is one Soul-Guarding Boy and one Soul-Guiding Boy.

Among the youths who supervise the souls of the dead in the Jade Office, there are 120 surnamed Xu whose given names are missing characters. Among the youths who guide the souls of the dead in the Jade Office, there are 120 surnamed Kong whose given names are missing characters. There are twelve Merit Officers of Fengdu, the Daoist underworld: the spirit of Zi, Hou Zien; the spirit of Chou, Sun Taiping; the spirit of Yin, Zhang Wenqing; the spirit of Mao, Meng Zifang; the spirit of Chen, Zheng Changqing; the spirit of Si, Shi Changsheng; the spirit of Wu, Xu Changqing; the spirit of Wei, Song Wenqing; the spirit of Shen, Cheng Zhiming; the spirit of You, Wang Gongwang; the spirit of Xu, Long Chuqing; and the spirit of Hai, Yin Guiqing.

The Mixed-Origin Jade Writ bears phrases such as “Transforming the Origin and Regulating Souls” and “Stars Flying, Blessings Spreading.” Make the Jade Writ from hibiscus wood, seven cun long, three cun wide, and two fen thick. Write the petition in cinnabar and issue it to the Three Realms and Ten Directions, commanding them to go to the place of life and death and retrieve the deceased person’s soul. Alternatively, take white silk, cut it to seven cun long and three cun wide, and write the Jade Writ’s talismanic text on it in cinnabar.

For the ritual, place the Jade Writ in a square vessel, fill it with water, and set it beside the corpse. Hold the “Returning to Truth Talisman” and the “Returning to Truth Spirit Banner,” which summons the soul, chant the Dipper liturgy—invocation verses formed from the names of the Northern Dipper spirits—and then burn the Jade Writ. If someone has been dead for less than a day, or has died suddenly, the ritual can summon back the soul, reviving the body and restoring the spirit. If the person’s allotted lifespan is not yet over, pray to Heaven so that they may return to life. If their lifespan and allotted fortune have run their course, quickly listen to and convey their final words. Unless the practitioner has inner clarity, has accumulated good deeds, and has moved Heaven, even using the Purple Elixir to revive the corpse or performing a grand Zhaijiao ritual at Xuankui cannot keep someone in a state of renewed life for long.

The “Mixed-Origin Jade Writ, Divine Tiger, Dark Nether Command Talisman” used on yang days reads, in essence: “By command of the Lord of the Northern Dipper, I urgently summon the Six Jia spirits. The male Left Soul-Pursuing Officer governs the body’s hundred joints. Holding the Jade Writ talisman, he receives the order and proceeds to the netherworld. True essence descends as primordial Qi; the stars record good and evil and distinguish them clearly. The statutes and all the spirits must respectfully obey. Ask neither whether the deceased is guilty or innocent, nor whether they are near or distant in kinship.” The talisman further commands that the soul be seized and brought before the Lord of the Underworld, and urges the altar to obey at once and urgently summon and capture it.

The “Mixed-Origin Jade Writ, Divine Tiger, Dark Nether Talisman” used on yin days reads, in essence: “Having received the decree of the Dark Lady, I summon the Six Ding spirits. The female Right Martial Luan Officer and the Lord of the Dark Bureau of Reversed Birth obey the Jade Writ and go straight to the passes of the underworld to search for the wandering soul. The Qi of Tianyi and Northern Blessing makes the paths of life and death clear; all the gods of the Three Realms must obey.”

Its power reaches in all ten directions, compelling ancient foes from countless aeons past and the spirits of every region to submit in reverence. All who receive this talisman must set aside their current affairs and await its command.

Thus the departed souls are summoned and handed over to the chief clerks for processing. The two divine generals Qiao and Xun, acting on the ritual altar’s decree, must carry it out at once upon receiving the order and summon the souls without delay.

Yang Talisman

Yin Talisman

Summon through transforming divine power; summon as primordial unity ushers in peace; summon through creation, liberation, transformation, and the separation of essence.

Summon by gathering souls in the netherworld; summon by the radiance of the dark stars; summon by flying through the skies and commanding all.

Summon as grace extends throughout the netherworld and connects the two realms.

For these methods, visualize the direction indicated by the Northern Dipper. Draw Qi from the stars according to their positions, then blow the Qi into the talisman.

The first is the Jade Document Lady’s talisman for summoning the Hun soul, inscribed with “Youjiao.”

The second is the Jade Document Lady’s talisman for summoning the Po soul, inscribed with “Wuwen.”

On Yang days, use it to gather the form; on Yin days, use it to gather the form.

The Supreme One’s Primordial Unity Jade Document Writ for Swift Pursuit

The writ reads:

The departed spirits in the Three Realms and the nine provinces must immediately obey the Emperor’s command and carry it out without delay. The divine tiger officials must swiftly take up the talismanic writ and convey it to the responsible bureau.

The deities Taiyi Beizuo, Tianyi Ziwen, Beikui Xuanming, and the Primordial Unity Jade Document Divine Tiger, together with the other gods, receive the talismanic command to pursue and seize the departed souls of the (specified) celestial district and summon them to appear.

Now, at the Numinous Treasure Dark Altar, we respectfully face the Three Treasures on their throne, listen to the scriptures and teachings, transmit and receive Fulu, accept the precepts, and receive extraordinary grace. Upon receiving the command, there must be no delay or disobedience; it must be carried out swiftly. Wherever the Divine Tiger goes, all gods must obey its orders, and the command must be transmitted with all speed by wind-and-fire courier.

Year, month, day, and hour: enter as applicable.

The appointed official, the subject So-and-so, carries out the command.

Cover

The appointed official, the subject So-and-so, receives the Jade Document and carries out the command.

Inscription on the reverse

The Primordial Unity Jade Document Divine Tiger Xuanming talismanic command pursues and seizes the afflicted, tormented souls of the (specified) district.

Inscription on the square casket

The Primordial Unity Jade Document Divine Tiger talismanic command is issued to the chief of the Bureau of Prisons for the (specified) district, and to all gods. The appointed official, the subject So-and-so, seals it with due care.

The Celestial Worthy said: Whenever a Jade Document is used, write the name of the departed soul to be pursued beneath the star that governs the Dipper Palace corresponding to the year, month, day, and hour of their birth. For a universal deliverance ritual intended for many departed souls, it is sufficient to write, “The departed souls of all my ancestors, through a hundred million generations.”

These passages explain that when performing memorial rites and summoning the souls of those who died violently or unnaturally, ritual documents should be written according to prescribed forms, and the divine command conveyed by burning them.

For a rite dedicated to a particular person, use the seal script of the Heavenly Books and Thunder Implements; for a general rite of deliverance, use regular script. On the night the altar is established, prepare the ritual documents. At dawn the next day, burn them in a blazing fire together with the jade document, using the Envoy’s True Form talisman and documents such as the “Two Passes Guide.” During the rite, the Envoy goes ahead bearing the divine command, summoning and capturing the souls and ordering them to appear at the altar at the appointed time.

The Supreme One’s Jade Document and Iron Warrant of Primordial Unity for Summoning Souls

The Human Sovereign says: Whenever one seeks to perform memorial rites for someone who died violently, an iron warrant must be used to summon and capture the soul. Write it using realgar mixed with cinnabar. When summoning the soul, write the person’s name, year, month, and time of birth, date of death, and the places where they died and were buried beneath the constellation to which they belong. If there are many people, list their names and other details below the jade document. If the precise dates and times are unknown, give as much detail as possible below the document. Then burn the jade document together with the letters and other ritual papers in a blazing fire.

The text next lists a series of names and stars, including “Fu, Ying, Zhao, Pan, Lan, Ding, and Shu,” as well as “Huayuan, Lüpo, Xingfei, and Ze.” The scripture explains that “Fu Ying Zhao Pan Lan Ding Shu” are the secret Yin names of the Seven Primordial Perfect Lords, while “Huayuan Lüpo Xingfei Ze” are the inner taboo names of the Lady within the Dipper. They are described as the essence of the Northern Dipper, capable of setting Yin-Yang in motion and gathering the souls, so that the deceased reappear in form and image and can then be summoned.

Why is this done? The scripture holds that those who die violently are entangled in Yin Qi, their minds and spirits thrown into confusion and their original nature lost. After death, their Yang souls disperse, while Yin Qi blocks them from seeing the light, causing their souls to scatter. Out of compassion, the Supreme One established this iron warrant to summon souls. This is what the scripture calls “the immeasurable deliverance of people by the Numinous Treasure.”

Standard Form

Office of the Great Numinous Treasure Rite (a designation for a Daoist ritual office):

On a certain day of this month, this office, in accordance with …, has prepared and recorded this document for submission in a memorial.

Now, in accordance with the decree approved by the Celestial Court, act as reported.

The Most High Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Taishang Yuanshi Tianzun) issued this ritual command:

Grant the Jade Tally of Taiyi Hunyan for Summoning Souls (used to summon the spirits of the dead), and deliver it to the soul-summoning envoy. Command the envoy to go to the passes of the underworld, seize the souls of the dead, including (So-and-so), and bring them to this office. The names of the deceased are listed below the Jade Tally:

(Jade Tally of the Most High Hunyan)

(A talismanic warrant for the urgent seizure and summoning of souls)

(The talismanic text accords with the ritual regulations for releasing the dead)

(All souls of the dead who are suffering)

(Those who have passed from the realm of life into the domain of death)

(Must all obey the command of the Celestial Emperor)

(They are to be seized and brought before the court by the divine tiger officials and generals)

(Those who receive this command must not delay)

(So ordered)

The Jade Tally on the right is the Jade Tally of Taiyi Beizuo, Tianyi Ziyuan, and Beidou Xuanming Hunyan.

The divine tiger’s talismanic command is issued directly to the Ten Directions and Three Realms, to the realm of life and the courts of the dead. It is to seize and summon the souls listed above, including (So-and-so), and order them to come before the Emperor at the ritual altar to receive heavenly grace. The officials in charge and all the spirits must open the passes and clear the roads, carrying out this command swiftly and without delay.

Year, month, day, and hour:

The ritual official (So-and-so), bearing the appropriate ritual rank and charged with carrying out the summons and seizure through the Divine Tiger Taiyi Hunyan Jade Tally, respectfully executes this command.

Inner seal:

The ritual official (So-and-so), bearing the appropriate ritual rank, acts by authority of the Jade Tally.

Inscription on the back:

Jade Tally of the Most High Hunyan: seize and summon the souls of the dead, including (So-and-so).

Outer envelope:

(The Jade Tally of the Most High Hunyan and the Divine Tiger’s Talismanic Command are issued to the officials and spirits in charge throughout the boundless worlds of the Ten Directions and the Ninefold Darkness.) The ritual official, bearing the appropriate ritual rank, (So-and-so), respectfully seals this document.

Incantation for the Jade Tally:

The Jade Tally is issued in secret script and delivered to the Underworld Office of the Prison in the Northern Capital. All officials in charge must respectfully heed the command of the divine talisman: let the souls suffering through the long night be freed from grievances and attachments, and deliver their bodies so that they may ascend to the realm of the sun and face the Jade Void Palace. Hasten to obey the laws of the Jade Clarity Supreme Emperor!

Ritual for Dispatching the Divine Tiger to Seize and Summon Souls

Whenever a Jade Tally is dispatched, prepare twelve portions of tea, wine, seasonal fruit, spirit money, and cloud horses. Form the Dipper seal with the left hand and the sword mudra with the right; place the hands at the waist and visualize oneself as the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure. Then recite:

Now we open the Yellow Register secret canon, used in Daoist rites for delivering the dead, and proceed according to the Numinous Treasure purification rites. Mysterious grace extends widely to the offices of the underworld; the sage’s beneficence spreads across the hidden realms. Release the souls of the dead and have them come to the altar to receive deliverance. We fear only that the passes of the underworld may be blocked and its roads perilous, and that they may encounter various obstacles, still not yet…

Then he stepped forward and began the ritual with utmost sincerity. First, he summoned:

With sincere devotion, I summon the Three Primal Envoys on duty, the Divine Tiger General, the underworld officials who seize and summon spirits, and the messengers who pursue souls. May you all follow the ritual canons, look down upon our devotion, and summon the departed soul to the ritual altar to receive deliverance. May it ride the wind horse and travel in a cloud chariot as it descends to this assembly.

With sincere devotion, I summon the numinous, unobstructed spirit messengers who seize souls at the Jade Altar of the Southern Mound’s Pivoting Office. May you all follow the Jade Emperor’s command above and heed the filial devotion of the living below. Summon the departed soul to the ritual altar to receive deliverance. May it ride the wind horse and travel in a cloud chariot as it descends to this assembly.

With sincere devotion, I summon the spirit officials and soul-pursuing youths who seize and summon spirits at the Purple Pole of the Northern Palace of the Dark Heaven. May you all ride dragons and phoenixes, mount your flying chariots, and summon the departed soul to the ritual altar to receive deliverance. May it ride the wind horse and travel in a cloud chariot as it descends to this assembly.

Next, he recited the Spell for Giving Life and Summoning Souls:

The spirits of Taiwei turn the yellow banner; the spirits of Yuanying take charge of the numinous pennant. Summon the departed soul from the abode of the long, dark night, so that it may be delivered and regain the vitality of life.

He then offered this prayer:

Now we burn incense and make offerings to the Three Primal messengers who pursue souls and seize spirits, and to the spirit officials and their attendants. May you hear this summons, descend to the purification altar, receive our petition, and take your places in order. With sincere hearts, we have prepared a modest offering of wine and delicacies. We respectfully invite you to partake.

Next, he burned talismans and registers, read the formal petition, offered incense, and presented tea and wine.

Then he recited the Spell for Transferring Spirits and Summoning Souls:

The talismanic command reaches through the underworld; the numinous pennant billows in the wind, like the morning breeze as it passes. Let the departed soul leave the Northern Palace and ascend to the Southern Palace.

Once again, he respectfully invited the Three Primal messengers who pursue souls and seize spirits, the spirit officials, and their attendants. May you respond to this summons, so that each of our prayers may receive a response. Convey the sincerity of our purification rites, and together uphold the teachings of the sages. May you travel to heaven and earth, enter the waters and ride the wind, pass freely through the Three Realms, and arrive in an instant. May you likewise respond swiftly when called upon to return the departed soul. We therefore pray with sincere hearts: may we rely on your divine might to bring the Zhaijiao rite to completion, and repay divine grace through the fruits of its merit.

Next, he offered incense and wine.

Then he recited the Verse for Deliverance from Suffering by the Azure Mystery:

The Great Emperor of Azure Florescence uses the power of compassion and wisdom to save all beings. Hearing a cry for help, he hastens to relieve suffering and shatter the iron city and dark prisons. His deliverance is vast and boundless, granted in accordance with the wishes of all beings. His light shines everywhere, reaching the deepest reaches of the underworld. When the numinous wind passes, the fires of hell are extinguished; when the Dharma rain falls, even withered places spring to life again. With boundless compassion, he delivers departed souls everywhere, so that they may all behold the Compassionate Lord.

Once again, he offered incense and made offerings to the Three Primal messengers who pursue souls and seize spirits, the spirit officials, and their attendants.

The ritual officials will conduct a jiao rite at this altar tonight, making formal announcements and invitations as they await the arrival of the talismanic dispatch. They will then summon the souls of the departed and have them follow the guiding banner to the ritual altar, where they will receive deliverance and transformation. This will serve as proof of their ascension. When the fasting rites are complete, their names will be entered together in the registers of the immortals.

Next, offer incense and wine.

Next, summon the souls of the departed.

Visualize yourself becoming the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure, a Daoist high deity. Walk from the east to the northwest, draw three breaths of Qi from the Gate of Heaven, and blow them toward yourself. Face north, stand with your feet in a T-shape, form the Jade Clarity hand mudra, and recite:

Golden radiance revolves and flows, joining with the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper. Tread the stellar pattern and stride the Dipper, so the divine tiger may open the gates of the netherworld. Turn back the constant of Heaven and tread the Mysterious Guideline. Turn back to the pure origin and bring the infant to rest. Shulan is profound and far-reaching; it supports and fills, illuminating the Imperial Abode. Lingchang rides the bright disk, revealing omens; they are arrayed and brought together, and the seven spirits unite as one household. Separation and reunion alike arise naturally. The jade blossoms follow the mysterious pattern; the Northern Leader governs life and death. The Highest Dao takes breathing as its root. Make prosperous the jade writ and golden tiger document that I carry out. The ten thousand spirits respectfully heed my command; not one disobeys. If any oppose my Great Dao, you must immediately leave your post. If you fail in your duty, the Daoist rite cannot be accomplished. Swiftly, swiftly, by the ordinances of the Northern Leader and the Lady of Purple Tenuity, as sung in the sacred verses, so command!

Form the Jade Clarity hand mudra with your left hand, hold the jade writ in your right, and recite:

The divine tiger talismanic script of the Mysterious Heaven’s jade writ joins with the talisman through the true essence of Primordial Chaos. The Mysterious Darkness of the Great One opens the passageway and connects the crossing. It governs the pursuit of souls and the seizure of spirits, opens the realm of Yang, and reaches into the realm of Yin. The ten thousand spirits respectfully heed the command; how could they dare not welcome it? Divine Tiger Jade Maidens, divine uncles and chief officials, the Great Holy Lady of the Divine Tiger—your secret name—soul-pursuing envoys, and spirit-seizing officials and soldiers: having received the talismanic command, you must come swiftly at the summons. Proclaim it in the Cold Court, the realm of the dead, and do not delay. Pursue and seize the souls and spirits, making their forms and shadows appear. When the work is done, report to the Jade Empyrean, the honored deity or heavenly palace, and come to the ritual assembly. Swiftly, swiftly, by the ordinances of the Jade Clarity Supreme Emperor!

Next, tread the Dipper and the stellar pattern.

Walk to the Marsh Star, advance three steps, circle back along the Three Terraces, and enter the Dipper’s mouth. Recite the formal dispatch, then burn it together with the jade writ. Holding water and a sword, place the ash of the three messenger talismans in your left palm, form the Jade Clarity hand mudra, and recite the incantation seven times:

Lord of the Three Treasures, Elder Sovereign, and the Qi of purple clouds ascending to Heaven: subdue the souls of the Ninefold Darkness. The Great Mystery is boundless and without limit; all souls become people of the natural order. The prisons of the underworld no longer confine or lock them away; through this, the gate of light is opened. May the departed souls realize the true Dao and give rise to wisdom of their own. Swiftly, swiftly, by the command of the law!

Spray a mouthful of water outward while reciting:

Heaven’s One, Northern Blessing; Great One, Purple Origin; Northern Leader, Mysterious Pattern; Mysterious Elder of the Divine Tiger; Great Holy Jade Maiden within the Dipper; and the hundred thousand elite troops who pursue souls: descend with me.

With each inhalation and exhalation, draw the breath into my seal, then release it with the breath and set it in motion.

Transformations are myriad: Origin, Success, Benefit, and Constancy—the four stages that symbolize the development and transformation of things in the Yijing. By urgent command of the divine tiger!

Recite the incantation seven times, then hold a mouthful of water and spray it out. Use a fan to scatter the ash toward the ten directions: the four cardinal points, the four intermediate points, above, and below.

Next, issue the dispatch:

“Great numinous corpse Dao, purple registers of divine power, cloud writings of the Nine Qi: request that the Divine Emperor descend with an edict to summon and command.

“Divine Tiger, Jade Maiden, Divine Lords and Chief Officials, and Soul-Pursuing Messengers, hasten to the paths of life and death. Pursue and bring the departed souls listed in the memorial, and come swiftly to the ritual assembly to receive the numinous treasure and the merit of salvation and ascent.”

Dispatch Warrant for the Divine Tiger

“Divine Tiger, mighty and numinous, summon and command ghosts and spirits. The talismanic mandate of the Nine Heavens descends directly to Fengdu, the legendary underworld. Sunlight shines upon the Dark Altar; at once, reveal the forms of the departed souls. They must not hide. Proceed swiftly by the Golden Horse relay route.

“By urgent command of the Jade Purity Supreme Emperor.”

Dispatch Warrant for the Three Messengers

“The three divisions pursue souls, displaying their mighty numinous power. Lead the divine troops straight down to the gates of the underworld and pursue and summon the souls. Reveal your true forms swiftly; do not hide. Proceed swiftly by the Golden Horse relay route.

“By urgent command of the Jade Purity Supreme Emperor.”

Talismans of the Two Great Sages, the Left and Right Divine Tigers

The female talisman is on the right, the male on the left. These two talismans are called “Flying Talismans.” Cut them from plain red silk, each four cun and nine fen long, and write them in white powder. Once completed, place them inside the Hall of the Divine Tiger. When dispatching the Divine Tiger warrant, burn both talismans together; do not separate them.

To write the talismans, first recite the Incantation of the Northern Emperor. Then recite the Incantation for Empowering the Brush, take in the Qi of the southeast and blow it onto the brush. Next recite the Incantation for Writing the Talisman, then write it.

Incantation of the Northern Emperor

“Above, within the azure heavens, there is the Qi of Jia Ying. At the moment before chaos divided, with a single inhalation, the East already held what was hidden. Where the Celestial Emperor has trod, wondrous traces and celestial writings remain. Today I write this talismanic mandate as a passage by which I may reach the heavens.

“By urgent command of the laws.”

Incantation for Empowering the Brush

“▲ Cover the heavens and swiftly rouse the myriad spirits; at the utterance of the command, ghosts and spirits leave their dwelling places.

▲ Cover and descend, taking shape through the condensation of true Qi.

“By urgent command of the laws.”

Incantation for Writing the Talisman

“By command of the Northern Emperor, the numinous treasure, the Celestial Emperor: ▲ Om! Summon the Divine Tiger, whose mighty presence appears in tumultuous splendor. A flying net is arrayed across the heavens; the sun, moon, and stars shine forth. Make the Qi of the souls gather and take form.

“By urgent command of the laws.”

The male talisman is on the left, the female on the right.

For the command talisman on the right, use the preceding Incantation for Empowering the Brush. Depict both Great Sages in imperial robes; one of them should have a beard. Each commands twelve thousand divine generals.

The “Divine Tiger” refers to a divine office in charge of the souls and spirits of Heaven and Earth. The deity who governs them is also called the Great Sage of the Divine Tiger. The Mysterious Register Office of the Divine Tiger, the divine bureau under its authority, is divided into left and right departments. Each has fifteen envoys responsible for using flying talismans to summon and seize souls. All wear crimson robes and court caps with wings pointing upward, and each can be summoned with its own talisman.

There are two kinds of talismans for pursuing souls:

• The Soul-Pursuing Talisman of Immortal Earl He of the Jade Bureau: The Three Pure Ones issue an edict to the Primordial Lord of the Divine Tiger. Its text summons the Divine Tiger, pursues and captures souls, breaks through the barriers of the netherworld, and commands immediate action.
• The Soul-Pursuing Talisman of Qiao, Chief Clerk of the Jade Writs: The Three Sovereigns issue an edict to the clerk of the Jade Writ talismans. Its text summons the talisman clerk, orders the pursuit and capture of the souls of the dead, clears obstructions in the netherworld, and commands immediate action.

The talisman clerks associated with these two talismans govern the souls of the stars, nobles and officials, and ordinary people. When writing a talisman, summon the clerk to the altar and explain the reason for pursuing the soul. The words of the invocation may be adapted as appropriate. The talisman is made in the same way as a Merit Officer talisman. During the rite, form the Big Dipper mudra, draw in the breath of the Northern Leader, blow it onto the talisman, and then burn the talisman paper. Next, draw in another breath and blow toward the ritual altar, then form the mudra and carry out the rite.

The following is the celestial script proclamation for the Divine Tiger’s soul-pursuing envoys—a summons written in celestial script. Its meaning is:

The Divine Tiger’s envoys, acting under orders and bearing the credentials of a Jade Writ, are to pursue and capture the souls of the deceased, such as So-and-so. Come down at once and carry out the command according to the statutes.

First write the words “Office of the Great Lingbao Rites, Divine Tiger Soul Pursuit.” Write the talisman text in the center, followed by the celestial script. Then record the year’s Grand Tai Sui, the year, month, and day, and the place where the rite is performed. Finally, the officiant signs and affixes a seal. The talismans and proclamations used by the Divine Tiger’s two envoys must be written in cinnabar, marked with yellow lines, and sealed in blue.

If a messenger’s talisman is used to summon and seize a ghostly soul but it does not arrive, this is usually because the netherworld authorities are conducting an investigation. The soul may be involved in a lawsuit in the underworld or burdened by serious offenses, and so detained by underworld officials. In such cases, the Divine Tiger’s Mysterious Bureau has other talismans and proclamations issued earlier that can be used to summon it again.

This passage describes how to summon the “Three Envoys” and draw their talismans. If someone fails to arrive, write the talisman in vermilion as well, using yellow-patterned paper and sealing it on the outside with blue. The text in the talisman means roughly: Primordial Qi (the original, precelestial vital energy) directly opens the layers of prisons in the underworld to deliver the deceased soul of so-and-so; may all receive this talisman. It commands that the person’s offenses be erased. Anyone whose crimes were light to begin with is to be released at once and brought here for deliverance. This order is to be carried out swiftly.

How to make the Three Envoys talismans: Take three feet each of blue, yellow, and red silk, and cut each length into two sections. On the upper section, paint the image of an envoy in color. The envoy wears a futou hat with its upturned corners pointing skyward, a robe matching the color of the silk, a jade-green belt, a fish-tail-shaped knife at the waist, and green leather boots; he holds a talisman in his hand. On the lower section, write the envoy’s true-form talisman in vermilion, imbuing it with its full power. Then burn these together with the invocation text and a jade tablet bearing the written document in a blazing fire. Once the talisman is complete, write the envoy’s name at its center, recite the Divine Tiger Spell—a spell for summoning and commanding divine generals—and draw a circle around the name.

An alternative method: On a yang day, write the names of the three envoys He, Qiao, and Wei beneath the talisman. On a yin day, write Hou, Liu, and Zhang Xin.

The upper envoy talisman means roughly: Heaven and Earth unite in their De; Qian covers and sets things in motion; Yin-Yang … Sun and Moon unite in their brightness; Kun bears and gives form. The two Qi unite with the talisman. The soul-retrieving envoy, Hou so-and-so, shall carry this out in accordance with the decree.

The middle envoy talisman: Yin-Yang unite in Qi, and Heaven reveals wondrous signs. Soul and body unite in form, and the Emperor sets the numinous mechanism in motion. The talisman opens the passages between the gates of life and the portals of death. The soul-retrieving envoy, Wei so-and-so, shall carry this out in accordance with the decree.

The lower envoy talisman: Beneath the Sun and Moon and the Yang Emperor, the flying talisman shines brightly, joining with the fiery essence—the refined Qi of fire—to seize and gather the souls. The soul-retrieving envoy, Zhang Xin, shall carry this out in accordance with the decree.

The general command and spell for drawing the talisman: “The Divine Tiger’s halberd flies; the power of Zhaoyao is set in motion and brought into unity; follow…” This must be recited twenty-one times, with the command that it be carried out swiftly.

The dispatch document following the talisman: State the person’s name, the year, month, and day, and the place from which the order is issued, and list the titles of those who sign it. The document commands the envoys to retrieve all sick and deceased souls suffering the torments of deep darkness within the Ten Directions, the Three Realms, the Nine Provinces, and the Nine Earths; the anguished souls of prisoners in every underworld prison; and all wandering, stranded souls. It also includes seven true-form talismans of the Jade Maidens of the Mysterious Bureau, to be pursued and captured by the Seven Primordial Lords of the Numinous Writ. The Jade Maidens of the Mysterious Bureau oversee the registers and records of the people’s lives and are connected with this matter.

If the circumstances or cause of a deceased person’s death cannot be determined, use this Jade Maiden True Talisman to summon and capture the departed soul. None will remain unaccounted for.

First: Jade Maiden Talisman for summoning the soul, capturing the po, and sending the departed to the Office of the Hidden Realm.

By command of the Three Pure Ones, inform the Northern Dipper, and recite the Lady’s secret inner name—the hidden name used in Daoist ritual—chanting it in a circuit seven times. The Lords of the Seven Origins receive the command, divide themselves, and manifest forms throughout the ten directions, universally saving those burdened by sin. The foregoing is the text by which the Three Terraces command the Seven Origins of the Northern Dipper to disperse and manifest. The talismans that follow use the same format.

The True Origin’s upright Qi shines through the netherworld. The words “mysterious Qi” above are the same in the talismans that follow.

With the True Talisman of the Flowing Bell of Huo Luo, summon the departed soul without delay, capture the hun and po, release it from suffering, and gather its form. By the Office of the Hidden Realm’s fire command, Ren and Gui, carry this out swiftly.

Second: Jade Maiden Talisman governing the souls of those who die from ordinary illness.

The Mysterious Dipper turns, and the flying stars descend to reveal their power. By command of the talisman, capture the departed souls of those who died from ordinary illness, dispel their afflictions, and gather their hun and po. Ren and Xian, present them swiftly.

Third: Jade Maiden Talisman governing the souls of those who die from epidemics and miasmatic diseases.

Once the flying radiance captures them, it dispels epidemics, miasma, poison from gu, vermin, and evil filth clinging to the human body. Let the departed souls be freed from their afflictions and gathered into form. Zhenqing, capture them swiftly and hasten to the ritual altar.

Fourth: Jade Maiden Talisman governing the souls of those who die from consumption, wind disorders, seizures, madness, leprosy, and similar illnesses.

The flying Dipper turns in the Mysterious Circuit, treating the afflictions of consumption and gathering the souls ensnared by severe illness within the numinous treasure of true communion. Hasten to the ritual altar.

Fifth: Jade Maiden Talisman governing the souls of those who die by water or fire, weapons, drowning in a river, falling into a well, hanging, sudden misfortune, or execution under the law.

The flying stars transform nothingness into being, reconnect the body and join the bones, and summon the departed soul. Set the qi of Heavenly Surge in motion to sweep away ill omens and filth. Capture it swiftly and hasten to the ritual altar.

Sixth: Jade Maiden Talisman governing the souls of those who die through abortion, childbirth, injury, or calamities involving bloodshed.

Flying fire sweeps away defilement and swiftly burns off foul impurities. Let the soul be purified. Capture it swiftly, bring peace to the po, and present it at the ritual altar.

Seventh: Jade Maiden Talisman governing the souls of those who die amid darkness and confusion, by lightning strike, wrongful death, or deception by evil spirits.

The flying stars summon and stir them. In accordance with the talisman’s command, repent and dissolve their offenses, and gather the departed souls. Identify the souls implicated in past transgressions, and reunite them whole.

(Quickly Break Through the Dark Underworld / Hasten to the Altar)

The seven talismans above should be used according to the illness the deceased suffered during life, to determine which category applies.

Each Jade Maiden oversees a category of departed souls. It is enough to activate the corresponding talisman to summon them back, then, as described below, summon the Merit Officer—a divine functionary in Daoism who carries documents and carries out orders.

When writing the talismans, first draw the talisman and form the Supreme Emperor’s hand seal, then take in the breath of the Heavenly Gate and blow it onto the talisman.

Seven Efficacious Talismans of the Jade Maidens for Summoning and Pursuing Souls

This method uses blue silk, each piece two inches and four-tenths long, and cinnabar for writing. Seven days before establishing the altar, give prior notice. The senior ritual master who presides over Daoist liturgy takes one talisman each day, seven in all, taking them in order from the first through the seventh day. Each morning, face east and take the talisman before the Three Treasures—the Dao, the scriptures, and the masters revered in Daoism.

Write one talisman each day, burn it to ash, then add a little poria and cinnabar and boil them into a decoction to drink. This is said to summon departed souls and bring a response very quickly. The talismans must be taken as a continuous practice, without slackening. Three to five days in advance, send out documents to report and notify the relevant offices, and submit official communications to the City God and the Divine Tiger.

On the day of the ritual, prepare a clean room and keep all impure things out. Burn incense, consecrate water, and sprinkle it to purify the space, then establish the Divine Tiger altar. The seven Jade Maidens each oversee a group of souls held back from returning; a chief office directs them all. Two Great Divine Tigers are responsible for registering the souls and deciding whether they should be released, detained, or sent to rebirth. These matters fall within their jurisdiction.

First: Jiang Rengui, Jade Maiden Who Seizes Souls and Captures Spirits, and Oversees the Dark Office of Inverted Birth.

Second: Li Hua, who oversees the souls of those who died from plague, miasma, epidemic disease, or sudden illness.

Third: Jade Maiden Fengyou, who oversees the souls of those who died in military calamities, by hanging themselves, from consumption, through the intrusion of evil spirits, or in robbery.

Fourth: Jade Maiden Zhao Shen, who oversees the souls of those who died unnatural deaths through imperial law and imprisonment, in battle, from beatings, or by poison.

Fifth: Jade Maiden Wei Bian, who oversees the souls of those who died by drowning, from poisoning by a gu, through freezing, or from various illnesses.

Sixth: Jade Maiden Zhang Xin, who oversees the souls of those who died in fires, from scalding by hot water, or from illnesses such as wind madness, convulsions, carbuncles, malaria, and dysentery.

Seventh: Jade Maiden Xu Ming, who oversees the souls of those who died from famine, tigers or wolves, insects or snakes, or various wrongful and violent deaths.

The male left Jade Cao governs the soul; his chief is Bo He [the name is partly illegible in the original].

The female right Wu Luan governs the corporeal spirit; her chief officer is Qiao [the name is partly illegible in the original].

There are fifteen talismans in all for the messengers and divine officials.

If these talismans are needed urgently, follow the method above and write them after reciting the Northern Emperor’s incantation. If writing them in numbered order, write each one separately in its dispersed form. Talismans and registers must not be used carelessly.

“Imperial taboo name” refers to the personal name of an Emperor Lord. Here, it means that the personal names of all Emperor Lords must be treated as those of the supreme patriarch and revered with devotion.

What follows lists the “true-form talismans” of the first through eleventh envoys: talismanic forms or formulae used in Daoist ritual to summon and command divine generals. The characters in parentheses, separated by slashes, seem to mark variant forms or readings in the manuscript. Since the original consists largely of symbols, directions, and formulaic phrases that cannot be smoothly joined into complete sentences, they are preserved here in their original order. “Holding the talisman” means carrying and wielding a talisman or register; “pursue the soul” and “seize” are ritual terms for summoning and capturing; “urgently, urgently” calls for the rite to be carried out swiftly.

True-form talisman of the First Envoy: You / Ji, Kan, Kuo / Yi, Zi, Cheng / Lang, Chou, Bi Lei / holding the talisman; pursue the soul; Yin; urgently, urgently.

True-form talisman of the Second Envoy: Bing / Lai, Yin, Chu / Biao, Mao, Wei / Chuo, You, Zhao / Hong, Chen; Zi Ju holding the talisman / pursue the soul urgently, urgently, Si.

True-form talisman of the Third Envoy: Zao / Zhang, Wu, Yao / Ning, Wei, Jiong / Tu, Li, Dan / Hun, Shen; holding the talisman, pursue / the soul, seize; point upward from Shen.

True-form talisman of the Fourth Envoy: Chan / Kui, Wu, Zhong / Chi, Hai, Bing / He, Yin, Zhe / Hua, You; Ding Zhong holding the talisman / pursue the soul, seize; from Chou to Shen.

True-form talisman of the Fifth Envoy: Mang / Xuan, Si, Yi / Dan, Chen, Xiao / Huang, Mao, Ming Wen / holding the talisman; pursue the soul / urgently; Yin.

True-form talisman of the Sixth Envoy: Kun / Lei, Chou, Huang / Yuan, Zi, Gao / Shi, Hai, Ji / Zhong, Xu; Zhuo Shen holding the / talisman, pursue the soul urgently, You.

True-form talisman of the Seventh Envoy: Pi / Yao, Shen, Yan / Jian, Wei, Xuan / Liao, Wu, Wang Hu holding the talisman / pursue the soul urgently, urgently.

True-form talisman of the Eighth Envoy: Ji / Kuan, Si, Chi / Yi, Chen, Shi / Quan, Mao, Long Fen / Yin; Xue / Mo, Chou, Po / Ni, Zi, Wang Hui holding the talisman / pursue the soul urgently.

True-form talisman of the Ninth Envoy: Li / Duo, Yin, Fei / Yong, Mao, Jian / ▲, Chen, Jiao / pursue, Si; Liu Zi He holding the talisman, pursue the soul urgently.

True-form talisman of the Tenth Envoy: Dong / He, Shen, Fei / Tian, You, Zhuo / Yao, Xu, Yu / Ying, Hai; Tian Tong holding the talisman, pursue the soul urgently, Zi.

True-form talisman of the Eleventh Envoy: The original text does not include what follows.

At the directions corresponding to the twelve Earthly Branches, write the matching talismanic characters in sequence to form the true-form talismans of the Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Messengers. The talismans should also include the appropriate names, Earthly Branches, and phrases such as “carry the talisman and pursue the soul with haste,” to summon the Messengers.

These methods are used to pursue and capture the souls of the dead. Whether a soul is in the Celestial Prison, in hell, or beneath the Nine Springs of Darkness, and whatever the weight of its karmic offenses, a Messenger can carry a jade tablet to summon it and bring it promptly before the altar.

Divine Tiger Talisman for Summoning and Capturing the Merit Officers

The altar precinct of the Divine Tiger’s Mysterious Bureau has seven divisions of Merit Officers, each comprising 120 officers. Whenever the soul of the dead is to be pursued and captured, talismans must first be used to summon the Merit Officers.

To draw the talisman, use yellow paper and cinnabar, form the Jade Emperor’s hand seal, and face east. Draw in Qi from the southeast seven times and blow it toward the tip of the brush; then, still facing east, write the talisman. Prepare a jade tablet as well. Once it has been burned, the Merit Officers will descend at once. The seven talismans of the Jade Maidens are used in the same way, with the same incantation.

To summon the Merit Officers, recite: “I summon [name] of the Merit Officers. Descend at once to the altar precinct, and hasten to carry out the commands of the Supreme Emperor.” If the summoned officers serve the Heavenly or Divine realms, then when the ritual ends and the altar is dismantled, prepare wine, pure spring water, intact coins, and cloud horses to escort them back to the Celestial Court. Face east and recite:

“With reverence, I summon the Merit Officers of the Heavenly, Earthly, Human, Immortal, Divine, Ghostly, and Karmic realms. Descend at once and manifest your true Qi.”

“Swiftly obey and carry out the command, as if it were an edict of the Supreme Emperor” means: swiftly obey the order and summon the spirits, as though carrying out a law issued by the Supreme Emperor. (When writing a Jade Maiden talisman, replace this with the Jade Maiden’s name.)

True-Form Talisman of the Celestial Dao Merit Officer (A merit officer is a divine official who conveys the commands of the gods and handles their documents. The Celestial Dao Merit Officer talisman is used to summon merit officers from the celestial realm. A note says that talismans for different kinds of merit officers follow roughly the same pattern, and that the clothing marks used in the talisman may be made according to this example.)

The command written in the talisman reads: “By order of the Jade Emperor, the Heavenly Emperor, and the Lingbao Emperor.” It commands the relevant spirits to descend swiftly. It also says, “The Celestial Dao cherishes life,” and commands that radiant light appear, refreshing the Po-soul and causing the Hun-soul to soar with renewed vigor.

The incantation says:

“By the command of the Nine Heavens, under the order of the Ancestor-Lord of the Great Dao, who brought forth the myriad forms of Heaven and Earth and the pure realms of the thirty-two heavens. Carry out this order according to the law, and swiftly enter the realm of dark mystery. Swiftly obey the command of the Great Emperor of Longevity.”

Here, “dark mystery” refers to a deep and remote realm. “Swiftly obey the command of the Great Emperor of Longevity” is a common formula in Daoist talismanic incantations, meaning that the order is to be carried out immediately in accordance with the Great Emperor of Longevity’s decree.

True-Form Talisman of the Terrestrial Dao Merit Officer (A note says that the Three Platforms’ commands in this talisman may follow the preceding example, while the remaining content should be written according to the talisman’s pattern.)

The talisman commands the Terrestrial Dao Merit Officer to descend swiftly. It says that divine power is set in motion to carry the command, keeping the workings of the Yin earth and Yang labor in constant operation. It also mentions the Palace of Earth and the divine fire’s true Qi (sacred primordial energy), surging forth until they fill the sky.

The incantation says:

“Forms of the Cavern-Origin grade manifest layer upon layer; the Five Yangs pass through and respond in unison, and the spirits of the netherworld in all ten directions are moved to respond. The Celestial Talisman appears in visible form, and the Terrestrial Dao swiftly answers with numinous power. Swiftly obey the command of the Great Emperor of Longevity.”

True-Form Talisman of the Human Dao Merit Officer

The talisman summons the Human Dao Merit Officer to descend swiftly, declaring that its realm is deep and vast, opening onto the gate of life. It also says that the high and pure numinous Qi refreshes the spirit and soul, and that it does not wish the Human Dao to fall into hardship.

The talisman’s incantation says:

“The Six Directions bring the kinds of beings to completion; the Three Ones nurture life. Together they form a complete body that extends everywhere, swiftly setting the primordial root aright. As soon as the power of the Dao descends, the myriad numinous powers are brought to fulfillment. Swiftly obey the command of the Great Emperor of Longevity.”

True-Form Talisman of the Immortal Dao Merit Officer

The talisman summons the Immortal Dao Merit Officer to summon immortals, and commands it to descend swiftly to Northern Feng, a region of the netherworld in Daoist belief. The text in the talisman also prays that the Immortal Dao may be realized in the Great Void and that the Daoist teachings may grow ever more flourishing.

The talisman’s incantation says:

“Direct the offices and duties, and distinguish the high immortals; govern the netherworld’s judicial bureaus and the affairs of the eight directions, bringing them all to completion. Protect and uphold the kings, so that together they may attain the Dao and become immortals. Swiftly obey the command of the Great Emperor of Longevity.”

True-Form Talisman of the Spirit Dao Merit Officer

The talisman summons Ancestor Gongbi to descend swiftly. It says that all transformations of the immeasurable great gods arise from within themselves, enabling them to fly through the air.

(Transcend and subdue the many demons, preserve oneself for a long time, and merge with nature.)

Incantation for Empowering the Talisman:

The Upper Origin and the Eight Poles move and transform the light of Heaven; the Three Origins and Five Cycles bring auspicious signs to the Eight Poles and Nine Blessings.

The myriad transformations of creation and transformation gather and take shape as written patterns. Act at once in accordance with the command of the Great Emperor of Long Life.

True-Form Talisman of the Gongcao of the Ghost Path

(“Gongcao” are divine officials charged with conveying and carrying out the commands of the spirit realm. A “true-form talisman” summons such officials.)

The talisman text in parentheses is damaged, and some phrases are difficult to make out. In sequence, it can be read as:

“Zhai Shang / descend at once”; “Qi of the heavens of the Ghost Path / the noble end is vast and boundless”; “behead / decapitate”;

“six / blades”; “command the retinue of Xuandu / turn the Dao within the primordial chaos.”

Incantation for Empowering the Talisman:

All beings in the underworld and the world of the living, their Yin Qi congealing, attain true retribution; the Nine Abodes (the nine realms inhabited by beings) open into transformation, and nine forms become one. From one it changes into seven, and at last reaches fulfillment and returns to the true realm. Act at once in accordance with the command of the Great Emperor of Long Life.

True-Form Talisman of the Gongcao of the Karmic Path

(This talisman summons the Gongcao who oversee the karmic path: divine officials concerned with beings’ actions and their causes and consequences.)

The talisman text in parentheses is damaged. Its general meaning can be discerned as:

“The Vastness of the Dragon-Han era: the Fire Office has received an order below… How can one discern the true, and keep the song from ending?”

“My favor is slight”; “summon at once the Gongcao of the Karmic Path; Ge Yun, come bearing the Fire Command.”

Incantation for Empowering the Talisman:

The orthodox Dao teaches and orders the ranks, spreading through the Ten Directions; Dao, virtue, and compassion broadly relieve beings of the consequences of their actions. The command of the true-light talisman grants them peace and good fortune forever. Act at once in accordance with the command of the Great Emperor of Long Life.

Notice following the talisman:

By command, summon the Gongcao of the Direct Dao of the Jade Office. Have them hurry at once to the ritual altar to receive and carry out the talisman’s command.

(Then fill in the year, month, day, and hour for the summoning written in the talisman.)

Talisman of the King of Spirits of the Animal Realm and the Gongcao of Fengdu

The following lists the deities of the Twelve Earthly Branches, along with the number and clothing colors of their attendant officials:

• Deity of Zi, Hou Zi’en: thirty-five attendant officials in black robes.
• Deity of Chou, Sun Taiping: fifty-six attendant officials in yellow robes.
• Deity of Yin, Zhang Wenqing: twenty-five attendant officials in blue-green robes.
• Deity of Mao, Meng Zifang: forty-five attendant officials in blue-green robes.
• Deity of Chen, Zheng Changqing: seventy-two attendant officials in yellow robes.
• Deity of Si, Shi Changsheng: fifty-eight attendant officials in red robes.
• Deity of Wu, Xu Changqing: forty-eight attendant officials in red robes.
• Deity of Wei, Song Wenqing: fifty-seven attendant officials in yellow robes.
• Deity of Shen, Cheng Zhiming: forty-seven attendant officials in white robes.
• Deity of You, Wang Gongwang: forty-six attendant officials in white robes.
• Deity of Xu, Long Chuqing: thirty-five attendant officials in yellow robes.

This passage consists chiefly of talisman-empowering incantations recited by the ritual master, and lists the divine officials summoned along with their attendants. In these incantations, “empower” means issuing a command under the divine laws. The notice following the talisman identifies whom to summon and directs them to come to the ritual altar to receive the talisman’s command. Since the original talisman text is damaged in many places, its meaning can only be interpreted cautiously from the surviving words.

The deity associated with the Hai hour, Yin Guiqing, wears black and leads thirty-eight attendant officials.

In addition, twelve boys and five hundred and twenty-two attendant officials follow him. After each talisman is burned, summon and pursue all wronged spirits, making them come at once. Take in the qi of Tiangang (the stellar energy used in Daoist ritual), blow it onto the talisman, and recite the talismanic incantation:

“Amid the dark and distant underworld, Heaven is clear and Earth is at peace. The Three Sovereigns aid me; the Six Ding guard my body, drive away all illness, and grant me long life. I am the grandson of the Most High and the son of a perfected being. I summon the gods; let them heed my commands. Hasten and carry this out in accordance with the statutes!”

Enter this name in the document:

Chang Leiqing Gang Liaoran Shengxianzi.

The Great Method of the Upper Scripture on Deliverance from Suffering in Boundless Measure (Lingbao Wuliang Duren Shangjing Dafà), Scroll 66.