《靈寶無量度人上經大法》Vol. 67

The Section on the Divine Tiger’s Pursuit and Capture

The Altar of the Divine Tiger for Summoning and Capturing Through the Eight Gates

(When summoning a soul, open the Gate of Ghosts. When the ritual is complete, close it.)

Once the soul has been summoned, open the talismans of the Eight Gates for absolving sins, passing through the cycle of rebirth, and returning to life. Each talisman has its own purpose. Write the talismanic text on the front of the spirit tablet and the name of the Daoist lineage to which it belongs on the back.

The eight gates are:

• Human realm: talisman of the Open Gate
• Buddhist realm: talisman of the Rest Gate
• Immortal realm: talisman of the Life Gate
• Hell realm: talisman of the Harm Gate
• Realm of karmic retribution: talisman of the Obstructed Gate
• Divine realm: talisman of the View Gate
• Ghost realm: talisman of the Death Gate
• Animal realm: talisman of the Alarm Gate

There are also talismans for the banner that summons and captures souls, for Taiyi’s talisman to summon souls back to their true state, and for Taiyi’s talisman to oversee all and summon spirits.

The talismanic text also lists the names of stellar officials: Upper Terrace, Central Chief, Piao, He, Xing; Lower Terrace, Terrace Bi, Si, Piao. It says these powers are generated and set in motion by the primordial Qi of Xuanyuan; their transformations are limitless, and they can cleanse and refine souls. The stars ascend through the heavens, encircle and protect them, and obey their commands, while the courier winds and fires race swiftly onward.

The talismans for the Three Souls are written at the top of the banner. They concern extending life through the Embryonic Light, increasing blessings and fortune through the Clear Spirit and the Hidden Essence, and cutting off the calamities of death.

The talisman for the Seven Po are inscribed with their names: Corpse Dog, Hidden Arrow, Sparrow Yin, Swallowing Thief, Non-Poison, Removing Filth, and Stinking Lungs.

The text further says to open the seven forms of delusion so that they return to wholesome causes; close the gate of evil, so that people rise to the Vermilion Palace and are ultimately transformed into the Seven Virtues. When these talismans are used for women, change the direction to the right.

Design of the Banner with Taiyi’s Soul-Summoning and Uniting Talismans

The banner’s talismanic text includes: Supreme Lord, Purple Qi Opens the Passage, Capture Essence and Gather Soul, Let the Messenger Come and Report, Direct Talisman Summons, Po Reunite with Soul and Spirit.

Dispelling Form After the Talismans Unite

The talismanic text reads: The Supreme One unites the talismans; the Jade Capital opens a passage to the hidden realm. The soul-summoning messenger causes the soul and spirit to reunite and be bound, restores their original form, and returns them to Fengdu. Wind and fire move without cease; all things transform naturally through Wuwei (non-action), and the efficacy returns to the Great Dao.

The Inner Taboo Names of the Divine Tiger Lady

The talismanic text at the top of the banner includes: Celestial Spirit, Terrestrial Essence, Human Excellence, Ghost Spirit; Embryonic Light, Hidden Essence, Corpse Dog, Hidden Arrow, Sparrow Yin.

The talisman bears phrases such as “Swallow the Thief,” “Reject the Poison,” and “Remove the Filth.” These express the wish to dispel foul Qi, transform and generate the Three Qi—the three primordial vital energies spoken of in Daoism—and summon back the Three Hun, so that the souls return swiftly.

The phrase “Yang descends and Yin wanes; the ears and eyes of Dongshan open and grow clear; deliverance” is a prayer for Yin Qi to recede and Yang Qi to arrive, so that the deceased’s ears and eyes become clear and the deceased may receive salvation.

“Origin, flourishing, advantage, and steadfastness” are the Four Virtues of the Book of Changes (Yijing), often used to express good fortune and smooth progress. “Iron Trace, Radiant Terrace, Treasure Seal” is the name of the talisman.

The talisman text says that the light of the sun, moon, and stars shines in all directions, while iron traces and golden light appear on the treasure terrace. Their might and radiance sweep away Yin Qi and transform Yin into Yang, restoring the Hun and Po and Shen Qi to an infant-like purity and bringing them into accord with the constant Dao. The Eight Gates open passages to the netherworld, but must not cross the boundary of death and injury. They are used to summon the souls and prevent them from hiding.

The talisman described above is written in cinnabar on a square of yellow silk, three inches on each side. Take one part each of poria, poria spirit, asparagus root, ginseng, and rehmannia root; boil them into a decoction and place it on the Eight Gates Soul-Summoning Altar. Raise the soul-summoning banner and call forth the deceased’s consciousness. After the summons, use willow branches to sprinkle water in the altar’s ten directions. The scripture says that those summoned can then recover their bodies, regain the wholeness of their Hun and Po, and manifest their spiritual awareness; they may even see images and take visible form. Another account says to write the talisman in cinnabar on plain blue silk, seven inches and four fen long.

The soul-summoning banners on the Eight Gates Altar are inscribed respectively with “Iron Trace, Terrace Characters” and “Radiant Treasure Seal Characters,” using realgar mixed with cinnabar. Set these two banners upright inside the Eight Gates Altar together with the deceased’s banner. If the deceased belongs to Yang, summon the soul with the “Iron Trace” banner; if the deceased belongs to Yin, use the “Radiant Treasure” banner. During the rite, also form the Jade Emperor Hand-Seal, a Daoist hand gesture.

The “Yang Radiance, Passage-Opening Altar” is presided over by a prison envoy whose surname is Liu. The envoy is responsible for summoning the consciousnesses of deceased ancestors and forebears, as well as those of all ancestors and the dead, whether near or distant. The “Yin Spirits, Hun-Summoning Altar” is presided over by a prison envoy whose surname is Ming. The envoy is responsible for summoning the consciousnesses of those who died of illness, died young, met violent deaths, took their own lives, suffered harm, were imprisoned, or remained for a long time in the underworld bureau. Some characters in the original text giving the envoys’ names are missing, so their full names cannot be determined.

For both altars, spread two shi of fresh, clean earth on the ground, in a square six feet or three feet and six inches across. Sift it finely, then tamp it level. Form the left-hand Celestial Emperor Seal, a Daoist hand gesture: press the middle finger against the base of the thumb, spread the other fingers, and bend the hand backward so that its shape resembles the Big Dipper’s handle pointing forward. The scripture then says that two Imperial Star deities dwell within the Dipper. Forming this seal and calling upon them enables one to command thunder and lightning, stop rain and summon dragons, restrain the fury of thunder, and subdue the ferocity of tigers and leopards.

This seal is used whenever summoning and manifesting spirits and ghosts. Form the Yuqing hand sign with the right hand, pressing the middle finger into the position shown in the diagram.

Set up a placard before the altar bearing the title “Seat of the Prison Warden’s Envoy” and the name of the altar. Arrange the sacred seats of the Divine Tigers in front. Place a small table beneath the altar, with an incense burner, purified wine, and talismans for the guiding youths and the Divine Tigers upon it. After completing the summoning, use the soul-summoning, manifestation, manifestation-through-communication, communication-with-the-underworld, and spirit-speech talismans. Take water from a westward-flowing stream and sprinkle it on the departed soul. The soul will then appear in its true form and speak with the living. Its words will be perfectly clear and audible.

If the living weep in sorrow, the departed soul will withdraw. If the living are joyful, the soul will appear in bodily form, looking just as it did in life, visible to everyone. The souls come and go without end, like people in a marketplace. Treat with respect all those who are summoned and sent away. Those summoned or dismissed will respond and receive their due in an instant, like an echo answering a call. Anger and summoning spirits recklessly for selfish purposes are especially forbidden; there are no other taboos. Place the male and female seals on the altar.

Form the Yin hand sign with the left hand, pinching the position of Yin between the fingers. Form the Shangqing hand sign with the right hand, pressing the middle finger against the upper section shown in the diagram. Close your eyes and visualize yourself becoming the Perfected One Who Saves from Suffering, wearing a feathered robe of blue clouds, a Shangqing crown, and vermilion shoes with tinkling ornaments. Once the visualization is clear, step the Nine-Phoenix Purification Pace using the prescribed movements.

With each step, silently recite one word. When you have completed the steps, recite the incantation:

“Tianpeng, Tianpeng, wield your sword and suppress the baleful spirits. In obedience to the Northern Emperor, you possess great divine powers. The Most High Saints and Perfected Ones command me to purify my mind, so that impurity does not offend the Great Dao. The great Dao’s immortals drive back mountains and block the seas, ceaselessly, day and night. The Six Jia and Six Ding pursue and capture the souls, making them appear in bodily form. Act with all haste in accordance with the statutes of Nüqing.”

When you have finished reciting, draw in a breath of blue Qi from above and blow it forward. Then use the Celestial Emperor’s seal in your left hand to open the altar boundary.

Draw the Yang Radiance Passage-Opening Altar and recite the incantation:

“All things formed by the Five Phases will ultimately return to the Five Phases. The body, provisionally joined from the four great elements, must in the end return to the vast emptiness. Whether Yin or Yang, all are left to the ordering of Heaven and Earth’s source. When Heaven and Earth are dark and still, the myriad ghosts lie hidden; when Heaven and Earth are in motion, the myriad ghosts appear. As Yin and Yang turn, spirits and ghosts alike are moved by their summons. May these wandering souls come to me. I grant you spirit writings, so that you may return to Shangqing. Act with all haste in accordance with the statutes of the Shangqing, Xuanming, Taiyi, and Divine Tiger.”

After drawing it, face the Ghost Gate—the altar’s direction leading to spirits and ghosts. Draw in the breath nine times, blow it out, and flick the hand sign.

Draw the Yin-Spirit Soul-Capturing Altar and recite the incantation. The text ends here; the subsequent incantation has not been recorded.

Yin and Yang move without ceasing, and the cycles of calamity change in turn. Life and death revolve endlessly: who is dull-witted, and who is wise? Rebirth has no end. Heaven’s subtle workings of creation leave people still within the Three Realms—the Realm of Desire, the Realm of Form, and the Formless Realm—bound by wondrous transformations.

Kui and the spirits of the east; Piao turns toward the west. The spirit Mian faces the Southern Dipper, while Bi Xing faces north. The souls of the underworld are boundless, sunk in obscurity; the yang souls drift without rest. When Heaven and Earth grow dim, the myriad ghosts lie hidden; when Heaven and Earth move, the myriad ghosts appear. As Yin and Yang move, ghosts and spirits each find their place. I take pity on you, wandering without a place to depend on, and on your arrival at my ritual altar. I bestow a numinous book upon you and send you back to Shangqing. In accordance with the command of the Mysterious Darkness, Supreme Unity, and Divine Tiger of Shangqing, act at once.

After drawing the talisman, face the Ghost Gate—the direction leading to the underworld during a ritual—and inhale nine times. Then exhale and form the hand seal. Hold the precious sword, face the ritual altar, and recite:

“Bright yang energy, return the soul; let it no longer be bound by the laws of death. Gather in the yin essence and draw in the hun and po souls, so the corpse may revive and cross beyond calamity.”

Next, recite the names of the Three Hun and Seven Po souls, along with the invocation:

“Taiguang, clear and bright, never obscured; Shuangling, let the hun soul rest in its hidden place; Youjing, bring the corpse back to life. Let Corpse Dog depart; let Hidden Arrow remove treachery; let Sparrow Yin be free of defilement; let Swallower of Thieves bring clarity; let Non-Poison meet no obstruction and remove what is impure; let Non-Thousand end the lungs’ obstruction. Let the yang soul draw upon the true, upright breath of Heaven and Earth and gather anew, restoring your body and spirit. This is the true essence of the Five Phases’ creation; the spirits of the five organs will forever protect your health. Yang soul and yin soul, do not flee. With each breath in and out, come swiftly, and transform into a true numinous being. Once the talisman summons you, your soul will appear upon the altar. In accordance with the command of the Great High Lord’s Divine Tiger of the Great Law of Numinous Treasure, act at once.”

Divine Tiger Soul-Summoning Talisman

The inscription on the talisman is summarized as follows: “The Great Divine Tiger and the Tiger’s summoning officers, ten in all; five are commanded by the sage to pursue the departed soul swiftly. The soul-pursuing envoys Hou Di, Wei, Zhang Xin, and others; the envoys escorting the soul spirits and supervising the prison, Liu and others, obey the command.”

Recite:

“The Way of Heaven is vast; the numinous realm of the underworld holds myriad transformations. Wherever Heaven and Earth extend, all must obey swiftly. cover the full extent of Heaven; swiftly shake the myriad spirits. The commanded talisman and spell fly forth, startling the ghosts, and the soul camp flies into motion.”

The talisman on the right is written in black on white paper and stamped with the Seal of the Celestial Emperor. Form the Jade Clarity hand seal, blow breath into water, then spray the water toward the soul-summoning altar.

Divine Tiger Manifestation Talisman (also called the “Talisman of Hidden Stillness”)

The inscription on the talisman lists the titles of the Left and Right Divine Tigers, the Great Sage Divine Tiger who pursues souls, and the envoys Hou and others.

(Wei ▲ Zhang Xin / the souls manifest a physical form) (Seven Jade Maidens of the Divine Tiger’s Inner Mystery Bureau / the Jade Maiden Jiang Rengui receives the talismanic mandate and carries out the command)

(Messenger Liu ▲▲, come here at once) (▲▲)

(The Divine Tiger’s halberd flies and moves; Zhaoyao unifies all, following ▲▲)

(▲▲ / [illegible])

The method above is the same as in the preceding text: write it in cinnabar on yellow paper and cast it into flowing water heading north. The ritual master takes one talisman orally. If the deceased has been dead for three years, the talisman may also be burned to ash and held in the hands. Address the soul of the deceased from a named family, then blow the ashes toward the northeast.

Talisman for Summoning the Manifesting Messenger: Write it in cinnabar, burn it to ash, mix the ashes, and sprinkle them inside and outside the ritual altar.

(By command of the Divine Tiger Spirit Lord) (Spirit officials who pursue souls on the left and right, guide and guard the holy ones, and attend the soul-child) (Obey the Divine Tiger’s command and make the deceased’s soul manifest at once) (Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the law and command!)

Incantation recited while writing the talisman:

Mighty Divine Tiger, seize ▲▲; when the two talismans unite, reveal the form. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the law and command!

Talisman for Communicating with the Hidden and Explaining Transformations:

(The Divine Tiger’s flying talisman, with fifteen soul-seizing officials) (Cause it to fall into a secluded corner of the region and seize and escort it to this prison)

Turn left seven times: (The soul flies by the Jade Register; seize it with great force)

Turn right seven times: (The cloud-flying Jade Maiden seizes it through the heavenly spirit)

Incantation:

The Way of Heaven is vast and deep; hidden spirits undergo myriad transformations. By command of the Celestial Emperor, carry this out at once.

Talisman for Communicating with Spirits:

(Taiyi, Zixuan, Xiao, and the assisting essence spirits) (True Lord who Covers Souls, Origin Lady of Tianyi Beizuo)

(The Supreme Emperor commands the Divine Tiger: let the soul not depart) (Make its form appear; seize it at once by the command that reveals its shape from Heaven)

Burn the above talisman to ash and blow the ashes onto a person. This enables the person to see the deceased’s soul and speak with it. Recite the incantation:

By command of the Supreme Emperor, may the Divine Tiger’s spirit generals guide and assist the deceased’s soul, swiftly rescuing it and enabling it to speak at once. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the law and command!

Talisman for Universal Manifestation to the Eyes:

(Divine Tiger Messenger) (Divine Tiger, Divine Tiger, great Divine Tiger general, and Jade Maiden merit officer)

(Receive the command and summon the soul ▲▲▲▲ at once; let the soul swiftly manifest its form ▲▲ [illegible], the command complete)

(The spirit is whole) (The soul reunites, its numinous power reaching into the mysterious darkness)

Incantation:

The symbols ▲▲ and the character rendered here as “[illegible]” are damaged or unclear in the source and cannot be confidently interpreted. “In accordance with the law and command” is a common closing formula in talismanic incantations, meaning that the order is to be carried out immediately.

The Most High, moved by compassion, issues a decree to aid people in the world and correct the imbalance of their isolated Yin and isolated Yang, restoring clarity to their sight and hearing.

If a numinous light appears, come swiftly to reveal the form of the divine and let people hear the gods’ teachings. Reverently summon the protective spirits to assist. The numinous youths clearly discern and reveal the consequences of good and evil deeds.

Talisman of the Divine Tiger’s Complete Form (drawn beneath the “You” or “Ji” talisman)

The words listed in the talisman call on the gods of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Primordial eras and the Jade Maidens for aid; gather numinous Qi, true Qi, the Qi of immortals and sages, and the Earth Qi of the Five Passes; and invoke the assistance of Heavenly De, Supreme De, and Divine De. Yin and Yang unite and circulate, causing the spirits to appear in bodily form. The spirits can fly ten thousand li and reach straight into the depths of the underworld. The final line names the Two Sages of the Divine Tiger and commands them to carry out the order at once.

Incantation for Commanding the Talisman:

The Most Holy One of Jade Purity governs the underworld. The Divine Tiger receives the command; carry it out swiftly.

Yeni travels everywhere, reaching straight to the dark lands of the north; it passes through the water gate and penetrates the shadowy underworld, as far as Fengdu, the seat of the netherworld.

Wherever the talisman document arrives, the gates open. The heavenly gods revere it, and the earthly spirits bow respectfully.

Pursue and summon the souls of the dead in the underworld; undo their grievances and end their suffering. The Northern Emperor has issued a command, and all the gods obey together.

Hasten to carry out the Supreme Emperor’s decree.

Incantation for Manifestation:

Om, let the command be proclaimed and carried out. Om, duo duo li chi.

Place this talisman in a talisman document and seal it inside. Recite the incantation to command the talisman, then burn one copy in the incense burner before the deceased’s spirit tablet, so that the divine spirits may appear in visible form.

Talisman of the Jade Office’s Soul-Watching and Soul-Guiding Youths

The Numinous Treasure Jade Office, the Daoist institution that oversees the affairs of spirits and the underworld, has one hundred and twenty Soul-Watching Youths and one hundred and twenty Soul-Guiding Youths. The Soul-Watching Youths guard the souls of the dead and keep them from wandering apart. The Soul-Guiding Youths lead the souls back and forth and bring them to their seats, help them manifest, and oversee their bathing, reception of precepts, refinement through water and fire, receipt of merit, and ascent across the Immortal Bridge to liberation.

When writing the talisman, draw in the Qi of the Northern Dipper’s Kui star and blow onto the brush three times.

True-Form Talisman of the Soul-Watching Youths

The talisman’s general meaning is: “By decree, the talisman of the True Department’s Purple-Light Merit Officer employs the power of the Primordial Yang Youth. Returning light shines through all things; its radiance reaches everywhere, things resonate with one another, nothing is beyond its reach, and it goes straight to the wondrous source of numinous power.”

True-Form Talisman of the Soul-Guiding Youths

The talisman’s general meaning is: “Following the power of the Most High’s Primordial Azure, which penetrates the hidden depths, the divine might appears. The Youth of Mysterious Capital stands at the forefront, his power reaching everywhere. Seal the gate of death at Luofeng, the land of the underworld; open the paths that were formerly blocked to the souls of the dead; and use this power to command the four quarters and all realms of the underworld.”

(Stepping through scenes without leaving a trace; the radiance around the body grows ever more resplendent with the Dao; revolving in the realm of the Primordial Beginning, carrying out the command with haste.)

Divine Tiger Mysterious Dispatch Talisman for Distant Summoning

(The Qi of Primordial Unity; a single Qi. The body divides into forms, the feet tread upon the Yaoguang star; after transformation, the head wears a crown of the Three Pure Ones.)

(Northern Dipper’s mysterious pattern; gathering and summoning the soul spirits. The Yang soul returns to the corpse; the Qi of the Five Phases is complete. The Yin corpse emerges from the netherworld and is restored whole.)

(An edict commands the soul to be summoned and brought forth.)

Silk Dispatch Talisman

(The circle symbolizes the celestial origin; the Five Sacred Peaks hold mist, while the sun and moon hang aloft and shine. The Eight Trigrams combine to form the image; wind moves in the Xun position, and the Qian position serves as the furnace.)

(The Yellow Path lies at the center. The Four Emblems are set out in their places. They support and cover, serving as proof. The Mysterious Spirit makes a hand seal above; the Shuangdi seal.)

(Taiguang; Youjing, Tunzei, Shigou, Fushi, Queyin, Feidu, Chuhui, Choufei.)

On the talisman to the right, first write the deceased person’s name and year, month, day, and hour of birth, then recite names such as “Tunzei” and “Shigou.”

(Shigou, Fushi, Queyin, and the deceased person’s name; Tunzei, Feidu, Chuhui, Choufei.)

Write these two talismans on plain silk, two chi long. Roll them up and place them inside the Divine Tiger Pass, then burn them together with the five dispatch talismans.

Five Dispatch Talismans

(The Yang light of the Three Qi; the origins of the sun and moon; the Three Officials appear together in clarity. By command of the Jade Decree, word is sent to the Dark Netherworld of Beifeng.)

(Clearly inspect the ghost encampments. All the gates of the Great Heaven are opened together; the Enlightened Origin Cave’s strongmen and the Spring Bend’s Void Officials come to pay their respects.)

(The High Perfected. The distant, deep, and obscure Nine Ugly Ones each receive their assignments according to the command of the High One. The way of Heaven prizes the preservation of life and makes the Five Phases clear.)

(The Seven Luminaries move in harmony; all Qi attain immortality together. The Three Officials of the Upper Origin of Clear Qi, the Four Qian attendants, and the gods of the Nine Offices)

(all receive the Jade Writ. By command of the Jade Decree, the Divine Tiger summons the soul and orders it to arrive at once. The Five Paths are commanded to receive it; wind and fire must not cease.)

Talisman Before the Divine Tiger Pass

(The Northern Qi of the Three Great Brahma Heavens.)

Ritual Procedure

After issuing the Jade Dispatch, wear the efficacious talisman of the Northern Dipper’s Divine Tiger Jade Dispatch. Set up the altar and perform the rite at the Altar of Yang Radiance, praying and summoning Liu [part of the name is missing]. Spray out a mouthful of water, then mobilize the Qi of Gen.

First swallow the Talisman of Hidden Stillness. Next, write the Talisman for Covering the Soul and Communicating with Ghosts, and give it to a living person to wear. This enables them to enter the prison and speak with their ancestors. Set up an altar for the Yin spirits and summon Ming [part of the name is missing]…

Several words in the source are missing or appear to be corrupt; the translation above follows the surviving text. “Taiguang, Youjing, Tunzei, Shigou, Fushi, Queyin, Feidu, Chuhui, and Choufei” are Daoist designations associated with the soul and spirit.

▲ In charge of gathering and detaining the spirits of those who died from illness, sudden death, premature death, self-harm, injury or mutilation, or prolonged imprisonment in the netherworld.

After the ritual for summoning and governing all spirits has ended, when the method is to be performed, hold a sword facing southwest, take water, and recite the spell:

“Divine Tiger Prison Spirit! I act by command and wield the authority of the Divine Tiger. Gather and summon all wandering spirits without masters and all wild ghosts. They must not linger; they must immediately hurry to the prison and reveal their traces. By urgent command, let this be carried out!”

For this method, blow the Qi from the southeast into the water, then spray the water toward the southwest. Next, draw in the Qi from the southwest and blow it into the prison. Then give the talisman to someone to swallow. Before long, the spirits of the dead will be seen entering the prison.

Talisman of the Divine Tiger’s Jade Writ, Manifesting Efficacy (Write it in cinnabar and swallow it.)

(On the left, the mighty male spirit lifts souls and gathers spirits; the backward-flying soul messenger urges the ghosts and spirits onward.)

(Gather the souls and spirits swiftly.) Recite this seven times, and divide the talisman into seven portions.

Spell for swallowing the talisman:

“Lift the souls and gather the spirits; pursue and seize them with flying speed. By urgent command, let this be carried out!”

Talisman for Covering Souls and Communicating with Ghosts

(Sole radiance, a thousand transformations; flying power across ten thousand feet; a majestic force of one hundred thousand.)

(The Divine Tiger’s Qianyuan Messenger takes form; the sand ghosts are destroyed.)

“Residual misfortune seals the spirits. Carry out the laws of the Divine Tiger: do not move, but reveal yourselves clearly. By urgent command, let this be carried out!”

Spell for the talisman:

“By the command of Taiwei, swiftly shatter the ghosts’ dwelling places. By urgent command, let this be carried out!”

Write the above talisman in cinnabar. You may carry it with you, or have someone take it into the prison. By this means, all lonely spirits can tell where they died. If you go into the countryside or around a graveyard with the talisman, the ghosts will come forth, reveal themselves, and speak with people, allowing their names to be learned.

The method says: When establishing a netherworld prison, you may swallow the preceding talisman. As you swallow it, recite this spell:

“Three Officials of Beifeng, divine administrators who govern the netherworld, please report these words to the prison officials of the Upper Clarity Heaven. Receive and take in the spirits of the dead; do not disobey. By urgent command, let this be carried out!”

Once the prison has been established, hold a sword facing east and recite the spell five times. Draw in Qi and blow it into the water, then spray the water into the prison:

“Male, on the left, Jade Bureau Chief; female, on the right, Martial Luan Registrar. I now gather and summon the spirit of [name]. Enter my prison swiftly, without hesitation. He Chang and Qiao Xun, assist the spirits within my body. The commands I issue must be carried out swiftly. By urgent command, let this be carried out!”

After spraying the water into the prison, gather all the summoned spirits of the dead and all lonely spirits, however many there may be. Both talismans must be stamped with the Celestial Emperor’s seal and accompanied by the Jade Clarity hand sign. The ritual master must first swallow one portion of Qi from the Xun direction.

Hold water from the north in your mouth, then spray it toward the altar and across the four walls of the room. The dead and the living alike can see these talismans. This is called “Opening the Hidden and Transforming Forms” (making the netherworld visible and changing its forms).

Talismans for Bringing Souls to Life

(The Great Emperor of Shangqing, the Celestial Worthy of Yujing who Saves from Suffering in the Ten Directions, the Great Emperor of Taiqing…)

(The Heavenly Emperor, wearing the Crown of Communication with Heaven, lets down the Heavenly River’s ribbons that hang between the three realms of Heaven, Earth, and Water, and summons the Nine Ancestors and Seven Generations. With golden writings and jade proclamations, he rescues and guides [a certain person], causing them to appear in visible form and ascend to life.)

Place the ash from the Divine Tiger altar underneath, and set down the “Iron-Traced Soul-Summoning Talisman” (Yin script, Gen Qi).

Incantation:

Deep and still, reaching upward to the Nine Heavens and extending down to the territories in every direction. Ghosts and spirits, come swiftly when summoned. The talismanic command of the Primordial Beginning pursues and seizes your souls; you may not flee or scatter. Those who disobey will vanish like melting ice. Divine generals who pursue souls, swiftly seek out [a certain person’s] soul and bring it here to the Origin.

Talisman for Summoning All Ghost Souls

Incantation:

The hidden depths are dark and still; Heaven and Earth are pure and tranquil. The Three August Ones assist me; the Six Ding spirits guard me. I am the Grand Supreme’s grandson, the True Person’s son. I summon all the spirits: swiftly answer the command and manifest your numinous power.

Incantation for Commanding the Talisman

The Grand Supreme’s divine talisman seizes you, ghosts and spirits. At the call of your name, come at once and take visible form, gladly and willingly. The Azure Dragon is on my left, the White Tiger on my right, and the Celestial Demon within my belly. I wear the Dipper’s pattern on my head and tread upon the Dark Warrior. All spirits, depart swiftly. When ghosts are summoned by talisman, not one fails to come.

Before using the methods above to summon and seize ghost souls, first burn the talismans.

Talisman for Receiving the Real

The Grand Supreme’s talismanic command seizes spirits and captures ghosts. The spirits of Heaven protect me; the spirits of Earth bear me. The sun and moon shine upon me; the Five Planets guard me. The River Earl ferries me across; the hundred spirits protect me. All evil forces fear me; a hundred ghosts submit to me. The true talisman guards me, and whoever wears it receives the aid of the myriad spirits. Hasten in accordance with the statutes and commands.

Write this talisman while holding your breath beneath the Big Dipper on the eight seasonal nodes (the eight points that mark the ancient calendar’s seasonal divisions), then place it in your topknot. Replace it with a new talisman at every seasonal node. Before performing a spirit-summoning ritual, the ritual master must wear this talisman for three to five days.

Talisman for Opening the Eyes

The sun is my father, the moon is my mother, the Five Planets are my brothers, and the Supreme One is my friend. I use the divine talisman for opening the eyes to subdue all ghosts. The ghost I summon comes at once and takes visible form. Hasten to obey the Heavenly Emperor’s command.

Command to Tianpeng

By the Heavenly Emperor’s command, the Five Thunder envoys and the youths of the Five Directions shall guide the True Lord who Leads Souls…

Thunder Bureau Fire Command (a talismanic order used in thunder rites to summon departed souls urgently): Immediately pursue and summon the departed soul of [name], and command it to come at once beneath the altar and carry out the command.

Fire Command: Execute at once.

The Divine Tiger Dragon Seal of the Lord of the Great Tenuity (a Divine Tiger talisman seal):

The Lady of Purple Radiance, from the profound realm of Supreme Clarity and the Northern Capital, uses subtle spiritual power to issue this document. May this prohibition and restraint bring the law into effect. The allotted number of the Northern Dipper stars is complete; the time has come. No spirit dares forget the law of the Divine Tiger. Swiftly send down auspicious signs, with the Perfect Lords of the Seven Primordial Ones commanding the thunder. May divine power manifest and not remain concealed.

Summoning Hand Seals

Men pinch the first joint of the middle finger; women pinch its second joint. When summoning lonely spirits, pinch the bases of all five fingers.

Summoning by blowing breath:

The General of Heaven One commands a thousand troops and officers to come swiftly to the altar ground. Hurry, hurry, as [the character] nü—this is how it appears in the original, though a character may be missing or corrupt.

The edict in blue: By command of the law.

Gathering

Supreme Oneness’s divine talisman binds and seizes you, spirits. Once your names are called, come at once and reveal your forms, with joy in your hearts.

The Azure Dragon is on the left, the White Tiger on the right, and the Celestial Demon within my belly. I wear the Northern Dipper stars as a crown and tread upon the Dark Warrior. Let the gods depart swiftly. With this talisman I summon ghosts; none shall fail to come. By the law, hurry, hurry!

Heavenly Emperor Hand Seal

Recite the Heavenly Emperor hand seal three times. Use the Qi of the northeast (Gen) direction on the banner: with the left thumbnail, draw from the Yin position to the Si position; then, with the nail of another finger, draw from beneath the thumbnail down to its base. Next, use the thumbnail to pinch the Sha pattern. This is also called the hand seal of Marshal Tianpeng.

Whenever forming the Mountain hand seal, direct the seal upward when moving upward, and let it descend when moving downward. To form the “Mountain” hand seal, place the little finger of the left hand behind the middle finger, hook the second and fourth fingers around the little finger, and point the thumb upward. To form the hand seal of the Supreme Emperor, extend the middle finger straight.

Ritual Pace (the ceremonial steps of pacing the Dipper)

Step alternately with the left and right feet. On the tenth step, form the Heavenly Emperor seal with the left hand and the Supreme Clarity hand seal with the right.

Great Sage Divine Tiger, General Divine Tiger, Heavenly One Lord of the Northern Blessings, Perfect Lord Taiyi Who Restores Souls, Great Spirit Xiao Who Assists and Aids Jing… [The original notes: Raise both hands together and join the palms, forming the General Hand Seal of the Five Emperors. Raise the hands here, but do not lift the body.]

Soul-Seizing Divine General, General Liu [missing character] (form the Yin hand seal and place the hands on the hips); Soul-Pursuing Divine General He Chang; Soul-Returning Divine General Qiao [missing character]; Merit Officer Who Gathers Souls Zhang Wenying; fifteen Jade Maidens Who Seize Souls; Divine General Who Faces the Soul, Liu Guangting; Divine General Who Sets Souls in Order, Lord Taiyi.

Om, du-du; wei, you-you (pronounced “jie”); ju-ju, seize and capture, wei… [The final phrase and its hand-seal instructions are incomplete in the original, so their full meaning cannot be determined.]

(When chanting the spell, draw in the Qi from the east and north.) Zhuo ji pan tuo jia li she shou er (spell syllables, as in the original; blow the Qi toward the banner and let the body sink downward).

Soul-Seeking and Spirit-Capturing Spell:

I respectfully summon General Ma, the divine commander. First go to the City God and the Five Roads, then to the Water Palace, the Five Sacred Mountains of the human world, Fengdu, the chief underworld seat in Daoist teaching, and the underworld offices in every region. Find the deceased, [name], and bring him to the ritual altar. (Form the Mudra of the Supreme Emperor and draw in the northern Qi.)

Soul-Pursuing Spell:

I now perform the rite of capturing and summoning. I respectfully ask Ma Anren to go first to the City God’s office to inquire, then to search the Office of the Sacred Mountain. Mount Tai stretches vast and boundless; despite searching everywhere, he cannot be found. In the underworld, he endures every hardship and torment.

Soul-Restoring Spell:

Open the Jade Gate of the Spirit Capital; halt the judgments of Fengdu. Remove the evil karma of the Three Paths, the three evil realms in Daoist teaching. I now summon your soul and spirit; nowhere are you to be restrained or held. Fengdu has judged your guilt severe, but the Emperor Lord now issues an order: summon you urgently back to your body. Go swiftly to the Office of Zhu Ling, the underworld palace in Daoist teaching, stand before the Gate of Ascending to Heaven, and receive my pure spell. Officers of every bureau, release the soul at once! Officers of every bureau, pronounce judgment on the soul at once!

For the rites above: if only half the body appears, form the Gen mudra with both hands, clench them, and command the whole body to appear.

Spell for Capturing and Seeing:

I respectfully summon the Celestial Worthy of Purple Tenuity in the Great Luo Heaven of the Northeast, the Great Master of the Mysterious Center, and the Perfected One of the Left Mysterious Realm. Hear your disciple’s report. Shake the Golden Essence and wrench open the Jade Gate; summon the deceased, [name], from above and below, and make him appear at once in visible form. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the command of the Celestial Worthy of Purple Tenuity in the Great Luo Heaven of the Northeast!

Another Spell:

Dugong faces the soul; gather the soul and capture the soul.

Another Spell:

Black Lord, Black Emperor, quickly part the ghostly Qi and make it coalesce into form.

Another Spell:

Spirit of the Southern Dipper and Celestial Dipper, respond obediently and clearly; spirit of the Jade Maiden at the mouth of the Spirit Dipper, enable the deceased to ascend to Heaven and appear in form and shadow beneath my altar. Ten thousand troops circle about. (The meaning of this spell is unclear; it is retained as in the original.)

The ritual text says: If the summoned spirit is slow to arrive, write the “Divine Tiger Talisman for Releasing Transformations and Gathering Souls” and the “Responsive Talisman for Urging the Soul to Appear,” then burn them.

Soul-Gathering Talisman

(Envoy Liu, who commands the Divine Tiger to raise the soul and capture the spirit)

(The Divine Tiger transforms in myriad ways; form and shadow never part, as it flies back and forth)

(Summon urgently the vital radiance of the ten directions, drawing it all together with one breath)

(On the left, hold fast the three souls; they must not linger)

(On the right, lead away the seven spirits, flying alone)

(The Celestial Master issues this command; carry out the Divine Tiger’s law. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the ordinances!)

The command-talisman spell says:

Heaven moves through darkness, and hidden essence transforms into form. Hasten and obey the command, in accordance with the statutes.

The talisman above is written in cinnabar, while Qi (vital energy) from the north is gathered and infused into it. When this talisman is affixed to someone’s door, it will call out the name of the household there night after night without ceasing. If, within three months, the person being called has still not learned of this, they will die. This is a ritual method left by the Lord of Heaven to punish wicked people. A ritual master must exercise caution and must not use it for personal reasons.

The method says: If someone died nearly three years ago, a talisman may be written and burned to ashes. Holding the ashes in the hands, recite an incantation and address the wandering spirits in the deceased’s home, then blow toward the Gen direction (northeast). Next, burn the talisman mentioned earlier to ashes, mix them with water, and sprinkle the mixture on a wall; an image will appear immediately. In another case, if someone has died suddenly less than three days ago, hang a ritual banner as long as the corpse and drape it over the body. Take a piece of white silk seven inches long, write a talisman on it in cinnabar, and burn it. Place the ashes beneath the philtrum. Then, following the method given earlier, petition the Jade Dispatch Tablet. Before long, the soul and spirit will return to the body, and the person will revive.

Whenever a living soul is to be summoned, the method must be performed while the corpse’s lower legs remain undamaged and no more than three Qi periods have passed since death. Once this limit has been exceeded, the soul cannot be retrieved. To perform the method, summon Generals He and Qiao, order them to carry the Jade Dispatch Tablet, and explain the purpose of the ritual.

Divine Tiger Soul-Summoning Talisman

To write this talisman, first face the Xun direction (southeast) and recite the incantation. Gather Qi into the brush, blow on it, and then write in cinnabar. The incantation says:

Heaven and earth close together; Yin and Yang move; soul and spirit return. Hasten and carry this out.

Upper Platform (a divine title; the talisman also bears the characters “Empty Essence”): from Yin to Si. Middle Platform (a divine title; it also bears the characters “Six Purities”): from Chou to Wu. Lower Platform (a divine title; it also bears the characters “Curved Life”): from Zi to Wei. The Celestial Emperor issues a command: Divine Tiger General and Soul-Pursuing Emissary, seize the ghost soul and make it appear. The original text is damaged here; some characters and phrases cannot be deciphered.

The talisman above is used to pursue and summon departed souls, making them appear. Write it in powder on white paper while reciting the incantation for pursuing souls and summoning spirits:

The Three Officials (the Daoist Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water) and the Northern Feng (the land of the underworld) clearly inspect the ghost camps; no ghost may be allowed to hide. The command is conveyed by the Golden Horse Relay and announced throughout the boundless regions. All the myriad spirits come to hear the order; the Five Emperors of the Three Realms report in turn to Shangqing. Hasten and obey the command of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning.

Lift the coffin lid, place this talisman beneath the nose, and burn it. Before long, the departed soul will return. Whenever sending the Jade Dispatch Tablet and reporting to the divine generals, recite:

Divine Ones He and Qiao, receive and carry this Jade Dispatch Tablet; swiftly pursue and summon the living soul. Hasten and obey the command, in accordance with the statutes.

Burn the Jade Dispatch Tablet together with the official notice addressed to the generals. Before long, the departed soul will return. If movement has already been seen inside the coffin, gather Qi from the Xun direction according to the prescribed method and recite the incantation three times; the person will then make a sound inside the coffin. (The text is annotated “Divine Tiger method, Chen characters,” apparently referring to a related method or writing notation.)

Chapter on Summoning

Summon the divine generals.

This scripture describes a Daoist ritual for summoning deities and calling forth departed souls, incorporating mudras (hand seals), incantations, and the use of talismanic registers (fulu).

The text first mentions the Divine Tiger Warriors (protective deities) and Celestial Soldiers (heavenly generals) overseeing the ceremony to assist in summoning the deceased. The ritual master faces north while holding a banner, reciting an incantation three times, and burning spirit money (gold paper offerings) beneath the banner. The banner is then passed to an acolyte (assisting disciple) as the master silently chants a specific invocation, calling upon the Jade Emperor (the supreme deity in Daoism) to command divine assistance.

The ritual continues with precise steps: forming the Chen-Wen mudra (a specific hand seal), drawing Qi (vital energy) from the southern celestial direction three times, and standing before the Southern Dipper Star Lords (deities governing life and death). At this stage, golden spiritual light manifests, compelling souls of all ranks to follow the banner. The master then invokes the names of the Northern Dipper Star Lords, Marshal Tianpeng, and the Dark Warrior (Xuanwu, the northern deity) to open the gates of the underworld.

Another section details summoning souls using the Supreme Emperor mudra (an advanced hand seal) with accompanying incantations. There is also a specialized "swift summoning" chant directed at the divine court of Mount Tai (a sacred mountain governing the afterlife), performed with the "Mountain Character" mudra.

During the ritual purification with consecrated water, the master recites the phrase "Zhī chē miè niè shè" seven times, invoking the Three Officials (Heavenly, Earthly, and Water Officials) to enforce divine law. The master then enters from the Mao position (east) to complete specific ceremonial steps.

The final section introduces two crucial talismans: the Yu-Yi Talisman (aligned with Fire, circular in form) and the Jie-Lin Talisman (aligned with Water, square in form). These must be activated with corresponding incantations and visualizations (contemplating purple or white light). Used in soul-refinement rites (salvation rituals), each talisman is rotated while reciting designated chants.

The entire ritual emphasizes the coordinated use of mudras, incantations, and talismans, employing sacred directions, numbers (such as three, seven, and nine), and meditative focus to summon and deliver departed souls.

The talisman on the right should be recited seven times. It may then be placed in the incense burner and burned for a refining-and-deliverance rite—a Daoist ritual for rescuing the dead and bringing them to deliverance.

First recite the Incantation for Receiving Refinement

Water method (used during the formal refining-and-deliverance rite)

Recite “Zhi che lun she” seven times, while employing the Qi of the north.

Fire method

Recite “Huo che lun she” seven times, while employing the Qi of the south.

Incantation for Hearing and Conveying Speech

Recite: “Wu lun tu yi, urgently command him to use his spiritual powers to convey speech.”

Then form the Dou hand seal with both hands, one of the Daoist ritual seals. Draw in the Qi of the Heavenly Gate and blow toward both ears.

Lowering the Banner

Recite the incantation:

“By command of the Jade Emperor. Crystal-bright, leave the Fire; by command, let the Three Yangs appear and the Five Lights shine forth. May the myriad spirits obey my command and swiftly manifest their divided forms.”

“Great Holy Spirit Tiger, and the soul-pursuing envoys of the Three Departments—Chang, Qiao, and Xun—come swiftly to seize and summon. Hou Di, Wei Kui, and Zhang Xin, hasten to seize the soul of the deceased who has received deliverance, so that it may attach itself to the banner and appear. May the Fire Spirit manifest everywhere and urge it to rise swiftly. With urgency, in accordance with the statutes!”

Orally transmit the stone talisman and jade formula toward the Gen direction (northeast), then place them in the incense burner and burn them beneath the summoning banner.

Attaching the talisman

Write on the talisman:

“Celestial Official of the Upper Origin, Earth Official of the Middle Origin, and Water Official of the Lower Origin.”

“Great General Who Crosses the Heavens.”

“Open until broken.”

“Commissioned Talisman Envoy of the Year, Month, Day, and Hour.”

“On the left, the Sovereign Lord of the Sun; on the right, the August Ruler of the Moon.”

“One turn, square and round; all true Qi returns.”

When performing this method, pinch the Chen mudra with the left hand and form the Dou hand seal with the right. First have the other person drink water cooled by horn.

Recite:

“Divine soldiers of the Dipper, turn the Kui and Gang. Chen and Xu form the Dipper. To the left, the Azure Dragon belongs to Jia and Yi (Mao); to the right, the White Tiger belongs to Geng and Xin (You). Before me, the Vermilion Bird belongs to Bing and Ding (Wu); behind me, the Black Tortoise belongs to Ren and Gui (Zi). Above, array and cover in protection (Chen); below, the Flying Serpent coils around (Si). I obey the Emperor’s command: let the Six Spirits descend swiftly, pursue and summon the true Hun and Po of the deceased [name], and make them attach to the child’s body, so that they may quickly communicate with their living relatives.”

Before performing the rite, secretly promise to offer money, then recite:

“May the Emperor grant efficacy, so that I may summon the dead and cause them to enter the body. May this be accomplished swiftly.”

Next, draw a breath and, in coordination with the hand seal, flick the child’s forehead. At the same time, visualize the Hun and Po entering together through the child’s “Gate of the Myriad Wonders,” then settling into the five viscera and six bowels, the four limbs, and the eight channels. These are all the soul and spirit of the deceased. If one of two or three children trembles more noticeably, keep that child and command:

The divine general hurriedly urged the deceased to enter the child’s body, making the child tremble at once.

Using the hand seal, gently press the child’s chest and say, “Speak clearly and plainly.” Then say, “Deceased, return at once to the underworld.” If the child has not yet awakened, recite the “Soul-Awakening Incantation”: “May the three hun return and the seven po return; heaven and earth grow dim, and the spirit descend swiftly.” Then blow Xuan Qi—the primordial Qi spoken of in Daoism—toward the child’s face.

If the deceased has not appeared during soul-summoning, recite the “Incantation of the Three Paths and Five Sufferings”—the Three Paths and Five Sufferings are the torments of the underworld as described in Daoism:

“Red apricot, black ink; grind the true bamboo strips and la wax. The Lingbao method is complete; cut the corners and suppress the rising force. Life turns, the solitary bonds are transferred, and Ke Han Ming; the soul-gathering and spirit-summoning work is fully accomplished. Summon the hun and po with the swift messengers of the eight directions, the heavenly gods, earthly spirits, and all numinous beings; let them all return together. I respectfully summon the great gods of the Eight Trigrams—Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, and Dui—to gather and summon the hun and po of the deceased, [name], and make them appear swiftly in my paper mirror. Hasten in accordance with the statutes and commands!”

Visualize the three characters “Heaven, Earth, Human” appearing on the mirror. Blow Xun wind Qi onto the mirror and the person’s face, then summon again:

“Red apricot, the Yi lodge spits—(make the Five Peaks hand seal and form the hand gesture.) Break the black ink; visualize my left hand grinding the true folds, bringing down Wa La Da Yi Po. The Lingbao gathers in my hand; the evil soul is pursued and made to answer for its offenses, then brought down in submission. Hasten in accordance with the statutes and commands!”

The “Red Apricot Method” mentioned above is a technique for pursuing and summoning hun and po, and for capturing ghosts and malign spirits. If an evil spirit possesses someone and refuses to give its name under questioning, burn red apricot, bamboo strips, and wax in the palm of the hand.

Then recite:

“Chi… reveal your form at once; the true Qi of Heaven’s Gate descends. Come swiftly before the altar.” (Recite seven times and perform the Li hand seal.)

Then recite:

“Chi… pay homage to Taiyi; may all numinous beings return.”

Then recite:

“Chi… pay homage to Taiyi; reveal your form swiftly.”

Then recite:

“The wandering soul accepts the orthodox teaching; may all numinous beings return.”

Talisman for Pursuing Souls through the Three Realms by Taiyin Hunyuan.

Talisman of the Jade Pure One’s Soul-Pursuing Messenger:

(Heaven One, Northern Fortune) (Taiyi strictly gathers and disciplines the dead soul; Xuanming and Beifeng subject it to refinement.)

(Jade Pure One’s Soul-Pursuing Messenger, Fang Zhao)

(Quickly seize and summon the hun and po of [name]; come at once.)

Talisman of the High Pure One’s Soul-Pursuing Messenger:

(Heaven above delivers people) (Memorialize above to pursue and summon the hun and po, cleansing the po; the High Pure One gathers the po and purifies and refines the body.)

(High Pure One’s Soul-Pursuing Messenger, Zhang Fang: swiftly pursue and summon the hun and po of the deceased, [name]; come at once.)

Talisman of the Supreme Pure One’s Soul-Pursuing Messenger.

(The Jade Emperor’s decree, bestowed this year by the Perfected Ones of Heaven, to complete the deliverance of the dead / the scriptures and methods of Taiqing)

(For pursuing and delivering those shrouded in darkness / the emissary who pursues souls among the myriad bones to Taiqing, Guo Liuguang, urgently pursue and summon the soul of the deceased [name])

(Arrive at once)

All the talismanic inscriptions above must be used together with the Jade Hand Seal, drawing on the Qi of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing)—the pure, numinous energy spoken of in Daoism.

Regulations for the Altar of the Spirit Tiger

The Emperor said: When constructing an Altar of the Spirit Tiger, a ritual space for summoning divine generals and conducting rites, five documents must be set out in the five directions. The altar must also bear the Diagram of the Great Fuli Earth, used to summon the divine generals. Only then will they arrive at once. Without this document, the officers and attendants of the Spirit Tiger cannot resonate with the summoner, and their divine radiance cannot descend.

On the day the rite is performed, one should also recite the Three Chapters of the Demon Kings and burn two chapters from the Red Book of Jade Characters, the Eight-Powered Dragon Script, in front of the room. Celestial generals and talisman officers cannot be summoned by ordinary writing; one must use the true script and jade characters formed from the Original Qi of Heaven. These two chapters are secret texts strictly prohibited in the Mysterious Capital. The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning uses them to summon the Lords of Heaven and the myriad spirits of the Three Realms. When these true texts are recited and written, all the sages can see the jade radiance and will come in response.

The High Way of Lingbao is no minor art. Its essentials are to envision the forms of the spirits, cultivate oneself, and guard Qi while preserving Shen. One must refine a true body like that of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning and possess wisdom corresponding to the Celestial Worthy before one can penetrate this Way. If one does not follow the ritual code or focus on visualization, then even after performing the rites described above, the results will be slight. One may instead invite punishment, and in the end only blame the High Perfected in vain.

The Seals of the Spirit Tiger

The Emperor said: The method of the Spirit Tiger Jade Writ for pursuing souls uses four seals, which must be consecrated and employed according to the rules. A talisman without a seal is like an army without a general; a seal without a talisman is like a general without an army. Talisman, seal, Qi, hand seals, pacing the stars, summoning spirits, and dispatching and directing them are all indispensable. The rites of the Lingbao tradition must therefore be carried out in full, without violating their prescribed rules.

The first seal is the “Seal of the General Supervision of Ghosts and Spirits.” It governs ghosts and spirits and is the master seal of the Lingbao tradition. Its inscription consists of the four characters “General Supervision of All Spirits.” To use it, form the General Supervision Hand Seal, draw on Lingbao Qi and blow upon it, then apply the seal. It is used chiefly to seal jade writs. The General Supervision Hand Seal is made by holding the middle finger upright and is governed by the Five Emperor Demon Kings.

The second seal is the “Seal of the Inner Taboo Name of the Lady of the Northern Dipper.” It is reserved for the Jade Bureau and used specifically to seal banners for restraining and summoning. When using it, one must pace the Dipper stars and form the Dipper Hand Seal.

When taking up the formula, draw in the profound Qi of the north and blow it into the seal for use.

The third seal is called the “Seal of the Northern Dipper’s Profound Pattern,” also known as the “Male Left Jade Seal.” It is worn on the left elbow and used to summon the talismans depicting the true forms of the Divine Tiger Lord Bo and the seal’s attendant officials. Three marks are drawn on the seal, after which it should be consecrated at the Altar of Solar Radiance. Once it has been used, place it in a sewn pouch.

The fourth seal is called the “Female Right Jade Seal.” It is worn on the right elbow and used to summon talismans depicting the true forms of the attending officials, seal officials, messengers, Jade Maidens, and merit officers. Three marks are drawn on the seal, after which it should be consecrated at the Altar of Yin Essence. Once it has been used, place it in a sewn pouch.

The seals of the Chief Inspector of Ghosts and Spirits, the Inner Taboo of the Divine Tiger, the Divine Tiger Female Seal, and the Divine Tiger Male Seal should all be made on a clear, crisp day under the Jiazi sign, drawing in the Qi of Heaven. They should be carved from peach wood.

Method for Consecrating the Seals

Choose an auspicious day. In a clean room, prepare nine portions of tea, wine, and seasonal fruit as offerings to the ritual master. The practitioner faces north, forms the “Divine Tiger Manifestation and Response” hand formula with the left hand, and takes three steps in the Ding Dipper pattern, bending and extending the fingers as they go. Then recite the incantation, draw in twelve breaths, and blow onto the seal. Visualize nine streams of purple, profound Qi descending from beneath the Northern Dipper and entering the seal. Then bow once more and recite the incantation. When the recitation is finished, pour wine over the seal and place it face down in a clean basin. Burn four pieces of ritual money over the seal. Then store it in a clean place, where no one can see it. If anyone sees it, the seal will lose its efficacy. It may be carved anew only after twelve years, when a memorial should be submitted requesting that the old seal be replaced. The old seal should be discarded in a rocky cave that no one can reach.

Incantation for Consecrating the Seal

Heaven One, Northern Mandate; Great One, Purple Origin; Divine Tiger Lord Bo; Great Sage within the Dipper;

Jade Maidens pursuing souls; a hundred thousand elite troops—follow me and descend in numinous power.

With each breath in and out, enter my seal and transform into countless forms.

Origin, flourishing, benefit, and steadfastness—swiftly obey the command of the Divine Tiger!

Recite this fourteen times while visualizing the sacred figure, imagining it entering the seal together with the rising incense smoke and the purple, profound Qi. Once the consecration is complete, place the seal in a sewn pouch.

On the first day of each lunar month, when the master wears the seal, they should click their teeth and recite:

Seal of the Divine Tiger, mighty and spiritually responsive.

I wear you always; grant me long life.

Pursue souls and seize spirits; reveal the true form at once.

Swiftly obey the decree of the Jade Clarity Supreme Emperor!

Method for Consecrating the Seal

The Human Sovereign said: The method for consecrating the seal uses twelve bowls of jujube decoction and ten portions of clean tea…

Place two bright lamps, twelve coins, and twelve sets of jiamai (paper horses or related offerings used in ritual) in a row beneath the Gate of Heaven. When the stars appear, the ritual officiant dresses properly, focuses his mind, and burns incense. He forms the transformation-spirit hand seal—a named hand gesture, with the middle finger centered, formed in the same way with the left hand—draws in Qi from the ten directions, and blows it onto himself, transforming into the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure. He then stands facing south with his feet in a T stance, steps through the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), faces the Heavenly Handle constellation, then turns toward the Gate of Heaven and performs three bows. Rising, he silently presents a memorial to the Supreme Emperor: “The ritual transmitted to me is now appointed for a certain day, when I will perform the purification offering according to the prescribed rites.”

The ritual officiant prays that the Three Venerable Ones—the three deities revered in Daoism—will mercifully send down the Three Qi into the seal and dispatch twenty-four Golden Youths and twenty-four Jade Maidens assigned to the seal as its guards, so that when I use the seal I may communicate with the gods and elicit a response through it. May the holy ones of the ten directions also come to bear witness.

He performs three more bows, draws in the Three Qi of the Gate of Heaven, and blows onto the seal. Then he kneels upright and, following the Great Shao pattern, a specific design used in Daoist talismans and hand seals, lifts the seal one star at a time in both hands and raises it to his forehead, reciting the incantation:

“Abandon the numinous true elixir; shine forth with the plain might of the radiant spirit. Heavenly Mystery, Heavenly Form; peaceful radiance, voice and appearance; the Great Transformation, the square and mysterious pivot; respond to the Great Stabilizer, enduring auspiciousness and flourishing virtue.”

When he has finished reciting, he draws in Qi, blows three times, flicks the hand seal, recites the Great Brahma Hidden Words once—the secret Brahmic chant transmitted in Daoism—and then puts the seal away.

Lingbao Wuliang Duren Shangjing Dafa, Scroll 67