《無上玄元三天玉堂大法》Vol. 14

The fourteenth volume of the Daoist scripture The Supreme Mysterious Primordial Three Heavens Jade Hall Great Method, in its sixteenth chapter "Wisdom Light Illuminating the Obscure," records that realized beings (those who have attained the Dao) can, through cultivation, cause yin energy to recede while yang energy grows, ultimately achieving immortality. Ordinary people, however, experience the opposite—yin energy increases while yang energy diminishes, and after death, they descend into ghostly existence.

The scripture explains that ghosts lurk in dark, hidden places, their nature fundamentally yin. These lost souls in the underworld, deprived of their innate radiance, sink into nameless darkness. Thus, out of compassion, the Supreme Venerable Sovereign (Laojun, the highest deity in Daoism) established liturgical rites (Keyi) to connect with yang energy through lamplight, transmitting spiritual talismans (Fulu) via true qi (primordial energy), and using the radiance of ritual torches to dispel the darkness of the netherworld. This allows souls in the Nine Springs—the depths of the underworld—to once more behold the light, a special grace from the Supreme Venerable Sovereign, akin to a divine amnesty for the spirits of the dead.

The scripture further elaborates: In the primordial chaos before creation, when heaven and earth had not yet taken form and the sun and moon had not yet appeared, the cosmos was shrouded in darkness. Only when the primordial qi (the fundamental energy of the universe) divided into yin and yang, and then further evolved into the Three Powers (heaven, earth, and humanity), did heaven and earth settle into their proper places, and the sun and moon begin their cycles. Light thus pierced the darkness, and all things came into being. Therefore, when Daoist masters perform salvation rituals, they emulate the illumination of heaven, earth, sun, and moon, using lamplight to dispel darkness and yang energy to scatter yin energy.

The specific cultivation method is as follows: First, visualize light welling up from the Dantian (the lower abdominal energy center) like a deep ocean, as small as a grain of millet. Then guide this energy through the heart, ascending to the Muddy Pellet Palace (the crown energy center), imagining the radiance of the sun, moon, and stars shining upon the ten directions, bathing all shadowy realms—both celestial and terrestrial—in light, so that lost souls may escape the darkness by this illumination.

The master employs a specific hand seal (the Moon Lord Seal) along with an incantation to summon lunar energy:

"The clear and true waters reflect the mysterious,

As primordial qi arises, the pure moon shines in perfect fullness.

The Lady of the Great Yin (the moon goddess) bears a name warm and bright,

Her flowing light illuminates the paths of the obscure.

The Jade Hare carries the Silver Toad (symbols of the moon),

Their brilliance shines upon the two poles of heaven and earth.

From afar, we draw power from the lunar palace,

As numinous light dances to scatter layer upon layer of darkness."

Then, shifting to the Sun Lord Seal, the master summons solar energy:

"The Golden Crow (the sun) emits crimson rays,

Yang energy penetrates the ten directions.

Blazing radiance lights up the Three Realms,

The Five Thearchs guide the essence of the sun.

All yin energies utterly disperse,

True visions manifest the celestial order.

Eternal light shines upon the Land of Eternal Spring,

Naturally reaching the realm of immortals."

Through this combination of visualization (Cunxiang) and incantation, the master transforms the luminous energy cultivated within into the radiance of the ritual lamps.

This passage documents three important rituals for dispelling darkness and delivering the deceased from the "Jade Hall Great Method" (Yutang Dafa) of Daoist practice. These rites primarily employ starlight, talismanic incantations (Fulu), and lamp ceremonies to liberate souls from the underworld.

The first section presents the incantation for the "Stellar Radiance Illuminating Scenes Treasure Talisman." It describes how starlight, imbued with the primordial Qi of heaven and earth, penetrates the netherworld to illuminate all ten directions. Through this stellar guidance, souls can escape darkness and cultivate true Yang Qi within the radiance. Here, "Doukui" refers to the Big Dipper constellation, while "Tianshu" (the Celestial Pivot) denotes the first star of the Dipper, symbolizing the cosmic axis of universal movement.

The second incantation for the "Jade Capital Universal Light Darkness-Dispelling Treasure Talisman" elaborates further: the Primal Breath of Yuanshi Tianzun (the supreme Daoist deity) gives birth to the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), whose Qi transforms into the Three Luminaries of sun, moon, and stars. These radiances dispel darkness throughout the Three Realms—moonlight brightens the eternal night, while starlight permeates heaven and earth. From the highest celestial realms down to the Ninefold Netherworld (Jiuyou, representing the nine layers of hell), all becomes filled with illumination. Through the interaction of Yang energy overcoming Yin, and light dispersing darkness, the ritual achieves its salvific effect of "transforming hell into paradise."

The third section details the ceremonial procedure for the "Nine Netherworld Hell Lamps." The ritual master employs nine lamps (the odd Yang number symbolizing Yang energy), each corresponding to one hell layer. First, celestial realm names (such as the Eastern "Immeasurable Heaven") are inscribed at lamp positions and covered with special shades. Lighting proceeds sequentially by cardinal directions—east, south, etc.—with each lamp's ignition accompanied by recited incantations, shade removal, and talisman burning. This "heaven governing earth" method uses the Nine Heavens' true Yang Qi to transform hell's Yin energy.

The concluding "Three Luminaries Right Wisdom Incantation" emphasizes the combined power of solar, lunar, and stellar lights. When paired with the "Compassionate Lord's Nether-Prison Opening Talisman" (referring to Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun), it neutralizes hell's fiery toxins and icy torments, enabling souls' ascent. The entire ritual embodies the Daoist cosmological principle of "Yin-Yang mutual nourishment," employing cosmic energy dynamics to achieve salvation for the deceased.

This scripture describes the Daoist ritual of "Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun" (Savior Lord of Supreme Oneness) breaking open the hell realms. Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun—a Daoist deity specifically devoted to delivering suffering souls—is visualized wearing a jade crown radiating golden light, holding a jade branch that illuminates the underworld, dedicated to liberating tormented souls from hell.

The ritual proceeds as follows: First, the priest visualizes (through meditation) the compassionate form of Tianzun manifesting within the sun, then bows and recites the Jiuku Jing (Scripture of Salvation) once while inhaling to draw Tianzun's divine image into their body. Using cinnabar, they inscribe nine talismans (fulu) on yellow paper, with one talisman sent forth to break each directional hell. During inscription, the priest must concentrate fully on embodying Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun, allowing the talismanic light to shatter the hell realms.

The text details incantations for dismantling the eight hells with corresponding orientations:

• For the Eastern Wind-Thunder Hell, face the mao position (due east). Visualize azure qi transforming into Tianzun's form entering hell. The incantation implores Tianzun's mercy to calm storms and elevate souls to heaven.
• For the Southern Fiery Blaze Hell, face the wu position (due south). Crimson qi is invoked to cool the flames, summoning nectar-like Dharma rain to guide souls to blessed realms.
• For the Western Adamantine Hell, face the you position (due west). Tianzun's decree halts the tortures of metallic demons, freeing souls to ascend in radiant light.
• For the Northern Frozen Abyss Hell, face the zi position (due north). Yang qi dissolves icy torment, erasing souls' anguish.
• For the Northeastern Cauldron Hell, face the yin position (northeast). Jade radiance pacifies boiling oil, releasing souls from scorching agony.

The ritual demands the priest fully merge with Tianzun's divine role, employing directional chants, talismans, and visualization to dismantle each hell's sufferings. The talismans follow strict liturgical standards—crafted on pagoda-yellow paper measuring eight inches long and five inches wide—reflecting Daoist ritual precision.

This scripture describes a Daoist ritual incantation for liberating souls suffering in hell realms. It details five directional salvation chants that invoke divine power to rescue tormented souls from various hells.

The Eastern Copper Pillar Hell salvation chant speaks of sacred radiance (zhenguang) and the Jade Emperor's decree compelling infernal officials to receive divine grace, shattering the bronze pillars and pardoning suffering souls. The black registers recording sins vanish as golden light liberates the deceased, enabling them to behold the Merciful Lord (Cizun).

The Southwestern Slaughter Hell chant declares that golden talismans (jinfu) transmit the compassionate will of Laozi (Taishang Laojun), causing the knives of the slaughter hell to disappear. Mutilated souls regain their original nature, their karmic burdens dissolved as they ride luminous ascent from darkness, escaping kalpic suffering.

The Northwestern Fiery Chariot Hell chant describes how, amidst auspicious jeweled radiance, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun) showers sweet dew to extinguish scorching afflictions. The flaming chariots halt, blades shatter, and infernal officers obey commands to pardon the spirits.

The Central Universal Torment Hell chant reveals mysterious light spontaneously penetrating the Nine Springs, its grace pervading the universal torment hell to absolve all sinful suffering. Hell officials release the souls, allowing their ascension to immortality.

The concluding section instructs practitioners to visualize three-colored qi clouds above their heads, with the Great Unity Merciful Lord (Taiyi Cizun) radiating jeweled light illuminating all hell realms. Every suffering soul beholds this radiance and ascends upon the light, while the practitioner guides them with ritual staff movements.