《無上玄元三天玉堂大法》Vol. 15

The "Chapter on Seeking Sounds to Relieve Suffering" in the fifteenth volume of the Supreme Mysterious Primordial Three Heavens Jade Hall Great Method records the ancestral master's exposition on the essence of saving lost souls. When performing the Yellow Register Retreat (a Keyi liturgy for the salvation of souls) or the Azure Mystery Suffering Relief Ritual, one must use the light of wisdom to dispel the darkness of the underworld, communicate between Yin and Yang through Fulu talismans, and elevate the souls trapped in suffering. Although such rituals generate immense merit, their actual execution is far from simple.

The ritual altar must be solemn and orderly, with the resonant tones of bells and chimes. While external dignity is important, what truly matters is the inner De (Virtue/Power) of the ritual master. If one focuses only on superficial forms, treating talismans as commands and ritual documents as directives without understanding that these must be manifested through personal cultivation, it not only brings no benefit but may even hinder the affairs of the underworld.

Among the many talismans, the Suffering Relief Talisman and the Longevity Talisman are paramount. Both are recorded in the Scripture of the Nine Darknesses and were originally complete and unified, but later, the Lingbao school (a major Daoist lineage) artificially divided them into hierarchical distinctions during transmission. In truth, when Heaven and Earth first separated, humans had no inherent distinctions of nobility or commonness—such hierarchical differences are constructs of worldly convention. As the Mysterious Numinous Scripture states: "Though there are differences in status, the essence of life is without distinction." Since the essence is the same, why insist on rigid hierarchies in the form of talismans or incantations? The ancestral master specifically listed the Suffering Relief Talisman as primary, hoping later practitioners would grasp this truth.

Regarding the crafting of the True Suffering Relief Talisman: it must be written with cinnabar on yellow paper measuring two feet and four inches, formed into the shape of a Jiaolong (a ritual dragon-shaped sacred object symbolizing divine connection) and hung from the dragon's mouth. Before drawing the talisman, one must form the Jade Purity Mudra (a Daoist hand seal), visualize the Azure Mystery Qi (the primordial energy of the Celestial Worthy of Universal Salvation) nine times, and recite the dedicated incantation.

The incantation roughly conveys: "The Great Dao resides in the heart; to dispel delusion requires transformation. Turn the reeds into a divine dragon, its features clear and visible, bearing the talismanic decree straight into the underworld. From this moment, let it ascend in flames, flying without cease." Another passage pleads: "May the light of compassion manifest, relieving the suffering of all beings. People suffer due to ignorance and sin, but today, by heavenly grace, they are freed from the sea of sorrow."

(Note: The "Jade Purity Mudra" is a type of Daoist hand seal; "Azure Mystery Qi" refers to the primordial energy of the Celestial Worthy of Universal Salvation; "Jiaolong" is a ritual object symbolizing divine connection; and the "Yellow Register Retreat" is a major Keyi liturgy for the salvation of souls.)

This scripture records a Daoist ritual involving talismans (fulu) and incantations for redeeming departed souls and absolving karmic transgressions. The content comprises three main sections:

The first details the creation of the "Eternal Life Spirit Talisman." A two-foot-four-inch yellow paper is inscribed with cinnabar characters to form the "Transforming Golden Dragon Talisman." Before drawing the talisman, the practitioner must form the "Jade Purity Hand Seal" (Yuqingjue), face east to absorb nine breaths of yang qi while reciting an incantation. The chant essentially states that through the power of Daoist methods, illusion transforms into reality as the paper talisman becomes a golden dragon image. Using true fire (zhenhuo) to refine yin energies, the deceased soul ascends from the underworld (Fengdu) to the immortal realms (Zhuling).

The second section describes another incantation involving refinement through crimson true fire (the Three Qi of Cinnabar Heaven). Two deities (Han Jun and Sima) assist in reconstructing the soul's form, using yang qi to purify yin energies until the hun and po souls merge with the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), achieving ultimate transcendence.

Finally, the "Supreme Natural Compassionate Sin-Reducing Talisman" requires forming the Jade Purity Hand Seal while channeling crimson qi during inscription. Its activation involves first petitioning Fengdu's sovereign (the Great Emperor of Fengdu) and the Six Heavens' Demon Kings to pardon the soul's earthly transgressions. The talisman illuminates the underworld, erasing karmic records (the Black Registers) and ensuring no underworld officials obstruct the soul's ascent. The text concludes with precise temporal specifications for the talisman's use.

These talismans serve in Daoist redemption rituals (zhaijiao), employing specific inscription methods, hand seals, and incantations to harness divine power for liberating souls from hell's suffering. Each concludes with the phrase "urgently, urgently according to statute" (jiji rulüling), commanding immediate celestial enforcement.

The practitioner enters the meditation chamber, adjusts their robes, and sits upright facing east, lighting incense to calm the mind. At this moment, they should visualize azure Qi (primordial energy) rising from the liver, gradually filling the entire room like mist until the blue cloud-like energy becomes visible even outside the chamber.

Within this vision of azure clouds, one will behold the Supreme Sovereign of Azure Mystery (a revered Daoist deity) seated upon a lion throne, holding a willow branch and crystal bowl, flanked by two Perfected Beings and eighty-one Divine Officers. Golden light radiates from the deity's body, piercing through the azure clouds to illuminate all directions. With sincere devotion, the practitioner prays for the nectar of wisdom, which the deity then bestows through the Perfected Beings. Upon drinking it, the five viscera feel refreshed, and the golden light from the deity's crown descends through the practitioner's crown point (Baihui), enveloping their entire body in radiance.

During this state, silently recite the Scripture of Salvation from Suffering, then withdraw the golden light and cloud energy back into the body through the Mysterious Pass (the crown point). Swallow saliva nine times, perform nine prostrations, and then withdraw. Repeating this process nine times achieves the cultivation effect of delivering departed souls.

Next is the method for using the Jade Talisman of Nine Yang True Purity for Salvation: Between the hours of Hai and Yin (9 PM to 5 AM), form the Jade Purity Mudra and inscribe the talisman with red Qi. This talisman illuminates all hells of the Northern Yin Fengdu (the Daoist underworld), including the Thirty-Six Hells, Twenty-Four Hells, and the Iron Encircling City, allowing departed souls to behold the light. Once issued, the Great Emperor of Fengdu, the Six Heavens' Ghost Kings, and other underworld deities must immediately carry out the salvation without delay.

There is also the Purple Tenuity Upper Palace Talisman for Salvation, specifically used to deliver suffering souls in the Lower Origin (the subterranean world). Wherever its light reaches, the dark underworld instantly brightens, and all underworld offices of the Three Officials and Nine Bureaus (the underworld administration) must comply.

The accompanying incantation states: "The decree of the Ninefold Heavenly Realms illuminates the dark abyss, transforming the infernal darkness into radiant light. Ox-Head guards and ghost runners awaken compassion; hellfire turns to cooling dew. All sinful souls are immediately delivered; the Ghost Emperors and Demon Kings must obey this command." The talisman must be issued at an auspicious hour to take effect.

This passage explains the Daoist "Salvation from the Nine Nether Hells" ritual for liberating departed souls. It begins by depicting the terrifying landscapes of hell: the sixteen layers of hell, nine nether hells, twenty-four prisons, and the Great and Small Iron Enclosure Mountains (barriers surrounding the hell realms). These include "intermittent hells" where suffering occurs periodically and "incessant hells" where torment never ceases.

By employing the "Purple Tenuity Mandate Talisman" (the highest-grade Daoist talisman), practitioners can command hell officials to temporarily suspend punishments, delivering souls from suffering. Specific effects include: extinguishing karmic fires (flames caused by sin), melting frozen ice, destroying torture devices (such as sword trees, bronze pillars, and vajra clubs), transforming boiling oil cauldrons into cool pools, and allowing souls to eliminate negative karma without enduring pain.

The ritual procedure involves: prior to performing the zhaijiao (purification ritual), the priest must first use three special absolution talismans, followed by the salvation talisman. The talismans bear the inscription "By the urgent command of the Supreme God for the salvation of beings," written in cinnabar with specific hand seals (the Jade Purity Seal) while drawing in celestial Qi from the Gate of Heaven (a meditation technique).

The latter section reveals a profound philosophical insight: heaven and hell ultimately reside within the human heart. If one's actions align with cosmic principles during life, no karmic offenses will remain after death; conversely, those who harbor evil thoughts and commit wicked deeds (such as slandering sages, betraying rulers and parents, killing, or stealing) will inevitably descend into hell. Just as terrifying visions appear in dreams, hell manifests from deluded mental projections.

To overcome the suffering of hell, the key lies in cultivating the heart: when delusions cease, karma naturally dissolves, and hell is thereby dispelled. The passage concludes with a metaphor of yin-yang cosmology: heaven belongs to yang and thus is luminous, while earth belongs to yin and thus is dark. If the human heart maintains inner clarity, it can illuminate and dispel the darkness of hell.

The "Prison-Breaking" method recorded in the Daoist scripture The Supreme Mysterious Primordial Three Heavens Jade Hall Great Method fundamentally employs light to dispel darkness. When people suffer in painful predicaments as if imprisoned in hell, they must invoke celestial radiance (tian guang) and talismanic power (fulu), mobilizing primordial Qi to scatter the darkness. Yang energy overcomes yin energy, and truth dispels illusion—this is the essential principle of prison-breaking. Those of superior spiritual capacity grasp it immediately, while ordinary practitioners must cultivate to comprehend its profundity.

Regarding specific prison-breaking rituals, different lineages employ distinct methods: Orthodox Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen) masters use ceremonial staffs (cezhang) to strike symbolic hell-gates, while Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) masters wield swords. Later erroneous practices involving axes were explicitly identified as transmission errors—misinterpretations of the phrase "axes breaking hell." The ceremonial staff originally belonged to the Lingbao tradition but was mistakenly attributed to Tianshi (Celestial Master) Daoism, representing corruptions of orthodox methods. This tradition stipulates: only lineage masters who have received the Zhongmeng Dadong Lu (high-level ordination registers) may employ the staff, while other ritualists must use swords. The axe-wielding practice is condemned as sacrilegious theatricality.

The text records a "True Talisman of the Three Primordial Qi and Nine Yang Jade Light That Illuminates and Shatters Hell." This talisman concentrates power from the Three Pure Heavens (Qingwei Tian, Yuqing Tian, Dachi Tian), Nine Yang (nine forms of pure yang qi), and sacred jade radiance. It incorporates divine energies like the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang), Void Sovereign (Xuwang), and Jade Splendor (Yuhua), along with threefold celestial lights—Treasure of Heaven (Tianbao), Treasure of Spirit (Lingbao), and Treasure of Divinity (Shenbao)—plus specialized qi like Yellow Evolution (Huangyan), Purple Portal (Zihu), and Luminous Immortal (Mingxian). When this true talisman descends to the Ninefold Netherworld (Jiuyou), the Northern Capital Luo Feng (hell's domain) becomes radiant: iron prisons shatter open, darkness dissolves, weapons break, fire-pools extinguish, and all karmic illusions are pacified.

(Note: The various "qi" and "light" references are specialized Daoist cultivation terms representing distinct cosmic energy strata; "lu" denotes hierarchical ordination credentials for Daoist ritual masters.)

This is a ritual guide from the Daoist scripture Wushang Xuanyuan Santian Yutang Dafa concerning the salvation of departed souls. It details the ceremonial methods through which a Daoist priest assists souls in escaping the underworld and ascending to heaven.

The ritual must be conducted at an auspicious date and time, involving the inscription of specific talismans (Fulu) - special symbolic writings used to communicate with deities. The talismans must bear the sacred names of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing: Jade Pure, Upper Pure, and Supreme Pure), along with honorific titles of deities such as "Ten Directions Lingbao Salvation Celestial Worthy" (specialized in soul salvation), "Vermilion Emperor of the South" (fire deity), and "Great Emperor of Longevity of the South Pole" (deity governing lifespan), invoking their power to deliver the deceased.

Special requirements govern the talisman inscription: when writing the character "敕" (imperial decree), one must pause and visualize the golden light of the Three Treasures of Heaven. Simultaneously, recite the incantation: "By command of the Jade Emperor, upholding the decree of Jade Pure, pardoning sins of the ten directions, fragrance filling the courtyard..." The concluding phrase "urgently urgently as decreed" is a standard Daoist incantation ending, signifying immediate execution.

In practice, a separate talisman must be inscribed for each level of hell. On yang days (odd-numbered days), an additional stroke must be added. These talismans can be superimposed to form "layered talismans" serving as credentials for underworld communication. For breaking through hell realms, special talismans must be inscribed on yellow paper - these are exclusive talismans of the Six Jia Yin-Yang Deities (divine generals governing yin-yang forces).

Before inscription, the priest must purify body and mind, sitting cross-legged facing east. Visualize a circular halo above the head manifesting in azure, white, and golden hues, imagining the Salvation Celestial Worthy (Taiyi) riding a lion within this light. Then visualize hundred-jeweled radiance illuminating the ten directions, with the merciful countenance of Taiyi appearing in each beam. Next, envision one's body as Mount Kunlun, channeling Taiyi's compassionate light to illuminate the underworld while infusing the brush with vibrant blue-green Qi (vital energy) for talisman inscription.

When reciting the proclamation, the priest must visualize transforming into Taiyi Salvation Celestial Worthy. The method involves: first imagining Taiyi appearing above the crown and ascending through the fontanel; then visualizing Taiyi from the eastern world arriving lion-mounted to merge with the crown manifestation; finally unifying with one's own transformed deity. At this moment of threefold unity, the priest opens eyes seated in white light, fully embodying Taiyi Salvation Celestial Worthy.

This scripture describes the ritual of creating and using the "Long Life Talisman" in Daoist practice, a secret technique transmitted within the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition. At its core, it involves infusing the liver with the Nine Qi (nine primordial energies) through visualization and incantations to both liberate departed souls and cultivate one's own being.

The practitioner must first calm the mind and regulate the breath to achieve inner tranquility. Visualize the head as a blazing sun, within which appears the form of the Great Lord of Longevity (a deity governing immortality): crowned with lotus blossoms, draped in rosy cloud robes, and radiating light. Next, envision the body as majestic as Mount Kunlun (a sacred Daoist mountain), with the heart region glowing like a fiery palace. Then guide Qi into the brush to begin inscribing the talisman.

When activating the talisman, the practitioner visualizes merging with the Great Lord of Longevity. The specific steps are: first manifest the Emperor of Longevity (a counterpart deity) emerging from the crown point (top of the head); then visualize this emperor riding three fiery dragons formed from flame-Qi to unite with the crowned image; finally, this merged divine form completely fuses with the practitioner. At this stage, the practitioner, the Great Lord, and the Emperor become one—standing amid flames, the practitioner becomes the Great Lord of Long Life.

Subsequently, guide three currents of Qi from the Southern Heaven into the liver, transforming them into a golden dragon that emerges from the left ear. The accompanying incantation roughly translates: "The Qi of crimson heavens and jade-light fills my divine palace (the body); the golden dragon unfolds in all directions, bearing this talisman to the Southern Chang Palace (a celestial abode), where yin turbidity is purified and transformed into pure yang." Finally, close the eyes to visualize liver-Qi becoming the golden dragon emerging from the left ear, then silently recite the command dispatching the dragon.

This ritual synthesizes multiple Daoist techniques—visualization, inner contemplation, talismanic magic, and Qi manipulation—through specific mental training and energy guidance to achieve both soul liberation and self-cultivation. The phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes of life liberation" is a common talismanic conclusion indicating immediate efficacy.