《無上玄元三天玉堂大法》Vol. 27

The cultivation method recorded in the Supreme Mysterious Primordial Three Heavens Jade Hall Great Method centers on visualizing solar and lunar energies to enhance one's spiritual practice. This training consists of two aspects: "ascending radiance" (self-cultivation) and "descending radiance" (benefiting others).

Practitioners must observe specific timings: On the first day of the lunar month (new moon) at sunrise, sit facing east and visualize a nine-zhang-wide sun positioned nine chi away, radiating five-colored light. Imagine sunlight flowing through the mouth into the five viscera, making the internal organs glow like transparent crimson suns. Simultaneously recite the mantra "Om Vajra Surya Kunda Li Svaha" to summon the true Qi of the Five Solar Emperors (the supreme solar deities), inhaling and swallowing the breath nine times until warmth fills the abdomen. Repeating this three times monthly for one year significantly strengthens primordial Qi.

On the fifteenth day (full moon) at moonrise, similarly sit facing east and visualize a luminous moon emitting ten beams of five-colored moonlight entering the body. Chant "Om Vajra Chandra Pala Svaha" to invoke the Lunar Immortals (female deities of the moon pantheon), also inhaling nine times. Prolonged practice renders the body translucent and grants healing and exorcism abilities.

The advanced "Method of Ascending to Dual Radiances" requires midnight meditation: Visualize crimson cloud-qi rising from the heart to form a celestial chariot, riding it to the Solar Palace (residence of the sun deity) to receive the "Sun-Born Perfection Talisman" (a fu-lu containing solar essence). Then visualize white cloud-qi ascending from the crown to the Lunar Palace (moon abode) for lunar blessings. This visualization practice leads to body transcendence, with teeth-tapping and saliva-swallowing techniques consolidating the cultivation.

The complete method emphasizes harmonizing solar-lunar energies to achieve a state of "vibrant Qi and flourishing Shen," ultimately realizing healing, exorcism, divine communion, and even ascension. Practitioners must progress gradually, as higher energy levels require corresponding spiritual attainment.

This scripture describes two aspects of Daoist cultivation practice: the method of visualizing the sun and moon, and the specific techniques for writing talismanic charms.

The first part explains how practitioners should visualize themselves riding cloud chariots to ascend to the Moon Palace, where they meet the Lunar Empress (the moon goddess) and receive the Talisman of Lunar Nourishment and Authenticity. During cultivation, one must visualize this talisman at the Muddy Pellet Palace (upper Dantian) while performing techniques like teeth-knocking and saliva-swallowing. Persistent practice will yield marvelous spiritual responses over time.

The second section details the ritual for inscribing solar and lunar talismans: First, silently recite the Solar Lord's incantation 1,200 times, followed by an equal number of recitations for the Lunar Lord's incantation. Then form the Solar Lord mudra (a specific hand seal) while visualizing the sun before you radiating five-colored light that flows into the writing brush. Simultaneously chant the spell twelve times while inhaling twelve breaths. The incantation essentially invokes the true fire of the sun to empower the brush tip, granting the talisman efficacy for exorcism and longevity. The lunar talisman ritual follows similar procedures but channels the true water energy of the moon.

When writing the talismans, one must also form the Gang star mudra (specific finger techniques) while reciting true words thirty-six times. Upon completion, the Solar Nourishment Talisman should be inscribed with cinnabar on yellow paper, then burned and dissolved in jujube tea for ingestion. The Lunar Nourishment Talisman follows the same process but is written with ink.

The text concludes by noting these talismanic methods are particularly suitable for those lacking in fortune and virtue (De), as such individuals are prone to ghostly disturbances. The Supreme Venerable Lord (Taishang Laojun) transmitted these subduing and controlling techniques precisely to protect practitioners from demonic harassment, thereby enabling them to prolong life and nurture longevity.

This passage discusses the fundamental principles of Daoist cultivation and exorcism practices. The author laments how authentic Daoist methods, over time, inevitably become adulterated with false teachings, rendering the techniques ineffective. Therefore, these preliminary cultivation stages are established to assess the aspirant's innate qualities—only those with genuine dedication may progress to learn orthodox Daoist methods.

The master emphasizes that while basic exorcism techniques may appear simple, they represent the most thoroughly verified and effective methods. Some contain secret transmissions not even recorded in classical texts, now specially documented to instruct beginners. The Jiangnan and Baiyue regions (modern Guangdong and Guangxi) harbor particularly strong ghostly Qi (vital energy), as local superstitions about spirits easily attract demonic disturbances. Unofficially established village shrines often become occupied by false deities—without orthodox Daoist methods, these are difficult to eradicate.

The master cautions novice practitioners (xiaozhao) to distinguish between major and minor malevolent entities. Major entities include temple-dwelling ghostly multitudes, mountain and forest spirits, and false deities inhabiting shrines—these can dominate vast territories and harm communities. Each time a major entity is vanquished, other evil forces will collectively retaliate. Should the practitioner show the slightest hesitation, these creatures will seize the opportunity to counterattack.

This scripture discusses Daoist exorcism rituals for dispelling malevolent forces, which can be divided into three main sections:

First, it describes the phenomenon of evil spirits wreaking havoc in the world. While wandering souls (youhun) deserve compassion, when they linger among humans and cause disturbances, they become harmful entities. The Supreme Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) originally established the rules for exorcism, stating that while dealing with individual spirits is straightforward, suppressing large groups of powerful evil forces presents significant challenges.

Next, it enumerates the celestial hierarchy specifically tasked with subduing malevolent entities. This includes the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) - the Jade Pure Celestial Worthy (Yuqing Shangdi), the Supreme Pure Celestial Worthy (Shangqing Dadi), and the Grand Pure Celestial Worthy (Taiqing Dadi) - along with the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Shangdi). The Three Officials' Generals (Sanguan Jiangjun) of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Primordials are responsible for capturing evil spirits, while the Three Platforms Star Lords (Santai Xingjun) can intimidate malevolent beings wherever they manifest. Additionally, there are specialized martial deities like the Eight Killers Generals (Basha Jiangjun) and Four Killers Divine Lords (Sisha Shenjun) who exterminate particularly vicious spirits. The ritual requires coordinated ceremonial movements such as "opening the celestial gate and closing the earthly portal," invoking the power of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions and celestial armies like the Peaceful Heaven Generals.

Finally, it details the application method of the "Command Talisman Incantation" (Chifu Zhou). This talisman was promulgated by the Great Emperor of the North Star (Beiji Ziwei Dadi), one of the Four Supplements in Daoism who governs the stars. The ritual master must visualize in meditation: envisioning the North Star Emperor above their head, surrounded by the Four Guardian Saints (Tianpeng, Heisha, Xuanwu, etc.). The talisman must be drawn on whole yellow paper using cinnabar while facing north. When used, it can be posted on dwellings to suppress evil or burned to purify a thirty-mile radius. The drawing process requires absolute sincerity and concentration - the practitioner must first silently report to the deities and achieve meditative stillness before beginning.

The mentioned "Three Officials' Universal Exorcism Talisman" (Sanguan Zongzhi Souxie Fu) refers to the three deities of Heaven, Earth, and Water Officials (Tianguan, Diguan, Shuiguan) who respectively govern the execution of evil spirits and demons. This complete ritual system embodies the Daoist principle of "using righteousness to dispel evil," employing higher cosmic forces to suppress malevolent entities.

This scripture describes the talismanic charms (Fulu) and rituals used in Daoism for exorcising evil spirits and subduing demons. The content is divided into two main sections:

The first part concerns the "Retribution Talisman of the Three Officials and Eighteen Generals." Here, the "Three Officials" refer to the Daoist Three Primes (Tian'guan the Heaven Official, Diguan the Earth Official, and Shuiguan the Water Official), while the "Eighteen Generals" include thunder deities like Xin Hanchen and the Great Sage of the Celestial Stem. Each of these divine generals possesses extraordinary powers—Xin Hanchen can spew flames from his mouth, while others specialize in capturing, binding, or interrogating demons. The scripture meticulously lists the names and functions of these generals, emphasizing their ability to subdue all kinds of disruptive ghosts and evil spirits.

Method of using this talisman: When encountering cases of violent spirit possession causing madness or supernatural phenomena harming people, one should burn golden paper and "armored horse" talismans (a special type of charm) in the central courtyard at midnight. The charm can also be inscribed on the bed curtains or walls of the afflicted person's room, or consumed as burned ashes. Sincere practice will yield remarkable results.

The second part introduces the "Demon-Subduing and Ghost-Devouring Talisman for Treating Evil Sorcery." This charm invokes the Purple Tenuity Emperor and Marshal Tianpeng (important guardian deities in Daoism) leading thirty-six great generals. At the top of the charm stands General Zhong Jian, while below appears General Xu Guangfu—both specialized in devouring demons and malevolent spirits.

All these charms emphasize their authority derived from the Jade Emperor and the North Pole Emperor, demonstrating the sacred legitimacy of Daoist exorcism rituals. The entire ceremony radiates formidable power against evil forces, summoning various divine generals to subdue ghosts harming the human world through fiery assaults, captures, and other methods of supernatural combat.

This passage documents the esoteric exorcism methods of Marshal Tianpeng (the leader of the Big Dipper deities who governs demon subjugation) in Daoist practice. It includes special talismanic incantations (fulu) and hand seals (mudras used in ritual practice), primarily employed to vanquish demonic entities.

The talismanic script comprises symbolic components: "sun on the left, moon on the right" represents celestial illumination dispersing darkness, while "opening the heavenly gate and closing the earthly portal" signifies creating a divine pathway while sealing off underworld access, thereby cutting off ghostly disturbances. Characters like "魁𩲃𩵄䰢" symbolically denote various categories of malignant spirits.

During ritual performance, the priest must synchronize the "Northern Emperor Hand Seal" (a specific mudra technique) with the "Big Dipper Stance" (a ritual dance facing the seven stars of the Northern Dipper). The talisman functions in two ways: when ingested, it purges demonic attachments within the body; when displayed, it causes approaching spirits to be consumed by its spiritual power. The scripture particularly emphasizes this as Marshal Tianpeng's most potent "demon-devouring and ghost-consuming" method.

Subsequent listings of deities like the "Celestial Malevolence Spirit Lord" and "Earthly Malevolence Spirit Lord" represent divine beings governing inauspicious temporal influences. The incantation commands these deities to eradicate all unnatural evils rejected by heaven and earth. Finally, the "five directional malicious ghosts" refer to vengeful spirits from east, south, west, north and center - all of whom this talismanic method can completely annihilate.