《無上玄元三天玉堂大法》Vol. 4

This scripture expounds the internal cultivation method of absorbing solar and lunar essences in Daoist practice. To attain immortality, practitioners must refine themselves by assimilating the sun's essence (ri jing) and moon's essence (yue hua), rather than pursuing external magical arts. The true essence actually resides within our own bodies, yet many become bewildered by various complicated techniques, neglecting the root while chasing the branches, ultimately failing to achieve success.

The text particularly records the secret transmission method called "Soaring to Sun and Moon" (gao ben ri yue), essential instructions bestowed by Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) to ancestral masters. Previously transmitted orally, they are now deliberately preserved in writing so destined practitioners of later generations may study them. The Yellow Court Inner Scripture (Huangting Neijing Jing) also mentions "Soaring to Sun and Moon" as an advanced cultivation path that must be practiced in conjunction with the "Yu Yi Jie Lin" methods (two distinct solar and lunar cultivation techniques).

The scripture meticulously records the divine names residing within the celestial bodies:

In the Sun dwell five Thearchs:

1. Green Thearch (Qingdi) - Name: Yuanchang Yuan; Style: Zhaolong Tao

2. Red Thearch (Chidi) - Name: Danling Zhi; Style: Lühong Ying

3. White Thearch (Baidi) - Name: Haoyu Jiang; Style: Huijin Xia

4. Black Thearch (Heidi) - Name: Chengzeng Ting; Style: Xuanlü Yan

5. Yellow Thearch (Huangdi) - Name: Shouyi Fu; Style: Biaohui Xiang

In the Moon reside five August Consorts:

1. Green August Consort (Qinghuang Furen) - Name: Yin'e; Style: Fenying Yan

2. Red August Consort (Chihuang Furen) - Name: Yiyi Liaowu; Style: Wanyan Xu

3. White August Consort (Baihuang Furen) - Name: Lingsu Lan; Style: Yulian Hua

4. Black August Consort (Heihuang Furen) - Name: Jielian Qiao; Style: Chunli Jin

5. Yellow August Consort (Huanghuang Furen) - Name: Qingying Jin; Style: Jiongding Rong

Originally, these divine names were supremely secret, stored by Lord Lao in the Purple Terrace Jade Palace (Zitai Yugong). When practitioners sit in meditation during the new moon's dawn (the first day of lunar month), knowing these names enables communion with these divine beings.

When practicing this method, first calm your mind and observe purification rituals, knocking your teeth together thirty-six times. Visualize your Dantian (the lower abdominal sea of Qi) transforming into a vast ocean, with a red sun rising from its surface. Imagine your body as stable as a mountain, sitting upright at the crown of your head where the Heavenly Gate resides.

Next, recite the incantation: "Primordial Qi rises like the morning sun from the ocean depths, the pure Yang energy circulates upward from below, dispelling the turbid Yin within. The Solar Deity Lord Yuyi (ruler of the Sun Palace) descends with true Qi, cleansing my body and mind." After reciting, swallow your saliva nine times. Then visualize the sun transforming into a golden wheel of light, radiating brilliance that illuminates your entire being.

Continue chanting: "The golden wheel manifests its sacred presence, its radiance shining universally. Flames surge across ten thousand miles, sweeping away demonic Yin energies and purging the dust of body and mind. I ride emptiness and harness Qi, soaring to the Nine Heavens." After this chant, swallow saliva another nine times. Now visualize yourself riding a fire dragon, golden light emanating from your crown as your spirit ascends to the Sun Palace to pay homage to Lord Yuyi. Close your eyes and focus your spirit, merging with solar essence to incinerate the Three Corpses (Daoist term for three malevolent spirits residing in the human body).

Upon completing the entire set of mantras, maintain the visualization of your body merging with the Sun Palace, gradually forgetting physical form as if bathed in spring breeze. Practicing consistently for one year can dispel illness and prolong life, granting power to command spirits; two years may lead to comprehension of immortal Dao, with protectors from the Three Realms attending; three years brings demon kings' recommendations; after nine years of accomplishment, the Five Directional Heavenly Emperors will guide you to become a Zhenren (Perfected Being), attaining longevity.

The master adds: After practicing the Sun-Racing Method, alternate with the Moon-Racing Method during full moon nights. Visualize yourself as majestic as Mount Kunlun, seated atop its peak while the moon rises from the ocean below. First swallow saliva three times, knock teeth thrice, and chant: "The lunar Yin first appears, containing Yang within Yin. Golden dewdrops sprinkle the sea's surface, moonlight permeates my entire being, refreshing my spirit for feathery ascent."

Then visualize moonlight as a semicircular golden wheel bathing your body, reciting: "Moonlight descends upon the Celestial Pool, golden water merging into semicircular radiance illuminating the Mysterious Pearl (internal elixir) within. Drinking crystalline lunar dew, its fragrance permeates my body; after completing the celestial cycle, I ride the light upward." Finally, visualize moonbeams forming a rainbow bridge connecting the mountain peak, as you mount a phoenix directly to the Moon Palace (especially practice this on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month).

At this moment chant: "Heavenly River's flowing light penetrates my being, lunar brilliance illuminates the ten directions. Five Fluids (essences of the five organs) cleanse hidden darkness; in serene emptiness I absorb lunar essence, my true body becoming weightless, ascending directly to pure Yang realm, eternally transcending worldly troubles."

(Key practice points: Solar cultivation gathers Yang, lunar cultivation absorbs Yin—only through harmonizing Yin-Yang can the Great Dao be perfected.)

After reciting the incantation, swallow your saliva nine times (a Daoist health preservation technique), while visualizing yourself entering the Moon Palace and merging with your physical form. Maintain this state until you forget your own existence, at which point you will perceive golden light radiating in all directions, illuminating heaven and earth. Practicing this method consistently for one year will eliminate illnesses and grant the ability to freely command spirits. After two years of practice, you will comprehend the True Dao (Zhendao) and receive protection from deities of the Three Realms. Three years of cultivation will bring recognition from Demon Kings (high-level guardian deities in Daoism), while nine years of perfecting these merits will result in an edict from the Five Immortal Officials (high-ranking celestial positions) who will guide your ascension - your physical form will then take flight and achieve immortality.

The master said: The profound mysteries of these Solar and Lunar Practices (methods of cultivating solar and lunar essences) cannot be easily understood by ordinary practitioners. Those who comprehend their subtleties should diligently cultivate them. Through such practice, your body will emit radiant light, all perfected immortals will become your companions, and you will ultimately attain the Dao and achieve perfection. In time, you may become a Solar-Lunar Flying Immortal (an immortal capable of freely traversing between sun and moon), with lifespan equal to heaven and earth, moving with absolute freedom. This is an advanced method secretly transmitted by high-level immortals - it must be treated with utmost reverence and practiced conscientiously.