《靈寶天尊說洪恩靈濟真君妙經》

Preface to the Wondrous Scripture of the Hong'en Lingji True Lords as Expounded by the Lingbao Heavenly Venerable (Modern Interpretation):

This imperial preface was composed by the emperor to introduce the Wondrous Scripture of the Hong'en Lingji True Lords. The teachings of Daoism contain profound mysteries originating from the primordial truths of creation's dawn. Though formless and soundless in appearance, they secretly support imperial authority while universally delivering all beings. Among these, two True Lords of immeasurable merit stand preeminent:

The first is the "Great Immortal of Golden Towers in the Nine Heavens, Who Illuminates the Dao and Attains De, Manifesting Numinous Power for Universal Salvation, Pure and Subtle, Penetrating the Mysteries and Emptying the Void, Wondrously Responsive in Compassionate Grace, Protecting the Nation and Sheltering the People, True Lord of Vast Grace" (Prince Jiang). The second is the "Supreme Immortal of Jade Towers in the Nine Heavens, Who Propagates Transformation and Supports Teachings, Radiating Numinous Power for Extensive Salvation, Lofty and Luminous, Vast and Serene, Penetrating Profundity with Wondrous Response, Benevolent and Gracious, Assisting the Nation and Aiding the People, True Lord of Vast Grace" (Prince Rao). These two True Lords were born with numinous brilliance, endowed with benevolent natures, perfect in both loyalty and filial piety, and devoutly revered the Three Teachings of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism. Due to their consummate merit and virtue, they were enfeoffed by Heaven as True Lords and ranked among the immortal host.

They traverse the realms of Yin and Yang, dispelling calamities and resolving difficulties, exorcising malign influences while attracting auspicious signs to protect the common people. Particularly during Our reign, these True Lords have repeatedly manifested their numinous power to safeguard the realm, bestowing spiritual talismans (fulu) and elixirs to universally aid mankind, helping people overcome illnesses and prosper their descendants. Such grace rivals Heaven and Earth's bounty, and We reflect upon it day and night. While attending to state affairs, We studied this scripture and discovered its profound mysteries—shining like sun and moon illuminating the netherworld, serving as a ferryboat to deliver all beings. Therefore, We commanded its engraving and widespread circulation to repay these divine favors.

Those of sincere goodness who repent their transgressions, revere the Three Treasures (Buddhism, Daoism, Confucianism), fulfill loyalty and filial piety, practice benevolence and righteousness, and vow to recite this scripture shall surely receive household peace, flourishing fortune, prosperous descendants, calamity-dispelling longevity, and even the ascension of their ancestors. Conversely, those who slander the Three Treasures, lack loyalty or filial piety, and abandon benevolence and righteousness shall inevitably incur retribution—families declining, descendants withering, and lives cut short by premature death.

(Note: The "Three Treasures" may contextually refer to the Daoist triad of "Dao, Scriptures, and Masters" or broadly signify the core values of Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism. The emperor here emphasizes religion's social function in civilizing the populace.)

This scripture contains the teachings expounded by the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure (one of the Three Pure Ones in Daoism) within the Palace of Fivefold Radiance in the Great Canopy Heaven (the highest celestial realm in Daoism). At that time, the Celestial Worthy assembled all celestial deities and astral beings to explain the supreme truth of the Dao.

The text depicts the chaotic state of the human world: people lacked loyalty and filial piety, were devoid of humaneness and righteousness, committing numerous evil deeds without remorse. Calamities were rampant—wars raged, floods devastated, taxes oppressed—yet the suffering masses remained unawakened. The two divine envoys of the Dipper and Central Waters (guardian deities in Daoism) petitioned the Celestial Worthy, inquiring how to save these lost souls.

The Celestial Worthy revealed: "Fortune and misfortune are created by human hearts. Good deeds bring blessings, evil acts invite calamity—this is the natural order. As the ancient saying goes, 'Families accumulating goodness will have abundant blessings, while those accumulating evil will have abundant woes.'" He particularly emphasized the four fundamental virtues of loyalty, filial piety, humaneness, and righteousness, teaching that upholding these virtues ensures enduring good fortune.

The Celestial Worthy dispatched these two envoys to descend during specific years (Jiachen and Bingwu in the sexagenary cycle) to instruct humanity. They manifested miraculous powers to aid the world in the Eastern Sea and southern regions before returning to the celestial realm after completing a sixty-year cycle. For their outstanding merit in saving the world, they were elevated to the rank of "Perfected Lords of Vast Grace and Numinous Aid" (an honorific title for deities who have perfected their virtue), continuing to protect local communities.

The text concludes by noting this scripture was revealed on the first day of the first lunar month during the eighteenth year of the Yongle era in the Ming dynasty. Its core message advocates virtuous living, emphasizes the principle of karmic retribution, and demonstrates Daoism's compassionate spirit of "delivering the world and saving humanity."

This scripture recounts how the Lingbao Heavenly Sovereign (Lingbao Tianzun) revealed essential cultivation principles to the Hong'en Lingji Zhenjun (True Lord of Vast Grace and Spiritual Aid), a revered Daoist deity:

Regardless of gender, all practitioners should understand that both body and life essence originate from the Dao's transformative power. Only through practicing loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness can one attain true awakening. During important festivals (such as the Three Yuans, Eight Solar Terms, Three Assembly Days, and Five La Fast Days) and one's birth-year day, one should burn incense, observe purification rituals, make offerings according to proper liturgy, sincerely bow northward, and recite the sacred titles of the two True Lords:

The first is "His Excellency the Great Immortal of the Nine Heavens' Golden Tower Who Illuminates the Dao and Manifests Virtue, Whose Divine Presence Universally Saves All, of Subtle Purity and Profound Emptiness, of Marvelous Sensitivity and Compassionate Grace, Protector of the Nation and Shelter of the People, True Lord of Vast Grace, Prince Jiang." The second is "His Excellency the Exalted Immortal of the Nine Heavens' Jade Pavilion Who Propagates Transformation and Upholds Teachings, Whose Luminous Spirit Extensively Aids All, of Elevated Clarity and Vast Serenity, of Profound Depth and Wondrous Response, Benevolent Grace That Assists the Nation and Blesses the People, True Lord of Vast Grace, Prince Rao."

Face these sacred beings with utmost devotion, repent according to the scripture's teachings, and never violate the True Lords' sacred vows. Establish your conduct upon loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness—this internally increases blessings and prolongs life, while externally dispels calamities and resolves difficulties. Above, it elevates ancestral souls; below, it safeguards household peace. May all beings attain such benefits and bliss.

Then the Lingbao Heavenly Sovereign proclaimed this gatha for the True Lords: Through cultivating perfection and attaining the Dao, the Lingji Zhenjun now roam freely in the immortal realms. The Heavenly Sovereign conferred their sacred titles while the Northern Dipper Lords descended to protect them. Their divine majesty pervades the Three Realms (Desire Realm, Form Realm, and Formless Realm), enabling them to attend audiences with the Five Directional Elder Lords (the Five Heavenly Sovereigns). Their merit in protecting nations and households is boundless, responding to all sincere requests. Loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and righteousness form the eternal foundation of conduct—make this your cultivation basis and never violate your sacred vows.

The scripture concludes with this emphasis: All good and evil arise from the mind's intentions. Virtuous deeds bring blessings while wickedness invites misfortune. This is the sacred ordinance proclaimed by the Lingbao Heavenly Sovereign.

(Note: The "Three Yuans" refer to the Shangyuan, Zhongyuan, and Xiayuan festivals; "Eight Solar Terms" include the Beginning of Spring and seven other seasonal nodes; "Three Assembly Days" are the 7th day of the 1st month, 7th day of the 7th month, and 5th day of the 10th month in the Daoist calendar; "Five La Fast Days" denote five important days of purification.)