《太上洞玄靈寶護諸童子經》

The Taishang Dongxuan Lingbao Protection of All Children Scripture in Plain Interpretation:

This scripture is expounded by the Supreme Dao Lord (the highest deity in Daoism), primarily addressing how to protect children from misfortunes. The text states that all beings in heaven and earth are born from the Dao (the Way), and human destiny is governed by celestial officials such as the Big Dipper, the Three Platforms (important Daoist constellations), and the Canopy Star (a protective star), along with numerous stellar deities including the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions and the Five Directional Star Lords, as well as the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water (key Daoist divinities). Living in this turbid world, men and women often offend malevolent stars like the Celestial Dog and the Heavenly River, leading to continuous disasters.

If people sincerely recite this scripture, they will receive divine blessings. Whether seeking offspring or longevity, devout prayers can invoke the protection of the Ten Directions Benevolent Child Deities (guardian spirit-children), who dispel calamities—including the seven types of harm, six forms of misfortune, and disasters during pregnancy—granting longevity and averting suffering.

The Dao nurtures all things, and the "Seven Divine Child Deities" are actually manifestations of the Qi (vital energy) of the Big Dipper. When a fetus reaches seven months, these child deities descend to the human body, open the nine orifices (key acupoints), record the name, and begin their guardianship. These seven child deities are: Tianpeng, Tiannei, Tianchong, Tianfu, Tianqin, Tianxin, and Tianzhu.

These benevolent child deities ride the Seven Luminous Jeweled Chariots, clad in five-colored immortal robes, leading the Ten Directions Immortals and countless celestial troops. They often manifest in the human realm, capable of transforming into various forms—male or female—holding Fulu (Daoist ritual talismans) to examine human virtues and faults, governing lifespan. Those who understand this truth may attain immortality.

If couples suffer from incompatible astrological signs, as if separated by the River of Stars; or dwell in tall buildings yet feel isolated as on a lone island; or face family separation due to the mischief of the Celestial and Earthly Dogs (malignant spirits)—sincere incense offerings and scripture recitation can summon the Seven Primordial Qi Child Deities to bestow blessings. This dispels disasters, unites couples harmoniously, and shields children from the harm of orphan spirits (malevolent forces).

This scripture passage discusses the protective measures for children as outlined in the Taishang Dongxuan Lingbao Protection of All Children Scripture, which consists of two main sections:

The first section explains how to invoke the Five Directional Divine Youths to avert seasonal misfortunes. The specific methods are as follows:

In spring, practitioners should invoke the nine divine youths from the Eastern Nine Qi (nine types of primordial energy) to eliminate springtime calamities such as illnesses, punishments, disasters, and floods. During summer, three divine youths from the Southern Three Qi are summoned to dispel summer misfortunes. In autumn, seven divine youths from the Western Seven Qi are called upon to remove autumn adversities. For winter, five divine youths from the Northern Five Qi are invoked to ward off winter hardships. During seasonal transitions, a single divine youth from the Central One Qi is petitioned to avert potential disasters throughout the year.

The second section presents the core teachings and efficacies of the scripture:

Sincere recitation of this text summons the Five Directional Divine Youths and the sacred assemblies from the Ten Directions, who bring blessings, eliminate misfortunes, and dissolve karmic obstructions. The scripture emphasizes that "emptiness and non-being" (空无) constitute the origin of all things, and through cultivation, one can return to this fundamental truth. By practicing according to this classic, adepts attain longevity, receive protection from guardian deities, and are shielded from calamities while attracting blessings.

The text concludes by mentioning protective spirits such as the Big Dipper Youths, the Five Directional Divine Youths, and the Youths of the Ten Directions. These divine beings descend during the Dharma-Ending Age (五浊恶世, the era of five turbidities) to assist sentient beings in eliminating the "seven injuries and six harms" (七伤六害, representing physical/mental afflictions and natural disasters), thereby restoring the harmonious circulation of Yin-Yang energies.

(Note: Here, "Qi" (炁) refers to primordial energy, distinct from the later concept of "Qi" (气). The "five turbidities era" denotes the age of moral decline in the Dharma-Ending Age, while "seven injuries and six harms" broadly encompasses physical, mental, and natural calamities.)

This passage comes from the Taishang Dongxuan Lingbao Huzhu Tongzi Jing (Most High Numinous Treasure Scripture for Protecting All Children), which primarily discusses the divine power safeguarding children. The general meaning is as follows:

By reciting this scripture, one can elicit the reverent response of the Director of Destinies (Siming) — the deity overseeing human lifespans — and all celestial officials, thereby removing various obstacles. Boys will become intelligent and wise, while girls will grow dignified and virtuous. In this way, malevolent forces and calamities cannot intrude, allowing children to grow up peacefully and healthily. Sincere devotion to this scripture, transmitted by the Most High (Taishang, the supreme Daoist deity), will grant such divine protection.

(Note: "Siming" refers to the Daoist deity responsible for human lifespans, while "Taishang" denotes Lord Lao the Most High (Taishang Laojun), one of Daoism's supreme deities. This scripture belongs to the Lingbao tradition and is primarily used for safeguarding children's wellbeing.)