《太上靈寶元陽妙經》Vol. 4

This passage describes the "Chapter on Inquiry and Practice" from the Supreme Numinous Treasure Yuanyang Wondrous Scripture, which primarily recounts the stories and attainments of several practitioners.

Disciples approached their master with questions, noting that sentient beings possess varying capacities and affinities for cultivation—including both male and female practitioners (great beings, male officials, and female officials). The master then expounded in detail the Great Method of Yuanyang Ascension to Immortality, elucidating its profound principles. The scripture mentions that in the past, many practitioners attained great majestic spiritual powers through this method, enabling them to comprehend the truth and witness auspicious radiance.

Several practitioners' stories are highlighted in particular: In an inconceivably distant kalpa (eon), there was a Great Lamp of Pure Dharma King who manifested in eighty-four thousand vast and prosperous lands. These lands had golden walls, mercury ponds, and halls adorned with pearls and jade, stretching over four hundred li. The people there were all virtuous. Among them was a disciple named Great Dharma Grove, whose wisdom was perfect and who mastered all methods, ultimately attaining the supreme fruit of the Dao. He became capable of teaching beings in both celestial and human realms. Realizing the truth of the emptiness of all phenomena, he became a true Dao-realized being, attaining the rank of Yuanyang Supreme Grade Perfected Being alongside six divine kings.

Another disciple, named Constant Vigor, bore the Dharma name Bright as Such. In twenty-two successive lifetimes, he was reborn in the Palace of Literary Radiance (the divine abode governing scholarly fortune). Due to his accumulation of merit in past lives, he possessed innate spiritual wisdom from birth. Studying the profound methods, he eventually attained the immortal fruit of the Nine Heavens, with future blessings awaiting him in the Great Clarity Immortal Realm (one of the highest Daoist paradises). He practiced the Great Clarity Illustrated Methods transmitted by Immortal Lord Purple Yang. Even before renouncing worldly life, a great being of perfect wisdom—who had taken Immortal Lord Purple Yang as his master—had already imparted to him the essential teachings of cultivation.

These stories illustrate that through proper practice and the accumulation of merit, one can ultimately achieve the fruits of the Dao, attain spiritual powers and wisdom, and transcend the cycle of rebirth.

This scripture recounts how the Supreme Lord Lao (Tai Shang Lao Jun, one of the Three Pure Ones in Daoism) manifested as the Perfected Li Yuanyang to awaken eight disciples. The eight practitioners—named Huanglin, Zhenlin, Yilin, Biaolin, Shanlin, Lelin, Baolin, and Chuyilin—were originally high-ranking celestial immortals in the heavenly palaces, possessing the five supernatural powers and majestic virtue (De). When these eight renounced their exalted positions to pursue spiritual cultivation, they sat beneath the Bodhi tree (a symbol of enlightenment) and resolved with great compassion to perfect the Dao, eventually becoming immortal elders (Xianbo, senior celestial beings).

During the midnight hour of Zi, as they gazed upon the Northern Dipper, the Purple Tenuity Enclosure (Ziwei Yuan) and the Hall of Literary Brilliance (Wenchang Gong) suddenly radiated light. The Supreme Lord Lao descended astride a blue dragon, mounted upon a green steed. He proclaimed himself to be the Perfected Li Yuanyang, the Divine Youth of the Eastern Sea, sent by the celestial realm to awaken these eight cultivators. He prophesied that they would one day expound the Scripture of Immeasurable Meaning (Wuliang Yi Jing), propagating the Dao of Yuanyang's divine immortals, causing celestial flowers to rain down upon the world and universally deliver all beings.

At this sacred assembly, a twelve-year-old adept (Zhenshi, a practitioner) approached the Supreme Lord with reverence, confessing he had never witnessed such an extraordinary sight. All present listened joyfully and devoutly as the Lord expounded the sublime states of Yuanyang's highest-grade immortals through skillful words and parables. His radiance illuminated the entire gathering, opening their hearts and minds. He revealed that this pure Dao-field could grant eternal bliss to beings across countless eons.

Finally, the Perfected Tiaolin Fajing (one of the eight disciples) spoke: "Since our master began teaching Yuanyang's supreme wondrous Dharma, sixty minor kalpas (an immeasurably long time) have passed without us leaving this seat of Dharma." The Supreme Lord announced his return to the celestial palaces on the seventh day of the first lunar month, instructing his disciples to continue spreading this wondrous teaching to deliver beings. Even if only one or two persevered in transmitting the Dharma, they would all ascend to Yuanyang's highest immortal realm. The celestial beings present reverently received this prophecy (vyākaraṇa, a predictive teaching).

The Lingbao Yuanyang Miaojing (Numinous Treasure Scripture of Primordial Yang) records that the Perfected Being of Pure Wisdom and Liberating Woods (an honorific title for accomplished Daoist practitioners) addressed fellow cultivators: On the seventh day of the first lunar month in the year of Renchen, he suddenly departed this world. This Perfected Being was originally born in the Palace of Profound Mystery (symbolizing noble spiritual attainment), with ancestors who for generations diligently cultivated virtue (De) and devoted themselves to studying Daoist scriptures, often practicing the immortal arts transmitted from the Taiyi Primordial Palace (an important Daoist cultivation site).

Throughout his life, the Perfected Being meticulously studied eight hundred volumes of the Taiyi Immortal Scriptures, which extensively expound principles for enlightening sentient beings. He also interpreted eight thousand volumes of the Marvelous Woods Immortal Records, remaining seated continuously for eighty minor kalpas (an immense time unit in Buddhist cosmology) to explain the scriptures' meanings. He had eight outstanding disciples: Radiance Woods, Mystic Woods, Teaching Woods, Steadfast Garden Woods, Lamp-Incense Woods, Joy Woods, Liberating Woods, and Transforming Woods—all attaining the third rank within the Supreme Grade of Primordial Yang cultivation.

Among them, the Perfected Being Bohuang often cultivated in garden pavilions, mastering essential scripture teachings. Over sixty minor kalpas in the past, he expounded the teachings to multitudes, guiding countless beings into the Supreme Grade of Primordial Yang cultivation. When first renouncing worldly life, he was accompanied by three disciples who attained spiritual penetrations, with numerous immortals and sages following him. During his Dharma talks, celestial beings would elaborate the scriptures' profound meanings.

The scripture describes miraculous manifestations during his teachings: Seated motionless in empty space for eighty minor kalpas, celestial canopies of fragrant flowers appeared in the heavens as dragon-kings and immortal monarchs came to make offerings. His abode overflowed with treasures—pearl-paved grounds, golden walls, silver partitions, lapis lazuli structures adorned with precious gems. When the Perfected Being of Pure Wisdom and Liberating Woods displayed spiritual powers, radiant light universally illuminated rare visions, allowing all beings to witness this pure and extraordinary sacred land.

Here is depicted an incomparably magnificent celestial realm: palaces constructed from the purest essence-jade, abodes of white jade, with gardens and pavilions everywhere—all immaculately pure and untainted. Lotus ponds flourish with blossoms and fruits, where all beings dwell in perfect bliss. This sacred land spans over four thousand li, bathed in celestial radiance, adorned with every manner of treasure. Lapis lazuli and crystal shine with inner and outer luminosity, rendering sun and moon unnecessary.

The immortals naturally enjoy exquisite delicacies, with the Celestial Kitchen spontaneously providing sustenance. Among them dwells a heavenly being of utmost purity and distinction, who travels in cloud-borne chariots drawn by dragon-spirits, tigers, and phoenixes, with bells chiming on all sides and celestial music resounding in every direction. His body emits radiance as majestic as a golden mountain, transparent within and without like flawless crystal.

Next are introduced several Perfected Ones who have attained the Dao and their disciples: The first is the Perfected of Eloquent Wisdom Who Delivers from Calamity (Bianhui Du'e Zhenren), whose disciples have all ascended to the Palace of Supreme Unity (Taiyi Gong), one of the highest celestial realms in Daoism. Illuminated by my light, they soar freely, beholding countless cultivators dwelling among the immortal mountains.

Seven exemplary disciples are then presented in turn:

1. Zhuang Miaolin: Often cultivating in mountain forests, diligent in upholding precepts and practicing generosity, he attained the rank of Primordial Yang Immortal (Yuanyang Xianpin), among the highest grades of immortality.

2. Great Wisdom Treasury (Da Zhi Zang): Deep in meditative absorption, his body and mind utterly tranquil, his wisdom vast and boundless.

3. Subtle Brahma Grove (Miao Fanlin): Profound in wisdom, his spirit unmoved, he expounds the supreme teachings everywhere.

4. Great Brahma Grove (Da Fanlin): Manifesting great spiritual powers, he joyfully disseminates the teachings far and wide.

5. Contemplative Brahma Grove (Guan Fanlin): Devoted to the Ultimate Dao, revered by celestial beings, he extols the virtues of all immortals.

6. True Subtle Sound (Zhen Miaoyin): Thoroughly comprehending the celestial realms, he upholds the Great Dao.

7. Treasure Mysterious Grove (Bao Xuanlin): His wisdom vast as the void, versed in the registers of immortality, he frequently expounds the wondrous principles of Yin-Yang.

The last is the Immortal of Profound Wisdom, endowed with the five spiritual powers (divine sight, divine hearing, etc.). Having remained seated without rising for eighty minor kalpas (an immense span of time), he reveals the supreme wondrous Dharma and is known as the "Peerless Lunar Light Immortal Master." All these cultivators have realized the true nature of all phenomena and proclaim it widely.

This scripture records the final teachings of a Perfected Being (one who has attained Daoist realization) to his disciples before ascending to heaven. On the fifth day of the tenth lunar month, the Perfected One revealed to his disciples that through dedicated cultivation, they too could ascend to become "Celestial Beings of the Great Purity" (Taishang Tianren), the highest realm of Daoist immortals. These disciples all possessed the "Primal Yang Immortal Destiny" (Yuanyang Xianpin) - an innate affinity for transcendence - along with spiritual powers enabling them to liberate sentient beings and attain Perfected status.

The Perfected One explicitly stated he would return to the celestial realm on that same date, compelled by an urgent summons from Heaven. At precisely noon, as foretold, he ascended amid eighty million immortal attendants, riding a chariot of clouds and feathered canopies (the traditional conveyance of transcendents). Before departing, he imparted crucial advice: his supreme wisdom came from having studied under countless Perfected Ones and Great Beings, practicing immeasurable Daoist methods until achieving the "Rarefied Dharma" (Xiyou Fa) - culminating in receiving celestial scriptures like the Charts of the Sacred Peaks' Numinous Heaven (Yue Ling Tian Tu).

He emphasized that since attaining the Dao, he had continuously taught beings through skillful means. His wisdom originated from the Supreme Primordial Master (Taishang Xianshi, referring to Laozi as the highest Daoist divinity), granting him profound understanding of arcane doctrines and mastery of supreme methods like the Great Marvelous Immortal Charts and Primal Yang Supreme Treasure Scripture of Immortals. His final instruction cautioned that these subtle teachings surpassed ordinary comprehension - only his own superior masters (higher-ranking immortals) could fully grasp them. The disciples were advised to cease questioning and simply practice as taught to achieve inconceivable merit.

(Note: The "Three Realms" refer to the cosmological layers of Desire, Form, and Formlessness; the "Five Spirit-Guardians" correspond to deities of the five viscera; "sensory faculties" include the six consciousnesses of eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind; "non-attachment" signifies transcendence beyond material constraints.)

(This scripture describes the scene when the Supreme Dao Ancestor transmitted the "Yuanyang Wondrous Scripture" and the states of cultivation) My teachings (the self-reference of the Supreme Dao Ancestor) are profound and unfathomable, yet now I reveal the truth to you: encompassing all ultimate truths from fundamental to secondary aspects - including Dharma appearances (external manifestations), original nature (intrinsic essence), essential attributes, majestic powers, actions, causes and conditions, karmic consequences, and retributions. At that time, celestial saints witnessed and conferred predictions (confirming cultivation attainments), enabling all virtuous men and women who faithfully practice to hear and comprehend.

The young prince of Celestial Elder Mysterious Pure King initially manifested from the Comforting Fields Royal Palace. His ancestors cultivated supreme Dao methods, meticulously studied eight thousand volumes of the "Taiqing Jing," and could remain seated continuously for sixty minor kalpas (extremely long time periods), extensively expounding wondrous Dharma. This prince had long perfected countless cultivation practices, attaining profound and unfathomable states beyond ordinary comprehension.

He had three principal disciples: the first named Mysterious Wonder Perfected Being, the second named Attainment-Fruit Perfected Being, and the third named Wise Understanding Perfected Being. These disciples all possessed complete sage-like virtues and could expound the Yuanyang celestial-grade wondrous Dharma for a thousand days and nights without leaving their Dharma seats. There was also a True Brahma Grove disciple with sharp spiritual faculties, who cultivated profoundly subtle methods and ultimately attained fruition - all these cultivation achievements I comprehend completely.

Another Great Brahma Grove disciple skillfully employed various expedient means, not only able to liberate me (the Supreme Dao Ancestor) but also to teach all sentient beings throughout the ten directions, awakening wisdom in the ignorant. The final True Pure Grove disciple possessed unshakable wisdom and faith. All disciples completely severed afflictions, ultimately ascending together to the Supreme Celestial Palace, where each dwelled in their respective fruition levels according to their cultivation attainments.