《太上洞淵神咒經》Vol. 3

This scripture describes a great calamity that will occur during specific years (from Wuyin to Guiwei in the sexagenary cycle). Those who reject the Daoist teachings will face divine retribution as celestial plague demons spread seventy-two diseases to punish the wicked. Chaotic ghostly soldiers will wreak havoc in the world, bringing widespread disaster. However, devotees who uphold the Three Caverns (Dongzhen, Dongxuan, Dongshen) scriptures will receive aid from the Supreme Lord of the Dao (Taishang Daojun), who dispatches 490,000 divine warriors to assist these masters in subduing the rampaging spectral forces. When Daoist priests heal the afflicted, even demon kings will cooperate in vanquishing these malignant entities.

The Jade Maidens of the Three Heavens and the Consort of the Great Brahma Heaven King, along with eighty million deities, descend to attend the scripture recitation. They vow to protect all masters who uphold the Three Caverns classics and perform zhaijiao purification rituals to save lives, shielding them from plague demons and evil spirits. Should any malignant entities refuse to depart, these deities pledge to endure punishment first. Simultaneously, the Great Demon Kings of the Nine Heavens and eight billion jade maidens swear before the Supreme Lord of the Dao to assist priests reciting this scripture in subduing stubborn ghosts that obstruct healing, ensuring the recovery of the afflicted.

The Supreme Lord of the Dao then proclaims a gatha summarizing: "Now that the divine incantation is proclaimed, all evil ghosts shall be eradicated. Having sworn to uphold these teachings, henceforth you must assist the righteous path and cease demonic mischief. Those who persist in wickedness shall be captured by divine warriors and suffer the torments of blade mountains and flame seas; those who reform shall be spared."

Finally, it is revealed that during the Renwu year, 39,000 crimson demons will come to slay the wicked—yet when encountering masters who recite the Three Caverns scriptures, these plague spirits shall be banished a thousand miles away. From this time forth, whether facing imprisonment or illness, reciting this scripture will summon 800,000 great deities, 30,000 warriors, 400,000 jade maidens, and 300,000 divine attendants to provide protection.

In the Mysterious Radiance Palace of the Five Sacred Mountains, the Supreme Dao Lord (one of the highest deities in Daoism) was expounding the Samadhi Scripture to sentient beings when seven celestial demon kings arrived with three hundred thousand troops. They made this solemn vow: From that day forward, wherever a Daoist master recites this divine incantation scripture to heal the sick, they would clear the path for the master, expel evil influences, keep malevolent spirits at bay, and dispatch celestial soldiers and generals to assist in healing—ensuring diseases are cured and prison calamities resolved. Should they break this oath, they willingly submit to being cut in half at the waist.

The Dao Lord prophesied: After the cyclical years of Renwu and Xinsi, eighty million plague demons (yigui) would emerge specifically to slay evildoers—those who reject the Dao and its teachings. At that time, the Three Heavens’ Jade Maidens (celestial female immortals) and the Great Brahma King of the Nine Heavens would descend with three hundred and sixty thousand celestial soldiers to petition the Supreme Lord: Henceforth, wherever a master spreads the scriptures and teaches the Dao, they would offer protection, ensuring the sick recover and legal disputes subside. Should plague demons harm the people, the celestial soldiers would immediately capture them.

The Dao Lord proclaimed: From then on, all who uphold the Three Caverns (Sandong) scriptures (the core classics of the Shangqing, Lingbao, and Three Sovereigns traditions) would receive the guardianship of seven hundred thousand celestial soldiers from the Nine Heavens and seven hundred thousand great demon kings from the Thirty-Six Heavens. In times of crisis, reciting this scripture summons its divine power to resolve lawsuits, cure illnesses, and repel adversaries—prompting the Three Heavens’ demon kings to personally apprehend resisters, annihilate plague demons and evil soldiers, and banish all calamities and specters ten thousand miles away. Guardians of the Ten Directions would forever shield the master.

Finally, the Supreme Dao Lord concluded with verses: The Great Vehicle scriptures of the Three Caverns embody the ultimate truth—rarely heard except through lifetimes of cultivation. Reciting them saves beings, dispels ghosts, and secures protection from celestial immortals, leaving no room for evil to approach. Violators will be crushed to dust. Another verse clarifies: The Great Dao (Dao) is formless, yet the scriptures are its manifested body. Where the scriptures circulate, demons vanish; heaven and earth return to clarity and turbidity, each in its place, with divine beings overseeing good and evil.

(Note: "Reciting scriptures" (zhuanjing) refers to chanting the classics; "plague demons" (yigui) are malevolent spirits causing epidemics; "legal disputes" (guanshi) denote lawsuits or imprisonment; the "Three Caverns" (Sandong) represent Daoism’s core scriptural system.)

This scripture elucidates the principle of karmic retribution for good and evil in the world. Those who commit heinous crimes (凶逆) bring sorrow and vexation to Heaven, and after death they will be hung upside down on the Sword Tree to suffer punishment. In the present age, evildoers gather in multitudes, foreign tribes (六夷) invade, people slaughter one another, and by the Renwu year [a specific year in the Chinese calendar], great chaos will engulf the world—common folk will find no peace as war and plague run rampant. The wicked, having no faith in the Great Dao, will inevitably face such calamities.

Yet those who devote themselves to the Three Caverns (三洞) scriptures—the highest Daoist classics—can cultivate themselves into transcendent immortals. Ordinary people, being ignorant, observe both Daoist priests and evildoers dying and assume there is no difference. In truth, the wicked will fall into the Three Wretched Realms (三恶道)—hell, hungry ghosts, or animal rebirth—while Daoist priests ascend to celestial realms, are reborn as nobility, or directly attain immortality. Some who have cultivated for a thousand years and consumed elixirs may even ascend in broad daylight. Sincere devotion to the Three Caverns scriptures and diligent cultivation of the Great Dao can lead to immortal transcendence. Today, if a Daoist priest performs deeds to save others, even demon kings will assist him in subduing malicious spirits.

The scripture then recounts a parable: In ancient times, there was a Chinese immortal named Dongyue Zhilianzi, who led thirty thousand followers bearing tokens up a mountain to establish an altar and pay homage to the Five Directional Emperors (五方五帝)—the five directional deities of Daoism. They broke silver rings as tokens of faith and drank elixirs with their master to swear an oath: "Having received these scriptures today, we shall practice them for life." When encountering illness, misfortune, household disturbances, or legal troubles, they would invite pure Daoist priests to chant scriptures and perform purification rituals (斋醮) according to the fasting rites. These immortals made scripture transmission and worldly salvation their vocation—when healing common folk, all demon kings would retreat.

Finally, the scripture laments how people disbelieve in the Daoist teachings, mocking those who devote themselves to scriptures and cultivation as monsters, claiming that by rejecting fame and withdrawing from society to enter the mountains, they are cutting off their own lifelines. Unbeknownst to them, these practitioners are celestial beings reborn on earth who, seeing the world's corruption, seek the immortal path to deliver others. People, ignorant of the truth, instead ridicule them—such individuals will fall into the Crimson Chain Hell, enduring scorching flames and boiling water for three hundred billion years before being reborn as humans. Even then, though they may regain human form, they will remain devoid of wisdom.

This passage describes the karmic retribution suffered by those who commit evil deeds. Those who are foolish, deaf, mute, or disconnected from human affairs will be reborn as livestock in their next life—grazing on grass, drinking water, only to be slaughtered for food, enduring extreme suffering with no means to voice their anguish. Such sins bind one to an endless cycle of reincarnation with no hope of liberation.

The Supreme Venerable Lord (Taishang Laojun, the highest deity in Daoism) warns: Those who are stubbornly rebellious and reject the true Dharma not only refuse to believe in the Dao themselves but also mock those who cultivate it. Unaware that heavenly justice is clear and manifest, they will soon face retribution in the human realm. When wicked words leave their mouths, calamity strikes immediately, and after death, they will endure even crueler punishment. These sins condemn one to the Five Sufferings (in Daoism: birth, aging, sickness, death, and separation from loved ones), torment for countless eons. In subsequent rebirths, they will either be born disabled, afflicted by the Six Illnesses, or even take the form of livestock, losing all recognition of their original nature. Only by practicing the Great Vehicle (referring to profound Daoist methods) can one escape the retribution of physical mutilation.

The text further describes the punishments of heavenly law: Heaven dispatches eighty million Execution Generals to patrol the human realm, specifically targeting evildoers. In contrast, those who uphold the scriptures of the Three Caverns (San Dong Zhenjing, the highest Daoist canon) are protected by three thousand demon kings. When they perform rituals, Heaven and Earth lend their aid, harmonizing wind and rain. Wherever Daoist priests go, the Dao’s Qi (primordial energy) flourishes, and the people live in peace. But if anyone insults a priest, sows discord, or if officials oppress cultivators, their souls will be seized and executed immediately—demonstrating the efficacy of the Great Dao.

The passage also mentions the Black Pill Demon King (Wuwan Guiwang), a malevolent entity standing seven to eight feet tall, commanding ninety million crimson soldiers. Each month, he descends to drain the vital essence of the living, causing over thirty thousand to fall ill and die. However, if a Daoist priest recites this scripture, these demonic soldiers can be repelled. Should they refuse to retreat, three hundred million of these black-pill demons will be slain.

A final warning is given: In the year of Jia Chen, eight thousand Great Demon Kings of the Nine Heavens will descend with countless followers, spreading nine thousand incurable diseases each month among humanity.

This scripture describes Daoist exorcistic rituals for averting calamities. The text states that underworld ghost soldiers and deceased generals may unite to harm the people, but Daoist priests can command these spectral forces to refrain from injuring virtuous individuals. Should the ghost soldiers disobey, they will face severe punishment—their skulls shattered into eighty fragments.

During the cyclical years of Xinsi and Renwu (specific astrological periods), the human realm will experience great disasters with many perishing from epidemics. The Ghost King Wuwan and the underworld's red qi (a malignant energy) will roam about killing people. At such times, communities should gather collectively, observing purification fasts and paying homage to the Five Directional Celestial Emperors (the Daoist deities governing cardinal directions). Through these rites, the celestial gods will take notice and offer protection, compelling Ghost King Wuwan to submit and cease his harmful activities.

The scripture emphasizes that faithful adherence to this text can resolve various misfortunes—whether illness, legal disputes, haunted dwellings, career obstacles, or failed harvests—through the performance of zhaijiao rituals (Daoist purification ceremonies). When conducting these rites, celestial deities will descend to safeguard practitioners, ensuring all affairs proceed smoothly. Should a Daoist priest fall ill, the malevolent ghost kings responsible will likewise suffer retribution.

In the Gengchen year (another specific astrological cycle), when nations face turmoil and epidemics spread, Ghost King Tanzhi will lead thirty-six ghost monarchs and the Seven Heavens' Great Demon Kings (high-ranking demonic entities in Daoism) to disseminate disease among mortals. Only priests devoted to the Three Caverns scriptures (the supreme Daoist canon comprising Shangqing, Lingbao, and Dongshen traditions) will receive protection from 4.9 billion demonic legions.

The scripture concludes by affirming that when priests cultivating the Three Caverns teachings enter dwellings, all ghosts will retreat. The Most High Lord Lao (Daoism's supreme deity), moved by compassion, specifically restrains these ghost kings through sacred incantations, compelling them to restrain their venomous harm. Should priests encounter peril or illness, the offending ghost kings will endure merciless punishment.

A concluding gatha verse underscores how orthodox Dharma's power subdues all malignant forces.

This passage speaks of the supreme power of the Daoist "Three Caverns Scriptures" (Dongzhen, Dongxuan, and Dongshen—the three core classics) to subdue demons and save humanity. The scriptures state: True Daoist methods contain boundless spiritual power that enables one to perceive the essence of all things. When the wisdom of the Three Caverns enters a person's heart, all evil spirits and demons will reveal their true forms and dissipate—for the nature of demonic forces is turbid, while the Dao's nature is pure and unstained.

The Most High Lord Lao (the supreme deity of Daoism) extends boundless compassion, spreading Daoist methods to protect all beings, capable of dispelling armies of celestial demons. All forms of poison and harm are suppressed by the Dao's Qi (primordial energy), unable to harm the Jing (essence) and Qi of cultivators. Those demon kings who commit evil will be shattered by celestial soldiers and generals if they dare resist—without mercy, for before the Great Dao, all beings are equal, discerned only by the measure of cosmic law.

Today, the world is filled with too many ignorant people whom sages refuse to teach. Soon, great floods and wars will come because nations do not revere the Great Dao, causing suffering among the people who remain unawakened. Only by seeking the protection of the Most High Lord Lao can one avoid slaughter by demon kings. The Three Caverns Scriptures will spread widely—henceforth, when Daoist priests encounter calamity, divine beings will surely aid them, sparing them imprisonment and illness. But those who defy the Daoist methods will be torn apart by legions of demons led by the Great Demon King.

Since the Renwu year, 39,000 people have attained the Dao. Cultivators like Wang Fang of Qingzhou, Zhang Xuan of Qinzhou, and Du ▲ will achieve immortality in the Jiashen year. All demon kings will protect those who practice the Three Caverns Scriptures, shielding them from disease. But those who insult, assault, or even murder accomplished Daoist masters will bring retribution upon their entire lineage—their souls will wander for seven generations without liberation, clinging to wind, rain, and plants, only to be reborn as humans again after countless kalpas.

The demonic armies under the command of the Thirty-Six Celestial Demon Kings will punish those who do not believe in the Three Caverns Scriptures. Yet when Daoist priests perform rituals to heal the people, these demon kings must instead assist in dispelling pathogenic Qi to hasten recovery. From now on, defiant demon kings like the Great Wuhuan Demon King will be utterly shattered.

This scripture presents Daoist exorcism incantations and warnings for protecting the people. It first enumerates various demonic entities: the ghost governing household gates is called Chengbo, while the one controlling openings and closings is Alun; the well and hearth ghost is Zhenlianzi, and the fence-circling ghost is Shibo; the road-haunting ghost is Wuziding, and the house-lurking ghost is Xuanzidu.

The Supreme Dao Lord (one of Daoism's highest deities) sternly warns these demons: they must cease surrounding dwellings to commit evil and harming commoners. From this moment onward, they must retreat ten thousand miles away. Should they dare return to inflict illness, the demon kings' heads will split into twelve pieces. The text then delivers admonitions in gatha (religious verse) form: gate gods, hearth gods, and all manner of spirits must not violate good people—transgressors will be torn apart by divine power. These entities should instead assist the righteous path in expelling evil spirits; those breaking this oath shall suffer decapitation.

The second gatha emphasizes the natural law of the Great Dao: rewarding good and punishing evil. Even if demons attempt wickedness, orthodox ritual methods will surely mete out severe retribution. Celestial soldiers and generals stand ready to annihilate malignant forces—only voluntary withdrawal can avert calamity.

The scripture prophesies future tribulations: the world will face one hundred thousand Chilian demons (red evil spirits) with three-foot-six-inch tall leaders, plus three hundred thousand long-headed ghosts wielding red clubs to murder. During the Renwu and Renchen years, great floods will come as rulers lose the Dao (Way), causing masses to die suddenly. By the Jiashen year, nearly all will perish. Only Dao cultivators upholding the Three Caverns scriptures (Daoism's supreme Shangqing, Lingbao, and Dongshen textual traditions) can escape these ninefold disasters.

Finally, the Supreme Dao Lord reaffirms: with the world now in chaos, commoners are slaughtered by demon kings. Yet the virtuous won't die unjustly—only the wicked will fall into the Three Wretched Paths (hell, hungry ghosts, animal rebirth). Henceforth, Daoist practitioners of the Three Caverns will receive protection from the Great Demon King. Should anyone harm these adepts, demon kings' heads will fracture into eighty pieces. All demonic rulers must cease wantonly killing commoners and instead assist Daoists in healing the sick. Those persisting in murdering good people will have their skulls shattered into a hundred fragments.

This passage comes from the third volume of the Taishang Dongyuan Shenzhou Jing (Scripture of the Divine Spells from the Dongyuan Tradition of the Most High), an important Daoist scripture for dispelling calamities and seeking blessings. The phrase "二十分矣" indicates that disasters have accumulated to a severe degree. "急急如太上口敕" means one must urgently follow the oral command of Taishang Laojun (the Most High Lord Lao, Daoism's supreme deity). "消灾护人律令" refers to acting according to Daoist liturgical law to eliminate misfortunes and protect people.

The entire passage can be understood as: When calamities have reached an extreme level, one must immediately implement the decrees of Taishang Laojun to dispel disasters and safeguard the populace. This reflects Daoism's fundamental purpose of aiding the world and delivering beings from suffering, using sacred liturgical commands to resolve human hardships.