《太上洞淵神咒經》Vol. 7

This scripture describes a period of turmoil when various plague demons and evil spirits will wreak havoc upon the mortal world during specific years (after the Renwu and Jiaxu years). It states that from the third to ninth month of the Renwu year, epidemics will spread across the land, claiming thirty percent of lives through disease and warfare. During this time, foreign powers (the Six Barbarians) will decline, Buddhist teachings (Shamen) will undergo transformation, while the Daoist vitality (Dao-Qi) will flourish increasingly. The Three Caverns (Sandong) scriptures—the essential canon of Daoism—will spread widely throughout the Central Plains.

The text emphasizes that those who devoutly uphold the Three Caverns scriptures through repeated recitation (zhuanjing) will receive divine intervention from the scripture's deities, leading to miraculous healings. Wherever this scripture is chanted, the Supreme Lord of the Dao (Taishang Daojun) will dispatch Ten Directional Divine Warriors (Shifang Lishi) to convert plague demons and malevolent spirits, commanding them to withdraw their harmful influences and heal the afflicted. Prisoners will be spontaneously released—should these demons disobey, the Demon Kings (Mowang) will immediately execute them without mercy.

After the Jiaxu year, more terrifying demons will emerge: thirty-six thousand three-legged ghosts (Sanzu Gui), each nine zhang tall wielding crimson staffs, will invade homes spreading sixty-two diseases to slay the wicked. Named Quyin, each leads three hundred sixty "scattered-eye demons" (Zongyan Gui) with blood-red eyes covering their bodies—these ride wind and clouds to claim lives and slaughter livestock. Additionally, twelve hundred blue plague demons (Qingyi Gui) and eighty million male-female plague spirits will appear, with nine hundred million demons entering households daily to specifically target children. Another two-headed demon called Dangjin, exceptionally cruel, terrorizes people into illness by impersonating great deities to deceive the gullible—when fools believe their charade and sacrifice livestock, these demons establish vicious cycles of demand. Refusal leads to sickness. However, those upholding this scripture will prompt Taishang Daojun to send thirty-nine thousand celestial troops (Tianbing) to negotiate with these demons, compelling them to retreat a thousand li away. Disobedient spirits will be sliced into ten thousand pieces by the Great Demon Kings of the Three Heavens (Santian Damowang) and the Ten Directional Sovereigns (Shifang Zhuzhe).

Finally, the Renwu year will bring thirty-six major demons: Heitou Ran, Chigai, and Aju—each commanding thirty-nine thousand ghost soldiers wielding white staffs and seven-foot demon-slaying blades. They invade homes to claim lives, spreading one hundred twenty diseases specifically targeting the wicked.

This scripture explains how Daoism employs scripture recitation and ritual practices to dispel epidemics and cure diseases. It states that when pathogenic Qi invades the human body causing sudden death, if a Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen) master (a senior Daoist proficient in these three classic scriptures) performs scripture recitation and ritual practice, the afflicted will recover. Should the plague demons persist, deities like the Great Brahma Heavenly King will slay them.

The text prophesies that in the Renwu year, thirty-seven thousand types of epidemics will emerge to punish evildoers. However, whenever Three Caverns masters chant scriptures and perform rituals, the heavenly kings from all thirty-six celestial realms will descend to protect, causing plague demons to disperse naturally. If they still refuse to retreat, Heaven will dispatch the Three Celestial Warriors leading a hundred thousand heavenly troops to subdue them. Since Daoist priests uphold the Three Caverns scriptures, they must urgently guide people to the Dao—even celestial beings will rejoice at this. Those who undermine others' virtuous intentions will face divine retribution, losing not only their human form but any chance of immortality.

The scripture recounts a story: While the Three Celestial Jade Maidens and the immortal Ma Gu were wandering Mount Duyang, they witnessed rampant plagues and mass mortality among mortals. Reporting to Lord Lao (the supreme Daoist deity), they received his command to urge people to practice the Three Caverns scriptures, which can deliver all beings. A single night of scripture chanting could resurrect the dead and resolve legal disputes. Lord Lao pledged heavenly troops would assist any master engaged in such salvation work.

Finally, it reveals these three maidens accumulated immense merit in past lives, now reborn as sacred women to instruct humanity. Endowed with vast spiritual powers, they will descend to aid anyone in later ages who invokes their names. Whether facing illness or legal troubles, reciting their sacred titles ensures divine protection.

The deities of the ten directions will spontaneously come to offer salvation, preventing calamities from befalling. If you possess the merit (De) to deliver sentient beings, Heaven will naturally be aware.

The Daoist scriptures record: Since the Gengchen year, ninety billion dark-slaughtering ghosts (malevolent spirits), each six zhang tall, have roamed the human realm. Each leads eighty-four thousand minor ghosts and red-headed plague demons. These entities called "Yingnü" all have crimson eyes, specifically wandering through the ten directions, breaking into homes to snatch children and spreading a hundred diseases to cause death. But henceforth, wherever a Daoist priest recites this scripture to heal people, the plague demons must immediately retreat a thousand li. Should they refuse to leave, the great deities under the command of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) will order their capture; if they still remain, the divine warriors will bind them without mercy.

The scripture further states: In the third and tenth months of the Renwu year, one hundred twenty thousand red-headed plague demons will appear, each leading thirty-nine thousand ghost soldiers, along with seven hundred thousand black-tailed demons (entities called "Sheshe"), descending upon the human realm with eighty-six thousand attendants to execute the wicked. Henceforth, wherever sudden illnesses erupt, if a Daoist priest recites scriptures to save lives, these demons must immediately disperse. Should they dare disobey, the warriors of the Three Pure Ones will surely slay them—within moments, the celestial warriors of the Nine Heavens will also come to annihilate them without leniency.

The scripture continues its prophecy: In the future, eight hundred thousand three-legged demons and twelve-headed plague spirits will emerge, spreading seventy-nine types of diseases to harm people. But wherever a master proficient in the scriptures of the Three Caverns (Dongzhen, Dongxuan, Dongshen) practices the Dao, these demons will be subdued by celestial deities. If they still refuse to depart, the warriors of the Three Heavens will surely execute them without pardon.

The scripture further mentions: In the ninth month of the Xinsi year, thirty million red-eyed demons (entities called "Jiaozi") will appear, each leading four hundred ninety million minor ghosts to torment humanity. Those afflicted must immediately invite a Three Caverns master into their homes to exorcise the evil, and the demons will naturally disperse. Should the demons defy these commands, nine hundred thousand celestial warriors will eliminate them in successive waves without mercy.

Finally, it prophesies: In the Jiawu year, eighty million "red-headed" Xiaoling demons will emerge, each leading eight hundred thousand followers to descend upon the human realm, spreading ninety kinds of diseases that cause abscesses, toxic sores, and other malignant ailments. But from now on, wherever a Daoist priest heals the sick, these demons must immediately submit and flee. Should they dare linger, the divine warriors will exterminate them all.

This passage describes the demon-expelling content from the Taoist scripture Taishang Dongyuan Shenzhou Jing (Great Supreme Cavernous Divine Incantation Scripture). It explains that during specific years (from Gengchen to Renwu in the sexagenary cycle), hordes of malevolent spirits called "Yellow-Bodied Demons" (Huang shen gui) and "Jaundice Demons" (Huang dan gui) will wreak havoc in the human realm, causing various illnesses including hematemesis, diarrhea, cholera, sudden death, heart pain, and jaundice.

The scripture states these demons are organized under leaders (for instance, the 930,000 Yellow-Bodied Demons are commanded by 120,000 demon kings). They have been causing chaos since the ancient era of Fuxi, attaching themselves to successive generations of emperors and generals. Notably mentioned are several infamous demon kings: Wang Jian, Bai Qi, Han Zhang, Yue Yang, and Chu Kuang, along with Hao Jing, Nüwa, and Zhurong—each commanding hundreds of millions of demonic soldiers to torment people and create epidemics.

Taoism claims that if a Daoist priest (fashi) recites this scripture, the demons will retreat of their own accord. Should they refuse to withdraw, celestial warriors known as "Heavenly Guardians" (Tian ding li shi) and the "Great Armies of the Three Heavens" (referring to the divine forces of Shangqing, Yuqing, and Taiqing—the Three Pure Ones) will descend to execute them. The Nine Heavens' Demon Kings will also punish these spirits, with the scripture emphasizing that any defiant demons will be cleaved into sixteen pieces.

Finally, it mentions that Taoism has dispatched protective deities like the "Orthodox Unity Merit Officers" (Zhengyi gongcao) and "Great Illumination Messengers," leading 490,000 "Great Supreme Mighty Warriors" armed with weapons to capture these rampaging spirits. The entire passage showcases Taoism's religious worldview of using sacred power to exorcise evil, heal diseases, and protect devotees, reflecting ancient people's fear of plagues and their belief in supernatural forces.

This scripture describes Daoist exorcism rituals for subduing malevolent spirits that bring harm to the human realm. It details the capture and elimination of hundreds of demonic entities plaguing households.

All the evil spirits and demon kings infesting residential dwellings—including soul-killing ghosts and ghost monarchs—must be thoroughly purged. They shall be bound one by one through concentrated spiritual force. Should any specter dare to resist expulsion, these ghost kings shall be sliced into a thousand pieces without mercy. This constitutes an urgent divine mandate requiring immediate execution.

The text enumerates historically notorious figures who became powerful ghost monarchs after death, such as Deng Ai and Zhong Hui (Three Kingdoms generals), Wang Mang (Western Han usurper), and Han Xin (early Han dynasty general). Posthumous worship at their shrines has enabled these entities to amass spectral armies that specifically torment the living. They spread manifold diseases—causing heavy limbs, alternating chills and fever, diarrhea, edema, abdominal fluid retention, headaches, eye pain, chest and back inflammations, along with jaundice, coughing, throat swelling, and countless other afflictions that have claimed innumerable lives.

These ghost monarchs were once influential generals or ministers who gained supernatural power through continued sacrificial offerings after death. Leading vast legions of spirits, they seize opportunities to harm mortals—instigating floods and fires, slander and disputes, lawsuits and imprisonments—resulting in numerous tragic deaths. To address this longstanding scourge, the scripture dispatches the Scarlet Lu Grand Prohibition Troops (Daoist divine warriors)—towering ten thousand zhang tall—commanding 800,000 main forces and over 300 million auxiliary troops descending from the heavens. Upon capturing these ghost kings, they shall be summarily executed without leniency.

Furthermore, wherever a Daoist priest recites scriptures to save lives, ninety trillion spirit soldiers will protect that household. Whether young or old, any family member suffering illness, legal troubles, or imprisonment shall receive deliverance—with the sick healed and all misfortunes resolved. Should any ghost monarch persist in causing severe illness, even mighty demon kings like Mao Di shall be cleaved into ninety pieces.

The scripture concludes by emphasizing that from this moment forth, wherever illness strikes or where this divine incantation is recited, four hundred thousand "Warriors of Myriad Harmonies" (Dharma-protecting generals) and three hundred sixty thousand "Hundred-Tongued Officials" (divine messengers conveying celestial decrees) shall be dispatched to provide protection.

This passage explains Daoist methods for dispelling illness and misfortune. The scripture states that households with sick family members, imprisoned individuals, or ancestral afflictions (regardless of whether ancestral rites are performed) should address these situations accordingly. Daoist deities will dispatch Gao Yao—the legendary judicial official of Emperor Shun who governs punishments—along with 890,000 underworld soldiers, coordinating with deities of all ranks including the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers to swiftly open prison gates and release trapped wandering souls.

After receiving spiritual instruction, these liberated souls will please the ruler of the underworld, thereby gaining their freedom. Thus they escape the Three Paths of Hell (referring to the fiery, bladed, and bloody torments) and may roam freely in the realm of spirits. Simultaneously, this protects the living by curing diseases and resolving various troubles. Should any ailments persist, the great demon king Li Hong and other malevolent spirits will be dismembered into 3,500 pieces.

The scripture then addresses the great demon king directly: "Now there are living humans suffering from illnesses—limb pain, dizziness, chest and back discomfort, stiff extremities, burning internal organs, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, loss of appetite, constant vomiting, and dreams haunted by the dead. Entire families fear their loved ones won't survive. We now dispatch Marquis Wang the Great Executioner leading 8 billion underworld troops to investigate which ghosts are causing this affliction."

The origins of these misfortunes must be identified: whether improperly interfering ancestors, attachments by evil spirits, legitimate worship recipients like the Stove God or Earth Deity, or household guardian spirits who shouldn't harm residents—none should randomly cause trouble in times of peace. All wandering old ghosts, malevolent mountain/forest/water spirits must be captured according to the Three Heavens' Underworld Ghost Statutes and Nuqing's Edict (Daoist legal texts for ghost control), forbidden from harming good people again.

Henceforth, these evil spirits must be immediately detained. Should illnesses persist or legal troubles arise, the great demon king will enforce severe punishments without mercy.

Finally, during the Jiazhi year (in the celestial stem-branch calendar), 800,000 red disease demons and 360,000 black ghosts will run rampant. Various ghost kings will each lead 120,000 "Six Barbarian Ghosts" (spirits of borderland ethnic groups) to descend upon the human world.

This scripture primarily explains how to resolve illnesses and calamities through Daoist rituals. It states that when family members fall ill, women die suddenly in childbirth, or when a nation experiences turmoil, floods, droughts, or malaria outbreaks, these misfortunes are caused by vengeful spirits. To avert such disasters, one must receive the Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen) scriptures—essential Daoist classics—or be granted the General's Register (a type of protective talisman).

The text details a purification ritual (Zhaijiao) for healing and dispelling misfortune: A clean altar space must be prepared with incense, candles, and offerings, while inviting three to ten Daoist priests well-versed in the Three Caverns scriptures. Among them, the most enlightened priest serves as the presiding master, seated on an elevated platform to chant sacred invocations, while the others circumambulate in sequence. The presiding master must loudly recite the "Pacing the Void" hymns (Daoist ritual music), and all participants must listen with focused minds, as if hearing celestial melodies from the heavens.

The scripture further declares that in the place where these scriptures are recited, all ghost kings must take an oath: From this day forward, whenever someone holds a purification ritual to heal the sick or resolve legal disputes, the ghost kings must immediately disperse the malevolent spirits causing harm, ensuring the sick recover and conflicts dissolve. Should any lingering ghosts continue to inflict incurable illnesses, the great demon kings and lesser ghost kings will execute these evil spirits without mercy.

Finally, it mentions that in the year of Jiaxu (a cyclical year in the traditional calendar), 3,900 white birds will bring pestilence, listing famous ancient vengeful spirits like Meng Da and Ma Yuan, who each command millions of ghost soldiers. This section emphasizes that such calamities can be resolved through Daoist ritual practice.

The Taishang Dongyuan Shenzhou Jing (Scripture of the Divine Spells from the Abyss of the Most High) describes the relationship between epidemics in the human world and the disturbances caused by malevolent spirits, as well as the power of Daoist exorcism and disaster-averting rituals.

The scripture states that if someone frequently suffers from dysentery (a severe diarrheal illness), it can lead to the weakening of the household's Qi (vital energy), bringing unrest to the home. The gates and doors (symbolizing the entrances and exits of the dwelling) will harm young children, sow discord among relatives, hinder the careers of officials, and bring decline to the household. Constant disputes, misfortunes, and even imprisonment may follow, along with failed harvests and unfulfilled desires. All of this occurs because the Ghost Kings fail to control their subordinate spirits, allowing them to torment the living.

From now on, all ghostly troops must be strictly disciplined and forbidden from harming the living. The people must be granted resolution in legal disputes and recovery from illness. If the sick recover, the ghostly soldiers may be promoted; if the illness persists, they will be torn to pieces. In the cyclical year of Jiashen (a Daoist method of time calculation), a great plague will erupt in the northwest, claiming eight or nine out of every ten lives. Tens of thousands of Chigui (red malevolent ghosts) will specifically target the sick, causing them to turn sallow, with women and children being particularly vulnerable. However, rulers who follow the Dao and recite the scriptures will be spared.

When the plague rages, countless diseases will kill people, and countless others will flee to the mountains for refuge. The people will find no peace, suffering from both war and plague demons. Heaven will dispatch 700,000 Chizu (red celestial soldiers) armed with bronze halberds to slay the evil spirits and cleanse the world of calamity. Even the Santian Damowang (Great Demon Kings of the Three Heavens, high-ranking Daoist deities) will be executed if they indiscriminately slaughter the innocent.

There are too many wicked people in the world. Before Heaven sends its warriors to execute them, they will first be questioned about their good and evil deeds. Yet Daoist priests, through scripture recitation, can save lives and avert death. From now on, whenever someone falls ill or faces imprisonment, if a Daoist priest performs rituals and recites scriptures to heal them, all Ghost Kings, great and small, must assist in dispelling the misfortune. If they fail to do so, the Great Ghost King Yizhen and others will be severely punished.

Finally, the scripture mentions various gate-keeping ghost officials: the main gate is governed by Dazhengong (Great True Lord), smaller gates by Xiaozhengong (Lesser True Lord), the doors of houses by Wenyili (Scholarly Attendants), the back gate by Wanlun, and the kitchen gate by Yanjing. These names refer to the ranks of Daoist mythological spirits responsible for overseeing household thresholds.

This scripture depicts the scene where the Supreme Dao Lord (the highest deity in Daoism) dispatches divine generals to expel plague demons and save the people. The text describes how epidemics ravage the world, with numerous malevolent ghosts causing illness and death among the populace. The Supreme Lord commands the Red Warrior Guardians (divine protectors) and Zhong Kui (the demon-quelling deity) to lead countless celestial soldiers in capturing and executing the plague demons with blades and ropes, delivering the evil spirits to the Northern Prison of Tianyi (a Daoist hell) for judgment. Those found wrongly accused are immediately released, while unrepentant demons—including the great demon kings and lesser ghost lords—are utterly annihilated without mercy.

The Supreme Dao Lord establishes a covenant with demon kings like Xia Yin and Wu Wan: in this era of widespread illness and calamity, the sinful remain oblivious even in death. He orders the Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen) masters (high-ranking Daoist priests) to enlighten the ignorant. Whenever people faithfully recite this incantation and communities perform purification rituals (Zhaijiao), practicing charity and cultivation day and night, the ghost kings must aid in guiding the people and prevent disease from spreading. Compliant ghost kings will be promoted, while those who defy the decree will have their skulls split without leniency.

The scripture specifically warns that during the Jiawu year (a cyclical calendar date), demons from ethnic regions like the Liuyi, Di, and Liao peoples will run rampant, bringing sixteen thousand diseases—particularly targeting evildoers. Pestilential Qi (vital energy) kills women; demon kings Deng Ai and Liu Douwu spread twelve types of dysentery; the Earth Duke (local land deity) takes lives; divine dragons ascending to heaven trigger floods; and disruptions to the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) empower demons to harm humans. The Supreme Dao Lord seals this pact with thirty-six great demon kings and 120,000 ghost lords: henceforth, whenever illness strikes a household, the demons must retreat, resolve disputes, and safeguard the people. All decrees are to be enforced as binding law without delay.

This scripture primarily conveys the Supreme Lord Lao's (the highest deity in Daoism) stern commands to demon kings and ghost monarchs, forbidding them from harming innocent people under threat of severe punishment.

First comes the warning to ghost kings: those who disobey the rules will be torn limb from limb without mercy, as stipulated in the Nüqing Edict (an important Daoist legal document) and oral decrees.

The Supreme Lord Lao declares: Now during this great cosmic transition period, ghost soldiers run rampant. Henceforth, whether men or women among the common people—if they suffer from lingering illnesses, are abandoned by malevolent household spirits, or harmed by mountain and forest demons—must all be healed and not wrongfully killed. Should any intentionally take human lives again, both the great demon kings and minor ghost lords shall be decapitated in ten thousand pieces to atone, with no pardon granted. These evil spirits shall all be apprehended according to ghostly law and delivered to the Northern Prison of Tianyi (a Daoist hell realm) for punishment.

It further states: Currently, 800,000 three-legged ghosts and twelve plague demons are harming people, bringing seventy-nine types of diseases. But if patients encounter Daoist priests skilled in the Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen) rituals, these ghosts shall be captured by celestial beings. Should they still refuse to depart, the Three Heavenly Warriors (Daoist guardian deities) will execute them.

The Supreme Lord Lao continues: Within the Three Realms, great demon kings command thirty-six minor kings, each leading 4.8 billion ghost soldiers who roam the world. Now they must collectively swear an oath: to govern the people jointly and refrain from indiscriminate slaughter. Whenever mortals face sudden illness, lawsuits, or calamities, they must assist in resolving them. Ensure national stability, abundant harvests of the Five Grains, and contentment among rulers, officials, and commoners—thus ghost soldiers will naturally submit.

A final warning: Should there be unseasonable winds and rains, crop failures, social unrest, tyrannical rulers, endless lawsuits, or incurable diseases, both the great demon kings and hundreds of millions of ghost monarchs shall be executed.

The entire passage demonstrates Daoism's method of controlling spirits through intimidation—using severe penalties to regulate ghostly behavior and safeguard the people's wellbeing.