《洞玄靈寶上師說救護身命經》

Interpretation of the Dongxuan Lingbao Shangshu Shu Jiuhu Shenming Jing (Scripture on the Master of Numinous Treasure’s Teachings for Protecting Body and Life)

At that time, the Master of Numinous Treasure (Lingbao Shangshu) was preparing to ascend to heaven beneath a flowering tree in the land of Pulin. His disciple, the Perfected Tiaolin Fajing (a realized Daoist adept), along with other enlightened disciples and celestial beings, gathered to pay reverence. They earnestly entreated the Master to remain in the mortal world a while longer to guide sentient beings before his ascension.

The Master warned the assembly: "In the five hundred ages after my departure, the world will be filled with malevolent spirits and wicked sorcery (gudao, harmful occult arts). These forces will steal people’s vital essence (Jing and Qi), bring calamities, and even kill." The Perfected Tiaolin Fajing responded, saying that this scripture must be diligently propagated so that beings in this chaotic era may be spared from suffering, untimely death, and all demonic afflictions. This scripture contains the Master’s most crucial instruction—even if men and women recite just a single verse from it, evil spirits and demonic entities will not dare to approach them. Whether in desolate wilderness, deep mountains, perilous situations, or disasters of fire and water, constant recitation of this scripture can dissolve all dangers.

This scripture possesses supreme divine power and originates from the Yuanyang Shangpin (Supreme Yang Scripture). For those unable to recite it, simply carrying the scripture with sincere devotion close to one’s heart will still invoke the protection of immortals. Disciples of the past, present, and future will all receive the ancestral Master’s divine power to transcend calamities. When traveling far, keeping this scripture on one’s person ensures safety. Explaining its merits in cities, villages, or marketplaces brings immeasurable virtue, and those who hear it will have their wishes fulfilled.

The Master solemnly declared: "This scripture was transmitted by the Supreme Immortal Lord of Primordial Yang (Taiyuan Yuanyang Xiangong, a high-ranking Daoist immortal). It is as precious as an antidote to poison." Reciting it drives away venomous curses and sorcery, and demons will not dare to look upon the practitioner directly. For those afflicted by illness, the first step is to purify body and mind... (The subsequent text details specific cultivation methods.)

The Dongxuan Lingbao Shangshu Shuoju Hushenming Jing (Scripture of the Upper Master's Teachings on Protecting Life from the Numinous Treasure of the Mysterious Cavern) explains how reciting the names of immortal beings can dispel evil influences and heal illnesses to safeguard one's body.

The Upper Master instructs the Perfected Tiaolin Fajing (an accomplished Daoist adept): If someone sincerely recites this scripture, all bodily ailments will be cured. Should malevolent ghosts, demonic soldiers, or practitioners of wicked paths cause harm and refuse to heed warnings, the Upper Master will command the underworld officials to seize these evil entities and deliver them to Xuandu (the Daoist underworld) to be punished according to the laws governing spirits, ensuring they suffer the full consequences of their misdeeds. All calamities will then be completely eradicated.

The Upper Master lists the names of seven Perfected Immortals:

1. Perfected Guangweiwei

2. Perfected Shifa

3. Perfected Suiye

4. Perfected Juzhenglin

5. Perfected Juzheng Xuanlin

6. Perfected Jingde

7. Perfected Shi Longzhong

When afflicted by suffering or illness, simply reciting the names of these seven Perfected Ones will dissolve all curses and dark sorcery, preventing them from drawing near.

Out of compassion, the Upper Master further transmits the names of six celestial beings from the Upper Primordial Yang:

1. Perfected Luofa

2. Perfected Luoshang

3. Perfected Jiayang

4. Perfected Qindu

5. Perfected Touliu

6. Perfected Xilin

Regardless of gender or social status, those facing hardship who recite the names of these six immortals will find their ailments relieved and evil influences unable to encroach upon them.

Perfected Tiaolin Fajing pledges to the Upper Master: He will lead twenty-five Perfected Immortals to protect all who recite this scripture in the mortal world, guarding them day and night so that no evil spirits may approach. Practitioners will thus be able to rest peacefully and cultivate with undisturbed minds. The Upper Master praises the disciple for his virtuous vow.

(Note: This scripture reflects the Daoist practice of "dispelling calamities through name recitation" (持名消灾), where invoking the names of powerful Perfected Immortals grants divine protection—similar to the Buddhist method of mantra recitation.)

This scripture reveals that those who recite, transcribe, and cultivate the Yuanyang Que Mo Jing (Scripture of Primordial Yang Repelling Demons) will receive protection from mountain deities and celestial beings. Specifically:

When practicing this scripture, the foremost disciples from the Yuanyang's supreme realm (the highest attainment in Daoist cultivation) will come to safeguard you. Before their words even fade, four Mountain Deity Kings arrive with their retinues, kneeling reverently to declare: "After our master ascends to heaven, we shall lead our hosts to protect all practitioners of this scripture. Wherever they go, we will follow day and night, preventing malicious spirits from approaching. When traversing wilderness, we shall guide and shield them at every step, ensuring no harm befalls them."

These Mountain Deity Kings pledge to dispatch divine generals and officers to fulfill practitioners' every need, leaving them wanting for nothing. Because those who cultivate this scripture propagate virtuous teachings and make offerings to these immortal treasures (Daoist sacred texts), their names are recorded in the celestial registers, ensuring their spiritual lineage remains unbroken.

Then seven additional Mountain Deity Kings approach, kneeling to proclaim: They command innumerable hosts, supported above by thousands of celestial beings (heavenly deities). For every human practitioner of this scripture, these kings will join with celestial forces to surround them with protective retinues, warding off demonic harm. Their guardianship includes:

1. Preventing evil spirits from stealing vital essence (Jing) or harming life without cause

2. Shielding against all curses and poisons

3. Protecting from burns when encountering great fires

4. Safely conveying practitioners across floodwaters through aerial guidance

5. Causing robbers to lay down weapons and awaken compassionate hearts

These divine beings perpetually dwell in the void above practitioners' locations, maintaining constant vigilance without respite.

This scripture recounts a story from the Daoist Dongxuan Lingbao Shangshu Says Scripture on Protecting Life and Body, describing how the Mountain God King and his retinue safeguard practitioners.

The main narrative explains that when someone is imprisoned by authorities and suffers the torment of shackles, the Mountain God King leads his followers to manifest divine power in the void, softening the hearts of officials so they release the captive. The Mountain God King vows to wholeheartedly protect practitioners, preventing demons, spirits, and malevolent entities from disturbing them.

The scripture particularly emphasizes that when Daoist cultivators practicing in mountains and forests encounter disturbances from mountain spirits, demonesses, or various chimei wangliang (mischievous spirits and specters), the Mountain God King shields them from fright, allowing them to meditate in peace. The Shangshu (the master transmitting the teaching) praises the Mountain God King and his retinue, noting that over countless kalpas (cosmic time cycles), they once studied the Shangpin Yuanyang Jing (Supreme Yang Scripture) alongside immortals, gaining the divine power to save sentient beings.

The master instructs disciples to widely propagate this scripture, rescuing beings through recitation, copying, and other means. Finally, the master informs his disciple Tiaolin Fajing Zhenren (Perfected One of Dharma-Purity) that he will embark on a distant journey on the seventh day of the seventh month in the renyin year (a year in the sexagenary cycle), entrusting his disciples to continue spreading this teaching for the benefit of many. The scripture states that this classic holds immense divine power, capable of relieving illness and suffering—those who sincerely offer incense, flowers, lamps, and recite it will attain peace and auspiciousness.

(Note: The term kalpa refers to an extremely long cosmic cycle in Buddhist and Daoist terminology; chimei wangliang broadly denotes spirits and specters dwelling in mountains and forests; renyin is a year designated by the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches calendar.)

This scripture recounts the origins and efficacy of the Dongxuan Lingbao Shangshu Shuojihui Shenming Jing (Scripture on Protecting Body and Life as Taught by the Highest Master). The main teachings can be understood as follows:

When people fall ill, reciting this scripture enables rebirth in the Wenchang Palace (the Daoist stellar palace governing literary fortune and merit) through lotus rebirth. Those who attain immortality through this practice gain the five supernatural powers (divine sight, divine hearing, etc.), perfect wisdom, a lifespan of 88,000 years, and even physical rejuvenation, attaining the valor and wisdom of higher immortals.

The merits of Immortal Lord Yuanyang are immeasurable. He instructed devotees to transcribe this scripture using the finest paper, ink, and brushes, disseminating it with sincere devotion. Every character in this text comes directly from Immortal Lord Yuanyang's oral transmission—not a single word may be altered or omitted. This scripture was preserved out of compassion for all beings, enabling every living creature to hear its teachings, awaken their minds, cultivate constant virtuous thoughts, be reborn in pure realms, prolong their lifespan, and attain supernatural powers.

When the adept Tiaolin Fajing heard these teachings from the Highest Master, he reverently bared his right shoulder (a gesture of utmost sincerity), his body trembling with awe as he listened without missing a single word. With tears, he vowed to memorize the master's instructions and propagate them widely. The Highest Master declared that whether disciples dwell in mountains, cities, or even prisons, so long as they contemplate this scripture and spread its teachings, he would manifest miraculous powers to aid them.

The text concludes with Immortal Yuanyang's origins: he was the second disciple of Immortal Ziyang, originally the youngest son of the Dragon King from the Palace of Equal Purity Beyond Defilement. At age thirteen, he led two thousand disciples to cultivate in the Hualin Mountains, ultimately achieving immortality and severing seventy-two fetters of worldly attachment (referring to all mundane bonds).

This scripture depicts the wondrous scene of an accomplished Daoist master named "Venerable Tiaolin Fajing" attaining immortality through cultivation in the Hualin Mountains:

Venerable Tiaolin Fajing led two thousand disciples in prolonged refined practice within the Hualin Mountains, ultimately attaining the second rank of immortal status. These disciples, all unwavering in their resolve and free from regression, obtained unobstructed eloquence as a spiritual power, enabling them to tread waves and ride winds, traversing ten thousand miles in an instant yet returning to their original place. At that time, twenty thousand celestial immortals and twenty-four thousand heavenly maidens arrived, accompanied by great celestial kings including the Dragon King of Greatness (Dalong Tianwang), the Dragon King of Radiance (Luolong Tianwang), the King of Cultivated Forgetfulness (Xiuwang Tianwang), the Auspicious Dragon King (Jilong Tianwang), and the King of Advancing Immortals (Jinxian Tianwang), each leading processions of divine attendants to seek instruction from Venerable Fajing regarding the "Supreme Yang" (Yuanyang) meditation practice.

Surrounded and venerated by his fourfold assembly of disciples, Venerable Fajing sat beneath a tree entering profound meditative absorption (samadhi), manifesting immeasurable wisdom and insight. Just as he was about to expound the second-level Yuanyang cultivation method to the celestial kings, heavenly flowers descended from the sky, covering his body. Venerable Fajing emitted great radiance that illuminated upwards to the Yuanyang celestial palaces and downwards to the darkest hell realms. The celestial kings raised their heads and beheld the vision of the Yuanyang celestial realm: golden-walled towers and pavilions, pure purple palaces where jade maidens and immortals dwelled, celestial beings expounding Yuanyang scriptures, along with various accomplished disciples and cultivators residing there.

When the celestial kings inquired curiously about this place, Venerable Fajing explained that this was the Yuanyang celestial realm, containing countless treasure-filled palaces amidst mountains, rivers, forests and wilderness. There, beings pursued the immortal path according to their cultivation karma and heartfelt aspirations. Some perceived golden cities upon silver ground with pearl-paved roads, where celestial feasts manifested spontaneously throughout the land.

This scripture depicts a celestial paradise adorned with precious jewels and recounts the achievements of numerous accomplished immortals and their disciples:

In this divine realm, beds are made of precious Mani gems, pools are adorned with giant clam shells, and agate stones pave the water's edge. Celestial beings bathe here amidst diamond jewels and chariots decorated with various treasures. A great benefactor sincerely petitions the Primordial Yang Immortal (a high-ranking Daoist transcendent), seeking liberation from the Three Realms (Desire Realm, Form Realm, and Formless Realm) to become an object of admiration among the host of immortals.

The text then enumerates the accomplishments of various cultivators:

1. Virtuous individuals who renounce their four-horse chariots and splendid palaces, even willing to offer their own bodies and spouses in pursuit of the Dao.

2. Immortals who joyfully donate their heads and limbs in exchange for wisdom.

3. Disciples who, upon witnessing celestial beings and Dharma Kings (guardian deities) seeking instruction in the Supreme Dao, abandon worldly pleasures to sit in meditation with loosened hair. They ultimately attain the Five Spiritual Powers (divine sight, divine hearing, etc.) and, clad in blue robes (the attire of cultivators), comprehend profound mysteries.

The scripture details the cultivation practices of several disciples:

• Jiao Lin: Fiercely diligent, he retreated to deep mountains to contemplate superior immortal methods.
• Zhou Qiao: Maintaining constant detachment day and night, he dwelled in tranquil places and attained spiritual powers through deep meditation.
• Mu Lin: With settled mind and steadfast will, he devoutly praised immortal teachings.
• Cha Lin: Possessing profound wisdom to understand and uphold various Dharma gates.
• Zhang Ling (founder of Daoism, also known as Zhang Daoling): He elucidated Daoist teachings and was revered as the "Dharma King Who Pacifies the Nation," widely instructing sentient beings.
• Li Guo: Cultivating both concentration and wisdom, he skillfully employed parables in teaching.
• Fu Lin: Practicing in serene stillness, he earned the reverence of celestial beings.
• Meng Gong: Cultivating in forest retreats, he achieved immortal spiritual powers.
• Yin Jing: Never sleeping, he diligently practiced to attain the power to move mountains.
• Zhang Jiao: Maintaining perfect dignity, his precept observance was as flawless as precious pearls.

Through various means—whether charity, meditation, or precept observance—these cultivators all ultimately attained spiritual powers and wisdom, reaching sublime states of cultivation.

This scripture records the cultivation practices and achievements of several practitioners, which I will explain in modern terms:

Yu Lin, a disciple, cultivated the five supernatural powers (clairvoyance, clairaudience, etc.) by enduring insults and physical abuse from others.

Gong Yun attained supreme wisdom and unobstructed spiritual powers after renouncing worldly pleasures and donating both his wife and family possessions.

Jiang Guilin devoted himself wholeheartedly to Daoist practice, eliminating distracting thoughts while traveling through various states in search of the supreme truth called "Primordial Yang of the Highest Truth."

Han Zhong became skilled in preparing various medicinal soups and diets, widely treating illnesses to save sentient beings while enlightening others.

Jia Lin made offerings of precious items like sandalwood canopies and exquisite bedding to the Supreme One (the highest Daoist deity) in pursuit of an immortal position.

Lü Zilao cultivated in a serene garden abundant with flowers and fruits, featuring bathing springs, eventually being conferred the immortal position of "Chief Administrator."

Cheng Xing tirelessly performed good deeds and delivered sentient beings, seeking immortality through these actions.

Ma Zheng mastered various cultivation methods, expounding on the doctrine of extinction (transcending life and death) to teach countless beings while maintaining equanimity toward all things.

Dongguo Xing wandered through different states with an empty, unattached mind and profound wisdom, seeking worthy disciples.

Liang Shi often meditated in forests while deeply contemplating the mysteries of the "Primordial Yang Spirit Scripture," building a precious platform five hundred yojanas high (ancient Indian measurement) to expound the Dharma for sentient beings.

Zhu Zhong constructed tens of thousands of precious platforms and temples, hanging jeweled banners and pearl robes while teaching the masses from ornately decorated high seats.

These practitioners each attained corresponding achievements through diverse cultivation methods including endurance of hardship, charity, Dharma teaching, and temple construction. By enumerating these examples, the scripture demonstrates the diversity of Daoist cultivation approaches.

This scripture records the stories of several practitioners, all disciples of Perfected Lord Yuanyang (a highly accomplished Daoist adept). The first, named Hu Lin, possessed extraordinary wisdom and could teach both dragons and humans the path to immortality. He regularly made offerings of fragrant flowers to the assembled immortals. The second, Kou Lin, had wandered in cloud-like freedom seeking transcendence since youth. He once cultivated on Mount Jiuyue (a sacred Daoist mountain), transcending worldly afflictions while maintaining devout offerings to the immortals. The third, Zhao Lin, devoted himself to serious practice from a young age, widely delivering ordinary people from suffering. With a mind serene and purified, he delighted in reciting immortal scriptures, sheltering beings like a celestial divine tree. The fourth, Yan Ping, emitted pure radiance during his mountain retreats, allowing beings to witness miraculous visions. The fifth, Zi Dan, though serving rulers in the mundane world, constantly yearned for the Daoist path. Later retiring to mountain forests to diligently practice the Supreme Way (referring to the most profound Daoist cultivation methods), he ultimately attained great wisdom and could manifest spiritual powers within sunlight. These practitioners all reached realms unattainable by ordinary people.

Through these exemplary cultivators, the Dongxuan Lingbao Scripture of the Supreme Master on Protecting Body and Life demonstrates how methods like devout offerings, scripture recitation, and mountain retreat cultivation can lead to protecting one's vital existence and transcending the cycle of life and death.