--- title: "太上救苦天尊說消愆滅罪經 – English Interpretation | Daozang" url: "https://daozang.app/en/text/KR5b0062/" canonical: "https://daozang.app/en/text/KR5b0062/" lang: "en" source: "Kanripo 漢籍リポジトリ（京都大学）" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" --- # 《太上救苦天尊說消愆滅罪經》 Dongxuan 洞玄部 · 1 volumes · 829 characters ## Vol. 1 三經同卷服六 大上救苦天尊說消愆滅罪經 大上説鄷都拔苦愈樂妙經 洞玄靈寳道要經大上救苦天尊説消愆滅罪經爾時救苦天尊設大慈悲爲諸衆生滅除一切罪業救拔沈淪即令修齋布施廣建功德大起福田召請天龍地祇四梵天王阿修羅王諸天帝主閻羅天子泰山府君司命司録五道大神獄中典者各恭敬禮拜稽首叩顙上白天尊曰縁以世間衆生受諸果報並是大魔王管攝罪簿若有閻浮國土十惡五逆不敬父母破齋犯戒烹宰猪羊牛馬六畜飛禽走獸之屬種種之罪一切罪人身殁之後皆入九幽地獄日夜受苦無由解脫若以廣修功德設齋布施積劫拷掠繋閉牢獄無獲生天爾時天尊曰汝等衆生諦聽吾言或有世間男子女人父母眷屬殁亾之後宣建道場修齋行道散施資財修功幽府 一七秦廣大王太素妙廣眞君 二七初江大王陰德定休眞君 三七宋帝大王洞明普靜眞君 四七五官大王玄德五靈眞君 五七閻羅大王最勝耀靈眞君 六七變成大王寶前昭成眞君 七七泰山府君玄德妙生眞君 百日平等大王無上正度眞君 小祥都市大王飛魔演慶眞君 大祥轉輪大王五化威靈眞君爾時天尊曰汝等衆生人民死亾之後沈淪地獄 **Interpretation** This scripture recounts the story of the Heavenly Worthy of Salvation from Suffering (a Daoist deity dedicated to delivering deceased souls) absolving sentient beings of their karmic transgressions. The text is divided into three main sections: The first section describes how the Heavenly Worthy, moved by compassion, resolves to help living beings eradicate their sins. He summons various celestial beings from heaven and earth - including dragon kings of the heavens, earth deities, the Four Heavenly Kings, Asura kings, and the King of Hell - to deliberate on how to save those souls who have fallen into hell due to evil deeds committed during their lifetimes. The second section enumerates common human transgressions: the Ten Heinous Crimes and Five Grave Offenses, failing to honor parents, violating purification fasts, killing animals for meat (such as pigs, cattle, sheep, horses, and other livestock or wild creatures). After death, such sinners descend to the Ninefold Netherworld (the deepest hell realm in Daoism), where they suffer day and night without respite. The third section details methods for delivering deceased souls: after a relative's passing, one should establish a ritual space, perform purification rites and Daoist ceremonies, and make charitable donations. These actions help accumulate merit for the deceased in the underworld. The scripture specifically lists ten underworld kings to be venerated from the "First Seventh Day" (7th day after death) to the "Great Auspicious" ceremony (2nd anniversary of death), each with distinct titles and responsibilities: - First Seventh Day overseen by King Qinguang (True Lord of Supreme Simplicity and Wondrous Vastness) - Second Seventh Day overseen by King Chujiang (True Lord of Yin Virtue and Established Repose) - Third Seventh Day overseen by King Songdi (True Lord of Penetrating Clarity and Universal Tranquility) - And so forth, until the final ceremony overseen by King Zhuanlun (True Lord of Five Transformations and Awesome Numinous Power) on the two-year anniversary The core teaching emphasizes that people should accumulate virtue through good deeds during their lives, while surviving relatives must perform deliverance rituals at proper intervals after death. Only through such practices can deceased souls be liberated from the torments of hell. 因斯善會皆得超生自然地獄虚閑滅除罪業苦惱辛酸天尊乃詔命左司陽官右司陰官較量功德勒酆都二十四獄考官典吏放出受苦一切孤䰟滯𩲸咸今登大錬之池各執化形丹界靈符盡獲更生之因俱歸道岸天尊言汝等衆生受苦罪人得斯拔度皆獲起生汝等衆生各各諦聽吾當爲汝說偈誦曰 鄷都夜壑　忽以光輝　照出幽䰟 來飴香糜　靈符火鍊　百骸自飛 得見法會　仙岐知歸 又誦曰 萬劫難遇　功縁可崇　開闢幽趣 全假眞風　梯航彼岸　濟患無窮 念念生因　駕景飛空是時衆等聞説偈言咸皆解脫各各稽首奉 **Interpretation** This scripture describes the scene of the Most High Lord of Salvation from Suffering (a Daoist deity who delivers departed souls) liberating beings from the hell realms: At this extraordinary dharma assembly, all suffering souls receive deliverance, leaving the hells empty as the karma and suffering of sentient beings are eradicated. The Celestial Lord commands the officials governing both the yang (living) and yin (spirit) realms to examine the virtuous deeds performed by the departed during their lifetimes, then orders the magistrates of Fengdu's (the Daoist underworld) twenty-four layers of hell to release all tormented souls. These wandering ghosts and orphaned spirits are guided to the "Great Refining Pool" (a sacred pool for soul purification), where each receives a "Transformation Talisman of the Elixir Realm" (a fulu talisman that aids soul rebirth), granting them the opportunity for renewal until all ultimately return to the orthodox path. The Celestial Lord addresses the assembly: "You suffering sinners, now delivered, shall all obtain new life. Listen carefully as I recite verses of instruction for you." The first verse conveys: Fengdu's dark abyss is suddenly illuminated, Revealing the spirits in shadowed depths, Bestowing fragrant offerings of celestial food. When the spirit talisman passes through refining fire, The souls' forms naturally ascend, Gaining admittance to this dharma assembly, Knowing the path back to immortal ways. The second verse explains: This rare opportunity across ten thousand kalpas is precious indeed, The gate to the underworld opens only by the wind of true Dao. Like a ferry guiding beings to the other shore, Salvation from suffering knows no end. Every thought becomes a cause for rebirth, Riding radiant light to soar through celestial realms. Having heard these verses, all present beings attain liberation. They bow in gratitude to the Celestial Lord before respectfully withdrawing. The scripture primarily recounts how, through the deity's compassion and divine power, souls are liberated from hell realms to obtain new life. Elements like the "spirit talismans" and "Great Refining Pool" represent key components in Daoist salvation rituals. 辤而退大上救苦天尊説消愆滅罪經 --- 原文底本：Kanripo 漢籍リポジトリ（京都大学），CC BY-SA 4.0。 Source text: Kanripo Chinese Classics Repository (Kyoto University), CC BY-SA 4.0. HTML version: https://daozang.app/en/text/KR5b0062/