《太上靈寶天尊說延壽妙經》

Interpretation of the "Supreme Lingbao Celestial Lord's Scripture on Prolonging Life" in Vernacular Chinese:

At that time, the Lingbao Longevity Celestial Lord was seated beneath the Treasure Grove Tree in the Golden Light Mountain of the Southern Extremity Heaven, quietly contemplating the Dao while expounding the profound scripture of longevity to ten thousand disciples. He elucidated the true meaning of the formless Great Dao, his entire body radiating light that illuminated the Three Realms of heaven, earth, and the underworld. The ten directions of the universe resonated simultaneously with this vibration, causing all celestial deities, sages, ghost kings, and the eight divisions of heavenly dragons (Buddhist protector deities) to follow this radiance and come forth, prostrating before the Celestial Lord to seek liberation from the cycle of life and death.

Present were five perfected immortals including Perfected Lord of Prolonged Life and Perfected Lord of Abundant Blessings, along with four immortal youths such as Yellow Register Youth and Azure Empyrean Youth, plus numerous sages. They all offered precious flowers and fragrant herbs of hundred flavors, holding ritual implements like the Moon-Sun Numinous Banner and Purple Radiance Divine Scepter. Processing in orderly ranks, they burned incense and scattered blossoms while chanting praises to the Longevity Celestial Lord, hoping to receive his deliverance.

At this moment, the Celestial Lord smiled faintly and emitted ten beams of divine light from his crown, illuminating all present. Yet the assembly still hadn't attained complete understanding. A youth named Shanda stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and inquired: "All present possess vast spiritual powers—why can they not comprehend? We earnestly beg the Celestial Lord's illumination."

The Celestial Lord replied: "Though these immortal beings possess spiritual powers, they have not yet attained the true Dao." The youth asked: "What then is the true Dao?" The Celestial Lord said: "The true Dao neither arises nor ceases, neither comes nor goes. Yet attachment to these concepts itself becomes an obstacle—all phenomena are ultimately illusory. If worldly men and women wish to prolong their years, eliminate calamities and accumulate blessings, they should cultivate with sincere hearts through incense offerings, practice charity and life liberation, accumulate virtuous deeds, recite scriptures and make offerings. Moreover, they should invite Daoist priests to expound scriptures and perform rituals (Zhaijiao), particularly during their zodiac year of birth (Benming Nian). Thus will the Divine Kings of Life-Registry and Name-Recording protect the scripture reciters, reporting their merits to the celestial court to ensure abundant wealth and perpetual peace."

Hearing this, all celestial deities and ghost kings present reverently took refuge, rejoicing and praising, declaring they had never heard such wondrous Dharma through countless lifetimes of practice.

(Note: The "Zhaijiao" mentioned refers to Daoist sacrificial rituals, while "Benming Nian" indicates one's zodiac birth year—a period Daoism considers particularly important for seeking blessings.)

This scripture records the scene where the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure (a revered Daoist deity) expounded marvelous longevity methods, and all the spirits and deities made profound vows. The text consists of two main parts:

First are the vows of the spirits and deities: They pledged to witness true immortals with their own eyes and hear orthodox Daoist teachings with their own ears throughout all their rebirths. They vowed to steadfastly observe the Ten Days of Fasting (monthly Daoist purification days) and worship rituals, always upholding the supreme teachings of the Dao.

Then follows the instructive verse left by the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure:

"If you show no kindness or filial piety while alive, what grace can you repay after death?

When weeping in sorrow in the hell realms, who will urge you to practice virtue?

Good deeds naturally lead to virtuous paths, while evil acts surely plunge one into suffering.

Sincere and devoted offerings to the divine will prolong life and bring encounters with immortals.

Copying scriptures and crafting sacred images naturally brings blessings and longevity."

All the true immortals present, upon hearing this scripture, marveled at its profound and inconceivable wisdom. They paid reverent homage before withdrawing.

This passage emphasizes the connection between virtuous conduct, sincere worship, and longevity, illustrating how meritorious acts like scripture copying and image-making generate blessings. The "Ten Days of Fasting" refer to specific monthly dates (1st, 8th, 14th, 15th, 18th, 23rd, 24th, 28th, 29th, and 30th of the lunar calendar) when Daoist practitioners observe purification practices.