《上清佩符文黃卷訣》

This passage discusses several important talismanic texts (Fulu) from the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition of Daoism, a major school emphasizing visualization practices. The texts are divided into four sections: Upper Primordial, Middle Primordial, Mysterious Ascension, and Supreme Exalted.

The first section describes the "Upper Primordial Celestial Inspection Great Register":

It must be inscribed with blue ink on nine-foot yellow silk. When wearing it, one must journey to their Destiny Mountain (the guardian mountain corresponding to one's birth). First, a Zhaijiao ritual must be performed to inform the celestial deities and the Nine Mysteries Five Numinous beings. If after nine years of wearing one hasn't attained the Dao, two new copies must be made—one burned so its smoke ascends to heaven, the other buried nine feet deep in one's Destiny Mountain. This communicates with the Nine Heavens above, the Five Sacred Mountains below, and all deities in between, granting longevity.

The second section explains the "Middle Primordial Inspection of Immortal Truths":

This scripture only appears during cosmic kalpas (great cycles of time). Wearers receive protection from 300 Direct Response Deities and 91 Jade Maidens, becoming naturalized Jade Immortals. It must be inscribed at the Western Sands Platform Terrace. After 100 days of meditation in a purified chamber, one may behold the Upper Primordial Immortal Lords and gain the ability to fly to Shangqing palaces. Practicing without this scripture invites calamity.

The third section details the "Mysterious Ascension's Genuine Inspection of Immortal Qi":

A secret transmission from the Three Primordials Platform, wearing this text during nine days of purification allows one to meet the Three Primordials Great Lords who bestow true scriptures. Nine years of practice enables aerial flight. Again, practice without the text is forbidden.

The fourth section covers the "Supreme Exalted Mysterious Subtle Jade Inspection Three Primordials Text":

Manifesting at the Five Sacred Mountains during cosmic kalpas, 100 days of refined practice enables visions of true deities who dispatch immortal officials to procure natural wonders. Attempting cultivation without this text prevents immortal attainment.

All texts emphasize:

1. Strict protocols for inscription and wearing

2. Required meditation in purified chambers

3. Dangers of practicing without proper transmission

4. Ultimate goals of celestial flight and longevity

This scripture primarily discusses the origins, efficacy, and taboos surrounding several important talismanic writings (Fulu) from the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition, a major Daoist school:

1. Celestial Jade Script of the Northern Chamber in Lingdu:

Engraved in the northern chamber of Lingdu (a Daoist celestial realm), each character measures ten feet in size. By wearing this talisman and cultivating with single-minded focus for one hundred days, one may perceive the mysteries of the celestial realms. Those who attempt ascension practices without this talisman will bring punishment upon seven generations of ancestors and forfeit their qualification for immortality.

2. Flying Heaven Inspection Text from the Mysterious Purple Tenuity Palace:

Carved upon the Morning Lamp Terrace, this script illuminates the entire celestial realm. Originally transmitted by the Primordial Heavenly King (Yuanshi Tianwang) to the Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu), it summons the mountain deities of the Five Sacred Peaks. A hundred days of serene cultivation enables divine visions, but reciting the "Highest Scripture for Dispelling Demons" without this talisman invites grave misfortune.

3. Central Text for Transcendent Inspection from the Mysterious Flying Heaven:

Inscribed on the Platform of the Three Primes (Sanyuan), its cultivation requires offerings to the Five Sacred Peaks' deities. Bearers gain service from twelve jade attendants (Yutong), but unauthorized disclosure brings ancestral punishment.

4. Jade Inspection of Flying Mystery from the Three Primes' Emptiness:

Engraved upon the Three Passes Gates of the Nine Heavens, this serves as crucial certification for celestial officials. One year of cultivation may reveal the Nine Heavenly True Kings astride nine-colored phoenixes. Reciting the "Great Cavern Scripture" (Dadong Zhenjing) without this talisman condemns nine generations of ancestors.

5. Primordial Flying Heaven Script of Emptiness:

Engraved by the Primordial Heavenly King on the Golden Lattice Terrace, transmitted only once every ten thousand kalpas (cosmic cycles).

Key commonalities:

• All scripts originate from sacred celestial locations
• Require corresponding cultivation periods (100 days/1 year)
• Unauthorized use invites celestial retribution
• Emphasize prohibitions through phrases like "without this text, one must not..."
• Concern spirit-summoning, divine communion, and ascension practices

(Note: "Punishment upon seven/nine generations" refers to ancestral judgment in the underworld; "jade attendants" are immortal realm servitors; the "Five Sacred Peaks" denote China's holy mountains)

This scripture details the efficacy, wearing methods, and precautions for four esoteric Daoist talismans (fulu):

1. Eastern Florescence Adornment Script (Shangqing Adornment Talisman Yellow Scroll Formula):

To wear this talisman, one must devote three hundred days to focused cultivation without distraction. Upon completion, the practitioner may behold the Primordial Heavenly King (Yuanshi Tianwang, the supreme deity of Daoism) and attain a lifespan of ten thousand years. Without this talisman, entering sacred mountains, traversing the Five Peaks, or cultivating the path of celestial flight will invite calamity. The recipient's moral character must be carefully examined before bestowal. Once worn, it confers great auspiciousness.

2. Supreme Perfection Golden Tiger Script (Nine Heavens Concealed Text):

This secret text was inscribed by the Nine Heavens Father and Mother at the Phoenix Birth Terrace, revealed only once every nine millennia. Those with immortal destiny may glimpse it at the Southern Pavilion (a celestial structure). After nine hundred days of dedicated practice, the practitioner may meet the Nine Heavens Parents and achieve longevity. Attempting cultivation without this text not only brings personal misfortune but also afflicts seven generations of ancestors.

3. Jade Dawn of the Highest Heaven Demon-Subduing Numinous Banner:

Wearers gain power over the Great Demon King of the Central Yellow Emperor. For activation, one must face the Year Guardian (Taisui) on specific dates while reciting scriptures, hanging a yellow silk banner inscribed with blue characters at the room's center.

4. Supreme Numinous Flying Jade Talisman:

Worn for nine years, it manifests golden radiance and grants the ability to traverse the Great Void. Essential for practicing the "Flying Steps" method, it requires an oath sworn to heaven on twelve feet of yellow brocade. Drawing the talisman over the heart enables cloud-riding; when inscribed on nine-inch yellow silk and worn on the left elbow, it summons protection from the Six Jia Spirits and Twelve Jade Maidens.

5. Yellow Emperor's Spirit-Summoning Demon-Subduing Talisman:

Must be inscribed with cinnabar on a yellow wooden board measuring nine inches wide and twelve inches long, placed indoors for use.

(Note: These contents derive from the Jade Mirror of the Three Primes Scripture and the Supreme Flying Feather Scripture of the Ninefold Celestial Path*, among other Daoist classics.)

This scripture records several Daoist methods of cultivating talismans (fulu) and their effects:

1. Central Cultivation Method:

Practicing scripture recitation in a quiet chamber for one hundred days enables dialogue with divine spirits. Continuing for two years will cause spontaneously formed crimson clouds to appear in the room. To summon perfected beings (zhenren) and celestial immortals (tianxian), one must draw talismans according to specific methods while meditating facing south for one hundred days. The perfected beings will manifest, and immortals will visit the chamber to impart the Dao of transcendence. (From the Scripture of Golden Truth and Jade Radiance)

2. Vermilion Emperor's Lingering Fire Spirit-Jade Talisman:

Draw the talisman with cinnabar on yellow silk and wear it on the body. On selected Bing-Ding days (auspicious fire-element days), draw another talisman with cinnabar on yellow paper and ingest it while facing south. After three years, a jade maiden in red garments will descend, granting knowledge of affairs within ten thousand li to the south, the ability to summon immortal officials from the Southern Peak, and spontaneous access to celestial nourishment. After nine years of practice, the Vermilion Emperor (Chidi) will personally visit the chamber and escort the practitioner to heaven in a crimson cloud chariot. (From the Scripture of Numinous Flight and Six Jia)

3. Six Origins' Unfolding Constellation Essence Talisman:

To summon perfected beings and immortal officials from the Northern Peak, draw the talisman with white pigment on black paper and ingest it while facing north. After one hundred days of quiet cultivation, the immortal officials will arrive, and perfected beings will bestow elixirs. To subdue the demonic armies of the Black Emperor, draw the talisman with yellow pigment on a nine-inch black wooden board and face north for one hundred days—this compels celestial demons to manifest and causes myriad spirits to retreat. Seven years of practice leads to ascension. (From the Scripture of Seven Origins)

4. Jade Clarity Secret Method:

The Three Primordial Ladies of Great Simplicity received this method from the Celestial King of Primordial Commencement and transmitted it to the Jade Maiden of Great Harmony. Writing the incantation with purple ink on a yellow board and placing it in the northwest subdues demon kings and summons immortal officials from the northwest's blessed lands. After twelve years of practice, a jade maiden will descend to impart the immortal Dao. Wearing this talisman forces all spirits into submission and makes demon kings prostrate, culminating in cloud-riding ascension to the Jade Clarity Palace. (From the Jade Clarity Hidden Text)

5. Northern Emperor's Demon-Slaying Jade Script:

Taught by the Three Heaven Guardian Spirits and worn by twenty-six Jade Maidens of Supreme Mystery (also called the Jade Register of Awesome Power), this is the Jade Clarity Palace's specialized implement for demon extermination.

(Note: "Zhao" refers to the practitioner; "spontaneous nourishment" (xingchu) denotes an immortal's ability to obtain food effortlessly; "binding/subduing" describes the state of being restrained)

This passage describes a Daoist talismanic ritual for exorcising ghosts and warding off evil, with the following key procedures:

On a Ren or Gui day (according to the Heavenly Stems calendrical system), one must draw the talisman using blue pigment on yellow silk. The talisman should measure one chi two cun in length (approximately 36 cm) and three cun two fen in width (about 9.6 cm). For use on a Ren day, place the talisman in the central Wu position; for a Gui day, position it in the Ji location (these refer to specific directional arrangements in Daoist cosmology).

When performing the ritual, hold your breath twelve times, knock your teeth together thirty-six times, then recite the incantation. The chant essentially invokes: "By the power of Heaven and Earth's revolutions and the succession of four seasons, may the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) swiftly assemble. The Celestial Emperor (supreme Daoist deity) descends, the August Elders (venerated Daoist spirits) patrol - let all demons and evil be vanquished. First eliminate malicious ghosts, then eradicate all baleful influences, making myriad specters bow in surrender. These forces move like jade missives and chiming bells, shattering obstacles in all directions, causing mountains to crumble. This action accords with Heaven's mandate, witnessed and approved by the Bo Shi (likely referring to the deity recording merits and faults)."

After chanting, inhale twelve times while swallowing the breath. Performing this sequence continuously for twelve days will exterminate ghosts and drain demons of their Jing (essence). Wearing the blue talisman on yellow silk while traveling ensures all ghosts will flee and various monsters will conceal themselves. Practicing this for twelve years enables one to command the nine Jade Maidens of the Blue Waist (Daoist celestial attendants).

This method originates from the Yujing Yin Shu Jing (Jade Purity Hidden Texts Scripture), revealing the secret talismanic practices of the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition. Its primary function is exorcism and ghost repulsion - through specific ritual creation and wearing of talismans, one harnesses divine power to subdue demons and evil spirits.