《上清八道祕言圖》

The second part of the Shangqing Eight Dao Secret Formulas Chart outlines the following cultivation methods:

The First Secret Formula states: On the jia or yi days of the first lunar month (beginning of spring), at dawn, face northward to observe the skies. Should you perceive clouds of purple, green, and white hues, these signify the Three Primes Lords (Taishang Sanyuan Jun, high-ranking Daoist deities) riding their tri-colored flying clouds on inspection. Immediately kneel in reverence, silently reciting: "This disciple has devoted myself to cultivation since youth. Today I am blessed to witness the Three Primes' procession, and humbly request permission to attend as an attendant." If one witnesses the cloud chariots three times, daylight ascension may be achieved. Practitioners should maintain a bowed posture in quiet contemplation, repeatedly performing this ritual. The eight secret formulas follow similar prayer protocols, though those not registered in the celestial records are forbidden from hearing them.

(Practitioners should wear azure Daoist caps, light green cloaks, and vermilion vine-patterned robes while holding five-colored cloud banners. Attendant youths must be properly attired.)

The Second Secret Formula states: During the spring equinox or on yin/mao days at midnight, observe the northeast. Black, blue, and yellow clouds indicate the Eight Scenes Cloud Chariot of the Great Microcosm Emperor (Taiwei Tiandi Jun, a principal celestial sovereign). Kneel as previously described. Witnessing the imperial chariot four times will summon dragon-drawn feathered canopies for celestial ascent.

(Practitioners don blue crowns with red robes, overlain with jade-green cloud-patterned garments edged in azure.)

The Third Secret Formula states: At summer's commencement or on wu-chen/ji-si days of the jia-zi decade at dawn, face northwest. Tri-colored clouds of purple, blue, and yellow reveal the Mysterious Verdant Chariot of the Supreme Perfected Lord of the Supreme Ultimate (Taiji Shangzhen Jun, representing the pinnacle of Daoist realization). Five sightings enable daylight ascension.

(Practitioners wear jade-green crowns with light green crane-patterned cloaks, bearing vermilion banners.)

The Fourth Secret Formula states: During summer solstice or on wu-yin/ji-mao days of the jia-xu decade at dawn, observe the southeast... (Subsequent content follows similar patterns detailing cloud observation methods for specific seasonal nodes and directions.)

The Shangqing Badao Miyan Tu scripture records eight secret cultivation methods corresponding to specific celestial phenomena. When observing clouds of particular colors during designated seasonal periods, it signifies the passing of high-ranking deities. Performing prescribed rituals at these moments can lead to attaining the Dao and ascending as an immortal:

First manifestation: At dawn during the Beginning of Spring (or on Wuchen/Jisi days within the Jiazi cycle), gaze northeastward. If you witness tri-colored clouds of azure, purple, and green, these are the Three Pure Clouds of the Fusang Great Emperor (supreme deity of the East). The Emperor rides his Luminous Eightfold Path chariot toward the Taiwei Palace. After witnessing this phenomenon four times with devout prostration, celestial dragons will descend to escort the practitioner for daylight ascension. (The Emperor's appearance: golden crown, crimson robe with azure trim, surrounded by five-colored cloud banners.)

Fifth manifestation: At dawn during the Beginning of Autumn (or on Wuzi/Jichou days within the Jiashen cycle), gaze westward. White, red, and purple clouds signal the Three Pure Clouds of the White Emperor (Celestial Emperor of the West) riding his Jade Chariot to audience with the Mysterious Sovereign. Witnessing this five times ensures daytime immortality. (His attire resembles the former deity, encircled by tri-colored clouds.)

Sixth manifestation: At dawn during the Autumn Equinox (or on Wuxu/Jihai days within the Jiawu cycle), observe southern skies for azure, red, and yellow clouds—the chariot clouds of the Red Emperor (Celestial Emperor of the South). He journeys in a Vermilion Jasper Chariot to Langfeng Terrace to meet the Nine Numinous Ladies. A single sighting enables flight to immortality. (Gold-adorned crown, robes matching previous descriptions.)

Seventh manifestation: At dawn during the Beginning of Winter (or on Wushen/Jiyou days within the Jiachen cycle), look southwestward for green, purple, and azure clouds—the chariot of the Supreme Shangqing Perfected Lord and Imperial Ancestor. Riding his Mysterious Radiance Eightfold Light Cinnabar Chariot toward the Nine Heavens' Jade Emperor, four sightings will prompt the Purple Dawn Great Unity Lord to descend with immortal retinues bearing phoenix-patterned feather canopies.

Eighth manifestation: At dawn during the Winter Solstice (or on Wuwu/Jiwei days within the Jiayin cycle), eastern skies may reveal vermilion, jade-green, and yellow clouds—the chariot of the Supreme Perfected of Grand Void. At this time... (The original text breaks off, presumably continuing with ritual instructions and ascension details.)

The Jade Consort of the Azure Heavens and the Supreme Perfected Being of the Great Void rode together in a magnificent jade carriage to the Palace of the Supreme Sovereign. They summoned the Celestial Emperor of the Grand Tenuity and instructed practitioners: when observing auspicious clouds of specific colors, one must perform prescribed methods of kneeling in reverence and prayer. If such clouds appear three times consecutively, the Jade Emperor will dispatch the Life-Regulating Official of Central Yellow, arriving in a dragon-drawn chariot to receive the practitioner, enabling daytime ascension to immortality.

These eight secret formulas of practice were fully transmitted. When encountering auspicious clouds, one must sincerely prostrate and knock four times upon the cheeks while reciting the prescribed self-declaration. Additionally, practitioners must prepare by purifying themselves with ablutions and incense, observing the skies for approximately the duration of a meal before returning to the meditation chamber. The three types of auspicious clouds (Threefold Ethereal Clouds) each possess distinct colors, appearing in layered sequence. For instance, during the Beginning of Spring, the three luminous clouds manifest with purple above, green in the middle, and white below.

The term "first ten days" here specifically refers to the Jiazi days within the first decade of each lunar month. If these clouds appear on unusual dates or at unexpected hours, one must still offer devout worship. Those who cultivate the Nine Perfected Officials' Eightfold Path will receive celestial protection, with the True Sovereign safeguarding their life essence. However, note that this scripture must not be transmitted to those without an immortal destiny—those who forcibly seek it will never perceive the auspicious clouds.

Practitioners of this method must pay special attention: footwear must remain immaculate, and robes should be changed frequently. This is because the residual Qi of the body’s seven earthly souls transforms into dragons and tigers guarding beneath the shoes, while the lingering spirit of the three ethereal souls manifests as five-colored auspicious clouds above the headscarf. Violating these taboos will scatter the heart-mind. Footwear must never touch soil and must avoid defilement by foul odors; clothing chests must remain clean inside and out, free from contamination.

This scripture is jointly guarded by seventeen exalted Jade Youths and Maidens of the highest heavens. Those who uphold the scripture may use it to accumulate merit, rectify faults, and expel malevolent influences. When studying the text, one must enter a purified chamber with burning incense; when transmitting it, the liturgical protocols must be strictly observed.

This scripture outlines the strict protocols for transmitting the Shangqing Eightfold Dao Secret Charts, a set of esoteric Daoist methods. Both master and disciple must observe purification rituals (zhaijie) to cleanse body and mind while maintaining sincere devotion. The text mentions that practicing these methods involves engaging with the "Nine Authentic Realities" (jiuzhen zhi shi, nine stages of cultivation) and the "Twenty-Four Shen" (ershisishen, divine guardian generals), requiring silent recitation of divine names and incantations.

The transmission ceremony demands utmost solemnity: master and disciple must face each other while maintaining twenty-four days of purification, with additional single-day fasts before and after the formal scripture transmission. Upon receiving the text, the disciple must transcribe it completely and offer a lock of hair as a pledge to the master. The ritual specifies using nine zhang (about 30 meters) of white silk as a covenant token—white symbolizes the "Qi of Grand Simplicity" (taisu zhi qi, the primordial cosmic energy in Daoist cosmology), while the length nine represents the "number of authenticity" (zhenshu, a sacred numerical correspondence in Daoism).

A grave warning emphasizes that recipients must never disclose the teachings, boast of their abilities, slander orthodox teachings, gossip, or behave improperly, lest they defile the Dao's true meaning. Devotees who cultivate this scripture with reverence may ultimately achieve "ascension at dawn" (bairi dengchen, celestial immortality and daytime flight to the heavens).

The text concludes by naming seventeen "Jade Youths of Supreme Heights" (gaoshang yutong, celestial attendants) who guard this scripture, assisting practitioners in accumulating merit, rectifying faults, and dispelling malign influences and inauspicious forces.