《靈寶領教濟度金書》Vol. 137

This passage records the specific procedures and prayer contents of the Southern Dipper Lamp Ritual (a ceremony venerating the Southern Dipper deities) from the Daoist scripture Lingbao Lingjiao Jidu Jinshu.

The ritual begins with Daoist priests performing "Pacing the Void and Sprinkling Purification" (stepping in specific patterns while sprinkling purified water to cleanse the ritual space) and "Incense Invocation" (burning incense with prayers). At this moment, auspicious clouds swirl as golden talismanic scripts (Fulu) manifest in the void, with sincere prayers believed to receive celestial responses.

The venerated deities include: the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing, the highest Daoist deities comprising Jade Pure, Upper Pure, and Supreme Pure), the six Southern Dipper Star Lords (such as the Precious Radiance Jade Mysterious Supreme Dao Lord of Celestial Mansion, the Cinnabar Essence Mysterious Bright Treasure Chamber Supreme Dao Lord of Celestial Minister, etc.), along with deities like General Fire Bell and the Six Star Youths. The ritual also honors the natal destiny star lord (protective deity of one's birth hour) of the ritual sponsor (Zhaizhu) and the current year's Taisui deity.

The text particularly emphasizes the Southern Dipper Star Lords' supreme status: they reside near the Purple Tenuity Enclosure (celestial abode of the Heavenly Emperor) in the cosmic realm, governing the Thirty-Six Avian Stars and Seventy-Two Climatic Periods (ancient astronomical systems), commanding Yin-Yang forces in harmony with solar and lunar movements, with all living beings under their jurisdiction. These star lords may bestow official ranks upon the virtuous or demonstrate authority through military means.

The ritual's ultimate purpose is revealed: through devout offerings to the Southern Dipper Star Lords, practitioners seek disaster relief, misfortune dissolution, and life extension. Special lamps are lit during the ceremony, symbolizing the stars' radiant illumination, to obtain divine protection.

This practitioner (the fasting host), endowed with the celestial and earthly Qi, though dwelling in the mundane world, embraces the great Dao in heart. With utmost reverence, he prostrates before the Purple Empyrean Palace (one of Daoism's highest celestial realms) in the heavenly domain, gazing longingly at the vermilion towers of the celestial palaces (abodes of immortals). The fluttering rainbow robes of the immortals manifest the solemnity of the Three Vehicles (Śrāvakayāna, Pratyekabuddhayāna, Bodhisattvayāna) teachings, while the radiant clouds shimmer like the sun, moon, and stars. Auspicious mists rise, exuding fragrance as crimson immortal Qi permeates the air. May blessings unfold and calamities dissolve; may virtuous deeds be recorded in the immortal court (Cinnabar Terrace), with a mind as clear as the autumn moon and as pure as the jeweled lotus in the still waters of meditation. May worldly afflictions be transcended, blessings abundant like fine jade, and longevity rivaling the sacred mountains of Qianshan and Huoshan (Daoist peaks of immortality). All present devoutly pay homage to the Southern Dipper Star Lords (stellar deities governing lifespan) and their celestial officials.

Within the Southern Dipper Star Palace (Palace of Luminous Virtue), majestic vermilion-jade towers stand solemnly; in the Bureau of Destiny, the revered Guardian Deity of the Nation (Superior Minister of the Southern Dipper) is enshrined. Purple Qi (auspicious energy) circulates, illuminating the Crimson Heaven (southern celestial realm) that governs all directions. The Southern Dipper Lords above assist the Nine Heavens and below oversee the human realm, presiding over the rise and fall of nations and territorial stability. Through the celestial axis of Zi-Wu (north-south polarity), they demarcate stellar territories and earthly correspondences, wielding celestial governance through the form of the Dipper's Handle (Ursa Major).

Now the fasting host, with purified body and mind, gazes heavenward in sincere devotion, offering prayers to the Great Sage Sovereign Lord of Destiny of the Southern Dipper. May divine grace descend as sincere hearts reach celestial ears. May auspicious stars shine brightly with heavenly omens; may the Milky Way radiate brilliance to safeguard households. May harvests abound, seasons harmonize, epidemics and untimely deaths be eradicated, and blessings of prosperity, health, and longevity be attained. May all beings enjoy peace and the people rejoice. Again, all present devoutly bow, extolling the Southern Dipper Lord of Destiny (stellar deity governing life, death, and official registers).

The Southern Dipper Lords command the Nine Heavens and administer all living beings. Their six subordinate bureaus (each Southern Dipper star governing distinct functions) record mortal destinies, with registers kept in the celestial court. Dispensing authentic spiritual blessings according to heavenly law, they protect national stability and imperial longevity. Those with purified hun and po souls may ascend to the Jade Imperial Palace (higher immortal realm), realizing aspirations for eternal life. Finally, all present offer deepest reverence to the True Sovereign Lord of Registers from the Southern Dipper's Celestial Ministry and the assembled immortal officials.

I have heard that in the celestial grotto-palaces above the Nine Heavens, there stand magnificent palaces adorned with seven precious jewels. Within the Celestial Chancellor's residence dwells the venerable deity who governs the Five Sacred Peaks and Four Divine Rivers, exhaling crimson immortal Qi as he assists the Heavenly Emperor in ruling the Three Realms. This divine being oversees all mountain and river deities across the world, and also administers the sacred beings of the overseas immortal isles such as Penglai and Fangzhang.

Through celestial observation, this deity manages human fortunes and misfortunes, paying particular attention to the Qi movements of the Kuaiji region (modern Zhejiang). Like the guiding star of the Big Dipper, he governs the fundamental laws of earthly operations. Presently, a devout follower is conducting a Zhaijiao ritual (Daoist ceremonial offering), sincerely praying to the True Imperial Lord of Records from the Southern Dipper constellation. The devotee hopes the deity will bestow great blessings upon humanity and carry sincere wishes up to the Nine Heavens.

The Record-Keeping Star Lord of the Southern Dipper (the deity presiding over destiny among the six stars of the Southern Dipper) radiates divine light. He maintains the celestial registers of immortals, ensuring the stability of the Five Peaces and peace across all directions. Capable of dispelling calamities and severing inauspicious influences, he grants auspiciousness to all who follow the Dao's principles. This star lord resides in the resplendent Jade Hall paradise, sharing the longevity of Heaven and Earth.

We collectively offer sincere prayers to the True Imperial Lord of Extended Longevity from the Southern Dipper's Celestial Beam constellation (the longevity-granting deity among the six stars) and all attendant celestial officials. It is said that within the Palace of Contained Radiance, there similarly stand seven-jeweled palaces where the True Imperial Lord of Extended Longevity in the Celestial Beam residence exhales purple immortal Qi while assisting the Heavenly Emperor in managing mortal lifespans. He holds the secrets of immortality, recording all beings' allotted years in golden texts and jade tablets.

This deity calculates destinies through celestial observation, paying special attention to the Qi movements of Danyang region (modern Jiangsu). Like the Balance Star of the Northern Dipper, he governs the seasonal transitions of spring. Presently, a devotee performs reverent offerings, praying to the True Imperial Lord of Extended Longevity that the people's wishes may ascend to the celestial court and receive divine blessings. May all beings enjoy the longevity of tortoises and cranes, the enduring blessings of the toon tree and pine, forever delighting in eternal youth.

This passage is a eulogy and prayer text from the Daoist scripture Lingbao Lingjiao Jidu Jinshu, honoring the Southern Dipper Star Lords. In Daoist belief, the Southern Dipper (a constellation counterpart to the Northern Dipper) governs human lifespan.

The text describes the Southern Dipper Star Lords residing in magnificent celestial palaces, presiding over the Six Bureaus (each representing one of the six Southern Dipper stars with distinct functions) and recording mortal life spans in their ledgers. These stellar deities possess the power to dispel calamities, bestow blessings, and prolong life—their divine radiance rivaling the sun and moon. Practitioners who devoutly venerate the Southern Dipper receive protection to "preserve physical vitality, gather Jing (essence) and nurture Shen (spirit)," ultimately attaining ascension to the Jade Purity (the highest Daoist heaven).

Two specific Star Lords are highlighted: the Life-Extending Star Lord "annotates blessings and prolongs years," granting devotees "lifespans matching the sun and moon"; while the Fortune-Adding Star Lord "enhances vitality and increases longevity," bringing "boundless auspicious joy." The scripture records followers making ritual petitions during Zhaijiao (Daoist purification ceremonies), seeking to eliminate obstacles, prosper their lineages, and perpetuate family traditions of literary and ritual cultivation.

The concluding phrase "preserving life to naturally ascend to the jade palaces" reflects the Daoist cultivation ideal of achieving longevity through stellar veneration. The recurrent "Six Bureaus" refer to the six Southern Dipper stars (Celestial Mansion, Celestial Beam, Celestial Mechanism, Celestial Union, Celestial Minister, and Seven Slayers), each possessing unique salvific functions.

This scripture describes the majestic virtue of the Southern Dipper Lords (six stellar deities governing human life, death, fortune, and misfortune) and the prayers of devotees. The main content can be divided into three parts:

First, it depicts the celestial realm where the Southern Dipper Lords reside: within the Radiant Light Palace enveloped in rosy clouds and the Celestial Pivot Mansion, there dwells a venerable deity who oversees the registers of life and death. Cloaked in crimson immortal Qi, he governs affairs across the Three Realms, capable of delivering beings from suffering through the Dan Terrace and Purple Mansion (sacred cultivation sites) and the Blossoming Pool of the Jade Marsh (celestial paradise). This divinity not only administers the cycle of rebirth but also oversees worldly achievements and official ranks, determining blessings and calamities across regions according to the cosmic orientations of Chen and Xu (Earthly Branches).

Next, it records the devotee's ritual prayer: a fasting practitioner (a devotee observing purification rites) devoutly prays to the Great Sage of the Southern Dipper, the True Imperial Lord of the Celestial Pivot who Delivers from Calamity. He seeks divine protection to purify his mind like the bright moon, harmonize the Five Qi (vital energies of the five organs) naturally, and attain the wondrous state where form and spirit become sublime. He implores the Southern Dipper Lord to bestow spring's auspicious energies and dispel the accumulated misfortunes from the northern direction.

The conclusion presents a hymn praising the Southern Dipper Lord: extolling this stellar deity who dwells in the Supreme Tenuity Enclosure (a celestial division), radiating golden light that illuminates all, and oversees the life-and-death registers of the Six Offices (the six stars of the Southern Dipper). He possesses the power to revive the dead and elevate souls through refining liberation rites (funerary rituals for salvation). The devotee aspires to follow the deity in attaining longevity and ultimately ascending through the Jade Gate (celestial portal) to the immortal realm. The text also mentions another Southern Dipper Lord—the True Imperial Lord of Celestial Mechanism who Governs Birth—residing in the Mystic Terrace of the Celestial Node Palace, who similarly administers life, death, sins, and blessings, determining fortune and misfortune in the Nine Rivers region according to the cosmic orientations of Si and Hai (Earthly Branches).

This scripture describes the ritual of venerating the Southern Dipper Star Lord (the deity governing lifespan) in Daoist tradition. The text divides into three sections:

First, it depicts the sacred realm of the Southern Dipper Star Lord: The twelve lunar months cycle endlessly, while blessed lands (Daoist celestial realms) remain eternally spring-like. Divine Dao-Qi (primordial energy) fills heaven and earth, auspicious clouds gather like rivers, and celestial winds dispel darkness. Radiant sunlight illuminates golden scriptures, as longevity talismans (Fulu) resonate with the Immortal Elder of the South Pole (personification of longevity), filling the eastern celestial realm with propitious energy. Devotees kneel in reverent praise.

The second section details the veneration: Worshippers pay homage to the Southern Dipper Ascending Star Lord who resides in the Supreme Subtlety Enclosure (celestial region). This stellar sovereign grasps celestial mysteries, embodies threefold profundity, and traverses the eight directions freely. His six subordinate officers manage the registers of life, recording names in immortal ledgers. The Star Lord's divine power generates all beings, oversees Yin-Yang, aligns with the Dao of longevity, and naturally ascends jade celestial steps. Participants chant incantations while circumambulating the altar.

Finally, the scripture elaborates on the Star Lord's divine functions: His Fiery Palace illuminates vermilion celestial gates, overseeing lifespan records and shaping souls. He refines physical forms with jade nectar (elixir) and nourishes foundations with golden blossoms. Through the Celestial Pivot (Big Dipper), he discerns truth; by heavenly mechanisms, he judges dawn and dusk. Recording human merits and faults, governing life's continuance, he supports the heavens like a roof beam and bears all things like the earth. As Great Emperor of the Central Heaven, he rules the Kunlun paradise, with immortal ministers each in their proper stations. His power divides into three Qi (primordial energies), governing cycles across generations—both the grain-measure nourishing beings and the bulwark protecting heaven. Sustaining human destiny, regulating seasonal warmth, he is the source of all treasures and the fountainhead of five blessings. Life perpetually renews through his endless grace.

The conclusion presents blessings: The ritual master (Zhaizhu) purifies through ablutions, arranging golden lamps symbolizing stars, their crimson flames shining brightly. Gazing at purple mists encircling celestial palaces, they seek the Star Lord's favor. Through scripture recitation and music, they pray: "May spiritual radiance moisten all, minds become clear as oceans; may the Great Emperor inscribe names in cinnabar registers (immortal records), the longevity star reveal the path to eternal life; may we realize the wisdom of the Thirteen Hexagrams from the Zhouyi and fulfill the Nine Divisions of the Hongfan; may literature shine brightly and official careers flourish; may auspicious stars forever illuminate our homes, and fortunate clouds gather at our gates."

This passage describes a devotional scene from the Lingbao school's (an important Daoist tradition) salvation rituals. The general meaning is:

May this land flourish with outstanding talents (using orchids as metaphors for virtuous individuals), may our homeland prosper in peace (mulberry trees symbolizing one's native place), and may ancestral spirits (zuxuan) be free from litigation in the underworld. May all beings receive the nurturing grace of Heaven and Earth's transformative power (taorong referring to the creative work of cosmic forces).

To realize these noble aspirations, we reverently invite the sacred beings to descend and bear witness. With sincere hearts we recite "Blessed Infinite Celestial Worthy" (a title of the Daoist deities) - truly this meritorious deed is beyond comprehension.

This text comes from Volume 137 of the Lingbao Lingjiao Jidu Jinshu (Golden Book of Lingbao Salvation Teachings), representing typical liturgical prayers from Daoist purification rituals (zhaijiao). It expresses the religious sentiment of praying for national peace and the salvation of departed souls. The imagery of "orchids" and "mulberry trees" derives from traditional Chinese culture, while "Blessed Infinite Celestial Worthy" is a sacred invocation commonly used in Lingbao salvation ceremonies.