《靈寶領教濟度金書》Vol. 218

This passage is from the Lingbao Lingjiao Jidu Jinshu (Precious Scripture of Salvation According to the Numinous Treasure Tradition), detailing the preparatory liturgy (Keyi) known as the "Night Vigil Rites." It features five directional Guardian Spirit Mantras (Weiling Zhou) used to purify the ritual space and invoke protective deities.

Eastern Mantra:

Within the azure heavens formed from the Nine Qi (primordial energies), the Great Star Deity illuminates the East, penetrating the Nine Celestial Gates. The youth named Xuanqing wields a torch to dispel impurities, guarding our sacred altar. Bearing the Jade Emperor's decree, he subdues demons and executes the mandate of the Nine Heavens' Jade Talismans (Daoist Fulu), bringing cosmic harmony and aiding adepts in achieving ascension.

Southern Mantra:

In the crimson heavens formed from Three Qi, the Red Essence Youth (Southern guardian) named Huafang commands fiery legions guarding the Jade Hall. Vanquishing demons with wind-fire bells (ritual instruments), he protects the Daoist sanctuary. Practitioners upholding true teachings may harness the Big Dipper's Gang Qi (Daoist cultivation term) to attain deathless virtue.

Western Mantra:

The white heavens formed from Seven Qi receive the essence of Venus (Western Star Lord), illuminating golden gates. The White Imperial Spirit (Western deity) stabilizes forms and severs malign influences, sanctifying the ritual space. Numinous Treasure Talismanic Decrees (highest Daoist Fulu) universally deliver beings—adepts merging with primordial Qi may reach the Purple Court paradise.

Northern Mantra:

In the obsidian heavens formed from Five Qi, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (highest Daoist deity) manifests through Mercury's radiance. The Black Spirit Sovereign (Northern guardian) named Cengwei commands celestial hosts guarding Five Gates. Malevolent disturbances meet thunderous annihilation. Jade Talismans secure the eight directions, revealing true teachings as practitioners radiate light for aerial ascent.

Central Mantra:

The golden heavens formed from Primordial Qi govern creation, harmonizing Yin-Yang. The Mysterious Truth (central sovereign) forges all existence—adepts uniting with this energy become vessels for the Three Lights (sun/moon/stars), achieving immortal ascension. This mantra emphasizes the central Earth Virtue's (De) governance over directional energies.

This scripture passage depicts a ritual ceremony (Zhaijiao) conducted by the Lingbao school of Daoism. The text begins by describing how the planet Saturn (Zhenxing) radiates its brilliance to illuminate the Nine Heavens, while an immortal youth named "Enlightening Child" (Kaiming Tongzi) manifests. It then portrays the primordial Qi and Yang essence (pure cosmic energy) transforming into crimson mist that illuminates both heaven-earth and the practitioners' bodies, capable of dispelling all malevolent influences and annihilating countless demonic entities.

The ceremony commences with twenty-four ritual drumbeats (a specific rhythm in Daoist liturgy), followed by the summoning of the Nine Imperial Numinous Officials (Jiuhuang Lingguan) — nine high-ranking deities — along with their retinue of divine generals for protection. The presiding Daoist priest, humbly referring to himself as "your minor servant-official" (Xiaozhao Chen), leads the assembly in incense offerings and prayers. The accrued merits are dedicated to the emperor, government officials, ancestors, teachers, and all sentient beings throughout the cosmos, including animals and all living creatures.

The priest invokes stellar deities like the Greedy Wolf Star Lord (Yangming Xingjun, the first star of the Northern Dipper) from the Nine Luminaries of the Dipper (Jiuchen) to absolve participants' karmic transgressions across lifetimes. They seek deliverance from calamities (such as the Three Disasters and Four Baleful Influences in Daoist cosmology), pray for wisdom and awakened Dao-mind, ultimately aspiring to transcend the cycle of rebirth and attain immortality. The passage culminates in expressing the ultimate aspiration to merge with the Supreme Truth of Limitless Dao (Zhizhen Wuji Dadao).

Special terms like "Nine Luminaries" (referring to the nine stars of the Northern Dipper), "Dragon Han Eon" (Longhan, a primordial cosmic cycle in Daoist cosmogony), and "Orthodox Unity transmitted liturgy" (Zhengyi Chuike, referencing ritual standards of the Zhengyi tradition) reflect distinctive Daoist cosmological views and cultivation systems. These technical terms embody the profound worldview and practice framework unique to Daoism.

This scripture is a liturgical invocation and hymn from Daoist purification rituals (Zhaijiao), comprising three main sections:

The opening describes practitioners confessing before the deities: Though we offer pure water and flowers to pray for longevity and blessings, mortals remain entangled by the six emotions (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind) and various karmic obstacles. Even when facing the supreme Purple Tenuity deities, we struggle to maintain purity of Jing (essence), Qi (vital energy), and Shen (spirit), with our three karmic portals (body, speech, and mind) still impure. We humbly beg divine forgiveness, seeking diligent cultivation so the Daoist teachings may bless both the living in their life domains and departed souls across water and land.

Three hymns follow:

The first advises practitioners to embrace Daoist methods as companions, treasure scriptures as jewels, restrain the six emotions through precepts, and cultivate stillness to fill with righteous Qi—earning even celestial demons' reverence and protection.

The second describes how Daoist practice brings prosperity to families and nations, spreads scriptures widely, and aligns heaven and humanity in pursuing the Dao. Through cultivating the heart's field of merit, one can elevate seven generations of ancestors while attaining personal ascension.

The third reveals the Dao's profound mystery—sincere practice transforms the body into an immortal form, transcending the Three Realms' suffering and liberating from the Five Torments of hell (knife-mountains, sword-trees, bronze pillars, boiling cauldrons, and icy abyss), ultimately returning to the Supreme True Scriptures.

The ceremony culminates with the Threefold Obeisance: paying respects sequentially to the highest Daoist divinity "Supreme Ultimate Dao," the collective "Thirty-Six Sacred Scriptures," and the ancestral "Great Master of Mysterious Center." The presiding priest (designated as "this minor minister") solemnly invites the Nine Star Lords of the Northern Dipper—the seven visible stars (Greedy Wolf, Giant Gate, Store of Wealth, Literary Curves, Pure and Chaste, Martial Arts, and Army Breaker) plus two assistant stars—to descend to the altar. These stellar deities govern celestial ministries like the Grand Commandery and Chief Minister offices, overseeing human lifespan and fortune in Daoist belief.

Terms like "bestowed blessings," "longevity domain," and "field of merit" represent distinct Daoist concepts of divine grace, realms of long life, and sites of accumulated virtue. The entire ritual embodies Daoism's religious function of connecting heaven and humanity through Zhaijiao ceremonies to aid both living and deceased.

This scripture describes an elaborate Daoist Zhaijiao (purification ritual) ceremony, which unfolds in three main sections:

The first section involves the summoning of celestial beings to the ritual altar. The text enumerates numerous Daoist deities, including the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper (such as the Assistant Star Lord), the Nine Imperial Consorts, the Tian Gang Star Lord, and the Three Terraces Canopy Star Lords—all important heavenly divinities. Also invoked are protective deities like the Four Sages of the North Pole and the Xuanji Generals, along with various immortal officials and messengers responsible for dispelling misfortunes and delivering edicts. Each deity has a distinct role in safeguarding the ritual space.

Next, the text depicts the solemn setting of the altar and scripture recitation. The Daoist priests establish a purified ritual platform where divine winds blow and celestial flowers descend. Illuminated by a thousand jeweled torches, they chant to the sacred melodies of golden ao (a type of celestial music). Through devout prayers, they beseech the Northern Dipper Star Lords (the True Venerable of the Dipper) and the Great Emperor of the Central Heaven to witness the ceremony with compassion. They also command protective deities such as the Ten Precept Immortal Officials and the Southern Mound Messengers to guard the altar according to their dignified protocols, expel malevolent forces, and maintain the pervasive presence of Dao Qi (primordial energy).

The final section consists of vows expressing two fundamental aspirations: first, the wish for a clear and harmonious world (Qian Kun bright and pure), and second, the hope for the universe to be filled with pristine energy (Qi Xiang pure and profound). These reflect Daoism's core ideal of achieving harmony among heaven, earth, and humanity. Through meditation (Cun Si), scripture recitation, and vow-making, the entire ritual aims to bridge the celestial and human realms while bringing salvation to all beings.

This passage describes the Twelve Great Vows and incense offering segment within a Daoist Zhaijiao (purification ritual for blessings and disaster prevention).

The Twelve Great Vows express auspicious aspirations: First, longevity for sages; second, universal dissemination of teachings; third, heavenly descent of sweet dew; fourth, manifestation of auspicious Qi (vital energy) upon the earth; fifth, harmonious succession of the four seasons; sixth, flourishing growth of all beings; seventh, filial piety and harmony in every household; eighth, abundant talents for the nation; ninth, widespread merit from the ritual; tenth, increasing manifestation of auspicious signs.

The incense offering ceremony follows: The Incense Official Messengers (divine administrators of ritual incense), the Left and Right Dragon-Tiger Lords (guardian generals), and various attendant incense spirits descend to the ritual altar space. Spontaneously, the altar manifests golden nectar (immortal elixir), cinnabar-jade herbs (celestial plants), and luminous ganoderma (divine mushrooms) as auspicious signs. Numerous perfected immortals and divine beings gather before the incense burner, enabling the presiding ritual master to learn and attain the Dao, seek and achieve immortality, while participating devotees receive blessings that benefit both the yin and yang realms.

The Ten Directions' Jade Maidens and Immortal Youths (celestial attendants) receive the incense smoke, swiftly conveying the master's sincere petitions before three supreme deities: The Ultimate Truth of Limitless Dao (primordial source of the Way), the Two August Emperors of the Central Heaven (significant celestial rulers), and the Nine Jade Sovereigns of the Purple Tenuity (high-ranking perfected immortals).

The concluding segment involves the master chanting the Exit Hymn (final eulogy), guiding participants in ceremonial withdrawal while paying respects to the founding masters. This account originates from Volume 218 of the Lingbao Lingjiao Jidu Jinshu (Numinous Treasure Scripture for Salvation Through Teaching), documenting specific procedures for grand-scale Zhaijiao rituals.