《靈寶領教濟度金書》Vol. 262

This is a collection of Daoist talismans (fulu) recorded in the Lingbao Lingjiao Jidu Jinshu, primarily used in rituals for salvation of the deceased (kaidu), blessings, and disaster aversion (rangzai). These talismans were transmitted by the Southern Song dynasty Daoist master Ning Quanzhen and later compiled by Lin Lingzhen.

The talismans are categorized into several types: The first and most exalted are the Yuqing series (Yuqing being one of the Three Pure Ones/Sanqing), which include commands for summoning celestial yang spirits and yin spirits, as well as exorcising malevolent entities. The second type comprises talismans for invoking guardian deities, such as the Azure Dragon and White Tiger (celestial protectors of the four directions), along with the celestial armies of the Five Directional Emperors. The third category consists of talismans that construct sacred space, manifesting celestial realms like the Jade Terrace of Yu Luo (a Daoist paradise) and the Great Canopy Jade Purity (the highest heavenly realm). The fourth type includes ceremonial talismans symbolizing immortal majesty, such as the Crimson Chariot and Green Canopy (divine vehicles), as well as auspicious creatures like the Nine Phoenixes and Eight Luan Birds.

Particularly significant are the Five Directional Summoning Talismans, each corresponding to one of the cardinal directions (east, south, west, north, and center). Every talisman embodies the primordial qi of its respective direction (e.g., the "Primordial Yang Essence" of the east or the "Crimson Flaming Radiance" of the south), used to summon celestial troops from the corresponding heavenly realm. The collection also includes specialized talismans for invoking the immortal armies of the Ten Great Grotto Heavens and Thirty-Six Lesser Grotto Heavens (sacred Daoist paradises).

In ritual practice (keyi), these talismans are traditionally drawn by the presiding high priest (gaogong fashi) according to established methods, accompanied by incantations and hand seals. Their inscriptions are written in celestial seal script (yunzhuan), where each stroke symbolizes specific celestial energies and divine authority.

This scripture documents the various types of Fulu (talismans and registers) used in Daoist Zhaijiao (grand purification rituals). These ritual implements primarily serve to summon divine armies and celestial officials to assist in ceremonies, as well as to exorcise evil spirits and purify the ritual space.

The text first enumerates the authentic talismans for summoning different celestial troops: those governing the seventy-two blessed lands, the guardian deities of city walls (Chenghuang), the divine armies of the Three Realms, the mountain spirits of the Five Sacred Peaks, the aquatic forces of rivers and lakes, the twelve tributaries of the Four Seas, the underworld troops from the Nine Layers of the Netherworld, the local guardian spirits (Sheling) of the Nine Provinces, and the armies of Fengdu's Northern Emperor (supreme underworld deity in Daoism).

Following these are specialized Fulu for Zhaijiao rituals, including: the Lingbao officials' talismans for various departments, talismans to summon both nearby and distant supervising deities, and those for local earth gods. Also listed are the supreme demon-subduing talismans of the Five Directional Emperors (Green, Red, White, Black, and Yellow Emperors) used to suppress malevolent forces.

Ritual-specific talismans include: the Furnace-Opening Talisman (initiating the altar), Furnace-Closing Talisman (concluding the altar), Messengers' Talismans (for celestial scribes), Golden Youth Incense Attendant Talismans, Jade Maiden Message-Bearing Talismans, and other attendant spirit talismans. There are also daily ritual talismans like the Five Emperors' Direct Talismans and Daily Incense Official Talismans, plus specialized talismans for the three stages of incense offering.

The purification talisman series concludes the collection, comprising Appointment and Dismissal Talismans for officials, Demon-Commanding Talismans, and a complete set of nine purification talismans used from preparatory rites (Suqi) to altar dissolution (Santan) across nine ceremonial sessions. The final mention of "Three Sovereigns' Inner Texts" and "Great Brahma's Luminous Jade Characters" refers to the most esoteric, highest-level talismanic writings, considered equivalent to the sixty-four hexagram sacred texts.