《靈寶領教濟度金書》Vol. 271

This passage records the contents of the Five Directions Red Script Jade Characters talismanic incantations from the Taoist scripture Lingbao Lingjiao Jidu Jinshu, primarily used in rituals for supplication and disaster mitigation. Transmitted by the Southern Song dynasty master Ning Quanzhen and compiled by Lin Lingzhen, here is a modern interpretation of these five-directional incantations:

The Eastern incantation describes an Ancient Green Emperor residing in the celestial realm of Bi Xia Yu Lei, who oversees the registers of immortals and can mobilize the primordial Qi of heaven and earth to guide transcendents. This spell harnesses the power of the Year Star (Jupiter) to protect the liver and summons the star-lords of the Eastern constellations (Jiao, Kang, etc.) to suppress malevolent forces and dispel calamities. It specifically mentions using the Red Script talisman to bind demons from Fengdu (the Taoist underworld) and command aquatic creatures to cease disturbances.

The Southern incantation features a Great Red Emperor enthroned in the Jade Hall of Cinnabar Heaven, governing the Threefold True Fire. Drawing on the power of the Sparkling Deluder (Mars) to protect the heart, it activates the Southern constellations (Jing, Gui, etc.) to regulate celestial movements. The Red Script here can intimidate the northern Fengdu ghost city, sever evil roots, while the Southern Mountain Divine Spell terrifies all directions, scattering demonic forces. It also commands dragon kings to control floods, with disobedient spirits being sent to the Fire Palace.

The Central incantation venerates the Yellow Emperor, the Supreme Central Sovereign, who oversees transcendents of all directions and controls the Mysterious Charts and Jade Registers. Utilizing the Fortress Star (Saturn) to protect the spleen, it employs the Big Dipper's guiding stars to eliminate treachery. The Central talisman possesses the unique power to command myriad deities and activate the primordial energies of heaven and earth.

These incantations embody the Taoist concept of "heaven-human resonance," believing that specific character combinations (Red Script Jade Characters) aligned with stellar positions can communicate with deities and regulate nature. During Taoist zhaijiao (purification rituals), priests would arrange these talismans according to their respective directions to achieve disaster relief and salvation purposes.

This describes the Five Directions True Script incantations used by the Lingbao Daoist tradition for dispelling calamities and seeking blessings, primarily focusing on the ritual protocols for the eastern, western, and northern directions. These incantations are typically employed in the Yellow Register (Huanglu) purification rituals—large-scale Zhaijiao ceremonies for the salvation of departed souls—to guard the five directions and expel malevolent forces.

The eastern incantation section speaks of sweeping away defilements and baleful energies, invoking the power of the Northern Dipper (Beidou) deities to open celestial pathways. The phrase "golden horse relay" refers to the swift transmission of heavenly decrees through talismanic means. The text emphasizes commanding the Northern Emperor (Beidi, ruler of the underworld) to seal the ghost gates and eradicate ominous signs.

The western incantation depicts the immortal realm governed by the White Emperor (Baidi), featuring seven celestial gates, towering white cliffs, and swirling immortal Qi (vital energy). Here, the Great White Golden Star (Taibai Jinxing) oversees the examination of human lung functions, while the western constellations (Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zi, Shen, etc.) each guard specific parts of the body. The incantation summons dragon kings and mobilizes the power of mountains and rivers to annihilate evil influences.

The northern incantation describes the dark celestial domain ruled by the Black Emperor (Heidi), where five Qi currents spiral. The North Star (Beichen) supports kidney functions, and the northern constellations (Dou, Niu, Nü, Xu, Wei, Shi, etc.) each fulfill their roles in dispelling disasters. This section particularly highlights the ability to summon thunderbolts and wield the Flaming Golden Bells (Liujin Huoling)—a Daoist ritual instrument—to terrify demons, ensuring the destruction of malevolent spirits from the Northern Feng hell realms.

The concluding note explains that these True Scripts are primarily used for:

1. Eliminating national calamities for rulers and states

2. Guarding the five directions during preparatory Yellow Register rituals

It specifically identifies these as the Jade Register True Scripts of the Long-Life Celestial Lord (Changsheng Dijun), distinct from the scriptures of the Salvation Classic (Duren Jing). The entire passage exemplifies the Daoist cosmological view of harmonizing heaven, earth, and humanity through astral veneration and Five Phases (Wuxing) theory.

This scripture records the Five Directions True Texts and various talismans (fulu) used by the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) school, one of the major Daoist traditions, for saving the world and delivering beings. Arranged according to the five cardinal directions (east, south, west, north, and center), it describes the protective powers of different deities in safeguarding humanity and dispelling calamities:

The Eastern True Text speaks of the Horned Dragon (the guardian dragon of the east) carrying the Heavenly River to protect the mortal realm, capable of destroying all evil and ensuring the eternal stability of the nation. The Southern True Text mentions the Red Emperor (Yan Di of the south) commanding divine beings to open the myriad methods, eliminating demons and ensuring a world free from disasters. The Western True Text records the Mysterious Lady (Jiutian Xuannü) descending from the Purple Clarity Heaven with talismans in hand, commissioned to slay hundreds of malevolent spirits and bring peace to the world. The Northern True Text describes the Black Numinous Northern Lord (guardian of the north) overseeing the Heavenly Gate, dispelling demonic influences from the world and safeguarding the stability of heaven and earth with the Jade Book of Divine Empyrean (the supreme scripture of Daoism). The Central True Text states that the Heavenly Sovereign (ruler of the center) embodies the primordial Qi of heaven and earth, guarding the four directions, using divine fire and golden light to dispel inauspicious forces, and eternally protecting the nation according to the laws of the Yellow Emperor and Laozi (Huang-Lao).

The scripture specifies that these Five Directions True Texts must be inscribed with cinnabar in the corresponding directional colors (azure, red, white, black, and yellow). While writing, one must face the respective direction, recite the true incantations, and blow Qi into the brush tip to enhance its spiritual power.

Following this are over twenty types of talismans with varied functions: Mountain Tablets, Water Tablets, and Earth Tablets for communicating with heaven and earth; the Ancestral Deliverance Talisman for liberating ancestors; the Six Kin Talisman for aiding relatives; the Erasure of Sin and Death Registers Talismans for eliminating karmic obstacles; the Golden Elixir Talisman for cultivation; the Zi-Wu Talisman for aligning with celestial hours; as well as protective talismans for refining the spirit (shen), preserving life, and subduing demons. There are also specialized talismans corresponding to the Five Phases (wuxing), the Eleven Luminaries (sun, moon, five planets, and four additional stars), and the Big Dipper (the seven stars: Kui, 𩲃, 𩵄, 䰢, 魓, 𩳐, and 魒). Each stellar talisman specifies its precise efficacy, such as curing eye ailments, subduing spirits, warding off harm, or ensuring official success. The Southern Dipper Talisman and the Chimei Star Talisman respectively harness the power of the six stars of the Southern Dipper and the Chimei constellation.

This records the stellar talismans (fulu) used by the Lingbao School (one of Daoism's major lineages) for delivering deceased souls. These talismanic diagrams correspond to different directional stars, each possessing specific functions:

The first five talismans, including the "Mountain Spirit Star Talisman," serve as foundational stellar symbols, likely used to commune with celestial energies from various directions. The subsequent five correspond to the Five Directional Star Lords: the Eastern Dipper Lord (who governs lifespan calculation), Western Dipper Lord (recording merits and faults), Northern Dipper Lord (erasing death registers), Southern Dipper Lord (guiding souls to rebirth), and Central Dipper Lord (commanding all stars). During salvation rituals, Daoist priests employ these talismans through burning, incantations, and other methods to harness the Star Lords' power in liberating souls from suffering.

These talismans originate from Volume 271 of the Lingbao Lingjiao Jidu Jinshu (Golden Book of Lingbao Salvation Teachings), a scripture primarily documenting the Lingbao School's ritual liturgies (keyi) and techniques for soul deliverance. Their activation requires specific visualization practices (cunxiang), mantras, and hand seals (mudras) - mere drawing of the symbols alone holds no efficacy.