《靈寶領教濟度金書》Vol. 38

The thirty-eighth volume of the Lingbao Lingjiao Jidu Jinshu documents the complete procedure of a Daoist Zhaijiao (purification ritual). This scripture was transmitted by the Southern Song dynasty master Ning Quanzhen and compiled by Lin Lingzhen, serving as a standard Keyi (liturgy) template for both salvation of the deceased and general blessings.

The ritual begins with priests performing the "Pacing the Void" ceremony, stepping in prescribed patterns while burning incense and chanting scriptures. After paying homage to the patriarchs according to protocol and silently reciting sacred mantras, they proclaim the protective incantation: "The Five Stars (Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn) shine brightly as auspicious signs ascend. The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning gathers all deities, as Heaven and Earth's Yin-Yang energies intertwine in perpetual cycle. Jade talismans and precious registers emit subtle radiance, while flaming fu (talismans) are cast to subdue malevolent forces. Ten thousand demons tremble in awe, all strange phenomena completely dissipate. Divine light shatters the darkness as myriad deities descend to the mortal realm. All living beings receive protection, with blessings spreading throughout the Divine Land, merging completely with the Great Dao."

The ritual master then sounds the ritual drum twenty-four times (a crucial Daoist ceremony symbolizing communication with the divine), summoning the primordial Qi of the Three Pure Ones (Jade Pure, Upper Pure, and Supreme Pure), along with thirty-two deities including heavenly messengers, golden boys and jade maidens, the Five Directional Thearchs, and the day's duty gods to descend upon the altar. With solemn reverence, the master petitions: "We humbly invite local earth deities, city gods, and other orthodox spirits to bear witness. Today we establish this altar for the salvation of departed souls, praying that the Jade Pure Dao-energy and Lingbao's miraculous light may fill our bodies and minds, purifying both within and without the altar space, eliminating all impurities between Heaven and Earth. May this sincere devotion reach directly before the Jade Emperor's throne."

Finally, the master declares his authority: "I, disciple [name] who upholds the Lingbao purification rites, together with all present Daoist practitioners, offer incense with this merit dedicated to emperors and officials, teachers and friends, deceased relatives, and indeed all living creatures. We beseech the Celestial Worthy of Lingbao to absolve all beings' karmic transgressions from past and present lives...".

This scripture comprehensively presents the core elements of a Song dynasty Daoist salvation ritual, including key procedures like deity invocation, altar purification, and soul salvation, embodying the Daoist religious ideal of "universal salvation." Phrases like "casting flames to display might" and "ten thousand demons submitting in awe" reflect Daoism's characteristic exorcistic practices, while the enumeration of beneficiaries ranging from emperors to insects demonstrates the tradition's cosmology of "universal equality among all things."

This scripture passage describes the invocation text and repentance ritual performed during the Salvation Purification Ceremony (Zhaijiao) of the Lingbao tradition in Daoism. Practitioners begin by confessing their transgressions before various deities, seeking liberation from the Three Evil Paths (hell, hungry ghosts, and animal rebirth), the Five Paths of Reincarnation (heavenly, human, animal, hungry ghost, and hell realms), and the Five Sufferings and Eight Calamities.

The practitioners humbly address themselves as "your minor servant [name]" and join with all attending ritual officers in reverent supplication to the highest Daoist deities. Those invoked include: the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, the supreme Daoist divinity), the Great Lord of the Dao (Taishang Dadaojun), the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Dadi), the Celestial Worthy Who Saves from Suffering (Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun, specialized in redeeming lost souls) among the Thirty-Six Heavenly Emperors, and all authentic spirits throughout the Three Realms. They confess their innate ignorance, yet express gratitude for the karmic opportunity to practice Daoist methods, wearing talismans (Fulu) inscribed with phoenix seal and dragon script characters, and comprehending the profound principles of longevity.

Though these practitioners may dwell in mountain forests or move through worldly dust, all inevitably accumulate faults. They hope to rectify these through performing rituals and propagating Daoist teachings, beseeching the deities to witness their sincerity. Now responding to devotees' petitions, they establish the ritual altar according to Daoist liturgy: arranging precious offerings (Baoxin), burning orchid-scented incense (Langao), displaying jade ritual implements (Yuhua), and performing ninefold prostrations accompanied by bell and chime music. The entire sacred space shines with solemn magnificence, where celestial flowers scatter amid an atmosphere of divine presence.

Note: "Three Invocations and Three Prostrations" refers to the ceremonial sequence of three supplications followed by three bows; "Nine Musical Offerings" indicates the complete Daoist ritual music divided into nine movements; "Phoenix Seal and Dragon Script" denotes the distinctive mystical talismanic writing of Daoism.

As ethereal mists wreathe the celestial realms, from this month's appointed day onward, a multi-day Zhaijiao (purification ritual) has been established for the patron (devotee sponsoring the ceremony). Through the sincere composition of memorial documents, we beseech the descent of immortal beings, invoking the golden radiance of the celestial spheres to bestow the grace of the Purple Palace (heavenly court). May the liberated souls transcend the sufferings of the underworld, refining their form and Qi (vital energy) at Nanling (the sacred Daoist site for soul refinement), ascending their ethereal spirits to the blissful eastern paradise.

Thus the patron receives divine blessings, celebrated throughout the cosmos. Now that the ritual reaches its fulfillment, heaven's boundless grace manifests as both celestial and earthly realms rejoice together. Ceremonial banners return along cloud paths while ritual implements are reverently stored on high altars. Golden dragons soar skyward to report the ritual's merits, awaiting heaven's lawful evaluation before dispensing rewards. We humbly entreat the Supreme Dharma King (Daoist deity) to examine this memorial with compassionate discernment.

At the ritual's commencement, we solemnly invoked the Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen representing the three major Daoist traditions) celestial armies, ten-directional divine officials, Lingbao immortals, talismanic generals, along with city gods, earth deities, and temple guardians to protect the altar. Now following Keyi (liturgical protocol), we submit this merit report requesting divine promotions according to celestial hierarchy, thereby manifesting our sincerity. Aware that our Cunxiang (visualization during practice) may contain omissions, we fully rely on heavenly mercy should the Five Directional Emperors and Four Departments' (oversight agencies) deities perceive any shortcomings.

(The ritual master) bows reverently twice, respectfully presenting this memorial. Subsequently, the document is proclaimed with twelve great vows.

Concluding with Cunxiang (visualization) of deities returning to their abodes and Fulú (ritual closure). May the incense officials, Dragon-Tiger Lords, and divine attendants cause this altar to spontaneously manifest golden elixirs, vermilion herbs, and other auspicious signs, with hundreds of perfected beings gathering before the incense burner. May practitioners attain Dao-fruits, patrons receive blessings, and all beings in the netherworld share this grace. Celestial youths and jade maidens from all directions guard the sacred flames, swiftly conveying our devout prayers to the supreme Jade Emperor's presence.

(Note: This ritual from Lingbao Lingjiao Jidu Jinshu, Volume 38 documents the complete Zhaijiao liturgy including deity invocation, soul salvation, memorial submission, and dedication—embodying Daoism's religious functions of soul deliverance and disaster-alleviation.)