《金籙午朝儀》

Interpretation of the Golden Register Noon Ritual (Jinlu Wuchao Yi)

This is an important Daoist ritual performed during the noon hours (11 AM to 1 PM). At the commencement, participants devoutly pay homage to ancestral masters while maintaining a state of pure serenity.

The ceremony involves chanting hymns praising the "Emperor of the Great Void" (a high-ranking Daoist deity), while visualizing the Five Thearchs examining registers and bestowing talismans (Fulu) upon the altar, with the Three Officials (Heavenly Official, Earthly Official, and Water Official) present to offer protection. The five directional heavenly gates are guarded by divine beings who expel malevolent forces, shaking ritual bells and casting sacred flames to purify impurities.

Practitioners wear golden talismanic texts, refining the Golden Elixir (Jindan) to enhance their spiritual countenance. When the spirit (Shen) becomes interconnected with the Three Dantian (upper, middle, and lower energy centers), they attain the divine ability to ride lions and cranes, or command dragons and phoenixes. Myriad stars stand guard, warding off evil influences, while the Qi of the Great Dao (Daode) endures eternally, ensuring the well-being of all immortals.

The ritual continues with twenty-four strikes of the ceremonial drum, summoning the descent of supreme deities like the Most High Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun). Multiple divine assistants are invoked: the Merit Officers (heavenly scribes), the Golden Lad and Jade Maid (attendants to the deities), and thirty-six duty officers from each of the Five Thearchs' directions, all robed in solemn ritual attire.

The presiding Daoist priest refers to themselves as "your servant," signifying the noon-hour ascent to the altar to pay homage to the perfected sages. They beseech the sacred Qi and auspicious radiance of the Supreme Great Dao to descend, ensuring that sincere prayers swiftly reach the Three Pure Ones (Yuqing, Shangqing, and Taiqing—the highest triad of deities) and the Jade Emperor's divine presence.

Finally, the ritual enumerates the host of venerated deities to be worshipped: from the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun) and the Lord of the Dao (Taishang Daojun) to the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Shangdi), the Great Emperor of the Purple Tenuity (Ziwei Dadi), the Queen of Earth (Houtu Niangniang), as well as deities of the sun, moon, stars, and one's natal destiny. The ceremony concludes with a plea for the compassionate regard of all honored deities toward this solemn ritual observance.

This scripture describes the scene and prayers of the Golden Register Noon Ritual (Jinlu Wuchao) in Daoist practice. The ceremony takes place at midday, where Daoist priests offer incense, chant scriptures, and pray to the celestial deities for blessings.

As the ritual begins, fragrant smoke rises from the incense burner toward the heavens, presented to the supreme deities: the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, one of the Three Pure Ones/Sanqing), the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Shangdi), and other celestial venerables. The priests kneel in devout worship, praying for the emperor's reign to remain steadfast and the nation's prosperity to flourish. They beseech that all people under heaven may live in peace and contentment, with all lands paying tribute to the central kingdom.

During the second incense offering, the veneration shifts to the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure (Lingbao Tianzun, the second of the Three Pure Ones) and the Great Emperor of Purple Tenuity (Ziwei Dadi). The ceremony particularly emphasizes the pursuit of "union with the Dao" (Yu Dao He Zhen), aspiring that through these solemn rites, participants may harmonize with the Great Dao and attain longevity.

The entire ritual is conducted with solemn dignity, enveloped in swirling incense smoke and resonant scripture chanting. With utmost reverence, the priests pray for divine protection over the nation's peace and the eternal stability of imperial authority. The repeated invocations of "devoting body, spirit, and life" (Gui Shen Gui Ming) demonstrate the participants' complete spiritual immersion in this sacred ceremony.

This scripture passage is from the Golden Register Noon Ritual (Jinlu Wuchao Yi) of Daoist liturgy, containing key elements of midday zhaijiao (purification ritual) including blessings, repentance, and deity invocation. The general meaning is as follows:

The Crown Prince sincerely prays: May the Divine Lord of Azure Splendor (a revered Daoist deity) bestow longevity and blessings, may the perfected deities of the Nine Heavens descend their grace, may the Three Luminaries (sun, moon, and stars) shine upon all, safeguarding peaceful lives with enduring happiness and longevity. We now begin burning incense, devoutly taking refuge in all the Celestial Venerables and Perfected Ones, aspiring that upon attaining the Dao (the Way), we may abide eternally with heaven and earth, united with the Great Dao.

At high noon we ascend the altar to perform the ritual, inviting all ritual masters to participate. Lighting three sticks of incense, may the fragrant smoke rise directly to the Nine Heavens as offering to the supreme Celestial Venerables and divine beings, including the Five Numinous Ancient Lords, the Great Emperor of the Purple Tenuity North Pole, the Empress of Earth (sovereign deity of the land), and other Perfected Ones. With wholehearted devotion we take refuge, bowing in reverence to the Three Supreme Venerables (Yuanshi Tianzun, Lingbao Tianzun, and Daode Tianzun) and all sages of the Ten Directions, dedicating these incense offerings to benefit our ancestral lineage and temple deities.

We pray the deities descend in their phoenix-drawn chariots to this sacred void realm, extending their grace to protect the nation's prosperity and enduring fortune. Again we burn incense and take refuge in all Perfected Ones who have attained the Dao, aspiring to transcend physical form and unite with the Dao.

The following procedures are performed:

1. Bowing to the Four Directions

2. Confession of transgressions

3. Subjugation of demonic obstacles

4. Threefold invitation

5. Threefold prostration

6. Reaffirmation of ritual status

The presiding ritual master and all assembled officials reverently declare: To the Supreme Ones of the Three Pure Realms (Jade Pure, Upper Pure, and Great Pure), to all sages of the Ten Directions, to celestial deities of the heavens, to the sun, moon and stars, and to all divine beings of the Three Realms we make this petition. We deeply understand that the wondrous Dao of emptiness gives birth to all things—since the ancient kalpa of Dragon Han (a Daoist cosmic cycle), the Celestial Venerables have widely transmitted the Dao's teachings to deliver all beings. The heavenly deities each fulfill their duties, overseeing human virtue and vice. Holding fast to the scriptures with sincere prayers, we shall surely resonate with the divine descent, receiving their protection for all living beings.

This passage describes the midday liturgy (Keyi) from the Daoist Golden Register Noon Ceremony (Jinlu Wuchao Yi), depicting the ritual scene and prayers performed by Daoist priests at noon.

At the altar, the priests reverently arrange memorial petitions and offerings, burning incense to invoke the presence of the divine. They pray for the stability of the nation (sheji) and enduring blessings (hongxiu), wishing for the harmonious movement of the stars, the radiant illumination of celestial palaces, and an increase in prosperity, longevity, and peace in daily life. Such rituals both manifest the compassionate teachings of the Celestial Worthy (Tianzun) and reflect the sincere devotion of the faithful.

In the "Twelve Vows" section, the priests engage in visualization (cunshen) to commune with the spirits while burning incense. They envision divine emissaries such as the Incense Officers (Xiangguan Shizhe), the Left and Right Dragon-Tiger Lords (Zuoyou Longhu Jun), and other deities gathering before the incense burner. They pray that celestial attendants and jade maidens may guide the incense smoke, swiftly conveying their petitions to the highest deities—the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing: Jade Pure [Yuqing], Upper Pure [Shangqing], and Great Pure [Taiqing]) and the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Shangdi).

The concluding "Exit Hymn" (Chutang Song) signals the nearing end of the ceremony. The Golden Register Noon Ceremony refers to a midday liturgy conducted with golden talismans (fulu), one of Daoism's important court rituals. Typically performed at noon, it employs incense burning, scripture recitation, and visualization to communicate with the divine.