《玉籙資度晚朝儀》

The Jade Register Evening Court Ritual (Yulu Zidu Wan Chao Yi) is a significant Daoist evening ceremony with the following key elements:

This standardized evening liturgy begins with participants paying reverent homage to the patriarchs while maintaining devout mindfulness. The ritual then involves chanting divine incantations to invoke auspicious manifestations from the Five Planets (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) and request the Primordial Celestial Worthy (Yuanshi Tianzun, one of Daoism's supreme deities) to assemble divine beings, facilitating the harmonious circulation of celestial and terrestrial energies.

The ceremony employs jade talismans (Daoist ritual implements) and precious ritual instruments, using mantras to communicate with the netherworld. These incantations contain invocations to expel malevolent forces, subdue demonic entities, and spread the Qi of the righteous path throughout all directions. Divine illumination permeates the night, dispelling darkness as myriad deities descend to shower blessings across the sacred land.

Twenty-four drumbeats then resonate, symbolizing connection with the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and the underworld). The presiding priest (referred to as "minister") summons various internally cultivated divine officials (such as merit officers, messengers, golden boys and jade maidens) to assist in the ritual. These celestial functionaries appear in solemn attire to facilitate communication between heaven and earth.

The officiant declares the evening court ceremony's commencement, beseeching the radiance of wisdom from the Supreme Dao Ancestor (Taishang Daozu, the highest Daoist divinity) to carry sincere prayers directly to celestial ears. Sequential worship follows, paying homage to:

• The Three Pure Ones (Sanqing: Jade Pure, Upper Pure, and Supreme Pure deities)
• The Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Shangdi, supreme ruler of heaven)
• The Great Emperor of Purple Tenuity (Ziwei Dadi, regulator of stars)
• The Queen of Earth (Houtu Niangniang, earth divinity)
• The Four Directional Emperors (sovereigns of east, south, west and north)
• The Realized One Who Saves from Suffering (Jiuku Zhenren, savior deity) among others

Through this meticulously structured procedure, the ritual expresses profound reverence for celestial and earthly deities while petitioning for disaster relief and universal salvation.

This scripture describes the ritual of the "Evening Court Ceremony for Jade Register Salvation" in Daoist practice. The main content can be understood as follows:

In the fragrant forest of the Dharma assembly, various Perfected Lords (such as the Universal Salvation Perfected and Dharma Liberation Perfected) descend together with the Thirty-Six Sacred Scriptures, the Great Masters of Mysterious Centrality, the Great Masters of the Three Heavens, and the Three True Lords of Lingbao Scriptures (who oversee transmission, preservation, and dissemination). These celestial officials and divine beings from the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and underworld) compassionately observe and bear witness to the human world.

The scripture recounts the cosmogonic process: in the primordial chaos before differentiation, the Ancestral Qi (primordial vital energy) spontaneously coalesced. Then heaven and earth formed, with True Jing (primordial essence) dispersing throughout the vast primordiality. Through the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), the world's framework was established, creating order among the Three Numinous Realms (heaven, earth, and water). The Great Dao originates from the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, whose radiance illuminates all; teachings began with the Empty Sovereign, who nurtured all things. Sincere prayers will always receive response.

We practitioners are fortunate to live in this enlightened era, having received transmission of the Three Caverns (Dongzhen, Dongxuan, Dongshen) scriptures and formed spiritual friendships at the Cloud Gate (celestial realm), though our cultivation remains shallow. Through the guidance of ancestral masters and celestial grace, we continue our diligent practice. The golden rules and jade precepts (Daoist commandments) manifest benevolence and salvation for all beings; benefiting the world is our primary duty. Whenever someone takes refuge in the Dao, we must report it to the celestial court.

Now, in accordance with the Celestial Worthy's decree, we perform the Jade Register Zhaijiao (salvation ritual) for a certain deceased soul. We prepare a purified altar space and make offerings to the Ten Directions sages according to ritual protocol, scattering golden flowers throughout the Five Directions. We pray for divine protection, that earth deities may escort the soul's ascension to the celestial realms for eternal bliss. We also pray for national prosperity and universal blessings.

During tonight's altar ceremony, the Dharma assembly (participating Daoist priests) first offer incense. May this fragrant smoke reach the celestial court as an offering to the Supreme Truth of the Dao. We devote our body and mind, bowing to the Three Supreme Venerables (Jade Pure, Upper Pure, and Great Pure) and sages of the Ten Directions. Through these devotional merits, may the deceased soul soar to the Purple Extremity (celestial palace), riding immortal chariots and lotus thrones in eternal freedom, while blessing their descendants.

Finally, all participants join in praise: "We take refuge in our masters and all true sages, aspiring to attain the Dao and unite with heaven and earth in eternal harmony."

(Note: The character "和" indicates where the congregation joins in unison.)

This scripture describes the specific procedures and prayer content of the Daoist Evening Liturgy:

During tonight's altar ascension ceremony, may all masters perform the incense-offering ritual twice. Let this fragrant smoke rise straight to the celestial realms as an offering to the supreme scriptures and treasures. With utmost devotion, we prostrate with body, mind, and life essence, relying upon the Three Pure Ones (Yuanshi Tianzun, Lingbao Tianzun, and Daode Tianzun) and all sages of the ten directions. Through the merit of this incense, may departed souls ascend to higher immortal ranks, reaching wondrous realms where they freely roam among jade terraces and jeweled gardens of the celestial paradise. May blessings manifest naturally, with both form and spirit attaining profound mystery, bringing prosperity to families for generations and safeguarding the nation's fortune for millennia.

Perform the incense-offering ritual thrice more, dedicating it to the supreme master's teachings and treasures. May departed souls gain luminous wisdom and crystal-clear awareness, bathing their spirits in the Hall of Flowing Fire (sacred Daoist cultivation site), treading upon cloud nets while adorned in radiant auroras. May their cultivation progress diligently, enabling both them and ancestral spirits in the imperial temple to join the ranks of immortals. May we practitioners and all Daoist seekers across generations ride cranes and phoenixes (symbolizing ascension to immortality), hearing Dharma teachings in the Jade Pool and Purple Palace (celestial realms), realizing the state of Wuwei (non-action), and transcending the suffering of rebirth. May all souls in the Nine Netherworlds receive deliverance.

Finally, offer repentance bows to the masters and sages, then solemnly declare: We sincerely beseech the Supreme Limitless Dao, the Three Pure Ones (Yuanshi Tianzun, Supreme Lord Dao, and Supreme Elder Lord), all enlightened sages of the ten directions, the thirty-six divisions of scriptures, the Great Master of Mysterious Center, the Celestial Masters (Tianshi), and all celestial officials to bless this ritual with perfect completion.

Note: This scripture demonstrates the complete Daoist Zhaijiao (purification ritual) process for delivering departed souls and seeking blessings through incense burning, prostrations, and repentance. It embodies the Daoist cultivation pursuit of "uniting with the Dao in truth."

This passage is from the "Evening Liturgy of the Jade Register for Salvation" in Daoist ritual practice, depicting the ceremonial setting and devotional prayers of an evening zhaijiao (purification ritual). Let me interpret it in contemporary terms:

All participating celestial officials and divine beings reverently gaze upward, entreating heaven's compassionate witness. The presiding ritual master (referred to as "your servant") declares: We have heard that in the Qingwei Heaven (one of Daoism's highest celestial realms), teachings spread widely, governing heaven and earth through the Seven Sections of Scriptures; when the Red Brilliance kalpa (a cosmic cycle in Daoist cosmology) began, the Five True Texts safeguarded the world and nurtured all beings. Numerous deities transmit the fulu (talismans and registers) for delivering sentient beings, while the Three Primordials of Heaven, Earth and Water bestow life-extending grace. This sacred legacy continues from antiquity to present, celebrated jointly by celestial and earthly realms.

Thus we solemnly conduct this Jade Register ritual, following the canonical standards of the Rui Ji scriptures; gratefully receiving the blessings of the Azure Mystery God-Emperor, whose immortal chariot descends in protection. We pray that the departed soul may be purified by jade nectar at the Eastern Well constellation (one of the 28 lunar mansions), and refined by golden light in the Southern Cinnabar Heaven. May they ascend to the Purple Ultimate Star (symbolizing the immortal realm), eternally safeguarding the imperial house.

Specific prayers include: celestial phenomena becoming clear, terrestrial veins stabilizing; cosmic order manifesting distinctly, winds and clouds calming; conflicts ceasing as all nations bathe in benevolent longevity; abundant harvests flourishing under sagely governance. May auspicious omens record this golden age, with cultural paradigms reaching all borders. Hermits cultivating truth in mountain forests may attain the wondrous state of six supernatural powers, while those comprehending the essence of mist and glow swiftly complete ten thousand virtuous deeds. Whether souls in the deepest darkness or creatures of wing and fur, all may receive the grace of creation, transcending samsaric bonds. May all sentient beings attain the Dao.

This demonstrates both the compassionate teachings of the Heavenly Worthy (Daoism's supreme deity) and our sincere devotion. Humbly we present this petition.

The votive section follows: visualizing deities while offering incense. We entreat the Incense Officer Messengers, the Left and Right Dragon-Tiger Lords (guardian deities), and the Serving Incense Numinous Officials to let this evening's altar space spontaneously generate the essence of golden elixirs and cinnabar jade, gathering immortal spirits before the incense burner. May our sincerity connect with the departed soul's celestial ascent, attaining the fruit of heavenly perfection while showering blessings upon home and nation. May jade maidens and immortal youths from the ten directions convey this incense smoke swiftly, delivering our prayers to the Three Pure Ones (Yuanshi Tianzun, Lingbao Tianzun, Daode Tianzun) of the Supreme Ultimate Dao, the Jade Emperor in his Golden Palace, the Azure Mystery God-Emperor of the Eastern Extremity, and all venerated deities.

The liturgy concludes with the "Exit Hall Hymn." This entire ceremony embodies Daoism's religious functions of soul salvation, blessing rituals and disaster aversion through keyi (liturgical) practice, integrating cosmological vision, cultivation attainments and altruistic ideals.