《太上黃籙齋儀》Vol. 51

This scripture records the supplication rites to the four directional deities during the Daoist Yellow Register Zhai (a salvation ritual for deceased souls), with only the eastern and southern sections fully preserved while the western portion remains incomplete.

In the eastern supplication, the presiding priest leads devotees in reverent worship of the Infinite Supreme Numinous Treasure Celestial Worthy (a principal Daoist deity) and the immortal officials of the eastern regions. The ritual describes how in the primordial chaos before heaven and earth separated, the undifferentiated Qi (vital energy) gave way to the first dawn of creation, with sunlight illuminating vibrant azure seas and verdant forests brimming with life. Now, a devotee (named Mou Yi) conducts this grand Yellow Register Zhai with compassionate intent to deliver souls suffering in the underworld. Offering blue silks as tribute, they beseech the Blue Emperor (deity of the east) and the Salvation from Suffering Perfected Being to absolve the souls' profound karmic burdens, granting them rebirth in the supreme bliss of the Three Pure Ones' (Sanqing) celestial realms—eternally freed from suffering to ultimately achieve unity with the Dao (the Way).

The southern supplication similarly begins with worship of the southern Infinite Supreme Numinous Treasure Celestial Worthy and immortal officials. The text explains that the fire-aligned south contains immortal realms of eternal life where the longevity star manifests. The presiding priest (Mou Yi) devoutly petitions the southern sages with crimson silks upon the Yellow Register altar. They entreat the Red Emperor (southern deity) and Salvation from Suffering Perfected Being to dissolve the souls' multigenerational karma, rescuing those trapped in the Ninefold Netherworld's hells—quenching the fiery pits, halting the jailers' tortures, and enabling all souls to attain supreme perfection in carefree liberation. Ultimately, these delivered souls may ascend formlessly to merge completely with the Dao.

These rites embody core Daoist doctrines of soul salvation and longevity cultivation. Through the liturgical framework of Zhaijiao (purification rituals) and Keyi (ceremonial protocols), practitioners commune with deities to help transcend suffering—bridging the realms of the living and the divine.

This passage is a ritual prayer from the Daoist Yellow Register Zhaijiao (a major purification ritual for the salvation of deceased souls), invoking divine assistance from various celestial beings. With utmost devotion, practitioners make ceremonial bows while facing west, north, and northeast directions.

First, facing westward, they pay homage to the "Supreme Sovereign Lingbao Heavenly Worthy of Boundless Infinity" (a major Daoist deity renowned for responding to cries of suffering) and all the celestial officials of the western direction. The ritual master (designated as "a certain devotee") reverently establishes the Yellow Register altar, offering plain silks and using golden hammers symbolizing the breaking of karmic obstacles. They plead for mercy toward souls suffering amid sword-tree torments in the hell realms. The prayer beseeches the Heavenly Worthy to employ the power of the Seven Qi (seven primordial energies) to rescue souls from the Nine Nether Hells, liberating them from ten kinds of suffering, ultimately elevating them to unite with the Dao in celestial realms.

Next, turning northward, practitioners venerate the Northern Supreme Sovereign Lingbao Heavenly Worthy and northern celestial officials. The text mentions the "Black Emperor" (Northern Celestial Sovereign) governing the Mysterious Heaven as the Five Qi (energies of the Five Phases) circulate. The ritual master presents golden dragon tokens and dark-hued silks, praying for divine deliverance of souls trapped in the frozen hells, guiding their ascent to the Three Pure Realms (the Jade Pure, Upper Pure, and Supreme Pure celestial domains).

Finally, facing northeast, devotees worship the Northeastern Supreme Sovereign Lingbao Heavenly Worthy and the Heavenly Lords of Brahma Qi (pure primordial energy). The text repeatedly emphasizes ritual protocols like the "threefold bow" and "sincere thanksgiving," reflecting the meticulous ceremonial emphasis in Daoist Zhaijiao. The entire ritual demonstrates Daoism's cosmology of "heaven-human resonance" through specific orientations, ritual offerings, and targeted invocations of particular deities.

This scripture passage describes the invocation of directional deities during the Daoist Yellow Register Purification Ritual (Zhaijiao), a major ceremony for the salvation of departed souls. The text is divided into four directional sections:

The northeast invocation describes the ritual master (zhai host) calming his mind to burn incense, devoutly surrendering to the Infinite Supreme Numinous Treasure Celestial Worthy (one of Daoism's highest deities) and the Heavenly Lords of Brahma Qi (primordial energy) in the northeast. The prayer beseeches these divine beings to show compassion toward souls suffering in hell, using their merciful power to rescue spirits tormented amidst mountains of blades and forests of swords. May they be freed from evil paths, plant virtuous roots, and ultimately unite with the Great Dao (Dao).

The southeast section depicts the coalescence of Brahma Qi (primordial spiritual energy), as the ritual master with a heart for universal salvation makes confessions and supplications to southeastern deities. The prayer seeks the subtle Dao's unseen penetration and the supreme deities' response - to extinguish the hellish punishments of wind-blades and fiery torment, delivering souls from the Ninefold Nether Hell (Daoism's deepest underworld). May they obtain the Five Blessings and ultimately achieve ascension through Dao-realization.

The southwest passage describes how the True Wind (primordial qi in Daoist terminology) scatters radiance while the Kun position (southwest direction) upholds all creation. The ritual master sincerely surrenders to the southwestern Celestial Worthy and heavenly officials, praying for the manifestation of profound merit. Here, the "thick support" metaphor particularly symbolizes earth's nurturing quality toward all beings.

Though the northwest section isn't fully presented, by analogy with other directions it would continue the invocatory pattern. The entire ceremony employs four-directional worship to harness the Celestial Worthies' divine power for universal salvation, embodying Daoism's doctrine of "delivering all sentient beings." Each directional prayer emphasizes the ultimate pursuit: "After attaining the Dao, ascending into formlessness to unite with the Dao in its truth."

The underworld magistrates who oversee retribution for sins will inevitably make offenders suffer in the depths of torment. Now there is a patron (name) of the Great Yellow Register Purification Ritual (Huanglu Zhaijiao), who sincerely aspires to the realm of purity, diligently accumulates hidden virtue, repents his transgressions and seeks divine grace, hoping to be delivered from suffering and attain peace. With reverence, he has prepared yellow ceremonial offerings and golden dragon tokens to honor the Supreme Lingbao Celestial Worthy of Infinite Ultimate in the southwest (one of the highest Daoist deities), the Celestial Lord of Brahma Qi (the divinity governing the southwest direction), and all the divine officials of the southwest. May this devout intention, carried upon fragrant incense, ascend directly to the pure realms of the Nine Heavens, allowing the profound benevolence and mysterious Dao to illuminate all ten directions of the underworld. We pray that the ritual patron may be rescued from the boiling oil cauldrons, showered with sweet dew-like grace, and merged into the transformative power of the Great Dao, thereby fulfilling the universal vow of salvation. May the mysterious winds of Dao universally disseminate creative power, enabling the patron—upon attaining the Dao—to ascend to the formless realm and unite completely with the Great Dao.

Next, we pay homage (with threefold prostrations) to the Supreme Lingbao Celestial Worthy of Infinite Ultimate and the Celestial Lord of Brahma Qi in the northwest, along with all the divine officials of that direction. The ritual patron reverently confesses his transgressions, having heard how at the dawn of primordial chaos, mysterious manifestations gave form to heaven and earth, while pure qi established cosmic order. The divine beings apportion the seasons of cold and heat, governing the transformations of Yin and Yang. Since they hold authority to judge good and evil, retribution is inevitably meted out according to the severity of deeds. Are there not underworld officials who strictly enforce celestial statutes? Now the patron joins his palms to declare his aspirations, sincerely yearning for the pure and mysterious realm, beseeching the compassionate saviors from suffering to extend their mercy. With yellow silks prepared and utmost sincerity in heart, he petitions the northwestern deities: May the souls in the Nine Nether Hells be delivered, the Ten Great Sufferings be eradicated, and the pure qi permeate the northwest until all registers of ghosts are emptied, and every lingering soul receives liberation. May the deceased joyfully bathe in sacred grace, and upon attaining the Dao, ascend to the formless realm to unite with the Great Dao.

Finally, we honor (with threefold prostrations) the Supreme Lingbao Celestial Worthy of Infinite Ultimate, the Thirty-Six Celestial Emperor Lords, the Three Pure Ones and all divinities of the Three Realms dwelling in the Jade Capital's Mystic Metropolis and Purple Ternion Golden Palace (the supreme Daoist heaven), along with the Celestial Lord of Brahma Qi and all divine officials of the zenith. The patron devoutly repents, having heard how the mysterious void contains the arcane power that creates all things, while the pure qi of the Azure Void (celestial realm)... [text continues]

This passage describes the ritual invocations to celestial beings in the Daoist Yellow Register Zhai (Huanglu Zhai), a major purification ritual for the salvation of deceased souls.

First, offerings are made to the highest deities, including the Infinite Supreme Numinous Treasure Celestial Worthy (Wuji Taishang Lingbao Tianzun)—one of Daoism's supreme divinities—along with the Thirty-Six Celestial Sovereigns, the sacred realms of the Jade Capital (Yujing), Mysterious Metropolis (Xuandu), and the Purple Tenuity Golden Portal (Ziwei Jinqu), as well as the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) and deities of the Three Realms. The ritual master (zhaizhu), with utmost sincerity, presents green-patterned silk and golden dragons as offerings, beseeching the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun) to deliver all sentient beings, show compassion to the lost souls across the Ten Directions and Eight Extremes, and liberate the deceased from the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Seas, guiding them out of the underworld to bask in divine radiance. The supplicant also prays to receive the true transmission of Daoist teachings, ultimately attaining unity with the Dao.

Next, offerings are made to the lower realms, including the Infinite Supreme Numinous Treasure Celestial Worthy, the Nine Earthly Sovereigns (Jiutu Gaohuang), the Four Directors and Five Thearchs (Sisi Wudi), and the Twelve Immortal Lords (Shi'er Xianjun). The ritual master presents yellow-patterned silk and golden dragons, praying for the suspension of judgment in the Nine Nether Hells (Jiuyou), the absolution of sins, and the salvation of souls in the underworld, so they may receive blessings in the celestial realms and ultimately merge with the Dao.

Finally, invocations are directed to the solar deities, such as the Most Perfect Great Sage, the Solar Palace's Imperial Lord (Rizhong Huangjun). The text highlights the sun's life-giving light and warmth, and through the power of these solar deities, the ritual master seeks the deliverance of the deceased.

Throughout the ceremony, participants must maintain absolute sincerity, bowing in reverence and repentance before the various deities, praying for the salvation of souls. This reflects the Daoist belief in using ritual (zhaijiao) to aid the departed and beseech universal peace. The golden dragons symbolize messengers bridging heaven and earth, while the silk offerings represent devout devotion.

This scripture passage describes the ritual content of the Yellow Register Purification (Huanglu Zhaijiao) in Daoist practice, where supplications are made to the divine luminaries of sun, moon, and stars.

In the solar palace section, the ritual master (designated as "a certain person Yi") devoutly petitions the solar deities: including the supreme Solar Palace Emperor (Rizhong Huangjun), the Luminous Sovereign Perfected Being (Minghuang Zhenren), and the Crimson Mist Jade Maidens (Danxia Yunü) among other celestial beings of the solar court. The prayers beseech the sun's radiance to illuminate the netherworld, bestow the Five Blessings (longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and peaceful death), avert the Ten Calamities, and ultimately attain Daoist transcendence to unite with the Dao.

In the lunar palace section, the petitioner addresses the lunar deities: including the Lunar Palace Emperor (Yuezhong Huangjun), the Pure Sovereign Perfected Being (Suhuang Zhenren), and the Scattered Radiance Jade Maidens (Sanhui Yunü). The prayers ask the moonlight to brighten the dark and suffering underworld, cleanse sins, bring prosperity, and similarly lead to Daoist realization and ascension.

For the stellar palace section, supplications extend to all constellations: including the North Star (Beichen), the South Pole Star, the Three Terraces stars, the Seven Stars, and the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, along with their great deities and perfected beings. The text explains how the orderly movement of stars governs human fortunes, and the petitioner earnestly seeks stellar blessings.

Throughout the ceremony, the ritual master expresses sincere repentance and devotion to the Three Luminaries (sun, moon, stars) through incense offerings and triple prostrations (sanli). The Yellow Register Purification serves as a crucial Daoist ritual for delivering the deceased and aiding suffering souls, with participants hoping to gain divine protection through these liturgical merits (Zhaijiao gongde) and ultimately achieve spiritual perfection. This ceremony embodies the Daoist practice of soul salvation and universal deliverance.

This scripture is a prayer text from the Daoist Yellow Register Purification Ritual (Huanglu Zhaijiao), invoking the Five Sacred Mountains (Eastern Peak Mount Tai, Southern Peak Mount Heng, etc.) and astral deities for salvation. It consists of two main parts: supplications to the stellar deities and prayers to the mountain gods.

First, it earnestly petitions the stellar divinities, including the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper (Beidou) and the Six Stars of the Southern Dipper (Nandou), beseeching their radiant blessings to descend. The prayer seeks their aid in liberating departed souls from the suffering of the underworld and granting longevity to the living. It asks for the erasure of the "Register of Death" (the underworld's record of mortality) and enrollment in the "Register of Immortality," eliminating calamities and planting seeds of virtue. Through cultivating the Dao and attaining perfection, one may transcend physical form and unite with the Great Dao (Dao).

Next, separate prayers are addressed to the deities of the Eastern Peak Mount Tai and Southern Peak Mount Heng. The Eastern Peak is governed by the True Lord of the Green Emperor (Qingdi Zhenjun), the sovereign deity of the east among the Five Thearchs (Wufang Shangdi), who oversees life and death and commands rivers and seas. The ritual master (Zhaizhu), performing the purification rite to save all beings, devoutly implores the Eastern Peak deity to manifest compassion, rescuing souls from the torments of hell, freeing them from karmic retribution, and bestowing blessings upon them.

The Southern Peak Mount Heng is ruled by the True Lord of the Red Emperor (Chidi Zhenjun), the southern sovereign, located within the celestial domain of the Wings and Chariot constellations (Yi-Zhen). As a major sacred site (Dongtian) in Daoism, the ritual master sincerely prays for the Southern Peak deity's discernment, appealing for salvation through Daoist virtue (De) and mercy, pardoning grave sins and granting the grace of rebirth.

The text repeatedly mentions ritual actions such as the "Threefold Prostration" (Sanli, bowing three times) and "Devotional Submission" (Guiming, wholehearted surrender to divine will), reflecting Daoist liturgical practices (Keyi) of communicating with deities through worship, repentance, and supplication. The "Great Yellow Register Purification" (Huanglu Dazhai) is a crucial Daoist rite for the salvation of the deceased, aiming to deliver souls from the underworld through the power of the divine.

This scripture describes the ceremonial worship of the Five Sacred Peaks' divine lords in the Daoist Yellow Register purification ritual (Zhaijiao). In the Western Peak (Huashan) section, devotees reverently pay homage to the White Emperor True Lord (the principal deity of Huashan) and the mountain's immortal adepts, seeking purification from worldly afflictions, absolution for departed souls' transgressions, and blessings of national peace with public wellbeing. Practitioners ultimately aspire to transcend physical constraints and merge with the Dao (the Way).

The Northern Peak (Hengshan) section follows similar rites, with devotees offering incense and scattered flowers to the Black Emperor True Lord (Hengshan's principal deity), petitioning for the release of netherworld spirits from karmic burdens and bestowing prosperity upon the people. Special mention is made of Hengshan's divine lords governing flood/drought calamities and underworld affairs, capable of manifesting auspicious signs across the land to establish universal tranquility.

Though the Central Peak (Songshan) section remains abbreviated, its format indicates analogous veneration of the Yellow Emperor True Lord (Songshan's principal deity). The complete ceremony—through triple prostrations, ninefold kowtows, repentance of sins, and incense prayers—facilitates communion between heaven, earth, and the divine. Serving both blessings for the living and salvation for the deceased, it embodies Daoism's soteriological function of universal deliverance.

This scripture is a prayer text from the Daoist Yellow Register (Huanglu) purification ritual, primarily used in ceremonies for the salvation of deceased souls and for seeking blessings while dispelling misfortunes. The text contains reverent prostrations and supplications to multiple deities.

First, homage is paid to the True Lord of the Yellow Emperor of Mount Song, the central sacred peak (one of the Five Sacred Mountains), along with the Flying Immortal Perfected Beings and the various mountain deities and spiritual officials. The presiding ritual master (designated as "so-and-so") harbors a sincere heart to deliver all beings, hoping that through the merit of the Great Yellow Register purification ritual, suffering souls in the underworld may be liberated, and living people may attain peace and health. The prayer beseeches the True Lord of the Yellow Emperor and other deities to widely bestow their grace, reviving all things, ensuring abundant harvests, and ultimately enabling practitioners to transcend physical form and unite with the Dao (the Way).

Next, reverence is offered to the water deities, including the Great Emperor of Fusang (the solar deity), the Divine King of Yang Valley (the place of sunrise), and the Water Emperors of the Three Rivers, Four Seas, and Nine Jiang waterways. The text mentions how the waters of Mount Kunlun converge into rivers that flow into the ocean, with the virtue (De) of water nourishing all things. The presiding master prays that through the merit of purification rituals, the water deities may generously grant their blessings, absolve sins, record virtuous deeds, ensure bountiful harvests, and bring peace to all spirits.

Finally, homage is paid to the highest Daoist scriptures, including the Thirty-Six Honored Scriptures (a collective term for important Daoist classics) and the treasured scriptures of the celestial realms. These texts are regarded as precious vessels of the great Dao, possessing sacred power to guide and transform all beings.

The recurring phrase "threefold prostration" refers to the most solemn form of bowing in Daoist ritual, while "uniting with the Dao in truth" represents the ultimate goal of Daoist cultivation—the state of complete fusion with the great Dao. The Yellow Register purification is a key Daoist rite for delivering the deceased, employing offerings, scripture recitation, and repentance to liberate souls and seek blessings while dispelling misfortunes.

We reverently hear that the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, the supreme deity in Daoism) transmits the sacred teachings, and all exalted sages pass down the Dao's methods. The scriptures inscribed in purple-gold characters on square jade tablets, the luminous classics carved on yellow jade, contain profound and mysterious principles—these represent the most essential doctrines among the Eight Dharma Assemblies (important Daoist rituals). These classics serve as the fundamental path for accumulating virtue (De) and blessings, the supreme gateway for all beings to take refuge. All sacred mountains point to this truth; all sages take this as their master.

Now there is a patron preparing the Grand Yellow Register Retreat (Huanglu Zhai, a major Daoist rite for salvation of the deceased), who sincerely reveres and dedicates himself to the supreme Thirty-Six Sections of Honored Scriptures (a canonical collection in Daoism), the treasured texts preserved by celestial beings, the orthodox teachings of the ten directions, and all the divine spirits who protect these sacred texts. We pray:

May the True Officials of the Three Caverns (shenxian overseeing scriptures) praise the mysterious grace, making the sacred Dao flourish; may the Nine Heavens' divine beings bestow auspicious blessings upon the virtuous. Let all living things thrive, and may both yin and yang realms resonate with divine favor. May virtuous mountain practitioners comprehend the secret formulas to attain immortality (xian), and worldly people penetrate the profound mysteries to delight in scripture recitation. For countless ancestors trapped in the Three Paths (hell, hungry ghosts, animal realms) and Nine Nights (netherworld), and for parents of seven generations—may all bathe in this sacred grace and ascend together to wondrous realms. Upon attaining the Dao, may they transcend bodily constraints and merge completely with the Great Dao.

(This passage comes from the 51st scroll of the Supreme Huanglu Retreat Liturgy (Taishang Huanglu Zhaiyi), exemplifying classic Daoist ritual language that expresses reverence for scriptures, invokes divine protection, and seeks salvation for the deceased.)