《靈寶玉鑑》Vol. 23

This scripture documents three important Fulu (talismans and registers) from the Lingbao tradition (one of Daoism's major schools) and their methods of application.

The first is the "Solar Refinement Talisman," a mantra used for cultivating the Yang Shen (spirit formed from concentrated Yang Qi). Practitioners face east at dawn, form the "Mao Wen" hand seal (a specific Daoist mudra), inhale eastern Qi, and recite the incantation to summon deities from the Palace of the Sun. The chant's essence describes how the crimson scripture from the Taiwei Heaven (a Daoist celestial realm) named "Kai Ming" can guide solar essence to transform the physical form. At dawn, one solemnly prepares and emits radiance from the Round Court (Dantian), merging with solar essence; the purple flowing light is called the "Five Numinous Qi" (Wu Ling, representing the Five Phases). The formal petition section makes supplications to the Solar Deity and attendants of the Sun Palace, requesting assistance in refining form and spirit, obtaining Golden Nectar and Jade Essence (alchemical attainments), ultimately achieving feathered ascent.

The second is the "Lunar Refinement Talisman" for cultivating Yin Shen (spirit formed from concentrated Yin Qi). Practitioners face west at night, form the "You Wen" hand seal, inhale western Qi, and chant to summon lunar deities. The incantation describes how the yellow scripture from Ziwei Heaven named "Tai Xuan" guides lunar essence to nourish the soul. In pure stillness, moonlight emanates from the Mysterious Gate (Xuan Guan) to merge with the Five Numinous Ladies (lunar goddesses); nine lunar beams illuminate the Muddy Pellet Palace (crown point). The petition seeks blessings from lunar goddesses and Jade Maidens to assist in physical transformation.

Lastly are two Golden Registers for soul liberation: the "Shangqing Lingbao Golden Register" and "Shangqing Lingbao Jade Register." These petitions beseech Yuanshi Tianzun (the supreme Daoist deity) for merciful salvation, pleading for the pardon of souls' transgressions and their release from the underworld bureaucracy, enabling them to attain rebirth through physical refinement. The Golden Register employs the "Dui Wen" hand seal with central Qi, while the Jade Register uses the "Hai Wen" seal with western Qi.

The scripture concludes by detailing two encapsulation methods: "Scroll Case Style" for solar/lunar registers and "Square Casket Style" for golden/jade registers. All talismans must be activated during specific celestial configurations of year, month, day and hour.

This scripture records the liturgical format and procedural standards for the Yellow Register (Huanglu) ritual—a major Daoist ceremony used by the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) tradition (one of Daoism's principal schools) to deliver deceased souls.

It first describes three types of ritual documents (Fulu) with distinct functions: The first is the "Primordial Divine Might and Miraculous Power True Register," which invokes the awe-inspiring power of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, Daoism's supreme deity) to liberate souls from the torments of hell, return them to the yang realm for rebirth, and ultimately guide them to the Purple Mansion (the abode of immortals in Daoism). The second is the "Shangqing Lingbao Yellow Register," specifically used to open the eight gates of hell, freeing souls from Fengdu (the Daoist underworld) to attain the radiant True Dao. The third is the "Register for Ascension to Heaven," which details the specific writing ritual procedures.

When inscribing these precious registers, the practitioner must face east while burning incense, visualizing the Jade Dawn Sovereign (Yuchen Shangdi, a revered Daoist deity). Grinding cinnabar requires rotating the inkstone eighty-one times to the left and right. Before writing, one must first recite the Lingbao Jing (Scripture of Numinous Treasure), then kneel and petition the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing, Daoism's highest triad of deities) to bestow the celestial grace of True Qi (primordial energy), empowering the register with the efficacy to deliver souls.

The ritual particularly emphasizes visualizing the opening of the "Celestial Gate": within three golden gates, radiant light shines forth, revealing a golden palace where the Jade Emperor (Yuchen Shangdi, i.e., the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure) sits enthroned. This reflects the Daoist ceremonial practice of integrating "mind-visualization" (Cunsi) cultivation with liturgical rites.

All registers must conclude with the exact date, year, and hour of issuance, sealed in specific materials—cypress wood slips and brocade pouches (blue-green bags)—following strict traditional formats. These meticulous details adhere rigorously to Daoist ritual orthodoxy.

This passage describes a grand Zhaijiao (purification ritual) from the Daoist scripture Lingbao Yujian, depicting a ritual master performing soul salvation for the deceased through visualization, mudra gestures, and incantations.

The master sits solemnly at the center of the altar, visualizing celestial guardians flanking his sides. He envisions the Heavenly Emperor (supreme deity in Daoism) radiating compassion, commanding golden boys and jade maidens to descend amid a hundred beams of golden light, bearing a precious casket. The talismans (fulu, Daoist ritual texts) inside merge with those written by the master, emanating boundless radiance. Kneeling southward, the master bows nine times, silently reciting prayers while visualizing the six stars of the Southern Dipper (constellation governing lifespan), each shining like the rising sun. The starlight merges with the six-star patterns on the talismans, with distinct characters appearing within each star.

After offering incense, the master clicks his teeth twelve times (a Daoist cultivation practice) and chants salvation mantras, invoking multiple deities: the Immortal of Deathless Salvation, the Longevity Lord of the South Pole (deity governing long life), the Great Sima who oversees life and death, the benevolent Elder Han Jun, and the Southern Dipper officials—including the Directors of Fate and Records—who prolong life and resolve calamities. The mantra emphasizes "reviving the departed and delivering countless souls."

Upon completing the incantations, the master kneels facing the celestial realm, visualizing divine youths and generals encircling him. With his left hand forming the Dujian mudra (a specific gesture) and his right hand holding a brush, he silently recites a secret absolution mantra fifty times, beseehing the Supreme Dao Lord (a revered Daoist deity) to bestow power to illuminate the underworld and liberate sinful souls. Next, he draws azure, yellow, and white Qi from the Heavenly Gate, channeling it into the brush to inscribe talismans in a prescribed format. While writing, he repeatedly chants phrases like "Primordial Decree" twelve times, ensuring the souls' immediate ascension. The ritual concludes by invoking the name of the Most Supreme Savior of Suffering (a deity specializing in salvation) and inserting the ritual brush into the incense burner.

Note: Parenthetical references in the text often contain esoteric characters or key cultivation points, part of Daoism's oral transmission—their precise meanings require direct lineage instruction.

This passage describes a ritual process for liberating souls of the deceased from the Lingbao Yujian (Precious Jade Mirror of Numinous Treasure) tradition of Daoism, along with the content of the accompanying fulu (talismanic registers, Daoist ritual documents).

At the start of the ritual, the Daoist priest forms the "Jade Purity Mudra" while inscribing six constellation patterns on the talisman. Special attention is given to the third star, Kuixing (the first star of the Big Dipper), which must be drawn with empty strokes rather than solid lines—as fire's nature resides in emptiness to emit light. The priest then recites the talismanic incantation: "The Six True Lords of the Southern Dipper (Daoist deities of the six southern stars) traverse the realms of darkness. By the decree of the Celestial Emperor, swiftly come to oversee all beings. Once names are registered in the ledgers of the Southern Chang Upper Palace (the Daoist celestial bureau governing life and death), departed souls shall immediately return to life. Hasten to enact the Celestial Emperor's command!"

Next comes cunxiang (visualization meditation) on the true qi (energy) of the Southern Dipper Lords, causing the talisman to radiate with clarity before another incantation is recited. The ritual concludes by imprinting the seal of the "Three Heavens' Qi" (the supreme energy of the Daoist Three Pure Ones) along with four mystical characters.

Two talismanic formats are specified: the Lesser Precious Register and the Greater Precious Register. The Lesser Register bears the inscription "Supreme Decree for Liberation and Rebirth," functioning to redeem souls, refine them for rebirth, and increase blessings for living relatives. The Greater Register, titled "Supreme Concealed Taboo Register of Heavenly Rebirth," enumerates multiple salvation deities: the Deathless God, the Great Emperor of Longevity of the South Pole, the Great God Sima who Delivers the World, the Life-Giving Elder Han Jun, and others.

The passage culminates with a proclamation "By the Precious Register's authority, we announce to the ten directions and three realms," addressed to all underworld officials: all deceased souls from the Three Realms (Desire, Form, and Formlessness) and Ten Categories of the Six Paths (heavens, humans, asuras, animals, hungry ghosts, and hell-beings) shall ascend to paradise. High-ranking deities are invoked as witnesses, including the True Lord of Orthodox Unity from the Supreme Mysterious Bureau and the Jade Purity Divine Duke of Limitless Radiance.

Particular emphasis is placed on absolving sins recorded in the "Northern Capital Luo Feng" (Daoist purgatory), releasing ancestors from the jurisdiction of the "Three Officials and Nine Bureaus" (underworld tribunals), erasing criminal records, and freeing souls from demonic harassment—all through the "Primordial Decree" (the highest celestial mandate) for immediate ascension.

This passage describes a Daoist ritual for the salvation of departed souls, involving talismans (fulu), incantations, and invocations of divine names. The core purpose is to help spirits atone for their sins and ascend to the celestial realms.

It first explains how the departed soul undergoes refinement in the Southern Palace (a Daoist administrative realm for spirits), where it may either reincarnate as a human or directly achieve immortality (xian), thereby permanently escaping the sufferings of hell (the Three Paths, Five Sufferings, and Eight Calamities) and transcending the constraints of the Three Realms to attain perfect freedom. The text then enumerates several high-ranking deities including the Lord of the Taiyuan Bureau, Left and Right Ministers of the Celestial Pivot, and the Jade Clarity Divine Duke—all celestial administrators overseeing salvation affairs.

Detailed instructions are given for using the "Lingbao Talisman for Resolving Grievances, Releasing Karmic Knots, and Ascending Souls": when drawing the talisman, the practitioner must form a specific hand seal (the thumb pressing the base of the three fingers while the fingers point inward toward the heart) while visualizing the qi of the Three Heavens flowing into the talisman. The accompanying incantation petitions the Three Heavens' August Deities and the Supreme Resolving Grievances Perfected Being to eradicate the soul's karmic burdens, liberate it from hell, refine its spiritual components, enroll its name in the Yellow Register (the Daoist ledger of salvation), and ultimately attain freedom in the Shangqing Heaven.

A special visualization is prescribed during the talisman's burning: practitioners must envision the Most High Lord of Salvation (Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun)—the deity specifically responsible for soul redemption—emitting blue, white, and red radiance from his crown, illuminating both the ritual space and the ten directions of the cosmos. This light enables all wronged souls to resolve their grievances, awaken to joy, and witness the deity's ascent to the celestial realm. The passage concludes by emphasizing this divine talisman's power to eternally dissolve karmic enmities, completely deliver souls from the Frozen Ice Hell (a metaphor for underworld torment), and ensure their salvation in accordance with the will of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, Daoism's supreme deity).

This scripture describes a complete Daoist ritual practice, primarily focusing on the method of cultivating both form and spirit through visualization and contemplation (meditation).

First, the practitioner must select an auspicious date and time, then formally announce their spiritual rank (as a Daoist priest) to invoke the deities. They visualize the Niwan Palace (Upper Dantian) atop their head as the Taiyuan Heavenly Valley Palace, where the Most High Lord of Salvation (an important Daoist deity) sits. This deity wears blue robes and red shoes, dons a cloud-patterned crown, holds a jade tablet, and radiates golden light. At this moment, the deity emits rays of wisdom illuminating all directions.

Next, the practitioner uses their intention to visualize their innate nature ascending to pay homage to the deity, silently reciting the sacred name. They then perceive a strand of purple Qi descending from the palace into their Dantian (lower abdomen), coalescing into a purple-golden orb of light. Maintaining continuous awareness focused on the Heavenly Valley Palace atop the head without distraction is essential. In this state, body and mind enter a realm of crystalline clarity, allowing practice during all activities—walking, standing, sitting, or lying down.

This cultivation method enables the Dantian to spontaneously generate true fire and primordial Qi, achieving a state of pure Yang. The scripture states, "When the Most High resides in the head, all deities pay homage," meaning that when this deity dwells in the crown, all divine beings come to protect, possessing formidable power to subdue evil spirits. Prolonged practice strengthens vital energy, eliminates illness, and ensures responsiveness to all petitions.

During practice, one should face east, burn incense, kneel in reverence, confess transgressions from past and present lives, and pray for the salvation of ancestors and all beings. Finally, the practitioner recites the Brush-Consecration Incantation ("By the primordial jade decree, the dharma spreads and numina manifest..."), a pre-talismanic formula invoking the Primordial Heavenly Lord's authority to implement Daoist methods, absolve sins, and command myriad deities.

The entire process integrates multiple cultivation techniques—contemplation, visualization, and incantations—with the ultimate goal of achieving sublime unity of form and spirit, merging with the Dao in perfect authenticity.

This scripture describes the Lingbao School (one of Daoism's major lineages) salvation ritual, primarily used for redeeming departed souls. The content can be divided into several sections:

The opening four lines including "Jade tones gather Qi" are hymns of praise, depicting how the Celestial Worthy (the highest deity in Daoism) can summon the vital energies of heaven and earth, with purple vapors ascending to assist countless immortals. The phrase "a thousand harmonies and ten thousand unions naturally achieve perfection" refers to attaining the true Dao through balancing Yin-Yang.

The subsequent incantation section conveys that through specific methods and rituals, sacred spring nectar purifies body and mind. It calls upon all departed souls who have never heard the Celestial Worthy's teachings nor received his grace to now obtain salvation and ascend with the talismanic power. The concluding phrase "urgently, urgently, as by divine decree" is a standard Daoist incantation ending indicating immediate efficacy.

The talisman-drawing instructions specify that the priest must: form the Jade Purity hand-seal (a specific mudra), face the Celestial Gate direction while blowing breath onto the brush, form the Xun trigram seal (one of the Bagua hand gestures), recite "Salvation Lord Taiyi" eighty-one times, and gather blue-black Qi (azure primordial energy) to infuse the brush. This process repeats three times before finalizing the talisman with the gathered energy.

The Zhuling Talisman serves as a crucial instrument for soul salvation, inscribed with "Supreme Zhuling Salvation Talisman for Delivering the Living, Redeeming the Dead, and Relieving Suffering," designated for specific departed souls. References to Zhuling Palace and Refining Fire Pools represent Daoist netherworld concepts where souls undergo fiery purification to shed worldly impurities before rebirth.

The concluding mandate notes the ritual's timing, the officiating priest's rank and name, and invokes the authority of Salvation Lord Taiyi from the Eastern Extremity Palace (a Daoist deity specializing in relieving suffering). The Yellow Register mentioned refers to a specific type of purification ritual (Zhaijiao) used in this context.

Parenthetical content details visualization techniques and hand-seal essentials during talisman creation—such as visualizing primordial energies and the essence of sun and moon—representing the priest's internal cultivation methods during ritual practice.

This passage comes from Volume 25 of the Lingbao Yujian (Precious Jade Mirror of Numinous Treasure), expounding on the mysteries of celestial Qi (vital energy) and divine power in Daoist cultivation.

"Jade-Eyed Supreme Numen" refers to the omniscient highest deity capable of discerning the essence of heaven and earth. "Primordial Qi" represents the fundamental energy of the cosmos, which blends the two energies of Yin-Yang to assist in the completion of all things. This describes the cosmogonic process in Daoism, where all phenomena originate from the differentiation of primordial Qi into Yin and Yang.

"Director of Destinies" is the deity governing life, while "in harmony with De (Virtue)" signifies alignment with moral power. "Fourfold Harmony" likely denotes either the deities of the four directions or the seasonal energies that collectively nurture life. The "Fiery Bell" is a ritual instrument used in refining ceremonies, symbolizing purification and salvation. "Numinous Guardians" refers to protective deities who flank the practitioner during cultivation.

"Swift as the Law's Command" is a standard Daoist imperative phrase indicating immediate execution of divine will. "Nine Qi Generating Spirits" describes how nine types of primordial Qi give birth to deities—a key concept in Neidan (internal alchemy) practice where these energies are mobilized through cultivation to nurture the divine within.