《靈寶玉鑑》Vol. 24

This scripture documents the liturgical format used in the Yellow Register Rite (Huanglu Keyi), a salvation ritual performed by the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) school, one of Daoism's major traditions. The text comprises three main sections:

The first section is the petition document, stating the ritual's purpose: A certain individual from a specific location seeks salvation for a deceased soul. On an appointed date at a designated site, they will establish the "Supreme Covenant of Truth Jade Casket Grand Retreat" ritual space, conducting continuous ceremonies lasting several days and nights according to liturgical standards (Keyi). Through these purification rituals (Zhaijiao), they beseech celestial compassion to deliver the deceased, requesting issuance of the "Jade Clarity Numinous Treasure Limitless Salvation Ascension Yellow Register" document—a celestial passport enabling the soul's ascent.

The second section contains three crucial salvation edicts (Fulu, talismanic commands):

1. The "Primordial Beginning Edict" addresses the underworld bureaucracy, commanding the Ten Directions, Three Officials and Nine Offices (Daoist underworld administrations), and hell officials to release the soul from infernal suffering. It eradicates karmic obstructions, resolves grievances, and through the merit of the Nine Authentic Precepts (Daoist ethical codes), enables heavenly ascent.

2. The "Golden Register White Slip" directs the Scarlet Palace Fire Court in the Southern Cinnabar Heaven—a Daoist purgatory—where deities like the Great Lord of Longevity perform the soul's refinement through "Jade Eye Purification and Yellow Blossom Cleansing," granting spiritual rebirth.

3. The "Jade Mandate of the Supreme Deity" represents the highest salvation document, proclaiming the Three Palaces and Nine Offices must release the soul. With karmic debts absolved and grievances resolved, the soul ultimately unites with the Dao, eternally abiding in celestial realms.

Each edict emphasizes the soul's permanent liberation from darkness into light, culminating in heavenly ascension. The concluding phrase "strictly as commanded" (yiru gaoming) indicates these carry the force of divine law. The entire ceremony embodies the Daoist belief in saving souls through ritual liturgy (Keyi) and talismanic power (Fulu).

This passage depicts the Lingbao School (one of the principal Daoist traditions) summoning celestial deities during the Yellow Register Retreat (Huanglu Zhai), a grand ritual for the salvation of deceased souls. The Five Directional Thearchs (Green Emperor, Red Emperor, White Emperor, Black Emperor, and Yellow Emperor) descend with their myriad divine troops, each accompanied by their respective sacred beast generals (Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, Dark Warrior, and Qilin-Phoenix) and soldiers in corresponding colors.

The text mentions "five mystical talismanic scripts unfolding" (wuwen kaikuo), indicating these deities are summoned through esoteric Daoist talismans (Fulu). These sacred scripts possess miraculous power—without them, there can be no radiance, no manifestation, no establishment of merit, no accomplishment of rituals, no salvation of souls, and no generation of life.

Several key deities are specifically invoked: the Salvation Immortality Deity (who oversees soul deliverance), the Longevity Sovereign of the South Pole (immortal ruler of longevity), the Great Minister Sima Who Saves the World (a major salvation deity), the Compassionate Elder Han Who Loves Life (benevolent savior), and the Southern Directors of Fate and Records (deities documenting human virtue and vice). Working collectively, these deities can prolong life, deliver from calamity, and even resurrect the dead.

For the ritual recipient (referred to as "so-and-so"), seven vital energies (qi) transform into primordial essence, six ritual modalities (liuyi) circulate through emptiness, and the five viscera spirits (wuling) are sustained. The ritual effects include: the sun and moon (two luminaries) supporting the weak, walking the celestial pace (xuan gang nie kong) to ascend heavenward, and obtaining rebirth in cloud palaces (yungong baoque). Through nourishing the true qi within, practitioners ultimately become Perfected Persons (zhenren), ascending to the celestial realm (taixu) while maintaining connection with the underworld (youquan).

The text concludes by listing high-ranking celestial officials participating in the ceremony: the Three True Lords from the Taiyuan Bureau (a celestial Daoist institution), the Three Ministers from the Celestial Pivot Court (another important heavenly department), the Inner and Supreme Ministers from the Celestial Mechanism Court (which governs heavenly secrets), and the highest-ranking Jade Clarity Divine Duke and Limitless Supreme Minister (assistant to the Jade Clarity Primordial Heavenly Worthy, one of the Three Pure Ones). The final phrase "issuing commands to earth deities with talismanic contracts" signifies these deities wield talismanic authority over terrestrial spirits.

This records two essential document formats and production methods used in Daoist rituals for the salvation of departed souls. The first is the "Earth Deity Command Certificate" (Chìzhì Dìqí Quàn), crafted from dark green silk measuring one chi two cun square (approx. 40cm). The obverse side bears the petition text, with the certificate text flanking both sides, leaving a central blank space for the Jade Seal of the Daojun (high-ranking Daoist deity). Specific details include the deceased's name, entreating earth deities to escort the soul from purgatorial suffering, enabling seven generations of ancestors to ascend, permanently liberating them from underworld officials' jurisdiction, and allowing the soul to attain rebirth in the Vermilion Paradise (Zhūlíng), a Daoist celestial realm.

The second document is the "Celestial Passport Certificate" (Lì Guān Zhūtiān Quàn), fashioned from yellow silk measuring nine cun square (approx. 30cm). Written in cinnabar ink, its text declares the soul's joyful acceptance of salvation, petitioning celestial beings to eradicate the Three Poisons (greed, hatred, delusion), sever hell's roots, enable the soul to traverse the Five Gates (possibly representing the Five Phases barriers), have its name registered in the Supreme Mystery (Tàixuán, the highest heavenly realm), escape demon kings' constraints, and smoothly pass through the Heavenly Gate.

During the Refinement and Salvation (Liàndù) ritual, both documents are tied to the left and right sides of the soul-summoning banner. Upon completing the initial rites, the left portions are placed within the "Quadruple Guarantee Sealing Container" (Sì Bǎojǔ Fāngfēng) for preliminary burning. When the full salvation ritual concludes, the remaining banner and documents are collectively incinerated, symbolizing their celestial ascent.