《靈寶玉鑑》Vol. 25

This is the transmission ritual of the "Golden Register for Longevity and Salvation" from Volume 27 of the Lingbao Jade Mirror Daoist scripture. It primarily records the Nine Precepts and ritual talismans (Fulu) transmitted by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, one of Daoism's supreme deities) to practitioners.

The text first describes the formal protocol of transmission: in a specified year and location, a named individual receives the "Supreme Cavern Mystery Lingbao Golden Register for Longevity and Salvation" at the Yellow Register Altar (a Daoist ritual space) for specific spiritual purposes. This Golden Register enables practitioners to transcend the Three Realms (Desire Realm, Form Realm, and Formless Realm) and ascend to the Nine Heavens.

The scripture recounts how Yuanshi Tianzun once expounded profound teachings in the Three Primes Palace of the Nine Pure Marvelous Realms, recording virtuous deeds and merits. Those whose names are inscribed in the Yellow Register's golden tablets and jade slips (sacred registers of practitioners) would receive salvation from the Ten Directions Salvation Celestial Worthies, delivering them from the Nine Dark Hells (Daoism's deepest underworld realms).

The Celestial Worthy instructs devotees: by upholding the Golden Register's white slips (certificates of practice), observing the Nine Authentic Marvelous Precepts (fundamental ethical guidelines), and wearing the Longevity Spirit Talisman and Salvation True Talisman, one may erase grave karmic offenses from hell realms and have their name recorded in the Nine Palaces Immortal Register. They will then receive protection from attendant deities including the Boy Who Examines Destiny (a deity recording merits and faults), Guardian Deities of Precepts, and the Five Thearchs' Direct Emissaries.

The Nine Authentic Marvelous Precepts are then detailed:

1. Honor parents and practice humility toward others

2. Be diligent in duties and loyal to sovereigns

3. Abstain from killing; show compassion to all beings

4. Avoid sexual misconduct; maintain upright conduct

5. Refrain from theft; practice selfless giving

6. Eschew wrath; never oppress others

7. Reject deception; never harm the virtuous

8. Shun arrogance; never disparage truth

9. Single-mindedly uphold precepts without distraction

The scripture concludes by explaining that through the combined power of Yuanshi Tianzun's sacred decree, the Golden Register's white slips, and the Salvation True Talisman, notification will reach all Ten Directions, the Three Offices and Nine Bureaus (celestial administrations of Heaven, Earth and Water), and all hell departments. This ensures the recipient's spirit is liberated from hell realms, restored to light, cleansed of all transgressions, and released from karmic enmities.

This scripture documents the liturgical format and divine hierarchy used in the Daoist "Yellow Register Retreat" (Huanglu Zhai) salvation ritual. Through the meritorious power of the Nine True Precepts (a key Daoist ethical code), it assists deceased souls in ascending to heaven.

During the ceremony, Daoist priests send official petitions to the Vermilion Fire Palace (Zhuling Huofu) in the Cinnabar Heaven Realm (Dantian Shijie) - the southern celestial domain in Daoist cosmology that oversees soul refinement. They invoke the assistance of deities including the Great Lord of Longevity from the Southern Chang Palace (Nanchang Shangong), Sima Hanjun (the lifespan-governing divinity), the Directors of Fate (Siming) and Records (Silu), along with other venerable gods such as the Prolonger of Life (Yanshou), Augmenter of Destiny (Yisuan), and Deliverer from Calamities (Du'e). Special supplications are made to the "Great Spirit Who Resurrects Bones and Revives the Dead" (Huihai Qisi Jiansheng Dashen) to elevate a specific deceased soul, enabling it to ascend to the Vermilion Palace (Zhugong) in the southern heavens for purification in the Court of Flowing Fire (Liuhuo Zhi Ting) - the sacred realm for refining departed spirits.

The text mentions using a "Golden Register" (Jinlu) as salvation credentials. This talismanic document is mounted on cyan silk with golden brocade adornments, measuring eight chi and one cun in length. Its sacred characters are inscribed in gold paste, accompanied by golden figurative illustrations. Upon completion of the refinement ritual, this register is employed together with the "Great Ascension Certificate" (Shengtian Daquan) - the official document of salvation.

Concurrently, the "Precious Edict of the Nine Heavens" (Jiutian Baogao) is issued - a nine-chi-long cyan proclamation written in cinnabar. This edict originates from the Jade Clarity Divine Empyrean (Yuqing Shenxiao), the highest celestial realm, transmitted through the Three Officials (Sanguan: Heaven, Earth and Water), Nine Bureaus (Jiufu) and 120 Departments (Yibai Ershi Cao) of the celestial administration. It commands the chief deities of heavenly prisons and hell realms to release the deceased soul, absolving its transgressions to achieve unity with the Dao (Yu Dao Heyi), ultimately ascending to the Jade Palace Gates (Yuque) for eternal life.

The document concludes with the ritual date and the names/religious titles of the three presiding masters - the Recommending Master (Baoju Shi), Supervising Master (Jiandu Shi), and Salvation Master (Du Shi). The entire ceremony follows the regulations of the "Mysterious Code and Sacred Decrees" (Xuanke Lüling), ensuring the elevated soul receives veneration in both human and celestial realms.

This scripture describes the format of the "Ascent to Heaven Certificate" (升天券) used by the Lingbao (灵宝) school of Daoism, one of its major traditions, for guiding departed souls during salvation rituals. This document serves as a pass for the deceased, ensuring their smooth passage through celestial checkpoints.

The left portion, called the "Left Certificate of Ascent" (升天左券), is addressed to the guardian deities of the Three Realms' (欲界, 色界, 无色界) heavenly gates. It states: The departed soul (name) joyfully receives salvation today and requests all celestial deities to eliminate their Three Poisons (greed, anger, and delusion), sever their ties with the underworld, and grant them unobstructed passage through the Five Directional Heavenly Gates (Eastern Azure Gate, Southern Crimson Gate, etc.). Their name shall be registered in the celestial records of the Supreme Mystery (太玄), the highest heavenly realm. The Demon Kings (here referring to deities overseeing celestial order) will supervise its execution without obstruction. The document concludes with the issuance date and the ritual master's official Daoist title and name.

The right portion, the "Right Certificate of Ascent" (升天右券), is carried by the departed soul. It contains secret Sanskrit mantras of the heavens to assist the soul in attaining the ultimate state of cultivation (道境). The Great Virtuous Demon Kings will recommend the soul, granting them free passage through the Three Realms until final ascension through the Golden Gate (金门). It similarly bears the issuance date and the presiding priest's details.

The text mentions three venerated patriarchs: the Crimson Emperor of Great Purity from Cinnabar Heaven (丹霄太清韩王朱陵大帝), the Azure Emperor of Supreme Purity from Jade Heaven (碧霄上清华王青玄上帝), and the Jade Purity True King of Eternal Life from Divine Heaven (神霄玉清真王长生大帝)—all supreme deities in Lingbao tradition governing different celestial realms. Such documents must follow strict formatting: both sides and margins must be fully inscribed with specific characters, reflecting the precision of Daoist ritual protocols.

This is a ritual document from the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) tradition, one of the major schools of Daoism, specifically for the Duwang Keyi (salvation ritual for deceased souls). It outlines the ceremonial procedures and incantations used by Daoist priests when performing salvation rites.

The presiding priest first declares his religious rank (indicating his level of spiritual attainment within Daoism) and name, following a specific format that includes the ritual's date. He then announces the document at the Celestial Gate (believed in Daoism to be the entrance to the heavenly realms), praying that the deceased soul may ascend beyond the Three Realms (Desire Realm, Form Realm, and Formless Realm) to reach the highest spiritual state of the Dao, with the endorsement of the Great Xun Demon King (a Daoist guardian deity).

Two types of documents are used in the ritual: the "Lingbao Right Certificate of Heavenly Ascent" serves as a celestial pass for the gatekeeping deities, while another serves as the deceased's ascension credential. These documents are read aloud after delivering precepts and transmitting Fulu (talismans and registers), then processed accordingly—those on the left side are burned at the Refinement Altar (the ritual platform for salvation) together with four protective talismans, while those on the right are given to the deceased as proof of heavenly ascent.

The crucial "Nine Refinement Celestial Talisman" must be attached to both sides of the ritual banner. While drawing this talisman, the priest recites: "Through the refinement by the Nine Qi (primordial energies), the Three Radiances (Upper, Middle, and Lower Dantian) reunite." This means the deceased soul is refined through the Nine Heavenly Qi to reconstitute its Three Radiances (energy centers), with divine fire restoring its human form through alchemical refinement.

Following this is the extensive "Jade Purity Lingbao Universal Salvation Incantation," traditionally said to have been transmitted by the Golden Tower Heavenly Emperor (a supreme Daoist deity) to Xu Jingyang (a renowned Jin dynasty Daoist) for ancestral salvation. The recurring syllable "Om" in the chant carries mystical power in Daoist incantations. The essence proclaims that through the power of Yuanshi Tianzun (the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning), lower realm ghosts may shed their spectral forms and ascend upon hearing the chant, while the living may cultivate longevity upon hearing it—attaining the lifespan of heaven and earth, while simultaneously elevating seven generations of ancestors to the Jade Purity Realm (the highest heavenly plane).

A final note specifies that this incantation may also be used in daily practice for universal salvation, as recorded in the 27th volume of the Lingbao Jade Mirror. The entire scripture demonstrates the complete Daoist ritual process for assisting souls' salvation through talismans and ceremonial practice.