《靈寶玉鑑》Vol. 31

The thirty-third volume of the Lingbao Jade Mirror (Lingbao Yujian), section seven, records the method of "Summoning and Gathering Wandering Souls." It elucidates a fundamental principle: the Dharma-nature (intrinsic Buddha-nature) of all sentient beings is originally equal, vast, and unobstructed. Whether increasing or decreasing, near or far, gathered as one or scattered as myriad, their essential nature remains unchanged. The original nature of heaven and earth, all things, sages and ordinary people, is without distinction.

However, due to the defilements of karma and habitual tendencies, sentient beings gradually deviate from their original nature, just as a hair's breadth of difference can lead to an error of a thousand miles. Thus, distinctions arise between noble and humble, ordinary and sage, separated by vast distances. Therefore, the Lingbao Great Method (Lingbao Dafa) establishes the purpose of summoning wandering souls, employing divine powers to universally deliver celestial and human beings. Even so, there remains concern that beings of the six realms may remain trapped in the cycle of rebirth, failing to comprehend the profundity of Dharma-nature. Hence, the pure and natural wondrous light of Lingbao is used to universally guide them, ensuring the ten directions are without obstruction and all realms are harmoniously interpenetrating. In this way, one realizes that within the nature of the mind, sage and ordinary, heaven and earth, are originally one—neither increasing nor decreasing. This is the profound meaning of "true oneness without duality."

The text then records three talismans (Fulu) and their corresponding methods:

The first is the "Pure and Impure Heavenly Eye Talisman" (Jinghui Tianmu Fu). When used, it must be burned in a bowl of water while sprinkling the water of Supreme Mystery (Taixuan Shenshui) for purification. The incantation essentially invokes the Heavenly Eye Deity to descend and assist the practitioner in attaining the ability to perceive spirits. A special note warns against reciting the "Purify Heaven and Earth Incantation," as heaven and earth are inherently pure and require no further purification.

The second is the "Incantation for Nightly Vegetarian Offerings and Incense Talisman" (Zhoushi Yezhai Xiang Fu). The incantation essentially ensures the food is abundant in all directions, inexhaustible, aiding the souls of the deceased in ascending to the celestial realm. It concludes with the phrase "urgently, urgently, in accordance with the command of the Supreme God."

The third is the "Summon and Manifest the Ethereal Soul Talisman" (Shejian Shuangling Fu), which requires hand mudras (shoujue) and the energy of Green Mystery (Qingxuan Qi, a cultivated energy). The incantation calls upon the Three Salvation Realms (Sanjiu Zhenren, Daoist deities who save suffering souls) to assist in illuminating all wandering souls in heaven and earth, particularly a specific deceased individual and those lingering in the six realms and four forms of life (as described in Buddhist teachings of reincarnation), manifesting their true forms. It concludes with the "Jade Emperor's Edict."

Finally, the text mentions the "Opening the Path Talisman" (Kaitong Daolu Fu), which must be dispersed in form. It involves opening the four directions: the Celestial Gate (Tianmen), Earthly Door (Dihu), Human Gate (Renmen), and Ghost Path (Guilu), praying for the purity of heaven and earth, longevity, and peace.

This scripture describes a Daoist ritual for the salvation of departed souls, incorporating incantations, talismanic seals (fulu), and hand mudras.

The text begins by invoking the power of celestial bodies—the sun, moon, and stars—along with the Ten Directions' Great Unity (Taiyi, revered Daoist deities) and the Savior from Suffering (Jiuku Tianzun, a deity dedicated to liberating souls). The Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Dadi, the supreme Daoist divinity) commands the opening of pathways between the celestial, earthly, and underworld realms, allowing the souls to approach the ritual altar for deliverance. Underworld officials are instructed not to obstruct but to open the Five Paths (symbolizing the routes of reincarnation) and guide the spirits, freeing them from darkness into light.

Following this is a salvation incantation summoning the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, the highest Daoist deity), deities of the Ten Directions, and the Registrar of Han (a divine official overseeing the ledgers of life and death) to descend upon the altar. A proclamation is made to the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and water) and the underworld, declaring the absolution of the souls' karmic burdens and their release from the cycle of rebirth. The decree is emphasized as originating from Yuanshi Tianzun and must be executed without delay.

The ritual procedure involves holding the ashes of burned talismans while forming the Jade Mudra (a symbolic hand gesture) and reciting the incantation, then blowing the ashes toward the base of the altar. The officiant visualizes divine Qi (vital energy) illuminating the entire sacred space, inside and out. With the left hand forming the Gen Seal (a mudra associated with the northeast, the symbolic "ghost gate") and the right hand in the Sword Mudra (representing spiritual authority), the priest faces the ghost gate, treads the Gang Steps (a Daoist ritual footwork), and inscribes the characters "Summon the Abyss of Eternal Night" in the air with the Sword Mudra.

Next, underworld messengers, local earth deities (Tudi Shen), and the Generals of the Five Paths are summoned to immediately guide the souls to the altar—all under the command of Yuanshi Tianzun of the Jade Purity. The Sword Mudra then traces the character "Open" toward the ghost gate, visualizing a radiant pearl illuminating the darkness. The priest blinks three times rapidly with the left eye, sensing an eerie wind as the souls emerge from the Gen position (northeast, the ghost gate) and gather before the altar.

Lastly, the text references methods for summoning twenty-four categories of wandering souls from the Six Paths of Reincarnation (detailed in liturgical manuals) and the mudra for invoking souls from the celestial realm: the Zi Seal is formed while visualizing heavenly immortals descending on auspicious clouds through the celestial gate.

This passage describes the ritual procedures and incantations for summoning beings from the Six Realms as recorded in the Daoist scripture Lingbao Yujian (Precious Jade Mirror). The Six Realms refer to the six forms of existence: the Celestial Immortal Realm, Spirit Realm, Human Realm, Hell Realm, Hungry Ghost Realm, and Animal Realm.

The text first details the method for summoning these realms: Practitioners must visualize qi from specific directions. For instance, riding pure fanqi (sublime energy) from the Earth Gate (southwest), they arrive on the left side via fengma (a mythical swift vehicle); while from the Human Gate (northeast), they ride radiant light to the right. Next, they recite the Three Officials' Northern Feng Incantation (referring to the deities of Heaven, Earth, and Water), project wisdom-light through their "eye of insight," form the Jade Purity Hand Seal, and guide qi to flow like a river. Exhaling two streams of breath through the nostrils that merge together, they transform the circular radiance of Taiyi (the cosmic origin). This descending light illuminates the underworld, drawing all spirits to the ritual altar.

The text then meticulously records the talismans and incantations for summoning each realm:

1) Celestial Immortal Realm Talisman: Uses ziwen strokes (specific brush patterns) and radiant light-qi. The incantation states: "Through the mandate of Yuanshi Tianzun (the supreme Daoist deity), we summon celestial immortals from the ten directions to hear the Dharma's sound. May heavenly beings swiftly gather at this blessed hall." Another verse proclaims: "The pure qi of the Jade Purity Realm universally summons immortals to ride clouds to this Dharma assembly."

2) Spirit Realm Talisman: Uses chouwen strokes and sublime fanqi. The chant declares: "Virtuous deeds benefit all creation; mysterious transformations resonate through the heavens. By this talisman's power, we summon you spirits to harmonize with the natural Dao." A supplementary verse describes the Jade Purity Realm's abundant offerings, with fragrant clouds pervading all directions to liberate spirits through ritual nourishment.

3) Human Realm Talisman: Uses yinwen strokes and white light-qi. The invocation states: "The Dharma Lord of Three Realms manifests boundlessly—hearing these sacred words elevates human beings to immortality." Another verse speaks of the Jade Purity Realm's pervasive sublime qi guiding humanity.

4) Hell Realm Talisman: Uses shenwen strokes and dark xuanqi. The incantation proclaims: "This mandate penetrates the Three Realms, summoning myriad spirits to propagate wondrous teachings, illuminating hell's darkness." A companion verse describes the Jade Purity's power piercing the underworld to open hell's gates and liberate condemned souls.

5) Hungry Ghost Realm Talisman: Uses youwen strokes and empty kongqi. The chant explains: "Ghostly hunger stems from karmic bonds, with sins weighted differently. Now Yuanshi Tianzun's mandate descends, transforming hungry ghosts into immortal forms."

This passage is excerpted from the thirty-third volume of the Lingbao Jade Mirror, documenting several types of talismanic incantations (Fulu) and ritual procedures used in Daoist salvation rites. The content primarily comprises three categories:

First are sets of specialized incantations for liberating different categories of deceased souls. The chant beginning "The Great Transformation of Jade Purity's Compassion Nourishes the Spirits" conveys how the boundless compassion of the Jade Purity realm (Daoism's highest celestial domain) nurtures all beings, allowing parched and starving souls to receive abundant sustenance. The concluding phrase "Swiftly, as the Supreme Deity commands" is a standard formula in Daoist incantations, signifying immediate execution of divine will.

Next are salvation chants tailored to different life forms, categorized as womb-born (e.g., humans), egg-born (e.g., birds), moisture-born (e.g., insects), and transformation-born (e.g., spirits). Each type corresponds to specific talismanic patterns and Qi (vital energy in Daoist cultivation). The incantation "The Jade Spirit of Great Simplicity Rides a Crimson Dragon" depicts deities traveling between the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and water) in dragon-drawn chariots, summoning souls of all kinds to receive liberation.

The concluding chant "The Great Brahma Radiance of Jade Purity Illuminates the Three Torments" refers to three realms of hellish suffering. This passage describes how the sacred light of the Jade Purity realm illuminates the underworld, with all talismanic scriptures (Daoist Fulu) assisting souls to attain salvation and ascend to the celestial capital. The repeated formula "Swiftly, as the Primordial Supreme Deity's decree commands" reinforces the immediate execution of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning's (Daoism's supreme deity) divine law.

These incantations are typically recited seven times during food-offering rituals (feeding hungry ghosts), after which the talismans are burned. The complete ceremony embodies Daoism's compassionate ideal of universal salvation, employing specific talismanic patterns and incantatory power to help diverse categories of souls transcend suffering.