《靈寶玉鑑》Vol. 35

The thirty-seventh volume of Lingbao Jade Mirror documents the "Method of Severing the Corpses and Delivering the Households," which describes the Lingbao Great Rites (an important ritual system of the Shangqing tradition in Daoism) for eliminating the Three Corpses (three malevolent spirits believed to reside in the human body and cause illness in Daoist thought) and delivering deceased souls.

The scripture explains that the origin of human life stems from the two energies of Yin-Yang and the Five Phases (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth), which are originally pure and luminous. However, as the human mind loses its innate nature and chases illusions, it becomes trapped in the suffering of samsara. To restore the primordial state, one must rely on the natural Dao of serene Wuwei (non-action), using the "indestructible sharp sword" to sever karmic afflictions.

In practice, the cultivator (referred to as "the practitioner" in the text) must first purify body and mind: circulating Qi through the Three Passes (upper, middle, and lower Dantian) and the Five Viscera to achieve internal and external purity. Next, the Qi is guided from the lower Dantian up to the Niwan Palace (upper Dantian) at the crown of the head, where the practitioner visualizes transforming into the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (the supreme deity in Daoism). Then, luminous energy is projected into the deceased soul, while steadfast resolve is forged into a sword to sever the Three Corpses.

The ritual involves: forming the Jade Mudra (a specific hand seal) with the left hand, holding a sword in the right hand, and summoning the assistance of the Three Officials (the Great Emperors of Heaven, Earth, and Water) and the Five Directional Thearchs. Three piles of spirit money are arranged to symbolize the Three Terraces stars, with a Fulu (talisman) burned in each pile. After the priest wields the sword to annihilate the Three Corpses, consecrated water is sprinkled while visualizing the deceased generating virtuous thoughts. Finally, golden light is used to guide the seven souls of the deceased, delivering them beyond the Five Households (referring to the five paths of rebirth).

The scripture particularly emphasizes that the key lies in maintaining a pure mind, free of distracting thoughts, so that all karmic afflictions naturally dissolve. The entire ritual must be performed in conjunction with the "Commanding Earth Deities Talisman" (a type of Fulu used to subdue local spirits).

Through this method, deceased souls can return to their original luminous state, ultimately reaching the state of "Returning to the Treasury" (reintegrating with the source of the Dao).

This passage is from the Lingbao Jade Mirror (Lingbao Yujian) scripture of Daoism, detailing the ritual process for delivering deceased souls through talismans and incantations.

The first section describes how the Primordial Qi (Lingbao Zuqi, the supreme foundational energy of Daoism) generates all celestial realms, with souls receiving deliverance from Mount Dai (Taishan) in the north and celestial realms in the south. Both the nine layers of the underworld and nine heavens obey the decrees of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing - Jade, Upper, and Supreme Purity), as the Nine Emperor Stars (Beidou Jiuxing) manifest their divine presence, revealing the sacred power of the Primordial True Script written in vermilion ink.

Following this is the official decree issued by the Supreme Venerable Lord (Taishang Laojun), commanding underworld deities to open the gates of the underworld for the deceased. The text mentions concepts like "Northern Capital Luofeng" (a Daoist underworld realm) and the "Five Sufferings and Eight Calamities" (hell's torments), instructing all underworld spirits to escort the deceased souls out of the underworld. This allows seven generations of ancestors to ascend, with their spirits undergoing refinement in the Vermilion Palace (Zhuling Gong, where souls are purified) before attaining rebirth.

During the ritual, the priest burns talismans while wielding a ritual sword to activate divine power, eliminating the "Three Corpses" (Sanshi, three malevolent spirits believed to reside within the human body). Two specific incantations are recited: the first helps the soul overcome celestial obstacles, while the second specifically targets the Upper Corpse spirit "Pengju" (one of the Three Corpses), describing its shape-shifting nature and mind-disturbing characteristics before eradicating it through talismanic power.

The final section employs the "Jade Purity Lingbao Illuminating Jade Talisman" to eradicate the roots of the deceased's negative karma. The departed soul is purified through ritual bathing and dressing, then ascends to the Upper Purity Heaven aboard a jade carriage. The entire ceremony must be performed at specific astrological hours by a fully ordained priest.

These contents reflect Daoist religious practices of soul deliverance through talismans (Fulu), incantations, and liturgy (Keyi), demonstrating the tradition's unique approach to resolving matters of life and death.

This passage from the Daoist scripture Lingbao Jade Mirror details a ritual for eliminating the "Three Corpses" (sanshi) - three malevolent spirits believed to reside within the human body (Upper Corpse Pengju, Middle Corpse Pengzhi, and Lower Corpse Pengqiao) - to liberate departed souls.

The first section describes severing the Upper Corpse in the "Celestial Barrier Realm." As this corpse governs carnal desires, the ritual invokes the thunder deities' power. The officiating priest reports to the Year Spirit (Taisui) while drawing talismans (fulu) facing east using the "Tiger Seal" hand gesture (Yin mudra). The incantation references the convergence of Three Yang energies and the primordial opening of the Nine Earths, harnessing the power of Brahma Qi (primordial energy) for purification.

Next comes the incantation for eliminating the Middle Corpse. Named "Central Yellow," Pengzhi ensnares people in emotional attachments and disrupts the Three Palaces (upper, middle, and lower Dantian). The spell describes how golden talismans and jade seals, empowered by the decrees of Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun), completely eradicate this corpse. This purification cools the five viscera, enabling the soul's ascension to Shangqing (Highest Clarity) heaven.

The Lower Corpse ritual follows. Pengqiao governs greed and creates internal chaos. The incantation mentions the "Secret Vision of Long Life" Neidan (internal alchemy) practice, harmonizing internal Qi to overcome the Four Demonic Obstacles (recognized hindrances in Daoist cultivation), permanently freeing souls from the River of Desires.

The complete ceremony requires priests to follow precise procedures: reporting to the Three Officials (Celestial, Earthly, and Water Officials) during specific astrological periods (Taisui year/month/day), employing directional talismans (eastern Tiger and Rabbit seals), and coordinating specific mudras with authentic Qi. This comprehensive practice severs the Three Corpses, liberates souls from the Three Barriers (celestial, earthly, and aquatic obstacles), and ultimately facilitates their transcendence to heavenly realms.

This scripture records the contents of a Daoist ritual for the salvation of departed souls, primarily consisting of three talismanic incantations and declarations.

The text first describes how the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, the supreme deity in Daoism) urgently commands the Three Platforms Star Lords to descend upon the altar, demanding that the deceased soul and nine generations of their descendants immediately sever all physical bonds. The Five Directional Thearchs then guide the true spirit, while the Great Unity Deity (Taiyi Shenjun) records their name. After the soul undergoes purification through ablution in the Lower Primordial Water Palace, it dons cyan feathered garments, transcends the limitations of the Three Realms, and attains the primordial essence of pre-celestial origin.

The text then details the specific usage methods for three jade talismans (Daoist ritual implements):

The first "Jade Talisman of Illumination" severs the root of the deceased's greed, executed by the Numinous Official (Lingguan), freeing the departed from the suffering of laborious waves under the Water Official's jurisdiction.

The second "Jade Talisman of Radiance" liberates the soul from carnal desires, delivering it from the torments of Mount Tai's hell realms.

The third "Jade Talisman of Transformation" releases attachments of earthly love, enabling the soul to ride emptiness in flight, transcending the Five Paths of rebirth.

Each talisman is accompanied by special mantras, such as the "Marvelous Primordial Beginning" incantation invoking the Purple Tenuity Star's light to illuminate the Nine Darknesses, or the "Yang Qi Ascending" chant assisting the soul's transition from death to rebirth. The mantras emphasize cultivation methods like "liberating form to pursue transformation" (freeing from physical constraints) and "shedding the old to refine the new," enabling the soul to "soar through the celestial gate" and "transcend beyond cloud banks," ultimately achieving the state of "seven generations ascending together" (ancestral collective salvation).

The ritual concludes with the presiding priest (referred to as "your subject") reporting according to ritual protocol, performing the ceremony facing the eastern mao direction (a significant Daoist orientation) at specific auspicious hours. The entire ceremony embodies the Daoist religious concept of using talismans, visualization practices, and other methods to deliver souls from the Three Evil Paths (greed, lust, and attachment), enabling their ascension to the celestial realms.

This scripture records the talismanic incantations (Fulu) and ritual declarations used in Daoist salvation rites for the deceased. The main content is divided into three sections, each addressing liberation from different karmic obstructions: the "burdens of attachment," "burdens of greed," and "burdens of worldly competition."

The first section contains incantations against "the fetters of desire." The ritual master, invoking the authority of the "Jade Clarity Numinous Treasure Life-Opening Jade Talisman," releases the deceased from the suffering of emotional entanglements, sparing them punishment in the Wind-Blade Hell. Phrases like "Anāthapindada" (a Buddhist term) reflect the characteristic syncretism of Buddhism and Daoism. Through the primal Qi (炁) of the "Dragon Han Brahma," the souls are aided in crossing the sea of suffering, with salvation extending to seven generations of ancestors.

The second section presents talismans to dissolve "the shackles of greed." Using the "Jade Clarity Numinous Treasure Spirit-Opening Jade Talisman," the ritual severs the deceased's covetous attachments, relieving them from the hellish torment of "carrying sand and stones." The incantation's phrases like "liberating form through spiritual transformation" describe how the soul, empowered by the talisman, transcends physical constraints to overcome punishments like the Bronze Pillar Hell, ultimately elevating nine generations of ancestors.

The third section targets karmic obstacles from "vanity and rivalry." These talismans dispel darkness to illuminate the underworld, helping souls escape the infernal punishment of "filling rivers and irrigation ditches." Verses like "dissolving corpse and absolving sins" indicate how this method eradicates the deceased's transgressions, allowing their souls to be received by demon kings before ultimately attaining carefree liberation and ascension to the Purple Tenuity Heaven.

Each talismanic conclusion emphatically states "urgently, urgently, in accordance with the statutes!" (急急如律令), signifying immediate execution of divine will. Recurring references to "the Mao orientation/eastern Qi" indicate that talismans must be drawn while facing east to absorb the vibrant yang energy of that direction. These rites are performed by properly ordained Daoist priests (referred to as "your subject") during specific years and months in accordance with imperial decree, transmitted swiftly to the underworld through the "wind-fire courier network."

This scripture primarily discusses the Daoist talismans (fulu) and rituals used for redeeming departed souls and absolving karmic transgressions. The mentioned "Jade Talisman for Absolving Sins" is a sacred charm that helps souls escape the suffering of hell, eliminate karmic obstacles, and sever attachments. Through such talismans, departed souls can avoid judgment in the underworld courts, cease infernal punishments, gain liberation from the Northern Ghost Realm (Beifu), and achieve rebirth (shousheng) to ultimately reach a state of carefree transcendence.

The text meticulously records several important talismanic methods:

The "Jade Clarity Numinous Treasure True-Opening Jade Talisman" assists souls in avoiding hell's torments like burning coals and boiling cauldrons. The "Resolving Grievances Talisman" dissolves enmities and eradicates evil karma, freeing souls from the Frozen Hell (hanting). The "Celestial Deity Treasury-absorbing Banner" is employed during the elimination of the Three Corpses (sanshi, the three malevolent spirits believed to reside within the human body in Daoism) and soul redemption rituals. The specific practice involves crafting forty-nine banners arranged in the Big Dipper formation before burning them, while Daoist priests chant the "Great Cavern Returning Numinous Jade Chapters."

For spiritual practitioners, the text particularly emphasizes that writing and ingesting these talismans on Gengshen or Jiazi days (specific dates in the Chinese calendar) can help eradicate the Three Corpses within one's body and sever the roots of negative karma.

These rituals and talismans belong to the Daoist "refinement and deliverance" (liandu) ceremonies, which must be performed before formal salvation rituals (rutan shoulian). Throughout the process, the presiding Daoist priest (gaogong) must strictly follow prescribed procedures while coordinating with specific incantations and scriptures.