《靈寶玉鑑》Vol. 6

This passage discusses the ritual banners (lingfan) and talismanic charms (fuzhou) used in Daoist practice for redeeming souls in the underworld. The spirit banners (decorated flags inscribed with sacred talismans) and precious canopies (ornamental parasols) serve as important ritual implements, primarily employed for liberating souls trapped in the hell realms.

Nine specialized talismans are described for different hell dimensions:

1. Blood Lake Hell Talisman (redeeming souls submerged in blood pools)

2. Blood Defilement Hell Talisman

3. Blood Resources Hell Talisman

4. Blood Chill Hell Talisman

5. Gorge Stone Hell Talisman

6. Avici Hell Talisman (the most tormenting hell)

7. Great Iron Enclosure Mountain Hell Talisman

8. Lesser Iron Enclosure Mountain Hell Talisman

9. Blood Lake Hell Talisman

These talismans must be activated with specific mudras (hand seals called "maowen shuqi") and incantations. The chant's essence conveys: "Sacred radiance illuminates the dark realms, the Blood Lake Hell is demolished, and suffering souls attain liberation."

When crafting such spirit banners, the names of ten Celestial Worthies (Tianzun) must be inscribed beneath the talismans, including:

• Radiant Light Savior of Suffering Celestial Worthy (deity who emits light to redeem the afflicted)
• Bright Light Universal Illumination Celestial Worthy
• Compassionate Light Penetrating Reflection Celestial Worthy
• Great Light Eternal Serenity Celestial Worthy
• Tolerant Light Vast Coverage Celestial Worthy
• Dawn Light Path-Opening Celestial Worthy
• Embracing Light Profound Clarity Celestial Worthy
• Wisdom Light Far-Reaching Celestial Worthy
• Auspicious Light Mysterious Response Celestial Worthy

For banners addressing the Five Directional Hells, five "Radiant Light Talismans" are required, with corresponding "Hell-Shattering Talismans" burned at each hell realm.

Eight desire-extinguishing talismans are then detailed:

1. Eliminate Lust Desire Talisman

2. Eliminate Attachment Desire Talisman

3. Eliminate Greed Desire Talisman

4. Eliminate Lust Burden Talisman

5. Eliminate Attachment Burden Talisman

6. Eliminate Greed Burden Talisman

7. Eliminate Ostentatious Rivalry Talisman

8. Eliminate Physical Burden Talisman

These require the "Five-Seal Ancestral Qi" mudra technique, with incantations meaning: "The precious talismans of Yuanshi Tianzun (Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning) transform yin-yang, eradicate the burdens of five desires, and elevate souls to the Southern Chang paradise (Daoist celestial realm)."

Finally, the text mentions the sacred titles of Celestial Worthies associated with "Eight Calamities Lantern Banners," including deities governing the Three Corpses (sanshi, the three malevolent spirits within the human body in Daoist belief) and those specialized in redeeming karmic obstacles like lust, attachment, and greed.

This passage describes the specific methods for altar arrangement and talisman (Fulu) usage from the Daoist scripture Lingbao Jade Mirror. First, a celestial wheel banner must be crafted from yellow silk, measuring seven feet in length, inscribed with sixteen sacred incantations. At the commencement of the ritual, the officiant proceeds to the Celestial Lamp Altar to recite mantras before hoisting this banner.

The construction of the Celestial Wheel Lamp Banner requires meticulous attention. A circular canopy is fashioned, from which thirty-two smaller banners are suspended around its perimeter, with the primary banner hung at the center. The scripture then enumerates in detail the names of the talismans corresponding to the thirty-two celestial realms, beginning with the lowest—the Talisman of the Supreme Sovereign's Yellow Primordial Heaven—and ascending to the highest—the Talisman of the Supreme Ultimate's Peaceful Nourishment and Exalted Radiance Heaven.

When crafting these talismans, the officiant must first chant passages from the Lingbao Root Chapter scripture before gathering the Primordial Qi (the innate vital energy of Daoist cosmology) into the brush to inscribe them. After completing the talismans, the Middle Chapter of the Lingbao Scripture is recited as an invocation. Beneath each talisman, the sacred name of its corresponding celestial realm is inscribed before the banners are suspended above the lamp altar.

The text also outlines the method for creating the Earthly Chariot Banner, which bears the inscription: "By the Decree of the Supreme Dao Lord, the Divine Talisman of Kunlun is Bestowed to Deliver the Souls of the Departed." This banner serves as a crucial ritual implement for the salvation of the deceased, believed to liberate souls from suffering and guide them toward transcendence. The entire ceremony is conducted with rigorous precision, from the crafting and hanging of the banners to the inscription of talismans and recitation of invocations—each step governed by strict protocols.

This passage explains the ritual setup and talismanic methods for liberating souls and breaking open the hell realms as described in the Daoist scripture Lingbao Yujian (Precious Jade Mirror of Numinous Treasure).

The ritual begins with crafting a seven-foot-long crimson silk banner inscribed with sixteen characters in seal script. When ascending the altar to commence the ceremony, the priest recites incantations while hanging this central banner in the middle of the Hell Lamp Altar. The altar space contains a square area representing the underworld (Diyu), surrounded by twenty-four banners symbolizing different hell realms, with the main banner (Diyu Banner) positioned at the center.

The text then enumerates twenty-four hell-breaking talismans (Fulu), including the Nail-Body Talisman, Chain-Body Talisman, and Bronze-Pillar Talisman—each corresponding to specific hell tortures. Before inscribing these talismans, the priest must recite the name of the Savior from Suffering Celestial Master (Jiuku Tianshi) eighty-one times, then channel blue-green Qi from the eastern direction into the brush. The talismans are drawn using specific hand mudras (Yujue) while invoking ancestral spiritual energy. Beneath each talisman are written the sacred names of twenty-four Celestial Masters.

The comprehensive incantation follows, essentially invoking: the power of the Great Dao from the Jade Pure Realm (Yuqing) to permeate the hells; the Savior from Suffering Celestial Master (Taiyi Jiuku Tianshi) to manifest his radiant forms and illuminate the Fengdu hells; and the underworld officials to cease punishments. It commands the Ice Hell and Blazing Coal Hell to be pacified, the Mountain of Knives and Forest of Swords to dissolve, and all tortured souls to transcend the hells and ascend beyond the Three Realms.

Finally, the text lists the twenty-four Celestial Masters responsible for hell liberation—such as "Compassionate Light Salvation Celestial Master" (Ciguang Badu Tianshi) and "Great Illumination Perfect Ultimate Celestial Master" (Daming Yuanji Tianshi)—each embodying distinct luminous qualities representing different methods of illuminating hell realms and saving souls.

[Note: This constitutes a crucial part of the Daoist "Breaking Open the Hells" liturgy (Keyi), employing talismans, banners, and Celestial Masters' sacred names to deliver souls from infernal suffering. The twenty-four hells correspond to the Daoist cosmological view of layered underworld realms, each with unique torments.]

This passage describes several Celestial Venerables (Tianzun) and ritual implements from the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) tradition, one of Daoism's major schools. Celestial Venerables represent the highest divine beings in Daoism, each possessing specific sacred functions and luminous attributes.

The text first enumerates four Celestial Venerables:

1. The Venerable of Crimson Compassionate Radiance (Ciguang Zhuyao Tianzun) - whose mercy shines like vermilion light

2. The Venerable of Great Illuminating Grace (Daguang Guangzhao Tianzun) - whose vast light universally illuminates

3. The Venerable of Universal Solar-Lunar Clarity (Riyue Puming Tianzun) - who enlightens like sun and moon

4. The Venerable Who Shatters Darkness (Po'an Zhuyou Tianzun) - who dispels obscurity and lights the underworld

It then mentions two additional venerables:

5. The Venerable of Penetrating Dharma-Realm Clarity (Dongming Fajie Tianzun) - who thoroughly comprehends cosmic truth

6. The Venerable of Golden Essence Stabilizing Light (Jinjing Dingzhao Tianzun) - whose golden quintessence radiates steadfast illumination

The passage further describes two essential ritual instruments:

• The "Ten Directions Sacred Realm Lantern Tablet" (Shifang Shengjing Dengpai) - an inscribed tablet depicting the ten directions of sacred realms
• The "Ten Directions Sacred Realm Banner Lantern" (Shifang Shengjing Dengfan) - a ritual banner inscribed with names of the Ten Directions Salvation Venerables

The parenthetical notations "see sections on illuminating/dark gates" and "see previous" refer to cross-references within the scripture where these elements are elaborated.

These divine appellations and ritual implements are primarily employed in Daoist salvation rites and illumination ceremonies, symbolizing the sacred light that dispels darkness to deliver all beings. The Lingbao Jade Mirror (Lingbao Yujian) serves as the essential scripture recording these sacred names and ritual protocols.