《靈寶玉鑑》Vol. 8

The eighth volume of the Lingbao Jade Mirror (Lingbao Yujian) records an advanced talismanic ritual called the "Jade Purity Summoning of Ten Thousand Spirits Talisman" (Yuqing Zongzhao Wanling Fu). The ritual master must first concentrate their spirit and calm their qi, then visually inscribe the taboo names (special sacred orthography) of the Three Heavens in empty space with their gaze, during which three mystical characters will become clearly visible. These three characters are then inhaled through the nose into the body's Three Palaces (the upper, middle, and lower Dantian), where they transform respectively into blue, yellow, and white primordial qi.

These three qi currents merge internally and externally into one, first descending to the lower Dantian before rising to the Muddy Pellet Palace (upper Dantian) at the crown of the head, ultimately taking the form of an infant. This infant has nine parts of sunlight to its left and one inch of moonlight to its right, illuminating the entire interior of the body. At this point, the master silently recites the incantation: "From emptiness emerges the sacred, spontaneous generation of true qi..." This mantra possesses the power to summon the Eight Majestic Dragon Scripts (sacred Daoist characters), maintain the operation of heaven and earth, and assemble ten thousand spirits.

After reciting the mantra, the practitioner visualizes the infant transforming into the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, the supreme deity in Daoism), suspending a jewel in which gather all the deities of the Thirty-Two Heavens. Then from the eyes emerge two divine generals, their forms as mighty as dragons and tigers. The master silently invites divine officials such as Cui Wenzi, the Summoner of True Spirits before the Primordial Hall, and Shi Guizhang, the Golden Tower Assistant, commanding them to carry the decree of the Primordial Sovereign and lead celestial troops to execute their mission with urgency.

At this moment, the jewel transforms into a golden talisman radiating brilliant light that illuminates the ten directions. The master draws this golden talisman into their Dantian, merging it with their own primordial qi. Cui Wenzi holds the golden talisman while Shi Guizhang grasps the ritual baton, enabling them to summon all spirits without distance being an obstacle. During regular cultivation, one need only visualize the jewel's wondrous light, but when formally performing the ritual, the golden talisman and jade characters must be employed to make the golden light and sacred qi (fanqi) reflect each other. With focused intention, one can resonate with the responses of all heavens.

The text also details the specific method for drawing the talisman: first, while internally visualizing the character for "sun" (日), silently recite the Solar Lord's incantation formula, then with nine turns of the brush form the esoteric Daoist character "晅" before completing the entire talisman. This ritual integrates multiple Daoist techniques including visualization (cunsi), incantations, and talismans, embodying the Daoist cultivation philosophy of "heaven-human resonance."

This passage describes the complete ritual process and accompanying incantations used by the Lingbao school (one of Daoism's major lineages) for drawing fulu (talismanic writs with spiritual power).

When inscribing the talisman, one must silently recite the Moon Lord's mantra while writing the character "moon" (月), rotating the brush ten times to form the character "nǜ" (朒) as an overlay. At the central "jade" character (玉), recite the "Forming Emptiness into Brahma Mantra" (唵吽唎吽唎吽唎吒) while forming the Jade Mudra (a specific hand seal), rotating the brush twelve times to write the character "wà" (䚴) as covering. Below the "ghost" character (鬼), inscribe the "imperial command" character (敕) while chanting the Jade Purity Primordial Azure Incantation to summon celestial generals.

The Command Talisman Incantation (activating the talisman's power) states: "By decree of the Jade Purity Precious Seal (supreme ritual seal), we command immortals to gather celestial deities through this talisman. All spirits of the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and water) must obey. Violators shall face celestial punishment—swiftly execute the decree of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Daoism's supreme deity)."

During spirit manifestation (聚形), burn the talisman while maintaining focused visualization: concentrate intensely, envisioning the primordial chaos before heaven and earth separated, preserving only a single point of primordial qi (cosmic foundational energy) that gradually transforms into all phenomena, with myriad deities paying homage to the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning.

The Dispatch Talisman Incantation states: "By urgent decree of the Jade Emperor (Daoism's celestial sovereign), summon all spirits from the highest heavens to the deepest underworld to respond immediately without delay."

Finally, the standard template for the formal talismanic document includes: the Jade Purity Summons for All Spirits mandate, blank talismans (uninscribed paper), the Jade Purity Primordial Azure Jade Talisman, and other specific formats. The document must conclude with the "Grand Year [date]" and the ritual master's official title (e.g., "Your subject [name] of [lineage] respectfully executes"), indicating formal celestial authorization.

These talismans and writs are primarily used for summoning deities, subduing demons, and other Daoist rituals, embodying the religion's practice of divine communication through specific ceremonial protocols.

This scripture describes the complete ritual procedure used by the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) school of Daoism—one of the major traditions—for summoning divine generals through talismanic incantations. The process consists of three main parts:

First is the ritual sequence for invoking "General Ruyi of the Ten Thousand Offices of Lingbao." The Daoist practitioner must first transform ancestral Qi (the primordial vital energy) into golden light above the head, while forming the specific Jade Hand Seal (a mudra used in Daoist practice) and visualizing the general's form manifesting clearly. Next comes the recitation of the command incantation, which conveys that the Lingbao's divine power governs all offices, and that the Celestial Emperor has ordered this general to oversee divine assemblies. Leading celestial officials, he guards the ritual altar, assists cultivators in stabilizing their spirit-mind (Shen), and collates sacred texts. The incantation also mentions authorization from Laozi (the deified Lao Tzu), the Dao Lord, and the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (the highest triad of Daoist deities known as the Three Pure Ones).

This General Ruyi, named Wen Zhongxuan, appears with youthful red-haired features, clad in golden armor with an immortal's sash at his waist. His left hand forms the Jade Purity Seal while his right wields a sword, standing atop vermilion shoes amidst black clouds. In Lingbao ritual practice, this general can assist in summoning other deities.

Next are the specific talisman-drawing methods: First writing the character "Wen," then adding particular sigils while coordinating ancestral Qi and hand seals. During practice, one visualizes three key sigils transforming into luminous pearls rotating in the palm. Silently reciting these three characters makes the heavens respond, using these pearls to command the general riding clouds to dispatch according to specific needs. When the chief general manifests, hundreds of deities will follow.

Finally come two universal summoning incantations. The first essentially states: The mysterious Lingbao verses transform infinitely, notifying all deities to immediately respond to the summons and arrive at the altar. The second provides more detail, describing the celestial hierarchy of the Jade Purity Realm (highest heaven)—including the Imperial Lord and Jade Mother (a Daoist goddess) governing golden boys and jade maidens who discern demons, transmit teachings, dispel calamities, aid the living, and deliver the deceased. Both incantations conclude with "urgently as the law commands," the standard Daoist phrase indicating immediate execution.

The entire ritual exemplifies the important tradition within the Fulu (Talismanic Registers) branch of Daoism—specializing in ritual invocations—where specific sigils, incantations, visualizations, and hand seals combine to summon celestial generals for ritual assistance.

This describes the Lingbao School's (one of Daoism's major lineages) ritual protocol for summoning guardian generals when submitting memorials to the Celestial Court. As Daoist priests deliver petitions to heaven, they may encounter the "Six Heavens Demons" (malevolent spirits obstructing spiritual practice) attempting interception, necessitating divine escorts.

The ritual begins by summoning the "Great General of Flowing Gold and Fiery Bells": The priest visualizes transforming into a divine being, holding a jade talisman (Daoist ritual implement) in the left hand and Shangqing (the spiritual power of the Shangqing lineage) in the right. Through specialized visualization techniques (neiguan), they gather the Primordial Ancestral Qi (the fundamental Daoist energy) within, mobilizing all bodily spirits. At this stage, numerous generals appear riding golden light, arrayed before the altar.

The summoning involves forming the "Wuwen" hand seal (a specific mudra), facing south, while reciting: "We reverently invite the Great General of Flowing Gold and Fiery Bells, Song [name withheld], whose crystalline Qi blazes like lightning and tempest, whose fiery true energy incinerates demonic forms - by the urgent decree of the law!" This general commands 120 golden-armored divine troops, wearing ancient helmets, green boots, and crimson robes, wielding a sword in his left hand and shaking fiery bells with his right, his crimson face glaring fiercely to subdue major demons.

Next comes the summoning of the "Great General of Slaughter and Conquest" with the "Siwen" hand seal, facing southeast, chanting: "The transformative numinous verses of cinnabar heaven's true yang, the ancestral Qi of all life manifests as the true sovereign..." This general also leads 120 divine soldiers armed with halberds and swords, specializing in annihilating malignant entities.

The ritual proceeds to sequentially summon the Yin Generals of the Six Ding and Yang Generals of the Six Jia, followed by three great generals from the Divine Empyrean Office: the Supreme Overseer General, the Commander-in-Chief General, and the Disbursement General. The ceremony concludes with the master summoning incantation: "By the jade palace of Divine Empyrean, thunderous truth of the primordial..." This complete protocol ensures safe delivery of memorials to the celestial realm, free from demonic interference.

These talismanic spells and hand seals represent esoteric Daoist transmissions - each gesture, direction, and incantation corresponds to specific celestial powers requiring strict lineage transmission for proper use. The entire ritual embodies the Daoist cultivation principle of "using the divine to subdue demons," marshalling righteous spiritual forces to repel malevolent disturbances.

This scripture records the talismanic incantations (Fulu) and rituals used by the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) school, one of the major Daoist traditions, for summoning various celestial generals. The main content is divided into several sections:

First is the invocation of the Thunder Department generals, including the Jade Clarity Thunder Commander (Yuqing Leizhang) who leads divine troops like fire-boars and black-hounds, along with the Four Great Sacred Deities responsible for capturing demons. The incantations emphasize these divine beings will descend immediately upon hearing the summons.

Next comes the summoning of three types of messenger spirits: the Lingguan (Numinous Officials who report to Heaven), Jade Maidens (female deities dressed in phoenix robes and dragon skirts), and the Jade Maidens of All Heavens (celestial female spirits). Each category has corresponding talismans and directional orientations—for instance, Lingguan must be summoned facing east (Mao position), while Jade Maidens require facing west (You position).

Then follows the invocation of the Three Realms' direct emissaries: Jiao Gongnu of Heaven, Zheng Yuanxi of Earth, and Zhang Yuanbo of Water. Each emissary has specific summoning directions and chants—the Water Realm emissary, for example, must be invoked facing north (Zi position).

The final section summons the four Merit Officer generals governing year, month, day, and hour: Li Huan (year), Guo Ju (month), Zhao Meng (day), and Zhang Bing (hour). The incantation commands them to immediately execute the orders of the Flame Emperor (southern fire deity) in coordination with the talismans.

The scripture concludes by mentioning the summoning of three celestial lords: Wind Lord, Cloud Lord, and Qi Lord, each corresponding to different directions and Yin-Yang energies. These chants all end with the phrase "urgently, urgently, as by the law's command" (jiji rulüling), a standard Daoist incantation formula indicating immediate enforcement.

This records a set of Daoist talismanic rituals (fulu) for summoning deities, primarily used in ceremonies for rainmaking and exorcism. These talismans require specific hand mudras (such as Kanwen and Yuwen finger techniques), directional orientations (like Northern Qi for the northern energy field), and writing methods (such as vermilion ink on crimson paper).

The first talisman summons the Rain God "Swift Heavenly Lord." The incantation means: The radiance of the Great Azure (referring to the celestial realm) shakes the ten directions—wind, rain, and clouds manifest instantly according to the Daoist's intention. The Yin and Yang energies harmonize, and upright spirits respond to descend. The phrase "urgently urgent as the Supreme Deity commands" emphasizes immediate execution.

Next is a talisman to assemble mountain and water deities from the Three Realms and Ten Directions. The chant conveys: The Jade Pure Realm (Daoism's highest heaven) issues a decree to all divine departments of Heaven, Earth, and Water, commanding deities to lead their subordinates swiftly to the ritual altar to propagate the Great Dao's teachings and aid humanity.

The talisman summoning the Divine Tiger General and local earth gods states: By the Lingbao Heavenly Lord's talismanic mandate, village gods (sheshen) and earth deities (tudi) are immediately assembled to swiftly guard the altar, expel inauspicious forces, and welcome orthodox true spirits.

The meditation-summoning chant requires the Daoist to visualize: The Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) and their Three Realms command all deities; the Eight Luminaries (eight meditative states) unite with ten thousand spirits. Five-directional Qi assists the Supreme Mysterious Dao in commanding 84,000 divine troops. These deities transform unpredictably, awe-inspiring across celestial courts, arriving instantly upon summons.

The oath chant declares the Daoist's authority: "By the Jade Emperor's golden mandate, I establish this altar to command spirits. My left hand holds the dragon-patterned command tablet, my right bears the Divine Empyrean jade statutes. Through daily scripture recitation and morning-evening prostrations, I govern mountain, river, and water deities while ascending to the Divine Empyrean Heaven. Chanting the arcane mysteries of the Great Cavern True Scripture (Dadong zhenjing), one decree summons the Nine Heavens' Directors of Fate; seven turns of the dharma gate summon celestial immortals. As Immortal King, Supreme Elder, and Lord of Five Sacred Peaks, I wield heaven's mandate to summon winds and rains, command thunder and lightning. Thunder Ministry deities clear my path, their霹雳威震四方霹雳威震四方 (thunderbolts shaking the four directions). The Primordial Heavenly Lord (Yuanshi Tianzun) decrees: wind and fire fill heaven and earth—all deities take heed!"

Finally, the "Three Offerings" ritual (presenting incense, flowers, lamps) and the Fire Bell Talisman (vermilion on red paper aligned with the noon/fire position of southern Qi) are mentioned as essential liturgical procedures within the complete ceremonial framework (keyi).

This passage describes the complete ritual process of the "Heaven-Opening Talisman" ceremony performed by a Daoist master. The master holds a brush in the left hand and a ritual talisman (a Daoist ritual implement) in the right, visualizing heart-fire emerging from the crown of the head. At this moment, the Guardian General Flowing Gold Fire Bell (a protector deity) manifests within the body—this divine general has crimson hair, golden armor, and red robes, wielding the Flowing Gold Fire Bell as he breaks through the celestial winds to reach the heavenly gates.

The master then recites the incantation: "Fire Deity, Fire Deity, golden essence fire bell, pierce through heaven to open the way, swiftly reach the celestial court. Annihilate the Six Heavens and Nine Uglies (malevolent spirits and demons), by command of the Supreme Emperor, wind and fire never cease." The Heaven-Opening Talisman then transforms into spiritual light and dissipates.

Next comes the sevenfold incantation ritual: The first transformation conceals the Six Deities; the second destroys the Four Malevolences; the third activates the Dipper's Pivot (the Big Dipper deities); the fourth raises thunder and fire; the fifth unleashes lightning; the sixth annihilates mountain demons; and the seventh gathers and subdues the evil qi of celestial winds. All demons from the Six Heavens and lawless ghosts are captured beneath the Thunder Ministry.

Following this, the master chants the invocation to summon the Nine Stars of the Northern Dipper (including the deities of Greedy Wolf and Giant Gate) and the Great Sage of the Central Palace (the central stellar deity) to descend swiftly. The Form-Gathering Incantation causes the celestial gate's spiritual energy to converge.

Finally, the Jade Emperor's decree is recited: "By command of the Jade Emperor, break through the celestial winds; let the Nine Heavens be unobstructed. The Yellow Path (the heavenly passage) opens; may the talisman's divine generals swiftly manifest their power. The Flacing Gold Fire Bell illuminates heaven and earth; the Dragon-Tiger Generals escort the memorial. May all under heaven rejoice together, eternally without end." The ceremony concludes with the "Supreme Heaven-Opening Talisman Mandate," signifying that this is the highest celestial decree issued by the Supreme Venerable Lord.

This ritual combines internal alchemy (Neidan) visualization, talismanic incantations, and stellar veneration, representing a characteristic liturgy (Keyi) of the Lingbao tradition. Its purpose is to facilitate communication between heaven and humanity while subduing demons and protecting the Dao.

This is a talismanic document (Fulu) used in the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) tradition of Daoism, primarily employed in rituals for celestial communication and exorcism. The content is structured into several key sections:

The first part invokes various celestial generals, including "Marshal Deng of the Swift Fire Command" (a thunder deity governing fire rituals) and "Marshal Song of the Flowing Gold Fire Bells" (a divine commander wielding fiery bell implements). These deities are summoned to escort the memorial directly to the celestial court, ensuring it remains unobstructed by malign winds or negative energies (Xieqi). The document concludes with the celestial calendar year and the officiating priest's ritual rank and name.

Two crucial talismans follow. The first, named the "Ascending Truth Through Fire Talisman," must be activated at noon (11 AM–1 PM) while facing south, synchronized with the Threefold True Fire (Sanmei Zhenhuo). The incantation references three directional fires: the Sound-Transmitting Fire of the Tiger position (Yin), the Victorious Light Fire of the Horse position (Wu), and the Bone-Shattering Fire of the Dog position (Xu)—each corresponding to distinct thunder deity powers. The phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes" (Jiji rulüling) underscores the urgency of execution.

The second talisman is a General-Dispatching Spell, where the priest declares authorization from the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Dadi), wielding golden talismanic edicts while riding a crimson celestial chariot (Danxiao Baoyu) to command deities of the Five Sacred Mountains (Wuyue) and Four Rivers (Sidu). Specific instructions are given to divine officials (Lingguan), jade maidens (Yunü), thunder generals (Leijiang), and earth gods (Tudi) to immediately escort the petition heavenward, with orders to subdue and punish any demonic obstruction.

Throughout the ritual, the priest employs specialized techniques: hand seals (Leiju, "thunder mudras"), the Star-Stepping Paces (Bugang Tadou, a ritual dance tracing celestial patterns), and visualization (Cunxiang, envisioning deities). Water is also sprayed to purify the space. These practices amplify the talismanic power, ensuring the document's unimpeded ascent to the celestial realm.

This passage describes an incantation used in Daoist exorcism rituals. The general meaning conveys that according to the profound laws of the Dao, punishment for transgressions must be executed with the swiftness of wind and fire without delay. Should any of the myriad demons and malevolent spirits dare disobey these commands, they shall be immediately vanquished, for retribution clearly distinguishes between good and evil.

As the ritual master, I report my merits to the Jade Void Palace (the highest Daoist celestial realm), and throughout the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and the underworld), who would dare defy me? The deities of the Five Sacred Mountains (including Mount Tai of the east) and the Four Great Rivers (Yangtze, Yellow River, Huai, and Ji) all heed my command. Wielding my sword of divine authority, I execute judgment as the celestial troops swiftly mobilize. Here at the ritual altar, my blade stands ready in solemn vigilance. The incantation concludes by emphasizing immediate compliance with the sacred decree of the Most High Divine Empyrean Jade Purity True King (a venerated Daoist deity).

This incantation demonstrates the solemn authority of Daoist ritual masters during exorcisms, summoning the power of celestial and earthly deities to subdue demons. The phrase "急急如律令" (quickly, quickly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances) is a standard closing formula in Daoist incantations, indicating that the command must be carried out as swiftly and precisely as a legal edict.