《靈寶淨明新修九老神印伏魔祕法》

Preface to The Newly Revised Secret Method of the Nine Elder Deities' Divine Seals for Subduing Demons from the Numinous Treasure Pure and Bright Tradition (Section Nine)

This preface was composed by He Shouzheng, Assistant Instructor at the Winged Truth Altar. It primarily recounts the origins and significance of this scripture:

The Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen) authentic scriptures—the highest Daoist classics—have always been carefully preserved by the immortals in the celestial palaces of the upper realms, with strict transmission protocols. These texts are never lightly revealed except during extraordinary cosmic cycles when heaven and earth renew themselves. Those who encounter these scriptures are invariably recorded in the celestial registers as authentic immortals.

Among them, the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) demon-subduing seals and the secret methods of refining form and spirit were originally transmitted directly by the Nine Elder Emperor Lords from the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun) during the primordial Dragon Han kalpa (the Daoist conception of cosmic inception). These methods later became transmitted to cultivation practitioners as the core techniques of the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) tradition, with countless recorded instances of ascension to immortality throughout history.

During the Eastern Jin dynasty, the Eminent Ambassador Xu Xun (Xu the Perfected Lord) received the authentic transmission from the Great Immortal Chen Mu. He employed talismans (Fulu) to control floods, exorcise evils, and relieve the suffering of common people throughout the Jiangnan region. After accumulating sufficient merit (De), his entire family ascended to immortality, followed by successive generations of disciples attaining the Dao. Though the lineage continued through the ages, textual transmissions inevitably developed errors over time.

In the Southern Song period, six Perfected Lords manifested in Yuzhou (modern Chongqing), transmitting the secret methods of Lingbao Jingming (Numinous Treasure Pure Brightness). They taught the people the virtues of loyalty, filial piety, integrity, and prudence, dispatching immortals from the Cavern of Spirit (Dongshen) to guide practitioners. Two years later in the eighth lunar month, Xu the Perfected Lord again descended at the former site of Youwei Temple (present-day Yulong Wanshou Palace in Jiangxi), establishing the Winged Truth Altar to receive practitioners and resolve difficulties in scriptural study.

When disciples inquired about the Nine Elders' methods, the Perfected Lord compassionately expounded the teachings, particularly clarifying the essential techniques of "Qi Mirror" and "Divine Seals" to correct circulating errors. He then instructed disciples to refine the talismanic formulas, approving the revisions personally before commissioning He Shouzheng to compose this preface explaining the rationale for the new edition.

He Shouzheng modestly claims shallow cultivation but expresses honor at having studied under the Perfected Lord for three years. The preface concludes by referencing the Longsha prophecy predicting eight hundred earthly immortals emerging from the Wuling region, with the Perfected Lord's manifestation in Yuzhang (modern Nanchang) suggesting this scripture's connection to future immortal awakenings.

This scripture recounts the origins and essential principles of the Lingbao Jingming Xinxiu Jiulao Shenyin Fumo Mifa (The Secret Method of the Nine Elder Spirit Seals for Subduing Demons from the Newly Revised Pure Brightness of Numinous Treasure). The text states that this method, now recorded in canonical texts, can be recited even by children and elders, proving its authenticity.

In Daoist cultivation, the most crucial aspect is mastering the application of Qi (primordial vital energy). The Great Dao (Dao) is fundamentally Qi—when condensed, it forms substance; when dispersed, it generates function. Words, images, and sounds all arise from the workings of Qi. Superior practitioners harmonize their personal Qi with the Great Dao, maintaining purity and unity without dissipation. Just as a lodestone naturally attracts iron and jadeite shatters gold due to their intrinsic nature, if human nature aligns with the Dao, one can attain immortality.

The key to cultivation lies in using purified essence (Jing) to summon righteous Qi and unite with the Dao. Immortals achieve a state of luminous mental clarity through refining essence into Qi (Lianjing Huaqi) and merging Qi with the Dao. Like how a yangsui (an ancient solar mirror) generates fire when aligned with the sun, or a fangzhu (an ancient moon dew collector) gathers water by resonating with the moon, these are all manifestations of natural Qi.

If a person maintains inner stillness, their innate nature will become unobstructed; attaining illumination, their mind will become transparent. Upon reaching this state of "nature unobstructed, mind transparent," one can commune with the palaces of the sun and moon. The Great Dao is inherently perfect and empty—its perfection is the substance of Qi, while its emptiness is the function of Qi. Understanding this principle is called "Pure Brightness" (Jingming)—a state of luminous purity that aligns with the central harmony of the Dao.

The scripture particularly emphasizes: cultivation must not cling to external things, yet nothing should be discarded. The Great Dao cannot be pursued through emotional attachment, yet emotions can serve as aids in cultivation. Truly enlightened practitioners understand that the Dao is not sought externally but lies in the inner work of uniting the heart with Qi.

This scripture details the fabrication and ritual application of the "Demon-Subduing Divine Seal" in the Lingbao tradition of Daoism.

Regarding the seal's creation:

The engraved text consists of thirty-five characters (specific content unspecified), with white regular script carved on the reverse side. Suitable materials include gold, silver, jade, or exceptionally hard woods like lightning-struck jujube. Dimensions carry cosmological correspondences: 2.4 inches wide (representing the twenty-four solar terms), 2.8 inches long (symbolizing the twenty-eight lunar mansions), and 1.2 inches thick (embodying the twelve earthly branches). Crafting must occur on auspicious dates such as the Three Primes festivals or cyclical jiazi/gengshen days, with artisans facing east during production. The consecration ceremony requires three successive nights of open-air altar offerings (with incense, flowers, and purified water) supervised by a master who petitions the celestial bureaucracy, retrieving the seal before dawn while avoiding exposure to chickens, dogs, or women.

Operational methods:

Daily practice involves morning incense offerings while forming the "Solar Lord Mudra" (middle finger bent into palm) and reciting incantations to the seal for divine protection. For specific applications, the practitioner first burns incense to state the purpose, invoking the Nine Ancient Emperor-Lords (Jiulao Dijun) and attendant deities. The left hand forms ritual gestures while the right holds the seal, accompanied by focused visualization. This potent instrument facilitates resurrection of the dead, disease treatment, spirit exorcism, supernatural surveillance, and personal protection.

Key doctrinal points emphasize:

The seal embodies Daoist power like flint generating fire—a tangible manifestation of the Dao (the Way). Advanced cultivators employ the seal as an instrument of spiritual practice. Strict adherence to ritual protocols and maintenance of ritual purity remain essential throughout fabrication and deployment.

(Note: "Nine Ancient Emperor-Lords" refers to Daoist venerated deities; "Supreme Mysterious Capital Bureau" (Taixuan Du Sheng) denotes the celestial administrative system; "twenty-four qi" corresponds to solar terms; "twenty-eight mansions" represents traditional Chinese asterisms.)

This scripture records the esoteric methods of using the "Nine Elders Divine Seal" from the Pure Brightness tradition of the Lingbao school (one of Daoism's major lineages). The main content is divided into several sections:

1. Description of the Nine Elder Sovereign Lords

The Nine Elder Sovereign Lords (venerated Daoist deities) wear the ceremonial attire of the Shangqing Heavenly Realm, attended by officers and generals on both sides. When using the divine seal, one must face east, draw in the solar true Qi (primordial energy), and exhale it onto the inscribed characters. For seals specifically used for healing, one must additionally write the four characters "seal arrives swiftly bringing peace" before exhaling solar Qi onto it, while silently visualizing divine generals following the seal to carry out their mission.

2. Techniques for Using the Divine Seal

Different applications require distinct methods:

• Expelling evil: Stamp on petition papers in the standard manner and burn for the household's Siming (guardian deity) and local earth god
• Warding off demons: Affix the seal at the incident location as protection
• Treating injuries: Apply to the affected area
• Curing malaria: Place on chest and back
• Healing sores/poison: Burn to ashes for topical application or washing
• Countering nightmares/possession: Wear or ingest
• Treating eye ailments: Wash eyes with purified water infused with the seal

3. Seal Crafting

May be carved from various woods, but must be ritually consecrated upon completion. When used, the practitioner must form the Tiangang hand mudra (a Daoist hand gesture).

4. Daily Practice Methods

Includes two talismanic incantations:

• Yellow Court Purification Talisman: At dawn facing east, form the Wu mudra while reciting the incantation before swallowing with water. Purifies the body and gathers vital energy. The incantation summons the Five Direction Heavenly Emperors to command divine troops in eliminating evil.
• Life-Prolonging Unity Talisman: At noon facing east, form the Zi mudra while reciting before swallowing with water. Calms the spirit and extends longevity. The incantation invokes powers for prolonging life, averting calamity, and reviving the dead.

5. Pure Brightness Qi Mirror Chapter

Master Danyang (a Daoist perfected being) expounds on Qi's importance: Qi is numinous and responsive, the commander of Shen (spirit) and ruler of the physical form. Heaven, earth, sun and moon all depend on Qi's movement—heaven through Qi becomes lofty and illuminates below, earth through Qi becomes substantial and supports all things, celestial bodies through Qi move in orderly cycles.

(Note: The character "炁" is equivalent to "Qi" but specifically denotes primordial energy in Daoism, distinct from ordinary air "气")

This scripture expounds the secret methods of Qi (primordial energy) cultivation in the Lingbao Jingming tradition, centered on the fundamental principle of resonance between the human body and the natural cosmos. The core teachings can be understood as follows:

The human body mirrors the greater universe: the round head symbolizes celestial Qi, the square feet represent earthly Qi, the eyes and hair correspond to sun, moon and stars, while the pores mirror mountains, rivers and oceans. Heaven and Earth endure because Qi flows in continuous cycles; humans often die prematurely precisely because they fail to harness this energy.

The essence of cultivation lies in activating Qi circulation to attain the "Luminous Purity" state. When Qi fully permeates the body, one connects with the source of life—this embodies the profound mystery of cosmic Yin-Yang transformation. By emulating celestial patterns in self-cultivation, practitioners transcend life and death to reach the "Inner Alchemy" realm. At this stage, a Dantian (energy crucible) forms internally, producing "Yellow Sprouts" (embryonic Golden Elixir) accompanied by "Auspicious Clouds" (mystical signs). Those achieving this mastery can command wind and rain, regulate seasons, and harness the primordial energy of Heaven and Earth.

The specific practice is called "Daily Qi Absorption Method":

1. Each dawn, face eastward while burning incense

2. Form the "Solar Lord Mudra" with both hands, clicking teeth nine times

3. Visualize the Nine August Sovereigns (supreme deities) and Solar Emperor within a purple sun disk, surrounded by nine auroral radiances

4. Release the mudra to join palms in reverence, chanting: "Disciple [name] devoutly venerates the Nine August Sovereigns, praying the solar radiance dispels darkness, purges malign forces, pacifies all spirits, and repels myriad demons"

The scripture concludes by emphasizing the critical timing of "circulating and replenishing" energy and comprehending its underlying principles. Successful cultivation manifests as: virtuous practitioners attain profound serenity, while those tainted by evil Qi become awestruck by this righteous power. Sincere Daoists may use this method as a "Qi Mirror" (energy assessment technique) for spiritual refinement.

This scripture describes a cultivation method from the Lingbao (Numinous Treasure) tradition, one of the major schools of Daoism. The practice involves absorbing celestial and earthly energies through regulated breathing coordinated with hand mudras (finger gestures) and incantations.

The cultivation process begins by lightly tapping the teeth three times while visualizing purplish-red sunlight illuminating the face. The practitioner inhales this radiant energy through the nose and swallows it, repeating this sequence thirty-six times.

The practice unfolds in four stages, each with corresponding mantras and hand mudras:

• First stage mantra: "Harmonizing the Five Qi (vital energies) to unite the hundred spirits"
• Second stage mantra: "The Jade Youth and White Origin Deities, the Great One Controller of Destinies and Peach Blossom Health Guardian"
• Third stage mantra: "Binding and banishing demonic essences, beheading the six ghostly adversaries, as celestial energies surge, my Dao grows ever prosperous"
• Fourth stage mantra: "Demons cannot transgress, ghosts harbor no evil, the Three Officials and Northern Feng strictly examine the ghostly camps"

Each stage follows the same basic procedure:

1. Let arms hang naturally while forming the appropriate mudra (such as the Healing Mudra or North Star Mudra)

2. Recite the mantra seven times

3. Change hand position (switching to the Throat Mudra)

4. Inhale a mouthful of energy from waist level and swallow

5. Repeat the sequence three times, totaling nine swallowed breaths

The practice concludes by crossing hands before the throat (left over right), reciting the mantra seven times, then opening the mouth to inhale and exhale onto the mudra.

Key notes:

• "Qi" here refers to primordial life energy, distinct from ordinary breath
• "Mudra positions" indicate specific symbolic finger arrangements
• These methods require accompanying visual diagrams (mentioned at the scripture's end)

This integrated practice combines breath control, visualization, sacred utterances, and symbolic gestures to harmonize internal energies, expel malevolent influences, and ultimately achieve union with the Dao (the Way). The technique exemplifies the Lingbao tradition's emphasis on ritual precision and energetic transformation through structured somatic-spiritual disciplines.