《太上三辟五解祕法》

This scripture describes the esoteric method of "Divine Emanation Practice" (nong shen chu shen fa) in Daoist cultivation, a visualization technique for attaining transcendent states of enlightenment.

Practitioners must bathe, change into clean robes, and sit facing south during the Zi hour (11pm-1am) on a Jiazi day (the first day of the sexagenary cycle). The detailed procedure is as follows:

First, burn incense, adopt the "firm grasp" hand mudra, knock the teeth 24 times, and perform the "heavenly drum" tapping technique 24 times. After sitting comfortably, visualize a one-inch-three-fen qi pearl in the lower Dantian (three finger-widths below the navel), containing an entity called the "infant."

Imagine this infant bursting forth from the qi pearl, ascending past the Huagai (chest region), Chonglou (windpipe), and the Twelve-Storied Tower (twelve tracheal rings), passing through two mystic apertures before emerging from the Niwan Palace (crown point at Baihui acupoint). Envision purple clouds and golden mist enveloping the crown as the "infant" gradually transforms into a one- or two-year-old child resembling oneself. This vision shouldn't be prolonged—the child must quickly retreat back through the crown.

After one month of this cyclic practice, the "infant" grows to full adult size, capable of freely exiting the body and even holding conversations. During cultivation, maintain focused concentration like a brooding hen guarding eggs. Combining this with embryonic breathing (taixi) accelerates progress. Mastery promises longevity.

The scripture further instructs that upon achieving proficiency, cast a five-inch mirror on a Gengshen day (57th in the sexagenary cycle) for regular use. Gaze at one's reflection while visualizing its complete merger with the true self.

The practice unfolds through five progressive realms:

• Mastering the first two gates grants agelessness and immunity to seasonal extremes
• The third gate enables return to primordial origins (fan ben huan yuan), achieving the longevity state of "deathless memory"
• The fourth and fifth gates transcend the constraints of the Five Phases (wuxing), reaching the indestructible realm where "emptiness is form, form is emptiness" becomes self-evident

The key lies in maintaining "detached observation of the heart-mind" (bei jing guan xin)—transcending external phenomena while introspecting one's true nature—throughout all twelve daily time periods. This breakthrough dissolves the boundaries of mortal lifespan.

Interpretation of the "Supreme Three Avoidances and Five Liberations Secret Method":

Cultivation practice: Face a mirror daily during the Zi hour (11pm-1am) and Wu hour (11am-1pm), allowing your physical form to manifest in the reflection. Through prolonged and perfected practice, one may achieve the state of form-spirit unity (Xing-Shen Heyi). Advanced practitioners can even make their physical form disperse and flicker within the mirror, attaining the realm of "a body beyond the body" (Shen Wai You Shen), ultimately merging with the Dao (Yu Dao He Zhen).

Bamboo Staff Liberation Method (a technique for simulated death and transcendence):

1. At noon on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, obtain a three-inch segment of wood scorched by fires from five households. Face north while offering five portions each of wine and meat in ritual.

2. Recite the incantation: "On this auspicious day and hour, I take the essence (Jing) from wood and sparks from fire, carving them into my likeness. Wrapped in crimson silk and colorful robes, sincerely offered with wine and meat. By your spirit I substitute my name, transcending life and death, preserving eternal life together. Swiftly by decree of the Supreme Three Officials and Five Emperors."

3. Repeat the incantation seven times annually on your birthday while inhaling three breaths of northern Qi (vital energy) and exhaling onto the wooden figurine. Regularly visualize transferring your speech, actions and bearing to the figurine. After three zodiac cycles (36 years) of cultivation, the wooden figure becomes spiritually animated and can substitute for your mortal death.

Bamboo Staff Substitution Method:

At noon on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, cut a bamboo pole matching your height from a thriving grove (regardless of green or purple bamboo), avoiding polluted areas. The cultivation method mirrors the wooden figurine technique, ultimately achieving immunity to the Five Phases (Wuxing) and liberation from the cycle of life and death.

Rebirth and Dwelling Transfer (reincarnation practice):

The fundamental prerequisite for authentic cultivation is life extension, spirit (Shen) condensation, and Qi stabilization. If the physical form withers, the spirit scatters, and death approaches, immortality becomes unattainable. Ancient times saw adepts who transcended life and death, but later practitioners often lack this profound foundation.

(Note: The "liberation" (Shijie) mentioned refers to the Daoist belief that cultivators can feign death through special methods, leaving behind a substitute corpse while ascending as immortals. The "Three Officials and Five Emperors" denote important Daoist deities: the Celestial, Earthly and Water Officials, along with the Five Directional Emperors.)

This scripture reveals Daoist esoteric methods concerning reincarnation and immortality cultivation, comprising two main sections:

The first section details the essentials of conscious rebirth:

Ordinary people perish unknowingly due to their obsession with sensual desires. Thus, the sages transmitted methods to transcend worldly existence. Practitioners seeking conscious rebirth must, within the first three months of pregnancy before fetal formation, spiritually communicate with the expectant mother to secure her willing acceptance. The chosen mother must be in robust health. The practitioner must maintain focused meditation (cunxiang) day and night to enter the womb spiritually. When the ten-month gestation concludes, at the moment of delivery, one must skillfully separate their spirit (shen) from the body, achieving simultaneous death and rebirth. This requires prior mastery of spirit projection techniques, maintaining unbroken qi cohesion and serene mental clarity to ensure success.

The second section describes rituals to expel the Three Corpses (sanshi - malevolent spirits believed to inhabit the body) and summon guardian deities:

1. First, stroke the forehead three times while clicking teeth (kouchǐ) three times to summon the Upper Corpse Peng Zhi

2. Then stroke the chest seven times with seven tooth clicks to summon the Middle Corpse Peng Ju

3. Finally, rub the waist ten times with ten tooth clicks to summon the Lower Corpse Peng Jiao

Command these corpse spirits to remain nearby, promising their eventual ascension upon your attainment of the Dao. Next, perform twenty-one tooth clicks while reciting incantations to summon all bodily deities including:

• The 360 joint spirits
• 84,000 pore spirits
• 13,000 essence-light spirits
• 12,000 form spirits
• 72 elemental spirits governing water, fire, wind, and earth

Special invocation is made to major deities: the Great Unity Lord (Taiyi Jun) in the navel, the Red Child Lord (Chizi Jun) in the upper dantian, the Numinous Truth Lord (Lingzhen Jun) in the middle dantian, and the Nurturing Infant Lord (Yuying'er Zhenjun) in the lower dantian. These deities are petitioned to protect one's practice, maintain clarity, and ward off external evil influences.

Collectively termed the "Five Methods of Seated Liberation, Immediate Death, Contrived Survival, Prolonged Abiding, and Death Avoidance," these represent crucial Daoist techniques for life-death transformation and spiritual protection.

This scripture documents an esoteric Daoist practice called the "Three Avoidances and Five Liberations," primarily used for averting disasters, prolonging life, and transcending the constraints of the underworld. I will explain it in two parts:

The first part describes the "Life-Limit Avoidance Method" (a technique to evade the predestined end of life):

When practitioners sense their appointed time approaching, they must silently recite incantations, click their teeth forty times, and calm their minds while regulating their breath. Next, they visualize: from the Dantian (the lower abdominal sea of Qi), a crimson phoenix spews forth a fiery chariot that emerges from the left flank and circles the left side of the body; from the navel, a black dragon exhales a watery current that encircles the right side. The fusion of water and fire forms a protective barrier, as unyielding as Mount Iron Enclosure. When underworld officers arrive, they see only this barrier of water and fire and cannot approach, ultimately retreating. This practice is performed continuously for seven days as one cycle, and its efficacy is enhanced when combined with talismanic spells. After successfully completing three cycles (21 days), the practitioner can extend their lifespan by twelve years (one celestial cycle) and have their name erased from the underworld's registers.

The second part is the "Metal Liberation Method" (a technique of liberation through the Metal phase):

It must be performed during the months, days, or hours of Geng or Xin (autumn or the days/hours of Shen or You), facing west in a quiet chamber with incense burning. Using cinnabar, draw a talisman while reciting an incantation seven times, then blow Qi onto the talisman seven times. Next, hold the breath and swallow seven mouthfuls of purified water. The incantation essentially summons the protection of the White Tiger Deity of the West, harnessing fire to overcome metal and balancing hardness with softness. Finally, inhale facing south and exhale toward a sword (or sword-fingers), then recite the incantation and depart immediately without looking back. This method requires sincere fasting and cultivation for 49 days. Upon mastery, the practitioner achieves unity of body and sword. In moments of danger, onlookers will witness only the illusion of self-inflicted harm, while in reality, the practitioner has shed their mortal form like a cicada emerging from its shell.

Note: In the text, the "Southern Palace" refers to the immortal realm of the south, while the "Northern Dipper" governs the registers of life and death—both central to Daoist cosmology. The entire practice integrates visualization (cunxiang), talismanic incantations, and Qi techniques, all common methods in Daoist cultivation.

This scripture records three secret methods in Daoism for dispelling calamities: Wood Liberation, Water Liberation, and Fire Liberation. Each method must be performed at specific times and orientations, accompanied by talismans (Fulu), breathing techniques, and visualization practices.

The Wood Liberation method should be performed during the Jia and Yi days (Heavenly Stems of Jia and Yi) at the corresponding hours, facing east in a quiet chamber with incense burning. The detailed steps include:

1. Prepare purified water and an oil lamp, then knock the teeth 36 times

2. Draw a talisman with cinnabar, hold the breath and swallow it with purified water

3. Recite incantations to summon the Qi of the Azure Dragon's wood essence from the east for protection

4. Draw Qi from the western direction and blow it onto a pear wood staff, practicing continuously for 49 days

5. Visualize the Youjing (one of the Three Hun spirits) attaching to the wooden staff, reciting incantations when using it

The Water Liberation method should be performed during the Ren and Gui days (Heavenly Stems of Ren and Gui) at the corresponding hours, facing north:

1. Burn incense, knock teeth, then draw a water talisman

2. Hold breath and swallow the talisman with seven sips of purified water

3. Recite incantations to invoke the protection of the Dark Warrior water deity from the north

4. Draw earth Qi from the center and blow it onto shoes, visualizing the Hun spirits embodying them

5. Walk using Yu Steps (a special Daoist ritual gait), then finally sink the right shoe in water

The Fire Liberation method should be performed during the Bing and Ding days (Heavenly Stems of Bing and Ding) at the corresponding hours:

1. Face due south with incense burning and teeth knocking

2. Draw fire talismans and recite incantations These methods all emphasize:

• The practice must not be witnessed by others
• Requires specific materials (such as pear wood)
• Coordination with breathing techniques (drawing Qi)
• Mobilizing the Three Hun and Seven Po through visualization
• All must conclude with the command "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with statutes and ordinances"

Note: The Three Hun refer to the three spiritual energies in the human body according to Daoism: Taiguang, Shuangling, and Youjing. Yu Steps are a ritual Daoist gait imitating the special footsteps of Yu the Great when controlling floods.

This scripture records two esoteric Daoist methods: "Fire Liberation" (huojie) and "Earth Liberation" (tujie), techniques for escaping mortal danger during times of warfare or calamity.

Fire Liberation Method:

First, cultivate with sincere devotion for forty-nine days. During practice, face south and recite the incantation seven times: "Fire God Bingding of the South, I summon the deities of the four directions. Where the Mars-star lingers, flames conceal my form." After chanting, inhale deeply and exhale onto a pearwood staff.

When employing the method: Hold a sword in your left hand and the pearwood staff in your right. Stand in the northern position (Kan trigram) facing south. After reciting the incantation seven times, cast the staff into the fire. Immediately thrust the sword tip straight through the flames while holding your breath and swiftly pass through. This allows safe passage even through infernos—outsiders will only witness you entering the flames while you've actually escaped unharmed.

Earth Liberation Method:

Select an Earth-element year/month/day/hour (wuji temporal alignment). Burn incense in a quiet chamber while facing southeast (Xun trigram). Using cinnabar, draw a talisman while reciting seven times: "Central Wuji of Earth, before whom myriad spirits bow. Gouchen Star Lord gathers and disperses without hindrance—now I transform and vanish between heaven and earth." Hold your breath and swallow the talisman.

Similarly requires forty-nine days of cultivation. When activating: Face south with sword in left hand, tap teeth twenty-four times. After seven recitations, exhale onto the sword and toss it overhead. Visualize your three ethereal souls (Daoism recognizes three hun and seven po) protecting your form. Depart directly without looking back. Within a hundred li, summoning your three souls will restore them, averting disaster.

Important Notes:

1. These are celestial secrets transmitted by immortals—never teach them indiscriminately.

2. Before drawing talismans, purify the brush with incense smoke while reciting the Brush Incantation: "Divine brush channels numinosity, witnessed by Shangqing heaven. Six Jia and Six Ding celestial warriors stand guard. As I trace this talisman, my form vanishes—piercing metal, extinguishing fire, hiding within earth. By the urgent decree of the Heavenly Sovereign!"

These methods require prolonged cultivation. During emergencies, through talismanic spells, visualization (cunxiang), and specific movements, they harness the elemental powers of the Five Phases (fire and earth) to conceal one's form and escape peril.

The Secret Methods of Three Avoidances and Five Resolutions from the Most High scripture details several esoteric Daoist techniques and their application. Here's a modern interpretation:

Rules for Drawing Talismans (Fulu):

Before inscribing any talisman, one must first pass incense smoke over the brush seven times—only then will the talisman hold power. These are secret methods passed down through lineages; they must never be casually taught to unworthy individuals, lest one bring misfortune upon their ancestors. This warning cannot be overstated.

The Method of the Heavenly Garment:

The "Heavenly Garment" must be made from clothing worn by the first male child born on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (if unavailable, any garment from that date suffices). Wash it in pure water and hang it in a shaded northern location. On the seventh day of the seventh month, wrap a bitter gourd inside the garment and continue drying it in the north. On the same day, use cinnabar to inscribe a talisman on seven-inch-wide red silk, then bundle it with the garment for one hundred days. Afterward, it may be carried discreetly—ordinary observers will not perceive it. Guard it carefully: never store it in unclean places or expose it to impure individuals.

Foundational Cultivation Requirements:

To practice the Dao, one must: abstain from killing, refrain from wrongdoing, eliminate greed and envy, and avoid the five pungent vegetables and three forbidden foods (considered defiling in Daoist practice). Beyond these, no special restrictions apply. As the sages taught: the highest Dao is profoundly simple. Legend holds that the Yellow Emperor received teachings from the Ninefold Celestial Mother—including the River Chart, the arts of the Great Unity Palace's Ding-Jia concealment methods—mastering the principles of Yin-Yang transformation and the essentials of遁术 (dunshu, vanishing arts). Through such cultivation, he ultimately attained immortality.

Yang Concealment Method:

At noon on the fifth day of the fifth month, procure an ox's gallbladder and prepare a piece of cinnamon bark—three fingers wide, 2.4 inches long, and half a finger thick. Facing the gallbladder toward the sun, recite the incantation three times, then inhale three breaths facing north and exhale them onto the cinnamon and gallbladder. Insert the cinnamon into the gallbladder and store it in a quiet room to dry for one hundred days (ensuring no outsiders, animals, or women see it). Afterward, carve the cinnamon into a 1.2-inch human figure, painting its features with white powder. Let it rest for fourteen days, then store it in a brocade pouch. When using, recite the incantation three times, blow breath upon it, and carry it into battle to become invisible.

These methods all emphasize precise timing, specific materials, and numerous taboos—such as avoiding exposure to women or impurity. Daoist tradition holds that only through strict adherence to these rules will the arts manifest their efficacy.

This scripture records the "Secret Method of Yin Concealment" in Daoism, detailing how to achieve invisibility through crafting and using a poplar wood figurine. I'll explain it in two parts:

The Invisibility Incantation:

When chanting the spell "Taiyin Youming Yi Shi Wu Xing" (The Dark and Mysterious helps conceal my form), one's body becomes enveloped in mist and clouds, allowing avoidance of sunlight. To make oneself invisible to others: visualize an old man's image above your head, an old woman in your eyes, a maiden in your ears, burial mounds in your nose, children on your forehead and chin, flying birds on your chest, oxen and horses on your back, a clear stream at your tailbone, and cave waters at your hips. This enables traveling a thousand li (Chinese miles) in a day. After use, these images return to the brocade pouch.

Figurine Crafting:

On the fifth day of the fifth month at noon (Dragon Boat Festival midday), go northwest to find undamaged poplar or willow wood. Cut a piece one cun (≈3cm) in diameter with three cun circumference (about pinky finger thickness). Women and mourners must not see this. On the Summer Solstice, have a carver observe purification rituals before carving a 1.2 cun (≈3.6cm) figurine in a sealed chamber, dressed in your clothes. Wrap it in brocade and carry it on your left side.

Usage Method:

During the chou hour (1-3am) on a Yiyou day (specific day in the Chinese calendar), face east while regulating breath and tapping teeth 36 times. Hold the figurine in your left hand and chant: "Heaven round, Earth square, I stand central. The Great Unity Perfected Being (Taiyi Zhenren) makes us hide together, moving freely with me, concealed from the world always by my side." Repeat seven times before storing. After seven Yiyou days of this practice, complete invisibility is achieved. When invisible, chant: "Heaven grants this chance, we stay together. You hide, I vanish, unknown to others. The Supreme Venerable Sovereign (Taishang Laojun) commands me to hide within myself." Three repetitions suffice.

To cancel invisibility, hold the figurine in your right hand and chant: "Vast heaven and earth, I hide within. The mystery of vanishing form, reveal my true appearance. By the Supreme One's decree, do not rush."

Notes:

1. Taiyi Zhenren is an important Daoist deity

2. Yiyou days require consultation of perpetual calendars

3. Ancient belief held specific times and directions contained special spiritual power

4. This method belongs to Daoist "Dunjia" esoteric arts requiring complementary internal cultivation

This passage comes from the Secret Method of Three Banishments and Five Resolutions by the Most High, which describes Daoist ritual techniques for exorcising malevolent forces and averting disasters.

After receiving the decree from the Great Unity Perfected Being (a revered Daoist deity), the ritual practitioner must silently recite the incantation three times. Upon completion, the wooden figurine (a common ritual implement in Daoist ceremonies) is returned to its cloth pouch, after which the entire ritual sequence is repeated.

The "Three Banishments and Five Resolutions" refers to an esoteric method for dispelling three types of calamities and resolving five kinds of misfortunes through specific ritual techniques. Typically performed by Daoist priests on particular occasions, this ceremony serves to eliminate disasters, resolve misfortunes, exorcise evil influences, and avert inauspicious occurrences.