《天樞院都司須知行遣式》

This passage from the Tianshuyuan Dusi Xuzhi Xingqian Shi outlines the standardized formats for memorials and documents used in the ancient Daoist celestial bureaucracy (Tianshuyuan, the Celestial Pivot Court). Here's a plain explanation:

【Memorial Format】

Begin with: "Your subject [name] (or 'your subjects [names] et al.' for joint submissions) respectfully submits," followed by the main content. Conclude with "Your subject [name] trembles with fear (use 'rejoices with utmost joy' for congratulatory memorials; resignation memorials follow similar conventions), kowtowing repeatedly," then date and official title.

【Petition Format】

Similar to memorials, but replace "kowtowing" with "prostrating," and omit the self-reference as "subject." This format is used when addressing celestial deities like the Southern Dipper and Northern Dipper Lords.

【Report Format】

Begin with "[Department name] (include official title for self-submissions) regarding [matter]." For multiple items, write "The aforementioned matters are as follows." Conclude with "Respectfully recorded for celestial review, respectfully submitted," also including date and official title.

【Sealing Requirements】

Report covers must use yellow paper labeled with submission date. For urgent documents, add "Request transmission to [destination]" beside the date. Traveling officials should note itineraries: "Your subject currently at [location], proceeding to [destination] on [date]."

【Sealing Methods】

Write on the cover: "Sealed memorial from [title] your subject [name]." Confidential documents (shifeng) require folded-corner double-sealing with seals at both ends (or handwritten names if no seal is available). Regular documents don't require yellow paper; urgent external correspondence must be marked "confidential" or "expedited."

【Other Document Formats】

1. Zhazi (brief communiqué): Omit official titles and the introductory "aforementioned." Conclude with "awaiting your directive," delivered directly without bureaucratic routing.

2. Bangzi (minor documents): Exclude year dates, use partial sheets, and remain unsealed. For silent petitions (mozou), face north and burn the document before you.

(Note: Tianshuyuan was the Daoist institution administering celestial affairs; kowtowing/prostrating were classical ceremonial gestures; shifeng corresponds to modern classified documents; mozou refers to wordless prayer)

This scripture details the standard document formats used by the Celestial Pivot Academy (Tianshuyuan), a key administrative body in Daoism, comprising five official document types:

1. Recommendation Memorial (Baozoushi):

When recommending an official for a Dharma-transmission position, the text should state: "Your subject [name] observes that Official [name with specific merits] is qualified for [specific position]. Should this prove untrue, I willingly accept celestial punishment. Humbly submitted for imperial decree (or 'immortal decree' when addressed to other departments)." The document must conclude with the date and recommender's full name.

2. Report Memorial (Danzhuangshi):

Reports begin with "[Department name] submits the following regarding [subject matter]," ending with "Respectfully submitted." When reporting to direct superiors, add "Awaiting instructions." Complete dates and submitter names are required. This format applies to all subordinate-to-superior communications, including reports to the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak (Dongyue Dadi, chief deity of Mount Tai). The dispatch date and time must precede the main text.

3. Interdepartmental Dispatch (Dieshi):

Used between non-subordinate departments: "[Issuing department] to [recipient department/official]: Regarding [subject matter]... Respectfully dispatched." Includes full date/time, with the issuing officer's title, name, and seal. Add "Thus dispatched" (Gu die) for supplementary dispatches.

4. Command Edict (Fushi):

Superior-to-subordinate orders: "[Department] concerning [matter]... [Recipient office] must implement immediately upon receiving this edict." Requires date, official seal, and authorized signature.

5. Internal Notification (Guanshi):

For intra-organization communication: "[Department] concerning [matter]... to [recipient department], hereby notified." Includes date, seal, and officer's authentication. Used between subordinate units like the Celestial Dao Academy (managing immortal affairs) and the Immortal Registers Office within the Celestial Pivot system.

These standardized formats reflect Daoism's rigorous bureaucratic structure, where celestial beings and departments interact through prescribed documentation, embodying the tradition's "heaven-human correspondence" (tianren xiangying) administrative philosophy.

This passage explains the standard formats for official documents issued by the Daoist Celestial Pivot Bureau (Tianshuyuan, the divine administrative department in Daoist theology). There are two main types:

The first is the "Notice Format" (similar to modern notifications):

• The header states the specific matter ("Such-and-such Department regarding such matter")
• Followed by the recipient institution or individual ("To the right is directed to such place or person")
• Multiple items should be listed separately ("Items listed above with numbering, concluding with 'the above notice is thus issued'")
• The footer contains the date and official's signature ("Year Month Day Notice [Tie], with official title and seal")
• Special note: When dispatching divine generals (Daoist guardian deities) for healing purposes, the character "summon" (引) replaces "notice" (帖) in the header

The second is the "Proclamation Format" (similar to public announcements):

• The header begins directly with the date ("Year Month Day Proclamation")
• The footer contains the official's signature ("With official seal")
• Additional note: For posted bulletins (public notices), the format remains the same but must include the character "bulletin" (榜) beneath the date, with content arranged according to formal document protocols

(Background: These represent the standard Song Dynasty protocols for Daoist administrative documents. The Celestial Pivot Bureau was a key divine administrative institution in Daoism, with "processing formats" referring to official document standards. The mentioned "divine generals" are Daoist guardian spirits often summoned for exorcism and healing purposes.)