《太上玄靈北斗本命長生妙經》

The Mysterious and Numinous Scripture of the Great Supreme Elder Lord on the Longevity Method of the Northern Dipper (Taishang Xuanling Beidou Benming Changsheng Miaojing) presents the profound teachings transmitted by Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) to Celestial Master Zhang Daoling (Tianshi Zhang Daoling), the founder of Daoism, concerning the life-extending mysteries of the Northern Dipper (Beidou). The text opens with a majestic scene of divine assembly: three thousand celestial generals of the Southern Dipper (Nandou) and seven thousand spirits of the Northern Dipper gather to protect the ritual altar, collectively entering the gate of pure cultivation.

In the first year of the Eternal Longevity era (Yongshou Yuan Nian), on the seventh day of the first lunar month, Lord Lao descended to Shu (modern-day Sichuan). There, he first transmitted the Scripture of the Northern Dipper’s Life-Prolonging Mysteries (Beidou Yansheng Miaojing) to Zhang Daoling, followed by the secret method of longevity. He explained: The Northern Dipper, composed of seven stars (Greedy Wolf, Giant Gate, Prosperity Preserver, Literary Curves, Pure and Upright, Martial Arts, and Army Breaker), resides in the highest celestial realm—the Purple Tenuity Enclosure (Ziwei Yuan). Among them, the Literary Curves Star (Wenqu) serves as the pivot of Heaven and Earth. The Northern Dipper governs both life and death, nurturing all beings and delivering salvation. It determines the fate, lifespan, and destiny of every individual.

Witnessing that sentient beings lacked the means to cultivate the true Dao (Zhen Dao) and were ignorant of the proper rituals for venerating the Northern Dipper, Lord Lao was moved by compassion. He resolved to widely disseminate this profound method so that all could transcend the cycle of rebirth through practice.

The miraculous powers of the Northern Dipper include:

1. Commanding the stars to halt their movements, rotating Heaven and Earth, and purging impurities

2. Governing the cycle of seasons and fostering the growth of all things

3. Overseeing the Nine Sovereigns (the seven stars of the Dipper plus two auxiliary stars), the True Lord of the North Pole (Beiji Zhenjun), and celestial officials such as the Three Platforms (Santai) and the Canopy (Huagai)

4. Consolidating the human spirit (Shen) through the administrative decrees of the Seven Primes (Qi Yuan, the operational laws of the seven stars)

5. Being revered as the "Sovereign of Original Destiny" (Benming Xingjun), who presides over each person’s fate

The scripture emphasizes that sincere and constant veneration of the Northern Dipper can dissolve calamities, eliminate obstacles, and safeguard one’s life. It concludes with a hymn (a poetic verse similar to Buddhist gathas) praising the Dipper:

The primordial Qi (Yuanqi) of Heaven and Earth converges at the North Pole,

The Purple Tenuity Star (Ziwei) opens the throne of the Celestial Emperor,

Within the Mysterious Palace, the True Lords stand in solemn array,

Dispelling all misfortunes, nurturing the myriad beings,

The mighty Literary Curves Star turns the Great Dao (Da Dao),

Like spring’s vitality, boundless and flourishing.

(Note: Daoist tradition holds that each person is born under the guardianship of a specific Sovereign Star of Destiny. Through ritual veneration and recitation of this scripture, one may resonate with their Benming Xingjun and receive divine protection.)

After the Supreme Lord Lao (the highest deity in Daoism) finished expounding the scripture, the celestial immortals each returned to their divine palaces. The host of deities paid reverence to the supreme vault of heaven, and through this, all living beings in the world received deliverance.

This Supreme Mystical Numinous Scripture of the Big Dipper for Original Destiny and Long Life is a precious classic that reveals the connection between the Big Dipper (the seven stars revered as important celestial deities in Daoism) and human destiny, as well as the means to attain longevity. The scripture praises thus:

O Great North Star, you ceaselessly nurture the myriad beings. As the pivot of heaven and earth's rotation, you maintain cosmic order. The Supreme Lord Lao has bestowed this teaching so that destined beings may eliminate calamities and transcend tribulations, with divine responses swift as lightning.

Now, having purified myself through fasting and ablution (ritual purification before Daoist cultivation), I sincerely pray to commune with the celestial realm. By practicing with unwavering devotion, one can both protect the household and safeguard the nation. Reverently reciting this Daoist scripture is the most essential method of cultivation. This classic is of utmost rarity, having endured countless kalpas (a Buddhist/Daoist unit of cosmic time) to be transmitted to this world.

All who encounter this scripture shall surely receive blessings if they pray with sincere hearts. May the benevolent Primordial Spirit of the Inborn (referring to humanity's original spiritual nature in Daoism) bear witness to our virtuous deeds.