《太上說南斗六司延壽度人妙經》

The Marvelous Scripture of the Southern Dipper's Six Offices for Prolonging Life and Delivering Humanity, Explained in Vernacular:

The Most High Lord Lao (one of Daoism's supreme deities) instructed Celestial Master (Tianshi) Zhang Daoling: This scripture contains the authentic writings transmitted during the Nine Heavens and Eight Assemblies (the highest celestial gatherings in Daoism), belonging to the supreme teachings of the Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen) and the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing, the highest realms of Daoist cultivation).

Primordial Heavenly Worthy (Yuanshi Tianzun, Daoism's supreme divinity), having traversed seven hundred million cosmic cycles, witnessed the birth and destruction of worlds, the cycle of human life and death, the operations of the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), and the flourishing and decline of all things. To this day, he continues cultivating the true Dao above the Auspicious Clouds in the Shangqing Heaven, embodying boundless compassion for all beings. Lord Lao revealed that he had received this authentic transmission and now would impart it to the Celestial Master.

The scripture explains: The interaction of heaven's Yang and earth's Yin gave birth to the sun and moon (the Two Luminaries). Their movements, combined with the five planets (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth Stars), form the Seven Regulators (Seven Luminaries). Together with the nine stars of the Northern Dipper, they constitute celestial patterns. The Northern Dipper rotates monthly, corresponding to the twenty-four solar terms, twenty-eight lunar mansions, seventy-two seasonal phenomena, and thirty-six avian constellations. Among these, the six stars of the Southern Dipper (Six Offices) and seven stars of the Northern Dipper (Seven Regulators) jointly govern the cosmic principles of the Three Powers (heaven-earth-humanity), Six Directions, Eight Trigrams (Bagua), and Nine Palaces.

The Southern and Northern Dippers function like the celestial government's two administrative centers—the Purple Tenuity and Supreme Tenuity constellations. Above, they oversee the twelve celestial divisions' deities; below, they command the twelve terrestrial regions' earth spirits (local deities), including rivers, mountains, city gods, and village shrines—even all living beings in the human realm—recording humanity's merits and faults.

The Northern Dipper resides in the Water Trigram's northern palace, corresponding to the moon. It governs humanity's "Po" (Yin energy), oversees the underworld and water sources, and presides over life extension. The Southern Dipper dwells in the Fire Trigram's southern palace, corresponding to the sun. It commands humanity's "Hun" (Yang energy), manages the Yang world and fire virtue (De), and directs active behavior. Since the creation of heaven and earth, these two stellar administrations have jointly nurtured all things, determining human fortunes, longevity, calamities, and blessings. They regulate celestial and earthly appointments while decreeing the lifespan of mortals.

This scripture expounds on the divine powers of the Southern Dipper's six stars (Daoist stellar deities governing longevity) and the Northern Dipper's seven stars (deities responsible for averting calamities), along with instructions for devout worship to seek extended lifespan and disaster relief.

The text reveals: The seventh star of the Northern Dipper (Piao Star) embodies the fundamental nature of water and fire, yin and yang, assisting heaven and earth in nurturing all beings. All creatures flourish through its influence, and human existence depends upon it. The Celestial Venerable (highest Daoist deity) shows compassion for sentient beings as one would cherish an infant, imparting methods of deliverance. Devotees of all social standings are instructed to reverently bow when encountering the sun, moon, or the Southern/Northern Dipper stars, sincerely petitioning for blessings. Disrespectful attitudes may conversely invite misfortune.

The Most High Lord Lao (founder of Daoism) instructs believers: By practicing according to his transmitted methods—whether for averting disasters, prolonging life, harmonizing households, resolving legal disputes, or erasing death records (Daoist belief in predetermined lifespans)—all petitions may be fulfilled through properly written memorials and altar rituals.

Lord Lao particularly emphasizes the stellar deities' powers:

• The Southern Dipper governs fire officials, capable of eliminating toxins
• The Northern Dipper rules water spirits, able to eradicate ominous disasters

Sincere altar rituals performed according to scripture will fulfill all aspirations. Regular worshippers will find calamities dare not approach them.

Concluding with lamentation, Lord Lao observes human folly: Though daily existence depends on water and fire (symbolizing the Dippers' power), eyes perceive sun, moon and stars, ears hear wind, thunder and elegant music, yet people remain blind to the profound mysteries surrounding them. In truth, human life entirely depends on the "single Qi" (vital energy) bestowed by celestial bodies, with the dual energies of water and fire being essential for sustaining existence.

This scripture expounds the worship practices of the Six Star Lords of the Southern Dipper (Nandou Liuxing Jun), Daoist deities governing human lifespan and blessings. Its core teaching reveals:

The true essence of the Dao is ever-present around us. I now solemnly impart this vital truth to all people: sincere devotion to these deities and proper adherence to these instructions will bring boundless blessings.

The practice involves selecting auspicious occasions—seasonal transitions (the four seasons and eight solar terms), major festivals (the Three Primes, Three Assemblies, and Five La observances), or one's birthdate (Benming day)—to perform rituals. Through submitting memorials, offering lamps, candles and fruits, and performing prostrations with repentance, devotees may petition the Six Star Lords for longevity, disaster relief, increased blessings, and absolution of sins. The merits gained from such practice are immeasurable.

The scripture then enumerates the six stellar deities:

1. Lord of Celestial Prefecture, Guardian of Destiny and Nation (oversees life and death)

2. Lord of Celestial Minister, Guardian of Records and Sacred Peaks (records good and evil deeds)

3. Lord of Celestial Beam, Protector of Life and Longevity (governs lifespan)

4. Lord of Celestial Union, Calculator of Benefits and Life Preservation (grants blessings and extended life)

5. Lord of Celestial Pivot, Deliverer from Calamities and Refiner of Souls (dispels misfortunes)

6. Lord of Celestial Mechanism, Overseer of Registers and Great Judgment (liberates departed souls)

The text emphasizes that recitation requires utmost sincerity and reverence. Through diligent worship and proper submission of memorials, the deities will descend to assist practitioners, granting extended lifespan and enduring vision of the Dao.

Laozi (Lord Lao) concludes: These six stellar lords respond with remarkable swiftness—sincere prayers will invariably receive answers. The foundation of human conduct lies in nurturing "Dao-Qi" (vital life energy), while the key to cultivating life depends on following precise liturgical rituals (Keyi). Like shadows following forms or echoes responding to sounds, human sincerity naturally resonates with the divine. The Southern Dipper (governing life) and Northern Dipper (governing death) jointly shape human hun and po souls. Practicing according to these teachings can cleanse sins and welcome countless blessings, ultimately leading to immortal attainment. The essential point lies in maintaining physical and mental purity with devout reverence.

This scripture explains the method of prolonging life through offerings to the Southern Dipper's Six Stars (six stellar deities in Daoism who govern lifespan).

The text states: Those who sincerely believe in this method may establish altars for both the Southern and Northern Dippers (the two major stellar cults in Daoism). The specific practice involves placing statues of the stellar deities on the altar, lighting incense and candles, and presenting pure offerings such as tea, fruits, fresh flowers, clean water, sweet cakes, oil cakes, lotus root, steamed dairy products, jujube soup, and fine tea (it is especially important to avoid alcohol and dried meat). Through such immaculate offerings, the deities will be pleased to descend and swiftly bestow blessings and protection.

The scripture concludes by noting: After the Supreme Venerable Sovereign (Taishang Laojun) finished expounding this marvelous scripture on longevity, the Celestial Master (Tianshi) of Orthodox Unity (Zhengyi), Zhang Daoling, and his disciple Wang Chang reverently bowed in gratitude, vowing to widely disseminate this scripture in accordance with Laojun’s will.

(Additional note: In Daoist belief, the Southern Dipper governs life while the Northern Dipper governs death. This ritual of "joint worship of the two dippers" embodies the principle of Yin-Yang balance. The emphasis on pure vegetarian offerings reflects Daoism’s ascetic character.)