《太上說中斗大魁保命妙經》

This scripture records how the Supreme Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) transmitted the Central Dipper Great Chief Life-Preserving Marvelous Scripture in the Shu region:

During the Yongshou era, the Supreme Lord Lao frequently met with the recluse Zhang Zhenren in Shudu (present-day Chengdu), imparting to him the Western Dipper's numinous texts. Later, the Lord manifested his golden form, ascending the jade throne within the pure void realm to expound the teachings. Wielding a golden axe to subdue demons, he was attended by golden boys and jade maidens who governed the talismans and registers (Fulu). This scripture possesses the power to prolong life, preserve destiny, and transcend the cycle of rebirth.

The essence of the incantation proclaimed by Lord Lao states: The Central Dipper Lord governs the cosmic center, maintaining celestial and terrestrial order while rewarding virtue and punishing vice. Devout veneration can dispel calamities, while sincere cultivation enables ascension to immortality. The scripture reveals the sacred titles of the Central Dipper's three perfected lords: the Radiantly Numinous Salvation Perfected Lord, the Transformative Supreme Sage Perfected Lord, and the Harmoniously Ultimate Virtue Perfected Lord.

The Supreme Lord Lao particularly emphasized: Reciting this scripture requires purification through fasting (Zhaijiao) and mental clarity, accompanied by reverent devotion. Through closed-eye visualization (meditation), one may commune with the divine and attain deliverance. The Central Dipper occupies the celestial center of the Five Heavens, presiding over all realms—this scripture is a secret treasure venerated by both heavens and humanity. However, it must never be casually transmitted to the irreverent, lest misfortune follow. Only those who cultivate with genuine sincerity and unwavering commitment are worthy to receive these profound verses of the Central Dipper.

Finally, Lord Lao addressed the Celestial Master (Tianshi) of Orthodox Unity (Zhengyi, Zhang Daoling): "The Central Dipper Lord resides at the pivot of the azure vault..."

This passage describes the important Daoist belief system of the "Great Chieftain of the Central Dipper" (Zhongdou Dakui), focusing on how worshipping the Star Lord of the Central Dipper can eliminate calamities and prolong life. The content can be divided into three parts:

The first part depicts the sacred celestial order of the stars. In the primordial silence of chaos unfolding, the Four Extremes (cardinal directions) assist the radiant Big Dipper (Ursa Major). The Jade Pivot (Xuanji, referring to the Big Dipper) and the sun-moon together govern all things in heaven and earth, strictly administering the celestial realms. It mentions protective deities like the Three Officials (Tianguan, Diguan, Shuiguan) and the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions who absolve sins for devotees. The Eastern Dipper governs lifespan calculation, the Western Dipper records merits and faults, the Northern Dipper controls death, the Southern Dipper oversees rebirth, while the Great Chieftain of the Central Dipper (the leading star of the Big Dipper) stands as the supreme existence.

The second part, through Laozi's (Taishang Laojun) teachings to the Celestial Master (Tianshi) Zhang Daoling, explains how the Five Directional Emperors (Qingdi, Baidi, Chidi, Heidi, Huangdi) each oversee different functions: the Green Emperor protects the ethereal soul (hun), the White Emperor safeguards the physical body, the Red Emperor nourishes primordial qi, the Black Emperor regulates blood circulation, while the Yellow Emperor commands all deities. Additionally, the Five Directional Demon Kings (like the Green Heaven Demon King) lead celestial armies to patrol the Three Realms, exorcising evil spirits.

The third part details specific cultivation methods: devotees should establish pure altars during their birth year, during the Three Primes festivals (Shangyuan, Zhongyuan, Xiayuan) or Eight Assembly Days (important solar terms), offering fresh flowers and fruits while performing repentance rituals (Keyi) for sins. With sincere prayer, the deities will be pleased and grant wishes for longevity, even elevating nine generations of ancestors to celestial realms.

Finally, Laozi emphasizes that these mystical incantations from the five directions represent supreme treasures transmitted to humanity for delivering beings from suffering. The scripture particularly highlights the Central Dipper Star Lord's role as the "source of creation," asserting that devout worship can "eradicate evil roots" and "expunge sin records," bringing both worldly blessings and ultimate liberation.

The Supreme Venerable Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) once again instructed the Celestial Master (Tianshi) of Orthodox Unity (Zhengyi) tradition (Zhang Daoling, founder of Daoism), saying: "These talismanic scriptures (Fulu) of the Five Dipper Star Lords and the sacred names of the Five True Lords can only be encountered by those who cultivated Daoist connections in past lives. When making offerings and paying homage to these divine beings, their majestic virtue (De) manifests with extraordinary efficacy—their retribution for good and evil follows as swiftly as a shadow trails form or an echo answers sound. The essential point lies in maintaining single-minded concentration, without the slightest trace of irreverence. You must uphold these teachings with steadfast devotion, with pure sincerity and undivided attention, reverent and cautious at all times—never forget this, and widely propagate these truths."

Having delivered these instructions, Lord Lao ascended to heaven. The Celestial Master prostrated in reverent gratitude and transmitted these true scriptures to the world, preserving them in golden caskets. This scripture possesses the power to deliver all beings, its merit and virtue (De) being boundless and inexhaustible.

(Note: The Five Dippers refer to the Star Lords governing the five directions—east, south, west, north, and center. The Great Chieftain of the Central Dipper is the principal star of the Northern Dipper (Ursa Major), which in Daoist belief governs human life, death, and fortune. This passage emphasizes the importance of sincere veneration to the Star Lords and explains the scripture's precious origins.)