《太上飛步南斗太微玉經》

This Supreme Flying Steps of the Southern Dipper and Great Tenuity Jade Scripture reveals the mysteries of attaining immortality through cultivation with the Southern Dipper's six stars (key celestial bodies in Daoism).

The scripture describes how the ancient immortal Chisongzi of Southern Peak practiced Daoist cultivation by riding dragons and phoenixes to the Ruì Jade Chambers in the Great Tenuity celestial region. Seated in stillness within the Vermilion Radiance (southern quadrant), he absorbed the vital essence (Jing) of the mythical Ruomu tree, storing his spirit (Shen) and Qi within the void. Practitioners must keep the Mysterious Pass (Dantian) closed, hold firm hand mudras, and attune to the celestial pure Qi while maintaining the Dao as their foundation. The Purple Numinous True Maiden (a celestial being) would radiate light upon the cultivator, assisting their ascension to the heavenly realms.

The cultivation method involves:

1. First learning the true names of the Southern Dipper's six stars (Hua, Kuo, Lian, Chi, Jing, Jing)

2. Wearing the corresponding six-star talismans (Fulu)

3. Practicing the "Treading on Soul and Stepping on Hun" technique (a visualization method) to commune with the stars

4. Completing three celestial cycles of stellar revolutions

Progress manifests in three stages:

• Five years: attainment of Shangqing (Highest Clarity) immortal status
• Nine years: direct vision of the six stellar lords
• Fifteen years: mastery of the Vermilion Net (celestial instrument) and ascension to the Jade Clarity realm (highest heaven) while riding six flying dragons

The scripture unveils cosmic secrets:

The Southern Dipper's six stars function like an alchemical furnace, with Heaven and Earth as its frame, Yin-Yang as water and fire, sun and moon as its rotating wheels, and the four seasons as its driving force. The Supreme Unity deity (Taiyi) oversees this cosmic alchemy while the Three Luminaries (sun, moon, stars) radiate their light and constellations maintain cosmic order—revealing the supreme mystery of the Great Tenuity celestial pivot.

Appended are the six Southern Dipper talismans:

First Star "Hua-Kuo Talisman," Second Star "Lian-Chi Talisman," Third Star "Jing-Jing Talisman" (remaining fourth to sixth star talismans omitted). These talismans serve as vital mediums for communicating with stellar lords and must be used in conjunction with visualization practices.

This scripture describes a Daoist ritual method for cultivating the practice of "ascending stars through celestial steps," comprising several key components:

1. Talisman Usage (Fulu):

• Inscribe talismans with cinnabar on blue silk cloth, measuring six square inches
• Face southward while performing obeisance on specific dates (3rd, 6th, 16th, 23rd, and 26th of the lunar month) before ingestion
• Recite invocations during ingestion, describing imagery of celestial journeys with immortals and attaining longevity

2. Five Star Soul Cultivation:

• Each of the five stars possesses a soul name: Jue, Zhen, Po, Lin, Ying
• Begin practice from the Jue star, stepping sequentially through the five star positions with alternating feet
• Visualize five red-robed, jade-crowned perfected beings (appearing as infants) accompanying you
• Combine with hand seals (pinching the tiger's mouth between two fingers) and five teeth-tapping rituals
• Chant star-ascending incantations to petition for celestial travel with star lords

3. Seven Star Prowess Cultivation:

• Each of the seven stars has a prowess name: Zhao, Lou, Jian, Keng, Liu, Hao, Pu
• Commence from the Zhao star, stepping through the seven positions with single-footed steps
• Visualize seven yellow-robed, jewel-bunned jade maidens (infant-like in appearance) as companions
• Employ hand seals (thumb pressing the base of three fingers) with seven teeth-tapping rituals
• Recite ascending invocations seeking divine protection

4. Practice Considerations:

• Perform steps within a nine-square-foot blue-colored area
• Mark star positions with yellow indicators
• Silently recite each star lord's name while stepping, maintaining visualization of corresponding deities
• Wear freshly cleaned garments with a brocade pouch
• Burn incense during the ritual while completing the "Flying Dipper Six Stars" stepping pattern

This cultivation method integrates multiple Daoist techniques including star-stepping (Bugang Tadou), visualization (Cunsi), incantations, and hand seals (Shouyin). Its purpose is to commune with celestial beings through emulating stellar movements, thereby obtaining divine protection and dispelling misfortunes.

The Supreme Flying Steps Scripture of the Southern Dipper and Grand Tenuity Jade describes the Daoist practice of "Pacing the Gang and Treading the Dipper" (Bugang Tadou), a ritual method of connecting with celestial stars through specific movements:

[Key Points of the Footwork]

If you cannot reach a star position (the visualized celestial point in meditation) in a single step, begin by walking along the Gang lines (energy pathways connecting the stars) in a T-shaped pattern. Ideally, both feet should land on the star position simultaneously. If this is unattainable, lightly step onto the Gang line with one foot. Here, "treading" (nie) refers to a single-footed touch, while "stepping" (bu) involves full movement with both feet. The ultimate goal is to achieve the state of "dancing through the empty spaces of the star matrix," moving freely between star positions and Gang lines—this mastery qualifies one as an immortal sovereign.

[Secret Names of the Six Stars]

Memorize the hidden names of the six stars of the Southern Dipper (Zhuguang, Diyao, Changming, etc.). Silently reciting these names during practice illuminates the "chamber of enlightenment" (an alternate name for the upper Dantian) and mobilizes the righteous Qi of heaven and earth.

[Detailed Practice Steps]

First Star Method:

1. Remove shoes and step forward with the left foot, pressing the right heel against the base of the left foot’s second toe and big toe.

2. Let the left hand hang naturally while swallowing Qi three times.

3. Visualize the Jade Mystery Supreme Dao Lord (appearing as an infant in red robes) within the Dan Jade and Qiong Hua Medicinal Palace, exhaling purple Qi that suffuses your entire body.

4. Recite the incantation (invoking imagery of golden light opening the orifices and purple Qi ascending).

Second Star Method:

1. Press the right hand against the "Mountain Source" (Renzhong acupoint, below the nose) and the left hand against the "Hall of Impression" (Yintang, between the eyebrows).

2. Hold the breath seven times.

3. Visualize the Treasure Chamber Supreme Dao Lord (an infant in purple robes with golden bells) holding the six stars of the Southern Dipper, casting their light into your Mudan Palace (crown-point acupoint).

4. Recite the vitality-enhancing incantation.

Third Star Method:

1. Cover both ears with the hands and bend forward.

2. Visualize the Golden Cavern Rainbow City governed by the Supreme Dao Lord of the Crimson Heaven.

These methods integrate precise body movements, breath control, visualization techniques, and incantation—a hallmark of Daoist internal alchemy (Neidan). Each star corresponds to a distinct Dao Lord and celestial palace, with progressive cultivation elevating one’s spiritual state.

This scripture describes the "Flying Steps of the Southern Dipper" method in Daoist cultivation, detailing the practitioner's process of merging with stellar energies during meditation (visualization).

The first section depicts the practitioner visualizing a 500-li expanse of violet clouds swirling like cartwheels beneath their feet, with vapors churning like boiling water and accompanied by lightning. Here, one imagines a six-inch-tall naked infant leaping from starlight into the mouth, descending directly to the Dantian (Purple Chamber). The accompanying incantation conveys: "Vermilion smoke merges with starlight, yellow qi veils the heavens; through spiritual transformation, the practitioner rides primordial qi to ascend into the sacred chamber (Jade Room)." This culminates in the method of "flying in perfected transformation."

The second section describes visualizing the fourth star (Nine Numinous Star). While holding the breath to ascend, the practitioner forms hand seals, imagining the star blooming like a lotus to reveal the Azure Void True King in green robes wielding a golden axe. The True King exhales azure qi into the liver, which after nine cycles transforms into a luminous pearl containing a blue-robed youth playing the qin. The chant petitions celestial souls for nourishment and communion with the Dao Lord to receive divine revelation.

The third section explains the fifth star (Purple Radiance Star) visualization. Kneeling before the star, the practitioner taps teeth seven times, holds breath while patting the back of the head, envisioning encircling wind, thunder, water and fire. Through self-forgetting, one transforms into a flower-adorned infant. The incantation emphasizes the state of "ultimate truth transformation," using detachment from life-death to comprehend cosmic mysteries, ultimately returning to primordial simplicity.

These methods belong to the Shangqing tradition's internal visualization techniques (neiguan cunshen), cultivating Jing (essence), Qi (vital energy) and Shen (spirit) through stellar contemplation and deity visualization. The "True Lords" and "Dao Lords" represent high deities; "qi" denotes vital energy, while "tooth-tapping" serves as standard preparatory practice.

This scripture describes an advanced cultivation method called "Gathering the Authentic Six Dragons," centered around ritual practices connected to the six stars of the Southern Dipper (a crucial constellation in Daoism).

The practitioner must face the sixth star, Zichen (Purple Palace Star), assume a dignified posture to perform ceremonial bows, and hold their breath while visualizing: a dragon radiating violet light emerges from the star, its radiance illuminating all six stars and the practitioner’s own soul. They then imagine joining hands with the celestial deities within the starlight, laughing joyfully as they mount the dragon and ascend through the nine heavens, reaching the supreme realm of the Dao (the Way). Following this, they recite an invocation, the essence of which is: "The six qi (vital energies) of heaven and earth surge and flow, while the profound Dao remains unfathomable; my primordial spirit (Shen) merges with the Celestial One (the highest heavenly realm), attaining transcendent accomplishment through the transformations of Yin-Yang."

The text particularly emphasizes that this method should only be transmitted to virtuous adepts who have attained the Dao. Successful cultivation grants the practitioner the rank of an immortal official (Xianqing) and the status of a Supreme Perfected Being (Taishang Zhenren), the highest achievement in spiritual practice. However, it requires six golden pearls and sixty feet of crimson silk as offerings to the Southern Dipper Star Lords. Disrespecting this method will not only prevent immortality but also subject the practitioner to scrutiny by the Three Officials (heavenly, earthly, and aquatic deities).

Finally, the scripture states that this is the supreme secret of authentic cultivation, containing the most refined and profound truths. The method was transmitted by the Shangqing Danhua Ziling Zhennü (a high-ranking female immortal) and originally taught by the Red Sovereign (a southern deity) within the Dan Yu Qiong Que (the Jade Palace of Cinnabar).