《太上老君說天妃救苦靈驗經》

The Scripture Expounded by Supreme Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) on Tianfei’s Numinous Efficacy in Relieving Suffering is a classic in which Supreme Lord Lao proclaims the Tianfei—revered in later ages as Mazu, goddess of the sea—and her numinous power to relieve suffering; “Shangshi” is an original section marker.

Reverently we invoke the Tianfei, upon whom has been conferred the title “Limitless Compassionate, Auxiliary to the Dipper, Most Numinous Spirit.”

Her majestic countenance appears amid the great sea; her virtue spreads abroad, and all under Heaven look up to her.

She protects the state and saves the people without obstruction, and she rescues from danger in but a moment.

She may roam the celestial realms, or move among the human world, or range across the waves, or enter the underworld.

Evil demons and malevolent spirits all take refuge in her; specters and goblins all hide and flee.

She turns misfortune into good fortune as quickly as a snap of the fingers, and bestows blessings and removes calamities as one removes a subtle hidden danger.

When ordinary people pray, lifting up the golden censer, all their thoughts turn toward her, and she responds according to their earnest prayers.

The multitude, with utmost sincerity, take refuge and bow in worship.

In the sacred site of Putuo and at Meizhou in Xinghua, the Tianfei’s numinous response and majestic virtue are extraordinary; her filial devotion moves the divine, and her spiritual powers are vast. She can save from adversity, calm the waves and winds, support those in danger, and restore the dying to life.

Greatly compassionate and greatly merciful, she saves from suffering and rescues from peril, and has been bestowed the title “Protector of the State and Guardian of the People, Brightly Manifest and Wondrously Numinous, Radiantly Responsive, Broadly Benevolent, and Universally Saving Tianfei.”

The Invocation Spell.

We invoke the General Supervisor of the Three Heavens, who patrols the Nine Heavens without pause.

The sage Tianfei’s merit protects the state; she has been bestowed the title “Linghui” and safeguards the imperial court.

She wears a flowered crown and rides a phoenix carriage; she is clad in five-colored feathered robes and bears the awe-inspiring bearing of a dragon.

Ghostly generals are arrayed to the east and west in splendor; in southern campaigns and northern expeditions she aids the divine troops.

She wears a sword amid the Dipper and Ox constellations, its light cold and brilliant; she holds tablets and edicts to sweep away goblins.

Her majestic countenance appears, and people revere it; her heart moves with compassion, and like rain and dew she bestows equally.

She saves the people and protects the state, extending kindness and virtue; she removes harm and eliminates disaster, promoting benefit and blessing.

Her majestic virtue is complete and reaches the highest realms; she extends compassion and descends into the world to save the multitude.

Mountains and rivers, the altars of soil and grain, are forever at peace; winds and rains come in season, protecting great peace.

Her scattered radiance and divided splendor reach throughout the Three Realms; in the human world and in Heaven, sun and moon shine bright.

Heavenly dragons, ghosts, and spirits all revere her; by her command all are made to reach the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) heavens.

I now vow forever to uphold this, with single-minded devotion taking refuge and reverently upholding the true scripture.

The Reverence Spell.

Yin virtue first arises; sunlight is auspicious and pure. Her majestic countenance blazes forth, saving and delivering the living.

She slays ghosts and removes demons, swiftly reaching Shangqing; the Three Terraces stars come to protect, and all the sages welcome her.

She wears Heaven and treads Earth, stepping upon the stars of the Dipper’s Ladle; no sorrow is not extinguished, no vow is not fulfilled.

Reciting and upholding the divine spell, the Qi of the Dao long endures.

At that time, Supreme Lord Lao, within the realm of the Limitless, beheld the great ocean, the deep seas, and the rivers.

This passage recounts the origins of the Heavenly Consort (Mazu) and her divine power to relieve suffering. The essence of the original text follows:

In the four seas and five lakes, dragon-fish monsters often stirred up violent storms and transformed unpredictably to harm common people. Those engaged in maritime trade, treasure-seeking, diplomatic missions, or transporting goods frequently encountered disasters like tempests, giant waves, thunderbolts, and hailstones. Malevolent spirits would seize these opportunities to wreak havoc, capsizing vessels and claiming lives, leaving behind unquiet souls.

At this critical juncture, the Vast Salvation True Person (Guangjiu Zhenren) petitioned the Celestial Worthy (Tianzun): "Within the Northern Dipper Star Palace dwells the Jade Maiden of Wondrous Practice (Miaoxing Yunü, later known as the Heavenly Consort). Through countless lifetimes of cultivation, she has vowed to deliver all sentient beings." The Celestial Worthy thus commanded her to descend to the mortal realm during the chen hour (7-9 AM) on the 23rd day of the third lunar month in the jiashen year. Born with innate spiritual awareness, her supernatural abilities grew with age, becoming wholly dedicated to relieving human suffering.

After completing her cultivation and ascending to heaven, the local earth deities reported her merits to the celestial court. The Supreme Elder Lord (Taishang Laojun) conferred upon her the title: "Assisting-the-Dipper Manifesting Filial Piety, Pure and Authentic, Numinous and Responsive, Trustworthy in Aid, Protecting the Nation and Sheltering the People, Wondrously Numinous and Clearly Responsive, Vastly Benevolent and Universally Saving Heavenly Consort." She vowed: "Henceforth, whenever merchants, artisans, soldiers, or those experiencing difficult childbirth, legal disputes, malicious gossip, or prolonged illness sincerely invoke my name, I shall instantly respond and aid in fulfilling their wishes. I will patrol the celestial realm, human world, underworld, and all rivers, lakes, and seas to answer the pleas of all beings."

Upon hearing this, the Vast Salvation True Person reverently prostrated and composed verses praising the Heavenly Consort's majestic virtue: "By decree appointed to assist the Dipper, manifesting traces of awesome power, flying talismans (fulu) and moving seals to command celestial warriors."

The Scripture of the Celestial Consort's Miraculous Salvation as Spoken by the Supreme Lao Jun (Modern Interpretation):

The Celestial Consort (Daoist protector of maritime travelers) possesses these divine powers: apprehending treacherous thieves, slaying demons and malevolent spirits, rescuing those in peril, and safeguarding celestial soldiers. She eternally eradicates evil forces and pacifies diseases—those who revere her receive peace, while those who defy her invite calamity. She quells fires and thefts, severs dark spiritual disturbances, and brings tranquility to all four directions (east, west, south, north). Her majestic presence overawes the realms, ensuring peace for households and nations.

This valiant Celestial Consort manifests her divine presence in prosperous eras, traversing the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and water) to oversee all deities. Thunder and wind guard her, celestial troops accompany her descent to dispel human misfortunes, and she enters the underworld to proclaim divine justice: the unjust are punished, murderers face retribution, the virtuous receive blessings, and the malevolent suffer consequences. Sincere devotion to her brings prosperity to all things. (The phrase "urgently, urgently, as by divine decree" is a standard Daoist liturgical conclusion.)

After receiving these teachings, the Celestial Consort pledged fifteen great vows to the Celestial Worthy (supreme Daoist deity):

1. Ensuring ships reach shore safely

2. Protecting merchants on their journeys

3. Expelling evil spirits permanently

4. Dispelling disasters for purified homes

5. Hunting down thieves until they vanish

6. Punishing villains and eradicating violence

7. Rescuing commoners and defending nations

8. Resolving karmic debts to avert retribution

9. Safeguarding women during childbirth

10. Sheltering good people from misfortunes

11. Preserving cosmic harmony with favorable weather

12. Blessing all devotees with peace

13. Aiding cultivators in completing spiritual merits

14. Assisting office-seekers in career success

15. Liberating souls from hell realms

Hearing this, the Supreme Lao Jun (deified Laozi) conferred upon her the title "Limitless Auxiliary Star Consort Who Aids Governance and Universally Saves All," bestowing gifts: a pearl crown, cloud-patterned shoes, jade pendants, ceremonial tablets, crimson robes, azure sashes, a dragon-carriage with phoenix canopy, along with a sacred sword and official seal. She is attended by guardian deities including the Yellow Hornet Marshal, White Horse General, Ding-Rhen Messengers, Tamarisk Sage, and the Great Lord Yan Gong. Among them, Thousand-Mile Eyes monitors wickedness, Wind-Following Ears relays messages, assisted by Blue-Robed Youths and Water Ministry Judges in manifesting miracles.

Any man or woman who devoutly worships her, recites her name, establishes Zhaijiao purification rituals (Daoist ceremonies), maintains bodily and mental purity, or prays by rivers (the text implies invocations during river voyages) will receive her protection.

The Scripture of the Celestial Consort's Miraculous Salvation from Suffering, as Spoken by the Supreme Lao Jun (Modern Interpretation):

When this scripture is recited over water—from one to a hundred or a thousand repetitions—it dispels calamities, exorcizes evil spirits, heals illnesses naturally, and permanently resolves legal disputes. During military campaigns, danger stays far away; prison hardships dissolve on their own. Thieves dare not approach, and malicious words cannot harm. Crops and silkworm harvests multiply a hundredfold; livestock flourish and multiply. Wealth overflows, and business ventures prosper. Whether traveling merchants or shopkeepers, all who seek treasures attain their wishes. Sea routes remain safe and smooth, free from peril or fear. Those pursuing official positions or handling affairs achieve their desires.

At this point, the Celestial Venerable (Tianzun) finished expounding the scripture, and the heavenly dragons, spirits, and deities all vowed to protect it. The Great Savior Perfected Being (Guangjiu Zhenren) then supplemented with a gatha (Buddhist/Daoist verse):

"The Celestial Consort Holy Mother (Tianfei Shengmu), by decree of the Jade Emperor, assists the Great Dipper Sovereign (Beidou Xingjun), manifesting her sacred presence across the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Great Rivers. In the third lunar month’s Chen hour (7–9 AM), she safeguards the nation with enduring efficacy, as the people unite in prayer. Where blessings descend, what hardship remains unrelieved? United with the Dao (the Way), one gains the Jade Emperor’s protection. Recite this scripture faithfully, and demons bow in submission. Offer incense and flowers; hold purification rituals (Zhaijiao). In dire straits, pray devoutly—no practice will fail when followed sincerely. Swiftly, as commanded by the celestial statutes!"

The Celestial Consort Holy Mother ranks among the Nine Heavens’ immortals, aiding the celestial court above and connecting with the underworld below. The Seven Luminaries of the Dipper (Beidou Qiyuan Shizhe) embody the Dao’s natural law; revered by humanity, their blessings know no bounds. Heaven’s grace is vast; its blessings endure.

The heroic Celestial Consort responds universally—her sacred name revered across heaven and earth. Righteous power manifests protection, ensuring the nation’s peace. Officials who practice sincerely perpetuate eternal auspiciousness.

After the Great Savior Perfected Being concluded the gatha, the Wondrous Practice Celestial Consort (Miaoxing Tianfei) bowed to the Celestial Venerable and withdrew. The beings of the Three Realms, heavenly dragons, and spirits rejoiced, accepting and upholding the teaching.

Appended: The Celestial Consort’s Talismanic Incantation for Salvation from Suffering:

"The Perfected Being who assists the Dipper manifests through resonance—one talisman (Fulu), one sip of water, delivers myriad people. Dispel disasters and obstacles; safeguard peace eternally. Swiftly, as commanded by the celestial statutes!"

The Peerless Holy Mother (Qi Tian Shengmu), incarnated by the Dipper Sovereign, reveals her power across the Three Realms and vast oceans. Divine might transforms boundlessly; her epithet Shunji ("Favorable Aid") echoes far. Thirty-two majestic forms appear, responding instantly to devotion—supremely sacred, supremely potent. Radiant majesty protects the nation and people. When ocean winds stir waves, pray earnestly: the Celestial Consort manifests her true form. Commanding celestial troops, she descends through the void; awe-inspiring divinity subdues all demons."

(Note: The Celestial Consort (Tianfei) is Mazu, revered in Daoism as the "Primordial Sovereign Who Assists the Dipper" (Fudou Yuanjun). This scripture describes the efficacy of reciting its text and talismans, emphasizing the Celestial Consort’s power to protect seafarers and alleviate suffering.)

This scripture recounts the miraculous talismanic incantations of Tianfei (commonly known as Mazu, the Daoist sea goddess revered for protection) in dispelling evil and alleviating suffering. The main content describes:

In Putian, Fujian province, a local deity known as the "Earth Lord" manifested sacred power amidst bamboo groves, joining the Northern Dipper Star Deity in expelling malevolent spirits and supernatural entities. By employing this sacred incantation, one can eliminate calamities, safeguard household peace, and ensure national stability. The text concludes with the urgent command "ji ji ru lü ling" (a standard Daoist incantation phrase indicating immediate efficacy).

Practical application method:

When encountering emergencies, first burn incense and recite the aforementioned incantation seven times. When drawing this spiritual talisman (fulu), one must blend well water (considered pure in Daoist practice) with frankincense (a ritual incense commonly used in Daoist ceremonies). After ingesting the consecrated talismanic water, natural recovery will follow. The scripture guarantees the remarkable efficacy of this method.

The title "Taishang Laojun Shuo Tianfei Jiuku Lingyan Jing" translates as "The Most High Lord Lao's Scripture on Tianfei's Miraculous Efficacy in Alleviating Suffering," indicating this is a sacred text transmitted by Taishang Laojun (one of Daoism's supreme deities) concerning Tianfei's compassionate salvific works. The entire scripture documents Mazu's miraculous interventions to save lives and provides detailed operational methods for practitioners.