《太上老君說長生益筭妙經》

Interpretation of the Wondrous Scripture of Prolonging Life and Increasing Destiny Spoken by the Most High Lord Lao:

The Most High Lord Lao (one of Daoism's supreme deities) once observed from the Jasper Heaven of the Chanli Kingdom how mortal men and women suffered from illnesses, often dying prematurely before their destined lifespan. With divine insight, Lord Lao summoned celestial officials from the ten directions, the True Lords of the Five Sacred Peaks (mountain deities), and deities of longevity and destiny to assemble upon a throne of seven-jeweled lapis lazuli. All the heavenly and earthly spirits came to pay reverent homage and receive his teachings.

Lord Lao proclaimed: "Too few in this world sincerely follow the Dao. People neither understand the pursuit of longevity nor cultivate virtue, instead accumulating wicked deeds. Because they fail to recognize the true deities, they invite calamities and diseases." Moved by compassion, Lord Lao commanded the True Lord of Eastern Extremity and Longevity to dispatch the Six Jia Generals (protective deities corresponding to the sexagenary cycle) to patrol the human realm. Each general commands numerous attendants, bringing scriptures to enlighten the ignorant and bestowing protective talismans (Daoist ritual documents). Through sincere scripture recitation and steadfast fasting, practitioners can prolong life and dispel misfortunes.

Devoted male and female cultivators who piously make offerings, diligently practice day and night, revere the Three Treasures (Dao, scriptures, and masters), and extensively perform compassionate deeds can eliminate demonic obstacles and resolve disasters. The scripture specifically enumerates six Jia Generals:

• General Wang Wenqing of Jiazi leads 139 attendants, capable of extending life by 12,000 years while protecting body and mind from malignant illnesses
• General Zhan Zijiang of Jiaxu commands 135 attendants, specializing in disaster relief
• General Hu Wenchang of Jiashen oversees 131 attendants, bringing peace to the hun and po souls
• General Wei Shangqing of Jiawu heads 139 attendants, ensuring safe passage to 120 years of age
• General Meng Feiqing of Jiachen directs 135 attendants, guarding against evil influences
• General Ming Wenzhang of Jiayin Each general masters 12,000 methods for prolonging life and protection, assisting sincere practitioners in dispelling illness, extending longevity, and averting calamities.

This scripture expounds the longevity-preserving and body-protecting methods transmitted by Lord Laozi (Taishang Laojun, one of the highest deities in Daoism). The text describes how numerous divine beings will safeguard practitioners:

First, it mentions 131 divine officials who can bestow 12,000 forms of protective power upon humans, assisting in severing demonic disturbances. The Sixty Jiazi Deities (guardians of time), the Three Primes Dao-Tai Lords (rulers of the three realms of heaven, earth and water), and the Myriad-Life Longevity Lord (deity governing lifespan) can all extend the years of those nearing the end of their destined lifespan.

The scripture emphasizes the power of the Dao: the Dao shelters, rescues, and nourishes all things. Even when one's earthly lifespan is exhausted, the Dao can grant an additional 12,999 years, enabling practitioners to exist in harmony with the Dao and embody the same virtue (De) as heaven and earth. Furthermore, 12,700 Daoist methods will descend to protect humanity.

When illness strikes, 48,000 medical deities including Elder Han Jun (healing god) and the Jade Maiden of Clear Medicine (female healing deity) will come to provide treatment. When demonic forces intrude, 3,500 Perfected Ones (Zhenren, realized beings) like the Great Compassion Radiance will immediately subdue the evils and dispel calamities.

The text describes how 500 immortals and longevity sages aged 900 million years will all support practitioners, opening the gates of wisdom. Thirty-five thousand Daoist methods will safeguard one's dignified presence, while 90 million Perfected Ones and divine children will assist in fulfilling aspirations.

The concluding section recounts how Taishang Laojun, together with Perfected Ones like Master Wenshi (Yin Xi, Laozi's disciple), employed 12,000 divine talismans (Fulu) to suppress various demonic forces. These talismans can subdue:

• Evil spirits masquerading as mountain deities or earth gods
• Malevolent entities like the Wind King, Kitchen God, and water dragons
• Nightmares caused by the Five Disasters and Six Depletions
• Curses from heterodox paths and all types of ghosts

The scripture proclaims itself as the "king of all scriptures," possessing immeasurable power to eliminate all bloodshed and calamities.

This passage is from the Supreme Elder Lord's Scripture of Wondrous Methods for Prolonging Life and Augmenting Destiny. It primarily explains methods for dispelling calamities and extending longevity through cultivation and wearing sacred talismans. Here is a simplified interpretation:

The Supreme Elder Lord (one of the highest deities in Daoism) teaches that subduing demonic obstacles and dispelling illusions is the most essential practice in cultivation. Diligently studying the great truths of the Dao (the Way) allows one's De (Virtue/Power) to spread widely. Such blessings extend in all directions, yet they must be treated with caution—not casually shared but secretly upheld according to proper protocols. The mind should always maintain correct thoughts, for the teachings of the Dao are never empty words. Those who follow these instructions will find no calamity can afflict them, their sins will be absolved, grievances resolved, their bodies healthy, and their households peaceful. All roots of misfortune will be severed.

The text mentions how the seven stars of the Northern Dipper each govern different misfortunes: the Greedy Wolf Star controls evil Qi (vital energy), the Giant Gate Star governs death, the Wealth Preserving Star commands hundreds of ghosts, the Literary Star oversees disputes and slander, the Pure and Upright Star rules nightmares, the Martial Star presides over legal conflicts, and the Army Breaker Star manages loss and depletion. The Left Assistant Star governs human lifespan, while the Right Supporter Star commands ghosts and spirits. The Three Platforms Stars protect the body and life.

Five additional constellations are then listed: the First Malefic Star, the Second Auspicious Star, the Third Warding Star, the Fourth Blazing Confusion Star, and the Fifth Peril Star. These stars eliminate disasters, dispel plagues and illnesses, and drive away malicious ghosts that bring envy and strife, banishing them a thousand miles away. All this must be carried out according to the Supreme Elder Lord's sacred decrees.

The scripture also introduces five divine talismans (Fulu): the Heart-Opening Talisman, the Destiny-Augmenting Talisman (for extending life), the Body-and-Life Protecting Talisman, the Five Phases Mutual Generation Talisman, and the Talisman for Expelling Wasteful Ghosts and Spirits. These incantations cause all malevolent entities to disperse of their own accord.

Finally, it recounts how on the Ren-Wu day of the fifth month in the first year of the Han'an era, the Supreme Elder Lord, while dwelling in a stone cliff abode in Chishi City of Shu, carved talismanic seals into stone and transmitted them to the Celestial Master (referring to Zhang Daoling). When Daoist devotees face impending death or inauspicious years, they should bathe, observe purification rituals (Zhaijiao), burn incense to calm the mind, and learn of the divine talismans' power. Wearing these talismans allows one to overcome misfortunes and prolong life—up to 120 years. Practitioners will find their inner Qi (vital energy) abundant, their bodies radiating light, and receive protection from immortals. As recorded in the scriptures, the sun and moon shine upon them, jade light illuminates them, Yin-Yang harmonizes within, the four seasons nourish them, the Five Numinous Mushrooms (immortal herbs) provide shelter, the Five Clouds envelop them, and the Five Perfected Ones guard them.

The entire scripture emphasizes methods—through cultivation and wearing sacred talismans—to dispel calamities, extend life, and gain divine protection. It reflects Daoism's pursuit of longevity and its philosophy of seeking auspiciousness while avoiding harm.

This scripture describes the various forms of divine protection and miraculous effects obtained by wearing Daoist talismans (fulu). It is divided into three main sections:

I. Sources of Protective Power

Divine beings such as the Six Jia (heavenly stem and earthly branch generals), Five Emperors (rulers of the five directions), Five Planets, immortals (xian), jade maidens, the Azure Dragon and White Tiger all come to assist the wearer. These deities provide comprehensive protection: immortals offer support, jade maidens attend to one's needs, the Azure Dragon guides the way, the White Tiger provides guardianship, and even common people and officials will show respect and affection.

II. Protective Effects

Wearing the talismans grants the following safeguards:

1. Natural disasters: Immunity to water and fire (one won't drown when falling into water nor burn when stepping through flames)

2. Human threats: Thieves stay away, blades and weapons cannot harm

3. Venomous creatures and beasts: Tigers, wolves, and poisonous snakes will avoid the wearer

4. Ghostly disturbances: All types of malicious spirits and demonic influences dare not approach

5. Daily safety: Auspicious travels with no encounters of misfortune

III. Specific Types of Banished Spirits

The scripture enumerates twelve categories of spirits suppressed by the talismans, including:

• Envy-driven ghosts that harm people
• Mourning-bringing ghosts that cause funeral lamentations
• Field-destroying ghosts that ruin crops
• Mind-confusing shape-shifters
• Slander-spreading evil spirits
• Grave-disturbing corpse ghosts
• Taboo-violating wandering souls
• Violently deceased wild ghosts
• Wrongfully accused prison and war ghosts
• Lustful ghosts that entangle men and women
• Vengeful ghosts of unjust deaths

Finally, it mentions five principal talismans:

1. Heart-Opening Talisman (awakens the mind)

2. Longevity-Calculation Talisman (extends life span)

3. Life-Protection Talisman (guards body and vitality)

4. Five Phases Harmonizing Talisman (balances Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth)

5. Household Ghost-Quelling Talisman (suppresses domestic evil spirits)

All these talismans derive their power from the divine decrees of the Supreme Dao Lord (one of the highest Daoist deities). Wearers receive the protection of "a thousand Dao paths and ten thousand methods," fulfilling all their aspirations and wishes.

This scripture discusses the exorcism talismans (fulu) transmitted by Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun), specifically designed to suppress various malevolent spirits and baleful ghosts. The text describes five distinct talismans, each targeting different types of hauntings:

The first talisman subdues "prison-death ghosts" (the vengeful spirits of those who died unjustly in confinement). The second controls "wronged ghosts" (souls who perished with grievances unresolved). The third specifically counters "red-tongued ghosts" (Daoist terminology for malicious spirits that spread discord and slander). The fourth conquers "paired yin-yang ghosts" (malevolent spirit couples that haunt together). The final talisman suppresses "blood-death ghosts" (violent specters formed through bloody or traumatic deaths).

These talismans originate from the Marvelous Scripture for Prolonging Life and Augmenting Destiny (Changsheng Yisuan Miaojing), containing Lord Lao's teachings for longevity and averting misfortune. In Daoist practice, "augmenting destiny" (yisuan) refers to life-extending techniques. The complete scripture primarily instructs devotees on using talismans to dispel calamities and prolong lifespan. It's important to note that such ghost-banishing talismans typically require specific rituals (keyi) and cultivation practices to activate their efficacy.