《太上老君說益筭神符妙經》

This scripture records an encounter between Lord Lao (the supreme deity of Daoism) and the Celestial Master (Tianshi) in the Azure Heaven realm of Chanli Kingdom, where they witnessed sentient beings suffering from calamities, diseases, and premature deaths. The Celestial Master inquired of Lord Lao about methods of deliverance.

Lord Lao identified four causes for this suffering:

1. Disbelief in Daoist teachings in past lives

2. Failure to cultivate spiritual practice in previous existences

3. Lack of repentance and virtuous transformation in this life

4. Obsession with worldly desires

To eliminate misfortunes and prolong life, the most effective methods are:

1. Maintaining pure fasting and precepts

2. Wearing spiritual talismans (fulu) for protection

3. Reciting this scripture

The narrative occurs on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month when Lord Lao was expounding the Dharma at Chishi City in Shu Province. Two seekers, Zhao Sheng and Wang Chang, came to request discipleship. Lord Lao then assembled various divine beings—including astral deities, life-register gods, and the Six Armored Generals (Liujia Jiangjun)—to jointly devise methods for saving sentient beings. The sacred talismans were subsequently carved in stone for transmission to future generations.

The scripture concludes by emphasizing that those who devoutly follow the Dao (the Way), recite scriptures, and perform rituals will attain peace and longevity, while slanderers and nonbelievers will find deliverance difficult. Lord Lao commends the Celestial Master's compassionate intercession for humanity and affirms that generations of sincere Daoist practitioners will inevitably receive blessings.

(Note: "Yisuan" refers to life extension; "spiritual talismans" are empowered ritual sigils; the "Six Armored Generals" are Daoist guardian deities.)

The Scripture of Divine Talismans for Prolonging Life as Spoken by the Supreme Venerable Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun Shuo Yisuan Shenfu Miaojing) offers this modern interpretation:

The Supreme Venerable Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) declares: The Dao (the Way) protects all beings, nourishes creation, gives life to all things, and delivers humanity from suffering. Should anyone approach the end of their allotted lifespan, following the Dao's methods can extend their life by twelve thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine "calculations" (a Daoist unit for measuring lifespan). Those who unite with the Dao become one with the virtue of Heaven and Earth, ensuring universal prosperity.

When True Lords descend to the mortal realm, they bestow longevity and blessings upon devotees while dispelling calamities. For those suffering hardship or illness, the Sixty Jiazi Generals (Daoist guardian deities corresponding to the sexagenary cycle) and forty-eight thousand celestial beings will come to their aid:

• General Wang Wenqing of the First Jiazi (Jiazi) dispatches 120 divine officials to grant devotees twelve thousand additional lifespan calculations, healing all ailments.
• General Zhan Zijiang of the Eleventh Jiaxu (Jiaxu) sends 120 divine officials to stabilize the mind, add twelve thousand lifespan calculations, and dispel demonic obstructions.
• General Hu Wenchang of the Twenty-first Jiashen (Jiashen) assigns 120 divine officials to increase twelve thousand calculations of prosperity luck (fulu yunshi) while eliminating wasteful losses.
• General Wei Shangqing of the Thirty-first Jiawu (Jiawu) commands 120 divine officials to bestow twelve thousand calculations of blessing fortune, averting violent deaths.
• General Meng Feiqing of the Forty-first Jiachen (Jiachen) deploys 120 divine officials to safeguard twelve thousand calculations of wealth fortune, preventing financial loss.
• General Ming Wenzhang of the Fifty-first Jiayin (Jiayin) directs 120 divine officials to permanently secure twelve thousand lifespan calculations, warding off premature death.

Lord Lao further explains: Every six hundred Jiazi cycles (approximately ten thousand years), three thousand five hundred perfected beings including the "Lord of Triple Origin Harmony" (Sanyuan Daotaijun) and "Lord of Myriad Life Prolonging" (Wansheng Yisuanjun) descend simultaneously to extend human lifespans and assist in achieving immortal perfection.

During these periods, celestial constellations also perform their sacred duties:

• Among the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper (Beidou):
• The Wolf Star Lord (Tianlang Xingjun) disperses malignant qi.
• The Gate Star Lord (Jumen Xingjun) eliminates hidden corpse-energies (latent pathogenic forces).
• The Fortune Star Lord (Lucun Xingjun) expels hundreds of ghosts.
• The Literary Star Lord (Wenqu Xingjun) neutralizes ominous dreams.
• The Chastity Star Lord (Lianzhen Xingjun) resolves slander and disputes.
• The Martial Star Lord (Wuqu Xingjun) dissolves legal conflicts.
• The Army-Breaker Star Lord (Pojun Xingjun) removes wasteful dissipation.
• The Left Assistant Star Lord (Zuofu Xingjun) oversees the celestial accounting of human lifespans.

(Note: In Daoism, the Northern Dipper stars serve both as navigational constellations and as major deities governing life, death, and fortune—each star possessing specific functions.)

This scripture expounds the wondrous efficacy of a divine talisman (fulu) transmitted by Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun). Its core teachings can be understood as follows:

The Right Assistant Star Lord (Youbi Xingjun) of the Northern Dipper (Beidou) governs physical health and well-being. The Three Platforms Star Lords (Santai Xingjun, comprising six stars across upper, middle, and lower platforms) collectively bestow blessings, prosperity, longevity, and protection from calamities. The scripture enumerates five categories of stellar deities: Malevolent Stars (E Xing), Auspicious Stars (Liang Xing), Shattering Stars (Sui Xing), Mars (Yinghuo Xing), and Perilous Stars (Wei Xing)—all capable of dispelling disasters for devotees.

This sacred talisman assists practitioners in overcoming adversities, eliminating epidemic diseases, and expelling malicious ghosts that bring about adultery, envy, and obstruction, driving them thousands of miles away. Lord Lao declares that he transmits this marvelous scripture and talismanic method to save humanity. Those who wear the talisman with sincere reverence will enjoy peace and safety—resolving countless calamities, experiencing increasing auspiciousness in daily conduct, and fulfilling all virtuous aspirations.

The text concludes with a eulogy composed by the Celestial Master (Tianshi, referring to Zhang Daoling, founder of Daoism) upon receiving this method: "This divine talisman originates from the Great Void (Taiwu, the source of Dao), giving birth to heaven and earth while moving in harmony with the Great Dao. Devotees who wear it faithfully eliminate misfortunes, ultimately attaining perfection and ascending to the Mystic Capital (Xuandu, a Daoist celestial realm)." After delivering this hymn, the Celestial Master withdrew with his disciples Zhao Sheng and Wang Chang, paying ceremonial respects.

Centering on talismanic protection through stellar deities' blessings and disaster prevention, this scripture embodies Daoist principles of "cosmic resonance between heaven and humanity" (tianren ganying) and the practical application of talismanic magic (fushu).