《章獻明肅皇后受上清畢法籙記》

This scripture records the historical event of Empress Liu of the Song dynasty receiving the highest register (Fulu) of the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition:

During the third year of the fourth Song emperor's reign, Empress Dowager Liu, endowed with innate spiritual refinement, maintained a serene mind amidst state affairs despite governing during peaceful times. She regularly recited the Huangting Jing (Yellow Court Scripture) in the inner palace, dedicating herself to cultivation not merely for personal longevity but for universal salvation.

Drawn to the path of immortality, the empress learned that Lady Wei Huacun (patriarch of the Shangqing tradition) had received the supreme Dadong Baojing (Great Cavern Treasure Scripture) at Mount Mao during the Eastern Jin dynasty, later transmitted through perfected beings like Yang Xi and Xu Mi. She thus issued an edict ordering Taoist priests including Huangfu Xi from the Yuqing Zhaoying Palace to compile the complete Shangqing corpus.

The preparation culminated in twenty-five precious volumes including the Shangqing Sanpin Shenjing (Three Grades of Divine Scriptures), Yuqing Yinshu (Jade Clarity Hidden Writings), and Liujin Huoling (Flowing Gold Fire Bells), along with ritual implements like golden dragons and jade fish. Following orthodox Taoist liturgy, they conducted the solemn register-bestowal ceremony for the empress.

(Note: The "Highest Shangqing Register" represents the supreme transmission credential of the Shangqing tradition, symbolizing mastery of ultimate Daoist methods; "Two Radiances Scripture of the Yellow Court" refers to the important Taoist classic Huangting Jing)

This passage records the grand ritual in which Empress Zhangxian Mingsu of the Song Dynasty received the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) Fulu (talismanic registers) from the Shangqing Daoist tradition. The preparations were extraordinarily elaborate, employing various precious objects:

The ritual implements and vestments included: plain silk with cloud-patterned brocade and phoenix motifs adorned with blue-gold threaded buttons, a jade-green horsetail whisk, crimson silk inscribed with sacred symbols, the Fourfold Illumination Mirror, the Jingzhen Numinous Sword, and full sets of Shangqing ritual robes made from five-colored damask—all essential for the covenant ceremony.

Prior to the ritual, the court secretly dispatched envoys to Mount Heng in the south to seek silent approval from the Purple Void Primordial Sovereign (a Daoist goddess). Subsequently, a delegation was formed, led by court officials Kang Congzheng and Jiang Deyong, along with several eminent Daoist masters—Li Zhisun, Shi Zhizhang, Zhou Suiliang, Huangfu Xiji, and Xue Qinghe—all robed in purple vestments (a mark of high honor).

The ceremony took place at Chongxi Temple on Mount Mao in Jiangning Prefecture (modern Nanjing). A Shangqing Imperial Altar was erected, beginning with a seven-day Jade Register Ritual (a Zhaijiao purification ceremony). This was followed by 360 additional offerings conducted according to liturgical protocols (Keyi) for transmitting the Fulu. A special three-day Gratitude Ritual concluded the event, accompanied by a grand feast for all Daoist priests and nuns on the mountain.

Sacred tokens—including golden dragon-jade tablets and jade fish with golden rings—were cast into Huayang Grotto, Yan Grotto, and the Golden Mountain Water Palace as covenants to the Seven Sages (key Daoist deities) and offerings of devotion to the Nine Heavens (the highest Daoist celestial realms), fully embodying the master-disciple transmission rites.

Numerous auspicious signs appeared during the ceremony: divine cranes flew low before the ceremonial canopies to welcome the procession, while auspicious clouds filled the sky on the night the altar was erected. At midnight, a sudden gentle wind and rain swept through, soon giving way to a radiant Milky Way and a luminous full moon. Observers claimed this was the Wind Earl (fengbo) purifying the altar and the Rain Master (yushi) performing ablutions. At dawn during the formal Fulu transmission, nine-colored auroras shimmered and transformed in dazzling splendor—all interpreted as divine manifestations of celestial approval.

This passage records the grand ceremony in which Empress Zhangxian Mingsu received the highest register (fulu) of the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition during Emperor Renzong's reign in the Song Dynasty:

During the ritual platform, three-colored celestial qi (vital energy) - azure, white, and purple - drifted through the air amidst swirling clouds and mist, when suddenly a divine wind arose. Rainbow-hued banners shimmered while celestial officials stood in orderly formation, as countless divine beings solemnly descended. When performing the Golden Covenant ceremony (a Daoist oath ritual), white cranes circled above the altar, crimson clouds filled the sky, and fragrant breezes permeated the surroundings. The crowds watching were packed shoulder to shoulder, all marveling at these wonders.

The Empress's Daoist cultivation had attained true mastery - though the Daoist methods are profoundly mysterious, learning must progress step by step; though the highest deities transcend spatial limitations, their response requires utmost sincerity. This precisely manifested the Empress's spiritual refinement: her piety moved the deities and aligned with the celestial mysteries. Without accumulated virtue through lifetimes and complete cultivation, how could one reach such a state? This shows that beginning well and ending well while following the Dao inevitably brings blessings.

The text prophesies the Empress would regularly partake in celestial banquets: riding the Eight Luminosities Flying Rosy Chariot, attending the Three Primes Flowing Cloud Feast, savoring the Ten Essences Returning Water delicacies, and dining on Nine-Colored Phoenix Brain delicacies. All these stemmed from her reverent practice of the secret methods from the Shangqing Dadong Zhenjing (Perfect Scripture of the Great Cavern of Highest Clarity), aimed at venerating the Celestial August Emperor, protecting the true Son of Heaven, securing the imperial lineage for generations, ensuring abundant harvests for the people, ending warfare forever, and bringing shared peace and longevity.

The account concludes by noting this unprecedented grand ceremony was completed on the 23rd day of the 4th month in the 2nd year of the Tiansheng era (1024 CE). Written with the gravity of historical annals, the author records that the Empress's reception of the Shangqing registers would bless not only the imperial house but also benefit all under heaven.