《元陽子五假論》

Interpretation of Master Yuanyang's Treatise on the Five Borrowings

For those cultivating health and pursuing the Daoist path to immortality, even if progress seems slow, steadfast faith will ultimately lead to success. Even if one remains in the mundane world with incomplete cultivation, or encounters disturbances by malevolent spirits and demons, practicing according to these incantation methods will drive them away, leaving no room for chaos. The specific method involves burning incense, observing purification rituals, and silently reciting the incantations. Each "borrowing" (referring to the five elemental escape techniques—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—which utilize external objects for concealment) requires reciting its corresponding incantation for 49 days. When disaster strikes, silently recite the incantation while grasping the corresponding object to throw or evade, allowing one to transform into a wandering spirit, create a doppelganger, or merge into the Five Phases to escape harm.

This is a secret method of celestial mechanics, traditionally passed down orally. Fearing that future seekers might forget it, I have recorded it for posterity. However, it must not be disclosed to those with impure intentions, for doing so would bring calamity not only upon nine generations of ancestors but also condemn the revealer to eternal unrest.

First Borrowing: Metal

The White Tiger Spirit of the West (associated with the celestial stems Geng and Xin, corresponding to metal) is the foremost of the Nine Luminaries, with the Great White Star (Venus) guarding the Purple Tenuity Star (Polaris). Practicing this incantation strengthens the body, ensuring the seven po (corporeal souls) remain intact, making one invulnerable to blades, capable of mending bones and tendons, and dispelling misfortune. The incantation is: "Xifang Geng Xin Taiwei Xuanzhen... jiji rulüling." It should be recited silently during the You hour (5–7 PM) on Geng or Xin days, with incense burning, the tongue touching the upper palate, and focused visualization. After 49 days of recitation, in moments of danger, silently chant while holding a blade to create a doppelganger and escape harm without bleeding, as wounds will naturally heal.

Second Borrowing: Wood

The Azure Dragon of the East (associated with Jia and Yi, corresponding to wood) aligns with spring and embodies the Year Star (Jupiter)... *

The "Yuanyangzi's Treatise on the Five Evasions" describes methods of avoiding calamity through the Five Phase evasion techniques (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth invisibility arts), each with corresponding incantations and cultivation practices:

[Wood Evasion Method]

When encountering danger, silently recite the incantation while facing east (the direction of Jia-Yi wood), visualizing union with the Azure Dragon (guardian deity of the east). The incantation's essence is: "Dwelling of the Eastern Azure Dragon, metal and wood mutually generate to form flesh and bone, true Qi protects the body without separation, swiftly return through divided form and hidden shape." Practice requires burning incense during the mao hour (5-7 AM) on Geng-Xin days, continuing for 49 days. During calamity, lean against any tree while silently chanting to become one with the wood for protection. To return, focus on the original tree.

[Water Evasion Method]

The north (Ren-Gui water position) is governed by the Dark Warrior (water deity of the north), corresponding to human kidneys. When facing flood, chant: "Stellar spirits and Dark Warrior protect this body, four directional divine beasts accompany as guardians," recited silently during the zi hour (11 PM-1 AM) on Geng-Xin days. Entering water, visualize merging with kidney Qi (primordial vitality) to breathe underwater. Focus on kidney Qi to emerge.

[Fire Evasion Method]

The south (Bing-Ding fire position) is ruled by the Vermilion Bird (fire deity of the south), corresponding to the heart. The incantation emphasizes fire's power to burn away the "Three Corpse Worms" (Daoist concept of three health-damaging parasites). During fire disasters, chant while visualizing the image of "water and fire complementing" (Neidan terminology for yin-yang harmony) to remain unharmed. Notably, Bing-Ding fire governs life while Ren-Gui water governs destruction (illustrating their mutual conquest).

These techniques all require:

1. Selecting specific temporal alignments (matching the Five Phases' heavenly stems and earthly branches)

2. Burning incense while silently reciting incantations

3. Forty-nine consecutive days of foundational practice

4. Emergency deployment when needed

5. Achieving evasion through visualization of corresponding organ Qi

6. Concluding with the command phrase "urgently as the law decrees" to activate the method

(Note: "Three Peng" refers to corpse worms in the upper, middle, and lower Dantian, while "Six Shen" denotes the spiritual consciousness corresponding to the six roots of perception—eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind.)

This scripture expounds the "Earth Dissimulation" technique from Daoist "Five Dissimulations" cultivation, detailing how to harness the power of the Earth Phase (one of the Five Phases) through incantations and rituals to avert disasters. Here's the modern interpretation:

Earth Dissimulation Method (Fifth of the Five Dissimulations):

Practitioners must burn incense and silently recite mantras during noontime on Geng-Xin days (days governed by the Metal Heavenly Stems), maintaining this practice for 49 consecutive days. When encountering calamities, immediately enter a quiet chamber, grasp bamboo or wood while lying down, and silently chant the mantra to simulate death. This drives away malevolent spirits, while family members mistake it for actual death and prepare burial rites—yet the cultivator's spirit (Shen) has secretly left the body to evade disaster.

Core Mantra:

"Southern Bing-Ding (representing the Fire Phase), red dragon halt! Yin spirits retreat, yang officials stay away. Visualization brings immediate effect, application yields instant response. Swiftly as the cosmic decree!"

Earth Phase Principle:

The central Wu-Ji position (Earth Phase in Five Phases cosmology) houses ten thousand spirits. Nourishing Earth generates and transforms all things, altering form and Qi (vital energy). The three Hun (ethereal souls in Daoist anthropology) follow physical transformations, while seven Po (corporeal souls) accompany the body. Three recitations summon the souls, seven invocations ensure their return—thereby dispelling misfortunes.

Practice Details:

1. Select Geng-Xin days during the Chen hour (7-9 AM) to burn incense and chant secretly

2. Sustain practice for 49 days

3. During disasters, silently recite the mantra to become invisible, enter earth, or pass through walls

4. Substitute objects for one's form while secretly departing to avoid harm

Final Admonition:

This immortal concealment method was transmitted by Master Yuanyangzi. It requires secret cultivation. Later practitioners must maintain steadfast faith, strictly guard its mysteries, and never disclose celestial secrets—otherwise attainment becomes impossible.

(Note: "Breath suspension and Qi cessation" refers to entering suspended animation through breath retention; "spirit excursion" indicates soul projection; "Four Symbols" denote the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise—the four directional sacred animals.)

The "Yuanyangzi's Treatise on the Five Illusions" explains that the art of invisibility should only be transmitted to those with genuine dedication to cultivating the Dao (the Way). When practiced and applied according to this method, it never fails to manifest its efficacy.

(Additional note: The "Five Illusions" represent a unique concept in Daoist practice, referring to five methods of borrowing external objects to achieve invisibility. Such arts belong to the esoteric traditions of Daoism, emphasizing transmission only to virtuous disciples sincerely committed to spiritual cultivation.)