《雲笈七籤》Vol. 42

Visualization (regulating body and mind through contemplative imagery)

The Thirty-Nine True Methods of the Great Cavern Scripture (from the Scripture of Thirty-Nine Chapters)

The Young Lad of Taiwei

While reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the Lofty Void Emperor, visualize the Young Lad of Taiwei (a deity mentioned in the scripture), Gan Jingjing. True Qi is red, radiant and bright. It enters through your Niwan (the upper Dantian in the head), then flows downward to fill the whole body, reaching beneath the root of the tongue, where the blood gathers. When the visualization is complete, offer this prayer softly:

“True Qi flows downward, filling the hidden passages. It steadies the spirit, guards Jing and Qi, and blocks the source of death. The wisdom-light of the Jade Scripture shines bright and reaches all the spirits. May it summon my true life, so that life endures, and deliver the Seven Ancestors beyond the mortal body, transforming them into immortal beings.”

When the prayer is complete, draw in the red Qi and swallow it in three portions. Then recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, offer this prayer:

“In Heaven there is a hidden source of life and a numinous treasure called the Bright Beam. The breath above protects me and seals the lower gate, making the source of life firm again. May it also summon the Beneficial Primordial Feathered Lad (a deity who increases primordial Qi), and place him in the galleries and corridors of the green inner chamber. May he loosen the many tangled bonds that bind the Seven Ancestors, so that they depart with the wind from their roots, accord with the Way of Heaven, shift their foundations, reach the realm of transformation, and enter the hidden realm of wondrous Jade Clarity.”

Then offer this prayer:

“Primordial Qi does not arise from the source; the Five Paths receive numinous Qi. The Yin and Yang breaths rest in the spirits, giving rise to the myriad forms. In the depths, the sound of jade rings out, and the breath of Great Harmony sings with all voices. Primordial Qi issues forth from within; the immortal court turns through nine transformations, and a hundred kinds of breath blend into one. Attain the Dao and unite as one; transformations merge in harmony. Together, in the void, enter the palace of the Emperor Lord.”

These are secret prayers of the Lofty One and must not be revealed. If this text is disclosed, the Seven Ancestors will be punished for it.

The Revered Deity Taiyi

While reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the August Sovereign of Jade Void, visualize the Revered Deity Taiyi (the highest deity), Wu You Shou. True Qi is purple, brilliant and radiant. It enters through your Niwan, then flows downward to fill the body, reaching beneath the Jade Pillow (the back of the head), behind the Niwan. When the visualization is complete, offer this prayer softly:

“Taiyi protects life, steadies the spirit, and settles the source of life. May he summon the breath of the Imperial True Ones for me above, and fill the court of the Purple Gate below. May the Jade Scripture pass upward through the nine origins, bright with light. May the Seven Ancestors rejoice together and ascend to Highest Clarity.”

When the prayer is complete, draw in the purple Qi and swallow it in three portions. Then recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, offer this prayer:

“The death-gate within your body is often tightly closed, and the fetal knot harms the hundred spirits. May the hundred spirits loosen the fetal knot and disperse the primordial entanglement within the womb. May the ancestors of seven generations enter the Imperial Chamber, all become one, and meet with the immortals…”

(The original text ends here.)

The opening phrase, “Hall, Seventh Ancestor, born in the Southern Palace, joined with Li Ming, first sat together, child Dao Kang Wan,” may contain missing or corrupted characters, making its meaning difficult to determine.

Guard the body, keeping it clear and bright like sunlight. Summon the Thearch so that the Yin and Yang, female and male energies are preserved and stilled. Close the gates of the hundred spirits and block the entrances through which the myriad evils might enter. Carry out the rites among the Nine Palaces, following the ordinances and prohibitions to summon the Director of Destiny, the spirit who governs the span of life. For three consecutive days, bow before the Mudball Palace, the upper Dantian within the head.

The Thearch

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the Jade Thearch of the August Sovereign, visualize the vital energy of the Thearch Yanling Fan: its dense purple radiance enters from your own Mudball Palace and spreads downward to the space between the eyebrows, in the palace beyond the Purple Gate. When the rite is complete, offer this prayer in a low voice:

The Thearch bestows talismanic registers and summons the myriad spirits with upright energy. Above, I welcome the Jade Perfected, so that vital energy fills the space between my eyebrows. Blending and returning to unity, it gives rise to the image of the Thearch. When the Three Su are perfected, I ride the immortal wind, drive a dragon chariot, and ascend to the lofty pavilion.

When the prayer is finished, draw in and swallow the purple Qi three times, then recite the Jade Scripture. After reciting it, offer this prayer:

Fu Chen rises at dawn, and purple clouds illuminate the hidden depths. Light penetrates all things, radiant and brilliant. Clear light shines upon the distant, secluded realm; wondrous spiritual forms stand forth in array and scatter through the pure expanse. The halls of the Nine Heavens are splendid and pure. The immortals in the Jade Guest and Golden Chamber sing songs of the clouds. How fortunate to serve the Thearch! Summon the chariot from the netherworld, so that my seven ancestors may be freed from the bonds of the womb and, life after life, become immortals. These are the hidden characters of Jade Clarity.

Then offer this prayer:

The Cinnabar Emperor turns the precious pearl and guards the Gate of Death. The Red Child and the Dark Emperor gather the energy of the Celestial One. He is named Bo Wushang and is also called the Foremost of the Three Origins. Please support and nourish me, so that I may ride the cloud wheel to Heaven, forever seated in the pavilion of Highest Clarity; may my ancestors of seven generations become immortal lords.

Lord Wu Ying

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the Purple Dawn Lord of the August Sovereign, visualize the vital energy of Lord Wu Ying on the left, a divine being, together with Xuanyuanshu: its bright jade radiance enters from your own Mudball Palace and spreads downward to the portal beneath the left armpit, behind the liver. When the rite is complete, offer this prayer in a low voice:

Wu Ying, the divine Perfected, was born of the Purple Sovereign. The three energies blend and transform into the tones of the palace and the shang. Draw in the vital energy and guard the bladder; set the energy flowing through the Three Dantians, upper, middle, and lower, and gather it in the Grotto Chamber, the chamber of spirits within the body. Please bring me the transformation that makes one immortal, renew my appearance, let me soar to the cloud palaces, and enter the Golden Gate.

When the prayer is finished, draw in and swallow the jade radiance three times, then recite the Jade Scripture. After reciting it, offer this prayer:

The spirit is settled and the Qi flows freely, reaching upward to communicate with Heaven. It passes beyond the Earth Gate and through the Heaven Gate. The breath lies hidden in the four directions; the Seven Stars are dispersed in their places, each moving through a chamber of Yin. The sun and moon take root and guard the Golden Storehouse; by the jade method, they command the myriad spirits. Immortal King, who am I? I have cultivated myself into a Perfected One. I dwell in concealment and preserve the spirit, holding to the feminine…

The four quarters of the Mysterious Profound Grotto (a deep and wondrous abode) are suffused with blue-green Qi. This is called “Prolonged Prosperity,” and its word is “Harmonious Infant.”

As one’s years of life lengthen, the Mysterious Qi becomes firm. The heart fills with joy, and the Mysterious Qi grows solid and spreads outward. Each day I perfect the true Dao and ascend to the immortal realm of Cloud Capital.

White Origin Lord of the Grotto’s Yang

When reciting the Jing of the Dao of the Lord of the Great Subtlety, Heavenly Emperor, one should visualize the White Origin Lord of the Grotto’s Yang on the right. His true Qi is golden and brightly radiant. It enters through one’s Niwan Palace (a Daoist cultivation site inside the head), then spreads downward to beneath the right armpit, behind the lungs. After completing the visualization, softly recite this invocation:

“Grotto Yang, abundant with numinous power, illumines the hun and po souls. Golden light shines brilliantly, the essence within Qi. Summon the true Dao and strengthen the spirit, so that I may live long. Uproot the source of darkness, return me to the state of an infant, let me ride the Qi of dawn and ascend to the Heaven of Jade Clarity.”

After reciting, draw in the golden light and swallow it in three portions; then stop. Next, recite the Jade Scripture. When finished, softly recite this invocation:

“Grotto Yang, abundant with numinous power, illumines the body. Guard the body and open the gate of death; let the Three Corpse Worms (impure beings believed in Daoism to dwell in the human body and hinder cultivation) depart. Receive the source of the Nine Zhen, release the bonds of the afterbirth, and disperse stagnant blood and Qi. The hundred joints give birth to their proper spirits. May the seven generations of ancestors be freed from corpse calamity, and may the calamities borne by their descendants be uprooted. Let dark Qi cease to arise, sever the root of death in the womb, and let every generation receive Dao and De. In time, become an immortal lord and minister. Who are these immortal lords and ministers? They are the radiant and illustrious descendants of seven generations. Their ancestors, too, enter the Elixir Capital, where they sit together at the Gate of Essence.”

Elder in Charge of Destiny

When reciting the Jing of the Dao of the Lord of Purple Essence of the Three Origins, one should visualize the Elder in Charge of Destiny at the center, the deity who governs lifespan. His true Qi is the color of purple clouds, brilliantly radiant. It enters through one’s Niwan Palace, then spreads downward to the Crimson Palace (the cultivation site associated with the heart) and into the chambers of the heart. After completing the visualization, softly recite this invocation:

“May the Arbiter of Destiny determine my years, and the Elder protect and guide me to become immortal. Enter my name in the Southern Palace and present it to the Emperor Lord. May I become an immortal king in every generation, uproot the calamities of my seven generations of ancestors, and receive blessings without end. All this is recorded in the Jade Scripture.”

After reciting, draw in the Qi of purple clouds and swallow it in three portions; then stop. Next, recite the Jade Scripture. When finished, recite this invocation:

“The Three Origins unite; the three collars join. Lead me back to the state of an infant. Receive illumination, guard the lower gate, devote yourself to cultivating the Mysterious, and await the bright moon. Thus Yin and Yang blend, the gate is secured, and the luminous chariot receives its fulfillment. Blessings extend through seven generations; calamities vanish, and the Mysterious life is guarded. The vision reaches across the Six Directions, and the seven spirits are brought forth together. In an instant, ascend to the Jade Court. The infant form comes and goes, clad in feathered robes and receiving the immortal mandate. May all be auspicious and unhindered, with blessings spreading ten thousandfold and a thousandfold. Let the bones shine like jade and the blood vessels receive jade nectar. May life continue without end, joy be boundless, and life endure as long as Heaven, Earth, the sun, and the moon.”

This invocation is from the Hidden Writings of Jade Clarity. Then recite:

“May blessings extend to the ancestors of seven generations, and may the sins of former lives be erased in the Three Paths (three realms of suffering described in Daoism). May numinous Qi waft over the summits of the Nine Dawns; draw in the breath…”

In the palace of the Great Emperor, five immortals entered the deep, dark void alongside Taiyi (a revered Daoist deity), then withdrew into the Upper Clarity (a Daoist celestial realm).

The First Chamber of the Bright Emperor of Shiyu

Lord Peach Child

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the True Yang Primordial Elder, the Mysterious One Lord, visualize Lord Peach Child within the Gate of Life (a site of cultivation in the human body). The true Qi of the Dao of Wellbeing appears as yellow clouds, entering through your own Muddy Pellet (a site of cultivation above the head) and spreading downward to the area outside the Gate of Life at the navel. Once the visualization is complete, pray:

“True numinous and upright spirit, your name is Lord Peach. Harmonize the palace of life and guard the Gate of Life, so that people may attain the immortal Dao and cultivate their breath, becoming equal to the cloud of Jingbao. May the seven generations of ancestors be reborn together, receive blessings, and ascend to the Lofty Dawn.”

After the prayer, draw in the yellow clouds and swallow three times, then stop. Next, recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, pray softly:

“The Perfected Ones of the Five Peaks have fixed the registers of names. Guests from the four quarters and the gods who oversee the records, come swiftly to protect the registers and govern the people. Rise up, holding the tally in your hand; bind the clouds and mists, and take up the banners. Fragrant winds rise from all four directions; evil demons vanish without a trace. Let the smoke come together before the Emperor, and bow as subjects ten thousand times. Please revise my register of life, transfer me through the Jade Gate, and assist the Five Elders. Carefully protect this hidden text of Jade Clarity.”

Then pray:

“Tai Shang Shi Feizi, also called Hejingyan, is the king of the Gate of Life and can summon the myriad spirits. The spirits arrive at once and gather at the Gate of Jade Feathers, scattering misfortune, ending calamity, and joining blessings together. I shall dwell in the Jade Hall and bear an immortal’s name in every generation.”

The Upper One, Red Child

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the Three Primordial Lords of Great Simplicity in the Upper Origin, visualize the Celestial Emperor, the Upper One Red Child, within the Muddy Pellet. His true Qi is like precious light, entering through your own Muddy Pellet and spreading downward to the nine openings of the Muddy Pellet. Once the visualization is complete, pray softly:

“Red Child of the Upper Origin, titled the Highest Perfected One. Clad in a feathered robe of flying clouds, you shine with purple smoke. Above, summon the luminous radiance; face the guests before the Emperor. Precious light gleams and reflects upon my body, causing feathers to grow upon me so that I may fly up to the nine heavens.”

After the prayer, draw in the precious light and swallow three times, then stop. Next, recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, pray:

“Child Jingjing, possessed of spirit and might, you unite with the three forms, and the nine paths revolve in sequence. Clad in vermilion robes, you walk uprightly and with discipline. You enter and leave the inner steps of the Supreme Ultimate of the Upper Origin. Those who know me attain long life; those who keep me in mind do not decline. Let the people of the world not weep for me: I rely on this to escape misfortune. If you wish to know where I am, ask secretly of Taiwei. The Jade Emperor of Taiwei and the three sages travel back and forth, guarding my left and right as we ascend together. Within the six palaces of the Vast Cavern, the sun and moon shine with equal brilliance. This is the hidden text of Jade Clarity.”

Then pray:

“The nine paths revolve in opposition, and the Five Elders each rest in their appointed places. Dongyang holds the register of names; his title is Yuling…”

Parents in the world can be reborn, transformed from within and without, and granted new life. Accumulated karmic offenses are erased, and blessings arise. Practitioners ascend to the hall of the sovereign, receive the celestial books, and travel with Bo Shiyuan, a Daoist immortal, through the courts of the Three Realms.

Wearing golden pendants and feathered treasures, they radiate a circular glow, moving northward like a jade wheel and commanding the vermilion troops, the red divine soldiers.

The Central One, Lord of the Elixir

When reciting the Scripture of the Three Pure Lords of the Purple Essence of Shangqing, visualize the Central One, the Primordial Lord of the Elixir, in the Crimson Palace, the seat of the heart. The Lord’s true Qi shines with the color of sunlight. It enters through your own Niwan, the upper Dantian in the head, and spreads downward to the great vertebra at the center of the neck. After completing the visualization, softly recite this invocation:

“True Lord of the Central One, your name is Moving Pearl. Please draw sunlight down from above and infuse my body. May the Three True Ones’ precious radiance strengthen my life. May the jade talisman grant me millions of years of life, so that I never come to an end. May I don a feathered robe and soar along the heavenly path.”

After reciting the invocation, draw the sunlight into your body and swallow three times, then recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, recite this invocation:

“Heaven has nine souls, which must be distinguished; the Dao has three True Ones, who must not leave the body. The Emperor One transforms and appears, and from this all transformations arise. The Flowing Pearl stills its radiance; purple clouds rise as mist. Seven turns bring the Three Lights to illuminate the realm of truth. The Supreme One’s essence talisman draws near to me. The god Siming holds the moon’s Qi in his mouth and breathes it across my lips; the Five Old Ones hold the sun’s Qi in their mouths, and I draw it in three times. The Lord of the Way Most High joins and unites with me, leading me up the heavenly steps and taking me to the realm of Great Truth.”

The Yellow Court, Primordial King

When reciting the Scripture of the Primordial Lord of Green Numen and Yang Peace, visualize the Yellow Court, Primordial King, below the Gate of Life, the region between the two kidneys in the lower back. The King’s true Qi shines with the color of moonlight. It enters through your own Fanfan, a bodily location named in the scripture, and spreads downward to the place between the two channels, beneath the axle. After completing the visualization, softly recite this invocation:

“Primordial King of the Lower One, your name is Beginning Bright Essence. The Three Sovereigns hold the talisman and, by means of the golden contract, reach the immortal court. Please draw down the Qi of the inner radiance from above, so that it fills and protects my body. May the feathered carriage shine amid the cloudy nets, carrying me upward to the realm of Shangqing.”

After reciting the invocation, draw the moonlight into your body and swallow three times, then recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, recite this invocation:

“The hundred knots in the Five Viscera give rise to all manner of illness. Mysterious One of the Forest of Emptiness, please open the gates and loosen the blockages, so that the knots disperse and illness fades, the spirit grows full, blessings become manifest, and disasters are dispelled. The immortal heart grows day by day, while the path of death is severed month by month. May I blend and become one with the nine Lords and their spirits, and be united with their talismanic decrees. The Emperor One and the Seven Spirits uphold the decrees, and the Lord enters the chamber.”

The Ninefold True One, Lord of Imperial Prosperity

When reciting the Scripture of the Lord of Imperial Clarity and Dongzhen, visualize the Ninefold True One, Lord of Imperial Prosperity, in the Niwan. The Lord’s supreme sovereign Qi shines with a boundless green radiance. It enters through your own Niwan and spreads downward… (The original text ends here.)

After completing the visualization around the mouth, recite the following prayer in a low voice:

The Nine Zhen (Nine True Spirits) first came into being from the Primordial Qi of the Upper Realm, and are called the “Primordial Spirits.” The Three Celestial Radiances, the three heavenly manifestations described in Daoism, are each arrayed above.

Summon wondrous radiance and let it spread through the four gates, guarding the spirit and protecting the immortals, and delivering seven generations of ancestors. Ride the radiance upward, pay homage to the Three Primordial Realms, then draw in azure Qi and swallow it in three gulps.

Pause, then recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, recite the following prayer:

The Seven Qi disperse and spread; the Qi of Great Chaos settles, yellow and serene. The Six Jia assist the hun and po souls; the Qi of the Six Ding flows inward. The Three Zhen enter the stomach, where fluids flow and light expands. The power of the Five Talismans and the Qi of the Supreme Sovereign keep the Palace of the Mud Ball, the upper Dantian in the head, ever vibrant. The Nine Stars shine up from below, like sunlight. Riding in the Mother’s carriage, roam the eight directions; turn back the canopy, and the twin infants ascend to the Purple Chamber, the abode of the heart spirit, clad in blue feather robes. The ancestors of seven generations and my parents are all restored to life.

The Eight Zhen Lord Who Holds the Radiance

When reciting the Scripture of the Lord of the Way, the High Supreme and Great Plain, visualize the Eight Zhen Lord Who Holds the Radiance within the gallbladder. His true Qi appears as yellow clouds, entering from the Palace of the Mud Ball in your head and spreading downward to the palaces of the joints in your back. When you have completed the visualization, recite the following prayer in a low voice:

The Eight Zhen coalesce as spirits, born from the Nine Heavens. They are called the Lord of the Northern Terrace and dwell eternally between the Three Unities. Summon the true, wondrous, all-illuminating Qi and let it flow downward through my whole body. My body gives rise to purple radiance, and I am joined in kinship with the Emperor. I unite and remain forever with the Five Elders, the Supreme Immortals.

Then draw in yellow Qi and swallow it in three gulps. Pause, then recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, recite the following prayer:

May life be prolonged through the Emperor’s favor; may the assembled spirits gather within the inner gates. In the Purple Chamber, the Five Spirits are harmonized, so that the hun and po souls are always cherished and protected. The Seven Passes receive immortal radiance; the Five Viscera are filled with jade Qi. Together we cross the heaven of Water and Fire, clothed in the Qi of the Four Harmonies, shining in splendid colors as we ascend to the August One’s Son, a Daoist divine being. May he stand face to face with my hun and po souls.

The Seven Zhen Lord of Mysterious Yang

When reciting the Scripture of the Lord in the Way of the Four Elders of the August Sovereign, visualize the Seven Zhen Lord of Mysterious Yang in the left kidney and the Seven Zhen Lord of Mysterious Yin in the right kidney. Their true Qi appears as black clouds, entering from the Palace of the Mud Ball in your head and spreading downward to the tailbone at the base of the back, the Earth Gate, an aperture in the lower body. When you have completed the visualization, recite the following prayer in a low voice:

The Seven Zhen give rise to the Imperial Radiance; the Eight Qi circulate and remain ever at peace. Summon from above the youth in the sun, that his round pearl may illuminate my form. Whirling winds mingle with the hidden depths of the sacred domain, drawing me into the mysterious Great Cavern’s scriptures and methods. May I be freed from the distress of the Earth Gate and ascend to the Nine Heavens.

Then draw in black Qi and swallow it in three gulps. Pause, then recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, recite the following prayer:

The numinous writings of Taiyi ascend to the Cavern Chamber. Within the Six Directions are three guest spirits and the Lord of Destiny. The Lord holds the register of names and rides a dragon through the radiance. On the left, wondrous light circles; on the right, divine wind fans …

The Hidden Pearl, a secret treasure, shines with radiant fragrance, bringing the realm of obscurity into view. Through vast contemplation, cleanse and cultivate the five spiritual powers, making the hun and po souls clear and limpid, light as feathers.

In stillness, refine the po soul and let the mind and spirit return to emptiness; summon the hundred gods to descend. The Moon Emperor’s merit enables the seven ancestors to be reborn without hindrance and brings prosperity and good fortune to the family. May I regain my youth in old age and return to the wondrous realm of childlike innocence. May I attend court in the Divine Empyrean, with golden light shining in all ten directions; ride the flying winds and jade wheel, play notes of gold, and ring the bells.

The Six True Elemental Lords

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao Lord, the Most High of Jade Dawn, visualize six true gods in your lungs, called the “Six True Elemental Lords.” Their true Qi is the color of white clouds. It enters from your own Niwan (the seat of spiritual awareness above the head), then spreads downward through the twelve gates and vital passages outside the neck. When you have finished, pray softly:

“The radiance of the Six True Gods shines bright, its white light vast and far-reaching. Turn back the splendor of the Celestial Emperor; rise into the Cinnabar Realm (the Dantian area within the body), summon the true gods to descend, and pour in spirit Qi like sweet dew. Let my feathered robe flutter and clothe me in an immortal’s garment; let me cross water and fire and ascend to the divine capital.”

After the prayer, inhale white Qi three times and swallow it, then recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, pray again:

“Nine unite and three separate; the Purple Chamber is arranged. The Five Elders stand upright and solemn. The Emperor One protects the spirits and governs the registers of life, carrying out the commands entrusted to him. The Three Primordial womb-trees are severed, and the blood corpses lose their roots. Return to fetal breathing; let the red fire turn back, and let the Niwan unite with me. The Qi of the Nine Heavens is gentle and warm. May the hundred gods ascend together to the Jade Chamber, ride with the Golden Immortal, and roam freely amid the Great Simplicity. Wander through the Three Heavens, take an honored place in the resplendent registers of immortals, and pass down the Mysteries of the Dao through the generations, becoming a Dao Earl. May great blessings endure for a long time. Reside above in Jade Clarity and rest below at the Gate of Life. May the Five Organs shine with splendid beauty, and may the solar soul rest upon my crown. Preserve my long life forever, and keep me whole through the cycles of calamity.”

The Five True Lords Who Nourish the Light

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao Lord, the Most High of Great Clarity, visualize five true gods in your spleen, called the “Five True Lords Who Nourish the Light.” Their true Qi is like jade radiance and golden light. It enters from your own Niwan and spreads downward into the deep roots and gateways within the throat. When you have finished, pray softly:

“The Five True Ones send forth spirit Qi, spreading it through the Nine Mysteries. Golden light shines; jade Qi releases sweet dew. May the myriad gods all feel at ease, and may my body and mind be peaceful. Perfect radiance reports to the register of life; the Great One records me among the Nine Heavens. Grant me a carriage of the Eight Radiances, and let me drive a dragon through purple clouds. Unite me with the halls of the Three Emperors and protect my life through millions upon millions of kalpas.”

After the prayer, inhale jade-like, golden true Qi three times and swallow it, then recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, pray again:

“At dawn I ascend the Terrace of the Nine Radiances; at dusk I enter the Gate of the Divine Empyrean. The Great One, the divine lord and master—some also say ‘Three Arrivals’—holds my register of talismans in his left hand and carries the Lord of the Cavern Sun in his right. He establishes the years of my life, enabling me to meet the Purple…”

(The opening passage appears to contain textual errors or omissions, so the following interpretation follows the general meaning of the surviving wording.) The five spirits within the chamber unite, and spirit and Qi stream into the Hall of the Emperor. May the seven generations of ancestors sever the roots of death, the Qi of the five poisons disperse, and the body’s fluids cease to scatter. May my corpse and blood and Qi transform within the Imperial Chamber, leaving behind Gold, Origin, and the Three Paths of Suffering, the realms of hardship described in Daoism. May I attain the rank of a Celestial Immortal in every life, remain forever in the company of the King of the Central Realm, and preserve my original nature through the ages of tribulation.

The Four True Lords of Clear Radiance

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the Great Way of Taiji and the Primordial Landscape Lord, visualize the Four True Lords of Clear Radiance within the liver. Their true Qi is the color of blue clouds. It enters through the crown of your head, the Mudball Palace, a place of cultivation above the head, and spreads downward into the stomach, beneath the fatty membrane. After completing the visualization, recite softly:

“The Four True Ones are ever-born; blue radiance and flowering essence wander and linger, bright and lovely in the depths of the wall. In the precious jade court of the landscape, they lead and raise me to the Upper Origin. In their rising and descending, they command the Five Spirits; they pull up and release the roots of seven generations, and preserve my flowering infant.”

After reciting this, inhale blue Qi three times, swallowing each breath. Then recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, recite:

“The Imperial Chamber warms the body; one Dao divides into ten thousand parts—this is called the One of the Emperor. The White Emperor, radiant and pure, turns the sun in golden clouds. Deep darkness lies in the distant void, concealing spirit and transforming in secret. Hold the five talismans of the divine mandate and be joined with Heaven. Jade radiance covers all; there is neither death nor illness. The fathers and mothers of seven generations ascend beyond to the Cinnabar Chamber; the roots of the womb are released in eight ways, and death warrants are extinguished. The Emperor attains the Five Origins; I return to the Three Sevens. The six viscera shine clear, with golden books and feathered documents. For generations, be a true immortal; the precious register marks you apart in mystery. Flowering abundance, Lu and Xuan; through the generations, no twists or turns.”

The Three True Lords of Primordial Life

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the August Beginning, the Purple Void Primordial Lord, visualize the Three True Lords of Primordial Life within the essence and blood. Their true Qi is the color of red clouds. It enters through the crown of your head, the Mudball Palace, and spreads downward into the source beneath the nostrils. After completing the visualization, recite softly:

“The Three True Ones shine with radiance; flowing cinnabar wanders and lingers. They join mysteriously with the Nine Landscapes; the golden gates of the Three Caverns open. Above, they summon the Vermilion Youth; the corridors of the Five Sufferings open. The roots of death are severed and fall away; the sun soul flies with them. Transcending the ten realms, ascend the jade steps.”

After reciting this, inhale red Qi three times, swallowing each breath. Then recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, recite:

“The seven Qi unite; the One of the Emperor returns to the Origin. Stagnation disperses day by day, and your allotted life is prolonged. The path of death is closed and extinguished; the roots of the womb are severed. The five organs bring forth radiance, and the six viscera gleam with gold. The One of the Emperor preserves the body; the Controller of Destinies preserves the spirit. The five talismans open the gates; the five registers grant ascension to immortality. For generations, be a king of the Dao and a teacher to emperors. Fragrant vapor coils and disperses; through the dragon window, radiance returns and smoke rises. The seven bearers ascend to the highest heights…”

(The text seems to be missing material after the final phrase, “the seven bearers ascend to the highest heights,” so the passage cannot be fully interpreted.)

When visualizing the Two Perfected Ones, you should imagine them steadfastly holding their stations as Jade Lords. While reading the Dao Scripture of the Supreme Lord, the Central Perfected One Without Yin, imagine the breath of the Two Perfected Ones as blue-green clouds. It enters your body through the Mudball Palace, the center of the head, then spreads downward to the Great Granary, where the spleen and stomach are located, and to the openings of the five viscera and six bowels. Then softly recite the invocation:

“The Two Perfected Ones settle the spirit and command great power. They turn the Three Passes, joining and strengthening gold and jade. They stand guard over the Mudball Palace, linking it above to the Emperor’s Qi. They let golden breath flow, open the Golden Gate, and unite with the breath of light, transforming my immortal soul. My ancestors of seven generations ascend together, severing the roots of rebirth through the womb. Generation after generation, may they uphold the Dao and De and enjoy lasting joy.”

When you have finished reciting, draw in the breath of blue-green clouds and swallow it in three portions, then read the Jade Scripture. After reading it, recite another invocation:

“The soul is born from formlessness and spreads through the nine heavens. The Dao is revealed in the three realms, and the soul constantly wanders in the Crimson Palace, the dwelling of the heart spirit. The three palaces unite and transform, forming the Purple Chamber. The Purple Chamber is first made manifest in the Luminous Hall, the palace within the head. Within the Luminous Hall, keep guard over Shen Taokang. The breath of wind and clouds swells in fullness, clear and cool, fresh and moist. Close the openings of desire and cut off the roots of craving. The sages call it ‘𠾳’; the Perfected call it the ‘Cavern.’ If you can understand this principle, the Golden Gate will open. Suddenly, two worthy sages appear to its left and right: the one on the left is called Funing, the one on the right, Jingyan. They are elders among the beings of the visions, and will ascend with you to Jade Dawn. Father Ning and Mother Jing will become immortals in every generation; the myriad layers of splendor all receive the grace of the Heavenly Emperor.”

The One Perfected, Lord of Heavenly Essence

While reading the Dao Scripture of the Central Yellow Old Lord, imagine that a One Perfected, Lord of Heavenly Essence, dwells in your heart. His vital breath is the color of crimson clouds. It enters your body through the Mudball Palace and spreads downward to the four directional passes in the chest. Then softly recite the invocation:

“The One Perfected guards the heart spirit and commands all the spirits. The spirits are ever renewed, enabling me to meet the Crimson Pavilion, the dwelling of the heart spirit. Above, I welcome Jade Qi, so that the Six Fluids, the body’s vital secretions, may descend and become precious. Red radiance opens spiritual clarity and removes my Seven Roots, the fundamental afflictions that bind people, freeing me from the Three Paths of suffering and raising me to the immortal realm in the south.”

When you have finished reciting, draw in the crimson breath and swallow it in three portions, then read the Jade Scripture. After reading it, recite another invocation:

“The Emperor One turns the breath of wind and unites with Shen Taokang. From this, life begins to grow; good fortune rises and fills the Jade Hall, the palace within the body. Let the various breaths blend and unite, entering and leaving the Imperial Chamber. When the Three and Five unite as one, you will surely become an immortal lord. The fathers and mothers of the Seven Generations of Ancestors cast off corpse pollution and dissolve their knots of resentment. Through thousands of kalpas and years, they will all ascend to the immortal realm. Bow low in reverence, and spread abundant, flourishing breath throughout. The ones who guard my body are the Elder of Fate and the Lord’s young prince.”

Settle the Mud Pill (the cultivation center in the head) deeply, so that the Great Subtle Jade Radiance (a sacred spiritual realm in Daoist teachings) and the image of a feathered robe appear. Raise the banners, so that the hun and po souls remain joined for a long time and do not scatter apart.

All the bones and limbs fill with vitality, the various deities each take their proper place, and fluids arise naturally. In this way, one passes beyond the gate of death and ultimately becomes a child of the High Immortals, taking a guest’s place in the Jade Clarity (the pure realm where Daoist high deities dwell).

The True Ones of the Nine Origins

When reciting the Scripture of the Lord of the Inner Landscape of the Supreme True Ones of Green Essence, visualize the “True Ones of the Nine Origins” (the true deities within the Nine Origins). Restrain and regulate the true Qi, causing five-colored clouds to enter through your Mud Pill and then spread downward to the Gate of Hidden Dawn beneath the left ear (a place in internal cultivation through which breath enters and leaves). Then offer a quiet prayer:

“Essence and Qi of the Nine Heavens, open the gates of Heaven. Let the luminous Qi of the eight directions join and flow together, reaching the Golden Chamber. Within the imperial chambers of the Three Origins, restore me to youth. Let the water of Jade Radiance pour down and nourish me, refining and renewing my appearance. Let the purple carriage of Flying Mist carry me upward into the sky.”

When the prayer is complete, draw in the five-colored clouds and swallow them in three installments, then recite the Jade Scripture. After finishing, pray again:

“The Little Child of Great Subtlety is always before the Celestial Emperor. His name is Jingsheng and his surname is Gan. He joins his form with the Great One, wears robes of cinnabar red, and holds the registers of the Five Talismans and a jade writing table. Where the Lord Emperor descends, he can communicate with the gods and unite with the Great One. The Elder of Destiny protects the numinous gate; the Five Viscera meet and harmonize, and the imperial immortals guard the dwelling. Destroy the roots of calamity and evil; let the Three Qi flourish and the five-colored mists revolve. May I ascend into the clouds and ride a bright dragon chariot through the sky.”

The Soul of the August One

When reciting the Scripture of the Jade Worthy Primordial Lord of the Nine Qi of the Sun, visualize the “Soul of the August One” (the spirit soul corresponding to the August One). Guide it upward to return to the true Qi. Dark clouds enter through your Mud Pill and then spread downward to the Gate of Hidden Dawn beneath the right ear. Then offer a quiet prayer:

“Supreme True One of the August One, shine through the Cinnabar Chamber. Red light illuminates it; the orchid radiance appears, and bright light fills it. The sound of the Primordial Beginning resounds through the Nine Heavens. Dark gold falls alone, ringing with a clear, resonant sound. Summon Jade Radiance from above and unite it with my spirit hall. Guide me as I rise through the void and feast in the Jade Capital.”

When the prayer is complete, draw in the dark clouds and swallow them in three installments, then recite the Jade Scripture. After finishing, pray again:

“Let the Nine Palaces unite and transform my form. Let the Emperor of Dawn ascend into the Purple Chamber, confer on me the mandate of a Perfected One, and summon the immortals. Unite and rescue the souls, command the hundred spirits, and bring peace and joy to my ancestors of seven generations. Remove suffering, sever it at its roots, destroy the Qi of death, and let blessings and prosperity abound. May I ascend to the Great Empyrean, ride the clouds with the sun and moon, meet the Five Emperors in the moon, and be protected by the wheel of solar essence as we ascend together to the realm of immortals.”

The Left Primordial Lord of Purple Essence

When reciting the Scripture of the Primordial Beginning, the Nine Essences, and the Golden Flower Radiance of the Primal Lord, visualize the Left Primordial Lord of Purple Essence (a goddess venerated in Daoism).

The Primordial Lady’s true Qi appears as the color of dense clouds and rosy vapors. It enters through the Mud Pill Palace (the Daoist inner alchemy palace within the head), then spreads downward to fill the head and face. Then pray softly:

“Within the dense clouds, true Qi arises, and from true Qi an ethereal scene appears. The numinous light shines; purple Qi glows warmly. Once it reaches above, the fluids flow downward and fill my inner palace. Water and fire are harmonized within my body, and my form becomes a radiance of jade. Riding beneath a feathered canopy, I ascend and enter the ranks of the immortals. I receive the Jade Scripture and become a member of the immortal Dao lineage.”

When the prayer is finished, draw in the Qi of auspicious clouds and swallow three times, then recite the Jade Scripture. After reciting it, pray again:

“Celebrate the auspicious blessing of the Primordial Beginning; fluids flow into the Western Field (the place within the body where Qi gathers). The Great Thearch takes my hand and leads me, summoning the high immortals to remove and disperse defilement and sever the root of death. I ascend to the place where the Heavenly Thearch is called Dark Congealing, whose radiance illuminates the Six Directions. Thus the Mud Pill Palace is purified, untouched by any disturbance. May you enjoy peace for a long time, be entered in the registers of the Jade Emperor, and stand beside the Dawn Thearch. The Five Palaces give forth radiance; the Six Fluids are clear and deep like the source of a dragon; the Qi of Great Simplicity becomes lush rosy clouds, and golden fluids brim over. The myriad immortals come to pay court, while the spirits of the Five Peaks stand in rows to welcome you. Mysterious transgressions dissolve, and heavenly blessings are presented above like drifting clouds and mist. Carved beams guard nature and life, and the gates protect them for ages. Above the Gate of Death, a jade chamber arises, conferring the rank of Golden Immortal. May you dwell always in the jade halls of heaven, meet often with the worthy Thearch, feast joyfully among the Nine Heavens, and endure through kalpas.”

The Yellow Register’s Central Primordial Lady

When reciting the Dao Scripture of the Nine Sovereign Perfected Lords, Masters of Destiny, visualize the Yellow Register’s Central Primordial Lady. Her perfect radiance is like yellow rays of light, and her true Qi shines like the light of dawn. It enters through the Mud Pill Palace in your head, then spreads downward to fill your chest and abdomen. Then pray softly:

“Scenic light from the Nine Heavens transforms into splendor; its radiance illuminates the vast sky and reveals true Qi and the light of the Purple Tenuity. It reaches the Central Yellow (the Yellow Court in the middle of the body), where the hundred spirits descend and gather. It disperses the roots of illness and suffering, suddenly releases the Eight Calamities, and raises the Seven Ancestors together. May blessings and joy grow abundant, making me an immortal who flies alongside the immortals of the Eight Radiances.”

When the prayer is finished, draw in the Qi of scenic light and swallow three times, then recite the Jade Scripture. After reciting it, pray again:

“The essential souls of the Great Thearch and the Eight Spirits of the Yang Hall scatter the Qi of death and unite with the Qi of all beings. The Thearch One receives the mandate of the registers; the Three Primordial Ones converge and become manifest. The Nine Perfected Ones are at peace, and the Seven Spirits are settled. Transcend obstruction, pass beyond the ghostly armies, ascend to the Dawn Thearch, and wander joyfully through the Jade Court. The Mysterious Mother fixes my name in the register, and the Five Palaces open into clarity. The source of the womb no longer produces seeds; blood defilement is utterly cleansed. May the Seven Ancestors and parents thereby receive blessings and ascend to the Three Pure Ones. May the Bright Husband of the Nameless One protect my immortal scripture; may spirit and Qi be vast and settled, green Qi turn back, the netherworld be shut out, and the Gate of Death sealed. May life grow within the Qi of the Great Beginning, may I sleep for ages upon the Feathered Terrace, and may I be firmly protected.”

The White Plain Lady of the Right

When reciting the Scripture of the Way of the Three Primordial Ladies, the Supreme True Ones of the Celestial Sovereign and Jade Radiance, visualize the White Plain Lady of the Right, a revered Daoist deity, awakening a bright, blade-sharp current of vital energy. Like the essence of the moon, this energy enters through the Niwan Palace, the inner-cultivation site above the head, then flows downward throughout the body, passing through the lower gate and the lower abdomen until it reaches the feet. Then pray softly:

White Plain awakens the light; she is born together with the Nine Heavens. Her plain reins rise high in the void; her floating radiance reaches Jade Clarity. The true scriptures and the immortal lineage spread everywhere, reaching the hidden and subtle, illuminating the refined essence. May they open and clarify what is within me, making my five openings clear. When the Spirit Lord comes to roam, may I attain the Dao.

After the prayer, draw in the moon’s radiance and swallow it in three portions. Then finish reciting the Jade Scripture and pray again:

The soul is born from the nine Qi; Qi transforms into spirit. The Five Elders gather and entwine; the Great One transforms into an immortal. The Twenty-Four True Ones turn and reshape the body, and the First Emperor descends. The nine winding lower gates guard life; the six palaces of the White Cloud Yellow Court nourish the root of life. The embryo forms and the womb gives birth; it is planted and nurtured. Once the Dao is attained, one can bind the mountain of death and forever sever the source of extinction. The registers of talismans are pure and clear; golden light shines upon the Jade Terrace. May I remain a Worthy Elder, receiving the grace of the Dao in every life, ascending alongside the sun and moon, and keeping company with the imperial immortals.

The Commander of Life at the Sun’s Center

When reciting the Scripture of the Way of the Prohibiting Lord of the Supreme One’s Upper Origin, visualize the Commander of Life at the Sun’s Center, the deity who governs life, drawing in vital energy and the energy of the Three Blossoms. Let these enter through your Niwan Palace and flow downward throughout the body, as far as the gateway of the left hand. Then pray softly:

The Four Great Ones ride the heavens; the celestial origin returns. The Three Blossoms release their radiance; the Commander of Life flies in splendor. Please summon the immortals and perfected ones for me, and dissolve the impediments of my seven ancestors. May I ascend to the Great Void and shine together with the sun and moon.

After the prayer, draw in the energy of the Three Blossoms and swallow it in three portions. Then finish reciting the Jade Scripture and pray again:

Taiyi Wuyou receives and transmits, serving as commander of the Northern Emperor. The Old Lord of Mysterious Unity carries his tally of authority as he comes and goes. The Primordial Element holds the talismanic decree; White Primordial preserves the way of stillness and receptivity. Divine light shines forth; clad in rosy clouds, I ascend to the imperial city and take my seat among the honored ranks of Zhenling. The Five-Day Chamber is brought into union; white Qi nourishes the Higher-Born Azure Lord.

The Azure Lord of the Case of Extended Prosperity carries essence in his left hand. At the upper gate, his right hand embraces and unites with the Harmonious Infant. My body is bathed in the radiance of the sun and moon, and I become a companion of the Red Qi King. The light of the Eight Radiances shines into the Niwan, making the Cavern Chamber bright and clear. The infant in the Central Palace transforms into a red child; the Qi of mixed Li and Li gives rise to a jade-like countenance. The Five Paths reveal golden blossoms, and I take my place among the Lords of Highest Clarity. The seven ancestors are freed from the hidden, mysterious impediments. I myself ride the divine wind, roaming above the Three Pure Ones, and joyfully return to the realm of infancy.

The Peach Lord in the Moon

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the True Morning Lord of the Yellow Chamber in Primordial Emptiness, visualize the Peach Lord in the moon, a deity associated with the moon’s immortal beings. Visualize the true Qi of Fangying and the moonlight entering through your Niwan, the central area of the head in Daoist internal cultivation, then spreading downward to the gateway of your right hand, an opening associated with the right hand’s Qi. When finished, offer a quiet prayer:

“Within the Yellow Chamber of Primordial Emptiness, the moon is called Fangying. On the left, you sit in repose at the Terrace of Vermilion Countenance; on the right, you clasp hands in the Court of the Immortal Sovereign. You feast in the Chamber of the Three Blossoms of Radiance, causing my spirit to be born anew. Fly with me into the hidden and profound realm. May my seven ancestors return as radiant infants.”

After the prayer, draw in the Qi of moonlight and swallow it in three portions, then stop. Next, recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, pray again:

“The Nine Origins guard the true realm, and the Five Emperors are intertwined. Within the sun and moon, you and I draw near. The Great Mystery of the Three and Five reunites my scattered souls. Golden light shines through all my joints; jade liquid circulates in the palace of the spirits. Radiance arises in the five organs; white Qi moves like smoke, filling the purple chambers of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing). Precious fluids, the body’s own saliva and secretions, well up from the upper Gate of the Immortals and seal the lower Gate of Death. Grant me a feathered writ, so that I may appear before the Jade Emperor. Let my ancestors of seven generations, along with my parents, be reborn in the Southern Hall. The tiger tally subdues demons; the dragon banner summons spirits. With the Golden Book of Great Unity, summon the Eastern Three Officials, remove me from the registers of the dead, and erase my name. May the Perfected King protect me and grant me long life, so that I may share the longevity of the Most High and endure as the sun and moon.”

The Child of the Left Eye

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the Primordial Lords, the Four Perfected Ones Who Govern the Four Directions of the Supreme Ultimate, visualize the Child of the Left Eye. Let the true Qi of Flying Clouds and the radiance of the sun enter through the Niwan, then spread downward into the left eye. When finished, offer a quiet prayer:

“The essence of the Four Directions’ Great Numinous Primordial Lord shines with the sun’s radiance, filling the Child’s bright eyes. The two splendors of sun and moon reflect one another and pass through my Hall of Light, an important area of the head in Daoist practice. Open the Three Cinnabar Fields and reveal the true Dao; through this, my gate of the Dao closes and opens. Feathered robes and gauze skirts spread out, and I ascend by flight to the Jade Capital.”

After the prayer, draw in the sun’s radiance and swallow it in three portions, then stop. Next, recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, pray again:

“I ride the blended Qi, firmly bound upon the Mound of the Nine Perfected, nourishing a luminous and flourishing Dao-body. The immortals stand in rows, and feathered pearls gather; the Nine Venerables and the many Emperors appear amid the grotto’s radiance. In an instant, the entanglements of my ancestors of seven generations are undone, and accumulated impurities are swept away. Good fortune flourishes through every generation; my dark ancestors receive immortal scriptures. My body ascends to the Palace of Great Rosy Clouds, riding a dragon to feast and roam in Jade Emptiness. I attend the Emperor of Highest Clarity, receiving his audience and favor, and am upheld and set aright…”

The sentence in the source appears unfinished here; the translation above follows the text as it survives.

The Child of the Right Eye

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the True Person of the Four Dipper Stars and the Lord of the Seven Mornings, Scattering Blossoms, visualize the Child of the Right Eye. Let the true Qi of the Morning Infant and the moonlight enter through the Niwan, then spread downward into the right eye. When finished, offer a quiet prayer:

The seven dawn blossoms spread open; the Three Origins—the source energies of Heaven, Earth, and Water—blend together and coalesce into true Qi. Raise your summons to the moon’s soul. Invite it to descend and send down its numinous Qi, opening the gates of immortality for me, so that my seven generations of ancestors may ascend together and pay court to the Emperor Lords. Then draw in the radiance of the moon, swallow three times, pause, and recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished reciting, offer this prayer:

The Three Pure Essences are firmly spread out; the divine spirit of the Most High Lord Lao makes life and the Dao secure. My soul and spirit roam freely. Protect me, so that wherever I dwell within the Six Directions—Heaven and Earth, and the four quarters—I suffer no sorrow or hardship. Close the winding gate through which deathly Qi passes underground, and make me the Lord of the One Emperor, open-hearted and joyful. Let my Five Organs be clear and bright, and let the mysterious chamber of my Dantian, the place within the body where spirits are cultivated and housed, be filled with harmonious Qi. Let the Numinous Mound, the site of cultivation within the head, and my body shine forth; let golden light illuminate them, and let the registers of the immortals summon the perfected ones. White Qi gathers thickly, and all the spirits shine with renewed brilliance. May I remain forever beside the sun and moon, my name closely joined to the registers of the immortals. In this life may I preserve Dao and De, and forever become a celestial immortal. My mind is still; Qi flows into me. Then I ascend to Imperial Dawn.

The Youth of the Lungs

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the Lord of the Primordial Yellow Radiance at the Center of the Stars, visualize the youth Suming within the lungs. True Qi shines forth from the Five Passes, enters through your Numinous Mound, and spreads downward to the Gate of the Lung Canopy, which refers to the lungs. It then reaches upward to the youth in each eye. When the visualization is complete, offer this prayer softly:

Youth Suming, yellow clouds wind around the nine layers. The wheel flies over the Azure Terrace; three divine beings assist in cultivating the perfected Dao. You are called Mysterious Radiance Above, and rank among the honored guests of the August Emperor. You command the destinies of all the spirits and lead me into purple mist. Then draw in radiant Qi, swallow three times, pause, and recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished reciting, offer this prayer:

The Two Elders are at my sides; the Imperial Soul cannot be parted from me. The Qi of the Three Nines transforms above and below. Great One stands at the center and becomes the root. The Five Spirits protect the register of my life, and the Spirit Who Commands Life blocks my gate of death. The Nine Palaces unite as one, and the Qi of the Six Directions is gathered within. In this life I receive the immortal scriptures, and blessings and good fortune endure without end. The Five Elders sit facing me; the sun and moon become my friends. Great One comes to welcome me and helps me ascend to Imperial Dawn. The stagnant blood and Qi of my seven generations of ancestors are all cleansed at their roots; they are reborn in the Southern Palace and receive new life. With the Emperor Xuan, I feast in the Jade Hall. My heart is one with the Emperor Lord; in every generation I am entered in the registers of the immortals, clad in feathered robes and raising the banners of the immortals. My descendants prosper for ages, and blessings extend to generations to come. May I remain forever an immortal lord, commanding the myriad spirits.

The Lord of White Qi Within the Womb

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the Lord of the Radiance Above, Li Zhen, Emperor of Great Peace, the Sage of the Golden Gate, visualize the Lord of the Primordial White Qi within the womb: Wuxuanzi, the Spirit Soul of Great One, and Xuanguizi. The true Qi of these two spirits, together with the colors of the Three Blossoms, enters through your Numinous Mound and spreads downward through the Five Organs to the base of the throat. When the visualization is complete, offer this prayer softly:

The Golden Gate shines with brilliance; the Qi of Jade Clarity appears. White Qi reflects the cinnabar glow; its bright radiance grows strong, and golden bells gleam. The five colors…

Exhale and draw in the refined Qi of the Three Blossoms (San Hua, the subtle Qi used in inner cultivation). Let the saliva flow into the inner chamber, where it condenses into the “tooth jade talisman” of my first birth, a jade talisman symbolizing protection. Hold the talisman and summon the hundred spirits, making their divine power manifest so that the myriad demons retreat. May they protect me through a billion kalpas and preserve my life forever. Thus the immortal way becomes clear, and all evil influences are driven away. Draw in the Qi of the Three Blossoms and swallow it in three portions. Then recite the entire Jade Scripture and pray:

“Heaven gives birth to the eight Qi, which return and converge in the imperial realm. The five spirits bear the talisman; the Director of Destiny supports and protects me. Remove me from the registers of the dead and cleanse the underworld, so that the entanglements of seven generations may be released and blessings may reach the Jade Court. The accumulated filth of blood disperses; the Qi of the Three Pure Essences shines forth, clear and bright. May my body ascend to heaven and unite its spirit with the emperor. In this life, may I form an affinity with the immortals, and may all I seek surely be fulfilled. Increase my years; by day, cultivate longevity. In the Moon Court, let me be reborn, recover the state of childhood, and return to infancy. May my life endure as long as heaven and continue alongside the sun.”

The Lord of Green Qi at the Knot

When reciting the Scripture of the Perfect Lord of the Primordial Scene in the Chamber of Peng, the Sage of the Latter Age in the Great Void, contemplate the “Lord of Green Qi at the Knot,” the divine lord of green Qi congealed within the chest. Following the ritual formula of the Origin Lord Yanchang, contemplate the spirits of Jing protecting the two deities, the Grain Child. Let true Qi, like jade radiance, enter through the Niwan Palace at the crown of the head, spread downward through the five viscera and the great stomach, and finally rise to the mouth. Then pray softly:

“The nine numinous powers separate and unite; the two Perfected are hidden and mysterious. Above the layered heavens of the Great Void, they take up the male and female Qi of the Great One, blend together, and enter the wondrous chamber of the immortals. Above, transform into the nine immortals; below, loosen the bonds of the womb. Let the seven ancestors rejoice and escape the five sufferings. Let me ascend and transform, changing my very substance.”

After the prayer, draw in the Qi of jade radiance and swallow it in three portions. Then recite the entire Jade Scripture and pray:

“Sow blessings beyond the nine heavens; below the Gate of Earth, remove the corpse’s impurities. Loosen the entanglements of the Seven Generations of Ancestors, cut off accumulated misfortune, and dispel sorrow and suffering. Let me be reborn in the Palace of Vermilion Fire and born anew at the Gate of the Nine Generations of Ancestors. May true Qi grow day by day and misfortune diminish day by day. Let me ascend to the chamber of the Three Pure Ones and ride the wind to the realm of the immortals. May my lifespan endure with the Mother of the Moon, and my years increase with the Emperor of the Sun. Accumulate mysterious merit, enter the registers of the immortals, and return from old age to childhood. May blessings extend throughout the six directions, may I receive Heaven’s gift, and may my life never end.”

The Lord of Black Qi at the Joint

When reciting the Scripture of the Perfect Lord of the Nine Qi, Master of Immortals of the Great Mystery Capital, contemplate the “Lord of Black Qi at the Joint,” the deity of black Qi gathered in the joints. Bin Lai Sheng Di’s true Jing and spirit, in the hidden Terrace, give birth to two deities. Their true Qi, the color of jade light, enters through the Niwan Palace at the crown of the head, then spreads downward to the openings of the nine intestines and below the Hidden Source. Then pray softly:

“How vast and remote is the Great Mystery! Black Qi gives birth to the higher numinous powers. The Imperial Perfected shines with penetrating clarity; the nine Qi converge in the spirit’s dwelling. Transforming, it commands the ten directions; in an instant it opens the dawn of light, making the myriad Perfected refine and transform me…” (The original text ends here unfinished.)

May the Immortals’ hundred gates be pure and still. May the Seven Generations of ancestors be severed from the root of rebirth through the womb, and the Nine Ancestors ascend to the Hall of Blessings. May Zhao Jing Zhongzi and I ascend together in the flying carriage. When the rite is complete, draw in jade radiance and swallow it three times; then stop. Next, recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished reciting, pray:

May the Emperor’s soul shine upon me and forever guard my Gate of Life. May the hidden corpse—the impure Qi within my body—be destroyed, and may my hun and po souls be kept at peace. May the Mysterious Mother turn back her radiance and receive the Emperor’s command. May Taiyi, the Supreme One, issue his decree and descend into my body. May I be feasted in the north of Shangqing, the Highest Clarity, and be numbered among its Jade Guests. May my face shine bright as the sun, and my years endure as long as the moon. May I ascend to the Golden Chamber and dwell beside the dawn light. May worries be dispelled and suffering uprooted; may I gather blessings in the Three Paths of Suffering, with joy filling my heart.

May the Qi of cinnabar and mystery fill the Muddy Pellet Palace, the cultivation center in the head. May the hundred spirits mingle with the Emperor’s Qi and undergo great transformation. May a whirlwind turn back the years, restoring my aged and decaying body to youth, so that in every life I enter the Immortal Hall. May I ascend to the wondrous Feathered Palace. Though I pass through many great kalpas, may my rank among the Immortals rise ever higher, like the sun.

The Lord of Yellow Qi Within the Womb

When reciting the Dao Scripture of the Lord Lao of the Eight Radiances of Shangqing, visualize the Lord of Yellow Qi Within the Womb, a deity encountered in visualization, and contemplate the spirit essence of the Celestial Emperor of Zuming Carriage. This deity’s spiritual function governs the two spirits within the zang-fu organs. Its true Qi appears as yellow clouds, entering from the Muddy Pellet Palace and spreading downward to the openings on either side of the small intestine. After completing the visualization, pray softly:

Shangqing shines upon the Mysterious Terrace, and the spirits of the Eight Radiances ride the course of Heaven. Yellow Qi joins with the divine and perfected ones, and the spirit essence meets the Emperor’s son. May Taiyi grant me a register of life, and the Five Talismans protect my longevity. May I travel with the Immortals and accompany the dawn light. May a whirlwind turn back the years, renewing my body and uprooting suffering, so that the Seven Ancestors rejoice together among the Nine Mysteries. When the prayer is complete, draw in the yellow clouds and swallow them three times; then stop. Next, recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished reciting, pray:

White clouds gather with divine light; riding on pure radiance, I meet in Taiwei, the celestial palace of stars. I attend the court of the Emperor One and enter his chamber. I loosen my sash and ascend the steps of the Sovereign One. In the bright Golden Gate, the Three Yang summon me to return upward, causing the spirits within my body to rise. Divine light covers and protects my body, revealing its great, radiant power; the precious light of the Nine Florescences illuminates my form. Summon the clouds, that I may mingle with true Qi; spread fragrance and call the numinous spirits; gather in the moonlight and return to receive life within the womb. May my years never diminish, my radiance endure, and my life never be imperiled. May I become an Immortal King and forever preserve this true realm of Shangqing, transmitting the true books from life to life and dwelling in the Jade Court of Dark Splendor.

The Lord of Red Qi Within the Blood

When reciting the Dao Scripture of the Jade-Protection King, the Green Lad of the Eastern Florescence, High Morning Master of the Fangzhu Palace, visualize the Lord of Red Qi Within the Blood, a deity encountered in visualization, along with Hunlizi, the spirit essence of the Director of Destinies, and Faniuzi. The true Qi of these two deities appears as red clouds, entering from the Muddy Pellet Palace and spreading downward through the hundred gates and to the ends of the joints. Then pray softly:

Morning light illuminates the rosy clouds in the east, their crimson radiance reflected across the lofty sky. The Two True Gods, revered deities of Daoism, jointly assist the Divine Ancestor and reveal a solemn, profound majesty. The Seven Blossoms, symbols of Daoist sacred radiance, give rise to the Five Elders, the deities of the five directions, as the Flying Emperor arranges their seats. Taiyi, a Daoist deity, protects infants. Brocade-like clouds shine into the shadowed places, brightening the long night; the layered gates of the netherworld open in turn. The Seven Ancestors, ancestral spirits, enter names into the registers of talismans, and the Venerable Deity of the Southern Pole bestows a numinous embryo.

At dawn, I behold a cloud chariot in motion, carrying me aloft. I mount the flying chariot, leave worldly burdens behind, and establish the foundation for joy across countless generations. The course of cultivation spanning ten thousand kalpas is now complete. Draw in the Qi of red clouds, swallow three times, and pause. Then recite the Jade Scripture to its end, and offer this prayer:

The Five Paths of reincarnation wind and cross one another; from them the Seven Gates to different realms divide. The Spirit of Southern Harmony establishes the ritual measure, and the White Emperor reveals his true form. The wondrous principles of the Law mark the spirit of the Po soul, bringing stability and flourishing to the soul. Uphold the talismanic command, ascend to heaven, and rest in the Jade Pavilion. My name is entered in the registers inscribed on jade tablets; in every generation I shall be a Celestial Immortal. The Three Paths of suffering—the realms of hell, hungry ghosts, and beasts—are forever sealed off. The roots of calamity are torn away, the deathly Qi disperses, and disasters no longer follow one another. Blessings descend and descendants flourish. Glory gathers, my wondrous immortal name is written in the Jade Hall, and generation after generation I am numbered among those who cultivate the Dao and accumulate De.

The Upper Mysterious Primordial Father and Mysterious Mother

When reciting the Dao Scripture of the Nine Elders and Immortal Emperors of the Great Emperor of Fusang, visualize the Upper Mysterious Primordial Father; the Lower Mysterious Mother; the Uncle, Fire King, and Imperial Sovereign; Taiyi; the Nine Venerable Emperors of the Dark, Empty, and Profound Realms; the spirit of the Sun’s Bright True Great Emperor; the Jade Emperor of the Yang Hall; the soul of the Heavenly Record Emperor who turns the way at the Nine Gates; and the Qi of the Seven Divine Beings who illuminate the Primordial Abode. See them join together in the form of a lotus, entering through the Niwan Palace, the divine dwelling within the head, then spreading downward to the root of one’s allotted life and the great knot of the womb. When the visualization is complete, pray softly:

Primordial Father, Mysterious Mother, and the Qi of the Seven Perfected Ones; Divine Lord, Great Emperor, and the Nine Elders, be present together. Please strengthen my life and carry me beyond the Ten Realms. May the sun and moon unite with me; may the Nine Emperors make a covenant with me and take their seats within my life. May the demons of heaven and the myriad spirits come to pay homage. May I ride the floating radiance and ascend three times; may I raise my ritual staff aloft and shake the heavens, protecting me for countless generations.

When the prayer is complete, draw in the Qi of the lotus, swallow three times, and pause. Then recite the Jade Scripture to its end, and offer this prayer:

The Great Mystery gathers its radiance and shines upon Fuchen. The Great Emperor transforms his splendor; in an instant, it combines and divides, entering my five viscera and six bowels and strengthening my Jade Root. The paired chariots unite with Taiyi; their wings lift the wheels and carry me upward, traveling to and from the Golden Gate. My life and De grow more flourishing by the day; my body becomes a treasure of the Golden Immortals, thriving in every generation. The True Talisman is handed down without end, and the mysterious lineage of the Dao continues from age to age. My name is written in the Numinous Pavilion, the Feathered Register, and the Purple Court; fragrant vapors rise in flight and are presented to Heaven. Blessings extend to my descendants, and celebrations fill the Imperial Gate.

The Three Su Elders

When reciting the Dao Scripture of the Jade Lord, Master of the Ten Thousand Blossoms of the Small-Abode Jade Perfected, one should visualize—

The Qi of the Three Su Lao Lords, Lao Zhang Shang, the Left Zhengyi Immortal Zhong Chengzi, and the Right Zhengyi Immortal Qu Wenzi gathers into clouds of yellow, white, and black. Visualize them entering through your Niwan Palace (the cultivation site within the head), then descending and spreading to the philtrum beneath your nose. At the same time, softly recite:

“Jade Perfected, source of the sovereign; radiant light in ten thousand forms, rising upon the clouds. The Three Elders assist the two Immortals, together guarding the gate of death, so that the spirits within the grotto may shine forth. Let decayed bones be reborn, transformed, and soar aloft; let them leave the court of the Three Realms, be freed from the Five Sufferings, and enter the heights above the Nine Heavens, shining like the red sun high in the sky.”

When you have finished reciting, draw in the three-colored Qi and swallow it in three portions. Then recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, recite:

“The Gate of Life harmonizes Jing and Qi; the Six Qi mingle, and seven parts return to one. Taiyi keeps the register of names, while Siming governs the affairs of the divine sovereigns, making the body firm. Wuying guards the souls; Taiyi returns to dwell in the Purple Chamber, upholding the sovereign’s talismanic command. The tree within the womb is cut down, severing the source of the bloodline; the Seven Ancestors are born anew, and the still, tranquil radiance turns to cloud and mist. You will ascend to Heaven and unite with the Qi of the Emperor of Dawn; your body will reflect the sun and moon, and your life span will be joined to Heaven. Layer upon layer of radiance gathers, and all come to pay homage to the Supreme Worthy. Within, you will proclaim the writings of the numinous-feathered book and the texts of the Purple Register. Riding the radiant scene, you will feast in the north with Gaoyuan and be titled Immortal King and Perfected of Highest Clarity.”

Laozi, the Central Mysterious One

When reciting the Scripture of the Way of the Twenty-Nine Perfected Lords of Xuanzhou, the Sovereign of Heaven, and the Lord Who Governs Prohibitions, visualize Laozi, the Central Mysterious One. The true Qi of Linling Tianzhen appears as yellow clouds and spreads through the lower part of the body. The true Qi of the Northern Black Emperor Baochenghe appears as black clouds and spreads through the bladder. The true Qi of the Western White Emperor Zhang Anxing appears as white clouds and spreads through the scrotum. The true Qi of the Southern Red Emperor Changlaijue appears as red clouds and spreads through the mouth and tongue. The true Qi of the Eastern Azure Emperor Diaoliangji appears as green-blue clouds and spreads within the Five Viscera. Then visualize the true Qi of the Five Emperors descending from the Niwan Palace and filling the whole body, while softly reciting:

“The Five Emperors are luminous Perfected Ones, assisting the Immortal and Mysterious Earl. The Sovereign’s radiance shines forth; he breathes in and out numinous Qi, and divine light passes back and forth through the depths. May the radiance of the plumes protect the register of names, and Taiyi oversee the register of life. May the Five Qi govern the souls, and the Three Essences strengthen the spirit-body. May the Golden Immortal refine and nourish the body, prolong life, restore the face to youthful fairness, uproot the source of the netherworld, and abide with the sun and moon.”

When you have finished reciting, draw in the five-colored Qi and swallow it in five portions. Then recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, recite:

“The Supreme Treasures, the Nine Perfected Ones of the Moon; the Sun’s Yi transforms within the Jade Chamber. Inhale and exhale the Qi of the Great Muddled Emperor of the Purple Tenuity…”

From the One Qi, all things take form. Vapors rise layer upon layer, the hundred gods reveal their might, the nine souls unite, and the three lights—the sun, moon, and stars—shine together.

The Celestial Emperor, a revered deity of the heavenly realm, dwells in the realm of the Origin, surrounded by purple vapors. The Five Spirits present diagrams and texts, establishing the primal decree, which remains undiminished from beginning to end. Entering the Nine Palaces, he wears vermilion robes, a tiger-shaped seal at his waist, and a cape embroidered with flowing-cloud patterns. Five-colored radiance moves between the curtains. The sun and moon survey the four directions, while the spirits stand in attendance to the east and west. Within the divine court is a sweet ritual brew that quenches thirst and hunger. The forces of three and five move back and forth, turning the functions of the organs and circulating through the Great One, the primordial Qi of the cosmos, so that the Two Forms of Yin and Yang may generate and transform. This is the teaching found in the Hidden Writings of Jade Clarity. The following prayer is then recited:

The Great One transforms, bringing forth the Six Directions. The Five Spirits nourish the Mudball Palace, the spirit abode in the head. Accumulated sins disperse; the Three Paths of evil and the Blood Corpse, a defiling force that harms practitioners, are all driven away. The lower gate is sealed shut, and the Three Collars, the bodily gateways associated with cultivation, join with the Five Perfected Ones. Uproot the root of the womb tree. The Elder, a revered deity, commands the lineage of spirits and is of one mind with the Lord of the Primordial Elements. The Celestial Emperor enters Great Clarity, the serene and lofty heavenly realm. The Five Elders uphold the talismanic text, enabling people in every generation to ascend to the immortal palace of feathered beings. Chonghua, the Sun-Centered Chariot, and the Primordial King shine forth. Let Jing and Qi secure my original destiny and guard my life gate and allotted fortune. Qi returns to the Upper Valley and flows down to the Dark Abyss. Its image illuminates my body and spirit, so that at dawn I may ascend to the realm of the Most High, where the sun and moon shine together. Jade bells accompany me; my years accord with the courses of the sun and moon. The cinnabar text is kept within the Jade Hall, and in Heaven I hold the rank of a ruler. In my left hand I carry the Son of the Feathered Terrace; in my right, the Immortal Minister of the Golden Countenance.

When reciting the Great Origin at dawn, one should visualize the Central Lord. This method comes from a Daoist scripture of the Lord of Great Simplicity, in the Jade Gate of the Central Cavern Palace on Mount Emei. Visualize the Imperial Minister, a celestial immortal official, as Jing and Qi begin to gather in the Crimson Palace. In the middle is the Assistant Minister, luminous and solid; beneath the Yellow Court is the Supporting Minister, returning to the Upper Brightness. The breaths of the Three Perfected Ones mingle gently. Blue, white, and yellow clouds enter the Mudball Palace in the head, then spread downward throughout the body. After completing the visualization of the Three Palaces—the body’s upper, middle, and lower Dantians, or energy centers—and the Imperial Chamber of one’s original destiny, recite quietly:

The Three Perfected Ones are born in the Great Void; the Jade Gate reflects the dawn clouds. Great Simplicity, the Cavern of the Origin, is empty and still; the Cinnabar Spirit stands in clear array within the Vermilion Court. The spirit and Qi circle through the ninefold palace. Chant inwardly, open the gate of Jade Brilliance, and draw in the fluids of the hundred vessels. Let them settle within me and nourish my body like the Three Sacred Plants. May my body rise to Jade Clarity, and may my seven generations of ancestors leave the Dark Capital. May I be preserved for long, spared calamity, and ultimately become worthy of the Way of the immortals.

When the prayer is complete, draw in the three-colored clouds and swallow them in three stages, then stop. Next, recite the Jade Scripture, and when finished, recite:

The Supreme One, the deity who governs all the spirits, joins with the Nine Mysteries, and the essence of the Five Blossoms of Great Simplicity gathers. The precious feathered beings feast peacefully in the Jade Hall; the Eight Winds blow upon Great Brightness. The High and Exalted Spirits ride the Primordial Radiance as they ascend, treading upon Changling. Seven transformations descend into the Purple Chamber; the warming Qi of the nine places joins with the pure Qi of the Five Emperors. Six colors of radiance arise from the body, gold light shines upon it, and both spirit and form are cleansed as primordial Qi enters within. The golden text is presented in the court of the Jade Emperor. The Hidden Writings of Jade Clarity also contain the following prayer:

At the first differentiation of the numinous clouds, dense and pure white cloud energy gathers at the realm of the Nine Mysteries. The energies of the Three and Five spread throughout, and the One Emperor appears in their wake.

One method is to transform the body and ascend the road that reaches Heaven. The Great One, a revered Daoist deity, breathes in the energy of the Five Blossoms, making the body firm. The Director of Destinies governs the day; Baiyuan, a Daoist deity, governs dusk. At midday, quiet the mind and contemplate the mystery within it. At nightfall, settle your mind and spirit in the Palace of the Muddy Pellet, the divine chamber in the head. The hundred spirits each return to their proper places, and the two palaces within the body are thereby brought to rest. In this way, both heart and brain can remain firm for a long time.

The True Lord Emperor One

When reciting the Scripture of the Dao of the Western Origin, Turtle Mountain, Nine Numinous True Immortal Mother, Azure Golden Elixir Emperor Lord, visualize the Great Cavern Emperor One, the Venerable Lord and Father Ning, a revered Daoist deity, amid true Qi and five-colored purple clouds. The energy of the purple clouds enters through your own Palace of the Muddy Pellet, flows downward to fill your whole body, then spreads into its nine apertures. When the visualization is complete, silently recite this invocation:

The Nine Numinous Ones open the way to wondrous transformation and become Golden Immortals. They blend with the energy of Fusang; Emperor One transforms, and the hundred spirits unite with numinous energy. The Emperor Above of the Western Elixir dwells in the place of the Mother of the Embryonic Immortal, and below is called the Divine Ancestor. The radiance of the heavens is cut off beyond the clouds; within the Purple Tenuity Palace, all is still and pure. Please take charge of my register of destiny and protect the true Qi in the Three Su Chambers. Wondrous radiance descends from the void and refines me, returning me to an infant’s purity. Let the Seven Roots, the foundations associated with the senses and desires of body and mind, sever affliction; let me rise in peace and enter the Hall of Nine Blessings.

When you have finished the invocation, draw in the energy of the purple clouds, swallow it three times, then stop. Next, recite the Jade Scripture. When you have finished, recite this invocation:

The Most High, clear and illuminating, ascends through the nine heavens. Jing, Qi, and Shen gather; the Director of Destinies joins them in harmony. The body disperses into countless forms, then gathers again into a thousand chariots. Ten thousand riders in fiery armor raise their banners and accompany the Great One as he ascends to the Emperor’s Court. The Immortal Earl Yuanqi circles about; Zhongcheng’s curved pattern joins with his.

In the first union, let my Qi unite with Emperor One; in the second, let my Shen unite; in the third, my Po; in the fourth, my Hun; in the fifth, my Jing; in the sixth, my bodily form. When my body unites with Emperor One, numinous clarity opens, and my true nature is revealed. The Eight Radiant Spirit Chariots and the Three Su Floating Wheels carry me with Emperor One to Jade Dawn. Layer upon layer, Chonghua merges into the body of a Celestial Immortal. My body is entered in the registers of the Dao, and my life has roots in the world. On golden tablets and feather tallies, my name is engraved on the Sun Chariot. May all I wish for be fulfilled according to the heavenly allotment. May the Immortals and Perfected Ones be many, may all I encounter be to my liking, and may blessings fill my gates.

Constantly visualize the Most High Emperor One dwelling in the Palace of the Muddy Pellet, where Yin and Yang, the feminine and masculine energies, blend and transform, and the hundred numinous beings intertwine. After reciting the scripture ten thousand times, a cloud chariot will come to welcome you and carry you to roam with the Five Emperors, the sun and moon, and the Nine Lords. Practitioners of this method are called Immortal Lords and Perfected Ones of Highest Clarity.

The Hidden Text on the Inner Invocation of the Great Cavern for Dispelling Demons and Numinous Wisdom, and on Visualizing the Perfected Ones

The higher text of the Nine Heavens comes from the Most High’s spoken instructions. It is used to untie doubts and stagnation and dispel obstacles at their source. The Scripture of the Great Cavern has thirty-nine chapters; here its teachings reach their culmination. Practicing according to the method above can draw down the clouds of the highest numinous beings…

By reciting this text, its sound descends into the dark depths and can calm the myriad demonic obstacles. Reciting it once opens the Hidden Gate, the entrance to the underworld.

The thirty-nine portals, where the spirits within the body dwell, receive the Jade Fluids—the pure liquid described in Daoist teachings. The deathly Qi then disperses, and the hundred spirits rejoice within the body. Once the hundred spirits are畅达, the sound of the recitation rises to the Nine Mysteries, the remote and profound heavens. Its breath grows clear and bright, echoing through the Purple Empyrean. The sound reaches the Jade Dawn, where the exalted deities of the Daoist heavens reside. The Five Emperors fasten their belts and arrange their robes; the myriad spirits come to pay homage. All living beings are enabled to return, and the Seven Ancestors ascend. The practitioner, too, may attain the state of feathered attendants riding the radiance and flying on clouds, take a place in Jade Clarity, and stand alongside the Purple Guests, the high-ranking immortals. This is a wondrous and profound Daoist method, a secret text of Jade Clarity, transmitted only to high immortals and perfected beings whose names are inscribed in the Golden Register and whose titles appear in the Jade Records. Over seven hundred years, only those destined to encounter this method may hear it and receive its transmission once.

The Later Sage said: After receiving the thirty-nine chapters of the Great Cavern Perfect Scripture, one should begin practice with the Great Cavern rite, the prescribed ceremony performed before recitation, and recite the Hidden Invocation of Jade Clarity, the secret invocation of the Jade Clarity tradition. In this way, one can ward off every kind of hardship outwardly and seal the passage to death inwardly. Completing the recitation once brings its efficacy for one day and one night. If one recites only the thirty-nine chapters on their own, there is no need to repeat these rites each time, but one should still follow the established liturgy. If one is also to hold a purification rite and recite the scripture that day, one should perform the full ceremony once again, as prescribed.

Yunji Qiqian, juan 42