《無上祕要》Vol. 14
About this page. The original text of 《無上祕要》 Vol. 14 (Taiping 太平部, 67 volumes) is shown in Classical Chinese as transmitted in the Kanripo (Kyoto University) edition. An English interpretation of the 12 passages on this page accompanies it: select a passage or press “Interpretation” to show it. All texts in English
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Source textInterpretation
Wushang Biyao, Scroll 22, Part Two
Palaces and Offices of the Three Realms
Shangqing Palace, Golden Hall, Radiant Brightness Terrace, and Cencuo Chamber
The Lord of Destiny and Long Life of the Southern Pole once ascended here, in this hall and chamber, to present the Shangqing scriptures at the Golden Pool and pay his respects in the Jade Court. There he met the Heavenly King Yuanshi, the High Jade Emperor, and the Jade Youths of the Three Heavens, who were gathered in the hall. He received the texts of seventy-four methods for registering immortals with the Two Primordial Jade Seals.
Jade Terrace of the Great Void, Purple Palace of Qian Forest, and Chamber of Yellow Blossoms
The Heavenly King Yuanshi commanded the Five Elders, the Supreme Perfected Ones, and the Left Lord of the Immortal Metropolis to reveal here the Way of Release from Form and the scriptures of the Three Origins, and to transmit them to the Lord of Destiny and Long Life of the Southern Pole.
Hall of the Sun Gate of the Jewel Pearl, and Purple Chamber of Seven Reflections
The dwelling of the High Sage of the Great One, the Lord of the Way Jade Dawn.
Jade Terrace, Golden Chamber, and Jade Room
The Heavenly King Yuanshi stored within them the nine talismans of the flying immortals of White Feather Central Forest.
Purple Cloud House, Golden Hall, and Phoenix Gate Tower
The dwelling of the Lord Emperor of Qingyao.
Metropolis of Jade Chimes and Moonrise Pavilion
Here the Heavenly King Yuanshi brought forth the registers of the imperial people.
Purple Chamber of the Six Directions
The Great One stored the secret orthodox rites of the Three Heavens within it.
Upper Qingwei Pavilion
The Heavenly King Yuanshi gathered the Qi of Flying Mystery to travel through and celebrate the realms of the Three Heavens.
Hall of the Dongzhen Cavern
Here the Heavenly King Yuanshi and the High Sage Lord of the Great One expounded the Great Admonition on Contemplating the Body.
Chamber of Seven Reflections
The Great One, Lord of the Great Dao, entrusted the Left Lord of the Immortal Metropolis with a book of yellow silk, which he stored within it.
Cold Spirit Elixir Hall
The Heavenly King Yuanshi issued a teaching, commanding the Five Elders of the Immortal Metropolis to bring forth the precious scripture of jade pendants and golden ornaments and transmit it to the High Sage, Lord of the Way Jade Dawn.
Purple Chamber of the Nine Hells
The Jade Emperor of the Great One stored within it the celestial book of jade characters and the twelve songs of mystery.
Hall of Vast Efficacy
The dwelling of the Three Primordial Lords of Great Simplicity.
Morning Lamp Terrace
The Heavenly King Yuanshi had the register text of the flying immortals of the Mysterious Palace of Ziwei inscribed upon it.
Golden Rampart Terrace
The Heavenly King Yuanshi had the register text of the flying immortals of the Three Origins, from the central scripture of the Primordial Mystery of the Great Void, inscribed upon it.
Phoenix Birth Terrace
On the right is the Hidden Writ of the Highest Heaven in the Book of Golden Script of Great Truth, written by the Parents of the Nine Heavens. Only after eight thousand kalpas—an immensely long span of time—will the hidden writings of the Three Heavens and Nine Spirits appear upon it.
Mingzhen Palace and Linghui Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord of Radiant Scenery, the Ninefold Essence of the Great Beginning.
Ziyao Palace and Qibao Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord of Fate, the Supreme True One of the Nine Sovereigns.
Tongmiao Palace and Dingwei Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord of the Three Origins, Jade Radiance, the Supreme True One of the Celestial Emperor.
Tianhuang Palace and Yuxu Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord of Prohibitions, the Supreme Origin of the Great One.
Jinhua Palace and Zisheng Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord of True Dawn, the Imperial Chamber of Primordial Emptiness.
Siming Palace and Balang Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Primordial Lords, the Four Perfected Ones of the Supreme Ultimate.
Huachen Palace and Kuiyuan Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord of Scattered Radiance, Jade Dawn, the True One at the Center of the Four Dippers.
Qiling Palace and Jixuan Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord of Radiant Yellow, the Primal Lord in the Constellations.
Jinque Palace and Yuzhen Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord of Supreme Scenery, the True Celestial Emperor Li, the Later Sage of Great Peace.
Wuliang Palace and Xuanque Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Perfected Lord Peng of the Shadowless Chamber, the Later Sage of the Great Void.
Taixuan Palace and Yutang Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord of the Immortals, the Elder of Ten Feet, Nine Qi, of the Great Taixuan Capital.
Qingxu Palace and Dongqing Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord Lao of the Eight Radiances of Highest Clarity.
Fangzhu Palace and Qingyuan Prefecture are the dwelling places of Lord Qingtong, the Master Wang of High Dawn.
Qingyuan Palace and Yanggu Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord of the Nine Elders, the Immortal Emperor of Fusang.
Jinling Palace and Tongqi Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Jade Lord, the Master of Charts, and the Myriad Radiances of the True Jade of Xiaoyou.
Sikong Palace and Xiandu Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord of Prohibitions, the Supreme Emperor and Earl of the Twenty-Seven Perfected Ones of Xuanzhou.
Xuandong Palace and Taisheng Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord of Dawn at the Center of the Great Origin.
Baosu Palace and Jiuxuan Prefecture are the dwelling places of the True Immortal Mother of the Nine Spirits of Guishan.
Changyang Palace and Jiusheng Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Lord of the Azure Emperor, the Lesser Yang of the Supreme Beginning.
Dongyang Palace and Zhuling Prefecture are the dwelling places of the Red Emperor, who connects Yang and receives Yin.
Jinmen Palace and Tongguang Prefecture are the names of a palace and prefecture.
A Plain-Language Interpretation of The Supreme Secret Essentials
The following is a general explanation of the celestial palaces and halls listed in the scripture, their presiding deities, the talismans and books kept there, and their significance for cultivation.
The White Emperor Lord of Shaoyin and the Metal phase of the West dwells in Guangling Palace and Northern Yellow Prefecture.
The Black Emperor Lord of Tongyang and the Great Yang dwells in Yellow Origin Palace and High Sovereign Prefecture.
The Yellow Emperor Lord of Total Numinosity and Great Yellow dwells in the Jade Palace and Jade Chamber of Taiwei Numinal Metropolis. These contain the Divine Tiger True Talisman, kept by the Supreme Lord of the Dao.
At Sevenfold Radiance Vermilion Chamber, the High Sage, Most True Jade Emperor keeps the Supreme True Treasure Talisman.
The Golden Flower Chamber is where the Supreme Lord of the Great Dao dwells.
The Vermilion Terrace, Jade Palace, and Jade Capital Gate Tower are where the Taiwei Heavenly Emperor Lord dwells.
The Ninefold Mystery Void-Born Terrace is where the Taiwei Heavenly Emperor Lord ascends.
The Phoenix Terrace, Jade Chamber, and Winding Hall contain the Talisman for Ascending the Chamber, Walking in Emptiness, and Preserving Immortality through the Five Numina.
The Cavern of Truth Hall, Jade Chamber, and Golden Flower Chamber are where the Taiwei Heavenly Emperor Lord observes pure fasting.
Anyone who studies the Dao and receives the Plain True Scripture has their name entered in the Western Florescence Palace before birth.
The names in jade of all those who receive the Jade Clarity Hidden Writ are listed on the Supreme Mysterious Terrace.
The Southern Yang Jade Palace is where the Supreme Primordial Lord of the Southern Pole dwells.
The Lofty Terrace and Ninefold Winding Chamber are where the Most True Elder and the Supreme Lord of the Great Dao dwell.
The Golden Cavern Hall of Plain Numinosity is where the Nine Numina Golden Mother, Lady of the Great Plain Three Primes dwells.
The Moon-Meeting Palace is where the Yellow Center Great One Supreme Emperor dwells.
The Great Plain Jade Terrace and Mysterious Cloud Feather Chamber are where the Central Yellow Old Lord and the Supreme Primordial Lord of the Southern Pole keep the High Sage Eight Luminaries Jade Register.
The Southern Pole Purple Chamber is where the High Minister, Azure Lad keeps the Scripture of the Seven Stars’ Shifting Courses.
The Mysterious Terrace is where the Song of Renouncing Sorrow and Joy, from the Winding Plain Formula, originated.
The Ninefold Mystery Terrace, Seven-Treasure Jade Chamber, and Bright Rosy Cloud Hall are where the Most True One observes pure fasting, amid swirling clouds and mist.
The Eastern Florescence Palace of Fangzhu has six gates, and its inner perimeter extends three thousand li.
The east gate, named the Azure Florescence Jade Gate, oversees the registers of those who study to become immortals and the routes by which they pass in and out.
The south gate, named the Divine Florescence Jade Gate, is a passage for the assembled Perfected Ones and flying immortals.
Note: The text as a whole is a catalogue of celestial palaces and halls in the Shangqing and Taiwei traditions of Daoism. These places correspond to stages of cultivation such as receiving scriptures, having one’s name entered in the registers, using talismans, observing pure fasting, and walking in emptiness. Most proper names have been retained in forms close to the original, so readers may compare them with other works in the Daoist Canon.
The West Gate is called the Jade Cavern Gate. It governs the exalted perfected beings, the thirty-nine Jade Emperor sovereigns, and the twenty-four Jade Perfected Ones. It is also the route by which the Queen Mother of the West travels in and out.
The North Gate is called the Jade Yin Gate. It governs perfected immortals who have already attained their status, as well as beginning Dao practitioners who have been recorded for faults and demoted.
The Southeast Gate is called the Heavenly Pass Gate. It governs the registers of destined ties and causes, and is the route by which those who attain immortality travel in and out.
The Northeast Gate is called the Cold Water Gate. It governs the route by which ghosts are transferred, reported, and raised or lowered in rank.
Within these six gates stand three palaces: the Fangzhu Azure Palace, the Yubao Azure Palace, and the Yuhua Azure Palace. Each contains halls and rooms of jade.
Fangzhu Azure Palace
The Lord Xiang Qing Tong governs here. Above the palace’s north hall stands a jade rack bearing registers of those who study to become immortals, along with their mystic names, years, months, days, and levels of attainment. These records are written on golden slips and jade tablets and comprise one hundred thousand scrolls. They are kept by the Jade Gentleman in Charge of Immortals.
Yubao Azure Palace
The High Minister of the Left, Great Marshal and Master Gao Chen, King Yubao, governs here. Above the palace’s north hall stands a golden rack bearing golden insignia, phoenix seals, jade tablets, cinnabar writings, feathered canopies, and robes for ascending to immortality, all provided for those who have attained perfection. It also holds registers listing the grades of those studying to become immortals and their advancement or demotion. These are kept by Jade Morning, Attendant to the Immortals.
Yuhua Azure Palace
The Azure Youth of the Eastern Sea governs here. On the palace’s eastern rack are three hundred scrolls of precious scriptures and nine thousand chapters of jade instructions, along with registers of those studying to become immortals. Those destined to attain perfection receive their scriptures here. The records are kept by the Jade Morning Supervisor of Immortals, Attendant Gentleman.
Golden Watchtower Palace
The Golden Watchtower Palace has four gates, and the area enclosed within them extends for seven thousand li.
- The East Gate, named the Jade Radiance Golden Metal Gate, is the route by which guests of the exalted Jade Clarity, the Empty Emperor, and the Great Perfected Ones travel in and out.
- The South Gate, named the Cavern Guest Jade Cloud Gate, is the route by which perfected beings and flying immortals travel in and out to feast and roam the eight extremities and make their rounds of the Five Sacred Peaks.
- The West Gate, named the Mystic Radiance Jade Treasure Gate, is the route by which those studying to become immortals receive their appointments, and through which the registers recording the advancement of perfected beings pass.
- The North Gate, named the Northern Yin Polar Cloud Gate, is the route by which perfected beings who have committed offenses are demoted, and through which the plain registers of those newly studying to become immortals pass.
Each of the four gates has two towers: the Golden Tower on the left and the Jade Tower on the right, each nine thousand zhang high. The Golden Tower has pillars of gold and is inscribed with golden titles. The perfected beings, flying immortals… (the following text continues in the original scroll).
A brief on the Wushang Miyao (Secret Essentials of the Supreme). This celestial gate is called the Jade Gate. Its pillars are made of green jade, and its inscribed plaque bears the title of the Perfected One of the August Sovereign. All the other gates are similar. Above the gate are nine tiers of golden terraces, where the Void Above Jade Dawn Lord, leader of the immortals, resides.
Golden Radiance Purple Palace and Jasper Chambers, Jade Rooms — the residence of the Later Sage, Lord Emperor of the Golden Gate.
Green Essence Palace and Upper Splendor Chamber — within the chamber, green Qi arises on its own. It is called the smoke of returning fragrance; the fragrance carries against the wind for three thousand li and can still be clearly smelled.
Western Field Night Terrace — the residence of the Great Emperor.
Jade Terrace, Cinnabar Spirit Cloud Palace, Nine-Bend Grotto Chamber — within these, the Supreme Clarity Master of All Perfected, Lord of Registers, Southern Pole Longevity and Destiny, keeps the scriptures of the seventy-four methods of the Three Primes and Jade Registers, as well as texts for inspecting the assembly of immortals.
Ninefold Mystery Jade Chamber — the thirty-nine chapters of the Great Grotto Perfected Scripture are hidden above it.
Jade Void Sevenfold Radiance Purple Chamber — the clear statutes of the Four Poles are kept above it.
Jade Dawn Palace, Jasper Gate, Seven-Spirit Terrace, Golden Dawn Splendor Gate, Hall of Great Harmony, Hall of Luminous Yang, Gate of the Jewel Pearl, Tower of Long Brocade — the residences of the Jade Dawn Dao Lord.
Palace of the Great Tenuity and Jade Gate Purple Palace — the residence of the Celestial Emperor of Great Tenuity.
Cloud-Surge Palace and Flowing-Ease Chamber — the dwelling of the Three Primal Lords of Jade Splendor.
Jasper Grove Palace — the residence of the Jade Maidens of Jade Splendor.
Purple-Bi Mystery Terrace — located amid the Utter Void. It is where, on the day he cultivated the Dao, the Southern Pole Longevity and Destiny Lord received naturally bestowed the twelve methods, including the Lang Book of the Highest Heavens and the Jade-Written Imperial Chapters of Jasper Patterns.
Palace of the Utter Void — located amid the Five Clouds. It is where the Lord of Prohibitions, the True Earl, and the Jade Lord of the Supreme Emperor meet with immortals.
Hall of Feathered Radiance — located in the Court of Great Nonbeing. The Lord of Prohibitions, the True Earl, and the Jade Lord of the Supreme Emperor sometimes hold banquets in this hall.
Grotto Palace and Emei Palace — located on Mount Emei in the Heaven of Great Nonbeing. The names of all who attain the Dao of the Perfected Immortals are inscribed in these palaces.
Hall of the Grotto View — suspended in Great Nonbeing. When he was alive, Master Wanhua slept in this hall.
Palace of Dawn Radiance — located in the Heaven of Jade Void, where the Jade Void Lord of Destiny dwells.
Palace of All Splendors
The following is a plain-language interpretation of this passage from the Wushang Miyao:
Jade Truth Heaven
Jade Truth Heaven is governed by Master Xiaoyou and Lord of the Jade Chart, its presiding deity. It also holds the treasured scriptures of the Jade Emperor and the hidden writings of Jade Purity, one of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing).
Palace of Splendid Radiance
This palace lies in Primordial Beginning Heaven. The Qi of the Nine Qualities arises there naturally and transforms into mist, from which clouds of nine colors appear. Those who enter the mist can change their appearance; those who dwell within it can transform in countless ways.
Yellow Gate and Purple Chamber
Located in Kunlun, this is where the Heavenly Emperor enters and departs.
Purple Tenuity Palace
Beyond the Northern Sea, in the Wilds of Yuming and on Mount Xuanlong, this palace is the residence of Lady of Purple Tenuity.
Palace of the Three Caves of Primordial Mystery
On Mount Weiyu, this palace is home to Master Ning, Immortal Lord Shi, and the Boy of Bright Night.
Golden Terrace of Yongcheng, Gate of Flowing Essence, Hall of Radiant Jade, Chamber of Jade Blossoms, and Purple-Green Elixir Chamber
These are west of Mount Kunlun, where the Queen Mother of the West governs.
Yong Terrace, Yong Palace, and Upper Terrace of the Western Jade Realm
These are on Mount Kunlun and serve as the residence of the Queen Mother of the West.
Purple Palace
On Mount Feng, west of Qingqiu, this is a place where celestial immortals and jade maidens wander and view the scenery.
Hall of Nine Spirits, Palace of Golden Elixir and Flowing Clouds, and Chamber of Sunlit Scenery
On Mount Kunlun, these are places where the Queen Mother of the West and the many true immortals and goddesses roam.
Jade Hall
In the Wilds of Xuanyu, on Mount Xilong, this is the residence of the Three Primordial Lords of the Queen Mother.
Palace of Green Jade, Hall of Western Splendor, and Chamber of Subtle Elixir
On White Jade Tortoise Mountain, these are the residence of the Queen Mother of the West.
Palace of Fusang, Hall of Bright Truth, Terrace of Plain Groves, and Chamber of Gathered Clouds
On Mount Bating, these are the residence of Lord Great Emperor.
Elixir Gate and Yellow Chamber, Gate of Cloud Scenery, Chamber of Jade Clouds, and Terrace of Nafu
On Mount Donghua in Fangzhu, these are the residence of Lord Green Youth.
Palace of Great Elixir
On Mount Changli, by the Dan Sea of Boyang, this is a place that protects and supports Primordial Lord of the Southern Pole.
White Mountain Palace
On a mountain in the sandbar amid the White Waters, this is the residence of Perfected Lord Fu Taisu.
Palace of the Assembly of Truth
On Mount Xicheng, this palace is governed by Lord Zai.
Purple Cassia Palace
In Mysterious Continent, this is the residence of the Supreme Elder.
Cloud Forest Palace
On Mount Canglang in the Eastern Sea, this is the residence of Lady Right Hero.
The passage lists the names of palaces and halls in the Daoist heavens, their locations, and the deities, immortals, and goddesses associated with them. It is a typical work of the “caverns and blessed lands” and “heavenly palace genealogies” tradition.
A Plain-Language Reading of The Essential Secrets of the Supreme (Wushang Miyao)
Qingling Palace
Located on Fangzhang Mountain in the Eastern Sea, it is the dwelling of Lady Zhaoling Li.
Ziyang Palace
Located on Western Mystery Mountain, it is the dwelling of the Perfected Lord Pei.
Jinting Palace
Located on Ge Yan Mountain, it is the dwelling of the Perfected Lord Zhou.
Taiyuan Office, Dinglu Office, and Baoming Office
Located on Qishan of Tongbai, they are the dwelling of the Perfected Lord Wang, the Right Assistant.
Ziqing Palace
Located on Gouqu Mountain, it is the dwelling of the Three Mao Lords.
Upper Ziqing Palace
It is the dwelling of Consort Neifu and the Perfected Lady who oversees the Eastern Palace’s attendants.
The Seven Palaces
Located where the Perfected Lady of Jiuhua resides.
The transformations of the three mountains and seven palaces of the Divine Continent
On the three mountains of the Divine Continent stand seven palaces, which can change with the time of day: in the morning they become gold, at noon silver, at dusk bronze, and at night light. At times they become mountains, at times water, and at times stone.
(The above comes from the Dongzhen Jing and the Daoji Zhenji Jing.)
Upper Zixiao Palace
Located on Jade Capital Mountain, northwest of the Mysterious Capital, in the northwest Heaven of Primordial Beginning’s Numinous Treasure. Here the Great Assembly of Sages, the Most True Venerable Spirits, the Supreme Emperor of the Infinite Great Dao, the True Emperor Old Man, and others regularly gather on the first day of each month to pay homage to the Celestial Emperor and review the merits and faults of people and ghosts on earth.
Yinyuan Terrace
Located north of the Mysterious Capital, on Jade Capital Mountain, in the north Heaven of Primordial Beginning’s Numinous Treasure. Here the Great Assembly of Sages, the Most True Venerable Spirits, the Most High Lord Lao of the Infinite Great Dao, the Perfected One of Wondrous Practice, and others regularly gather on the eighth day of each month to review the registers, allotted lifespans, and records of years and fate of the myriad people on earth.
Tongyang Qingwei Palace
Located northeast of the Mysterious Capital, on Jade Capital Mountain, in the northeast Heaven of Primordial Beginning’s Numinous Treasure. Here the Great Assembly of Sages, the Most True Venerable Spirits, the Perfected One of Wondrous Practice, the Divine Emperor of the Infinite Great Dao, the Most High, Who Delivers Myriad Degrees and Gives Life to Myriad Beings, the Mysterious Elder without Equal, the Numinous Elder Lord Lao, and others regularly gather on the fourteenth day of each month to review the years, months, merits, and faults of those throughout the world who study the Dao, as well as matters concerning ghosts and spirits.
Qinghua Jade Steps Palace
Located east of the Mysterious Capital, on Jade Capital Mountain, in the east Heaven of Primordial Beginning’s Numinous Treasure. The Great Assembly of Sages, the Most True Venerable Spirits, the Infinite Great Dao of the Highest Three Heavens of the Grand Purity, the Mysterious Elder without Equal, the Most High Lord Lao, the Most High Elder, the August Supreme Lord Lao, the August Supreme Elder, the Azure Spirit Supreme Perfected Celestial Lord, the Celestial Emperor’s Elder, the Hundred Emperors, the Great Emperor, and others gather here.
Plain-Language Interpretation
The Venerable Elder of the Nine Elders and the Immortal Capital (the Venerable Lord of the Nine Elders and the Immortal Capital), together with the Venerable Elder of the Nine Qi and the Twelve Hundred Officials governed by the Hundreds of Thousands of Layers of Dao Qi, as well as the Majesty Below the Jade Steps of Great Clarity, the Elder of the Eastern Pole, the Great Spirit of Azure Florescence, the High Minister Sima, Lord Azure Lad, the Imperial Lord, Sage of the Rear, of the Golden Portal, the Divine Being of True Yang and Primordial Azure, the Nine Immortal Lords of the Numinous Treasure, the Azure-Harmony Jade Maidens, and the Four Divisions of the Female Immortal Rulers, regularly gather at this palace on the fifteenth day of each month to review and determine the merits, faults, and levels of attainment of those who study the Dao.
Cavern-Numinous Elixir Terrace
This is where the Great Assembly of Sages, the Most True and Revered Spirits, the Limitless Great Dao, the Elder Lord of the South, the Perfected One of the Southern Pole, the Jade Maiden of Great Harmony, and others reside on Mount Jade Capital in the Great Profound Metropolis (in the southeastern heaven governed by the Numinous Treasure of the Primordial Beginning). They regularly gather at this terrace on the eighteenth day of each month to collect and revise the registers of the people, distinguishing good from evil.
Cavern-Numinous Hall of Primordial Yang
This is where the Great Assembly of Sages, the Most True and Revered Spirits, the Limitless Great Dao, the Southern Red Emperor, Laozi of the Elixir Numinous Realm, the Jade Maiden of Great Harmony, Sima, Lord of Long Life and Cherishing Life, the Officers of Destiny and Records, the Lord of the Southern Pole Who Delivers the World, Lord of Myriad Blessings, and others reside on Mount Jade Capital in the Great Profound Metropolis (in the southern heaven governed by the Numinous Treasure of the Primordial Beginning). They regularly gather at this hall on the twenty-third day of each month to collect and revise the registers of the Heavenly People, determining the length of their allotted fortunes and lifespans.
Vermilion Palace
This is where the Great Assembly of Sages, the Most True and Revered Spirits, the Limitless Great Dao, the Elder of the Celestial Emperor, the Primordial Perfected Lord of the Southern Pole, the Great Numinous Spirit of Cavern-Yang, and others reside on Mount Jade Capital in the Great Profound Metropolis (in the southwestern heaven governed by the Numinous Treasure of the Primordial Beginning). They regularly gather at this palace on the twenty-fourth day of each month to examine the registers of offenses and punishments kept by the Three Offices and Nine Courts, the Five Sacred Peaks and Northern Fengdu, and the twenty-four prisons of Mount Tai.
Golden Portal Palace of the Seven Treasures
This is where the Great Assembly of Sages, the Most True and Revered Spirits, the Limitless Great Dao, the True Mother, Jade Immortal of the Golden Hall of Western Florescence, the Imperial Lord, High Minister and Sage of the Rear, of the Golden Portal, the Perfected Ones of the Four Poles, and others reside on Mount Jade Capital in the Great Profound Metropolis (in the western heaven governed by the Numinous Treasure of the Primordial Beginning). They regularly gather at this palace on the twenty-eighth day of each month to pay homage to the Heavenly Perfected, calculate and verify the divisions and degrees of the sun, moon, and stars, and confirm the names of those who have attained the Dao.
Yellow Chamber
This is where the Great Assembly of Sages, the Most True and Revered Spirits, the Limitless Great Dao, the Dark-Yellow Cavern Abyss of the Lower Origin, the Five Emperors of the Cavern-Numinous Myriad Immortals, the Perfected Ones of the Western Office, and others reside on Mount Jade Capital in the Great Profound Metropolis (in the heaven of the Lower Origin governed by the Numinous Treasure of the Primordial Beginning). They regularly gather here on the twenty-ninth day of each month (the original says “each month”; it may indicate a regularly scheduled gathering).
The Seven-Treasure Purple Tenuity Palace
The palace enshrines the assembled Perfected Ones who attend the Celestial Court. They review and verify matters concerning the Five Sacred Peaks, the Four Great Rivers, rivers and seas, water deities, earth spirits, ghosts, and gods.
(Marginal note) This palace is on Jade Capital Mountain in the Great Mysterious Metropolis. The Great Holy Assembly of Primordial Beginning and Numinous Treasure in the highest heaven, the supremely perfect and august gods, the boundless Great Dao, and the lords and elders of the Most High Dao of Wuwei above, below, and at the center, in the four directions and eight quarters—together with the assembled immortals, celestial officials, and great gods—gather here on the thirtieth day of each month. They summon the deities of the earth, travel throughout the world, inspect good and evil and the weight of people’s merits and faults, set them down in separate reports, and present them to Heaven.
Cloud Palace and Yellow Chamber
(Marginal note) The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning dwells at ease and cultivates simplicity. He is often in the seven-treasure canopy within this chamber.
The Great Metropolis of Mysterious Primordial Yang, the Seven-Treasure Purple Tenuity Palace
(Marginal note) The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning calms his spirit and rests in stillness, silent and practicing Wuwei. Here he turns his thoughts to the people.
The Jade Capital of the Great Mysterious Heaven of Highest Clarity, and the Red-Cinnabar Hall of Vast Cold
(Marginal note) The Lord of the Great Dao of the Most High, the High Jade Emperor, and the supremely perfect beings of the Ten Directions come to this palace. There they don celestial robes adorned with heavenly treasures and proceed beneath the golden gates of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, where they ask to receive the five chapters of the Numinous Treasure’s red-scripted true writings.
The Golden Terrace of the Great Void, the Jade-Treasure Hall, and the Ninefold Radiance Chamber
(Marginal note) The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning directs his attendants to lead the assembled Perfected Ones inside.
The Upper Palace of Purple Tenuity in the Numinous Metropolis
(Marginal note) The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning directs the Lord of the Dao of the Most High and the assembled Perfected Ones to observe the sounds of Heaven in the Golden Register and to take their bearing from the Spirit King.
The Mysterious Terrace of the Six Directions
(Marginal note) Within it is kept the Wondrous Scripture of the Dharma Wheel of True Unity and Exhortation.
The Abode of Everlasting Joy
(Marginal note) This is where the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning expounds the Numinous Treasure’s true writings, reveals its laws, and saves people.
The Upper Lodge of Southern Cinnabar and Dongyang, and the Cypress Mound Abode
(Marginal note) This is where the Lord of the Dao of the Most High asks the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning about wisdom and the roots of sin.
The Golden Terrace and the Seven-Treasure Purple Gate
(Marginal note) It is on Mount Zhong, where the Celestial Emperor rules from above.
The Long Tower of the Mysterious Metropolis
(Marginal note) The inner sounds of the Heaven of the August Ancestor are inscribed upon it.
The Jade Gate in the Northwest of Heaven
(Marginal note) The inner sounds of the Heaven of Jade Perfection are inscribed upon it.
The Upper Palace of Golden Radiance and the Mysterious Gate of the Northern Origin
(Marginal note) The inner sounds of the Heaven of What-Child are inscribed upon it.
The Upper Palace of the Supreme Ultimate and the Terrace of the Cavernous Origin
(Marginal note) The inner sounds of the Heaven of Universal Peace are inscribed upon it.
Note: The original consists largely of names of celestial palaces and towers accompanied by marginal notes on the right, a format common in Daoist canon lists of immortal realms. “Inner sounds” refers to the names of sounds transmitted secretly among the heavens, or to where records of those sounds are kept. The “five chapters of the Numinous Treasure’s red-scripted true writings” are important scriptures of the Lingbao tradition.
Terrace of Harmonious Life · Ziyang Lodge
Inscribed above are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center (the secret transmitted names and tones of the heavenly realm), corresponding to the Inner Sounds of a particular layer of Heaven. In the original, the name of that Heaven is joined to the phrase and serves as an entry in a secret index.
Terrace of Ziwei · Northern Spirit Lodge
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of the Seven Luminaries (the Seven Luminaries are the Sun, Moon, and the five planets, associated with this celestial layer).
Mysterious Terrace of Yuanshi · Terrace of Nine Nights
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Yueheng.
Mysterious Terrace of the Northern Dipper · Palace of Long Life of the Southern Dipper
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Taiji, Veiled in Mists.
Dongyang Lodge · Upper Palace of the Southern Pole
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Vermilion Radiance and Harmonious Yang.
Mysterious Terrace of Yujing · Upper Primordial Palace of the Southern Pole
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Mysterious Radiance and Reverent Splendor.
Mount Longze · Yellow Chamber
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Shining Radiance and Ancestral Fluttering.
Upper Palace of Ziwei · Window of the Cold Spirit
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Huangjia.
Nine-Tiered Terrace of Yujing
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Hall Radiance.
Hall of Blessings in the Southern Palace
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of the Imperial Cliff.
Purple Chamber of Xuandu
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of the Utmost Wind.
Vermilion Gate of Zhu Ling in the Southern Heights
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Xiaomang.
Nine-Tiered Long Tower of Xuandu · Upper Northern Spirit Lodge
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Wengzhong.
Terrace of Illuminating Truth
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Jiangyou.
Terrace of Nanyang, Terrace of Ziwei
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Ruanle.
Jade Terrace of Xuandu
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Tanshi.
Lodge of the Spirit Keepers at Fusang · Hall of Blossoming Woods at the Eastern Well
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Yuandong.
Long Tower of Ziwei
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven Above the Forbidden Realm.
Great Lodge of the Spirit of Ziwei · Purple Terrace of the Upper Palace of Nanyang
Inscribed here are the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center for Heaven of Fan Du.
The entries above are from the Dongxuan Jing (Cavern-Mystery Scripture).
Jade Hall of Wehua, Taiji Palace
This is the dwelling of the Five True Lords of the Five Spirits, associated with the five directions and five spirits.
Mysterious Jade-Hall of Ziwei
This is the dwelling of the Central Yellow Lord Lao.
Hall of Red Jade
This is the dwelling of the Sage Lord of the Golden Gate.
Palace of Taiping, Taiqing Palace
This is the dwelling of the Lord of Great Simplicity.
Note: This long passage is mainly a familiar kind of Daoist Canon concordance, pairing palaces, towers, terraces, and lodges with heavenly names and the Inner Sounds of the Celestial Center. It identifies which heavenly layers and immortal residences are associated with secret celestial sounds used in cultivation or recitation. The final sentence specifies that the preceding material comes from a scripture of the Dongxuan tradition.
This passage from The Essential Secrets of the Unparalleled lists the names of palaces and temples in the heavenly realms, the grotto heavens, and the underworld, along with the deities who preside over them and the matters they govern. The original is mostly made up of brief, catalogue-like entries; the plain meaning is as follows.
Palace of Great Harmony
The Lord of Great Harmony, a revered deity formed from the Qi of Great Harmony, resides here.
Tower of Golden Radiance
The jade registers—lists recording the names of the assembled immortals and perfected beings—are kept in this tower. Related material appears in works such as the Dongzhen Jing.
Palace of the Heavenly Offices (which governs affairs in heaven)
It includes the Purple Tenuity Palace, the Left Palace of Primordial Yellow Taiji, and the Right Palace of Grotto White Taiji. Together, these are called the Three Palaces of the Heavenly Offices.
Each palace has three bureaus, and each bureau has twelve offices. They are located above Primordial Yang and within the Great Void. Their names arose naturally with Heaven and Earth; they were not arbitrarily assigned by human beings. The officials who assess merits and faults and determine rank and promotion govern them, with authority over all the high-ranking perfected beings of the upper realms.
Palace of the Earthly Offices (which governs the mountains, rivers, and spirits of the earth)
It includes the Grotto of Empty Clarity and Void, the Southern Grotto of Yang, and the Northern Feng Palace. Each likewise has three bureaus, and each bureau has fourteen offices. They are located within the empty mystery of mountain grottoes, and their names arose naturally as well. Here, the assessing officials oversee the deities, perfected beings, and spirits of the Five Sacred Peaks, the Four Directions, and the Eight Extremities.
In the vicinity of the Palace of the Grotto Heavens are the Lodge of Transference and the Terrace of Embracing the Real. Women who attain the Dao in the grotto heavens often reside there.
Within the Office of Primordial Childhood is the Hall of Serene Ease. Men who are just beginning to study the Dao in the grotto heavens often practice there.
The Palace of the Grotto of Universal Numina and Bright Rest; the Palace of the Dark Tribunal, Weighty Rectitude, and Ancestral Void; the Palace of Commanding Immortals, Ascending to Numinous Subtlety; the Palace of True Rectitude, Inheriting the Numinous, and the Celestial Office of the Enclosed Realm; the Palace of Cloud Towers, Jade Records, and Bright Radiance; and the Palace of Revered Void, Crimson Reflection, and Clouded Curves—all are in the grottoes of Mount Fengdu, the Daoist seat of governance in the underworld. They command all the spirits and oversee the great affairs of life and death.
Palace of the Severed Yin Heaven
The Lord of the Northern Emperor presides here. After death, every ordinary person must first come to this palace to be examined and entered into the registers.
Palace of the Heaven of Auspicious Affairs and the Ancestral Lineage of Great Slaughter
The Duke of Western Brightness governs here. This palace oversees the slaying of ghosts and the service of the underworld’s attendants, as well as the spirits of those who died suddenly or violently.
Palace of the Heaven of the Martial City of Dawn, Endurance, and Transgression
The Duke of Southern Brightness governs here. After the death of worthy people and sages, their merits and faults are reviewed here and their destination determined.
Palace of the Heaven of Tranquil Illumination and Sinful Qi
The Lord of the Northern Dipper governs here. Fortune and misfortune, good and ill luck, the prolonging of life, sins and harms, and whether someone is destined to live or die are among the matters examined and decided here.
Palace of the Heaven of the Seven Errors of the Ancestral Lineage
The Duke of Eastern Brightness governs here. This palace handles those who, while living in the secular world, profess to follow the Dao but do so without sincere commitment.
Palace of the Heaven of the Daring Tribunal, Linked Enclosure, and Repeated Heavens
The Duke of Northern Brightness governs here. Those who study the Dao but break its precepts without remorse, seek prestige through the Dao, or use its name to pursue profit are judged here. So too are those who receive the orthodox teachings but follow depraved customs, kill living beings, or perform improper sacrifices.
Plain-Language Interpretation
The Water Official’s Palaces
The Water Official has three palaces:
1. Yanggu Palace (also known as Qinghua Fangzhu Palace)
2. Qingling Palace (also known as Southern Waters Assembly Palace)
3. Northern Fengdu Palace (also known as Luofeng Palace)
Each of these three palaces has three prefectures beneath it, and each prefecture has fourteen bureaus. They are all located in the area of the Nine Rivers Cave Chambers. The names of the cave chambers arose naturally. They are governed by Examination Officials, divine officers responsible for assessing and administering them, who oversee all the water prefectures.
All spirits under the jurisdiction of the water prefectures are governed by this administration.
(The above is based on the Dongxuan Jing and the Zhenji Jing.)
Note: The sentence at the beginning of the text, “Those who betray the Dao and enter the demonic path, or who have no faith or obedience and secretly indulge their own desires, belong here,” means roughly that the fate of people who turn away from the right path, fall into the demonic path, or lack faith and obedience while giving free rein to their private desires is connected with this system of Water Official underworld offices.
Source text: Kanripo 漢籍リポジトリ（KR5e0040）; Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Report an error / feedback