《無上祕要》Vol. 34

The Supreme Mysteries, Scroll Forty-Three (in the same scroll as Scroll Forty-Four) · Section Seven

On the Robes and Attire for Cultivating the Dao

Ritual Attire of the Three Sovereigns Daoists (The Three Sovereigns are the Primordial Sovereign of Heaven, the Sovereign of Earth, and the Sovereign of Humanity, as named in Daoism. Here, the term refers to Daoists associated with the lineage of the Scripture of the Three Sovereigns.)

According to the Cavern Spirit Scripture of the Three Sovereigns:

After receiving the Dao, one changes out of worldly clothes. The insignia borne on one’s person—such as talismans, registers, and titles—serve as ritual attire. Some follow a ritual code using the colors black, blue-green, and white, and visualize the Qi of the jiazi, jiayin, and jiashen days to strengthen the body. A black cap, dark headcloth, blue-green plain robe, and white rush sandals are called ritual attire. On the day one attains the Dao and ascends to Heaven, ceremonial robes from the celestial realm arrive of their own accord.

Those who also study all Three Caverns (Dongshen, Dongxuan, and Dongzhen) may wear robes, hemp garments, shoes, and board-shaped caps or headcloths; any of these may be used.

Ritual Attire of Lingbao Daoists

The Instructions on the Scripture of the True One of the Cavern Mystery of Natural Spontaneity states: The Perfected of Taiji said, “When receiving the Dao and holding the scripture, wear a ritual robe, headcloth, and hemp garment. Each hemp garment should be three chi and six cun long and have thirty-two strips. A garment made of deerskin is best; leather garments need not have a set number of strips. Wear a yellow skirt with it, and straw or leather shoes. If necessary, any suitable footwear will do.”

A commentary on the Scripture of Hidden Commentary on the Cavern Mystery and Taiji says: “When turning the scripture, sit on a small couch five chi high, with its width and length equal. Use a deerskin headcloth and drape a deerskin cape over the shoulders; there is no need to wear a hemp garment. If no leather is available, use a cloth cape, and wear straw shoes.”

The ritual attire worn by the Perfected of Taiji when reading scriptures consists of a cape of nine rays made of li-luo brocade, a cap of cinnabar gauze adorned with luminous jewels, and shoes patterned with lions. To encourage Daoists to read scriptures diligently and labor at ritual service, they wear deerskin capes and garments. Later, on the day they attain the Dao, the Celestial Emperor bestows upon them a cape of nine rays made of li-luo, a celestial treasure necklace, and the ritual robes of flying immortals, in recompense for their fine De.

The second section of the Scripture of Questions on the Cavern Mystery says: “Those who study the Dao must always keep themselves pure. Set aside their clothes in a quiet place, burn incense, arrange a high seat, place the scripture upon it, pay respects, and focus the mind on contemplating the Real. Practice breathing and guiding exercises; repent for grave wrongs and harmful ties involving one’s parents in the seven generations, as well as those of this life and previous lives. Give alms and establish merit; observe a prolonged fast in quiet seclusion and settle one’s original aspiration. Only then can the Dao be realized. Carefully prepare a headcloth and hemp garment, a plain skirt, and a cape for reading scriptures. These ritual garments must not be lent to others to wear or placed in an impure location. They are called ritual attire, and three divine youths are always in attendance.”

Once, a virtuous man prepared to receive a Daoist, but the Daoist was unable to come. He therefore entrusted him with his cape and hemp garment. When the man arrived home, he revered and trusted the Daoist, burned incense, and paid respects to the garments as though he were seeing the Dao.

The Divine Youth Sends Back the Robe (A Tale of a Daoist Curing Illness Through a Dream)

A sick person in a scholar’s household saw a young boy appear and say, “A Daoist sent me.” At the time, the head of the household did not know that the boy was divine. The sick person soon recovered, and the whole family remained safe. The divine youth told the head of the household, “The patient has recovered. There is no need to invite the Daoist again. You may return the ritual robe—the formal garment a Daoist wears when performing rites—to him.” The head of the household did as instructed and took the robe to the Daoist.

The head of the household asked, “When illness brought us such suffering, we respectfully invited you to perform a purification ritual. You were busy and sent only a messenger, never coming in person. The patient has now recovered, so I have come especially to return your ritual robe.”

The Daoist was astonished. After listening, he replied, “That day I had to perform a ritual. When it was finished, I went to your home, but you did not come to receive me again, so I did not enter. I did not break my word, nor did I send anyone in my place. I also had no idea the patient in your household had recovered. This must have happened because the head of the household’s heart was utterly sincere.” When asked what the messenger looked like, the head of the household replied, “He seemed about fifteen or sixteen, with a handsome, refined appearance, more beautiful than ordinary people.” The Daoist reflected that none of his disciples looked like this, and feared that a divine being had descended. The ritual robe, therefore, had to be kept clean and made according to proper specifications; otherwise, ghosts might harm people. If it became damaged, it should be worn by the Daoist himself and not used for anything else.

Shengxuan Jing

An immortal named Dou Ziming wore a yellow-brown Daoist robe and a black headcloth. He stepped forward, bowed, and circumambulated the Supreme One seven times.

On the Ritual Robes of Shangqing Daoists (Dongzhen Siji Mingke)

Anyone cultivating the Shangqing Daoist scriptures and the thirty-nine chapters of the Dadong Zhenjing must wear ritual robes on the day they enter the chamber. Make a headcloth from deerskin, though a hemp headcloth is also acceptable, and wear a deerskin cape. If purple or blue cloth is unavailable, use purple for the robe and blue for the lining of the cape. The cape should be four chi and nine cun wide, corresponding to the number of the four seasons, and five chi and five cun long, in accordance with the Qi of Heaven and Earth.

The outer and inner layers must follow the same rule: the outer layer should have twenty-four seams, and the inner layer fifteen strips, making thirty-nine in all, corresponding to the stations of the thirty-nine imperial perfected ones. The body must be properly clad in imperial robes, so that one may correspond to the robes and headgear of the imperial beings. Without these robes, one must not presume to handle the precious scriptures. To chant a single line is to make its sound resound through the Nine Heavens, with the Nine Perfected Ones attending in their stations; what is thereby invoked is no small matter. If one chants the scriptures in ordinary clothes, heavenly demons will invade one’s presence, myriad spirits will disrupt the chant, the spirit will be lost and Qi scattered, and one will die and enter the dark springs.

Regulations on Ritual Vestments

Those who cultivate the Dao and treat sacred vestments with disrespect, or borrow them improperly from others, lose all hope of becoming immortals after five offenses. After ten offenses, they will be interrogated under torture by the Left Office.

Women who practice the Shangqing method of ascending to heaven in broad daylight, receive the Lingbao Jade Instructions, or travel through the Great Cavern, among other practices, may attain the rank of Primordial Lady or Madam. On the day they enter the chamber, they should wear a crown of the Primordial Lady and a purple gauze robe (made from twenty-four feet of cloth, with a short body and sleeves: sixteen strips for each sleeve and twenty-two for the body). They should also make a blue gauze skirt (using forty-five feet of cloth, in eight panels, each four feet nine inches long, with the remainder made into waist ties; the eight panels are divided into thirty-two strips). This is the “Flying Blue” skirt, the vestment of the Primordial Lady. When worn with the crown, it binds the myriad spirits and destroys the forms of a thousand demons. Twelve Jade Youths and twelve Jade Maidens are assigned to oversee and guard the ritual vestments. Without these vestments, one may not chant or recite the precious scriptures of Shangqing. If one recites the Shangqing scriptures in ordinary clothing, celestial demons will assail one’s presence, myriad spirits will disrupt one’s chants, the spirit will scatter and Qi will depart; one will also be unable to become an immortal.

Standards for Reading Scriptures

(Scripture in Its True Form: Biographies)

The Jade Youths and Jade Maidens who attend upon the scriptures keep watch over those who follow the Dao, reporting their merits, faults, and transgressions to Shangqing. If a former master commits a grave offense, the Three Offices will torture him; for a lesser offense, he will lose years from his allotted lifespan. A grave crime brings calamity upon three generations of ancestors, while a lesser one brings misfortune upon the offender alone. Disrespect causes the spirit to depart; sweat and filth cause the sacred text to be concealed. Those who study immortality must rise and bow, then burn incense, whenever they open and view the numinous writings. The celestial spirits keep watch—how could one fail to show reverence? Anything not transmitted through proper instruction must not be spoken of recklessly, including the titles of chapters. To do so is to violate the prohibition against revealing celestial writings.

Scripture of the Forty-Four Formulas of the Yellow Writ of Dongzhen

Whenever Daoist priests cultivate and receive the highest teachings, and wish to recite scripture or open a scroll, they must burn incense, bow in their hearts before the scripture, and click their teeth five times. Then they should recite this quiet incantation:

“Supreme teachings of the Jade Emperor, heard above by the Three Pure Ones. On this auspicious day, having purified myself, I dare to open the divine scripture. May the myriad trials remain hidden and subdued; may all I undertake succeed. May the Jade Youths attend and protect me, and may the Jade Blossoms scatter their fragrance. I report this above to the Three Primordials; grant me long life.”

After completing the incantation, they may open the scripture and then recite it.

A Plain-Language Interpretation of the Wushang Miyao

This passage describes the scripture-opening rite conducted by the Great Emperor, a revered Daoist deity who presides over the opening of the scripture here. Jade Youths and Jade Maidens, immortal attendants who serve at the scripture altar, must stand by to protect the rite. Incense is burned to invite the spirits to descend, and the matter is reported to the Nine Heavens, the highest level of the celestial realm.

What follows are the Explicit Ritual Precepts on the Four Extremities in the Cavern of Truth (Dongzhen). They set out the rules that Adepts must observe, and the consequences of breaking them, when they enter a quiet chamber to recite scripture in seclusion.

Ritual bearing and concentration

When reciting scripture in the chamber, one must visualize the Five Emperors, the celestial rulers of the five directions, standing upright with their belts fastened, and the Four Offices, divine officials of the four directions, each at their appointed place. They must not be treated with disrespect. One must not speak with outsiders while reciting, omit or misread lines, invent celestial sounds, or let the mind wander. Three violations result in one’s merit being cut down and one’s path to transcendence severed; ten violations bring interrogation and torture by the Left Officials, inspectors of the underworld.

No omitting words or lines

The words and lines of a scripture must be recited continuously. One must not skip passages or leave out celestial sounds, the sacred words in the scripture. If one line is omitted, one must return to the beginning and recite one hundred lines again; if two lines are omitted, two hundred lines must be repeated; if five are omitted, five hundred lines must be repeated before continuing. Alternatively, after omitting even one line, one may recite the entire scripture again to make amends. Ten to thirty violations result in merit being cut down and one’s path to transcendence severed. After fifty to one hundred violations, the person and their seven generations of ancestors are judged and punished by the Left and Right Officials, and made to endure the torments of the Knife Mountain, eating fire, the Twenty-Four Prisons, and the Three Paths of suffering.

Keep the eyes on the text and the mind on the divine

While reciting, one’s eyes must remain on the text and the mind must focus solely on visualizing the divine perfected beings. One must not be distracted by other thoughts or disturb the celestial sounds. Ten to thirty violations result in merit being cut down and one’s path to transcendence severed.

Food and drink

When reciting fewer than one thousand characters, one must not drink or eat during the recitation. For a text of one thousand to five thousand characters, one may eat or drink once during the recitation; for five thousand to ten thousand characters, twice; and for more than ten thousand characters, three times. One must not drink or eat excessively, lest Qi become overfull in the body and damage the sound of the scripture. Five to ten violations result in merit being cut down and one’s path to transcendence severed.

Exhaustion and continuing overnight

After reciting ten thousand characters, if the body becomes fatigued, one may rest and then continue. However, the recitation must be completed in that session; unfinished lines must not be left until the next day, lest the celestial order proper to the recitation be neglected. Five to ten violations result in merit being cut down and one’s path to transcendence severed.

Men and women sharing a chamber

If men and women of the same religious community enter the chamber together, they may share it, but must sleep in separate beds and face north while reciting: the men to the east and the women to the west. They must not sit or lie down together on the same mat. Three violations result in merit being severed and the path to transcendence abandoned; five violations bring interrogation and punishment by the Left Officials.

Examples of scriptures to recite

Texts for recitation may include the thirty-nine chapters of the Great Cavern Scripture of Truth, the Jade Register of the Hundred Divine Treasures of the Emperor One in the Combined Turning of the Wind, the Precious Scripture of the Yin One and the Five Elders, and the Wondrous Scripture of the Vast Existence of the Cavern Mystery and the Plain Spirit. These are all important scriptures of the Highest Clarity and Cavern of Truth traditions.

A Plain Language Explanation of the Wushang Miyao (Supreme Secret Essentials)

Reciting the Dadong Zhenjing and other supreme secret texts

When reciting the Hidden Book of the Great Elixir and texts of the highest rank revealed by perfected beings:

• Face north and bow in your heart toward the four directions.
• Click your teeth thirty-six times and swallow saliva thirty-six times.
• Visualize five-colored radiance arising within the Five Viscera, with Qi pouring into the essence of the Five Stars.
• Then first read The Way of the Seven Revolutions of Shenzhou, followed by The Inner Names of the Hundred Gods. Only then may you recite the Dadong Zhenjing (True Scripture of the Great Cavern).

Your heart and eyes must be in accord as you recite. Do not let stray thoughts or other imaginings arise, or disrupt the true gods. Finish every sentence; do not pause partway through, skip lines, or leave anything out. According to the rules enforced by the Left Bureau, anyone who commits these violations three times cannot attain immortality.

Reading the thirty scrolls of the Shangqing Baojing

• Face north and bow in your heart toward the four directions.
• Click your teeth twenty-four times and swallow saliva twenty-four times.
• Visualize the essence of the Five Stars, the sun, and the moon—the three lights—descending mysteriously into your body.
• Then recite the scripture. Your heart and speech must be in accord, without stray thoughts. Read each scroll from beginning to end; do not stop in doubt partway through, skip lines, or omit anything.

Commit these violations three times and you cannot attain immortality. Commit them five times, and the Left Bureau will seize both you and your ancestors up to seven generations.

Reciting the Lingbao, Dongxuan, Shengxuan, and other scriptures

• Face east.
• Click your teeth twelve times, swallow saliva twelve times, then bow.
• Visualize purple cloud Qi covering your head and body.
• Then recite the scripture: keep your heart and eyes in accord, let your eyes look nowhere else, and let your mind hold no other thoughts. Read the entire scroll all the way through; do not stop partway or skip any heavenly sounds.

Commit these violations three times and you will never attain immortality. Commit them five times or more, and the matter will be judged by the Left Bureau.

Practicing the Way of the Great Characters of the Celestial Emperor, Terrestrial Emperor, and Human Emperor

• Face south and bow twice.
• Click your teeth twelve times and swallow Qi twelve times.
• Visualize the perfected lords of the Three Emperors standing beside you:
• Lord of the Celestial Emperor: nine inches tall, wearing a blue cape and blue brocade skirt, a Nine Radiances jeweled crown, and holding the Flying Immortal jade register on the left.
• Lord of the Human Emperor: nine inches tall, wearing a yellow cape and yellow brocade skirt, a seven-colored jeweled crown, and holding the Supreme Emperor’s jade register for preserving life on the right.
• Lord of the Terrestrial Emperor: nine inches tall, wearing a white brocade cape and plain brocade skirt, a Three Mornings jade crown, and holding the register of the Primordial Emperor for fixing one’s allotted record behind you.

Then practice according to the instructions in the scroll.

This practice forbids sexual union between Yin and Yang, entering a latrine while unclean, showing disrespect toward heavenly writings, and similar acts. Violating these prohibitions constitutes a breach of precepts.

Note: Terms such as clicking the teeth, swallowing saliva, visualization, facing a direction, and the Left Bureau belong to Daoist scripture-recitation and deity-visualization rituals. The specific methods of practice should be followed according to the complete scripture and a teacher’s transmission; this passage only clarifies the text’s meaning.

The Wushang Miyao (“Supreme Secret Essentials”), “On Reciting Scriptures” (excerpt): A Plain-Language Interpretation

The body of a true spirit must undergo examination by the divine officials on its left and right.

Scripture of the Empty Cavern and Numinous Chapter of Dongxuan

If faithful men and women make offerings of incense and lamps, they may attain radiance in this life, enter the body into Wuwei (non-action), and receive blessings naturally. If they observe fasting and recite this numinous chapter ten thousand times over a long period, their Daoist practice will be fulfilled. Water and fire within the body will respond to each other, and they will at once ascend by flight. This Dao is subtle and profound and must not be revealed to outsiders.

Scripture of Jade Capital Mountain of Dongxuan

If students of the Dao observe fasting over a long period, contemplate and recite the Daode Dongjing for a long time, and combine this with knocking the teeth, swallowing saliva, and breathing in and out the Qi of Great Harmony, their bodies will become golden in color. A round halo will rest behind their heads; they will wear the radiance of the sun in their hair, hold the essence of the moon in their hands, and bear numinous talismans of dark radiance and banners of the Ten Extremities. Their De (Virtue/Power) and achievements will be lofty. They will become supreme among the Dao, masters of boundless, wondrous transformation, and Perfected Persons of the Highest One. They will move the Great Nonbeing and stir the Celestial Elders, bringing flying dragons down and summoning celestial immortals.

Numinous Chapter of the Nine Heavens of Dongxuan

The Chapter of the Nine Heavens That Generate the Spirits is formed from the combined Qi of transcendent mystery of the Three Caverns, which coalesces into the highest sound and gathers into numinous writing. It unites the myriad spirits, conceals their rhyme names within, and is the natural chapter that forms the bodies of the living and the dead.

• When the Heavenly Treasure recites it, the light of Heaven and Earth opens.
• When the Numinous Treasure recites it, the souls of the Nine Netherworlds’ long night are opened.
• When the Divine Treasure recites it, it commands the myriad spirits.
• When the Great One recites it, the spirits of the body are made complete.
• When the Imperial Lord recites it, forms are joined in the Nine Heavens.
• When students of the Dao recite it, they ascend to Heaven.
• When ghosts and spirits hear it, they rise in rank.
• When ordinary people hear it, they endure forever.
• When departed souls hear it, they are released and guided onward.
• When withered remains hear it, they give off smoke.
• When infants hear it, they can speak.
• When corpses hear it, they return to human form.

The mysteries of the Three Treasures are the root from which the myriad things arise. Thus, neither ghosts and spirits can fully know them nor ordinary people hear them.

In the Palaces of the Three Origins, golden names and purple characters are inscribed in advance. Those destined in a future life to become divine immortals of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) will receive this text. Recite it once, and its sound reaches the Nine Heavens; twice, and Heaven and Earth show reverence; three times, and the Three Realms pay homage in their halls; four times, and the Heavenly Kings send down immortals; five times, and the Five Emperors pay court to the perfected; six times, and the Demon Kings bind themselves; seven times, and the stars halt at their gates; eight times, and the dark night is filled with light; nine times, and the lords of all the heavens descend, while every divine spirit guards the carriage.

After one recitation, it penetrates the source of the celestial womb and opens its passage; after two recitations, its resonance… (the text continues in the original scroll).

The Wushang Biyao (Supreme Secret Essentials) scripture describes the different realms and effects achieved through specific cycles of cultivation:

Practicing three cycles enables one to break free from earthly constraints and purify the hun and po souls. Four cycles summon celestial kings to descend; five cycles bring the Five Directional Emperors to pay homage while cleansing the internal organs. At six cycles, demon kings submit, and vital fluids generate within the body. Seven cycles open all acupoints; eight cycles unblock the meridian system completely. Nine cycles establish resonance between heaven and humanity, revitalizing all 36,000 joints in the body. Completing this nine-cycle period gains recognition from the Five Directional Emperors.

Ten cycles of practice grant command over ten thousand spirits; a hundred cycles connect one with divine intelligences; a thousand cycles enable one to command immortal jade maidens, while ten thousand cycles allow ascension astride dragons. The "three regions and eight luminaries" refer to eight crucial energy gates in the upper, middle, and lower body sections. The "three passes and five viscera" denote vital organ systems and meridian junctions.

The Dongxuan Wucheng Jing (Scripture of the Five Appellations from the Mysterious Cavern) records the Supreme Mysterious Unity Zhenren stating: Reciting the Daode Jing (Classic of the Way and Virtue) for a thousand days enables daytime ascension to become a Xihua Zhenren (high-ranking immortal official), with blessings extending to seven generations of ancestors.

The Dongxuan Wuliang Duren Jing (Infinite Salvation Scripture from the Mysterious Cavern) states: Adepts reciting this scripture may ascend to the Southern Palace (celestial abode), while lay practitioners gain longevity. After death, practitioners bypass hell and directly return to wander the cosmic void. "Corpse liberation" (shijie) is a Daoist technical term referring to immortal transformation through physical transcendence. Reciting this scripture during one's birth year summons divine protection and registers one's name in celestial records.

The text concludes: When an unperfected practitioner passes away, fellow cultivators burning incense and reciting the scripture ten times can guide their soul directly to the Southern Palace, where their accumulated virtue determines rebirth or immortal attainment. Here "Great Yin" (taiyin) signifies the death state, while "Southern Palace" denotes the Daoist celestial court system.

Selections from the Esoteric Essentials of the Supreme

The Dao (Taishang) says: When the workings of Heaven and Earth approach their end, one should perform a purification ritual, burn incense, and recite scriptures. When the stars fall out of alignment and the sun and moon lose their proper order, one should perform a purification ritual, burn incense, and recite scriptures. When the seasons become irregular and Yin-Yang falls out of balance, one should perform a purification ritual, burn incense, and recite scriptures. When a ruler suffers calamity and armies rise in the four directions, one should perform a purification ritual, burn incense, and recite scriptures. When epidemics spread and the people suffer and die, one should perform a purification ritual, burn incense, and recite scriptures. When one’s teachers, elders, or friends pass away, one should also perform a purification ritual, burn incense, and recite scriptures. The merit of purification and scripture recitation is immense: above, it can dispel heavenly disasters and protect rulers; below, it can ward off harm and deliver living beings from birth and death. Its power to bring blessings is beyond measure. Thus it is said to “deliver Heaven and humanity universally, without limit.”

The Dao also says: Whoever possesses this scripture and can perform this merit for the rulers and people of the world should, on a day of disaster or calamity, set their mind on the practice, perform a purification ritual, burn incense, and recite the scripture ten times. The heavens will record their name, and the myriad spirits will attend and protect them.

The Dao also says: The great Brahma’s hidden words and sounds of immeasurable range in this scripture are written in ancient characters, each character a zhang in height and width. The Celestial True Sovereign, Huangren—a revered deity said in Daoist tradition to have established the scripture’s sounds—once wrote them down as the correct pronunciation. If someone can recognize these sounds, observe purification, and recite them, the heavens will send the Flying Celestial Spirit Kings to watch over them, record their diligence, and report it to the heavens. The myriad spirits will pay homage, and the Earth deities will guard the gates. The Great Merit Demon King will recommend them; their path to becoming an Immortal will be complete, and they will be able to travel through the Three Realms and ascend to the Golden Gate.

Scripture on Delivering Life in the Golden Chamber of the Cavern of Truth

This scripture is a lofty jade chapter and a numinous text of the Great Cavern, arrayed within the human form. Recite it once, and its wondrous principles will become clear of themselves; recite it ten times, and your appearance will return to youth; recite it a hundred times, and inner transformation will form an embryonic immortal; recite it a thousand times, and you can pass away seated or standing, with your spirit ascending. When you have recited it ten thousand times, your Dao will be complete, and you will ascend to the heavens in broad daylight. Observe a long fast and dwell in stillness, without entering the dust and turmoil of the world: the Dao will descend without fail, and in time you can become an Immortal.

Ten recitations of the scripture count as one “round.” With each round, take one Golden Chamber Life-Preserving Talisman; ten rounds require ten talismans. When you have completed this number of rounds, you will commune with the spirits and attain the Real. Seated, you will see in all eight directions; the hundred passes will be ordered, the joints will receive numinous energy, and the myriad Qi will gather into unity. Then you can live long, with a lifespan equal to that of Heaven and Earth and the Three Luminaries—the sun, moon, and stars.

Scripture of the Purple Phoenix and Red Writ of Dragon Radiance in the Cavern of Truth

The Red Writ consists of ninety-one words. It was bestowed by the Perfected One of the Western Citadel and copied separately from an older text.

The following is a modern plain-language interpretation of passages from the various Dongzhen scriptures quoted in the Wushang Biyao:

The Wondrous Scripture of Great Being and Pure Numinousity of the Dongzhen Cavern

The foundation of cultivating the Dao and seeking immortality lies in the “hidden tones of phoenix Qi.” Those who obtain and wear this text and recite it can become perfected through the practice of the immortals; ordinary people who honor it can ward off calamities and dispel troubles. If one can observe a long-term fast, undertake arduous practice, dwell in secluded hills, and chant it ten thousand times, one may drive a dragon chariot through the void and ascend to Jade Clarity. If one remains hidden in the human world, wearing the text and reciting its sounds, divine officials will come to pay court. Reciting it once brings clarity to the spirit and purity to the Qi; a thousand demons bind themselves, and ten thousand fiends vanish.

The Perfected One of Taiji said: “The Supreme Pure Numinous Scripture of the Mysterious Dongxuan Cavern came into being together with the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. When the numinous text is present, all the perfected ones come to their seats, burn incense, and pay homage to the scripture. They then recite these twenty-one chapters to celebrate in the divine court. Its jade-toned sounds ring out brightly, clear through the Nine Heavens; its lines are subtle and wondrous in meaning, and reach beyond themselves. Chant it once, and ten thousand spirits awaken to numinous power. One should always study and practice it, unite in perfection with the Emperor, release the heavy burdens of old grievances, rescue the Seven Ancestral Spirits from the nether palaces, free sorrowful souls from the Five Sufferings, and raise oneself to the Three Heavens. How wondrous and subtle this numinous text is!”

The Scripture of the True Law of the Three Heavens of the Dongzhen Cavern

A hymn of the Three Heavens says: “Whoever receives this text should recite it in a private chamber. After a thousand recitations, one communicates with the spirits; after ten thousand, one communicates with the perfected ones. Communicating with the spirits enables one to speak with them and foresee good and ill fortune. Communicating with the perfected ones enables one to behold the face of the Primordial Beginning. One may enter water without sinking, enter fire without burning, pass through calamities and endure adversity, and soar in radiance to the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing).”

The Scripture of the Imperial Chapters of Jade Writings and Luminous Books of the Great Empyrean of the Dongzhen Cavern

Among the many scriptures for cultivation, the Jade Writings come first. Chant them in a quiet chamber and make offerings in stillness in the Hall of Rosy Clouds; the host of demons will submit and serve, and no trial will dare approach. Through whatever practice one chooses, one can attain the truth of the Dao. After ten thousand recitations, one’s cultivation of the Dao is complete, and one rises bodily to Great Clarity.

The Scripture of the Great Precepts for Contemplating the Body and Wisdom of the Dongzhen Cavern

The Celestial Emperor of Taiwei said: “If a student of the Dao does not uphold the Great Precepts for Contemplating the Body, but merely recites scriptures ten thousand times and hides away in the mountains and forests, then surely the hope of ascending to immortality is difficult to realize?”

The Scripture of the Exposition of Grades from Foreign Lands of the Dongzhen Cavern

One should burn incense, quiet the chamber, and offer reverent prayers. If one cultivates the practice and chants the scripture once, ten thousand perfected beings will assemble, the Five Elders will manifest, and the demons of heaven will bow down in submission. Thus one summons immortals and brings the perfected ones near.

The Scripture of the Jade Registers and Woven Texts of the Three Origins of the Dongzhen Cavern

In the Upper Palace of Jade Clarity, there is a song of jade and precious stones, comprising ninety chapters and presided over by the Lords of the Three Origins. The Lords of the Origins constantly chant its melody to harmonize the Qi of form and soul, and to celebrate in…

(This passage appears to be incomplete in the quotation; the original work may continue it elsewhere.)

Explanatory notes for readers; not part of the scripture

• “Hidden tones of phoenix Qi” refers here to the scripture’s secret sounds or names, associated with wearing and reciting the text in pursuit of immortality.
• “Long-term fasting, arduous practice, and secluded hills” refers to prolonged fasting, austere cultivation, and withdrawal to remote places in the mountains.
• “Driving a dragon chariot through the void” and “Jade Clarity” refer to riding a dragon and ascending to heaven; Jade Clarity is one of the Daoist realms of the Three Pure Ones.
• “Old grievances,” “Seven Ancestral Spirits,” and “Five Sufferings” are terms associated with Daoist ideas of karmic consequences and deliverance from the underworld. The Seven Ancestral Spirits refers to seven ancestors or related beings in the netherworld; the Five Sufferings often refers to the sufferings of the hells.
• “Primordial Beginning” refers to the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning; saying that the scripture came into being together with him indicates its exceptionally high status.
• “Hymn of the Three Heavens” and “communicating with the spirits and perfected ones” refer to the Three Heavens and their orthodox teachings. The counts of a thousand and ten thousand recitations describe the practice and its correspondence with spirits and the Primordial Beginning.
• “Jade Writings” and “luminous books” refer to scriptures of jade or precious materials, regarded as foremost among texts for cultivation.
• “Great Precepts for Contemplating the Body” refers to contemplating body and mind and observing precepts in cultivation, regarded as a more fundamental practice than reciting scriptures alone.
• The Five Elders are five revered Daoist deities. The Lords of the Three Origins are revered deities associated with Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, or with the Upper Origin and related realms; they preside over the song of these ninety chapters.

A Plain-Language Interpretation of The Supreme Secret Essentials

The Truth of the Nine Offices and the Way of the Three Primordials

Those who cultivate the true methods of the Nine Offices and follow the Way of the Three Primordials should chant the songs and hymns aloud, seeking communion with the utmost numinous beings. From the midst of the mysterious and empty, they summon the true spirits to descend along the pathways of the fluids—the routes of the Qi channels.

The Scripture of the Six Jia Talismans of the Elixir Spirits, from the Cavern of Truth

The Jade Maidens in the Jade Palace of Shangqing are all recorded on golden tablets, which preserve the songs and hymns of the Upper Palace. Their voices join in chorus, clear and resonant. The celebrations of Jade Clarity bring blessings, and the divine perfected beings release what is blocked.

Changyang, having obtained this text, saw the Six Jia take form. If one can maintain purity through fasting and chant the numinous sounds, then at the appointed time one will ascend on a white luan to the Jade Palace. If students of the Way lose sight of this practice, they will only damage body and spirit. The heavenly perfected beings will not descend, and there will be no way to become an immortal.

On Cultivating the Way of the Six Jia

On each Jia day, enter a chamber, ingest a talisman, and chant the songs of the Six Palaces. After six years of practice, communion will be complete: a Jade Maiden will descend into the chamber and speak face-to-face with the seeker of the Way. She will ride a dragon into the highest skies and ascend, transforming the practitioner’s body.

This Way is secret and must not be revealed. If it is kept secret, the numinous beings will descend; if it is disclosed, calamity will follow.

The Scripture of the Hidden Writings of Jade Clarity, from the Cavern of Truth

The hidden incantations of the Great Cavern of Jade Clarity and the Upper Writings of the Nine Heavens come from formulas passed down orally and heart to heart by the High and Supreme One. They can release what is blocked and disperse the source of affliction. The Great Cavern’s True Scripture has thirty-nine chapters, whose principles are brought to their utmost in this scripture: above, it summons exalted spirits, shining amid rosy clouds; below, it destroys the calamities of ten thousand demons.

Reciting it once can open and illuminate the hidden gates and the thirty-nine doors, receive Jade Fluids, and sink obstructive death Qi. The hundred spirits rejoice within. Once the hundred spirits are free to move, the sound reaches the Nine Profundities, the Qi brightens the Purple Firmament, and the resonance knocks at Jade Dawn. The Five Emperors fasten their belts, and ten thousand numinous beings gather at the celestial hall. Generations upon generations return; the seven ancestral generations ascend. The practitioner gains wings, rides the radiance and mounts the clouds, flies through Jade Clarity, and takes a place among the Purple Guests. This is the wondrous Way of the High Mystery and the secret scripture of Jade Clarity.

Notes

• Six Jia refers to the six Jia days in the cycle of the Heavenly Stems, such as Jiazi and Jia-yin. They are often associated with Dunjia, talismans, and incantation practices.
• Nine Offices, Three Primordials, and Six Palaces are terms for the Daoist spirits within the body, celestial palaces and offices, and stages of cultivation.
• Jade Maidens and heavenly perfected beings are protective and guiding spirits in the Shangqing realm. The seven ancestors are seven generations of forebears; merit may be dedicated to them to help them ascend.
• Purification and fasting means cleansing body and mind and abstaining from meat and other foods. It is a prerequisite for reciting scriptures and ingesting talismans.