《無上祕要》Vol. 46

The Supreme Secret Essentials, Fascicle 55, Part Seven: The Section on the Taizhen Lower-Origin Purification Ritual · The Method of the Taizhen Purification Ritual

The Method of the Taizhen Purification Ritual

Those who study the Dao at the highest level and seek to become flying immortals, communicate with spirits, attain perfected status, soar through the radiance, ascend into the vastness of space, and reach the Nine Heavens must perform the three-day Lower-Origin purification ritual. They burn incense and recite the scriptures to deliver their ancestors of seven generations, enabling the souls of the dead to be reborn, escape the Three Paths, ascend to the Southern Palace, resolve entanglements and remove obstructions, and cut off evil roots. When the seven generations of ancestors rejoice, the practitioner too may become an immortal. This method is profound and subtle; do not transmit it to the unworthy.

To perform the Lower-Origin purification ritual, bathe and cleanse the body the day before the ritual period, and resolve to observe purification and abstinence. The group may number up to nine people and must include at least three. On the night before the ritual, enter the chamber, face north, click the teeth fourteen times, pinch incense three times, and kneel upright to make this invocation:

Supreme Lord of the Nine Mysteries of the Empty Cavern and Naturalness; officials of the Lower-Origin purification ritual of the Great Perfected Void Emperor; the Five Emperors of the Five Directions; flying immortals of the Five Sacred Peaks: On the day of the [day] of the [month], at [place], we will conduct the purification vigil, burn incense and lamps, and recite the scriptures. We respectfully invite the emissaries who oversee perfection in the Lower-Origin realm, the immortal officials in charge of the purification vigil, and twelve Jade Youths and twelve Jade Maidens to descend together and oversee our offering of incense, that it may be heard above in the Nine Heavens. We respectfully announce this in advance tonight, and shall carry out the ritual as prescribed.

When this is complete, enter the chamber at dawn the following day and arrange the participants in their places according to rank. Outside the ritual hall, the officiant clicks the teeth three times, visualizing clouds of natural purple Qi rising inside the chamber and filling it, with Jade Youths and Jade Maidens arrayed on either side. Murmur, “It is so,” then enter, burn incense, and perform the rites. Pray that the immortal officials in charge of the purification vigil guard and protect the officiant, open the way to the Mysterious Void, and hear everything, whether in movement or stillness. Then enter, face east, and address the incense burner:

Divine perfected beings of the Five Emperors, numinous powers of the Lower-Origin realm; Golden Immortals; Jade Youths and Pure-Spirit Jade Maidens who attend the incense on either side; flying immortals and numinous officials: report this to the Primordial Heavenly King of the Nine Heavens, the Jade Emperor of the Void, and the Most High Heavenly Venerable. At this very moment, as we burn incense, circumambulate, and perform the rites of the scriptures, may the boundless, natural, true and upright Qi descend into our bodies. May it receive the secret words uttered from our mouths and swiftly carry them up to the exalted Jade Emperor.

[Before the table,] turn left to face north, kneel upright, and click the teeth twelve times. Visualize the thirty-nine gates in the limbs and body of the officiant, along with the Perfected Ones, numinous officials, flying immortals on either side, and attendants of the Jade Void—

A Plain-Language Reading of Wushang Biyao (The Supreme Secret Essentials)

Each of the thirty-six Langwudi Wuse Yuanhuang Taizhen Feilong Gongcao and Shenxian Shizhe—divine officials and messengers of the immortals—emerges from the Jade Void. The attendant officials hold Feixian Yujie (ceremonial staffs symbolizing the realm of the immortals) and Jiuse Yaotian Zhi Hui (nine-colored banners that shine in the heavens). The Five Emperors, Five-Colored Primordial Sovereigns, and Perfected Ones of Great Truth hold the Wudi Mingmo Lingfan, banners with which the Five Emperors subdue demonic obstacles. The Feilong Gongcao wear crowns and feathered robes, and carry golden seals bearing phoenix designs. The divine messengers stand interspersed among the Seven Luminaries, divine beings associated with the Big Dipper and other celestial bodies, to guard the jade altar. They stand before us.

We recite the secret incantation, riding in a Golden-Rooted Chariot with a Purple Canopy, a Cinnabar-Shafted Jade Carriage, and a Cloud-Flying Wheel—all names for celestial vehicles. On either side are twelve Golden Immortals and Jade Youths, and twelve Jade Maidens of Taihua. A host of 240,000 dragon and tiger spirits and feathered riders accompanies us as we fly above the purple canopy, ascend to the Nine Heavens, and enter the Golden Gate and Jade Hall, the Jade Chambers and Cinnabar Rooms—palaces of the celestial court. We then present our petition to:

The Supreme, Boundless, Infinite, Highest Cave-Truth of the Nine Mysteries, Primordial Father; the Mysterious Mother of the Great Void; the Primordial Heavenly King; the Most High Jade Void Elder of the Ten Thousand Dao; and the Heavenly Kings of Yudans, Boundless Heaven; Shangshang Chanshan, Boundless Longevity Heaven; Xuyan Heaven; Jiran Heaven; Bujiao Le Heaven; Huaying Sheng Heaven; Fanbao Heaven; Fanjia Moyi Heaven; and Boli Dahe Heaven; the Chancellor of the Nine Heavens; the Jade Youths of the Three Heavens; the Thirty-Two Emperors of the Most High; the Twenty-Four Perfected Ones; the Ancient Mysterious Master; the Elder of the Ten Thousand Beginnings; the Most High Great Dao Lord, High Sage Jade Dawn; the Divine King of Fusang and Yanggu; the Four Administrations and Five Emperors; the Western Spirit Turtle Mother; the High Master of Shangqing, the Perfected Jade Treasure High Minister and Great Director of Destiny, Gaochen; the Lord of the Eastern Florescent Jade Gate, the Youth of Azure Florescence; the Most High Lord Lao, Supreme Elder of the Dao, the Mysterious Origin of the Three Heavens, Boundless and Supreme, of Taiqing; the Heavenly Emperor Lord of the Most High; the Lord of the Nine Elders and Immortal Capital; the Elder of the Nine Qi; the countless layers of Dao Qi; the twelve hundred officials and lords; the innumerable Dao Sovereigns beneath the jade steps of Taiqing; the Perfected Ones of the Dao; the Boundless Celestial Worthy; and the Primordial Sovereigns of the Mysterious Capital, whose Qi-lineage arises naturally from the Great Cavern of the Three Sovereigns; and all the rest.

We, disciples and lesser Perfected Ones, including the Master of a certain sacred mountain (I, so-and-so), now respectfully join together to establish a purification rite and maintain ritual observance, recite scriptures, practice the Dao, burn incense, and light lamps. We establish merit to rescue and redeem the seven generations of ancestors, resolve the karmic roots of the past, free them from the dark paths and raise them to the Southern Palace, release and deliver suffering souls, and bring them into heaven. We make this special petition from…

Note: This is an invocation used in a Daoist Zhaijiao purification ritual. It first describes the celestial retinue and lists the names of divine beings, then states the purpose of the rite: to perform purification, recite scriptures, deliver ancestors and the souls of the dead, and seek their ascent to the Southern Palace, a realm where Daoism holds that souls may be saved and reborn in a favorable place. The text contains many personal names and official titles, most of them drawn from Daoist divine genealogies and ritual offices; the names are retained in this plain-language rendering so readers can compare them with the original and its liturgy.

Plain-language interpretation

May the Most High, Boundless Celestial Worthy (Gaoshang Wuji Tianzun) descend with divine radiance and shine upon the affairs we, your servants, have presented. May the Three Treasures of Shangqing—the Dao, the scriptures, and the master—together with the Director of the Immortals, the Five Emperors of the Five Directions, the Spirit-Inspecting Ministers, the Great God Who Oversees the Purification Retreat, the Envoys in Charge of the Retreat, the Perfected Ones Who Attend the Retreat, the Flying Immortals and Celestial Immortals, the Immortals of the Five Sacred Peaks, and their troops, horses, and mounts, each lead multitudes of nine hundred million and descend together to encamp, guard, and protect us.

May demonic hindrances within our bodies be dispelled, and may trials and ordeals drive away misfortune. May the naturally arising, righteous Qi of the Nine Heavens, the refined essence of Golden Elixir, and the divine immortals of the mushroom blossoms be summoned to meet and shine upon one another in the retreat hall. May the Jade Maidens and Jade Youths attend and guard us amid the incense smoke, so that we may follow the Dao and attain the Dao, seek immortality and attain immortality, fly through the vast sky, and rise in radiance to the Nine Heavens. We set our hearts on this vow: may we accord with the Three Treasures and uphold the retreat observances. May our ancestors of seven generations be delivered beyond the three paths of suffering—the realms of hell, hungry ghosts, and animals. We beg that the souls of the dead be reborn, and that all beings be freed from every kind of suffering and receive deliverance, thus receiving the boundless grace of the Great Perfected above. When the practice is complete, we respectfully invite the divine beings to return to their original palaces. May our offering be accepted and its performance witnessed; we shall faithfully carry it out.

Next: Send out the divine officers and troops.

Next: Turn back, face east, and offer incense three times to the censer.

First incense offering

We, disciples of the Three Luminaries of the Great Cavern of the Mysterious Capital in Shangqing, Minor Perfected One (name), Master Yue, and servant Jia and the others, now establish a retreat and observe its rules, burn incense and light lamps, contemplate the Perfected Ones and recite the scriptures, follow the Dao, and seek immortality. May we use this merit to deliver the seven generations of impoverished souls in the family of your servant (name), cut off the roots of past misdeeds, and release and redeem them from the hidden realms. We beg that the souls of the dead be reborn in Heaven, escape the Five Sufferings, and receive blessings in the Southern Palace. We now entrust our bodies, spirits, and lives to:

The Supreme, Most True and Utmost, Ninefold-Mysterious Primordial Jade Emperor; the King of Heaven of Boundless Yudan; the King of Heaven of Boundless Longevity, Supreme Above the Supreme, of Dhyana Goodness; the King of Heaven of Xuyan; the Thirty-Nine Emperors; the Twenty-Four Perfected Ones; the Chancellors of the Nine Heavens; the Most High Great Lord of the Dao, High Jade Dawn; the myriad Immortals and Supreme Sages; and the Boundless Celestial Worthy.

May this merit flow back to our bodies, enabling the resentful souls of our ancestors of seven generations to ascend to Heaven, where food and clothing arise naturally and they dwell forever in Wuwei. May our own bodies soar aloft. For this reason, we now burn incense and return ourselves to the Dao.

After attaining the Dao, the High and Utmost Celestial Worthy ascends into the formless realm and takes an equal place alongside the Three Treasures.

Second incense offering, with this vow: We, servant Jia and the others, now observe the retreat rules, burn incense and light lamps, recite the scriptures and contemplate the Perfected Ones, follow the Dao, and seek above to become Flying Immortals. We dedicate this merit to all the Heavens…

(The following passage appears incomplete in the original; the translation ends here.)

May the Daoists of the ten directions, countless and measureless, together with the masters who cultivate in seclusion among the famous mountains, our parents and revered elders, and our fellow students, disciples, and worthy Daoists, each attain the Dao and ascend by flight to Shangqing. May the suffering souls of our ancestors through seven generations escape the prisons of darkness and rise to the halls of the immortals. Now I return my body, my spirit, and my life to—

The Supreme and Utmost Ninefold Mystery, Primordial Jade Emperor; the King of Silent Stillness; the King of the Heaven of Untroubled Joy; the King of Responsive Manifestation; the Thirty-Nine Emperors; the Twenty-Four Perfected Ones; the Chancellor of the Nine Heavens; the High and Lofty Jade Morning, Most High Lord of the Great Dao; and the boundless Heavenly Worthies, supreme sages among the myriad immortals. May I dedicate this merit to the secluded adepts and students of the famous mountains, and to our fellow students, disciples, and worthy Daoists, so that the suffering souls of our ancestors may rise to heaven, where food and clothing come of themselves. May I attain flight and ascent. For this reason, I now burn incense and take refuge.

After attaining the Dao, the High and Lofty Utmost Heavenly Worthy ascends into the formless and moves in unison with the Three Treasures.

The third offering of incense is accompanied by this vow: We now keep the purification fast, burn incense, light lamps, recite the scriptures, contemplate the Perfected, and practice the Dao. Seeking to ascend as flying immortals, we dedicate this merit and pray that our household, nine generations of kin, and relations by marriage; emperors, rulers of states, lords, ministers, officials, and common people; the borderlands in all four directions and their Qiang, Yi, Di, and Liao peoples; and all living beings that fly, crawl, creep, or breathe—those already born and those not yet born—may each preserve their lives, and may the Dao long protect them in their natural state. We return our bodies, our spirits, and our lives to—

The Supreme and Utmost Ninefold Mystery, Primordial Jade Emperor; the King of Brahma’s Treasure; the King of Brahma-Kāmāyī; the King of Pali-Patta; the Thirty-Nine Emperors; the Twenty-Four Perfected Ones; the Chancellor of the Nine Heavens; the High and Lofty Jade Morning, Most High Lord of the Great Dao; and the boundless Heavenly Worthies, supreme sages among the myriad immortals. May we dedicate this merit to our nine generations of kin and relations by marriage; to emperors, rulers of states, lords, ministers, officials, and common people; to the borderlands in all four directions; and to all beings that fly and crawl. May they all escape the ten sufferings, eight hardships, five calamities, six afflictions, nine ordeals, and seven injuries, preserve their blessings and emoluments, and dwell long in their natural state. For this reason, I now burn incense and take refuge.

After attaining the Dao, the High and Lofty Utmost Heavenly Worthy ascends into the formless and moves in unison with the Three Treasures.

Next, turn left toward the northwest, bow once, kneel upright, and make this vow: I now establish the purification retreat, burn incense, light lamps, recite the scriptures, contemplate the Perfected, practice the Dao, and seek immortality, in order to deliver my seven generations of ancestors above—

The Essential Secrets of the Supreme — A Plain-Language Interpretation

1. Bowing and Praying Toward the Southeast

(Your servant) now establishes a purification rite, takes up the prescribed position, burns incense, lights lamps, recites scriptures, contemplates the perfected ones, practices the Way, and seeks to become an immortal. May the seven generations of ancestors above be released, and may lost souls be rescued and sent to the Southern Palace of the Immortals. I pray to:

The Most High Jade Emperor, Supreme Heavenly Worthy, Father of the Primordial Beginning and Nine Mysteries, of the boundless primordial void. May you graciously turn your gaze toward me and enable your servant to practice the Way and attain the Way, seek immortality and attain it, fly through the primordial void, and rise in radiance to Jade Purity. May the seven generations of ancestors be rescued and the wronged souls released; may they escape the Three Paths and Five Sufferings and be spared the fiery regions. May my body be granted birth in heaven and blessedness among the southern immortals; may my whole household ascend and be delivered, and may all under heaven receive your grace.

2. Bowing and Praying Toward the Northwest

(Your servant) now establishes a purification rite, takes up the prescribed position, burns incense, lights lamps, recites scriptures, contemplates the perfected ones, practices the Way, and seeks to become an immortal. May the seven generations of ancestors above be released, and may lost souls be rescued and sent to the Southern Palace of the Immortals. I pray to:

The Most High Jade Void Supreme Heavenly Worthy, Mother of the Primordial Beginning and Nine Mysteries, of the boundless primordial void. May you graciously turn your gaze toward me and enable your servant to practice the Way and attain the Way, seek immortality and attain it, fly through the primordial void, and rise in radiance to Jade Purity. May the seven generations of ancestors be rescued and the wronged souls released; may they escape the Three Paths and Five Sufferings and be spared the fiery regions. May my body be granted birth in heaven and blessedness among the southern immortals; may my whole household ascend and be delivered, and may all under heaven receive your grace.

3. Bowing and Praying Due North

(Your servant) now establishes a purification rite, takes up the prescribed position, burns incense, lights lamps, recites scriptures, contemplates the perfected ones, practices the Way, and seeks to become an immortal. May the seven generations of ancestors above be released, and may lost souls be rescued and sent to the Southern Palace of the Immortals. I pray to:

The Most High Jade Void Supreme Heavenly Worthy, King of the Boundless Heaven of Yudan, born of the Primordial Beginning and of the boundless primordial void. May you graciously turn your gaze toward me and enable your servant to practice the Way and attain the Way, seek immortality and attain it, fly through the primordial void, and rise in radiance to Jade Purity. May the seven generations of ancestors be rescued and the wronged souls released; may they escape the Three Paths and Five Sufferings and be spared the mountain of knives. May my body be granted birth in heaven and blessedness in the Southern Hall; may my whole household ascend and be delivered, and may all under heaven receive your grace.

4. Bowing and Praying Due North

(Your servant) now establishes a purification rite, takes up the prescribed position, burns incense, lights lamps, recites scriptures, contemplates the perfected ones, practices the Way, and seeks to become an immortal. May the seven generations of ancestors above be released, and may lost souls be rescued and sent to the Southern Palace of the Immortals. I pray to:

The Most High Jade Void Supreme Heavenly Worthy, King of the Boundless Heaven of Supreme Chan-shan and Immeasurable Longevity, born of the Primordial Beginning and of the boundless primordial void. May you graciously turn your gaze toward me and enable your servant to practice the Way and attain the Way, seek immortality and attain it, fly through the primordial void, and rise in radiance to Jade Purity. May the seven generations of ancestors be rescued and the wronged souls released; may they escape the Three Paths and Five Sufferings and be spared the source of the river. May my body be granted birth in heaven and blessedness in the Southern Hall; may my whole household ascend and be delivered, and may all under heaven receive your grace.

Brief Explanation

This is a prayer of aspiration used in Daoist Zhaijiao (purification rites). The ritual practitioner bows in sequence according to the directions, praying to different Heavenly Worthies:

The central prayers:

• Release the seven generations above: deliver the ancestors of seven generations.
• Rescue lost souls: save the dead who have fallen into suffering.
• The Three Paths and Five Sufferings: escape the three hellish paths—fire, blood, and knives—and the five forms of suffering.
• Fly through the primordial void and rise in radiance to Jade Purity: attain the Way, ascend as an immortal, and enter the heaven of Jade Purity.
• May the whole household ascend and be delivered, and all under heaven receive grace: may the entire family be delivered, and may blessings reach everyone under heaven.

The Supreme Secret Essentials—A Plain-Language Reading

Facing northeast, bow twice, then kneel and make this vow:

Your servant today establishes an altar and conducts a purification rite, burning incense and lighting lamps, reciting scriptures and invoking the perfected ones, practicing the Dao and seeking immortality. Above all, I seek to release the karmic burdens of seven generations of ancestors and deliver departed souls, so they may reach the Southern Palace of the Immortals. May Primordial Beginning of the Great Void, the Heavenly King Xuyan, and the Most High Celestial Worthy of the Jade Void, Supreme and Ultimate, specially bestow their compassion and look upon me with favor. May your servant practice the Dao and attain the Dao, seek immortality and become immortal, ascend through the Great Void, and soar in radiance to Jade Clarity. May the seven generations of ancestors be delivered and resentful souls freed from the Three Paths and Five Sufferings, from the Eight Calamities and all their pains. I beg to ascend bodily to the heavens, receive blessings in the Southern Terrace, and have my entire household delivered and exalted, so that all under Heaven may share in this grace.

Facing due east, bow twice, then kneel and make this vow:

Your servant today establishes a purification rite and sets up the altar, burning incense and lighting lamps, reciting scriptures and contemplating the perfected ones, practicing the Dao and seeking immortality. Above all, I seek to release the seven generations of clan kin and deliver departed souls, so they may reach the Southern Palace of the Immortals. May Primordial Beginning of the Great Void, the Heavenly King Jiran, and the Most High Celestial Worthy of the Jade Void, Supreme and Ultimate, specially bestow their compassionate light and look upon me with favor. May your servant practice the Dao and attain the Dao, seek immortality and become immortal, fly through the Great Void, and soar in radiance to Jade Clarity. May the seven generations of ancestors be delivered and resentful souls freed from the Three Paths and Five Sufferings, and from trials and punishments. I beg to ascend bodily to Heaven, receive blessings in the Southern Terrace, and have my entire household delivered and exalted, so that all under Heaven may receive grace.

Facing southeast, bow twice, then kneel and make this vow:

Your servant today establishes a purification rite and sets up the altar, burning incense and lighting lamps, reciting scriptures and contemplating the perfected ones, practicing the Dao and seeking immortality. Above all, I seek to release the seven generations of ancestors and deliver departed souls to the Southern Palace of the Immortals. May Primordial Beginning of the Great Void, the Heavenly King Bujiaole, and the Most High Celestial Worthy of the Jade Void, Supreme and Ultimate, specially bestow their compassionate light and look upon me with favor. May your servant practice the Dao and attain the Dao, seek immortality and become immortal, fly through the Great Void, and soar in radiance to Jade Clarity. May the seven generations of ancestors be delivered and resentful souls freed from the Three Paths and Five Sufferings, and from trials and torment in the underworld. I beg to ascend bodily to Heaven, receive blessings in the Southern Terrace, and have my entire household delivered and exalted, so that all under Heaven may receive grace.

Facing due south, bow twice, then kneel and make this vow:

Your servant today establishes a purification rite and sets up the altar, burning incense and lighting lamps, reciting scriptures and contemplating the perfected ones, practicing the Dao and seeking immortality. Above all, I seek to release the seven generations of ancestors and deliver departed souls to the Southern Palace of the Immortals. May Primordial Beginning of the Great Void, the Heavenly King Huaying Sheng, and the Most High Celestial Worthy of the Jade Void, Supreme and Ultimate, specially bestow their compassionate light and look upon me with favor. May your servant practice the Dao and attain the Dao, seek immortality and become immortal, fly through the Great Void, and soar in radiance to Jade Clarity. May the seven generations of ancestors be delivered and resentful souls freed from the Three Paths and Five Sufferings. I beg to ascend bodily to Heaven, receive blessings in the Southern Terrace, and have my entire household delivered and exalted, so that all under Heaven may receive grace.

Note for following the liturgy:

The Heavenly King invoked differs with each direction—Xuyan, Jiran, Bujiaole, and Huaying Sheng—but the general meaning of each vow is the same: to establish a purification rite and recite scriptures, release ancestors and deliver departed souls, and seek one’s own ascent to immortality. The practitioner also asks the Celestial Worthies to show compassion, so that both the practitioner and their departed kin may escape the torments of the underworld and ascend to the southern heavens to receive blessings. “The Three Paths and Five Sufferings” refers to evil realms and various forms of karmic suffering. In Daoist liturgies, the “Southern Palace” and “Southern Terrace” often refer to celestial regions where the dead are delivered and blessings received.

(In the realm of punishment by wind-blades,) may I pray that my own person be born into the heavenly realm and receive blessings, ascending through the closed gates of the Southern Hall and attaining deliverance, so that all under Heaven may share in this grace.

Next, face southwest and bow twice. Kneel upright and make this vow: “I now establish a purification retreat and set up an altar, burn incense and light lamps, recite the scriptures and contemplate the Perfected, practice the Dao and seek immortality. Above, may I release my ancestors of seven generations; may I deliver wandering souls and guide them into the Southern Palace of the Immortals. May I follow

the Primordial Origin of the Great Void, the Heavenly King Fanbao, and the Most High Celestial Worthy of Utmost Perfection in the Jade Void, who preside above. May they especially bestow their light upon me, enabling me to practice the Dao and attain the Dao, seek immortality and become immortal, fly through the Great Void, and rise amid the splendor of Jade Clarity. May I deliver my ancestors of seven generations and free resentful souls from the Three Paths and Five Sufferings. (Amid the wind-blades,) may I beg that my own person be born into the heavenly realm and receive blessings, ascending through the closed gates of the Southern Hall, so that all under Heaven may receive grace.”

Then face due west and bow once more. Kneel upright and make this vow: “I now establish a purification retreat and set up an altar, burn incense and light lamps, recite the scriptures and contemplate the Perfected, practice the Dao and seek immortality. Above, may I release the Seven Ancestors; may I deliver wandering souls and guide them into the Southern Palace of the Immortals. May I follow

the Primordial Origin of the Great Void, the Heavenly King Fanjiamoyi, and the Most High Celestial Worthy of Utmost Perfection in the Jade Void, who preside above. May they especially bestow their light upon me, enabling me to practice the Dao and attain the Dao, seek immortality and become immortal, fly through the Great Void, and rise amid the splendor of Jade Clarity. May I deliver my ancestors of seven generations and free resentful souls from the Three Paths and Five Sufferings. Throughout ten thousand kalpas, may I beg that my own person be born into the heavenly realm and receive blessings, ascending through the closed gates of the Southern Hall, so that all under Heaven may receive grace.”

Then face the direction of Tai Sui and bow again. Kneel upright and make this vow: “I now establish a purification retreat and set up an altar, burn incense and light lamps, recite the scriptures and contemplate the Perfected, practice the Dao and seek immortality. Above, may I release the Seven Ancestors; may I deliver wandering souls and guide them into the Southern Palace of the Immortals. May I follow

the Primordial Origin of the Great Void, the Heavenly King Bolidatahe, and the Most High Celestial Worthy of Utmost Perfection in the Jade Void, who preside above. May they especially bestow their light upon me, enabling me to practice the Dao and attain the Dao, seek immortality and become immortal, fly through the Great Void, and rise amid the splendor of Jade Clarity. May I deliver my ancestors of seven generations and free resentful souls from the Three Paths and Five Sufferings, and from the suffering of the twenty-four prisons. May I beg that my own person be born into the heavenly realm and receive blessings, ascending through the closed gates of the Southern Hall, so that all under Heaven may receive grace.”

Then turn westward and bow again. Kneel upright and make this vow:

“Lords, Worthies, and Celestial Worthies of the Western Jade Void, exalted, profound, supreme, and perfectly true, may you graciously extend your benevolence and grant that what I have learned may follow my heart: may I practice the Dao and attain the Dao, seek immortality and become immortal, fly upward to Upper Clarity, and rise amid the splendor of the Nine Heavens. May the fathers and mothers of seven generations escape the Five Sufferings and be delivered from the Eight Difficulties, ascend to the Immortal Hall, and receive blessings in the Southern Palace.”

Bow twice toward the north, kneel, and pray

Supreme Lord of Limitless Heaven, Jade Void, lofty and profound, most holy and perfectly true, sovereign of all lords and elders of the north: may you graciously bestow upon your servant the teachings he seeks. May he follow his heart in practicing the Dao, attain the Dao and seek immortality, then, having become an immortal, fly to Shangqing and soar through the radiance of the nine heavens. May his seven generations of ancestors and parents leave behind the Five Sufferings, be delivered from the Eight Hardships, ascend to Heaven, and receive blessings in the Southern Palace.

Bow twice toward the east, kneel, and pray

Supreme Lord of Limitless Heaven, Jade Void, lofty and profound, most holy and perfectly true, sovereign of all lords and elders of the east: may you graciously bestow upon your servant the teachings he seeks. May he follow his heart in practicing the Dao, attain the Dao and seek immortality, then, having become an immortal, fly to Shangqing and soar through the radiance of the nine heavens. May his seven generations of ancestors and parents leave behind the Five Sufferings, be delivered from the Eight Hardships, ascend to the Immortal Palace, and receive blessings in the Southern Palace.

Bow twice toward the south, kneel, and pray

Supreme Lord of Limitless Heaven, Jade Void, lofty and profound, most holy and perfectly true, sovereign of all lords and elders of the south: may you graciously bestow upon your servant the teachings he seeks. May he follow his heart in practicing the Dao, attain the Dao and seek immortality, then, having become an immortal, fly to Shangqing and soar through the radiance of the nine heavens. May his seven generations of ancestors and parents leave behind the Five Sufferings, be delivered from the Eight Hardships, ascend to the Immortal Palace, and receive blessings in the Southern Palace.

When finished, turn west, click the teeth three times, and pray

The prayer is as given above.

Hymn

The Great Dao penetrates the profound and subtle mystery;

Lofty and empty, it encompasses the three spheres.

The Golden Immortals open the spirit gates,

Their radiance clear as the nine heavens.

Purple vapors scatter over Mount Taihua;

The Eight Perfected shine upon the white clouds.

The Mysterious Mother forms the supreme vow;

Eight gates lie along the path.

Myriad blessings gather where spirits meet;

Smoke rises as the hymn to the Lower Origin is sung.

The wondrous recitation moves the layered void;

One joins the company of the high immortals.

Wandering through the rites of the Hollow Void,

One bows low before the Imperial Lord.

When finished, bow twice, swallow the breath three times, and stop

Lower Origin Section

At this point, one should make a vow here to recite the “Nine Heavens Chapter” from the Jade Book of Taixiao. Circle the incense three times, face due north from the south, and make nine bows. When all is done, leave without looking back.

The rites of homage at the three times of day, and the eating, resting, reciting, and contemplation, are all as prescribed in the method of the Upper Origin.

After completing the three-day purification, the rite officials who initiate the transfer follow the same rules as in the Upper Origin, adding only the merit of delivering the seven generations of ancestors.

Lower Origin Section

For this purification rite, one should write the awe-inspiring imperial talisman of the Seven Luminaries, titled “Dispersing Obscurity,” and place it in the appropriate direction, wherever suitable.

The Essentials of the Supreme Mystery: “The Three Primes”

On the day of entering the retreat hall—the day the purification rite is performed and participants enter the hall—one should choose a person of high virtue and reputation, able to communicate with the gods, understand hidden subtleties, and apply learning with clarity, to serve as the retreat master, who presides over the rite and expounds the teachings from the high seat. The other participants should observe the retreat alongside the master. All should sit quietly and attentively, listen closely to the teachings, and receive instruction with reverence; none should be careless or dismissive. If someone observes the retreat only outwardly while harboring other thoughts, they have failed the standards of Heaven and will be disciplined by the celestial officials, who administer Heaven’s laws and oversee observance of the retreat. The divine troops of the Five Emperors, under the Five Emperors’ command, will transfer that person’s name from the registers to Northern Feng, the underworld in the north. They will not be allowed to enter the retreat hall again.

On the day of entering the retreat hall, men and women should take their places according to their experience in the Dao, conduct themselves with dignity, walk slowly around the incense, bow, and make vows. Everything must follow the proper forms. Sitting, rising, and resting must be orderly; participants must not mingle indiscriminately, joke or laugh with one another, or disregard distinctions of rank. Otherwise, the celestial beings will laugh at them and the spirits will hold them in contempt. Offenders will likewise be disciplined by the celestial officials: the divine troops of the Five Emperors will transfer their names to Northern Feng, and they will not be allowed to enter the retreat hall again.

Whenever a fellow student of the same lineage faces calamity, illness, legal disputes, slander, or unexpected misfortune, all should practice the Middle Prime method, a ritual belonging to the Middle Prime tradition among the Three Primes rites. Using fragrant oil or similar offerings as a token, they should report the matter to the retreat master. According to its seriousness, they should submit a petition to the High Void, where Heaven and the perfected ones reside, and pray for aid.

Those who follow this path should observe a retreat when studying the teachings, preparing the Elixir, entering the mountains, or transmitting scriptures. They should also observe one on the Eight Seasonal Nodes, the Jiazi and Gengshen days, the day of the Grand Year, and their Birth-Pillar day. They should observe one in times of wealth and honor, and in poverty and low status; in joy and in grief; during illness, disputes and slander, or calamity. They should observe one when their master is troubled, when the state is unsettled, when their master faces danger, or when fellow initiates are distressed. In such circumstances, the merit surpasses that of an ordinary retreat. If one practices this method consistently, in three years a Perfected One may descend. If one follows the usual practice, after nine years one may connect with numinous beings and ride through the air. This Dao is secret and precious; take care not to transmit it recklessly.

The Tai Zhen Code, the ritual regulations of the Tai Zhen tradition, says: The exalted Primordial Beginning, one of the Daoist tradition’s highest celestial deities, received this method before the Nine Mysteries of the Empty Cavern, the realm of nine layers of profound emptiness. He established it in the retreat sanctuary as a method for cultivating immortality. The Perfected Ones of the Upper Chamber in the Mysterious Metropolis all practice the Upper Prime during the first ten days of the month, the Middle Prime during the middle ten days, and the Lower Prime during the final ten days. How much more should people in the world who study the Dao practice the Three Primes methods! If they merely cherish thoughts of hidden mysteries without practicing them, how could the Perfected Ones descend? Their efforts will be wasted, and the path to immortality will remain far away.

Those who sincerely seek the Dao must follow the prescribed rules: prepare thirty feet of patterned silk and nine gold rings, then go to the master and make an oath. The master will then initiate and transmit the teachings (imparting the method and formally guiding the disciple), after which a Realized Person (one who has attained the Dao) will guide the practice. Only after nine years of arduous cultivation may one attain the Dao and ascend, entering the Jade Clarity Celestial Palace, one of the highest heavens in Daoism.

Anyone who carelessly reveals this secret text will bring death upon seven generations of ancestors and lose their own life; they will never again have the hope of becoming an immortal.