《法海遺珠》Vol. 13

Treasures Left by the Ocean of the Dao: A Plain-Language Reading

Scroll Thirteen (also numbered Fourteen), Part Three

The Secret Text of Silent Instruction from the Mysterious Spirit

Preface to the Secret Text of Silent Instruction from the Lady of the Nine Heavens

The Northern Dipper lies at the center of the heavens. It turns the pivot of creation and transformation and governs both humans and spirits. In a person’s life, good and ill fortune, regret and misfortune all depend on the Northern Dipper. The perfected masters of earlier generations each had their own effective methods for addressing petitions to the Dipper—to pray to its stellar lords and submit memorials—and each entrusted these petitions to a particular official.

When the Patriarch Sun the Perfected (Sun Simiao) projected his spirit to pay court to the Emperor, he unexpectedly met the Lady of the Nine Heavens, a Daoist goddess often associated with the transmission of military strategy and secret arts. She gave him a concise text of silent instruction. The method was named “Zao Lu,” and the lamp was named “Thousand Eyes.” They were used exclusively to have the Director of Destiny submit petitions. The text is brief, yet its effects are swift.

The Director of Destiny is the Primordial Lord of Sudden Fire of the Nine Heavens, appointed by the Celestial Emperor to present petitions concerning the human world. Whenever people pray, their petitions are sure to receive a response. This is the highest Dao: it is not elaborate. The Perfected Master, moved by compassion for the people of the world, passed it down to later students. Those who receive it should preserve and revere it; it must not be shown to the unworthy. Written with a bow by Li Xisheng.

Lofty, Supreme Mysterious-Spirit Register for Prolonging Life, Averting Calamity, and Dispelling Misfortune

We respectfully submit this petition in accordance with the intention of the one who has come to seek aid. Their devotion is sincere and cannot be turned away. We respectfully hear that the Great Emperor established the sacred ordinances, the Utmost Perfect expounded the teachings, the August Elder proclaimed the instructions of the Jade Bureau, and the Northern Dipper bestowed the book of the Mysterious Spirit. Its mysteries are beyond words, and the power of the holy beings cannot be fathomed.

With reverence, we face the North Pole and prepare this talismanic register, recording in full the petitioner’s circumstances. In accordance with the ancestral rules, we entrust it to the Director of Destiny in the appropriate office to carry and submit on high.

May the official who serves as intermediary grant relief below for troubles that weigh upon the heart and burden the body. May the response come swiftly, fulfilling this devout prayer. The true talisman is hereby respectfully put into effect.

Blank Talisman

This talismanic register is specially prepared to free a certain person from the Three Calamities and Four Baleful Influences, the Five Phases and Six Harms, the Seven Injuries and Eight Afflictions, and the misfortunes encountered under the Nine Stars in their fate, fortune, allotted span, and year of birth—all evil spirits and baleful influences, and the afflictions of the Heavenly Net and Earthly Snare. We pray only that the Lord of the Director of Destiny receive this sincere plea and report it on high.

May the Stellar Lords of the Northern Dipper take pity on ordinary people in their ignorance and grant the petition presented here. May they specially bestow holy power and Dao power, and, through the power of this talisman and this ritual, protect and bless a certain person: may their illness be cured; may any calamity be dispelled; may any enmity be reconciled; may any curse be dissolved; may any defilement be broken; may evil spirits be driven away; may karmic retribution for any offense be pardoned; may any official disaster or epidemic vanish; may any ruin be steadied like a pillar in a rushing stream. May the person obtain what they wish, through the protection of the spirits.

Note: This text is a Daoist liturgical document and talismanic-register format for addressing petitions to the Northern Dipper, submitting them to the Director of Destiny, prolonging life, and averting calamities. “Zao Lu” is the name of the method, and “Thousand Eyes” the name of the lamp. The Director of Destiny is responsible for presenting human prayers. “Blank Talisman” indicates a space left empty on the talisman to be filled in when the occasion arises. In essence, the text says that Sun Simiao received a secret method of silent instruction from the Lady of the Nine Heavens. The Director of Destiny uses it to carry petitions up to the Northern Dipper, whose talismanic register helps people escape calamities, drive away evil and defilement, and obtain their wishes.

I, your minister, submit this request at the risk of my life and bow low as I await the sacred command. I respectfully present this report.

Submitted on a certain day, in a certain month of a certain year of the Grand Year, at a certain hour

Your minister, whose position is duly recorded, has received the imperial mandate to carry out this matter.

The Ancestral Master, the Great Emperor of the Purple Tenuity, Subduer of Demons, at the center of Heaven (a revered Daoist deity who presides over the expulsion of evil and the subjugation of demons)

Space for the leak slip (left blank here)

To the Star Lords of the Nine Emperors of the Northern Dipper, the Great Sage at the Center of Heaven: Your minister, whose position is duly recorded, respectfully seals this document.

[Square Envelope]

(For presentation to the palace of the Northern Dipper’s Nine Emperor Stars, the Great Sage at the Center of Heaven: the Precious Register of Mysterious Spirits for Prolonging Life, Crossing Calamities, and Dispersing Misfortune.) Your minister, of the surname So-and-so, respectfully seals the outer envelope.

[Command Document of the Lord of Fate (a command plaque and document from the Lord of the Kitchen God’s Palace)]

Directorate of Thunder (the Daoist bureau of thunder deities)

This bureau has now received the following petition: (petition details to be inserted). Having prepared the account of the matter and made the talismans and registers, we hereby appoint you to carry them promptly to the palace of the Northern Dipper’s Nine Emperors at the Center of Heaven and present them there. We beseech a gracious decree pardoning So-and-so for their past offenses and many calamities, dispersing each one completely and allowing no obstacle to remain. We have already ordered the ritual officiant to purify the kitchen altar at the petitioner’s home, prepare incense and offerings, establish the ritual image, scatter rice, and light lamps while awaiting the decree. Please return to this bureau and clearly manifest the response, so that we may proceed accordingly. This command is hereby issued.

This command is issued to the Lord of Fate in So-and-so’s household. Let it be carried out accordingly.

Command issued at a certain hour, on a certain day in a certain month of a certain year of the Grand Year

Your minister, of the surname So-and-so, signs and seals

[Greedy Wolf Talisman (for those born in the Year of the Rat or at the Hour of the Rat)]

Om lai lu / jie suo he

Incantation: Divine Lord Who Prolongs Life within the Northern Dipper, clad in black robes, whose spirit-name is Zi Ren, commanding generals and troops below, destroy demons and spirits. Let the talisman’s command be proclaimed; protect and rescue my person, extend my life for a thousand years, and preserve my fate in accord with the perfected ones. Act swiftly, in accordance with the statutes of the Supreme Jade Emperor, Lord of Purple Tenuity.

[Great Gate Talisman (for those born in the Year of the Ox or the Year of the Pig)]

Om [missing character] / suo he

Incantation: Revered Divine Lord Who Relieves Calamities within the Northern Dipper, clad in yellow robes, whose spirit-name is Zi Wen, commanding troops and generals below, destroy the host of demons. Let the talisman’s command be proclaimed; may my whole body remain at peace, and may a thousand disasters and ten thousand misfortunes forever depart from So-and-so. Act swiftly, in accordance with the statutes of the Supreme Jade Emperor, Lord of Purple Tenuity.

[Record Preservation Talisman (for those born in the Year of the Tiger or the Year of the Dog)]

Om na lu jia hu / lu tuo suo he

Incantation: The incantation for this talisman is fragmentary; the original text does not preserve its complete wording.

Plain-Language Interpretation of Related Passages from Fahai Yizhu

The Deity Who Preserves Life (within the Dipper)

Within the Northern Dipper, the deity who presides over preserving life wears plain-colored robes and is named Zirong. He commands troops and generals, and declares through a divine talisman: drive away evil, make ghosts and spirits hide from sight, dispel calamities, and let blessings endure. By the command of the High Jade Emperor, the Purple Tenuity Emperor.

Wenqu Talisman (for those born in the Mao or You years)

(Chant sounds: “Om… na si xu… zhe jia suo he.” These are Sanskrit sounds or esoteric syllables. Recite them as transmitted by one’s teacher; there is no need to force a literal interpretation.)

The Deity Who Increases the Count of Years (within the Dipper)

Within the Northern Dipper, the deity who presides over increasing one’s allotted years wears white robes and is named Ziyin. He commands troops and generals, and declares through a divine talisman: cut off the wicked factions, allow all beings to flourish, protect and rescue every kind of life, and bring peace to home and state. By the command of the High Jade Emperor, the Purple Tenuity Emperor.

Lianzhen Talisman (for those born in the Chen or Shen years)

(Chant: “Om po di na… yin luo suo he.”)

The Deity Who Dispels Calamity (within the Dipper)

Within the Northern Dipper, the deity who presides over dispelling calamity wears purple robes and is named Zizhen. He commands troops and generals, and declares through a divine talisman: refine away the demonic factions, bring peace to the five limbs, gather in and suppress misfortune, and destroy wicked essences. By the command of the High Jade Emperor, the Purple Tenuity Emperor.

Wuqu Talisman (for those born in the Si or Wei years)

(Chant: “Om duo du lu… tuo suo he.”)

The Deity Who Disperses Calamity (within the Dipper)

Within the Northern Dipper, the deity who presides over dispersing calamity wears vermilion robes and is named Ziming. He commands troops and generals, and declares through a divine talisman: destroy the ghostly troops, deliver proclamations above and below, purify body and spirit, dispel calamity and scatter misfortune, and preserve peace forever. By the command of the High Jade Emperor, the Purple Tenuity Emperor.

Pojun Talisman (the source text says “born in the Wu year/person.” It is generally matched with birth years such as the Wu year; consult this scripture’s liturgy and one’s teacher for the specific tradition.)

(Chant: “Om na po… ji suo he.”)

The Deity Who Supports the Failing (within the Dipper)

Within the Northern Dipper, the deity who presides over supporting the weak and extending life wears feathered robes and is named Zichang. He commands troops and generals, and declares through a divine talisman: eliminate calamity, lengthen one’s allotted years, support the weak and carry them through adversity, and sever misfortune forever. By the command of the High Jade Emperor, the Purple Tenuity Emperor.

Incantation for Lighting Lamps and Scattering Rice

The divine venerable one receives the Emperor’s decree: “Om, lai, luo na”—within the central realm of the Northern Dipper, summon the immortal troops; three, five, four, seven, nine, and five converge and unite. Heaven’s Mandate, Heaven’s Virtue; the myriad spirits honor the divine power. By command of the Dao.

(The later text also mentions names such as the Kui Star assisting the rite, the Tan Star slaying demons, the Fu Star, and the Renhuang Xing Star, among others. These are names of stellar deities associated with the Dipper ritual, including Kui, Tan, Fu, and Bi. Each has a role in slaying demons or protecting the ritual. Their written forms are archaic and unusual; in practice, follow the oral transmission and ritual instructions of one’s altar tradition.)

Brief Background

This passage belongs to the talismans and incantations section of the Northern Dipper’s court ritual and Dipper worship. It assigns a deity within the Dipper to each of the seven stars of the Northern Dipper and its accompanying stars. These deities preside over preserving life, increasing one’s allotted years, dispelling calamity, dispersing misfortune, and supporting the failing. Talisman names such as Wenqu, Lianzhen, Wuqu, and Pojun correspond to star names and are often matched to birth-year earthly branches, such as Mao and You, or Chen and Shen. The incantations combine Chinese characters with phonetic transcriptions; their emphasis is on reverent recitation and transmission, so they should not be forced into a word-by-word everyday interpretation.

Plain-Language Interpretation

Opening Incantation

The stars descend, and the constellations are arrayed in splendor. The stars enter the imperial seat, beheading ghosts and sweeping away dust. The two divine powers of the Assistant Star and the Origin Star protect the household. The Three Terraces shine together, and the Five Dippers cast their light, driving away all illnesses and subduing evil spirits. Should anything improper occur, report it to Jade Purity. Act swiftly, in accordance with the commands of the Most High Jade Emperor and the Great Emperor Ziwei. A mysterious report.

Greedy Wolf Star

Rice diminished: The Five Phases have run their course; the Celestial Court has cursed the ancestors. Wealth and possessions are being depleted, and there is a cold altar in the northeast. (Repentance and the removal of faults are advised.)

Rice disturbed: Punishment from the Celestial Court; take care to avoid wrongdoing. (This may involve the two offices of the city god and its underworld retribution.)

Rice increased: Very auspicious. A Zhaijiao purification ritual should be performed to give thanks to the presiding deity and invite wealth.

Great Gate Star

Rice diminished: This may involve an offense against earthworks or construction, a lawsuit or public dispute, or a curse; the Wood and Fire stars are aligned and exerting their influence.

Rice disturbed: Connected with the Mountain Office (the underworld); this may also involve retribution from the city god.

Rice increased: Indicates that fields and property will come into the family from someone of another surname.

Storehouse Star

Rice diminished: Indicates the misfortune of entanglement and confinement. The house is dark, and calamity is caused by bloodshed or a female ghost.

Rice disturbed: The Fortune Deity is powerless; a servant or an outside ghost may cause trouble. (It is advisable to establish an offering and send the spirit away.)

Rice increased: Wealth is indicated, and the household will gain new members.

Literary Star

Rice diminished: Indicates a cold altar in the west and unclear Qi in the household. A talismanic petition addressed to the Sun brings good fortune.

Rice disturbed: Someone has placed a harmful spell on the household. The home will be unsettled, and the couple will be at odds.

Rice increased: Praying for blessings will bring a noble son.

Chastity Star

Rice diminished: The Fire Star shines upon the Life Palace, bringing calamity to the household and its people, including fire hazards. The direction or location has offended the Tai Sui deity and other baleful influences, causing illness among men and women.

Rice disturbed: Groundbreaking has offended the official taboo, indicating legal trouble and serious illness among men and women.

Rice increased: Indicates an unexpected windfall, or unusual occult practices.

Martial Star

Rice diminished: Indicates a ghost associated with death in childbirth and a cold altar in the south. Relatives may die in succession, and a wood spirit may cause harm.

Rice disturbed: This is the star of the current year of fate; the period governed by the earthly branch is unfavorable.

Rice increased: Indicates the arrival of wealth and property, including antique objects.

Army-Breaker Star

Rice diminished: The stars are inauspicious. Death by hanging is indicated, along with lawsuits and disputes. A ghost at a cold altar in the south is causing trouble, and young children are at risk.

Rice disturbed: Slightly auspicious.

Rice increased: (The text gives no specific entry here; it only marks “Rice increased.”)

《Pearls Left in the Sea of Dharma》, Volume Thirteen: A Plain-Language Interpretation

This passage describes using rice divination—reading increases, decreases, clustering, and dispersal of grains in a rice measure to determine good or ill fortune—together with divinations based on celestial signs such as the Left Assistant, Right Assistant, natal star, and Seven Stars. It also describes rites to avert misfortune by making offerings to the Kitchen God, followed by a set of general divination verses.

The Stars and Rice Divination

The Left Assistant Star

• When the rice increases, this usually signifies promotion and greater income. For ordinary people, it signifies attracting wealth and happy events.
• When the rice decreases, this is associated with matters concerning the celestial and underworld offices, such as debts of vows to the spirits. The original text reads “celestial office north/underworld vow,” likely referring to the underworld and debts of vows.
• When the rice moves, this usually signifies unfavorable geomancy at ancestral graves, disputes over burial grounds, or being summoned by underworld forces.
• If the rice increases and people are also seen, this usually signifies peace and good fortune.

The Right Assistant Star

• When the rice decreases, it signifies knife wounds, fire, and other misfortunes, an inauspicious sign associated with ghosts.
• When the rice moves, it signifies “wood guests,” mountain spirits, or other strange beings in the hills and forests, as well as uncanny entities that disturb people or visit as ghostly guests.
• If the rice increases and people and “compliance with official matters” are also seen, the reading is nevertheless that affairs will scatter: good things will be hard to bring together, and matters will fall apart.

The Natal Star

• When the rice decreases, it signifies that the natal star is out of harmony, a period of gloom and bad luck, lack of aid, and the danger of being extinguished or cut off.
• When the rice moves, one should make a formal appeal to the Dipper stars and perform rites to avert misfortune and seek forgiveness.
• If the rice increases and the household is also seen, it signifies prosperity and added wealth, and is auspicious.

The Seven Stars, in General

• If the rice decreases overall and no auspicious sign appears, the household will suffer repeated calamities. Troubles will continue to entangle one another, the young and vulnerable members of the family may meet with unexpected misfortune, and nothing should be undertaken. Anyone who is ill will become gravely ill.

Ritual Procedure: Offerings to the Kitchen God and Rites to Avert Misfortune

Use one lamp divided into nine branches, with a “Thousand-Eye Lamp” cover placed over it, a ritual implement commonly used in Daoist liturgies.

Set it before the Kitchen God’s shrine. Prepare incense, lamps, pure tea, wine, and fruit, twenty-four portions of each. The twenty-four portions may correspond to the twenty-four directions or stellar lodgings.

Place pure white rice in a rice measure covered with cloth, and set it in the appropriate location.

The ritual master recites the incantation silently and must not speak aloud. Alternatively, the lamp alone may be burned as the rite.

A set of paper money and paper horses may be used together with a Kitchen God liturgy, then burned in the stove.

General Divination Verses

• If the rice associated with the various stars turns black, it portends a death in the household.
• If the rice associated with the various stars gathers into a cluster, it portends plague or epidemic illness.
• If the stars are not seen, this signifies that one’s allotted years are at an end.
• If the stars do not move, the sick person will recover.
• If the rice increases, one’s lifespan will be extended and all matters will go well.
• If the rice decreases, calamity is certain.
• The final line reads: “People of the world do not trust Lord Sun’s method; how can later students determine good and ill fortune?” It urges people not to dismiss Lord Sun’s method of divining from rice and stars—whether this refers to Sun Simiao or to the Lord Sun revered by this tradition—or later students will have no means to judge good and ill fortune.

Note: “Rice increases,” “rice decreases,” and “rice moves” are terms used in rice divination. “Appealing to the Dipper,” “averting misfortune and seeking forgiveness,” “Kitchen God liturgy,” and “Thousand-Eye Lamp” are terms for Daoist ritual practices. The original contains lacunae and corrupted characters, such as “troubles entangling one another” and “gloom and bad luck.” The plain-language reading follows common interpretations of divination texts without altering the original characters.