《法海遺珠》Vol. 15

Collected Pearls from the Sea of Daoist Teachings, Scroll Fifteen, Part Four: A Plain-Language Reading

The Ritual Procedure for Presenting and Transmitting the Mixed Refinement Method

Entering the Altar: Chanting the Purification of the Mouth

The spirit of my cinnabar-red mouth expels filth and clears away impurities; the spirit of my tongue sets its proper order, opens the way to life, and nourishes the spirit; the spirits of my many teeth repel evil and protect what is true; the spirit of my throat, the Tiger’s Strength, and the spirit of Qi guide the fluids; the spirit of my heart, Cinnabar Origin, enables me to commune with the true. The spirit of thought refines the fluids; upright Qi endures forever. Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

(The Purification of the Mouth spell invokes the spirits who govern the mouth, tongue, teeth, throat, and heart, each fulfilling its role: expelling impurities, upholding uprightness, warding off evil, keeping the fluids flowing, and opening the heart and spirit to the true. It concludes with “Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the statutes and commands,” a customary ending for Daoist spells.)

Spell for Purifying the Body

Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure, bring peace and comfort to my body. May this disciple’s hun and po souls and the mysterious gateways of the Five Organs be at rest. May the Azure Dragon bring good fortune, and the White Tiger guard the body; may the Vermilion Bird watch over and protect it, and the Black Tortoise gather in the essence. May blood and corpses, stench and filth, and all fierce evils subside in stillness. May the seven fluids flow into place, and the Five Organs transform and bring forth life. I uphold this divine spell: origin, flourishing, benefit, and constancy. Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

(The Spell for Purifying the Body asks the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure to settle body and mind and clear the gateways of the Five Organs. It invokes the Four Symbols—the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise—to protect the body and gather in the essence. It asks that the seven fluids flow and the Five Organs bring forth life, and concludes with the four characters meaning “origin, flourishing, benefit, and constancy,” followed by “Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the statutes and commands.”)

Spell for Purifying Heaven and Earth

Within the cavern, all is empty and mysterious; radiant light shines across the Great Origin. May the mighty spirits of the eight directions make all things natural for me. By the command of the Numinous Treasure talisman, let word reach all Nine Heavens. The heavenly net of Qianluodana, the cavernous stars of the Great Mystery: cut down demons and bind evil, slay countless ghosts. The divine spell of Mount Zhong, the jade script of the Primordial Beginning. Recite it once, and ghosts retreat and life is prolonged. As I travel across the Five Sacred Peaks, let the Eight Seas hear of it. May the Demon King bow toward the east and stand guard over my altar. May all fierce forces and impurities be swept away, and the Dao’s Qi endure forever. Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

(The Spell for Purifying Heaven and Earth begins with “Within the cavern, all is empty and mysterious.” It summons the mighty spirits of the eight directions and sends word throughout the Nine Heavens, calling upon the power of Numinous Treasure talismans and the jade script of the Primordial Beginning to cut down demons and bind evil. Reciting it once is said to drive away ghosts and prolong life. As the practitioner travels across the Five Sacred Peaks and the Eight Seas hear of the rite, the Demon King bows and guards the altar. All fierce forces and impurities are swept away, and the Dao’s Qi endures.)

Offering Incense and Making the Invocation

Jade blossoms scatter their radiance; the nine Qi gather as smoke. Clouds of incense spread thickly and rise straight to the Nine Heavens. Attendant incense-bearing youths and maidens who convey messages receive the rising smoke and bear it before the Emperor above. May everything I, your subject, present be granted as I have asked.

(When offering incense, first recite this invocation. The incense smoke rises like the gathered nine Qi, its clouds spreading densely as they ascend to the Nine Heavens. The attendant incense-bearing youths and the maidens who convey messages guide it before the Emperor above, with the prayer that all matters presented may be granted as requested.)

Your appointed servant, [surname], reverently burns incense and bows twice, then petitions:

The Supreme Sages of the Three Pure Ones; the exalted Perfected Ones of the Ten Extremities; the Nine Emperors of the Divine Empyrean; the Celestial Worthies of Numinous Treasure in the Ten Directions; the Lords of Heaven of the Thirty-Two Heavens; the Solar Emperor, Lord of the Sun Palace; the August Sovereign of Yin, Lord of the Moon Court; the Great Sage of the Celestial Dipper, Star Lord who governs the rites; the Star Lords of the Nine Luminaries of Highest Clarity; the Star Lords of the Six Offices of the Southern Dipper, who extend life; the Star Lords of the Seven Primordial Stars of the Northern Dipper, who dispel calamity; the Star Lords of the Three Terraces and Canopy; the Star Lords of the Twelve Zodiacal Mansions; the Star Lords of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions; the Great Emperors of the Three Officials, Lords of the Three Realms; the Four Perfected Lords of the Northern Pole, masters of the rites; the Five Perfected Lords, masters of the teachings within the Mystery; the Perfected Lord, our ancestral master of Orthodox Unity, Still Response, and Manifest Protection; the Perfected Lord, Immortal Elder of the Left Palace of the Supreme Ultimate; the Perfected Lords of the Three Offices of Thunder; the Perfected Lords of the Nine Offices of Thunder; the assembled exalted Perfected Ones beneath the gates of the Purple Palace; and the holy hosts of Thunder.

(The text ends here. The appointed servant burns incense, bows twice, and petitions a long assembly of holy beings in turn: the Three Pure Ones, the gods of the Divine Empyrean and Numinous Treasure, the Lords of Heaven, the sun, moon, and stars, the Southern and Northern Dippers, the Three Officials, the Four Perfected Ones, ancestral masters, and the many Perfected Ones of Thunder. Part Four of Scroll Fifteen concludes with this invocation. Any further details on the ritual procedure for presenting and transmitting the mixed refinement method would need to be checked against the following pages of the original text.)

Venerable Sacred Emperors of the Five Sacred Mountains; the Great Emperor of Fengdu, ruler of the underworld; the True Lords of the Ten Palaces of the netherworld; the Great Emperor of Fusang, ruler of the waters; the thunder gods, officials, generals, clerks, and soldiers serving under their orders; and all true sovereigns throughout the Three Realms and the ten directions: I respectfully beseech you to look down with holy compassion and turn your numinous gaze upon me.

(Statement of intent) In the past, I entered the lineage of a certain master who transmitted the Dao and received, by memorial, the talismanic methods of the Supreme One’s Northern Pole Jade Palace: the Mysterious Numinous Taiji, the Three Lights, the Five Thunders, and their various ranks. I have taken refuge in them, wear and revere them, and vowed to proclaim transformation on Heaven’s behalf, aid the state, and save the people. In all my practice, I seek to benefit people and things; whenever I offer a sincere prayer, I look up in hope that it may reach the numinous realms. I humbly beseech the Great Dao to extend compassion and the heavens to support and recommend me. Pity my resolve to honor and revere you; pardon the errors I have made through ignorance. May my name be cleared from the register of the dead, my rank and office among the immortals be advanced, my departed ancestors first be delivered, and all my movements be safe and peaceful. I hope the Dao’s Qi will sustain and support me, and numinous light shine down upon me, so that my body and mind may be pure, no malign force may intrude, the order of my rites may be solemn and well governed, and the many gods stand in ranks to guard me. Relying upon the virtue that brings forth and nurtures all things, may this accord with the sincerity in my heart. I bow my head to the ground, bow again, and respectfully speak.

Next, face east, click the teeth, and make this petition:

I respectfully address the Imperial Lord of the Sun in the Sun Palace. I humbly hope, through your holy compassion, that you will accept my petition and specially send down the Sun’s true Qi to infuse my body, drive out all malign Qi, and dispel the hundred and one illnesses. When I look upon a mountain, may the mountain collapse; when I gaze upon the sea, may the sea run dry; when I look upon the sick, may they recover; when I look upon people, may they come to life. May those who take refuge in me be rid of ghosts, and may malign forces submit and never violate what is upright.

With my left hand, form the Mao hand sign. Visualize a sun above the left side of your head, with a tousle-haired general within it. Let Qi with nine rays, like nine threads, descend and infuse you. It enters from the left Hall of the Six Harmonies and illuminates your body and mind. (The Hall of the Six Harmonies is one inch above the brow. The sun returns to the left Hall of the Six Harmonies.)

The secret incantation says:

Spirit of Yu Yi, numinous presence of the Li Palace, infuse me as I receive the nine rays; origin, flourishing, benefit, and steadfastness. (Three times)

When you have finished the incantation, look askance at a point one and a half feet above the left side of your head. There you will see Qi with nine threads of radiant light. Draw it in through your mouth and into your heart, then recite:

Om, vajra, yun zha li, svaha. (Nine times)

Next, face west, click the teeth, and make this petition:

I respectfully address the August Sovereign of the Moon Palace, Lord of Great Yin. I humbly hope that, through your wise compassion, you will accept my petition…

Background

This scripture is drawn from a Daoist Thunder Rites practice manual. Its central points are as follows:

1. Opening invocation: The practitioner presents a petition to the Sacred Emperors of the Five Sacred Mountains, the Great Emperor of Fengdu (the highest deity of the underworld), the True Lords of the Ten Palaces of the netherworld, the Great Emperor of Fusang (lord of the waters), and the thunder gods and their officials and generals. The practitioner states that they have received the Five Thunder talismanic methods and vowed to proclaim transformation on Heaven’s behalf and help people in need.

2. Facing east to receive the Sun’s Qi: Facing east, the practitioner clicks the teeth and petitions the Imperial Lord of the Sun to send down the Sun’s true Qi, a pure Yang energy, to infuse the body. The practitioner forms the Mao hand sign with the left hand and visualizes a sun above the left brow, in the Hall of the Six Harmonies. A general with tousled hair appears within it and sends down Qi with nine radiant rays, which enters through the brow and illuminates the whole body. The practitioner recites the secret incantation, then draws the radiance into the heart.

3. Facing west to receive the Moon’s Qi: The practitioner turns west and petitions the August Sovereign of the Moon to send down the Moon’s Qi, a pure Yin energy. Together, the Sun’s true Qi and the Moon’s Qi form the basis of the Thunder Rites practice of refining Yin and Yang in combination.

This rite expresses a central idea in Daoist Thunder Rites: receiving the essences of the sun and moon and refining Yin and Yang together.

An Excerpt from the Modern Vernacular Interpretation of Pearls Left in the Sea of Rituals

This passage belongs to a class of invocation and protective rites associated with Tiangang and Taiyin. First, the officiant petitions the star deities to descend and bestow Qi; then hand signs, visualization, and secret incantations are used to gather Qi, protect the body, ward off evil, and treat illness.

Petition and Descent of Qi

The Daoist officiant petitions: “We earnestly ask you to send down Taiyin Yaoguang”—a kind of life-giving Qi associated with moonlight—to fill the body and drive out malign Qi. May all 104 illnesses be eliminated, a stock ritual phrase meaning “may every illness be cured.” When one looks upon a mountain, may it collapse; when one gazes at the sea, may it dry up. Every illness seen may be cured; whoever is seen may come to life and take refuge. May ghosts be rebuked, driven back, and forced into hiding; may evil never encroach upon what is right.

First Visualization and Secret Incantation

Make the You hand sign with the right hand—the You position among the Twelve Branches hand signs, with its precise form depending on the teacher’s transmission—and visualize a moon above the right side of the head, with a Jade Maiden holding a tablet within it. Qi in ten rays, like ten threads, flows in from the right-side Liuhe Palace, the name of a certain bodily aperture, illuminating body and mind.

The secret incantation, recited three times, means: “Lady Jielin, true essence of the Kan position, round radiance with ten rays; may all be auspicious and proceed with great success.”

When the incantation is finished, glance sideways at a point one chi and five cun above the right side of the head. There are ten threads of radiant Qi there; draw them in through the mouth and into the heart. Then recite: “Om wa li zha la po la suo po he” ten times.

Facing South, Knocking the Teeth, and Making the Petition

The officiant says: “I, your servant, respectfully address the Great Sage Star Lord of Tiangang, and humbly ask that your sacred compassion grant this petition.”

The officiant petitions again: “Send down the true Qi of golden light to fill the body and drive out malign Qi; eliminate all 104 illnesses. Glance at a mountain and it collapses; gaze at the sea and it dries up. Look at an illness and it is cured; look at a person and they come to life and take refuge. May ghosts be driven back and subdued; may evil never encroach upon what is right.”

Hand Signs and the Second Set of Secret Incantations

Make the Chen hand sign with the left hand and the sword sign with the right. The secret incantation means: “By the seal of the Celestial Emperor, bearing Tiangang, why do the fierce ghosts of the five directions not vanish? One breath from a flying immortal, and ten thousand ghosts lie subdued and hidden. Act with the urgency of the statutes!”

When the incantation is finished, visualize Tiangang standing in yellow clouds above the head, dressed in a plain silk robe, with unbound hair and bare feet, in an appearance like Zhenwu, the commonly depicted Great Emperor of the Northern Dark. He has three eyes and holds a fire command and a sword. Qi of golden light issues from his central eye. Draw it into the mouth; feel the mouth fill with golden light, then blow it so that it wraps around the body.

Then recite: “Om, spirit of the command, true numinous power of the Dipper’s Pole, streaming radiance with seven rays: hong zha li yi.”

When the incantation is finished, close the mouth and settle the Qi. Fix the gaze and silently recite an incantation meaning: “Great Sage Tiangang, foremost star before the Northern Dipper, let the true Qi of golden light fill my body. May all demons be completely cleansed, and may my body attain long life. Act with the urgency of the statutes!”

Gathering Qi and Closing

When the incantation is finished, draw in Qi from the Celestial Gate at the crown of the head and blow it onto the Yin hand sign at the Gen position—the left hand takes the Gen position and makes the Yin sign—while reciting: “Om hong hong da li po he chi she” seven times.

When the incantation is finished, circle upward from the Yin position to the Chen hand sign and perform the “flicking out” gesture. Visualize Tiangang’s central eye and its golden light. At this point, this portion of the ritual sequence of petition and bodily protection is complete.

Note: “I, your servant” is the officiant’s ritual self-designation. You, Chen, Yin, and Gen refer to hand-sign positions. The repeated phrases “om … svaha” and “as the statutes command” are conventional blends of Sanskrit sounds and Daoist incantations. The precise sequence, directions, and imagery should be checked against the complete Pearls Left in the Sea of Rituals and the teacher’s transmission; this passage offers only a plain-language explanation of the ideas and procedure.

Golden light pours down from above and flows throughout the body. Then step back and click the teeth three times in succession.

Join both hands in the transformation hand signs (form the Chen sign with the left hand and the You sign with the right), and place them at the waist. First visualize yourself as a withered tree. Pinch the Wu sign with both hands and draw in one breath of Qi from the south, combining it with the Qi in your heart to form true fire. Flick the Wu sign with both hands to send out fire and burn the roots of the tree until they are consumed completely in an instant. Then pinch the Si sign and send out Xun wind to scatter the ashes, leaving not the slightest trace.

Visualize a baby inside the Dantian gradually growing larger. It has unbound hair and bare feet, and wears a black robe and golden armor. Its appearance is like that of the Great Emperor Zhenwu. Beneath its feet, a dark tortoise exhales Qi (pinch the Zi sign to form the tortoise sign, and move its head), which joins with the Qi in the kidneys. A red snake exhales Qi (pinch the Wu sign to form the snake sign, and move its head), which joins with the Qi in the heart. The Big Dipper arches over its body, with the Three Terraces stars in front: the sun on the left and the moon on the right. The Celestial Dipper sits above its head. On the left stands a mighty warrior holding a black banner marked with the Seven Stars; on the right stands another mighty warrior holding a sword case. A round halo appears above the head, illuminating Heaven and Earth, while generals and officials stand in solemn formation on all four sides. Form the Northern Emperor’s hand sign with the left hand (press the middle finger against the thumb, and the thumb against the middle finger’s sign), and form the sword sign with the right. Recite the secret incantation:

“By Heaven’s law, sacred and radiant! Great Dark Warrior, your feet tread upon the Flying Serpent, your head wears the Seven Stars, your hand holds the divine sword, your gaze fixes on Heaven’s Gate. Your might subdues Heaven and Earth, your station is at the Northern Dipper. Mountain sprites and evil ghosts conceal themselves for ten thousand miles. In your palm you command the Heavenly Prison. Great God of Heavenly Armor, come swiftly beneath the altar and seize and interrogate the nameless ones. Wherever the registers of Heaven reach, evil essences shall be severed forever. Relieve the people’s suffering and bestow great divine power. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!”

Visualizing the gods in practice

Let the three hun souls return to the liver (the liver is on the left; pinch the Mao sign). Visualize three Daoist priests above your head on the left, dressed in blue. A breath of blue Qi from the east blows them in through the left Six Harmonies. They descend from the upper palate; receive them with the tongue, guide them past the twelve-storied tower, and let them settle in the liver, within a three-lobed chamber like a palace of green crystal.

Let the seven po souls return to the lungs (the lungs are in the center; pinch the You sign). Visualize the Seven Stars above your head on the right, each star containing seven Daoist priests dressed in white. A breath of pure Qi from the west blows them down from behind the brain, beneath the vertebrae. They circle through the body and enter the Jianjing acupoint, pass through the twelve-storied tower, and descend to stand within the lungs’ jade palace.

Let wisdom return to the spleen (pinch the sign on the middle finger’s central section): … (At this point, the source text continues from “Let wisdom return to my spleen” with a hand sign. Any further details on visualizing the gods should be translated with reference to the complete text.)

Note: This text combines visualization of the gods, hand signs, and incantation in a Daoist altar ritual. It involves deities and directional correspondences associated with Zhenwu (Dark Warrior), the Big Dipper, the Three Terraces, and the Celestial Dipper, as well as the movement of Qi. The “signs” associated with Chen, You, Wu, Si, Zi, and Mao are secret hand signs traced on the fingers; they must be learned through oral instruction from a teacher.

Visualize an ape and a horse within the heart, illuminated by a golden radiance of Qi. The light enters through the forehead—the front of the crown, which Daoist thought regards as a passage through which essence and Qi flow—and descends, passing through the Twelve Storied Tower, the passage from the throat to the entrance of the stomach, before reaching the stomach entrance. There a child, golden all over, sprays water from his mouth. When the ape and horse are sprayed, they instantly become like golden lions. Riding them and pressing them down, they sink together into the spleen: the ape is devoured by a tiger, while the horse transforms into a baxian—a beast resembling a lion—and stands atop a baxian. Both enter the spleen, where the Golden Chamber is stored. The spleen belongs to Earth among the Five Phases, and here the chamber is an image of the place where Metal Qi is kept.

(At this point, form the hand seal for “zi” and recite, “Essence returns to my kidneys.”)

Visualize the kidneys on either side of the lower back, as though they were covered with hair. In a dim vision, they resemble the sun and moon facing one another. The Qi in the left kidney transforms into nine strands of silk; that in the right becomes ten rays of light. They pierce the crown of the head and rise to the Palace of Parents, also called the Niwan Palace, the upper Dantian where the spirit is kept within the brain. See purple Qi descend from the left side of the Palace of Parents in nine threads. Click the teeth and recite “Lord Taiyi” three times. The Qi descends all the way to the kidneys. Call out “Lord Taokang” three times, and see a person identical in appearance to yourself enter the palace of the left kidney. Black clouds disperse, and all around is as clear as a bright day beneath a blue sky.

Next, visualize purple Qi descending from the right side of the Palace of Parents in ten rays. Click the teeth and recite “Lord Siming” three times. The Qi descends straight to the kidney. Call out “Lord Heyan” three times, and see a woman enter the palace of the right kidney. The black clouds at once recede, and the scene too becomes as clear as a bright day beneath a blue sky.

Then visualize a pool of water within the Dantian, the place in the lower abdomen where Qi is refined. It freezes into jade-like ice, solid and still. The radiance of the sun and moon between the kidneys shines upon one another.

(Form the hand seal for “wu” and recite, “Spirit returns to my heart.”)

Visualize the form of Zhenwu, the northern guardian deity Xuanwu, within the Dantian, looking just like yourself. Call forth the spirits of your whole body. Recite this secret incantation: “Let the myriad spirits join with my heart.” (Recite it seven times.) In a moment, see the myriad spirits, countless as the stars, and lead them upward to the Golden Tower and Jade Chamber, the tower where essence and Qi gather in the throat and chest. Visualize the heart as a great orb of fire, blazing with heavenly flames. Hold a drop of dew in the mouth and let it fall onto the perfected person. Then lead all the spirits in through the mouth and into the pearl, within the tower. Recite this secret incantation from the scripture: “Dan Yuan, Dan Palace, unite and blend the hundred spirits.” (Three times, forming the hand seal for “wu.”)

Bringing forth the Four Sacred Beasts:

The Azure Dragon, named Mengzhang, is on the left (form the hand seals for “yin” and “jiayin”). Visualize blue-green Qi rising from the liver and emerging through the left eye, transforming into an Azure Dragon that attends on the left. Lord Azure Dragon holds a dragon banner in one hand and a sword in the other, standing beside the Azure Dragon.

On the right: White Tiger, Guardian of the Troops (make the hand sign at the Shen position, or recite “Jia Shen”)

Visualize white Qi emerging from the lungs through the nose and transforming into a White Tiger standing at your right. The Lord White Tiger stands beside it, holding a sword in one hand and a tiger banner in the other.

Above: Vermilion Bird, Radiant Spirit (make the hand sign at the Wu position, or recite “Jia Wu”)

Visualize red Qi emerging from the heart through the mouth and transforming into a Vermilion Bird. It breathes fire and beats its wings above your head.

Below: Dark Warrior, Keeper of Brightness (make the hand sign at the Zi position, or recite “Jia Zi”)

Visualize black Qi emerging from the kidneys through the left ear and transforming into a Dark Warrior guarding behind you.

Visualize a lion emerging from below the navel and roaring in front of you. Two white cranes emerge from the Palace of the Six Unions—the area around the Dantian below the navel—and fly in crossing arcs above your shoulders.

Draw both hands from the Xu position to the Chen position, silently reciting:

Kui, Gui, Si, Xing, Bi, Zhen, Piao…

“May the celestial spirit’s joints and glory preserve me and grant me long life. The One of Great Mystery, guard and protect my true form. Lords of the spirits of the five viscera, each keep me safe and at peace. Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands.”

“May the Three Platforms give me life” (at the Si position, using the literary hand sign); “may the Three Platforms nourish me” (at the Wu position, using the literary hand sign); “may the Three Platforms protect me” (at the Wei position, using the literary hand sign). Then make the hand sign for the Dipper and recite:

“Kui, Gang, Chen, and Xu enter the Central Palace and gather.”

“Chen and Xu, Kui and Gang, enter the Central Palace and gather” (make the Jia Chen and Jia Xu hand signs, drawing them into the Central Palace). Then recite:

“Heaven is bright and bright; Earth is numinous and numinous. I am the envoy who examines and summons, born before Heaven and Earth. I act as Heaven and Earth’s envoy, and stand as Heaven and Earth’s officer. Calamities and harms meet their own destruction; blessings and emoluments arise of themselves. I can restrain not only tigers and wolves, but also shatter the five weapons. Divine dragons dare not display their power; numinous ghosts dare not manifest their numinosity. Where I point, mountains crumble; where I point, seas dry up; where I point, stones split apart; sun and moon shine together. Wherever I walk, sit, or lie, ten thousand troops are always with me. Wherever my hand points, wind, fire, and lightning arise. Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands.”

When the incantation is complete, cross your hands and make the hand sign for the Yin-Yang Dipper. Flick your fingers upward, and visualize brilliant golden light filling the altar and shining in all ten directions.

(Illustrations: Yang Dipper and Yin Dipper)

Then recite:

“The Northern Dipper stands tall and bright; its handle shines with radiance. It strikes mountains, and they split; it strikes seas, and they dry up. Who would dare stand against the fierce and wicked ghosts? Those who follow the Dipper’s course live; those who oppose it die. Wherever I go, all misfortune is forever cut off. Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands.”

Stand upright and relaxed, and click your teeth three times. Then make the hand sign of the Original Master (at the Yin position, using the literary hand sign), and silently recite…

Notes to help with the original text:

• Making hand signs means pressing the thumb against a particular finger joint or knuckle to correspond with an Earthly Branch or Heavenly Stem. Paired with visualization and recitation, this is a common ritual technique.
• Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Dark Warrior are the directional gods of the Four Symbols. Here they correspond respectively to the left, right, above, and below, and to visualizations of Qi associated with the lungs, heart, and kidneys.
• The Three Platforms are often associated with the body’s three palaces or with the Three Platforms steps in Dipper-paced ritual walking. Here they express the intention to protect, give life, and nourish.
• Kui, Gang, Chen, and Xu are often associated with Dipper pacing and gathering Qi into the Central Palace. “Enter the Central Palace and gather” means drawing the Qi and intent of the four directions back into the body.
• Envoy who examines and summons and officer of Heaven and Earth are ritual titles the practitioner uses to describe their role in the rite: receiving commands to summon and control, and acting on Heaven’s behalf.
• “Those who follow the Dipper’s course live; those who oppose it die” means that following the Dipper-paced ritual steps brings good fortune, while going against them brings misfortune. This is a common form of protective incantation.
• “Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands” is a closing formula for incantations, meaning that the command is to be carried out swiftly according to the law.

Hidden Pearls of the Dharma Ocean: A Plain-Language Interpretation

This passage describes a ritual procedure used in Daoist purification rites or ritual practice. It involves stepping the celestial pattern and treading the Dipper, forming hand seals and reciting incantations, and visualizing divine generals. The ritual is used to open the altar, raise the celestial pattern, tread the Dipper, and summon divine generals to dispel impurity and pollution and protect the practitioner.

Forming Hand Seals and the Yu Step: Warding Off Evil and Protecting the Body

Make the hand gestures in sequence according to their instructions. The directions, finger joints, and ways of moving across the fingers are given in parentheses:

• Open Heaven’s Gate (corresponding to the Hai position), close Earth’s Door (Xun position), keep the Human Gate open (Kun position), and block the Ghost Road (Yin position).
• Pierce the Ghost’s Heart (make a horizontal pinch at the Chen position, passing over Xu), break the Ghost’s Belly (make a horizontal pinch at the Shen position, passing over Yin), lay the Golden Crossbeam (make a horizontal pinch at the You position, passing over Mao), and raise the Jade Pillar (make a vertical pinch at the Wu position, moving down to Chou).
• Circle the Four Mountains: move the thumb around the tips of the four fingers. Overturn the Five Peaks: begin at the tip of the index finger, then move the thumb along the backs of the four fingers to the hidden lines.
• Pinch the three joints of the index finger and gather the celestial energy: pinch from the Xu position to the Chen position while reciting the names of the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper—Kui, Gui, Yu, Xing, Bi, Shi, and Piao, among other star names—to gather Qi.
• Form the Dipper seal: pinch the middle joint of the ring finger, fold the little finger over the base of the ring finger, and curl the ring finger into the palm. This signifies the subjugation of all evil and the spontaneous extinction of calamity. In the ritual instructions, this also refers to pinching the second joint.

Protective Incantation: Before Walking the Steps

Form the Dipper seal with the left hand and recite silently:

I have received the Celestial Master’s treasured seal of the heart. Wearing it, I naturally communicate with the hidden and reach the underworld, ascending through the Caverns of Heaven. As I perform the Yu Step—the ritual steps modeled on the steps of the Great Yu—I attain the Dao and become an immortal. The three souls guard me; the seven corporeal souls accompany me. They neither depart nor enter. May I preserve my allotted years forever. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

Then form the seal of one’s birth year (the Hai-position seal) and recite silently:

Youthful spirits of the three souls, generals of the seven corporeal souls, follow me as I tread the Dipper. May I pass through the spiritual barrier. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

Step Back, Set Out the Celestial Pattern, and Raise the Pattern and the Dipper

Step backward to gather the celestial energy and spread it throughout the altar. Form the Dipper seal with the left hand and the sword seal with the right, then recite silently:

I respectfully summon the Generals Who Establish the Celestial Pattern, Raise the Celestial Pattern, and Set the Celestial Pattern in Motion. Come swiftly and raise the pattern for me. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!
I respectfully summon the Generals Who Raise the Dipper, Set the Dipper in Motion, and Cast the Dipper. Come swiftly and tread the Dipper with me. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

Visualize the Three Generals and the Southern and Northern Dippers

In the mind, visualize the following:

• The three generals within the celestial pattern emerge from Earth’s Door, wearing blue garments edged in crimson and riding clouds of fire.
• The three generals within the Dipper emerge from Heaven’s Gate, wearing blue headcloths and plain robes, within yellow clouds.
• The general within the inner celestial pattern lays out the Southern Dipper as far as Heaven’s Gate, then turns back at the Three Terraces.
• The general within the Dipper lays out the Northern Dipper as far as Earth’s Door, then turns back at the Three Terraces.
• The six generals meet at the Three Terraces and combine into three generals, each dressed in one of three colors—blue, yellow, and white. Each holds a star of the terraces, and together they ride the Three Terraces, whose light shines over the altar.

Then face south and recite:

I respectfully invite the Perfected One, Nine-Phoenix, Who Dispels Impurity; the Great General Who Burns Away Impurity; and the Great General Who Removes Impurity. Descend to the ritual altar and release it from oppressive impurity. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

Note: The passage centers on “opening and closing the gates, gathering celestial energy and forming the Dipper seal, performing the Yu Step for protection, summoning the generals to raise the celestial pattern and tread the Dipper, visualizing the Southern and Northern Dippers and the Three Terraces, and inviting divine generals to dispel impurity.” This is a typical altar-sealing and impurity-dispelling section of Daoist liturgy. The Hai, Xun, Kun, Yin, and other positions in parentheses are largely associated with correspondences between the Nine Palaces and the earthly-branch directions in the hand-seal techniques. They must be used together with instructions from a teacher and an altar diagram; the gestures cannot be fully reconstructed from the text alone.

A Plain-Language Interpretation of Fahai Yizhu

Visualize a perfected being in crimson robes in the south, riding a nine-headed phoenix into the ritual ground. The being breathes fire that burns away all foul influences and purifies the ritual space.

The Nine-Phoenix Step for Breaking Defilement (a ritual step for dispelling impurity): On a yang day, begin with the left foot; on a yin day, begin with the right.

The Expansive Yin Dipper (a ritual step of the Yin Dipper): The general meaning of the incantation is: The Dipper’s mystery lies in the twelve double-hours. Riding the force of the Celestial Dipper, I array its mighty power; its qi takes the form of clouds and undergoes nine transformations, corresponding above to the six celestial pitch-pipes. I hold Jia and Yi, tread on Tianying, step to Tianren, embrace Tianzhu, and hold Tianxin. From there I pass into Tianqin, lean on Tianfu, gaze toward Tianchong, enter Tiannei, and emerge at Tianpeng. Wherever the Dipper spirits travel, may they lend their numinous radiance and support my Great Dao, establishing the right and dispelling the wrong. I entrust my heart and spirit; after one chant, I step through the six periods and emerge from the darkness, for ten thousand years. Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the commands and statutes of the Primordial Dipper step.

The Expansive Yang Dipper (a ritual step of the Yang Dipper): The general meaning of the incantation is: I enter Tiannei from Tianpeng, turn back toward Tianchong, meet Tianfu and retreat, then enter Tianqin, facing the heart. I pass Tianzhu and meet Tianren. The human path opens; the ghost path closes. May all evil forces and defilements turn away. Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the commands and statutes of the Primordial Dipper step.

(In these incantations, “Tianpeng,” “Tiannei,” “Tianchong,” “Tianfu,” “Tianqin,” “Tianzhu,” “Tianren,” and “Tianying” are names of star positions trodden in Daoist Northern Dipper ritual steps. During the steps, they are visualized in sequence according to their directions and the spoken instructions.)

The Soul-Concealing Dipper (a ritual step for concealing the souls): The general meaning of the incantation is: The first po soul is hidden in Tanlang, the second in Jumen, the third in Lucun, the fourth in the realm of Wenqu, the fifth in the domain of Lianzhen, and the sixth at Wuqu. The three hun souls return to Zuofu, the seventh po soul goes to Tian’gang, the Three Terraces return to the Dipper’s mouth, and they stand in court before the sovereign of Pojun.

Then recite: The Northern Dipper rises high, with the Dipper’s Head before and its Handle behind. Descend from heaven and hide within my body. Whoever trespasses on my domain will at once meet heavenly calamity. Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the command.

(Tanlang, Jumen, Lucun, Wenqu, Lianzhen, Wuqu, and Pojun are names of the seven stars of the Northern Dipper. In Daoist teaching, the po and hun are aspects of the human spirit. This ritual step aims to conceal and protect them in the positions of the stars.)

The Five-Thunder Step for Sweeping Away Evil: The general meaning of the incantation is: With the first step, heavenly thunder stirs; with the second, earthly waters flow; with the third, thunder and fire erupt; with the fourth, the thunderclap resounds; with the fifth, I command the Five-Thunder Envoys to sweep away wickedness before me and gather even the finest dust behind me. The spirits reach up to the Three Pure Ones, and the Five-Thunder Envoys are accompanied by thunder and lightning. Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the command.

To conclude the ritual: Burn one stick of precious incense, and let the ten directions be purified. Beat the ritual drum three times, and let the myriad spirits gather. Burn incense and summon: the incense official assigned to the ritual altar of the Court of the Law, the altar’s local deity, the merit officers of the Three Realms, the four time-keepers’ talisman envoys, Zhang, the swift messenger of thunder, who reports and brings responses, the Zhengyi spirit officials, and the others. Let them all hasten to the ritual ground.

This passage comes from a Daoist Zhaijiao (purification ritual), specifically a rite for summoning generals and spirits. Through chanting incantations, burning incense, and forming hand seals, Daoist priests invite divine generals, merit officers, local earth gods, and others to descend to the altar and assist in expelling evil and handling cases. The sections below explain the general meaning in plain language.

“Assistant Envoys Pan and Cai of the Court; Talisman Officers Zhang and Sun; Assistant Envoy Xu of the Court for Expelling Evil; Assistant Envoy Xie of the Bureau of Earth Spirits; the earth gods along the roads of Mount Tai; Merit Officers Wang and Lu of the Fengdu Bureau for Investigation and Summoning—and all the rest: come quickly to the altar. There is a task to be assigned.”

The passage above names the divine officials being summoned: Assistant Envoys Pan and Cai; Talisman Officers Zhang and Sun; Assistant Envoy Xu of the Court for Expelling Evil; Assistant Envoy Xie of the Bureau of Earth Spirits; the earth gods along the roads of Mount Tai; and Merit Officers Wang and Lu of the Fengdu Bureau for Investigation and Summoning. They are told to hurry to the altar and await orders.

Incantation for Summoning the Earth Gods

The earth gods who govern this place are especially efficacious. They can rise to the heavens and plunge into the earth, emerge from the hidden world and enter the underworld, and make reports on my behalf to the authorities above. They must not delay. When merit is earned, their names will be entered in the registers of Shangqing. Hasten and obey the ordinances!

Incantation for Summoning the Talisman Clerks

Clear and radiant, the talisman clerks emerge from their camp. They fly like wind and lightning, roaming through the Three Realms. Hearing my summons, they hurry to the altar and announce their names. At a single call, all respond; none may neglect or slight the command. Hasten and obey the ordinances!

I respectfully call upon all the Merit Officers, generals, and clerks: convey my sincerity and earnest intent, and summon on my behalf the local generals and marshals of this altar’s spiritual jurisdiction, together with the marshals, generals, clerks, and soldiers assigned to descend under the great rites of the various ranks. Come quickly before the altar and make the response clearly manifest. You are to divide your duties and summon them at once, then remain ready for a spiritual response.

Incantation:

Talisman envoys, talisman envoys; clerks and soldiers, clerks and soldiers; Merit Officers, Merit Officers: emerge from the hidden world and enter the underworld. Carry out this command and summon the generals and troops. Come swiftly to the altar and obey without delay. I stand before the altar, sword raised, waiting. (A command is given.)

Dim and dark, heaven and earth born together; the spirits transform in an instant, gathering into visible form. At the summons, they arrive at once; when called, they respond with numinous power. Generals and troops of the Northern Court, descend swiftly. Hasten and obey the ordinances!

Burning incense, I summon the principal general and commander of this altar’s spiritual jurisdiction, the deputy marshals, the principal general of the Northern Court for Expelling Evil, the great general who commands all the officers of the Dipper, the strongmen of the Nine Prisons, the Five Ding divine generals, the generals who guard the prisons, the strongmen who pursue and strike, and the marshals, generals, clerks, and soldiers under the Dipper. Descend at once, and remain ready to make your response manifest.

Incantation:

The Northern Emperor has generals appointed to expel evil. Their divine powers are vast, their claws sharp and their fangs long. Their might shakes heaven and earth; their Qi spreads through clouds and rosy mists. They command troops and clerks, and direct the yakshas. Swords and halberds press behind them; thunder chariots race ahead. Their awe-inspiring force strikes the earth, sending stones flying and sand swirling. They reward those who follow the righteous path, seize and capture demons and evil spirits that bring calamity, and take them all without exception. Hasten and obey the ordinances!

When the incantation is finished, form the Mao hand seal, inhale Qi from the north, and blow it toward the incense burner. Visualize the generals and troops of the Northern Court, with their black-flagged ranks, gathering before the altar.

Precious Beads Left Behind in the Ocean of Daoist Teaching: A Plain-Language Interpretation

I. Invoking Zhang, the Swift-Flying Messenger of Thunder

Burn incense and formally summon Zhang, the Swift-Flying Messenger of Thunder, who brings responsive retribution. Command him to hurry to the altar and make the response manifest.

Form the hand sign for the Chen position (corresponding to the Dragon, or Chen, position) and recite:

Swift-Flying General, descend at once, descend at once! Great numinous one, great numinous one! I obey the decree of the Imperial Lord and summon the gods of the Thunder Bureau at once. You, hurry through the clouds; with utmost urgency, by the command of Kangmin, hasten here!

Explanation: You are the revered god of heavenly joy and fierce retribution in the clouds. Proceed straight to the Xun Palace in the southeast and summon the two great marshals, six divine generals, and twelve hundred thunder troops from each of these offices: the Jade Palace’s Jade Pivot Five Thunders Messengers Office; the Thunder Commandery; the Taiyi Ziwei Thunder Office; the Northern Emperor’s Thunder Office; and the Penglai Water Commandery. Also summon Xin Duduyuqing, fierce thunder officer and judge; Xie Zhenjun, judge of cloud and thunder; Marshal Deng, the great god of sudden fire and command from the Central Heaven; General Jiang, the Thunder Duke; General Xiu, the Lightning Mother; General Fang, the Wind Earl; and General Chen, the Rain Master. Bring them swiftly to the altar to make the Orthodox Teaching manifest.

II. Drawing Qi from the Southeast with the Thunder Formation’s Zi Sign

Draw Qi (vital energy) from the southeast and recite:

The six dragons’ Golden Essence fills the vast, dark heavens. I summon the officers and generals of the Supreme Ultimate to move swiftly through the Four Offices and send down their troops. Thunder, fire, wind, and life arise. The decree descends from the Jade Capital; none may delay. With utmost urgency, by the command of thunder and fire, be gathered here!

Divine light of Heaven and Earth, elite troops concealed and lying in wait; the Thunder Master drums up the wind, the sun and moon shine brightly. As I recite the Great Cavern scripture, troops and armor rush in frenzied haste to my altar. Star of the Dipper, Heavenly Net, hurry, hurry, by command of the Law!

When the recitation is complete, face southeast toward Xun and visualize the thunder god, Sudden Fire, riding a dragon and leading the thunder troops in a steady stream to the altar.

III. Invoking the Messengers of the Mysterious Numinous Jade Pivot Talisman, Orthodox Unity Spirit Officer Court

Burn incense and formally summon the two messengers Pan Yuan and Cai Min of the Mysterious Numinous Jade Pivot Talisman, Orthodox Unity Spirit Officer Court, along with Zhang and Sun, the two talisman officers on duty, and all their subordinate officials, lords, generals, and officers. Command them to hurry to the altar and make the response manifest.

Recite:

Om, wu, hong, zha, wu, hong, yi! Yuan and Min, come swiftly! Svaha!
(Recite three times.)

IV. Invoking Marshal Dutian and the Other Fire Bureau Spirit Officers

Burn incense and summon:

• Marshal Dutian, Spirit Officer Chen
• Marshal Hengtian, Spirit Officer Ma
• Marshal Chongtian, Spirit Officer Zhu
• Deputy Generals of the Fire Gourd and Fire Brick
• The White Serpent and Fire Crow Great Generals
• The Great General Without a Face
• The Great General of the Golden Spear and Fire Rope
• The Great General of the Golden Brick and Fire Gourd
• The officers and troops of the Six Heavens of Primordial Unity, and others

Command them to assist in carrying out the ritual and make the response manifest.

Recite:

(The original text does not provide the complete incantation. During the ritual, recite it in full as given in this scripture.)

Background

These passages belong to the summoning stage of Daoist Thunder Method (ritual practices of thunder). The Daoist priest burns incense, forms hand signs, and recites incantations to invoke the generals of the Thunder Bureau and spirit officer messengers to the altar, where they protect the ritual and bring its workings to fruition. “Xun Palace” refers to the southeast direction in the Eight Trigrams (Bagua). “Jade Palace” and “Five Thunders Messengers Office” are names of divine offices in the Thunder Bureau. “Spirit officers” generally refers to protective divine generals, such as Spirit Officer Chen (that is, Wang Lingguan).

Plain-Language Interpretation of the “Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of Ritual Methods”

Marshal Lingguan has three heads and nine eyes, and can drive away mountains, block the sea, and send blazing flames flying through the sky. The Lingguan of All Heavens, in solemn array, rides a fire dragon; the Ding and Jia generals seize ghosts and track down their whereabouts. The Crow Vanguard of the Fire Ministry wields an iron ladle of flame, binding ghosts and capturing the wicked. The White Snake General breathes Qi into the form of a dragon; molten gold glitters as he hurls fire forward. I now summon you: descend swiftly from the sky. The Great Emperor has issued an edict; do not show leniency. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

The Gang Spirit is quick-tempered, yet the most revered of spirits. Black mist streams from its nose, and it settles Heaven and Earth. It holds a precious sword and treads upon a wheel of fire; evil spirits tremble with terror at the sound of its name. Hear my summons and hasten out through Heaven’s gate. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

Kanchen Text (drawing in the Qi of Heaven’s gate)

Burn incense and summon the Envoy of the Office of Earth Deities (the agency overseeing local gods), Xie You, along with the earth gods along the roads of Mount Tai. Come swiftly to the altar and receive the commission given today.

Incantation:

Holy Black Slayer, numinous Black Slayer, summon the talisman clerks to the altar court. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

Burn incense and formally summon the Independent Office of Earth Deities, the Assistant Spirit, Illustrious Martial, Warm Envoy, Grand Protector, together with its subordinate celestial soldiers and spirit generals Cui, Lu, Deng, and Dou. Come swiftly to the altar and stand ready to receive and report the command.

Incantation:

By the Fire Edict of Primordial Origin, the lights of combined brilliance and majesty, the Emperor’s command descends, and the Five Sacred Peaks undertake its execution. Let the talisman clerks arrive at once; let the mighty generals come swiftly to serve. By the Supreme Emperor’s edict, urgently summon the Assistant Spirit, Illustrious Martial, Warm Envoy, Grand Protector. Descend swiftly before the altar. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

Burn incense and formally summon from the Palace of the Northern Dipper’s Dark Pattern the Great Sage Marshal He, commander of the Divine Tiger’s valiant left division and Jade Bureau, master of the hundred joints and the three hun souls; the Great Sage Marshal Qiao, chief officer of the seven po souls, blood, and Qi in the Divine Tiger’s female right division and Martial Phoenix guard; the soul-pursuing envoys of the three divisions, Lords Zhang and Wei; the four great generals Lu, Huan, Liu, and Wu, who seize, summon, and pursue souls; the boys who pursue and guide souls; and all officials, lords, generals, and clerks assigned to seize and pursue them. Come swiftly to the altar and make the response manifest.

Incantation:

Jade register of the Dark Heaven (Yin); talismanic script of the Divine Tiger (Mao); true essence of Primordial Chaos (Chen); joined in accord with the talisman (Si); dark mystery of the Great One (Wu); open Yang and awaken Yin (Wei); let the myriad spirits listen with reverence (Shen); who would dare not come to welcome the summons? (You); Jade Maidens of the Divine Tiger (Xu); clerks and soldiers of the Divine Tiger (Hai).

One…

Notes:

• Marshal Lingguan: A Daoist guardian deity, namely Wang Lingguan, charged with dispelling evil and vanquishing ghosts.
• “Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands”: A phrase commonly used to conclude Daoist incantations, meaning “carry out the command at once.”
• Kanchen Text: A ritual text for drawing in Qi, or gathering the energies of Heaven and Earth. The characters in parentheses mark the twelve Earthly Branches.
• Palace of the Northern Dipper’s Dark Pattern: The name of a Daoist divine palace, which governs the pursuit and capture of souls.
• Three hun souls and seven po souls: Daoist belief holds that a person has three hun souls—Taiguang, Shuangling, and Youjing—and seven po souls. When the hun and po separate, the person dies.

Plain-Language Commentary

(Ritual actions and incantation)

Cut, gather, arrive—(when reciting “Zi”) do not linger. Receive the talismanic command—(when reciting “Chou”) proclaim and announce it.

Cold Court—(the middle of the three fingers); pursue the hun soul and gather the po soul—(the upper part of the three fingers); see the shadow and behold the form—(when reciting “Wei”) descend upon the altar.

The ritual assembly—(when reciting “Wu”) report the accomplishment to the Jade Capital. Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes!

Burning Incense and Summoning: Chief Commandery of the Taiyi Fire Bureau

Burn incense and respectfully summon Li Yuanjun, the chief of the Dharma administration of the Taiyi Fire Bureau; Zhu Yuanjun; the Great Spirit Qiu Marshal, who commands the decree with awe-inspiring radiance; the Great Spirit Wang Marshal, deputy general who issues commands with thunder and lightning; Chen Marshal, who disperses clouds and summons mist; Li Marshal, who commands the winds and transforms them into green thunder; Kong Marshal, who punishes demons, slays ghosts, and cuts them down; Cui Marshal, who uses fire and thunder to strike the wicked; Zhou Marshal, who uses water and thunder to shine through and destroy; Ji Marshal, the Great Spirit whose lightning illuminates all and who sends forth flying fire; Liu Marshal, the Black Thunder Great Spirit who drives thunder and brings rain; Lin Marshal, the Great Spirit who commands the law and swiftly seizes with flying thunder; Bai Marshal, the Divine Thunder Spirit who serves as a direct talismanic envoy of the Dark Province; Xie Marshal, envoy of the Three Heavens who presents petitions; Zhuang Marshal, commander-in-chief; Zhang Marshal, who submits urgent petitions; the five great thunder gods of the five directions—Zhu, Liu, Zhang, and Yang; the four great generals of Heaven who serve directly at the altar—Gao, Tao, Cui, and Zhao; the four great thunder gods—Meng, Huang, Ma, and Chen; and the Thunder Duke, Lightning Mother, Wind Earl, Rain Master, and the rest. May they gather at the altar and receive their commands and assignments.

Incantation:

Om, hum, hum, dou, shu, fan—may the responding thunder resound and seize.

The True King issues the command; the Jade Emperor promulgates it. Let all the gods beneath Heaven obey the order. None at my altar may disobey. Swiftly, in accordance with the command orally issued by the Divine Empyrean!

Burning Incense and Summoning: Chief Ritual Master of the Great Dongxuan Rite

Burn incense and summon the chief ritual master of the Great Dongxuan Rite, the Flame Emperor Deng Tianjun; Taiyi Huayin Liuguang Zhu Tianjun; Taiyi Huoling Feiguang Shangsheng Tianjun; Taiyi Mulang Shangsheng Tianjun; Shaoyang Fire Master Lü Shenjun of the Three-Five Nine Suns; the eight Great Shenjun—Cai, Jin, Su, Chen, Zhang, Jiang, Bi, and Cheng; Xie Daxian of the Flowing-Gold Fire Bell; Zhou Marshal, Fire Roost Fire Earl; the two great marshals Ning and Ren, who set Yin-Yang in motion and command thunder; Liu Tianjun, with his blue fangs and iron face; the officials and generals of the Taiyi Jade Casket and Sword-Lost Dharma; the thunder generals and thunder soldiers belonging to the combined left and right courts of the Nine Heavens, within and beyond the walls of Dongxuan; the emissaries of wild thunder from the five directions; and the Great Perfected Spirits of every department. May each descend upon the altar.

Plain-Language Interpretation

Please descend to the ritual altar and accept the task assigned to you today.

The incantation is as follows:

(“Om,” “hong,” “duo,” and the like form a sequence of syllables chanted as a formula. During ritual performance, they are recited rapidly. The characters are retained here as in the original, without translating them one by one.)

How to chant it: recite it in one breath, or repeat it three times in succession.

The closing phrase is: “In accordance with the commands of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, Lord of Thunder of the Grotto Mystery lineage”—that is, act under the orders of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning’s Grotto Mystery lineage and the Lord of Thunder.

I. Burning incense to summon the generals of the Great Qingwei Method

Burn incense and respectfully summon: Marshal Chen, the Commander of the Western Terrace and Fierce Officer of Wolf Fang, of the Great Qingwei Method; Deputy Marshal Shi; the deity of Nine Heavens Responding to the Origin, Swift in Command and Spiritually Flying; and Envoy Zhang, the Envoy of the Primordial Talisman.

Also summon those presiding over the Jade Pivot Scripture method: Marshal Lei Liejiong, together with the five Celestial Lords Deng, Xin, Zhang, Xun, and Liu. Let them hasten to the altar, manifest clearly and respond, without delay.

II. Burning incense to summon the departments of the Southern and Northern Poles, the Celestial Heart, and the Five Thunders

Burn incense and respectfully summon:

• The Officials of the Three Luminaries in the Orthodox Methods of the Southern Pole Celestial Pivot and the Northern Pole Celestial Heart;
• The commanders, generals, officers, and soldiers of the Spirit-Writings Beneath the Dipper and the Celestial Heart Method;
• From the Great White Seizure Five Thunders Method, Marshal Gou, the Left Thunder-Gate Demon-Subduing Envoy, who oversees the Southern Pole Celestial Pivot Court and commands the Thunder Administration’s one prefecture, two courts, and three offices;
• Marshal Bi, the Right Thunder-Gate Demon-Subduing Envoy, who oversees the Northern Pole Exorcism Court and is in charge of the Thunder Administration’s military affairs;
• The thirty-six Thunder-Drum Strongmen and seventy-two Deities of Examination and Summons;
• The four envoys Chen, Liu, Sun, and Zhang.

All must hasten to the altar and immediately make their responses manifest.

Incantation:

Om, dou, zhi, fu, she.

(Hand signs: the left hand takes the position of the Li trigram, and the right hand the position of the Kan trigram. Li and Kan are two of the Eight Trigrams. During ritual performance, the fingers of each hand form the corresponding position.)

III. Burning incense to summon Marshal Guan of the Fengdu Pass

Burn incense and respectfully summon Marshal Guan, the Radiant-Spirit Demon-Cutting General of Fengdu (one of the underworld realms governed in Daoism), together with his attendant officials and generals and all officers and soldiers under his command. Let them hasten to the altar and manifest their response clearly.

Incantation:

Om, Heaven (the Zi hour), pivot (the Wu hour), Earth (the Mao hour), hasten (the You hour), she.

(Form the Sha-Writing hand sign with the middle finger—that is, make the hand sign by pressing the position assigned to the baleful writing in the ritual procedure.)

Om (Zi), hong (Chou), hong (center), ba (Dui), zha (Wei), hasten (Zi), she (Wu).

(The branches in parentheses indicate the corresponding recitation and hand signs for the earthly-branch hours.)

IV. Burning incense to summon Marshal Zhao of the Zhengyi Altar, and others

Burn incense and respectfully summon Marshal Zhao, of the Golden Wheel Commanded Method of the Zhengyi Altar (an altar of the Zhengyi tradition); Deputy Marshal Huang; Left Deputy Marshal Wu; Right Deputy Marshal Bai; as well as the Two Tiger-Guard Divisions, the Eight Fierce Kings and Generals, the Six Poison Great Deities, the Five-Direction Thunder Generals, the Five-Direction Chang Soldiers, the Spirit Kings of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, the two great official-generals Heavenly Harmony and Earthly Union, and the Four Ding Great Deities, among others. Let them come upon hearing the summons and hurry to the altar.

Incantation:

(Continue reciting according to the altar manual. The original text does not give the full incantation here; follow the liturgical manual used in the ritual.)

Note: The entire text follows the sequence of a liturgical summoning: first burn incense, then recite the names and summon the generals by department, accompanied by incantations and hand signs involving directions, hours, and finger positions. Personal names, marshals, envoys, and names of the Thunder Department should all be recited respectfully according to the pronunciations in the liturgical manual; the characters should not be changed at will.

The Subtle Wondrous True Void, the Numinous Lineage of the Divine Empyrean (a name for the methods of the Divine Empyrean thunder ritual tradition): by means of sacred commands, it drives thunder and wields lightning, sends forth fire and raises the wind (mobilizing the forces of thunder, fire, wind, and baleful energy). Its divine might is immeasurable, and it can seize and bind wicked demons. Thunder shakes the Palace of Dui (the west), and divine thunder roars in fury. When the crow of the baleful spirit sounds, myriad ghosts surge in, only to vanish without a trace as all are destroyed. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

By the command of the Ancestral Celestial Master of Orthodox Unity and the Great Emperor of Boundless Brilliance over the Six Directions.

Burn incense to open the passage and issue the summons (establish the altar, burn incense, and send out the petition of invitation). Summon the Gate of the Celestial Canopy in Highest Clarity (the celestial martial gate commanded by Marshal Tianpeng), led by General Zhou, the Commander-in-Chief of the One Qi, together with:

• General of Flying Eagles and Running Hounds
• General Chen, the Four-Eyed Old Man
• Judge Huang and the Thunder Emissary
• King of the Unjust Spirits, King of the Mighty Sword, and King of the Faceless
• Deaf soldiers and mute generals (troops whose silence signifies that commands are carried out without sound and executions are concealed)
• Celestial charioteers and armored soldiers
• The five generals of the current month
• Thirty-six great celestial generals
• Numinous officials and Jade Maidens
• King of the Iron Hoe (a deity who carries an iron hoe)
• Fisher Master, Hunter Master, and Net Master
• General of the Blood Basin
• General Tang of the Upper Origin, General Ge of the Middle Origin, and General Zhou of the Lower Origin (commanders of the three armies associated with the Three Origins festivals)

Summon also their subordinate officers: the officers who seize and devour demons, seize and devour ghosts, seize and devour Qi, seize and devour essence, seize and devour plague spirits (plague spirits being baleful agents of epidemic disease), seize and devour wickedness, seize and devour corruption, and seize and devour poison (their charge is to capture and “devour” demons, ghosts, plague energy, and poisonous filth of every kind), as well as the officers who punish sorcerers and destroy temples of heterodox worship.

Summon also the King of the Dipper who Leads, the King of the Dipper who Assesses, and the King of the Dipper who Assesses and Slays; the King of Battle and Conquest; the officers and soldiers who carry out talismans, seize ghosts, and assess rebellious forces; and the officers and soldiers who behead, investigate, subdue, restrain, and capture ghosts. Summon as well those who enter battle to claim merit, search for ghosts, drive them out, seize them, bind them, and interrogate them; and the great deities who carry talismans, hold the tally, and wield the seal. All who hear this summons must hasten to the altar.

Burn incense again and issue the summons:

• Commander of the Thunder of All Heaven, Marshal Deng of the Firebolt, by command of the statutes
• Fierce Officer Who Bears the Wind, Marshal Xin of the Silver Fangs and Shining Eyes (Xin Yi, often portrayed as a fierce general of the Thunder Department)
• Swift-Flashing Fire-Thunder, Emissary Zhang Who Punishes Evil and Brings Retribution
• Blazing Fierce Demon-Light and the Fiery, Lightning-Bright Baleful Forces
• The five primordial emissaries: Jiang, Bi, Hua, Lei, and Chen (the five emissaries who execute and investigate)
• The five barbarian Thunder Emissaries: Ma, Guo, Fang, Deng, and Tian
• The five Thunder Emissaries: Wang, Zhang, Guan, Shi, and Xiao Yue
• The Thunder Duke, the Lightning Mother, the Wind Earl, and the Rain Master
• The Lord of Thunder’s Baleful Punishments and the Deity Who Wields Might
• Celestial Lord Liu of the Blue Fangs and Iron Face
• Marshal Kong of the Purple Tenuity, who Rushes Heaven and Commands Thunder
• Marshal Yin of the Earth Bureau and Grand Year (the Celestial Official Yin Lingguan who presides over the year)

All who govern those who do not believe (those who dare defy or disregard the sacred commands) are also subject to inspection. On hearing the summons, they must hasten to the altar ground.

Related Rituals from The Precious Beads Left Behind by the Dharma Ocean (Modern Paraphrase)

Marshal Zhu’s Daoist Powers Gather at the Altar, Making Retribution Manifest

(Explanation: The divine generals, including Marshal Zhu, are summoned to gather at the ritual altar, where spiritual responses and retribution are made manifest.)

Burning Incense and Sending the Summons: The Left and Right Generals of the Cinnabar Heaven, and Others, of the Supreme Ultimate Court for Ritual Refinement and Universal Salvation

After burning incense, send a written summons to invite the Left and Right Generals of the Cinnabar Heaven, the Great Gods of the Heavenly Cavern and Heavenly Truth, and the officials responsible for capturing souls, all belonging to the Supreme Ultimate Court for Ritual Refinement and Universal Salvation. Ask them to come to the altar and manifest the Daoist powers.

Incantation:

The Supreme Lord of the Dao (the Unrivaled, Primal Mystery Supreme Lord of the Dao) commands me to wield the talisman and shine through the dark prisons, freeing the souls of the dead so that the seven generations of ancestors may ascend to the Supreme Ultimate. Let the officials and generals hasten to the altar. Act swiftly in accordance with the statutes and commands.

Through ritual refinement, the souls of the dead become immortals and take human form. Those who receive salvation in human form will endure through every kalpa, turning with the cycles of the kalpas and living as long as Heaven. They will forever escape the Three Paths, the Five Sufferings, and the Eight Hardships, rise beyond the Three Realms, and wander freely in Shangqing. Act swiftly in accordance with the statutes and commands.

(Visualization: The Immortal Elder, the Cinnabar Heaven generals, and the Water and Fire generals each arrive at the altar.)

Burning Incense and Sending the Summons: The Two Merit Officers and Messengers Wang and Lu of the Fengdu Court of Investigation and Summons

Burn incense and summon the two merit officers and messengers, Wang and Lu, of the Fengdu Court of Investigation and Summons. They are to hurry to the altar and receive their orders.

Incantation:

Om wu lun ni she (a phonetic incantation opening, recited according to the ritual).

Burning Incense and Sending the Summons: The Generals of the Fengdu Court of Investigation and Summons in the Northeast

Burn incense and summon the Perfected Lords Jiao and Zeng of the Fengdu Court of Investigation and Summons in the northeast, along with:

• The eight generals of the inner altar: Wen, Zhong, Zhu, Xu, Zhang, Shen, Chen, and Xie
• The eight generals of the outer altar

Having heard this summons, they are to appear immediately before the altar.

Incantation:

I am sent forth by Heaven and Earth, traversing the celestial realm to punish and capture the demon troops. The Four Officers of the Day stand guard at the altar; summon the Three Officials and receive orders from the Nine Offices and Four Departments, the Investigating Officials of the Five Emperors, the great heavenly strongmen, the ox-headed prison guards, the divine troops who administer punishment, and all the adjudicating officials and divine troops who oversee records, destiny, merit, and death. Summon at once the adjudicating officials of the Three Marshals of Fengdu and the 120 numinous officers to descend and stand guard at the altar. Let them assist my true Qi and heed the Supreme One’s commands for the office and court. (The eastern or northern Qi of the Yin hour: use the corresponding Qi formula according to direction and time.)

Om he lou ▲ ti lou ▲ ji lou ▲ om ji ▲ lu li ▲ wind and thunder ▲ da lou ▲ bird tu ▲ command and summon. (An incantation for issuing orders and summoning; the ▲ marks indicate pauses, emphatic readings, or secret characters in the ritual, according to the oral transmission of this lineage.)

Burning Incense and Sending the Summons: Officials for Subduing Evil, Heavenly Physicians, and Others from the Various Ranks of the Ritual

Burn incense and summon the following officials from the various ranks of the ritual:

• Officials who capture and consume evil
• Officials who capture and consume ghosts
• Officials who capture and consume poison
• Officials who capture and consume Qi
• The Messengers of the Heavenly Physicians, the Numinous Officers of the Department of Medicine, and the Merit Officers for Healing

They are to come together before the altar and make retribution manifest.

For Invoking and Summoning

(This heading names the invocation and summoning stage of the ritual, including its incantations or liturgical procedures. The full text is to be recited from the version of the manual transmitted in the relevant lineage.)

Notes for reading the ritual:

• Sending a summons: Issue a formal written summons to invite divine generals and officials to the altar.
• Fengdu: The general name for the underworld in Daoism. The Court of Investigation and Summons is responsible for investigating, summoning, and capturing souls in the netherworld.
• Universal salvation: A ritual for delivering the souls of the dead and rescuing the inhabitants of the netherworld.
• “Act swiftly in accordance with the statutes and commands”: The closing formula of an incantation, meaning that the order is to be carried out immediately in accordance with the statutes.

Hidden Pearls of the Dharma Ocean: A Plain-Language Interpretation

The preceding passage concerns the principal and deputy commanders, marshals, clerks, and soldiers from the various departments who, by imperial decree, have been dispatched and have arrived at the ritual altar. Each takes up position according to their office and remains stationed there for the long term, assisting with the ritual performance, displaying their divine might, and manifesting auspicious responses. Then recite:

“I carry out the Emperor’s command to summon and deploy the myriad spirits. I burn incense and open the pass to summon them, thereby making the true circumstances known. The officials, commanders, clerks, and soldiers of the various departments, offices, and courts—whether principal or deputy, whether heavenly troops or otherwise—all respond as soon as they hear the summons. They assemble on either side, hands clasped, and await orders. Anyone who shows even the slightest delay or disobedience is subject to the customary penalties under the law. Urgent, urgent, by command of the Most High’s statutes!”

(Used during ritual practice.)

When the preceding matter is complete, the marshals, commanders, clerks, and soldiers of the summoned ranks and departments have received the ritual ablutions and arrived at the altar. One should then express one’s sincere intentions (and state the purpose). Those assigned to guard the altar shall guard it; those assigned to avert calamity and restore peace shall do so. Let them remain diligent forever, each keeping to their own duties, striving to accomplish merit and proclaim the Great Dao. When they are summoned again, they shall return just as before. Then recite:

“Heavenly thunder rumbles faintly; dragons and tigers converge. The commanders and troops of the various departments, with jade cords and golden sashes, follow the seal to their stations and each guard their own camp. Urgent, urgent, by the Most High’s command to return the spirits!”

As you step back, visualize the stars and Dipper to the left of the altar, and the Chenwen Dingli gesture. Recite:

“The stars and Dipper return to their proper course; my steps return to the purified hall. Divine beasts assist me; the hundred spirits support and guide me. I tread the stars and Dipper, shining with the same light as the sun and moon. A thousand calamities are wiped out; ten thousand blessings arrive in auspiciousness. Urgent, urgent, by command of the statutes!” (Leftward flick / Chenwen gesture.)

Visualize the starlight withdrawing. Then draw it in with one breath through the mouth and swallow it down into the original palace. Pay your respects and withdraw.

Note: This is the closing section of a Leifa (Thunder Rites) ritual for opening the pass and summoning spirits: first the commanders and clerks of the various departments are summoned and instructed to assemble in formation; when the rite is complete, one returns the spirits, returns to the Dipper’s course, and treads the stars before leaving the altar. “Chenwen Dingli” and “leftward flick” are names for the astral stepping pattern and hand gesture. “Swallow it down into the original palace” means drawing the visualized starlight into the Dantian (energy center) before paying respects and withdrawing.