《法海遺珠》Vol. 20

Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of Dharma, Scroll 20, Section 9

Method for Inviting the Immortal Maiden of Purple

To perform this method, first prepare a small bamboo winnowing basket and insert a chopstick into it. Take about two sheng of clean ash and place it in a clean vessel. Set up an offering tablet inscribed “The Immortal Maiden of Purple and the Immortals of Penglai.” Sweep a room clean, then place the basket, chopstick, and ash inside. Burn incense and bow in worship morning and evening, keeping the heart sincere and the mind pure.

When you have something to pray for, spread the ash evenly across a table and set the basket in front of it. After the officiant has completed the rites and burned the talisman, have a virtuous woman stand in the place of the guest, while the officiant stands in the place of the host. Each person should support the basket from below with empty hands, standing on opposite sides of the table. Use the chopstick to trace and prick the ash. When an immortal spirit arrives, the basket will move by itself, or write the character for “arrived” or “descended” in the ash, or write the name of the immortal who has come down.

Choose the prayers according to your wishes. You may ask for explanations of the hidden meanings of the scriptures, for poems or prose, for answers about secret matters, for prescriptions or medical methods, for fate calculations, for help in arranging a marriage, or for divinations concerning the fengshui of a house or tomb. All these may bring a response. Worthy and renowned figures from past ages, such as the banished immortal of Xiangshan, Su Shi (Dongpo), and the eminent figures of Yuhu, have sometimes descended as well; words cannot describe them fully. When the ash is covered with writing, copy it down, smooth the ash again, and continue. If the immortals do not come the first time you invite them, do not resent them. Simply invite them again and again with devotion; when your spirit moves theirs, they will surely descend. If you practice over many years, you may even suspend the basket by a cord without supporting it with your hands, or write with a brush on paper without using a chopstick. The method depends on what you seek. Once an immortal has descended, ask your questions promptly; if you delay, the immortal will depart.

Recite the water-consecration spell:

“Water is born from Heaven’s One; Earth’s Six brings it to completion. When One and Six unite, the Five Phases find their foundation. I now spray and wash away impurity, driving dust away in flight. Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!”

When you have finished reciting, spray water to cleanse the room. Then light incense, face east, and click your teeth together. Pray silently:

“Your humble servant, [name], bows low and prostrates twice in reverence, respectfully addressing the Primordial Lady of the Mysterious Female of the Nine Heavens. I now follow the true rites, write the sacred talismans, and invite the immortals of Penglai. I pray that you descend from afar with the pure, true vital energy of life, pouring it into my body and mind, and into the brush, ink, and paper I use, so that I may write talismanic registers and swiftly attain communion with the spirits. My humble heart is filled with the utmost devotion and prayer. I respectfully report this.”

Next, silently recite the paper-consecration spell:

“The essence of mulberry paper is a jade blossom, born before Heaven and Earth. Dragon patterns and phoenix script draw upon it to set forth the talisman.”

Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of Daoist Teachings: A Plain-Language Interpretation

(Continued from the previous passage) Fly swiftly through the air, traversing the pot-heavens far and wide—act with all haste, in accordance with the ordinances.

Next, silently recite the spell for consecrating the ink:

Divine ink, numinous and bright, reaches through the hidden and into the light; Lord Pine performs his duty, while the orchid brush gathers fragrance. Let the Immortals and perfected beings descend in rank; hasten here in cloud-borne carriages—act with all haste, in accordance with the ordinances.

Next, silently recite the spell for consecrating the brush:

Divine brush, rise aloft, your fragrance passed down through the ages; I now write the seal script, summoning beings from the ten directions. With clouds and storm winds as your chariot, hasten down to this numinous place—act with all haste, in accordance with the ordinances.

After reciting all these spells, the ritual master focuses the spirit and visualizes, draws in Qi and blows upon the brush, then writes the talisman.

Talisman for Summoning an Immortal (yellow paper, written in ink)

Write the two characters “Descend at once” on the talisman.

Spell for Empowering the Talisman:

Numinous Yang of the Great One, purple Qi blazing bright; make the temple precincts pure and dignified, adorn every hall. Zigu, Zigu, true scholar of the grotto abode; hair like clouds, robes like rosy clouds, skin as clear as ice, complexion like jade. You know good fortune and misfortune, and can compose poetry and prose. Cao Gu has departed; Zigu, set out on your way. May I arrange your carriage and attendants, and for a while receive you on the cloud-road—act with all haste, in accordance with the ordinances.

After reciting the spell, place the talisman on the divination sieve. Burn incense and click the teeth, then state the intention in an invocation:

We respectfully invite the talisman officers of the Immortal Courts of the Three Realms to carry this talisman of the Dark Lady of the Nine Heavens on behalf of [name], and proceed directly to the Three Islands and Ten Continents, and to the palaces of the Immortals in the grotto-heavens and blessed lands. We humbly petition: Zigu, Primordial Perfected One; Su Nü of Jade-like Skin; the Snow-Reflecting Jade Perfected One of the Three Rivers and Lake Tai; the Elder Daoist of the Jade Scroll; the Immortal Maiden Yunmei; the Immortal Maiden Guiying; Qingnu, Xuenu, Shounu, and Zhenqing; and all the Immortal beings above and below the heavens, in the water courts and the mortal world, from ancient times to the present. We now summon and invite you all, and hope that you will come. We humbly pray on behalf of [name] concerning [matter]. May you ride cranes and phoenixes, fly through clouds and mist, briefly leave your grotto abodes, and descend into the human realm. May you reveal your numinous power beneath the sieve and fulfill the sincere longing in our hearts. [Name] humbly offers this prayer with the deepest hope.

Next, burn the talisman over the lamp or candle, then blow on the ashes so they scatter. Face east, click the teeth, draw in a breath, and blow onto the sieve. Hold the sieve over the table. If it moves, the Immortal has arrived. If it does not, keep holding it, click the teeth again, and recite:

Between heaven and the human world, clouds and waters stretch far; we dare to invite the ranks of Immortal attendants. We humbly welcome your rainbow banners and feathered canopies; descend from the clouds above. Do not let anything delay you, lest our hearts grow dim and our spirits fade—act with all haste, in accordance with the ordinances.

After reciting the spell, visualize the Immortals and perfected beings descending, and offer whatever offerings seem appropriate. Then recite the secret spell:

(The original text of the secret spell is not included here.)

Notes:

• Pot-heavens refers to a legendary Immortal realm: another world contained within a pot.
• Consecrating the ink and brush refers to spells used to empower the ink and brush before performing the ritual.
• Zigu is the Immortal Zigu, a folk deity associated with divination and poetry, often invoked through planchette writing.
• The Three Islands and Ten Continents, grotto-heavens, and blessed lands are names for Daoist Immortal realms.
• Divination sieve refers here to the sieve or sand tray used for planchette divination. When an Immortal descends, the sieve moves.
• “Act with all haste, in accordance with the ordinances” is a formula used to conclude spells, meaning “act swiftly in accordance with the ordinances.”

An Accessible Reading of Pearls from the Sea of Methods

The Rite for Thanking and Sending Off Immortals After Their Descent Through the Spirit Sieve

The clouds and mist disperse, and an immortal suddenly descends. May the immortal take up residence upon the spirit sieve; with sincere hearts, we ask our questions and offer prayers with joy.

Haste, haste, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

After reciting the spell, you may make your request. If the sieve writes the character “go,” this means the immortal wishes to depart. Immediately put away the spirit sieve, then burn incense and offer thanks, saying:

All the heavens, all the earths, and the immortals of the grotto dwellings: just now, we summoned you, and the immortal has graciously descended, despite the trouble we caused. The mortal world is full of turmoil, and you cannot remain for long. We respectfully burn precious incense and see your chariot off. Should we have further prayers in the future, we will respectfully invite you again.

When the rite is complete, click the teeth together and recite:

No road is impassable, yet the road of departure is hard to find. Within the Four Seas, who shares this sound? Haste, haste, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

The Urgent Spirit Memorial of the Dark Heaven (Summoning the Four Duty Envoys)

Before performing any rite, first purify away defilement and transform the spirit; visualize the Four Numina protecting the body. Next, form the Sha Hand Seal with the left hand and the Sword Hand Seal with the right. Gather Golden Light Qi, then silently recite the spell for summoning the generals:

The essence of the Dark Heaven is called the mighty spirit of duty. The Marshal has issued an order: descend swiftly and manifest your numinous power. Come down at once before the altar and heed what is now commanded. Haste, haste, in accordance with the statutes and commands of the Dark Heaven Supreme Emperor!

The numinous power of Heaven and Earth transforms your essence. Qian is primal, flourishing, beneficial, and steadfast; the sun, moon, and five planets shine. Four Duty Envoys, descend swiftly. Hasten to the foot of the altar and make your response known through numinous power. Haste, haste, in accordance with the statutes and commands of the Dark Heaven Supreme Emperor!

The Dark Heaven has issued an order: summon Chen An, Liu Ji, Sun De, and Zhang Bing, the Four Duty Envoys. Descend in haste and manifest your numinous power. Haste, haste, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

After reciting the spell three times, visualize blue, red, white, and black Qi gathering from the four directions above the incense, like a mass of colored clouds, with golden light flickering within as an omen. Inhale it into the Kidney Palace; let it pass through the liver, rise to the heart, and reach the lungs. Then direct it toward the incense burner with the breaths called Chui, Xu, Xu, and He. Visualize the Golden Light bursting open, revealing the Four Duty Envoys standing before the altar in their respective directions and colors, each riding the Golden Light.

After burning incense and stating your purpose, hold the memorial in your hands and silently recite the Middle Section once. Direct Golden Light onto the memorial with a breath, visualizing it shining with rays streaming down from its eight corners. Then silently recite the spell three times, visualizing the marshals and generals of the various offices surrounding and protecting the memorial. Pass it once more over the incense as an omen. Then say:

• Open Heaven’s Gate (press the tongue against the upper palate and form the Hai hand seal).
• Close Earth’s Door (press the tongue against the Jade Pool and form the Si hand seal outward).
• Keep the Human Gate open (stare with eyes wide and form the Shen hand seal).
• Block the Ghost Road (hold the Qi and shape the mouth into “Ding”; stand in the Yin position).

Notes for the reader:

The text presents the sequence of a Daoist ritual in full: first, the immortal who descended through the spirit sieve is sent off; then the Four Duty Envoys are summoned to convey a memorial and establish communication through numinous power.

Plain-language interpretation

(After completing the ritual above, recite the following incantation:)

“By the command of the Dark Heaven (Emperor Zhenwu), the Four Duty Officers must all obey. They act on Heaven’s behalf to transform the world and bring aid to all living beings. If people suffer and their need is urgent, a brief memorial may be written and submitted at once, so that it quickly reaches the Most True One, the highest divinity. Let it be done urgently, in accordance with the statutes.”

After reciting the incantation, burn incense and summon the generals and clerks. Have them read the formal dispatch to the Celestial Court in order. Then burn the offerings of paper money and other items. Wrap the written memorial together with the talisman as before, place it in the brazier, and burn it. Next, recite the incantation for sending the memorial:

“Five-colored smoke carries the memorial up to Heaven; five-colored Qi carries it to the Emperor and his officials below. Therefore, the former Qi must not intrude recklessly. Let it be done urgently, in accordance with the statutes.”

After reciting this incantation, the ritual master performs visualization: Five-colored clouds rise. Zhaoping, the ritual master, sits upright, with a ball of red light in his heart, and forms a hand seal with his left hand. The name of the visualization hand seal is damaged in the source text, so it cannot be restored. Then he visualizes the red light surging upward. With a flick of the fingers in time with the seal, it shoots straight through Heaven’s Gate, traveling an immense distance. He then visualizes the Four Generals carrying the memorial in front, while his spirit leads the assembled generals after the red light. After a long while, a great bridge appears, radiant with light. After a further interval, they ascend a twelve-story tower, then cross the Crimson Bridge and continue upward until they reach the Jade Palace in the center of Heaven. Purple clouds cast their shade, and the generals and clerks stand waiting outside the palace gate. Zhaoping and the Four Duty Officers enter the palace, turn left, and proceed to the gate of the You Sheng Prefecture. The palace is imposing, guarded on all sides by the myriad gods. He visualizes the Four Duty Officers handing the memorial to the True Official in Charge of Memorials. They perform nine bows below the hall and pay their respects. Then, entering from the left avenue, they ascend to the hall and kneel before the desk to present their petition. He visualizes the True Official submitting the memorial, and the Dark Emperor granting approval. After bowing, they descend by the right avenue to the foot of the hall, perform nine bows in thanks, and leave the prefectural offices. The Four Duty Officers lead the way, with the officials and generals following. They leave the Jade Palace and return along the route they came. In a trance-like moment, they arrive back before the altar. The red light is drawn back into the heart, and the teeth are tapped and saliva swallowed three times.

Then recite this prayer:

“Earlier, I summoned and addressed the Four Duty Officers, and humbly received their guidance. Now that the audience is complete, I respectfully ask each of you to return to your appointed post. If I summon you again in the future, may it be as before.”

Concise method

Clear the mind and quiet the thoughts. Visualize the original spirit in the Crimson Palace, within the heart. Then summon the Four Duty Officers to descend from the Hall of the Brain. After completing the prayer, burn the memorial. Visualize the Four Duty Officers carrying it ahead, while the original spirit rides the red light up to the hall in the Hall of the Brain. In the golden light, the Dark Emperor sits enthroned, surrounded by rows of attendants and guards. Zhaoping kneels and states the matter aloud; the Four Duty Officers present the memorial.

Note: This is a Daoist ritual for submitting a memorial to Heaven. The written memorial is burned, and through visualization the ritual master accompanies the Four Duty Officers up to the You Sheng Prefecture of the Dark Heaven Supreme Emperor, Zhenwu, to present the memorial and make a petition, then gives thanks and returns. “Zhao” generally refers to the ritual master. The “Four Duty Officers” are divine clerks who serve on duty in turn. A “formal dispatch” and a “memorial” are documents sent to the Celestial Court. The hand-seal name in the source text is damaged. Since it is now generally transmitted orally by teachers, it has not been conjecturally restored.

A Plain-Language Reading of Fahai Yizhu

After presenting the petition and giving thanks with a bow, draw the mind back to the Crimson Palace and silently recite the heart mantra:

Om liu duo du liu du liu zhi du liu he na liu fei na liu zha suo he

This is a heart mantra in Sanskrit sounds. Recite it according to the phonetic transcription in the original; do not alter it.

When you have finished reciting the mantra, sit quietly in concentration and await a response. Observe what image appears in the mind, then interpret it as circumstances suggest.

Do not perform this practice unless the matter is urgent.

Daily Morning Veneration

Each morning, or during a quiet night, sit upright and make your teeth click together twenty-four times, then swallow the saliva twenty-four times. Silently recite the full title of the Dark Emperor (the Great Emperor Zhenwu) three times. Visualize a point of light between the kidneys, rising up along the spinal passage to the back of the head and entering the Mudball Palace at the crown, near the Baihui point. Picture the golden light flashing as you recite “Heavenly Worthy, Manifestation of the Golden Gate” twenty-one times. In an instant, the light spreads throughout the ten directions. See the Dark Emperor seated atop “Jade Mountain Capital”—that is, the Mudball Palace—with your protective emanation towering like a mountain, distinct and clear.

Next, visualize the Four Worthies, the four attendant emissaries, emerging from the heart: the left eye from the liver, the right eye from the lungs, and the two ears from the kidneys. Their roots stand in the clouds as they bow in reverence. Your protective emanation, in the form of a realized person, emerges from the Yellow Court, the middle Dantian, with robes properly arranged. It advances, pays homage, kneels, and presents the matter you wish to request. When finished, visualize the golden light closing in from all four sides as before. Your protective emanation returns to the Crimson Palace and looks down upon the light between the kidneys, resting in deep stillness. This completes the veneration.

• When capturing a malign spirit: Visualize the Dark Emperor with disheveled hair and bare feet, his sacred countenance wrathful, with divine troops arrayed in imposing ranks on either side.
• For ordinary matters: Visualize his sacred countenance as joyful.
• When dispelling calamity: Visualize his sacred countenance as compassionate.

Incantation for Summoning the Four Worthies

From numinous emptiness, the Five Qi arise; one Qi divides into forms. From the Great Beginning’s misty chaos onward into the remote and obscure, they circle the Six Directions and spread divine beings everywhere. Through ten thousand transformations, the one Qi divides. May the myriad spirits gather, commanding officers and troops to seize and replenish against rebellious ghosts, and capture demons and monsters. Four Worthy Emissaries, true forms of Water and Fire, hear my summons and descend swiftly. Bind and torture them; seize and capture them. I stand before the altar, awaiting a response. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

In essence: the Five Qi converge in numinous emptiness, and one Qi transforms into myriad forms. From the primordial chaos to the distant and obscure, they extend throughout the Six Directions and spread divine beings everywhere. The Four Worthy Emissaries are the true forms of Water and Fire. When summoned, they arrive at once, able to bind, torture, seize, and capture. I stand before the altar awaiting their report. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

Talisman for the Four Worthies’ Decapitation of Demons

Write the following on the talisman in sequence: “Heaven and Earth unite in De”; “Sun and Moon unite in brightness”; “Dark Heaven”; “Supreme Emperor”; “By command, summon”; “the myriad spirits”; “General of the Year Watch”; “General of the Month Watch”; “General of the Day Watch”; “General of the Hour Watch”; “General of the Celestial Pass”; “General of the Earth’s Axis”; “Generals of the Six Jia”; “Generals of the Six Ding”; “Celestial Sha”; and “Terrestrial Sha.”

This is the talisman format for summoning the Four Worthy Emissaries and destroying demons. Fill in each section according to the format.

An Accessible Interpretation of Fahai Yizhu

1. Malevolent Spirits and Generals Who Capture Demons

Malevolent forces rush in as swiftly as racing clouds or a raging fire. They include the year, month, day, and hour spirits, as well as the three-origin generals who command the demons. The Tousled-Hair General is charged with urgently capturing evil demons; the Yellow-Headed General with urgently binding them; and the Jailor General with urgently beheading them.

2. Edict Incantation (Invoking the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven)

The Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven, also known as the Great Emperor Zhenwu, is a Daoist deity who guards the north and suppresses evil. He is the numinous force of Ren and Gui, an emanation of the Golden Palace, and commands divine troops. His majestic presence shines forth, and the constellations embody his essence. Thunder roars and lightning flashes as he destroys demons and spirits; the mighty serpent inspires awe, and the divine tortoise trembles.

The Six Ding and Six Jia, the Generals of the Eight Malevolent Forces, the Four Duty Envoys, and the powerful spirits of the Black Malevolent Force shake heaven and earth. Their ranks and formations are countless. At the summons, they descend at once, spreading their thunderous authority. Among the local deities who govern the land and receive offerings of blood and food, any who dare to defy the command will have their bodies crushed to pieces. With the fall of the divine talisman, the ten directions are brought to order. Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

3. The Talisman on the Right (How to Use the Talisman)

Write the talisman in black ink on yellow paper. Make the Malevolent Force hand-seal while reciting the relevant incantation, draw in Qi from the north, and form the Zhenwu seal. Visualize yourself as the Dark Emperor, then command the four generals to lead their troops from the north, ride black clouds, and enter the talisman. Use this method to drive out harmful spirits, fumigate and consume talisman water, quell calamities, or dispel misfortune.

4. The Four Duty Envoys’ Talisman

“August Sovereign” (recite the Jade Emperor’s full title, make the Jade hand-seal, and draw in golden light to infuse the talisman). By command, summon the Four Duty Meritorious Officers: Chen Anzi, associated with the hour of the Rat; Liu Ji, associated with the hour of the Horse; Sun De, associated with the hour of the Rabbit; and Zhang Bing, associated with the hour of the Rooster. (Recite the Dark Emperor’s full title, state your intention, and apply it to the talisman.) By command (under the edict of the Jade Emperor) (by order of the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven).

For the talisman on the right, first visualize golden light descending from the Gate of Heaven, bringing the golden character “edict” into the talisman; then visualize gold filling your field of vision. Write in this order: use a black brush to write “August Sovereign,” then write the four envoys’ names and make the four hand-seals. Apply the Dark Emperor’s title to the talisman. Next, use a red brush to write “edict,” then add the three characters “Order of the Dark Heaven” as the seal. Apply the Jade Emperor’s title to the talisman. Use it together with a memorial.

5. The Roof-Tile Talisman

[The original contains a talisman design or taboo characters here; apply them within the talisman.]

For the talisman on the right, write it in red on yellow paper. Use the Jade Emperor’s full title to write the character “edict,” then use the Dark Emperor’s full title to write the talisman’s main form, adding the title below and applying it to the talisman. Visualize a secret character descending from the Gate of Heaven into the talisman, emerging from the Hai position in the north. Hold the brush as though performing a fire offering.

To use a roof-tile talisman, take a tile from the ridge of the afflicted household’s roof and wash it clean. On a yang day, place the tile face up; on a yin day, place it face down. Attach the talisman to the tile, then arrange paper money and other offerings, placing the memorial on top of them. Carry out the rite according to the prescribed method.

Hidden Pearls of the Sea of Ritual — A Plain-Language Interpretation

Scattering Flowers and Raising the Memorial

As it is burned, visualize five-colored flowers scattered overhead like a canopy. The smoke transforms into five-colored clouds that wind around the talisman and memorial. Four “attendant envoys,” divine officials carrying out their orders, lift the memorial and ascend.

Celestial Memorial (Document Format)

In the [year], [month], [day], at [hour], at [place], I dispatch this for [matter]. I respectfully submit that [how the request should be fulfilled] be carried out on [month, day, and hour], and humbly await the master’s instructions.

I, your servant [name], submit this memorial.

Incantation for Writing a Talisman (Example)

Divine clouds brighten the layers of the void; the Brahma net gathers in the blue sky. The Primordial Beginning rides in a chariot drawn by nine dragons; the August Personage steadies the azure carriage. Numinous light gathers the myriad perfected ones; pearl-like radiance opens the vast, clear heavens. The Lingbao texts are revealed, and blessings and De (Virtue/Power) are thereby summoned. The hidden heights of Dongxuan rise among lofty cliffs; jade-toned music drifts across the cloud lute. The immeasurable cannot be reached by thought; the sea of the Dao gives rise to billowing waves. The meaning of the teaching flows in winding streams; nourished, it grows into fine seedlings. It is used to relieve the poor and hungry, and to promote the teaching and protect the imperial court. May the honored sovereign live for billions of years; may peace prevail and weapons be laid to rest. I bow and gaze toward the Jade Court; numinous splendor scatters in golden rays. Act with urgency, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

Paper and Ink for Writing Talismans

Talismans are written on yellow paper measuring one chi and five cun square. Half the sheet is used to write the talisman in cinnabar; the other half is written in ink with the matter being addressed, following the same format as the memorial accompanying the talisman.

Before writing a memorial or talisman, first recite, “Heavenly Worthy, Manifestation of the Golden Palace.” Then visualize the Most High Lord Lao seated atop the head. Next, recite the incantation and write the memorial or talisman, visualizing the paper, brush, and ink all transforming into golden light and Brahma Qi (vital energy).

Short-Form Memorial (Urgent Petition to Zhenwu)

Use yellow paper, five cun high and seven cun wide. Write the text above in compact script on the paper and add a small seal at the top.

Your servant [surname], holding the position of [office],

respectfully submits this urgent petition concerning [matter of a certain person]. I respectfully present it before the sacred presence of the Northern Pole Sage of the Mysterious Heavens, Zhenwu, the True Sovereign (a northern guardian deity in Daoism, commonly called the Great Emperor Zhenwu). I humbly hope that, in your sacred compassion, you will grant my petition and specifically authorize [how it is to be carried out]. Your servant respectfully submits this short memorial as an urgent petition. Respectfully submitted.

In the year of the [current] Tai Sui, on [month and day], your servant [surname], holding the position of [office], urgently submits this petition.

Waist-Band Formula (Sealing)

Your servant respectfully seals this urgent petition.

Seated Practice at the Mysterious Altar (Visualization)

While sitting quietly, visualize that at first all was undivided chaos, like an egg. After a short while, water rises and fire descends, joining in the central palace, around the Dantian (energy center), like a purple-red, golden pellet, which then falls downward.

Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of the Law: A Plain-Language Interpretation

The Dantian and the Rising and Falling of the Three Palaces

True Qi (vital energy) begins in the Dantian, passes through the coccyx, the region between the shoulder blades, and the throat, then rises all the way to the Mudball Palace, the inner landscape at the crown of the head. It is like the colors of light at sunrise. It then flows downward to the middle field, around the area of the chest, like the colors of light at midday; then farther down to the Dantian, like the colors of light at sunset. This is a visualization of the rising and falling of the upper, middle, and lower palaces: the Mudball Palace, the Crimson Palace, and the Dantian.

Next, ascend into the Mysterious Chamber, where the spirit light shines forth, and then recite the incantation:

“The True One of the Upper Origin guards the Mudball Palace; the Director of Destiny of the Middle Origin sits in the Crimson Palace; Peach Peace of the Lower Origin keeps the registers. Wuying, Baiyuan, Taiyi Director of Destiny, and Peach Peace join together in extending life, holding talismans and registers, protecting life and establishing its roots. They travel above through Highest Clarity, entering and leaving the Flowery Chamber. Within the Eight Obscurities and among the subtlest things, they descend to guard the human body. The Mudball Palace and Crimson Palace open, allowing the hundred channels to flow freely. True Qi circulates, passing from being into nonbeing; the Great Dao is spontaneous. Such is the wonder of spontaneity, mysterious upon mysterious. Act swiftly in accordance with the law!”

After reciting the incantation, one feels the mind and spirit grow clear. Then visualize the Marshal within the body appearing. With sustained practice, one will accord with this Marshal, establish a numinous connection, and naturally obtain a response. This method is especially apt when used during quiet sitting practice in the early morning.

The Messenger’s Sitting Practice

Close the eyes and silently guide the Five Qi of the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys into one mass, then lower it to the Dantian. Imagine the Dantian as a jade furnace, with the two kidneys as the sun and moon. Form the Thunder Mudra with both hands and guide the two Qi of the sun and moon within the jade furnace upward through the Three Passes—the coccyx, the region between the shoulder blades, and the Jade Pillow—to the crown of the head. They transform into two streams of golden light Qi, emerge from the eyes, and burst open the Xun Gate, the Qi opening at the crown. The fiery light and golden light join into one mass. Using the sword mudra, the ritual master writes the three characters of the name Zhang Yuanbo in the air. Within the golden and fiery light, a messenger appears: blue-faced, wearing a yellow turban, with red hair, golden armor, a red skirt, a green immortal sash, and bare feet, holding an iron ruler. Draw him into the ritual altar and command him to carry out instructions.

The Northern Emperor’s Method of the Ghost-Fetus and Ghost-Qi Talismans

Facing north, the ritual master visualizes becoming a divine general of the Six Jia. The right hand holds a battle-ax; the left hand forms the Six Ding mudra by placing the third finger at its second joint. The hand must not move, or the method will lose its efficacy.

Next, visualize the ground as the black prison of Fengdu. Burn incense on both sides and place a purified ax in front. Have the patient stand or sit before you. The ritual master draws a square divided into four sections on the ground with the right hand and recites:

“Open the Gate of Heaven, Divine Lord; close the Earth Gate, Divine Lord; keep open the Human Gate, Divine Lord; block the Ghost Road, Divine Lord.”

(If there are further talismans, steps of the ritual, or methods for gathering and dispelling baleful forces, you can provide them for translation as well.)

The Pearl of the Dharma Ocean, Volume Twenty: A Plain-Language Interpretation

(Lord Who Pierces the Ghost’s Heart and Lord Who Splits the Ghost’s Belly)

This is an invocation to two divine lords: one presiding over “piercing the ghost’s heart,” the other over “splitting the ghost’s belly.”

Authorizing Incantation

What follows is an incantation phrased as a formal command.

With reverence, we summon the Great Deity of Black Dew and the Six-Powers Slasher of Ghosts and Baleful Forces. Seize them! Act swiftly in accordance with the law!

We respectfully invite the Great Deity of Black Dew and the Six-Powers Slasher of Ghosts and Baleful Forces to descend, seize and subdue the evil spirits, and carry this out swiftly according to the law.

When the incantation is complete and the talismanic characters have been written, have the sick person cough once and blow their breath onto the center of the character “tian.” The practitioner then grips an axe in the right hand and strikes in the direction of that breath. In this way, the ghostly Qi, ghost fetus, and ghost lump afflicting the person will naturally disperse.

Note: This passage belongs to a Daoist healing or folk ritual for dispelling illness. It uses the character “tian” as a talisman, the patient’s breath, and an axe as a symbol of striking and cutting, targeting lumps, harmful fetal influences, and similar conditions traditionally attributed to “ghostly Qi entering the body.” The axe is generally a ritual implement; the emphasis is on coordinating it with the incantation and focused intention, rather than actually striking the patient with it.