《法海遺珠》Vol. 22

_Fahai Yizhu_ (Pearls Left in the Sea of the Dharma), Scroll 22: Li Yi (Departing the One)

Gathering the Five Thunders (Wulei Zongshe)

Robes and Appearance of the Thunder Deities (the forms and attire used for visualization, painting, and altar setup when the thunder deities are arranged according to the liturgy, or keyi)

The Fire Thunder Deity Cheng Manqing has a face as red as blood spraying forth. He wears crimson robes and gold armor, a warrior's crown, and green boots, and he holds a sword. The Earth Fire Thunder Deity Cao Ke has a black face, large eyes, and three tusk-like teeth with a beard. He wears a black robe over gold armor, black boots, and a warrior's crown, and carries a wind bag on his back. The Five Thunders Ke Shu has a green face, red hair, a golden beak, three eyes, and a red beard. He grasps a sword in his left hand and holds a thunder seal in his right, and he is in charge of binding ghosts and sealing essences, along with the spirits named Feng and Hong, whose identities depend on the liturgy in use. A figure standing alongside Ke Shu has a green face and red hair, wears a green robe and gold armor, and holds a golden hammer and iron chains. The Pivot Second Platform official Ren Hui has a red face and a three-tusked beard. He wears a green robe, gold armor, and a warrior's crown similar to that of the Heavenly Constables, and holds an arrow. The Pivot Second Platform official Xiang Chengzhen has a fair, refined face. He wears a purple robe, a gold belt, and a crown and garments like those of the Heavenly Constables, and he also holds an arrow. Finally, the Fierce General Chu Daoyuan has a white face and three eyes. He wears a crimson robe and a warrior's crown and holds a messenger banner, resembling an official who dispatches orders.

The Five Thunders Gathering Talisman (Wulei Zongshe Fu)

The practitioner visualizes each deity by direction and recites the incantations. The parenthetical notes give the hour-direction and the meaning of the visualization. They are not meant to be translated word for word. For the Fire Thunder Deity Cheng Manqing, the practitioner visualizes or enters the Hai direction and chants the syllables ong, hum, ha, ra, and sha, followed by "dispel illness, dispel illness." For the Earth Fire Thunder Deity Cao Ke, the practitioner works in the Si direction, chanting ong, ra, cha, and li, followed by "quickly, quickly." For the Five Thunders Descending Spirit Ke Shu, the practitioner works in the Shen direction, chanting ong, fu, and several rare characters, with li, zhen, and "quickly, quickly," followed by "lock ghosts, seal essences, phoenix, and wild goose." For the golden-hammer attendant with the blue face, the practitioner works in the Yin direction, chanting ong, hum, cha, li, "strike and seize," she, and "quickly, quickly." For the Pivot Second Platform official Ren Hui, the practitioner works in the Chen direction, chanting ong, po, wu, li, fu, and several other syllables, followed by feng and "quickly, quickly." For the Pivot Second Platform official Xiang Chengzhen, the practitioner works in the Xu direction, chanting ong, keng, "swift killing," "swallow the demonic qi," and "quickly, quickly." For the fierce general Chu Daoyuan, who travels swiftly, the practitioner works in the Mao direction, chanting ong along with the characters chi, lu, and tuo, followed by "fly with the light into the purple court, quickly, quickly."

The overall meaning of the talisman is to cut off the roads of ghosts and to slay evil influences in order to protect life, that is, to sever the paths of ghosts, destroy evil spirits, and safeguard one's vital existence.

Application by Direction

For praying for clear weather, the Yin, Wu, and Xu directions are used. For praying for rain, the Shen, Zi, and Chen directions are used. For curing illness, the Hai, Mao, and Wei directions are used. For subduing evil spirits (expelling malign influences), the Si, You, and Chou directions are used.

Dispatching the Wind-Fire Gang (Fenghuo Gang)

At the close of the liturgy, the Wind-Fire Gang method is used to send off the spirits and to dismiss the generals and officers so that they return to their posts.

Note: The "robes and appearance" of the thunder deities above are the forms to be consulted when visualizing, painting images, and setting up the altar. In the talismans, the words yan ("quickly, quickly"), sha ("slay"), and she ("gather") are urgent commands and gathering words spoken during the rite. The Earth Branches Hai, Si, Shen, Yin, Chen, Xu, and Mao correspond to the directions, and they are paired with the "three-harmony directions" used for clear weather, rain, curing illness, and subduing evil, which is a common structure in Daoist thunder rites (leifa) and in the Five Thunders Gathering liturgy. Many of the rare characters in the incantations, such as ong, hum, and sha, are transliterations or specialized characters. Their purpose lies mainly in the rhythm of chanting and in matching the names of the spirit generals and the directions, so they should not be read literally using their everyday meanings.

Clear skies (qing, prayer for sunshine): Write talismans (fulu) on blue paper with red ink, following the Five Phases: Wood gives rise to Fire, and Earth controls Water. The rite also draws on cosmic principles such as "water departs the void, fire brightens," drawn from the method for clear weather in this tradition.

Rain (yu, prayer for rain): Write talismans on yellow paper with black ink. The rite draws on Metal giving rise to Water, Water overcoming Fire, and Fire overcoming Metal, along with trigram images such as "fullness within Kan" (kan zhong man) and the principles of water vapor.

Snow (xue, prayer for snow): Write talismans on blue paper with white ink. According to this tradition, begin the stroke from the eastern position of Wood, following the sense of mutual generation. On a Wood day, begin instead from the north.

Subduing malevolent forces (fa sui, suppressing evil spirits): Perform the rite according to the Five Phases principles of control and transformation: Metal overcomes Wood, Wood gives rise to Fire, and Earth gives rise to Metal.

Summoning the Five Directional Envoys into the talisman: Invoke the envoys of the five directions, have each recite its own incantation and form its own seal (jue), and breathe the qi (vital breath) of that direction into the talisman.

The general summoning incantation: Roughly: heaven and earth grow dark, sun and moon lose their distinction, and ghosts and spirits have no path of escape. Swift, swift, as the statute commands (jiji ru lü ling).

The thunder-moving incantation: Roughly: heaven and earth ride the wind, and the Thunder Deity Fenglong (Fenglong) is ordered to act. Its might shakes the southeast, it aids the northwest, and it gathers the nine palaces at the center. Your names and forms are all in my palm. Heaven and earth protect me, and the Thunder Masters come and go, displaying their divine powers. Whatever my intention points to shall obey my command, and whoever disobeys shall be transformed into insects. Lord Thunder General, I know your names and surnames. Swift, swift, as the Supreme Emperor commands.

Another incantation: This is a sequence of Sanskrit-like or esoteric syllables. It should be recited as transmitted by one's master, and it need not be translated word for word.

The fifteen Thunder Spirits, by direction, from the Thunder Jade Scripture (Leiting Yujing): In the east are Hufeng, Yadu, Lizhe, Chajiu, and Luo. In the south are Bing, Jiulu, Nuan, Yanliao, Shi, and Axiong. In the west are Xu, Zhigui, Duo, Boyan, Sun, and Zhener. In the north are Wu Meng, Huangjing, and Liu Zhen. At the center are Rong, Congsheng, Lang, Zhong, Yan, Shan, and Jiutuo.

The Five Thunders: These are the five categories of thunder and their governing powers: Heavenly Thunder (tian lei), Spirit Thunder (shen lei), Dragon Thunder (long lei), Water Thunder (shui lei), and Sheling Thunder (sheling lei). Sheling means the thunder governed by the Earth God and the altar spirits.

The incantation says: Heavenly Thunder rumbles faintly, Spirit Thunder roars, Dragon Thunder stirs the waters, and Water Thunder churns the waves. Sheling Thunder, Lord of Thunder, crashes and claps. When the divine mechanism is triggered, the myriad ghosts hide their forms. When the Supreme Emperor's decree descends and the talisman arrives, obey and act.

Recite also the honorific names of each thunder, such as: Heavenly Thunder, Mighty Hero Third Son, shakes heaven and earth with his crash; Spirit Thunder, River-Gazing Third Son, shakes heaven and earth with his crash; Dragon Thunder, Stone-Jade Third Son, shakes heaven and earth with his crash; Water Thunder, Jade Spring Third Son, shakes heaven and earth with his crash; Sheling Thunder, Dragon-Boat Race Third Son, shakes heaven and earth with his crash.

Note: The rare character in the source, which appears in several places, generally refers to the colored paper used for writing talismans. The colors (blue, yellow, red, black, and white) and the directions (east, south, west, north, and center) are matched to the Five Phases and to heavenly stems and earthly branch days such as Wood days. This pattern is common in Daoist rites for prayers for clear weather, rain, and snow, and for the practice of thunder rites. The specific paper, the starting direction of strokes, the hand seals (jue), and the full texts of the incantations should follow the scriptures and the lineage one has been taught. This plain-language summary only helps readers follow the structure of the passages and cannot replace oral transmission from a teacher.

Fahai Yizhu (Fahai Yizhu): A Vernacular Explanation

I. General Summary and the Directions of the Five Thunders

The Zongshe (General Gathering) method recorded on the right takes as its organizing principle the rite of summoning the Five Thunders (Wulei) by Cheng Manqing (Cheng Manqing) from above the Hai Heavenly Gate (Haitianmen).

The dwelling place must be arranged according to the generating and overcoming relations of the Five Phases (Wuxing). The directions and the presiding spirit-generals must be clearly distinguished, with no ambiguity.

II. The Names, Directions, and Phases of the Five Thunders

III. The General Thunder Incantation

The following incantation is also recited:

Five Thunders, Five Thunders, descend swiftly from the nine celestial bounds! The Supreme Emperor has issued a decree: whip the dragons and sweep away the dust. Wood essence falls and rots, bestowing blessings and supporting the failing. The fire chariot rises ten thousand feet and burns away demonic calamities. Bing and Ding, Yinghuo, lean your ears and yoke the thunder. Jiji ru lüling ("urgent, urgent, as the statute commands"; the text here reads "jiji").

IV. The Secret Summoning Incantations by Direction

East: Moming (Demon Brightness)

I respectfully summon the Envoy of the Flying Thunder of the Fire Wheel that Pervades the Heavens of the East. Envoy, rise at once!

Om va [unidentified syllable] ra ni ti svaha

Days of Jia and Yi: On entering generation, add the Northwest General; on overcoming, add the Southwest General.

South: Hemeng (Fierce Fury)

I respectfully summon the Envoy of the Thunderbolt Corps and Cloud Host that Overturns Heaven and Covers Earth of the South. Envoy, rise at once!

Om o [unidentified syllable] nang ye sa va ha

Days of Bing and Ding: On entering generation, add the Northeast General; on overcoming, add the Central North General.

West: Liesha (Fierce Killing)

I respectfully summon the Envoy of the Thunder Cloud Array that Fills the Heavens of the West. Envoy, rise at once!

Om [unidentified syllable] [unidentified syllable] ra li sa va ha

Days of Geng and Xin: On entering generation, add the Central South General; on overcoming, add the South-North General.

North: Hundian (Mixed Lightning)

I respectfully summon the Envoy of the Sea That Boils and Stirs the Waves, and the Thunderbolt That Shatters Mountains and Crushes Stone of the North. Envoy, rise at once!

Om mi [unidentified syllable] li sa va ha

Days of Ren and Gui: On entering generation, add the Southeast General; on overcoming, add the East-Central General.

Center: Ehong (Fierce Roar)

I respectfully summon the Envoy of the Thunderbolt That Destroys Demons of the Center. Envoy, rise at once!

Om [unidentified syllable] ve ye sa va ha

Days of Wu and Ji: On entering generation, add the South-East General; on overcoming, add the East-West General.

(The "generals" above are the positions of the generals who govern the marshaling of troops and the summoning of thunder. Entering generation and overcoming are formulaic instructions for choosing a general according to the day, and they must be read together with the day's stem-branch and the direction.)

V. The Barbarian Thunder Envoys of the Five Directions

• East Barbarian Thunder Envoy: Ma Yulin
• South Barbarian Thunder Envoy: Guo Yuanjing
• West Barbarian Thunder Envoy: Fang Zhonggao
• North Barbarian Thunder Envoy: Deng Gongchen
• Central Barbarian Thunder Envoy: Tian Yuanzong

VI. The Dragon Kings of the Five Directions

• East Dragon King: Meng Yuanzhang
• South Dragon King: Ji Taiping
• West Dragon King: (The source text does not continue this entry after the East and South Dragon Kings. If the complete edition names the West, North, and Central Dragon Kings, those names should be supplied from that edition.)

Note: This passage is a Daoist summoning document for the Five Thunders rite (Wulei Fa). It combines directions, stem-branch calendrical rules, spirit-general positions, and mantra syllables of Sanskrit derivation. Recitation and practice should follow the oral instruction of a teacher and the complete liturgical text, and the excerpt should not be used on its own.

Western Dragon King Shitian, Northern Dragon King Yaosu, Central Dragon King Rui Shouxian

(These are the personal names of the Dragon Kings of the West, North, and Center. They are written into the talisman among the names of the generals.)

After the Generals' Names Are Entered on the Talisman, Recite the Manifest Majesty Incantation

"Thunderbolt and golden light, swiftly appear in form!"

(Once the generals' names are written on the talisman, recite the Manifest Majesty Incantation: "Thunderbolt and golden light, swiftly appear in form.")

The Seven Transformations of the Thunder Bureau (Qifa Leiju)

Drawing the Talisman by Direction

The seven transformations of the Thunder Bureau, together with thunder qi, are set in motion from the Si position. The thunder is drawn into the stored talisman, which becomes the spirit-palace. Next, the two qi are made to interact: the tongue presses against the upper palate, and the exhaled breath becomes a rainbow bridge that leads directly to the Xun gate, so that the Thunder Spirit descends from above. Next, visualize a single Dipper and draw the strokes according to direction.

(Wind is summoned toward the Si position. Clouds are summoned toward the Gen and Dui positions. Lightning is summoned toward the Kun position. Within the talisman, draw a Dipper, and flick it out with the left hand.)

For Praying for Rain

"Command the thunder and subdue the malignant." (Next, recite the Moon-Generated Water-Wheel Spirit Incantation.)

For Praying for Clear Skies

"Heavenly Emperor Gaya, thunderbolt seizure." (Next, recite the Sun-Generated Fire-Wheel Spirit Incantation.)

For Healing Illness

"Thunder's majesty shakes and startles the people." (Next, recite the Du You incantation: if the illness is in the south, the Zi and Wu Dipper stars enter; if the illness is in the south, the Chen and Xu stars enter; if it is in the north, the Wu and Zi stars enter; if it is in the east, the Xu and Chen stars enter.)

For Subduing Demons

"Heng, hong, hua, la, jiu, jing, chi." (Next, recite the Tianpeng Incantation. The eyes look out toward the Gen position. Then anoint the incantation, point toward the ghost gate so that nothing may leave beyond the brushstroke, and draw the sha character over the ghost door.)

For Memorializing

"Qi E, Heavenly Guardian, fly with the clouds, fragrant." (The phrase is obscure. Next, recite the Fire Crystal Incantation.)

Fire Crystal Incantation

Fire crystal flies like a crow, with a phoenix's beak and dragon's scales. Let the flying talisman go ahead on the path and cut away the demonic vapors. Whoever dares to resist shall be shattered into fine dust. Quickly, quickly, as the statute commands.

Note: This passage sets out a Daoist thunder rite, or leifa (the Thunder Methods), a core procedure in ritual services for clear skies, rain, healing, subduing demons, and memorializing the gods. The Seven Transformations form the foundation of the thunder methods. They are combined with the names of the Dragon Kings, incantations, and visualizations, such as the Dipper, the circulation of qi, and the exhaled breath that forms a rainbow bridge, in order to summon thunder spirits, gather ghosts and demons, and sweep away baleful vapors.

Fahai Yizhu (Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of the Dharma): A Vernacular Commentary

Incantation Text

I act by the decree of the Five Thunders (Wulei), with the awesome voice of thunder. When I inhale, I replenish the body and preserve life; when I exhale, I bind ghosts and expel evil. Ten thousand divine breaths of the Dao pour into the essence within my stomach. By the decrees and statutes of the Most High (Taishang), and the fierce officers with silver fangs, I guard the True Qi and cleanse the wicked and perverse. Swiftly, swiftly, as the statute commands!

Wind, clouds, thunder, and lightning; rain, dew, snow, and hail; frost, mist, and thunderclap: gather them for me at once, and without delay!

Decree of the Lord Emperor of the Shenxiao (Divine Empyrean)

East, the primal origin of Qian (Chen position). The upright Qi flows swiftly (Mao position). I receive the life of longevity (Wu position). Heaven and earth lie across the palm of my hand (central palace, or wen position). When the battle formations follow my incantation, thunder and rain surge (Zi position). The Five Thunders swiftly descend their Qi (Zi-Wu, the Dipper). They assist me in walking the Great Dao (the bureau). Do not dare to violate the covenant!

On Xun, the Heavenly Guardians stand (Si position). Strike down the forms of your seven ancestors (removing Si, or wen). Descend, descend swiftly! Manifest your true forms at once! Swiftly, swiftly, as the statutes of the Great Emperor of the Shenxiao command! (Inhale the Qi of Xun, then exhale it outward.)

The Fierce Thunder Officers (Chou), the Thunder Duke (Yin), the Lightning Mother (center), the Wind Earl (Si), and the Rain Master (Qian).

East (Mao, the Envoy of Wind and Thunder), south (Wu), west (You), north (Zi), center (Sha, the Killing Force), the Duty Talisman (Zhang or Hai), and the Commander (Deng or Sha).

Let the mind descend from the Xun palace. Inhale, drawing the breath into the palm of the hand.

Heavenly thunder rumbles faintly (Chen). Divine thunder roars (Mao). Dragon thunder raises the waters (Yin). Water thunder churns the waves (Chou). The Thunder Duke of the Altar Command unleashes thunderclaps in all directions (Zi). When the divine mechanism is released once, the evil demons are destroyed! Eleven great generals, swiftly move the thunder! The Supreme Sovereign's decree has been issued; carry it out with the utmost urgency!

Next: Right-Hand Palm Formula

First, the thunder chariot fires (Zi). Second, lightning flashes (lai). Third, a roaring boom sounds (Wu). Fourth, the earth quakes (Mao). Fifth, sand and stones fly (Chen). Sixth, a violent wind and a great thunderclap erupt (Si).

Decree: heavenly thunder peals (Hai), earth thunders (Si), dragon thunder peals (Chen), divine thunder peals (Mao), Altar-Command thunder peals (Yin), and water thunder peals (Chou).

Method of Omen: First form the thunder bureau with the left hand. Then bring both hands together into the thunder bureau, circulate the intent of the thunder, and chant the incantation:

(Continue the incantation above, repeating the circulation.)

Reading Notes (for comprehension)

The Five Thunders are five kinds of thunder within the thunder rites of Daoist tradition, namely heavenly, earthly, dragon, divine, and water thunder. They are invoked principally to slay evil and to issue commands. The Shenxiao tradition is a school of thunder rites centered on the Shenxiao Heaven and the decrees of the Lord Emperor. Palm formulas and thunder bureaus refer to hand seals performed together with directional and temporal correspondences. Inhalation and exhalation combine the stored breath for preserving the body with the expelling of breath to drive off evil, used alongside inner and outer practices. The Fierce Officers with Silver Fangs are generals of the thunder ministry who judge and purge evil. The Thunder Duke of the Altar Command is one of the principal deities of the thunder ministry, listed alongside the Wind Earl and the Rain Master. Swiftly, swiftly, as the statute commands is a closing formula of statutory incantations, signifying urgent obedience to heavenly command.

Most of the parenthetical notations are directions (the twelve Earthly Branches such as Zi, Chou, Yin, and Mao), trigram positions, or hand-formula locations. The original provides them for reference during the performance of the rite, not for everyday recitation.

Pearls from the Sea of the Dharma (Fahai Yizhu): A Vernacular Reading

I. Thunder Rite Summoning and Dispatch Incantations

Heaven is thunder, earth is thunder; the thunderclap bursts forth, the thunderfire flies, jíjí rú lǜlìng (swift, swift, as the statute commands).

Heaven's thunder and earth's thunder burst forth together. The thunderclaps crash and the thunderfire streaks across the sky, jíjí rú lǜlìng (act immediately under heavenly law).

Heavenly Fire Thunder, Earthly Fire Thunder, Yang Fire Thunder, Yin Fire Thunder, and All-Heaven Fire Thunder: summon them swiftly and let them come swiftly, jíjí rú léihuǒ lǜlìng (swift, swift, as the thunderfire statute commands).

Heavenly Fire Thunder, Earthly Fire Thunder, Yang Fire Thunder, Yin Fire Thunder, and All-Heaven Fire Thunder: summon them quickly and they will arrive at once, jíjí rú léihuǒ lǜlìng.

Officers of the Three Offices and the attendant of today's duty talisman: follow my commands, receive and hold the heavenly talisman, pursue and seize ghosts and malign spirits, cure illness and eliminate affliction. If any demonic sprite dares to appear, the thunder axe shall strike it down at once. The decree of the Supreme Emperor has been issued; descend at once to every quarter, jíjí rú lǜlìng.

The officers and clerks of the Three Offices (Heaven, Earth, and the Waters Palace) and the duty clerks of today follow my command. They hold the heavenly talisman, chase down ghosts and evil spirits, cure sickness, and remove calamity. If any demonic creature dares to come, the thunder axe strikes it down at once. Since the decree of the Supreme Emperor has been issued, they descend immediately to every direction, jíjí rú lǜlìng.

Heaven and earth stir, the wind and thunder are about to rise. Wind and cloud lend their strength; what is behind closes and what is ahead opens. I look up to the Great Spirits, urging them with the greatest urgency. The Wind Earl and the Rain Master come straight to the Dragon Terrace. The Jade Emperor has issued a decree that must not be delayed. Command the Wind Earl: at the Chen-Xun quarter, the abode of yin and yang, let the winds never cease for a moment. Stir all things, raise the wind at once, and send sand flying and stones rolling. Hōng hōng, may Tàbó (the wind spirit) come to my altar. Chì chì jí jí jí jí.

Heaven and earth turn, and the wind and thunder are about to be stirred up. Wind and cloud lend their aid, and what is behind closes while what is ahead opens. I look up to the Great Spirits and urge them on at once. The Wind Earl and the Rain Master hasten to the Dragon Terrace, the seat of the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor has issued his decree, and it must not be delayed. Command the Wind Earl: from the Chen-Xun quarter, the dwelling of yin and yang, let the winds blow without pause, stir up all things, raise a swift gale, and send sand flying and stones rolling. Hōng hōng, Tàbó (the wind spirit) must come to my altar. Chì chì jí jí jí jí.

II. Scissoring-Talisman Incantation

The hundred ghosts and all evil things, the cold and malign essences, by the decree of the Supreme Lord (Lǎozǐ) and jointly sealed, personally delivered by the True Man, jíjí rú lǜlìng.

The hundred ghosts, all evils, and the cold, malign spirits are bound by the Supreme Lord Lǎozǐ's joint decree and personally handed down by the True Man. Jíjí rú lǜlìng.

III. Use of the Credential Talisman (Methods for Talisman Dispatches)

Credential talisman use: if the memorial is presented three days before the talisman is used, attach the left half to the back of the memorial, on the side resting against the yellow paper. Keep the right half on the altar for direction. When the vow is completed, burn it to obtain a response. If only a dispatch document is used, attach the left half inside the Great Spirit's dispatch and burn the right half afterward.

The credential talisman (a paired talisman token) is used as follows. If the memorial is submitted three days before the talisman is employed, the left half is affixed to the back of the memorial, on the side that rests against the yellow paper, while the right half stays on the altar to direct the rite. After the vow is fulfilled, the right half is burned to obtain a response. If only a dispatch is issued and the full memorial ritual is not performed, the left half is affixed inside the Great Spirit's dispatch, and the right half is burned afterward.

IV. General Summons Incantation for the Envoys of the Five Thunders

Envoys of thunderfire, a hundred thousand azure dragons, crash the heavens with thunderclaps; swiftly emerge from the Xun Gate. Once you hear my summons, appear at the sound, jíjí zhǔn shàngdì lǜlìng (swift, swift, obey the statute of the Supreme Emperor).

The envoys of thunderfire and a hundred thousand azure dragons crash the heavens with thunderclaps. They emerge swiftly from the Xun Gate (the southeast). When they hear my summons, they appear at once in response, jíjí zhǔn shàngdì lǜlìng (swift, swift, obey the statute of the Supreme Emperor).

V. Names and Vestments of the Great Deities of Thunder, Lightning, Wind, and Rain

VI. Combining Credential Talismans (Writing Talismans and Moving Thunder)

Whenever one writes talismans, moves thunder, summons Qi, or operates the thunder field, one performs the rite step by step. The secret incantation reads:

Thunder descends, earth thunder descends, the Dipper shifts; the Thunder Lord and the Lightning Mother follow my upright Qi and gather.

Thunder descends, earth thunder descends, and the Northern Dipper turns. The Thunder Lord and the Lightning Mother follow my upright Qi and gather at my summons.

First draw in the gāng Qi (the upright Qi of the Dipper). Next, with the left hand, form the Heavenly Fire Thunder Spirit Formula (at the hài position, the wén character), turning it seven times to coalesce the central Thunder Spirit Qi (the shà / wén character). Blow it into the thunder field, then store it away.

First draw in the gāng Qi (the upright Qi of the Heavenly Dipper). Then, with the left hand, form the Heavenly Fire Thunder Spirit Formula (at the hài position, with the wén character) and turn it seven times to condense the central Thunder Spirit Qi (the shà / wén character). Blow it into the thunder field, then put it away for later use.

Note: In the text, "jíjí rú lǜlìng" is the standard closing phrase of Daoist incantations, meaning "act swiftly according to heavenly law." Terms such as "Three Offices," "duty talisman," "Xun Gate," "gāng Qi," and "thunder field" are fixed vocabulary of the thunder rites and the summoning of spirit-officers. The characters in parentheses, "hài/wén" and "shà/wén," indicate the positions or secret characters shown in the original book's diagrams. The vernacular reading keeps their referential function and does not reconstruct the specific character forms.

Begin by drawing in a breath of qi from the Xun position (the direction of wind) and swallowing it to store within the body, so that the heart-kidney two qi (xin-shen er qi) join and connect. Only after this qi and channels correspond should you begin writing the talisman.

The talisman titles, each with its hidden script recorded in the source (the hidden script is written on the talisman, with its sound not disclosed), are: Heavenly Fire Thunder (shen-hai script); Earthly Fire Thunder (shen-shen script); Five Thunders Descend (ling-yin script); Lock the Ghost Gate (jing-sha script); Pivot Terrace, Two Platforms (chen script and xu script); Fierce General Advances Swiftly (si script); Intercept the Ghost Road (yin script); and Slay Evil, Protect Life (sha script).

For the thunder names and commands, one recites: "Heavenly thunder quake, earthly thunder quake, water thunder quake of heaven and earth, soil-altar thunder quake of heaven and earth, thunderbolt quake of heaven and earth, three lords of heaven and earth…" (pilidong chen tian di; tianlei wei xiong she), followed by the phrases "huo hu heng tian" (fire bursts across heaven), "tianlei ming" (heavenly thunder roars), "ba li zhi" (overlord arrives), and "dilei ming" (earthly thunder roars). Then come "shuilei ming" (water thunder roars), "she ling lei ming" (soil-command thunder roars), and "yao lei ming" (demon thunder roars). The five directions are then called: East Demon-Bright, West Fierce-Sha, South Blazing-Fierce, North Mixed-Lightning, and Center Evil-Roar. Each direction first recites its own incantation before the lines that follow.

For the summoning of the marshals and spirit generals of the Four Quarters' Peak Offices, each direction has its own passage, usually ending with "suzhi ji" (come swiftly). In the South, Li, the Southern Peak Marshal Wang [taboo name withheld], Weixiong Third Son, comes swiftly; the Celestial Qian Spirit, the Earthly Kun Spirit, and King Zhao Hao [taboo name withheld] are summoned urgently. In the North, Kan, the Northern Peak Marshals Zhang Xun and Wangjiang Lord come swiftly; the Northern Emperor, Universal Numinous Sage, governs; and the sounds ān, ǒu, xū, xī, and others (including gān, bì, lì, and chì) are uttered. In the East, Zhen, the Eastern Peak Marshals Xu Yuan and Shibi Lord come swiftly, with xījié and pántuo uttered, followed by chì and lì to govern. In the West, Dui, the Western Peak Marshals Zhao Hao and Yuquan Lord come swiftly; "Pili jinguang, su xian xing" (Thunderbolt golden light, quickly appear). In the West, Kun, the Grand Preceptor of the Western Peak Guan Yu and Zhulin Lord come swiftly, with "Wei shen wei shen, dou zhong zhi jing" (Spirit of the Dipper, essence of the Dipper) and "Bei dou you chi, you sheng ding ning" (The Northern Dipper commands, the sacred protects and admonishes); Guan Yu, come swiftly. In the East, Gen, the Grand Eastern Peak Wen Qiong and Kang Ying come swiftly, and the army is recalled like arrows.

The Six Turns formula pairs each turn with a direction or a demon. The first turn hides the Six Spirits (Mao); the second turn drowns the Four Sha (Chen); the third turn sets the Dou-Gang stars in motion (Li); the fourth turn releases thunder and fire (sha); the fifth turn sounds the thunderclap (Kun); and the sixth turn kills the mountain ghosts (Dui). The seventh turn gathers and summons the Thunder Lord, the Thunder Mother, the Wind Elder, and the Rain Master, who submit under the Five Thunders and make the response manifest.

The closing states that the majesty of the thunder shakes with astonishing force. On yang days one recites "heng xun hua la jiu jing chi" (a line of sounds), and on yin days a corresponding alternative line is recited.

Notes for reading the original: Xun qi is the qi of the wind direction, which in thunder rites is often gathered before the talisman is written. Heart-kidney two qi (xin-shen er qi) is sometimes written as "heart-kidney two qi," referring to the union of water and fire, or heart and kidney, in internal cultivation, requiring the qi channels to correspond before the talisman is drawn. The Five Thunders are the thunders of heaven, earth, water, fire, and soil, used to summon thunder and destroy evil. Taboo script refers to hidden characters on talismans whose pronunciation is not disclosed publicly; here only the positions of the forms are kept as listed in the book. The Peak Offices of the Eastern and Southern Peaks, among others, belong to the thunder-rite, Fengdu, and peak-office system of marshals; Guan Yu, Wen Qiong, and Kang Ying are commonly invoked protective generals.

Making the Talisman and the Brush Stroke

Once the talisman is drawn, daub it with the Golden Light Incantation (Jinguang zhou, the formula for summoning the golden-light protective talisman). Keep the mind single-pointed and fierce. Hold the breath, then exhale into the talisman. Next, turn the brush at the pivot (shuji, the key moment of gripping and turning the brush), concentrating the mind on activating the command. Recite the Heavenly Marshal Incantation (Tianpeng zhou, a formula calling on Marshal Tianpeng and similar protective deities). Turn the brush again only when the corpse-demons are said to be driven off a thousand li (pi shi qian li, dispersing corpse-qi and evil corpses to a distance of a thousand li).

Incantation for Dispatching the Generals

Thunder shakes the ten directions, and demonic evils vanish of their own accord. Ten thousand malign spirits are extinguished by the talisman, and a thousand demons flee before the incantation. Generals and officials by the thousands and tens of thousands stand ready, and no fierce demon dares to resist. Thunder-fire generals of the Three Yangs, seize the malign spirits and hand them over to the Kuigang (the handle of the Dipper, the direction associated with slaying evil; here it means the spirits are delivered to Kuigang for subjugation). Hasten, hasten, as the statute commands.

Incantation for Manifesting Divine Majesty

I command you, nameless one; I command you, formless one. Once you arrive here, display your mighty and numinous power. Hasten, hasten, as the statute commands.

Curing Consumption (treating lao, the wasting and debilitating illness)

The Heavenly Thunder sha (the baleful qi of heavenly thunder) of the Qian palace governs heavenly worms. The Water Thunder sha of the Kan palace governs water worms. The Mountain Thunder sha of the Gen palace governs demonic worms. The Divine Thunder sha of the Zhen palace governs qi worms. The Wind Thunder sha of the Xun palace governs corpse worms. The Fire Thunder sha of the Li palace governs the nine worms. The Earth Thunder sha of the Kun palace governs life-destiny worms. The Black Thunder sha of the Dui palace governs the worms of consumption. Invoke the Tiangang Great Sage and the Pojun Venerable Stars, the exalted star-lords such as the Heavenly Cord and the Breaking Army, hasten, hasten, as the statute commands.

Talisman for Thanking the Registrar

Two Gongcao (the attendant spirit-officials who report affairs to the heavenly bureaucracy) are to be addressed. On yang days, use one to thank the Immortal Perfected Xie; on yin days, use one to thank the Immortal Fire Xie.

(Four characters of the original text are missing here and can no longer be read.)

Form of the Talisman and Its Efficacy

This talisman is written in cinnabar brush on black paper, one foot two inches long. In an intercalary month, lengthen it by one inch. It can swiftly extinguish evil spirits and quickly bring about a visible response.

Incantation for Dispatching the Talisman

Heaven opens and earth turns, and the thunder's commands cross and criss-cross. I summon the Gongcao, who holds the dispatch tablet and goes swiftly. Report urgently, and let the Thunder Deities of the Five Directions and the seasonal thunder deities on duty display their responses in full. The talisman has arrived; obey and carry out the order.