《法海遺珠》Vol. 28

Pearls Left Behind in the Dharma Ocean, Volume 28: “Separation Seven”

Esoteric Method for Summoning All Spirits

The Ranks of the Generals (the order of divine spirits)

Before the Hall of the Primordial Beginning, summon the Perfected: the Grand Marshal Cui Ziwen, an officer of the divine spirits; and the Senior Assistant Shi Guizhang of the Golden Towers, from the Office of Merit Officers who issue orders throughout the Three Realms. Both wear red robes with wide sleeves, have the appearance of the Lords of Dragons and Tigers, and ride purple clouds. One carries a command baton for the ceremonial procession; the other holds the Supreme Emperor’s true talisman.

Then summon the two Great Marshals, Luo Hui and Jing Yao. They wear red robes with wide sleeves, carry banners and command batons, and ride purple clouds.

Summoning Incantation

The empty, undifferentiated vastness (Hour of the Rat); the sea’s fertile, surging expanse (Hour of the Rat); radiant brilliance, shining and glowing (Hour of the Horse); blazing splendor, brilliant and luminous (Hour of the Horse). The Azure Emperor gathers the spirits (Hour of the Rabbit); the White Emperor attends the souls (from the Hour of the Dragon through the Hour of the Rooster); the Red Emperor nourishes Qi (Hour of the Horse); the Black Emperor circulates the blood (Hour of the Rat); the Yellow Emperor presides at the center (Central Palace); none of the myriad spirits may overstep (a hand-seal or ritual formula).

One becomes five, then three, then transforms (make three circuits to the left); disperse throughout the myriad things (make three circuits to the right); swirling winds unite the spirits (Hours of the Ox and Tiger; Rabbit and Dragon); stillness and silence bring communion (Hours of the Snake, Horse, Goat, and Monkey); only the Perfected respond in truth (Hours of the Rooster and Dog); should evil and rebellion dare to arise (Hour of the Pig); pacify and govern, and thereby bring order (Hours of the Rat and Ox).

Use the method to summon the spirits (write the Chinese character straight upward through the Li trigram, associated with Fire); use the spirits to summon Qi (from below the Li trigram; write the Chinese character upward through Li again); gather it by natural means (press the middle finger with the middle finger, and place the thumb below); circulate it through Heaven and Earth (circle the twelve palaces).

The Heart of Heaven issues a command; may the myriad spirits listen with reverence (form the Dipper hand-seal). First, the baleful force Rahu (upper middle); second, the command of Greedy Wolf (middle middle); third, capture with Ketu (the baleful-force inscription).

(The notes in parentheses give instructions for the ritual hour, direction, finger-seals, pacing the Dipper, and related practices. They are to be carried out according to the teacher’s transmission.)

General Summoning Talisman (talismanic inscription and incantation)

The four directions bow toward the Pole Star; reverently addressing the honored Heaven; the Jade Clarity realm presides; the light of Sun and Moon is complete. August Heaven sends down its command; the Jade Seal urgently proclaims it. The Most High governs the offices and summons the heavens. The Jade Emperor issues an edict, summoning the myriad spirits. Hold the talisman and receive the command; swiftly carry it out.

Om wei fuluo juli zha suo he — visualize Qi entering from the five directions.

Note: This section presents esoteric talismanic methods for summoning generals and all spirits in Daoist ritual. It includes the names of the divine generals, visualization practices, incantations, and the talisman’s central inscription. The Azure, White, Red, Black, and Yellow Emperors are the Five Emperors of the Five Directions. Rahu, Greedy Wolf, and Ketu are names of astral baleful forces, often invoked in liturgy for suppression and command. Such practices require the complete liturgical text, a teacher’s transmission, and the proper ritual setting; they should not be attempted on the basis of this text alone.

Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of Daoist Methods: A Plain-Language Reading

(The myriad gods and ghosts / At the sight of a talisman, they raise their fists in salute)

(The myriad gods and ghosts see the talisman, clasp their hands in respect, and obey its command.)

(Om ji zha ti wei xi wei da duo ye / Om ji yin ni po zha ▲ jiang zha suo he)

(A mantra in Sanskrit sounds, recited according to the ritual.)

Mantra for Commanding the Two Spirits

Om, tan kan… (a sequence of mantra sounds)… ji dao hong hong suo he.

The Talisman at the Right: Reporting to Heaven

Use the talisman to submit a report to the heavenly court, explaining the matter to the Supreme Emperor, the Three Luminaries (sun, moon, and stars), the Northern Dipper, the Southern Dipper, the constellations, and the ancestral master. Focus the spirit and settle the will. First recite the Great Spirit’s Purification Mantra, then the Spirit Transformation Mantra. Visualize yourself taking the form of the Celestial Master (Zhang Daoling). Once everything is in place, write the talisman. Within the character “star,” write the Jade taboo name; beneath the character “govern,” write the two names Cui and Shi; beneath the character “ghost,” layer the three characters beginning with hong. Recite, “Om hong zha li chi.”

Mantra for Empowering the Talisman

By the precious seal of Jade Clarity, this command is issued to the Immortal Ministers. Bearing talismans and holding tally tablets, summon the gathered spirits. When the talisman arrives, pursue swiftly; when the talisman arrives, act swiftly. The edict of Nüqing is as though the Jade Emperor himself had come: the Heavenly Officials of the Upper Origin, the Earthly Officials of the Middle Origin, and the Water Officials of the Lower Origin—all the thousand perfected ones arrive together, and the ten thousand sages gather. The Brahma Qi of the Heavenly Emperor and Supreme God flows in crystal light; golden radiance gathers from all directions. Who would dare fail to appear? Those who defy the talisman and disobey its command are subject to heavenly punishment. Go summon [a certain person]; spirits, travel ten thousand miles with all haste. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands of Nüqing’s edict.

When the Mantra Above Is Finished

Draw Qi from above and form the Jade Clarity mudra. Visualize two immortal maidens descending through five-colored clouds and entering the talisman. Then see Cui Ziwen descending in front on the left, holding a tally tablet, and Shi Guizhang descending in front on the right, holding a talisman.

Mantra for Dispatching the Talisman

The jade talisman of Jade Clarity and Primordial Blue declares its covenant and command. It governs the Three Realms and directs the myriad spirits. When the talisman arrives, pursue swiftly; when the talisman arrives, act swiftly. The edict of Nüqing is as though the Jade Emperor himself had come: the Heavenly Demons of the Upper Origin, the Earthly Demons of the Middle Origin, and the Water Spirits of the Lower Origin—if any dare disobey or resist, baring their scales, let the myriad gods behead them, leaving none to linger. The talisman dispatches [a certain person]; spirits, travel ten thousand miles with all haste. Let Nüqing’s edict be obeyed with the utmost urgency. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

When the Mantra Above Is Finished

Form the Thunder Bureau mudra with both hands. Set wind and thunder in motion from the kidney palace, spray water toward both ears, and send off the Merit Officer, the spirit who carries documents.

Five-Thunder Spirit-Power Talisman

Summoning Mantra

Great Spirit of the Statutes, honored lord of wind and fire, with mighty arms and giant wings, fly across Heaven and Earth. Slay demons and swallow evil, bind ghosts and gather pestilence. Bring rain, then make the skies clear in an instant. Divide and hold the talisman.

By the Supreme Emperor's decree, Lord Who Governs Fire Thunder, hearing my single summons, swiftly come forth from the Xun gate; be quick.

Form the thunder formation with both hands, brace at the waist, and recite: Taishang Kui Gang thunderbolt, seize and roll the thunder; water and fire surge together, seize open Qian and break Xun; visualize the Shen emerging from Kun and standing before the altar. Inhale one mouthful of Qi and blow it before the altar; release the thunder formation and write the talisman.

(Prior Heaven One Qi / Two Posterior Primordial Lords) (True One Heaven / Yang Spirit) (General Bowen, authorized by decree) (Receive / Execute) (Jade Emperor Above / Emperor True Spirit) (Left Prohibition Office of Heaven / Thunder High Minister) (Divine Light / Fire Wings) (Lightning / Fire Wings) (Kui and accompanying talismanic glyphs / further talismanic glyphs) (Tanlang, Jumen, Lucun, Wenqu / Lianzhen, Wuqu, Pojun). Triangle-Shu-Triangle-Triangle (write at the mouth and recite): thunder sound and lightning, seize. (Hail God / Spread Frost) (Rain Master Raises Mist, Pray for Rain / Rain Master Issues Orders, Pray for Clear Weather) (Copper Needle / Greatly Act) (Golden Hammer / Immediately Descend) (Water Rope / Lightning) (Fire Rope / Divine Light).

Swiftly dispatch the thunder troops of the three departments of the Heaven Official, Earth Official, and Water Official. These are the Five Thunder Heaven Gods and the Dragon-Water Assembly. Xun is the place of one yin; Qian is the Qi of six yang. Therefore the great spirit comes from the Heavenly Gate and departs through the Xun door.

Decree incantation: Thunder Lords of the Five Emperors, Wind Earls of the Four Sages, Five Spirits unite in spiritual power, Nine Dragons' Cavern Standard Majesty: when the spirit arrives, ghosts and spirits vanish their traces. Quickly, quickly, as by decree of the Great Emperor, Thunder Ancestor of the Nine Heavens.

Nine-character sequence: for praying for rain, remove fire; for praying for clear weather, remove clouds; for treating hauntings, follow the ghost.

Both hands form the thunder formation from the kidney hall, bracing upward to the ears; visualize one Xie character issuing from the heart and bursting out from both eyes to become this single character. The ritual master forms the thunder formation, becomes still in concentration, and recites: Om heng hong hua la jiu jing chi (Qian arrives / Kun follows). Om qian yuan chi sha ji zhi chi (Kun arrives / Qian reverses).

To pray for clear weather, glare with both eyes and rise in anger; visualize golden light rising from the kidneys, with the Three Lights entering the talisman. With both eyes glaring in anger, see the three Qi of green, white, and yellow in the air forming three characters across the sky; a dominating light blazes over heaven and earth; inhale it into the talisman body and write it in as well. Next visualize one triangle character in the kidney palace, golden in color, going straight up and emerging from both ears; use the thunder formation.

Classic: Fahai Yizhu

A plain-language interpretation of the scripture:

(Invoking rain through a talisman) First, follow the ritual procedure to guide the Qi upward and hold it in awareness. Then visualize the Qi “entering the talisman” to invoke rain.

Visualization: Hold the ancestral Qi in the two kidneys. Anger arises from the two eyes. What emerges from the eyes is Shen (spirit); the Original Shen belongs to Fire.

Talisman-consecration incantation:

Om… (invocation incantation) — In essence: summon the divine generals known to the Supreme Emperor, Heng Tianba, Deng Bowen, and others, and command them to come swiftly.

After the incantation, form the Thunder Mudra (a hand seal used in Thunder Rites). From the kidney region, draw or guide the Qi upward to both ears, unleash wind and thunder, and send the Qi into the talisman. Then recite the talisman-dispatching incantation:

Flying Heavenly Great Deity, august and fierce Mysterious Essence, whose form divides into the Eight Trigrams and whose Qi shines with radiant power… (names and divine powers of the Flying Heavenly Generals) — In essence: summon the divine generals to subdue and carry out the commands of the statutes.

Secret incantation:

Om… li… consecrate… swiftly, in accordance with the statutes of the Nine Heavens’ Shangfu Lingkui Patriarch, Marshal Tianpeng, and the Thunder Directorate.

Form the Thunder Mudra with both hands. Draw upward from the kidney region to both ears, unleashing wind, clouds, thunder, rain, and lightning to augment the force and send it forth.

Four Seas Talisman (used on the water vat at the Thunder Altar; write “Four Seas” on the talisman)

• East: Deity of the Jade Thunder Bright Master
• South: Deity of the Flowing Essence of the Firelight
• West: Deity of the Great Flower of the Void Emperor
• North: Deity of the Hidden Spirit of Dongyang

Wind-Raising Method

To set the Five-Thunder Chariot (the vehicle of wind and thunder in Thunder Rites) in motion, first write an Yin Talisman (a secret talisman). Once it has taken effect, there is no need to summon an attendant.

When the time comes, form the Sword Mudra (hold the fingers as though they were a sword) and write the character “Hu” in the air. Recite the Golden Light Incantation and trace the Wind-Banner Talisman in the air. Alternatively, test its efficacy on grass or a candle. Before the attendant who drives the wind chariot receives the command, visualize the character “Hu” within it. Envision the attendant driving the chariot: in tiger form, holding an iron whip, with the left hand forming the finger-picking mudra and gripping the Thunder Mudra.

Chì (Zi), zhà (Yin), dang (Xun), lù (Kun), zhū (the baleful position, traced with the finger-picking mudra)—visualize the attendant whipping the tiger as it roars, and the wind rising. Then exhale with an “xu” sound and shape the mouth on the right to form two syllable sounds. Write the characters on the palms of both hands, rub the hands together three times, and send the force out from Xun (southeast). Then use the character “Huan” to urge it on. Recite the Golden Light Incantation and trace the characters in the air, driving them with the Qi of the lungs.

Use the Commanding Method: hold the character in awareness at the mouth of the Dipper (the opening of the ritual altar or ritual implement) and direct the attendant to raise the Xun wind quickly. If praying for rain and seeking to raise wind from the Qian direction, do not use the Xun wind. Once the wind responds, direct it toward a tall tree or dense grove, carrying this out in the mind. It can be tested on a candle: the wind can be made to turn back.

Explanation: Much of this text concerns rites of Thunder Rites, rainmaking, and wind-raising. Visualization (the kidneys, eyes, and Original Shen), hand seals (the Thunder Mudra), talismans, incantations, and directions (the Bagua directions, such as Xun and Qian) are used together to summon divine generals and unleash thunder and the chariot. The rare character “Hu” is a secret character associated with wind, used in the ritual through tracing it in the air and visualization. Its precise pronunciation and the complete incantations require consultation of the original text and the transmitted teachings.

A Vernacular Interpretation

The Edict for Correcting the Luminous Pivot, Balancing and Guarding the Text, Employing the Ten Thousand Spirits, and Subduing and Controlling the Fiends

The Method for Clouds to Gather and Cover the Sun

The practitioner holds a bowl facing the sun. First, write the character “sun” inside the bowl, then write the sun’s taboo name—its secret name. Use the Earth Lodge Qi of Rahu (the star Ketu) together with the day’s calculated measures and celestial degrees—the positions of the heavenly bodies—to close off the sunlight. At the same time, silently recite the Rahu incantation:

The Child of Taiwei commands: Om, che li, svaha.

Om, Rahu and Ketu, Earth Lodge, subdue and control.

Then write five characters, set the blazing black wind in motion, and visualize layer upon layer of dark clouds surrounding and covering the sun. The practitioner visualizes the sun shining brightly, then sends black Qi upward along the Jiaji (a region of the Governing Vessel). After swallowing it, the Qi circles around the sun. When this is done, turn the bowl upside down on the ground or altar.

When the five characters are activated and put to use, the Qi of Heaven and Earth must be set in motion. The attendant spirit then cries, “Cover it!” and the sunlight is obscured.

The Secret Names in the Golden Book of the High Emperor

This talisman is called the Jade Book. Its hidden taboo names and inner sounds serve as credentials for Thunder. On a Jiazi day, a Bingwu day, or one’s birth-year day, visualize the talisman at dawn: see golden light descending from the Gate of Heaven (the crown of the head). Draw it in with a breath, and let it pass freely from top to bottom. See no other colors anywhere in the body; see only this talisman. Then recite, “Heavenly Thunder, far-reaching and bright, command!” Repeat it as many times as needed, swallow saliva three or five times, and let it enter the body, where a Perfected One (an inner spirit) will guard it. Carry out this practice every day.

When drawing the talisman in the ordinary world, direct Qi into the brush. Once the talisman is complete, visualize the earlier talisman entering it, then silently trace it over the body of the talisman.

The Talisman of the Six-and-One Sun Envoy, the Spirit of Heavenly Joy

The talisman is commonly combined with the following:

“Open the Gate of Heaven, close the Earth’s Door, leave the Human Gate open / block the Ghost Road, pierce the ghost’s heart, split the ghost’s belly.”

The Five Virtues and Five Venerable Ones of Wood, Metal, Water, Fire, and Earth.

The Seven Stars—Greedy Wolf, Great Gate, Salary Preservation, Literary Song, Chaste, Martial Song, and Army Breaker—are used according to the cycle of generation and overcoming.

Kui, Ba, Xiao, Bi, Gan, and Piao—the Six Fiend Stars.

The Yang Lord on the right and the Great Yin Lord on the left.

Zi Xin, Zi Yin, Zi Zhen, Zi Lian, Zi Hui, Zi Wu, and Zi Geng—write “Sun Qing enters.”

The Left Goat-Blade Envoy and the Right Skanda Envoy.

Tianyi and Taiyi.

“Command and summon the Five Thunders; let them arrive at the altar at once.”

Next, visualize the envoy: he wears a winged black gauze cap with curved flaps that point skyward, a yellow forehead band, and has a date-red face and a three-pronged beard. He wears a yellow robe open at the chest and golden armor, holds a flag in each hand, and wears black boots with hanging straps. He descends from the Xun Palace (the southeast) and enters the talisman. Once the talisman is complete, add the five characters ▲, Jing, Bao, Lun, and She to its body.

Incantation for Summoning and Dispatching (The original does not list this separately. According to the ritual procedure, it should be used together with the envoy’s name and the command summoning the Five Thunders.)

Note: This text belongs to Daoist Thunder methods and secret rites for praying for clear skies or covering the sun. It includes visualization, writing taboo names, talismans and incantations, as well as elements involving Liuren, stellar lodges, and the Five Thunder envoys. The specific taboo characters, five characters, and talisman designs depend on the complete transmission from a master; this text translates only the sequence of practice and the general outline of the visualizations.

Gems Left Behind in the Dharma Ocean: A Plain-Language Interpretation

First Section: Thunder Method Practice Incantation

I wear the stellar register, a talismanic command formed from the constellations and the Celestial Dipper steps, and emerge through the Xun Gate, the Xun position of the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), associated with wind and often used in Thunder Rites. Black winds and dark clouds veil heaven and earth; lightning and fire gather from the four directions, and darkness gives way to light again. There is no escape from the Nine Palaces, the directional pattern used in divination and ritual arts. Great spirits and fierce officers subdue the thunder. The thunder commands me to drive out demons; once they are slain, heaven and earth become clear. All spirits return to the Five Bodily Spirits, the spirits governing the five viscera, within me; the myriad gods unite with my heart. The spirits of heaven and earth are numinous, and I, too, am numinous. Hasten in accordance with the statutes and commands.

The Directions for the Flying and Hidden Movements of Swift Fire

The directions for the flying and hidden movements of Swift Fire, the rapid and concealed fire used in Thunder Rites, are as follows:

Jia is in Kun; Yi is in You; Bing is in Hai; Ding is opposite Chou and Zi. On a Wu day, seek the Pig (Hai); Geng is in Yin; Xin faces Mao; Ren seeks Si; Gui is in the south. Follow the Horse as it moves; its opposite is the hidden direction—this is the principle. The pattern of flying and hiding determines where it remains. Once the immortal elder knows this, he has a fine strategy.

(This method matches the Heavenly Stems with the Earthly Branches and directions to determine where Swift Fire “flies” and “hides” in space, as a reference for Celestial Dipper steps and dispatching spirit generals.)

Secrets of Slaying and Apprehending the Hidden: Incantation for Transforming the Spirit

Heavenly Emperor, Supreme Lord—quickly transform into your true form! Summon the Six Jia with your left hand and the Six Ding with your right; Three Origins, True One; Great Gods of the Five Thunders—the Dao is clear and far-reaching, and the ritual method should now flourish. May eighty-four thousand guardian spirits swiftly descend into my body; may the Great Dao arise of its own accord. Hasten in accordance with the statutes and commands.

The Method on the Right: Contemplating the Ritual Body

Contemplate the ritual body as vast. Six characters appear at the crown of the head: these are the secret name of the Heavenly Emperor, represented in the text by a placeholder.

Then use both hands to form the Sword Mudra, a Daoist hand gesture shaped as if holding a sword, and cut open the Western boundary in visualization. See the body as Mount Kongtong. At the Heavenly Gate stands a Perfected One in crimson robes with wide sleeves, resembling a Zhengyi Perfected One, an honored master of the Orthodox Unity school of Daoism. A thunder axe hangs from each of his hands. Enter this mountain, and the practitioner’s body becomes the Lord of the Thunder Directorate.

Draw in Qi from the Xun direction and blow it to the left and right. See the Six Ding and Six Jia, along with the Thunder Gods, surrounding you.

When treating illness, add the following incantation:

The thunder roars mightily. Seize the disease-bearing thunder within my body; seize the evil ghosts. Let upright Qi return to my chest, and let the Five Viscera and their Five Spirits serve within my body. Let the true Qi of the Five Thunders flow into my body’s palace; let the Three Pure Ones pour their essence into me, and let my name be recorded in the heavens above. Hasten in accordance with the statutes and commands.

Summoning the Attendant: The Wind-and-Fire Command Step

Visualize the attendant arriving, then perform the Wind-and-Fire Command Step, a Celestial Dipper step used in Thunder Rites. When the steps are complete, unite the Qi and visualize that the attendant has arrived.

Incantation for Summoning Lord Xin

Fierce officer with silver fangs, known as Hanchen; lightning shines in his eyes, and his sharp teeth gleam like silver. He flies to the Golden Palace and his might shakes the myriad numinous beings. Hearing my command, come swiftly out of Xun City. Hasten in accordance with the statutes and commands.

Summoning the Five Attendants

Eastern Green Thunder Attendant Jiang: wears a yellow turban, has a green face, wears a green robe and boots, and holds a wind wheel.

Southern Fire Thunder Attendant Bi…

(The text that follows was presumably to list the names, appearances, and ritual implements of the thunder attendants of the west, north, and center, following the same format as the eastern and southern attendants.)

Note: This text belongs to Daoist Thunder Rites practice literature. Its procedures include contemplating the ritual body, performing Celestial Dipper steps, summoning the Ding and Jia, and calling the thunder attendants of the five directions. The Heavenly Emperor’s secret name, the specific ritual steps, and the attendants’ full names require comparison with other passages in the same book or with a transmitted teaching. The ▲ symbols in the text mark concealed characters in the original; their pronunciation cannot be restored from this plain-language version.

Plain-language interpretation of relevant passages from Pearls Left in the Sea of Dharma

The passage describes a ritual in the Daoist Five Thunders system for summoning the Thunder Envoys from the five directions. It first describes each envoy’s appearance and attire, then gives a general summoning incantation, and finally explains how to draw talismans, visualize the envoys, and wear the talismans for the eastern and southern envoys.

The appearance of the envoys of the five directions

The Western Mountain Thunder Envoy wears a yellow headcloth, has a red face, wears a red robe and boots, and holds a sword and a fire pearl.

The Eastern Mountain Thunder Envoy appears immediately after the western envoy in the original text, in keeping with the familiar directional associations such as “east is green, west is red.” He wears a green headcloth, has a white face, wears a white robe and boots, and holds an axe.

The Northern Water Thunder Envoy has loose hair, a black face, and a black robe. He stands barefoot, or with his feet planted on the ground, and holds a water wheel.

The Central Earth Thunder Envoy, Chen, wears a Daoist cap and yellow Daoist robes. His face has the features of an eel’s head, or another unusual appearance, and he holds a sword.

Together, these figures are described as the envoys within the Five Thunders’ constellation of power.

General summoning incantation for calling the envoys to the altar

The incantation’s meaning is approximately as follows. Its incantatory style is retained to help readers compare it with the original:

Thunder Lord of Punishment and Inspection, Blue Youth of the Oath and Might: issue the command from the Xun Palace; set the spirits in motion and return them to the east. Seize dragons and draw lightning; your might overshadows the nine heavens. Envoy of the Xun Palace, Gang Lun, set the wind of Taihua in motion. The attendant Bi Ji controls misfortune. Mountain Thunder Wen Tong, shatter mountains and break the enemy’s edge. Ren and Gui Thunder suppress; cut down monsters and seize dragons. Earth Thunder Chen Shi, strike down evil and ward off misfortune. Envoys of the five directions, come and go like the wind. Hear my command and summons; hasten out from the Xun Palace and come to my altar, displaying your spiritual powers in full. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands!

“Xun Palace,” “Ren and Gui,” and similar expressions belong to the language of directions, the Five Phases, and Thunder rituals. The passage commands the Thunder Envoys of the five directions to come swiftly to the ritual altar.

Talisman for the Eastern Envoy

Name: Eastern Green Thunder Envoy Jiang Ganglun, associated with Wood and Liver Qi.

Meaning of the invocation: “Heavenly officials, earth and water; Metal, Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, and Wei”—the seven eastern lodges of the Twenty-Eight Lunar Lodges—“transform evil into blood.” The command is issued in the name of the Great Emperor of Longevity.

How to make the talisman: Exhale Liver Qi toward the east to form the talisman, while visualizing it as a general standing amid green clouds. Next, visualize the Gate of Heaven descending and the Earth’s Portal surging upward, with the three bodies—or three forms of Qi—joined as one. Recite the invocation above as you write the talisman. Once it is complete, draw in the envoy and exhale him into the talisman. Write the envoy’s name inside it, then cover it over with the character “Command.” After completing the talisman, trace the final five characters in the air with your gaze and use them to seal the strokes; they may also be written.

If taking the talisman: Visualize the envoy’s true form guarding the Liver Palace.

Incantation for dispatching the talisman, with accompanying mantra: Om, da, na, hong, hong, ji, li, she. Recite these sounds according to the pronunciation in this scripture; they are not translated for meaning.

Talisman for the Southern Envoy

Name: Southern Fire Thunder Envoy Bi Ji, associated with Fire and Heart Qi.

Meaning of the invocation: “Heaven is clear and earth is tranquil; move the poison, command, seize, and capture.” The generals Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang, Yi, and Zhen—the seven southern lodges—assist in seizing and capturing illness.

How to make the talisman: The procedure is similar to that for the eastern envoy. Exhale Heart Qi toward the south to form the talisman, visualizing it as a general standing amid red clouds. Visualize the Gate of Heaven and the Earth’s Portal, with the three bodies joined as one. Recite the invocation as you write the talisman. When it is complete, draw in the envoy and exhale him into it. Write his name inside and cover it over with the character “Command,” then seal it with the five secret characters as before.

If taking the talisman: Visualize the envoy’s true form guarding the Heart Palace.

The expressions “the Gate of Heaven descends and the Earth’s Portal rises,” “the three bodies joined as one,” and “the five secret characters” are technical terms for Daoist talisman practices and visualization. The envoys’ names, incantations, and talisman forms should be followed according to the complete text of Pearls Left in the Sea of Dharma and the instructions of one’s teacher. This passage offers only a plain-language explanation of the text’s meaning and procedure.

Vernacular Interpretation

Incantation for Sending the Talisman

Om hum zha li lai ye suo he.

Talisman of the Western Messenger

Western mountain thunder; the messenger who conveys the written command; the Qi of the Metal phase and the lungs.

Consecration incantation:

Qi of Geng and Xin Metal; Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zi, and Shen of Wu and Ji—swiftly assist me in carrying out this rite, swiftly come to my altar, and set the thunder in motion. Let it be done at once, in accordance with the statutes.

Exhale the lung Qi to form the talisman in the west. Envision the talisman transforming into a general, standing amid white clouds. Then envision him descending through the Gate of Heaven and emerging from the Earth’s Portal. Unite the three bodies as one, then recite the preceding incantation again while writing the talisman. Once it is complete, inhale and exhale the general’s image into the talisman. Write the messenger’s name, add the character for “consecrate” over it, and cover it with ink. Then add the five characters for taking the talisman. Envision the messenger’s true form guarding the lung palace.

Incantation for Sending the Talisman

Ze gu luo—summon thunder, flash of light, suo he.

Talisman of the Northern Messenger

Northern water thunder; the messenger who subdues thunder; the Qi of the Water phase and the kidneys.

Consecration incantation:

I respectfully summon the holy shramana of the north. Hear my invocation, descend with disheveled hair and sword in hand, and come to the star altar. Dou, Niu, Nü, Xu, Wei, Shi, and Bi—descend through the Celestial Pass and come to consecrate, subdue, and seize the baleful forces.

Blow out the kidney Qi to form the talisman in the north. Envision the talisman transforming into a general, standing amid black clouds. Envision him descending through the Gate of Heaven and emerging from the Earth’s Portal. Unite the three bodies as one, then recite the preceding incantation again while writing the talisman. Once it is complete, inhale and blow the general’s image into the talisman. Write the messenger’s name, add the character for “consecrate” over it, and cover it with ink. Then add the five characters for taking the talisman. Envision the messenger’s true form guarding the kidney palace.

Incantation for Sending the Talisman

Ze—summon the pond of dark waters; swiftly exhale, dispel thunder, and gather the true Qi.

Talisman of the Central Messenger

Central Earth thunder; the messenger Chen Shi; the Qi of the Earth phase and the spleen.

Consecration incantation:

The mountains share their positions. Gather the Five Phases—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—from the five directions; follow the true Qi and gather it.

Call out the spleen Qi to form the talisman in the central palace. Envision the talisman transforming into a general, standing amid yellow clouds. Then envision him descending through the Gate of Heaven and emerging from the Earth’s Portal. Unite the three bodies as one, then recite the preceding incantation while writing the talisman. Once it is complete, inhale and call the general’s image into the talisman. Next, write the messenger’s name, add the character for “consecrate” over it, and cover it with ink. Then add the five characters for taking the talisman. Envision the messenger’s true form entering and guarding the spleen palace.

Incantation for Sending the Talisman

Ze hum hum—thunder, lightning, flashes of light; wa wa luo—thunder’s might, consecrate, subdue, and gather.

Brief Combined Rite for the Five Directional Messengers

(No text appears after this heading; it may be intended as a combined summary of the preceding material on the five directional messengers.)

Ritual Pearls from the Sea of the Law, Volume 28: A Plain-Language Explanation

Praying for Rain

The sequence is fire first, then water, followed by a talisman matched to the day’s nayin. For example, on a jia day at the hour of the Rat, the nayin belongs to Metal, so the talisman should be written according to Metal’s nayin. Proceed in the same way for other days and hours.

Praying for Clear Weather

The sequence is water first, then earth, followed by a talisman matched to the nayin of that day and hour.

Calling Thunder

The sequence is fire first, then water, followed by a wind talisman.

Praying for Snow

The sequence is water first, then fire, followed by a talisman matched to the nayin of that day and hour.

General Method of Command

For each of the petitions above, add the five characters “The Red Heavenly Emperor gives the command” as an overarching order.

Five-Character Command

Each of the five positions uses a different symbol. The original marks them with ▲; in practice, they are written as secret forms:

▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲

Any of the talismans can be used in either of two ways: tracing them in the air with the gaze, or writing them on paper with brush and ink.

Secret Signs of the Five Directional Envoys

Each directional envoy has a secret sign. The original gives talisman forms; placeholders are used here:

There are also secret signs associated with the Thunder Bureau, such as guo, hu, bi, zhao, and li, gong, feng, long. Many are hidden names for divine generals such as the Thunder Duke and Fenglong; the precise forms should be checked against an authorized transmitted copy.

Note: This passage briefly outlines talisman methods used in Daoist rituals for praying for clear weather, rain, thunder, and snow. The order of fire, water, and earth, along with the use of nayin and wind talismans, is essential to performing the rites. “The Red Heavenly Emperor gives the command” and the secret signs of the five directional envoys are used to command the five directions and direct all the talismans. The ▲ symbols indicate talisman forms that the original does not disclose; they should be checked against a complete Daoist Canon or a copy transmitted by a teacher.