《法海遺珠》Vol. 34

Fahai Yizhu, Volume 34, Section One

The Great Method of Summoning Thunder with the Jade Sound of Ziwei

Founding Patriarch of the Method

The founding patriarch of this method is the Perfected One, Lord Sa, the wondrous Dao of rescuing the suffering in the Western River, peerless and supreme, One in Origin.

Roster of Generals (Protective Divine Generals)

Method (Essentials of Practice)

When practicing this method, first use meditative visualization to make the whole body feel hot, as though filled with fire. Draw this energy out from the back of the crown of the head. Only then may you take up the brush to write talismans and issue commands.

Formula for Inviting the Descent of Water and Fire Qi

I respectfully invite the Great General Song Wuji, who drives thunder and commands lightning in the South, and the Northern Emperor’s Great Deity of the Wilderness, the Demon-Subduing Fire General Wang Sanzi, Dou Sheng. May you swiftly send down true Qi into my water. Urgently, in accordance with the statutes.

Method: First inhale a breath of the Qi of the South into the heart. Then inhale a breath of the Qi of the North, close the mouth, and send it into the kidneys. Still the breath and circulate the energy, bringing water and fire into union—the heart and kidneys joining, Yin and Yang harmonizing.

When you are ready to release the energy, blow into the water bowl. Then use the “Tiziwu Dou” hand method to enter the talisman: trace from the Si position toward the Wu position, revealing the image of fire. Visualize it as a fire measure as large as a dou, and place it on the ground to the left. Next, visualize this fire burning the body, which transforms into Yuanshi Tianzun. Then imagine an infant bursting forth from the crown gate, and a flame bursting forth from the infant’s brow. Quickly draw the flame into the nose and exhale it from the mouth, letting it fall onto the brush. Recite the incantation to summon the two generals before the altar, visualizing them taking form together. Then imagine the two generals descending and standing atop the incense at the Xun palace, in the southeast.

Incantation for Summoning with the Jade Sound

(The incantation is written phonetically; its original form is preserved. Recite it according to the pronunciation transmitted by one’s teacher.)

Om a luo le ti jia li… (omitted; the original consists of incantatory sounds)… By command, summon the Great Deity Deng Xie, the transcendent sky-spanning, mighty and sudden Fire Deity, to appear at once. Swiftly, urgently, by the command of the Jade Emperor.

Talisman of the Marshal

Write this talisman in vermilion on blue-green paper, applying the writing to the inner surface. Then write in the names of the generals and the words, “By command of the Jade Emperor.” Use the formula for the day and hour to dispatch them. Write five talismans and burn them in the five directions, or cast them into five water vats. Then perform the rite according to the Jade Sound ritual.

Incantation of the Jade Sound

(The incantation is the same as above. Preserve the original written forms and recite it according to the transmitted tradition.)

Explanation (to Aid Reading)

This text belongs to the Daoist Thunder Method tradition. It treats Deng and Xin, among others, as officials of the Thunder Bureau, while Song Wuji and Dou Sheng respectively govern the southern fire bell and the Northern Emperor’s wilderness fire troops. The practice emphasizes inner visualizations of water and fire, an infant emerging from the crown gate, and a flame appearing at the brow. These are combined with the Jade Sound incantation and the Marshal’s Talisman to summon the generals and carry out the work of thunder and fire. The incantation often uses Chinese characters phonetically to represent Sanskrit sounds; it should be pronounced according to oral instruction from a teacher and not altered on one’s own.

Informal Interpretation of The Precious Beads of the Dharma Sea

Summoning Deities by Edict and Using Talismans

According to the method of summoning by edict—compelling a deity to appear by invoking the highest divine command—summon the Silver-Fanged Fierce Officer and Great Wind-and-Fire Deity Xin Zhi-li to arrive at once. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the edict of the Jade Emperor.

Prepare the Commander’s Talisman, the talisman used by the presiding commander of the altar. Write it on yellow paper with cinnabar, and inscribe the characters “Xin Zhi-cun” and similar wording inside it. Then write “Lei-jia ji” (“Thunder command, swiftly!”) and the Jade Emperor’s “chi” (edict) character, place them inside the talisman, and immerse it in water. Perform the rite according to the day-and-hour formula, a mnemonic for choosing the proper date and time.

Write another twenty-five talismans, attaching one gold coin to each. Red paper money may be used instead; burn all of them together. When clouds of Qi rise, use only this talisman to urge the thunder into motion. The rite is especially efficacious if you also write a spirit dispatch on a Fire Dragon Horse-and-Armor charm—a spiritual document shaped like a divine steed, burned to carry a message—and burn it.

General Incantation for Commanding Thunder Officers

The incantation consists largely of Sanskrit-like sounds and repeated thunder deity names. Its general meaning is: urgently summon the Thunder Division—the First Thunder, Second Thunder, Third Thunder, Fourth Thunder, and Fifth Thunder—to come at once. It also entreats the deities Yin-shi and Di-yin, among others, to heed the command, ending with “so be it” (suo-he-he). The full text must be recited in the original sounds prescribed by the liturgy; its wording must not be altered at will.

Secret Incantation for the Three Commanders to Raise Thunder

Its general meaning is: rebuke the demonic thunder; swiftly and exactly, as prescribed. Li is the trigram of lightning; Zhen is the trigram of thunder. Command the Rain Master and Wind Earl; set the thunder chariot in motion and take up the thunder axe. The first cry startles all; the second shakes the earth; the third makes all the deities cover their ears. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the edict of the Jade Emperor.

Further Incantation for Urging the Thunder

Urge the thunder in sequence through its sounds: thunderbolts that shake the sky, thunderbolts that shake the earth; soft sounds, “de-de”; loud sounds, “hong-hong”; joyful sounds, “ji-ji”; angry sounds, “le-le”; approaching sounds, “ji-ji”; driving sounds, “bi-bi”; gathering sounds, “hei-hei”; and the sounds of the region, “suo-suo.” May the force of the vow and the power descend as divine might. Fly swiftly into the corner and come to heed the summons; at a single beat, arrive. Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the edict of the Jade Emperor and the command of the Primordial Lady of Purple Void (Zixu Yuanjun).

Incantation for Issuing Commands and Mobilizing Thunder Officers

A solemn shock resounds through the heavens; thunder crashes and lightning flashes, while mist surges. Devour demons as soon as they appear. In obedience to the command of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) and the edict of the Five August Emperors.

Commands for Directing the Generals in Their Duties

• Blow the wind — draw Qi from the Xun direction, the southeast.
• Breathe out thunder — draw Qi from the Zhen direction, due east.
• Draw in lightning — draw Qi from the Li direction, due south, or draw Qi from between the eyelashes.
• Exhale twice — draw Qi from the Kan direction, due north.

Divine Directions for Gathering Qi

Jia and Yi correspond to Chen; Bing and Ding to Mao; Wu and Ji to Zi; Geng and Xin to Shen; Ren and Gui to Wu. This assigns directions according to the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches and is a secret practice formula.

Order of Ritual Practice

When performing the rite, first place two secret talismans inside the official dispatch, a document addressed to the divine generals, and burn them. Write two more talismans and burn them at the time of the rite to urge the dispatch onward. A separate Great Deity Talisman is used to issue commands and summons at the altar. Place the Lord Xin Talisman in a water vessel to accompany the summoning of Xin Zhi-li and the other divine generals.

Note: This passage belongs to the liturgy of Daoist Thunder Method and describes the sequence for summoning generals, raising thunder, and burning talismans. The incantations combine phonetic spellings, thunder deity names, and Sanskrit-like sounds. They must be transmitted orally and taught directly by a master who has received the tradition. This informal explanation conveys only the general meaning of the ritual; actual practice requires following the complete liturgical text and the teacher’s lineage.

Plain Language Explanation

Practical Method for Spraying Water and Summoning Thunder

When performing the rite, spray Tiangang Qi—a fierce, righteous energy governed by the Big Dipper—into the water.

Inner Secrets of the Mind Method

To perform Summoning Thunder with Jade Sounds, using particular tones and incantations to call upon the Thunder Bureau, first use the method described above to circulate Qi throughout the body. Let anger surge and the Qi grow hot as fire, then send it bursting out through the crown gate, around the Baihui point at the top of the head. Next, unite it with the Qi of the two generals in the Xun direction, the southeast, where the thunder gods dwell. While drawing the talisman and reciting the incantation, chant rapidly in a single breath, with a voice like thunder. As you strike the command tablet and shout, first invite Fire Qi and Water Qi into the water vessel: Fire Qi first, then Water Qi. Use Fire Qi to transform Water Qi, joining fire and water into one. Then introduce Tiangang Qi into the water, agitate and draw up the water, and spray it toward the place in the Xun direction where the thunder gods reside, striking the command tablet, summoning them, and shouting orders as you perform the rite. When drawing the talisman, gather Qi from the direction corresponding to that day and infuse it into the talisman.

First visualize flames bursting from your eyes and transforming into Xuhuo, a fire used to summon thunder, then into Lord Xin, one of the Thunder Bureau’s Celestial Lords, in the sky. Next, visualize yourself transforming into Envoy Zhang, who conveys the Jade Emperor’s decrees. With your right hand, trace the character “Xu” in the air; with your left, trace “Zhang.” Let anger heat you like fire. Cover your ears with both hands, joining the inner and outer forces, and the water will surge as the fire erupts. Take two small pieces of green paper and write “Xu” and “Zhang” on them, roll them into pellets, and first place one in your left ear. Visualize black Qi emerging from your right ear as rain. Form the Thunder Mudra, a hand seal for summoning thunder, with both hands and hold them firmly closed. Gaze at the Qi of anger, then strike once with your hand to issue the command. Take a black flag and write the Big Dipper inside it. Recite Xin Zhi, attach seven gold coins to a large paper horse used in offerings, write the talisman below on the horse, and burn it. Recite the incantation to open the omen-reader’s eyes and mouth, then dot them with cinnabar. The master says: when a thought stirs, clouds and rain can readily gather, so one must restrain desire and bring Shen and Qi to fullness before performing the rite. There is no need to submit a memorial: once the mind settles a little, the Qi of Heaven will clear of its own accord, and clouds will not gather.

Inner Practice of the Mysterious Capital’s Thunder Pivot

Each night at midnight, sit quietly in your robe, still your thoughts, click your teeth, close your eyes, and focus your spirit. Within, imagine the five organs transformed into golden towers and jade chambers. Click your teeth to gather saliva until your mouth is full, then swallow it down to the Dantian, the sea of Qi in the lower abdomen. Tightly lift the grain passage, the anus, and repeat this three times in sets of nine, three times over. On the ninth repetition, keep the grain passage tightly contracted without relaxing. Feel Qi surge up from the earth, rise through the whole body, and reach the Mud Ball Palace at the crown of the head. Visualize yourself as Lord Danyuan, the inner deity of Neidan practice, riding a purple cloud to appear before the Emperor and present your report. After receiving his decree—or requesting a response—ride the cloud down to Cang with your retinue of officers and generals.

Classic: Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of Dharma

Scripture

Draw water from the Dark Sea—the true Qi in the area of the Dantian or Gate of Life—then lift the grain passage, the anus, here meaning to raise the anus and gather Qi. The Qi rises from the Jiaji, the area of the Governing Vessel between the shoulder blades, and enters Kunlun, the crown of the head at Baihui or the top aperture; Kunlun here symbolizes the highest point of the head.

Release the grain passage. When it seems that the response has finished, then prepare a memorial and proceed with the rite, presenting the report according to ritual procedure.

Rain Response

Signs during cultivation or ritual practice in which bodily sensations correspond to rain

At the crown, it feels as if insects are crawling. The forehead and crown twitch and itch; the apertures of the hair feel itchy. Rain is approaching.

The body itches; sweat steams and the body grows hot. Thunder and rain are approaching. The forehead feels cool and clear, with a faint chill and some sweat. Rain is expected.

Thunder Response

The heart is startled and the ears ring: the sound of a thunderclap. A low, rumbling sound comes from the crown: thunder. The breath quickens and becomes strained: thunder.

Clear-Sky Response

The body and mind feel cool and clear: fair weather. Dry heat: fair weather. Movement at the crown: fair weather.

Wind Response

A light, clear coolness at the crown and forehead: wind.

○ Method of the Two Marshal Generals Gou and Bi, Demon-Smiting Envoys on the Left and Right of the Thunder Gate

Five Thunder Formula

Know the root of the primordial Taiji, and from Taiji establish Heaven and Earth. The dragon exhales the cinnabar fire, descending from the void; the tiger draws in the Yellow River, surging straight upward. The ears merge with thunder and wind, opening the Xun Gate; lightning flashes from the eyes, breaking through the Thunder Gate. With one thunderclap, no trace can be found; the moon shines on a cold pool, which freely exhales and draws in.

Deity-Transformation Incantation

Om, deity Nezha of the North. Om, zha ji fu. Quickly conceal my body; transform at once into the Celestial Perfected and gather in the true spirit. Urgently, in accordance with the statutes! Ni—visualize golden light.

Command the Fire Essence General to hasten. Visualize the Li trigram as the Celestial Pass.

Command the Water Essence General to hasten. Visualize the Kan trigram as the Earth Axis.

Visualize the two generals above together before the altar, then recite the summoning incantation:

Om, Red Emperor Ni Pan Zha, Fire Essence Na, quickly descend and gather in. I respectfully summon the Left Attendant of Thunder, the Great Black Heaven Deity, Marshal Gou. Riding a cloud of fire and driving a fire dragon, return swiftly to the left of the altar.

Visualize this marshal descending from the Gate of Heaven, borne by a radiance of red-gold Qi.

Om, Dark-Smoke Essence Ji Ji. Water Essence Na, quickly descend and gather in. I respectfully summon the Right Attendant of Thunder, the Great Deity of Black Dew, Marshal Bi. Riding a dark cloud and driving a black dragon, return swiftly to the right of the altar.

Visualize this marshal surging upward from the Earth Gate, borne by a radiance of white-silver Qi.

Inner Practice

Settle into deep stillness. Direct awareness into the Primordial Aperture. Visualize golden light transforming into a bright moon, passing straight from between the two kidneys to the crown of the head and transforming the body into the Celestial Perfected. Next, visualize clear water below the navel, where the Celestial Pass and Earth Axis join in union, with the turtle facing north and the snake facing south. This image of the turtle and snake joining symbolizes the union of Kan and Li, water and fire.

Plain-Language Interpretation of Fahai Yizhu

I. Internal Alchemy Practice (Visualization and Circulating Qi)

Face south. Visualize two breaths, one blue and one white, emerging from your mouth. See them rise from the navel and join with the two breaths outside your body. Draw them in and swallow them. Let them enter the prenatal cavity (the Dantian below the navel), then divide them between the two kidneys: the blue breath enters the left kidney, and the white breath the right. There they meet and mingle with the yellow breath in the center, then gather at the navel in the Yellow Court (the middle Dantian).

Next, direct the heart fire downward to refine this gathered breath until it shines with an awe-inspiring radiance, forming the Purple-Gold Elixir (internal alchemy). Guide the Elixir upward along the Jiaji (an important point on the Governing Vessel), through the Ninefold Tower (the throat). As it nears the crown of the head, draw in pure breath through the nose and lift it straight up from the root of the nose. Visualize the two spirits (the Original Spirit and the conscious spirit) riding the red and black breaths as they emerge to the left and right. They meet the two generals descending from the Heavenly Gate (the Baihui point at the crown) and the Earthly Gate (the perineum). Together they ride a golden light and stand at the center, then suddenly merge into the internal Elixir, which is sent into the Original Cavity (the Dantian).

Enter a state of profound stillness, as when drawing a talisman. Simply flash the eyes seven times and recite the Golden Light Incantation once. Visualize yourself as an exalted perfected being. Flash the eyes to bring forth the two generals, then visualize the outer generals descending, joining, and moving into action.

II. Spirit-Transporting Talisman (The Rite of Summoning Spirits and Activating a Talisman)

This passage gives the incantations and visualizations to follow when activating a talisman. The notes in parentheses describe the hand gestures (finger seals) and accompanying visualizations:

• (Om jing ▲ hum zhi gan ▲▲ gather the chou/wei positions of the Dipper, visualize silver, join and blow into the Dipper)

Recite the incantation while forming the Dipper seal at the chou and wei positions. Visualize silver light, gather the breath, and blow it into the Dipper.

• (Taiyin transforms into Water in its position / essence is born at chen and gathers at xu)

Taiyin transforms into Water and occupies the north. Essence is born at chen and gathers at xu.

• (True essence transforms and unites: bing and ren join; wei transforms into chou; hear my summons and take your place at the center)

True essence changes and unites. Bing and ren join; the wei position transforms into chou. Hear my summons, and the spirit generals take their place at the center.

• (Swiftly descend in fiery haste; visualize the palace at the zi position / Metal enters and joins the light)

Descend swiftly in fiery haste. Visualize the palace at the zi position, where Metal enters and joins the light.

• (Om ru / bin xiu)

Incantation.

• (Duo luo fire seizes; form the Dipper seal at wei and chou / visualize red, join the breath, and blow it in)

Recite “Duo luo fire seizes,” form the Dipper seal at the wei and chou positions, visualize red light, gather the breath, and blow it in.

• (Heaven commands Metal Virtue; the spirit of yu gou / form the long Dipper seal at xu and visualize the general entering)

Heaven commands Metal Virtue, the spirit of yu gou. Form the long Dipper seal at the xu position and visualize the spirit general entering.

• (Om / ru)

Incantation.

• (▲ Xie she / visualize and draw it in)

Recite “Xie she” and visualize the spirit being drawn into the body.

• (By command, summon Shi Jing and Nanbi Di / form the Dipper seal at xu and chen and visualize the generals entering)

By command, summon Shi Jing and Nanbi Di. Form the Dipper seal at the xu and chen positions and visualize the spirit generals entering.

• (Om zhui sui hou / focus the eyes, visualize) (enter / draw in)

Recite “Zhui sui,” focus the eyes, and visualize the spirit; draw it into the body.

• (Visualize golden characters descending from the central heavens and entering the body)

Visualize golden characters descending from the central heavens and entering the body.

• (Recite “Om va jra yun zha li sa ha”; circulate and form it into one mass)

Recite “Om va jra yun zha li sa ha,” then circulate the energy until it forms a single mass of golden light.

The purple-gold light grows as large as the sun’s disk and illuminates the Three Realms. Ghosts and spirits hide themselves.

Then add “Om hum hum.” All the spirits bow their heads, evil demons return to the right path, and whoever refuses to submit is transformed into dust. Swiftly, swiftly, by the command and decree of the Jade Emperor.

When gathering the dead, combine it with the recitation “Om fu lian”; the Dipper spirit gathers them.

When summoning a spirit, recite “Om fu ling qi ji”; the spirit is gathered.

For the Emperor’s use, recite “Om jiao na zhe zhi” to gather it.

III. Pouring Water over Meng

Form a firm fist, enter profound stillness, and stand on one leg. Stir the tongue to produce saliva. When the mouth is full, swallow three times, sending it down to the area below the navel.

Note: This text presents Daoist practices of internal alchemy and talisman activation, including visualization, circulating Qi, forming the Elixir, and summoning spirits. These steps require guidance from a teacher and practical experience to understand; this is only a plain-language rendering of the text.

A Plain-Language Interpretation of Fahai Yizhu

〔Entering the body〕

(The practitioner) enters a possession state.

〔Writing the talisman and forming the hand seal〕

Recite the words “Om, Shi, Zhen, Nan, Bi, Di,” and write them backward before applying them to the talisman. As the body sinks down and settles, form a hand seal: press the Earthly Branch positions Hai, Xu, You, Zi, Chou, Mao, and Yin, and hold them with the palm turned downward in the Northern Dipper seal.

Settling into the lowered position

As you sink down, mentally fix the body and hun and po souls in place, visualizing them as steady and undispersed.

Incantation for Raising and Bringing Down

Venus, Venus, quickly reveal the true Water; Water essence, Fire essence, quickly reveal the true spirit.

A human hun soul attaches to a ghost; a ghost’s hun soul attaches to a person. When Water and Fire are harmonized, urgently bring down the spirit.

Spirit, spirit, become spiritually responsive at once; gather the hun soul and draw in the po soul, and do not linger.

Carry the soul bag in your hand and roam through Heaven and Earth; the living hun soul enters the bag, and the ghost’s hun soul attaches to the body.

Should there be resistance, beat and punish the yang hun soul. Two generals, hasten here; urgently make the spirit respond—hasten, hasten, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

Incantation for Beating and Punishing

Thunder and lightning, Thunder Tyrant, crashing thunder, crashing thunder; command the form, command the spirit, command the baleful forces. Om, hum, hum, soha—hasten, hasten, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

Incantation for Binding

Hei (Chou), Tuo (Shen), Zha (Si), Pan (Yin), Zha (Wei), Na (Zi), She (Wu).

(The words are matched to the Earthly Branches by position and sound, and used to bind harmful spirits.)

Incantation for Urging and Controlling

Om, divine fork, ghostly fork—descend swiftly and forcefully! (Commanding:) Officers and attendants, bind and bring it down at once!

Using the incantation to cover a harmful spirit

Use this incantation to cover and restrain the harmful spirit; use the “Black Wind” incantation to veil the hun soul. Visualize the child’s hun soul covered and contained.

Generals watch over the binding in the emptiness

(Visualize:) In the open void, divine generals keep watch and bind the spirit.

Incantation for Commanding the Generals

Ride the Black Dragon; drive the hun and jing—(visualize:) officers and attendants enter carrying iron chains.

Ride the Black Tiger; drive the hun and Shen—(visualize:) the general carries iron…

(Variant wording: Ru) Iron Dragon, Iron Tiger, Iron Cavalry, bind the hun and Shen swiftly—(visualize:) all the officers and attendants bind the harmful spirit and bring it into the body.

Incantation for Awakening the Hun Soul (use water to release it)

May the heavenly spirit’s joints flourish; may they preserve long life.

May the One of Great Mystery guard its true form.

May the spirit-lords of the Five Viscera each preserve peace and calm—hasten, hasten, in accordance with the command of the Jade Emperor.

Emperor-Strengthening Talisman

Pair the names of the stars Tanlang, Jumen, Lucun, Wenqu, Lianzhen, Wuqu, and Pojun with the Dipper stars; or form the Dipper hand seal using Kui, Biao, Chi, Mei, Ba, Xu, and Dou.

Recite the Incantation for the Generation of the Great Yin and visualize the Emperor descending. Preserve kidney Qi, transformed from the kidneys, as it emerges from the Weilü point near the coccyx.

Connect with the black Qi of the North. May Tianpeng, Tianyou, Black Fiend, and Marshal Xuanwu summon and gather—visualize Dahei, Goujie, Heilou, Bi, Hou, and the other divine generals arriving together.

Swiftly bring down the heavenly gods; swiftly attach them to the deceased’s hun soul. Swiftly seize the ghost’s hun soul; swiftly draw in the jing and baleful forces—by command of the Five Directional Emperors.

Form the hand seal while reciting the names: Tan, Ju, Lu, Wen, Lian, Wu, Po, Dou; or Kui, Biao, Chi, Mei, Ba, Xu, Dou.

Note: The original presents incantations for gathering and controlling hun and po souls, binding harmful spirits, and commanding divine generals alongside steps for visualization, forming hand seals, and preserving Qi. Parenthetical notes give variant readings from the manuscript or instructions for performing the rite, such as “use water to release” and “enter the body.”

I. The Seven-Stage Method for Gathering Ghosts

This passage sets out a Daoist exorcistic rite (zhoufa) whose core consists of incantation, talisman-drawing, and ritual action, all aimed at expelling the demons and malign spirits that have invaded a patient's body. The practitioner first recites the Golden Light Incantation (Jinguang Zhou), accompanied by the sounding of thunder. Seven stages then follow in sequence. The first stage summons the City God (Chenghuang). The second oversees the boundaries of the territory. The third gathers the household and kin of the afflicted. The fourth gathers the Ghost Kings, and the fifth gathers the Five Path Generals (Wudao Shenjiang). The sixth summons the Spirits of Fate (Siming Shen). The seventh seizes every evil ghost, demon, and external affliction clinging to the patient's body, marches them before the Lords of the Northern Dipper's Kui and Gang stars, and has them executed, leaving them unable to stir.

II. The Commanding Incantation and Talismans

The practitioner recites a commanding incantation (chizhou), invoking the combined mysterious Qi (xuan qi) of the Three Scenes of Shangqing (Shangqing Sanjing) and the Eight Scenes of Shangyuan (Shangyuan Bajing), and calling on two generals to assist. The incantation describes black winds, thunderbolts, and black fog bearing down in calamity, and demands that the harmful spirits be driven out of the patient's body and compelled to obey by the statutes of the Northern Emperor (Beidi).

For the talisman (fu), yellow paper is cut to seven cun in length and inscribed with cinnabar. Once it is written, it is burned over a flame, and the three characters of the talisman text are written repeatedly beneath the practitioner's feet while the incantation is chanted. When the night is deep and quiet, paper money and paper horses are burned in the stove, in the hope that the rite will take effect.

III. The Second Commanding Incantation and the Rite of Action

The second commanding incantation calls on the Wing (Yi) and Zhen (Zhen) lunar lodges, asking for the water and fire powers of these two stars. Through their transformed spiritual might, they are said to move mountains, overturn seas, and fly the soul to break evil, so that black clouds and thunder surge forward to seize the demonic spirits swiftly and prevent them from remaining. Upon completing the incantation, the practitioner draws a circle around his feet, exhales a breath of heart-Qi (xin qi) toward the talisman so that it enters the paper, and visualizes a fiery cord encircling the patient's household. He then flicks the brush lightly and casts the intention outward. The sound is like a thunderclap, the light like a lightning flash, and the flames burst forth in every direction, resounding through the Three Realms.

IV. The Jujube Talisman Method for Curing Illness

This final section describes a method for treating illness. The practitioner first prepares a sound, unbroken good jujube, which serves as an auxiliary object in the rite.

Pearls Left Behind by the Sea of Dao (Fahai Yizhu), Volume 34 (A Plain-Language Interpretation)

Procedure:

1. Form the Dipper hand seal

Shape both hands into the Northern Dipper hand seal, a finger configuration used in Daoist liturgy to imitate the arrangement of the seven stars of the Northern Dipper.

• On a Jiazi day, point the tip of a jujube toward the “mouth of the Dipper,” the open end of the Dipper’s ladle.
• On an Yichou day, point the jujube’s stem end toward the mouth of the Dipper.

2. Posture and hand seal

Reach behind yourself and press once at the center of your back, opposite the heart. Make a sword hand seal with your right hand, bringing the index and middle fingers together like a sword and curling the other fingers into a fist. Press it in front of your heart, then tilt your head to the left.

3. First secret incantation

Recite: “Om, hum, hum, bi, bi, cheng, cheng, she.”

The source notes that this can be recited once in a single breath or repeated seven times.

4. Visualization and infusion of Qi

After reciting, visualize the true Qi of Tiangang—the forceful, upright Qi symbolized by the Tiangang star—descending in three streams. Use the sword hand seal to draw the fiery Qi of the sword tip, the keen, fiery energy symbolized by the sword-shaped fingers, and infuse it into the jujube. Then point the sword hand seal at the jujube and pin it in place while reciting the second secret incantation:

“You are the essence of a tree; I am the spirit of Heaven. Borrowing your essence as a tree, may you aid my spirit of Heaven. Swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and commands.”

This, too, may be recited once in a single breath or repeated seven times.

5. Thunder configuration and color visualization

After reciting, withdraw the sword hand seal. Then use the names of the Northern Dipper stars, beginning with Kuixing—the source gives forms such as “Kui, …,” written in variant characters that may be secret liturgical signs or alternate star names. Between the Hour of the Horse and the Hour of the Rat, form the Thunder configuration in visualization, following the arrangement used in Thunder-method talismanic rites, and send it into the jujube. Also visualize the jujube as red as red agate.

6. Concluding silent incantation

Recite silently, without speaking aloud: “Swiftly, in obedience to the command of the Supreme Emperor.”

Explanation: This passage describes a Daoist talismanic rite involving the selection of a day (Jiazi or Yichou), the Dipper hand seal, the spirit of the jujube tree, Tiangang fiery Qi, and the Thunder configuration. The jujube serves as a vessel for the “spirit of the tree.” Through hand seals, incantations, and visualization, Qi is “sealed” into the jujube. The closing appeal to the Supreme Emperor’s command expresses obedience to Heaven’s decree. Reciting once in a single breath or seven times is common in cultivation practice; practitioners may choose according to their teacher’s instruction or the ritual text.