《法海遺珠》Vol. 37

The Pearls Left in the Sea of the Dao, Volume 37, Section Four

The Purple Empyrean Protector’s Five Thunders Black Tiger, the Great Deity Liu

Chief General

The Purple Empyrean Protector’s Five Thunders Black Tiger Great Deity, Marshal Liu, whose personal name is Wenxian.

His face is jujube-red, with large eyes and a sparse beard. He wears an iron fish-tail crown beneath a black gauze headwrap. His robe is black with wide sleeves, and he wears a black-and-yellow wrapped head covering, a yellow belt around his waist, white silk leggings and socks, and black shoes. He holds an iron hammer with a short handle and wrist loop, with a black tiger at his side. Reversed flames coil down around his body from the waist. He travels upon golden-light fire clouds.

His subordinate commanders are the Six Ding and Six Jia (Daoist protective generals) and the Five Thunders and Eight Baleful Forces’ celestial troops.

Inner Refinement

Before performing the rite, the ritual master must first purify the space with sprinkled water and burn incense, then transform the spirit (visualizing himself becoming a divine general). He forms the baleful-force hand seal with his left hand and the sword mudra with his right, and stands in the Ding stance to perform the rite.

First, he recites the Incantation of Taiyin’s Transformative Birth, or the Incantation of the Northern Dark Heaven. He visualizes, within the nine palaces of the Mudball Palace at his own position in the southeast, a golden character for ni, shining brilliantly from within.

Next, he presses the thunder formation firmly against his heart and visualizes the heart fire descending in reverse to the space between the two kidneys, stirring the primordial Qi (the innate vital energy) to surge upward. He imagines that within his heart is an enlightened immortal. He then visualizes the primordial Qi transforming into red fire Qi and rising to the Mudball Palace. It bursts forth together with the golden character, shooting straight toward the northern sky. He sees Marshal Liu descend through the air upon this firelight.

The ritual master then directs his gaze briefly toward the northeast behind his elbow. The ground splits open, and a black tiger charges out of the dark mist. He forms the Yin hand seal and gives a loud shout of “Duo!” The tiger then crouches before the altar on the right. Seeing the tiger crouch, the Great Marshal descends from the sky and runs alongside it, awaiting the ritual master’s commands.

Summoning Incantation

Black Tiger Great Deity of Wudang Mountain,

Your thunderous roar shakes the heavens as you seize demons and spirits.

You command three hundred thousand celestial troops.

The Black Emperor of the Dark Heaven sends forth a fearsome power through black mist;

you wield mighty force and manifest your divine powers.

Six Ding, Six Jia, and the Eight Baleful Generals—

Liu Wenxian, hurry to the ritual altar!

Great Deity, Great Deity, come swiftly!

I obey the command of the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven, King of the Teachings.

For writing, applying, consecrating, or dispatching talismans, use the incantation above. Also visualize the three characters Wen, Dui, and Sha, then draw Qi from the Gate of Heaven to carry out the rite.

Personal Talisman

(The talisman is inscribed with “Consecrate the Black Tiger, Liu Wenxian.” Yuanji and Xi use the Incantation of Heavenly Fulfillment when applying it.)

Thunder-Sound Incantation — (A separate Thunder-Sound Incantation is also written on the talisman and used with it.)

Note: This section belongs to the lineage of the Five Thunders method. Its presiding deity, Liu Wenxian, is the Black Tiger Marshal under the command of the Supreme Emperor of the Dark Heaven (the Perfect Warrior, Zhenwu). He commonly appears in Wudang Daoist liturgy. The inner-refinement instructions explain how the ritual master uses visualization, incantations, and talismans to attune his own spirit and Qi to the Marshal and the black tiger, thereby carrying out protective rites and exorcisms.

Interpretive Translation of Fahai Yizhu

Talismans and Writing

Following the instructions above, draw one stroke of the talisman with the brush each time you recite the incantation. Fold it, then write the three characters Yuan (Hai), Ji (Dui), and Xi (Sha) above the character Xuan. As you recite, touch the area around your eye once with the hand seal and visualize three golden characters in your mind. Then write the talisman, placing your name and request inside it. Next, visualize the character Ni hanging in the empty space of Xuan, descending and being drawn into the talisman. Then attach the twelve-character Thunder Sound incantation to the talisman. When ghosts and spirits hear it, they will respond as if struck by a great thunderclap. Recite the incantation in a low voice, using the throat. Add the character Chi to the talisman as a covering, and again use the tooth-tapping method together with the Bagua master’s silent count of one: visualize the talisman entirely illuminated by golden light.

Commander of the Azure Mystery Earth Thunder, Marshal Wen: Secret Method of Transformation

Chief General

Commander: Marshal Wen, commander of the Azure Mystery Earth Thunder, whose personal name is Qiong.

Appearance: a blue face, golden eyes, and four rows of sharp teeth; a three-pointed hat and a red forehead band; a long black robe edged with red brocade; small gold belt ornaments and a yellow sash; bare chest, with a golden armor breastplate exposed; green boots; a wolf-tooth staff in hand; riding a white horse. The generals and attendants, along with the names of the subordinate officers, are as usual.

Visualizing the Marshal’s Transformation

During visualization, the master forms a hand seal with the left hand at the Mao position (east), writes the character Om on the seal, and flicks it toward the east. It transforms into blue-gold characters, which are drawn into the talisman sign (the talisman paper or ritual altar). Exhale from the Liver Palace to transform the talisman sign into Marshal Wen, dressed as described above.

Recite the incantation and perform the star-stepping ritual. The incantation says:

Om, Northern Emperor, wheel of authority, universal numinous power, spirits be gathered (Chou, Zi, Dui, Kun, Wei / Wu, Si, Chen, Mao)

Gather the spirits; numinous power, universal wheel, authority, Emperor of the North, Om (Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei / Kun, Dui, Zi, Chou)

Om, Xi-yi, Di-lan-tuo-ye (Chou, Yu, Li, Wu / Chen, Si, Mao)

When the incantation is finished, write the character Nie on the hand seal at the Mao position and flick it toward the east. Visualize the character as a wheel, its golden light turning across the ground. Then recite the secret incantation:

Northern Emperor’s purple-gold wheel, true Qi follows the Queen Mother. The nine apertures open; ascend through the passage to the Great Flower Palace. Quickly, quickly, in accordance with the statutes and commands.

When the incantation is finished, the master stamps the ground with the left foot, making a thunderous sound, then swiftly parts the secret character with the sword fingers. Seeing Marshal Wen appear, draw the talisman sign into the Liver Palace. It passes through the tail gate, joins the two kidneys, and golden light rises from the spinal column, through the two passes, to the crown of the head. A baby appears and is drawn into the Liver Palace. Then exhale toward the incense burner: the baby grows up and transforms into the marshal himself.

Note: The source is a practical text on Daoist thunder rites, talismans and incantations, and visualizing the spirits within the body. Directions (such as Chou, Zi, Dui, and Kun), hand seals, star-stepping, and iconographic details should be checked against the complete scripture and oral transmission. Some characters in the text, such as Nie and the term for the belt ornament, may be variants introduced during copying; textual verification should compare other editions.

Fuhai Yizhu: A Plain-Language Interpretation

I. Preparations for Summoning the Deities to the Altar

(By edict, summon Wen Qiong; descend at once and swiftly. Recite the Northern Emperor’s Petition; rotate through the Thunder Bureau hand seals. Preserve the secret characters in the mind.)

Use an edict to summon Marshal Wen and command him to descend without delay. Recite the scripture Petition to the Northern Emperor, making the hand seals in rotation according to the Thunder Bureau method. At the same time, silently recite the secret characters and hold them in the mind.

Before stating the matter at hand, fold the written character chi (“edict”) over itself and place it on top of the talisman.

II. General Procedure for Receiving a Deity’s Pronouncements

Whenever a deity is invited to “issue a pronouncement” through a spirit medium—a deity possessing a medium and giving instructions about a matter—the following steps are performed in order:

1. First write a talisman summoning the Zhiri Gongcao, the divine official on duty that day.

2. Then write Marshal Wen’s personal talisman, the talisman of his true form.

3. Burn it together with gold paper, paper money, and paper horses.

4. Then have the medium pass their hands through the rising incense smoke.

5. Purify the altar by sprinkling water, summon the generals and settle the spirit; invite the Marshal, Wen Qiong, into the medium’s hands, and burn the talisman.

6. Write another talisman, tracing the characters for “the general’s talisman” in the air, and attach it to the medium.

7. Form the Yin hand seal with the left hand and the sword seal with the right. Trace the characters “om, hong, ni, zha” in the air, performing the method for sending a flying talisman to summon and capture.

8. Cover it again with the character chi. Then trace “om, hong, zha, la, na” in the air with the sword seal, performing the method for swiftly summoning and capturing the soul.

9. Write the designated talisman characters and overlay them with the character chi.

10. Form the Dipper seal with the left hand and the sword seal with the right. Shout, “Marshal, spread your five fingers!” Then shout, “Generals and officers, turn your hands over!” Take up the writing brush and freely write the matter to be presented.

III. Talisman and Incantation for Pursuit and Capture

Respectfully summoned: the Thunder Marshal Wen, Guardian of the Azure Mystery, Wen Taibao (Wen Qiong), together with his subordinate messengers who pursue souls and capture ghosts—the Yellow-Headed and the Disheveled-Headed messengers—as well as the messengers who seal mountains and break open caves, those who behead ghosts and consume their blood, the earth spirits, the Seven Killers, the spirits of untimely death, the mighty Yin troops, and all the rest. Hear my call and emerge swiftly from the Court of the Sacred Mountain, the divine residence. Come at once, in accordance with the law.

IV. Secret Summoning Incantation

Om—numinous and fearsome, breath upon breath, swiftly come and seize! I, by the edict of the Heavenly Emperor, urgently summon the mighty deity. Fearsome and forceful, come! Troop, present yourselves! Troop, present yourselves! Come at once, in accordance with the law.

V. Secret Method for Opening the Earth Gate and Revealing the Marshal

After the incantation: With the right-hand sword seal, the ritual master cleaves open the “Earth Gate,” the direction on the altar symbolizing the gate to the earth. Seeing black mist billow upward, the master recites the secret incantation:

Om—forceful and fearsome, swiftly reveal your true form! (Recite seven times in a single breath.)

After the incantation: The ritual master visualizes the black Qi within the Earth Gate emerging and passing through the gate in the Xun direction (southeast). Then, using the finger-flicking seal, the master recites the secret incantation:

By command of the Lord of the Sacred Mountain, swiftly summon the mighty spirits: Xuan (Gen), Su (Ya), Ping (Dui), An (Zhen), Ling (Kun), Feng (Xun), Lü (center), Xu (Wei)—I summon Wen Qiong; come swiftly, come swiftly! Om, hong, hong, om, forceful and fearsome; by the Northern Emperor’s edict, seize and summon. Come at once, in accordance with the law.

(Note: The characters in parentheses correspond to the Bagua directions and hand seals, and are used to orient the summons.)

After the incantation: Use the hand seal to cleave open the sky at the Xun direction, rouse the Marshal, then swiftly draw him in and swallow him into the heart, holding him clearly in the mind. Then visualize black Qi passing through the heart aperture from the direction of “Xian” to the “Guan” gate.

Note: The text describes a ritual procedure from Daoist Thunder Rites and Fengdu rites for pursuing souls and capturing ghosts. It involves talismans, incantations, hand seals, visualization, and spirit-medium practices. It is a text for ritual masters’ private cultivation and ritual practice, not for ordinary believers’ daily recitation.

The Pearl of Dharma’s Sea: A Plain-Language Interpretation

Visualization and Joining the Altar

Visualize the Marshal (Wen Qiong) below the throat. Then visualize him riding a black cloud and breathing toward the altar, so that his breath mingles with the scene before it.

Personal Talisman

Write the following on the talisman according to the ritual procedure: “Qiong, by decree” (urgently receive and repeat the command of the True King of the Divine Empyrean). Also write the three characters Yuan, Ji, and Xi in the zi script. Use characters such as Kui, Gui, Xing and Bi, Pi, and Piao. Use red apricot ink, or black-grinding “true-sock” wax of the numinous treasure. Also write phrases such as “by decree, summon the Grand Protector,” “come by imperial command,” and “approach by command of the summons.”

Incantation for Summoning Wen Qiong

Wen Qiong. Om, hong, hong; jue, jue; can, can—quickly reveal your true form. Visualize the general entering the talisman. After stating your intention in the invocation, urgently draw in the Qi from the Xun direction, repeating this seven times. Then bring the brush down onto the talisman and draw one straight stroke toward the Xun direction.

Commanding Incantation

The Lord of the Sacred Peak gives this command: turn left and right; stride in accordance with Kui and Gang; Heaven and Earth appear at once. The Grand Protector’s numinous power shines brilliantly, transforming in ten thousand ways. From Gui, Xun, Ding, and Ren, gather essence as swiftly as an arrow. This command must not be delayed. Om, numinous and numinous, jue, jue; can, can; xi, xi—go swiftly and seize them. Om, hong, hong; om, jue, jue. By command of the Northern Emperor, urgently obey the law.

After the incantation, add the incantation for dispatching the Celestial Spirit to carry out the talisman, and use the Tianpeng incantation to command it.

Making an Attached Talisman

Common phrases written within the talisman include: Kui, Gui, Xing; Bi, Pi, Piao; Celestial warriors, Celestial warriors, descend at once and make your numinous power known; the Warm Envoy, the Grand Protector, commands the punitive spirit troops; the Eastern Numinous One has issued a decree—hasten to welcome Wen Qiong; from Ding, Ren, Gui, and Xun, gather essence as swiftly as an arrow; stride left across Kui and Gang, and Heaven and Earth appear at once; Heaven opens and Earth splits; confuse the person and draw them inside; om, hong, zha—seize; om, hong, nan—seize. Visualize a woman wearing a gold crown and plain robes, holding a gold-lettered document as she weeps and enters the talisman. Also write the names Ling, Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, Ji, Dou, Niu, Nu, Xu, Wei, Shi, Bi, Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zi, Shen, Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang, Yi, Zhen, as well as Tanlang, Jumen, Lucun, Wenqu, Lianzhen, Wuqu, Pojun, and Yangdou.

Key Points for Using the Talisman

This talisman draws Qi from the east, so write the Mao character in the zi script. When summoning and dispatching, the hands may be fumigated; the same procedure may be used to urge the summons.

Commanding Incantation: Positions and Character Placement

Heaven (Xu), Ding (You), Heaven (Shen), Ding (Wei), urgently (Wu), descend (Si), make the numinous power known (Chen), Warm Envoy; the Grand Protector commands the punitive spirit troops; East (Mao), numinous (Chen), has (Si), issued a decree (Wu), urgently (Wei)—place the characters and recite the incantation according to the stem-and-branch directions marked in the ritual chart.

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

1. Ritual Incantation and Formula, Coordinated with the Earthly Branch Directions

(Shen position) Feng — (You position) Xing — (Xu position) Wu — (Nu lunar mansion) Mu — (Zi position) Hong — (Chou position) Mo — (Yin position) Wei — (Mao position) Tuo — (Chen position)

Commanding text: “Gather me under the lord’s command; establish attachment to the living person. Dan (Wu position), [syllable unclear] (Si position), Wen (Chen position), Zhao (Mao position), Tai Su Chou Xuan (Zi position), Ping; command the troops to assist the method; the Three and Five Primordial Abodes.”

(Hai position) Wei — (Zi position) Ying — (Chou position) Zhi — (Yin position) Dao — (Mao position) Om — (Chen position) Zhi — (Si position) Da — (Wu position) Ti — (Wei position)

Xu (Shen and You positions), Mo (Xu position), Sa (Hai position), Mo (Zi position), Ye (Chou position), Suo (Yin position), He (Mao position), Wen

Closing invocation: “Eminent Protector Qiong, hear the summons and arrive at once; quickly attach to the living person. Haste! I act under the command of the Supreme Sovereign of Dongyue, the Benevolent and Sagely Great Emperor of Heavenly Unity.” (Flick out the fingers / perform the gesture.)

2. Visualization and Qi-Circulation Method (Practiced by the Master)

The master visualizes the lush, emerging blue Qi of the East (the East corresponds to Wood and its color is blue-green). Red Qi from the heart (the color of heart-fire) descends and joins with liver Qi (the liver corresponds to Wood and opens at the eyes). Purple Qi then streams out through the eyes and meets the blue-green Qi of the East. Suddenly, the energies connect and flow through. Qi wells up within the blue-green radiance; the practitioner draws it in sharply, then exhales it. Fragrance rises, and the spirit attaches to the medium (possesses the child’s body).

3. Procedure for Performing This Method

First, write three talismans for this method:

1. Use one talisman to summon the spirit of the deceased marshal, a commander killed in battle, and let him relate his affairs as he wishes.

2. Take a clean wooden bowl, recite the incantation and perform the finger gestures, then direct the circulated Qi into the water.

3. Have the child stand before the incense burner. After sprinkling purifying water around, roll one talisman into a ball and bury it in the burner.

4. Next, have the child close their eyes and warm their right hand over the incense smoke. The master quickly recites the incantation and performs the finger gestures, then sprinkles purifying water on the child’s hand.

5. Urge another talisman into the burner. After reciting the incantation three or five times, the child will naturally show signs of becoming clouded over, indicating that a spirit is attaching.

6. If the child’s fingers begin to move, command the attendant spirit to turn the hand over and grip the writing brush, then write a report conveying the spirit’s message.

7. The child must still be able to recognize written characters. If the trance is shallow, only one arm will be possessed; if the attachment is deep, the whole body will enter the trance. Once the writing is complete, the child will awaken and regain awareness on their own; there is no need to recite the Soul-Awakening Incantation.

8. If the spirit still does not attach, simply visualize a lady holding this golden character above the incense smoke and weeping. The spirit will arrive at once.

4. The Chief Marshal and Attendant Spirits

5. Inner Refinement Method

The master visualizes the lush, emerging blue-green Qi of the East. Red Qi from the heart descends and joins with liver Qi; purple Qi streams out through the eyes and meets the blue-green Qi of the East. Suddenly, the energies connect and flow through. Qi wells up within the blue-green radiance; the practitioner draws it in sharply, then exhales it. Fragrance rises, and the spirit attaches to the child.

Note: This text describes a ritual for summoning a marshal spirit and attaching it to a child, within the Dongyue tradition of worship of the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak. It belongs to Daoist spirit-writing and spirit-medium practices. “Flicking out the fingers” refers to making finger gestures and hand seals according to the directions. “The Three and Five Primordial Abodes” refers to the union of the Three Powers—Heaven, Earth, and Humanity—and the Five Phases. “Becoming clouded over” describes the state in which a spirit possesses the child and the child enters a trance.

A Plain-Language Interpretation

The master closes his eyes and visualizes: on his right shoulder stands a mountain amid blue-green Qi—the Tai Mountain Prefecture, the seat of the deity who governs Eastern Peak, Mount Tai.

Next, using his left hand, the master forms the Kui constellation by pinching the Chen and Xu positions, the technique for the body of the Northern Dipper. The star names Kui, Gui, Yu, Xing, Bi, Zuo, and Piao appear in the air. He sees the stars Kui and Piao transform into the two characters “Heavenly Edict,” which descend.

The medium—here, the ritual master or the sign being summoned—raises the Qi from his liver and exhales it onto the incense. It transforms into a boy in blue robes, holding a jade tablet. The boy catches the two golden characters and engraves them on the tablet. He passes through Eastern Peak and uses the golden light from the tablet to open the mountain gate. Marshal Wen—the Daoist protector deity Wen Qiong of Eastern Peak—appears, riding the golden light alongside the boy in blue.

The medium draws in Qi through his nose and enters the Liver Palace, the liver’s place in visualization, together with the marshal. After a long while, he exhales onto the incense smoke. The image of the Primordial Master appears above it. He then states his purpose, takes the divine radiance from Marshal Wen, and begins writing the talisman.

The master then uses the Dipper and Sword hand signs, along with the Northern Dark Heaven Incantation and the Taiyin Incantation for Transformative Birth, visualizing himself transforming into an exalted perfected being. Next he recites the summoning incantations:

By the fire edict of Qianyuan, by the joined radiance of awesome power, the Emperor’s command descends; the generals of the mountain shall carry it out. I respectfully summon Wen Qiong: come swiftly out from the mountain court. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.

Ding, Ren, Gui, Xun: gather essence like an arrow. Set foot across Kui and Gang; Heaven and Earth appear at once. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances.

The Northern Emperor reveres the wheel; universal numinous power captures and commands.

Om, Sutu Zha: by edict, capture and subdue the baleful forces.

Xi Yi Di, Lan Tuo Ye: capture and command.

Each incantation is recited seven times on a single breath, while forming the Mao hand sign and drawing Qi from the East. After reciting, the master silently visualizes himself transformed into an exalted perfected being, then secretly carries out the rite.

The “Responsive Report Talisman” (incantations written on the talisman or recited alongside its use; phrases in parentheses are parallel or variant formulations):

• Right: Swift passage of the Azure Numinous Spirit; left: Swift arrival of the Kang Metal Spirit
• Northern Emperor (or: “Om, the Northern Emperor reveres the wheel” / “Universal numinous power captures and commands”)
• Wen Qiong (or: “By the fire edict of Qianyuan, by the joined radiance of awesome power; the Emperor’s command descends, and the soldiers and generals shall carry it out. I respectfully summon Wen Qiong: come swiftly out from the mountain court. Ding, Ren, Gui, Xun.”)
• (“Gather essence like an arrow; set foot across Kui and Gang; Heaven and Earth appear at once. Visualize Marshal Wen entering the talisman; state your request as you wish.”)
• (“Xi Yi Di” / “Lan Tuo Ye”)
• (“Capture and command” / “Om, Sutu Zha” / “By edict, capture and subdue the baleful forces”) Edict
• (“Wu Dong Shang: let the edict of Eastern Peak, equal to Heaven, descend once; the rite is deployed and the command proclaimed.”)
• (The Dipper stars Kui, Gui, Yu, Xing, Bi, Zuo, and Piao—also named Tan, Ju, Lu, Wen, Lian, Wu, and Po—each with its corresponding hand sign.)
• (Bring it forth at Yin and Wu.)

The Emperor’s command is entrusted to me; my command is entrusted to you. Wen Qiong, arrive swiftly.

Explanation: This text describes the liturgy for summoning Wen Qiong, Marshal Wen, to write a talisman. First, the practitioner visualizes Mount Tai and the Heavenly Edict descending upon the medium. Liver Qi and incense smoke transform into a boy who opens the mountain gate and leads the marshal into the practitioner’s body. The practitioner draws on the marshal’s divine radiance to write the talisman. The rite also uses Northern Dipper hand signs and Northern Emperor incantations, together with several summoning formulas ending “swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances,” to produce the Responsive Report Talisman. It is used in ritual practice to convey commands to the mountain prefecture and summon the general to his post. Terms such as Kui constellation, Chen and Xu, Mao hand sign, and Yin and Wu refer to positions for pacing the Dipper and forming hand signs. The Heavenly Edict is a command from Heaven; the Primordial Master refers to the revered master or an exalted perfected being who appears through transformation.

A Pearl Left Behind in the Sea of the Dao: A Plain-Language Interpretation

Manifesting the Spirit in Urgent Response

After completing the talisman, set down the brush and immediately form the Thunder Pattern with the left hand. Inwardly visualize a line of gold characters descending from the azure clouds and landing on the pattern, where they leap and fly. As you recite the spells from the preceding sections, drive the gold characters from the pattern into the talisman. Then visualize thunderfire and flashes of lightning, followed by a great clap of thunder, and ask Marshal Wen to carry out the rite accordingly. Next, recite the command spell:

By command of the Jade Clarity, all spirits are commanded and restrained. Should any disobey, let the laws of Nüqing be applied. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and decrees!

The Great Rite of the Swift Flying Fire-Thunder Envoy Who Executes and Investigates

Chief Marshal: The Thunder Court’s Swift Flying Fire-Thunder Envoy, Zhang Yuanbo.

Visualize him in the form of a sudden burst of fire: the Thunder Pattern in his left hand, a black flag in his right, and a fire dragon beneath him.

Spell of the Eight Trigrams and the Pace of the Dipper:

Om, hum, hum, san tan na qian yi chi—(visualize according to the directions of the Eight Trigrams) The Dui Palace commands the thunder troops (You); the Gen Palace seals the ghost gate (Yin); the Li Palace drives the fire wheel (Wu); the North Sea surges with waves (Zi); the Human Gate shakes the axis of the earth (Shen); thunder in the Zhen Palace swiftly sounds (Mao); wild winds crush mountains and peaks (Si); all generals descend into my person (Sha). Great numinous truth, great void truth: I receive the command of the Supreme Emperor and urgently summon the Great Envoy of Swift Flying Fire-Thunder, Zhang Yuanbo. Come at once to the altar and heed my direction. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and decrees!

Heart Spell:

Radiant spirit, radiant spirit, I summon Zhang Yuanbo. Ti zha wa ba chi sha she.

Recite this rite three times in a single breath.

Internal Cultivation

The ritual master presses the tongue against the upper palate and holds the breath. Inwardly, silently recite the preceding spell once. Guide the heart, Qi, and saliva down to the Dantian (energy center) and the Sea of Qi, then into the left and right kidneys. Using the Qi of the True One, circulate it through the Dantian and upward to the Crimson Palace (the heart) once. Continue until the whole body feels warm. If the effect is not sufficient, circulate the Qi several more times, until it fills the Twelve-Storied Tower (the throat); a mouth filled with Qi is the sign that the practice is complete.

Visualize blue, red, and golden Qi descending from the southeast. Then exhale a breath with a “he” sound, blending it with the Qi within the body into a mass of crimson golden light like fire, and inhale it back through the nose. After a short while, when the spirit has settled, exhale again toward the incense. The breath transforms into a mass of golden light. With the sword fingers, write: “By the command of the Supreme Emperor, summon Yuanbo to manifest his true form at once.” Suddenly, the golden light splits open, and amid the crimson, swirling Qi, Envoy Zhang stands before the altar. The ritual master then forms the Thunder Pattern with the left hand again…

Note: This text describes a Daoist Thunder Rite and a ritual for summoning a divine general. The procedure combines writing a talisman, forming the Thunder Pattern, visualizing gold characters entering the talisman, and reciting the Eight Trigrams spell and command spell. It then uses internal cultivation—holding the breath and focusing intention on the Dantian, Crimson Palace, and Twelve-Storied Tower—to unite the body’s Qi with the golden light above the incense, in order to summon Zhang Yuanbo, the Swift Flying Fire-Thunder Envoy, to manifest and receive commands. The pairing of the Eight Trigrams with the Earthly Branches and directions is a common arrangement in Thunder Rite practice.

A Plain-Language Reading of Pearls Left in the Sea of the Daoist Tradition

Writing the Talisman

Hold the brush in the right hand. Write out the matter to be addressed, as needed. Inwardly recite that the Marshal—Zhang Yuanbo, the Thunder Deity—has appeared in the sky and descended. Then write the talisman.

Key features of the “Personal Talisman” (many of its phrases are abbreviated or concealed expressions)

It includes phrases such as “open Heaven’s gate, open Earth’s door, leave the human gate open, block the ghost road, pierce the ghost’s heart, and break the ghost’s belly.” It lists the names of Kui, Ba, and Piao, along with star deities such as Tanlang, Jumen, Lucun, Wenqu, Lianzhen, and Pojun. It also includes the characters zi, xin, zi, and yin, and expressions such as “set the wind in motion,” “with the back foot, send thunder and lightning,” “swiftly descend beneath the altar and receive the command to summon the Thunder Deity Zhang Yuanbo,” and “carry out the command.” On Yin days, write “thunderous might” from right to left; on Yang days, write “heng, hong, hua, la, jiu, jing, chi.” The talisman states that Marshal Zhang Yuanbo is now being petitioned to handle a certain matter as he sees fit. Write the year, month, day, and hour, followed by “issued below,” then the petitioner’s rank, surname, and signature mark.

Paper, Ink, and Seal

For prayers for clear weather, write in vermilion on blue paper. For prayers for rain, write in black ink on blue paper. To summon generals and officials, write in vermilion on yellow paper. For warding and affixing, write in black ink on yellow paper. For prayers for clear weather or for capturing harmful spirits, use the “Seal of the Great Celestial Thunderfire.” For most other purposes, the “Seal of the Thunder Administration” may be used. As for the writing on the talisman, write prayers for rain in the ordinary direction and prayers for clear weather in reverse; for other matters, follow the customary procedures for dispatching commands.

Dispatching Incantation (recite when sending the command)

Thunder Lords of the Five Emperors, Wind Lords of the Four Sages, stars and constellations of the Three Terraces, the two principles in motion, the True Emperor of the One Origin, and the numinous Qi of the Ninefold Darkness—I am the Master of Wind, acting under the Emperor’s command. Swiftly, swiftly, as decreed by the Thunderlight and Fire Master!

Method of Use

Gold, paper money, paper horses, petitions, official documents, and other offerings may be burned in the air or on the roof tiles. Alternatively, the talisman may be written in the air (without writing on an actual object, holding only the intention in mind), or placed in a bowl of water; use whichever method is suitable. When burning the talisman, as soon as smoke appears, visualize it as clouds and mist. When golden light appears, visualize the Marshal rushing down from the sky and entering Heaven’s gate. You may command, “Bring a swift response; do not disobey.” Wait until the smoke has disappeared before stopping. If the talisman rises into the air, this indicates that a response is forthcoming.

Directions of the Great Fiery Sha (for choosing a time)

On Jia and Ji days: Chen and You. On Yi and Geng days: Yin and Wei. On Bing and Xin days: Shen and Xu. On Ding and Ren days: Mao. On Wu and Gui days: Zi.

Note: The original contains many secret talismanic characters, abbreviated names of star deities, and formulaic command phrases. This plain-language rendering clarifies only the general meaning. The precise forms and brushwork should be checked against the complete talisman manual and learned through a teacher’s transmission; this text alone is not sufficient for copying them.