《法海遺珠》Vol. 38

Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of Dharma, Volume 38, Section 5

The Secret Method of Commander Xin of the Thunder Court (Modern Interpretation)

Chief Commander

Grand Commander of the Thunder Court of the Thirty-Three Heavens, Celestial Lord Qingdi, Xin Hanchen

(One of the revered deities of the Daoist Thunder Ministry, responsible for thunder, bringing rain and stilling winds, dispelling evil, and curing illness.)

Oath (Vow Text)

The fierce officers of the Thunder Court shake the Nine Heavens with their divine might. They move through the Three Realms, loyal and diligent in their service to the Emperor.

Rising ten thousand feet in stature, I am hailed as the Thunder Ministry’s mighty commander. I command the various divisions of the Thunder Ministry, the Wind Earl, the Rain Master, the Mother of Lightning and Thunderbolts, the powerful Yaksha spirits, and others. At the Emperor’s side, I carry out Heaven’s mandate and assist the revered deities of the Five Thunders.

By order of the Jade Emperor, I can save the people of this world:

If I am sent to Heaven, I will present a report to the Emperor. If I am sent to the underworld, I will go straight to the Palace of the Shadow Realm. If I am sent to the watery realm, I will go straight to Fusang Palace. If I am sent to seize demons, I will smash the camps of the ghosts. If I am sent to relieve a great drought, I will pour down abundant, steady rain. If I am sent to stop wind and rain, they will cease at once. If I am sent to cure illness, the sick will find peace. If I am sent to save a difficult childbirth, mother and child will be delivered from danger. If I am sent to attack afflictions in the body, I will dispel them in an instant.

Whoever remains with me from beginning to end shall become a servant of the Jade Emperor. If you violate Heaven’s laws, your nine generations of ancestors will suffer torment. If I betray you, the sun and moon in Heaven will grow dim, the springs beneath the earth will run dry, and no grass or tree will grow. I will become a ghost forever in the netherworld, unable to ascend and pay court in the Upper Clarity realm.

On the days of Ren and Gui, when I descend, you must diligently uphold this practice. Offer pure tea and broth of jujubes, and burn incense made from peach wood. I will appear at your side; keep your mind at ease and do not be startled. Together we make a great vow and pledge to save all living beings. Uphold this practice without slackening, and I will ascend with you among the purple clouds. Act swiftly, in accordance with the command.

Visualization After the Incantation (Following the Incantation Above)

After reciting the incantation, visualize the commander in the southeast, amid the celestial fire’s blue-green light. Then visualize a spirit within your gallbladder emerging through the crown of your head and uniting with the commander. Draw it in with a laughing breath and take it into the talisman.

Incantation for Writing the Talisman

The sea and mountains fill the heavens; through ten thousand kalpas, life is protected. Lightning flashes and thunder is driven forth; mountains crumble and fall. Stars grow dim and the Dipper darkens; in battle, seize and capture evil spirits. Act swiftly, in accordance with the command.

Incantation for Adorning the Cap

Thunderbolts roar, thunderbolts break forth, thunderbolts seize and subdue—Xin Hanchen, Judge of the Five Thunders. Thunder’s fierce light and fire, move with speed. I obey the command of the Great Emperor of the North Pole and Purple Tenuity:

Om hum hum! Thunder-fire rises ten thousand feet; seize the fire and descend swiftly. Svaha.

Om hum hum! Thunder hail, thunder light, thunder might—by command, seize and subdue the baleful force. Act swiftly, in accordance with the command.

Note: This section presents vows, visualization, talisman writing, and cap-adornment rites used in Thunder Method cultivation. They are to be practiced with instruction from a transmitted lineage, at a ritual altar, and as part of the liturgy. “Act swiftly, in accordance with the command” is a common concluding formula in Daoist incantations, meaning that the command is to be carried out promptly in accordance with the laws.

Plain-Language Interpretation of Related Passages from Fahai Yizhu (Pearls Left Behind in the Sea of Daoist Teachings)

The Jade Emperor’s Heart Mantra

(Chant) Da, luo, zha, mo, ye (syllables of the Jade Emperor’s Heart Mantra).

Life-Protection Talisman

(A talisman for protecting life, used together with this mantra.)

Incantation for Commanding and Sending Away (an incantation that orders ghosts, spirits, and baleful forces to leave)

Heng, hong, hua, la, jiu, jing, she.

The Emperor commands me; I command you. Summon you at once; I command you to depart. Om, hong, hong, hong, zha.

(Silently recite the incantation in the mind and visualize its power.)

Om, gu, she.

Thunder, lightning, thunder’s might, thunderclap▲, thunderclap▲; command the spirits, command the baleful forces, bind them. Om, hong, soha.

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

Wind, fire, thunder, lightning: command the baleful forces and bind them.

Om, hong, hong, zha, li, lai, ye, soha.

Om▲, da, na, hong, hong, ji, li, bind them. Haste, haste, as…

Command of the Great Emperor of the Purple Tenuity of the Northern Pole (an edict transmitted by the Great Emperor of the Purple Tenuity of the Northern Pole).

Character Talismans for Treating Illness and Qi (talismans using characters such as “qi” and “rice,” corresponding to the Five Phases and the five organs)

Beside the character “qi,” one may write: Supreme Lord’s Command: Fierce Shi, Silver Teeth (or Preserve and Guard the Upright Qi; Sweep Away the Inauspicious and Evil).

The character “rice” corresponds to Greedy Wolf, Giant Gate, Prosperity, Literary Song, Chastity, Martial Song, Army Breaker, Left Assistant, and Right Assistant (the names of the Nine Stars, abbreviated in the text in forms such as “Greedy, Giant, Prosperity, Literary / Chastity, Martial, Breaker, Assistant, Aide”).

• Noon Dipper, red “rice” character: Visualize the Heart Qi (the heart’s Qi, or red Qi of the south) emerging from the talisman, then direct the red Qi of the south to gather within it.
• Kui, Chi, Ba, Xu, Gan, Piao, and others (names of ghosts, spirits, or baleful forces in the Dipper; written in the text as “Kui, …” and other variant characters): Layer the “rice” character within the Zi-Wu Dipper.
• Then visualize the Kidney Qi emerging from the character and joining with the black Qi of the north inside the talisman.
• Next visualize ten thousand rays of golden light from the Heavenly Gate pouring into the talisman, transforming into a golden “qi” character within it.

(Within the talisman) Open the Heavenly Gate, close the Earthly Door, leave the Human Gate open, block the Ghost Road, pierce the ghost’s heart, and break the ghost’s belly (visualizations and formulaic words for gathering baleful forces and restraining ghosts in Daoist practice).

Visualize the Star Lords of the Five Directions:

• Eastern Star Lord of Wood Virtue
• Southern Star Lord of Fire Virtue
• Western Star Lord of Metal Virtue
• Northern Star Lord of Water Virtue
• Central Star Lord of Earth Virtue

Also visualize the Qi of the five organs and the Qi of the five directions gathering together in the talisman.

Then visualize the Man-Lei Envoys of the Five Directions (titles of envoys in the Thunder Department):

• Eastern Man-Lei Horse Envoy
• Southern Man-Lei Guo Envoy
• Western Man-Lei Fang Envoy
• Northern Man-Lei Deng Envoy
• Central Man-Lei Tian Envoy

With a single stroke, summon Xin Hanchen (write the Thunder deity Xin Hanchen on the talisman or visualize him). The mighty troops of the three divisions shall carry out the command swiftly, circling the world, seizing ghost thieves; the Iron-Faced General shows no mercy.

Xin Hanchen: Thunderous lightning, thunder and lightning, hail▲. From Zi to Xun, flick toward the Xun direction; visualize the Thunder City bursting open, and silently form the thought “ou.”

(Syllables voiced in coordination with the twelve double-hours or the earthly branches) Zi—xi; Chou—…; Yin—jie; Mao—ji; Chen—li; Si—chi; Wu—flick outward, and visualize the heart…

Note: The original consists largely of mantra syllables, talisman layouts, and steps of visualization. The wording and titles often vary among different transmitted versions. This plain-language rendering follows the text provided to convey its general meaning without changing the nature of the ritual.

《Treasures Left Behind in the Sea of Dharma》: A Plain-Language Interpretation

1. Summoning True Qi, Protecting the Body, and Driving Away Evil

Lord Xin, a divine general within the Azure Qi of Celestial Fire, dwells amid the blue flames of celestial fire. Following the ritual sequence, the ritual master recites an invocation, praying for True Qi—the primordial vital energy—to descend and infuse a person’s body, expel demons and harmful influences, and protect the sick.

The light of “maintaining the fire” is infused into the talisman, together with the star spirits Tanlang, Jumen, Lucun, and Wenqu. Lianzhen, Wuqu, and Pojun are also invoked, and the Dipper is arranged according to positions such as Yin and Wu.

The Star of the Dipper’s Handle and the spirits of ghosts and monsters enter from the Zi and Wu positions of the Dipper. They summon wind, clouds, thunder, rain, and lightning, which all pass into and out of the talisman through the ritual master’s ritual body.

The celestial generals Tiangang and Tianling, along with the divine rulers of the Five Viscera, each guard their proper form and ensure peace and protection.

The stars of Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, Ji, Dou, Niu, Nü, Xu, Wei, Shi, Bi, Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zui, Shen, Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang, Yi, and Zhen are then invited, and all the assembled gods bow in homage. The person’s birth destiny hand-seal is used as the first seal and incorporated into the talisman.

2. Incantation for Empowering the Talisman

Silver fangs shine, their light breaking through the demons of Heaven. Should unorthodox forces from beyond the Three Realms dare to intrude, an iron net above and a golden mesh below will destroy the evil spirits and bring peace to the human world. Hasten in accordance with the commands of the Thunderbolt Emperor.

3. Additional Method for Hastening Childbirth

The ritual master exhales a mouthful of Azure Qi and blows it toward the southeast. Wherever the Qi reaches, a palace appears, with golden nails and vermilion doors. Beneath the palace, a “Child of the Birth Spirits” dressed in blue comes to meet the master. Together they go to the Dipper mansion where the mother’s birth destiny and primal celestial stem are located, and report their request.

When the task is complete, the master returns with the Child of the Birth Spirits and reports to the High Emperor of the Birth Spirits of the Nine Heavens. A blue-clad attendant presents a character meaning “Azure.” The Great God Overseer of Births of the Nine Heavens is then dispatched to place the talisman below. With a single stroke, the master writes the talisman while reciting the incantation.

Instructions for the Talisman That Follows

Silently contemplate and establish communion; proceed without hindrance or obstruction, departing or remaining as freely as loosening a belt. State the matter and enter it into the talisman.

The method says: “Silently utter the secret name three times, face southeast, and flash your glaring eyes like lightning. Amid the shadows of emerald clouds, a golden bridge appears; Marshal Xin moves in and is concealed within the gallbladder.”

4. The Peerless Character-Cutting Spiritual Seal

The True Master said: “Once Heaven, Earth, and humanity are established, the myriad things come into being; when these three powers transform, the myriad things return to concealment. Thus Yi and Xin are paired: Yi in You forms Yi-You, and Xin in Mao forms Xin-Mao. Wood begins its growth in Hai and flourishes in Yin; Fire begins its growth in Yin and flourishes in Si; Metal begins its growth in Si and flourishes in You.” The characters are cut from the Heavenly Stems and paired with the Earthly Branches in accordance with the Five Phases’ cycles of growth and flourishing. This is the talisman’s peerless method.

Making PWA Feel More Human

At Google I/O in 2016, the thing that excited me most was the focus on Progressive Web Apps. More and more companies are taking PWA seriously, and some are already seeing real returns.

Web apps used to feel like they were missing something: they didn’t work offline, couldn’t be added to the home screen, and offered a disjointed experience across different screen sizes. PWA is steadily addressing these shortcomings.

But there’s another angle worth considering: users are already used to getting things done through chat. Messaging apps have most of their attention and trust, so why insist on pulling people over to another website?

PWA can bring services to people where they already are, using a chat experience they know: direct, conversational, and close at hand. That way, you don’t have to count on them coming to find you.

These talismans issue commands through “summoning and subduing,” calling upon the generals of the Thunder Bureau to restrain ghosts and malevolent forces. The talismanic text lists the written forms, symbols, and incantatory formulas used by the Thunder Bureau. Phrases such as “open Heaven’s gate, close Earth’s door, leave the human gate open” express the intent to seal off the routes of ghosts and malevolent forces and protect people. “The rear foot moves like lightning; the front foot travels like wind” describes the steps or movements that accompany the rite. “A halo extends ten thousand spans, filling the space with the true form” invokes the manifestation of divine power, while “the iron brush blazes, burning and destroying what is inauspicious” calls upon thunderfire to drive away inauspicious beings and things.

The incantation then calls for Tianyi, Taiyi, and the divine thunders of Heaven, Earth, Fire, Yin, Wind, and the Earth Altar Command to descend swiftly. It also lists summoning formulas such as “Thunder crashes through the sky” and “Qianzhen rescues the essence.” The earthly branches, directions, and phrases such as “enter through the abdomen” in parentheses are accompanying instructions for writing the talisman or performing the rite. “Recite the oath and apply the writing” instructs the practitioner to recite the oath and write the talismanic register. The text then specifies that the commanding talisman and incantation must be written within the “Thunder Bureau” and recited seven times. Syllables such as “command and subdue, om, hum, svaha” are phonetic formulas of the incantation.

The section beginning “Add a transformation above the character for thunder” lists characters used for different rites: “liào” for summoning thunder, “xuǎn” for praying for clear skies, “nǐ” for treating afflictions caused by malevolent forces, and “qí liǎng” for gathering clouds. These characters are used with talismanic methods in rites to summon thunder, pray for clear weather, dispel harmful spirits, and bring rain.

“Format of the proclamation” gives the form for submitting a petition to a Heavenly Lord. The recitation repeatedly says, “Your disciple, so-and-so, bows before the Heavenly Lord”: the disciple gives their surname and pays obeisance to the Heavenly Lord. Incantatory syllables such as “om, hum, du ji li” are interspersed, along with a request for the Heavenly Lord to receive the proclamation and carry out the command. “What response is sought” states the matter being requested and the hoped-for reply. The year, month, day, and time are filled in to show when the petition is presented.

The proclamation is written in vermilion ink on blue paper. The paper is eight cun high; its width is set according to the year’s prescribed measure: one chi and three cun when the year’s gate is in the larger measure, and one chi and two cun when it is in the smaller measure. On yang days, leave six cun blank at the front of the paper before writing the talisman. On yin days, leave six cun blank after the year and month before writing it. The final heading, “Format of the covering,” indicates that the following section explains the cover used to seal the proclamation.

The Talisman Method of the Tiangang Commander for Driving Away Malign Forces and Retreating Earth

Principal commander

The Great Deity who commands the Tiangang, drives away malign forces, and retreats from the earth when ground is broken is Marshal Zhao, named Jingshi.

▲ Incarnation of the Jade Emperor; incarnation of Zhi Laojun: red hair, blue-green face, golden eyes, wearing a Tianding crown, a large hat, a red robe, golden armor, and vermilion boots, and wielding a sword.

Earth-retreating talisman

(The Jade Emperor commands: use the Jade Finger Secret / Visualize this character shining with dazzling golden light)

(The Most High has commanded the earth / Transform it into blue-green jade; dispel its malign influence)

(Dust mote: pinch the secret / Jade Finger Secret) (Drive malign forces from every direction; purify the earth so that all is level and even / Write each character in sequence; do not invert it) (Earth / Office)

(Malign spirits, rise swiftly and settle in the forbidden quarter; the malign / character must not take visible form; begin the stroke at the Si position) (Upper Origin General, Middle / Origin General, Lower Origin)

(General) Five (the Five Phases are without taboo; pinch at the Zi, / Wu, Mao, and You positions; write the malefic sign) Phases (What malefic influence / dares to proceed?) Malefic (Settle / Rise)

You, malefic influences of Heaven and Earth, of the year, month, day, and hour; Guanghan above the house, the Hidden Dragon beneath the earth; wandering fates that collide with the pass; Tai Sui and the Nine Good Ones; the Day’s Duty Officer, the Registrar, the Southern Judge, the Northern Strongman; the three hundred and sixty great malefic influences and the four hundred and seventy lesser ones; and the Earth Office’s Lord of Merit and Rank, the two thousand stones beneath the earth—each and every one of you:

(All divine spirits and taboos, malign or otherwise / At the talisman’s arrival, settle swiftly and rise away)

(Open Heaven’s Gate, close Earth’s Door, leave the human gate open / Block the road of ghosts, pierce their hearts, break their bellies)

(All spirits of the Earth Office / At the talisman’s command, settle swiftly and rise away)

Water (Heaven One generates Water; it corresponds to the kidneys / Northern Qi enters Water; next, pinch the secret) (Zi / sign)

Fire (Earth Two generates Fire; it corresponds to the heart / Southern Qi enters Fire; Wu sign)

Wood (Heaven Three generates Wood; the liver / corresponds; Eastern Qi enters Wood) (Next, pinch the secret / Mao sign)

Metal (Earth Four generates Metal; the lungs correspond / Western Qi enters Metal; You sign)

Earth (Heaven Five generates Earth / the spleen corresponds to Kun and Gen) (Qi enters Earth; pinch / the Jade sign as you enter)

Generation and overcoming (Malign spirits, settle swiftly; auspicious stars will approach / Malign spirits, rise swiftly; auspicious stars will approach)

With the first turn, gather the Earth Lord; with the second turn, gather the Earth Mother; with the third turn, gather the uncles and aunts…

Brief explanation for understanding the talisman formula

Tiangang: A divine general transformed from the Pojun star among the seven stars of the Northern Dipper, often serving as commander to suppress malign influences and drive away evil.

Retreating earth: Before breaking or turning the ground, invoke the deities to withdraw and purify the site, avoiding conflict with the malign influences and spirits of the Earth Office.

Marshal Zhao / Jingshi: The name and title of the principal commander here. He is depicted as an incarnation of the Jade Emperor and Laojun, wielding a sword to pacify the earth.

Pinching the secret: While performing the talisman rite, use the fingers to form secret signs corresponding to directions and times. These are used together with the “Jade Finger Secret.”

“Open Heaven’s Gate, close Earth’s Door,” and similar phrases: Formulas used in Daoist Zhaijiao rites to open and close the gates of the three realms, block the road of ghosts, and pacify the Earth Office.

Heaven One through Heaven Five: A numerological system matching the Five Phases with the five internal organs, five directions, and five kinds of Qi. They enter the talisman in the order Water, Fire, Wood, Metal, Earth.

Malefic influence: Harmful spirits associated with the year, month, day, hour, or direction. Before breaking ground, they must each be pacified or avoided.

The passages above give the general sense of the text, arranged in modern language. The original marks many writing directions, stroke orders, and prohibitions in parentheses. Practitioners must consult the complete version transmitted by their teacher and should not write the talisman on the basis of this excerpt alone.

(Steps for Applying the Talisman and Incantation)

Fifth turn: gather in the descendants. Sixth turn: gather in the retinue of the Earth Bureau. Seventh turn: conceal and subdue the Six Spirits.

Gather in the lawless evil spirits among the Six Heavens, as well as the fifteen kinds of underworld ghosts whose heads and feet have been severed.

(Any fierce gods and baleful spirits of the Earth Bureau who disobey the command and refuse to submit shall all be escorted beneath Kui and Gang and put to death. They must not move recklessly. Let all be done in accordance with the law.)

(The divine generals Kui Xing, Dragon, Bi, Piao, and others guard the Tiger-Horse and Dipper positions. The seven stars Tanlang, Jumen, Lucun, Wenqu, Lian Zhen, Wuqu, and Pojun guard the Rat-Horse and Dipper positions. The divine generals on the right are without taboo.)

The divine generals on the right take up the talisman and swiftly carry out the command; the demon-beheading general on the left takes up the talisman and swiftly departs.

By the talismanic command of the Most High: carry it out with all haste! Fierce spirits of the Earth Bureau, act in accordance with this command!

By decree of the Jade Emperor!

(Using the Talisman Once It Is Complete)

After the talisman on the right has been written, enter the phrases “settle,” “raise,” “treat,” and “gather/poison.”

Draw the Five Qi—the original energies of Wood, Metal, Water, Fire, and Earth—into the talisman. Set it in motion and apply it; simply smear it on.

• If settling the earth, that is, establishing the Earth God’s place, recite: “Each spirit, keep to your forbidden boundary and securely guard your quarter.”
• If raising the earth, that is, breaking ground for construction, recite: “At the arrival of the talisman, all must quickly withdraw.”
• If, on the day the work is completed, you return to guard the forbidden place, recite: “Gather in the afflicted body, the earth poison and earth Qi; restore life and return. Turn misfortune into good fortune, and calamity into blessing.”

The practitioner visualizes: the Lord on High sends down golden light, which enters the talisman.

(Incantation for Empowering the Talisman)

It issues from the central ancestor; Wu and Ji belong to Earth. A hundred evils dare not approach; all things scatter completely. The Nine Luminaries conceal my body. The Yellow River flows backward; in midwinter the leaves wither and turn yellow. All the spirits take refuge in me; the gods of the Earth Bureau guard my mount. At the Bull’s mouth, demons from the eight directions flee. The little ghosts see me—do not provoke my anger. I open my eyes and look around; all baleful forces retreat. I issue my command from the center; all things must be made to hide. The divine seal shines upon them all; beneath the seal, they turn to blood.

Om—by the Dharani of the Great Flaming Light, command and subdue! With all haste, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances!

(Incantation for Dispatching the Talisman)

Heaven is round, Earth is square; the six pitch pipes and nine chapters. Heaven has nine stars; Earth has nine auspicious powers. The talismanic command suppresses the earth; the earth’s baleful forces perish!

Six Jia and six Yi command the earth to withdraw (when settling/raising);

Six Bing and six Ding command the earth to withdraw of its own accord (stop/settle);

Six Wu and six Ji command the earth to stop of its own accord (settle/raise);

Six Geng and six Xin command the earth Qi to cease contention;

Six Ren and six Gui command the earth Qi to become wet of its own accord (settle/raise).

Earth Duke, Earth Mother, earth goblin, earth spirit—I know your surname; I know your name!

Plain-Language Interpretation

Words for healing a sickness (say):

Gather in all harmful spirits and influences, and make them quickly leave the afflicted person. (For pacifying the ground, say:) Each remain at your assigned post. Do not recklessly bring about calamity or harm the living.

Words for breaking ground (say):

Withdraw at once for a short while. When the work is finished, return to your proper place, and do not cause alarm or offense. Go swiftly with the talisman; do not delay. If you disobey my command, you defy the Most High Clarity. Hasten, in accordance with the decree of the Jade Emperor.

The method above:

To treat an illness, write on blue paper with cinnabar ink and send down a square document. Then perform the prescribed offering to the earth, gathering back the earth Qi associated with the sick person. Also take peach wood or catalpa wood, peel one side, write the talisman on it, and nail it in front of the sick person’s bed. To break ground, write the talisman document on yellow paper. If the disturbance is extensive, perform the offering ceremony before breaking ground. To pacify the ground, write the talisman document on a large sheet of paper, make an offering, and pacify it. Alternatively, make and use talismans for the Five Directions, calling out: “The Great Dao is originally empty and formless—where could spirits and baleful influences be? Move east and become west; move south and become north; move above and become below. Turn heaven upside down and earth over. All spirits and baleful influences must flee far away at once. Hasten, in accordance with the decree.”

Talisman of the Central Palace Earth Constellation

“Om, Duolu, Di, Sha, Svaha.” (One: Rahu; two: the Earth Constellation; three: Venus; four: Mercury; five: the Sun; six: Mars; seven: Ketu; eight: the Moon; nine: Jupiter; the stars of the ten directions and all spirits are gathered in.) Each stroke represents the name of a star; together they form this secret character.

Next, (visualize the Spleen Qi rising to the Niwan Palace, transforming the Earth Constellation into golden characters, and entering the talisman.) “The Great Sage of the Central Palace, Earth Constellation, commands: all ghosts tremble with fear upon hearing this.” Clad in yellow robes and shining with light, he stands tall, holding the seal, with both eyes closed. At times he holds the Central Palace seal in his hand; all demons and evil influences then turn to clotted blood.

He travels through the world, gathering in all evil influences. “The Great Sage of the Central Palace, Earth Constellation, commands.” Then recite: “At the first turn, gather in the City God; at the second, the local earth gods; at the third, the family ancestors of three generations; at the fourth, the demons and ghosts of the four worlds; at the fifth, the five pestilences and poisons; at the sixth, the demons of the six caves; at the seventh, the calamities and baleful influences of the Seven Stars; at the eighth, the evil Qi of the eight directions; at the ninth, the local spirits of the nine provinces; at the tenth, make heaven and earth, sun and moon, all shine clear.”

Explanation:

This text belongs to Daoist talismanic and ritual practice. Healing illness, breaking ground, and pacifying the ground each involve particular papers, offerings, and spoken invocations. The “Talisman of the Central Palace Earth Constellation” is accompanied by visualizing the Spleen Qi rising to the Niwan Palace, transforming the Earth Constellation into golden characters, and entering the talisman. Its ten successive turns gather in the City God, local earth gods, ancestors, demons, pestilence, and other forces. This is a typical ritual for averting calamity, curing illness, breaking ground, and pacifying a dwelling.

Plain-Language Explanation

Using the Talisman and Hand Seal

Write the talisman shown on the right on yellow paper with a cinnabar brush, then paste it onto the front of the formal petition. Next, form the “Ox-Head Hand Seal”: pinch the middle finger, bend the middle and index fingers, extend the third and fourth fingers, and keep the second and fifth fingers straight. At the same time, recite the Golden Light Incantation to dispatch it.

Incantation for Commanding the Talisman (Incantation to Restrain Disturbances of the Earth)

Heaven is round, Earth is square; the six pitch standards and nine divisions are set. Heaven has four pillars; Earth has nine auspicious positions. Let the baleful spirits and earthly Qi each return to their respective directions. If they act against me, I will prosper; if they act against others, they will bring them harm. Whoever trespasses against me will suffer the consequences in return. Let the earth be restrained and subdued, and the people live in peace and health. Hasten and comply with the statutes and commands.

Format of a Petition for Breaking Ground (Formal petition format for construction or other ground-breaking work)

The Office of Thunder’s Authority issues this petition to the Lords of the Five Directions and Five Earths, and to all the gods and baleful spirits of the Earthly Bureau:

This Office respectfully cites the edict of the Celestial Law of Nüqing: In the first month of the first year of Yongshou, on the sixth day, the Celestial Master of the Han dynasty made a covenant at the Lutang sanctuary with the General of the Grand Year and the Lady of Great Yin, sealing it by breaking a stone. They were forbidden to confine the people of the world as they moved or built, and thus bring calamity upon them. Now, according to the statement submitted by a certain person, who fears having offended them and asks to avert and report the matter, this Office cannot refuse the request. We therefore issue this advance notice, respectfully asking you to withdraw and avoid the site, and to cause no further harm. Since the matter concerns an occupation of the site, this petition is hereby issued.

Upon receipt of this petition, please consider the matter carefully and comply with urgency.

The Celestial Master’s instructions and admonition declare: Tu Gong Chen Yaxian, Ye Ziliang, and Zhang Zigui; Huo Xue He Mingbo; the spirits of the Six Jia, the spirits of the birth destiny, fixed destiny, and life destiny; the Official Talisman of Lin Jingzong; the Death Talisman of Li Mingzhang; the Sickness Talisman of Xie Qiang; Wu Zicong; the Nine Liang Star Spirits and baleful influences; the Metal Spirit; the Seven Killings; the Three Killings of the year; the Yellow Banner; the Leopard’s Tail; the General of the Grand Year; Ox Yellow; Horse Yellow; the Yellow Spirits of men and women; the greater and lesser Yin and Yang; the deity of the Earth beneath the Month Builder, with an allotment of two thousand shi; the three hundred and sixty great baleful spirits; the one hundred and twenty lesser baleful spirits; the Mourning Gate; the Funeral Guest; and the male and female spirits of illness. Let all gods and baleful forces, in accordance with the primordial talismanic command of the Primordial Beginning, withdraw at once and depart to another region. When the work is complete, let them return and resume their proper places, keeping the region secure. Any who disobey will be executed; any who trespass will be punished. Obey this command with urgency, so that people and property may prosper and remain secure. Thus is this petition issued.

Petition dated [year, month, day, and hour]

Issued by [rank and office], surname [name], signed

The Great Master of the Ancestral Patriarch’s Law, Celestial Master of Orthodox Unity, True Lord of Quiet Response, who supports and teaches the Three Heavens

Format of a Petition for Releasing an Earth Offense (Formal petition format for seeking relief after violating an earth prohibition)

The Office of Thunder’s Authority issues this petition to the Lords of the Five Directions and Five Earths, and to all the gods and baleful spirits of the Earthly Bureau:

This Office respectfully cites… (The opening follows the same structure as the first part of the petition for breaking ground. It uses standard wording to say that someone submitted a petition, fears having caused an offense, and asks that the matter be reported and averted. The text then continues with the names of specific gods and admonitions, in a format similar to the petition for breaking ground, and is used specifically to “release an earth offense.”)

Notes (for understanding the ritual context)

• Petition (die): A document written like an official government paper, used in Daoist ritual liturgy to summon or notify gods and baleful spirits.
• Breaking ground (qi tu): Disturbing the earth’s veins through construction, digging foundations, building a house, or preparing a burial site.
• Offending the earth / releasing an earth offense: If construction conflicts with the earth prohibitions of the Five Earth Gods, the Grand Year, the Three Killings, and other forces, a petition must be issued in advance or afterward to seek relief.
• Celestial Master of the Han dynasty, the Lutang sanctuary, and the covenant sealed by breaking a stone: These refer to a legend attributed to Zhang Daoling, also known as the Celestial Master, who lived in the Eastern Han. At Mount Lutang, he is said to have made a covenant forbidding gods and baleful spirits from arbitrarily harming people who were building.
• Lords of the Five Directions and Five Earths, and the gods and baleful spirits of the Earthly Bureau: The deities associated with the land and underworld in the five directions—east, south, west, north, and center. Those named in the text include various earth gods, baleful stars, and spirits of mourning and illness. The petition asks them to “withdraw to another region and return to their proper places when the work is complete,” so that they do not harm people or livestock or obstruct the work.

A Plain-Language Reading of Pearls Left in the Ocean of the Dharma

Edict of the Celestial Statutes of Nüqing (excerpt)

Background

On the sixth day of the first month of the first year of Yongshou, a Celestial Master of the Han dynasty made a pact at the Lutang zhi, a Daoist administrative seat and ritual site, with the General of the Great Year, the Lady of Great Yin, and others. They swore an oath by breaking a stone: no one was to be arbitrarily confined or prevented from moving, or from going about daily life. Those who later violated this pact and recklessly interfered with people’s homes could easily invite calamity. The text below follows this statute and serves to petition for relief from misfortune.

Reason for the petition (the afflicted household’s account)

A certain household states that on a certain day—rendered here as “a certain day” because the original gives no specific date—it carried out construction work, breaking ground, or a relocation. Yet it did not distinguish the Yin-Yang positions—that is, whether the house, its orientation, and the timing accorded with Yin-Yang taboos and auspicious practices—nor did it know the directions of the spirits and baleful influences, such as the Year Breaker, the Three Killings, or the Great Year. It fears that it may have violated the baleful influences of the year, the punishment of the month, an inauspicious hour, or an ill-omened day; secretly encroached upon the Earth Office, the spirit governing what lies underground and the foundations of a home; and offended the numinous authorities who oversee fortune and misfortune. As a result, calamities have gradually arisen and illnesses have come one after another. The household is constantly afraid and cannot find peace by day. It therefore begs Heaven to grant deliverance and relief from calamity, and asks the officials of this ritual office to present the petition on its behalf.

The Celestial Master issues talismans (official authorization)

Heaven proclaims transformation, aids all things, and benefits people. Since the petition has been received, it cannot be dismissed or denied. In addition to providing talismanic decrees and sacred water, and instructing the afflicted person to swallow and wear them, and to affix them at the household entrance for protection, an official dispatch is also to be issued—

Upon receipt of this dispatch, comply with its instructions at once.

Text of the dispatch (commanding the baleful influences to withdraw)

The Celestial Master instructs and warns:

The Earth Lords Chen Yaxian, Ye Ziliang, and Zhang Zigui; the Fire-Blood spirit He Mingbo; the Six Jia spirits of one’s birth destiny; the spirits that strike, determine, and seize one’s destiny; the official talisman of Lin Jingzong; the death talisman of Li Mingzhang; the illness talisman of Xie Qiang; Wu Zicong; the Nine Baleful Stars; the Metal Spirit; the Seven Killings; the Three Killings of the year; the Yellow Banner and Leopard Tail; the General of the Great Year; the Ox Yellow and Horse Yellow; the Yellow influence affecting men and women; the greater and lesser Yin and Yang; the Monthly Establishment; the spirits of the two thousand piculs beneath the earth; the three hundred and sixty great baleful influences; the one hundred and twenty lesser baleful influences; the Gate of Mourning and Hanging Guest; the male and female spirits that cause wasting illness; and all other evil spirits and baleful influences—

In reverent obedience to the talismanic command of the Primordial Beginning, all are ordered to leave the restricted directions at once. They must not remain in possession of those places or recklessly cause calamity. They must also immediately gather in and contain the toxic Qi that causes illness, so that the afflicted person may soon recover and be at peace.

If the year, month, day, or hour is inauspicious, further instructions shall likewise be issued in accordance with this command.

The celestial talisman turns misfortune into good fortune and transforms calamity into blessing. The household may temporarily take shelter elsewhere and then return to its original home, where the four directions and corners are to be pacified and protected. Those who disobey will be subject to the statute; those who offend will be punished. Carry this out at once.

This dispatch is issued for the benefit of people and to ensure that humans and spirits each remain at peace in their proper place.

Dispatch issued at the stated year, month, day, and hour.

Signed and sealed by the ritual official, so-and-so.

Closing signature

The Perfected Lord Zhang, Patriarch of the Three Heavens, Upholder of the Teachings, Orthodox Unity, Quiet Response, and Manifest Blessing—a title referring to Zhang Tianshi and the founding patriarchs of the Zhengyi tradition.

Reading note (not part of the original)

This is a Daoist document petitioning for relief from calamity. It first describes illness arising after construction or relocation violated directional taboos and offended spirits and baleful influences. It then records the Celestial Master issuing talismanic water and a dispatch, naming and commanding the Earth Lords, the Great Year, the Three Killings, the Gate of Mourning, the Hanging Guest, and other baleful spirits to withdraw, while also containing the toxic Qi. Its language draws on the Han-dynasty Celestial Masters’ pact at the Lutang zhi and the Zhengyi tradition of Fulu (talismans and registers). It also connects with popular practices of choosing auspicious dates, protecting homes, and treating illness. The explanations in parentheses are brief notes on technical terms, provided to help readers unfamiliar with classical Chinese follow the general meaning.