《高上神霄玉清真王紫書大法》Vol. 6

This scripture primarily details the ritual protocols and incantations used by the Shenxiao lineage (an important Song Dynasty Daoist school) for summoning celestial soldiers and divine generals. It begins by listing two supreme commanders of heavenly troops: Marshal Wang Yanwen and Marshal Wang Yanze, followed by a complete summoning incantation.

The incantation conveys this essential meaning: By the mandate of the Jade Clarity True King of Shenxiao (a revered Daoist deity), I wield the Golden Talisman of the Jade Emperor to establish this ritual altar in accordance with cosmic laws. Through wearing sacred talismans (fulu) and reciting scriptures, one may summon the Nine Heavens' Directors of Fate and the Immortals of the Nine Heavens, mobilizing the powers of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning while commanding all deities under heaven to serve this sacred cause.

The text particularly emphasizes that each deity governs specific domains: the Thunder Department's celestial officials wield authority over lightning's majesty, while wind-fire deities control natural forces. Practitioners must maintain bodily and mental purity when summoning these beings, with severe punishments decreed for those who divulge celestial secrets.

Subsequently, the scripture elaborates on four great marshals and their responsibilities: the Marshal of the Central Altar commands all ritual troops; the Marshal of Battlefield Strategy directs combat operations; the Marshal of Water Governance oversees floods and water calamities; and the Marshal of Fire Administration regulates conflagrations and fiery phenomena. Each general corresponds to specific mudras (hand seals, known as chenwen) and directional energies (Xun Qi representing the southeast), requiring targeted breath techniques (qi projection) for proper summoning. These practices reflect Daoism's ritual methods—employing ceremonies, incantations, and mudras—to harness natural and cosmic forces in cultivation.

This scripture describes the celestial generals and their respective duties within the Shenxiao (Divine Empyrean) tradition of Daoism. These generals serve as divine officials within the Jade Mansion of Divine Empyrean (神霄玉府), overseeing various cosmic and worldly affairs:

The General Who Governs Pernicious Winds (掌管风邪的大将军) manages harmful winds and epidemic Qi (气) in the mortal realm (active from Yin to Chen hours, operating through the interaction of Yin-Yang energies). The General of Cloud Qi (云气大将军), an official in charge of cloud-related affairs within the Divine Empyrean Mansion, oversees all celestial beings responsible for cloud formation, Qi distribution, mist creation, and rainfall (active during Si hour, governed by the energy of the Xun trigram). The General of Seasonal Nodes (节气大将军) presides over the auspicious and inauspicious transformations of the twenty-four solar terms throughout the four seasons (active during Mao hour, directed by the Qi of the Eastern direction). The General of Rainfall (降雨大将军) commands all rain deities, regulating droughts and floods (active from Zi to Chou hours, governed by Northwestern Qi).

The General of Punishment (刑罚大将军) administers retribution for worldly transgressions—filial impiety, rebellion, wickedness, and murder (invoked by forming a mudra with the middle finger). The General of Procreation (生育大将军) oversees human fertility, children's destinies, and familial prosperity (active during Chen hour, governed by Xun trigram Qi). The General of Illness (疾病大将军) presides over all diseases and calamities (also active during Chen hour under Xun Qi influence).

The General of Inspection (监察大将军) holds ledgers recording accumulated human misdeeds (not to be summoned lightly). The General of Transformations (变化大将军) issues official documents from the Divine Empyrean Mansion. The General of Judgment (审判大将军) determines fortunes and misfortunes. The General of Toxin Expulsion (驱毒大将军) heals sores and pains. The Generals of Plague-Slaying (斩瘟大将军) and Fiery Bell (火铃大将军) eradicate pestilence. The Generals of Name-Returning (回名大将军), Swift Action (急速大将军), and Reverse Movement (返行大将军) are all swift-acting divine warriors (all invoked by forming the Chen-hour mudra to activate Xun trigram Qi).

The scripture concludes by explaining the proper method for employing these generals: one must draw the appropriate talismans (符箓) specifying the purpose, silently recite the Spirit-Gathering Incantation (kept strictly secret), and dispatch the generals to handle matters—ensuring efficacy. The Left Mystic Minister of Purity (左玄真卿) of the Supreme Divine Empyrean tradition mentions that all divine officers—from Soul-Capturing Officials to Scout Cavalry Generals—may be employed for life-saving, fire-extinguishing, plague-expelling, evil-slaying, and temple-destroying purposes.

This scripture records the ritual procedures of exorcism and healing from the Shenxiao lineage (one of Daoism's major schools). The practitioner must first purify the mind through zhaijie (Daoist purification rituals) and concentrate before the altar to invoke divine presence. Specific techniques include forming hand seals (finger mudras), reciting master incantations, drawing fulu (talismans) with accompanying chants, then burning the talismans to summon deities who descend immediately.

The methods for capturing and interrogating evil spirits involve specialized divine generals:

• Write talismanic inscriptions with cinnabar on yellow paper
• Place the paper on the patient's head and burn it
• Recite commanding incantations while exhaling qi (vital energy)

For expelling or capturing malevolent entities, practitioners draw qi from the Northern direction, as exorcism rituals require banishing evils back to the North.

The text enumerates key divine generals and their functions:

• Wang Wenxuan serves as Supreme Commander, Ding Zhonggui as General of Unified Forces
• Wang Yan and Zhao Zhongming govern water and fire respectively
• Feng Hao and Dong Long command wind and clouds
• Zhai De and Ding Zongcheng regulate qi and rainfall
• Jiang Deyou presides over execution, Liu Tong over vitality
• Ding Zongsheng manages illnesses, Ma Sheng specializes in ghost capture
• Chen Meng binds evil, Zhuang Dejiang interrogates spirits
• Zhao Hou destroys shrines, Yuan Zhen subdues demons
• Ying Suyuan binds dragons, Ding Youzhong investigates deceit
• Lu Huayuan inspects wickedness, Zhang Gongming retrieves souls
• Wu Li oversees imprisonment, Ma Wen authorizes release
• Cui Gangzhong conducts cross-examinations, Zhang Guang excels in transformations

Each general is summoned with specific incantations. For example, to invoke the Supreme Commander:

"By decree of the Jade Purity King of Divine Empyrean, we summon the Supreme Commander and General of Unified Forces to descend swiftly to this altar, manifesting immediately upon this talismanic command." Every chant concludes by emphasizing obedience to the "Supreme Divine Empyrean Jade Purity King's sacred statutes."

Special mention is made of invoking the authentic qi of Han Junzhangren (a high-ranking general from the Jade Purity Heaven) and the urgent descent of the Ascending Heaven General. These deities form a complete hierarchical system for exorcism, each fulfilling distinct roles within the sacred operation.

This scripture documents the divine generals and talismanic methods employed by the Shenxiao lineage (a major Daoist school of the Song dynasty) for exorcism and healing. It first enumerates sixteen Great Generals, each with specific functions: General Wen Tong specializes in eliminating corpse toxins, General Chen Qing eradicates epidemics, while General Meng Hao captures supernatural creatures.

Following this is the "Spirit-Summoning Incantation," a mantra to invoke these generals. Its essence declares: "By the decree of the Jade Clarity True King of Shenxiao (a revered Daoist deity), I command celestial and earthly spirits to hunt malevolent entities, eradicate plagues and baleful influences, punish evildoers, and uphold righteousness. These spirits must act immediately upon receiving my talismanic order without delay. Heavenly deities, numinous officers, and celestial troops shall all obey my directives."

The operational method involves: First inscribing the intended purpose on talisman paper. While reciting the incantation, the practitioner exhales Qi (vital energy) onto the paper before burning it. With eyes closed in deep concentration, one visualizes the true form of the general descending. Then reverently invites a specific general with their retinue to the ritual altar, concluding with the phrase "By the Imperial Command of the Exalted Shenxiao King."

In application, the practitioner may exhale toward the patient or affected area (Daoist tradition holds that breath transmits spiritual power), or direct the ritual sword while shouting the activating word "Swift!" Thirteen specialized "True Talismans" are subsequently listed—such as the Troop-Commanding Talisman, Water-Dominating Talisman, and Fire-Controlling Talisman—each governing distinct natural forces and functions including rainfall, life-and-death decisions, healing, and ghost capture. These Fulu (talismans and registers) serve to mobilize corresponding divine powers for problem resolution in Daoist ritual practice.

This passage records the authentic talismanic titles of twenty-eight Dharma-protecting deities as documented in the sixth volume of The Purple Script Great Method of the Jade Purity True King of Supreme Divine Empyrean. Each deity has specific responsibilities related to subduing demons, exorcising evil, and healing diseases.

The Dragon-Binding General specializes in subduing malevolent dragons; the Evil-Hunting General tracks down treacherous beings; the Vice-Inspecting General investigates wicked deeds; the Soul-Summoning General retrieves wandering spirits; the Prison-Ruling General governs the underworld; the Absolution General grants clemency for sins; the Judgment General presides over fair trials; the Transformation General possesses myriad shapeshifting abilities; the Corpse-Severing General eliminates walking corpses; the Epidemic-Cutting General (referring to contagious diseases) prevents plagues; the Spirit-Capturing General subdues supernatural creatures; the Poison-Neutralizing General counteracts toxic afflictions; the Plague-Slaying General specializes in curing epidemics; the Wound-Healing General treats injuries; the Righteous-Upholding General supports orthodox teachings; the Evil-Dispelling General banishes malign influences; the Altar-Guarding General protects ritual spaces; the Ulcer-Curing General heals festering wounds; the Calamity-Relieving General averts disasters; the Swift-Action General moves with lightning speed; the Fire-Bell General wields fiery implements; the Ghost-Chariot General commands spectral troops; the Name-Recalling General retrieves true names; the Spell-Reversing General counters dark magic; the Mountain-Sealing General guards sacred peaks; the Ocean-Entering General governs aquatic beings; and the Scout-Cavalry General oversees reconnaissance patrols.

These generals serve under the Jade Purity True King of Supreme Divine Empyrean (a revered Daoist deity who governs the Thunder Ministry). Each has corresponding authentic talismans (Fulu) that Daoist priests may invoke during rituals to seek their assistance. These talismans are employed in Daoist magical practices for exorcism, healing, and upholding the righteous Dao.