《道法會元》Vol. 103

This scripture records the "Four Seas Rain Prayer" method from Daoist Thunder Magic (Leifa) practice, specifically detailing how to invoke rainfall through thunder rituals.

The text first explains four categories of thunder deities governing the cosmos: Celestial Thunder (Xu Huang Tai Hua), Fire Thunder (Dong Yang You Ling), Wind Thunder (Yu Lei Hao Shi), and Water Thunder (Huo Guang Liu Jing), each presiding over thunder and rain in different directions. Though fundamentally identical, these thunder deities manifest differently according to their directional rotations. The scripture clarifies this classification differs from the popular folk taxonomy of Five Thunders (Celestial, Divine, Fire, Dragon, and Demonic Thunder).

Successful rain invocation requires three prerequisites: sincere virtuous intention, mastery of the "Primordial Thunder Mudra" (Yuan Zhen Jue), and a foundation of pure cultivation. Practitioners must first eliminate five afflictions (Wu Lei), calm their minds, recite the Yuanshi Ling Shu scripture a thousand times daily, while simultaneously ingesting "Spirit-Binding Talismans" (Jie Shen Fu).

The operational procedure involves: On one's Destiny Day (a Daoist significant date corresponding to birth), sit facing east while forming the "Jade Emperor Mudra," then draw sixty "Dispelling Knot Talismans" (San Jie Fu) with cinnabar on plain paper. Each day, face east to select one talisman, perform the mudra, and recite incantations summoning divine protection while dispelling malign influences.

After chanting, maintain focused awareness until saliva accumulates in the "Mysterious Palate" (Xuan Ying). Inhale pure Qi through the nose, swallow it, click teeth thrice, then recite the middle chapter of Yuanshi Ling Shu a thousand times. The entire process demands strict ritual adherence.

This passage reflects the Daoist Thunder Magic principle of "Heaven-Human resonance," where specific rites facilitate communication with natural forces. The described talismans, mudras, and visualization techniques constitute essential components of Daoist ritual practice.

This passage explains the application methods and related rituals for several Daoist talismans (Fulu). First are two Thunder Method talismans—the Square Image Talisman and the Round Scene Talisman. When thunder first rumbles, one should sit upright facing east, inhale the thunder Qi (Lei Qi), swallow it, and then use this energy to draw the talismans. These talismans can cure all illnesses. If one enters a meditation chamber (Jing) at dawn on the Dragon Boat Festival and writes these two talismans on a four-and-a-half-inch silk ribbon, then casts them into a water source in the northeast at noon while visualizing the descent of deities from all directions, one may perceive their profound mysteries.

Next is the method for setting up an altar to pray for rain: the altar must be positioned in the direction of the Year Star (Taisui). Deity images corresponding to the four directions—Qian (Heaven), Kun (Earth), Gen (Mountain), and Xun (Wind)—should be drawn accordingly. Place a water urn before each deity, polish one side of four new bricks, and inscribe four talismans with cinnabar before casting them into the respective urns. Only with sincere focus can one establish resonance with the deities. Then, sit upright and recite the incantation, which invokes celestial beings such as the Heavenly Origin Sea God and the Azure Elder Tiger Mother, as well as natural forces like wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, concluding with the phrase: "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the decree of the Supreme Unity Primordial Lord!"

Following this are seven powerful divine talismans, including the Lightning Radiance Talisman and the Fire Script Talisman, capable of subduing water spirits. These can be layered onto a single talisman, inscribed with cinnabar on an iron plate, and cast into deep pools or caves inhabited by dragons to influence weather conditions. To dispel water demons, the talisman should bear the inscription: "By decree, annihilate the poisonous dragon and water fiends!"

Lastly, the method for using the Four Directions Thunder Talismans is described, using the Eastern Barbarian Thunder Talisman as an example: it must be written with cinnabar on blue paper. When burned, recite the incantation summoning the "Eastern Jade Treasure Cloud Thunder Great Deity," who wears golden armor and wields a divine spear, capable of exorcising demons and ghosts. Wherever this talisman reaches, malevolent forces will vanish. The Southern Thunder Talisman follows a similar pattern, invoking the "Southern Mystic Truth Lightning Great Deity," who holds a wheel of fire and likewise causes all demons to flee. Each talisman concludes with the phrase: "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the law and decree!"

This scripture documents the methods for drawing and employing Daoist ritual talismans (fulu, magical diagrams with spiritual power), primarily focusing on exorcism rituals for the eight cardinal directions (four primary and four secondary). Each direction corresponds to a specific Thunder Deity (Daoist divinities governing thunder and lightning) and uses specially colored talisman paper:

For the southern direction, red paper is used with cinnabar inscriptions. Burning this talisman brings immediate efficacy. The incantation summons the Thunder Deity "Western Barbarian Thunder, White Child Gengzhen," described as capable of dispersing mountain spirits and specters (chimei). Wherever this divine talisman reaches, malignant ghosts instantly dissipate.

The northern direction employs black paper with cinnabar inscriptions. The incantation references the "Northern Barbarian Thunder, Renzi Hezhen Talisman." This Thunder Deity commands wind and rain, traverses heaven and earth, specializing in beheading vicious ghosts and sealing the Ghost Gate.

Northeastern talismans use white paper with cinnabar. The corresponding Thunder Deity "General Chen" can harness Daoist Qi (primordial energy) to unite with the true Dao, swiftly exorcising demons and annihilating spirit entities.

Southeastern talismans similarly use white paper with cinnabar. The Thunder Deity "Flaming Stone" excels at controlling blazing fire, capable of reducing demons and goblins to ashes. The phrase "radiant numinous majesty" in the incantation refers to the awe-inspiring power of luminous deities.

Southwestern rituals uniquely require white paper with ink inscriptions (unlike the cinnabar used elsewhere). The Thunder Deity "Golden Bianqing" is empowered by the Nine Qi (nine primordial energies), enabling penetration of both Yin and Yang realms to capture evil spirits and protect living beings.

Northwestern talismans use white paper with cinnabar. The Thunder Deity "Wandering One" possesses myriad transformations, commanding celestial troops (huoluo heavenly soldiers) to expel evil and slay monsters while safeguarding households and nations. The incantation emphasizes that upon encountering this talisman, malignant entities immediately dissolve.

Each talisman concludes with the standard Daoist incantation phrase "urgently, urgently, in accordance with statutes and ordinances," signifying the immediate execution of divine commands. These talismans are primarily employed for exorcism, ghost suppression, and life protection rituals, with specific talismans selected according to directional attributes and activated through burning to manifest divine power.