《道法會元》Vol. 126

This scripture records a set of Daoist thunder ritual incantations known as the "Thunder Method of the Nine Provinces' Earthly Decrees," primarily used for exorcism and summoning thunder deities. The complete ritual consists of multiple stages of incantations:

The first is the "Altar-Consecration Incantation," invoking various deities to protect the ritual space. The deities mentioned include: Primordial Lao-Jun (the highest Daoist divinity), the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water, the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Great Rivers, the Sun, Moon, and Five Planets, the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, and the Thirty-Six Thunder Gods. The incantation commands these deities to safeguard the practitioner and eradicate evil spirits and demons.

Next is the "Altar-Purification Incantation," which uses purified water to cleanse the ritual platform. The incantation states that the water secretly contains the Big Dipper and the Three Platforms (important Daoist asterisms), and that sprinkling it drives away misfortune while attracting blessings.

The "Altar-Opening Incantation" formally commences the ritual. It summons deities like the Sea God of Celestial Origin and the Azure Tiger Mother, along with the gods of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning, commanding them to act swiftly. The phrase "the dragon ascends to the ninth-five position" alludes to imperial authority, symbolizing supreme power.

The "Talisman-Dispatching Incantation" sends forth talismanic decrees. Drawing on the formidable might of dragons, tigers, wind, clouds, thunder, and lightning, it emphasizes the compulsory nature of the decree—violators will be struck by thunder. "By command of the Supreme Deity" indicates these actions are carried out under the highest divine authority.

The final sections are "Secret Incantations," using special syllables to summon the thunder pantheon. These incantations contain unique phonetic elements like "Om, Chi, Duo, Zha," which are distinctive esoteric phrases in Daoist thunder methods. They list dozens of thunder generals by name—such as Kang Yao, Liu De, and Lü Kui—commanding them to appear immediately and obey orders.

Each incantation concludes with the emphatic phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances," demanding immediate execution without delay. The entire ritual demonstrates the formidable power of Daoist thunder methods in summoning deities, dispatching forces, and vanquishing evil.

This scripture records the incantations and Gangbu (ritual steps) used in Daoist Thunder Magic (a ritual practice for summoning thunder deities and performing thunder rites). The content primarily consists of several key components:

First is the stern command from the highest thunder deities. The Jade Clarity True King of Divine Empyrean (supreme thunder deity in Daoism) and the Great Emperor of Nine Heavens Thunder Ancestor issue an edict: all thunder deities must assemble immediately. Any deity daring to delay will have their form annihilated, forever relegated to lowly ghost status, never to rejoin the celestial ranks. The phrase "urgently as by the law's command" (急急如律令) is a standard closing formula in Daoist incantations, meaning "execute the order immediately."

Next describes the practitioner's actions: forming the Thunder Mudra (a special hand seal) with the left hand, making the Sword Fingergesture with the right hand, closing the eyes to concentrate while silently reciting secret mantras. The incantation summons Yang Thunder (celestial lightning) to descend swiftly and Yin Thunder (earthly thunder) to rise rapidly, conjuring thunder and lightning. The "Three-Five Flying Step Gang" refers to stepping the Gangbu according to the Three Platforms stars (Upper, Middle, and Lower Platforms) and the Five Directions.

Following this are incantations summoning various thunder deities: Heaven Thunder, Divine Thunder, Dragon Thunder, Water Thunder—all must respond immediately. The practitioner claims mastery over wind, fire, thunder, and lightning, commanding the thunder gods to descend quickly. The "Earth-Shattering Thunder Summoning Gang" is the specific name for the Gangbu used to summon thunder.

Subsequent sections contain incantations corresponding to different Gangbu: the "Northern Dipper Gang Incantation" is recited while stepping the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper, beseeching the Dipper Lords' protection to slay demons; the "Three Platforms Gang Incantation" separately petitions the Three Platform Lords (Upper Platform Ethereal Essence Lord, Middle Platform Six Purity Lord, Lower Platform Crooked Life Lord) to preserve life and eradicate evil; while the "Nine Provinces Gang" summons deities from all directions to assist, unleashing the powers of wind, thunder, water, and fire.

Finally, there's a special incantation for initial thunder deity summoning, specifically naming important thunder generals: Lord Moon Base, Commanders Kang and Liu, Envoy Lü Kui, along with mountain and river deities from the Five Sacred Peaks and Four Great Rivers, and local earth gods, to jointly perform thunder rites and bring nourishing rain. The incantation emphasizes this action is mandated by the Celestial Emperor.

These incantations and Gangbu embody the Daoist Thunder Magic principle of "heaven-human resonance," where specific ritual movements and mantras connect celestial and earthly energies to mobilize the power of thunder deities.

This records several secret incantations from Daoist tradition for summoning thunder deities. The first segment, "Summon Thee to Appear," commands the thunder god to manifest immediately, emphasizing that defiance of the Celestial Emperor's decree constitutes rebellion. Phrases like "By the Supreme Clarity's urgent decree as law" follow the standard imperial edict format, indicating this is an emergency mandate from the Shangqing realm (one of Daoism's highest celestial domains).

The subsequent incantations correspond to different thunder deities:

The "Community Thunder God" passage describes the awesome power of thunder marshals—commanding winds and rains, governing spirits and ghosts, wielding thunder's might from Fengdu (the Daoist underworld) to the deepest abyss, executing celestial justice to punish evil and reward good. The conclusion stresses the thunder god must act immediately upon the talisman's command.

"By the Jade Emperor's decree" reveals this as a direct order from the Jade Sovereign, commanding the Five Directional Thunder Gods (Five Thunder Dragons) to mobilize celestial troops, unleashing torrential rains amid thunder and lightning.

"The radiance reflects" incantation references the "essence of Taiyi" (primordial Qi), invoking lightning to annihilate mountain demons (wangliang), warning that any resistance will bring punishment by wind, fire, and thunder—all performed under the Celestial Emperor's authority.

"Thunderclap, Thunderclap" is a secret spell specifically for slaying evil entities, depicting the Thunder Duke and Lightning Mother unleashing bolts while the celestial pivot and earthly axis (cosmic hinges) rotate, demanding immediate action without delay.

"Thunder God drums" portrays the deity striking drums with fearsome power, reducing wicked ghosts to ashes in lightning strikes, emphasizing this extermination order comes directly from the Yuqing realm (one of the Three Pure realms).

The final two segments are seasonal incantations: "Flowing Fire Solar Day Spell" invokes the Mars Star Lord to drive fiery wheels during days ruled by the Fire phase; "Golden Tiger Solar Day Spell" (incomplete in source) is used during Metal-phase days. All conclude with the formulaic "as law decreed," indicating absolute enforceability.

This scripture records several secret incantations (spells with magical power) commonly used in Daoist Thunder Rites, primarily for summoning Thunder Department deities and exorcising evil spirits. Each incantation concludes with "urgently, urgently, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances," signifying immediate execution of the command.

The first passage invokes General Golden Tiger, depicting this mighty Thunder Deity as possessing awe-inspiring power capable of leveling mountains and forests. The Vermilion Bird incantation summons the Southern Vermilion Bird Star Lord, who commands the power of thunderbolts. The Golden Tiger spell references the Jade Emperor (supreme deity in Daoism) issuing decrees, commanding the Great Unity Thunder God to shake the Three Realms and eradicate demonic forces.

Next comes the Sudden Fire incantation, summoning the Great Sudden Fire Deity who governs lightning strikes, along with the Five Sacred Mountain deities. The Second Secret Spell mobilizes multiple divine beings: the Heavenly Pattern Jade Radiance God, Great Unity Deity, Fire Master, Wind Earl, and others to petition for rain and clouds. The Third Secret Spell calls upon the Capital Heavenly Gang and Five Thunder Envoys (Thunder Department generals) to cleanse the ritual area of evil spirits.

The Fourth Secret Spell invokes the Heaven-Seizing Great Master, Great Unity Primordial Lord, and even commands the Six Jia and Six Ding (Daoist guardian generals) and venomous dragons. The Fifth Secret Spell again summons the Six Jia and Six Ding with the Great Unity Heavenly Soldiers. The final Sixth Secret Spell invites the Five Directional Thunder Gods to descend, executing the Heavenly Emperor's command to whip evil dragons, purge impurities, make Jupiter (Year Star) descend with auspicious clouds, and shatter demonic ghosts with thunderbolts.

These incantations exemplify the Thunder Rites' characteristic of "using deities to summon deities," employing specific spells to mobilize various divine powers for exorcism and disaster prevention. The frequent appearance of terms like "lightning strikes" and "thunderbolts" highlights Thunder Rites' distinctive utilization of lightning's formidable power.

This scripture records Daoist incantations and ritual procedures for rainmaking and exorcism. When performing rain invocations, the Shenxiao School (an important Daoist lineage) would have priests recite these incantations to summon various deities.

The first passage summons the "Great Emperor of True Kings of Divine Empyrean," commanding deities from all directions to swiftly gather clouds and rain. The eastern Fusang, western Quyeni, southern Jambudvīpa (Yanfuti), and northern Uttarakuru (Yudanyue) regions must all transform into dense clouds. Those who disobey will be consumed by heavenly fire. The phrase "Urgently, urgently, in accordance with the statutes of the Supreme Lord" reinforces the command's potency.

Next is the incantation to summon the Five Directional Dragon Kings: these dragon deities, acting on the Supreme Lord's mandate, bring rain to relieve drought. The priest draws talismans (fulu) to summon the dragons, commanding them to gather clouds, release rain, nourish crops, and ensure abundance. It concludes with the same reinforcing phrase.

The following passage invokes the Heavenly Sovereign (Tianhuang), Earthly Sovereign (Dihuang), and Thunder Gods: the two sovereigns join forces with thunder deities, whose mighty power spurs all things to grow. It ends with esoteric syllables like "Hōng hōng hōng zhá shè" to amplify spiritual efficacy.

The "Slaying the Rainbow-Demon" incantation targets the rainbow-serpent (ancients believed this creature drank up rainwater): it commands Thunder Department generals to execute rain-blocking demons. The broader "Demon-Slaying Incantation" summons five thunder forces—Heavenly Thunder, Earthly Thunder, Divine Thunder, Water Thunder, and Barbarian Thunder—along with deities like the Thunder God (Leigong) and the Fierce Fire General (Chuhuo) to eradicate evil.

Finally, the Chuhuo Incantation describes this Thunder Department marshal's fearsome appearance: towering ten thousand zhang tall, with a blue face, fanged teeth, wielding a thunder drill, and standing atop fiery wheels. Leading celestial troops, he subdues demons and rescues the people. The incantation demands his immediate manifestation without delay.

To conclude the ritual, the priest burns three "Rainbow-Slaying Talismans" and spirit money while performing the Steps of Yu (bugang tadou), a sacred dance pattern, to complete the ceremony. These incantations exemplify the Thunder Ritual (Leifa) tradition's principle of "commanding deities with incantations, controlling spirits with talismans."

This scripture documents the incantations and ritual procedures of Daoist Thunder Magic (a practice harnessing the power of lightning). When the Great Emperor of Thunder Ancestors (the supreme deity of the Thunder Department in Daoism) issues divine commands, specific mantras and movements must accompany them:

The ritual begins with an invocation chant summoning the Thunder Gods (including the Thunder Masters and Chief Thunder Generals) to descend, mobilizing the Five Directions' Savage Thunder (lightning forces from east, south, west, north and center) to drive away all malevolent spirits between heaven and earth. The concluding phrase "urgently as the law commands" is a standard Daoist incantation ending, signifying immediate execution.

Next comes the Thunderous Might chant, extolling the ferocity of thunder deities while beseeching the Nine Heavens to send down Imperial Thunder (the highest grade of lightning). Syllables like "Om Hōng Lī" represent esoteric thunder mantras unique to this practice.

The Gang Step ritual follows—a three-phase sequence where the practitioner performs sacred footsteps (Daoist ritual movements tracing celestial patterns) to summon wind, fire and thunder. The return Gang Steps involve five operations: from generating wind and gathering clouds to flashing lightning and rumbling thunder, culminating in controlling wind and rain over the ritual altar.

The invocation chant for Envoy Lü (a Thunder Department general) describes how water and fire interact while yin and yang ascend and descend to blend the Three Lights (sun, moon, stars). It mobilizes celestial commanders including the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions to assist, forcing ghosts into hiding and compelling Envoy Lü to respond swiftly, using thunderbolts to annihilate evil.

The advanced ritual sequence concludes with the Most High Jade Clarity King of Divine Empyrean, Eternal Life Great Emperor (a supreme Daoist deity) issuing decrees for the Earth Deity altar-opening ceremony. Four talismans (Fulu) corresponding to the cardinal directions are burned, while four assistants simultaneously ignite additional talismans in each quarter, accompanied by banishment chants. The entire process strictly coordinates mantras, talismans and Gang Steps.

These elements reflect the Thunder Magic principle of "using the human body to resonate with heaven and earth"—through precise combinations of incantations, talismans and ritual movements to summon thunder deities and harness natural forces.