《道法會元》Vol. 159

This scripture records the Celestial Purity School's (Shangqing, a major Daoist tradition emphasizing spirit visualization and Qi absorption) Great Method of Tianpeng Subduing Demons. It consists of two parts: the Transformation Incantation and the Invocation Prayer, primarily used in exorcism rituals.

The Transformation Incantation describes how the ritual master visualizes transforming into the four-headed, eight-armed Marshal Tianpeng: head supporting the heavens and feet treading the earth, clad in the Nine Heavens' Qi (Jiuqi refers to the nine primordial energies between heaven and earth) as robes, adorned with the sun and moon, and crowned by the Big Dipper. The left hand forms Marshal Tianpeng's unique mudra (ritual hand gesture), while the right hand assumes the sword mudra (a Daoist hand seal), simultaneously visualizing protective deities from all directions. This ritual requires facing northwest to absorb that direction's spiritual energy.

The Invocation Prayer comprises two sections, both being supplications for Marshal Tianpeng's descent. The first depicts the marshal's awe-inspiring form: commanding the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions and Thirty-Six Divine Generals, wielding golden swords, precious seals, battle-axes and other ritual implements, capable of summoning thunder, subduing demons, and dispelling plagues. The second specifically mentions Marshal Tianpeng under Lord Fengdu (the Daoist deity governing the underworld), beseeching him to lead celestial troops in vanquishing evil spirits and protecting devotees.

The concluding Tianpeng Incantation enumerates the titles of divine generals under Marshal Tianpeng's command - including the Ninefold Primal Demon-Subduing Youth and the Five Ding Commanders - describing how they wield imperial bells (Daoist ritual instruments), ride single-legged Kui dragons (mythical beasts), and harness purple Qi to vanquish demons. The entire scripture exemplifies Daoist religious practices of visualized transformation and conjuring divine generals for collective demon-subduing.

This scripture contains several key incantations of Marshal Tianpeng (chief of the Four Saints of the North Pole, overseeing demon-subjugation) in Daoism, primarily describing his exorcistic powers and invocation methods.

The first incantation, "Celestial Cinnabar Radiance," depicts Marshal Tianpeng’s fearsome form: his body is wreathed in scarlet light, capable of devouring demons and feasting on ghosts, his green tongue and fangs revealing his ferocity. The Four-Eyed Elder (an aged manifestation of Tianpeng) and celestial warriors stand guard beside him. Commanding three hundred thousand heavenly soldiers, he guards the Nine Heavens, capable of dispelling corpse-demons and evil influences within a thousand miles. Should minor ghosts dare to cause trouble, they are to be cleaved with a giant axe, their bones burned by the blood of the Fiery Emperor (god of fire) and the power of the Northern Dipper (Big Dipper). The Four Great Lights shatter wicked forms, while Tianyou (another Northern Saint) annihilates all demonic beings—a single swing of his divine blade scatters ten thousand ghosts.

The second incantation, "Tianpeng’s Demon-Slaying Verse," employs inverted phrasing to emphasize its exorcistic effects: where the divine blade falls, ten thousand ghosts perish; the Four Directions blaze with purifying light, the Northern Dipper’s true fire refines demonic bones, and the Fiery Emperor’s sacred blood stains ghostly forms. Three hundred thousand heavenly soldiers stand arrayed with axes, while violet qi (primordial Dao energy) fills the heavens, eradicating all traces of evil. The chant mentions the Three White Owl Deities (Tianpeng’s lieutenants) wielding the Emperor’s Bell (a ritual instrument), with the Seven Regulators and Eight Numinous Ones (stellar deities and divine generals) obeying commands, ultimately summoning Marshal Tianpeng to manifest swiftly.

The third incantation, "Tianpeng’s Heart Seal Verse," declares his supreme status: as the sovereign of all deities, his majesty shakes the cosmos. Seated between the Southern Dipper (governing life) and the Northern Dipper (governing death), he wields authority granted by the Great Emperor of the Purple Tenuity (North Star deity) and the Celestial Sovereign (a Daoist divinity). Commanding the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, his single breath encompasses heaven and earth; in wrath, he can eclipse the sun and moon and crumble mountains. Those who heed the incantation receive protection—those who defy it face immediate destruction.

The final incantation, "Tianpeng’s Primordial Qi Verse," reveals his foundational power: Tianpeng embodies the Primordial Qi (cosmic source energy), assisting the Dao as an auxiliary of the Chaotic Origin. The Three Pure Ones (the supreme triad of Jade, Upper, and Grand Purity) resonate with his might, while the Four Deities of the Dipper’s Pivot lend their aid, delivering from calamity, relieving suffering, and safeguarding all beings. Every incantation concludes with "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes," demanding immediate compliance with the laws of the Northern Emperor (Great Emperor of the Purple Tenuity).

This passage describes the ritual procedure and incantations for summoning Marshal Tianpeng (a guardian deity in Daoism) in the Daoist tradition. The process consists of several key stages:

First, the ritual master forms hand seals (left hand in the "Mao" position, right hand in the "You" position) while facing east and visualizing jade-green light. Before chanting, the practitioner prepares ritual implements including the Nine Heavens Treasure Seal, water vessel, and sacred ruler. Seated upright facing east, one visualizes the radiance of sun, moon and stars illuminating the body, imagines the Big Dipper descending to the altar, and visualizes the Four Divine Beasts (Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise) guarding the four directions.

The next phase involves offering incense with prayers, reciting incantations like "flying mists scatter radiance" to express sincere devotion. After swallowing saliva three times, the practitioner chants the core Tianpeng incantation. When reaching the phrase "ten thousand ghosts crumble spontaneously," one accompanies it with teeth-tapping, and the concluding formula "urgently, urgently, in accordance with the statutes" may be repeated three or seven times.

Subsequently, the practitioner visualizes azure Qi (vital energy) from the east entering through the crown (Baihui point), descending through the "Gate of All Wonders" to the Dantian (energy center), transforming into the form of Marshal Tianpeng. After chanting the Three Lights incantation, this energy is guided to the heart center where it takes the form of an infant. Placing the left hand over the heart, one silently recites "flying immortal" seven times.

The final section contains the invocation text describing Marshal Tianpeng's majestic form: a vajra-body with eight arms, commanding 300,000 celestial troops capable of subduing all demons. The incantation mentions his ritual implements including the Big Dipper constellation and iron chains, leading the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions and Seventy-Two Divine Generals to descend and eliminate misfortunes.

The entire ritual combines specific hand seals, visualization, incantations and breath control to summon Marshal Tianpeng and his retinue for protection. Terms like "Mud Ball" (Niwan, referring to the crown point) and "Palace of Clarity and Emptiness" (referring to the lower Dantian) are technical terms from Daoist internal cultivation practices.

This scripture primarily records several Daoist exorcism incantations and ritual procedures, involving the formidable image and demon-subduing methods of Marshal Tianpeng (a guardian deity in Daoism).

The opening section describes an "Ancient Sage with Four Eyes" (possibly referring to a specific deity) who governs the Three Realms, his crimson aura capable of piercing through the Fengdu underworld. It then summons various divine officers for protection: officers who capture evil spirits, subdue ghosts, neutralize poisons, slay demons, and destroy unholy shrines.

The Tianpeng True Form Ghost-Slaying Incantation depicts the marshal's awe-inspiring visage: a thousand-zhang tall figure with a square mouth and sharp teeth, eight arms and four heads, his body radiating divine light. Wielding a golden ruler and an imperial bell (Daoist ritual implements), his bronze teeth and iron claws annihilate malevolent forces. The text vividly describes his thunderous methods of subduing demons: lightning flashing and thunder rumbling, mountains and rivers overturned, hundreds of ghosts captured, calamities severed—any specter or demon hearing his name shall perish.

The subsequent sections contain esoteric incantations for different purposes:

1. The Northern Emperor's Illuminating Authority Oral Command and the Marshal's Secret Incantation, used for invoking deities

2. The Troop-Dispatching Incantation and Troop-Urging Incantation, employed to command celestial soldiers, emphasizing they must be recited seven times while accompanied by ritual actions like spraying water

3. The Talisman-Issuing Secret Incantation, describing Marshal Tianpeng wielding the imperial bell and commanding divine dragons

4. The Ghost-Torturing Additional Procedure Incantation and Arcane Language Incantation, used for interrogating evil spirits and concealing true words

The scripture concludes by stressing that practitioners of the Tianpeng Great Method must master these incantations, otherwise the rituals will lack efficacy. These contents reflect the Daoist exorcism practices that combine incantations, visualization (imagining divine forms), and ritual implements to subdue demons and vanquish evil.

This scripture primarily records the exorcistic incantations and protective boundary spells of Marshal Tianpeng (the leader of the Big Dipper and a major guardian deity in Daoism) within the Daoist tradition. The core content involves summoning the power of Marshal Tianpeng and his celestial troops to expel evil forces and safeguard practitioners.

The opening phrase, "Destroying wood spirits, subduing deities, and annihilating ghosts," summarizes the formidable potency of this spell—capable of eliminating tree demons, intimidating divine beings, and slaying malevolent spirits. The "Protective Boundary Incantation" indicates that this is a chant used to establish a defensive barrier.

The text elaborates on Marshal Tianpeng’s formidable authority: he commands 300,000 celestial soldiers, with subordinate generals such as the Sha Child Officers and the Divine Warrior Guardians, who devour demons and eradicate plagues. The "nine-layered iron net" mentioned in the incantation refers to a celestial snare woven with divine power to capture evil beings from all directions. Titles like "Temple-Shattering General" denote specialized exorcist commanders under Tianpeng’s leadership.

When performing the ritual, one must face north, visualize transforming into the form of Marshal Tianpeng, form the specific hand seal (Marshal’s Seal), and draw in the vital Qi (vital energy) of the northern direction. Then, with closed eyes, one visualizes black Sha Qi (baleful energy) enveloping the ritual space like dark clouds, chanting the word "Sha" to summon the divine generals swiftly.

The scripture includes four specific incantations:

1. Tianpeng Divine Incantation: Praises Marshal Tianpeng’s command over 300,000 celestial troops, compelling ghosts to submit and expelling corpse-demons and specters.

2. Tianpeng Secret Incantation: Uses esoteric Sanskrit syllables like "Om Hum Zha Li" to invoke Tianpeng and the Ninefold Sha Child, controlling the pivotal forces of heaven and earth.

3. Thirty-Six Syllable Secret Incantation: Composed entirely of mystical utterances, each syllable embodies divine power.

Each incantation concludes with the phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances," signifying the immediate execution of the divine command. This entire ritual system exemplifies the Daoist practice of mobilizing divine power through visualization, hand seals, and incantations for exorcism and self-protection.

This passage contains several exorcism incantations invoking Marshal Tianpeng (a guardian deity in Daoism), primarily used in rituals for subduing demons and expelling malevolent forces. The incantations center on Marshal Tianpeng's divine might, summoning spiritual power through specific phonetic patterns.

The opening phrase "Swiftly obey this command!" (急急如律令) is a standard concluding formula in Daoist incantations, meaning "Execute this order immediately." Marshal Tianpeng is described as a divine general capable of sweeping across heaven and earth, terrifying countless ghosts. Wielding a sacred blade, he can annihilate various demonic manifestations, including blood-bone ghosts, wind ghosts, and other malignant entities.

The second incantation depicts Marshal Tianpeng's awe-inspiring manifestation: purple Qi (炁) rising from his body, a blue-black tongue visible, and four eyes glaring fiercely. He commands celestial troops including the Nine Primordials and Five Warriors, brandishing the White Owl Sword while riding a formidable mount capable of eradicating all evil. With the assistance of the Four Luminaries of the Northern Dipper (Big Dipper constellation) and the celestial blades of Tianyou (a stellar deity), all ghosts are forced to retreat.

The third incantation focuses on demon-subjugation. It mentions the Fire Emperor (Yandi) joining forces with the Four Luminaries of the Dipper, while Marshal Tianpeng manifests amidst purple Qi and crimson clouds, his blue-black tongue and four-eyed visage terrifying demonic hordes as he leads celestial armies to destroy evil.

The final "Demon-Slaying and Evil-Devouring Incantation" provides the most detailed imagery. Marshal Tianpeng commands the Nine Primordials and Five Warriors system of divine generals, riding mythical dragons and beasts while wielding the White Owl Sword. The incantation describes scenes of demon consumption: purple Qi piercing the heavens, crimson clouds obscuring the sun, the divine general's blue-black tongue and green teeth with four glaring eyes. Protected by 300,000 celestial soldiers, he can expel corpse-demons within a thousand-mile radius, using great axes to behead ghosts from all directions while the Fire Emperor's flames incinerate demonic bones and the Northern Dipper's power shatters skeletal creatures.

In Daoist rituals, priests visualize Marshal Tianpeng's form while reciting these incantations, harnessing the divine general's power to exorcise evil spirits. The recurring phrase "Swiftly obey this command!" serves as a specialized term emphasizing the incantation's efficacy.

This scripture contains the exorcism incantations of Marshal Tianpeng (a Taoist guardian deity), comprising three main command spells. The incantations invoke the divine authority of Marshal Tianpeng and his celestial troops to suppress evil forces.

The first section, the "Thunderous Demon-Slaying Incantation," depicts Marshal Tianpeng leading divine generals to vanquish demons. The phrase "Tianyou destroys evil kinds" refers to Vice-Marshal Tianyou assisting in eliminating demonic beings, while "Northern Dipper" symbolizes the sacred power of the seven stars of Ursa Major. "Fiery execution of five ghost forms" represents using the fiery virtue of the Five Phases (Wuxing) to slay various specters. The recurring phrase "urgently urgent as the law commands" is a common Taoist incantation coda indicating immediate execution of divine orders.

The second section, the "Secret Plague-Dispelling Incantation," follows a similar structure but focuses on epidemic eradication. "Purple Qi ascending celestial cinnabar clouds" symbolizes sacred energy, while "four-eyed ancient sage" refers to an elder deity figure with supernatural vision, and "celestial warrior champions" denotes the divine soldiers under Marshal Tianpeng's command. The incantation mobilizes various divine powers to form protective barriers.

The third section, the "Enhanced Demon-Subduing Command," adopts an esoteric mantra format, beginning with the common Taoist sacred syllables "Om Hong Zha Li." This passage sequentially summons Marshal Tianpeng's formidable troops including the "Nine Origin Demon-Subduing Youths," "Five Warrior Commanders," and "Seven Regulators and Eight Numinous Ones" (stellar deities) to create a powerful exorcism formation.

Collectively, these incantations construct formidable spiritual deterrence through repetitive invocations of divine names and accumulation of awe-inspiring imagery. In Taoist rituals, priests recite such incantations while employing talismans (Fulu) and hand seals to achieve exorcism and healing purposes. The abundant use of antithetical phrases (like "azure tongues and green fangs") and hyperbolic numbers ("ten thousand ghosts self-destruct") represents characteristic rhetorical devices in Taoist incantation literature.

This scripture is the exorcism incantation of Marshal Tianpeng (a guardian deity in Daoism), primarily used to summon celestial troops and generals to suppress malevolent forces. The recurring phrase "敕煞摄" (chì shā shè) in the incantation is a common Daoist talismanic expression meaning "by decree, subdue the vicious and baleful."

The incantation first invokes various fierce divine generals: celestial warriors riding on purple Qi (vital energy), deities with cinnabar clouds in their mouths, mighty guardians who devour demons, towering gods standing against the wind, protectors with green tongues and teeth, the four-eyed elder, and celestial warriors of immense strength. These generals guard the four directions—for instance, the southern divine might repels evil, while the northern general commands fierce winds, leading 300,000 celestial soldiers to protect the nine heavenly realms.

Next, the incantation describes the ritual implements and their power: a giant axe capable of splitting the heavens can slay all manner of ghosts, the fiery blood of the Flame Emperor (the southern fire deity) and the divine power of the Big Dipper can incinerate demonic bones, the mountain god of Siming can shatter ghostly remains, and Marshal Tianyou (another guardian deity) can annihilate all evil. It concludes by emphasizing that with a single swing of the divine blade, ten thousand ghosts will scatter in terror.

The latter part is the "Eight Trigrams (Bagua) and Twelve Hours Incantation," aligning the earlier invocations with the twelve two-hour periods of the day and the eight trigrams. For example, "Tianpeng" corresponds to the hour of Hai (9–11 PM), "Ninefold Baleful Youth" to Zi (11 PM–1 AM), and "Five Mighty Commanders" to Chou (1–3 AM). Each hour has its designated divine general on duty, wielding imperial bells, riding mythical beasts like the Kui dragon, and brandishing swords of authority to vanquish demons.

The closing phrase "急急如律令" (jí jí rú lǜ lìng, "urgently as by law and decree") is a standard Daoist incantation ending, signifying immediate execution akin to a legal command. Through repeated emphasis on the might of the divine generals and their weapons, the entire scripture creates a powerful psychological deterrent, making it a commonly used exorcism and protection incantation in Daoist rituals.

These are two powerful demon-subduing incantations from the Daofa Huiyuan (Compendium of Daoist Rituals), primarily invoking the divine authority of Marshal Tianpeng (a Daoist guardian deity embodying the Big Dipper) and the demon-quelling power of the Yuqing realm (one of the highest Three Pure Realms in Daoism).

The first incantation, "Supreme Command of Marshal Tianpeng, True Lord of the Primordial Void," depicts the deity's awe-inspiring form: He governs the Purple Tenuity Enclosure of the North Pole (the celestial region housing the Big Dipper), wielding ritual implements like the Imperial Bell and the White Xiao (a divine avian creature), capable of consuming the purple Qi (primordial energy) of heaven-earth and the four celestial winds. The spell emphasizes his demon-slaying prowess—shattering evil spirits' bones, forcing malevolent deities to dissipate autonomously—concluding with the standard Daoist imperative phrase: "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances!"

The second incantation, "Yuqing Realm's Demon-Crushing Divine Spell," is more elaborate:

• Opening with thunderous might: A golden ritual bell summons lightning-fire, while the Nine Heavens' Sha Qi (ultimate Yang energy) erupts like flames, annihilating legions of demons and eradicating thousands of evil entities.
• Describing divine armor: A seven-star sword stained with blood, golden guardian deities traversing the skies, weapons gleaming like lightning and frost—no specter dares resist.
• Cultivation states: Nourishing the Seven Perfected (internal deities) within, manifesting a thousandfold majesty externally; the soul returns to the Purple Mansion (upper Dantian) and Cinnabar Chamber (middle Dantian), with electric fire illuminating the entire body.
• Demon-subduing methods: Poison-dragons and spirit-tigers stand guard, head and feet aligned with constellations, divine blades and golden hooks ablaze. The subduing techniques are exceptionally fierce, including beheading, bone-grinding, and boiling as deterrents.
• Demon-capturing procedure: First severing the evil's source, then incinerating and devouring it, even dismantling sorcerers' blood sacrifices before crushing them with golden blades and subduing them with golden talismans (Fulu).
• Ultimate warning: Witnessed by the Supreme Golden Bell (highest ritual instrument) and the Jade Credential of the Void Sovereign (a title for Daoist patriarchs), displaying severed heads to eradicate all plagues, difficult childbirths, and calamities.
• Formation power: Above, the lineage masters (ancestral teachers); below, the Vajra guardians (protector deities)—all inhaling and exhaling crimson Qi (pure Yang energy), nourishing the five viscera with "moon-pool mystic frost" (a cultivation term for Yin-Yang harmonization), until divine winds (primordial Qi) purge all worldly defilements.

Both incantations employ parallel phrases to amplify their potency, using extreme, violent imagery to underscore the irreconcilable conflict between righteousness and evil—a hallmark of Daoist Thunder Magic (rituals harnessing lightning's power to exorcise). The frequent references to constellations, directions, and visceral correspondences reflect Daoism's "cosmic-human unity" worldview.

This scripture contains two distinct sections: the first part consists of incantations for exorcising evil, while the latter depicts celestial paradises.

The initial exorcism portion conveys this essential meaning: to thoroughly eradicate the roots of malevolent forces, depriving wicked spirits of their vital essence (Jing) and eliminating all poisonous harms. Those ghosts with metallic heads and iron fangs shall be scorched by divine flames, allowing starlike Sha Qi to surge forth—thereby unblocking the hundred meridians, harmonizing the energy channels, and bringing bodily health that leads to longevity. The concluding phrase "urgently as by divine mandate" (jiji rulüling) is a standard Taoist incantation formula indicating immediate execution.

The subsequent depiction of celestial realms is magnificently ornate: purple clouds drift across heavenly expanses as the Three Luminaries (sun, moon, and stars) radiate brilliance, with crimson auroras illuminating the Ziwei Star (Polaris). Immortals unfurl their numinous light amid delicate mists swirling through the celestial river. Divine lanterns burn eternally while the Lilo constellation exhales radiance. Towering mountains wreathed in clouds are veiled by mysterious Qi that shelters all directions.

Then follows a description of resplendent immortal palaces: the golden ramparts of celestial cities reflect the Jade Pure Realm (one of the Three Pure Ones' domains), as auspicious clouds adorn the firmament. When the Eight Winds arise, transcendents ride cloud-chariots in swift flight. Perfected beings from the Three Caverns (Dongzhen, Dongxuan, Dongshen) visit one another. At the highest plane resides the Quintessential Spirit of a Thousand Li—serene and supremely sublime. The Great Unity Deity (Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun) oversees the subjugation of demons, while the Orthodox Unity (Zhengyi) tradition flourishes, capable of summoning myriad divinities.

The text culminates by emphasizing the joys of spiritual cultivation: the Daoist path brings happiness and longevity, whereas ghostly ways lead only to peril. One must pursue immortality rather than spectral paths. Through dedicated practice, practitioners may attain the state of "reversing aging to regain youth"—where the Nine Perfected (internal deities) unite, the Muddy Pellet Palace (upper Dantian) connects with the Crimson Palace (middle Dantian), and the Three Spirit-Sovereigns (of the three energy centers) return accompanied by the Purple Youth (authentic Qi within).

This scripture consists of two main components: the incantation for summoning Marshal Tianpeng (a Daoist guardian deity) to subdue demons, and the ritual procedure for purifying the altar space with the Four Directional Divine Powers.

The first half depicts the awe-inspiring manifestation of Marshal Tianpeng when vanquishing evil forces. When this black-armored deity manifests in response to the summons, mountains and rivers tremble while the sun and moon dim their radiance. Commanding ten thousand divine beings, he smashes demons to pieces—even those with bronze heads and iron brows must submit before his might. The "Three Rectified Qi forces" mentioned refer to the celestial, terrestrial, and human righteous energies (Tiangang, Digang, and Rengang), which accomplished practitioners can harness.

The latter portion details the altar purification ritual involving specific mudras (hand seals) and visualizations: Facing east, form the Mao-position mudra (thumb pressing the base of the ring finger) while visualizing Azure-robed Immortal Yang Fang astride a blue dragon emerging from the liver region. To the south, form the Wu-position mudra (thumb pressing the middle fingertip) to invoke Crimson-robed Immortal Wang riding a vermilion phoenix from the heart. Westward, the You-position mudra (thumb on the index fingertip) summons White-robed Immortal Zhou Liang mounted on a white tiger from the lungs. Northward, the Zi-position mudra (thumb on the little finger's base) calls forth Black-armored Immortal Zhang Gang emerging from the kidney region. These four deities embody the azure, crimson, white, and black primordial qi, corresponding to the Five Viscera system.

The text concludes by identifying this as the "Purification Chant for Cleansing Defilements," emphasizing its restriction to major rituals only. The opening mantra "Om Chi Hong Zha" represents a potent Daoist dhāraṇī with purifying properties. Through harmonizing the internal organ qi with the directional deities' powers, the ritual achieves complete altar sanctification.

This scripture details the specific procedures of a Daoist exorcism ritual, primarily describing how to summon various divine beings to expel malevolent forces. It systematically outlines the appearances and summoning methods of four powerful Yuanjun (high-ranking deities) according to cardinal directions:

The northeastern deity is named Yuan Yi, governing azure-black qi. During the ritual, the practitioner forms the Yin hand-seal while visualizing this deity wearing yellow robes and wielding a long halberd, emerging from the left kidney through the left ear.

The southeastern deity Gao Guang commands vermilion-azure qi. When forming the Xun hand-seal, one visualizes him clad in golden armor with ghostly features, holding an iron staff as he manifests from the right kidney through the right ear.

The southwestern deity Xiao Chang governs white-vermilion qi. With the Shen hand-seal, the practitioner imagines this fire-like deity in crimson robes astride a black dragon from the Taiyin Palace (symbolizing yin energy), wielding a long spear while standing to the left.

The northwestern deity He Dang presides over white-black qi. Using the Hai hand-seal, one visualizes him as the Ghost-Inspecting General in black robes, sword in hand, emerging from the Taiyang Palace (representing yang energy) to stand on the right.

The exorcism incantation follows, requiring synchronized hand movements (the Dui seal drawn horizontally to the Si position) to summon these deities for purging malignant forces between heaven and earth. The chant references the "Three Qi Sovereigns of Primordial Commencement" - representing the three primordial energies embodied by the Daoist supreme triad Sanqing (Yuanshi Tianzun, Lingbao Tianzun, and Daode Tianzun).

Subsequent passages describe altar purification: burning exorcism talismans (fulu) in water to create sanctified sprinkles. While reciting mantras like "Qianluo Dona Donggang Taixuan," practitioners visualize two divine generals emerging from their heart - clad in crimson brocade with yellow turbans and swords - charged with slaying countless demons.

The concluding section presents thunder invocations, combining water-spitting and visualization to summon the Thunder Department deities (Daoism's lightning pantheon) for dispelling miasmic energies and restoring cosmic clarity. The final syllables "Om Hong Chali" represent standard Daoist exorcism mantras demanding immediate demonic dispersal. The entire ritual operates under the supreme authority of the Three Qi Sovereigns of Primordial Commencement.

This scripture contains Daoist incantations for exorcism and demon-subjugation, comprising three key spells: the Invocation of the Three Qi Sovereigns (Xuanyuan Shi Sanqi Tianjun Zhou), the Great Tianpeng Incantation (Tianpeng Da Zhou), and the Summoning of the Great Immortal (Qing Daxian Zhou). These mantras are used in Daoist rituals to purify sacred spaces and expel malignant forces.

The first section invokes the Three Qi Sovereigns, manifestations of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), the highest deities in Daoism. The ritual master takes a mouthful of water and sprays it while visualizing celestial flames and tempests sweeping across the heavens, purging all demonic influences, pestilential energies, and corpse contamination to restore purity to the ritual space. Reciting this incantation drives away ghosts and prolongs life, making the mountain and sea deities take notice, compelling demon kings to bow in protection. It eliminates all baleful miasmas while preserving the vital energy of the true Dao.

The formidable Tianpeng Incantation summons Marshal Tianpeng, a guardian general of Daoism. It vividly depicts his celestial army's majestic procession: divine battalions arrayed across the nine heavens, with the Five Sacred Mountains' deities lining the path. Marshal Tianpeng rides a crimson tiger while vanguard commanders mount giant whales, accompanied by thunderbolts and blazing lights, their war drums shaking the firmament. Commanding three great generals and the six Ding spirit generals, he deploses heaven's nets and earth's snares, with fiery wheels spinning and rain-canopies billowing smoke—power sufficient to shake the cosmos. Capable of swallowing oceans and crushing Mount Tai, he annihilates all deranged and venomous specters, eradicating demonic hordes to ensure eternal peace.

The Summoning of the Great Immortal calls upon a specialized demon-quelling immortal from the retinue of the Northern Emperor (Ziwei Dadi). This mighty immortal's divine might reverberates through the nine heavens as he patrols the world bearing the Northern Emperor's command banner, leading falcon and hound divisions that instantly execute evil spirits. Amid rolling black clouds, his divine troops and spirit hounds either devour or cut down mischievous ghosts. The text concludes by beseeching Marshal Tianpeng (revered as Father of the Nine Heavens) to descend with 300,000 celestial troops to heal the sick by removing misfortunes.

Each incantation concludes with the imperative formula "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances" (Ji Ji Ru Lü Ling), demanding immediate efficacy like enforcing imperial decrees. During rituals, Daoist masters combine these chants with specific hand seals (shoujue) and visualizations to achieve exorcism, healing, and ritual purification.

This scripture records several Daoist incantations and ritual methods for summoning divine generals, primarily used in exorcism ceremonies to expel evil spirits and capture ghosts.

The first is the incantation for summoning the "Great Commander of Unified Qi (Yiqi Dutong Dajiangjun)." The ritual master declares his ability to connect with the Three Realms above and the earthly spirits below, commanding all deities. The chant describes being protected by the Four Symbols—Azure Dragon (Qinglong), White Tiger (Baihu), Vermilion Bird (Zhuque), and Black Tortoise (Xuanwu)—on all sides, invoking this general who governs primordial Qi to respond immediately and offer assistance.

Next is the incantation for summoning the "Five Monthly Duty Generals (Zhiyue Wu Jiangjun)." Each of these generals corresponds to one of the five cardinal directions and wears differently colored robes. While reciting the chant, the practitioner visualizes them descending to the altar with three hundred thousand celestial soldiers to assist in capturing demonic entities. The ritual also involves specific hand mudras (pinching the yin and xu positions) and forceful commands to complete the ceremony.

The "Four-Eyed Elder (Simu Laoweng)" is a deity depicted as an old man with four eyes, wielding a staff. To summon him, the practitioner forms specific hand mudras (left middle finger in the "zhongwen" position, right hand in the "shenwen" position) while visualizing this deity descending to the altar to seize malevolent spirits.

The "Flying Hawk Envoy (Feiying Shizhe)" is a divine hawk capable of soaring through the Nine Heavens to swiftly capture evil entities. The "Running Hound Envoy (Zouquan Shizhe)," on the other hand, is an incarnation of the Southern Fire Dragon, appearing as a fierce golden-haired dog with sharp claws and fangs, specialized in devouring baleful ghosts. Both require specific chants commanding them to manifest their divine power immediately.

Finally, the "Heavenly Canopy Demon-Slaying Incantation (Tianpeng Miemo Zhou)" invokes Marshal Heavenly Canopy (Tianpeng Yuanshuai), an important guardian deity in Daoism, whose chant possesses immense demon-destroying power capable of reducing ghosts to ashes.

Each incantation concludes with the urgent command "Swiftly, as decreed by the law (Ji ji ru lü ling)," demanding immediate divine compliance. The entire ritual process includes chanting, hand mudras, visualization (of divine forms), and incense offerings, embodying the Daoist practice of "using divine power to subdue ghosts."

This scripture contains the exorcism incantations of Marshal Tianpeng, a guardian deity in Daoism, comprising four main sections:

The first part depicts Marshal Tianpeng's formidable visage. This divine general possesses a majestic countenance, wielding giant axes and imperial bells among other ritual implements, commanding an army of seventy thousand celestial soldiers. Flanked by the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and other directional deities, he rides upon purple auroras and cinnabar Qi (vital energy), specializing in vanquishing demons and malevolent spirits. Descriptions like "long-skulled giant beast" and "four-eyed ancient sage" represent his various divine manifestations.

The second section contains the Earth Pacification Incantation, summoning local earth deities to assist in ghost capture. These chants emphasize the deities' ability to traverse heaven and earth, moving freely between Yin and Yang realms, demanding immediate execution of duties without delay. Those who merit recognition will have their names recorded in the registers of Shangqing (Highest Clarity) Paradise.

The core portion consists of Marshal Tianpeng's Heart Incantation. By invoking the marshal's sacred titles, this chant mobilizes celestial forces including the Seven Regulators and Eight Numinous Powers. It vividly describes his divine procession: flanked by Azure Dragon and White Tiger guardians, preceded by Vermilion Bird heralds, with ninefold ranks of celestial troops forming concentric protection. Specific mention is made of using the Sword of Authority to exterminate mountain goblins and other malignant entities.

The conclusion features the Nine Heavens General Incantation, summoning the entire pantheon of Fengdu (Daoist netherworld) deities from the northern realm. This includes Great General Black Fiend, Fire Bell Deity, and other Fengdu commanders, along with Marshal Tianpeng's subordinates like the Nine Origin Fiendish Youths and Twenty-Four Division Generals. The incantation petitions these deities to descend in formation, capable of both healing illnesses and fulfilling devotees' various petitions.

All chants conclude with the standard Daoist formula "urgently, urgently, in accordance with statutes and ordinances," indicating immediate execution akin to imperial decrees. This complete set of incantations exemplifies Daoist religious practice of summoning celestial generals and mobilizing divine powers for exorcism and calamity prevention.

This passage contains several important incantations from the Daoist Northern Emperor (Great Emperor of the Purple Subtlety of the North Pole) tradition, primarily focusing on exorcism and ghost-slaying rituals. Here is a section-by-section interpretation:

The first section presents the Northern Emperor's Commandment Spell. The Great Emperor of the Purple Subtlety (a supreme Daoist deity governing all celestial bodies) issues divine decrees, describing his divine power illuminating the Three Pure Ones (the three realms of Jade Clarity, Upper Clarity, and Supreme Clarity) like lightning, with radiant light shining for thousands of miles. Commanding celestial soldiers and generals, he can pacify heaven and earth while exterminating demons. The text mentions his seven-star crown and tutelage under the Five Numinous Elders (deities of the Five Phases), possessing unobstructed supernatural abilities. The spell emphasizes destroying evil spirits and dispelling inauspicious influences, even purging pathogenic Qi from the Nine Central Pathways (crucial internal cultivation channels), thereby eradicating all epidemics and plagues. It concludes by declaring all ghosts in Fengdu (the underworld) shall be slain, with the divine seal dispersing countless specters upon activation.

The second section features the Great Fire Bell Spell, centered on the divine power of the Vermilion Bird (southern divine phoenix). It describes how this celestial creature's majesty terrifies malevolent beings into flight. The incantation employs vivid imagery like divine serpents spewing fire and jade palaces, highlighting the potency of reciting thirty-nine scripture chapters (likely referring to the Salvation Scripture). Mythical creatures including dragons, tigers, fierce beasts, and thunder-boars with lightning-dogs appear as exorcism symbols. The passage concludes with myriad deities paying homage, all local spirits welcoming the practitioner's presence, while Marshal Tianyou (a guardian deity) provides protection against invasive pathogenic energies.

The third section contains the Northern Emperor's Spirit-Wielding Spell, proclaiming the Celestial Emperor's radiance illuminating all directions. It depicts scenes of colossal beasts opening their jaws and divine envoys (protector generals) standing guard, with yellow-clad martial deities slaying demons. The text stresses the complete annihilation of malicious forces, as the Jade Emperor (supreme Daoist deity) decrees purification of evil influences across the three realms of heaven, earth, and water.

The final Universal Purification Spell is commonly used for space cleansing. The mantra "Om Hong Zha Chi" represents Daoist sacred syllables meaning purification. The incantation declares natural purity throughout heaven and earth with dissipated foul energies, as the Eight Directional Divine Might manifests—particularly highlighting the Eastern Azure Qi Primordial Lord Yang Fang (eastern guardian deity). This represents spatial purification through divine power.

These spells exemplify the Northern Emperor tradition's thunderous exorcism methods, frequently employed in Daoist Zhaijiao (purification rituals) and Keyi (liturgical ceremonies). The recurring phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances" serves as the standard Daoist incantation coda, indicating immediate efficacy.

This scripture depicts a Daoist exorcism ritual summoning celestial generals from the four directions to suppress plague demons. According to the Five Phases (Wuxing) directional system, five principal commanders lead armies of distinct colors:

The Azure Dragon General commands the east, embodying the Wood virtue (De), leading ninety thousand troops with azure banners to eradicate green miasmic energies and the evil qi of decaying vegetation. In the south, the Fire virtue deity Marshal Wang Xiang governs thirty thousand crimson-bannered fire dragon troops, charged with dispelling red plagues and baleful fire energies. The White Qi Primordial Lord Zhou Liang, representing Metal virtue, marshals seventy thousand white-bannered soldiers in the west to expel white pestilence and metallic death qi. In the north, the Black Qi Primordial Lord Zhang Gang leads fifty thousand ebony-bannered Water virtue troops to sever black plagues and the evil vapors of foul marshes.

The four diagonal directions are also guarded by specialized generals: Marshal Yuan Yi in the northeast commands azure-black banners, Marshal Gao Guang in the southeast leads azure-crimson troops, Marshal Xiao Chang in the southwest directs white-crimson forces, and Marshal He Dang in the northwest governs white-black banners—each tasked with annihilating demons and specters corresponding to their assigned colors.

These divine generals coordinate their efforts, wielding banners and mobilizing celestial soldiers to vanquish demons amid thunderclaps and lightning strikes. The scripture concludes by referencing two profound incantations: the "Central Mountain Divine Chant" and the "Supreme Unity Mystic Truth," which summon the powers of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning to purify all malign influences across the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and water). The ritual emphasizes the principle of "immediate enactment upon talismanic decree" (fu dao feng xing)—once the spiritual talisman is issued, the gods swiftly execute their eradication mandate.

This scripture passage describes Daoist incantations and rituals for exorcising evil spirits. Phrases like "利亨虚刹炎辉元始玉文" refer to the sacred script emanated by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, the foremost of the Three Pure Ones/Sanqing), possessing the power to subdue demons.

The incantation describes the sun and moon shining together while the Five Qi (referring to the vital energies of the Five Phases: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth) converge, depicting a scene where righteous energy fills heaven and earth. It then portrays the exorcism: the wheel-like ritual formation spins rapidly to dispel demonic miasma, purifying all directions and illuminating the cosmos. As stars glitter and thunder roars, malevolent spirits are vanquished—evil forces utterly destroyed amidst lightning flashes and thunderclaps.

"唵吽吒唎" is a common Daoist exorcism mantra meaning "let no evil remain." Reciting this incantation drives away ghosts and prolongs life. When performed according to the sacred geography of the Five Sacred Mountains (Wuyue) and Eight Seas (four cardinal directions and four seas), all demon kings must bow in submission, guarding the ritual space as malignant energies dissipate completely, allowing the qi of the true Dao to endure.

The concluding phrase "急急如律令" (urgently, by divine decree) is a standard ending for Daoist incantations, signifying immediate execution. "玄元始三炁天君" refers to the three supreme Daoist deities (Yuanshi Tianzun, Lingbao Tianzun, and Daode Tianzun), whose authority invokes the command. After recitation, the ritualist sprays consecrated water while summoning celestial soldiers and generals to respond swiftly. Subsequent incantations follow this same model.

This passage illustrates the Daoist ritual process of exorcism through sacred mantras, the energies of the Five Phases, and the power of thunder, embodying the tradition's dualistic worldview that contrasts righteous qi with evil forces, and divine beings with demonic entities.