《道法會元》Vol. 183

The fifth page of Juan 183 in Daofa Huiyuan records detailed regulations concerning the use of seals in the "Jiuling Feibu Zhangzou" ritual—a Daoist ceremonial practice for submitting memorials to celestial realms. These seals serve as crucial ritual implements for communicating with divine beings.

The most significant seal is the "Purple Tenuity Jade Script Seal" (Ziwei Yuwen Yin), which oversees all memorial documents and wax-sealing procedures. Specific usage includes: imprinting the upper and lower ends of the Yang Essence Container with the Jade Script Seal, applying the Jade Purity Memorial Seal (Yuqing Tongzhang Yin) and Heaven-Penetrating Seal (Toutian Guan Yin) on the name section within the Yang Essence Container, while the Cavernous Radiance Container Seal (Donghua Han Yin) is used for the name section in its corresponding container.

The text mentions two versions of the "Nine Elders Celestial Capital Seal" (Jiulao Xiandu Yin): the upper inscription belongs to the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) lineage, while the lower follows the Jiuling lineage tradition—currently the Zhengyi version predominates. Other important seals include: the Nine Heavens Memorial Spirit Official Seal (Jiutian Shangzhang Lingguan Yin) and Flying Mystery Three Qi Jade Memorial Seal (Feixuan Sanqi Yuzhang Yin), used respectively beneath the Cavernous Radiance Container and above the True Yang Container. The Three Heavens Taboo Name Seal (Santian Neihui Yin), also called the Three Heavens Supreme Seal (Santian Taishang Zhi Yin), is applied to the middle and lower sections of the True Yang Container.

The sealing sequence follows strict protocols: first imprinting the "Three Heavens Gate Contract Seal" (Santian Menxia Hetong Yin) on the petition document before dispatch, then applying seals to the lower right section beneath the yellow header of each container. Twelve small seals must be stamped along the memorial text (on the right side of each character except the beginning and end). The memorial's opening follows the fixed formula "Taixuan Du zai bai xia zai bai shang" (Great Mysterious Metropolis bows repeatedly above and below), while the closing reads "Yi wen yi wen shang xia chen xingming Taiqing yao" (Respectfully submitted, your subject's name, Great Purity waist).

Ritual practitioners must wear specific seals: the Yellow Spirit Seal (Huangshen Yin) on the left back and the Lunar Cycle Seal (Yuezhang Yin) on the right back—each with prescribed directional orientations.

Chapter Six elaborates the complete memorial ritual procedure: First, donning talismans (Fulu), practitioners engage in visualization practices, ingest talismanic water, and perform purification baths. Entering the meditation chamber facing east, they recite the Shangqing Tianbao Zhou (Highest Clarity Celestial Treasure Incantation) and master the "Pacing the Dipper" (Bugang Tadu) steps before commencing spirit-summoning and memorial ceremonies.

The essential techniques for Nine Spirits Flying Steps (Jiuling Feibu) involve: determining the day's celestial stems and earthly branches to locate the Azure Dragon's (Qinglong) starting position. The stepping sequence proceeds as follows: lift the left foot to ride the Azure Dragon position, right foot treads the Peng Star position, left foot traverses the Hall of Light (Mingtang) position, right foot ascends the Great Yin (Taiyin) position. During the final left-foot closing step, practitioners visualize jade maidens while stepping through the Heavenly Gate (Tianmen). This entire sequence requires strict coordination of directional movements and breath regulation.

This passage describes a complex Daoist ritual involving bugang (stepping the celestial patterns) and talismanic cultivation methods. The detailed procedure unfolds as follows:

First comes the bugang (star-stepping ritual): Begin by stepping the right foot into the "earth gate" (symbolizing the underworld entrance) while invoking the celestial gate deity, then follow with the left foot into the earth gate while calling upon the earth gate deity. Next, place the left foot on the Wenchang star position, step the right foot onto the lower platform star, sequentially pass through the middle platform star and upper platform star, trace the outer perimeter of the Big Dipper constellation, and finally reach the dipper's mouth to bow reverently toward the Celestial Sovereign star.

The subsequent "Stepping the Nine Numinous Stars" ritual involves first visualizing the Tianyi star, then traversing the nine numinous positions with special steps. Upon emerging from the Tianying star, make a curtain-lifting gesture with the left hand. When reaching the Yaoguang star, kneel facing the Great Horn star. Step up to the Great Brilliance star with the left foot, ascend to the North Pole star with the right foot, circle around the Tianfu star with the left foot, then sequentially step onto the Heng, Quan, and Bi stars before spiraling into the position of Yangming star.

The text notes that masters Lin and Ye practiced a simplified version of this method during their cultivation—stepping only one seven-star dipper formation within the nine numinous stars before standing within the constellation to present their memorials (documents addressed to celestial deities), rather than following the complete ancestral ritual sequence. They simply knelt facing the northern celestial gate (Qian position), and many later Daoist practitioners adopted this abbreviated approach.

The subsequent "Diagram of Primordial Framework's Cyclic Evolution" cultivation method describes the operation of thirty-two celestial realms and how to practice through the "flying spirit star-stepping formula" (using the Jade Purity hand mudra). The incantation should be silently recited three times while holding one's breath, essentially petitioning the Supreme Mysterious Primordial Sovereign for protection to stabilize the hun and po souls, gain access to the Mysterious Gate (portal of cultivation), and have audience with exalted perfected beings.

The accompanying incantation for ingesting the Five Spirit Talismans petitions the purple qi from the Jade Mansion's Mysterious Palace to nourish the three hun souls, pacify the Taiguang (one of the three hun), and achieve symbiosis with the divine treasure jade chamber (an internal cultivation locus), enabling flight to the Jade Purity realm (highest celestial plane) while quenching hunger and thirst through visualized consumption of jade crystals.

Finally, the method for stepping the Three Platforms stars involves visualizing jade maidens of Jade Purity holding ceremonial banners as guides while reciting an incantation praying for clear skies, illumination from the three luminaries (sun, moon, stars), growth of five auspicious fungi in the golden chambers and jade rooms (internal cultivation loci), the Mysterious Numinous Purple Canopy (auspicious clouds) illuminating one's form, with jade youths and maidens leading the way to ascend via the Hua Gai constellation into the imperial courts. All incantations conclude with "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with statutes and ordinances" to signify immediate efficacy.

According to Daoist ritual practice, this is the complete method of pacing the celestial steps (Tian Gang) to enter the heavenly realm (Huang Dao). The practitioner must first visualize crossing the threshold of the celestial gate, guided inward by the Three Generals (Daoist guardian deities).

At this stage, form the Golden City Mudra (a specific hand seal) while reciting the transformation incantation: "Heaven and earth stand vast and yellow, my body ascends with Yang Qi, treading the Northern Dipper's stars, transforming into the Heavenly Gang Star Lord. Water and fire calamities stay far from me, as my primordial spirit (Shen) flies into the golden palace to behold the Jade Emperor. Facing the Nine Heavens, golden light illuminates all directions. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes!" During recitation, visualize golden light enveloping your entire body, maintain the hand seal, inhale facing southeast, hold the breath and step forward.

Next perform the Nine Spirits Star Pacing: begin with the left foot, taking three steps to form the harmonious union of Kan (Water) and Li (Fire), totaling nine steps to reach the Tian Peng star position. Recite the Qimen incantation: "Pacing Heavenly Gang steps, roaming the Ninefold Heavens, treading the Dipper, attaining immortal flight. Ten thousand spirits rejoice in endless transformations. Those who dare obstruct shall be captured within the Dipper Gate. Dispelling inauspiciousness, righteous energy shines clear. Wielding fire bells with the left hand, dancing golden pendants (ritual implements) with the right, majestic radiance illuminates ten thousand miles. By the Jade Emperor's decree, none dare disobey. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes!" Visualize stepping through the void beyond the extraordinary gates.

Then recite the Seven Stars Dipper incantation, sequentially invoking the seven stars of the Northern Dipper (addressing each by their stellar titles like Yang Brilliance and Yin Essence) and the North Star, causing myriad ghosts to prostrate. Finally, visualize transforming into an immortal white crane—sun and moon crowning your head, seven stars encircling, four celestial creatures (Azure Dragon, White Tiger, etc.) guarding, with nine-colored halo radiating from your neck to illuminate all directions.

The complete ritual includes: performing the three kneelings and nine prostrations to the Celestial Emperor, teeth-tapping and saliva-swallowing (cultivation techniques), divine transformation (assuming immortal form), visualizing the twenty-eight lunar mansions swirling like fine rain, and submitting memorials by fire. Throughout, maintain the vision of purple-crimson Qi rising through incense smoke to the Nine Heavens, surrounded by auspicious clouds in azure, violet, and emerald hues.

Note: The phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes!" (Ji Ji Ru Lü Ling) is a standard Daoist incantation conclusion meaning "implement immediately." "Visualization" (Cun Xiang) refers to the meditative practice of concentrated mental imagery.

This scripture describes the specific procedures of the Daoist Shangzhang ritual (submitting memorials to the celestial court). When practitioners ascend to the Heavenly Gate, divine officials swiftly arrive like wind and thunder to guide them. While traversing the Gangfeng (the powerful winds of the celestial realm), they witness shifting clouds of five colors—azure, purple, yellow, white, black, crimson, and green—while enduring piercing cold winds and thunderclaps, during which they must maintain focused spiritual awareness.

Next, two paths appear: the Azure Path and the Yellow Path. Ordinary practitioners must take the Azure Path, while only enlightened adepts may enter the Yellow Path. Mistakenly entering the Yellow Path can prevent the soul from returning. The distinguishing feature of the Yellow Path is its swirling Qi, resembling a whirlwind or a luminous conch shell. Upon correct entry, a young attendant bearing ceremonial banners arrives to welcome the practitioner.

Upon reaching the First Heavenly Gate (Gate of Yang Essence), those submitting petitions for the people must await notification from General Tang. Once granted permission by the Celestial Emperor, the memorial’s contents are verified at the Celestial Pivot Bureau. For rituals addressing national calamities like floods, fires, or prayers for imperial heirs, entry to the Second Heavenly Gate (Gate of Donghua) is required, where General Ge facilitates the audience. In cases of grave state affairs—such as war, epidemics, or other major crises—practitioners proceed to the Third Heavenly Gate (Gate of Jinhua Liaoyang, also called Zhengyang Gate), where General Zhou and the Celestial Master (Tianshi) Zhang present the memorial at the Purple Azure Bureau to seek the Celestial Emperor’s decree. These protocols ensure the proper handling of state matters, petitioning the Celestial Emperor’s response and guidance.