《道法會元》Vol. 189

This scripture documents the ritual procedures of the "Great Unity Fire Mansion" (one of the Thunder Method lineages) in Daoism, primarily consisting of two core stages: Inviting the Masters and Summoning the Generals.

The Inviting the Masters ritual begins with the ritual master assuming the "T-stance" posture—left hand forming the "Jade Script Mudra" (a Daoist hand seal) while the right hand makes the "Sword Mudra" at the waist. Chants are recited to summon the divine envoys Xie You and Bai Shen, visualized as standing reverently before the altar. Incense is then offered to invite the patriarchs, including Laozi (the Supreme Venerable Sovereign), Perfected Liu (Liu Hunkan, founder of the Tongxuan lineage), Perfected Xu (Celestial Master Xu Xun), Perfected Yang (Thunder Method master Yang Xi), and other patriarchs of the Fire Mansion transmission.

The Summoning the Generals phase follows: the master silently recites the Invocation Chant, visualizing the patriarchs granting approval. Special Sanskrit-derived secret mantras (containing seed syllables like "Om" and "Hum") are then chanted to summon the talismanic envoys Xie You and Bai Shen, along with Thunder Department deities like Li Yuanjun to descend to the altar. The syllables "Om Dou Hum Hum" represent unique sonic vibration methods specific to Thunder Practices.

Finally comes Qi Circulation: the master swallows a mouthful of Central Heaven's clear Qi (a cultivation term denoting pure primordial energy), guiding the black Qi (Water Qi) from the kidneys to ascend and merge with the descending red Qi (Fire Qi) from the heart, ultimately surging upward to the Niwan Palace (Upper Dantian) at the crown. This internal alchemical process of "Water and Fire in Harmony" is key to Thunder Method's activation of personal energy for divine resonance.

The entire ritual integrates multiple Daoist techniques—hand seals, incantations, visualization (cunxiang), and Qi circulation—embodying the Thunder Method's cultivation principle of "internal refinement forms the Golden Elixir (Neidan), external manifestation becomes technique." The mentioned perfected beings were all renowned Thunder Method masters during the Song-Yuan period, suggesting this text likely originated from the method's golden age between the Southern Song and Yuan dynasties.

This passage describes the summoning ritual in Daoist Thunder Magic (Leifa), a practice for invoking thunder deities. The ritual master employs specific incantations, hand seals (mudras), and visualization (meditative focus) to call forth thunder gods to the altar and dispatch them on missions.

The detailed procedure unfolds as follows: Amidst swirling incense smoke, the master first visualizes thunder gods descending from the southeast (the Xun position) to the northwest (the Qian position) toward the altar. Then, chanting incantations, they summon the "Supreme Sovereign of Primordial Luminous Heaven" (a revered Daoist deity) and "Blood Heaven King Gaye the Thunderbolt" (a thunder department general) to swiftly arrive.

When formally dispatching the thunder gods, the master proclaims: The thunder deities must ascend to the Golden Tower and Jade Capital of the celestial court (the highest Daoist paradise), descend through the Nine Netherworlds, and dive straight into dragon palaces beneath waters. They are commanded to travel ten thousand miles daily, reporting merits to heaven while facing punishment under the Female-Blue Celestial Statutes (Daoist precepts) for disobedience.

The master then treads the "Three Powers Steps" (a specific footwork pattern), burns memorial petitions, and traces the character "乂" in the air using the Sword Hand Seal (finger mudra), known as "Opening Heaven with Eight Characters." Stamping their foot, they visualize the Earth Portal (underground gate) splitting open as wind, fire, thunder, and lightning surge from beneath their feet straight to the Celestial Portal (heavenly gate).

Finally, the master prostrates to "fly the spirit" (project their primordial spirit), secretly reporting the ritual to ancestral masters at their divine seats while awaiting spiritual response. Upon completion, they perform the "Tribute to the Dipper" bow to the Northern Dipper, silently reciting the "Seven Perfected Incantations" (essential Daoist mantras) at the Earth Portal while visualizing the surroundings transforming into a golden-light realm with jade palaces and golden towers.

Throughout the ritual, the master coordinates specific hand seals (like the Thunder Seal pressed against kidneys), footwork (Three Powers Steps), and visualizations. They also arrange the Seven Eastern Constellations (Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang, Xin, Wei, Ji) beneath the left foot and Seven Northern Constellations (Dou, Niu, Nü, Xu, Wei, Shi, Bi) beneath the right foot from the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions system.

This scripture demonstrates the complete ritual process in Daoist Thunder Magic that combines incantations, hand seals, footwork, and visualization to summon and command deities. It exemplifies the Daoist magical emphasis on internal-external correspondence and heaven-human resonance.

This passage describes two sets of Daoist ritual practices. The first part concerns the mudra techniques for Qi distribution:

The ritual master forms a right-hand mudra (representing the seven lunar mansions: Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zi, and Shen) and places it at the right shoulder, while the left hand forms another mudra (symbolizing the mansions Jing, Gui, Liu, Xing, Zhang, Yi, and Zhen) at the left shoulder. Next, the left hand presses acupoints on the head corresponding to the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper (invoking stellar deities like Kui, Xing, and Bi), visualizing the radiance of the Five Dipper Lords enveloping the entire body. Then the left hand forms the "Opening-Closing-Sealing-Unblocking Mudra," inhaling and swallowing the pure Qi from the celestial zenith to facilitate the harmonious circulation of heart-fire and kidney-water energies within the body. Eventually, these energies transform into the guardian deities Qingyang and Tuoluo emerging from the eyes, while heart-Qi exhaled through the mouth manifests as the Messenger Attendant. These three divine envoys instantly descend to the ritual altar, at which point the master silently summons the sect's protective deities to await commands.

The second part details the lamp-lighting ceremony:

Before entering the altar to light lamps, the master must bow and report to the lineage teachers, reciting: "This disciple now lights ritual lamps for [specific purpose] seeking disaster relief and misfortune resolution, humbly requesting the teachers' permission." After bowing, the master holds the lamp talisman (Fulu), forms mudras to gather golden light from the Celestial Gate and stellar radiance from the Northern Dipper, then exhales Qi onto the lamps. Lighting proceeds from either the life-lamp or the position corresponding to the Greedy Wolf star, sequentially igniting all seven lamps. Simultaneously, the master recites the Golden Light Incantation and Northern Dipper Mantra, exhaling Qi toward the Qian-Hai direction (northwest) to distribute light while visualizing the seven stars' radiance filling the ritual space and resonating with the celestial Dipper.

The third part reveals essential techniques for "Entering the Dipper" practice:

Following seasonal directions (left-to-right in spring/summer, right-to-left in autumn/winter), the practitioner performs the Gang-Star Stepping (Tagan Budou) ritual, standing at the Three Platforms stellar positions to kneel and present petitions. At this stage, one must concentrate the Shen (spirit) and calm the Qi, visualizing the body suspended in empty space with golden light penetrating both interior and exterior. When sensing the manifestation of one's primordial spirit (Yuanchen Zhenren), the practitioner prostrates in silent prayer, envisioning ancestral masters leading an audience with the Dipper Lord (Northern Dipper Deity). Within the golden light of the Great Crimson Heaven (Dachi Tian), the ancestral masters convey the petitions on one's behalf while awaiting signs of inner-outer resonance. This complete method emphasizes heaven-human correspondence, using stellar energies to communicate across the Three Realms.

(Note: The term "Qi" here refers to prenatal vital energy, distinct from postnatal breath; "visualization" denotes Daoist contemplative techniques; "Gang-Star Stepping" indicates ceremonial footsteps following astral configurations.)

The Method of Soaring Spirit to Pay Homage to the Dipper (a Daoist practice for communicating with deities through visualization) is practiced as follows:

The practitioner first prostrates in kneeling position, visualizing the presence of perfected beings (achieved adepts) within their body. Next, gather all the body's divine spirits at the Yellow Court (middle Dantian), imagining golden boys and jade maidens leading the way, with two perfected beings on each side riding dragon chariots emerging from the spleen region. Two of them hold memorial documents, which are drawn from the Central Palace (heart region) through the northwest direction, with the path illuminated as if by sunlight and moonlight. At this point, the consciousness must depart from the lower Dantian, first silently reciting the Demon King Chapter of the Desire Realm (referring to the realm of desire), then ascending to the heart area to recite the Demon King Chapter of the Form Realm, continuing upward to the Twelve-Storied Tower (the trachea area, symbolizing the layer of vigorous Qi and cosmic winds).

When demon kings come to greet you, recite the meaning of the Formless Realm (highest heavenly realm), finally arriving at the Muddy Pellet Palace (upper Dantian) at the crown of the head. Here visualize the Nine Emperor Star Lords each residing in their palaces, with the seven stars of heaven shining brilliantly. Use the tongue pressed against the upper palate to form a golden bridge, while the five viscera transform into five-colored cloud Qi, riding the bridge directly to the Northern Dipper. Summon the two divine generals Qingyang and Tuoluo to announce your purpose, after which envoys will descend from the Dipper, entering the practitioner's Muddy Pellet Palace via the golden bridge to verify the memorial.

Finally, visualize the Nine Emperor Star Lords descending on clouds to merge with your own Muddy Pellet Palace. Amid golden light, see your ancestral master leading you and accompanying divine officials to pay respects to the Dipper Perfected (Northern Dipper Star Lords) and present the memorial. At this stage, achieve complete forgetfulness of self and object, quietly awaiting the ancestral master's response. Upon completion, withdraw with reverent bows of body and mind.

Key points for practicing the Method of Treading Light to Venerate the Master (a visualization practice for honoring perfected teachers): Light an incense stick before you, summon divine generals to announce oral petitions (verbal prayers), perform three prostrations before sitting in full lotus position, click the teeth twenty-four times, and silently recite the Mind Chapter Spirit-Summoning Incantation: "Yinyin are all my..." (original mantra text preserved). This mantra aims to summon the Five Body Numinous Officials (deities corresponding to the five viscera) and the 84,000 body spirits (the body's microcosmic divine system) to protect your sides, achieving a state of unified spirit-consciousness through mantra recitation.

(Note: Specialized Daoist terms like "Yellow Court," "Muddy Pellet Palace," and "Nine Emperors" are preserved. Certain characters in mantras are replaced with □ due to their esoteric nature.)

This scripture describes a complete Daoist Thunder Ritual (a practice harnessing lightning power), comprising three main components: spirit flight and petition, visualization cultivation, and talismanic incantation.

First, the ritual master summons Thunder Department generals to assist their primordial spirit (Shen) in ascending to the celestial court. By reciting specific mantras ("Om Shan Zha Yao Gong swiftly exit the Niwan"), they visualize their Shen rapidly emerging from the Niwan Palace (upper Dantian) at the crown of the head, flying directly to the Jade Emperor's palace to present petitions. This requires two types of "empty-space talisman" techniques—first using the tongue tip to trace the "Heart-Opening Talisman" in the air to activate the heart orifice, then using the gaze to trace the "Crane-Riding Talisman" to form an immortal crane mount.

Next comes the visualization stage: The master visualizes three golden characters ("Om Mi Luo") appearing in the air while guiding internal Qi from the Crimson Palace (middle Dantian) in the heart upward through the Jiaji Pass (key spinal acupoints) to the crown. These golden characters merge with incense smoke as offerings to the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), the Nine Emperor Stars of the Northern Dipper, and Fire Department patriarchs. The entire altar becomes filled with golden light and incense smoke, with additional visualization of divine messengers Xie and Bai delivering documents to the patriarchs for review.

While awaiting divine response, the second mantra is recited ("Om Hong thunderclap shaking the eight gates"), mobilizing the three Hun souls—Tai Guang (fetal light), Shuang Ling (refreshing spirit), and You Jing (hidden essence)—to respectively reach the celestial gate above and earth portal below for rapid message transmission. The mantra concludes with "By the supreme decree of the Great Red Heaven Emperor," invoking Laozi's ultimate authority.

Upon receiving divine response, the master recites the Spirit-Returning Mantra ("Om Hong Zha soaring through the vault") to reintegrate the Shen, then performs the water basin talisman ritual. This involves forming the Dipper Seal with the left hand (simulating the Big Dipper constellation) while stirring water seven times with sword-finger mudra in the right hand—each rotation corresponding to one of the seven Dipper Lords (Kui, [alternative character], [alternative character], Xing, Zhuo, [alternative character], Piao)—with accompanying mantras to imbue the water with exorcism and life-preserving properties. Finally, talismans are cast into the basin, a ruler and scale are placed across it, and a ritual robe covers it while visualizing the entire ground transforming into a golden Northern Dipper protective boundary.

Note: "Niwan" refers to the upper Dantian; "Jiaji Pass" denotes key Du meridian acupoints; the "three Hun souls" represent Daoism's tripartite soul components (Tai Guang, Shuang Ling, You Jing); and the "Dipper Seal" is a hand mudra mimicking the Big Dipper formation.

This scripture describes several Daoist cultivation methods, primarily involving stellar veneration and Qi-absorption techniques for health preservation.

Regarding the "Method of Emerging from the Dipper and Retrieving the Spirit" (出斗收神法): After completing the ritual, the practitioner must tread specific footsteps (called "Primordial Steps" or 元步) starting from the first star of the Big Dipper, the Greedy Wolf Star. One visualizes golden light emitted from within the body being drawn back through the crown point (Baihui, known as the Gate of All Wonders 众妙门), then swallowed and stored in the Dantian (丹田). During this process, one should perceive the universe in perfect stillness, free from distracting noises. Next, incantations are recited while coordinating the "three steps and nine traces" footwork pattern, thereby drawing the radiance of the Heavenly Gang stars back into the body.

Concerning the "Method of Absorbing the Primordial Sovereign's Vital Qi" (服元皇正气法): This is a practice for assimilating the energy of the Nine Stars. Each of the nine stellar lords emits light of distinct colors: the Lord of Yang Brilliance Star (阳明星君) emits azure light, the Lord of Yin Essence Star (阴精星君) black light, the Lord of True Humanity Star (真人星君) yellow light, the Lord of Mysterious Darkness Star (玄冥星君) crimson light, the Lord of Cinnabar Origin Star (丹元星君) white light, the Lord of Northern Pole Star (北极星君) green light, the Lord of Heavenly Pass Star (天关星君) purple light, the Assistant Star (辅星) jade light, and the Support Star (弼星) profound dark light.

The practice requires selecting specific timings: the ninth day at dawn during the first month of each season, the nineteenth day at noon during the middle month of each season, and the twenty-ninth day at midnight during the final month of each season. Thirty-six sessions per year correspond to the celestial cycles. Practitioners must observe purification rituals, calm their minds, burn incense, sit in stillness, close their eyes to regulate breath, knock teeth nine times, visualize the majestic forms of the nine stellar lords, silently recite the Seven Stars incantation, and imagine the Qi of nine stars pouring into their mouths to be swallowed gradually while exhaling the old and inhaling the new. After nine years of consistent practice, it is said one may achieve immortality with perfected form and spirit (形神俱妙).

Finally, regarding the explanation of "Primordial Cycle and Courier Horses within the Body" (身中元辰驿马): The Primordial Cycle (元辰) refers to human essence-spirit (精神), while the Courier Horses (驿马) signify the heart-mind (心神). A person's Primordial Cycle manifests externally through the eyes while being stored internally within the heart, observing the external world through vision.

When all things allow their minds to wander outward, they become entangled in myriad affairs, and the Shen (spirit) races about incessantly. This is what is called the "Original Chariot and Post-Horse" (a metaphor for the restless mind galloping like a relay horse). If one can withdraw the wandering mind, turn inward in contemplation, and cultivate the inner form and spirit, then the true Yuanshen (primordial spirit) will naturally manifest.

The human body constitutes a complete microcosm: the Muddy Pellet Palace (upper Dantian) at the crown contains nine chambers, called the "Celestial Valley," corresponding to the Northern Dipper in heaven; the heart with its nine orifices, called the "Crimson Palace," corresponds to the earthly Northern Dipper; while the lower Dantian down to the feet corresponds to the terrestrial Northern Dipper. Thus the human body embodies the unified principle of the Three Powers (heaven, earth, and humanity).

(Following is a template for Daoist memorial petitions):

Your servant [official title and name], trembling with reverence, kneels to submit this memorial. Humbly representing [location/person and specific matter—stated concisely without excessive detail], your servant respectfully petitions: May the Three Officials take notice, may the Five Thearchs descend, may the Greedy Wolf Star Lord prolong life, the Giant Gate Star Lord preserve destiny, the Wealth Preserving Star Lord resolve adversity, the Civil Arts Star Lord dispel calamity, the Pure and Chaste Star Lord support the weak, the Martial Arts Star Lord dissolve misfortune, the Army Breaker Star Lord increase longevity, and the Assistant Star Lord protect the body. May the petitioner's name be registered in the immortal records, virtuous deeds documented, and transgressions absolved. All faults seek pardon, as we await the divine judgment regarding fortune and misfortune. Your servant trembles with awe, reverently anticipating the sacred decree. Respectfully submitted on [date] by [official title and name].

(Following are accompanying incantations for petition transmission):

First incantation: "The Northern Dipper transmits this memorial to the Nine Celestial Sovereigns of the Central Heaven. One star transforms into the Vermilion Law King. I now summon and invite—may you descend to this altar. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the Star Lord's sacred decree!"

Second incantation: "Oṃ ḍaḥ [esoteric characters] ṇaḥ [esoteric characters], the Dipper revolves, stars shift, by the divine dragon's command. [Series of esoteric star names]—ultimately commanded!"

(Note: Memorial documents should be prepared on yellow paper measuring seven inches in height and nine inches in length, inscribed in single columns with cinnabar ink. The □ symbols represent secret characters whose proper writing and pronunciation typically require oral transmission from a master.)

This scripture describes a Daoist ritual for dispelling misfortunes and resolving calamities through incense offerings and worship of the Northern Dipper deities. The ritual master (referring to himself as "this humble servant") arranges seven pieces of jiangzhen incense in the burner, symbolizing the seven stars of the Northern Dipper, communicating with the deities through "flying spirit audience with the Dipper" (feishen yedou) to divine auspicious or inauspicious signs.

During the ceremony, the master respectfully presents memorials to Doumu (Mother of the Dipper) and the "Life-Prolonging Nine Imperial Stars of the Central Heaven Northern Dipper," petitioning for the removal of the devotee's (named) karmic obstructions. The memorial includes: supplicating the Grandmother of Ten Thousand Qi (the divine source of the cosmos) to dispatch the Jade Maiden of Tiangang (Celestial Stem) bearing the Nine Heavens' imperial decree to command myriad deities; beseeching the Northern Dipper deities along with the Eleven Luminaries, Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, Tai Sui (Year Spirit), and City God to collectively resolve the devotee's karmic entanglements from past and present lives.

The master specifically petitions the celestial medical officers and healing functionaries to descend golden healing light (zhubing jinguang) that dispels pathogenic qi and cures illnesses. The ritual features two key procedures: "golden light wrapping the talisman" (jinguang guofu) and "shifting stars to transform calamities" (qianxing zhuan sha). The ceremony concludes by reverently inviting the Celestial Worthy of Dao and De (Taishang Laojun) to empower the ritual with his sacred force.

The recurring term "imperial decree" (gaoming) refers to formal memorials presented to deities in Daoist rituals. "Primordial Qi" (yuanqi) denotes the prenatal vital energy, while "Tiangang" (the seventh star of the Northern Dipper) holds special divine power in Daoist practice. The mantra "Om Nazha Hong Suohe She" serves as an esoteric incantation for summoning celestial beings.

This scripture describes a complete Daoist ritual for invoking the Northern Dipper Star Lords to avert disasters and cure illnesses. The ritual master begins by forming hand seals (the Dipper Seal covering the head, with the right hand in Sword Finger posture resting on the hip), then turns three to five times in place while visualizing the rotation of heaven and earth, silently reciting the incantation: "Heaven turns, earth turns, stars shift and dippers rotate, may ten thousand calamities never appear." This is followed by recitation of the Secret Seven Star Incantation of the Nine Heavens' Numinous Sounds ("Om kuti di she su zha he re mi zha..."), a powerful mantra that commands celestial bodies, to be chanted both during the "Descent of the Dipper" (inviting the star lords) and "Entry into the Dipper" (seeing them off).

The master visualizes the Dipper Mother (primordial sovereign of the Northern Dipper stars) presiding above, with the Nine Emperor Star Lords (the seven stars of the Northern Dipper plus two assistant stars) and the star officials Qingyang and Tuoluo arrayed solemnly. The congregation is guided to bathe in starlight, visualizing the star lords emitting jade-colored luminous Qi that pours into the crown point (upper Dantian) of devotees, making their bodies translucent like crystal. At this stage, the master experiences inner and outer clarity, with sweet saliva spontaneously arising in the mouth, surrounded by auspicious breezes and celebratory clouds reminiscent of spring.

Next, the Celestial Physician Talisman and Dipper Mother Talisman are burned and dissolved in purified tea or jujube broth for the patient to ingest. For specific ailments, the "Seven Authentic Secret Names" of the Dipper Stars may be employed:

Greedy Wolf Star's honorific "Lushenzi" with mantra "Wu xi zhe di si zi";

Great Gate Star's "Yuanwenzi" with "Wu xi li yuanmen zi";

Prosperity Preserver Star's "Weifuzi" with "Wu xi □ hui sun zi";

Civil Arts Star's "Shihuizi" with "Ming xi □ zi hui zi";

Pure and Upright Star's "Zihengzi" with "Ming xi zha wei yan zi";

Martial Arts Star's "Taichezi" with "Wu xi cha zi lu zi";

and Army Breaker Star's "Taibinzi" with "Wu xi na da ying zi."

The text concludes with methods for divining auspicious signs: If stars remain invisible before formal invocation but suddenly appear during the ritual, this portends good fortune. Seeing only Greedy Wolf Star foretells literary scholars' promotion; witnessing one's Birth Star (corresponding to one's birth time) predicts scholarly distinction for literati, great luck for commoners, and recovery for the ill. Purple auspicious clouds or light mist signify blessings and longevity for devotees, while heavy rain or darkness warrants caution.

This scripture explains the auspicious and inauspicious celestial signs Daoist ritual masters observe during "petition rituals" (ceremonial communications with celestial deities).

When performing rituals, if the master witnesses the manifestation of one or two Star Lords (deified astral beings venerated in Daoism), it foretells domestic peace, the birth of an exceptional child for expectant mothers, and recovery for the sick. Purple, white, or yellow qi (vital energy) passing through the Big Dipper constellation signals good fortune, whereas black clouds traversing the same constellation portend misfortune.

Inauspicious signs include: premature appearance of the Big Dipper before formal petitioning begins, or darkening skies with rain or snow during the ceremony. If overcast conditions precede the ritual and clouds obscure the stars during the actual petition, all requested matters will face delays.

Conversely, when the Big Dipper appears clearly before cloud cover during the petition, scholars may expect academic success and smooth endeavors, while patients can anticipate recovery. The text concludes by mentioning the "Heaven-Opening Petition Talisman" (a type of fulu - empowered ritual document), used to establish communication channels with celestial realms.