《道法會元》Vol. 201

This scripture records the talismanic practices of the Shenxiao lineage (an important Daoist school during the Song Dynasty), comprising several key components:

The text first describes preparatory rituals before creating talismans (Fulu). The practitioner must focus their Shen (spirit) and purify writing materials with specific incantations. The mantra "Ju zhi di she su zha he ruo mi zha" incorporates Sanskrit dhāraṇī elements, reflecting Daoism's assimilation of Esoteric Buddhist practices, used to invoke divine protection. While chanting, the practitioner visualizes golden boys and jade maidens refining talismans in the Jade Purity realm of Shenxiao.

Several crucial talismanic formulas follow. The first emphasizes the talisman's power to subdue demons and stabilize cosmic forces, warning that violators will face celestial thunder punishment. The second mentions "vermilion celestial scripts" (sacred red script believed used in heavenly realms) and "Eight Mighty Dragon Scripts" (potent talismanic writing), indicating these talismans can avert kalpic disasters. The third section venerates the Big Dipper (a major Daoist stellar deity) and the Great Emperor of Purple Tenuity, seeking calamity relief and blessings.

The term "Tiangang" refers to the three stars forming the Dipper's handle, representing celestial authority in Daoist ritual, while "Santai" denotes the three stars in the Dipper's bowl, symbolizing the triad of Heaven-Earth-Humanity. These stellar deities protect practitioners.

The latter section details specific talismans and their applications:

1. Purification Talismans - for space cleansing

2. Jade Spirit Summoning Talismans - invoking deities from the Jade Purity realm

3. Jade Spirit Command Talismans - directing deities to perform tasks

4. Barrier-Breaking Talismans - dissolving astrological obstacles

5. Ninefold Misfortune-Relief Talismans - progressively eliminating adversities

The concluding incantation emphasizes the Dipper Lords' majesty, demanding the talismans radiate "divine brilliance" in operation. The entire ritual exemplifies the Fulu tradition's principle of "infusing Qi (vital energy) into talismans to commune with deities," where ceremonial techniques channel divine power into inscribed characters.

This scripture primarily discusses the application of Daoist talismans (fulu, mystical symbols imbued with spiritual power), which can be divided into three sections:

The first part contains incantations for summoning divine power, conveying: "May the pure primordial Qi (referring to pre-heaven energy) descend to eradicate all evil influences, bestow prosperity and auspiciousness upon the practitioner, and dispel calamities. When encountering strange phenomena, immediately expel them by wielding the righteous Qi of the Big Dipper's Kuigang stars (important stellar deities in Daoism) to thoroughly sweep away inauspicious forces." These talismanic effects directly reach the celestial court (Yuxu refers to the abode of immortals) and must take effect as swiftly as executing an imperial decree.

The second section enumerates fifteen specific talismans, numbered from the first to the fifteenth, with special mention that the "Jade Spirit Talisman" should be used in the Kun position (southwest方位).

The third part details various disaster-relieving talismans and their corresponding deities:

• Universal Disaster-Relief Talisman: Capable of removing all misfortunes, requiring specific symbols drawn within the talismanic circle accompanied by oral formulas.
• Myriad Illnesses Talisman: For treating various diseases
• Hundred Resolutions Talisman: Comprehensive resolution of multiple calamities

Each talisman corresponds to different divine decrees (sacred commands):

1. The Three Pure Ones (supreme deities) relieve 404 types of illnesses and 24 categories of misfortunes

2. The Jade Emperor and other great deities remove the influence of inauspicious stars during one's birth year

3. The Nine Celestial Sovereigns of Divine Empyrean pardon unintentional transgressions

4. The Big Dipper and other stellar deities dispel 120 types of annual malevolent influences

5. The Three Officials' Great Emperors expel fifteen categories of demonic disturbances

6. The Four Sages of the North Pole address taboos violated during construction

7. The Fengdu Emperor resolves underworld disputes caused by ancestors

8. The Three Origin True Lords mitigate fengshui issues in dwellings

The conclusion summarizes these talismans' efficacy: They secure divine assistance, exorcise ghosts, dissipate disasters, attract blessings, harmonize the body, cure diseases, ensure smooth endeavors, and eliminate 404 types of ailments along with 24 categories of misfortunes.

(Note: The character "勑" is equivalent to "敕", meaning formal divine commands; "厄" denotes disasters and obstructions; "煞" refers to baleful energies)

This scripture records Daoist incantations (zhouyu) and talismans (fulu) for exorcising malevolent forces and averting calamities. The main content comprises several key components:

First is the Disaster-Dispelling Incantation, which asserts the power to resolve misfortunes originating from heaven, earth, water, fire, human conflicts, ghostly disturbances, or military conflicts. The phrase "a thousand harmonies and ten thousand unions, instantly accomplished" signifies the immediate efficacy of these protective powers.

Next appears a divine prescription for exorcising ghosts and curing illnesses, bestowed by the Supreme Venerable Lord (Taishang Laojun). It mentions that wearing the "Celestial Emperor's Heavenly Axis" talisman can eliminate malicious ghosts from all directions and subdue myriad spectral beings. The concluding phrase "urgently, urgently, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances" (jiji rulü ling) is a standard Daoist incantation formula indicating immediate effect.

The text then enumerates specific talismans and their functions:

• The Supreme Mysterious Capital Black Statutes True Talisman: mobilizes Qi from all directions to repel baleful deities and evil spirits
• The Form-Gathering Talisman (also called Pure Talisman), Corpse-Affliction Severing Talisman, and Misfortune-Dispelling Talisman: respectively used for removing corpse toxins, breaking curses, and resolving disputes
• The Curse-Neutralizing Talisman and Earth-Transgression Repelling Talisman: specifically designed to counteract witchcraft curses and offenses against earth spirits

The incantation section details how to employ the "Six Jia and Six Yi" (celestial stem combinations) to suppress earthbound spirits, commanding local deities like the "Earth Duke and Earth Mother" to withdraw. It concludes by emphasizing these talismans' protective power for household safety, particularly their efficacy in aiding conception, protecting pregnancies, and ensuring smooth childbirth.

The final command—"Urgently, urgently, by the decree of the Supreme Mysterious Primordial Black Fiery Eight Yang True Talisman of the Northern Realm"—invokes the authority of the Mysterious Heavenly Perfected Warrior (Xuantian Zhenwu) of the North to execute these ritual operations.

This scripture primarily discusses Daoist rituals and talismans (fulu) for conceiving children, protecting pregnancy, and ensuring safe childbirth. Those wishing to bear sons must pray sincerely to the deities while submitting petitions to the Bureau of Birth (the divine institution governing fertility). The specific method involves drawing the vital Qi (energy) from the Big Dipper stars, then blowing twenty-one breaths toward the expectant mother while she wears the True Talisman of the Six Jia. This talisman must be crafted from premium plain silk and red gauze (a type of crimson fabric), measuring precisely three chi five cun in size. The text emphasizes that success depends entirely on sincere devotion.

For women who consistently bear daughters, the scripture prescribes ingesting the "Son-Bearing Talisman." It then enumerates the names of the Six Jia Divine Generals: General Wang Wenqing of Jiazi, General Zhan Ziren of Jiaxu, and others—each overseeing specific heavenly stem and earthly branch combinations.

The scripture also describes the Fire Bell House-Sealing Talisman, which should be inscribed with cinnabar on camphor wood after rituals, then placed in red pouches at the four corners of the home for protection. Different talismans correspond to specific orientations (zi, chou, yin, etc.). The Five Thunder House-Sealing Talisman, used for gravely ill patients, must be written on wooden boards and positioned in the five directions of the courtyard (east, west, south, north, and center).

A concluding incantation petitions for longevity, calamity dispelling, and divine guardianship. The text stresses maintaining reverence after affixing talismans—avoiding profanity or loud noises—to ensure spiritual resonance. Collectively, this passage exemplifies traditional Daoist methods of addressing fertility and health concerns through ritual talismans, ceremonies, and divine communication.