《道法會元》Vol. 204

This passage describes a Daoist salvation ritual titled "Golden Fire Celestial Warriors' Spirit Liberation and Refinement Ceremony" as recorded in the Daofa Huiyuan (Compendium of Daoist Rituals). The altar is consecrated to the Three Heavenly Worthies (supreme Daoist deities): the Heavenly Worthy of Dao's Treasure, the Heavenly Worthy of Scripture's Treasure, and the Heavenly Worthy of Master's Treasure—representing the three supreme manifestations of the Dao.

The ritual begins with the priest admonishing the deceased spirit to relinquish worldly attachments, emphasizing life's transience and how only cultivation of the Dao leads to eternal life. It mentions the auspicious message brought by the Azure Phoenix (a Daoist celestial bird), noting that Penglai, the legendary fairy isle, is currently receiving perfected immortals—a rare opportunity for salvation.

The priest lights Soul-Returning Incense and Ninefold Splendor Lamps (ritual implements for summoning spirits), performing blessings through esoteric liturgical texts. The text employs metaphors like "flowing water and floating clouds" or "clear breeze and bright moon" to depict the liberated soul's state of freedom, urging the spirit to abandon worldly ties. The three libation ceremonies proceed as follows:

During the first libation, the priest recites the five thousand characters of the Daode Jing, while the Perfected Yin Xi (Laozi's disciple) guides the soul to Taiqing Heaven (one of the Three Pure Realms).

At the second libation, the Night Patrol Deity delivers nine scrolls of the Chapters on Spirit Vivification via golden tablets (celestial documents) from Northern Fengdu (the underworld), accompanied by celestial music directing the soul to Shangqing Heaven.

The final libation counsels the spirit to see through worldly illusions—like the crane returning to its jade pillar (symbolizing transcendence)—until achieving perfect enlightenment.

Through ritual implements (incense, lamps, scriptures, and wine) combined with specific incantations and mudras, the ceremony assists the soul's liberation from suffering and ascension to immortality. The text repeatedly emphasizes "sincere devotion" as the crucial factor for successful salvation.

This scripture depicts a Daoist ritual for the salvation of departed souls, divided into two main sections:

The first section describes the lavish offerings prepared for the celestial deities. The altar tables overflow with precious delicacies, evoking memories of the deities' divine countenance. Here it mentions that the "Soul-Returning Incense" (a Daoist ritual implement for summoning spirits) is unnecessary, as the "cloud blossoms" (referring to auspicious immortal Qi within celestial clouds) have already guided the departed soul to the Jade Purity Palace (the highest heaven among the Three Pure Ones' realms). The text explains that the soul has long wearied of earthly delicacies like "gold-minced jade-sliced fish" and now yearns for the Emerald Waters of the Jasper Pool (Queen Mother of the West's immortal abode). Through chanting scriptures toward the East (symbolizing the generative Qi of dawn), the soul may undergo refinement in the Southern Palace (a Daoist purgatory for soul transformation) while reciting sacred texts alongside fellow cultivators.

The second section contains numerous esoteric Daoist mantras and incantations composed of sacred Sanskrit-derived syllables with special spiritual power. Phrases like "Danlou Ahui" and "Wuhe Guanyin" represent specific salvation mantras used to guide departed souls. References to "jade capitals where dew flies," "bright demons at the gate" (for exorcising malevolent forces), and "the Four Symbols responding" (mobilizing directional deities) all reflect standard Daoist ritual procedures. The frequent recurrence of the number "nine" (as in Nine Spirits, Nine Afflictions, Nine Capitals) represents the ultimate Yang number in Daoist cosmology.

The text particularly highlights the "Heavenly Worthy Who Guides Souls to Rebirth" (a specific Daoist deity overseeing soul salvation), describing scenes of jade radiance illuminating the cosmos and "fiery trees with silver blossoms" (visions of the immortal realm), along with the refinement of physical form through Golden Elixir (alchemical holy water). It emphasizes this moment as the most auspicious for salvation, when guardian deities who subdue demonic obstacles will welcome the assembly of perfected immortals to oversee the deliverance. The conclusion stresses that unless the departed soul returns to its origin and fulfills its cosmic destiny (reuniting with the Dao's fundamental source), the salvation cannot be completed.

To transcend the mundane and attain sagehood (ascending to immortal Dao), one must comprehend the principle of reversal at the extreme—just as the natural cycle where yin recedes and yang flourishes. This is not only the practitioner's personal liberation through attaining the Dao, but even seven generations of ancestors may ascend together. Behold the majestic sight of the Vermilion Palace (the Daoist abode of southern immortals)—step forward without delay. Do not dismiss this encounter as predestined by past lives, nor refuse this teaching as too profound to transmit lightly.

If the practitioner can uphold the "virtue of two and three" (referring to the harmonization of yin and yang), the Five Thearchs will inscribe their name in the celestial register. If they can balance the advance and retreat of their inner state, the Three Officials (Heavenly Official, Earthly Official, and Water Official) will record their merits with brush and scroll. For when the Three Treasures—the Treasure of the Dao (the primordial source), the Treasure of Scriptures (Daoist classics), and the Treasure of the Master (the guiding teacher)—manifest together, five-colored auspicious clouds will appear in the sky, and celestial immortals, earthly immortals, and water immortals will descend in procession. At this moment, one must bow reverently, listen intently to the divine decree, maintain clarity in the spiritual chamber, and humbly follow the guidance.

(Ritual section) The departed soul is led to the Refinement Altar (a ritual platform for salvation) for ceremonial homage. Through the "Declaration of Refinement for the Departed" (a liturgical procedure announcing the soul's acceptance of purification), liberation is facilitated.

This passage is from The Collected Essentials of Daoist Rituals (Daofa Huiyuan), Volume 204, expounding the essential methods of cultivation and salvation. Cultivating the Dao of yin and yang not only leads to personal immortality but also blesses one's ancestors. When the Three Treasures manifest and the host of immortals descend, it is the pivotal moment for receiving deliverance.