《道法會元》Vol. 208

This scripture records the cultivation methods and ritual procedures of the "Great Method of the Jade Yang Spirit Refinement through the Supreme Ultimate" in Daoism.

The Immortal Elder of the Supreme Ultimate (a revered Daoist deity) revealed: The heart is the abode where Shen (spirit) resides. What we call "spirit refinement" means enabling the spirit to concentrate and the Qi (vital energy) to gather. When Shen and Qi (life energy) unite, we use the spirit to refine primordial Qi while using Qi to nourish the spirit—this is called "spirit refinement." If one can attune their spirit to commune with heaven and earth, they can achieve spiritual wholeness. Therefore, the scriptures contain records of the "Chapter of Spirit Generation" and the "Names of the Nine Qi"—the Dao of spirit refinement must be clearly understood.

The presiding deities of this ritual include: the Holy Master of the Three Heavens, Supreme Minister Zhang Zhenjun (an important Daoist immortal), and the Patriarch, Immortal Elder Ge Zhenjun of the Left Palace of the Supreme Ultimate, Celestial Pivot Minister (a renowned Daoist perfected being).

At the ritual's commencement, at dawn, one must burn summoning talismans in the open air, reverently inviting the Five Directions Cloud Path Generals, local City Gods, and neighborhood Earth Gods to assist in swiftly gathering wandering souls that night and escorting them to the ritual altar for salvation. When burning the talismans, one must recite the heart mantra: "Om Hong Hong Nie Jia She."

At night, offerings should be prepared, including incense, candles, food, clear water, and other provisions, with no limit on the quantity of paper money or ritual banners. Additionally, the Mysterious Communication Talisman (a special type of talisman) must be burned, with the presiding ritual master reporting to the supreme deities.

Next is the Invocation of the Saints ceremony: The presiding master petitions the heavens, beseeching the Dao, the scriptures, the master's treasures, and the Ten Thousand Spirits of Primordial Beginning (the highest Daoist deities) to accept sincere prayers on this auspicious night—both to serve heaven and to save the wandering souls. They pray for the infusion of true Qi and that the ritual offerings may assist the souls in transcending. The presiding master must kowtow while reciting incantations, summoning deities such as General Yama, the Disheveled-Haired Soul-Chasing General, and the Yellow-Headed Soul and Spirit Managing General to swiftly gather wandering souls from the six paths and four rebirths (a Buddhist concept of reincarnation) to receive salvation.

Finally, the crafting of the Jade Talisman for the Divine Refinement of Dan Yang: Use plain blue silk, nine inches high and five inches wide, inscribed with orpiment (a mineral pigment). While inscribing, recite the secret incantation "Dun Yu Qing Yi Qi" nine times, drawing the vital Qi from the east and blowing it into water. Then sprinkle the offerings with a willow branch while reciting the food transformation mantra "Om Jia Bu Ti Li She." Conclude with prayers that the wandering souls may receive this spiritual power and attain salvation.

(Note: The term "Qi" mentioned here is a Daoist cultivation term referring to primordial life energy; "six paths and four rebirths" borrows Buddhist concepts to describe various forms of reincarnated beings.)

This records an esoteric Daoist ritual for exorcism and salvation of the deceased, known as the "Great Divine Incantation of the Three Treasures" (referring to the Three Jewels of Dao, scriptures, and master). The Three Treasures possess immense power, capable of delivering sentient beings and alleviating suffering through recitation of divine mantras.

When performing the ritual, the practitioner silently chants mystical incantations containing esoteric Daoist mantras such as "Om Hong Zha Li" and divine appellations like "Celestial Emperor Ri." These sacred utterances summon celestial powers specifically for subduing various malevolent spirits collectively termed "Chi Mei Wang Liang." Phrases like "Wu Lun Tu Cha" represent potent mantra syllables with special spiritual efficacy.

The ceremony requires a ritual implement called a "Precious Register" (Baolu, Daoist documents used to summon deities), inscribed with characters such as "Precious Register of Life-Giving Spirit from the Jade Yang Palace of Great Numinous Fire Capital." The ritual master reverently receives this register's divine power descending from the celestial realm, harnessing the radiance of the Three Treasures to liberate wandering souls.

The specific method involves: refining the deceased's form with Southern Li Fire (symbolizing pure Yang) and reconstructing their essence with Northern Kan Water (symbolizing pure Yin). This process purifies and clarifies the soul's consciousness (Shen), enabling it to merge with the primordial Qi of heaven and earth, free from suffering. Souls liberated through this method radiate luminous energy, gaining recognition from the Five Directional Celestial Emperors of the Three Realms (Desire Realm, Form Realm, and Formless Realm), ultimately attaining residence in the highest pure celestial abodes.

The ritual document must conclude with a standardized formula declaring the register's efficacy to the Ten Directional Deities at the sacred site of Vermilion Fire Danling. It records the exact date and hour, noting the ritual was performed by a designated master (referred to as "Minister So-and-so") under ancestral authorization. Two ancestral masters are specifically mentioned: Master Sa Shoujian (the Song Dynasty renowned Daoist titled "Perfected of Subtle Wonder of Pure Emptiness") and Perfected Lord Zhang Daoling (the Celestial Master Zhang, founder of Daoism).

This scripture originates from Volume 208 of the Compendium of Daoist Rituals (Daofa Huiyuan), an important collection of Daoist ritual practices from the Song-Yuan period.