《道法會元》Vol. 231

This passage describes the iconography and invocation methods of the "Three Luminaries Divine Officers" (Sanjing Lingguan), the guardian deities of the Zhengyi lineage in the Shangqing Daoist tradition.

First, the appearances of the three Marshal-Officers:

Marshal Chen (given name Danian) has a blue-green face with three eyes, wearing a lion-helmet, golden armor with a yellow robe, and green boots. He holds a spear in his left hand and a sword in his right, accompanied by a white serpent.

Marshal Ma (given name Sheng) also has a blue-green face with three eyes and exposed teeth. He wears a golden floral gauze cap, golden armor beneath a crimson brocade robe covered by a yellow outer garment, fastened with a jade belt and green immortal sash. His left hand forms the Dipper Seal (a Daoist mudra), while his right wields a blazing divine sword. He carries a fire gourd implement on his back, stands upon a fiery wheel, with white serpents beneath his feet spitting flames, all surrounded by radiant firelight.

Marshal Zhu (given name Sengqi) has a crimson face with three eyes, wearing a white tiger helmet, golden armor with silver fangs, a white robe and green boots. He holds a golden brick in his left hand and a sword in his right.

Next is described the Dutian Marshal's form: he has three heads and six arms, with a blue-green face, three eyes and exposed teeth. His left three hands respectively hold a seal, bow and arrows, and golden brick; his right three hands grasp an iron chain, golden spear, and sword. He is attended by the Faceless General and White Serpent General, both wearing yellow headbands, white robes, iron armor and black boots, forming the Dipper Seal while holding swords, accompanied by fire crows.

The incantation for summoning these officers states: "The Samadhi True Fire faces the celestial palace, A crimson sun rises in the eastern sky." The specific cultivation method involves: pressing the tongue against the palate while visualizing raging flames in the southern direction, within which appears a vermilion plaque inscribed with four golden characters "Nine Spirits Soaring Through Space." Subsequently, the character "Ling" (灵) emits three golden rays transforming into the three mantra syllables "Om Hum Zha" rotating like a wheel. The practitioner inhales through the nose, drawing the golden light into the lungs to refine golden liquid, which combines with heart-fire before circulating through the liver and ascending via the spinal ridge (a key Du meridian point) to the Heavenly Eye point (between eyebrows), then exhaling toward the south. After repeated circulation, pointing with the Sword Seal (hand mudra) summons either the Three Luminaries Officers or Marshal Ma individually.

The concluding summoning mantra states: "By burning incense we summon the Divine Officers, May the Officers swiftly descend, Manifesting great spiritual powers, To exorcise evils and bind demons."

This passage describes a Daoist exorcism ritual for summoning divine generals. The ritual master employs specific hand gestures (mudras), incantations, and visualization techniques to invoke the assistance of three marshals (Chen Danian, Ma Sheng, and Zhu Sengqi).

The ritual begins with the master forming two distinct hand seals: the left hand assumes the "Golden Tablet Seal" (thumb pressing down the index and little fingers while middle and ring fingers remain extended), while the right hand forms the "Jade Seal Mudra" (thumb pressing the ring and middle fingers with index and little fingers extended). The golden tablet gesture is placed before the chest while the jade seal hand rests on the hip. The master then recites the summoning incantation, invoking the Celestial Marshal (Tianshi) who wields a divine sword feared by all malevolent forces, beseeching the marshal to manifest his formidable power.

The summoning of the three marshals proceeds through three stages:

1. Visualizing Marshal Chen arriving from the southeast direction while exhaling with the sound "Xu" (噓), drawing azure Qi into the liver. The master recites the Kuixing incantation, petitioning the North Emperor's Guardian General to subdue evil influences.

2. Visualizing Marshal Ma approaching from due south while exhaling with the sound "He" (呵), channeling crimson Qi into the heart. The master chants the Lingguan incantation, summoning this great deity who commands celestial troops.

3. Visualizing Marshal Zhu descending from due west while exhaling with the sound "Xi" (呬), guiding white Qi into the lungs. The ritual concludes with an urgent incantation hastening the marshals' arrival.

This integrated ceremony combines mudras, mantras, breath techniques, and internal visualization (Neiguan), establishing a complete summoning ritual through precise correspondences of direction, color, and organ relationships. The phrase "urgently, urgently, in accordance with the statutes" (急急如律令) serves as a common Daoist incantation finale denoting immediate execution, while sacred syllables like "Om" (唵) and "Hum" (吽) function as powerful mantras with special spiritual efficacy.

This scripture contains the esoteric incantations and talismanic procedures of the Daoist Taiyi Flying Talisman tradition, detailing ritual protocols for summoning deities and exorcising malevolent spirits.

The opening section features Sanskrit-derived mantras like "Namo Bhagavate Parijña Paramitāya" (transliterated), constituting the secret mantra portion that typically remains untranslated literally. Subsequent invocations summon the Divine Lord of Taiyi, commanding the "Lingguan Wujun" (celestial generals under the authority of Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun) and the "Great Strength Heavenly Warriors" to swiftly descend and assist the practitioner in gathering vital essence (Jing-Qi) and vanquishing demonic entities.

The phrase "expand my power ten thousand zhang" signifies amplifying the ritual's sphere of influence, while "slay ghosts and specters" demonstrates the exorcism's potency to illuminate heaven and earth. Recurring phrases like "let [name] descend immediately" represent formulaic blanks to be filled with specific targets during practice. Stellar names from the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions ("Jiao, Kang, Di, Fang" etc.) are invoked to enhance the talisman's power.

The latter section meticulously describes talisman-drawing techniques: "First stroke for heaven, second for earth, third for human longevity" illustrates how the three brushstrokes embody the Three Powers (heaven-earth-humanity). Hand seals (Daoist mudras) must coordinate with specific mantras - the "Jade Purity Seal" corresponds to the character "Qing" (purity), "Upper Purity Seal" to "Ning" (tranquility), and "Great Purity Seal" to "Sheng" (life).

When constructing the ritual altar, practitioners must deploy "heavenly nets and earthly snares" to trap malevolent forces, using hand seals like the "Hai pattern" and "Si pattern" to seal terrestrial passages (earthly gates) while opening celestial pathways (heavenly gates). The concluding "golden beams and jade pillars" symbolize the erection of sacred boundaries, with the "Fire Deity" representing the formidable power of the Southern Planet Mars (Yinghuo Xingjun). Malevolent entities are given the ultimatum to either submit to the orthodox path or be reduced to cosmic dust.

This scripture records a complete Daoist exorcism ritual, comprising three key components: incantations, hand seals (mudras), and visualization practices. The practitioner must coordinate specific star constellations, directional shifts, and internal Qi circulation to perform the ritual effectively.

The process begins with chanting the names of the twenty-eight lunar mansions (Jiao, Kang, Di, etc.) while forming precise hand seals. The incantation claims the power to annihilate demons and malevolent spirits, mentioning a counterclockwise rotation from the Chen to Si positions (Daoist directional terminology). This is followed by successive invocations to the Three Pure Ones (Yuqing, Shangqing, and Taiqing - the supreme Daoist deities), the Jade Emperor, the Great Emperor of Purple Subtlety at the North Pole, and the Great Emperor of Scarlet Mound at the South Pole, petitioning their divine decrees.

Next comes the Tianpeng incantation (associated with Marshal Tianpeng, a renowned Daoist guardian deity), where baleful Qi is blown into the talisman. The celestial fire deity of the south, Tianding, is visualized as a towering flame giant with five eyes, capable of incinerating evil with Samadhi Fire (the true fire cultivated through Daoist practice). During this phase, the practitioner must visualize this deity descending from the Scarlet Mound (southern celestial realm) to reduce demons to ashes.

The acceleration chant employs esoteric mantras like "Om Cui Cui" to hasten the ritual's efficacy. When drawing the Kuixing talisman, the priest first visualizes a jade-faced deity of exquisite beauty appearing in the southern direction, then guides this divine image through breath into the heart region for energetic fusion. Subsequent incantations containing honorific titles like "Ancestral Dao's Jade Perfection" and "Emperor of Emptiness" channel metallic Qi (western energy) and thunder magic.

The final stage involves visualizing Marshal Ma Sheng (a Daoist guardian deity) rising from the heart, passing through the Niwan Palace (crown chakra), and projecting from the Celestial Eye (third eye) to inscribe talismanic characters with golden light. The complete recitation of the twenty-eight mansions coordinates with directional shifts to summon the power of the Big Dipper lords (like the Wolf and Giant Gate stars), imbuing the talisman with spiritual potency. The entire ceremony emphasizes immediate efficacy through the "swift capture" principle, embodying the Daoist magical axiom that "talismans command immediate compliance."

This scripture records Daoist talismanic incantations (fulu) and ritual procedures for exorcism and warding off malevolent forces, containing several core elements:

First, it describes the use of the eight trigrams (Bagua) orientations (Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, Dui) and the power of thunder-fire. It mentions employing the "Samadhi True Fire" (the internal alchemy/neidan flame cultivated in Daoist practice) to incinerate all disruptive ghosts and demonic entities, reducing them to dust. The incantation includes standard Daoist exorcism mantras like "Om Chi Hong Zha Li."

Next, it details the invocational spells for summoning divine forces. The primary deities summoned are Marshal Ma Sheng (a blue-faced, golden-eyed guardian deity of Daoism), the Great Emperor of the Northern Dipper (a major Daoist divinity governing the stars), and the Jade Emperor (the supreme deity in Daoism). The spells command these deities to descend swiftly, assist in capturing harmful spirits, and emphasize "clear retribution."

The text also specifies ritual hand gestures: forming the "Great Execution Mudra" (a specific hand seal) and "stepping the Dipper through the Zi-Wu positions" (a form of ritual pacing along astral directions). These are standard movements in Daoist ritual practice.

The concluding section concerns techniques for "sealing mountains and breaking into demonic caves, pursuing evil and destroying shrines"—specialized methods for subduing mountain spirits and demolishing unholy temples. Phrases like "toppling mountains and overturning peaks, winnowing earth and scattering sand" illustrate the divine power, while "patrolling the eight directions and inspecting the three realms" demonstrates the vast scope of their surveillance.

The entire scripture embodies the core Daoist exorcism principle of "subduing evil with orthodoxy," achieved through summoning legitimate deities, wielding thunder-fire energy, and performing precise ritual actions. The recurring phrase "urgently as the law commands" serves as a standard Daoist incantation conclusion, indicating immediate enforcement.

The practitioner must first calm the mind and focus the spirit, then perform the ritual act of lightly tapping the teeth (a common practice in Daoist cultivation). Facing south, visualize the Star Lord of the Southern Dipper before you, drawing in the southern Qi (vital energy) to permeate the entire body. Then turn northward, envisioning the Star Lord of the Northern Dipper behind you, absorbing the northern Qi to sweep through the body.

Next, press the middle finger and thumb of both hands together, touching the center of the palm with the palms facing outward, forming the shape of three eyes (mimicking the appearance of a Daoist marshal deity). With the left hand, form the Dipper Hand Seal (a Daoist mudra) and flick it outward to the left, then form the same seal with the right hand and flick it to the right. Again, form the Dipper Seal with the left hand and flick it forward at chest level, then with the right hand flick it backward. Then, with the left hand in the Dipper Seal, twist it inward and outward, passing in front of the chest before flicking it outward, all while visualizing the stars of the five directions encircling and protecting the body.

Form the Marshal Seal (a specific hand gesture) with the left hand and place it at the chest: the thumb presses the index finger, the thumb pinches the middle section of the middle finger, the ring and little fingers bend to press the palm, while the middle finger remains extended. The right hand forms the Golden Spear Seal at the waist: the thumb presses the ring and little fingers, while the index finger extends straight. Visualize Marshal Lingguan standing before you, flanked by celestial generals offering protection. At this point, inhale the Qi from the Heavenly Gate (the crown of the head) and swallow it, then quickly inhale a breath of Sha Qi (malevolent energy) and forcefully exhale it toward the area needing exorcism, simultaneously commanding, "Seize them swiftly!" This will cause evil spirits to cower and submit.

Regarding the method for drawing the "Mountain-Sealing and Cave-Shattering Talisman" (Fulu):

First, form the Marshal Seal with the left hand and place it over the heart, while the right hand forms the Sword Seal at the waist. Recite the Upper Realm Direct Emissary’s Spirit-Summoning Incantation, followed by a secret incantation three times. Inhale the golden light Qi from the Heavenly Gate and exhale it onto the brush before writing the talisman. The talisman must include phrases such as, "Urgently summon the direct emissary Sun Zhengming to descend."

The general meaning of the talisman text is: Marshal Lingguan, bearing the celestial decree, temporarily leaves the heavenly realm to descend to the ritual altar. Following the orthodox methods of the Dao, he petitions the supreme deities to command spirits and subdue inauspicious forces. Wherever the celestial talisman reaches, calamities are permanently eradicated, the suffering of the people is relieved, and blessings are abundantly gathered. The talisman concludes with imperative phrases such as, "By the urgent decree of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing)."

While drawing the talisman, chant the incantations simultaneously. After completing the talisman, draw a circle at the bottom and write "Sun Zhengming" inside it, while reciting the Mountain-Sealing and Cave-Shattering Incantation. Form the Sha-Warding Hand Seal, inhale Sha Qi, and exhale it into the talisman.

The Mountain-Sealing Incantation reads:

"Ten thousand storms of wicked winds,

Blazing fires across mountains and rivers."

Recite this seven times in one breath.

The Cave-Shattering Incantation reads:

"Heaven’s thunderbolts, earth’s thunderbolts,

The pestle shatters silver mountains and crushes stone."

Also recite this seven times in one breath.

This talisman must be written with cinnabar on yellow paper. The talisman header should depict three heads, with strokes rising above and below. In the center, write the name of the specific individual (e.g., "Ma [surname]").

This scripture outlines a complete Daoist ritual process for exorcistic talismans (Fulu), comprising several key components:

The talisman-drawing method specifies: writing the character "Chen" with the left hand and "Zhu" with the right, each repeated seven times, followed by three brush strokes to obscure them. During activation, the practitioner must silently recite esoteric incantations and Sanskrit mantras while visualizing the threefold manifestation of the Divine Guardian (Lingguan, a Daoist protector deity). One then breathes Qi into the talisman to transform it into the Guardian's true form. Before use, one talisman must be burned in the incense burner to summon deities, while dispatch involves burning the talisman with spirit money.

The talismans have multiple applications: they can be burned for the household kitchen god during emergencies, worn as amulets, ingested, or posted—each method producing specific effects. Three impressions of the "This Institution" seal must be stamped on each talisman. The summons document must begin with "The Northern Pole Exorcism Bureau," invoking the Divine Guardian Marshal to manifest, acting under the Jade Emperor's command to capture evil spirits and save sentient beings.

The dispatch text must specify: "We command the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) sect's Divine Guardian Marshals Chen Danian, Ma Sheng, and Zhu Sengqi, along with their subordinate generals including Sun Zhengming, to immediately proceed to the designated location. They shall supervise local City Gods (Chenghuang) and Earth Deities (Tudi) in executing the tasks of 'sealing mountains and breaking caverns' (suppressing malignant Qi) and 'dismantling altars and demolishing shrines' (destroying heterodox worship sites), then deliver the captured demons to Fengdu Hell." The document concludes with the execution date and the ritual master's official title.

The envelope format requires "The Northern Pole Exorcism Bureau" and the three marshals' names on the front, with the execution date on the reverse. The accompanying command incantations invoke the Sanqing (Three Pure Ones: Yuqing, Shangqing, and Taiqing), the Three Sovereigns (Jade Emperor, Celestial Sovereign, and Great Sovereign), and the Supreme Deity's decrees, ordering the Divine Guardians to suppress, behead, and capture evil spirits.

The final esoteric mantra is a Sanskrit incantation "Om Yaksha Ra..." used to summon divine generals to apprehend rampantly destructive evil forces. This comprehensive talismanic system demonstrates the meticulousness of Daoist exorcism rituals, with strict protocols governing every aspect from talisman drawing, seal application, and document formatting to incantation recitation.

This scripture passage describes the ritual process in Daoist ceremonies for summoning deities and subduing malevolent spirits. The ritual master, through ceremonial actions like sword dancing and incantation recitation, captures the evil spirits and brings them before the altar for interrogation and punishment.

"The dancing sword captures and brings forth" refers to the master wielding the ritual sword to apprehend the evil spirits. "Handcuffs and shackles escort them forth" depicts the process of placing restraints on the spirits, while "golden ropes and jade chains bind them tight" describes their immobilization with sacred cords. "Bound and fettered, they're brought before the altar" indicates the spirits being delivered to the ceremonial platform, and "interrogated under torture they shall be" signifies the judicial examination through ordeal.

The subsequent passages contain esoteric mantras (known as "Jade Script of the Great Exorcism"), including syllables like "Om Wu-zha-yi Pin-ye-zha" used to summon the Divine Guardians (protective deities) to swiftly descend to the altar. "Svaha" serves as the common mantra closing formula. Actions like "opening the celestial gates" and "shaking the golden palace" represent ritual movements to establish communication with the heavenly realms.

"The Six Yang" refers to the six time periods of strong yang energy, while "water-moon turtle" and "fire-sun snake" symbolize the harmonized state of yin-yang interaction in spiritual cultivation. "The Six Yin" denotes the six periods of potent yin energy. These terms reflect the Daoist emphasis on maintaining yin-yang equilibrium in practice.

The entire passage demonstrates the complete ceremonial procedure in Daoist rituals—employing sacred implements, mantras, and ritual movements to summon divine forces and exorcise evil spirits—imbued with profound religious ceremonial significance. The technical terminology maintains consistent translations according to standard Daoist studies conventions.