《道法會元》Vol. 256

This scripture records the secret ritual method for dispelling epidemics from the "Great Method of Marshal Wen, Earthly Deity" in Daoist practice. Marshal Wen (one of Daoism's guardian deities) is responsible for subduing plague demons, and the complete ceremony involves the following steps:

First, the ritual master enters the altar space, recites purification incantations while sprinkling sanctified water, reports the purpose to ancestral masters, and summons the divine generals. After completing offerings, the master transforms his physical form and arranges the "Zi-Wu Dipper" formation (a Daoist ritual pattern based on the Big Dipper constellation) on the ground. Using the sword-finger mudra (a Daoist hand seal) with his right hand, coordinated with focused gaze and tongue position, he writes the character "𤿁" on the ground before consecrating water for the ritual.

Next comes visualization of great waters surging forth while tracing talismanic characters in the air, commanding General Iron-Catcher of the Left Brigade and the local earth deity to arrive by boat. The practitioner visualizes this vessel transforming into a golden tower with jade chambers, attended by singing youths and dancing maidens. Before the "plague chamber," he stamps his left foot while imagining heaven and earth inverting as floodwaters rise, visualizing Marshal Wen arriving in a painted boat to gather all plague demons aboard, systematically restraining each one.

The master then forms the jade-seal mudra (a Daoist hand gesture) with his left hand placed over the heart, while maintaining the sword-finger mudra at his waist with the right hand, reciting the "Manifesting Martial Power" incantation. Using his celestial eye (the third eye at the brow), he traces four talismanic characters in the air, visualizing them transforming into four golden tablets that become a thunder palace. Subsequent incantations declare the practitioner's authority from the Jade Emperor, demonstrating knowledge of each plague demon's origins and threatening thunder-axe destruction for disobedience. The chant specifically names these demons' familial relations, including Bi Yangnu, Wang Binnu and others.

The final section contains the "Blazing Fire Talisman" text, invoking assistance from the Three Platforms stellar deities (Daoist astral spirits), Celestial Master Zhang, the Five Sacred Peaks' mountain gods, and Marshal Wen—harnessing the southern fire god's power to gather toxic energies, cure diseases, eliminate misfortunes, and protect living beings. The talisman references the "Kui-Shao Dipper" (the Big Dipper) and "Kan-Li" (representing the harmonious interaction of water and fire). This scripture comprehensively demonstrates Daoist plague-expelling techniques combining talismans, visualization, mudras, and ritual procedures.

This scripture describes Daoist exorcism rituals involving incantations, talismans (fulu), and visualization practices.

The passage "颠倒留人门" depicts the ritual posture of the Daoist priest: with disheveled hair and wielding a sword, he blocks the path of malevolent spirits and captures demonic entities. Through esoteric techniques like "erecting golden beams" and "raising jade pillars," he annihilates evil forces, reducing them to dust while simultaneously protecting himself and manifesting his true form.

The section invoking "丙丁之君" is an incantation summoning the Fire Deity of the south. Born at Mount Tai (the Eastern Peak), this deity commands three thousand executioner troops and five hundred elite soldiers specialized in subduing evil. The incantation describes this divine being with a blue body, crimson hair, and eyes spouting flames, demanding his immediate manifestation. The command concludes by invoking the authority of the "Heavenly Equal Benevolent Sage Emperor of Mount Tai."

The subsequent steps detail talisman creation: after drawing the talisman, the practitioner faces southeast (the Xun position) while visualizing the Great Guardian Deity (Taibao Shen) leading four generals into the talisman. Reciting phrases like "魁连落吉章," the practitioner channels baleful qi from the northeast into the talisman while imagining the three thousand executioners and five hundred elite soldiers transforming into golden light that enters the talisman. This is accompanied by secret incantations such as the "Zhaowu Zhang Tianpeng Spell."

The "勘合符命" section contains an advanced general-summoning incantation. In the name of the Supreme Mysterious Perfected Being (Taixuan Zhenren, a high-ranking Daoist deity) and the Eastern Peak Chief Minister of Destiny (Dongyue Shangqing Siming Zhenjun), it calls upon Patriarch Wen and marshals to descend swiftly to the ritual altar with four generals and troops. They are commanded to capture evil entities, neutralize plagues and toxins, revive the dead, and uphold their oath of fidelity.

The "响棒甲马符" is a potent talisman specifically used to treat madness and induce labor or abortion. When activated, it requires drawing stellar qi from the Xu and Wei constellations (two of the twenty-eight lunar mansions) into the practitioner's eyes. The talisman bears depictions of divine dragons, celestial steeds, and sacred armor, activated in conjunction with the decree of the "Purple Sovereign Primordial Monarch of Heavenly Unity."

Finally, the "斗罡煞符" refers to the Big Dipper talismans: the Upper Platform Star dispels inauspicious influences, while the Middle Platform Star offers personal protection. This reflects the common Daoist veneration of the Northern Dipper.

This scripture outlines a complete Daoist ritual for exorcism and home protection, comprising core procedures including summoning divine generals, subduing baleful energies, and safeguarding the soul.

The ritual master begins by reciting the Northern Dipper incantation (a mantra associated with the seven stars of the Big Dipper) while forming specific hand seals (mudras). Through gestures like "pinching the Zi-Wu positions" (thumb pressing between the base of the ring finger and middle fingertip), the practitioner mobilizes the power of the seven stars (Lupus, Gatekeeper, Wealth Star, Civil Star, Pure Star, Martial Star, and Breaker). This is followed by subduing all forms of baleful energies from heaven, earth, years, months, days, and hours, thereby suppressing all malevolent spirits.

During the soul-protection phase, the master uses incantations to conceal a person's three Hun souls (Luminous Platform, Hidden Essence, and Bright Spirit) and seven Po souls within the corresponding positions of the Northern Dipper stars: the first Po in the Lupus position (Zi/thumb), the second in the Gatekeeper position (Chou/index finger)... up to the seventh Po in the Breaker position (Wu/little finger). This soul-anchoring technique shields the spiritual essence from demonic interference.

The latter section summons divine generals like "Heaven-Linking Great General," including the Nine Heavens Patrol General, Golden-Browed Ancient Lord, and Marshal Tianpeng—Daoist guardian deities. These generals can deploy "celestial nets and earthly traps" possessing the power to "slay ghosts without mercy." The mentioned "four vertical and five horizontal" refers to Yu Steps (basic Daoist ritual footsteps), combined with the Six Jia and Six Ding guardian generals and the twelve time deities, creating powerful protective barriers.

The ritual concludes by invoking the "blackened heaven and earth" to intimidate evil forces, emphasizing the absolute authority of the spell—"those opposing me perish, those defying me die"—demanding all malignant energies submit to the jurisdiction of the Northern Dipper's celestial authority (the Kui and Gang stars). This complete ritual exemplifies Daoism's integration of stellar worship, soul cosmology, and militarized pantheon systems.

This scripture describes the exorcism ritual from the Daoist "Black Fiend Method," detailing how to summon the Thirty-Six Black Fiend Generals (divine warriors specialized in subduing malevolent entities) to suppress malignant energies from all directions.

The text first enumerates eight types of black fiends (black clouds, black winds, black rain, etc.) and spatiotemporal afflictions (yearly fiends, monthly fiends). It then invokes the manifestation of the Thirty-Six Black Fiend Generals. By sealing the celestial gate (Tianmen) and earthly portals (Dihu) while leaving only the human realm accessible, the ritual systematically annihilates demonic influences across the eight Bagua (Eight Trigrams) directions (Qian Palace, Kan Palace, etc.), vanquishing specters and malevolent entities.

During practice, the adept visualizes black Qi (associated with the kidneys, which correspond to the Water phase and the color black in the Five Phases system) circulating through the ears to form talismanic patterns. Through the ritual Pacing the Stars (Daoist ceremonial footwork), practitioners connect heaven and earth to construct a black protective barrier. The ritual involves reciting twelve destruction mantras:

From the first to twelfth mantras, the following are severed: mountain spirits (Chen position), tree demons (Si position), wandering souls (Wu position), ghostly hordes (Wei position), Celestial Master's (Tianshi) pathways (Shen position), Earth Master's passages (You position), karmic curses (Xu position), demonic disturbances (Hai position), southern temple deities (Chou position), northern water monsters (Zi position), Yellow Springs' life-claiming (Yin position), and Fengdu's ghostly domain (Mao position). The ritual concludes by pressing the tongue against the upper palate to sever celestial pathways and against the lower palate to sever earthly pathways, thereby completing the threefold protection sealing off the celestial, earthly, and human realms.

(Note: Terms like "Zi-Xin-Zi-Yin" likely represent directional codes for star-pacing, while "Kui" and "Tan" refer to the Big Dipper stars Kui and Tanlang.)

This scripture records a Daoist exorcism ritual for warding off malevolent forces, consisting primarily of talismanic inscriptions (fulu) and ceremonial procedures. The left side bears the inscription "Severing the Path of Ghosts," the right side "Severing the Netherworld Path," while the central portion contains the talismanic command to "Sever Yin-Yang Malevolent Qi from All Ten Directions."

The ritual procedure unfolds as follows: First, the practitioner holds their breath and swallows saliva to seal the five orifices (eyes, ears, nose, and mouth), while forming the "Mao Wen" hand seal (a specific Daoist mudra). Then incantations are recited: "Heaven and Earth stand inverted, directions lie in chaos, confounding all malignant spirits. Those coming by carriage shall break their axles, those riding horses shall be blinded, those afoot shall break their legs. As Heaven and Earth reverse, all paths seal shut, leaving evil forces neither entrance nor escape. By the profound power of nature's Dao, may this take immediate effect as decreed!"

Several methods exist for inscribing the talisman: Writing on an iron plate and placing it in a jar can cure epidemics; inscribing on a brick buried in the northeast (Gen position of the Bagua) safeguards dwellings; writing on black paper for burning or posting repels evil; inscribing on iron plates nailed to stoves or cast into chimneys averts major disasters. Before each inscription, recite the "Six Caverns Incantation" six times, the "Heavenly Marshal Incantation" five times over the iron plate or brick, and the "Star-Dismantling Incantation" seven times over the ink.

During inscription, the practitioner must devoutly invoke divine presence while facing north, summoning protector deities like the Northern Dipper Lords, Marshal Tianpeng, and the Tian Gang generals. After completion, affix the Judicial Inspection Seal and seal with wax. Conclude by reciting the "Inverse Tianpeng Incantation" to dispatch the talismanic command.

The esoteric methods of Marshal Wen (a Daoist guardian general) prove particularly potent—twenty-four characters transmitted from the Celestial Texts of Ten Thousand Kalpas, and sixteen characters capable of summoning generals to pursue demons, said to be secret teachings passed down by Marshal Wen's parents. These true words have always been transmitted orally from master to disciple, never recorded. The scripture warns: Those who dare alter the incantations shall suffer nails growing from their flesh and eyes bleeding—a testament Heaven and Earth bear witness as truth.

This scripture describes a Thunder Ritual (Leifa) text in Daoism—a practice characterized by summoning thunder and lightning to exorcise evil spirits and cure diseases—specifically invoking Marshal Wen (one of Daoism's guardian generals) and his troops to subdue demons. The content can be divided into several sections:

First, it explains the source of this ritual power—originating from the "Primordial Limitless Capital Thunder Court" (considered the highest administrative body of thunder deities in Daoism), issued by a certain Thunder Altar's supervisory office (a thunder department responsible for oversight). The mentioned "Jade Radiance Cloud Scripts of Marvelous Truth" refer to mystical talismanic writings flowing from the Great Void (the cosmic origin).

Next, it summons Marshal Wen to lead generals Tie Ding, Bi Guang, Hei Xian, and three thousand elite yin soldiers, commanding them to scour the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and the human world) to capture troublemaking ghosts. Special emphasis is placed on punishing those evil spirits that violate celestial laws, form factions, and harm the people—regardless of whether they have received imperial canonization (officially recognized deities) or enjoyed sacrificial offerings.

The text then provides specific execution instructions: carrying the talismanic orders to gather local City Gods (chenghuang, regional guardian deities) and temple deities, jointly setting up celestial nets at a specific household. The generals are commanded to ride luminous energy to enter directly and capture those ghosts defying heavenly decrees and causing disasters. All evil spirits responsible for human illnesses must be punished, detained first in the City God's prison, awaiting lawful disposition after the patient's recovery.

Finally, it emphasizes disciplinary measures: demanding complete severance of evil qi sources to separate humans from ghosts, restoring the patient's displaced hun and po souls. A stern warning is issued that all dispatched generals must execute their duties faithfully—those disobeying orders will face celestial punishment. The document concludes with "urgent enforcement" (ji zhun), indicating the matter's extreme urgency requiring immediate action.

This passage contains two talismanic documents (Fulu) from the Daofa Huiyuan (Compendium of Daoist Rituals), primarily used for exorcism and ghost-subduing ceremonies.

The first document is an official petition addressed to Marshal Tianpeng of the North Pole (a guardian deity in Daoism). It begins by enumerating the divine generals to be summoned, including the Supreme General of Manifest Virtue from the Jade Emperor’s court, Marshal Wen of the Iron Armor and Purple Hair, and other divine commanders. The document concludes with the date of issuance and the ritual master’s spiritual lineage, referencing key figures such as the 30th Celestial Master (Tianshi) Zhang Xujing (a central figure in the Zhengyi tradition), the Benevolent and Sacred Emperor of Mount Tai, and the True Lord of Longevity from the Tianpeng Jade Purity lineage.

The second document is a proclamation issued by the "Precelestial Limitless Thunder Office" (a Daoist thunder department). It opens with esoteric thunder incantations like "Om" (a common Daoist mantra), followed by a declaration of the talisman’s authority: originating from the realm of the Great Void, it can traverse the Three Realms and Nine Heavens, specifically targeting all forms of demonic disturbances—including baleful stars, demonic spirits, evil sorcerers, plagues, ghosts of untimely deaths (referred to as the "Five Paths of Casualties"), ancient tomb specters, and mountain goblins. The text sternly warns that any resistance will result in execution under Marshal Tianpeng’s divine law.

The document further details the divine task force assigned to carry out the mission: Marshal Wen, the Supreme Earthly General, is to lead the Four Mighty Generals (Tieding, Biguang, and others) along with divine soldiers like Liu Ze and Zhang Jian. They are instructed to wield the talismanic orders and collaborate with local deities such as the City God (Chenghuang) and Earth God (Tudi) to investigate the designated household. For any malevolent entities defying Daoist law, they are to deploy the "Heavenly Net and Earthly Snare" and capture them using ritual implements like the Flowing Gold Fire Bells.

The recurring use of mantras like "Om" reflects the esoteric thunder rites (Leifa) in Daoism, believed to summon and command divine forces during rituals. The entire proclamation exemplifies the formidable authority of Daoist thunder magic in exorcism, executed through a meticulously structured hierarchy of divine generals tasked with vanquishing demons and evil spirits.

This is a thunder ritual proclamation (a formal document-style incantation) from Daoist Thunder Magic (a type of exorcism). It serves as an official ritual text for carrying out celestial commands to expel evil and cure illnesses.

The opening declares that this action is mandated by celestial decree—all deities, whether officially enfeoffed or listed in sacrificial registers, must comply. Malevolent spirits causing disturbances are to be immediately apprehended and imprisoned in the City God's (the underworld magistrate) jail to await judgment. The sick must be restored to health, the offending spirits sentenced according to underworld law, and the patient's captured soul retrieved to reunite with the body for complete recovery. Those who defy these orders will be reported to the celestial court for severe punishment.

The text invokes multiple Daoist deities as presiding authorities: Golden-Browed Lord Lao (an epithet of Lord Lao the Most High), the August Emperor of the Azure Heaven (the Supreme Celestial Emperor), the 30th Celestial Master Zhang Xujing (a renowned Song dynasty Tianshi), the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak (the sacred mountain deity), and Marshal Tianpeng (an incarnation of the Northern Dipper deity). Together, these form the authority of the Thunder Ministry (the divine institution governing thunder exorcisms).

The incantation section employs special syllables like "㕭㕭" to form "thunder taboos" (secret names of thunder deities), a distinctive feature of Daoist thunder rituals. It reiterates the celestial mandate, commanding terrestrial spirits to act on heaven's behalf in eradicating demons. Immediate compliance is required upon receiving the order, with defiance punishable by celestial censure.

Specific targets of exorcism are then detailed: disruptive yaoguai (monsters), wangliang (mountain demons), unorthodox deities, ancient tomb skeletons, plague ghosts, wandering spirits of untimely deaths, and evil sorcerers. Particular emphasis is placed on eliminating "corpse-transmitting ghosts" (spirits causing contagious diseases) and ancient trees that have become toxic demons—entities harming people through nightmares at night.

The conclusion notes that formal reports have been submitted to the celestial court and the practitioner's lineage. The black ritual warrant (a ghost-arresting document) is now officially issued, dispatching thunder generals—including the four famed marshals Tie Ding and Bi Guang—to execute the mission.

This passage describes a Daoist ritual scene for summoning divine generals and deploying formations to exorcise evil forces. The names mentioned—Xu, Bian, Xu (Wen), Hao—refer to protector deities in Daoist belief. The ritual master invokes celestial soldiers and generals through talismanic incantations (Fulu), deploying an impenetrable celestial net and mobilizing the "Ten Directions' Mighty Troops" (elite forces from all cosmic directions). They are commanded to stand fully armed—bows drawn, blades unsheathed—ensuring no demonic obstruction during the exorcism.

When celestial troops march, thunder and lightning accompany them, with eagles circling overhead; when earthly commands are executed, fierce generals guard the eight directions, aided by divine hounds (mythical beasts) stirring dust and hurling tiles. The master explicitly instructs a thorough search for malevolent entities harming living beings and haunting the human realm. Upon discovery, they must be captured immediately and eradicated according to celestial law—uprooting the source of affliction, demolishing the lairs of evil, healing the afflicted, and restoring victims' vitality (Shen), ensuring humans and spirits return to their proper paths.

The "primordially descended black decree" (a type of Daoist ritual document) refers to a celestial mandate demanding immediate execution. Key deities summoned include: the Golden-Browed Lord Lao (a manifestation of Lord Lao, i.e., Laozi), the Celestial Worthy of Fiery Solar Radiance, and the Azure Heaven Supreme Emperor, with special emphasis on Marshal Wen (a Daoist protector general) before the Jade Emperor's throne to oversee enforcement.

The text notes that this talismanic order is supervised by ancestral masters such as Celestial Master Xu Jing (the 30th-generation Celestial Master Zhang Jixian), the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, and the True Lord of Tianpeng. The entire passage vividly portrays the solemn majesty of Daoist exorcism rituals, where celestial forces are mobilized and formations enacted, embodying the tradition's core principle of "expelling evil with righteousness."