《道法會元》Vol. 260

This passage records a secret ritual from the Daoist Canon (Daofa Huiyuan) for summoning Marshal Guan of Fengdu (the deified form of Guan Yu in the Daoist underworld) and his divine retinue.

The ritual is presided over by the 30th Celestial Master (Tianshi), Perfected Lord Zhang Jixian of Xu-Jing. The primary general invoked is Marshal Guan of Fengdu, the Bright Spirit Demon-Slaying General (personal name Yu), with Deputy General Zhao Hao, the Pure Source Perfected Lord, and the Eight Flying Generals: Wei Xi, Liu Chu, Yang Jian, Meng E, Che Lu, Xia □, Lie Lu, and Sang Tong.

When performing the ritual, the practitioner visualizes themselves standing between heaven and earth, draped in the Nine Qi (nine primordial energies), severing all inauspicious influences. Through swift transformation and visualization, they first inhale the clear Qi of the Central Heaven, swallow it, and imagine themselves taking the form of a Celestial Master, illuminated by the radiance of the Three Platforms of the Big Dipper. They then visualize Mount Fengdu in the northeast, shrouded in gloomy winds and mist, where a bright moon emerges, its light revealing a golden imperial decree from the Celestial Emperor.

The practitioner recites two mantras:

1. "Om! Heaven-shaking, earth-shaking, lightning seize!"

2. "Om! Heaven-shaking, thunderbolt, lightning seize!"

They stir the opposing forces of Water and Fire Qi, generating a thunderous clash symbolizing the shattering of Fengdu Mountain. As black Qi surges forth, they draw the golden decree from the moon into their body, forming the Purple Tenuity Seal with the left hand and the Thunder Mudra with the right hand resting on the hip. In a commanding voice, they recite:

"By the decree of the Great Emperor of Northern Yin Fengdu, whose might shakes the Nine Heavens and penetrates the Netherworld, urgently summon the incarnation of Great Wrath, Great Virtue (De), and Great Courage—Marshal Guan of Fengdu, Demon-Slaying General who commands heaven and earth—descend swiftly to this altar!"

Holding their breath, they silently recite the esoteric incantation "Om! Hum! Hum! Vajra Hum! Command! Seize!" until the Dantian (energy center) is full of Qi, then forcefully exhale forward, enveloping the altar with the Nine Palaces Dipper Method. Next, they recite "Om! Hum! Banish! Black-mouthed ghosts Hum! Destroy!" to suppress malevolent forces.

Finally, they praise Guan Yu’s divine might:

"The Demon-Slaying General’s heroic spirit shines brightly—in life, loyalty and courage; in death, divine power. His loyalty mirrors the sun and moon; his Virtue (De) matches heaven and earth. Wielding his treasured blade, he slays demons in wrath—ghosts perish at his sight. Where his furious gaze falls, evil is reduced to ashes."

This incantation both extols Guan Yu’s divine status and serves as the core of the ritual, harnessing his sacred power to subdue demons.

This scripture contains Daoist exorcism talismans (fulu) and incantations, comprising several key sections:

The opening section invokes divine generals. The phrase "dust aids my journey" summons the Loyal and Valorous Divine General (typically referring to Lord Guan Yu, the Martial Saint). It means: worldly forces assist my divine authority, the supremely loyal spirit knows your name, and ghosts fear your might. Upon first summoning, descend swiftly; upon second summoning, manifest immediately—urgently execute according to the laws of the Great Emperor of Fengdu (the Daoist deity governing the underworld).

The subsequent passage "Primordial Ancestor" praises the general's powers: As progenitor of all things and supreme ruler of phenomena, you are the upright and courageous commander, the loyal and righteous deity who can ascend to heaven without trace, enter earth without form, move freely through emptiness, conceal yourself in water and fire, and transform unpredictably. Swiftly disperse the clouds, perform hidden merits (referring to unseen virtuous deeds), and heed my commands.

The "Great Demon-Slaying Fengdu Ghost-Pursuing Master Talisman" includes:

1. An invocation for the Northern Emperor (Great Emperor of the North Star) to command Lord Guan Yu to descend swiftly into the talisman and respond clearly.

2. Enumeration of celestial titles including the Big Dipper stars (Tiangang), the Great Unity Star Lords (Taiyi), and the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions (Jiao, Kang, Di, etc.), harnessing astral powers.

3. Emphasis on the talisman's might to shake the Three Realms, incinerate ghosts with thunder-fire, and ensure all baleful influences (celestial and earthly sha-qi) are vanquished by Lord Guan's sword, forcing evil spirits to self-destruct.

The passage "Ancestral Surname Guan" supplements Lord Guan's underworld functions: wielding yin-thunder to capture demons. Followed by various ghost-expelling mantras (e.g., "Om Hong Hong") and divine general names (General Jia, Commanders Wei and Liu, etc.).

The final "Four Regulators Dipper Incantation" summons the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper (Star Lords of Greedy Wolf, Giant Gate, etc.) to command all spirits and devour ghosts and specters. Through invoking these celestial powers, the scripture achieves its purpose of exorcising evil, subduing demons, and eliminating baleful influences.

This scripture belongs to Daoist Thunder Magic (a ritual technique for summoning thunder deities), containing a combination of mystical syllables and celestial titles. Let me explain its meaning layer by layer:

The opening section enumerates the powers of the Seven Star Lords of the Northern Dipper (Lustrous Treasury, Cultured Star, Pure Integrity, etc.), describing how they descend divine light to assist the ritual practitioner. The term "Kuigang" refers to the handle of the Big Dipper, symbolizing its power to guide direction, while the phrase "traveling ten thousand leagues in a day" illustrates the swiftness of divine power.

What follows are six sets of transformative incantations, each containing:

1. The Sanskrit initiatory syllable "Om"

2. Specific syllable combinations (such as "Su Jin Ji Zha Li")

3. Corresponding directional and stellar alignments (annotated in parentheses, e.g. "Zi-Wu/Dipper" indicating the Zi-Wu axis aligned with the Northern Dipper)

4. The concluding character "She" (to gather) signifying the harnessing of divine power

The oath section is more complex, including:

• Multiple Sanskrit-Daoist syllable combinations (e.g. "Mou Ji Zha")
• Intimidating phrases for spirits ("gods tremble, ghosts perish," "slay demons and behead evil")
• Summoning natural forces (wind-thunder, fire-thunder, lightning)
• Deployment of the Marshal of Fengdu (commander of the underworld) and the Four Celestial Guardians (protector deities)
• A six-stage Thunder Magic formula describing progressive power intensification:

First stage mobilizes the Five Phases (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth)

Second stage summons the Thunder God to activate fiery wheels

Third stage shakes the underworld realms

Fourth stage triggers dark thunderbolts

Fifth stage subjects mountain spirits to punishment

Sixth stage commands heaven, earth, water and fire

The concluding phrase "urgently as the law commands" is a standard Daoist incantation ending, signifying immediate execution of celestial law. Through the layering of specific syllables, celestial titles and natural elements, the entire scripture constructs a complete framework for Thunder Magic ritual practice.

This scripture describes the incantations and rituals for summoning thunder deities and Lord Guan (Guan Yu) in Daoist Thunder Magic (a practice harnessing the power of thunder) to subdue demons. The content consists of several parts:

First, it depicts the formidable might of various thunder manifestations: Heaven's Thunder rumbles faintly, Divine Thunder shakes with roaring intensity, Dragon Thunder summons clouds and rain, Water Thunder churns mighty waves, while Earth Deity Thunder (emitted by local spirits) and Barbarian Thunder (of tremendous power) interweave with lightning strikes. These thunders specialize in vanquishing all kinds of specters (including ghosts named Kui, Mei, and other obscure entities).

Next comes the incantation to summon the Yin Thunder God and the Radiant Spirit God, commanding them to swiftly manifest their awesome power to exterminate evil ghosts and malevolent deities. The spell declares that wherever the thunderbolts strike, ghosts and spirits shall perish, emphasizing this is executed by the Mandate of the Celestial Emperor.

The text then focuses on invoking Lord Guan the Sage Emperor (Guan Yu), identifying him as an executive deity of Fengdu (the Daoist underworld) specialized in capturing demonic entities. It describes Guan Yu's iconic appearance: wielding his precious blade, treading upon the Earth Gate (underworld entrance), his wrath piercing the clouds, capable of shaking the Three Realms. Leading Fengdu's Eight Generals and ghostly troops, he incinerates evil spirits with thunderfire and beheads all demonic forces.

The incantation incorporates numerous esoteric Daoist syllables (such as "Om Hong Pan Zha") and names of constellations (Twenty-Eight Mansions), all serving as mantras to amplify the ritual's potency. The conclusion features a dismissal spell, demanding prompt response from the Thunder Department and Lord Guan without delay.

This scripture demonstrates the "thunder-as-punishment" principle in Daoist Thunder Magic, harnessing divine power through summoning thunder deities and Lord Guan to exorcise evil. Guan Yu's significant role as an underworld enforcer reflects the integration of folk beliefs with Daoist magical practices.

This scripture describes a series of ritual operations and incantations used in Daoist exorcism ceremonies. The Great Emperor of Purple Tenuity (an important Daoist deity) issues a command to the Fengdu Emperor (ruler of the underworld), ordering the immediate dispatch of celestial troops to afflicted households to capture malevolent entities.

The ritual master must form the "Thunder Seal" (a specific hand mudra) with both hands while wrathfully reciting talismanic incantations to banish evil forces. The procedure consists of five distinct steps:

The first talismanic incantation petitions the celestial realm while subduing airborne demons like the "Five Celestial Rainbow Spirits." The master points toward the northwest (Qian position), chanting "Om! Thunder light, flying fire, seize!" while channeling energy from this direction.

The second incantation dispatches thunder generals from the underworld to capture haunting ghosts and protect common people. Pointing southeast (Xun position), the master intones "Om! Thunder fire light, heavenly thunderbolt, seize!" while drawing energy from this sector.

The third talisman facilitates communication between yang-world mountain deities and yin-world spirits. The master gestures southwest (Kun position), chanting "Om! Wind sage, numinous aid, seize!"

The fourth incantation specifically tracks wandering souls. Pointing northeast (Gen position), the master recites "Om! Dark pass, luminous candle, shatter heavy gloom!" while channeling golden light energy from the northwest.

The fifth talisman executes demonic entities and dispels calamities. Again pointing northeast, the master powerfully chants "Om! Shaking majesty, divine execution, seize!" while infusing formidable Sha Qi (killing energy).

The text mentions that the Marshal (referring to thunder department generals) performing these rituals possesses immense awe-inspiring virtue (De), capable of patrolling the entire celestial realm within a single day. This power originates from the Yaoguang Star of the Big Dipper constellation and must not be carelessly revealed.

In the "Jade Moon Over Icy Pool" cultivation method, practitioners visualize emerald moonlight illuminating a frigid abyss, its radiance penetrating the darkest depths of the Luo-Feng hell realms. During meditation, one observes red and black Qi emanating from the left and right kidneys respectively, merging with the lunar light. At this stage, Marshal Guan (a Daoist guardian deity) manifests before the practitioner amid verifiable signs of swirling yin winds.

The text emphasizes that ritual masters perform these operations by celestial mandate, acting as heaven's representatives to transform and save humanity. Sincere invocation of the Marshal guarantees immediate divine manifestation to subdue demons. Upon successful completion, practitioners may share celestial blessings with the deities. The concluding "Northern Emperor's Personal Campaign Talisman" refers to the special charm used when the Purple Tenuity Emperor personally leads expeditions.

This incantation belongs to the Daoist talismanic tradition for exorcising evil and healing illnesses. The first part, known as the "Command Talisman Incantation," states: When celestial deities execute the talismanic decree, they align with the natural Dao of heaven; when earthly deities carry out the command, they slay malevolent spirits. Those false deities who recognize their own falsity dare not oppose my authentic method; those aware they aren't true divinities wouldn't dare confront my genuine deities. Those who retreat shall remain unharmed, while any who dare resist shall meet destruction. Throughout the celestial canopy and upon the earthly plane, all evil manifestations must reveal their true forms according to the talismanic command, with karmic retribution for good and evil becoming clearly manifest.

The second section, called the "Supplementary Incantation," declares: Commanding three hundred thousand Yin troops (referring to the underworld army in Daoism) to obey my orders in subduing demonic entities and malevolent spirits. Whether deities from the Nine Heavens or mountain gods of the Five Sacred Peaks (Daoism's five great mountains), all must withdraw upon encountering this talismanic decree. Urgently implementing the edicts of the Great Emperor of Purple Tenuity (one of Daoism's Four Sovereigns governing the stars) and the commands of the Fengdu Great Emperor (ruler of the Daoist underworld).

The final instructions describe the ritual method: Form the Thunder Mudra (a Daoist hand seal technique) with both hands, channeling the power of thunder, while visualizing the Marshal (likely referring to the Thunder Department's divine general) manifesting wrathful might, leading eight divine generals riding black clouds directly to the patient's residence. This content originates from Volume 260 of The Collected Essentials of Daoist Rituals (Daofa Huiyuan), detailing concrete practices of Daoist exorcism.