《道法會元》Vol. 264

This scripture records a specialized Daoist ritual procedure for subduing sorcerers who practice malevolent arts. It primarily explains the circumstances under which this ritual may be performed and its detailed operational steps.

The text first clarifies that the "Soul-Severing Method" should only be employed when evil sorcerers have committed numerous atrocities and pose a severe threat to the people; minor offenses do not warrant its use. The author, Lu Ye, notes that while this method existed in earlier times, it has now been compiled with greater detail and completeness. However, he emphasizes that it must not be used indiscriminately, as doing so would contradict Daoism’s fundamental principle of compassion and aiding the world.

The specific procedure is as follows: First, a petition must be submitted to the Western Censorate (a divine judicial institution in the Daoist celestial bureaucracy) and to Tianpeng Zhenjun (a Daoist guardian deity), with an official dispatch sent to the administrators of the nine layers of hell, instructing Marshal Guan to apprehend the offender. Next, General Sang and the Great General of Soul-Chasing Skulls are dispatched to carry out the task of capturing the soul. This method is specifically designed to deal with extremely vicious sorcerers who reject the orthodox Dao (Dao), harm the innocent, and practice wicked arts.

When performing the ritual, six talismans (Fulu) must be crafted, written on black paper and measuring three chi in length. Three talismans are held in the left hand, seven in the right, while three more are silently recited in the mind. The text particularly stresses that this method must not be used for personal motives, as it involves matters of execution and must be approached with utmost caution.

The scripture includes a template for the petition to Tianpeng Zhenjun, which reads roughly as follows: "This disciple, [name], having received the Fengdu (the Daoist underworld) summoning and interrogation arts from an enlightened master, bears the duty of vanquishing demons and upholding the Dao. Now, due to the evil sorcerer [name] in [location], who disregards divine law, employs wicked arts to deceive the people, and murders with irrefutable evidence, I hereby request the dispatch of divine generals to capture their soul and deliver them to hell for judgment."

The entire passage reflects Daoism’s cautious attitude toward the use of forceful rituals, emphasizing that they must only be invoked when the evidence is conclusive and the crimes are heinous, and even then, they must follow strict celestial judicial procedures.

This scripture is a formal petition document used in Daoist ritual services, divided into three sections, each serving as an official communiqué addressed to deities to report circumstances and request assistance.

The first section presents a memorial petition to Marshal Tianpeng, the Demon-Subduing Guardian of the North Pole (a Daoist protector deity). The ritual master reverently reports: "In these times when heterodox paths run rampant, the orthodox Dao requires revitalization." He humbly petitions Marshal Tianpeng to approve the matters presented, commanding the spirits of Fengdu (the Daoist underworld) to obey directives and promptly mete out retribution against those opposing the true Dao. The master awaits the sacred decree with utmost reverence.

The second section submits an appeal to the Western Censor of Fengdu (a judicial deity of the underworld). It reports that during the execution of the Great Rites of the Northern Emperor (a Daoist ritual system), a certain sorcerer was discovered employing demonic arts to harm people. This heretic controls common folk through dark magic, resorting to lethal curses at the slightest displeasure. The petition requests the immediate dispatch of General Sangtong and General Zhuhun Lutou (two underworld commanders) to apprehend the sorcerer, imprison him in the celestial jail for trial, compel his repentance, and protect local inhabitants from further harm.

The third section constitutes an urgent troop deployment order issued to the Fengdu Bureau of Investigation. Given the gravity and urgency of the situation—having already reported to Marshal Tianpeng's office and the Western Censorate—this formal command mobilizes Generals Sangtong and Lutou to lead their spectral troops in strict enforcement of the Nine Springs Mandate (underworld jurisprudence) to prepare for mission execution.

The terms "memorial petition" (zhuangzou), "official appeal" (shenzhuang), and "deployment order" (guan) represent distinct formats of Daoist ritual documents, respectively used for addressing higher deities, reporting to parallel institutions, and issuing commands to subordinate units. These documents exemplify the rigorous divine administrative system within Daoist ritual frameworks.

This passage describes the ritual procedures and talismanic protocols for capturing malevolent entities in Daoist liturgical practice. The content comprises three main components:

First are the specifications for altar construction. A ceremonial platform (xingtan) must be erected in a designated sacred space, with banners raised and command flags (lingqi) hung as symbols of divine authority. All participants must strictly follow prescribed commands and procedures without deviation. The ritual documents must conclude with precise recording of the year, month, day, and hour, bearing the officiating priest's signature and seal.

Next comes the detailed procedure for capturing sorcerers (xie wu). The Fengdu Investigation Bureau (the Daoist underworld administrative office) dispatches fierce generals to execute the task. The ritual space is demarcated with white powder, while black spirit money markers hang from bamboo poles. Black paper flags inscribed with the "Nine Springs Command Talisman" guide wandering souls. The document explicitly demands the confinement of the sorcerer's Three Hun (tai guang, you jing, shuang ling) and Seven Po within the talisman, requiring their delivery to the altar for judgment within a specified timeframe.

Finally, the text details the drawing method and application of the Swift Foot Talisman (ji jiao fu). The talisman must bear the command of the Great Emperor of the Northern Dipper (an important Daoist deity), listing the names of twelve timekeeping generals (tian gang, tai yi, etc.), and invoke the assistance of the Three Officials (heavenly, earthly, and water officials) to eradicate evil. During inscription, the Tianpeng Incantation (a Daoist exorcism chant) must be recited twice—once each for the front and back—concluding with hand seals (mudras) to activate the talisman. Specific requirements govern both sides: the front divides into twelve sections, each three inches wide; the reverse contains thirteen compartments summoning the Three Hun, Seven Po, along with the return of Jing (essence), Qi (vital energy), and Shen (spirit).

This scripture primarily describes the celestial summoning ritual from the Daoist Tianpeng (Heavenly Commander) method, detailing the complete procedure for talisman (fulu) usage and deity invocation.

The ritual begins by inscribing specific characters on a talisman paper, channeling the "aggregated soul, gathered po, essence (jing), qi, and spirit (shen)" into the talisman. During the process, the practitioner forms three hand seals with the left hand and seven with the right while maintaining deep mental focus, directing their jing, qi, and shen into the talisman. Once completed, the talisman is burned before the altar.

For the formal ceremony, a standard ritual altar must be properly arranged, with offerings presented to the divine generals while silently reciting an oath. The ritual master (fashi) closes their eyes to regulate breathing, then performs the Seven Stars Gangbu (a Daoist ritual footwork pattern) while chanting the Tianpeng incantation. This chant extols the might of Marshal Tianpeng (a deified Northern Dipper star deity), describing his dominion over heaven and earth and his power to subdue demons, concluding with the imperative phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances!"

Next, the summoning incantation for the merit officials (gongcao, divine messengers responsible for delivering documents) is recited, calling upon two named officials, Wang An and Lu Jian, along with the local earth god (tudishen), to swiftly arrive at the altar. Once their presence is confirmed, they are dispatched with the talismanic decree to the Northern Yin Jingyang Palace to summon two fierce generals, General Sang Tong and General Lutou, to receive orders.

The ritual culminates with a forceful summoning incantation, emphasizing Marshal Tianpeng’s supreme authority and commanding the two generals to immediately mobilize their ghostly troops. The incantation sternly warns that any who dare disobey will be eternally imprisoned in the Luo Feng hell. The entire ceremony concludes by burning the command talisman and blowing its ashes toward the north, completing the ritual sequence designed to compel the divine generals into service.

This passage describes a Daoist ritual for summoning divine generals and capturing souls. The ritual master first faces north, draws in a breath of Qi (primordial energy), and exhales it toward the altar. Then he recites incantations to summon two generals from Fengdu (the Daoist underworld)—General Sangtong of the Direct Altar and General Lutou—commanding them to immediately lead their Yin soldiers to receive orders.

Next, the master closes his eyes and visualizes (Cunxiang) the two generals descending with their ghostly troops, preparing offerings of wine and food. A spirit-manifestation chant is recited to hasten their arrival from the Nine Yin realms, describing their soul-chasing speed as lightning-fast and demanding their absolute obedience—warning that defiance would violate Fengdu’s laws and incur severe punishment.

The ritual then invokes the divine authority of Marshal Tianpeng, the Great General Who Subdues Demons Under the Northern Pole (a key guardian deity in Daoism). A vow-chant declares the master’s mandate from the Purple Tenuity Emperor and the Northern Thearch to mobilize demonic soldiers from Fengdu’s Six Heavens Palaces. The incantation lists formidable ritual weapons: blades of ten thousand edges, towering sword-pillars, fire-spitting bronze serpents, and galloping iron hounds. It threatens eternal torment for disobedience while promising celestial rewards for merit.

The specific directive orders the generals to capture the Three Hun and Seven Po souls of a named sorcerer (a blank space is left for insertion), demanding their delivery to a designated location by a set deadline. During the rite, summons documents and Fulu (talismans) are burned, along with spirit-money (gold paper) and paper horses (representing divine steeds) before the generals’ tablets.

The ritual concludes with a dismissal chant, marshaling all forces under Marshal Tianpeng—fierce generals, arhat armies—to hunt down the malign entity. It warns that obstructors will be slain by iron axes, vowing total eradication of worldly evils. The closing lines reassert the inviolable Black Code of Marshal Tianpeng (his martial law), threatening annihilation of both form and spirit for any defiance.

The ritual master first sprays a mouthful of water at the altar, transforming the talisman paper into symbolic offerings known as "qianma" (spirit money horses used in Daoist rituals). On the following day when formally performing the ceremony, the master enters the sacred space to meditate and begins summoning celestial deities. The ritual commences with reciting the Gate of Heaven Opening Incantation, followed by sequential execution of liturgical procedures.

This esoteric method originates from the canonical text "Black Statutes," though its original description lacks detail. Primarily used for summoning departed souls, it compels spirits to manifest their forms on soul-summoning banners to deliver messages. When combined with soul-capturing techniques, the effects manifest more rapidly. A stern warning accompanies this practice: judges (ritual officiants) must never employ it to arbitrarily imprison malevolent sorcerers for underworld interrogation—violators face capital punishment according to celestial law.

Before entering the ritual space, the officiant must burn incense to invoke deities and undergo "transformation into divine form" (a Daoist ritual of assuming godhood). During ceremonies, women, children, Buddhist monks/nuns, chickens, and dogs are strictly prohibited from approaching or peering, lest they attract great demons (high-level malevolent entities) and incite bloodshed—utmost caution is required.

Gate of Heaven Opening Incantation (Marshal Tianpeng's Command):

"Marshal Tianpeng gathers all dark mists, Mount Fengdu (Daoist underworld) instantly appears, the six great hell-gates swing wide open. Demon-prison guards heed my command! By the immediate authority of the Demon-Subduing Divine Marshal Tianpeng under the Northern Polar Emperor's decree!"

Heavenly Gate Opening Formula (preceded by 24 strikes of the ritual drum):

"By Marshal Tianpeng's mandate, the Dark Warrior Emperor unseals the underworld passes. Torture implements cease, infernal soldiers form protective ranks. Demon kings grip their swords in wrath, the six hells suppress all evil hordes. Hear my proclamation: Heaven's gates open, revealing the Black Mountain! By the immediate authority of the Demon-Subduing Divine Marshal Tianpeng of Fengdu under the Northern Polar Emperor's decree!"

Hell Opening Invocation:

"Hell deities obey orders! Five Directional True Qi manifests divine generals leading millions of troops to amplify my power. Search all directions to capture living souls—Generals Golden-Head and Iron-Head swiftly comply! All wandering souls shall be confined in hell without hope of reincarnation! By the immediate decree of the Dark Heaven Fengdu Emperor of the Northern Yin!"

After completing the incantations, further deity summons follow:

"We humbly invite Great General Sangtong and Great General Lutou—presumably you've captured the specified soul. Confine this spirit eternally in hell, then by Marshal Tianpeng's statute, remand it to the Soul-Gathering Talisman for complete physical reconstitution."

The ritual concludes with executing the Demon-Subduing Mudra (an apotropaic hand seal), spraying water while chanting:

"Three Hun and Seven Po (Daoist concepts of celestial/earthly souls: Taiguang, Youjing, Shuangling), obey my command and return to your stations!"

This scripture outlines a complete Daoist ritual for capturing ghosts, consisting of the following key steps:

The practitioner begins by regulating their breath and focusing their mind. During the ritual, they form the "Ziwen" hand seal (a type of Daoist mudra) while visualizing the Thunder God (Leigong) and Dark Warrior Lord (Yuanwu Jun) standing to their left, with the Lightning Goddess (Dianmu) and General Zhang Su to their right. Additional divine generals like General Sangtong and General Lutou are also invoked to assist in capturing the spirits.

Facing south, the practitioner inhales three breaths, then turns north to inhale seven breaths, infusing these breaths into a talisman (Fulu). The paper is imagined as taking the form of the ghost, then rolled up while visualizing the spirit being bound and imprisoned. Next, they envision the Six Palaces' Great Demons (hell guardians) emerging to escort the ghost into the underworld prison.

Even after capture, concerns remain about incomplete containment of the spirit's essence (Jing), vital energy (Qi), and consciousness (Shen). The practitioner then forms the Thunder Seal hand gesture against their waist, circulating Qi upward through their ribs to the back of the head, entering the Niwan Palace (crown chakra), before releasing thunder sounds through the ears and lightning flashes from the eyes. A spray of water symbolizes thunderstorms, while exhaled breath creates gales to disperse malignant energies.

After burning the "Jiao Zeng True Form Talisman," Generals Sangtong and Lutou are summoned to completely gather all ghostly manifestations for eternal imprisonment in the celestial prison. Silent recitations of the Heavenly Canopy Incantation (Tianpeng Zhou) and the Dark Warrior General's Spell reinforce the ritual's power.

The prison gates are finally sealed with the "Black Wind Great Covering Incantation," which invokes the Big Dipper and Lord Fengdu (ruler of the underworld). The practitioner stamps the prison doors with their heart seal (a Daoist ritual seal), then performs final sealing with a seven-inch peach branch - the measurement reflecting Daoist numerology where seven holds special significance.

This comprehensive ritual combines breath control (Tuna), hand seals, talismans, incantations, and visualization techniques (Cunsi), integrating major elements of Daoist practice. Notable deities featured include Marshal Tianpeng and Lord Fengdu - important protective spirits and underworld deities in Daoist cosmology. The method aims to completely subdue and permanently suppress ghostly entities.

This scripture primarily elucidates the Daoist ritual procedures and incantations for exorcising malevolent spirits. It begins with the "Northern Emperor's Mysterious Spirit Interrogation of Ghosts Incantation," used to examine whether the spirits confess their transgressions. The incantation conveys that the celestial prison is stern and formidable—should the spirits refuse to repent, they will be eternally condemned to the Iron City Hell. The ritual master declares their authority through the Black Statutes (the underworld's judicial decrees), warning that any defiance will result in the spirits' immediate annihilation.

If the spirits remain unyielding after seven rounds of interrogation, the more potent "Heavenly Origin Constitutional Exorcism and Soul-Severing Great Incantation" is employed. This incantation harnesses the power of the Big Dipper's seven stars, each possessing the might to subdue spirits, capable of utterly obliterating the forms and Shen (spirit) of stubborn ghosts. During the ritual, peach wood branches are struck against the prison gate—peach wood being renowned in Daoism for its exorcistic properties.

For granting amnesty to spirits, the "Big Dipper's Mysterious Minister Universal Celestial Pardon and Life-Preservation Incantation" is recited seven to forty-nine times. This absolution chant primarily invokes the power of Marshal Tianpeng (a major guardian deity in Daoism), utilizing the transformations of the Nine Mysteries (referring to the Nine Heavens) to facilitate the spirits' liberation. The incantation mentions various stellar deities, such as Kuixing and Xingxing, all representing the deified names of the Big Dipper's seven stars.

The ritual concludes with an incantation to seal the gates of hell, commanded by the Great Emperor of Fengdu (the supreme deity of the Daoist underworld), using clouds and mist to block the Earth Portal (the entrance to the netherworld), completely severing the spirits' means of escape. The entire process demonstrates the comprehensive Daoist exorcism methodology of "first interrogation, then suppression, with possible amnesty," reflecting the dual attitude of sternness and compassion toward spirits in Daoist practice.

This scripture records a Daoist exorcism ritual and incantation known as the "Commanding Bag Spell." The main contents are:

First, the practitioner recites incantations such as "Dark clouds descend from heaven to shroud the underworld gates," invoking the authority of Fengdu Dadi (the Great Emperor of Fengdu, the highest deity governing the underworld in Daoism). This is followed by chanting the "Four Heavens Sealing Incantation" while gathering black Qi (vital energy) to form a protective array. The mentioned "Black Seal True Script" refers to thirty-six talismanic characters bestowed by the Northern Emperor's celestial troops.

The incantation primarily summons various divine generals to subdue demons: it declares how countless ghosts will scatter of their own accord, and a single sweep of the divine blade can eradicate evil entities; how the Big Dipper Lords can incinerate demonic bones, and Yandi (the Flame Emperor's) scorching blood can slay spirits; and lists various divine weapons like the heaven-cleaving great axe. The text warns lesser ghosts to retreat immediately and not approach, while summoning three hundred thousand celestial soldiers for protection.

Subsequently, it enumerates numerous guardian deities: the Celestial Warrior Strongmen, the Four-Eyed Elder, the Dark-Tongued Green-Toothed General, the Crimson Mist Lord who devours demons and consumes ghosts, among others. These beings wield various sacred implements like the Imperial Bell and giant-headed beasts, joined in protection by Laozi (the Supreme Venerable Sovereign), the Seven Polestar Lords, and the Eight Numinous Generals. The incantation concludes with Marshal Tianpeng (a key Daoist protector) and the decree of "Embracing Primordial Great Void."

When performing the ritual, one must form the "Nine Heavens Treasure Seal" hand gesture (a specific Daoist mudra) and gather Qi at mao hour (5-7 AM) to direct it with breath. The text notes this incantation originated from Celestial Master Deng Ziyang, who attained immortality through diligent practice of this spell until his virtue was perfected.

This scripture demonstrates the complete ritual framework in Daoist exorcism ceremonies, employing incantations, hand seals, and Qi-gathering methods to summon divine generals and troops for subduing demonic forces.