《道法會元》Vol. 36

This text documents the Zhengyi Orthodox Unity School (a branch of the Celestial Master tradition) ritual for summoning Marshal Ma, a Daoist guardian deity. The ritual's founding patriarch is Wei Huacun (venerated as the Lady of Southern Peak and honored as the Director of Destinies of the Nine Heavens), with lineage transmission traced to Zu Shu (the Golden Tower's Radiant Mystery and Wondrous Dao Immortal Ancestor).

Marshal Ma's distinctive iconography: A blue-faced deity with crimson hair, wearing a white serpent crown and possessing a third eye. He is clad in golden armor with a deep red battle robe and green boots. His sacred implements include a fire gourd carried on his back and a treasured sword in hand, accompanied by a white serpent. Another manifestation shows him as the Radiance General—also blue-faced with golden armor, green robes, black boots, and wielding an axe. This celestial general represents the Zhengyi pantheon's divine authority, corresponding to the human heart in microcosmic correspondence, whose power can be accessed through cultivation.

The summoning method begins with visualizing the Southern Dipper constellation (a crucial Daoist asterism), imagining a wheel-sized crimson sun at the Dipper's mouth containing mystical talismanic characters. The practitioner then forms specific hand seals (three sequences) while reciting hour-specific mantras:

• Zi/Wu hours (11pm-1am/11am-1pm): "Om Hong Jian Zha Ling Kui She"
• Chou/Wei hours (1-3am/pm): "Om Kui □ Zha Jiang Ling She"
• Yin/Shen hours (3-5am/pm): "Om Tong Tian Zha Ling Hong She"

Visualize the celestial official's form emerging from solar radiance, resonating with golden light emitted from the practitioner's celestial eye (the third eye at the brow center). Then silently recite the "One Qi" true words seven times, blending heart-energy with mantra power through breath technique, exhaling onto ritual incense to establish numinous connection.

The complete summoning chant describes Marshal Ma's awe-inspiring form: He is addressed as the "Immovable Venerable of Supreme Clarity's Thunder Voice," possessing three heads with nine eyes, azure skin and flaming hair, wielding sacred sword, ritual seal and other implements while commanding fire crows and iron chains to subdue demons, accompanied by eight fierce spirit generals. The mantra emphasizes his earth-shaking power to pacify ghosts and deities, specifically vanquishing malevolent forces across the Three Realms.

This scripture describes the ritual summoning practices and pantheon of deities in the Daoist "Divine Swift Horse Mystic Altar Great Method." The content can be divided into three main sections:

First are the incantations for summoning divine generals. The ritual master recites mantras to invoke various celestial commanders to swiftly descend upon the altar, specifically mentioning the "Capital Heavenly Gang Leader Orthodox Unity Numinous Official" (a Daoist guardian deity) and "Marshal Hengtian Horse," among others. The incantations sternly warn of severe punishments for any disobedience. After chanting, the practitioner must inhale Qi from the northern direction and exhale it as an offering.

The second part details the application of various Fulu (talismans and registers). These include the Golden Plate Talisman, Jade Seal Talisman, Distant Capture Talisman, and Demon-Subduing Talisman—each serving distinct functions like vanquishing evil spirits, healing illnesses, or facilitating childbirth. These talismans can be either burned for inhalation or used directly in rituals.

Finally, the text meticulously outlines the hierarchy of this ritual tradition's divine pantheon. The supreme deity is Patriarch Celestial Master Zhang Daoling (True Lord of Orthodox Unity, Ancestral Celestial Master and Three Heavens Teaching Patriarch), followed by the lineage ancestor, the Radiant Primordial Lady of Universal Transformation. Key divine generals include:

• Zhao Gongming (Supreme General of the Nine Heavens Cloud Path Divine Swiftness), depicted riding a black tiger with triangular eyes and a red face, wielding iron whips and chains
• The Left and Right Altar Kings, Great Deities Gao, bearing axes and swords respectively
• The Five Directional Fierce Generals commanding 70,000 thunder troops
• Twelve Chief Commanding Deities and Eight Western Majestic Great Deities among others

Each deity receives detailed iconographic descriptions, including headdress colors, robe patterns, and characteristic weapons. These contents reveal the complete Daoist ritual system of employing talismans and incantations to summon divine forces for exorcism and healing—a vital text for studying Daoist ritual practices.

This scripture describes the Thunder Ritual (Leifa) summoning ceremony in Daoist practice, a method to invoke thunder deities for ritual purposes. The "Thunder-Initiating Herald" appears wearing a red headband with crossed-feet headgear (an ancient headdress), his iron-colored face framed by crimson hair and silver teeth, clad in Song dynasty official robes while wielding a goose-quill saber. Another thunder general wears a towering headdress with a blue face and golden armor, dressed in white robes and boots while brandishing an axe—these are characteristic attires of the thunder department deities.

The practitioner must first concentrate the spirit and calm the breath, reaching a state where both inner and outer awareness dissolve. The specific method involves pressing the tongue against the palate while silently reciting the five-syllable mantra "Na Wei Zha Qin She," simultaneously tracing these characters as a talisman in the southeast (Xun position). When exhaling this breath, a golden orb of light manifests, revealing within it the vivid form of the presiding general.

Next comes the recitation of a series of secret incantations and directional invocations: "Subtle and True Void" corresponds to the north (Kan position), "Mystical Pervasion of Divine Empyrean" to the southwest (Kun position), "Driving Thunder and Commanding Lightning" to the east (Zhen position), and "Traversing Fire and Riding Wind" to the southeast (Xun position). The central palace invocation—"What spirit dares disobey, what ghost dares resist?"—signifies commanding heaven and earth. The northwest (Qian position) incantation "Celestial Soldiers Roar" mobilizes heavenly troops, while the west (Dui position) "Heroes of Stern Qi" gathers formidable energy. The northeast (Gen position) "Hear My Urgent Summons" hastens the generals' arrival, and the south (Li position) "Swiftly Emerge from Xun Palace" demands their immediate manifestation.

The summoning must invoke "By the Command of Orthodox Unity's Celestial Master Patriarch," issuing orders in the name of Zhang Daoling, founder of the Zhengyi tradition. Secret syllables like "Om Hong Hong Bu Lin She Chi Chi Lin Lin She" amplify the summoning power. The practitioner visualizes the presiding general's form within the golden orb, materializing through mingling with ritual incense smoke.

The ceremony specifically invokes Zhao Gongming—the "Dragon-Tiger Mystic Altar General" (also known as Marshal Zhao or Zhao Xuantan), a Daoist guardian deity who commands Generals Wang and Gao, five directional generals, twelve timekeepers, and eight fierce marshals. These deities externally subdue malevolent forces while internally supporting cultivation. Marshal Zhao's majestic form shines like sun and moon in golden armor and crimson robes, his iron whip and black tiger accompanied by thunderous winds, possessing power to dispel calamities and halt misfortunes. The text emphasizes this summons carries the authority of the Western Numinous Sovereign (a high Daoist divinity) and the Orthodox Unity Patriarch, demanding the Divine Empyrean's thunder troops to immediately heed the command.

This passage primarily discusses the methods of using Daoist talismans (fulu) and the origin of an important divine general.

Regarding talismans: When summoning celestial soldiers and generals, one must clearly visualize their forms, as they can be freely commanded. While inscribing the talisman, the practitioner should form the Nine Palaces Dipper Hand Seal (a specific mudra), recite esoteric incantations, and inscribe the divine general’s name. Several types of talismans are mentioned: the Great Service Talisman has broad applications; the Heart Seal Talisman suppresses evil and brings prosperity; the Disaster-Dispelling Talisman resolves calamities; the Flying Prohibition Complete Command Talisman stops malevolent ghosts from harming people; the Great Mystery Dark Concealment Talisman causes ghosts and demons to fall into a state of darkness; the Illuminating Decree Meritorious Mandate Talisman instructs the Director of Fate and Fortune (the deity overseeing lifespan and blessings); and the Flying Command Talisman is used to summon various divine beings.

A key figure introduced is Marshal Zhao Gongming: A native of Zhongnan Mountain, he secluded himself there during the Qin dynasty to cultivate and attain the Dao. He was later appointed by the Heavenly Emperor as the Deputy Commander of the Divine Empyrean, originally manifesting from a stream of enlightened and transcendent Qi (Buddha-nature breath) from the Haoting Xiaodu Heaven. His duties include patrolling the Three Realms and Five Directions, overseeing the Nine Provinces, and serving as the Grand General of the Direct Palace and the Imperial Censor of the Northern Pole. Later, during the Han dynasty, when Celestial Master Zhang (Zhang Daoling) was practicing cultivation, Marshal Zhao was again commissioned by the Jade Emperor to serve as the Marshal of the Orthodox Unity Mysterious Altar, specializing in exorcism and dharma protection. This marshal is extraordinarily fierce, capable of shaking thunder and mountains, and is dedicated to eradicating evil, supporting righteousness, protecting the nation, and blessing the people.

The phrase "the symbolic image of the union of Qian (Heaven), Metal, and Water" refers to Marshal Zhao’s attributes and directional association: Qian represents the northwest, while the fusion of Metal and Water symbolizes the harmony of firmness and gentleness. The "Qingwei Method," an important Daoist lineage, refers to Marshal Zhao as the "Divinely Swift Bridled Horse," depicting his formidable and awe-inspiring presence.

This scripture expounds the cultivation and application of the Great Method of Yin Thunder from the Supreme Earthly General. It first emphasizes that devotees who practice this method with sincere reverence day and night, maintaining spiritual communion with the divine through persistent effort, will have all their prayers answered and resonate with heaven and earth. As the ancient saying goes: "Sincerity begets efficacy"—practitioners should diligently uphold this principle.

The text then outlines the lineage transmission system: The founding patriarch is the High Immortal Wei Yuanjun of Purple Void Purity, Director of Life Destinies from the Nine Heavens (a senior Daoist deity), while the sect patriarch is Ancestral Immortal Yuanjun of Marvelous Dao Preservation from the Golden Tower. The primary deities in this lineage include: Supreme Earthly General Marshal Wen Qiong (Marshal of Resplendent Martial Virtue from the Kang Metal Constellation), along with his four fierce lieutenants (Xue, Xu, Xu, Hao), five thunder envoys (Liu, Zhang, Zhao, Shi, Zhou), messenger deities, as well as 3,000 elite troops, 500 iron cavalry, and crow envoys from the five directions.

The cultivation methods detail the ritual for summoning divine generals: Practitioners should face east, visualize blue Qi (a form of vital energy in Daoist practice), silently recite the esoteric mantra "Lun Pu Cha She" seven times, then chant the summoning incantation. The incantation calls upon Marshal Wen Qiong and his retinue to swiftly descend to the ritual altar to assist in exorcising evil, healing illnesses, and protecting the people. Those who disobey these commands will face celestial punishment.

Finally, the text describes the use of Fulu (talismans and ritual documents in Daoist practice): By inscribing divine titles on thunder talismans and stamping them with the Imperial Seal (symbolizing supreme divine authority), these can be employed for various purposes including exorcism and healing. The talismanic texts contain sacred invocations such as "By Decree of the Jade Emperor" and "Commanded by the Earthly Sovereign Houtu," indicating these talismans carry the highest divine authorization.

The complete method stresses sincere cultivation and strict ritual observance. Through summoning earthly deities and employing thunder method talismans, practitioners achieve objectives such as exorcism, healing, and safeguarding communities.

This passage describes the ritual procedures and incantations used in Daoist practices for summoning deities and performing magical arts. The process is divided into several key components.

The first section enumerates the pantheon of deities involved in the ritual. The presiding deity is the Purple Void Perfected Lord of the Nine Heavens (a revered Daoist divinity), with Marshal Guan (Guan Yu, deified as a guardian general in Daoism) serving as commander and General Zhao as deputy commander. The ritual also involves four great divine generals and the Black Banner Troops from Fengdu (the Daoist underworld), all depicted wearing specific ceremonial attire and wielding ritual implements like iron whips.

The text then details the deity summoning procedure. The Daoist priest first recites the mantra "Om, Northern Nezha Deity swiftly conceal my divine transformation within your form," synchronized with specialized breathing techniques (drawing qi from the northern direction) and hand seals (specific finger formations). This is followed by performing the Gangbu ritual steps (a Daoist ceremonial footwork pattern) while maintaining precise postures: the left hand forms the Sha-killing seal, the right hand makes the sword gesture at the waist, teeth clenched tightly as one swallows true qi. The summoning concludes by inhaling while bowing over the character "Jian" (a Daoist ghost-subduing glyph) and exhaling to complete the invocation.

The incantation portion contains two esoteric mantras. The first is "Jian zheng a na she om Northern Emperor's command universally summons divine spirits," while the longer second mantra primarily petitions the Northern Emperor (the Purple Subtlety Emperor of the North Pole) to deploy celestial troops, vividly depicting their awe-inspiring mobilization: black banners unfurling, spears and halberds clouding the sky, dark qi permeating the atmosphere. It emphasizes that any disobedience will result in offenders being delivered to the Northern Yin Fengdu according to Daoist precepts.

Specific summoned entities include Marshal Guan, General Zhao, the four great divine generals, and the Fengdu troops, all commanded to swiftly descend to the ritual altar, receive their talismanic orders, and stand ready for service.

Finally, the text catalogues various types of Fulu (talismans) for different purposes: mobilization talismans like the Dispatch Talisman and Quick Summons Talisman; healing talismans including the Cure Illness Talisman and Ingestion Talisman; exorcism talismans such as the Evil-Dispelling Talisman and Fumigation Talisman; protective talismans like the Sha-killing Talisman and Stationary Talisman; even specialized talismans like the Horse Cure Talisman. Each must bear the appropriate deity's name and be drawn according to specific methods.

This passage comes from Volume 36 of Daofa Huiyuan (Compendium of Daoist Rituals), which explains the usage methods of several Daoist talismans (fulu).

"The talisman can be burned and dissolved in water for sprinkling" describes a common Daoist method of applying talismans - burning them to ashes, mixing them with water, then scattering the solution to activate their spiritual power.

The "Dwelling Purification Talisman" is specifically used for cleansing residential spaces. Daoist priests employ this talisman to dispel unclean energies (qi) or malevolent entities from houses, restoring purity to the dwelling. This is commonly used when moving into new residences or when experiencing disturbances in the home.

As the name suggests, the "Evil-Quelling Talisman" is designed to treat disturbances caused by malevolent forces. Ancient people believed many illnesses or unusual phenomena resulted from pathogenic energies, and this talisman addresses such situations.

The phrase "may command the resident general to proceed" refers to the divine general (shenjiang) summoned by the priest. This indicates the priest can order their regularly employed divine general to handle certain matters. In Daoist ritual practice, priests often establish contractual relationships with specific divine generals.

The question "how to perform the crimson treatment" refers to "jiangzhi," a specific Daoist ritual technique inquiring about its operational details. Crimson treatment typically denotes exorcism or healing ceremonies performed using cinnabar or other red substances.