《道法會元》Vol. 37

This scripture records the ritual procedures of the "Great Method of Wuchun Fierce Thunder" from the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition, one of Daoism's major schools, detailing the liturgical (Keyi) process for summoning thunder deities to subdue demons.

The text first enumerates the primary divine hierarchy involved in the ceremony:

The supreme presiding deity is the "Primordial Supreme Immortal Ancestor of Golden Tower Radiance and Mysterious Dao Preservation," a high-ranking immortal venerated in the Shangqing tradition. The commanding general is "Marshal Yin Jiao," depicted with a blue face, red beard, and tied hair adorned with a crown. He holds a golden bell in his left hand and a yellow battle-axe in his right, riding a nine-headed golden ox with a necklace of skulls—an image embodying awe-inspiring power to suppress evil. The retinue includes deputy generals like Marquis Xuan, General Crow-Magpie King, and Messenger Jiang, as well as the four guardian officers Mao, Zhao, Geng, and Guo, among other protective deities.

The text then meticulously describes the methods for summoning these deities: The ritual master must maintain inner purity, form specific hand seals (the "Dingli" mudra), and visualize the main general descending amid golden light and fiery clouds. Simultaneously, the master silently recites the mantra "Om Hum Hrih Jah Trum Ni Svaha" seven times in rhythm with the breath. After the incantation, the divine energy (Shenqi) is guided into the central yellow court (the Dantian) within the body, then dispersed onto the ritual incense through exhaled breath.

Next, the master loudly recites an invocation, which roughly translates as: "With utmost reverence, we summon Marshal Yin Jiao and his retinue." The marshal is described as a prince who attained enlightenment through ten lifetimes of Golden Elixir (Jindan) cultivation, now commanding celestial and earthly forces to suppress plagues and evil. The incantation demands immediate response to the summons, urging the deities to descend to the altar and punish those who defy the Dao.

The ritual concludes with the standard Daoist formula "By the decree of the Great Emperor of the North Star, Purple Subtlety (Beiji Ziwei Dadi), urgently, urgently!"—invoking the authority of this paramount deity to enforce the summons. The entire ceremony relies on visualization (Cunxiang) of the deities' descent before dispatching them to execute exorcistic tasks.

This scripture primarily discusses the use of Daoist talismans (fulu, special ritual documents employed for exorcism, healing, and blessings) and their associated divine pantheon.

Regarding talisman application, it mentions crafting them from peach wood to ward off evil and dispel sha qi (malignant energies), suitable for home protection, illness treatment, and averting misfortune. Several specific talismans are described: the Illness-Protection and Sha-Dispelling Talisman, the Purification Talisman, and the Incense Offering Talisman. These can be used by burning, with additional talismans employed for severe illnesses.

The text records the "Imperial Heroic Ninefold Earth-Pacifying Inner Method" divine system, featuring nine great generals: Wu Cong, Wang Jian, Meng Sunheng, Guo Zhen, Qi Qing, Wang Ba, Zhao Tianhai, and Song Dou. These deities have awe-inspiring appearances—clad in golden armor and wearing celestial warrior crowns (tianding guan) adorned with ox-head motifs, each wielding distinct weapons and commanding ten thousand celestial soldiers. A talisman messenger named Zhou Yuanyang is also described, depicted with crossed-leg headgear (jiaojiao futou), a blue face, golden armor, and holding a great axe while wearing boots.

Activating these talismans requires reciting the secret incantation "Geng Dan Qi Yuan" one to nine times. The "Three Sovereigns' Earth-Pacifying Talismanic Decree" refers to talismans associated with the Three Sovereigns (tianhuang, dihuang, and renhuang). The "Imperial Heroic Nine Qi Jade Talisman" bears nine characters capable of pacifying all disturbances and must be inscribed on iron plates or stone tiles.

The scripture concludes with mention of the "Nine Oxen Precious Proclamation" (a type of Daoist ritual document) used during ground-breaking ceremonies, and references divine offices like the "Primordial Unity Ten Thousand Thunder Gods Bureau," affirming the sacred efficacy of these talismanic texts.

All talisman applications follow strict protocols—including writing materials, timing, and accompanying incantations—demonstrating the systematic and ritualistic nature of Daoist magical practice.

This passage originates from Volume 37 of the Daoist scripture Daofa Huiyuan (Compendium of Daoist Rituals), documenting a ritual talisman called the "Nine Oxen Earth Gratification Edict Talisman" (Jiuniu Xietu Xifu). The celestial being Huang Ying and Zhou Yuanyang, the Earth-Pacifying Talismanic Emissary of the Nine Soils (a divine office overseeing land deities), are commissioned to perform this ritual. The text explains that this talisman can be flexibly employed according to specific circumstances or intentions, serving in ceremonies to express gratitude to earth deities. The "Nine Oxen Earth Gratification" constitutes a significant sacrificial rite in Daoism, where offerings of nine oxen are made to thank earth spirits for their blessings while praying for peace and auspiciousness. Talismanic Emissary Zhou Yuanyang bears responsibility for transmitting and executing this sacred ceremony.