《道法會元》Vol. 53

I am a ritual master of the Qingwei lineage (an important Daoist school), presenting this memorial to the Celestial Venerables with utmost reverence. The situation is this: in recent months, our region has been plagued by frequent tiger attacks. These beasts roam day and night, causing multiple injuries, leaving the common people in constant fear. The local community has collectively requested my assistance in dispelling this tiger scourge.

I maintain that humans and wild beasts cannot coexist peacefully. Now these ferocious creatures have formed packs to harm people—this is no trivial matter. Could it be that the local Earth Gods (Tudi Shen) have neglected their duties? Or have the people committed some transgression that invited this calamity? This menace must be eliminated immediately. I have prepared the necessary talismanic documents (Fulu) to petition the Thunder Ministry deities (Daoist gods governing thunder) to mobilize the local Earth Gods in driving away the tigers. However, as this concerns grave matters, I dare not act without authorization. Therefore, in accordance with proper protocol, I submit this memorial to seek the Celestial Venerables' instruction.

This memorial originates from the primordial source of Heaven and Earth, transmitting through the Three Realms (celestial, human, and underworld). With absolute devotion, I present this petition to the following Celestial Venerables:

1. The Jade Purity True King, Great Emperor of Eternal Life (Shenxiao Yuqing Zhenwang Changsheng Dadi)

2. The Great Emperor of Eastern Florescence (Dongji Qinghua Dadi)

3. The Universal Savior Celestial Venerable of Thunderous Resonance Responding to the Primal (Jiutian Yingyuan Leisheng Puhua Tianzun)

4. The Great Thunder Ancestor Emperor of the Nine Heavens (Jiutian Leizu Dadi)

5. The Great Celestial Emperor of Supreme Unity from the Purple Tenuity Jade Palace (Shangqing Ziwei Biyu Gong Taiyi Dadi)

6. The Great Emperor of the Six Heavens' Profound Cavern (Liutian Dongyuan Dadi)

7. The Imperial Lord of Emerald Wave Dominion (Lübo Tianzhu Dijun)

8. The True Lord Magistrate of the Investigation Department (Kehan Si Zhangren Zhenjun)

9. The True Lord Emissary of the Nine Heavens (Jiutian Caifang Shi Zhenjun)

I humbly beseech the Celestial Venerables to grant their divine favor and approve this petition. May the celestial court issue decrees informing all relevant divine offices and local deities—including City Gods (Cheng Huang), Earth Gods (Tudi Shen), Mountain Deities (Shan Shen), and River Lords (He Bo)—to coordinate their efforts.

Furthermore, I petition for the absolution of any offenses the local populace may have committed. May the Thunder Ministry's Yang Thunder Lord Gou Liuji, Yin Thunder Lord Bi Zongyuan, along with the Jade Maidens of Divine Tigers and other deities descend immediately to supervise the local mountain deities, river lords, and all spirits in manifesting their divine power to swiftly expel these man-eating tigers.

This passage presents a formal memorial (similar to an imperial petition) submitted by a Daoist priest to the celestial court, detailing the ritual process for exorcising malevolent forces. The priest refers to himself as "your servant" when addressing the Divine Empyrean Nine Luminaries (Shenxiao Jiuchen Shangdi), one of Daoism's supreme deities, to report his efforts and request divine assistance in quelling disasters.

The text first establishes the necessity of demon expulsion: ferocious beasts like tigers and leopards must be driven away from human settlements, their traces eradicated to prevent harm to common people, thereby ensuring regional peace. Such protection relies entirely on divine shelter (pingmeng refers to the deities' protective canopy).

It then meticulously documents the memorial submission procedure: On an auspicious day, the Swift Celestial Courier Yang Jie (a specialized immortal official responsible for document delivery) conveys the petition to the celestial court. The memorial features dual-layer packaging—the outer layer inscribed with "For Submission to the Divine Empyrean Nine Luminaries Palace," while the inner layer contains the "Three Realms Demon-Subduing Heart Document" (esoteric text for vanquishing demonic obstructions).

The text enumerates numerous high-ranking deities, including the Jade Mansion Judgment Prefecture True Lord and the Heaven's Thunder Prime Minister True Lord (thunder deities from Daoism's Thunder Ministry), seeking their approval. Special emphasis is placed on summoning the Yin-Yang Thunder Gods (Gou Liuji and Bi Zongyuan, two thunder deities) and protective spirits like the Divine Tiger Jade Maidens, while commanding local mountain gods (shan jun) and river deities (chuan hou) to manifest their power and jointly expel harmful demons.

The conclusion mentions the use of "Five-Inch Void Seal Talismans" (a special type of fulu), indicating this memorial originates from the Great Void celestial realm (Daoism's highest heaven) and carries sacred efficacy. The entire memorial exhibits rigorous formatting, reflecting the standardized norms of Daoist zhaijiao (purification rituals) and keyi (liturgical ceremonies).

This is a memorial (a type of Daoist document) addressed to the divine beings, primarily petitioning for the expulsion of tigers threatening local communities.

The text first reports to the Most Exalted Jade Purity True King of Divine Empyrean, Sovereign of the Nine Heavenly Palaces (a supreme Daoist deity), and Patriarch Most High Primordial Radiance Dharma King, True Purity and Violet Void Primordial Lord (a Daoist immortal): fierce tigers are harming the people in the region. The memorial formally requests these deities to dispatch divine generals like the Jade Maidens of the Sacred Tigers, coordinating with local mountain gods and river deities to manifest their power. The petition seeks to drive these tigers to remote, uninhabited areas where they will vanish without trace, ceasing to threaten the populace.

The document particularly emphasizes: should there be any formal errors or improper wording in the memorial, the deities are humbly beseeched to grant forgiveness and correct these mistakes, ensuring the document conforms to celestial standards. Finally, it petitions the deities to issue decrees absolving the people's transgressions, while dispatching Yang Jie, the Swift Messenger of the Nine Heavens (a Daoist divine courier), to expedite the memorial's delivery to the celestial court.

The repeated use of "your servant" as self-reference follows standard Daoist documentary conventions, demonstrating humility before the divine. The conclusion includes the date and the official title and name of the petitioner, adhering to formal memorial protocol.

(The following is a formal Daoist memorial document, adhering to strict liturgical format including address to the divine, self-deprecating expressions, petitions, and incantations)

The disciple, humbly styling himself as "unworthy lineage descendant," reverently bows before the Most Exalted Immortal Sovereign of Golden Tower and Luminous Mystery, the Guardian of Marvelous Dao (a revered Daoist deity). With utmost humility, he compares himself to insignificant grass and dust, unworthy yet fortunate to participate in sacred rites, living in constant awe without knowing how to repay such divine grace.

The present matter requiring celestial petition (specific details) has been duly recorded in this memorial addressed to the Nine Celestial Jade Thrones (heavenly courts) and the Mysterious Bureau of Our Patriarch (celestial administration). Humbly acknowledging his shallow virtue yet heavy responsibilities, numerous faults and scant merits, the disciple recognizes his inadequacy to summon true spiritual powers (divine beings) for cosmic transformation. Only through the Patriarch's guidance can the Dao's power manifest.

Therefore, with deepest reverence, this lineage letter (internal Daoist document) is composed, beseeching the Patriarch's compassion in remembrance of shared spiritual kinship. May it please the Patriarch to transmit this petition through successive generations of the Pure Subtle School (important Daoist lineage) to the celestial courts. We implore the descent of boundless grace: that City Gods (Chenghuang), Earth Deities (Tudi), and local spirits may pardon human transgressions and expel the man-eating tiger plaguing our community.

Furthermore, we earnestly request the Patriarch's decree summoning the Thunder Lords Gou and Bi of Supreme Purity's Divine Fervor (thunder deities from the celestial ministry), along with the Jade Maidens of Divine Tigers and other numinous beings. Let mountain gods, river deities, and earth spirits manifest immediately to drive the fierce beast into desolate wilderness, eliminating this calamity so people may dwell in peace.

Attached is the Heaven-Opening Incantation (Daoist ritual text), entrusted to the Swift Celestial Messenger Yang Jie (immortal courier) for immediate delivery. This "Primordial Qi Jade Talisman for Opening Heaven and Penetrating the Three Realms" possesses supreme power - wherever it reaches, all beings of the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and water) must obey. The celestial gate guardians are commanded to grant immediate passage without delay, ensuring prompt delivery to the heavenly courts for deliberation.

The document concludes with date and sender's name, reiterating urgent dispatch by talismanic courier. Blank spaces are reserved for drawing ritual sigils (Daoist magical symbols).

This is a thunder ritual talisman (fulu) recorded in the Daoist compendium Daofa Huiyuan, describing the process of a Daoist priest summoning thunder deities through incantations to expel evil and protect the people.

The talisman first specifies the identity of the celestial messenger—"Swift Courier Yang Jie of the Nine Heavens" (a divine general specialized in rapidly delivering talismanic orders), along with the officiating priest's religious rank and lineage. The mentioned "Perfected Lord of Golden Effulgence and Wondrous Dao" and "Purified Perfected Lord Wei of Purple Void from the Golden Portal" are both key patriarchs in the Daoist thunder ritual tradition.

The main content describes how the priest, upon receiving a petition from villagers seeking protection against tiger attacks, prepared three documents: a memorial for subduing demons, a mystical petition to be delivered to the High Origin Celestial Illumination Palace (one of the celestial palaces), and a personal letter. These documents were to be submitted to the Golden Portal Palace of Luminous Mystery through the Nine Thunder Offices (the celestial bureaucracy governing thunder deities).

The priest employed the "Jade Talisman of Primordial Qi that Opens Heaven and Connects the Three Realms" (a fulu with power to penetrate all cosmic dimensions), notifying the celestial gatekeepers and various deities to expedite document delivery. Special emphasis was placed on preventing demonic obstruction, with orders to immediately arrest and punish any violators.

The concluding section specifically summons two thunder generals—"Yang Thunder General Gou of Supreme Clarity" and "Yin Thunder General Bi of Divine Transformation"—commanding them to swiftly execute the decree of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (the supreme Daoist deity), while requiring local deities like the City God (chenghuang) to assist in the operation.

This talisman exemplifies the characteristic thunder ritual method of "summoning deities through talismans." Through meticulous document protocols and sacred lineage systems, it mobilizes the power of thunder generals to eliminate public harm. The recurring term "Primordial Qi" (yuanqi) refers to the fundamental energy believed in Daoism to generate all existence, while "Three Realms" denotes the celestial, human, and underworld dimensions.

This passage describes the Daoist ritual process where a master invokes divine power through sacred talismans (fulu, the ritual documents used for exorcism and deity summoning). The master issues commands in the name of the "Thunder Office of Ten Thousand Spirits under the Primordial Qi" (the thunder divinity bureau subordinate to the highest Daoist deity, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning), demanding the immediate manifestation of the City God (guardian deity of settlements) and local earth deities (including the Village Guardian, Mountain Lords, and River Sovereigns).

The core directive requires these deities to demonstrate their power by driving man-eating tigers into uninhabited wilderness, erasing their traces to prevent further harm to humans and livestock. Simultaneously, they must promote prosperity and eliminate calamities for local communities, restoring regional peace. The deities must execute these orders with lightning speed—disobedience incurs severe punishment ("corpse-slaying" being the ultimate penalty for defiant spirits in Daoist cosmology).

The text repeatedly emphasizes that this command follows the "Primordially Descended Dao Mandate" (edict issued by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning) and employs the "Jade Talisman" (highest-grade divine seal) to mobilize deities. It concludes with the issuance date and the validation by the "Numinous and Mysterious Immortal Guardian of the Golden Tower" (a high-ranking transcendent being) as the lineage authority witness.

This formal document structure reflects the Daoist belief that specific rituals and texts can mobilize celestial forces to assist the human realm. The recurring phrase "urgently, urgently, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances" serves as the standard talismanic conclusion, meaning "implement this immediately without delay."

This is a Daoist talismanic document (fulu) used for warding off disasters caused by wild beasts, recorded in the liturgical compendium Daofa Huiyuan. The text primarily constitutes an expulsion decree issued by a Daoist priest in the name of divine authorities:

The first section presents an official command issued by the "Primordial Qi Thunder Ministry of Ten Thousand Spirits" (a celestial thunder department in Daoist theology), directing local temple deities, mountain gods, water spirits, and earth gods to immediately carry out orders. They are instructed to pardon the transgressions of local inhabitants, employ their divine power to drive away tigers and other dangerous beasts to uninhabited areas, eliminate calamities, and safeguard the people's wellbeing.

The latter portion invokes the "Two Thunder Lords Gou and Bi of Supreme Clarity's Divine Fervor (Yin-Yang)"—two thunder generals governing celestial strikes—to lead a host of deities including local guardians, city gods, earth deities, and grain spirits. Together they are summoned to expel all crop-destroying animals such as wild boars, deer, bears, as well as locusts and other pests, ensuring agricultural protection. The decree further seeks to prevent droughts and floods, guaranteeing abundant harvests for the community.

The text repeatedly emphasizes this as an extraordinary ritual performed for public welfare, distinct from ordinary ceremonies. All deities are commanded to execute these orders without delay or disobedience. The document concludes with the issuance date and the officiating priest's signature. References to "the transformative teachings of Qingwei" denote the doctrinal influence of the Qingwei lineage (a major Daoist school), while "mystical liturgical statutes" (xuanke lüling) points to esoteric Daoist ritual regulations.

This scripture is a Daoist talismanic document (Fulu) used for warding off wild animals and protecting crops. The opening lines list the revered ancestral masters: "Ancestral Master Zhao of the Golden Palace, the Numinous and Mysterious Immortal Guardian of the Way" and "Ancestral Master Wei of the Golden Palace, Supreme Guardian of the Pure Subtlety and Primordial Dao"—both honored figures in Daoist tradition.

Issued in the name of the "Primordial Unity of Qi and the Ten Thousand Thunder Gods’ Bureau" (a celestial thunder department in Daoist cosmology), the document declares it carries the highest mandate of the Dao. It emphasizes that wherever this jade talisman reaches, all deities must comply, with severe punishment awaiting those who disobey.

The core content commands the City God (local guardian deity) and Earth God (Tudi Shen) to join forces with various regional deities—such as the "Lord of Universal Peace" and the "God of Grains and Soil"—to collectively drive away crop-destroying animals, including rats, bears, rabbits, boars, deer, and other pests. The aim is to eliminate droughts and floods, safeguard harvests, and ensure the people’s prosperity.

The text stresses that this matter concerns the people’s welfare and is of exceptional urgency, demanding immediate action from the deities without resistance. It concludes with the date of issuance and the official title of the issuer.

The second section follows a similar format, specifically addressed to the Earth God. Its content parallels the first, reiterating the directive for the Earth God to collaborate with other deities in expelling harmful animals and insects to protect crops. The recurring phrase "urgently, urgently, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances" (急急如律令) is a common Daoist incantation formula, underscoring the imperative for swift execution of the command.

This document follows the formal protocol of Daoist Thunder Magic (a ritual technique for summoning thunder deities through talismans and incantations), specifically addressing a pine tree pest infestation. The core message can be understood as follows:

We have received a plea for help from residents of a certain locality, reporting that their livelihood-sustaining pine trees have been suddenly attacked by hairy, silkworm-like pests. These insects cling to branches while devouring leaves, threatening to destroy entire groves. As human efforts prove ineffective, divine intervention from the Thunder Department is sought.

Upon receiving this petition, the Thunder Bureau (the celestial administration governing thunder phenomena) immediately issues an official decree: Summoning Generals Shenlie and Yinyang from the Thunder Department, alongside Lightning Envoys Pili and Changyang, while mobilizing local deities like the City God (Chenghuang) and Earth God (Tudi) for coordinated action. They are commanded to unleash the purging west wind's lethal energy, completely eradicating the pests and restoring the pines to lush vitality—ensuring young trees continue providing firewood for villagers while mature ones grow straight as future timber pillars.

The document emphasizes the exceptional urgency of this livelihood-threatening situation, mandating immediate compliance from all addressed deities without delay. It concludes with the issuance date and requires signatures from: the presiding ritual master (the character "某" serves as placeholder for the practitioner's name) alongside two high-ranking transcendents—the Numinous Lord of Golden Portal's Luminous Mystery (Jinque Zhaoning Miaodao Baoxian Yuanjun) and the Purple Void Numinous Lord of Golden Portal's Supreme Protection (Jinque Shangbao Gaoyuan Zixu Yuanjun). The edict must be sealed in a specially prepared leather case accompanied by designated talismans (Fulu) and official paperwork.

Note: The five-inch blank space in the original text would be filled with vermillion thunder sigils during actual use. "Seal" refers to official signatures, while "dispatch" (Die) denotes a category of formal Daoist administrative documents.

This text documents the hierarchical pantheon of deities within Daoist Thunder Rituals (a form of esoteric practice that summons thunder deities through talismans and incantations). The "Primordial Qi Thunder Authority of Ten Thousand Spirits" refers to the supreme thunder command born from the primordial Qi of the Dao, governing countless thunder deities. The "Two Thunder Lords of Yin-Yang from the Supreme Clarity's Divine Blaze" are two prominent thunder generals who respectively wield the thunderous power of yin and yang energies.

Volume 53 of the Daofa Huiyuan (Compendium of Daoist Rituals) specifically records this thunder deity system. The term "Gou-Bi" collectively refers to these two thunder lords (Marshal Gou governs yang thunder, while Marshal Bi governs yin thunder). They belong to the Shangqing (Supreme Clarity) tradition—a major Daoist school—and are revered as powerful thunder deities. During thunder rituals, Daoist priests invoke them to exorcise evil, suppress demons, pray for rain, or end droughts.