《道法會元》Vol. 89

The Nine Heavens Thunder Crystal Chapter details the specific procedures and incantations for Daoist priests to commune with deities through meditation (cun shen zhao he). The practitioner must first calm the mind and focus the spirit, burn purification talismans (po hui fu), perform the purification stepping pattern (po hui gang), and silently recite the cleansing incantation seven times. Among these, the esoteric mantra "Mo Ni Li Hei Chi Xu Ming" must be repeated seven times.

The text then elaborates on the techniques of the stepping pattern (gang bu): one must align with the celestial positions of the Big Dipper (Tian Gang Xing), with each season corresponding to a specific direction—spring in the Zhen position (east), summer in the Li position (south), autumn in the Dui position (west), and winter in the Zi position (north). Emphasis is placed on adjusting one’s Qi field in harmony with the movement of the Northern Dipper (Bei Dou), ensuring the interplay of Yin and Yang energies. Special attention must be paid to gathering the vital energy (Qi) of heaven and earth during solstices and equinoxes. The method involves facing the appropriate direction, slightly closing the eyes, and visualizing the descent of Yin and Yang energies from the heavens, merging with one’s inner radiance. When a burning sensation is felt at the crown of the head, it signifies the opening of the Heavenly Gate (Tian Men), at which point the breath must flow unimpeded.

Various stepping patterns serve distinct purposes: the Six-Colors Gang divides Yin and Yang, the Sealing Gang stabilizes the Qi field, the Ghost-Repelling Gang expels malevolent forces, the Body-Protection Gang safeguards the practitioner, and the Fetal-Nourishing Gang supports gestation and vital energy. These techniques must be applied in accordance with Yin-Yang principles—Yang Gang subdues Yin afflictions, while Yin Gang counters Yang disturbances.

In the section on talisman inscription (shu fu), one must first establish the Golden Light Formation (Jin Guang Ju), a ritual boundary. The incantation invokes the Jade Emperor’s (Yu Huang Da Di) decree, depicting a celestial vision of five-colored auspicious clouds and interwoven golden light, possessing the power to exorcise demons. A key visualization involves imagining golden light from the Heavenly Gate piercing through the Thunder City (Lei Cheng), an advanced meditative technique to eradicate evil influences.

The concluding Lesser Golden Light Incantation (Xiao Jin Guang Zhou) is a renowned Daoist chant, venerating the "Mysterious Origin of Heaven and Earth" as the source of all energy. Reciting it is said to bestow golden light protection, elevating the practitioner to a state where "within and beyond the Three Realms, I alone am supreme." The incantation describes the adept’s ability to command thunder and subdue spirits, incorporating numerous thunder-method secret syllables (e.g., "Lian Gu Hong Bo Ji Li"). These resonant syllables are believed to summon thunder deities and terrify demonic entities with their mystical resonance.

This passage describes the talismanic incantations (fulu) and cultivation methods within Daoist Thunder Magic (Leifa), an esoteric practice for summoning wind and rain. The opening syllables "chi-du-luo" represent secret Thunder Magic mantras. When reciting these incantations, practitioners must visualize the Five Directional Qi (Wuqi) circulating and rising, enveloping their entire bodies in golden light to transform themselves into "Perfected Persons" (zhenren, realized adepts).

The text records several secret incantations:

1. The sixteen-syllable mantra "Om-li-hong..." serves as a universal spell adaptable to various circumstances

2. Practitioners must internally visualize the three characters "Huang," "Xian," and "Huang" in their abdominal region, corresponding respectively to rainfall, clear skies, and exorcism

3. Five secret characters visualized beneath the feet correspond to the five natural forces (wind, thunder, clouds, rain, lightning) while simultaneously resonating with the five yin organs in the human body

Detailed instructions are provided for nine types of talismans:

• The Huoluo Dou method can transform weather patterns
• The Zhang Jue talisman summons clear weather
• Talismans of Celestial Lords Xin and Deng induce rainfall
• When inscribing talismans, practitioners must first visualize heart fire descending and kidney water (shenshui) ascending, with these two qi streams merging within the body before surging up through the spinal pivot (jiaji point) and projecting through the mouth to imbue the talisman with vital energy

Rain-summoning cultivation methods specify:

1. If clouds fail to gather, visualize heart fire descending and kidney water rising

2. Project purplish-golden light from between the eyebrows while visualizing the character "Huang"

3. Hold the breath and spray water toward the drought-stricken direction, maintaining the "Huang" character's presence within the water

4. Enhance the effect by coordinating with eight secret characters

Clear-weather methods follow similar procedures using alternative secret characters. The text also reveals esoteric techniques for drawing water from the Milky Way:

1. Visualize golden light emanating from the minor star beside the sixth star of the Southern Dipper

2. Imagine white qi from one's body connecting with the golden celestial river

3. After the qi penetrates primordial chaos, celestial emissaries (shenling) appear

4. Swallow saliva (jinye) while visualizing its ascent from the coccyx (weilü) to the cranial summit (Kunlun), then flowing backward into the Milky Way

5. Finally, project this energy into the talisman, using it as ink for inscription

The conclusion discloses five supreme secret characters—"Tian" (Heaven), "Xuan" (Mystery), "Shou" (First), "Jian" (Establish), etc.—which constitute the most essential transmissions within Thunder Magic practice.

This scripture describes the complete ritual process in Daoist Thunder Magic (Leifa) for summoning the "Earth Thunder Envoy" to perform weather-clearing ceremonies. The Earth Thunder Envoy is one of the thunder department's divine generals who governs weather phenomena. Daoist priests invoke this deity through specific visualization techniques (cunxiang), talismanic incantations, and internal Qi circulation.

The ritual begins with talisman drawing during the Hai-Zi (9pm-1am) and Chou-Yin (1am-5am) watch periods (ancient timekeeping system). The priest visualizes ancestral Qi (primordial energy) entering the central palace (the body's core), mobilizing the yellow court's Qi (Dantian energy) to blow toward the area inscribed with the character for "earth" (土).

The master then recites the incantation: "I summon the envoy to sweep away dark clouds, immediately release sunlight, and swiftly reach the Li Palace (southern fire position)." This method invokes the earth-traveling envoy among the five envoys during demon-subduing rituals.

During cultivation, practitioners must concentrate their Shen (spirit) and calm their Qi, holding their breath while activating energy from both kidneys—the left kidney manifests red light, the right black light, forming the character "圄." Pressing the tongue against two points on the upper palate creates a Yin-Yang connection, followed by swallowing saliva to a point of radiance between the kidneys. This luminous point ascends directly from the spinal hinge (Jiaji point) to the celestial gate (Baihui point) at the crown, forming the character "烱" that shines like the sun.

Next, focus both eyes on this luminous point while reciting special thunder mantras: "Om hēi liè xìng fá è bīng hōng zhà pō lì bù xī xíng mó ní hǒu"—meaning "subdue all demons across the three realms, reducing them to dust." Follow with: "Om dì chì fá pō chì shà shè," a command to capture malevolent entities.

After chanting, visualize a glowing "烱" character in the southeast (Xun position), within which appears the envoy resembling Marshal Deng, the Swift Fire General (a renowned thunder deity). Silently recite: "Heavenly Emperor Jiaye's thunderbolt capture, black obstruction capture," while visualizing the character "𡄼" above the head, summoning the envoy to descend—first entering the liver, then the gallbladder and kidneys. Golden light erupts as the envoy's form dissolves, leaving only the Five Phases' energies (metal, wood, water, fire, earth) interacting within the body. These energies surge upward, transforming into thunderous peals before materializing as five envoys stationed in the five directions.

Summoning requires specific Gang steps (ritual footsteps). For daily practice, simply maintain the visualization until the envoy appears, then dedicate the merit. Visualize the five generals and envoys transforming into five-colored golden light absorbed into the heart—no Gang steps needed here. Stand quietly imagining oneself bathed in boundless golden radiance, positioned at the celestial gate (crown), guiding the envoy to gaze toward the heavenly palace to report affairs. After receiving divine instructions, offer thanks before withdrawal.

Finally, guide the envoy's descent from the celestial gate to humbly receive commands. Chant: "Heaven's mandate is bestowed upon me, my mandate upon you. Should you disobey, cosmic justice prevails. Five-direction thunder gods, I know your names—iron-faced envoys, mighty transforming generals, come at my call, arrive at my summons, urgently as the law commands!"

The text also mentions the advanced cultivation method of "Mysterious Crystal Thunder Seals" (Xuanjing Leizhang) within Thunder Magic. This ritual integrates talismans, visualization, Neidan (internal alchemy) cultivation, and thunder general summoning, embodying the Daoist magical principle: "internal refinement forms the elixir, external manifestation becomes the method."

This cultivation method explains how to summon Thunder Department generals through visualization (meditative contemplation) and incantations. The specific steps are as follows:

First, calm the mind and focus the spirit, adjusting the breath while sitting in stillness until body and mind enter a state of luminous emptiness. At this point, the Primordial Ancestral Qi (the most fundamental energy in the human body) will naturally rise to the Muddy Pellet Palace (Baihui point at the crown of the head), then descend to mingle the kidney's Water and heart's Fire in the Yellow Court (the middle Dantian region). During cultivation, one visualizes golden script characters appearing in the heart palace, circulating between the heart and Yellow Court along specific energetic pathways.

Next, engage in precise visualizations: envision a golden sphere in the gallbladder region, a six-star Dipper constellation pattern in the heart palace, while simultaneously visualizing the same six-star formation in the southeast (Xun direction). Chant the mantra "Pēng shà hē" while mentally guiding the characters to collide with each other. When golden light erupts from the southeast, immediately form the Celestial Emperor Hand Seal (a specific mudra) and silently recite the summoning incantation: "Ōṃ hūṃ hūṃ pó zhà suō qié wú fèng dì chì..." This mantra contains the secret command to summon generals by imperial decree.

At this stage, practitioners visualize Thunder Department emissaries descending astride the Big Dipper, its handle rotating as they arrive to receive instructions. The text mentions three principal Thunder Generals—Deng, Xin, and Zhang—who can be summoned by simply prefixing "Thunder" to their names.

The text further details practical talismanic applications: a sixteen-character summoning mantra, five-direction Thunder General talismans (corresponding to east, west, south, north, and center), and specific sigil-writing methods for diverse needs (rainmaking, clearing skies, epidemic prevention, or subduing malignant forces). If initial summoning proves ineffective, adding the character "yì" (command) to the talisman enhances its power, or one may intensify invocations to the five directional Thunder Generals.

Note: The □ symbols throughout indicate secret characters transmitted only through oral lineage. Such practices require strict ritual adherence and are not recommended for untrained individuals.

This passage describes the method for creating Daoist fulu (talismanic inscriptions used in ritual practices), specifically detailing the ceremonial steps to summon Celestial Marshal Xin (one of Daoism's guardian deities).

First, the practitioner must face the southeast direction (associated with the Xun trigram) and visualize the form of Celestial Marshal Xin: holding a brush in his right hand and a ledger in his left. Next, one must open the "Xun Gate" (a symbolic ritual portal in the southeast) and, using the gaze of both eyes, draw the deity's spiritual power into the talismanic paper. Then, the practitioner inscribes Celestial Marshal Xin's sacred name (his divine true name) onto the talisman while infusing it with Qi (the fundamental energy of Daoist cultivation).

The text particularly emphasizes that the creation of other talismans must follow the same underlying principles and methods. This entire process belongs to the specific practice of "writing talismans" (shufu) within Daoist ritual arts, requiring the integration of focused visualization (cunxiang) and Qi cultivation techniques to be properly accomplished.