《上清靈寶大法(一)》Vol. 15

The Great Dao of Shangqing Lingbao, Volume Fifteen: The Section on Suppressing, Averting, and Controlling Calamities

Transmitted by Ning Quanzhen, a lofty adept of the Subtle Cavern and perfected one who opens the light and relieves suffering. Compiled by Wang Qizhen, a disciple of the Three Caverns of Shangqing and an heir to the office of Lingbao Preceptor.

The Red Writ of the Mysterious Cavern

The master said: “The divine spirits of the Mysterious Cavern Red Writ came into being through the wondrous transformations of Taiji. In ancient times, the Celestial Perfected Sovereign descended to the Heaven of Jade Brilliance and Ascendant Victory, where he transmitted the Great Lingbao Method to the Celestial Worthy of the Void Emperor. The Celestial Worthy of the Void Emperor said to the Highest Minister of Donghua, the Cavern Spirit Marshal, the Left Official who oversees the registers of life in the lower realm, and the assembled immortal officials: ‘The Nine Heavens are governed by the Great Brahma, and the Eight Emperors rule the heavens. Without the Mysterious Cavern Red Writ, they could not direct and nurture the Nine Yangs, bringing all living beings to understanding and deliverance.

“Thus, the Heaven of the Jade Clarity of the Divine Empyrean, the Void Emperor’s Heaven, was formed from the gathered celestial spirit, radiant essence, and the pure, true, void Brahma Qi of the Nine Yangs. The Heaven of the Cinnabar Writ of the Southern Pole, the Cinnabar Firmament, was formed from the gathered wondrous radiance of Cinnabar Spirit and the radiant, true, primal Brahma Qi of the Cavern Yang. The Heaven of the Azure Firmament of the Great Void and True Ultimate was formed from the gathered vast spiritual Great Flower and the primal, true, numinous unity of the Upper Yang. The Heaven of the Jade Spirit and Pure Radiance, the Jade Firmament, was formed from the gathered Jade Spirit and Pure Radiance and the pure Yang, supremely true primal unity. The Heaven of the Great Spirit and True Origin, the Great Firmament, was formed from the gathered Great Spirit and Cavern Flower and the Qi of the Three Yangs, Nine Trues, and Great One. The Heaven of Pure Spirit and Bright Origin, the Lang Firmament, was formed from the gathered Pure Spirit and Bright Flower and the six Yangs, Cavern Truth, and Supreme Unity. The Heaven of the Numinous Void and Supreme Ultimate, the Purple Firmament, was formed from the gathered primal spirit and purple radiance and the clear Yang, wondrous truth, and celestial unity. The Heaven of Wondrous Spirit and Precious Radiance, the Radiant Firmament, was formed from the gathered Wondrous Spirit and Precious Radiance and the radiant Yang, true essence, and void unity. The Heaven of Jade Radiance and Primal Ultimate, the Azure Firmament, was formed from the gathered Azure Spirit and Jade Radiance and the primal Yang, celestial truth, and pure unity.

“These Nine Firmaments and Nine Heavens all opened into being and were nurtured through the Mysterious Cavern Red Writ. They congealed from the bright, wondrous Brahma Qi, pure, refined Qi, and the essence of the supreme numinous purple Cinnabar, forming the true celestial seal script. Thus the Red Writ gave birth to the Mysterious Cavern, and the Mysterious Cavern in turn gave birth to the all-encompassing Heaven of Miro. The Way of the Nine Qi, as well as the Nine Causes and Eight Brahma Real Jade Palaces that were later formed in the lower realm, all came into being through these written characters.

“Therefore, within the Heaven of Great Cinnabar are the Palace of the Red Emperor, the City of Wanli, the World that Abandoned the Worthy, and the Brahma Treasure…”

All the numinous powers of the Elixir Realm are governed by the Lord of the Red Emperor. There are the Abode of Vermilion Mounds, the Court of Flowing Fire, the Palace of Great Flame, the Hall of Red Radiance, and the Cinnabar Hill Fire Pool. These are all places where the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning refines and transforms the True Writings. They are also the sacred Sanskrit characters that take shape from The Red Writings of the Cavernous Convergence.

The Jade Inscription contains seventy-two characters:

“The Red Writings of the Cavernous Convergence”

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning set the cycles of transformation in motion, and from this the Great Mystery gave birth to numinous life. Emptiness reached its utmost limit, with no forms yet present; a single Qi—the primordial, fundamental vital energy—flowed and took shape. From it arose the Two Luminaries, the sun and moon, while the Five Coordinates, the five planets, gathered their essences. All things blended and came into being spontaneously, forever dispelling the affliction of coagulation and gestation. The True Qi was gathered and ordered into visible forms, shining brightly and clearly. Fiery Qi held its ground, vast and immense. The Seven Cycles converged: Shiqiluhao. The Cinnabar Heaven gleamed with crystalline brilliance; vermilion light refined and delivered; red clouds spread their radiance. The Three Blossoms—the three essences of Jing, Qi, and Shen—flourished in beauty, their light illuminating the Imperial Dawn.

“Chapter of the Jade Calendar of the Primordial Cavern”

The Master said: In ancient times, when the Cavernous Convergence was murky and undifferentiated, the heavens of the Great Brahma and the Vast Net had not yet divided Yin and Yang. All things lay in a dark, blended state, passing through three causes, nine revolutions, six transformations, and seven turnings. The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning first manifested a form. The Five Kalpas began to take shape, and he therefore commanded the Dao Lord of the Ancestral Dawn of Brahma to record the transformations of the Celestial Origin and preserve the course of the Five Kalpas.

It is called “Primordial Cavern” because it is named for the ancestral Qi; it is called “Jade Calendar” because it records the kalpic cycles of the Celestial Origin. After five cycles, all returned once more to “One.” From the One Qi came differentiation into three causes, which then unfolded into nine paths. Their shapes were like dragons, and also like crawling worms, winding into nine roads without end. This encompasses the origin of the ancestral Qi of the Nine Yangs.

The Most High set the Brahma Qi in motion through the numbers three and nine, and bore the primordial Qi through the numbers three and five. Together they formed forty-two Qi, thereby opening the ancestral Qi of the Primordial Origin of the Azure Heaven. The primordial origin of the Eastern Beginning Azure responded when the Nine Yang Wood King first arose. Thus, the East divided the heavens by means of nine Qi, and the kalpa was named “Dragon Han.”

Next, the nine causes revolved once again, and the Yang Qi gradually opened into brightness. Red characters flowed and shone, spreading downward; the five degrees unfolded the celestial chart and revealed the Cinnabar Writings. The Most High multiplied three by five and set the Vermilion Essence in motion three times, forming twenty-four Qi. This opened the ancestral Qi of the Primordial Origin of the Southern Cinnabar Heaven and revealed the primordial radiance of the Southern Cinnabar Light, responding when the Three Yang Fire King first arose. Thus, the South divided the heavens by means of three Qi, and the kalpa was named “Red Radiance.”

After this, the nine causes accumulated and revolved once more, and the primordial origin of Central Yellow came into being. The Qi of the celestial meridians and parallels circled and entwined above. The Brahma Origin thereby opened the ancestral Qi of the Central Imperial Heaven and revealed the light of the Central Numinous Yellow Blossom, responding when the Five Yang Earth Sovereign first arose. Thus, the Center received twelve Qi…

The heavenly realms are classified by the names of their cosmic calamities. After the Shanghuang Calamity comes the Jiuyuan Calamity. When the Jiuyuan Calamity ends, all things undergo transformation and return to their source, and the primordial Qi—the foundational vital energy present at the birth of the cosmos—appears anew.

The Most High (Taishang, the supreme divine presence) multiplies seven by five and adds three, making thirty-six Qi, which are used to open the Heaven of Pure Numinosity. The ancestral primordial Qi of this heaven appears, followed by the radiance of Western Splendid Illumination. This corresponds to the birth of the King of Sevenfold Yang Metal. Thus, the West receives seven Qi, and the name of this heavenly calamity is Yankang. After the Yankang Calamity, nine cycles unfold in succession, repeating in turn until all returns to the source in a mingling transformation.

The Most High then multiplies two by five and adds three, making thirteen. The primordial Yang Qi combines to form thirty Qi, which are used to open the Northern Mysterious Heaven. The ancestral primordial Qi of this heaven appears, followed by the radiance of Mysterious Darkness on High. This corresponds to the birth of the King of First Yang Water. Thus, the North receives five Qi, and the name of this heavenly calamity is Kaihuang.

After the five calamities have ended, Haotian appears in form. The primordial Qi merges with the Great Dao, and light spreads through the heavenly realms in all eight directions. Three accumulations multiplied by nine form the precious meaning of Southern Crimson Radiance and the Jade Calendar of Cinnabar Light, comprising forty characters. These open the primordial Brahma Qi of the Three Yang Heavens.

The Precious Meaning of Southern Crimson Radiance and the Jade Calendar of Cinnabar Light:

The vast calamity opens the way for the spirits;

dragon-shaped talismanic script spreads forth;

crimson clouds and the might of the eight directions surge,

while lightning roars;

the phoenix dispels evil and misfortune,

refining and delivering the Cinnabar Stars;

primordial Qi flies forth from the chamber,

and the household blazes with radiance;

light continues without end, shining upon the spirits;

blessings and joy pass down through generations, flourishing like the blossoms of spring.

The Precious Chapter of the Jade Calendar of Central Numinous Power in the Upper Sovereign Realm comprises forty characters and opens the primordial Brahma treasure Qi of Five Yang and Further Origin:

From chaos at the center, primordial Qi is born;

Qi responds and mingles, condensing into true form;

the High De preserves gentleness and compliance,

holding light within and reaching the deep and distant realm of darkness;

the center is established, governing the nine extremes;

the root is held fast, and the sun, moon, and stars are commanded;

the Three Luminaries—the sun, moon, and stars—shine brilliantly;

they ascend, flying upward from the summit of heaven,

their radiance illuminating the Five Spirits.

The Precious Chapter of the Jade Calendar of Pure Numinosity in the Western Yankang Realm comprises forty characters and opens the primordial Brahma radiance Qi of the Seven Yang Heavens:

The venerable elder stores numinous Qi;

essence is complete, and radiance abundant;

the power of the Dipper constellations destroys the Six Heavens,

eliminating calamities and eradicating every evil;

treasures return to the hidden and subtle realm;

clear Qi rises aloft;

cold light fills the passes;

pure radiance fills the realm of emptiness and oneness;

jade branches diligently put forth blossoms,

whose splendor rises into the nine heavens.

The Precious Chapter of the Jade Calendar of the Mysterious Supreme in the Northern Kaihuang Realm comprises forty characters and opens the primordial Brahma mingling Qi of the First Yang Heaven:

The Five Qi respond to the primordial beginning;

mystery reaches through the heavens and mingles with Great Darkness;

the essence of the celestial bodies flies and stirs, with wings of black jade;

jade maidens scatter blue and purple blossoms,

sealing and guarding heaven with cinnabar-colored talismanic marks.

(The original text ends at “sealing heaven”; the remainder of the Northern Precious Chapter is not included.)

Its wondrous radiance appears in solemn splendor at the imperial court, and all demons submit in reverence. Its supreme teaching spreads across the myriad kingdoms, bringing peace to all under Heaven.

Chapter on the Five Texts Opening the Way

The Master said: In the age of Red Brightness, the celestial charts opened, and the cycles of transformation unfolded according to the natural Dao. The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun), a revered Daoist deity, brought stability to the four quarters and spread down five texts of red script in jade characters, known as the Eight Majestic Dragon Scripts. They were used to protect the cycles of tribulation and preserve the enduring Dao of Heaven.

These jade characters were born from the Great Brahma ancestral Qi of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, the original breath of the source. They appeared as written texts to guide living beings toward deliverance. The middle chapter of the Numinous Scripture was written at the beginning of the opening of the charts. “Middle” refers to the Qi of harmony and balance, which congealed and blended into writing; therefore, the chapter is presided over by the Bright King of the Central Filial Dao. The five Qi were distributed among the five directions, and the five texts of red script in jade characters were spread down accordingly; therefore, they are presided over by the Five Elder Emperors. The middle chapter was placed at the end to convey that, when all things grow, their roots lie below. Yet the chapters of red script are still arranged first.

These true writings and incantations come from ancient books, and later scholars found them difficult to put into practice. Thus, the exalted and supreme one composed texts explaining what was hard to understand and expounding the subtle, mysterious words of the ancient writings. The Heavenly Worthies recite their jade-toned verses, and the ten directions answer in distant chorus. Heaven establishes ritual, and gods and demons submit. In this way, the writings establish Heaven and Earth and open the way for the myriad perfected beings; bring stability to spirits and nurture the people; and set the cycles of tribulation in order and govern them, so that the Dao of Heaven may endure. Above, they command the workings of Heaven; in the middle, they inspect the five numinous powers; below, they direct the spirits of Earth. They summon the source of rivers, set Yin-Yang in motion, and call forth gods and command immortals.

These are writings of the utmost truth, whose wondrous responses arise naturally. They can make Heaven lofty and clear and Earth firm and settled, protect the Five Sacred Peaks, and sustain all things. Their efficacy may be called inexhaustible. Those who study the way of immortality should write them in cinnabar on yellow silk at the beginning of the New Year, wear them, and pay reverence to the perfected gods. In this way, they can subdue demonic obstacles, protect and aid their ascent, cross the Heavenly Dipper, and breach encampments; their wondrous power is beyond measure. To deliver the souls of the dead from the lower realms, open and burn these writings on a festival day or during the La festival. Then all the dead will see the true light, be reborn in the realm of the heavenly immortals, and forever leave the path of reincarnation.

True Text of the Jade Chapter of Red Script of the Eastern Azure Emperor

The nine Qi of the East transformed into the first azure Heaven. Between the blue mists and Yulei, the gate-guarding spirits, stands an old man who oversees the transfer of charts and registers—the records of the names and ranks of the immortals.

▲▲▲▲

Gather Qi and breath; raise up and deliver the perfected immortals.

These twenty-four characters are written on the Mysterious Terrace of the Nine Heavens to summon the Emperors of the Nine Heavens and examine the charts and registers of the immortals.

The Year Star assists the liver; the lunar lodges Horn and Neck protect the perfected spirits; and the four lodges Root, Room, Heart, and Tail revolve in accordance with the signs of the four seasons.

Chi Constellation commands the seven lodges of the Northern Dipper, sets the Dipper’s handle straight, and illuminates the celestial wheel. It harnesses primordial Qi—the vital energy of the precelestial source—to seize evil and wrongdoing and sweep away calamities.

These thirty-two characters are written in the Hall of Donghua in the Purple Tenuity Palace. They summon the star officials and set right the celestial measures and the divisions assigned to the constellations.

The Divine Incantation of the Eastern Mountain can summon the gods of the Nine Heavens. Acting under the red-written talismanic decree—a sacred command inscribed in vermilion—it governs Feng Mountain, the Daoist mountain realm that administers ghosts and spirits. It binds evil demons and sends away ghosts. None who are named for execution in the decree can escape; all must go to the Wood Palace. Who would dare delay or disobey?

These thirty-two characters are written in the Hall of the Moon’s Spirit at Donghua. They summon and govern ghosts and demons, and set right the Qi of the Nine Heavens.

Below, it subdues the waters of the Jian River and the Dark Sea. In the face of a great calamity and flood, it commands flood dragons to carry its bearer, opening a passage through the water realm so that it reaches hundreds and thousands of places. Wherever the Supreme Emperor’s edict arrives, wind and fire respond at once.

These thirty-two characters are written at the Cinnabar Terrace of the Jade Gate in the northeast of the Nine Heavens. They summon the Water Emperor of the Eastern Sea, meet the threat of great calamities and floods, and call forth flood dragons, water spirits, and others.

Together, these one hundred and twenty characters are naturally formed writings of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. They are known as the Chapter of the Precious Reality of Generating Spirits and the Profound Cavern, and also as the Eastern Mountain Divine Incantation of the Eight Awesome Commands. They are kept by the Eastern Green Spirit Primordial Sovereign, the Elder Lord of the Treasure-Flourishing Forest of Flowers.

The true writings of the Red Book of the Southern Red Emperor are as follows:

Within the southern Cinnabar Heaven stands the Jade Hall of the Red Emperor. A great deity resides in the hall, known as the Red Sovereign. He rises upward, spreading clouds of vapor; the Three Qi—the three primordial energies that form the workings of Heaven and Earth—burst forth in radiance. The immortals receive Heaven’s mandate and follow the timing of the sun’s course.

These thirty-two characters are written in the Hall of the Cavern Sun of the Nine Heavens. They summon the registers, rosters, and golden names of the gods and immortals of the Nine Heavens.

The Yinghuo star assists the Heart Lodge; the Well and Ghost Lodges guard the Chamber Lodge. The Willow Lodge appears between the Wingspan and Wing Lodges and governs the four directions. The Chariot Lodge commands the seven lodges and turns the celestial forms. It gathers the seasons and brings their convergence, allowing the righteous Way to proceed swiftly.

These thirty-six characters are written on the Cinnabar Terrace of the Three Qi. They summon the star officials, distinguish the celestial degrees, and set right the divisions of the heavens.

To the north, it summons and subdues Feng Mountain, binding and sending away the demonic kind. For those investigated under the decree, the sources of their crimes must be clearly listed.

The Divine Incantation of the Southern Mountain commands the eight directions. It destroys the host of demons and disperses their spirits, breaking and eliminating every kind of evil magic.

These thirty-two characters are written at the Jade Gate in the southwest. They subdue Northern Feng, the underworld that governs ghosts and spirits in the north, and set right ghostly Qi.

The Water Emperor of the Southern River.

Divine Spell of the Dragon King Taibo (a spell for proclaiming divine authority and warding off floods)

“The divine spell circulates, sweeping away ill omens everywhere. When floods and sudden disasters arise, it reaches the heavenly court and summons flood dragons, opening blocked waterways so that a thousand roads and ten thousand watercourses all flow freely. Whoever dares to offend or obstruct shall be seized and sent to the Fire Palace. The command proclaimed in the Red Script admits no refusal.”

These forty-eight characters are inscribed at the Jade Gate of Rectified Yang in the southwest, which governs the Southern Sea. When the Water Emperor faces a great calamity and floods surge across the land, this spell summons flood dragons and water deities to act.

The foregoing totals one hundred and forty-eight characters, all naturally generated by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. The text is also called “The Precious Spiritual Collar for the Southern Clouds to Reach Heaven,” “The Divine Spell of the Nine Heavens,” and “The Red Emperor’s Eight-Power Talisman Text.” It is kept by the True Aged Lord, the Southern Brahma Treasure, Flourishing Yang, Elixir Spirit.

The Central Yellow Emperor’s Red-Script Jade Text of the True Pattern

“The center governs and gathers the numinous Qi, receiving the Qi of the Celestial Origin. From it the Five Elders are born, while the Exalted Central Emperor dwells at the center. He governs primordial Qi, observes the True Dao, and commands all immortals; he keeps the charts and registers of the mysterious, records the jade writings and immortal slips, sets primordial Qi in motion, and informs all the myriad deities.”

These forty characters are inscribed on the Mysterious Terrace of the Great Mystery Jade Treasure. They govern the jade slips and registers of the immortals, the lists of immortal names, and the Qi that gathers the assembly of immortals.

“Saturn supports the spleen, moves through the celestial degrees, and patrols the north. Kui and Gui govern matters that stray from the proper path, cutting off evil influences and destroying them at their roots. Bi, Xing, Bi, and Si sweep away filth and demonic Qi; the Star Piao sets the Mysterious Dipper in order and lights the Heavenly Gate. They carry out the talismanic commands of the Nine Heavens, swiftly delivering them like couriers on the golden-horse relay route.”

These forty characters are inscribed on the Jade Terrace of the Mysterious Capital. They govern the assembly of the stellar officials and correct the measures of the stars’ courses in heaven.

“By command, govern and gather the Northern Emperor, seal the Ghost Gate, and cut away ill omens so they cannot obstruct the way ahead.”

These sixteen characters are inscribed on the Jade Terrace of the Mysterious Capital. They govern and gather the Northern Emperor, set the celestial Qi in order, and inspect ghosts, demons, and spirits.

The Divine Spell of Zhongshan

“Summon the dragons to rise into the clouds, and subdue and harmonize the waters of the Yellow River. Let none of the nine rivers and their sources be neglected or left unchecked; let good and evil each be clearly distinguished. A thousand kinds of demons and ten thousand forms of wickedness must all be reported to the Emperor; none dares to offend. Though the sun’s fire burns fiercely, this command must still be written in jade characters and proclaimed in the four directions, so that all may know it.”

These forty-eight characters are inscribed on the Jade Terrace of the Mysterious Capital. They govern and gather the Water Emperor of the Central Sea and the springs of the four quarters. When floodwaters rise and spread in disaster, this spell summons water dragons to act.

The Great Methods of Shangqing Numinous Treasure (Shangqing Lingbao Dafa) contains this passage on Daoist talismans (fulu, talismans and registers) and summoning rites. It is arranged by the cardinal directions, and each section pairs a set of deities with corresponding scriptures and functions. The reading below follows the original order. The scripture has 144 characters and is known as the Book of Primordial Naturalness (Yuanshi Ziran Zhi Shu). It is also called the Treasure Edict of the Nine Heavens of the Clear Cavern (Baolu Dongqing Jiutian Lingshu), the Great Dharani of the Yellow Divinity (Huang Shen Da Zhou), or the Majestic Numinous Scripture of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi Weiling Ce Wen). It is governed by the Primordial Numinous Sovereign of the Central Jade Treasure. "Primordial" (yuanshi) refers to the origin before heaven and earth were divided, and "book of naturalness" (ziran zhi shu) refers to a celestial script that comes into being on its own, without human effort.

The Western section begins with the "Crimson Book Jade Chapter True Script" of the White Emperor of the West. The West belongs to Metal, whose color is white, and the White Emperor governs that quarter. The "crimson book" and "jade chapters" are celestial writings inscribed in cinnabar on jade tablets, and "true script" denotes the genuine divine characters. The West is the Plain Heaven (sutian), the white celestial realm, where the White Emperor dwells behind seven gates. Metal's numinous light shines brightly, vapors rise from Mount Hua, white stones stand tall, and the seven qi mingle and drift, creating an atmosphere of sanctity. Above them is the Primordial Born Great Imperial Old Divinity, who governs the qi of the lungs, oversees the order of the nine heavens, examines the diagrams and registers, and has the authority to subdue and summon the high immortals. The text then states that Taibai (Venus, the planet associated with the West) examines the lungs, and that the Western lunar lodges of Kui, Lou, Wei, Mao, Bi, Zi, and Shen protect the corresponding parts of the body. Together they control the seven barriers, and Shen, which commands the Dipper's bowl, receives talismanic decrees from the Northern Primordial. This reflects the belief that the stars of heaven correspond to the parts of the human body. The passage concludes that the crimson script and the jade characters of the nine heavens gather the myriad qi and return them universally to the Lord Emperor.

The next section concerns summoning spirits and calling rain. It is the Western Mountain Incantation, with its "eight radiances and seven transmissions," which uses talismanic water to call the dragon and summon clouds from the mountains. The spirits are registered wherever they stand, come together before the Emperor, assist and guard the Highest Perfected, and cut off the source of evil. If any misfortune appears, it is blocked at the Golden Gate, and the crimson talismanic command is carried by the couriers of wind and fire. According to this section, the rite summons the Water Lord of the Western Sea and all the essences within the waters, and calls clouds and dragons to guard against floods.

The final section turns to the North, which corresponds to the Black Emperor and the Mysterious Heaven of the North, where the five qi linger and the Black Emperor resides at the center. The "Twin Sovereigns of the Supreme Subtlety" (Shuang Huang Taiwei) refers to the two sovereigns of the Taiwei enclosure, who oversee talismanic decrees and cultivate the arts of the Eight Majesties. The passage also describes the attire of the attending deities, who wear blue skirts and plumed ornaments, with dragon and phoenix patterns on their robes.

Throughout the passage, directions, lunar lodges, the Five Phases and their qi, and deities are linked into one system. Through talismanic commands it summons spirits and harmonizes the qi of heaven and earth, with practical aims of protection, rainmaking, and flood prevention.

Raised by the Lord on High, brought up to the Jade Steps.

The forty characters above are inscribed on the northern pavilion of the Yudan Xuanyuan Ziwei Terrace. They govern the talismans and registers of the perfected beings and immortals of the heavens—illustrated texts recording their names and offices:

The Northern Dipper aids the worthy; the Dipper and Ox mansions guard the fan-shaped gate. The Maiden, Emptiness, Danger, and Room mansions fling open the four passes. The Wall mansion commands the seven stars, oversees inauspicious affairs, and investigates transgressions. It drives away untimely calamities and sweeps away defilement; it proclaims the Great Dao and brings its radiance to light.

The thirty-two characters above are inscribed in the Northern Xuanyuan Dipper Bureau in heaven. They govern the northern star officials and regulate the Qi of the celestial realm.

The Northern Mountain Divine Incantation:

It rouses Yang Qi and stirs up thunder; bells ring out and radiance shines forth. It shakes the heavens and displays its power. Under the command of Northern Feng, it annihilates and subdues all demons.

The twenty-four characters above are inscribed on the Northern Shuo Danyu Jue Terrace. They govern the capture and subjugation of heavenly demons, the Northern Emperor, and the myriad ghosts.

Nine rivers pour forth until they are drained; flocks of Bird Mothers rise in flight. Flood dragons travel the roads, and the Water Earl opens the gates. This is the Red-Written Jade Book, a sacred document inscribed in red, which records the Courier Dragons and the Wind Pool.

The twenty-four characters above are written in red and inscribed on the Northern Shuo Danyu Jue Terrace. They govern the Northern Sea Water Emperor, who commands the spirits and essences of all things in the waters and summons flood dragons to bear him.

Together, the one hundred and twenty characters above are all naturally formed by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. They are also called the “Numinous Writ of the Primordial Spirit’s Birth of the True and Precious,” the “Northern Mountain Divine Incantation,” and the “Eight Powers’ Heavenly Subjugation Strategy.” These are the writings governed by the Five-Spirits Mysterious Old Emperor of Northern Cavern Yin, Shuo, Danyu, and Jue.

Shangqing Lingbao Dafa, scroll 15