《上清靈寶大法(一)》Vol. 16

The Sixteenth Scroll of the Great Method of the Shangqing Lingbao: Contemplating the One

Transmitted by Ning Quanzhen, the Perfected One who Opened the Light and Rescued Those in Suffering, a High Master of the Subtle Caverns

Compiled by Wang Qizhen, disciple of the Three Caverns of the Shangqing, and hereditary master entrusted with teaching the Lingbao

Methods of Pacifying, Averting Calamity, and Controlling

Rituals for Using the Red Writings

The method says: Whenever the Red Writings are put into practice, one must first submit a formal notification. In ancient times, practitioners of the Dao would cast the five texts for pacifying, averting calamity, and controlling into famous mountains and great peaks, or into deep caverns of the grotto-heavens, to erase records of their offenses and report their petitions to the Nine Heavens. This is what the practice refers to.

When casting a petition tablet to notify the Great Emperor of the Water Court and request the erasure of one’s record of offenses, use a silverwood tablet and write on it in cinnabar. Place it in a blue paper pouch and bind it with blue silk. Also prepare a golden dragon and nine gold buttons, put them together in a box, and cast it into the depths of the Three Rivers. When petitioning the numinous mountains of the Five Sacred Peaks, likewise use a silverwood tablet written in cinnabar, and prepare and bind it as described above. Then bury it in the sacred peak corresponding to one’s birth destiny, or in a famous mountain that is a blessed sanctuary. When petitioning the Earth Emperor of the Nine Earths, follow the same ritual and bury the tablet at the center of one’s dwelling.

When casting the tablet, burn incense and kindle the incense burner according to the ritual, invoke the deities, recite the spell, cast the tablet, and finally tend the burner again as prescribed. If the text is placed in the five directions, the immortal officials of the Five Sacred Peaks will descend. If one can observe a fast for one hundred days, focus one’s thoughts, and persevere without interruption, Perfected Ones from Heaven will also descend. Even simply wearing the text with focused intent can lead to corpse liberation, the Daoist mode of transcending the physical body and ascending to immortality. If the text is written in cinnabar on five-colored stone, calamities will disperse of their own accord and baleful influences will retreat.

If one cannot travel to the principal sacred peaks or famous mountains, one may choose mountains near one’s home in the four directions—east, south, west, and north—together with the mountain corresponding to the direction of one’s birth destiny, to represent the Five Sacred Peaks. The mountain corresponding to one’s birth destiny is called the “Destiny Peak.” By using these correspondences to summon numinous Qi, the deities will be present everywhere.

The primordial Qi of the Dao (Fanqi) opens forth in radiant light, revealing diagrams and texts for aiding the world and rescuing people. Every text gives off light; every text can establish, accomplish, deliver, and bring forth the myriad things. Thus the hidden charms of the Hundred Demons, used to pacify and control evil spirits, can naturally be divided and recombined. In performing rites, the texts may be applied flexibly according to the matter at hand. The Jade Books, the Red Writings, and the secret seals of the Central Section may all be divided and recombined for use.

Once the nine texts have been written, state on them the petitioner’s ritual rank and name, as well as the year, month, day, and hour of their birth destiny. Write down the request, such as seeking the gods, seeking immortality, or seeking the way to long life and deathlessness. When petitioning the Water Court, continue by writing: “Emperors of the Nine Water Courts, sources of the Twelve Rivers, and great deities of the Yangtze, Yellow River, Huai River, lakes, marshes, and the dark sea: I humbly request that you erase my name from the record of offenses and submit my petition to the Nine Heavens. I respectfully proceed to the source of the Water Emperor’s court…”

Golden Dragon Courier Transmission

At the beginning of the slip, write the name of the person receiving the notice, in the same format as before. On the next line, specify the cyclical year, the year, month, day, and hour, and the place referred to in the notice. Then write the notice on the front of the slip—the side facing the sun—and stamp it with the seal used in this method.

When submitting a slip to the Water Bureau, face north and click the teeth together three times. After reading the text on the slip, hold it and recite the incantation according to the ritual.

Incantation for Reporting to the Water Bureau

Primordial Beginning, Five Elders, Supreme Emperors; Perfected Ones of the Ten Directions—the highest perfected deities of the ten directions; numinous immortals of Great Hua:

By means of red script, the sacred red talismans, this command is conveyed. However deep or hidden the place, it will be heard. Let it ascend to the Nine Heavens and request the descent of jade script. Let it notify the sun and moon, the Five Planets, and the Seven Primordial Ones of the Northern Dipper—the seven stars of the Dipper and their attendant star deities. Let it report to the Five Sacred Peaks and the numinous mountains of the four directions; below, let it report to the rivers and seas, the twelve sources of water, the Nine Bureaus’ Water Emperors, and the Great Deity of the Dark Depths, a deity of the Water Bureau.

Today I report to all the gods and lay before them my many wishes. I respectfully submit this jade slip and ask that my offenses be struck from the record. May the karmic offenses entangling the ancestors of a thousand generations, the ancestors of ten thousand generations, and my relatives of the nine clans be forgiven and wholly erased at their roots, if they reach me. Record my name in the Water Bureau’s registers and present the matter in a memorial to the Heavenly Emperor.

May my seven generations of ancestors be freed from the Eight Calamities, the eight forms of suffering described in cultivation, and ascend to the Nine Heavens, where clothing and food are naturally provided. May my offenses disperse, and may all the gods hear this. I respectfully pledge an oath to the Water Officials with a golden token, a gold-colored symbol of covenant. May they act in accordance with the matters set forth here. Golden Dragon Courier Transmission.

When submitting a slip to the mountain deities, face east and click the teeth together nine times. After reading the text on the slip, hold it and recite the incantation according to the ritual.

Incantation for Reporting to the Bureau of the Sacred Peaks

Mystery Above, Opening and Illumining; Primordial Beginning, True Assessor; Five Elders, Supreme Emperors: Let red writings and cinnabar script, sacred red characters, serve as the foundation of Heaven and Earth. Let them govern the Three Primordial Domains under the jurisdiction of the officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water; move and direct primordial Qi; summon the gods; and urge the immortals and perfected beings to make recommendations.

Let the high command be conveyed to the ten directions: to the sun, moon, and stars; the Five Sacred Peaks and numinous mountains; and all the gods throughout Heaven and Earth, including those in the netherworld. May the gods who watch over the living and control the registers of names open the three gates in the south, receive the jade slip, enter the name in the Cinnabar Register of immortal records, erase this register of offenses, and assist the Heavenly Emperor in dealing with the matter.

May the ancestors of a thousand generations, the ancestors of ten thousand generations, and my relatives of the nine clans all be released; may they leave behind the Five Sufferings, the Eight Calamities, and the Three Evil Paths, and may their souls ascend to the Nine Heavens. May both the living and the dead receive deliverance, and endure through the kalpas, continuing for a long time.

Today I report to all the gods, and may all the gods hear this. I respectfully pledge an oath to the true officials with a golden token. May they act in accordance with this notice. Golden Dragon Courier Transmission.

When submitting an earth slip in the center of a courtyard, face the Ren direction, a point slightly north of north, and click the teeth together twelve times. After reading the text on the slip, hold it in both hands and recite the incantation according to the ritual.

Incantation for Reporting to the Earth Bureau

When Heaven and Earth were formed, the nine Qi divided and gave rise to the numinous; the caverns of the Three Primordial Domains opened, and the ten directions became solemn and clear.

The Five Venerable Lords (the deities of the five directions) open the true Dao and bestow the red-text elixir scriptures—the sacred words written in vermilion—that enable people to attain long life. These are the Shangqing ritual texts of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning.

I hereby proclaim to the earth deities of the nine provinces under Heaven: Today I submit my petition to all the gods and register my name in the rolls of the living and the dead. May I attain the Dao, become an immortal, and ascend at once. I respectfully send this document to the Supreme Sovereign of the Jade-Stone Earth Bureau, the revered deity who governs the offices of the earth gods. I ask that my sins and punishments be expunged, and that my name be reported to the Celestial Palace and entered in the registers of the Huqing Immortal Abode, so that I may become an immortal soon.

May Heaven and Earth jointly bear witness. May the decayed bones of my nine generations of ancestors and my relatives be renewed with life, and may their souls ascend to the Southern Palace. May I be raised into the court of immortal transformation. Today I proclaim this vow; may all the gods hear it together. I solemnly swear this covenant with a golden clasp, expressing my utmost sincerity. May the matters stated above be carried out. Please convey this document by golden dragon.

Rite for Delivering Documents to the Sacred Mountains of the Five Peaks

On one’s birth-year day, a Jiazi day, or the day Beginning of Spring, write the red text for the East: from “Nine Qi of the East” through “cease, gather the Qi, and raise up the immortal,” twenty-four characters in all.

On the day Beginning of Summer, write the red text for the South: from “South” through “cease, respond and join with the Sun,” thirty-two characters in all.

On the Spring Equinox, Autumn Equinox, Summer Solstice, and Winter Solstice, write the red text for the Center: from “Center” through “cease, proclaim universally to the myriad gods,” forty characters in all.

On the day Beginning of Autumn, write the red text for the West: from “West” through “cease, command and summon the high immortals,” forty-eight characters in all.

On the day Beginning of Winter, write the red text for the North: from “North” through “cease, proceed to the Jade Steps,” forty characters in all.

Each document must be written in the color corresponding to its direction. Then write your name and the year, month, and day on white thorn paper. If you practice for nine years by delivering these documents, the immortal officials of the five directions will come to welcome you. The immortals Qingyao, Chigui, Huangsu, Taisu, and Taixuan Yunu will also appear. When delivering a document, first click the teeth twelve times, then recite the incantation:

“Supreme and lofty numinous powers, revered deities of Primordial Beginning, great sages and gods: linger here and descend. The myriad gods come before the hall. The three luminous bodies—the Sun, Moon, and stars—spread their radiance; auspicious clouds encircle us on every side. I submit my report to Heaven and ask the celestial gods to examine the registers and calculate the names and numbers.

“Today I present the wish in my heart, delivering to the sacred mountain this inscribed petition and the red characters of the elixir text. These naturally formed true writings report to the Five Emperors above. Please enter my name in the Jade Register, so that the myriad gods may see it clearly, bright as the Sun and Moon. May I be delivered, be reborn, gain spiritual powers, and become an immortal; may Heaven, Earth, and the stars shine together upon me.

“I hereby make a universal petition to the Three Offices and Nine Bureaus, the divine departments that govern Heaven, Earth, Water, and their various offices. I earnestly ask that the roots of my sins be removed forever. The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning has opened wide the gates of Heaven; no prayer is rejected. May the hidden souls of my nine generations of ancestors naturally receive blessings and forever escape the Three Paths and Five Sufferings—the torments of the underworld—and the Eight Difficulties. May they shine with the radiance of the Sun, Moon, and stars and enter the Purple Palace of Heaven. May my body, caught in the cycle of rebirth, never again be destroyed, and may I ultimately attain the Dao and fly as an immortal.”

After the incantation has been recited and the document read aloud, cast the document onto the summit of a lofty crag. Then scatter powdered incense on the sacred mountain where the sacrifice is being performed. Next, click the teeth together twice, face the direction corresponding to one’s birth-year stem and branch, and recite:

“Primordial Celestial Worthy, look down and bear witness: the immortal’s name has been entered in the register. May the offenses recorded by the Three Officials and Nine Offices—the divine departments that oversee Heaven, Earth, Water, and related affairs—be erased forever. Scatter incense to pledge our covenant to the Five Emperors, and submit this petition to the vast, boundless celestial realm. May what we have presented be granted, and may we dwell in peace for a long time, through ten thousand kalpas.”

Method for Pacifying the Constellations and Averting Celestial Calamities

The Five Directional Red Writs, Daoist talismans written for the five directions, are used to summon the stellar officials of each direction, regulate the celestial patterns and stellar degrees, and avert calamities from Heaven. To pacify a particular direction, perform the rite for that direction.

For the East, write from Jupiter through “sweeping away the hosts of calamity,” a total of thirty-two characters. Write in cinnabar on blue paper, and leave it in an open place in the courtyard for nine days and nine nights. Burn it according to the ritual, scatter its ashes into the blue smoke, and carve the text into blue stone and bury it.

For the South, write from Mars through “the proper way of the courier road,” a total of thirty-two characters. Write in cinnabar on blue paper, leave it in an open place in the courtyard for three days and three nights, then burn it according to the ritual and carve it into red stone and bury it.

For the Center, write from Saturn through “the golden horse bears the dispatch,” a total of forty characters. Write in cinnabar on blue paper, leave it in an open place in the courtyard for twelve full days and nights, then burn it according to the ritual and carve it into yellow stone and bury it.

For the West, write from Venus through “receive the register in the Northern Origin,” a total of twenty-four characters. Write in cinnabar on blue paper, leave it in an open place in the courtyard for seven days and seven nights, then burn it according to the ritual and carve it into white stone and bury it.

For the North, write from the Northern Pole Star through “the luminous Way shines forth,” a total of thirty-two characters. Write in cinnabar on blue paper, leave it in an open place in the courtyard for five days and five nights, then burn it according to the ritual and carve it into black stone and bury it.

For each rite, face southeast, let your hair hang loose, click your teeth together twelve times, and recite:

“Primordial Heaven above: the three lights of the sun, moon, and stars hang high and shine brightly. Their turning radiance illuminates the four quarters, making Heaven and Earth clear. Where the moving stellar degrees clash, Yang energy flows in disorder; the boundaries of the Five Planets become confused, and the Three Currents lose their peace. The Five Dipper stars command all the constellations; the Seven Lodges shine with numinous power. The true lord, Great Kui, bears the name Jade Essence; the lady, Sovereign Qi, bears the courtesy name Nurturing Infant. They govern the mysterious passes and turn the heavens.

“Today an external calamity has arisen, and the celestial signs reveal ill omens. I respectfully present the True Writ in Red Script to the Heavenly Court. With hair unbound, I recite my transgressions and lay bare my sincere heart. I earnestly ask that you look down and restore the regular order of Heaven’s Way; that vital energy not run riot and calamities not arise unchecked. Burn the numinous writ, and let its smoke drift into the Jade Court.”

The Supreme Radiance watches over all and announces its command to the myriad spirits. It makes the Qi of the Three Realms clear and bright, extinguishes calamities and disasters, and brings the true Dao into view.

Yin and Yang are harmonized, and the realm is at peace. Carefully use a golden dragon to carry the command swiftly along the relay route.

After reciting the incantation on the right, reveal the talisman at the center of the courtyard and, according to the respective directions, use a golden dragon to suppress it. Burn the talisman on the appointed date; then, in accordance with the color and number assigned to each direction, carve stones and bury them to establish the suppression. Illuminate them with lamps, and set out patterned silk as a token of protection.

Formula for Subduing and Controlling Demons

Anyone who receives this method should first subdue demons and monsters, so that the spirit becomes clear; then the desired result will come naturally. To address matters of the east, begin writing with “Eastern Mountain” and end with “Delay,” for a total of thirty characters, using a blue wooden tablet and cinnabar. For matters of the south, begin with “Northern Subjugation” and end with “Destruction,” for a total of twenty-two characters, using a red wooden tablet and yellow pigment. For matters of the center, begin with “Command and Subdue” and end with “At Hand,” for a total of sixteen characters, using a yellow wooden tablet and white pigment. For matters of the west, begin with “Red Writing” and end with “Imperial Lord,” for a total of sixteen characters, using a white wooden tablet and black pigment. For matters of the north, begin with “Northern Mountain” and end with “Destroy and Overwhelm,” for a total of twenty-four characters, using a black wooden tablet and white pigment.

Whenever reciting an incantation, face northeast. For matters of the east, recite it nine times; for the south, three times; for the center, twelve times; for the west, seven times; and for the north, five times. At the same time, click the teeth thirty-six times, hold the breath, draw in the breath for nine counts, then tilt the head back and recite:

The Three Primal Forces—the primordial energies of Heaven, Earth, and Water—open and shine forth. The order of Heaven and Earth turns, and the Way of Heaven moves and shifts. The cycles of Qi reach their end; the calamity of the “hundred and six” arrives, disasters converge, and myriad demons rush forth. The Northern Feng, the realm of ghosts and spirits, is left unchecked; evil thoughts run rampant. The host of demons grows bold, and malign beings use the light of Heaven to wreak havoc. The Supreme Emperor issues a command, proclaiming it throughout the ten directions: Make clear the laws of the Way of Heaven, carry out its instruction, uphold the right way and govern the people, and sweep away all inauspicious forces. What petty demons have gathered to rebel? Seize them with the red-written jade text and send them to the realm of ghosts and spirits. The three officials of Northern Feng flee for their lives to relay the command; a thousand demons are bound, and ten thousand ghosts are sent away. The flowing bells flash in unison, stirring the Qi of the sun. Golden tigers encircle and capture them from all sides, while the heavenly troops assist the departed spirits. Great and small alike must all appear; none may hide. Every command issued by the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning must be reported to Heaven.

Ritual Methods for Summoning Dragons and the Spirits of Heaven and Water, and for Stilling or Crossing Waters

When a great calamity strikes among the nine heavens and floodwaters spread everywhere, this talisman may be used to avert disaster. It may also command flood dragons to open a path and waterway for crossing the waters. If the talisman is written for the east, begin with “Subordinate Command” and end with “Without Interval,” for a total of thirty-two characters.

Write the text in yellow on blue paper and cast it into the water. For the southern passage, write from “Southern River” through “not obeying,” for a total of forty-eight characters. For the central passage, write from “Central Mountain” through “widely heard,” also forty-eight characters. For the western passage, write from “Western Mountain” through “relay transmission,” likewise forty-eight characters. For the northern passage, write from “Nine Rivers” through “swift as the wind,” for a total of twenty-four characters. In every case, follow the format for the east.

When performing the rite, click your teeth five times and hold your breath for twenty-five counts. Visualize flames arising in your heart, surging out through the crown of your head and consuming the forests, trees, and grasses in all four directions, while burning your own body to ashes as well. Then visualize yourself transforming into a streak of flying light, rising above the blue smoke until nothing remains. Next, visualize the great waters surging and flooding the world, while you transform into a flood dragon and move with the current. Then click your teeth twenty-five times and recite:

“At the beginning above, the numinous turns back and the Nine Origins are illumined. Heaven wheels and Earth turns; the Three Qi circulate and spread. The Five Phases urge one another on, and the pivot of movement turns. Yin and Yang are blocked and surge; they congeal into calamity and unleash a great tribulation. The calamity overturns and ends, sweeping away the qi of demons and evil. The Nine Rivers receive the talismanic command; torrents batter the waterways. The Water Mother wanders, and flocks of black birds gather. The sun and moon meet in darkness; the three luminaries of sun, moon, and stars are halted and obscured.

“Heaven selects the minister entrusted with its mandate and arranges and verifies the jade writings. Evil deeds are cast aside and good deeds honored, so that clarity and turbidity remain forever apart. My name is entered in the registers of the Celestial Emperor, and my rank is among the Nine Heavens. Great calamities converge from the four directions and are dispelled by the command of the red talismanic writing. Today this proclamation is issued; all the myriad spirits come to hear it. The sun, moon, and five planets shine upon my soul, and the numinous mountains of the Five Peaks ensure my safe passage. The great Underworld Deity of the river palace opens the waterway and clears the river channels and crossings. The flood dragon reflects the talisman, gathers the mountains, summons the clouds, bears me on its back, and escorts me across; I rush forth in alarm, hastening in all four directions.

“The red characters in the cinnabar writing are the true script of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. Golden dragons carry the talismanic command; not a moment may be lost. This matter must be reported to the Heavenly Court and answered before the Sovereign Lord.”

After reciting the spell, guide the Original Qi and swallow twenty-five times. In an instant, the water spirits will naturally open the way: in the mountains, visualize the mountains floating upward; in the water, visualize the waters parting of their own accord. This may be called a swift method of saving oneself in times of danger.

If a county suffers a flood, a purification retreat may also be established, with focused visualization and the performance of this method. At the beginning of the countless cycles of tribulation, the Celestial Worthy transformed the Original Qi and true essence, bringing forth numinous writings to govern the cycles of tribulation and protect the state and its people. Only those in past lives who formed wholesome ties can encounter this scripture. The people of high antiquity were simple, peaceful, and true, returning to the unadorned and keeping to what was genuine. In harmony with the Dao, they had no need to wait for purification; when they performed this method, it took effect at once…

In these degenerate times, people’s hearts have grown scattered and corrupt. Few uphold the True Way, while many turn against it and give free rein to their desires.

To practice this method, one must follow the abbreviated liturgical texts for the Three Primes—the purification rites associated with the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water—and perform the fast and ritual observances. Only through focused contemplation and a hidden communion with the Most High Sages can one achieve a response. Without this, demonic obstacles will interfere and the effort will be in vain. One may select Daoist priests who are pure in conduct and devoted in heart to seek a response in places far from the mundane world, or at sacred mountains and numinous sites. This makes manifest the Great Dao’s compassion in rescuing sentient beings and the Supreme One’s grace in protecting all things. Those who spread the teachings should strive to carry out this work.

Precious Text of the Numinous Characters of the Thirty-Two Heavens

The Master said: The jade characters of the Thirty-Two Heavens are cloud-seal script, formed by the condensation of Great Brahma Qi. They are the “Hidden Words of Great Brahma” in the middle section of the Numinous Writ of Primordial Beginning. “Great Brahma” refers to the heaven within Heaven; “hidden words” are the secret sounds of the various heavens.

These characters begin with Taihuang Heaven, and each heaven has eight characters, each concealing the secret of a divine spirit’s true name. Here I will disclose a little of their meaning. For example, “Guanyin” is the secret name within Huangzeng Heaven; “Wuhe” is the name of the gate through which the sun and moon enter and depart; “Yuan Zhan” are the secret names of the Lords of the Northern and Southern Dippers; “Dongfu” is the secret name of the Red Emperor Lord; “Kuoyi” are the secret names of the Divine Lord and the Northern Emperor; “Tuoluo” are the names of the two youths within the Dipper; “Yuyuan” are the names of the two youths of the sun and moon; “Hong” is the secret name of the Elder Kehan; and “Miaomang” is the secret name known within the Northern Heaven to the Ghost Emperor. The remaining names are the secret names of the Heavenly Emperors and Spirit Kings of the Thirty-Two Heavens.

This is a secret method of cultivation transmitted by the Supreme Lord Wangchen of the Great Dao to the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning. It is subtle and mysterious. Its phrases are arranged according to the sixty-four hexagrams to symbolize the number of Central Yellow. Cultivators should choose days such as bing or ding, when Fire Qi is strong, set up an incense table facing southeast, bow twice, and write the text on yellow silk. It may be used for protection and warding, or carried on one’s person. It is said to subdue the myriad spirits, summon the Qi of True Primordiality, and harmonize the Three Fields—the upper, middle, and lower Dantian within the human body.

The talisman may also be ingested on one’s birth-sign day, on gengshen or jiazi days, during the Eight Seasonal Nodes—Beginning of Spring, Spring Equinox, Beginning of Summer, Summer Solstice, Beginning of Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Beginning of Winter, and Winter Solstice—or on an auspicious day of the Grand Year. It is said to summon the True Spirits and bring about a response from the gods, enabling wisdom to grow day by day, the divine light to appear, and the hundred spirits to respond. It can carry one aloft to the Great Void, protect against the intrusion of every kind of calamity, and secure the protection of the gods. It also enables one to command and employ spirits from one’s seat and to pay audience to the divine. The phrase “nothing cannot be warded off, nothing cannot be averted” means that it can dispel every kind of evil presence and avert every kind of disaster.

To avert calamity, establish protection, or deliver the living or the dead, write the text in cinnabar on blue silk and install it to protect the five directions. Then write the complete text on yellow silk and install it to protect the center.

On the day the altar is dismantled, when the ritual has ended, set positions at the altar’s four quarters and center, and burn green incense so that its smoke scatters with the wind in all ten directions. In this way, the invoked deities and the rites performed will all prove efficacious. This is called “the boundless sound of the Great Brahma,” the Daoist name for the wondrous sound that arises naturally in the heavenly realms. Before performing the rite, first bow and submit a petition to the Three Heavens—the heavens where the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) of Jade Purity, Highest Clarity, and Great Clarity reside—and earnestly invite the deities to descend. Recite the Dongzhang passages silently in your heart; apply them flexibly according to the particular rite, and wondrous responses will thereby be made manifest.

Jade Characters of the Eight Heavens of the East

Each line of jade characters corresponds to one hexagram, in order: Yu, Sui, Gu, Lin, Guan, Shike, Bi, Bo, Fu, Wuwang, Daxu, Yi, Daguo, Kan, Li, and Xian—sixteen hexagrams in all. When writing them, form with your fingers the hand sign for the Zhen position, draw in the Qi of the Eight Heavens of the East—the clear energy between Heaven and Earth—and blow it into your body toward the east. Face east and recite the spell:

“Xuan bing huan luo geng lan you fang hui pu biao zhu zai zha you yuan huang chou she.”

Jade Characters of the Eight Heavens of the South

Each line corresponds to one hexagram, in order: Heng, Dun, Dazhuang, Jin, Mingyi, Jiaren, Kui, Jian, Jie, Sun, Yi, Guai, Gou, Cui, Sheng, and Kun—sixteen hexagrams in all. When writing them, form with your fingers the hand sign for the Wu position, draw in the Qi of the Eight Heavens of the South, face south, and recite the spell:

“Zhong ji xu yi hun hua xian zong he hui yang tang he xu yao tong jing xu qu tun she.”

Jade Characters of the Eight Heavens of the West

Each line corresponds to one hexagram, in order: Jing, Ge, Ding, Zhen, Gen, Jian, Guimei, Feng, Lu, Xun, Dui, Huan, Jie, Zhongfu, Xiaoguo, and Jiji—sixteen hexagrams in all. When writing them, form with your fingers the hand sign for the Dui position, draw in the Qi of the Eight Heavens of the West, face west, and recite the spell:

“You hui zhao su tuo jia han luo qi ju miao yu tai ying lu mo bi shu shao du she.”

Jade Characters of the Eight Heavens of the North

Each line corresponds to one hexagram, in order: Weiji, Qian, Kun, Zhun, Meng, Xu, Song, Shi, Bi, Xiaoxu, Lü, Tai, Pi, Tongren, Dayou, and Qian—sixteen hexagrams in all. When writing them, form with your fingers the hand sign for the Zi position, draw in the Qi of the Eight Heavens of the North, face north, and recite the spell:

“Yuan huang bao yao yan ling yu dan fu sang jing yu chen zong xuan dong miao zong ming she.”

Format for the Opening and Closing Inscriptions of the Jade Text for Altar Protection

This gives the format for the opening and closing lines of the Jade Text for Altar Protection, a jade-character document used to guard the ritual space:

“In the year [year], under the cyclical sign [sexagenary year], in the month [month], on the new moon day [date], on the day [date], I, [officiant], respectfully bring ritual offerings on behalf of [person] and proceed to the Lingbao Office of the Great Rites to request the inauguration of the Supreme Yellow Register Great Retreat, one of Daoism’s most solemn rites, performed to deliver the souls of the dead and pray for blessings and the dispelling of calamities. After [number] days and nights, the rite is brought to completion and the altar dismantled; thereafter, a Purification Offering of Gratitude is established in [number] places. Respectfully, with the protective token of this locality, I petition that the rite be carried out in accordance with the rules.”

The Jade Writings of the Eastern Eight Heavens, Naturally Formed, the Celestial Script of the Azure Emperor’s Nine Qi

The Empty True Script

The “naturally formed Jade Writings of the Eastern Eight Heavens” are used to settle and secure the ritual altar, make Heaven and Earth manifest, deliver the souls of the dead, redeem them from sin and suffering, and open the path to rebirth. In all matters, one must follow the ordinances of the Great Mystery’s Lady Azure Talisman.

I, your servant, holder of the ritual rank (name of the Daoist performing the rite), respectfully issue this proclamation.

The Jade Writings above should all be written in cinnabar on blue paper, using the appropriate seal script for each direction. Only the text in the middle needs to be changed to match the direction: for the south, use “the Southern Jade Writing, the Red Emperor’s Three-Qi Celestial Script”; for the west, “the Western Jade Writing, the White Emperor’s Seven-Qi Celestial Script”; for the north, “the Northern Jade Writing, the Black Emperor’s Five-Qi Celestial Script”; and for the center, “the Natural Jade Writing of the Great Luo Heaven, the Yellow Emperor’s One-Qi Celestial Script.” The remaining text should likewise be adjusted to correspond to each direction. The procedures for laying out and reciting the True Scripts follow established ritual rules and will not be discussed here. The invocations for each direction are given below.

Invocations for Securing the Five Directions

I respectfully summon the Azure Spirit Youths of the Azure Spirit Palace (the Azure Spirit Palace and its Azure Spirit Youths are names of Eastern deities). Bearing the Eastern True Script, may they proceed directly to the Limitless Realm in the Nine-Qi Heaven of this direction, within the Eastern hell, and deliver the deceased, so-and-so. May light shine for them amid the long darkness; may their souls find peace, Wuwei (non-action), and freedom, and be reborn according to their wishes. The ritual host bows in submission and prostrates twice.

The invocations for the other directions are then performed in sequence. All present recite together the hidden words for the relevant direction, and the rite proceeds according to the prescribed rules.

General Invocation and Incantation for Raising the True Script

Supreme and most true, highest sacred and exalted one: spread transformation and set it in motion; turn the primordial Qi. The Thirty-Two Heavens, the Eight Assemblies, and the Nine Lights naturally bring forth the True Script. With it, secure Heaven and Earth, protect against calamity, and bring the cycle of tribulations to a halt.

The talismanic command of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning is proclaimed throughout the Three Origins: commands are sent down to the Nine Earths, up to the various heavens, and communicated to the seas and peaks, the famous mountains and great rivers. Today this proclamation is made above, and all the myriad spirits must hear it. Through purification rites and the practice of the Dao, deliver the souls in the netherworld. May the Three Officials and Nine Offices erase the roots of sin, so that the souls of the dead are forever freed from the suffering of the Three Paths and Five Pains. May they receive blessings in every life, their names entered in the vermilion registers; may their spirits be reborn in Heaven and refined back into the natural state. Thus the gate of life and death is opened, delivering them through countless eons, so that they endure forever without perishing.

The Nine Heavens issue this proclamation, carried by the wind-and-fire courier.

Whenever the True Script is raised, one must first make a formal ritual memorial, then pay respects in each direction and return the True Script to the center.

Holding the incense with both hands, tap the teeth together twelve times while facing upward, recite the prayer text, then present the petition to request blessings. Afterwards, burn the colored silk bearing the sacred text together with the yellow memorial. This is done to ward off calamity and pray for blessings, using the same procedure.

The Central Eightfold Mighty Dragon Text (the Eightfold Mighty Dragon Text of the central direction):

“Yellow Center regulates the primordial Qi, governing all without limit; the Star of Restraint shines forth, its light flowing over and refining the Divine Palace.”

These sixteen characters are said to have been written by the Most High Lord Lao at Yuluo Xiaotai. They preside over summoning all the spirits.