《上清靈寶大法(一)》Vol. 29

The Lingbao Grand Ritual Office has learned from this person’s place of origin and affiliations that he has submitted a petition requesting an ordination transmission rite. The petition is now being forwarded to the Celestial Court and reported to the relevant offices of the Three Realms for the record. Attached is a list of the ritual offices and seal inscriptions he has requested, submitted herewith to the Lingbao Ritual Office for processing.

This is a formal notice to all offices under the Lingbao tradition: the General of the Ruyi, the divine generals of the various heavens, the Jade Maidens and Jade Youths, the spirit officials and their officers, the two great sages of the left and right of the Mysterious Model Bureau of the Northern Kui and Divine Tiger, the Seven Perfected Jade Maidens, the messengers of the Three Bureaus, the officers and troops who pursue souls and seize spirits, the left and right guardian generals of the Cinnabar Heaven of the Nanchang Bureau for Refining and Delivering Souls, the officials in charge of refinement in the Water and Fire Bureaus, the offices of the Yellow Register Court and all other relevant officials, as well as the officers and troops who transmit petitions and dispatch divine generals, the Heavenly Physicians and spirit officials, the immortal administrators, and the Jade Youths and Maidens, messengers, officers, and troops of the Lingbao bureaus, courts, and offices. All are to receive the mandate of Heaven with reverence.

At the appointed time, each of you is to manifest secretly through your true form and descend together on the specified day to the designated Jingzhi, the altar site where Daoist rites are performed. Take your assigned positions, keep watch over the altar according to your duties, and attend to its affairs. From this day onward, whenever this person prays for clear skies or rain on behalf of the state and its people, offers aid to the sick and suffering, rescues departed souls in the underworld, delivers ancestors, cultivates the breath, refines the body, surveys the celestial realm, pays homage to the Celestial Worthy of the Primordial Beginning, submits petitions and memorials, holds purification rites and performs the Dao, or establishes virtue and meritorious deeds, please lead the way, follow behind, and support him on either side. Whether he calls upon you while seated or summons you while standing, respond at once and remain by his side as protectors.

So long as he holds you in mind and concentrates his intention, he can link the unseen with the visible, bring sages and ordinary people into sympathetic resonance, and unite Shen and Qi. Every command issued must be carried out, and every undertaking must receive a response. May you long assist the teaching of the Mysterious Origin—that is, Daoism—and together advance its compassionate work of aiding all beings. By an oath firm as metal and stone, pledge to support him from beginning to end. Become the cultivator’s support, accumulate merit by saving the living and delivering the dead, and fulfill the aspirations of those who study the Dao and cultivate the Real.

May you proclaim the teachings of the Great Dao and spread the Daoist spirit of purity and truth. Carry out your duties with reverence, care, and diligence. If you devote yourselves fully to this work without slackening, you will surely receive commendation and continue to build good merit. I also ask you to keep protecting and confirming the ritual offices conferred upon this person.

Whenever official seals are used in accordance with an appointed ritual office—for carrying out rites, writing talismanic proclamations, forwarding official notices, forming alliances, or other such matters—every place the documents reach must act in accordance with them, thereby making the efficacy of the rites manifest. Please follow the relevant procedures and do not neglect or disobey them. Thus is this document issued.

Year, month, day, and hour

The appointed official of the surname ___ affixes the seal

The True Lord, Celestial Master of the Great Dharma, Who Supports the Teachings and Assists the Origin in the Three Heavens

(a divine title of the Celestial Master revered in Daoism)

Official notice: To the officials and generals of the Jing and Zhi administrations

The Office of the Great Lingbao Dharma issues this notice to the senior officials, generals, clerks, and troops under the jurisdiction of the Jing and Zhi administrations of ___:

In response to the petition submitted earlier by ___, this matter is to be carried out, and this notice is hereby issued. May all departments responsible faithfully discharge their duties and work together with the ritual altar to summon the officials of the various Lingbao offices. Let them take up their posts, assign divine duties, and assist in carrying out the teachings, so that together they may accumulate hidden merit—good deeds unknown to the people.

From now on, whenever ___ performs rites, makes petitions, or engages in visualization and ritual practice, ensure that these acts reach the true spirits. Assist unseen in bringing about auspicious responses, so that the efficacy of the rites appears as soon as possible and all may advance together in the ranks of the immortals. Thus is this document issued.

Year, month, day, and hour

The appointed official of the surname ___ affixes the seal

The True Lord, Celestial Master of the Orthodox Unity tradition, Who Supports the Teachings and Assists the Origin in the Three Heavens

(a divine title of the Celestial Master revered by the Zhengyi tradition)

Official notice: To the Metropolitan City God

The Office of the Great Lingbao Dharma issues this notice to the deities of the Metropolitan City Gods throughout the realm, who oversee the City God deities:

In response to the petition submitted earlier by ___, this matter is hereby communicated by official notice, in addition to being presented separately to the Heavenly Court and reported to the relevant divine offices of the Three Realms. Please investigate the matter described above and instruct the officials responsible for records at your shrine to circulate this document throughout your jurisdiction. Notify the City Gods, great and small, in every district, the local village and community deities, and all divine offices entered in the registers of worship, so that they are all made aware of this matter.

May each divine office carry out the command of the Supreme Emperor and provide assistance in accordance with the Fulu and seal forms granted to _. From now on, whenever a petition addressed to _ is submitted, it must be acted upon as prescribed and must not be obstructed. Upon receiving this document, carry it out according to the rules. Thus is this document issued.

Year, month, day, and hour

The appointed official of the surname ___ affixes the seal

Official notice: To the She Commanders of the Nine Provinces

The Office of the Great Lingbao Dharma issues this notice to the presiding deity of the She Commanders of the Nine Provinces, who oversee local altars to the soil and matters concerning the land:

In response to the petition submitted earlier by ___, this matter is to be carried out, and this notice is hereby issued. Please investigate the matter described above and forward this document throughout your jurisdiction. Send it to the registered shrines and their deities, as well as to the spirits of fields and roads, mountains, rivers, and forests, and to the spirit and ghost precincts and encampments—the dwellings and camps governed by spirits and ghosts—so that all relevant beings are made aware of this matter.

May they carry out the command of the Supreme Emperor and provide assistance in accordance with the Fulu and seal forms granted to the disciple _. From now on, whenever a petition that _ is responsible for handling is submitted, it must be acted upon as prescribed and must not be rejected or suppressed. Upon receiving this document, carry it out according to the rules…

Respectfully submitted for observance in accordance with the rites.

Submitted on the [day] of the [month], in the [year], at the [hour].

Signed and endorsed by the ritual master of the [surname], holding the requisite ritual rank.

Submitted to the City God of the prefectural capital (or, in the case of a prefecture-level region, to its City God).

The presiding divine official of the Office of the City God of [Prefecture], to whom this is submitted by the Great Lingbao Office of the Dao:

According to the petition of [name], the matter is as stated above. In addition to preparing documents to report to the Celestial Court, notify the Three Realms, and issue official dispatches to the relevant divine offices, we now prepare this dispatch and ask that you examine the matter in detail. Please forward it to the City Gods and local community officers under your jurisdiction, as well as to the relevant temples and shrines, so that they may learn of and comply with the decree of the Supreme God, and attend to the ritual office and seal conferred upon your disciple [name]. From now on, whenever official documents concerning petitions arrive, they must be handled in accordance with the instructions and must not be obstructed. Upon receipt of this dispatch, carry out its instructions in accordance with the rites.

Submitted on the [day] of the [month], in the [year].

Signed and endorsed by the ritual master of the [surname], holding the requisite ritual rank.

Submitted to the County City God.

The presiding divine official of the Office of the City God of [County], to whom this is submitted by the Great Lingbao Office of the Dao:

According to the petition of [name], the matter is as stated above. In addition to preparing documents to report to the Celestial Court, notify the Three Realms, and issue official dispatches to the relevant divine offices, we now prepare this dispatch and ask that you examine the matter in detail. Promptly send notices to the local community officers, temples, shrines, and relevant places within the townships, wards, and districts under your jurisdiction, so that they may learn of and comply with the decree of the Supreme God, and attend to the ritual office conferred upon your disciple [name]. From now on, whenever official documents concerning petitions arrive, they must be handled in accordance with the instructions and must not be obstructed. Upon receipt of this dispatch, carry out the orders. This dispatch is hereby issued.

Submitted on the [day] of the [month], in the [year].

Signed and endorsed by the ritual master of the [surname], holding the requisite ritual rank.

Submitted to the temples and local deities of this territory, including the local Earth Gods.

The Great Lingbao Office of the Dao submits this to the deities of the temples and Earth Gods of this territory:

According to the petition of [name], the matter is as stated above. In addition to preparing documents to report to the Celestial Court, notify the Three Realms, and issue official dispatches to the relevant divine offices, we now issue this dispatch and ask that you examine the matter in detail and promptly notify the relevant shrines, so that they may learn of and attend to the ritual office conferred upon your disciple [name]. From now on, whenever any kind of official document arrives, it must be handled in accordance with the instructions and must not be obstructed. Please also cleanse this territory, dispel demonic influences, respectfully carry out the instructions of the High Perfected (the true deities of the upper realms), and provide proof for the transmission of the Dao and the performance of rites. Upon receipt of this dispatch, you must carry out its instructions and must not treat them lightly or defy them. Respectfully submitted.

Submitted on the [day] of the [month], in the [year].

Signed and endorsed by the ritual master of the [surname], holding the requisite ritual rank.

Notice to the local community officer (a notice is a document sent to a subordinate divine office).

The Great Lingbao Office of the Dao:

According to the petition of [name]…

The Celestial Court has reported this matter to the Three Realms and issued an official document. We now send this document to you, ordering the gods to notify without delay the relevant places within their jurisdiction, so that all may be informed and act in accordance with it: immediately purify the domain and dispel the qi of demons and evil spirits. May the Heavenly Perfected (the revered gods of the celestial realm) look upon this with clear judgment. The rite of transmission must be carried out according to this document.

This document is issued to the god of the Community Altar Office in [a certain place], to be carried out accordingly.

Issued in the [year], [month], [day], at [hour].

Signed with the seal-script mark of [a certain surname], holder of [a certain rank].

Issued to the God of Fate (the deity who governs people’s lifespans and registers of destiny).

Office of the Great Lingbao Rite (a Daoist institution that administers Lingbao rites):

In response to the petition submitted by [a certain person], the matter has now been reported to the celestial realm. The Celestial Provincial Office of the Perfected (the relevant divine office in the celestial realm) has prepared a notice for the subordinate offices. We now issue this document, ordering the gods to notify without delay the relevant places within the local domain, so that they may be informed and act according to the regulations: immediately purify within and without, reverently carry out the decree for the Celestial Immortals’ arrival at the ritual altar, and carefully oversee the rite of transmission. Do not neglect or violate these instructions. This document must be followed.

This document is issued to the local God of Fate and the other gods, to be carried out accordingly.

Issued on [year], [month], [day].

Signed with the seal-script mark of [a certain surname], holder of [a certain rank].

Yellow-paper explanation attached before the memorial (written in five columns):

Your servant requests on behalf of the disciple [name] the transmission of one rank of the Great Lingbao Method, so that the disciple may take refuge, receive and uphold it, proclaim and practice its teachings, and broadly rescue beings in both the underworld and the world of the living. We respectfully request that an edict be issued to inform the Perfected Offices of the Three Realms, so that they may proceed according to the regulations. May this matter be decided by the August Sovereign.

Notice for Delivering the Troops to the Dharma Immortal (a celestial document conferring ritual office, troops, and magical arts)

Mystic Altar for the Transmission of the Great Lingbao Method (the altar where the transmission rite is held):

On a certain day this month, our altar first received a petition from [a certain person], concerning matters including the permanent loss of human bonds. Our altar carefully received the petition and, on a certain day, transcribed the memorial and promptly submitted it to the Three Heavens. We also made covenant announcements to the Three Realms and proclaimed the matter throughout the Ten Directions, so that all quarters might know. We now open the altar and conduct the transmission according to the Mystic Regulations (Daoist ritual rules), performing a solemn Zhaijiao purification ritual to express our reverent gratitude for Heaven’s grace. Before the Dao, we respectfully follow the model of the master, confer the sacred writings, and divide the covenant tokens—the contract and jade ring—symbolically establishing the pact of transmission. The recipient receives the precepts and office, enters into the covenant and swears the oath, and is assigned celestial troops and divine generals. Therefore, this notice is hereby issued.

Conferred:

One volume of the Scriptural Methods of the Supreme Clarity Lingbao, one volume of the Talismans and Diagrams of the Supreme Clarity Lingbao, one volume of the Talismanic Instructions of the Supreme Clarity Lingbao, one volume of the Jade Tablets of the Supreme Clarity Lingbao, and one volume of the Ritual Regulations of the Supreme Clarity Lingbao; the seal of the Office of the Great Lingbao Rite, the seal of the Provincial Office of the Great Mystery Capital, the jade seal of the Three Qi of Flying Mystery, the seal of the Nine Elders’ Immortal Capital, the seal for transmitting memorials, the Yellow Spirit seal, the Yuezhang seal, the seal of the Northern Dipper’s Mystic Model Office, the Divine Tiger…

The General Seal (the seal that governs all the spirits), the Divine Tiger Jade Tablet Seal, the Divine Tiger Male Seal (left seal), the Divine Tiger Female Seal (right seal), one scroll of immortal proclamations, one certificate of precepts, one wooden tally, one pair of ring-shaped tallies, one oath tally, ten tallies for the Ten Heavens, the numinous talismans of the Five Emperors, and one pair of ritual staffs.

Petition for Descent

We respectfully invite the Bureau of the Great Lingbao Rite, the Divine Kings Who Fly Through the Heavens of the Ten Directions, the Great General of the Ten Thousand Offices Who Fulfills All Wishes, the Jade Boys and Jade Maidens, the Numinous Officers, Merit Officers, officials and clerks, the two Great Sages to the left and right of the Northern Dipper’s Mysterious Model Prefecture, the Seven Perfected Jade Maidens, the envoys of the Three Departments, the generals and assistants who pursue souls and seize spirits, the Great Generals who serve to the left and right of the Cinnabar Heaven in the Nanchang Office of Refining and Deliverance, the divine generals of the water pool and fire furnace, the officials and generals charged with receiving and refining the dead, the examiners of the various offices of the Yellow Register Court, the subordinate officials of the assembled departments, the Merit Officers, generals, clerks, and troops of the Office of Dispatching Memorials, who transport divine communications and bring the Way into accord, as well as the Numinous Officers and Immortal Administrators of the Celestial Medical Bureau.

This document is delivered to a certain perfected practitioner. You should look up toward the Golden Palace, the dwelling of the Celestial Emperor, and respectfully bow in gratitude for Heaven’s grace. Devote yourself to cultivation and remain upright and vigilant at all times. Expound and support the state, aid the people, and carry out the work of saving the living and delivering the dead. Let no part of your cultivation be neglected, so that both the underworld and the human realm may receive universal aid. Remember: people can magnify the Dao, and the Dao will not fail people. Make your vow with care and cherish it as dearly as a thousand pieces of gold. Let your merit and practice reach completion; do not let all your efforts come to nothing just before the end. Respectfully observe the precepts and do not violate the rules. Therefore, this document is issued.

Issued on the [year, month, day].

Recommending master: enter the ritual rank and surname.

Supervising ordination master: enter the ritual rank and surname.

Ordination master: enter the ritual title and name.

Appointment Certificate

The Lingbao Great Rite Ordination Altar, the ritual site where the Lingbao Great Rite is transmitted:

In response to the request of a certain disciple who has received the lineage, this altar records that he has demonstrated his sincerity with a precious token, sworn an oath by tasting blood, and declared a resolve firm as metal and stone, expressing his earnest wish to receive the Dao. He has already reported the matter to the Celestial Emperor’s palace and informed the various offices of the perfected beings. Now, in respectful accordance with the Mysterious Statutes, we transmit the secret canon. The revered master is present to supervise the ordination; the assembled sages have descended, the commanders and generals have arrived at the altar, and the altar’s officials and troops stand in their appointed places. He should now be granted an office, thereby establishing his place in the ranks of the immortals.

A disciple of a certain register is hereby appointed an Immortal Officer of the Southern Palace, charged with enforcing the law. This certificate shall serve as proof of the office conferred.

This document is delivered to a certain perfected practitioner. You should act with solemn respect and reverence, and willingly receive Heaven’s renewed mandate. Maintain purity through fasting and careful observance; carry yourself with dignity and restraint, ever mindful of whether you have earned the Emperor’s watchful regard. Respectfully fulfill your duties and do not neglect your responsibilities. Continue diligently to receive the teachings and proclaim the Dao’s methods; only in this way may you hope to move the perfected spirits and attain the Great Dao…

The numinous response depends on purity and single-minded focus. Do not grow lax or let your practice fall into neglect; only then can your work come to fruition and both body and spirit reach a wondrous state. For this reason, this document has been established.

(The following is the document’s format.) Under the date, list in order the titles and names of the three ritual masters: the recommending master, the supervising master, and the initiatory master.

Lingbao Covenant and Precepts for Cultivating the True: This is a document issued by the Lingbao Great Rite transmission altar—the ritual platform where Daoist methods are conferred—to a disciple who has received the lineage, identified here as “So-and-so,” for observance. In accordance with the Great Rite, the vows and precepts to be conferred are respectfully set out below.

The Ten Vows of Lingbao: First, vow to set your heart on the joy of long life. Second, vow to leave death behind and enter into vitality. Third, vow to refine and cultivate Jing and Qi, so that the body becomes firm and secure. Fourth, vow to guide and transform living beings. Fifth, vow that peace will prevail throughout the world. Sixth, vow that living beings will awaken to the Dao. Seventh, vow that the souls of departed ancestors will ascend. Eighth, vow to be forever freed from the jurisdiction of the ghost officials who govern the underworld. Ninth, vow that body and spirit will both attain a wondrous state. Tenth, vow to unite with the Dao and realize the realm of truth.

The Five Precepts of Lingbao: First, refrain from killing living beings or harming things; practice forbearance and never harbor an intent to kill. Second, refrain from envy and jealousy; always uphold the virtue of helping others succeed. Third, refrain from sexual misconduct and theft; practice generosity and remain upright. Fourth, refrain from greed and defilement; keep a sense of shame and remorse. Fifth, put aside all hatred and ostentatious luxury; cultivate compassion and simplicity.

The Ten Oaths of Lingbao: First, do not become heavily drunk and give way to anger. Second, do not let yourself become excessively hungry or full, or overwork your body. Third, do not let your ambitions grow too broad or your wishes reach too far. Fourth, do not casually associate with people of improper conduct. Fifth, do not acquire wealth by unrighteous means. Sixth, do not complain about the Dao or blame your teacher. Seventh, do not enter a shrine without cause. Eighth, do not misuse numinous texts—efficacious talismans and scriptures. Ninth, do not carelessly disclose secret canons and profound writings. Tenth, do not harm ghosts and spirits without cause.

The Ten Good Deeds of Lingbao: First, respect the elderly and care for orphans. Second, show compassion for the poor and help those without support. Third, aid the souls of the departed in the netherworld. Fourth, distribute elixirs and medicines. Fifth, honor all living beings. Sixth, diligently administer talismanic water—purified water empowered by talismans, used for healing. Seventh, regularly recite scriptures and incantations. Eighth, produce scriptures and images of the deities in great number. Ninth, diligently observe purification and fasting. Tenth, release living creatures and preserve life.

This document is entrusted to the lineage disciple identified as “So-and-so” for observance. If you can uphold it without failing and remain steadfast in body and mind, you will be delivered from the Three Paths—hell, the realm of hungry ghosts, and the animal realm—and will no longer undergo the Six Destinies of rebirth. The gods of the heavens will guard you, and the myriad sages will honor and turn toward you. You must practice diligently, observe purification and the precepts, and keep your heart peaceful, upright, and composed. Let your intentions be clear and distinct, and turn toward the Dao with single-minded devotion. Focus your contemplation without a second thought; keep both inner and outer realms clear and empty. In this way, you will repeatedly accord with the natural, and a response is certain to follow. If your heart can act in accordance with the precepts, your cultivation of the Dao can become a model for the Three Realms, and even ghosts and spirits will take notice of you.

Those looked up to are people who have attained the true realm and communicated with the spirits, reaching a wondrous state in both body and spirit. Do not betray this Dao. You must honor it, cultivate it diligently, and receive it with earnest care, so as to spread the Dao’s wondrous tradition. This document is hereby issued.

Year, month, and day: [to be filled in]

The names and titles of the recommending sponsors, the supervising master, the transmitting master, and others are to be entered as above.

Ring form (the token used during transmission): The ring may be made from one or two ounces of silver. Engrave a talismanic inscription in the middle and fill it in with cinnabar; make a hole at the center of the ring. Use two rings each time, tied together with blue silk thread. During the ceremony at the altar, cut the thread with a knife. The master and disciple each keep one ring, placing it in a yellow silk pouch and storing it together with the matching token.

Siwei covenant document form (the pledge document used when transmitting Daoist methods):

In the [year] of the [Tai Sui], on the first day of the [month], at the [hour] of the [day], a person from [place], [county], [province], today respectfully offers gold and jewels as a pledge of sincerity. Following the ranks and regulations of the Mysterious Capital (the celestial sacred realm in Daoist belief), this person proclaims an oath to the celestial realms in the ten directions, bowing with joined hands, to transmit and receive the memorials and secret texts of the Scriptures and Methods of the Highest Clarity and Numinous Treasure, and to practice the Dao according to ritual procedure, dispelling all manner of inauspiciousness and universally saving living beings without end.

On the day of receiving the Dao, the disciple’s name will be entered in the Southern Palace, with the myriad spirits attending as guards. The disciple’s own person will pass beyond the Three Realms and take a place among the immortals. The Demon King will recommend the disciple, and the assembled Perfected Ones will supervise the initiation. The transmitting master, [name], reverently upholds the great method and sets forth the Dao of the spirits and Perfected Ones, universally guiding humans, spirits, and all living beings. The master dares not conceal the secret methods and, in accordance with the celestial oath, transmits the method.

After receiving the method, the disciple must not carelessly reveal it to anyone unworthy of receiving it. If the oath is violated, the celestial covenant will consign the disciple to the palaces of the ghosts, shorten their life, subject them to trials through ten thousand kalpas, condemn them to perpetual rebirth, and bring calamity upon their seven generations of ancestors. This document is now drawn up as proof that the agreement will be honored.

The disciple who inherits the method, [name], aged [age], was born in the year, month, day, and hour of [birth]. The disciple belongs to [mountain] above and has received the summons of the Lord of Qi of [heaven]. Respectfully invoking the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, the Lord of the Dao, the Most High, the Most High Lord Lao, the Celestial Worthy Emperor, the Perfected One of Wondrous Practice, the great sages of all heavens, the Five Elders and Emperors, the Flying Celestial Kings, the Five Imperial Demon Kings, the Three Officials and Five Masters, and the stars throughout the heavens, may they descend to guide and initiate the disciple.

Today the disciple joyfully receives the initiation. The disciple’s name and history are presented to the heavens, and the disciple petitions them to dispel the three evils and sever the roots of the earth, so that the disciple may fly beyond the Five Gates and have their name entered in the Great Mystery. The Demon King is charged with oversight and recommendation, ensuring the disciple is not detained at the heavenly gates. The Eastern Dipper governs lifespan, the Western Dipper records names, the Northern Dipper governs the removal of death, and the Southern Dipper is responsible for adding life.

The Central Dipper, the central position of the Northern Dipper, commands the stars and constellations and keeps watch over all the gods and spirits. The Azure Emperor protects the hun-soul, the White Emperor attends to the po-soul and body, the Red Emperor nurtures original Qi, the Black Emperor circulates the blood, and the Yellow Emperor resides at the center and governs all the gods. The Five Emperors of the five directions must not cross their boundaries or act recklessly. The Great Demon Venerable is the forefather of the gods and proclaims to the countless, boundless spirits: all the gods must obey his commands. The Five Emperors of the Three Realms jointly present their petition to Shangqing, the Daoist-revered celestial realm of pure subtlety.

The talismanic covenant above is entrusted to the disciple So-and-so to keep and carry as a protective treasure, enabling them to ascend to the celestial realm and attend court in the heavenly palace. The Supreme Emperor chants from afar; the gods come to pay homage, and the deities of the Three Realms attend the imperial carriage. Demons are bound and helpless, ghosts and monsters perish of their own accord, and all spirits are awed into submission. The assembled immortals make the underworld and wisdom alike clear and luminous. This method is vast and profound. Hasten and obey the statutes and commands.

By decree: the covenant document of the Lingbao Great Method, transmitted through the covenant alliance.

The inscription says:

In the beginning, the Qi of Azure Mystery gave rise to all things. The human body is formed from the mother’s blood and the father’s essence. Blood belongs to lead; essence belongs to mercury. Blood transforms into Qi, and mercury transforms into Shen (spirit). Lead is Yang; mercury is Yin. Lead and mercury form the gateway where Yin and Yang unite, the foundation of creation’s workings and the generation of the sun and moon. Mercury governs emotion, while lead governs nature. When the nature of Shen is settled, body and mind can become calm and no longer suffer the torments of reincarnation. If thoughts and spirit grow scattered, lead-Qi descends, and mercury-Qi leaves its root, the mind and nature become disordered. Mercury-Qi rushes about, lead-Qi loses its hold, and true nature is lost. This invites demons to conjure transformations and disturb the body’s Three Palaces—the upper, middle, and lower Dantian (energy centers). When the mind and nature are agitated and the spirit flies apart, one loses the Way of Lingbao and can no longer find the true instructions.

How can one attain ascension? One must investigate lead and mercury deeply, distinguish the pure from the turbid, and then reason through them step by step to understand their patterns. This is the essence of cultivation; understanding its written teachings is the gateway to the Great Dao. If one carelessly combines things with thousands of different properties and expects to complete the Lingbao Elixir, transform through rebirth, and ascend in broad daylight, success will be difficult. Anyone who recklessly divulges this method to an unsuitable person will immediately suffer severe punishment, with no pardon for all eternity.

This covenant document is made of catalpa wood, one chi and two cun long. It has a blue ground, with the talisman and text written in cinnabar, and is then placed in a yellow pouch. The master said: “The Talisman for Contemplating the Subtle and Settling the Will embodies the essential intent of the Great Dao and is the most crucial secret of Lingbao. Whoever understands it can attain long life; whoever cultivates it can become an immortal.” The key points are now set out in outline, and the disciple should examine them carefully.

Format of the covenant document for transmission:

In the year of [stem-branch], under the Grand Tai Sui of [year], on the first day of [month], at [time] on [day], the formally initiated disciple So-and-so, of [prefecture] and [county], having inherited the Dharma, respectfully prepares the proper offerings and, in accordance with the prescribed rites, reverently receives one complete transmission of the talismans and instructions of the Lingbao Great Method. The disciple vows to proclaim the teaching on Heaven’s behalf, assist the state, aid the people, relieve the dead, deliver the living, and abide by the Three Treasures forever. Now, before the Dao, the disciple establishes this covenant and receives the transmission of the master’s teaching…

The disciple dares not conceal the truth or pass off falsehood as fact, nor resent the Great Dao or blame the master. Should the disciple break any part of the oath, they willingly accept all punishment from the unseen powers, and the Dao they cultivate shall not come to fruition. All the foregoing shall be carried out in accordance with the Xuan Regulations (secret Daoist liturgical rules) and the ordinances.

The Covenant Deed, a document recording the oath between master and disciple, is divided in half down the middle.

The right-hand deed is made of yellow silk, with talismans drawn in cinnabar and writing in ink. When transmitting the arts, the master should respectfully cut the deed in two before the Highest Perfected Ones, the revered deities of Daoism. The master keeps one half and the disciple receives the other; each places their half in a yellow pouch.

Format for the Covenant Deed Cover

Front: “Rank of the Initiating Master,” followed by the surname, then “sealed with signature,” with three seals.

Back: Write “Subtle Thought Deed” (or simply “Deed”). It is delivered to the disciple who inherits the teachings, followed by the surname and the words “received and held.”

Format for the Three Heavens Lingbao Covenant Deed

Format for the Lingbao Covenant Deed of Office

Both deeds are made according to the format of the “Ten Heavens Deed” below. The text is written in the middle, with the left and right sides arranged as in the format below. The two deeds are placed together in one pouch and fastened with a ring. The master and disciple each keep one half.

Format for the Ten Heavens Lingbao Oath Deed

The Ten Heavens Deed is made of yellow silk, nine inches long. Seal-script characters are written in cinnabar on both sides, and the proclamation is written in ink in the middle. In the seal script, “such-and-such Qi” and “Heavenly Worthy of such-and-such direction” should be adjusted to match each direction. Ten deeds are made, one for each of the ten directions, and distributed facing those directions when the altar is set up. The ten deeds are placed together in one pouch and sealed.

Format for the Seal Script of Each Direction

Format for the Immortal Proclamation

Proclamation to the Three Heavens

With reverence, we declare: After Chaos was divided, the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning opened the Heavenly Books. The True Writings shone forth above the Divine Firmament, and the jade characters were proclaimed amid the Azure Vault. The spirits descended and took form; Qi and treasures gathered and took shape. They held primordial Qi within the Great Void, set Yin-Yang in motion, governed change, and presided over cold and heat. They commanded the Three Realms and restrained and subdued the hosts of demons.

The Precious Registers, Jade Chapters, Lang Caskets, and Petal Tablets—all names for treasured Daoist scriptures and documents—are revered as the highest class of scriptures, and their methods stand foremost among those of the Central Palace. They are the root of all things and the source of subtle principles. The heavens hold them in the highest regard; only through diligent practice may one hear them, and a person’s wisdom or folly will also be examined. Therefore, in accordance with established precedent, we enter into an oath with the Ten Heavens to affirm our sincerity, bringing golden treasures to receive the transmission. If the secret writings are carelessly revealed, calamity will extend to the nine generations of ancestors.

Now, on this day, so-and-so carefully prepares nine liang of fine gold, one length of purple silk, one liang of green silk thread, and one jin of oath incense. In accordance with the rite, they walk to the altar and respectfully pray on their own behalf: born in such-and-such year, month, day, and hour. They further reflect that they have always kept their intentions pure and upheld the Dao with sincerity, and respectfully follow…

According to the Taishang Xuanke (ritual regulations governing the transmission of Daoist teachings and offices), a certain person has received the transmission of the teachings through an oath alliance and has obtained auspicious signs of confirmation. He should therefore be commended and granted an immortal rank.

Recommending Masters: the Perfected Ones of the Ten Directions, the Flying Heavenly Spirit Kings, the Great Sage of Long Life, and the Great God of Boundless Measure.

Supervising Masters: the Lords of the Thirty-Two Heavens and the Perfected One of Wondrous Practice.

Transmission Masters: the Celestial Worthies of the Ten Directions’ Numinous Treasure and the Dao Lords of the Void Sovereign.

Scripture Masters: the High and Luminous Envoys of the Nine Heavens and the True Lords of Divine Power and Wondrous Deliverance.

Register Masters: the Great Masters of the Three Heavens and the True Lords of Orthodox Unity and Still Response.

Transmission Masters: the Great Masters of the Mysterious Center and the Celestial Worthy, Still and Ancient, of the Void Sovereign.

The Lords who Record the Counted Years in the Eastern Dipper, Bestow Life in the Southern Dipper, Record Names in the Western Dipper, Assign Death in the Northern Dipper, and preside as Great Chief in the Central Dipper hereby make the following determination:

In accordance with the ritual regulations of the Numinous Treasure tradition, a certain person should be appointed to a Daoist office and charged with carrying out the Great Shangqing Numinous Treasure Method. Mr. So-and-so of such-and-such peak and the Perfected One of such-and-such emperor shall serve as the True Officials Who Receive Refinement in the Upper Palace of Nanchang and oversee the affairs of the Yellow Register Court.

Now, in accordance with the Jade Statutes observed under the oath alliance—the rules governing the transmission of teachings and appointment to office—we joyfully celebrate his receiving the transmission and attaining his Daoist office, and request that he be entered among the ranks of immortals. By decree of the Jade Emperors of the Three Pure Ones, this talismanic edict is hereby issued.

Issued on the [day] of the [month] in the [year].

The undersigned, holding the office of [title], of the surname [surname], transmits the teaching.