《上清靈寶大法(一)》Vol. 33

Every banner hung at a ritual altar must have a corresponding talisman. Each talisman must be written in the prescribed format and must not be combined with talisman styles from other lineages.

Talismans of the Five Directions for Guarding the Spirits

These are for the east, south, west, north, and center. Write the five talismans on the fronts of the five directional banners at the mysterious altar. Write the southern talisman in black and all the others in cinnabar. Recite the “Mantra of the Five Directions for Guarding the Spirits” as you write. The words “blue heaven of the nine Qi” in the talismans refer to the subject described here. These talismans come from the Register of the Divine Mantra for Guarding the Spirits of the Abyssal Cavern.

Talismans of the Five Directions for Pacifying the Altar

Mantra of the Eastern Azure Emperor:

The nine Qi sprout forth as Yang energy, and the jade calendar and dragon patterns appear. The Eight Trigrams are arranged on the outside, while a single Virtue is held within. From this, transformation and generation arise, turning the qi of death and extinction back toward harmony and good fortune.

Mantra of the Southern Red Emperor:

In the south, the land of the tombs gathers the Qi of the Three Lights, and their radiance flourishes. Use this to nourish upright Qi, so that evil Qi cannot resist it. The cinnabar fire and stone fire are both under my command.

Mantra of the Western White Emperor:

The Supreme White Star spreads essence, while the Seven Stars protect the spirits. Hold the inner realm through the Virtue of Qian, so that metal and fire cannot cause harm. Whatever in life cannot be resolved is examined and illuminated by the divine spirit White Origin.

Mantra of the Northern Black Emperor:

Dark Virtue governs the Five Spirits, enabling nature and life to cross over. Primordial Qi joins with the essence within the womb, driving away demonic obstructions within and without and setting the fire of the Seven Yin in motion inside the body. Dark Virtue transforms into radiance; drowned ghosts and harmful, thieving spirits are all destroyed.

Mantra of the Central Yellow Emperor:

The central sovereign commands the myriad spirits and the Twelve Primordial Perfected, governs the four directions, and carries out the decree of Primordial Beginning and Jade Dawn.

Commanding Mantra

Mysterious Emperor, High Perfected, Primordial Beginning, and the Five Elders: you have fashioned talismans and transmitted teachings, enabling me to practice the Dao today. Today is the time to transmit the true method and the teachings of the Dao. (When performing a purification ritual, say instead, “establishing the purification ritual and practicing the Dao.”) Summon the spirits, bind demonic obstructions, and sweep away calamities. The Great Spirits of the Five Directions reverently obey the Three Treasures. Those who follow me will obtain good fortune and ultimately escape old age and death, leave the realm of death for the realm of life, and keep a radiant appearance without growing old. Those who oppose me will meet misfortune: they will suffer hardship in life and, after death, return to the underworld capital to face judgment in the hells.

Place the talismans for the four directions at the altar’s four gates, and place the central talisman above the purification hall’s door. Burn incense and pray, saying:

“Two talisman officials serving on the day of the [named] Emperor are assigned duty today. The attendants of [name] number [specified number]…”

The six divine officials each arrange their robes and headwear, take up jade objects and documents, and proceed to the imperial court of the Celestial Emperor.

The matters we report, the Fulu we issue, and the requests we submit must all be conveyed in order, without omission, from now until the completion of the Daoist liturgy.

Then carry out each matter according to its specific requirements. Use the Fulu of the Yellow Emperor only in the seasonal months, the last month of each season; at other times, follow the Five Emperors.

The five Fulu described above are sometimes written on the backs of the five directional banners, which represent east, south, west, north, and center. The methods passed down by Cai Zhixu and Lu Shizhong use these Fulu to establish an altar on borrowed ground. The Three Sections of the Most High’s Fulu are also called “House-Settling Fulu.” They are written on wooden boards to guard and protect the five directions. This method originates in the Lingbao Scripture for Ascending to the Mysterious.

Three-Heaven Banners and Thirty-Two-Heaven Banners

The master said: Each banner is three feet two inches or two feet four inches long. Their colors may correspond to the directions: blue for the east, red for the south, white for the west, and black for the north, with eight heads or panels for each direction. Alternatively, one may follow the prescribed form in the Scripture for Deliverance, using nine colors—yellow, green, blue, red, azure, black, purple, and white—arranged at intervals, beginning with Taihuang Heaven. Write the names of the Heavenly Emperors on the front of each banner and the Thirty-Two-Heaven Fulu in seal script on the back. This method comes from the Lingbao Scripture of the Great Kalpa. The methods in the Taizhen Ritual Code and the Lingbao Nine-Heavens Ritual for Generating Spirits and Preserving Life are different. The Thirty-Two-Heaven Fulu are found in the section “Scriptural Phrases and Fulu.”

Azure-Mystery Treasure Standard

The master said: Whenever a preliminary notification rite is performed, first erect the Azure-Mystery Standard, used in rites to rescue the suffering under the Azure Mystery. Make it from four zhang and nine chi of blue silk. Shape its top as an eight-sided precious canopy and hang eight small banners from it. Suspend one large banner in the center; together they form the treasure standard, corresponding to the regional divisions of the nine provinces. Write the Great Nine-Dragon Fulu on the banner in seal script using realgar. At the point where the two feet part, write the Azure-Mystery Treasure Invocation Fulu in seal script; at the positions of the two hands, write the purpose of the purification rite. Finally, hang the standard from a tall pole. This rite conveys the message to the heavenly realm, rescues the suffering, gives advance notice to the ten directions, and halts the questioning of prisoners. Another form, called the “Taiyi Treasure Banner,” is made of yellow silk in the same style and may also bear Fulu. The Nine-Dragon Fulu and the Azure Palace Treasure Invocation are found in the section “Purification Rites, Fulu, and Seal Scripts.”

Oath-Announcing Treasure Banner

The master said: Whenever a major purification rite is held, first erect the Oath-Announcing Banner. Make it from layered yellow silk, also four zhang and nine chi long. In the center of the banner, write in seal script the Jade Emperor’s honorific title, “Jade Emperor, Great Celestial Venerable, Supreme Sovereign of the Mysterious Vault,” in ten characters. At the positions of the two hands, write the purpose of the purification rite. Hang the banner from a tall pole in the open space before the altar. It is used to report to Heaven and Earth and to make an oath before the Three Realms, giving advance notice of the dates of the purification rite. It also signifies the intention to perform meritorious deeds, keep faith, and honor one’s commitments.

Thus, rites of this kind can be seen both in the netherworld and among the living, while spirits and deities watch from afar. What is described here is simply the arrangement of ritual implements. There is another method:

Write the five characters “Your servant respectfully submits this petition” on the crown of the head. Write these forty-nine characters on the body: “The Great Way of the Most High and the Infinite, the Most Perfect and Supreme, the Venerable Scriptures of the Thirty-Six Sections, the True Writings and Precious Talismans, the Three Venerables of the Most High, the Saints of the Ten Directions, the Great Master of the Mysterious Realm, the officials of the Three Realms, and all august spirits: I humbly pray that your gracious light will look upon and witness this purification rite.” On each hand and foot, write the ritual rank and the contents of the supplication as stated by the person presenting it.

The honorific title of the Jade Emperor, a revered deity in Daoism, appears among the categories of talismans and registers used in purification rites.

The Precious Banner for Transferring Spirits and Returning Them to the Yellow Court

The ritual master says: Whenever a rite is held to deliver and liberate the souls of the dead from the hidden prisons, first erect the “Banner for Transferring Spirits and Returning Them to the Yellow Court” on the eastern side of the ritual grounds. Make the banner by placing white and yellow silk one over the other; it should be forty-nine feet long. Draw and write the prescribed talismans and registers on it, then hang it high where the wind can move it. The lonely souls and suffering spirits in the Nine Depths of the Ten Directions need only see where the banner points to escape their suffering and at once awaken to goodness. If they hear the sounds of praise for the rite, they will also feel gratitude for the merits of the human and celestial realms, and, with reverence and devotion, attain the wondrous fruit of perfection.

There is another method of writing: on each hand, write the Celestial Venerables of the Ten Directions, with the Celestial Venerables of the five directions beneath each hand. Beneath the left hand, also write “Perfected One Who Relieves Suffering” and “Perfected One of Great Beneficence”; beneath the right, write “Perfected One Who Removes Sin” and “Perfected One Who Delivers.” Write the Sweet Dew Incantation on both feet; the method is the same.

Front and back: the seal-script pattern of the honorific title of the Azure Mysterious Venerable on the Banner for Transferring Spirits and Returning Them to the Yellow Court.

Seal-Script Pattern of the Nine Heavens’ Life-Bestowing Yellow Register at the Foot of the Banner

The Yellow Register of Taiwei,

the banner bears the command of Wuying;

the numinous banner summons and gathers,

the courts of the Long Night open;

the souls destined to receive life are delivered,

the numinous banner’s radiance returns.

The ritual master says: Whenever the Wheel Lamp of Returning Radiance is set up, a Banner of Returning Radiance is generally erected to its southeast. Make the banner by placing three zhang and six chi of deep-red silk one over the other. Grind together cinnabar and orpiment, and use the mixture to write the prescribed talismans and registers on both sides. On the front, one may also write in seal script the ten characters “Heavenly Venerable, Lord of Compassionate Transformation, Precious Standard Who Guides and Welcomes.” Hang it high. When the dead souls of the netherworld in the Ten Directions see this numinous banner, a single thought of taking refuge is enough to absolve the sins, worldly burdens, and grave offenses they have accumulated in the past, and to enable them to be reborn in the Southern Palace.

Front and back: seal-script patterns for the foot of the banner.

“The talismanic command reaches the netherworld, and the numinous banner streams in the wind…”

Dispersing the Spirit at Dawn

Dispersing the spirit at dawn means delivering the souls of the dead, so that they pass out of the Northern Registry (the netherworld) and ascend to the Southern Palace as if riding on the immortals' flying shoes (fuxi, the footwear of the immortals).

Another seal-script form (zhuanshi) for the Migrating Spirit Banner writes the sacred title of the honored deity:

Compassionate Transformer, Heavenly Worthy Who Liberates Sins from the Nine Obscurities.

The seal-script form for the Returning Radiance Banner is:

Compassionate Transformer King, Heavenly Worthy Who Receives and Guides with the Precious Canopy.

Liberation Banner Format

The Master says: On any day when a ritual altar is rebuilt, a Liberation Banner may be set up. It is made of yellow silk with an inner lining, measures twenty-four chi in length, and is inscribed in the prescribed format.

Six Jia Banner for Opening the Way

The Master says: The top of the banner bears the Emperor's secret name (the hidden name of the Supreme Deity). The body of the banner is inscribed in seal script with the eight characters "The Six Jia Envoys hold the banner and open the way." The positions for the two hands are inscribed in seal script with the Incantation of the Empty Cavern That Penetrates the Hidden, and the positions for the two feet are inscribed with four lines from the precept scripture.

Top of the banner: the Supreme Deity's secret name is written on the front face, in the center of the banner body.

Seal-script format of the body: written on the back face of the banner.

The Six Jia Envoys, holding the banner, open the way.

The four lines of seal script at the positions for the hands:

Its numinous sound shakes the empty cavern,

Nine Mysteries part from the hidden lineage;

Its feeling is clear and free of obstruction,

Leaving and staying as easily as untying a sash.

The seal script at the positions for the feet:

The wondrous precepts delight the Five Numinosities,

The golden writ alerts the myriad spirits;

It examines destinies and fixes the registers,

And the numinous talismans deliver the suffering souls.

Nine Cup Banner

The Master says: Whenever the Nine Cups and Nine Lamp Stacks are set up, nine banners are made of plain yellow silk. The top of each banner bears the Nine Qi Talisman, the body bears the Nine Heavens Yin Talisman, and the positions for the two hands each bear a proclamation.

The Nine Qi Talisman and the Nine Heavens Yin Talisman are found in the Section on Great Refining Talismans and Seal Scripts (Da Lian Fuzhuan Men).

Nine Prisons Banner

The Master says: When the Nine Prisons are set up, nine banners are made of plain yellow silk, each four chi nine cun long. Alternatively, they may be made of blue silk and nine chi long. The body of each banner bears the honorific title of the Heavenly Worthies of the respective directions. The top bears the Brahmic Qi Talisman of the Nine Prisons. The back is inscribed in seal script with the Talisman of the Heavenly Worthy Who Rescues from Suffering in the Ten Directions. The positions for the hands bear the incantation for breaking the prisons and a proclamation. The positions for the feet bear the True Talisman of the Jade Clarity Precious Register, along with a text stating that the proclamation is delivered to a specific prison. Nine bamboo poles are then planted according to the cardinal directions.

The Brahmic Qi Talisman of the Nine Prisons, the Talisman of the Ten Directions Heavenly Worthies, and the incantation for breaking the prisons are all found in the Section on Fasting Rites and Talismans (Zhai Fa Fuzhuan Men).

Returning Radiance Lantern Banner

The Master says: When the Returning Radiance Lantern is set up, forty-nine small banners are made, alternating yellow and white. The sacred titles of the various honored deities are written on the banners, and the top of each is inscribed in cinnabar with…

Qingxuan Talisman for Breaking the Fengdu True Form (a talisman for dispelling the nether realm of Fengdu; see the "Fulu Section" of the Zhai Fa rites).

SanTu Wuku Banner Talisman (a banner talisman for the Three Paths and Five Sufferings; see the "Fulu Section" of the Zhai Fa rites).

Names of the Heavenly Venerables on the Twenty-Four Prison Banners

The banners bear the following titles: Yuanhuang Guangdu Tianzun (Primordial Sovereign Who Delivers Widely), Ziqing Dulhun Tianzun (Purple Clarity Venerable Who Ferries Souls), Sanjie Tonghua Tianzun (Venerable Who Transforms Through the Three Realms), Wuliang Ciyin Tianzun (Boundless Compassionate Shade Venerable), Jidu Kuhai Tianzun (Venerable Who Ferries Across the Sea of Suffering), Xuande Jiuku Tianzun (Mysterious Virtue Venerable Who Rescues from Suffering), Liutong Jiuku Tianzun (Six-Penetrating Venerable Who Rescues from Suffering), Kaidao Wangsheng Tianzun (Venerable Who Opens the Way to Rebirth), Guangzhao Jiuyou Tianzun (Venerable Whose Light Illumines the Nine Dark Depths), Jiuku Chaosheng Tianzun (Venerable Who Rescues from Suffering and Transcends Birth), Huhun Wuzhi Tianzun (Venerable Who Protects Souls Without Hindrance), Ciebei Guangdu Tianzun (Compassionate Venerable Who Delivers Widely), Xuanhua Jietuo Tianzun (Venerable Who Transforms and Liberates), Zhenguang Ba'nan Tianzun (Venerable of True Light Who Uproots Calamity), Changpu Jidu Tianzun (Venerable Who Universally Ferries), Mingzhen Du You Tianzun (Venerable of Clear Truth Who Delivers the Dark), Haojie Chuci Tianzun (Venerable Who Bestows Mercy in the Great Calamity), Daci Zhiguang Tianzun (Venerable of Supreme Vast Compassion), Zhenchang Duming Tianzun (Venerable Who Delivers Life Constantly), Guanghua Liudao Tianzun (Venerable Who Transforms the Six Paths Widely), Kujie Lunzhuan Tianzun (Venerable of the Turning Wheel of Calamity), Fawu Daduo Tianzun (Venerable Who Is the Bridge of Dharma and Great Deliverance), Baoguang Jiuye Tianzun (Venerable of Precious Light in the Nine Nights), and Daci Jiuku Tianzun (Venerable of Great Compassion Who Rescues from Suffering).

Fengdu Lamp Banner

The Master says: whenever lamps are set up on Fengdu Mountain, make the banners of yellow silk, five in all, and inscribe on them the titles of the Five Qi Venerables.

Titles of the Five Qi Venerables

The Venerable of the Nine Qi Penetrating Emptiness is in the east, the Venerable of the Three Qi Penetrating Azure is in the south, the Venerable of the Seven Qi Penetrating Void is in the west, and the Venerable of the Five Qi Penetrating Subtlety is in the north. In the center is the Venerable of the One Qi Penetrating Truth.

Five-Road Lamp Banner

The Master says: whenever lamps are set up to open the five roads, make five banners of yellow silk, each inscribed with "Venerable Who Opens the Roads," and place one at each of the five directions.

Thirty-Two Heavens Lamp Banner

The Master says: when setting up the Thirty-Two Heavens lamps, make ten banners of yellow silk, inscribe on them the Flying Divine King Talismans of the Ten Directions, and hang them according to the ten directional positions. The Divine King talismans are described in the "Section on Descending the True and Summoning Spirits."

Blood Pond Lamp Banner

The Master says: when lighting the Blood Pond lamps, make five banners of yellow silk and inscribe them with the titles of the Heavenly Venerables.

Titles for the Five Directions

The Venerable of the Nine Qi Purifying Defilement is in the east, the Venerable of the Three Qi Transforming Aversion is in the south, the Venerable of the Seven Qi Cutting Evil is in the west, and the Venerable of the Five Qi Sweeping Form is in the north. In the center is the Venerable of the One Qi Radiating Compassion.

Jiaolong and Jinlong Erli Banners (the two talismans are described in the "Fulu Section" of the Zhai Fa rites).

Divine Tiger Yin and Yang Altar Banners

These banners and lamps are used in the zhaijiao (purification ritual) and are set up according to the directions and titles listed in the scripture. "Fengdu," "Nine Dark Depths," and "Blood Pond" are Daoist ritual terms for the nether realms and states of suffering.

Soul-Summoning Banner (for its form, see the Shenhu Xuanfan Men [Mysterious Model of the Divine Tiger Hall])

A banner used to summon orphaned souls and other spirits of the Six Paths (liudao, the six realms of rebirth). For the talisman form, see the Zhaifa Fulu Men [Section on Purification Rites and Talismanic Registers].

Mingmo Banner (Banner of the Destiny Demon)

The Master says: make this banner from red silk, lined in two layers, about seven chi long, and write the Mingmo talisman (Mingmo fu) on it.

Whenever the Scattering of Flowers (sanhua) or the Mingmo rite is performed, one person should walk ahead holding this banner to lead the way around the altar. For the talisman form, see the Zhaifa Fulu Men.

Banner of the Two Pools of Water and Fire (Shuihuo Erchi Fan)

Liandu Altar Banner (Liandu tan fan) (for the talisman form, see the Dalian Fulu Men [Section on the Great Refining Talismanic Registers])

Duhun Yanghui Banner (Banner of Radiance for Ferrying Souls)

The Master says: make this banner from yellow silk, two chi and four cun long. Paint the sun, moon, and Northern Dipper at the top. Write the eighteen characters of the sacred title (ruihao) in seal script on the body of the banner. Write six lines of incantation at each of the two hand positions and four lines at each of the two foot positions.

Seal-script layout of the sacred title on the body of the banner:

Incantation of Yanghui for Ferrying Souls, on the hand positions:

Bright and radiant is the sun;

Its divine light shines through the deepest recesses;

The vapors of the Three Realms dissipate;

Within the profound stillness, there is a numinous clarity;

Mists and rosy clouds arise in the Purple Court;

Driving the Primordial Qi, riding the wind as it goes;

Drifting rays of light rise into the empty sky,

Transcending all form.

Seal-script layout of the Returning-to-Root Incantation on the foot positions:

Pure, brilliant Brahmic Qi ascends to the mysterious realm;

Radiant scenes open, guiding and ferrying the departed souls;

The hun and po of those in the long night wander to and fro;

Returning at their appointed time to the Primordial Qi;

The Primordial Qi returns to its original root.

Zhuling Duming Banner (Banner of Zhuling for Ferrying Life)

The Master says: make this banner from white paper, write talismans on it in cinnabar, and mark on it the Zhuling Prefecture (Zhuling fu), the place where the dead are ferried according to Daoist teaching.

Duqiao Banner (Banner of the Bridge of Deliverance)

The Master says: when performing the Bridge of Deliverance rite, burn this banner in the Shenhu Hall. On the bridge, step the Gang pattern (walking according to a specific stepping method) while reciting the Divine Tiger Incantation, inviting the Divine Tiger Official-Generals to escort the souls up to Zhuling.

Another Bridge of Deliverance Banner

The Master says: make this banner from pale blue paper and write talismans on it in cinnabar. Write four lines of incantation at each of the two hand positions.

Another Bridge of Deliverance Banner, Arranged on Both Sides

Seal-script layout of the two banners:

Seal-script layout of the foot positions (the Returning-to-Root Incantation, already given under the Duhun Yanghui Banner)

Shangqing Lingbao Dafa (Great Rites of the Shangqing Numinous Treasure), Scroll 33