《上清靈寶大法(一)》Vol. 37

Shangqing Lingbao Great Rites, Fascicle 37, Section Four: Startling

Transmitted by Ning Quanzhen, Lofty Scholar of Subtle Insight and Perfected of Illumination and Relief from Suffering. Compiled by Wang Qizhen, Heir Master of the Lingbao Teaching and Disciple of the Shangqing Three Caverns.

Divine Tiger Mysterious Model Gate

Talisman of the Fifteen Envoys for Pursuing Souls

When writing the talisman, first chant the Northern Emperor incantation (Beidi zhou), draw in the qi of the southeast, take it into the brush, and only then begin to write.

The incantation reads:

"Fu, heaven's tian-ou swiftly shakes the myriad spirits. When the decree is issued, the ghosts and spirits flee the camp. Descend, descend, true and true, formed of qi. Quickly, quickly, as the statute commands."

"Fu" is the title of the Divine Tiger, and "tian-ou" is the personal name of the Northern Emperor. This talisman is drawn on yellow paper with cinnabar.

First Talisman

Bing Ji (yin-script), Chu Biao (mao), Wei Chuo (you), and Zhao Hong (chen).

Tan Ju holds the talisman and pursues the soul. Quickly, as the fire order commands. Upper section, peach.

Second Talisman

Fu Zhang (chen), Zhuo Ning (wei), Jiong Tu (zhong), and Dan Hun (shen).

Wei [characters illegible] pursues and seizes the soul, gathers [the soul], as the fire order commands. Shen, upper peach.

Third Talisman

You Ji (kan), Kuo Yi (zi), Cheng Qi (chou), and Mei [characters unclear] hold the talisman.

Pursue the soul, quickly, quickly, as the fire order commands. Yin, upper hook.

Fourth Talisman

Chan Kui, Ding Zhong, Duo Bing, He Zhe, and Hua.

Chan Kui (ding-wu), Zhong Duo (hai), Bing He (yin), and Zhe Hua (you).

Ding Zhong holds the talisman and pursues the soul. Quickly, quickly. Shen.

Fifth Talisman

Mang Xu (ji), Yi Dan (chen), Juan Huang (qiong), and Ming [characters illegible] (yi-wu).

Pursue the soul, quickly, quickly. Yin.

Sixth Talisman

Hun Lei (chou), Huang Yuan (zi), Gao Ji (hai), and Ji Zhong (xu).

Zhuo Shenzhi holds the talisman.

Pursue the soul, quickly, quickly. You.

Seventh Talisman

Shen Kuan (shen), Yan Jian (wei), and Wang Hu of the Xuanliao lineage hold the talisman and pursue the soul.

Quickly, quickly. Wu.

Eighth Talisman

The scripture breaks off at this point.

This passage records the method of drawing the "Pursuing Soul Talisman" in Daoist liturgy. "Northern Emperor" refers to the deity within the northern exorcistic system. "Drawing the qi of the southeast into the brush" is a ritual step in talisman writing. The names of persons, directions, and earthly branches listed in the talisman, along with phrases such as "as the statute commands," belong to the conventions of the fulu (talisman) format. The original text has lacunae and records only up to the seventh talisman, so certain words and the closing phrases cannot be fully determined.

Talisman Nine

The talisman bears the names "Shen Mo Wu" and "Po Ni Wang Hui, holding the talisman." It ends with "Hold the talisman and pursue the soul, quickly, quickly." This means that the bearer of the talisman is commanded to pursue and seize the soul of the deceased, and must act without delay.

Talisman Ten

The talisman lists "Piao Duo," "Fei Yong," and "Jian Shi," and reads "Liu Zihe holds the talisman; pursue the soul, quickly, quickly."

Talisman Eleven

The talisman lists "Dong He," "Fei Tian," and "Zhuo Shu," and reads "Tong Tong holds the talisman; pursue the soul, quickly, quickly."

Talisman Twelve

The talisman lists "Qian Yu," "Jing Chang," and "Teng Jing," and reads "Zeng Yuanzhen holds the talisman; pursue the soul, quickly, quickly."

Talisman Thirteen

The talisman lists "Xiao Yu," "Xiu Pan," "Le Jin," and "Tuo Qiu," and reads "Ren Shui holds the talisman and pursues the soul; hasten, hasten, come swiftly."

Talisman Fourteen

The talisman marks finger positions with the phrases "Huo Man, upper four fingers," "Zong Shou, middle four fingers," and "Chu Yun, below the middle finger," and reads "Shao Gongquan holds the talisman; pursue the soul, quickly, quickly."

Talisman Fifteen

The talisman similarly marks finger positions with the phrases "Lu Ji, below the four fingers," "Bi Ti, middle of the middle finger," and "Qing Yun, upper middle finger," and reads "Ling Feizhen holds the talisman; pursue the soul, quickly, quickly."

Talisman Sixteen

The talisman lists "Ling Luo, middle of the middle finger," "Chuo Yun, middle of the four fingers," and "Si Ming," and reads "Wei Zhao" and "Kong... holds the talisman; pursue the soul, quickly, quickly." The final name is damaged and cannot be read with certainty.

Of the above fifteen talismans, any of them may be used to seize the soul of the dead, regardless of the gravity of the deceased's karmic offenses. One may use these talismans, offer a petition, and command an envoy to take the jade tablet (a jade-made talisman-warrant) and go to seize the soul. While silently reciting the Dongzhang (a Daoist scripture or liturgical text) and reciting the incantation, one then sets out to carry out the task.

Seven Jade Maiden Yin Talismans (The upper section takes the scattered form; all seven talismans share the same form.)

The talisman reads: "Commanded by the Three Pure Ones. Announce below to the Northern Dipper to transform the primordial; bring forth the white stars and let them fly down, and let them be smeared seven times." This is a command issued under the decree of the Three Pure Ones (supreme Daoist deities), conveying an order to the Northern Dipper (the North Star deity and the system of stellar deities it governs). The remaining phrases are talismanic script whose specific meaning cannot be reliably determined from the current text.

The Seven Jade Maiden Talismans each serve a different purpose. In general, they are issued under the command of the Seven Primes (Qiyuan, the spirits of the Big Dipper), who manifest their forms to universally deliver sinners throughout the ten directions. Relying on True Primal Energy (zhenyuan) and Correct Qi (zhengqi, pure primal energy), they illuminate dark and hidden places.

The First Jade Maiden Talisman commands the Huoluo Liuling (a Daoist ritual implement and the name of a divine general) to gather the souls of the deceased. As a true talisman for relieving suffering, it swiftly summons their bodies back, and the Xuanssi Huoling (the Fire Command of the Dark Bureau, which governs the netherworld) urges Renguì to hasten.

The Second Jade Maiden Talisman commands Xuankui to turn and transform, scattering stars and spreading clouds. In accordance with the talisman's command, it gathers the souls afflicted by the deceased's final illness, dispels their suffering, reunites their souls, and urges Renxi to come quickly and report.

The Third Jade Maiden Talisman uses Flying Light to summon and draw in souls. It removes pestilence and miasma, destroys insect poisons, zhuzhong (illnesses believed to be caused by invasion of evil insects), and filth, and it gathers the souls of the deceased so they reunite and take form, summoning them swiftly to the altar.

The Fourth Jade Maiden Talisman draws on the power of Flying Gang Xuanyun and Lingbao Tongzhen to harmonize long-standing illnesses and all manner of entangling afflictions. It gathers the souls back to wholeness and sends them to the altar without delay.

The Fifth Jade Maiden Talisman commands the Flying Stars to transform into primal energy and move along the celestial roads. It reconnects bodies and joins bones, sweeps away malignant evil, and pursues and gathers the souls of the deceased, sending them urgently to the altar.

The Sixth Jade Maiden Talisman uses Flying Fire to burn away and purge filth and foulness, so that the souls are purified and brought to peace. They are swiftly summoned to the altar to report.

The Seventh Jade Maiden Talisman commands the Flying Stars Zhaoyao (a star name and related divine title) to manifest, absolving transgressions from past lives or recent days. In accordance with the talisman's command, it reunites the souls into wholeness, breaks through dark realms, and brings them urgently to the altar.

These seven talismans should be written on yellow silk with cinnabar, while visualizing the Shangdi jue yin (the Supreme Lord's sealing formula) and the Qi of the Celestial Gate. Whether or not the birth year, month, day, or hour of the deceased is known, these talismans may be used to summon the wandering souls. To carry out the rite, the yin and yang talismans must be used together.

When writing the Seven Jade Maiden Yang Talismans, first recite the Shenhu Neizhou (Inner Incantation of the Divine Tiger), then write the First through Seventh Jade Maiden Talismans in order. Each talisman should measure two cun and four fen in length and one cun and four fen in width, written in cinnabar.

Before the altar is set up, the Dharma master faces east each morning at dawn and writes out and performs the hand-seals of the Seven True Formulas (qi zhen jue). One talisman is taken in sequence each day, from the first through the seventh. When taking a talisman, the master steeps it in a decoction of poria (fuling) and cinnabar and swallows it with the liquid. Whenever spirits of the dead are to be summoned, this talisman is used first.

Talismanic Proclamation of the Fifteen Envoys and the Seven Jade Maidens

The primordial qi of Yuanshi (Primordial Beginning) directly opens the deep prisons of the underworld to deliver the spirits of the dead. The deceased, such-and-such person and others, shall together receive this talismanic command and be relieved of the offenses they have committed. Those whose karmic transgressions are light shall be released at once and brought here. By imperial decree, let this be carried out swiftly.

The Grand Duke of the Year, the year, month, day, and hour are notified and receive this order.

The Dharma master and the master's rank and office.

When a talisman is used to summon the dead and the summons fails, this is usually because the deceased, in life, bore heavy karmic obstructions and grave guilt, and is held in confinement by the netherworld bureaucracy. In such a case, the master should send the flying spirit up to pay audience to the Celestial Thearch, present a memorial, and request a special grace. Only then should the spirit be taken by talisman and proclamation. At the same time, the master should recite the cavern scripture (dongzhang) in the heart and apply the method for breaking through the many layers of the yin prisons, so that Luofeng (a netherworld realm in legend) is broken open, the Cold Court (a bitterly cold prison of the underworld) ceases its torments, and the suffering spirits are freed and receive the merit of the zhaijiao rite. In this way, the Way of the Divine Tiger (shenhu zhi dao) may be accomplished.

Seven Talismans of the Merit Officers

When writing these talismans, first summon and draw in seven breaths of the qi of the southeast, take it into the brush, and then write the talisman. The incantation reads:

"I summon such-and-such Merit Officer; let them descend to the altar at once."

Talisman of the Heavenly Way Merit Officer

Characters on the talisman:

"By command of the Jade Emperor, by command of the Numinous Treasure Thearch."

"Gao Tianzhen, descend swiftly."

"The Heavenly Way values the nurturing of life."

"Command the flying dragon."

"Radiant light shines and blazes."

"The hun and po souls and the spirit dwell within it."

Talisman of the Earthly Way Merit Officer

Characters on the talisman:

"Ran Wenzhong, descend swiftly."

"The Earth supports and carries all movement; yin qi is dispersed and yang qi rises."

"The command must not be delayed."

"Divine fire."

"True qi."

"Bind and restrain the earth palace; let it surge and churn until it fills the void."

Talisman of the Human Way Merit Officer

Characters on the talisman:

"Hu Dang, descend swiftly."

"The human way is remote and profound."

"This person is led toward the gate of life."

"Lofty, clear, and bright, with a spirit that is open and luminous."

"May no one be willing to see people made weary."

Talisman of the Immortal Way Merit Officer

Characters on the talisman:

"Suo Zhong, descend swiftly."

"The immortal way is vast and deep."

"Used to summon the Beifeng (a place within the netherworld)."

"The immortal way is constantly auspicious."

"Singing rings out through the great void."

"May the immortal way be accomplished and my Dao-work flourish."

Talisman of the Spirit Way Merit Officer

The original text breaks off here.

Summoning the Gongcao (Merit Officer) spirit Zu Gongbi (the name given in the original is a placeholder noted by the editor) — he descends swiftly! The boundless great spirits all manifest within my body.

He transforms and soars through the void, transcending all things and enduring forever; he rectifies and wards off the myriad demons, causing the form to merge into nature.

Guidao Gongcao Fu (Talisman of the Ghost-Path Merit Officer)

Zhai Shang (the name given in the original is a placeholder noted by the editor) descends swiftly! In the Ghost Path, ending is held as precious; this is the decree of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable (Yuanshi Tianzun).

He slays and reaps the six sharp evils, governs and rides upon the Mysterious Capital, and turns the Great Dao within primordial chaos.

Yedao Gongcao Fu (Talisman of the Karma-Path Merit Officer)

Ge Yun (the name given in the original is a placeholder noted by the editor) descends swiftly! The kalpa of the Longhan era is vast and boundless; how is one to distinguish the true from the false?

The Fire Office has already issued its command, and so it sends forth its chanting sound; once the command is delivered, it may not linger. All of this relies upon my sacred grace.

Gongcao Fu Proclamation (Edict for Summoning the Merit Officers)

By imperial decree, the Merit Officer who governs Dao-merit within the Jade Repository is summoned to come swiftly to the altar and receive the talismanic mandate.

On the auspicious hour of a certain day, a certain month, in the year of Taisui, the summons is issued by talisman.

These seven talismans are written in cinnabar on yellow paper. Following the Jade Emperor's Formula, face the southeast and circulate qi to summon the Merit Officers. Burn the talismans together with the jade tablet, and the Merit Officers will immediately descend. For any Merit Officers of the heavenly or spiritual paths summoned to the altar, one may, at the dispersal of the altar, report one's merits and dispatch them back to the Heavenly Palace.

Note: The phrases "guidao guizhong" (the ghost-path holds ending as precious), "zhan guo liu feng" (slaying the six sharp ones), and "dao gong ... huo ji" (merit ... fire swift) in the original are of uncertain meaning or graphic form; the above renders them into smooth readings based on context.