《上清靈寶大法(一)》Vol. 38

The talisman of the "Jade Treasury Soul-Supervising Youth" reads: "Youth of the True Capital Yuan Chang, purple light returns and shines everywhere, pervading and illuminating without distance it cannot reach. It penetrates the dark netherworld and manifests its efficacy, and it is made one with the Primal Source (Yuanzong)."

The talisman of the "Royal Mansion Soul-Guiding Youth" reads: "Youth of the Supreme Primal Capital, Original Azure, whose subtle depths also shine clear and bright, and whose majesty shakes Luofeng (a legendary northern netherworld). It shuts the gate of death and opens the nine orifices to order and clarity. It governs the four quarters and the Three Realms. The departed souls follow in its train, treading on light and shadow, leaving no trace. It circulates and revolves, growing ever more in accord with the Dao. Celestial Worthy Yuanshi, swiftly bring this to completion."

These two talisman (fu) are drawn with the qi of Beikui (the Northern Dipper) and are written after the brush has been breathed on three times. The Soul-Supervising Youth guards the departed so that their souls do not scatter. The Soul-Guiding Youth leads the souls into the altar, where they bathe, have audience with the True Sages, and receive merit. The officiating master then escorts them across the bridge, and they finally depart their former forms and are transformed and delivered. All of these are the liturgical matters of the funerary rites within Daoist zhaijiao (purification ritual).

The six talisman, namely the Divine Tiger Pursuing Soul talisman, the Divine Tiger Gathering Soul talisman, the Divine Tiger Guiding Soul talisman, the Divine Tiger Assembling Soul talisman, the Divine Tiger Seizing Soul talisman, and the Divine Tiger Expelling Soul talisman, are inscribed with spirit generals called the Qingleng Soul-Seeking Spirit Generals. Their light is brilliant, and they are commanded by the Grand Scribe as the Hundred Joints Great Spirits. When put to use, they can summon all sinking and trapped ghosts, and their efficacy follows like a shadow.

The talisman of the "Divine Tiger Pursuing and Gathering" reads: "The Primal Unity of One Qi divides and transforms into bodies. It treads on Zhaoyao (a star name) and wears the Three Pure Ones (Daoist supreme deities) on its head. It uses the mysterious model of Beikui to gather the spirit souls, causing the Yang soul to unite with the Yin corpse, returning the body and releasing the departed soul from the netherworld, so that the Five Phases are complete. Command the summoning, and let them come to hear the order."

The talisman of the "Divine Tiger Letter Silk" reads: "The round image accords with the Celestial Origin, and the Eight Trigrams combine to form the figure. The five sacred mountains exhale mist, and the winds pass through Xun and Qian. The sun and moon serve as the furnace and cauldron, and the yellow path (the ecliptic) dwells at the center. They are distributed among the Four Emblems, bearing heaven and treading earth, clear and bright, and spiritually refreshing."

Write down the names of the seven po souls, such as Taiguang (Embryonic Light) and Youjing (Hidden Essence).

Write the two talismans above on a two-foot length of plain silk, roll it up, place it in a Shenhu die (Divine Tiger document), and burn it together with the five Dao die talismans.

Five Dao Die Talismans

The three qi (sanqi, the three primordial qi of Daoist teaching) join with the sunlight, and the sun and moon shine together. By royal command it is proclaimed that the orders of Yuanshi Tianzun (the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning) and the divine Xuanming have been issued.

The Three Officials (Sanguan, the deities who govern heaven, earth, and water) and Beifeng (the northern netherworld) examine the encampments of the ghosts, and the giant heavenly warriors open the gates of the netherworld everywhere. Even in distant and dim regions, the Nine Ugly Ones (Jiuchou, ghostly spirits of the underworld) should know that the Way of Heaven takes the cherishing of life as its foundation.

Awaken to the Primordial Dao, penetrate the emptiness, and take leave of the assembled perfected. Body and mind become clear and bright, and they are arranged according to the Five Phases (wuxing).

The Seven Governances (qizheng, generally the sun, moon, and five planets) are distributed evenly, and the myriad qi together ascend to immortality. Luminous qi soars to the four directions, the gods of the Upper Origin attend at the side, and the Three Officials and the Nine Offices (jiufu, the bureaus of the netherworld) all obey the command of the jade writ.

The Divine Tiger's jade ruler issues an order, and the Five Dao spirits come to receive it. They seize the hun and po souls and bring them quickly, with wind and fire never ceasing.

Divine Tiger Soul-Pursuing Talisman

Command of the Divine Tiger Lady, command of the Great Divine Tiger Sage. In remote and dark places, the souls are ordered to be taken north to the northern prison of the netherworld.

Hua Yuan Yu Hun Xing Fei Ze (a proper name within the talisman or a corrupted passage), command the soul-pursuing envoys Hou [missing character], Wei [missing character], and Zhang [missing character] to pursue and seize the spirits, and hand them over to the prison envoy Liu [missing character] [missing character].

Command that the bodies appear immediately.

Incantation

Taiyi, Xuanming, Tianyi, Beizuo, the Northern Dipper, and Tianpeng: command the Divine Tiger halberd to gallop forth. Turn the Zhaoyao star so that all the spirits unite and follow. Wherever the Divine Tiger goes, the radiant essences of the ten directions are drawn in together. Act swiftly, in strict accordance with the statute.

Merit manifests, golden light shines brilliantly, and the darkness opens. Flower Pond (Huachi) releases true fragrance, lotus canopies drift on the clouds, and immortal spirits rise amid the harmonized primordial qi, forever dwelling in the Twelve Towers.

Immediately proclaim the Lingbao fazhi (Numinous Treasure decree), and roam freely in the Heavenly Hall.

For the talismans above, use the Tianhuang jue (Formula of the August Sovereign) and the Yuqing jue (Formula of Jade Clarity). Write them with northern qi on white paper, then burn them in a bowl of water. Spray the water within the soul-summoning altar and into its four corners, and the souls will immediately appear.

Divine Tiger Manifestation Talisman

Command of the Left Great Divine Tiger Sage, command of the Right Great Divine Tiger Sage. Divine Tiger Lady, Hua Yuan Yu Bai Xing Fei Ze (a proper name within the talisman or a corrupted passage).

Divine Tiger Jade Maiden Jiang Rengui and others, quickly seize the souls. The Divine Tiger soul-seizing officials number fifteen. They seize the souls and cause them to appear.

(Those who serve the Law act in accordance with the decree.) The envoy Liu ▲▲ is ordered to summon the departed soul here at once. The Divine Tiger Halberd flies swiftly on its way, while the Dipper Star (the name of a constellation) commands the escort.

A proclamation is issued to the boundless divine realms of the Three Worlds, the Office of the Winding Springs, the Northern Capital of Luofeng (the Daoist realm of the dead), and the Three Officials, Nine Offices, and Twelve River Sources: Release the deceased from the sins accumulated over generations by their ancestors and kin. Strike their names from the registers of sin without delay and destroy the roots of their evil karma. Do not detain the departed soul or compel it to join the ranks of ghosts.

By command of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, the departed soul is to ascend at the appointed time. The Division of the Cold Pool in the Northern Capital shall guard the deceased’s body and soul. Subdue the demons and protect the departed soul, enabling it to cross over to the Southern Palace. The dead soul shall undergo refinement and salvation, be transformed into an immortal, and take human form again.

The salvation bestowed on the deceased in life will allow them to endure through every generation. They will pass through the cycles of the kalpas and live as long as Heaven. They will be forever freed from the Three Paths, Five Sufferings, and Eight Calamities (realms of suffering in Daoist belief), transcend the Three Worlds, and roam freely in the Upper Clarity realm.

Write the talisman above in cinnabar on yellow paper measuring one cun and four fen in length, and use the Jade Clarity Mudra (a Daoist hand sign) together with Ghost Gate Qi (a method of using vital energy to summon spirits of the dead). Face north toward flowing water and sprinkle it within the ritual altar. When you visualize the deceased arriving in your mind, you may swallow one talisman.

If you do not know the deceased’s year, month, day, or hour of birth or death, hold the talisman ash in your hands and call upon the deceased to appear. Then blow the ash toward the “Ghost Gate,” and the deceased will appear at once.

Talisman for Manifesting the Divine Tiger Envoy

The talisman text reads: “By command of the Divine Tiger Lord, protect the sacred realm on both the left and the right. Soul-Pursuing Spirit Officers and Soul-Guiding Youths, obey the Divine Tiger’s command and carry it out at once according to the statutes.”

Urgently summon the Divine Tiger envoy Liu ▲▲: come here at once and manifest your complete form. Urgently obey this command according to the statutes.

Write the talisman above in cinnabar on yellow paper, burn it in water, and then sprinkle the talisman water within the Yin altar (a ritual altar for rites of salvation for the dead).

Talisman for Communicating with the Netherworld and Releasing Transformations

The talisman text reads: “Fifteen Soul-Seizing Officers bearing the Divine Tiger’s flying talisman: summon the departed soul from the hidden corners of the land and escort it to the Northern Prison. Circle seven times to the left; the soul shall fly in accordance with the Jade Statutes and be seized by the Mighty Spirit. Circle seven times to the right; the spirit shall fly in accordance with the Jade Statutes and be seized by the Heavenly Spirit Jade Maiden.”

The Way of Heaven is vast and boundless, and the spirits of the netherworld undergo countless transformations. This matter is commanded by the Heavenly Emperor and must be carried out at once.

Perform the rite with the talisman above facing southeast. Burn it in water and then sprinkle the water; the departed soul will appear.

Talisman for Communicating with the Dead

The talisman text reads: “True Lord Taiyi Ziyuan, who covers souls; Great Spirit of Xiaofu, who assists Jing; Heavenly One Yuanjun of the Northern Blessing: by the command of the Supreme Emperor, the Divine Tiger shall keep the soul of the deceased from scattering. Make the deceased manifest in bodily form and carry out the Supreme Emperor’s command at once.”

By command of the Supreme Emperor, Divine Tiger generals: the deceased may drink the talisman liquid. Come swiftly at once.

Carry out the command with all due force and haste, as the law requires.

With reverence, I pray to the Great Dao Lord, a revered deity of Daoism: may he reveal his numinous and awe-inspiring radiance, penetrating the netherworld like a clear mirror. Refine the hun and spirit, open the throat and clear the passage, revive those who have withered, and restore the numinous fluids that nourish body and mind to their full abundance. Come swiftly, and restore the hun and po to their original state. Carry out the command with all due force and haste, as the law requires.

Burn this talisman on the right with Qi from the East, then blow its ashes onto the person and within the ritual altar. This will make the spirit of the deceased appear and enable it to speak with the living.

Talisman for Universal Manifestation and Clear Sight

The talisman names the Divine Tiger Messenger, the Divine Tiger General, the Divine Tiger Jade Maiden, and the Divine Tiger Merit Officer, all Daoist divine titles. It commands them to summon the hun and po without delay, make them appear in their true form, and swiftly send orders through the power of the stars to seize and retrieve them. It also calls for the hun and spirit to be complete and the form and po to be properly aligned, so that scattered hun and po may reunite and quickly return to their true nature.

The Most High, a revered Daoist deity, compassionately issues this command to save the people of the world. Whether Yin and Yang are out of balance, the hun and po have become separated, or the ears and eyes have lost their efficacy, make them appear in their true form without delay and hear the words of the living. I respectfully invoke the spirit children who protect the Dao to reveal the response and its consequences. Carry out the command with all due force and haste, as ordered by the Lady of the Divine Tiger of Great Unity.

Talisman for Pursuing and Summoning the Hun

The talisman summons the great officers who pursue the hun from the East, South, West, and North, as well as from above and below. It commands the three hun on the left to descend swiftly and the seven po on the right to come at once. It also summons the great officers who pursue and seize the hun and po from the heavens, the earth, fire, water, the human realm, and the skies, ordering the three hun to hurry to the ritual altar and the seven po to follow the proper way. Those who follow the righteous way will live; those who oppose it will perish. Nothing is beyond its reach; nothing can escape its grasp.

The talisman further declares that flames blaze to a height of ten thousand zhang. By the imperial decree of the Three Heavens’ Supreme Emperor, fiery clouds speed across ten thousand li like arrows. It commands the divine generals, including Guan Jiu Wan, to accept their orders at once and, by the decree of the Three Heavens’ Supreme Emperor, swiftly seize and retrieve their targets and hurry to the Mysterious Altar, the place where the ritual is performed.

Incantation for Summoning the Hun and Po

By the command of the Shangqing laws, I order all the great deities to pursue and summon the hun, seize the seven po, and hurry to the ritual altar, where they shall manifest in bodily form.

Acting on the command of the Celestial Emperor, ceaselessly and without pause; the Jade Talisman of the Most High—an honorific title for Daoism’s supreme deity—acts swiftly and without mercy. How dare one fail to follow the ordinances and report to the Celestial Court? Hasten to obey the decree of the Primordial Supreme Emperor!

The Southern Qi of the Great Sha, Four Gates, and Gang Formula: This talisman is specifically used to seize the souls of the dead who have sunk into the realm of ghosts. It urgently dispatches the Great Gods of the Five Phases who pursue souls, together with divine tigers and generals of the Thunder Department, to search for them and bring them intact to the ritual altar.

Great One Talisman for Summoning All Souls of the Dead

Invocation:

The divine talisman of the Most High seizes you, you ghosts. When your names are called, come at once, appear in bodily form, and be filled with joy. The Azure Dragon is on the left, the White Tiger on the right; wear a celestial crown upon your head and tread upon the Black Tortoise. Let all evil spirits depart swiftly, and let all ghosts arrive swiftly. Hasten to obey the decree and seize them; swiftly, as commanded by the Great Sage Divine Tiger!

This soul-summoning talisman is also called the “Secret Chapter of the Five Phases” and the “Talisman of the Four Officers Who Pursue Souls.”

The writing listed in the talisman includes: Primordial Lords of the Three Sovereigns; Heavenly Cavern Celestial Truth; golden and jade light illuminating the ten directions; seize and summon the souls of the dead, bringing them to the Mysterious Altar; inspect their allotted lifespan and enter them in the registers; open the passage to the netherworld; correct and calm the original heart, and open and illuminate the Five Palaces—the divine residences spoken of in Daoism. Once the talisman is written, recite the invocation alongside it and urgently command the souls of the dead to come. Write the characters of the talisman in ink, using cinnabar only for the character “decree,” and write it in nine turns.

Again, by the decree of the Jade Pure Emperor, the Highest Pure Emperor, and the Grand Pure Emperor, the Five Phases of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, together with the honored spirits of the Five Stars, are commanded to seize the soul of the deceased [name] and bring it to the Mysterious Altar, the place where the altar is set up and rites are performed. I act under the decree of the Celestial Worthy of Great One, Savior from Suffering. In accordance with the Lingbao talismanic mandate, I deliver the soul of [name], freeing it from the Five Sufferings and Three Paths of Hell. It must not be detained or driven into the ranks of ghosts; remove it from the register of the dead. Hasten as prescribed by the ordinances!

Blow this talisman toward the southeast, infusing it with the Qi of the Divine Empyrean, one of the celestial realms described in Daoism.

Taiyin Talisman for Transforming the Three Realms and Pursuing Souls

Jade Pure Soul-Pursuing Envoy Talisman: The writing in the talisman reads: “Heavenly One, Northern Blessing; Great One, Mysterious Darkness; sternly command the Northern Feng; the dead soul receives refinement.” Fang Zhao—here, the name of the soul-pursuing envoy or a deity named in the talisman—is commanded to seize the soul of the deceased [name] and bring it at once.

Highest Pure Soul-Pursuing Envoy Talisman: The writing in the talisman reads: “Guide people beyond the world from Heaven above; enter their names in the Highest Pure; pursue souls and gather spirits; cleanse and purify their bodily substance; restore their form.”

This scripture records several types of Daoist talismans (fulu, ritual diagrams with spiritual power) and their ceremonial applications, primarily concerning soul summoning and spirit communication techniques.

The first section describes the "Great Clarity Soul-Summoning Envoy Talisman," governed by two divine envoys: Zhang Fang (a soul-summoning emissary of the Shangqing tradition) and Envoy Guo. When activating this talisman, practitioners must form the "Jade Emperor Hand Seal" mudra while directing the Three Primordial Qi (sanqi)—the Mysterious, Original, and Primal energies—to be exhaled onto the talisman. These "Three Qi" represent the fundamental cosmic energies in Daoist cosmology.

Next follows detailed instructions for creating and using the "Seven Luminaries of the Northern Dipper Talisman." The ritual requires white paper measuring 2.4 cun in length and 1.4 cun in width, inscribed on days when the Northern Dipper deities descend. The ceremony involves arranging offerings of incense, flowers, lamps, candles, tea, wine, cakes, and fruits in the seven-star formation. Practitioners must form a specific hand gesture (left hand with three fingers bent at the second joint, thumb pressed to the base) while visualizing the star deities descending. After knocking the teeth three times and offering incense, the cinnabar-inscribed talisman is rolled into a pill form. Facing north, the adept visualizes the Northern Dipper constellation before swallowing the talisman.

The ritual concludes with an invocation stating: "On this auspicious day of [deity's name]'s descent, I sincerely ingest this numinous talisman, beseeching the star deities to manifest their power. May the soul-summoning proceed smoothly, spirits reveal their forms, the zhaijiao purification ritual reach fulfillment, and all demonic disturbances be dispelled."

Subsequent passages detail the creation methods for the "Yang Spirit Truth-Revealing Talisman" and "Yin Spirit Descent Talisman." These are crafted from purple maple or peach wood, measuring 1 chi 2 cun in length and 2.4 cun in width, inscribed with cinnabar. They require monthly offerings of tea, wine, and cakes on the 1st or 7th day of the lunar month when placed on the ritual altar (jiaotan). Continuous veneration purportedly enables spontaneous communication through the merit officials (gongcao, divine functionaries).

The final section introduces the advanced "Supreme Five Peaks Talisman for Breaking the Underworld and Guiding Souls," renowned for its power to penetrate the underworld and guide departed souls. The text references the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing)—the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure, and the Celestial Worthy of Dao and Virtue—as the supreme triad, while "Fengting" denotes the underworld courts. This talisman emits divine radiance illuminating the ten directions, reviving the dead as miraculously as withered wood encountering spring.

(Written under the mandate of the Mountain-Peak Celestial Worthy; the messenger guides the soul. The myriad spirits respectfully assent. When the command arrives, they carry it out as instructed.)

Talismans for Summoning and Conjuring

Talisman of the Spirit’s Apparatus

With reverence, invoke the Supreme Perfected One Who Saves from Suffering, the Perfected One at the Dark Mystery, and the Perfected One of the Right Mystery. May they shake the Golden Essence of the Jade Maiden, the name of a Daoist deity or ritual implement.

Illuminate Heaven above and Earth below, and immediately make the deceased, so-and-so, appear in visible form. With all haste, by the command of the Jade Emperor.

Talisman for Opening the Heavenly Eye

Lord of the Heavenly Eye, swiftly descend with divine power. Scatter pure primordial Qi, helping my eyes to become clear and bright, so that I may immediately see spirits and ghosts.

Command the Six Ding spirits. Let ghosts and gods obey the command and conceal no trace of their forms. With all haste, by the command of the Jade Emperor.

First burn the Talisman of the Spirit’s Apparatus in the incense burner, then burn the Talisman for Opening the Heavenly Eye in the water bowl. Recite the incantation for burning talismans, then sprinkle water over the ritual altar, the soul-summoning banner, and the child medium. Next, close the eyes and visualize the spirits: form the Ziwei mudra with the left hand and the sword mudra with the right. Visualize yourself transforming into Taiyi, then picture the celestial troops arrayed on either side. All Daoist practitioners present should also visualize themselves transformed into the Perfected One Who Saves from Suffering.

Pray to the divine generals and the spirits of the local shrine, the local Earth gods, asking them swiftly to summon the deceased’s soul to come and attach itself to the banner, where it will appear in visible form. Form the mudra of the Supreme Emperor correctly, draw in Qi from the northwest, and blow it into the air. Visualize the exalted countenance of Taiyi appearing in the sky, then recite the incantation for transforming your form:

Spirit Child, Spirit Child, reveal your divine power. Spirit Child, Spirit Child, enter my spirit. You conceal yourself, and I conceal myself. May my body be protected by radiance, my life and nature preserved, and may I remain safe and unharmed. With all haste, by the command of the Supreme Emperor.

Draw in Qi from the north and blow it into the water bowl. Have the child medium take a sip, then have those on the left and right wash their eyes. Next, form the wu mudra with the left hand and silently recite the incantation for opening the light:

The numinous light of Heaven, the radiance of the sun and moon, the majestic light of the highest sages, the five-colored divine light: swiftly gather into this brightness, making the inside and outside transparent and clear, so that forms may be seen. With all haste, by the command of the Radiant Circle Child.

Form the wu mudra and draw in Qi from the south, blowing it onto the banner. Then follow the prescribed steps, tread the astral circuits, burn the talismans, and perform the rite.

Talisman for the Three Realms’ Messenger to Summon Souls

The Way of Heaven is vast and azure; the numinous realm of the underworld is endlessly transformed. The Supreme Emperor issues a command: summon the soul at once. Hou ▲ Wei ▲ Zhang [name unclear], messenger of the Three Realms who summons souls, summon the soul swiftly and make it appear in visible form.

Form the Tianhuang mudra and draw in Qi from the southeast.

Soul-Summoning Talisman

With the left hand, circle the talisman to the left seven times, respectfully invoking Lord Zhao, chief controller of flying talismans. With the right hand, circle it to the right seven times.

Urgently Command the Troops and Generals to Follow the Talisman and Seize the Soul of the Deceased

Swiftly muster and command the troops and generals to follow the talisman and capture the deceased.

Incantation for Writing the Talisman

The divine talisman of the Most High summons you, spirits of the dead. At this call, come at once and show yourselves, gladly obeying the command.

The Azure Dragon is on the left, the White Tiger on the right; the Vermilion Bird crowns the head, and the Dark Warrior bears the feet.

The talisman’s emissary obeys the order to summon the soul; none may fail to arrive. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances!

When the talismanic command of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning arrives, the deceased must manifest at the appointed time. Swiftly summon the Three Corpses, the hun souls, and the po souls, making them clearly visible. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances! Om, Hong, Zha, Li!

Infuse the brush with the Qi of the Celestial Dipper (the magical power represented by the stars of the Northern Dipper) as you write the talisman. Recite this incantation when burning it as well, and command: “Pursue and seize the hun and po souls of [name], and make them manifest at once!”

Incantation for Activating the Talisman

Fire transforms into the Vermilion Bird, water into the Dark Warrior; the liver transforms into the Azure Dragon, the lungs into the White Tiger. The emissaries of the Celestial Dipper, distant spirits, nearby ghosts, and both the yang hun and yin po must immediately answer the summons. Together, obey the talisman’s command, attach yourselves to the banners, return to your proper places, appear before the High Perfected (exalted Daoist deities), and proceed to the Southern Palace to attain deliverance. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances!

With the left hand, make the Mao finger sign; with the right, make the Zi finger sign. (The Mao and Zi signs are hand gestures used in Daoist ritual techniques.)

Talisman for Pursuing and Seizing the Living Character

The talisman lists the Great Emperor of Shangqing, the Great Emperor of Yuqing, the Great Emperor of Taiqing, the Celestial Worthy Taiyi Who Rescues from Suffering, the Jade Emperor, and other exalted deities. Wearing the Crown of Heaven and girded with the Celestial River Belt, the Jade Emperor sends down the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water. They bear the golden writ and jade edict, rescue and deliver the deceased [name], and command them to come and manifest. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances!

The celestial signs and spirits shine together with the sun and moon. Summon the star deities of the Earth Lodge, Shen, Sha, Jidu, and the other constellations; seize the three hun souls, bring the seven po souls back once more, and drive them to come. Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes and ordinances!

Divine Tiger Talisman

The talisman lists the Lords of the Stars of Xu and Wei on the Upper Terrace, the Lords of the Stars of Liuchun on the Middle Terrace, and the Lord of the Star Qu Sheng on the Lower Terrace, and invokes the command of the Celestial Emperor. The two Divine Tiger Generals and the two Divine Tiger Emissaries obey the order and make the deceased’s hun and po souls manifest at once. The end of the talisman contains phrases such as “Hua Yuan Yu Bai Xing Fei Ze, swiftly, swiftly, by the command of the Divine Tiger Great Sage.” The meanings of some characters are difficult to determine from the source text.

Divine Tiger Method

Take in Qi from the southeast and recite “Om, Wu, Hong, Zha, Wu Lun Tu Cha, come swiftly” seven times.

Then recite: “Wu Long Chi Zao Mo Xi Hei, Om Di Chi Hu Hong, Suo Po He.”

Face northwest, form the Chen finger sign, and draw in Qi from the east. Recite three times in a single breath, then command: “Two Divine Sages and the emissaries of the Three Departments, swiftly guide the soul to attach to the banners and appear in visible form!” Then draw in Qi from the southeast and blow it beneath the banners.

Talisman for Manifestation

Heaven, Earth, and humanity each have their “Three Wonders.” Heaven’s Three Wonders are the sun, moon, and stars; Earth’s are Yi, Bing, and Ding; humanity’s are Jing (essence), Qi (vital energy), and Shen (spirit). The Azure Emperor guards the Hun soul, the Red Emperor nourishes Qi, the Yellow Emperor presides at the center and commands, the White Emperor attends the Po soul, and the Black Emperor enables passage. When performing the rite, visualize the five-colored Qi and blood energy within your five organs being gathered into the talisman, and see them coalescing into a human form.

When burning the talisman, recite the deceased person’s birth-destiny formula. Face the Qi of the east and visualize the Four Symbols and Five Phases converging to form the deceased’s body.

Soul-Returning Talisman

Yin ghosts gather; the heavenly spirit summons and draws them in. Dark and obscure, there is no way through. If they are not my divine generals, who can seek out your Hun and Po souls? Urge the soul and Po of the deceased, [name], to come without delay. With utmost urgency, obey the Jade Emperor’s command.

“Om, ▲, lin, hong.” Recite seven times, facing the Qi of the north.

Heaven and Earth close together; Yin and Yang move. Let the Hun and Po souls return swiftly—act at once. With utmost urgency, obey the decree of Nüqing. Face the Qi of the southwest and blow toward the banner.

The Manifesting Form Talisman, the Manifesting Through Talisman, the Communicating with the Hidden Talisman, and the Opening the Eyes Talisman (prepared earlier) are also to be attached and used.

Soul-Summoning Banner-Attachment Talisman

The Gate of Heaven shines down; the Earth’s portal opens through; the human gate is left open; the ghost road draws them in. Gather the Hun soul and Po soul; turn back the forces of life; summon the soul and gather the spirit. Face the Qi of the northeast.

Mighty divine general, come swiftly to gather the soul. Divine general, descend at once. Let the three Hun souls urgently attach themselves and swiftly reveal their true form. With utmost urgency, let Kui arrive and Piao emerge from the brush.

Divine Tiger, envoy who lifts the Hun soul and gathers the Po soul: Liu Qing. The Divine Tiger does not depart; it destroys all baleful ghosts of the dead. Myriad forms and shadows fly swiftly. Urgently summon a hundred thousand rays of essence and gather them all in. On the left, command the Three Corpses, allowing none to remain; on the right, govern the Seven Po Souls, so they may fly forth alone.

The decree of the Heavenly Seal descends; immediately carry out the Divine Tiger’s command. With utmost urgency, obey the command. Om, hong, zha, li. (May the spirit of the deceased come swiftly and attach itself; carry this out accordingly. Write this inside the talisman.)

By the command of the Supreme One, write the name of the divine general.

The Supreme Emperor commands: May the spirit of the deceased come swiftly and attach itself, led by the youths of the Five Directions and the Soul-Guiding General. By the decree of the Golden Palace, may [name] come at once to the ritual altar, attach to the medium, and communicate with the spirits. With utmost urgency, obey the decree of the Supreme Taiyi. May the divine general Zhao Gongming swiftly manifest his form.

“Water Sprinkling: Appended Text” means that the formula or ritual instructions to be used when sprinkling water over the relevant talismans or ritual altar are given below. “Sprinkling” refers to spraying water from the mouth, a common purification method in Daoist liturgy. “Appended text” indicates that related material is included separately.

Shangqing Lingbao Dafa, scroll 38.