《上清靈寶大法(一)》Vol. 61

This is the opening of scroll sixty-one of the Shangqing Lingbao Great Rites. Titled “The Gate of Petitioning with Discernment,” it contains model petitions used in Daoist purification rituals. The note at the beginning of the scroll states that it was transmitted by the lofty adept Dongwei, the Perfected One who Opens the Radiance and Rescues the Suffering (the ritual transmitter’s religious name), and compiled by Wang Qizhen, a disciple of the Three Caverns of Shangqing and an inheritor of the Lingbao teachings.

Petition to the August Heaven (the Jade Emperor of the August Heaven)

The named official, so-and-so—the Daoist presiding over the ritual, who refers to himself in the text as “your servant”—submits this petition: Earlier, the sponsor of the purification rite, so-and-so, presented a written request to establish an “Unsurpassed Yellow Register Great Retreat” at a certain place. This is one of the most solemn Daoist purification rites, performed to deliver the souls of the dead. The request was to offer salvation to the souls of so-and-so and others, as well as to the suffering ghosts under the jurisdiction of the Lower Origin, the third of the Three Officials who governs the waters, so that they might all be reborn in a favorable realm. After receiving the request, I did not dare to set it aside. On a certain day of a certain month, I raised the sacred banners and copied the petition to submit it to the heavenly court, praying in advance for Heaven’s grace to issue a decree of amnesty and announce throughout the worlds of Yin and Yang that imprisonment should cease and interrogations be discontinued.

Now the ritual date is approaching, and an altar for the Divine Tiger’s Capture of Souls should be established at the ritual site. Through the power of the Divine Tiger, the souls named above will be summoned to receive deliverance. Apart from separately listing the names of the souls to be offered salvation and reporting them to the central government office, the sacred mountains, and other authorities to request their release, I, your servant, risk punishment and submit this petition once more.

I, your servant, bow twice and submit this renewed petition. I respectfully beseech the Most High, the Jade Emperor of the August Heaven, who opened Heaven, holds the tallies, governs the calendar, embraces the Real, and embodies the Dao. I humbly pray that, in Your heavenly compassion, You approve my renewed petition and issue a fresh decree. Let the Tai Xuan Central Office pass the order to the heavenly prisons and underworlds in the Three Realms and Ten Directions, commanding all their divine officials to hand over the deceased so-and-so and the others to the officers responsible for carrying out the matter. Let them be brought to gather at the altar for capturing souls, where they will await the blessing of deliverance when the purification rite is performed. I have presumptuously disturbed the majesty of Heaven, and with boundless reverence I await Your grace. I submit this petition with due respect. The document concludes with the date and the petitioner’s name.

Petition to the North Pole (the Great Emperor of the Ziwei North Pole)

The petition begins with the same content as the preceding one: the sponsor requests that an Unsurpassed Yellow Register Great Retreat be established at a certain place to offer salvation to the souls of the dead. The intention is as stated above, and the petition is submitted once more.

I, your servant, bow twice and respectfully beseech Your heavenly compassion before the Great Emperor of the North Pole in the Central Heaven of Ziwei. Please approve my renewed petition, graciously issue a sacred edict, and promulgate it through the Dipper Office of the Central Heaven. May the “Taiyi Mysterious Netherworld Divine Tiger Primordial Unity Jade Tally”—a tiger talisman used to summon souls—be proclaimed and sent down. I further request an edict commanding the Great Divine Tiger, the Jade Maiden Envoys, and the officers and soldiers who pursue souls to carry the official summons and go forth to capture and bring the souls, so that they may come to the altar and receive deliverance.

May the divine officials in the Ten Directions and Three Realms who oversee offenses, examinations, registers, and the destinations of departed souls, together with the souls named in the document for deliverance, come to the soul-summoning altar I have established. May they manifest their efficacy and report their circumstances, so that they may await the performance of a Jiao ritual and the offering of a purification rite, receive the grace of Heaven, and be transformed and born anew. I have offended against Heaven’s majesty and am filled with fear; I can only await its gracious decree. I respectfully submit this memorial.

On [year, month, day], your servant [name], of the rank [rank], submits this memorial.

Memorial to the Eastern Pole

Your servant [name], of the rank [rank]:

Yesterday, the ritual patron [name] submitted a document requesting that a grand Supreme Yellow Register Great Purification Rite be held at [place] to commend the souls of the deceased [names] and others. The circumstances are the same as those described above, and I therefore submit this document in memorial.

I respectfully prepare this document and, bowing twice, submit it before the throne of the Greatly Compassionate and Benevolent One in the Eastern Pole Palace, the Heavenly Worthy Taiyi Who Relieves Suffering and Responds to Calls for Aid. I humbly ask the Heavenly Worthy, in compassion, to approve my renewed petition and issue another sacred decree, proclaiming it throughout the Ten Directions and Three Realms, including the netherworld and prisons of hell: may all imprisoned souls who have endured kalpas without release take the light of wisdom as their vehicle, escape the endless night, be released at the appointed time, and come to the soul-summoning altar I have established. May they manifest their efficacy and report their circumstances, so that they may await the performance of a Jiao ritual and the offering of a purification rite, receive Heaven’s gracious beneficence, and be transformed and born anew. I have offended against Heaven’s majesty and am filled with fear; I can only await its gracious decree. I respectfully submit this memorial.

On [year, month, day], your servant [name], of the rank [rank], submits this memorial.

Report to the Northern Dipper

Your servant [name], of the rank [rank]:

Yesterday, the ritual patron [name] submitted a document requesting that a grand Supreme Yellow Register Great Purification Rite be held at [place] to commend the souls of the deceased [names] and others. The circumstances are the same as those described above, and I therefore submit this report.

I respectfully prepare this document and present it before the sacred presence of the Most Exalted Jade Emperor of the Northern Dipper, the Great Emperor of the Northern Pole and Dark Lord of the Taiwei Jade Emperor, the Great Sage Star Lords of the Seven Primordial Stars of the Northern Dipper, and the Lady of the Nine Sovereigns of the Northern Dipper, the Lady of the Great One of Dark Mystery. I humbly ask the sacred compassion to grant this request and issue a special sacred decree, directing the Jade Bureau’s Office of Dark Mystery to issue hidden writings of Dark Mystery and jade tallies of Primordial Chaos—Daoist registers, talismans, and related documents—and to dispatch the Great Sage Divine Tiger Jade Maiden envoys and the soul-pursuing officers and troops. Let them carry official proclamations to the divine officials in the Ten Directions and Three Realms who oversee offenses, examinations, registers, and the destinations of departed souls, and summon the deceased…

We, the ritual masters, and the departed souls listed in the register who are to be delivered, have now all proceeded to the established Soul-Gathering Altar, where departed souls are summoned and rites of deliverance are performed. They have manifested signs of response and await the completion of the Zhaijiao, when they will receive Heaven’s grace and instruction and be reborn into new life. We are deeply fearful of having offended the sacred authority and can only await its command. Respectfully submitted.

On [year, month, day], [title] and [name], respectfully submit.

Submitted to the Provincial Directorate.

[Title] and [name]:

Previously, the sponsor of the Zhaijiao, [name], submitted a petition requesting that a Supreme Yellow Register Great Retreat be held at [place] to deliver the departed [names], and others. The petition’s contents are the same as those set out above, and it must now be submitted for review.

We respectfully present this document to the Holy Ones: the Jade Pure High Minister, the Divine Lord of the Great Luo, Boundless and Infinite; the Lord of the Tai Xuan Directorate, the Great Dharma Celestial Master of the Three Heavens, Zhengyi, the Perfected Lord of Quiet Response; and the High Minister of Tai Xuan, the High Minister of the Celestial Pivot, the Inner Minister of the Celestial Pivot, the Left Minister of the Celestial Pivot, and the Right Minister of the Celestial Pivot. We humbly implore these Holy Ones to look upon this petition with compassion and once again authorize the copying of the memorial for presentation to the Three Heavens, requesting an edict. We further request that the registers of the departed souls reported here, together with their Jade Registers—lists recording matters such as their lives, deaths, and offenses—be issued to the celestial prisons, earthly hells, and relevant offices in the Three Realms and Ten Directions. May their names be checked, the stated number released, and the souls then escorted by the officials of the Divine Tiger to the established Soul-Gathering Altar. Once at the altar, may they manifest signs of response and await the completion of the Zhaijiao, receiving grace and instruction and being reborn into new life. We are deeply fearful of having offended the sacred authority and can only await its command. Respectfully submitted.

On [year, month, day], [title] and [name], respectfully submit.

Submitted to the Eastern Peak, the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak and the divine offices under his authority.

[Title] and [name]:

Previously, the sponsor of the Zhaijiao, [name], submitted a petition requesting that a Supreme Yellow Register Great Retreat be held at [place] to deliver the departed souls of [names], and to enable the suffering souls of the lower realm to be reborn in a favorable place as well. After receiving the request, [name] could not refuse. On [month, day], [he] had the sacred banners raised in advance and copied the petition for presentation, praying for pardon. [He] also proclaimed the request to both the Yin and Yang realms, so that the departed souls would be released from confinement and no longer subjected to interrogation.

Now that the Zhaijiao is approaching, a Divine Tiger Soul-Gathering Altar should be established at the ritual site to summon the departed souls named above for deliverance. In addition to submitting a separate memorial to the Celestial Court, copying the souls’ Jade Registers, and presenting them to the Provincial Directorate with a request that they be issued, we have now compiled the relevant names and numbers of those to be delivered, together with the circumstances of their lives and deaths, and submit the register with this petition. Respectfully submitted.

We respectfully present this document.

I respectfully beseech the Emperor Dongyue Tianqi Rensheng (the principal deity of Mount Tai in the Eastern Peak) to look upon this petition:

I humbly ask Your Majesty once again to extend your compassion and review this document. In particular, please issue a sacred decree ordering the offices under the Eastern Peak administration to inspect their case files and check their registers, then report the villages and personal names listed here to the offices of the underworld and its prisons. Please grant amnesty to all departed souls detained for their sinful karma, regardless of the severity of their karmic retribution and whether they have already been bound, beaten, or had their cases concluded. Let the officials handling their cases take them into custody and bring them to the soul-summoning altar established for this purpose, where they may manifest and await the Zhai rite, receive your grace and instruction, and be reborn in a new place. I am deeply fearful of offending your sacred authority and await your holy command. Respectfully submitted.

On [year, month, day], the undersigned, of the ritual rank of [rank] and surnamed [surname], submits this petition.

Official Document: To the City Gods of the Prefectures and Counties

The Grand Lingbao Office of the Great Rites issues this document to the presiding City God of [prefecture/county]:

Some days ago, the sponsor of a Zhai rite submitted a petition requesting that a supreme Yellow Register Great Zhai (a major Daoist Zhaijiao ritual) be solemnly held at [place] to commend the departed [names] and, together with the suffering souls in the lower realm, free them from their distress and send them to new places of rebirth. Our office has accepted this request. On [month, day], we first raised the sacred banners and presented the purpose of the Zhai rite to the Heavenly Court, requesting an imperial command to grant universal amnesty to souls sunk in the netherworld. We also prepared a document to notify your office.

Now that the Zhai period is approaching, a Divine Tiger soul-summoning altar should be set up at the ritual site. The souls are to be summoned to the altar for deliverance in accordance with the Primordial Unity Jade Writs (official documents used to summon departed souls). In addition to reporting this again to the Heavenly Court and submitting to the Grand Secretariat and the Eastern Peak administration the names, registers, and petitions of those to be delivered, we issue this document to notify your office specifically.

Upon receipt, please review the matter stated above and, in accordance with the imperial decree, carry out the instructions in the Jade Writs. The Divine Tiger officials are to assemble the names listed here and immediately have the relevant offices inspect their registers and case files to locate the souls mentioned above. Regardless of the severity of their sinful karma or the nature of their grievances and retribution, release them all. Assign divine officials to accompany and escort them to the soul-summoning altar established for this purpose, where they may manifest and await the Zhai rite, receive grace and instruction, and be reborn in a new place. Please carry this out accordingly. Respectfully issued.

On [year, month, day], this document is issued.

The undersigned, of the ritual rank of [rank] and surnamed [surname], affixes a seal.

Official Dispatch: To the Divine Tiger Officials

Northern Dipper Mysterious Model Prefecture:

Some days ago, the Zhai sponsor [name] submitted a petition requesting that a supreme Yellow Register Great Zhai be solemnly held at [place] to commend the departed [names] and, together with the suffering souls in the lower realm, free them from their distress and send them to new places of rebirth. The official handling the matter has accepted this petition and, on [month, day]…

Before the fast begins, a report must first be submitted to the Heavenly Court to request approval and authorization. The necessary dispatch documents must also be prepared—documents used in Daoist rituals to convey orders and conduct official business. The subordinates of the Divine Might have already been ordered to search for the departed souls. Now that the fast is near, a “Divine Tiger Altar for Seizing Souls” must be established at the ritual platform to summon the souls named above and bring them here to receive deliverance. These matters must again be reported to the Three Heavens, the three tiers of heaven in Daoist teaching. The relevant contents must be copied and submitted to the Jade Register, and the Provincial Secretariat and the Office of the Sacred Peaks must be notified so they can verify the matter and carry out the instructions.

In accordance with the Supreme Unity, Dark Netherworld, Primordial Unity Jade Dispatch issued by the Central Heaven, which conveys orders to summon souls, the names of the departed who are to be delivered are entered in the summons. The accompanying dispatch is hereby issued. The details are as follows:

Jiang, a Jade Maiden of the Divine Tiger who draws up souls and gathers in spirits, and who serves the Dark Bureau of Reversed Birth, along with six others—the seven names are written below in red ink and then concealed by smearing them out. He, a male officer of the Left Jade Bureau who governs souls—the name is written in red ink and then smudged out. Qiao, a female officer of the Right Martial Luan Bureau who governs spirits—the name is written in red ink and then smudged out.

You are to inspect the registers of those who govern souls and spirits, and lead the three divisions of envoys, together with the soul-searching officers and troops dispatched from this altar. Carry the Primordial Unity Jade Dispatch and the hidden writs to the Ten Directions and Three Realms; the realm of birth and the courts of the dead; the courts of the yang and the prisons of the yin; and every place responsible for overseeing offenses, conducting examinations, and recording the dead.

Following the names listed in the summons, call forth the deceased persons named above, along with the prisoners of the Lower Origin—captive souls in the netherworld—and the suffering spirits, the departed who endure torment. Regardless of their past offenses, karmic debts from previous lives, old grievances or new enmities, and whether their debts have been repaid or anyone has pursued their claims, include them all within the grace of amnesty. Search for them, take them into custody, and escort them to the Soul-Seizing Altar that has been established. The summons must also manifest its efficacy: show an image, send a sign in a dream, or enable the departed to contact their living relatives and make the circumstances clear, so that people may be convinced and the divine power of deliverance made manifest.

The Dark Rites prescribe this prohibition: there must be no delay. If you fail to receive and carry out this summons, this dispatch will be used to hold you accountable. Issued on the year, month, and day stated in the dispatch.

This dispatch is addressed to the three envoys and the Northern Dipper’s Dark Register Office, one of the Daoist bureaus of the netherworld.

Previously, the sponsor of the fast, a certain person, submitted a petition requesting that an Supreme Yellow Register Great Fast, a major Daoist purification ritual, be held at a certain place to deliver the deceased persons named above. The reasons were stated as described earlier. The relevant documents are now attached to this dispatch and entrusted to the Great Holy Jade Maidens to receive and proclaim. The details are as follows:

Hou, Wei, and Zhang, the soul-searching envoys of the three Divine Tiger divisions—their names are written in red ink and then smudged out—are to accompany the chief officer, the clerks, the Jade Maidens, and the others. Carrying the Primordial Unity Jade Dispatch, they are to travel throughout the Three Realms and Ten Directions, the Northern Capital and the Ninefold Netherworld, and the netherworld regions of mountains, peaks, and rivers, and carry out the summons and seizure of the departed souls.

This scripture records the official document format used in the Daoist Yellow Register Retreat (Huanglu Zhai) – a major ritual for the salvation of deceased souls. The text consists of two main sections:

The first part is an official dispatch (guanwen) addressed to underworld prison officers, demanding the release of imprisoned souls. It instructs officials to search for the deceased's name, regardless of the severity of their past transgressions, and orders underworld deities to escort the soul to the summoning altar, enabling the spirit to manifest and appear in relatives' dreams. The text particularly emphasizes urgent execution without delay. The conclusion notes the issuance date and recipient office – the prison messengers of the Northern Dipper's Mysterious Model Bureau (Beikui Xuanfan Fu), the Daoist institution governing underworld affairs.

The second part is an official communiqué (diewen) addressed to soul-summoning officers (Shezhao Guanjiang), specialized deities responsible for calling spirits. It records how the retreat patron (zhaizhu) petitioned to conduct this grand Yellow Register Retreat for soul salvation, with approval already granted by the celestial court. The document mandates establishing the Divine Tiger Soul-Summoning Altar (Shenhu Shehun Tan), arranging male and female souls separately on left and right altars to enable their manifestation. Notably, it mentions some souls might disturb the ritual due to unresolved grievances, requiring extensive persuasion to bring about repentance. Finally, it demands timely ritual performance to elevate the souls and promises merit-based rewards.

The text repeatedly mentions "Grand Yellow Register Retreat" (Huanglu Dazhai), Daoism's most solemn salvation ritual, and the "Divine Tiger Soul-Summoning Altar," a specialized platform for attracting spirits. The term "suffering souls" (kushuang) refers to tormented deceased spirits. These document formats reveal Daoist salvation rituals' unique approach to interacting with the underworld bureaucratic system, coordinating affairs between yin and yang realms through formal official correspondence.

We respectfully request that the Provincial Office and the Sacred Mountain Prefecture, Daoist divine bureaus, make due inquiry and issue orders for the matter to be carried out. A document is hereby formally issued as follows:

Writ

The writ above:

We command a certain officer to act in accordance with the law and immediately lead his subordinate clerks and soldiers, together with the accompanying divine tiger officers and generals, to the heavenly prisons and earthly hells throughout the Three Realms and the Ten Directions. He is to detain and question those there about the whereabouts of the deceased, and determine where the souls of the late certain persons are currently being held.

He shall summon the souls and true souls of their relatives, searching for and detaining each one according to the names listed in this document. Whether or not they are guilty, and whether or not their karmic offenses have already been adjudicated, all are to be included within the scope of this amnesty. He shall bring them together to the soul-summoning altar, where their forms and shadows may appear, so that they may await liberation. Not even a moment’s delay is permitted; this order must be carried out with utmost speed. Anyone who deliberately disobeys shall be held accountable under the law and suffer the prescribed punishment.

Respectfully issued.

Writ dated: year, month, day.

Official Notice: Report and Issue the General Document

Office of the Great Lingbao Rite

This Office now issues the examination and memorial documents. The required papers are listed below for your attention:

One: Three sealed memorials and one sealed petition, all securely closed and stamped, are respectfully sent to the Upper Pure Jade Pivot Court beneath the Three Heavens’ Gate, with a request that they be presented.

One: Three petitions, one Jade Register, and one account document, all securely sealed and stamped, are respectfully submitted for report before the assembled sages of the Supreme Jade Emperor of the Northern Dipper, before the Perfected Lord of the Upper Minister of the Jade Clarity Supreme Mystery Celestial Pivot, and before the Sacred Emperor of Benevolent Holiness of Mount Tai.

One: One official writ, folded at the corner and sealed, is issued to the City God in charge of a certain prefecture and county. It is also to be reported at each location to the two Great Divine Tiger Sages He Qiao, the Divine Tiger’s Three Divisions of Soul-Pursuing Envoys, the Envoys of the Yang Radiance and Yin Spirits who convey passes to the soul-summoning altar, and the Divine Tiger officers and generals who summon and escort souls.

The notice above:

We request that the Four-Duty Meritorious Officers, the Three Realms’ Talisman Officers, and the local Earth Gods along the route, including those under the jurisdiction of Mount Tai, hand over the documents and ensure their delivery, submitting each one in turn without the slightest delay. Should demonic spirits obstruct or intercept them, escort them to the nearest hell for investigation and punishment under the law. A report back is required. This notice is hereby issued.

Notice dated: year, month, day.

Petition to the Celestial Pivot Court

Office of the Great Lingbao Rite

This Office recently received a request from a certain sponsor of the fast, who wishes to hold a supreme Yellow Register Great Fast at a certain place, a large Daoist Zhaijiao purification ritual, to dedicate merit to the souls of the deceased certain persons, as well as to those of the Lower Origin …

The various underworld divine offices have jointly handled this rite for recommending and delivering the souls of the deceased. On a certain day of a certain month, this office had already submitted a report to the Heavenly Court in advance and received its decree, ordering the proclamation to be issued. Now that the date of the Zhaijiao rite is approaching, the souls concerned must be brought to the ritual altar on schedule to receive deliverance. In addition to the register of souls already issued, we now place the memorial in an envelope, seal it again, and affix the seal. The relevant divine offices are requested to open it and report its contents as follows.

The report is addressed to:

His Majesty, the Jade Emperor of the Vast Heavens;

His Majesty, the Great Emperor of the North Pole in the Central Palace of Purple Tenuity;

Before the throne of the Celestial Worthy of Great Unity, Savior from Suffering, of the Eastern Pole.

We respectfully submit this document to the Three Heavens and the Upper Clarity Celestial Pivot Court, and humbly request that it be presented in good time, that we may await the imperial decree and receive it soon. We await your clear reply. Respectfully submitted.

On a certain day of a certain month in a certain year, submitted by a Daoist of a certain surname, holding the appropriate ritual rank.

Jade Register of the Metropolitan Bureau

I, a Daoist of a certain surname, holding the appropriate ritual rank, list below the names of the men and women deceased whose deliverance is sought in this rite:

First, those principally recommended for deliverance: list the names of the deceased, their zodiac signs or sexagenary designations, dates of birth and death, place of death, and age at death.

Second, those additionally recommended: list the deceased among the Nine Generations of Ancestors and Seven Generations of Forebears, as well as relatives by marriage and other kin, recording each individually.

Third, those attached to the altar: list and record individually the names of the deceased recommended for deliverance by a certain person from a certain ward, village, township, and county in a certain prefecture. Omit this section if no one has made such an additional recommendation.

Respectfully submitted.

On a certain day of a certain month in a certain year, submitted by a Daoist of a certain surname, holding the appropriate ritual rank.

Account Submitted to the Eastern Peak

The Bureau of the Great Lingbao Rite lists below the names, dates of birth and death, and places of death of the souls whose deliverance is sought in this rite:

First, those principally recommended for deliverance: list the names of the deceased, their zodiac signs or sexagenary designations, dates of birth and death, place of death, and age at death.

Second, those additionally recommended: list household shrine relatives, relatives by marriage, and other kin, recording each individually in the manner described above.

Third, souls attached to the altar for subsequent deliverance: list the deceased additionally recommended for deliverance by those attached to the altar. Omit this section if no one has made such an additional recommendation.

Complete the remaining details in the format described above.

On a certain day of a certain month in a certain year, this office submits the document.

Divine Tiger Armor Document

The Northern Dipper’s Profound Pattern Prefecture lists below the names of the men and women deceased whose deliverance is sought in this rite:

First, those principally recommended for deliverance: list the names and birth order of the deceased.

Second, those additionally recommended: list the names of the deceased recommended for deliverance as an addition.

Here the names of the deceased are entered one by one, including the Nine Generations of Forebears and Seven Generations of Ancestors (ancestors and deceased relatives from successive generations), as well as relatives by marriage.

Universal Recommendation

The deceased [name], entered item by item. (If no additional deceased persons are to be recommended, delete this item.)

The above-listed persons are as stated earlier.

On [year, month, day], this office submits this document.

Yellow Attachment to the Memorial to Haotian, with Yellow Backing

(Your subject) submits a memorial: On behalf of [name], requesting that the supreme Yellow Register Great Fast (a large Daoist Zhaijiao purification ritual) be solemnly established to recommend the deceased [names] and other suffering souls in the Lower Realm. We respectfully request an imperial decree directing the Bureau of Great Mystery Capital (a Daoist divine office) to notify the true authorities of the Three Realms and, in accordance with the Jade Writ of Hidden Writings (a Daoist document), release the souls listed above so that they may proceed to the Soul-Gathering Altar and await salvation through the fast ritual. Respectfully awaiting the imperial decree.

(Your subject) requests that this document be issued to the Bureau of Great Mystery Capital.

Yellow Attachment to the Memorial to the Northern Pole, with Yellow Backing

(Your subject) submits a memorial: On behalf of [name], requesting that the supreme Yellow Register Great Fast be solemnly established to recommend the deceased [names] and other suffering souls in the Lower Realm. We respectfully request an imperial decree directing the Bureau of the Central Heaven Dipper (a divine office under the Northern Dipper) to issue the Jade Writ of Taiyi and dispatch divine tiger officers to summon the souls listed above, so that they may proceed to the altar and await salvation through the fast ritual. Respectfully awaiting the imperial decree.

(Your subject) requests that this document be issued to the Bureau of the Central Heaven Dipper.

Yellow Attachment to the Memorial to the Eastern Pole, with Yellow Backing

(Your subject) submits a memorial: On behalf of [name], requesting that the supreme Yellow Register Great Fast be solemnly established to recommend the deceased [names] and other suffering souls in the Lower Realm. We respectfully request an imperial decree notifying the true authorities of the Three Realms and, in accordance with the Jade Writ of Primordial Unity, releasing the souls listed above so that they may proceed to the altar and receive deliverance. Respectfully awaiting the imperial decree.

(Your subject) requests that this document be issued to the true authorities of the Three Realms for processing.

Supreme Clarity Lingbao Great Rites, juan 61