《上清靈寶大法(一)》Vol. 7

Interpretation

Cultivation and the Wearing of Talismans

The Secret Instructions for Penetrating the Mystery in Eighty-One Grades

The Supreme Secret Grade: Returning to the Origin and Narrating the Mystery

Those who study the arts of the immortals and seek the Dao cannot attain spiritual efficacy if their awareness does not return to its source. Nor can they accomplish the making of a precious talisman if their original Qi does not return to its source. This method uses five talismans, drawing on the numinous Qi of the five directions to cleanse the impurities in the five organs and purify body and mind. Afterward, focus on reciting the Dao and longing for the perfected ones. Insight will arise naturally, revealing spiritual powers beyond measure.

Practitioners should keep away from sensual pleasures, remain devoted to filial duty and loyalty to the state, and aid all beings and benefit others. This method uses five talismans: take silk in five colors, cut it into squares half an inch across, and write on them in cinnabar. At dawn, enter a quiet chamber and burn incense. Burn the five numinous talismans, mix their ashes with “wellhead blossom water” (water drawn from a well at dawn), and swallow the mixture while facing each of the five directions. After seven days, one may summon the eighty-one celestial spirit officials at will and perform the universal salvation rite of the eighty-one grades. One may submit memorials and pay homage to the Celestial Emperor, and recommend and deliver all departed souls. The ghosts of the dead throughout the nine provinces may likewise be delivered through this method. Whether praying for rain or fair weather, treating illness, or dispelling demons, it will be effective.

The True Talismans of the Five Numinous Powers

The source text presents talismanic forms or characters here. The surviving text reads: “red apricot, ink black,” “grind true sock wax,” and “Numinous Treasure.” The precise meaning of these talismanic phrases is unclear.

General Incantation

Nine Radiances, three Qi, seven celestial bodies, five constants; the Exalted Sovereign of the Central Emperor descends, primordial Yang…

General Incantation of the Eighty-One Grades

Begin by sitting upright. The eight assemblies and nine Radiances naturally form talismanic characters, and all numinous beings return together to concealment.

Next, visualize an undivided, chaotic scene within the Dantian. Nine beams of light glimmer faintly and soar, then enter the root of life. After a while, turn upward to pay homage to the Eight Luminaries; the breath enters a realm of mystery within mystery. The Great Sovereign of this mysterious realm comes forth to welcome and join you, and the myriad perfected ones arrive with each thought. Whatever you seek, you can summon all the gods.

Talismans of the Eighty-One Grades - Celestial Perfected Grade: Zi script; dan ash brings deliverance.

• Celestial Spirit Grade: Zi-zhong script; distant and boundless, rising of itself.
• Earth Spirit Grade: Shen script; bound and covered, Yu Luo.
• Water Spirit Grade: Hai script; Dragon Luo, the nine ugly ones.
• Flying Through the Air Grade: middle finger and palm; Zhu Jia Luo.
• Five Peaks Grade: the hand seal of the Five Peaks; the Supreme Numinous Perfected One.

The text listed after each grade concerns talismanic writing, hand seals, or incantations. The source provides no corresponding talisman diagrams, and some phrases may be corrupted or incomplete because of copying or difficulties in reading.

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Interpretation

These are ritual instructions and formulas from the Shangqing Lingbao Dafa. They list the hand signs, finger signs, or incantations used in different methods. “Pin” means the name of a method or section; terms such as “middle hand” and “middle finger” indicate the position of a hand sign, while “birth destiny,” “day of practice,” and “hour of practice” direct the practitioner to choose a sign based on their birth or the time of the ritual. Some characters may be corrupt or missing, so the interpretations below follow only what can be made out.

Fushen Pin: Use the middle-hand sign or the heart sign. The formula includes “bearing the great force of Heaven.” Zhenying Pin: The formula appears to be “invoke the birth destiny year after year,” and includes the phrase “write, deliver, demon …, join the pond, and hasten birth.” The wording is unclear, so its precise use cannot be determined.

Tai Pin: Use the “Si script” sign; it is said that “all can be delivered.” Shousheng Pin: Use the middle-hand sign or the heart sign, with the formula “transformation begins in response.”

Sicui Pin: Use the “Si script” sign and recite “suddenly sing, flowing essence.” Huasheng Pin: Use the sign for the hour of Wu or the Wu sign, with the formula “A Yi Xuan.”

Jieyuan Pin: Use the Dipper sign and the Tianhuang sign, with the formula “secluded stillness, five parts.” Desheng Pin: Associated with childbirth and a person’s birth destiny; use the formula “mountains swallow smoke.”

Bianhua Pin: Use the Shen sign, with the formula “wondrous discernment transforms the source.” Xuanying Pin: Use the middle-hand sign, the heart sign, or the Daoli sign to drive away evil spirits.

Tianmo Pin: Use the “Zhong Da Jing” sign. Dimo Pin: Use the upper joint of the middle finger, with the formula “Fan Chong.” Shuimo Pin: Use the lower joint of the middle finger, with the formula “Mo Miao Chou.” Xiaomo Pin: Reuse the preceding sign, with the formula “Hong Guo.”

Baiguai Pin: Use the middle joint of the little finger; one additional character cannot be made out. Mogui Pin: Use the upper joint of the little finger, with the formula “Li Han Quan.” Yaomo Pin: Use the Hai sign, with the formula “secluded darkness.” Dongzhen Pin: Use the Ziling sign for ingesting Qi, a Daoist practice of regulating the breath and drawing in vital energy.

Taiyang Pin: Use the Mao sign, with the formula “returning spirit, dark mystery.” Taiyin Pin: Use the You sign, with the formula “light turning ten times.” Tiangang Pin: Use the Si sign, with the formula “voice and force.” Wuling Pin: Combine the Five Directions and the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), with a formula that includes “Xu Xuan Yan.” Shenling Pin: Use the “Si Chao Fan” sign. Zuqi Pin: Use the Zi sign, with the formula “mixed, indistinct spirit.” Buqi Pin: Use the Dipper sign, with the formula “numinous brightness, stellar force.”

Dingji Pin: Perform the method according to the birth destiny sign. The text gives the characters as “Bo Yi,” and says this is used for spirit projection. Dashen Pin: Use the middle-hand sign or the heart sign. The formula includes “Lin”; the preceding character is unclear. Rushen Pin: Follow the sign for the hour of practice and recite “cha” seven times. Jishen Pin: Follow the birth destiny sign, with the formula “unite with bright Heaven.” Baizhang Pin: Follow the sign for the day of practice, with the formula “flowing true essence.” Xingshen Pin: Place the four middle fingers into the palm, with the formula “Chan Mo Hong.” Guishen Pin: Follow the birth destiny sign, with the formula “Jia Mo Bian.”

For the methods from here through the preceding Taiyang Pin, write the formula in cinnabar ink, burn it to ash, and take it with ginseng and poria soup.

Jingzhen Tingzhu Tongzhen Pin: Use the Mao sign, with the formula “pure, upright, bright.” Jingmu Pin: Use the Mao sign, with the formula “Wa Li Yan.” Dongshi Pin: Use the Shen sign, with the formula “destroy the demon trial.” Mubi Pin: Use the Wu sign, with the formula “flowing essence, flame.”

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Interpretation

This section of the Shangqing Lingbao Dafa lists a number of methods or ritual items, along with notes on corresponding hand gestures, incantations, and other details. Several characters in the text are unusual or appear to be corrupt, especially in the incantation sounds and hand gesture notations, so they cannot be reliably deciphered from this passage alone. The original names are retained below, and only the parts that can be identified are explained.

• Rizhao pin: marked with “wei” and “qian da na,” among other phrases.
• Neiguan pin: marked with “wu” and “xia wen le chong,” among other phrases. “Neiguan” refers to inward contemplation.
• [Unreadable] shi pin: marked with “xiao” and “qu yuan luo wa,” among other phrases.
• Zhaoting pin: marked with “hu luo,” among other phrases.
• Qianyuan pin: includes the “Five Peaks hand gesture,” with a note that it is “used for moving spirits and universal salvation.”
• Pudu pin: includes the “Three Paths hand gesture.” The “Three Paths” are the three destinations of suffering in Daoist thought.
• Shehun pin: marked with the “douxue” hand gesture. Here, “jue” may refer to forming a hand seal in a prescribed way.
• Lianhun pin: marked with “zi wu” and “bi kai yan jing,” among other phrases.
• Hexing pin: marked with “si san” and “jie fan qi jiao luo,” among other phrases.
• Jiejie pin: marked with the “douxue” hand gesture and “mo le wei mang,” among other phrases.
• Chaosheng pin: marked with “shen ru xuan,” among other phrases.
• Fanhun pin: marked with “zhongzhi qia” and “da zhong fu [unreadable] jiu chou,” among other phrases.
• Shenghu Shenwang Xuanjing pin: marked with “zhongwen jing chi,” among other phrases.
• Shenwang pin: marked with the “Bagua hand gesture” and “ [unreadable] hua,” among other phrases.
• Wudi pin: marked with “eight directions, Bagua, Lingbao,” among other phrases.
• Yujie pin: marked with “five fingers bent together, kong,” followed by a symbol. “Yujie,” the Realm of Desire, is the name in Buddhist and Daoist scriptures for a level of existence shaped by desire.
• Sejie pin: marked with “the second finger pinches the tiger’s mouth to subdue the demon.” “Sejie,” the Realm of Form, is a level of existence that still has material form but differs from the Realm of Desire.
• Wusejie pin: marked with “zhong shen zhan ling,” among other phrases. “Wusejie,” the Formless Realm, is a level of existence without material form.
• Wulao Shengong pin: marked with “zi wu mao you” and “hong xuan,” among other phrases.
• Tianding Xianbing pin: marked with “si san fingers pinch the middle joint,” among other phrases. “Tianding Xianbing” refers to celestial troops and generals summoned to serve.
• Pihun Heti Yanfan pin: marked with “the thumb pinches the gap between the middle two fingers, containing light,” among other phrases. “Pihun heti” describes the soul joining with the body.
• Tianyi pin: marked with “shen duo ming,” among other phrases.
• Jiansheng pin: marked with “the middle joint opens upward, bright,” among other phrases.
• Quhui pin: marked with “zi jing guang,” among other phrases.
• Jihun pin: marked with “mao kang ming ling wu,” among other phrases.
• Jiechu pin: marked with the “douxue” hand gesture and “ [unreadable] luo bian,” among other phrases.
• Chihe pin: marked with “chen bian da,” among other phrases.
• Chu’ye pin: marked with “feng zi ling wei mian duo,” among other phrases.
• Xiurang Puji Chengtong pin: marked with “si ji di liu,” among other phrases. “Rang” refers to prayers for averting disaster.
• Rang Tian pin: marked with “qian” and “di ni ling shu,” among other phrases.
• Rang Di pin: marked with “kun” and “qi wei zu,” among other phrases.
• Rang Zai pin: marked with “shen” and “feng chu tan,” among other phrases.
• Rang Bing pin: marked with “you” and “ao lu,” among other phrases.
• Rang Huo pin: marked with “zi hai” and “shen hei cha,” among other phrases.
• Rang Shui pin: marked with “si wu zhong zhu,” followed by a symbol.
• Rang Chong pin: marked with “xi le,” followed by a symbol and an unreadable character.

The eighty-one-character secret incantation as a whole: The following text is identified as an eighty-one-character secret incantation that summarizes the preceding material. The incantation characters given in the original are:

“lan ming chou xuan a luo long zhan xu yan tan xian yuan fu bao qian

li chan shen bo po meng fan tian chou duo shan you ming li ju qian”

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Interpretation

Juelou Yimiao Fanxian Shoujian Zhuluo Jiafu Li Dawa, Sanmo Miaobian Kunfu Daoqian Chiming Lunhe Momo Zixuan, Anwen Dali Tu Yufumu Bian Zhenjiu Qi Xuliu Shangxian Chi.

The phrases above are used to harness the Primordial Qi of the Lingbao tradition—the original, primordial Qi of the Lingbao teachings. Whenever performing rites or cultivating the practice, one must first visualize the Primordial Ancestral Qi and silently recite these eighty-one characters in the heart. Then one carries out the ritual workings according to the talismans and registers.

The intent of the Dao is mysterious and profound; it is the root of all methods. The key to attaining this Dao lies in single-mindedly guarding the One, while the results of practice depend on spiritual efficacy. Once spiritual efficacy is complete, there is no method that cannot be performed. Guard the Original Spirit, and spirit and breath will gather and grow abundant. When spirit and Qi are settled, the inner and outer become bright and unobstructed, and nothing impedes their resonance. Attain the realm of celestial truth, and within that true realm there will be spirits. By resonating with the true spirit of the Great Lord of Long Life, one may ascend to the imperial court, have one’s name entered in the jade registers—the rolls of heaven—and enjoy blessings and good fortune in every generation.

Understanding these principles enables one to advance in the Daoist arts, and their subtle truths will become clear of themselves. If one grows lax and turns back, one will perish for a long time. If one carelessly divulges the teachings or treats them with disrespect, all seven generations of one’s ancestors will be punished. One must be cautious and vigilant: the laws of heaven are no trivial matter.

Offices of the Eighty-One Spirit Officials

Spirit Officials are divine generals who serve in Daoist ritual arts and Zhaijiao purification ceremonies. The scripture lists their offices as follows:

Spirit Official in Charge of the Seal; Spirit Official in Charge of the Registers; Spirit Official in Charge of Memorials; Spirit Official in Charge of the Laws; Spirit Official in Charge of Writing; Spirit Official in Charge of Commands; Spirit Official in Charge of Calculations; Spirit Official in Charge of Talismans; Spirit Official in Charge of Emblems; Spirit Official in Charge of the Calendar; Spirit Official of the Left Office; Spirit Official of the Right Office; Spirit Official of the Left Bureau; Spirit Official of the Right Bureau; Attendant Spirit Official; Vermilion-Robed Spirit Official; Embroidered-Robed Spirit Official; Spirit Official Who Cleanses Defilement; Spirit Official Who Bestows Life; Spirit Official Who Releases Grievances; True Yang Spirit Official; Yin Light Spirit Official; Purple Cloud Spirit Official; Flying Cloud Spirit Official; Music Spirit Official; Jade Writ Spirit Official; Spirit Official Who Presents Writings; Transformation Spirit Official; Mysterious Bureau Spirit Official; Cave Light Spirit Official; Azure Writ Spirit Official; True Stillness Spirit Official; Cinnabar Emperor Spirit Official; Dipper Might Spirit Official; Demon-Beheading Spirit Official; Jade Register Spirit Official; Mysterious Light Spirit Official; Benevolence and Grace Spirit Official; Pacification and Transformation Spirit Official; Settled Transformation Spirit Official; Settled Light Spirit Official; Great White Spirit Official; Great Brightness Spirit Official; Primordial Response Spirit Official; Mandate-Announcing Spirit Official; Cave Writ Spirit Official; Form-Refining Spirit Official; Great Void Spirit Official; Demon-Subduing Spirit Official; Purple Void Spirit Official; Cinnabar Light Spirit Official; Central Emperor Spirit Official; Pure Splendor Spirit Official; Primordial Yellow Spirit Official; Seven Transformations Spirit Official; Vast Yang Spirit Official; Eastern Florescence Spirit Official; Pacifying Spirit Official; Attendant Stillness Spirit Official; Reverent Stillness Spirit Official.

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Interpretation

True Jing Officials (the Officials in charge of guarding and protecting), Wei Jing Officials, Inspection Officials, Petitioning Officials,

Message-Transmitting Officials, Salvation Officials, Petition-Conveying Officials, Copying Officials,

Report-Waiting Officials, Dispatching Officials, Deity-Gathering Officials, Radiant-Light Officials,

Sequence-Keeping Officials, Merit-Reporting Officials, Demon-Controlling Officials, Essence-Rectifying Officials,

Summoning Officials, Truth-Illuminating Officials, Six Heavens Officials, Spirit-Illuminating Officials,

Jade-Attendant Official.

The Officials listed above number eighty-one in all, and each has a secret name. Practitioners honor these names and, for eighty-one consecutive days, write petitions requesting their descent and the transmission of their instructions. They pray for a response on the prescribed dates.

Inner Chapter of Hidden Names (In yang years, count from the character gui; in yin years, count from the character men)

(In the symbols below, ▲ stands in for an illegible character form; the notes in parentheses give the direction or visualization instructions.)

▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ (Qi of the north)

▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ (Qi of the southwest)

▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ (the chen position in the southeast)

▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ (due southeast)

▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ (visualize Qi descending from the center of Heaven)

▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ (northwest)

▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ (due west)

▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ (northeast)

▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ (due south)

From the character zi through the character zhi, there are ten characters in all. These are used in both yin and yang years.

Mnemonic for the Directions in Which to Wear the Talismans

One-nine, Kan is concealed at the center; two-nine, in the Kun direction. Three-nine, the dark Zhen stirs.

Four-nine, Xun shines with flame; five-nine occupies the central position. Six-nine meets the Qian quarter.

Seven-nine stands above Dui; eight-nine brings harm at the Ghost Gate. Nine-nine rises above bright Li.

The spirit roams in union with the Jade Emperor.

Following the mnemonic, practitioners form the hand signs for each direction and wear nine talismans. When changing direction, they must also change the Qi hand sign accordingly. At the same time, they visualize the color of the Qi in that direction, condense it to the size of a red orange, and send it into the Dantian (energy center).

Secrets for Entering Stillness and Incantation

Primordial yellow turns the Qi; cut off every trace of evil. The Most High commands: stabilize Taokang Gong.

The seven spirits still and restrain; the brilliant text is yellow at the center. Wu and Ji form a canopy; the infant enables passage.

Unite and blend the hundred channels; all the apertures join together. The spirit roams through the vast void; my life has no end.

Hasten, hasten, in accordance with the laws of Yuanshi.

Whenever practitioners refine the spirit, they enter a quiet room, burn incense, and recite this silently seven times.

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Interpretation

Spirit (Chou), Mo (Yin), [unreadable character] (Mao), Le (Chen), Ni (Si).

Blow the “Five Spirits Hand Seal” onto the paper.

The Art of Receiving Spirits into the Five Palaces (the same account appears in The Five Elemental Palaces of the Primordial Emperor):

The left eye represents the Sun (when forming the hand seal, press the tongue against the left side). Visualize the Sun and gaze at it intently. Let the Qi of the liver emerge from within and join with it, transforming into rosy cloud Qi, which you draw into the Liver Palace.

The right eye represents the Great Yin (when forming the hand seal, press the tongue downward). Visualize the Great Yin and gaze at it with the right eye. Let the Qi of the lungs emerge and join with it, transforming into the Qi of white clouds, which you draw into the Lung Palace.

The Seal of the Heavenly Canopy and Heavenly Fire, for Urgent Use.

The Formula for the Golden Wheel that Subdues Demons and Captures Them.

Form the hand seal from the You position to the Mao position, then hold it steady.

The space between the eyebrows represents the Celestial Dipper (when forming the hand seal, press the tongue against its tip). Visualize the Celestial Dipper, using the mind to mobilize the Qi of the spleen. Red, yellow, and purple Qi from the kidneys emerges through the nose to meet blue, yellow, and white Qi. The six colors of Qi gather between the eyebrows and transform into a five-colored precious pearl.

Using Shen-intention, receive the pearl from the Niwan (the upper Dantian in the head), guide it into the abdomen, and swallow it. In this way, the Five Viscera naturally become luminous, and true fire burns away the foul Qi within the body. Then you will be able to see the Dharma Body (the form visualized as manifest during cultivation), like an infant.

Om, Yun, Da, Sa, Sa He (Si hand seal).

Incantation:

Azure Essence, Yang Shen; Great White, Geng and Xin; blazing Red Emperor; Lord of Ren and Gui: grant me the Qi of Wu and Ji, and make it join with my bodily form. Let it join with me a thousandfold, ten thousandfold; let Qi and body communicate and manifest numinous power. May I live long and see far, and attain ascension. By the urgent command of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning, let it be done.

Visualize the true Qi of the Five Directions joining with my Five Viscera. Let it enter through the crown, circulate through all Five Palaces, transform into a red-orange fruit, and be drawn into the Dantian. Then swallow the talisman.

Incantation for Summoning All Spirits:

Primordial Lady, Command, Dao Lord: by imperial decree, I summon the Three Luminaries, the Mysterious Dipper, the essences of the Sun and Moon, and the numinous light of the Six Supernatural Powers. May the spirits of the Ten Directions respond and manifest. I now summon [a particular spirit]; may it swiftly descend and communicate its numinous response. Come at once before the altar and convey the talismanic decree.

Jade Clarity Hand Seal: To summon the spirits of the Five Sacred Peaks, form the Five Spirits Hand Seal and visualize any deities of the Ten Directions. The spirits will arrive at once. At times, one may hear a sound like wind through pines beside the ear; at other times, a child may serve as a messenger. This formula never fails and must be kept secret.

The Twenty-Four Jade Covenants for Opening the Heavens of Numinous Treasure:

The master said, “A covenant is a written warrant, a token Heaven uses to verify correspondence. After a Celestial Worthy issues an edict, disciples who have attained the Dao and become immortals are first granted jade covenants, as they await ascension and passage through the Gate of Heaven. These covenants belong to the palaces and offices of the various heavens, just as on earth different government offices each administer their own affairs…”

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Interpretation

If anyone were to obstruct them, how could these ritual services be carried out so easily? For this reason, Heaven established these jade tallies—credentials or talismanic tokens from the celestial realm—and bestowed them upon those who cultivate immortality. Even after their allotted life in the world has ended and their physical bodies have returned to peace—that is, after death—immortality cultivators who obtain a jade tally may return directly to their appointed office and carry out Heaven’s commands. Even when borne upward from the dusty world and soaring through the sky, they must rely on the tally’s aid to cross the fierce winds of the highest reaches.

These jade tallies assist those who ascend to Truehood—that is, those who have become perfected immortals and entered the immortal realm. All such matters must be handled by means of a jade tally. Those who have not paid homage to the stellar lodges of the Dipper and received an official commission must not casually hand a tally to someone else. Anyone who violates this rule will incur Heaven’s punishment, so take great care.

Jade Tally of the Nine Heavens, also called the “Tally of Taiyi.” This tally is used whenever the gates of Heaven are opened; the souls and spirits of the living or the dead are sent aloft or delivered from suffering; someone travels to the Nine Heavens, Ten Heavens, Thirty-Two Heavens, the Celestial Administration, or the Celestial Master; or the Three Generals of the Heavenly Gate are summoned.

Its inscription reads:

Danzhen Dada Yuan

Nanzhan Yungong

Daodu Axian

Jue Tian Sharen

Jade Tally of the Nine Immortals, also called the “Tally of the Director of Destinies.” This tally is used whenever the earthly portal is opened; souls and spirits are delivered from suffering and raised up; confinement and forced service in the underworld are brought to an end; or agents are dispatched for any matter concerning the earthly realm in the Northern Yin Fengdu underworld.

Its inscription reads:

Tanzhen Menyuan

Qianzhan Lungong

Tangdu Shouxian

Xuantian Zhenren

Jade Tally of the Southern Pole. This tally is used for any matter concerning the Southern Heaven, the south, the Southern Dipper, the Southern Administration, the Upper Palace of Nanchang, the Southern Court, the Inner Office of the Celestial Pivot, the Court of the Celestial Pivot, or the Fire Bureau of Zhuling.

Its inscription reads:

Yinxu Yunfei

Shenfan Qianna

Tong Wan Youjiu

Qiankun Xianbi

Jade Tally of the Northern Pole. This tally is used for any matter concerning the north, the Northern Heaven, the Northern Pole, the Northern Administration, the Northern Court, the Office of the Great Mystery, the Inner Office of the Celestial Pivot, or the Northern Yin Springs of Qu.

Its inscription reads:

Yinhua Xuanhe

Shimiao Rongfu

Yu Yi Shenyu

Yunfei Zhenyuan

Jade Tally of the Eastern Florescence, for the Lord of the Way, the Blue Youth, and the High Minister. This tally is used for any matter concerning the Eastern Nine Qi, the Virtue of Wood, the Palace of Fusang, the Blue Palace of Taiyi, or the Palace of the Primordial Elder of Blue Numen.

Its inscription reads:

Yuanshou Huli

Dadu Huiyao

Jade Tally of Southern Elixir, Luminous Abundance. This tally is used for any matter concerning Lady Wei of the Southern Marchmount, the Southern Three Qi, the Elixir Terrace, the Upper South, the Southern Mound, or the Palace of the True Elder of Elixir Numen.

Its inscription reads:

Yukong Lüchou

Yunfu Lanbian

Jade Tally of the Western Tortoise, Pure Radiance. This tally is used for any matter concerning the White Jade Tortoise Terrace, the Perfected One of Great Simplicity, the August Numen Yellow Elder, or the Western Palace of the Seven Qi.

Its inscription reads:

Poshe Jingji

Here, “inscription” refers to the specialized characters or names written on a jade tally. The source mainly lists the celestial realms, palaces and offices to which each tally applies; many of these proper names and inscriptions are fixed terms within the Daoist system of talismanic tallies.

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Interpretation

“Abian Fusang”

Jade Tally of Northern Darkness and Mystery (the talismanic tally used by the northern deities)

All palaces governed by the Five Qi of the North (the five forms of primal energy), the palaces of the Five Mysterious Elders, and the administrative offices of the Northern Sea and the Northern Sea’s watery realm use this jade tally.

“Jiufu Miaochou, Shali Donghan.”

Jade Tally of the Central Heaven’s Assembly of Perfected Ones (the talismanic tally used by the Perfected Ones of the Central Heaven)

All immortal administrations, such as those on Penglai and Yingzhou, use this jade tally.

“Huiwu Fuyu, Youpo Yujiu.”

Jade Tally of the Sun Lord (the talismanic tally used by the solar deity)

“Yinxu Shenfan, Tongwan Qiankun.”

Jade Tally of the Moon Lord (the talismanic tally used by the lunar deity)

“Menwu Lunming, Shou Wu Zhen’e.”

Jade Tally of the Northern Dipper (the talismanic tally used by the Lords of the Northern Dipper)

“Danjia Qianze, Tangliu Xuantuo.”

Jade Tally of the Upper Primordial Heavenly Palace (the talismanic tally used by the Upper Primordial Heavenly Palace)

“Dan Tan Nan Qian, Dao Tang Jue Xuan.”

Jade Tally of the Middle Primordial Earth Palace (the talismanic tally used by the Middle Primordial Earth Palace)

“Jia Men Ze Lun, Liu Shou Tuo Zhen.”

Jade Tally of the Lower Primordial Water Palace (the talismanic tally used by the Lower Primordial Water Palace)

“Zhen Yuan Zhan Gong, Du Xian Tian Ren.”

Jade Tally of Tianpeng (the talismanic tally used by the deity Tianpeng)

All seven mansions of the East use this jade tally.

“Dan Tan Jia Zhen, Da Men Wu Yuan.”

Jade Tally of Tianyou (the talismanic tally used by the deity Tianyou)

All palace domains of the seven southern mansions use this jade tally.

“Nan Qian Ze Zhan, Yun Lun Ming Gong.”

Jade Tally of Yisheng (the talismanic tally used by the deity Yisheng)

All palace domains of the seven western mansions use this jade tally.

“Dao Tang Liu Du, A Shou Yuan Xian.”

Jade Tally of Xuanwu (the talismanic tally used by the deity Xuanwu)

All palace domains of the seven northern mansions use this jade tally.

“Jue Xuan Tuo Tian, Sha Zhen E Ren.”

Jade Tally of the Azure Emperor (the talismanic tally used by the Emperor of the East)

The Perfected Lord of the Eastern Peak and the palaces of Mount Tai, the Eastern Peak, use this jade tally.

“Yinxu Yin Hua, Yun Fei Xuan A.”

Jade Tally of the Red Emperor (the talismanic tally used by the Emperor of the South)

The Perfected Lord of the Southern Peak and the palaces of Mount Heng, the Southern Peak, use this jade tally.

“Shenfan Qian Miao, Na Rong Fu Qian.”

Jade Tally of the White Emperor (the talismanic tally used by the Emperor of the West)

The Perfected Lord of the Western Peak and the palaces of Mount Hua, the Western Peak, use this jade tally.

“Tongwan Yu Yi, You Jiu Shenyu.”

Jade Tally of the Black Emperor (the talismanic tally used by the Emperor of the North)

The Perfected Lord of the Northern Peak and the palaces of Mount Heng, the Northern Peak, use this jade tally.

“Qiankun Yun Fei, Xian Bi Zhen Yuan.”

Jade Tally of the Yellow Emperor (the talismanic tally used by the Emperor of the Center)

The Perfected Lord of the Central Peak and the palaces of Mount Song, the Central Peak, use this jade tally.

“Yun A Qian Fu, Tang Yu Xuan Yuan.”

Each of the twenty-four jade tallies above is written solely in celestial script (sacred characters used in Daoist talismans) on a cypress board. The board is five …

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Interpretation

It should be two inches and four tenths wide, with “By the Jade Emperor’s Decree” or “Day of Returning to the True” written in cinnabar.

Carry and use it, and you can quickly return to your original place without being detained or obstructed. The same method can also be used when you encounter the official documents or proclamations issued by the palaces and bureaus mentioned earlier. Take a sheet of thin, lightweight paper and write on it with mica powder and cinnabar while making the Emperor’s hand seal, a gesture used in ritual practice. Blow the breath of the southeast over it, then cut it in half down the middle. Place the left half at the top of the official document, and there is no need to use a seal. Burn the right half to ash, mix it with fragrant water from the southeast, and swallow it. Then whatever matter you undertake will be able to proceed without hindrance.

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