《道門科範大全集》Vol. 36

This scripture documents a Daoist purification ritual (Zhaijiao) known as "Oath-Fire Disaster Aversion," primarily performed to supplicate for the elimination of fire hazards and pacification of calamities. Compiled by Zhong Li, a disciple versed in the scriptures of the Three Caverns (Dongzhen/Dongxuan/Dongshen), the ceremony is conducted during three periods of the day, with this passage recording the morning liturgy.

The ritual commences with the chief officiant leading participants in solemn prayers to the Fire Ministry deities of the southern direction. Primary veneration is offered to the True Lord of Fire Star Law Enforcement (the Daoist divinity governing fire), along with his retinue of numinous immortal officials and celestial beings from the stellar palaces. The officiant declares that Heaven observes all with perfect clarity—when people maintain reverent sincerity in prayer, divine protection will surely be granted.

The text explains that the Fire Star's movement follows natural patterns, governing human fortunes and misfortunes. Though the current era enjoys peace with the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) in harmony, people must remain vigilant against fire hazards. Thus this purification ritual prepares immaculate offerings to sincerely entreat the Fire Ministry deities' protection.

The supplication addresses numerous fire-related divinities including: the Supreme True Lord of Cinnabar Heaven at the Southern Li Position, the True Lord of Fire Virtue (Huode) Law Enforcement, the Luminous Star Lord, and the Chiyou Star Lord of Uncanny Affairs. These deities are implored to survey the mortal realm with wisdom eyes, wield their numinous power to shield the people, ensure the Fire Star's proper movement, eliminate fire disasters, and safeguard countless households.

The liturgy concludes with benedictions: may the people enjoy peace free from flood and drought; may heaven and earth harmonize without celestial anomalies; may all regions know tranquility with dwellings secured. The entire passage exemplifies Daoist religious practice through purification rituals for disaster prevention and misfortune resolution.

This passage describes a Daoist ritual ceremony invoking the Fire Virtue Star Lord (one of the Five Elemental Star Lords in Daoism who governs fire virtue). During the daytime ceremony, the priests reverently declare: The Fire God Zhurong (ancient deity of fire) wields authority in the celestial court, just as rulers and ministers each have their duties in the human realm. As the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter revolve, Heaven perceives human sincerity through sundials, while humanity uses wooden clappers (ancient warning instruments) to uphold precepts of cultivation. Should vigilance lapse, calamities will descend from above. People fear that the ignorant and obstinate may remain unrepentant, provoking celestial wrath and incurring punishment from spirits. Rather than waiting until disaster strikes to seek remedy, it is better to sincerely repent and observe purification through prayer.

Devotees dedicate themselves to the Daoist teachings, offering humble devotion like jackals and otters showing gratitude, praying with ant-like earnestness for the deities' descent and inspection. They hope that during the deities' earthly inspection, stern punishments may be mitigated while abundant blessings are secretly bestowed—bringing neighborhood peace, well-water purity, and the natural dissolution of unexpected disasters. Whether facing war, fire, storms or obscurity, all pray for favorable transformation. Thus they devoutly take refuge in the Fire Virtue True Lord of the southern Li Palace (southern position in the Bagua)—namely the True Dao Sovereign of Cinnabar Heaven's Vermilion Supreme, the True Lord of Law Enforcement from the Sparkling Deluder Star (Mars). This deity manifests through refined Qi (vital energy), governing celestial anomalies like comets appearing beside the sun and moon. They entreat the deity to pity mortals, descend to witness sincerity, and widely bestow grace—extinguishing raging fires while eliminating rumors and heresy. May the disaster-foreboding Bifang bird vanish, while the auspicious Chun constellation appears, bringing universal health and prosperity.

During the nighttime ceremony, the priests continue their supplications: The Cinnabar Heaven's Vermilion Palace (Mars' celestial abode) impartially maintains the registers of life and death, while the Fire Virtue Star Lord radiates crimson light to dispel darkness. Choosing an auspicious hour, devotees present humble offerings like wild celery and clods of earth, baring sincere hearts before the Vermilion Mansion (southern fire palace), purifying their intentions until clear as rosy clouds. Ultimately, they pray to attain the Dao and ascend beyond form—merging completely with the formless Great Dao.

Note: The phrase "after attaining the Dao, ascending beyond form to unite completely with the Dao's truth" represents the highest realm of Daoist cultivation—where practitioners transcend physical constraints to merge with the eternal Dao. The recurring term "subject" (chen) is how Daoist priests humbly address themselves before deities.

With utmost reverence, we now pay homage to the Great Sage Fire Virtue Star Lord of the South (one of the Five Planetary Deities revered in Daoism, who governs the fire virtue of the southern direction) and the Blazing Deluder Star (ancient name for Mars). This True Lord is a perfected being among the stars, a great deity among the constellations, commanding numerous celestial officials and spiritual officers within the stellar palaces.

According to ancient texts, when Mars deviates from its normal path by three lunar lodges (an ancient astronomical unit), it portends significant upheavals in the human realm. With sincere hearts, we now beseech this Star Lord to look down upon our mortal world and witness our crimson-hued devotion as radiant as rosy clouds. May you descend upon crimson mists, riding a magnificent chariot with scarlet banners, to receive our earnest prayers and bestow special auspicious signs.

We humbly implore you to dispel unexpected calamities that befall our bodies, remove transgressions of speech and delusions of the mind. Grant ordinary people relief from scorching heat, and may all structures harmonize with the primordial Qi of heaven and earth. Protect every household from the terror of fire, and spare continuous rooftops from the threat of raging flames. May all living beings receive your divine protection and collectively follow the teachings of the Dao.

Upon attaining perfection through cultivation, one transcends the constraints of physical form, merging with the Great Dao to reach the formless, imageless realm of ultimate realization.