《道門科範大全集》Vol. 53

This text records a combined ritual of the Southern and Northern Dippers (the Southern Dipper governing life, the Northern Dipper governing death) in Daoist practice, compiled and revised by the Tang dynasty master Du Guangting. At the start of the ceremony, the Daoist priests ascend the altar according to protocol, reverently paying homage to the patriarchs while silently reciting sacred incantations.

First, they chant the Protective Spirit Mantra (a shielding incantation), invoking the Five Planets (Mercury, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Saturn) to assume their proper positions: Mercury dispels calamities, Jupiter brings vitality, Mars halts misfortune, Venus averts warfare, and Saturn stabilizes the four directions, ensuring prosperity for family and nation. Next, they visualize their names inscribed on celestial jade tablets, their souls ascending into the vast heavens, freely traversing the ten directions of the cosmos, riding five-colored clouds to summon divine beings and command countless spirit-officials to guard the immortals.

After striking the ritual drum twenty-four times, they solemnly invite the highest deities of Daoism: the Three Qi (fundamental energies) of Dao—Mysterious, Primordial, and Beginning—along with the Supreme Lord of Dao (Taishang Daojun) and the Supreme Venerable Sovereign (Taishang Laojun). Then they summon the guardian generals cultivated within their own bodies—including the Three-Five Merit Officials, the Jade Maidens of Incense, and thirty-six other celestial functionaries—asking them to don their ceremonial attire and assist in conveying prayers.

The presiding priest declares the intention to perform the jiao offering (a Daoist sacrificial rite), beseeching the immortals of the ten directions to infuse him with the pure Dao-Qi (primordial energy) so that his petitions may reach the celestial court. Following this, he respectfully invites the various honored deities in sequence: the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun), the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Dadi), the Seven Star Lords of the Northern Dipper, the Six Star Lords of the Southern Dipper, the Destiny Star Lord of his birth year, as well as all celestial officials from the sacred grotto-heavens and the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and the underworld).

This scripture fully illustrates the "Invocation of the Sacred" segment within Daoist zhaijiao liturgy, constructing a sacred space for divine communication through strict ceremonial procedures, visualization (contemplative practice), and incantations. The "Three-Five Merit Officials," "Direct Messengers," and other inner deities mentioned here are manifestations of internal cultivation, reflecting the Daoist belief that "the body itself contains immortals."

This scripture depicts the solemn scene of deities descending during grand Daoist purification rituals (Zhaijiao), embodying the ancient understanding of cosmic operations.

The supreme Great Canopy Heaven (Daluo Tian), the highest celestial realm in Daoism, envelops all realms of existence—a profound mystery within mysteries, its magnificent creation rooted in Primordial Qi (the foundational energy of the cosmos). It manifests celestial phenomena through the sun, moon, and stars, honoring the Purple Tenuity Enclosure (the celestial region of the North Star) as the ruler of heavenly patterns. The Seven Luminaries (sun, moon, and the five planets—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth) are distributed across the four directions, with the Southern Dipper upholding the celestial order and the Northern Dipper (Big Dipper) serving as the voice of Heaven. Gazing upon the North Star, the pivot of the sky, it governs the earth’s meridians and transmits the cosmic laws through the Jade Bureau (a sacred site for Daoist scriptures). Ancient bronze armillary spheres verify the movements of the celestial constellations, while all humans, with their round heads and square feet, are born from the union of the Li Fire (south, Yang) and Kan Water (north, Yin). How, then, can people not devoutly submit and seek divine grace?

The presiding Daoist priest, in the purified ritual space, calms the mind and focuses the spirit (Shen), preparing pure offerings such as milk congee, fire dates (immortal fruits), and cloud dew (celestial tea). The flames of the Nine Subtleties Lamp (a Daoist ritual lamp) rise, while the smoke of a hundred fragrant powders swirls—a solemn feast is prepared, awaiting the descent of the immortals. May the nine heavenly gates open wide, and may the deities of the ten directions descend in their chariots, with immortal cranes shading them under canopies, phoenix bells harmonizing in rhythm, and rainbow banners clearing the path in silent grandeur. Humbly, we invite the sacred beings to grace this pure altar and fulfill the sincere prayers of the devotees.

The ritual proceeds with offerings of tea and scattered flowers. The priest reverently invokes: the holy ones of the Nine Pure Realms (the highest Daoist paradises), the supreme perfected beings of the ten directions, the Venerable Emperor of the Northern Dipper (the deity of the Big Dipper), and the seven assisting star-lords of the Dipper Ministry. The scripture explains the Northern Dipper’s significance: formless Primordial Qi is regulated through the Dipper’s handle, while the celestial cycles revolve by the Jade Balance Star (the fifth star of the Big Dipper). The Dipper establishes the four seasons and completes the year, balancing the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) to govern human life. Its influence extends from the Son of Heaven to the common people, its annual course beginning at the Milky Way and ending at the Encampment Star (one of the twenty-eight lunar mansions). The Venerable Dipper Star-Lord oversees the path to immortality, aided by the seven assisting lords who manage punishment, virtue, life, death, official rank, prosperity, and longevity. With tranquil contemplation, one may ward off malevolent forces; by practicing the Steps of the Dipper (a Daoist ritual walking method), one may summon true immortals.

Finally, the text expresses the devotees’ plight: though living under the radiance of the stars, negligence in offerings has brought calamities. Now, with sincere hearts, they pray for longevity, peace, and divine protection—awakening to warnings in times of disaster, beseeching the swift descent of the sacred ones.

This scripture describes the liturgical procedures (Keyi) of a Daoist purification ritual (Zhaijiao) for seeking blessings and dispelling misfortunes. The ritual master solemnly commences the ceremony before the altar, following the regulations of the Golden Rules and Jade Statutes (Jinke Yulü, an important Daoist liturgical text), and makes earnest supplications to the deities.

The master declares having received the devotees' written petitions, which must be delivered to the celestial court. The prayer text is then recited, affirming that the sincere requests have been genuinely conveyed and will reach the Nine Heavens. The scripture enumerates seven types of devotees facing different adversities, each corresponding to the protection of the Seven Star Lords of the Northern Dipper:

1. The Greedy Wolf Star Lord (Tanlang Xingjun) protects those with ill-fated destinies and imbalanced Yin-Yang who seek vitality

2. The Giant Gate Star Lord (Jumen Xingjun) resolves crises for those with obstructed fate and conflicting astrological influences, transforming misfortune into blessing

3. The Prosperity Preserver Star Lord (Lucun Xingjun) assists scholars pursuing official careers and scholarly honors

4. The Literary Curved Star Lord (Wenqu Xingjun) enhances blessings and prosperity for those lacking merit and material wealth, enabling them to attain both virtue and abundance

5. The Pure and Upright Star Lord (Lianzhen Xingjun) grants noble status and glory to virtuous literati

6. The Martial Curved Star Lord (Wuqu Xingjun) bestows longevity and the Five Blessings (longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and peaceful death) upon seekers of extended life

7. The Army Breaker Star Lord (Pojun Xingjun) safeguards those with few descendants and troubled households, ensuring family stability and continuous lineage

The master then leads all participants in chanting the Northern Dipper Auspicious Incantation (Beidou Duguan Jixiang Zhou), extolling the majestic virtue of the Nine Stars of the Northern Dipper (Daoism recognizes two additional hidden stars). These stellar deities connect the Golden Portal (celestial court) above and cover Mount Kunlun below, governing cosmic order. The incantation sequentially invokes the names of the seven star lords, along with supreme deities like the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Dadi) and the Purple Tenuity Emperor (Ziwei Dadi), praising their miraculous power to dispel calamities and grant blessings. It seeks alignment with the primordial qi of the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun) and guidance from the Tian Gang star. Finally, it expresses the mortal aspiration for Dao, hoping to behold divine countenances, attain longevity, and receive protection from the Three Platforms Star Lords (Xujing, Liuchun, and Qusheng).

The ceremony concludes with the master leading all participants in reverent bows, preparing for the "secondary offering" (Yaxian, the second sacrificial presentation). This passage fully demonstrates the Daoist religious practice of stellar veneration for universal salvation within ritual contexts.

In this Daoist ritual scripture, the priest is performing the "flower scattering" ceremony to the Six Lords of the Southern Dipper (Nandou Liuxing Jun, six stellar deities in Daoism who govern human lifespan and blessings), praying for the dispelling of calamities and extension of life. At the beginning of the ritual, the presiding priest respectfully addresses the deities:

We deeply understand that the sun embodies the supreme Yang essence, rising from the east; while the Southern Dipper constellation (actually located in the northern sky) governs human destiny. These celestial bodies preside over the official ranks of virtuous scholars and the careers of generals and ministers. When the stars move in proper alignment, peace and prosperity prevail in the human realm. With sincere prayers, we trust the deities will respond favorably.

Though we practitioners have not yet attained immortality through the Dao (Dao), we reverently establish this altar, arranging the ritual space according to the cardinal directions (Kan and Li representing the water and fire positions), offering incense and flowers in anticipation of the deities' descent. Here we humbly pray:

For devotees with weak destiny and shallow blessings, may the Lord of Life (first star of Southern Dipper, master of life and death) increase their fortune and longevity; for those with misdeeds recorded and merits reduced, may the Lord of Records (second star, master of merits and faults) rewrite their fate; for those with short lifespans and frequent disasters, may the Lord of Longevity Extension (third star) prolong their years; for those in poor health with declining vitality, may the Lord of Health Preservation (fourth star) safeguard their wellbeing; for those encountering misfortunes with troubled spirits, may the Lord of Calamity Dispelling (fifth star) resolve their adversities; for those with stagnant careers and missed opportunities, may the Lord of Ascension (sixth star) open their wisdom.

May devotees receive divine grace, welcome auspiciousness, and stay far from disasters. Finally, the priest and congregation recite together the "Hymn of Longevity to the Six Stars of Southern Dipper," praising these stellar lords: These six deities above follow the celestial movements (Qizheng referring to the sun, moon and five planets), below govern the ancient Yangzhou and Wu-Yue regions, simultaneously keeping the registers of life and death while determining the fates of generals and ministers. They are stars of longevity extension and celestial pivot (referring to the Northern Dipper constellation), maintaining the cosmic order. When they shine brightly, they herald wise rulers and world peace, overseeing human promotions and noble ranks.

This scripture is a liturgical text (Keyi) used in Daoist purification rituals (Zhaijiao), documenting the complete procedure for a blessing ceremony. During the ritual, the presiding Daoist priest (who humbly refers to himself as "your subject") leads devotees in devout supplication to the celestial deities.

The ceremony begins with the priest expressing reverence for Heaven and Earth, praying for the dispelling of calamities and the extension of life. This is followed by a detailed invocation of the divine hierarchy: the Perfected Immortals from the Nine Pure Heavens, the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper, the Six Offices of the Southern Dipper, one's Birth Year Guardian Deity (Benming Yuanchen), as well as various deities governing mountains, rivers, and the underworld realms.

During the sacrificial offering segment, the priest performs the "Three Offerings" ritual (typically preliminary, secondary, and final offerings), presenting flowers, date soup, and other ritual items. The text mentions sacred implements like the "Jade Altar" (Yuju, referring to the ritual platform) and "Precious Pearls," describing the descent of immortals upon the ceremonial space. With profound humility, the priest acknowledges the audacity of mortals summoning deities, while vowing strict adherence to ritual protocols without the slightest negligence.

The ceremony then proceeds to the "Twelve Petitions" segment, beseeching divine forgiveness for transgressions and heavenly protection. During the "Returning to the Brazier" (Fulu) rite, the priest summons guardian generals like the Incense Official Messengers and the Dragon-Tiger Lords, hoping the sincerity of the incense smoke will ascend directly to the Jade Emperor's celestial court.

The ritual concludes with the "Hall Departure Hymn," marking the ceremony's successful completion as deities return to their celestial abodes. The entire text embodies the Daoist belief in "Heaven-Human resonance," where meticulous liturgy facilitates communication between mortals and deities to seek deliverance from misfortune and the attainment of longevity.