《道門科範大全集》Vol. 54

This scripture records the complete procedure for the Daoist ritual "Joint Lamp Offering to the Northern and Southern Dippers." The term "offering" (jiao) refers to a major Daoist sacrificial ceremony, while "treasure lamps" symbolize illuminating wisdom. Compiled by Master Guangcheng (Du Guangting), this ritual is primarily performed during nighttime meditation.

The ceremony begins with priests ascending the altar platform according to protocol, first reciting incantations to purify heaven and earth while sprinkling sacred water. The presiding priest reverently addresses the Daoist deities: "With utmost sincerity, we humbly petition the Primordial Heavenly Worthy of Numinous Treasure (Yuanshi Tianzun), the Supreme Lord of the Great Dao (Taishang Dadaojun), the Supreme Venerable Sovereign (Taishang Laojun), the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Shangdi), the Nine August Sovereigns of True Purity, and all other great sages who have attained the Dao. We also invoke the guardian deities of the Thirty-Six Sacred Scriptures, the spirits of the sun, moon, and stars, the Seven Luminaries of the Northern Dipper (Beidou Qiyuan Xingjun), the Six Directors of the Southern Dipper (Nandou Liusi Xingjun), and all celestial and earthly divinities, beseeching your presence at this lamp altar to witness our devout prayers."

The presiding priest then explains the purpose of the ritual: Through lighting astral lamps and reciting the holy names of the Heavenly Worthies, the ceremony seeks to dispel misfortune, prolong life, and increase blessings for devotees and their families. The assembly bows in reverence to the Great Canopy Heaven's Lord of Stars, the Purple Tenuity Emperor (Ziwei Dadi), with special supplications to the first star of the Northern Dipper—the Wolf Star (Tanlang Xingjun), a pivotal stellar deity governing life, death, and destiny: "May your radiant light illuminate this altar, inscribing our names in the Register of Longevity, granting us health, longevity, keen senses, and tranquil souls."

The four-line verse praising the Wolf Star—"The Wolf Star prolongs life..."—extols this deity’s power to extend existence, penetrate the unseen realms, and secure names in the Northern Dipper’s ledgers of life and death, bestowing the blessings of vitality. The ceremony concludes with the collective aspiration, "May we attain longevity," expressing Daoism’s core pursuit of immortality. Through venerating the stellar deities and lighting ritual lamps, the ceremony bridges heaven and humanity, seeking deliverance from calamities and the extension of life.

This scripture is a liturgical text from Daoist worship of the Big Dipper constellation, specifically invoking blessings from the Second Star (Jumen Star Lord) and Third Star (Lucun Star Lord) of the Northern Dipper. Devotees piously pray to these celestial lords who govern human destiny:

We wholeheartedly submit to the True Sovereign of Dark Essence, Lord Jumen of the Mysterious Pivot Palace (the Northern Dipper constellation), and all divine immortals and spiritual officials. We have heard the Northern Dipper governs five celestial gates, resonating with the radiance of sun, moon and stars. When these heavenly gates open, their light illuminates the four directions, gathering ten thousand Qi emanations. Here are examined celestial promotions, here are determined human fortunes, longevity and official ranks - no mortal destiny escapes the stars' discerning gaze.

Now we establish this jade altar to express our utmost sincerity toward the golden celestial palace. We beseech Lord Jumen to dispel a thousand calamities and extend a hundred blessings. May the heavenly gates open their divine realm, may true Qi flow abundantly. May our names be inscribed on jade tablets, enduring as bedrock; may our lifespans be extended in the vermilion records of the cinnabar terrace (abode of immortals). We bow reverently and praise this Second Star Lord of the Northern Dipper - Lord Jumen the Life-Extending Sovereign, who resides in the Purple Tenuity Enclosure (polar star region).

Lord Jumen dissolves misfortunes, unblocks the Dantian (energy center), and guides alignment with the immortal path. The Seven Originals (stars) of the Northern Dipper determine destiny - those registered in immortal records receive protection, with ever-renewing blessings and longevity. They dispel malignant influences while virtuous connections grow, moving unimpeded through the world in divine company. Naturally extending their years, they ultimately ascend to the jade heavens.

Next we petition the True Sovereign Lord Lucun of the Pivot Palace (Third Star of the Northern Dipper). This stellar lord rides a celestial canopy, traversing the great void to attain the Dao across nine heavenly layers, overseeing immortal officials of the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Great Rivers. We earthly devotees bathe in his gracious light, now observing purification rites to sincerely entreat: May Lord Lucun bestow enduring blessings through thirty million sexagenary cycles (aeonic time periods), with the twelve heavenly gates (space-time portals) opening harmoniously as yin and yang balance, enabling daylight ascension.

Finally we praise the Third Northern Dipper Star, Lord Lucun the Calamity-Dispelling Sovereign: This exalted immortal's radiance permeates inner and outer realms. When names are recorded in the purple court's seven-star register, they receive bodily protection and life extension, with enduring prosperity in rank and fortune.

This liturgy exemplifies the Daoist practice of stellar worship for longevity and calamity prevention, emphasizing how devout rituals connect devotees with star deities to obtain transcendental blessings beyond mortal existence.

This scripture describes the prayer content within the Daoist Northern Dipper (Beidou) liturgy, primarily addressing the Star Lords of Literary Brilliance (Wenqu) and Integrity (Lianzhen) among the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper to seek disaster relief and longevity.

The prayer first invokes the Star Lord of Literary Brilliance (the fourth star of the Northern Dipper, governing scholarly fortune and wisdom). It states that when the five viscera and six bowels of the human body are purified and unobstructed, the body-mind attains tranquility, allowing the inner divine light to resonate with stellar radiance. The supplicant implores the Star Lord to eliminate karmic obstructions, remove their name from the underworld's register of spirits, stabilize the ethereal and corporeal souls (hun and po), and bestow the elixir recipe for rejuvenation. Practitioners seek a cultivation life free from misfortunes, with breath regulation harmonizing with the Qi of heaven and earth. The assembly then reverently bows to the Star Lord of Literary Brilliance, praising his power to dissolve calamities and enable devotees to ascend naturally to immortality.

The prayer then turns to the Star Lord of Integrity (the fifth star, governing cosmic laws and moral discipline). It describes the Northern Dipper's celestial palace atop Mount Kunlun, where seven stellar gates interweave their light, and golden pinnacles resonate with the Yin-Yang principles of creation. This Star Lord oversees the celestial register of immortals, commands spirits, and holds authority over life and death. The supplication requests blessings to avoid the "Three Calamities" (war, plague, and famine), align with the cyclical movements of the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), and obtain the "Five Blessings" (longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and peaceful death). The congregation similarly prostrates with devotion, extolling the Star Lord of Integrity for supporting the weak and descending the authentic Dao's spiritual energy.

The text mentions the "Seven-Return Elixir Method" (qifan zhi xianfang) referring to the alchemical process of refining the elixir through seven cycles to return to pure Yang, while the "Three Luminaries" (sanguang) denote the deities of sun, moon, and stars. The "Five Cycles" (wuyun) represent the revolving Qi movements of the Five Phases. Through physical purification, scripture recitation, and ritual veneration, the ceremony seeks the Northern Dipper Star Lords' intervention—embodying the Daoist cultivation principle of "cosmic-human resonance" (tianren ganying).

This scripture is a liturgical text (Keyi) from the Daoist tradition of worshiping the Big Dipper constellation, detailing how devotees venerate the Dipper Lords—particularly the Martial Virtue Star Lord (sixth star) and the Army Breaker Star Lord (seventh star)—to seek disaster relief and longevity. In Daoism, the seven stars of the Big Dipper are revered as the "Seven Primes" (Qiyuan), each with distinct divine functions.

The passage first describes the majestic power of the Martial Virtue Star Lord (the sixth star of the Dipper), who resides in the Purple Tenuity Enclosure (Ziwei Yuan), the celestial domain of the Heavenly Emperor. This deity dispels calamities and safeguards devotees. When followers sincerely submit themselves in devotion, celestial officials descend to protect them, and primordial Qi (Zhenqi, the vital cosmic energy) gathers, granting the ability to commune with the divine. The recurring phrase "their names inscribed in purple and crimson" signifies enrollment in the celestial register, while "ascending to the Jade Palace" symbolizes spiritual attainment.

The text then shifts to the Army Breaker Star Lord (the seventh star, also known as the Blazing Light Star), who governs the rotation of celestial gates and commands the energies of heaven and earth. The phrase "heaven revolves, earth shifts" describes cosmic rhythms, and "the Dipper establishes stellar courses" refers to the Big Dipper's role in guiding temporal and spatial coordinates. The righteous Qi of this star lord suppresses demonic forces, ensuring the harmonious growth of all things. Through rituals involving purification of body and mind and the consecration of an altar, devotees pray for the erasure of their underworld records of transgressions, securing blessings of longevity for their entire households.

The term "devout submission" (Guiming) is a specialized Daoist expression denoting complete surrender to the divine, while "True Imperial Lord" (Zhen Huangjun) is an honorific title for high-ranking star deities. "The Seven Primes annotate the registers" signifies the Big Dipper's role in recording human virtue and vice. By extolling the star lords' majestic virtues and expressing sincere devotion, the scripture aims to fulfill the spiritual goal of "erasing sins in the netherworld" and "enjoying boundless blessings."

This is a liturgical text from Daoist Morning Star rituals, offering supplications to the Seventh Star Lord of the Northern Dipper (Pojun, the Army Breaker) and the first two stellar deities of the Southern Dipper (Director of Fate and Director of Records). The text comprises two main sections.

The first section venerates Pojun, the Seventh Star of the Northern Dipper. This stellar deity grants longevity, with his radiance illuminating the four directions while his primal Qi (innate vital energy) provides unseen protection. The scripture states that sincere worship will have one's name inscribed in the immortal registers' purple scrolls, promising not only extended lifespan but also ascension to join the celestial immortals in wandering the Mystic Capital (a Daoist paradise), ultimately reaching the Jade Void (one of the Three Pure Realms).

The second section addresses the Southern Dipper deities. Governing life, the Southern Dipper's foremost deity - the Director of Fate, Prime Minister and Guardian of the Nation - controls the foundation of human longevity. While acknowledging heaven's role in determining fate, the text emphasizes how devout prayer can alter destiny. Practitioners must purify their hearts, cultivate essence (Jing) and vital energy (Qi), and sincerely devote themselves to the Director of Fate, seeking prolonged life and calamity prevention. Subsequent prayers to the second stellar deity - the Director of Records, Supreme General and Guardian of Peaks - clarify that misfortune or blessing ultimately depends on personal virtue (De), assuring that genuine devotion to the Dao will secure divine protection.

The frequent use of the character "harmony" indicates this is a collective ritual requiring congregational chanting. The phrase "we, your subjects" represents the priests' humble self-reference when speaking for devotees. "Purifying the heart and cleansing thoughts" along with "nourishing Qi and preserving Shen (spirit)" represent essential Daoist cultivation methods. The entire text embodies the Daoist principle "my destiny rests with me, not heaven," highlighting how ritual practice combined with personal cultivation can transform one's fate.

This scripture records the liturgical rites of the Southern Dipper Star Lords (six celestial deities presiding over human lifespan) in Daoist practice. Devotees devoutly pray to these star deities governing longevity, seeking blessings of prolonged life through ritual worship.

The first veneration is directed to the Second Star Lord, the "True Lord of Life-Registry" (deity who records mortal lifespans). Followers light lamps and candles, beseeching this star lord to inscribe their names in the celestial registers (the Book of Immortality), hoping to attain longevity. With utmost sincerity, they pay homage to this deity who governs the ledgers of life and death, along with his retinue of celestial officials.

Next comes the worship of the Third Star Lord, the "True Lord of Life-Extension" (deity overseeing lifespan prolongation). Gazing upon the starry heavens, devotees earnestly pray for this star lord's descent to bestow blessings of extended years. The scripture states that enduring life and clear vision are fundamental to the Dao, while prolonging one's years is also a common mortal desire. Though celestial fate may be fixed, humans can avert harm and lengthen their lifespans through sincere supplication.

Then follows veneration of the Fourth Star Lord, the "True Lord of Life-Increase" (deity who augments allotted years). Believers hold that with genuine and guileless hearts, lifespans may naturally extend. Through reverent worship, they seek added years and divine response.

Throughout the ceremony, devotees repeatedly bow to the Southern Dipper Star Lords, expressing devotion through kowtows (qishou) and acts of spiritual surrender (guiyi), accompanied by invocations like "May we attain enduring life." These star lords reside in the celestial realm of Taiwei Enclosure (a heavenly division), each possessing distinct functions yet all connected to the length of mortal lifespans.

This scripture is a prayer text from Daoist Zhaijiao (purification ritual) Keyi (liturgy), addressed to the Six Southern Dipper Lords (principal deities of the Southern Dipper constellation), specifically seeking longevity and disaster relief from the fourth, fifth, and sixth star deities. The core content is as follows:

When praying to the fourth deity, the "True Lord of Life Extension and Vitality Protection," devotees liken themselves to spring vegetation seeking continued life and mountains standing firm. This star lord resides in the Supreme Tenuity Enclosure (a high celestial realm), governing lifespan extension, regulating primordial Qi (vital energy), and transforming spiritual essence. Followers establish ritual altars at the Southern Tenuity Court (Southern Dipper palace), hoping the deity will inscribe their names in the immortal register of longevity and bestow advanced years.

The prayer to the fifth "Celestial Pivot Disaster-Relieving, Culture-illuminating Soul-refining True Lord" acknowledges the natural waxing and waning of Yin-Yang energies and the cyclical transformations of the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water), recognizing that mortals inevitably encounter misfortunes. Specializing in salvation, this deity receives petitions through astral observation and Dao cultivation, with devotees seeking deliverance from the Three Calamities (flood, fire, and wind) and preservation of blessings. His functions include dissolving misfortunes, harmonizing the hun and po souls (ethereal and corporeal spirits), accepting offerings at the Vermilion Palace of Culture-illumination (southern celestial realm).

Addressing the sixth "Celestial Mechanism Life-giving Archive-supervising True Lord," the text emphasizes that immortals embody the virtue of universal salvation, with the Dao responding to sincere devotion. Practitioners maintain ritual purity, grateful for the deity's grace in granting physical form. This lord oversees the life registers (celestial archives recording lifespans) and can increase virtuous karma.

The recurrent phrases "kowtowing in devotion" and "wholeheartedly surrendering to destiny" reflect standard Daoist ritual language, demonstrating the practice of "visualization to commune with deities" - achieving divine connection through focused meditation. The character "harmony" indicates congregational responses, serving as liturgical markers for chanted portions.

This scripture is the prayer text used in Daoist Chaodou rituals (worship of the Southern Dipper Lords), consisting of three main sections:

The first section invokes the Celestial Pivot Life-Giving True Lord who governs the sixth star of the Southern Dipper. This stellar deity (venerated in Daoism as a constellation god) possesses the divine power to harmonize Yin-Yang and govern human destiny. Devotees reverently pay homage, praying that the stellar lord may employ celestial principles to protect all beings, allowing their lives to align with the natural Dao (the Way) and receive blessings of longevity. The "Southern Dipper" mentioned here represents a crucial astral belief in Daoism - ancient Chinese cosmology held that the Southern Dipper governs life while the Northern Dipper governs death.

The middle section describes the ritual setting: Daoist priests purify body and mind, arranging the altar according to stellar positions, striking jade bells and burning fulu (talismanic documents used in Daoist rites). Through these solemn ceremonies, they establish communication with celestial realms. The prayer beseeches all six Southern Dipper Lords to shine collectively upon participants and their ancestors, with special emphasis on liberating deceased souls - hoping generations of ancestors may escape the underworld and attain luminous liberation.

The conclusion returns to devotion to the Great Dao, repeatedly chanting sacred names like "Heavenly Worthy of Stellar Revolution" (honorific titles for Daoist deities), praising the immeasurable merits of this ritual. The "Xuanji Star-Array" segment that simulates celestial movements embodies the Daoist worldview of "cosmic resonance" - the belief that earthly rituals can interact with heavenly phenomena.