《道門科範大全集》Vol. 58

This is the liturgical text of the Daoist "Northern Dipper Life-Prolonging Repentance Lamp Ceremony" (Beidou Yansheng Chan Deng Yi), documenting the ritual process for seeking blessings and dispelling misfortunes from the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper.

The ceremony begins with standard preparatory rites, reciting the "Heaven and Earth Natural Incantation" (Tiandi Ziran Zhou) to purify the space. The chief officiant (referred to as "your servant, so-and-so" in the text) and the fasting devotee (zhai zhu) reverently offer incense together. They specifically venerate the Great Emperor of the Purple Subtlety of the North Pole (Ziwei Dadi) and the Seven Star Lords of the Northern Dipper: the Heavenly Hero Greedy Wolf Star Lord (Tianying Tanlang Xingjun), the Heavenly Duty Giant Gate Star Lord (Tianren Jumen Xingjun), the Heavenly Pillar Prosperity Store Star Lord (Tianzhu Lucun Xingjun), the Heavenly Heart Literary Curve Star Lord (Tianxin Wenqu Xingjun), the Heavenly Bird Pure and Chaste Star Lord (Tianqin Lianzhen Xingjun), the Heavenly Assistance Martial Song Star Lord (Tianfu Wuqu Xingjun), and the Heavenly Balance Army Breaker Star Lord (Tianheng Pojun Xingjun), along with the Left and Right Support Star Lords (Zuoyou Fubi Xingjun) and other deities of the Dipper Assembly. They beseech these divine beings to descend upon the lamp altar and witness their prayers.

The text mentions that the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun) established the Daoist teachings to enlighten sentient beings, while the Most High Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) widely bestowed compassion. Through precious Daoist scriptures—such as the "Jade Casket of Langhan" (Langhan Yuji) and the "Golden Slips and Jade Compilations" (Jinjian Yao Bian)—the rituals of fasting and offerings (zhaijiao keyi) were transmitted, opening a path for people to seek blessings, dispel calamities, and repent for transgressions. The disciples participating in the fast, though living in an era of peace, have indulged in pleasure without understanding self-cultivation, and they fear the approach of misfortune. Thus, following the ritual procedures recorded in the Yellow Register (Huanglu) scriptures, they emulate the celestial arrangement of stars to erect a star altar. They light bright lamps to symbolize dispelling darkness, while the chanting of scriptures conveys their sincerity in delivering the deceased and beseeching divine favor.

Finally, the assembly devoutly prays to the Greedy Wolf Star Lord (the first star of the Northern Dipper) and all the deities of the Dipper Assembly: they praise these divine beings for governing the heavens and aligning with the movement of the Dao (Dao), above conforming to the vigorous virtue of Heaven (Qian), and below guarding the earthly domain of Qin. They beseech the stars of the Northern Dipper to shine eternally, secretly safeguarding the ruler’s enduring reign and ensuring peace under heaven. Through the illumination of lamps and the repentance of scripture recitation, the ceremony achieves its purpose of dispelling calamities, prolonging life, and receiving divine grace.

(Note: The Northern Dipper Life-Prolonging Repentance is an important Daoist liturgy, in which worship of the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper is performed to dispel misfortune and prolong life. In Daoist belief, the Northern Dipper governs life, death, fortune, and calamity. This ritual is commonly performed in contexts where blessings are sought for emperors or important figures.)

This is a passage from a Daoist liturgical text (Keyi) for disaster-averting and blessing rituals directed at the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper, specifically invoking the Celestial Lords of the Greedy Wolf (Tanlang) and Giant Gate (Jumen).

Devotees, with sincere reverence, set up an altar according to Daoist ritual protocols, arranging incense, candles, and offerings while praying to the corresponding Dipper Star Lord of their birth year. The text particularly notes that those born in the Year of the Ox (Chou) or the Year of the Pig (Hai) are under the guardianship of the Giant Gate Star Lord. The prayers include:

When beseeching the Greedy Wolf Star Lord, they ask for the will of Heaven (Tianxin) to protect them and for divine power to bestow blessings—extending their lifespan in the "Azure Register" (Qingshu, the celestial record of merits) and erasing transgressions from the "Black Ledger" (Heibu, the record of faults). The text praises the Greedy Wolf Star Lord for granting longevity, preserving health, sharpening the senses, calming the ethereal and corporeal souls (Hun and Po), and ultimately aiding in attaining ascension to immortality.

When praying to the Giant Gate Star Lord, the text extols his power to prolong life, dispel malevolent forces, and ensure the unobstructed flow of Qi in the Dantian (the body’s vital energy center), fostering resonance with immortals. The supplications seek protection from calamities, peace for the household, and enduring blessings.

In Daoist belief, the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper, located in the Purple Tenuity Enclosure (Ziwei Yuan, the celestial region of the North Star), govern human destiny, life, and fortune. Each Star Lord corresponds to individuals born under specific zodiac years. This scripture exemplifies the Daoist practice of communicating with celestial deities through prescribed rituals to seek health, longevity, and spiritual cultivation.

This scripture records a Daoist zhaijiao (purification ritual) liturgy for supplicating the stellar deities, specifically focusing on prayers to Luchun Xingjun (Star Lord of Rank and Fortune) and Wenqu Xingjun (Star Lord of Literature) from the Northern Dipper constellation. In this ritual, Daoist priests perform reverent worship to seek the stellar lords' blessings for devotees.

The first prayer is addressed to Luchun Xingjun (the third star of the Northern Dipper, governing official positions and lifespan): "We sincerely submit to the True Imperial Lord Luchun who oversees human prosperity and rank, along with all the divine officials of the Dipper Ministry. Your stellar majesty governs celestial mechanisms, commands the power of Fire De (the Five Phases' fire element), and safeguards the Liang region (an ancient administrative area). You manifest virtuous thoughts and dispel calamities. Today, following proper keyi (liturgical procedures), we have erected a stellar altar with complete ritual offerings. Especially for those born in Yin or Xu years (Tiger or Dog zodiac signs), we pray to Luchun Xingjun: May the deity swiftly respond by bestowing a thousand blessings upon households, bringing the five fortunes, resolving disasters, granting devotees longevity, prosperous careers, physical and mental wellbeing, and ultimately ascension to the Jade Capital (Daoism's highest heavenly realm)."

The subsequent prayer is directed to Wenqu Xingjun (the fourth star of the Northern Dipper, governing literary fortune and wisdom): "We sincerely submit to the True Imperial Lord Wenqu who holds the balance of yin-yang. Your stellar majesty harmonizes the four seasons' yin-yang forces, commands the gentle power of Water De (the Five Phases' water element), and ensures favorable weather for the Wu region (Jiangsu-Zhejiang area). We pray for your divine intervention to pacify border conflicts and manifest sacred power. Strictly adhering to Daoist ritual protocols, we have prepared exquisite offerings on this altar, specifically praying for wisdom and peace for those born in Mao or You years (Rabbit or Rooster zodiac signs)."

The recurring character "he" (harmony) in the text marks congregational responses during Daoist hymn chanting. Through this meticulously structured liturgy, the scripture demonstrates Daoism's cosmology of "heaven-human resonance," where sincere ritual performance can connect with stellar deities' power to obtain merits of disaster relief and life extension.

This scripture is a prayer liturgy (Zhaijiao Keyi) in Daoist ritual practice, offering supplications to the Northern Dipper Star Lords for blessings. The main content describes devotees reverently worshiping the Wenchang Star Lord (Fourth Star of the Dipper) and Lianzhen Star Lord (Fifth Star of the Dipper) among the Seven Luminaries of the Northern Dipper, seeking disaster relief, longevity, and increased fortune.

The first homage is paid to the Wenchang Star Lord, the Fourth Luminary of the Dipper. Devotees praise this stellar deity's power to dispel calamities, whose immortal radiance illuminates the ten directions. As the administrator of human officialdom records residing in the Purple Tenuity Enclosure (considered the celestial abode of the Heavenly Emperor in Daoism), Wenchang Star Lord protects devotees' physical forms and extends their lifespans. Through cultivation, one may achieve resonance with this deity, attaining the state of "dwelling with the divine," ultimately ascending to the Jade Capital's immortal realms. The assembly earnestly prays for longevity, kneeling devoutly before this stellar lord.

Next comes the veneration of Lianzhen Star Lord, the Fifth Luminary, who governs the "virtue of Earth" (the Earth phase among the Five Phases). This stellar deity possesses the formidable power to pacify malevolence while punishing evil and rewarding good. Devotees establish ritual altars with incense and lamps, beseeching Lianzhen Star Lord to avert disasters and bring blessings. The scripture describes how this stellar lord "showers auspicious rosy mists," assisting devotees in strengthening body and mind while prolonging their years. Accomplished adepts may "ride radiance in flight," journeying alongside divine beings.

The text also mentions Wuchang Star Lord (Sixth Luminary of the Dipper), praising his generative power embodying the "virtue of Wood" (the Wood phase among the Five Phases). Throughout the ceremony, devotees maintain utmost sincerity and reverence, following liturgical protocols (Keyi) in their worship, hoping through the stellar lords' power to cleanse misfortunes and secure blessings for entire households.

Recurrent terms like "Seven Luminaries" refer to the seven stars of the Northern Dipper, while "Purple Chambers" and "Purple Encampment" denote the stellar deities' celestial abodes. "Jade Halls" and "Jade Courts" represent immortal realms. These specialized terms reflect Daoism's stellar veneration and cultivation practices aimed at achieving immortality.

This scripture passage describes the liturgical content (Keyi) within the Daoist belief system surrounding the Big Dipper constellation, focusing particularly on the worship and supplication of the Martial Virtue Star Lord (Wuxu Xingjun) and the Army-Breaking Star Lord (Pojun Xingjun).

The text begins by describing devotees in the ancient region of Zhao who sincerely follow the Dao, seeking through ritual to distance themselves from calamities and attain a life of stability and prosperity. Following Daoist ceremonial protocols, they erect an altar, prepare ritual implements (zhenxin) and floral offerings, offering devout prayers to the Martial Virtue Star Lord (the sixth star of the Big Dipper, governing martial fortune and disaster relief). They implore the stellar deity to bestow blessings, eliminate misfortunes, and safeguard their households throughout the seasons. The phrase "seven primordial stars record the register" (qiyuan zhuji) refers to the Big Dipper's influence in destiny calculation, expressing the belief that sincere worship can inscribe one's name in the celestial registers (xianji), gaining protection from immortal officials and the descent of true Qi (vital energy), ultimately leading to longevity.

The latter section shifts to praise of the Army-Breaking Star Lord (the seventh star of the Big Dipper, governing victory over enemies and life extension). This stellar lord is described as unyielding like tempered metal, governing the ancient region of Qi (modern Shandong) with majestic discipline. Those born during the hour of noon particularly direct their supplications to him, hoping the raised dipper handle (doubiao) of his constellation may regulate the four seasons. The metaphors "jade slips prolong life, golden scrolls record virtue" illustrate the desired outcomes of extended lifespan and meritorious deeds. The prayers seek to neutralize malignant stellar influences and avert temporal misfortunes while protecting domestic harmony.

The passage concludes with two devotional hymns (xinli), respectively extolling the Martial Virtue Star Lord's power to dispel disasters and the Army-Breaking Star Lord's capacity to increase longevity. These depict celestial beings dancing amid clouds, achieving mystical union with the Dao. Technical terms include "seven primordial" (qiyuan) for the Big Dipper stars, "purple registers" (zitong/zishu) for celestial records, and "true Qi" (zhenqi) as the core energy of cultivation. The entire ritual exemplifies the Daoist integration of astral veneration with personal destiny within its belief system.

This scripture records the incantation text used in the Daoist Northern Dipper Ritual (Beidou Jiao), a ceremony venerating the Seven Star Lords of the Northern Dipper. During the ritual, Daoist priests devoutly pay homage to these celestial deities (revered in Daoism as seven star lords governing human life, death, fortune, and misfortune) along with their attendant spirits.

The ceremony begins with priests reverently addressing the Seven Primordial True Lords of the Northern Dipper (the deified embodiments of the seven stars) and each participant’s Birth Star Lord (the guardian star corresponding to one’s birth year). Following strict liturgical (Keyi) protocols, they meticulously prepare offerings such as incense, candles, and lamps within a solemnly arranged altar space (the sacred ritual area). Fragrant orchid resin (a sacred aromatic) perfumes the air, while lotus lamps illuminate the midnight darkness, their flames mirroring the celestial radiance of the stars above.

Through such devout worship, participants hope to bathe in divine light, dispel ignorance and karmic obstacles, and receive the Star Lords’ absolution. Upon completing the ritual, they pray for heaven’s blessings to spread universally: first, for the enduring harmony of heaven and earth, national stability, and favorable weather; second, for cultivators to attain longevity through virtuous deeds, for families to uphold loyalty and filial piety across generations, and for calamities to dissolve, ensuring peace throughout the seasons. Finally, they express the wish that all living beings may transcend darkness, embrace illumination, and together reach the far shore of the Dao.

As the ceremony concludes, participants bow once more in reverence to the Northern Dipper Lords, chanting hymns and burning ritual paper money to escort the deities back to the celestial realm, thereby completing the entire liturgical sequence. This passage vividly captures the solemnity of Daoist Northern Dipper worship and the profound scope of its blessings.