《洞玄靈寶真人修行延年益筭法》

This scripture primarily expounds on several Daoist cultivation methods for prolonging life:

The Method of Six Jia Deities Protection

It records the names of six guardian deities corresponding to the Jia days: Wang Wenqing for Jiazi day, Zhan Zijiang for Jiaxu day, Hu Wenchang for Jiashen day, Wei Shangqing for Jiawu day, Meng Feiqing for Jiachen day, and Ming Wenzhang for Jiayin day. Practitioners who frequently recite these divine names will experience unobstructed orifices, dispel illnesses, and avert misfortunes. When encountering danger, invoking the guardian deity of that particular day will bring assistance.

The Chanting Method of Four Sea Deities

It introduces the names of the Four Sea Deities: A Ming of the East Sea, Ju Cheng of the West Sea, Zhu Rong of the South Sea, and Xuan Ming of the North Sea. Practitioners should chant these divine names three times or more during the hour of the rooster's crow each day to expel evil spirits and resolve calamities.

The Three-One Spirit Retention Method

This teaches practitioners to visualize three deities within their bodies morning and evening:

1. The "Red Child" in the upper Dantian (head)

2. The "True Human Child" in the middle Dantian (chest)

3. The "Infant Primordial Yang Valley" in the lower Dantian (abdomen)

During visualization, one should imagine them as three-inch tall infants dressed in red. However, this practice must be avoided on Jiazi days.

The Bright Eyes Cultivation Method

1. At the hour of the rooster's crow, massage both eyes while first reciting the incantation: "The Queen Mother of the West, her name Yi Yu, bestows upon me the medicine for bright eyes..." Then rub hands until warm and massage the eyes fourteen times.

2. Close eyes and silently recite the incantation beginning with "Huang Shangzi..." while visualizing various immortal foods entering the mouth to nourish the five viscera.

All these methods emphasize practicing at specific times (especially during the hour of the rooster's crow), achieving health preservation and longevity through deity visualization, incantation recitation, and body massage techniques.

The Dongxuan Lingbao Zhenren Xiuxing Yannian Suanfa scripture details concrete longevity practices for Daoist cultivators:

At cockcrow (before dawn), silently recite the scripture three times. Then practice the "Qi-Swallowing Method": rinse the mouth while visualizing golden spiritual Qi (representing cosmic vitality) filling the oral cavity, swallowing it in five portions. This naturally satisfies hunger while dispelling illness and prolonging life.

At daybreak, knock the teeth three times and invoke the names of the Three Hun-Souls (Daoism teaches humans possess Taiguang, Shuangling, and Youjing as three spiritual souls) with the incantation: "Taiguang extends life, Shuangling increases blessings, Youjing eliminates death—urgently as the law commands!" Consistent practice summons these souls' protection against misfortunes and nightmares.

Daily prohibitions include: never speaking inauspicious words at dawn nor singing/playing music (called "inviting misfortune"); abstaining from singing, reciting poetry, or sleeping prone on beds (these three shorten lifespan). The foundation of cultivation lies in accumulating hidden virtue (Yinde): showing compassion, aiding the distressed, and valuing the Dao above wealth.

The essential method of "Guarding the One" (Shouyi, meditation focused on the Dantian or deities): when facing danger, silently chant "One" while kneeling toward one's master's direction; when desiring to harm others, visualize flying immortals; when envious, contemplate great deities; when coveting wealth, imagine perfected beings (Zhenren). Normally concentrate on "One"—when encountering evil influences, visualize the sixth star of the Big Dipper (Fu Star), or chant "One" persistently when clouds obscure the stars.

Quoting Laozi: "Heaven, earth, mountains and seas achieve stability through Guarding the One—humans who guard it surely attain immortality." The Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu) transmitted this hair-combing incantation: "The Great Emperor disperses numinosity, the Five Elders return the spirit, the Niwan crown emanates mystery—preserve essence for eternal existence" (Niwan refers to the crown-point acupoint). Chant silently while combing hair toward one's birth-year auspicious direction.

These methods integrate breath regulation, visualization, mantras, and taboos, with "Guarding the One" concentration and daily virtuous conduct as their core.

This scripture primarily elucidates several Daoist cultivation methods for nourishing life and prolonging longevity:

Daily cultivation practices include orienting oneself toward the personal auspicious direction (one's birth alignment) for sitting, sleeping, eating, and taking medicine. When this isn't possible, facing northeast or northwest is recommended, as these directions represent crucial pathways where the celestial and terrestrial soul-essences (hun-po) converge. Upon waking, gently sway the body side-to-side several dozen times, then support the torso with hands on the ground while tilting the head skyward, rotating the neck twenty times in each direction. During seated meditation, raise both hands momentarily while massaging the eye sockets toward the ears, silently reciting incantations (containing references to celestial-earthly harmony and longevity concepts). Practice breath retention visualization: imagine a crimson thread-like Qi emanating from the navel, ascending through the nasal passages in three cycles. This massage technique promotes meridian circulation and life extension.

The Solar Essence Absorption Method involves facing the sun at dawn after washing. Exhale turbid Qi through the mouth while inhaling solar essence (sunlight's vital energy) through the nostrils until sneezing occurs—this replenishes essential Jing-Qi. When the sun rises three zhang (about 10 meters) high, cross arms over shoulders to direct sunlight onto the heart region, visualizing solar essence penetrating the cardiac center until warmth is perceptible, thereby nourishing the Shen (spirit).

Dietary cultivation practices include silent incantation recitation before meals, envisioning the body as an embodiment of the Dao while dining in communion with divine beings to seek longevity. Before drinking water, exhale softly three times while sanctifying the liquid through incantations (referencing the "Qian Yuan Heng Li Zhen" hexagram from the Yijing), transforming ordinary water into a substance that cools and purifies the five viscera.

The text notes special caution from Master Wang (likely a Daoist adept): these practices should not coincide with meals or during herbal preparation and alchemical processes (Waidan).

These methods synthesize characteristic Daoist techniques—physical movement, breath regulation (tuna), meditative visualization, and incantatory rituals—emphasizing interactive engagement with cosmic energies and meticulous attention to life-nourishing details in daily activities.

The Dongxuan Lingbao Zhenren Xiuxing Yannian Yansuan Jing (Scripture on the Perfected One's Cultivation Practice for Longevity and Life Extension) presents methods for nurturing life through cultivation, with the core emphasis on maintaining mental tranquility while observing dietary taboos and practicing visualization (meditation) techniques.

First, it stresses prohibitions regarding medicinal intake: When taking medicine, one must face their "life direction" (an auspicious orientation determined by birthdate astrology). After ingestion, avoid discussing inauspicious topics like death, as this may offend the "fetal spirit" (the guardian spirit of embryonic essence), rendering the medicine ineffective.

It then introduces Laozi's essential "Guarding the One" method:

1. Before consuming any food or medicine, recite an incantation three times summoning "Huangshangzi" (the deity governing nourishment), petitioning for blessed sustenance and spiritual remedies.

2. Visualize three deities within the food and medicine vessels—representing the upper, middle, and lower Dantian's Jing (essence), Qi (vital energy), and Shen (spirit). Simultaneously envision three three-inch-tall infants in red garments (symbolizing the body's three Hun souls) partaking in the meal.

3. When dining with others, the incantation may be omitted, but maintain the visualization of the three infants sequentially consuming nourishment. Persistent practice brings longevity, increased blessings, and expulsion of pathogenic influences.

The accompanying incantation conveys: "May this medicine merge with my primordial spirit, replenish Qi and blood, expel illness, elevate me toward immortality, and command the Six Ding divine generals (Daoist guardian deities) to protect this body."

The Zhengao (Declarations of the Perfected) describes a Shen-visualization method:

1. First clearly visualize your own form while maintaining the image of sun and moon illuminating your face—the sun at left and moon at right, suspended nine inches before you.

2. Click the teeth three times while silently reciting: "May the Primordial Fetal Perfection unite with these twin luminaries; embracing the Seven Po (yin spirits) at left, restraining the Three Hun (yang souls) at right, eternally fortifying my spirit and form."

3. Click teeth three more times and swallow saliva thrice. This secret method for stabilizing form and anchoring the soul was transmitted by the Great Emperor Lord (a Daoist deity).

The Taisu Danjing Jing (Scripture of the Great Simplicity's Cinnabar Radiance) prescribes facial massage techniques:

1. Regularly massage the face with both hands, following facial contours with upward and downward motions—frequency is flexible.

2. Focus on pressing the depressions behind the eyebrows (temple region) twenty-seven times.

3. Frequently massage the cheekbone areas beneath the eyes. Long-term practice enhances auditory and visual acuity.

These methods collectively emphasize harmonizing Jing, Qi, and Shen through visualization, incantations, and daoyin massage to achieve health and longevity. The essential principle lies in focused awareness and persistent practice.

This scripture primarily discusses several Daoist methods for health cultivation and warding off evil influences:

1. Therapeutic Massage Techniques:

• Rub the ears thirty times with your hands, then massage from between the eyebrows upward across the forehead to the hairline while swallowing saliva. Practicing this regularly improves eyesight, and after one year, one can read characters clearly even at night.
• When experiencing bodily pain, massage the affected area at dawn when Yang Qi (vital energy) arises, facing an auspicious direction while reciting the incantation: "The mysterious Three Shen (spirits) of left and right unite as one, the golden Six Splendors of left and right resonate..." (The chant essentially dispels pathogenic influences and prays for health and longevity).

2. Visualization Practices (Cunxiang):

• Morning and evening while lying in bed, visualize a "True Man Zidan" wearing a blue headband between the eyebrows. Constant practice of this can extend life to eight hundred years.
• When frightened at night, visualize the sun and moon entering the Mingtang acupoint (between the eyebrows), causing evil Qi to dissipate naturally.
• Before sleep, imagine the sun at the forehead and the moon below the navel to repel evil and attract blessings.

3. Protective Incantations:

• When walking at night, chant: "Great Yin Lord, come quickly to protect me" or "One lord before me, two lords behind, evil beings cannot approach."
• On the last night of each lunar month, sleep with the head facing north while pressing a hand to the heart and reciting: "Spirits of the Five Organs, deities of Heaven and Earth, sun and moon, all come to guard..." (a chant seeking longevity and altered fortune).
• Before sleep, turn shoes outward while chanting: "Misfortune departs, blessings arrive, eliminate all inauspiciousness and evil, the Supreme Lord Lao bestows longevity..."

These methods combine acupoint massage, visualization cultivation, and incantatory prayers—common Daoist techniques for nourishing life and prolonging years. Terms like "Green Ox Daoist" refer to famous ancient practitioners, "Mingtang" denotes the acupoint between the eyebrows, and "Cunxiang" (visualization) represents an essential Daoist cultivation method.

The Dongxuan Lingbao Zhenren Xiuxing Yannian Suanfa (Scripture on the Methods for Prolonging Life Through the Practice of the Perfected) primarily discusses nighttime cultivation practices and daily protective incantations. Here's a plain explanation:

Before sleep at night, perform these rituals:

1. Exorcism Incantation:

First recite: "The prison officers of the Celestial Emperor forbid demons and malevolent spirits to roam at night. Those who commit grave evils shall be cut in half at the waist; lesser offenders shall be exiled, and those of moderate guilt shall have their ears severed."

Repeat this three times swiftly, as if commanded by Lord Lao (Laojun), while tapping your teeth three times.

2. Expelling the Three Corpses (harmful spirits residing in the body):

Each night before lying down, place your left hand over your heart, tap your teeth twenty-one times, and call out the names of the Three Corpses in sequence: "Upper Corpse Peng Ju, come forth! Middle Corpse Peng Zhi, come forth! Lower Corpse Peng Jiao, come forth!"

This prevents them from harming you.

3. Spirit-Calming Incantation:

Lie flat with both hands over your heart and recite:

"O divine beings, make my five viscera shine, nourish my marrow, and nurture my spirit (Shen). May divine light stabilize me, reversing aging. By the decree of Heaven, protect my body, so my spirit remains ever-present. Divine light follows me—what I desire shall be granted, what I despise shall be subdued."

Conclude with: "Swiftly, swiftly, as commanded by Lord Lao!"

4. Longevity Incantation:

Then recite: "The radiance of Heaven flourishes—may I attain long life. The Supreme Unity's true mystery guards my form. May the sovereigns of my five viscera each find peace."

Men recite this seven times, women fourteen times.

Key Points for Midnight Cultivation:

At midnight, remove your pillow and lie flat. Assume the wogu gesture (thumb pressing the base of the ring finger), relax your body, and regulate your breath. If you feel disharmony in your bodily spirits (discomfort), immediately rise, burn incense, and sit in meditation. Close your eyes, maintain wogu, and visualize a white Qi (vital energy) the size of an egg between your eyebrows—this restores balance. Perform this every five days as part of refining the Twenty-Four Body Spirits.

Daily Precautions:

1. When wearing new clothes, face the sun and recite:

"Divine light blazes, illuminating my body. Clad in new robes, may wealth and fortune follow, and my lifespan extend."

2. Upon waking at midnight, immediately close your eyes, tap your teeth nine times, swallow saliva nine times, and massage around your nose dozens of times. Whisper:

"The Supreme Fourfold Radiance opens the nine gates; my ears and eyes connect to the celestial court..."

This chant seeks clarity of senses, harmony of the five viscera, and purity of the hun and po (ethereal and corporeal souls).

These methods form the daily practice of Daoist cultivation, aimed at warding off evil, nurturing body and mind, and prolonging life. Consistency is essential, combined with specific hand gestures, breath regulation, and visualization techniques.

This scripture primarily explains Daoist cultivation methods for handling dreams and daily practice, divided into several sections:

The first section discusses daily cultivation techniques:

Upon waking each morning, one should massage the face until slightly warm while silently reciting incantations. Consistent practice enhances hearing, sharpens vision, improves memory, and brings a healthy complexion, while also helping to control the hun and po souls (ethereal and corporeal souls) and ward off evil influences. This method was transmitted by the Great Purity Perfected Being (a high-ranking Daoist immortal) for beginners.

The second section addresses nightmare management:

Frequent nightmares may stem from three causes: disturbances by the hun and po souls, inner trials, or corpse-qi contamination. Upon waking from such dreams, one should immediately sit up facing north, press the philtrum (Renzhong point) 14 times with the left hand, then press the ShanYuan point beneath the nose 14 times with the second and third fingers (using even numbers, the yin count), while lightly tapping the teeth 14 times and silently reciting an exorcism mantra. The incantation essentially calls the three hun souls back to their positions, invokes the protection of the Supreme Three Primordial Sovereigns (three high deities) and Taokang (a guardian spirit), requesting celestial generals to eliminate malignant influences.

The third section covers auspicious dream treatment:

After a positive dream, one should massage the eyes 14 times, tap teeth 14 times, while silently reciting a gratitude mantra to thank the deities for their guidance.

The fourth section supplements nightmare remedies:

Following a bad dream, one may turn the pillow over or change it while reciting another incantation summoning the Jade Maiden and Golden Lad for protection, transforming misfortune into good fortune. After recitation, swallow saliva seven times and tap teeth seven times before returning to sleep. Repeating this four or five times eliminates nightmares.

Finally, the text mentions a Perfected Being's (enlightened master) method for entering restrooms: one should recite a specific incantation before entering (the exact words aren't provided here).

Note: The text mentions "swallowing fluids" (yanye) refers to naturally produced saliva, "tooth-tapping" (kouchi) means gently clicking upper and lower teeth, and "twisting" (nian) indicates finger pressure and rubbing motions—all fundamental Daoist health preservation techniques.

This scripture records an ancient Daoist ritual practice used during defecation, aimed at dispelling misfortune and prolonging life.

The content is divided into two main sections:

The first part details the "Method of Using Grass for Toilet Purposes":

Three blades of grass are prepared (each no longer than nine inches, as exceeding this length would shorten one's lifespan). One blade is placed on the left to represent the "Lord of Left Virtue" (a guardian deity), another on the right for the "Lord of Right Virtue," while the central blade is accompanied by the incantation: "Remove [one's own name] from the Register of Death, and enter through the Gate of Life." This ritual symbolizes the erasure of death records and entry into the passage of vitality.

The second part explains the wilderness procedure:

The practitioner recites: "Lady of the Wild Groves (guardian spirit of wilderness), Lady of the Wild Groves, remove [name] from the Register of Death, and enter through the Gate of Life." All other steps mirror the indoor toilet ritual.

These practices belong to Daoist longevity cultivation methods known as "extending years and calculating destiny." Through specific rituals and incantations, practitioners seek to eliminate calamities. The "Register of Death" refers to underworld ledgers recording human lifespans, while the "Gate of Life" symbolizes the passageway for life's continuation.