《洞真太上三元流珠經》

The eighth section of the Dongzhen Taishang Sanyuan Liuzhu Jing (Scripture of the Flowing Pearl of the Three Primes) records:

This scripture contains the supreme method practiced by the Director of Destinies (Siming Shen), the deity governing human lifespans, and stands as the most revered among the Five Sections of essential classics. For cultivation, one must prepare: 365 pure white pearls, round and smooth, each the size of a tung seed (symbolizing the celestial degrees of the heavenly constellations), along with 24 feet each of crimson and yellow silk (corresponding to the 24 solar terms). Only through fasting, purification, solemn declarations to Heaven and Earth, and establishing covenants with the Yin-Yang spirits can this method be transmitted. Transmission is permitted only once every 300 years, to no more than five individuals, after which it must cease. This is the supreme Daoist method of the Director of Destinies of the Supreme Ultimate (Taiji) and the High Ministers.

Key points for human cultivation: One inch above the space between the eyebrows is the Hall of Light (Mingtang), two inches is the Chamber of the Cavern (Dongfang), three inches is the Dantian (elixir field), and four inches deep lies the Palace of the Flowing Pearl (Liuzhu Gong). Within this palace resides the Divine Lord of the Great One (Taiyi Shenjun), whose throne radiates light. Here, the Director of Destinies regularly reports on human virtues and vices. Good deeds increase lifespan, while evil deeds shorten it. By sincerely cultivating this method and accumulating virtue (De), the Director of Destinies may petition the Divine Lord of the Great One to extend one's life. Although this method is not as profound as the higher "Four Palaces Feminine One" practice, it remains an advanced method among the "Five Palaces Masculine One."

Practice instructions: One must diligently master the eight volumes of the Taiwei Huangshu (Yellow Book of the Great Tenuity) and achieve tangible results before perceiving the Flowing Pearl (an advanced state in Neidan/internal alchemy practice). Failure to perceive the Flowing Pearl results in continued samsaric wandering. The crux of cultivation lies in making the Flowing Pearl radiate brilliantly, illuminating all nine orifices of the body, achieving internal-external通透 (penetrating clarity), and ultimately attaining the ability to wander freely through the Nine Heavens and roam the realms of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing).

Appendix: Oral Instructions from Master Feng of the Shangqing School

In Daoist cultivation, one must first regulate the body, addressing deficiencies, insufficient Qi and blood, and mental decline. Without first healing ailments, neither ingesting elixirs nor practicing Qi cultivation will prove effective. For example, the Daoist Wang Zhongfu practiced the "Method of Drawing in the Three Luminaries and Ingesting Mist" for over forty years without results, while his son attained Dao and ascended to heaven after just eighteen years. The Southern Peak (Nanyue) later enlightened him: his inability to ascend was due to deficiencies in the brain palace, obstructed meridians, and insufficient spiritual fluids—mere ingestion of Qi and mist could not compensate.

(Note: The "Three Luminaries" refer to the sun, moon, and stars; "connecting with the luminaries and ingesting mist" is a method of absorbing the essence of heaven and earth.)

Zhong Fu, a Daoist adept, achieved immortality through a combination of medicinal treatments and Daoist cultivation practices over eighteen years, culminating in his daytime ascension. He now serves as the Perfected Lord of Central Peak in the celestial realm of Mysterious Continent (Xuanzhou), overseeing affairs of the Nine Heavens (Jiuxuan) to this day.

Those who cultivate the Dao must cherish their primordial Qi, nurture their Shen (spirit), and heal through elixir ingestion. This process fills the brain with mysterious Jing (essence) without leakage, enabling practitioners to preserve divine luminosity, ingest spiritual Qi, and absorb the essence of the Three Luminaries (sun, moon, and stars). However, excessive sexual activity leading to essence leakage pollutes one's Qi, extinguishes spiritual awareness, and depletes vital reserves. Even possessing the mysterious Jade Talismans, Golden Scriptures (proofs of cultivation), or Supreme Ultimate (Taiji) techniques cannot restore life in such cases. My late master often warned: "For cultivators, one sexual encounter negates a year's elixir efficacy; two encounters erase two years' accumulation; exceeding three dissipates all stored medicinal benefits from the body." Thus, genuine immortality seekers regard this as the gravest prohibition, exercising utmost caution.

Dao cultivators should treasure their Qi and nourish their Shen: when holding breath, reach maximum retention; when exhaling, do so gently. Avoid excessive speech or loud shouting to prevent dissipating spiritual energy. These precautions form the foundation of life-nourishment. Practitioners of Shen-preservation methods must also refrain from lending or wearing others' clothing, as hats, shoes, and garments carry the Three Hun and Seven Po (soul complexes) and serve as dwelling places for the Qi of the Five Viscera' deities, being particularly vulnerable to defilement.

During the Eight Solar Terms (beginning of spring, spring equinox, etc.), maintain purification fasts and plan virtuous deeds to advance one's Dao practice. These days strictly forbid anger, conflict, or administering punishments—actions considered grave offenses against Heaven and Earth.

When studying supreme Daoist methods or reciting sacred scriptures (Jing), pause every ten to twenty lines to stir the tongue between lips and teeth, swallowing the resulting saliva. Every fifty to one hundred lines, click the teeth two or three times to summon deities and harmonize Qi-blood, filling the "Emperor One" (the body's ruling deity) with numinous fluids. This embodies the state called "unlabored circulation of Qi" (chongqi bulao). Practitioners must also avoid weeping or frequent spitting, which deplete bodily fluids and exhaust marrow. Therefore, Perfected Persons and Daoist adepts routinely practice Tu-Na (breathing exercises) and saliva-swallowing to balance the Six Fluids.

On Jia-Yin and Geng-Shen days (Daoist taboo dates), the corpse-demons (disease-causing pathogenic Qi) within the body become agitated, causing spiritual disturbance and impurity.

This scripture primarily discusses Daoist cultivation methods involving purification (zhaijie), visualization (cunsi), and incantation practices, divided into several key sections:

First, it emphasizes maintaining purity of body and mind during practice. Practitioners should refrain from sharing beds or excessive conversation with spouses, maintaining frequent purification. Particularly on the five Mao days (important Daoist purification dates), one must cultivate with special cleanliness. The specific method involves sitting facing east in meditation, silently paying homage, concentrating the spirit to regulate breath, and communing with divine beings. Persistent practice of this will invite the descent of Jade Maidens (Daoist female immortals) for protection.

Second, it introduces cultivation methods for one's Destiny Day (birthdate's corresponding heavenly stem and earthly branch day): Face a specific direction, click the teeth three times, silently recite the incantation "The Supreme Unity fills life..." (this chant essentially prays for abundant primordial qi, harmonized five organs, and concentrated spirit), then bow to the four directions while clicking teeth and swallowing saliva. This method, called "The Supreme Way of Chanting Life and Concealing the Fetal Origin," stabilizes the hun and po souls, aiding immortality attainment.

Third, it details the visualization (cunsi) method: Regularly visualize one's own form in a quiet chamber, imagining sunlight and moonlight shining on the face from left and right respectively (sun left, moon right, nine inches away). After visualization, click teeth while reciting "The true essence of the primordial fetus..." (praying for eternal preservation of soul and form), then click teeth twenty-one times and swallow saliva seven times. This "Imperial Lord's Method of Recording Form and Embracing Hun While Controlling Po" enhances wisdom and longevity.

Fourth, it mentions that if one cannot memorize the incantations, pure visualization suffices. However, cultivators must first master control over their souls, expelling the "corpse demons" (malevolent energies believed to inhabit the body). Specifically, during month-ends, beginnings, and special days like Gengshen or Jiayin, practice purification through bathing, ideally staying awake all night. Apply cinnabar below the left eye and realgar beneath the right nostril, then click teeth while reciting "Two luminaries fly entwined..." to exorcise impurities.

All these methods stress internal-external purity and mental focus, employing specific postures, breathing, visualizations, and incantations to harmonize yin-yang and consolidate primordial qi, ultimately achieving the cultivation goal of longevity and spiritual vision.

This passage reveals a secret Daoist practice for refining the hun (ethereal soul) and po (corporeal soul) to prolong life. The core method involves:

First recite the incantation: "By refining the hun and uniting the po with form, the Great Spirit commands my immortality, granting eternal longevity, wisdom and clarity." After chanting, tap the teeth three times and swallow saliva three times. Then use the right index finger to press below the left eye corner, and the left index finger below the right nostril—seven repetitions each without lifting the fingers. These are gateways where the seven po (Daoism recognizes three hun and seven po souls) wander and where pathogenic qi enters. This practice blocks the pathways of corpse-demons (symbolizing death and malign energies) while dissolving licentious qi.

As an advanced Taiji (Supreme Ultimate) practice, consistent training harmonizes the souls, dissipates corpse impurities, and may lead to longevity and clairvoyance. After three years, all carnal desires and distracting thoughts vanish. The Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition's tooth-tapping and saliva-swallowing methods follow strict sequences—disorder disrupts genuine qi. Tooth-tapping summons divine energies, while swallowing breath harmonizes true vitality, both synchronized with respiration.

Begin practice by tapping teeth vertically (avoid horizontal movement), ideally achieving three taps per breath cycle. Only after chanting and tooth-tapping should one swallow the elixir-like saliva. This "Summoning Spirits to Harmonize Truth" constitutes an immortal attainment technique. The text laments how practitioners often disregard proper sequences, rendering their efforts futile—a profound pity indeed.