《洞真太上上清內經》

The seventh section of the Dongzhen Taishang Shangqing Neijing records:

In the celestial realm of Shangqing, the Primordial Heavenly King (the supreme deity of Daoism) assembled with the Five Thearchs of the Directions, the Nine Heavenly True Kings, the Ten Directional Great Sages, and other exalted divine beings at the Cypress Mound Abode in the Red Brilliance World. Seated beneath a towering mulberry tree in a fragrant garden, the Heavenly King presided while all celestial deities reverently took their places. At that moment, mist and clouds enveloped the scene, plunging heaven and earth into darkness for nine days and nights without light, as if returning to the primordial chaos of the universe's inception.

The Five Thearchs stepped forward to pay homage and inquired of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable: "This grand assembly is unprecedented, yet why has heaven and earth suddenly darkened? Even the sun, moon, stars, and mountain-river deities are unsettled. We humbly beseech Your Venerable to enlighten us." The Primordial Heavenly Venerable replied: "This is an auspicious celestial sign—the natural manifestation of golden-jade celestial scriptures now obscures the heavenly light. I shall now reveal the Nine Heavens' profound mysteries and impart the true divine names and immortal titles for all beings."

All the assembled immortals immediately prostrated themselves to listen. In moments, the darkness dispersed as five-colored radiance illuminated the ten directions. Suddenly, a square celestial scripture measuring ten feet appeared in the void, its characters emitting octagonal light so dazzling it was nearly impossible to behold directly. The Primordial Heavenly Venerable proclaimed to the assembly: "This is the Numinous Scripture of the Nine Heavens, recording the ultimate principles of heaven and earth, spontaneously generated by the Nine Heavens themselves."

(Note: This passage depicts the sacred Daoist tradition of "celestial scriptures descending to earth" through a gathering of supreme deities. The "Five Thearchs" refer to the Five Directional Thearchs, the "Nine Heavenly True Kings" represent the deities of the Nine Heavens, and the "Red Brilliance World" symbolizes Daoism's idealized sacred pure land.)

This scripture passage recounts the transmission process of an important Shangqing (Highest Clarity) Daoist classic, containing several core elements:

The text opens by explaining that these profound cultivation secrets were originally transmitted only to "Perfected Persons" (zhenren, accomplished Daoists), secretly preserved in the Golden Efflorescence Palace of the Cavern Chamber (a sacred celestial palace in Daoist cosmology). Now they are to be transmitted to predestined individuals. It emphasizes the need for careful secrecy and diligent practice to achieve unity with the Dao (the Way).

The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (Yuanshi Tianzun, highest Daoist deity) instructs the Supreme Lord of the Great Dao (Taishang Dadaojun, high-ranking celestial being) to record these wondrous teachings in clear writing, allowing the orthodox Dao to spread throughout the ten directions. Those with special predestined connections who meet cultivation requirements should receive these transmissions as celestial immortals (shangxian).

The passage then describes the transmission journey of the Primordial Heavenly King (another name for Yuanshi Tianzun) over countless eons, particularly highlighting the current auspicious time when sacred teachings are being revealed and practice methods widely disseminated. It mentions profound concepts like the "Five Harmonies Tones" (wuhe zhi yin, five harmonizing sounds in Daoist cultivation) that ordinary people find difficult to comprehend.

Following this is a hymn of praise extolling how Yuanshi Tianzun established the Great Dao, illuminating the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and humanity) with radiant light, causing divine beings to manifest and scriptures to shine brilliantly. It describes how cultivation enables transcendence beyond life and death, bringing light even to the Nine Netherworlds (jiuyou, underworld domains).

The text concludes by listing four types of "Great True Name Talismans" (zhenming da fu, powerful protective charms):

1. "Chaos Dharma Crossing" (Hun Fadu) assists adepts in ascension

2. "Cavern Dharma Crossing" (Dong Fadu) grants comprehension of Daoist methods

3. "Opening Dharma Crossing" (Kai Fadu) preserves one's true spirit from dissipation

4. "Illumination Dharma Crossing" (Ming Fadu) aids in achieving immortality

These talismans were transmitted by different high-ranking deities (Primordial Elder, Primordial Heavenly King, Nine Heavens Elder, and Nine Heavens True King respectively). Wearing them confers the ability to fly and ascend to immortality.

This scripture documents the esoteric talismans (fulu) and sacred name methods within the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) Daoist cultivation system, presented in two main sections:

The first section details the talismans and true names of the Nine Heavenly Sovereigns (nine high-ranking celestial deities):

1. The "Essence-Generating Heavenly Pervasion Qi Talisman" of the Nine Heavenly Dao Fathers corresponds to the fifth true name "Dao Method," specifically for guiding realized adepts

2. The "Nine Subtleties Dao Yellow Essence Talisman" of the Nine Heavenly True Mothers matches the sixth true name "Chaos Method"

3. The "Three-Qi Purple Numen Talisman" of the Great True Elder corresponds to the seventh true name "Gate Method"

4. The "Self-Generating Divine Talisman" of the Great True Flying Numen aligns with the eighth true name "Breath Method"

5. The "Mysterious Numen Purple Mist Ascending the Nether Talisman" of the Primal Beginning Master matches the ninth true name "Langlan Method"

The text particularly emphasizes that these golden formulas and true talismans are transmitted exclusively to superior immortals (advanced practitioners), never to intermediate adepts. Upon receiving them, one must treasure them like precious jewels stored in golden caskets, never displaying them casually—violating this prohibition invites the "Wind Blade Trial" (celestial punishment).

The second section enumerates the treasure talismans and true names corresponding to the Nine Heavens (Daoism's nine celestial realms):

1. The "Eightfold Life Natural Treasure Talisman" of Yudanwuliang Heaven, with celestial surname taboo "Shaowuluo"

2. The "Jade True Emptiness-Generated Primal Chaos Numen Talisman" of Chanshan Wuliangshou Heaven, celestial surname taboo "Duoshaole"

3. The "Three-Qi Dragon Embryo Jade Numen Water-Generated Natural Talisman" of Fanjian Heaven, celestial surname taboo "Titouluo"

...

Through to the ninth Heaven, Polidahu's "Nine-Qi Life-Body Three Radiances Pure Subtlety Flying Void Talisman," celestial surname taboo "Lingyuan"

The conclusion stresses these true surnames and taboos may only be transmitted to realized Daoists. Practitioners must maintain oral secrecy during focused cultivation, storing them in the "Grotto Chamber Golden Flower Palace" (a crucial internal cultivation site within the body). Disclosure brings the consequence of plummeting to the Nine Springs below. The text closes mentioning the Eastern Green Emperor's "Mysterious Numen Natural Dao Transcendence Talisman," celestial surname taboo "Qu Gengsheng."

These contents reflect Shangqing Daoism's emphasis on secret talismanic transmission and sacred name veneration, believing mastery of these celestial deities' taboo names and talismans grants extraordinary power—provided one strictly observes confidentiality protocols.

This scripture expounds on the true name talismans and cultivation essentials of the Five Directional Emperors (the Celestial Sovereigns corresponding to the five directions) in Daoism:

Each of the Five Directional Emperors possesses exclusive jade talismans and secret true names:

• The Red Emperor of the South (Sovereign of Fire Virtue) is named Zhu Changzhong, who holds the "True Formula"
• The White Emperor of the West (Sovereign of Metal Virtue) is named Ru Quzheng, who governs the "Purple Immortal Gold Talisman of Eight Qi"
• The Black Emperor of the North (Sovereign of Water Virtue) is named Xuan Yinfeng, who wields the "Jade Talisman of Eightfold Golden Truth"
• The Yellow Emperor of the Center (Sovereign of Earth Virtue) is named Wang Zhen, who possesses the "True Yellow Register of Primordial Life"

These emperors' true names remain secretly stored in the highest heavens, formed through the condensation of ten-directional true Qi and the five-directional natural energies. Practitioners who sincerely uphold these true name talismans must:

1. Strictly maintain secrecy and never casually reveal them

2. Deeply store them in the "Golden Flower Cavern Chamber" (an alternate name for the upper Dantian/Niwan Palace) for cultivation

3. Practice with closed lips in silent cultivation, maintaining devout concentration

The latter part of the scripture describes various guardian deities, such as:

• Four-eyed fierce beasts guarding the physical form
• Eight-wind deities stirring oceans and mountains
• Thunder-beasts splitting mountains and shaking earth
• Golden-headed lion spirits devouring malevolent forces

It ultimately emphasizes that through sincere practice, one can receive the protection of the "Supreme True Elder" and attain the realm of longevity and ascension, entering the sacred domain of "Nine Subtleties Mystery" (the highest celestial sphere).

(Note: The "▲" symbols in the text indicate missing or damaged portions of the original scripture)

This scripture records the essential cultivation methods transmitted by the Supreme Purity Purple Tenuity Primordial Lord (a revered Daoist deity). Its main content reveals:

This sacred text, alternatively titled The Numinous Register of the Great Perfection's Yin-Yang (an esoteric practice manual) or The Authentic Scripture of the Nine Streams, is exclusively used to elevate those whose names are recorded in the immortal registers of the Purple Tenuity Upper Palace (a celestial realm of the highest thirty-two heavens), destined to become superior transcendents. Middle-grade immortals and earthly transcendents are unworthy to hear it—those without accumulated merit spanning ten thousand lifetimes will never encounter it in their current existence.

The scripture emphasizes three prerequisites for receiving this authentic formula:

1. One's name must already be inscribed in the celestial golden-jade immortal registers

2. One's bone structure must reveal the innate capacity for ascension

3. One must possess karmic blessings sufficient to achieve transcendence in this lifetime

Practicing these methods can dispel all calamities, but requires strict adherence to the Disciplinary Codes of the Four Poles (Daoist precepts):

• Transmission is permitted only to those listed in the immortal registers of the Supreme Purity Purple Terrace Mysterious Tower (an advanced cultivation site)
• Recipients must diligently practice upon receiving the scripture
• Absolute prohibition against indiscriminate disclosure
• Violators will face the "Trial of Wind-Blades" (celestial punishment)

(Note: The phrase "flesh and bones simultaneously take flight" refers to the state of perfect cultivation where both physical form and primordial spirit (Shen) ascend together.)