《上清太上迴元隱道除罪籍經》

This scripture records the "eliminating sins and dispelling calamities" practice method of the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition, a major Daoist school. It primarily describes a ritual for eradicating karmic offenses through visualization of the Big Dipper stars at specific times.

Key practice elements:

1. Timing selection: Must be performed during the "Ding days" (days with the celestial stem Ding, such as Dingmao or Dingchou) within the "six Jia cycles" (ten-day periods beginning with Jiazi in the traditional calendar), at midnight (11pm-1am) when Yang energy first emerges.

2. Preparatory ritual:

• Sit upright on the bed facing north
• Clasp hands together and knock teeth seven times
• Visualize the Big Dipper stars shining brightly in the northern sky

3. Specific procedure (using Jiazi cycle's Dingmao day as example):

(1) Silently recite the incantation to summon the spirit of the first star "Mysterious Pivot Bright Yang" seven times

(2) Recite the prayer text: Request elimination of Yang-related transgressions accumulated over seven generations including oneself

(3) Visualize the seven stars descending from heaven, entering through the mouth and reaching the heart, creating inner-outer illumination

4. Additional considerations:

• Different days correspond to different stellar lords (e.g. Dingchou day connects with the second star "Northern Terrace Yin Essence")
• Practitioners should feel warmth when starlight enters the body, confirming successful absorption of stellar essence
• The practice mat should be exclusively used, not shared with others

The scripture asserts this ritual can:

• Purify ancestral karmic burdens
• Harmonize the practitioner with celestial patterns
• Extend lifespan
• Ultimately achieve the Daoist goal of immortality cultivation

(Note: Terms like "seven ancestors" refer to seven generations of forebears, "three Yin" denotes three types of Yin energy, and "nine dawns" indicates the Big Dipper's nine stars in Daoist cosmology.)

This scripture describes a Daoist ritual practice for dispelling calamities and absolving sins through the Big Dipper constellation. The practice is divided into three specific time periods:

First, it explains that sharing a bed between men and women would be recorded in the Northern Mysteries (Daoist underworld) as sinful deeds, and that defilement may lead to infernal retribution—though fellow practitioners engaging in cultivation are exempt from this restriction.

On the midnight of Dinghai day during the Jiashen ten-day cycle (a specific celestial stem-branch date), sit cross-legged facing north on one's bed with hands clasped. Knock the teeth seven times, then visualize the seven stars of the Big Dipper shining in the northern sky. Silently recite the names of the nine Perfected Ones of the Third True Star (Celestial Shining Star) seven times. Pray for the absolution of transgressions committed by one's ancestors across seven generations, particularly those violating the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water (Daoist tripartite deities). Visualize the starlight entering through the mouth to illuminate the liver. Finally, bow toward the north and swallow saliva nine times.

On the midnight of Dingyou day during the Jiawu cycle, again sit facing north in meditation. Visualize the nine Perfected Ones of the Fourth Pivot Star (Celestial Balance Star), praying to eliminate accumulated yin evils like cruelty and unfilial conduct across seven lifetimes. See the starlight enter to brighten the spleen, then swallow saliva fourteen times.

On the midnight of Dingwei day during the Jiachen cycle, face north in seated contemplation while visualizing the Upper Origin Lord of the Fifth Guideline Star (Jade Sighting Star). The complete prayer text for this segment remains unrecorded.

The entire ritual employs specific timing, inner visualization (Neiguan practice), teeth-knocking, silent incantations, and saliva-swallowing to purify karmic obstructions through the divine power of the Big Dipper. Each step corresponds to different stellar deities and bodily organs, embodying the Daoist cultivation principle of "cosmic-human resonance."

This scripture records a Daoist practice for eliminating karmic obstacles and purifying body-mind through visualization of the Big Dipper (Beidou). The ritual consists of several key stages:

At the appointed hour (midnight on the Ding-Si day within the Jia-Yin ten-day cycle), the practitioner sits cross-legged facing north, taps teeth seven times, then visualizes the seven stars of the Big Dipper shining brightly in the northern sky.

Reciting specific invocations, one petitions for the removal of transgressions committed over seven generations—including rebellious acts and wanton behaviors—by both oneself and ancestors. The prayer seeks healing from all ailments, physical well-being, and enrollment of one's name in the celestial registers.

The practitioner visualizes the seven stars descending from heaven, entering through the mouth to settle either in the stomach or kidneys (visualizing the left kidney on yang days, right kidney on yin days), illuminating all internal organs with starlight. Upon completion, one swallows saliva either 18 or 14 times.

On the last night of each lunar month or before the first rooster's crow on the new moon, one faces east to visualize the Big Dipper shining on the left side while reciting another invocation, petitioning for the removal of transgressions recorded by the demonic officials of Northern Emperor.

The text particularly emphasizes abstaining from blood sacrifices and pungent foods during practice, warning that violations would bring misfortune to seven generations of ancestors, cause personal calamities, result in rebirth as lower ghosts after death, and removal from immortal registers.

Combining stellar veneration, visualization techniques, and repentant prayers, this ritual achieves disaster relief and spiritual purification, embodying the Daoist cultivation principle of "cosmic resonance." Technical terms mentioned include: "Huangting" (Dantian, the central energy field), "Taisu" (primordial Qi), and "Jade Maidens/Jade Youths" (internal deities).

This scripture describes a practice called "Shangqing Taishang Huiyuan Yindao Chu Zui Ji" (the Supreme Purity's Great Highest Method of Concealing the Dao and Returning to Origin to Remove Karmic Transgressions). It primarily utilizes visualization of the Northern Dipper (Big Dipper) constellation to eliminate karmic obstacles.

During practice, the cultivator will perceive purple light appearing in their eyes. At this moment, one should visualize the seven stars of the Northern Dipper descending from heaven—first entering the mouth, then passing from the mouth into the eyes. On yang days (odd-numbered days), visualize the starlight entering the left eye; on yin days (even-numbered days), it enters the right eye.

The optimal time for practice is midnight on Liujia days (auspicious days in the Daoist calendar), when the vital Qi (energy) of heaven and earth is most abundant. The posture can be adapted—either reclining or sitting—but one must maintain the "fetal grip" (thumb pressing the base of the ring finger), suspend breathing temporarily, and stabilize the Shen (spirit). Begin by tapping the teeth nine times, then visualize the nine stars of the Dipper (including two additional stars) shining above the crown of the head, with particular brightness in the two stars preceding the Dipper's handle.

Next, recite incantations invoking the stellar deities, such as "the Eighth Imperial Star, the Exalted Jade Emperor" and "the Ninth Venerable Star, the Great Tenuity Jade Emperor," petitioning for the removal of karmic transgressions—both one's own and those of nine generations of ancestors—especially those recorded in the Registers of Mortal Sins at Mount Fengdu (the Daoist underworld).

Then visualize again the seven stars entering through the crown point (the Muddy Pellet Palace, or Niwan), illuminating the entire head until purple light fills the five viscera and six bowels. Conclude by swallowing saliva twenty-seven times. The practice is most effective on Liujia days, the last day of the lunar month, or Liuding days, though excessive frequency isn't necessary.

This method is known as the "Great Highest Way of Returning to Origin to Repent Transgressions." Tradition holds it was secretly transmitted by Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) and originally sealed in jade caskets within the Five Sacred Mountains, hidden in the Nine Dawns Celestial Palace.

This scripture expounds the Daoist method of eliminating karmic transgressions through the "Five Penetrations" (Wutong) and the "Hidden Dao of Revolving the Origin" (Huiyuan Yindao). The essential teachings can be understood as follows:

When cultivating the "Five Penetrations" (five spiritual powers), one must harmonize them with the "Hidden Dao of Revolving the Origin" (the esoteric practice of circulating primordial Qi). The Five Penetrations originate from the Celestial Emperor's creation, while Revolving the Origin leads to the profound ultimate realm. Practitioners of these methods must abstain from meat and blood offerings, and avoid encountering corpses or impure objects—otherwise they will face examination by the "Supreme Mystery" (Taixuan, the highest mystical state).

The Five Penetrations represent auspicious days bestowed by the Supreme Dao Lord (Taishang Daojun, the highest Daoist deity), while Revolving the Origin signifies the days of renewal by this same divinity. Without understanding the Five Penetrations, one cannot absolve transgressions; without knowing the Hidden Dao of Revolving the Origin, one cannot be listed among the Higher Perfected (Shangzhen, advanced immortals). On these special days, one should contemplate auspicious matters in stillness and repent personal transgressions—only thus can seven generations of karmic burdens be released, freeing one from punitive records.

The scripture further details a specific practice method: when cultivating the "Purple Chamber of the Grotto" (Dongfang Zifang, an important internal energy center) or visualizing the "Nine and Seven Origins" (Jiuyuan Qiyuan, internal deities), one should silently recite prescribed incantations upon falling asleep, waking, and before/after meals. The incantation essentially invokes: the power of the Five Stars and Five Penetrations, the cosmic harmony of the Purple Chamber, and the activation of the Seven Dawns (Qichen, seven cultivation periods) through the Hidden Dao of Revolving the Origin. This enables the Mysterious Father and Mother (Xuanfu Xuanmu, internal yin-yang deities) to assist in transforming Jing (essence), Qi (vital energy), and Shen (spirit), strengthening sinews and bones while replenishing vital essence—ultimately leading to longevity, visionary clarity, and ascension to immortality.

This esoteric incantation transmitted by the Supreme Dao Lord dispels pathogenic Qi, concentrates spiritual awareness, and maintains lifelong clarity without confusion. The core of the entire Shangqing Taishang Huiyuan Yindao Chuzui Ji Jing (Highest Clarity Scripture on Eliminating Transgression Records through the Supreme Hidden Dao of Revolving the Origin) lies in this systematic method for eradicating karmic obstacles and attaining liberation.