《上清化形隱景登昇保仙上經》

The Upper Clarity Scripture on Transformation, Concealed Sceneries, and Ascension to Preserve Immortality

This is a Daoist scripture that teaches methods of ascending to immortality through visualization (cunxiang) of the Five Directional Thearchs. The Central Yellow Elder Lord (a revered Daoist deity) received this secret method of "transformation, concealed sceneries, and ascension" from the Great Tenuity Thearch Lord.

The cultivation techniques primarily include:

1. Visualizing the Eight Sceneries (eight celestial landscapes) to circulate energy within the body

2. Contemplating five-colored clouds to refine and elevate the physical form

3. Employing purple auspicious qi (zidu) and divine radiance (yanguang) to invoke celestial spirits from the void

4. Harmonizing the energies of the sun, moon, and stars (the Three Luminaries)

5. Absorbing the essence of the Big Dipper's seven stars

Practitioners must perform these methods in a purified chamber, achieving deep concentration to resonate with celestial forces. Without first receiving the golden register and jade name (immortal credentials) from the Eastern Florescence Immortal Palace (a Daoist celestial realm), one cannot practice these profound techniques.

Methods for Cultivating the "Concealed Sceneries" Path:

On the eight seasonal nodes (beginning of spring, spring equinox, etc.—days when the Eight Thearchs traverse the cosmos), practitioners must:

1. Bathe in fragrant orchid-infused water

2. Observe purification rituals in a secluded chamber

3. Enter meditation in a quiet room

4. Close the eyes and visualize the Five Directional Thearchs:

• Visualize the Azure Thearch (Eastern Direction): Named Feng Zijian, he wears a golden floral crown and a robe of cloud-light brocade, adorned with the Nine Radiance Yang Talisman (Jiuhui Yangxia Fu), riding an eightfold purple cloud chariot. He bestows the "Great Dawn Concealed Talisman of Nine Radiances" (Jiuhui Dachen Yin Fu), enveloping the practitioner in celestial qi, inducing a sensation of ascension. Then tap the teeth 24 times and swallow qi eight times.

• Visualize the Red Thearch (Southern Direction): Named Ding Guangyan, he wears a dual-jade crown and a robe of cloud-light brocade, adorned with the Primordial Dawn Cinnabar-Green Talisman (Yuanchen Zhubi Fu), riding a sevenfold crimson cloud chariot. He bestows the "Concealed Talisman of Cloud-Contemplating Primordial Dawn" (Guanyun Yuanchen Yin Fu), similarly covering the body in clouds for ascension. Tap the teeth nine times and swallow qi nine times.

• Visualize the White Thearch (Western Direction): Named Liang Yuanshi, he wears a lotus crown and a robe of dark numinous brocade, adorned with the All-Encompassing Dawn White Numen Talisman (Zongchen Haoling Fu), riding a sixfold red cloud chariot. He bestows the "Concealed Talisman of All-Encompassing Nine Poles" (Zongchen Jiuji Yin Fu). Tap the teeth 11 times and swallow qi six times.

• Visualize the Black Thearch (Northern Direction): Named Qi Yuanxuan, he wears a ninefold primordial crown and a robe of dark cloud brocade, adorned with the Resplendent Numinous Truth Talisman (Dayao Lingzhen Fu), riding a fivefold azure cloud chariot. He bestows the "Concealed Talisman of Resplendent Spinning Roots" (Dayao Xuangen Yin Fu). Tap the teeth nine times and swallow qi five times.

• Finally, visualize the Central Thearch: Named Jie Kongzi, he wears a dark radiance crown... (subsequent details follow similarly to the above).

Through these methods, practitioners refine their essence (jing), qi, and spirit (shen), gradually ascending toward the concealed sceneries of immortality.

This scripture describes a complete Shangqing (Highest Clarity) Daoist visualization practice, detailing how adepts attain celestial talismans (fulu) through meditating upon five imperial lords:

First visualize the "Central Imperial Lord of Numinous Subtlety" (named Kang Ewen), wearing a distant-wandering crown and emerald brocade robe adorned with the Conjoined Radiance Mystical Dawn Talisman, riding his Threefold Plain Emerald Cloud Sixfold Radiance chariot. He bestows the "Conjoined Radiance Morning Destiny Concealed Talisman," during which practitioners should feel clouds enveloping their bodies as they ascend with the light. Perform 12 teeth-knockings (kouchi) and 3 qi-swallowings (yanqi).

Next contemplate the "Lower Imperial Lord of Manifest Subtlety" (named Hong Fuzi), wearing the Three Treasures Divine Crown and plain brocade robe with the Uniform Radiance Protective Illumination Talisman, riding his Twofold Plain Purple Cloud Sevenfold Radiance chariot. After receiving the "Uniform Radiance Morning Mystery Concealed Talisman," perform 9 teeth-knockings and 2 qi-swallowings.

Then visualize the "True Imperial Lord of Cavernous Subtlety" (named Si Dengshu), wearing the Flying Purple Blossom Cloud Crown and dark-numinous brocade robe with the Primal Destiny Body-Preserving Mystical Radiance Talisman, riding his Single Plain Numinous Cloud Eightfold Radiance chariot. Upon receiving the "Lofty Dragon Mist Concealed Talisman," perform 36 teeth-knockings and 1 qi-swallowing.

Finally meditate upon the "Inner Imperial Lord of Ninefold Subtlety" (named Shen Mingxian), wearing the Threefold Purple Treasures Crown and dark-cloud brocade robe with the Morning Firmament Eight Transformations Flying Palace Talisman, riding his Grand Radiance Purple Mist Cavernous Radiance Jade Chariot. After receiving the "Pure and Lofty Supreme Ultimate Great Dao Lord Concealed Talisman," practitioners feel themselves ascending to the Jade Pure realm (Yuqing, one of the Three Pure Ones' heavens). Conclude with 36 teeth-knockings while reciting invocations, followed by 36 qi-swallowings.

This ritual sequence—visualizing distinct imperial lords, receiving talismans, and performing teeth-knocking with qi absorption—guides practitioners toward the state of "bodily ascension with radiance," ultimately aiming for transcendence to the Jade Pure sacred realm. Each imperial lord's specific regalia, chariots, and talismans reflect the hierarchical order within Daoist celestial bureaucracy.

This scripture describes the visual characteristics and visualization practices related to the Nine Emperor Lords of the Northern Dipper and their celestial consorts (referred to as "inner court ladies" or "inner consorts"). The main contents are as follows:

Each of the Second through Ninth Star Emperors and their consorts possess specific titles, courtesy names, and distinctive attire:

• Every Star Lord has three names: an honorific title (e.g., "Taiyi Sanpen"), a given name (e.g., "Luo Zhuying"), and a courtesy name (e.g., "Chonghuizhao")
• They all wear brocade capes of particular colors (e.g., blue brocade cape) paired with feathered skirts (e.g., green feathered flying skirt)
• Their hair is styled in a "collapsing cloud" topknot

The cultivation method involves:

1. Visualizing these nine Star Lords descending from the Northern Dipper, their bodies radiating light that illuminates the void

2. Imagining their divine light entering the Hall of Light (Mingtang, the upper Dantian between the eyebrows) and Purple Chamber (Zifang, the middle Dantian in the heart region) of one's body

3. Visualizing the forms of sun and moon appearing within, gradually transforming into nine "Ever-Changing Youths" (immortal child forms representing constant transformation)

4. After experiencing full-body heat and radiance, clicking the teeth nine times while reciting an invocation

5. Concluding with nine swallows of Qi

The invocation essentially prays for the transformative circulation of the Nine Stars' true Qi, enabling the practitioner to change physical form at will, traverse between existence and non-existence, and ultimately ride the Eight Scenes Chariot (a Daoist immortal vehicle) to audience with the Celestial Emperor.

This text belongs to the Shangqing tradition's "Hidden Forms Ascension" practice, where visualization of the Star Lords' true forms merging with one's body facilitates physical transformation and ascension to Shangqing heaven. The method was transmitted by the Central Yellow Elder Lord (a revered Daoist deity).

Notes: "Taiyi" refers to the supreme divine status; "within the Dipper" indicates the Northern Dipper's celestial palace; "Nine Yin" represents the ultimate yin number symbolizing transformative potential; "Purple Chamber" and "Hall of Light" are crucial internal cultivation sites.

This scripture describes the supernatural transformations and cultivation states of four important Daoist deities: the Red Essence Lord (Chijing Jun), Azure Lad Lord (Qingtong Jun), Supreme Lord (Taishang Jun), and Great Simplicity Lord (Taisu Jun).

The four deities originate from the four cardinal directions: the Red Essence Lord from the south, the Azure Lad Lord from the east, the Supreme Lord from the north, and the Great Simplicity Lord from the west. They master the "Nine Yin" method (a cultivation technique) to disperse their forms and operate the "Nine Celestial Luminaries" (referring to the movements of sun, moon and stars) to conceal their bodies. They can cast flying wheels to ascend the heavens and ride mysterious cloud-Qi (vital energy) to roam freely.

Their forms undergo myriad transformations with light and shadow, effortlessly adapting to the worldly cycles of rise and fall. If practitioners ("Zhao" refers to cultivators) follow these methods, they may achieve radiance equal to the Three Lights (sun, moon and stars) and attain similar spiritual states.

The text primarily explains how specific cultivation methods can lead to the immortal states of bodily transformation, invisibility and celestial ascension. It represents an important Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition scripture concerning physical metamorphosis and divine transcendence within Daoism.