《上清明堂玄丹真經》

The seventh section of the Shangqing Mingtang Xuandan Zhenjing (Shangqing Scripture of the Mysterious Elixir in the Hall of Light) records methods for cultivating the Mingtang (an important focal point in Daoist Neidan/internal alchemy practice). It primarily describes the visualization (cunxiang) of three deities within the body and their efficacious functions:

First are the two Great Deities residing at the Shou Cun (a vital acupoint in the head): the Great Deity of Vermillion Tower and Green Chamber on the left, named "Zhengxin" with the courtesy name "Chufang," and the Great Deity of Yellow Gate and Purple Chamber on the right, named "Pingjing" with the courtesy name "Fawang." Their appearances resemble infants, dressed in colors matching their respective abodes, holding flowing-gold fire bells. Practitioners should visualize these deities before sleep or during meditation, calling their names three times while silently reciting the incantation: "Within the purple portal and green chamber dwell two Great Deities, holding flowing bells, wreathed in wind and clouds, guarding the true Dao, warding off external evils..."

Next comes the visualization of the Three True Lords of the Hall of Light:

1. The Left Bright Youth True Lord, named "Xuanyang" with the courtesy name "Shaoqing"

2. The Central Bright Mirror Divine Lord, named "Zhaojing" with the courtesy name "Siming"

3. The Right Bright Maiden True Official, named "Weiyin" with the courtesy name "Shaoyuan"

All wear emerald brocade robes fastened with four crimson jade bells, holding crimson jade mirrors in their mouths, seated either facing outward or toward each other.

The scripture details the efficacies of visualizing these three deities in different circumstances:

• When feeling fear: Visualize the three deities shaking their jade bells, the sound resonating to the Taiji (Supreme Ultimate), while they emit radiant red light. Recite their names and click the teeth nine times to expel ghosts and ward off evil.
• When hungry or thirsty: Visualize the three deities exhaling crimson Qi (vital energy) that pours into one's mouth; swallowing it brings satiation.
• When traveling at night: Visualize the three deities exhaling flames to illuminate the path ahead.
• When facing danger: Visualize the three deities shaking their bells to subdue malevolent forces.
• When seeking longevity or healing: Lie still and visualize the three deities kneeling while exhaling crimson Qi. Imagine crimson light encircling and burning the body until it merges completely with the flames, then visualize winds from the four directions scattering the ashes. Repeated practice makes one's countenance youthful like a maiden's and establishes the foundation for longevity.

These cultivation methods emphasize achieving healing, longevity, and protection from evil through specific visualizations combined with breath regulation techniques.

The Shangqing Mingtang Xuandan Zhenjing (True Scripture of the Mysterious Elixir from the Bright Hall of Highest Clarity) describes several crucial celestial palaces (sacred inner spaces visualized in Daoist cultivation within the human body) and their corresponding deities:

1. Cavern Chamber Palace (Dongfang Gong): On the left resides the Young Lord Without Heroism (Wu Ying Gongzi), in the center is the Yellow Elder Lord (Huang Lao Jun), and on the right is the White Origin Lord (Bai Yuan Jun). This is a pivotal site for cultivating the path of ascension, with related teachings recorded in the Scripture of Golden Radiance (Jinhuajing).

2. Dantian Palace (Dantian Gong): Inhabited by the Imperial Lord of Primordial Truth (Yuanzhen Yi Dijun) along with two high ministers. Here lies the method for mastering the chariots of clouds and deer-dragons (vehicles of Daoist immortals), with separate scriptures detailing these practices.

3. Flowing Pearl Palace (Liuzhu Gong): Governed by the Grand Minister of the Supreme Ultimate (Taiji Gongqing) and the Director of Destiny (Siming Shen). This method requires three hundred years of perfected cultivation and must be transmitted only through a jewel-sealed oath.

The scriptures of these first three palaces are essential for mortals seeking immortality and perfection, yet only those with innate immortal bones and destined fate may practice them. Transmission requires explicit permission from the Imperial Lord of the Supreme Ultimate (Taiji Dijun).

The text then describes four higher-level palaces:

• Jade Emperor’s Palace (Yudi Gong): Home to the Jade Clarity Divine Mother, Lian Xian (courtesy name Huang Yan), clad in a dark-yellow celestial robe, wearing a vermilion-jade hairpiece and the Crown of Limitless Advancement (Wuji Jinxian Guan).
• Celestial Court Palace (Tianting Gong): Inhabited by the True Maiden of Supreme Essence, Jue Hui (courtesy name Bi Xie), dressed in a blue brocade robe of precious radiance, crowned with the Jade-Treasure Flying Cloud Coiffure (Yubao Feiyun Ji Guan).
• Palace of Ultimate Truth (Jizhen Gong): Dwelling of the Consort of the Supreme Ultimate, Xuan Xu Sheng (courtesy name Bo Wu), robed in five-colored phoenix-patterned silk, wearing the Seven-Treasure Dark Inscription Coiffure (Qibao Xuanwen Ji Guan).
• Great Imperial Palace (Taihuang Gong): Residence of the Queen of the Supreme Elder, Qian Han Hai (courtesy name He Yansheng), adorned in a nine-hued cloud-patterned robe, crowned with the Jade-Essence Cascading Cloud Coiffure (Yujing Tuiyun Ji Guan).

The cultivation methods of these four palaces belong to the Feminine True One (Ci Zhenyi)—a practice rooted in the primordial feminine principle—and are more profound than the Masculine True One (Xiong Zhenyi). For beginners, these palaces remain empty within the body, their mysteries not easily grasped.

Finally, the text highlights the Supreme Lord of the Mysterious Elixir Palace (Xuandan Gong), Jue Gui Ying (courtesy name Hua Xuan), who appears as a newborn infant seated upon a golden bed within jade curtains, holding the Northern Dipper and the guiding cord of the North Star. After completing the Contemplation of the Three Ones (Cunsi Sanyi)—visualizing the deities of the three Dantian—the practitioner must meditate on this Supreme Lord and seek longevity from him. The method involves, during meditation in the Supreme One’s palace, swallowing fifty breaths of the clear Qi exhaled by the Supreme Lord while simultaneously ingesting fifty mouthfuls of one’s own saliva.

This scripture records the essential methods of cultivating "Mysterious Elixir" (Xuandan) and "Guarding the One" (Shouyi) in the Shangqing Daoist tradition, comprising two main sections:

The first part contains the incantation of "Biwei's Prayer." This is a supplication to the Great One True Sovereign of Central Yellow and Purple (a revered Daoist deity), describing this divine being adorned with a golden crown, wearing fire-bells at the waist, and holding stellar essences in hand. Practitioners swallow the breath exhaled by the deity while engaging in dialogue, jointly cultivating the Mysterious Elixir (a form of internal alchemy, Neidan). This method purifies the seven corporeal souls (po), harmonizes the three ethereal souls (hun), regenerates the five viscera, and reverses aging. Fourteen years of consistent practice enables ascension to the Seven Origin celestial realms with the Great One deity, while eighteen years grants registration in the Shangqing immortal records and command over eighteen jade maidens and youths each.

The second section explains the "Guarding the One" cultivation method. This secret technique transmitted by the Supreme Great Ultimate Emperor consists of sixteen talismans (fulu) divided into upper, middle, and lower divisions. Practitioners must inscribe these talismans with cinnabar during the eight seasonal nodes (beginning of spring, spring equinox, etc.) and ingest them while facing east at dawn. Simultaneously, they recite incantations to invoke upper-origin true qi to protect the Muddy Pellet Palace (crown of the head), middle-origin qi to stabilize the Crimson Palace (heart region), and lower-origin qi to guard the Gate of Life (dantian). Five years of practice enables visions of perfected beings, while nine years grants spiritual powers and command over six Jia spirits plus twelve jade maidens and youths each.

The scripture emphasizes "Guarding the One" as the fundamental method for achieving immortality, asserting that "the One" and the practitioner mutually sustain and complete each other. By constantly visualizing "the One" (referring to the primordial source of Dao), practitioners attain longevity. This supreme secret transmitted by the August Heaven's Shangqing Golden Tower Emperor is hailed as "the ford and pathway of divine immortals" - the essential route to transcendence.

The Shangqing Mingxuan Xuan Dan Zhen Jing (Authentic Scripture of the Celestial Hall and Mysterious Elixir from the Shangqing Tradition) expounds the methods of attaining immortality through cultivating the "Celestial Hall" (Mingtang, the vital acupoint between the eyebrows) and the "Mysterious Elixir" (Xuandan, an advanced stage of Neidan/internal alchemy). This scripture meticulously documents cultivation techniques including concentrated visualization (Cunxiang) and Qi absorption methods (Fuqi), alongside related talismanic writings (Fulu) and ritual practices.

As a pivotal text of the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition, it primarily transmits the practice of internal contemplation to coalesce the "Mysterious Elixir" within the body—a more refined form of the Golden Elixir (Jindan) beyond ordinary internal alchemical achievements. Practitioners must first open the Celestial Hall acupoint, then coordinate specific breathing techniques with visualization methods to gradually condense Jing (essence), Qi (vital energy), and Shen (spirit) into the elixir. The scripture also contains esoteric talismans (Fulu) and incantations employed to support the cultivation process.