《上清高上龜山玄籙》

This scripture depicts a grand ritual assembly held in the celestial realm:

In the mysterious grotto abode of Mount Guixian (a legendary Daoist immortal mountain), the Supreme Purity Mysterious Elder (a high-ranking Daoist deity) and the Jade Emperor of the Nine Heavens were expounding the true scriptures. At that time, countless jade boys and jade maidens (celestial attendants) paved the ground with gold and laid beds of white jade, reverently welcoming the descent of the Celestial Worthy. All the assembled immortals knelt in homage, seeking teachings from the Mysterious Emperor of the Nine Heavens (the supreme deity of the north) on the profound principles of the Most High sages.

The text vividly portrays the magnificent splendor of the celestial realm: phoenixes and dragons came forth to greet the assembly, while the gods chanted the immortal music of Jiushao (an ancient celestial melody), and sacred texts were inscribed upon the walls of the cavernous grotto. It particularly mentions that on the auspicious day of Bing in the month of Yin (an important date for Daoist purification rituals), sweet rain descended to nourish all things, causing plants to flourish and flowers and fruits to exude fragrance. In gardens adorned with the seven treasures (gold, silver, lapis lazuli, and other celestial jewels), the jade boys and maidens of the Highest Clarity expounded the Dao for all beings within the Jade Chambers of the celestial groves.

The celestial procession is then described: a hundred demon kings soared into the sky, while twelve hundred dark dragons drew flying jade chariots (immortal vehicles), their thunderous radiance illuminating the ten directions. The gods offered incense and flowers, celestial music resounded in harmony, and precious jades naturally emitted harmonious sounds. The seven treasures and the three lights (sun, moon, and stars) shone brilliantly, a hundred kinds of immortal music played in unison, summoning the demons and malevolent spirits of the Nine Heavens to stand in attendance.

The ritual site was solemnly arranged: twelve-colored embroidered banners, ceremonial drums, and music were arrayed, while the Twelve Celestial Worthies and a host of immortal officials chanted in unison the Dongling Qiongbao Sanyuan Verses (a Daoist scripture). Finally, the joyful scene of the gods roaming the celestial realm is depicted: the Ten Sages (the Celestial Worthies of the Ten Directions) rode upon swift cloud chariots, purple qi permeating the Supreme Clarity Realm (the highest celestial realm), halting at Mount Yujing (the supreme Daoist paradise). The immortals played celestial music, the Perfected (immortals who have attained the Dao) danced joyfully amidst the clouds, and all wandered together to the palaces of the Queen Mother of the West (Xi Wangmu).

Through its lavish and poetic language, this scripture presents the grandeur of a celestial ritual assembly in the Daoist ideal—both the solemnity of scripture transmission and the blissful freedom of the immortals in their divine revelry.

This scripture depicts the sacred landscapes and divine hierarchy of the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition, an important early Daoist school emphasizing visualization practices:

The opening passage portrays the celestial paradise: Wandering through the Jade Hall (immortal abode), one sees numerous transcendents radiating jade-like brilliance, intermingling with the glow of orchids and elixirs. The essence of the sun shines brightly, stirring profound awe. The immortals chant scriptures of the Celestial Emperor, their joy beyond description. Crystal-clear waters cleanse emerald ponds, while the jeweled forests of Mount Kunlun (sacred Daoist mountain) shimmer resplendently. Dragons dance in multitudes, and purple cloud altars gleam with purity. At dusk they tour the Penglai Isles (legendary immortal mountains), at dawn they face magnificent vistas—the divine beings roam amidst flowing crimson light, leaving behind sacred writings.

The text then records important fulu (talismanic registers, Daoist ritual documents):

• True texts are written in cinnabar
• Northern talismans comprise eleven sections, inscribed in blue characters on purple backgrounds

Particular emphasis is given to the "Highest Clarity Nine Elders' Cavernous Numinous Treasure True Method," an efficacious practice transmitted by nine ancient sage-kings (Nine Elderly Sovereign Lords), originating from the Jade Emperor's (supreme Daoist deity) scriptures at Mount Jade. On the seventh day of the first lunar month during the inaugural jiazi year (primordial epoch), within the Seven Treasures Jade Grove Chamber of the Chaotic Platform, the Three Primordial Jade Emperors (three supreme celestial rulers) commanded the Nine Heavens' deities to transmit these scriptures to the Cinnabar Elder Nine Emperor True Lords. Special emphasis is placed on maintaining ritual purity—no uninitiated persons may participate, and all practices must strictly follow keyi (liturgical protocols).

Finally, the text enumerates the celestial beings inhabiting the Shangqing paradise:

• The Highest Clarity Void Cavern (advanced celestial realm) contains spontaneously cloud-flying gongcao (Dharma-protecting deities) and Precious True Humans, divided into upper, middle, lower, front, rear, left, right, and central sections—each containing ninety million beings
• The Highest Primordial Natural Cavernous Jade Emperor's realm (supreme celestial domain) houses Void-Numinous Direct Mandate Officials (celestial functionaries), divided into upper, middle, and lower sections—each containing nine hundred quadrillion beings

These numerical figures are not literal counts but represent the Daoist conception of infinite, omnipotent divine power.

This scripture depicts the magnificent celestial hierarchy in the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition of Daoism. It describes the divine retinue surrounding the Primordial Jade Emperor of Natural Dongzhen (Cavern of Perfection) and the celestial realms of Dongqing Huangxu Zhenjing (Cavern of Purity, Imperial Void, and True Scenery).

The Primordial Jade Emperor of Natural Dongzhen is attended by four grand divisions of divine officials:

• The Rear Division of Ethereal Numinous Messengers, responsible for transmitting decrees, numbers ninety quadrillion beings
• The Left Division of Ethereal Numinous Messengers with ninety quadrillion beings
• The Right Division of Ethereal Numinous Messengers with ninety quadrillion beings
• The Central Division of Ethereal Numinous Messengers, overseeing all departments, with ninety quadrillion beings

Within the Dongqing Huangxu Zhenjing paradise, there are eight routes of Numinous Flying Envoys (divine messengers), each comprising eight hundred and ninety trillion beings:

• Upper, Middle, and Lower Numinous Flying Envoys
• Front and Rear Numinous Flying Envoys
• Left and Right Numinous Flying Envoys
• Central (commanding) Numinous Flying Envoys

The procession of the Supreme Jade Emperor of the Nine Ancient Ones and Highest Clarity is even more spectacular, featuring:

• Nine hundred million layers of Upper Numinous Flying Jade-Nature Jade Chariots
• Nine hundred million layers of Middle Numinous Flying Jade-Nature Feather Canopies
• Nine hundred million layers of Lower Numinous Flying Jade-Nature Cloud Carriages
• Nine hundred million layers of Front Numinous Flying Jade-Nature Jade Wheels
• Nine hundred million layers of Rear Numinous Flying Jade-Nature Green Shafts
• Nine hundred million layers of Left Numinous Flying Jade-Nature Phoenix Wings
• Nine hundred million layers of Right Numinous Flying Jade-Nature Flying Serpents
• Nine hundred million layers of Central Numinous Flying Jade-Nature Flight (commanding the procession)

The recurring phrase "nine hundred million" is not a literal number but a Daoist rhetorical device expressing the boundless grandeur of the celestial realm, emphasizing the vastness and sacredness of the heavenly bureaucracy.

This scripture depicts the magnificent panorama of the Daoist celestial realm. In the Pure Void Jade Capital (one of Daoism's highest heavenly domains), there are divine generals governing each direction of Mount Gui (a sacred Daoist mountain):

The Generals of the Upper, Middle, Lower, Front, Rear, Left, and Right Divisions - along with the Commander-in-Chief (Dubu) - each command celestial cavalry numbering ninety trillion strong.

The text then describes the immortal retinue in the Upper Primordial Jade Clarity (an even higher celestial stratum):

• Amidst the sacred phenomenon of flying through Chaotic Purple Void Magnificent Radiance (referring to the divine spectacle of immortal flight), there exist Jade Youths and Mount Gui Cave Perfected Ones (enlightened immortals dwelling in Mount Gui's caverns) of the Upper Perfected, Middle Perfected, Lower Perfected, Front Perfected, Rear Perfected, Left Perfected, Right Perfected, and Supreme Perfected (Duzhen) ranks - each attended by seventy million chariots (indicating their vast entourage).

Finally, in the Purple Sovereign's Jade Capital (another heavenly realm):

• There dwell the Nine-Colored Supreme Immortals of Void Non-Being (highest-ranking immortals radiating nine divine hues) and the Cinnabar Radiance Nine Splendor Jade Maidens (celestial maidens of exquisite beauty), totaling seventy million in number.

Through hyperbolic numerical expressions and directional arrangements, this scripture manifests the grandeur of Daoism's celestial bureaucracy, embodying the Daoist cosmological principle that "the vastness knows no bounds." These numbers are not literal but symbolize the innumerable host of celestial beings and their majestic presence.

This scripture depicts the magnificent vision of the Daoist celestial realm, primarily recording the numbers of immortals (xianzhen) at different ranks and directional positions.

It first describes the "Nine-Colored Immortals of Spontaneous Nothingness" residing in the "Purple Imperial Jade Capital" (Zihuang Yujing, the highest Daoist heaven). These are divided into six directional groups: Lower Immortals, Front Immortals, Rear Immortals, Left Immortals, Right Immortals, and Capital Immortals (who oversee all directions). Each group is attended by seventy million celestial maidens holding the "Cinnabar Radiance Nine Splendors Jade" (Danjing Jiuhua Yu), a precious jade symbolizing immortal power.

Next, it records the "Nine Perfected Saints" (Jiuzhen Shengzhen) from the "Purple Chapters of the Upper Prime Jade Void Cavern Numen" (Yuxu Dongling Shangyuan Zizhang), an important Daoist scripture. These are classified into eight ranks: Upper Saints, Middle Saints, Lower Saints, Front Saints, Rear Saints, Left Saints, Right Saints, and Capital Saints. Each rank is served by ninety million "Golden Radiance Jade Youths" (Jinhua Yutong), immortal attendants dressed in golden robes.

Finally, it portrays the "Supreme Perfected of the Nine Mysteries" (Jiuxuan Shangzhen) leading immortal officials called "Perfected Leaders" (Lingzhen) at the "Seven Radiances Flying Flower Turtle Mountain" (Feihua Qijing Guishan). These are organized into five directional positions: Upper Cinnabar, Middle Cinnabar, Lower Cinnabar, Front Cinnabar, and Rear Cinnabar, each attended by thirty million "Jade Maidens with Azure Sashes" (Qingyao Yunü), celestial maidens wearing blue waist ribbons.

Through repetitive phrasing, the scripture emphasizes both the vast numbers and strict hierarchical order of celestial beings, showcasing the grand cosmological worldview of Daoist immortal taxonomy. The term "millions" (qianwan) here serves as an abstract expression denoting immeasurable quantities rather than literal counts.

This scripture depicts the majestic vision of the Daoist celestial realm, structured into three distinct tiers of divine beings:

The first section describes the immortal maidens of Mount Tortoise (a legendary Daoist sacred mountain). They are arranged in three formations—left, right, and central (du)—each adorned with cinnabar-blue sashes and jade ornaments. Every formation comprises thirty million celestial maidens.

The second section portrays the immortals of the Upper Prime Heaven (one of the Sanqing celestial realms). Dwelling amidst cloud-veiled celestial palaces called "Flying Empyrean," they are positioned in eight directions: upper, middle, lower, front, rear, left, right, and central. Ninety million divine beings occupy each direction, all wearing sacred elixir-jade (treasured objects of Daoist cultivation).

The third section presents the immortals of the Seven Luminaries Heaven (the realm associated with the sun, moon, and five planets). Under the jurisdiction of the Jade Emperor (one of Daoism's supreme deities) in the Azure Radiance Paradise, they are arrayed in seven directions—upper, middle, lower, front, rear, left, and right—with ninety million celestials in each. These beings radiate jade-light and crimson hues (the luminous manifestation of accomplished Daoist practice).

Through its repetitive phrasing, the entire passage conveys the vastness and solemnity of Daoism's celestial hierarchy, systematically mapping the distribution of divine realms across different cosmological levels.

This passage primarily describes the Fulu (talismans and registers) used in Daoist cultivation practices and related celestial visions. Let me explain it section by section:

Regarding the "Seven Luminaries Shangqing Dongzhen Mystic Radiance Jade Emperor Azure Splendor Capital Cinnabar Jade Light Red Immortal" section:

This mentions ninety million immortals dwelling in the sacred turtle mountain realm of Shangqing (one of the highest Daoist heavens). This celestial realm is depicted as having purple halls and golden chambers, with jade tablets inscribed with true writings, guarded by various celestial officials, jade maidens, and heavenly kings. The text emphasizes strict adherence to the Mystic Codes (Xuanke) of cultivation practice, requiring diligence and reverence.

Concerning the "Supreme Mystic Turtle Mountain True Talisman":

This is a miraculous talisman. If taken with sincere devotion and cultivated for nine years while practicing daily closed-eye meditation (Cunsi), one can behold visions of the Nine Heavens - immortals riding dragons and phoenixes through the Purple Void and Jade Capital (the highest Daoist heaven), ultimately achieving unity with the Dao. The scripture particularly warns about handling this talisman with great care. It should be written with azure characters on a pink background.

On the talisman's origins:

This section states the talisman originates from the "Imperial Primordial Supreme Jia True Unity Way," naturally formed by the Great Dao of the Nine Heavens. Its inscriptions were carved in the stone chamber of Turtle Mountain in Jingtaihua Mountain, guarded by twenty-four celestial officials including the Turtle Mountain Messenger and jade maiden attendants. These true writings first appeared in the cavernous Langfeng realm of emptiness, later discovered in Turtle Mountain's cavern and sealed with the Five Weapons and the Yellow Emperor's Jade Splendor Empty Qiong Platform.

It specifically mentions that on the seventh day of the seventh month during the Jiasui year, this talisman manifested from the golden tower and jade gate of Kunlun Terrace's Phoenix Mountain, transmitted by the Supreme Purple Tenuity Lady to later generations with immortal destiny. Those who obtain and preserve this talisman can achieve daylight ascension to immortality, accompanying the host of immortals, ultimately becoming perfected immortals of the highest order.

The final sections depict the "Imperial Emptiness Jade Emperor's" purple radiance cloud chariot:

They describe five hierarchical ranks of "True Merit Officers" (celestial officials conveying heavenly decrees) - Supreme Sage, Middle Sage, Lower Sage, Former Sage, and Later Sage - each rank comprising ninety million beings. This showcases the vast celestial bureaucracy of the Daoist heavenly realm.

This scripture describes the hierarchical structure and functional divisions of deities within the Daoist celestial bureaucracy, detailing their various ranks and attendant retinues. The content can be understood as follows:

In the celestial realms, there exist deities of different ranks with their respective entourages:

1. The August Jade Emperor of Emptiness (a supreme Daoist deity) rides a chariot of spontaneous clouds, accompanied by:

• The Purple Radiance Sage of the Left (left guardian deity) leading True Merit Officers (immortal officials executing celestial tasks), totaling ninety million beings
• The Purple Radiance Sage of the Right (right guardian deity) leading True Merit Officers, also ninety million strong
• The Purple Radiance Supreme Sage (chief guardian) commanding another ninety million True Merit Officers

2. The Jade Immortals of Supreme Radiance (high-ranking celestial immortals) traverse the void of space, organized by directional divisions:

• Each of the eight directional divisions (upper, middle, lower, front, rear, left, right, and central) has its own Immortal Dispatch Officers (celestial functionaries conveying divine decrees), with each direction commanding 2.4 billion attendants

3. The Jade Officials of Numinous Immortals from the Supreme Purity and Emptiness (high-ranking immortals dwelling in pristine void):

• Eight spiritual divisions (upper, middle, lower, front, rear, left, right, and central) each maintain three types of envoys: Sage-Summoning Envoys, Immortal-Conducting Envoys, and Spirit-Guiding Envoys. Each official commands ninety million mounted attendants ("mounted" signifying their retinue)

4. The Supreme Authentic Ones of Jade-Green Plumes from the Supreme Void and Clarity (elite perfected beings adorned with kingfisher feathers):

• The upper division's Purple Dawn Jade Youths (attendant youths serving perfected beings) number ninety million

Through these enumerations of vast numbers and meticulous organizational structures, the scripture manifests the grandeur and solemnity of Daoist celestial bureaucracy. These numerical figures are not literal counts but rather symbolize the innumerable celestial beings and the perfect order of the heavenly realms.

This scripture depicts the magnificent vision of the Daoist celestial realm, primarily documenting the vast retinues of three categories of divine beings:

The first section describes the entourage of the "Supreme Perfected of Azure Feathers from the Void Mysteries of Upper Clarity" (a high-ranking Daoist deity). This exalted divinity is attended in seven directions—above, below, front, back, left, right, and center—each direction guarded by ninety million "Jade Youths of Purple Dawn" (immortal attendants clad in purple robes).

The second part portrays the retinue of the "Great Cinnabar of the Three Primes from Middle Clarity Purple Mysteries" (another class of exalted celestial being). Similarly, this deity is accompanied in eight directions—above, middle, below, front, back, left, right, and center—each direction served by ninety million "Jade Maidens" (celestial handmaidens).

The third section records the attendants of the "Officials of the Void Spirits from Upper Primordial Numinous Light" (heavenly deities). These divine beings are organized into five ranks—upper, middle, lower, front, and rear—each rank comprising thirty million "Perfected Ones of Turtle Mountain" (immortal adepts dwelling on the sacred Turtle Mountain). These perfected beings possess the divine abilities of "communion with the Three Lights" (resonance with the radiance of sun, moon, and stars) and "command of the Eight Steeds" (mastery over eight celestial mounts).

Through its repetitive phrasing, the entire passage manifests the grandeur and solemnity of the Daoist celestial hierarchy, using the numerical magnitude of "millions" to emphasize its sacred majesty. These descriptions reflect Daoist cosmological imagination, where spatial orientations and numerical quantities carry profound symbolic significance.

This scripture describes the hierarchical system of deities and their celestial retinues in Daoist theology, focusing primarily on two major divine configurations: the "Luminous Radiance Upper Primordial Void Spirit Officials" and the "Jade Emperor of Supreme Clarity from the Three Caverns and Eight Luminaries of the Imperial Silken Canopy."

The Luminous Radiance Upper Primordial Void Spirit Officials system comprises three branches: Left Perfected, Right Perfected, and Capital Perfected. Each branch commands thirty million "Eight Cavalry Marshals of Threefold Radiance Communion" and thirty million "Perfected Ones of Tortoise Mountain." The Void Scenery Perfected Immortals Capital Officials system further divides into eight directional divisions (upper, middle, lower, front, rear, left, right, and central), each containing thirty million "Generals of Spiritual Communion."

The Jade Emperor of Supreme Clarity system organizes its "Sage-Perfected Ones" across seven celestial directions (upper, middle, lower, front, rear, left, and right). Each direction is guarded by seventy million layered "Soaring Spirit Generals of Tortoise Mountain."

Here, "Tortoise Mountain" represents one of Daoism's sacred immortal realms, while "Threefold Radiance" signifies the sun, moon, and stars. The "Eight Cavalry Marshals" denote eight mounted guardian generals, and "Generals of Spiritual Communion" serve as divine intermediaries between heaven and earth. The numerical figures—"thirty million" and "seventy million"—are not literal counts but symbolic representations of the immeasurable multitudes within celestial armies.

This scripture depicts the grand vision of the Daoist celestial realm, primarily recording the deities of various heavenly departments and their attendants. The content can be understood in several sections:

First, the phrase "The August Silken Eight Sceneries and Three Caverns' Supreme Purity Jade Emperor, along with the Seven Luminaries, Five Planets, and All Holy Perfected Ones, and the Flying Spirit Generals of Turtle Mountain" refers to the supreme deities dwelling in the Supreme Purity Heaven (one of Daoism's highest celestial realms) and their seventy million Flying Spirit Generals. Here, "Turtle Mountain" represents one of Daoism's immortal realms.

Next, it details the ninefold Golden Elixir (Jindan) cultivation system governed by the Purple Heaven's Empty True August Emperor (a high-ranking Daoist deity). Each division has thirty million Jade Attendants responsible for the upper, middle, lower, front, rear, left, and right sectors of Golden Elixir cultivation, as well as the central administration. These attendants' names all contain the character "zhi" (芝, mushroom), symbolizing immortality.

The text then describes the Nine Sceneries system of the August True Lower Purity Jade King's Immortal Capital, where each scenic division has thirty million Jade Maidens in attendance. These maidens' names also relate to the immortal herb "zhi," and they oversee affairs in different directional immortal realms.

The final three lines record the magnificent spectacle of the "Empty Purity Returning Light Eight Luminaries" system, depicting a celestial procession seventy million strong. This includes manifestations of immortal arts like the Jade Flower Cinnabar Numen and the Sun-Moon Eight Techniques, along with immortal conveyances from Turtle Mountain's paradise—jade carriages, green axles, and cloud-borne chariots.

Through extensive numerical and directional descriptions, the entire scripture presents the vast yet orderly celestial bureaucracy of Daoist cosmology, reflecting the tradition's imagination of cosmic order. Such content commonly appears in the scriptures of the Supreme Purity (Shangqing) school, primarily used for visualizing celestial scenes during meditation practice.

This scripture depicts the sacred scenery and cultivation realms of the Daoist celestial paradise "Tortoise Mountain." The main content can be understood as follows:

First, it portrays the majestic spectacle of five sacred processions in the Tortoise Mountain paradise: the Jade Radiance and Cinnabar Numen (immortal elixir's brilliance), along with the Eight Arts of the Sun and Moon (the Dao of celestial movements). Within this naturally formed paradise, seventy million immortals roam, riding feather canopies, dragon-drawn chariots, phoenix wings, flying serpents, and jade wheels.

Next, it describes nine types of "Jade Radiance Perfected Ones" (true immortals emitting jade-colored light) positioned in different directions. Each orientation contains nine hundred million layers (symbolizing immeasurable numbers) of these Perfected Ones. They reside within Tortoise Mountain's Nine Mysteries (the highest celestial realms) and the green radiance and cinnabar glow of the Cavern Heavens, specifically located in the upper, middle, lower, front, back, left, right, and central "radiant core" regions.

Finally, it records the achievements of three immortals who cultivated this scripture:

1. The Primordial Sovereign of Cinnabar Numen and Radiance (a supreme immortal lord) transmitted this jade-green true scripture to later sages. The Purple Tenuity Lady (a female immortal) cultivated it for ten years and naturally ascended to the Golden Platform, where she could accompany the Queen Mother of the West (head of female immortals). Originally written in azure, this scripture is preserved in the cavern chambers of Tortoise Mountain.

2. The Pure Void True King (an immortal lord) cultivated it for nine years and naturally soared to the heavens, joining the company of exalted sages and Perfected Ones. Written in cinnabar on purple parchment, this scripture is stored in the great cavern of Tortoise Mountain as a golden-text-on-yellow-background natural true scripture.

3. The Yellow Flower Jade Youth (an immortal youth) required thirty years of cultivation to ascend. This scripture was written in yellow.

Through its vivid descriptions of the paradise's grandeur and cultivation achievements, the text emphasizes the scripture's preciousness and the extraordinary nature of its practice. The recurring numbers like "seventy million" and "nine hundred million" are not literal but employ Daoist numerical symbolism to represent boundlessness and abundance.

Beneath the azure sky in the Right Cavern of Turtle Mountain, naturally formed cyan characters and green stone carvings appear—these are the precious authentic scriptures transmitted to later generations of immortals, demanding reverent treatment.

(Instructions on Talisman Usage):

1. The talisman on the right should be inscribed with cyan pigment on yellow backing material to be worn as an amulet

2. These four talismans to the right must be written with cyan pigment on white silk and hung at the four cardinal directions to subdue demon kings

3. These talismans compel malevolent spirits to submit, enabling the host of immortal sages to move freely within the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) celestial realm

4. Practitioners may thereby ascend through the void, journeying with celestial sovereigns and divine immortals to the Jade Capital of Purple Terraces (Daoism's supreme paradise)

5. Upon obtaining these authentic scriptures in the Primordial Cavern of Turtle Mountain, one may study profound classics alongside assemblies of immortals

These sacred texts were transmitted by the Venerable Lord of the Great Dao (Taishang Zhangren) and the Most High Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun), among other perfected beings.

(Initiation Ritual Instructions):

Presently, one must prepare ritual tokens and seek transmission of covenant documents from a Master of the Three Caverns (a high-ranking priest proficient in the scriptures of the Three Caverns). When cultivating and venerating these texts, they must forever be treasured as personal jewels, strictly observing the covenant regulations established by the Most High.

(The ritual requires three key officiants):

1. The Recommending Master (who introduces the candidate)

2. The Overseeing Master (who supervises the entire ceremony)

3. The Initiating Master (who performs the transmission)

This scripture is titled The Shangqing Highest Turtle Mountain Mystic Register, a vital esoteric text of the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) tradition.