《七元召魔伏六天神咒經》

Interpretation of the "Scripture of the Seven Primes Summoning Spirits to Subdue the Six Heavens' Demons"

At that time, the Daojun (the supreme deity of Daoism) addressed the Thirty-Six Heavenly Kings, the Five Qi Celestial Lords (deities governing the Five Phases), the Great God of the Vast Wilderness, the Five Lakes’ Grand Generals, the Guardian Spirit Deities, the Flying Dragon Cavalry, the Sovereigns of the Three and Five (referring to the deified Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors), the Five Venerable Celestial Sovereigns, and the Primal King of Celestial Truth:

"In the past, when I expounded this scripture for all beings, the demonic palaces trembled, and the earth-bound spirits and deities all prostrated to receive the command. Now I decree to you: absolve sins, return to the original heart, and give rise to virtuous thoughts. From this day forth, when a Daoist priest seeks to aid others, I shall dispatch divine generals to assist him in exorcising ghosts, healing illnesses, vanquishing malevolent spirits with righteous Qi, and summoning deities to descend immediately."

In the Chapter on the Seven Perfected Summoning Celestial Truth to Subdue Demons, it is recorded:

The Daojun said, "I have long expelled evils and eradicated calamities for celestial beings and mortals. If, in the era after the Three Dragons (likely referring to the Three Officials’ Emperors), there are Daoist priests who cultivate according to this method, they should establish an altar to the Seven Primes of the Northern Dipper in places afflicted by disaster. Light bright lamps, practice the Dao, and summon the Sovereigns of the Three and Five and the Deities of the One Qi to destroy malevolence and slay ghosts with divine might. All sentient beings shall thereby dispel calamities and prolong their lifespans. The Celestial Worthy of the Numinous Officials will summon the Great Demon King of the North, commanding all spirits and deities henceforth to assist Daoist priests in their rituals to exorcise ghosts and protect the people’s peace."

The Chapter on the Seven Perfected Commanding the Five Thunder Spirit Troops to Subdue Demons records:

The Seven Perfected (seven realized adepts) said, "We once transmitted divine incantations and wondrous scriptures to dispel disasters and avert misfortune for all beings. If a Daoist priest diligently cultivates this method—establishing a ritual space, lighting lamps, practicing the Dao, and suppressing spirits with talismans—we will summon the Five Thunder Spirit Troops and countless celestial generals to descend upon the ritual ground, annihilating specters and dispelling plagues and venomous creatures.

"Especially, we shall summon the Great Cloud-Thunder Fire-Bell Troops of the East, leading nine hundred million Wood-essence celestial soldiers. Riding auspicious clouds of the Nine Qi, wielding blades and swords, they will descend upon the ritual ground to execute plague-spreading demonic soldiers like Liu Yuanda (a pestilence demon), swiftly removing toxic vapors and safeguarding the people, aiding the Dao’s propagation. By the urgent decree of the law!"

Similarly, they summon the Great Cloud-Thunder Fire-Bell Troops of the South, leading three hundred million Fire-essence celestial soldiers... (The scripture continues with analogous descriptions of the southern divine troops descending.)

(Note: The text follows Daoist liturgical conventions, blending ritual invocations with cosmological imagery. The "urgent decree" (急急如律令) is a standard formula in Daoist exorcistic texts, emphasizing immediate divine enforcement.)

This scripture describes a Daoist ritual for dispelling epidemics, detailing how to summon celestial armies from the five directions to subdue plague demons. Here’s a modern interpretation:

First, the ritual summons the five directional generals leading heavenly troops:

1. The western general arrives with 700 million golden-armored soldiers, riding seven-colored clouds of Qi (vital energy), wielding swords to suppress demonic influences (such as plague-spreading spirits like Zhao Gongming). They command these entities to retreat a thousand li, restoring health to the people.

2. The northern general mobilizes 500 million water troops on five-hued storm clouds to execute plague demons like Zhong Shiji, banishing them ten thousand li away.

3. The central general leads 120,000 earth-element soldiers on yellow mist, tasked with eliminating epidemic deities like Shi Wenye to ensure national stability.

The text emphasizes that each direction commands countless celestial soldiers whose power manifests when the ritual altar is established. For healing, practitioners light the Seven Primordial Lamps (a Daoist ritual instrument), practicing meditation and breathwork while visualizing their master descending from the corresponding direction to suppress malign forces. The method involves:

1. Tapping teeth seven times

2. Reciting the Tianpeng Curse (a Daoist exorcism mantra) 120 times

3. Meditating on the Seven Primordial Qi (fundamental energies in Daoist cultivation)

4. Displaying the Five Directions’ cloud-and-thunder talismans (Fulu) to seal each sector

The scripture concludes with specifications for crafting five talismans:

1. The first, made of peach wood (1.9 chi long), guards the northeast (Gen position)

2. The second, of catalpa wood (1.3 chi), secures the southeast (Xun position)

3. The third, of paulownia wood (2 chi), anchors the north (Kan position)

4. The fourth, of silverberry wood (1.5 chi), protects the west (Dui position)

5. The fifth, again peach wood (2 chi), stabilizes the southwest (Kun position)

When combined with the preceding rituals, these talismans eradicate plagues and safeguard communities.

This scripture primarily explains the usage and efficacy of the Seven Primordial Spirit Talismans (Fulu). Let me explain section by section:

Regarding the dimensions and materials of the talismans:

• The Sixth Primordial Spirit Talisman uses a three-chi long poplar wood plank to suppress the Qian (Heaven) palace position
• The Seventh Primordial Spirit Talisman uses a peach wood plank measuring one chi three cun to suppress the Li (Fire) palace position
• The Eighth Primordial Spirit Talisman uses a poplar wood plank of one chi seven cun to suppress the Zhen (Thunder) palace position
• The Ninth Primordial Spirit Talisman uses a two-chi peach wood plank to suppress the Central Palace position, capable of commanding the Qi of 36,000 divine spirits

The Seven Perfected (Daoist adepts who have attained the Dao) state that these talismans originate from Mount Fengdu (a legendary underworld mountain in Daoism), used by realized adepts to summon spirits. These talismans can:

• Summon the Five Directional Cloud-Thunder Generals and Tiger-Running Star Lords
• Command deities and spirits from all directions
• Dispatch celestial soldiers and heavenly generals
• Gather clouds and distribute rain
• Subdue demonic forces

Usage precautions:

1. Practitioners wishing to learn these talismans must prepare ritual offerings including "life silk" (silk inscribed with birth details) and gold objects as initiation gifts - they cannot be casually transmitted

2. Transmission must occur at night under open sky with an altar for stellar worship

3. Only those with proper lineage may receive transmission, and disciples must follow prescribed cultivation and ritual practices

4. For healing, they can be inscribed on five silver plates using cinnabar to disperse malignant spirits

Efficacy descriptions:

• After a thousand days of practice, one gains divine protection
• Can secretly summon various enlightened beings (celestials, immortals, etc.) for assistance
• Each talisman has a million spirit soldiers and flying ghostly attendants as guardians
• Usage requires solemnity as if facing the Celestial Emperor

Regarding the Seven Perfected's demon-summoning methods:

The Seven Perfected state these divine talismans can:

• Protect the body
• Facilitate practice of the Seven Star Steps
• Absorb the Nine Heavenly Qi

Originally stored on the sunny side of Mount Fengdu, enveloped in Nine Heavenly Qi

Transmission requirements:

• On one's Destiny Day (astrological birth date), prepare forty chi of white silk, five kinds of fruits, and fragrant oil as ritual offerings
• Must establish vows with the master through ceremonies
• Talismans must be stored in brocade pouches and enshrined on high altars in quiet chambers
• Morning and evening obeisance to the Supreme Northern Pole Deity and Great Micro Emperor is required

Practice results:

• Can connect with Five Directional Qi
• Bind groups of demons
• Receive homage from myriad spirits
• Earth deities will serve the practitioner

These contents mainly describe the specifications, usage methods, and cultivation requirements of Daoist talismans, belonging to the category of Daoist ritual arts. In Daoism, talismans are commonly used for exorcism, healing, and spiritual cultivation, with strict emphasis on ritual protocols and lineage transmission.

This scripture expounds a potent incantation known as the "Seven Primes Summoning Charm to Subdue the Demons of Six Heavens," along with its associated talismans and cultivation methods. The main contents are as follows:

This formidable charm compels all demons to bow in submission. Its incantation reads: "By the primordial essence of the Northern Dipper Star Lord (Mysterious Dipper), illuminated by the radiance of the Three Purities (sun, moon, stars), divine beings clear the path and sweep away inauspicious forces. All mighty deities of the eight directions heed my command—capture and slay evil spirits. Those who uphold this charm shall enjoy longevity, immortality, and abundant spiritual energy (Shen-Qi). They may control Mount Fengdu (the Daoist underworld) and deliver demons to the Six Heavens (realms of desire where demons dwell). Should any demon dare resist or hide, the eight-directional deities will assist in their subjugation. Swiftly, as decreed by law!"

The Seven Perfected Ones (Qizhen) declare: Any Daoist in this world who masters this divine charm's diagram may roam with celestial beings, command cosmic principles, summon myriad spirits, ultimately attain the Dao, and forever break free from Fengdu's ghostly bonds.

The scripture then introduces five miraculous jade maiden talismans:

1. Radiance-Penetrating Jade Maiden Talisman: Summons hundreds of demons to protect the practitioner

2. Great Primordial Yin-Generating Jade Maiden Talisman: Wearing it grants immortality and communion with spirits

3. Vast Numinous Jade Maiden Talisman: Bestows lifespan equal to heaven and earth

4. Treasure-Essence Jade Maiden Talisman: Earns reverence from all spirits and passage through the Three Realms

5. Great Harmony Jade Maiden Talisman: Enables travel across the Five Sacred Mountains, receiving homage from myriad deities

The Seven Perfected recall extraordinary omens witnessed when this divine diagram first appeared: demon palaces quaked, mountains spewed smoke, sun and moon shone brilliantly across the Three Realms, demons prostrated themselves, celestial troops stood armed in formation, meteors fell, and heaven displayed mysterious portents.

Later practitioners who follow the prescribed methods may govern the Five Lakes, Seven Marshes, Seven Temples, and Twenty-Four Peaks. These talismans must be kept in crimson silk pouches and enshrined in meditation chambers. Transmission may occur only once every thirty years—only to worthy recipients, lest the true Dao be damaged and calamity ensue. Utmost discretion is required.

The Seven Perfected conclude with this instruction: Whether dwelling in cities or mountains, later practitioners must diligently cultivate true methods to aid the world. Heal the sick when encountered, extend compassionate assistance, and nurture benevolent hearts. Thus cultivated, the Seven Perfected will naturally offer support. Should a Daoist wander the land and encounter great disasters...

This scripture explains how to summon deities to subdue demons through the "Seven Primordial Lamps Ritual" (Qiyuan Dengyi), a Daoist ceremony involving seven ritual lamps. The core teaching states:

By setting up seven sacred lamps according to prescribed rituals, reciting incantations, and submitting memorial petitions (formal documents to deities), one can eliminate calamities and prolong life. Those who attain immortality through this practice will, by virtue of its accumulated merit, freely traverse the Three Realms (Desire Realm, Form Realm, and Formless Realm), ultimately ascending through the golden gates of the celestial realm.

The Seven Perfected Ones (accomplished immortals) declare: Among the Three Realms, any ordained Daoist predestined with Dao-affinity may behold the ritual diagrams of this ceremony. Upon encountering them, one should practice with utmost sincerity, as reverently as announcing imperial decrees before the emperor. The scripture meticulously records supreme sacred diagrams of the ritual, presented on the left side.

The full title of this scripture is The Seven Primordials' Demon-Summoning and Six Heavens' Subjugation Incantation Classic. "Seven Primordials" refers to the seven stars of the Northern Dipper (Ursa Major), while "Six Heavens" denotes six demonic realms. It primarily transmits incantation methods to harness the power of the Northern Dipper for subduing demons from these six infernal domains.