《太上元始天尊說孔雀經白文》

The vernacular interpretation of The Supreme Primordial Celestial Worthy's Peacock Scripture in Plain Text:

The Primordial Celestial Worthy (Tianshi) — the highest deity in Daoism — manifested great radiance in the Fuli Heavenly Realm, expounding the supreme wondrous dharma and revealing the spiritual text of the peacock. He summoned boundless celestial beings to attend this teaching, including: the deities of the Three Realms (heaven, earth, and humanity) and Four Administrative Offices (the Daoist cosmological governance system); the mountain gods of the Five Sacred Peaks and water deities of the Four Great Rivers; the dragon kings of lakes and oceans; the underworld officials of Fengdu (the capital of the netherworld); city gods and earth deities; the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions; and each individual's Destiny Star Ruler.

At this moment, the Peacock Wisdom King (a guardian deity) arrived riding his peacock, accompanied by his retinue of heavenly kings, rakshasas, jade maidens, and dragon kings to pay homage. The Peacock Wisdom King proclaimed: As an emanation of the Buddhist Tathagata, he shares the same origin with the Daoist Queen Mother of Precious Moonlight (a major Daoist goddess) — both having attained perfect enlightenment through enduring kalpas of cultivation. He expressed the wish that all living beings, whether in life or death, could use this scripture to dispel the Three Calamities and Eight Disasters (various misfortunes), transcend the Nine Categories of Misfortune, and prolong their blessings and longevity.

The merits of reciting this scripture include: erasing death records from the underworld registers, enrolling names in the immortal's roster of longevity, accumulating ten kinds of blessed fields (virtuous karma), and eliminating records of evil deeds. Devotees who chant this scripture sincerely will have their names recorded in the celestial registry, freeing them from the cycle of rebirth. They may also elevate their ancestors beyond suffering to dwell together in blessed realms. Those who disrespect this scripture shall face celestial punishment according to heavenly law.

Finally, the Peacock Wisdom King paid reverent homage and petitioned the Celestial Worthy to permit all beings to recite the Peacock Wisdom King's Honored Scripture, thereby resolving the misfortunes caused by dragon kings.

(Note: This scripture integrates elements from both Buddhism and Daoism. While the Peacock Wisdom King originates as a Buddhist guardian deity, here he is endowed with Daoist divine attributes, reflecting the characteristic Three Teachings syncretism of the Ming Dynasty. The practices of dispelling disasters through scripture recitation and delivering deceased souls are common Daoist cultivation methods.)

This passage is a ritual invocation from the Daoist Peacock Scripture (Kongque Jing), summoning various Dragon Kings for protection. The core content involves:

When practitioners devoutly recite this scripture, they specifically invoke twenty-two Star-Dwelling Dragon Kings who guard the fundamental energies of heaven and earth. Each Dragon King governs distinct celestial directions and natural forces, including:

• The Great Dragon King of Fusang in the East (symbolizing the land of sunrise)
• The Great Dragon King of Jupiter's Wood Virtue (governing the movement of the Wood Star)
• The Great Azure Firmament Dragon King of Venus (guardian deity of the Metal Star)
• The Great Dragon King of the Celestial Vault's Center (protecting the zenith of heaven)
• The Marvelous Great Dragon King of Five Qi (sovereign of the Five Phases' energies)

The scripture further summons twenty additional Dragon Kings with poison-neutralizing powers, such as:

• The Great Dragon King of the Azure Emperor in the East (one of the Five Directional Thearchs)
• The Great Wide-Eyed Dragon King of the Eastern Sea (guardian of the East Sea)
• The Great Dragon King of the Red Emperor in the South (deity of Fire Virtue)
• The Great Putuo Dragon King of the Southern Sea (protector of Guanyin's sacred site)

Practitioners beseech these Dragon Kings to eliminate misfortunes and prolong life, particularly through the merit gained from reciting the Peacock Wisdom King Scripture (a Buddhist protective deity also venerated in Daoism), thereby attaining "calamity-dispelling, peace-preserving" effects. The recurring character "某" (mǒu) in the text is replaced with the supplicant's name during actual recitation.

(Note: In Daoism, Dragon Kings are not merely water deities but also celestial embodiments governing cosmic energies. Such large-scale Dragon King summoning rituals are commonly performed during major Zhaijiao purification ceremonies.)

This scripture enumerates the honorific titles of numerous aquatic deities and dragon kings, primarily divided into two sections:

The first section lists twenty-four Water Emperor Dragon Kings, including:

• Dragon Kings with specific epithets like the Great Dragon King of Transforming Overflowing Shoals and the Great Dragon King of Subtle Thunderclaps
• Regional water guardians such as the Great Water Emperor Dragon King of Poyang Lake and the Great Water Emperor Dragon King of Han River
• Protectors of sacred waters like the Great Holy Water Dragon King of Wudang Mountain and the Great Dragon King of Weak Waters from the Sea Islands

The second section comprises an invocation where devotees recite the Peacock Wisdom King Sutra (a Buddhist text also absorbed into Daoist canon) to summon these dragon kings to the ritual altar. The repeated phrase "We take refuge in the Peacock Wisdom King" expresses devout devotion to this Buddhist protector (syncretized within Daoist texts), while "dispelling calamities" refers to removing misfortunes and "ensuring peace" petitions for protection.

These dragon king titles reveal three characteristics:

1. Some govern specific water bodies (e.g., Poyang Lake, Han River)

2. Others possess unique divine powers (e.g., the "Great Dragon King of Mysterious Vastness" likely governs weather phenomena)

3. Their names typically combine hydrological features (shoals, lakes, streams) with descriptions of divine power (thunder, gold, pearls, etc.)

Primarily used in Daoist Water Palace rituals (Shuifu Chaoke), this scripture invokes aquatic deities to harness the purifying power of water virtue (Shui De) for disaster relief. The simultaneous veneration of the Buddhist Peacock Wisdom King alongside Daoist water deities exemplifies characteristic Buddhist-Daoist syncretism.

This scripture enumerates the sacred titles of numerous Dragon Kings while expressing supplications for their divine descent and protective blessings. The content divides into two main sections:

The first section lists thirty Dragon Kings' honorific names, including:

• Those governing vast water domains (e.g., the Great Dragon King of Boundless Origins and Sacred Majesty, the Great Dragon King of Expansive Waters and Nation-Ruling Power)
• Those guarding sacred mountains and rivers (e.g., the Great Dragon King of Penglai Blessed Land, the Great Dragon King of Wutai's Golden Radiance)
• Water Emperors presiding over major rivers (e.g., Water Emperor of the Meng River, Water Emperor of the Yue River)

The text then devoutly invites these thirty Dragon Kings to descend upon the ritual altar to dispel calamities and ensure peace for devotees (represented by "so-and-so" denoting specific petitioners). Special supplications are made for the protective blessings of both the Peacock Wisdom King Scripture and the Peacock Wisdom King himself (a Buddhist guardian deity).

The second section enumerates twenty additional Dragon Kings' titles, primarily including:

• National protector Dragon Kings (e.g., Great Dragon King Ruler of the Western Lands, Great Dragon King of the Central Wei Kingdom)
• Water Emperors of major river systems (e.g., Water Emperor of the Long River, Water Emperor of the Jing River)

The scripture again invokes these Dragon Kings to attend the ritual assembly, eliminating misfortunes and ensuring future peace and auspiciousness for devotees, while similarly revering the majestic spiritual power of the Peacock Wisdom King Scripture and its deity.

These Dragon King titles reflect an expansion of Daoist "Four Seas Dragon Kings" beliefs, integrating the protective dragon pantheon with geographical landscapes and national territories. The recurrent title "Water Emperor" (Shuidi) indicates these Dragon Kings hold not only aquatic dominion but also possess divine status equivalent to imperial deities.

This scripture enumerates the numerous Dragon Kings and celestial officials who govern water bodies and sacred mountains in Daoist belief, along with the ritual for summoning deities. The main content can be understood as follows:

Dragon Kings from waterways across the land are invoked one by one, including those presiding over the Huai River, Sha River, Xiang River, Long River, Heng River, Chan River, Chuan River, Zhen River, Bai River, Yue River, Yan River, and other major waterways. Also summoned are the Dragon Kings of various sea estuaries, lakes (such as Cai Lake and Liang Lake), and streams (like Jiao Stream). Additionally, the scripture includes Dragon Kings of the Five Sacred Peaks (Wuyue), the Water Palaces of the Four Great Rivers (Sidu: Yangtze, Yellow River, Huai River, and Ji River), as well as enlightened Dragon Kings dwelling in famous mountains and grotto-heavens throughout the realm.

The text specifically mentions reverently inviting twenty-five enlightened and responsive Dragon Kings, along with immortal officials from blessed lands and grotto-heavens, to descend upon the ritual assembly (scriptural feast). Devotees pray for these deities' protection and the dispelling of calamities, with particular devotion to the Peacock Wisdom King Scripture (a Daoist classic), hoping the Peacock Wisdom King (a guardian deity) will bring peace.

The passage concludes with an elaborate ceremonial prostration, paying respects to the highest Daoist deities: the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing: Jade Pure, Upper Pure, and Great Pure Celestial Worthies), the Ten Directions' exalted perfected beings, astral deities, the Three Officials' Great Emperors (Celestial, Earthly, and Water Officials), the Four Sages (four guardian celestial warriors), and the Five Elders of the Five Directions (five ancient immortals). The liturgy also includes veneration to the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, Twelve Palaces' constellation deities, the Year's Tai Sui (annual rotating deity), and the Peacock Wisdom King's Sacred Mother Primordial Sovereign (feminine manifestation of the Peacock Wisdom King), among numerous other divine beings.

This scripture reveals the complex pantheon of Daoist deities and the solemn summoning rituals, where reciting the sacred names of these beings invokes their protection.

This scripture depicts a Daoist ritual assembly where various deities are invoked for protection, along with eulogies recited by multiple perfected beings (Daoist adepts who have attained spiritual realization). The main content can be understood as follows:

First, it enumerates the extensive pantheon of deities participating in the ritual: this includes the hierarchical divine generals of the Thunder Department (one bureau, two courts, and three offices), guardian deities, celestial beings recorded in the Fulu (talismans and registers), local earth gods, worshipped deities from the mortal realm (gods of ten temples and the Three Teachings), the Six Deities governing fate and territories, city gods and local earth spirits, as well as the overseeing deities of the void and passing phenomena.

Following this is a prayer for dispelling calamities, inviting auspiciousness, and safeguarding the faithful. Three perfected beings then recite their praises in sequence:

1. The Perfected Being of Wondrous Practice declares: Reciting this scripture can avert misfortune, purify the Dao's Qi (primordial energy), ensure celestial officials record virtuous deeds, and earn reverence from all spirits. Those who carry its mantras will find peace and health, while those who study it will surely receive blessings.

2. The Perfected Being of Water’s Zenith describes a sacred vision: The Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning (the supreme deity in Daoism) descends in a chariot drawn by nine dragons to unveil the scripture’s treasure scroll. It mentions the Great Peacock Buddha Mother (a deity blending Buddhist and Daoist elements) who rescues beings from suffering, and states that devout practitioners will receive blessings from the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Great Rivers, the endorsement of the Three Officials (Heavenly, Earthly, and Water Officials), absolution from the Five Dipper Star Lords, and protection from the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions.

3. Finally, the Perfected Being of Universal Light extols the merits of the Jade Emperor, explaining that this scripture originated in the distant kalpas (cosmic cycles) past. The Holy Mother (likely referring to the Queen Mother of the West) expounded this wondrous teaching out of compassion for all beings, making it the most supreme among all virtuous deeds.

The core message emphasizes that reciting and upholding this scripture invites divine protection, dispels misfortunes, and accumulates immeasurable merit. Blending Daoist deity systems with certain Buddhist elements, the text exemplifies the liturgical traditions of Daoist Zhaijiao (purification rituals) and Keyi (ceremonial practices).

This scripture expounds the miraculous efficacy of the Peacock Sutra, highlighting several key aspects:

The Peacock Bright King (Great Luminous King Venerable Peacock Sage) is an exceptionally sublime sacred being capable of subduing all demonic forces and making them surrender. This scripture can eradicate even the gravest karmic offenses, bestowing purity upon practitioners.

If one hears this scripture or the name of the Peacock Bright King and sincerely worships with reverence, all transgressions can be absolved. This includes the Ten Heinous Crimes and the Five Cardinal Sins (such as patricide or matricide) — through genuine faith and recitation of this text, these karmic burdens dissolve with the sound of chanting.

The scripture offers protection against manifold disasters:

• Worldly calamities: famines, plagues, poisoning, curses
• Human conflicts: imprisonment, wrongful accusations, battlefield perils
• Natural disasters: mountain floods, lightning strikes, fires and floods
• Venomous creatures and beasts: snakes, scorpions, tigers, leopards, wolves
• Disturbances by malevolent spirits and ghosts

Those suffering chronic illness, haunted by nightmares, or facing mortal danger will find peace and liberation through connection with this scripture. Worldly aspirations like wealth and status can also be fulfilled through its meritorious power.

Numerous deities safeguard its practitioners:

• Celestial beings: the Eleven Luminaries (sun, moon and five planets), Thirty-Three Heaven Lords, Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions
• Earthly spirits: Dragon Kings, Wind Gods, Water Deities
• Household guardians: protectors of dwellings, trees, and wells

Families upholding this scripture will enjoy abundance, noble descendants, and universal respect. Childless couples may receive celestial boys or jade maidens as offspring, bringing family prestige and elevating nine generations of ancestors to heavenly realms.

The text concludes by emphasizing the Peacock Bright King's compassionate salvation. This precious scripture, transmitted by the Holy Mother, fulfills all aspirations. Sincere devotion naturally multiplies blessings.

(Note: The "Eleven Luminaries" refer to major celestial bodies including the sun, moon and five visible planets. "Thirty-Three Heavens" is a Daoist cosmological concept, while the "Twenty-Eight Mansions" constitute the ancient Chinese stellar coordinate system.)

This scripture passage primarily expounds on the mantras and meritorious benefits found in the Supreme Primordial Celestial Worthy's Peacock Scripture. Here's a modern interpretation:

Devotees who practice with sincere faith will have their lifespans extended, while their family members will attain prosperity and honor. All sentient beings who recite this scripture with genuine devotion shall eternally enjoy auspicious peace and happiness.

When the assembled congregation reverently bowed in gratitude, the moved Celestial Worthy (Tianshi) once again proclaimed the sacred mantras from this precious scripture. These incantations contain many uniquely Daoist divine syllables—such as "Dongwang Donggang," "Taiwei Taiwei," and "Ziwei Ziwei"—whose repetitive phonetic patterns carry special spiritual power.

The mantras invoke various Daoist deities with specific functions—like the "Six Luminaries and Ten Penetrations," "Eighty-One Kings," and "Twenty-Four Divine Generals"—along with perfected beings such as the "Primordial Life Perfected Person" (Yuanming Zhenren), all of whom will come to protect devotees and their families.

Reciting this scripture brings manifold benefits:

• Eradication of all karmic transgressions
• Resolution of unjust grievances
• Dissolution of various hardships
• Elimination of disasters and illnesses
• Prevention of impending misfortunes
• Auspicious outcomes in all endeavors
• Salvation of ancestral spirits across generations
• Neutralization of karmic creditors' curses (referring to unresolved debts from past and present lives)
• Removal of unfavorable geomancy (Fengshui) influences from ancestral graves

This divine mantra summons auspicious clouds of blessings, bringing prosperity, longevity, and well-being. Ancestral spirits receive liberation, and all beings may collectively attain the fruit of Dao (spiritual realization). The passage concludes with the traditional Daoist mantra-ending phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with the statutes!"

The scripture's finale depicts the magnificent vision upon completing the recitation: Celestial dragons and cranes descend to welcome practitioners, accompanied by nine phoenixes singing in unison and paired luan-birds harmonizing. Lions and white cranes stand in formation, while celestial soldiers escort the retinue back to the heavenly palaces. The Peacock Wisdom King (Kongque Mingwang) and retinue return to their blessed abode, underworld kings retreat to the yin realms, dragon kings and maidens withdraw to oceanic palaces, rakshasa demons disperse to their domains, and yang-world thunder deities resume their palace duties.

This passage primarily emphasizes the miraculous efficacy and supreme merits of reciting the Peacock Scripture, representing a classic example of Daoist disaster-dispelling scriptures.

This passage describes the "Ten Offerings" ritual in Daoist worship, depicting devotees presenting ten precious offerings to the divine. Here's the vernacular interpretation:

All deities (such as the Earth God and City God) return to their respective domains to safeguard scriptures and precepts, while every household maintains incense offerings. The Eight Classes of Heavenly Dragons (Buddhist protector deities) and Four Heavenly Kings (Buddhist guardians) also descend wherever the scriptures reside. All present joyfully perform rituals of devotion, piously receiving the teachings, and after paying respects to the celestial countenance, they respectfully withdraw.

What follows is the concluding section of the Peacock Wisdom King Scripture's second volume. Amidst ceremonial music, disciples devoutly present ten offerings to the sages of the ten directions:

1. Flower Offerings: In the immortal realms, myriad blossoms need no cultivation. Peonies, herbaceous peonies, and wild roses compete in splendor, while ten thousand golden lotuses bloom in full glory, offered to honor the true visage of the divine.

2. Lamp Offerings: Intertwining candle flames illuminate the celestial realms of the ten directions. The radiant light of stars enables suffering beings to attain liberation, as they prostrate before the Celestial Worthy in the void.

3. Scripture Offerings: The Peacock Wisdom King Scripture can liberate the deceased and deliver sentient beings, containing thirty-six thousand wondrous dharma texts. May all comprehend its wisdom and take refuge in the Compassionate One.

4. Water Offerings: Using the sacred waters from the Eastern Well, the dharma water sprinkles across the four quarters. Nine dragons spew forth water to form mysterious primordial qi, while the "Yellow Blossoms of Stone Essence" (a Daoist cultivation term referring to vital essences) perpetually cleanse body and mind.

5. Tea Offerings: Hundred sparrows bear celestial tea leaves, causing flowers to bloom within the teacups. Drinking brings cooling breezes through both sleeves, emulating Lu Tong (Tang Dynasty tea sage) who attained immortal realms after seven cups.

6. Wine Offerings: This wine transcends ordinary vintage, its flavor resembling ghee (the finest cream). Immortals bring their own zithers to purchase this brew, may the deities enjoy it before drunkenly wandering the lotus paradise.

7. Fruit Offerings: Presenting fire dates and interlaced pears - fruits of immortality - along with rare red pomegranates and apricots.

Each offering is accompanied by devotional verses as disciples reverently elevate the gifts before the divine. These offerings symbolize devotees' sincere devotion, expressing reverence and supplication to the deities through exquisite presents.

This scripture describes the offering rituals and devotional dedication process within a Daoist Zhaijiao (purification ceremony). The main content can be understood as follows:

First comes the offering segment:

1. Fruit offerings: Disciples reverently present celestial delicacies like millennium-old peaches before the deities. These divine delicacies from the heavenly realms are universally offered to all sacred beings, seeking blessings and disaster relief.

2. Clothing offerings: Brand-new garments woven from Shu brocade and Wu silk, embroidered with exquisite dragon-phoenix patterns, are devoutly presented to the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing, the highest Daoist deities: Jade Pure, Upper Pure, and Supreme Pure).

3. Incense offerings: The Dao-De incense is lit, its fragrance permeating the ten directions. Special mention is made of the Peacock Lord's great vows, praying for his protection over devotees' wellbeing.

After the offerings, the Threefold Refuge dedication follows:

• Taking refuge in the Sublime Scripture: Praying for national protection and cosmic stability, wishing all beings may embrace Daoism and share in an era of peace.
• Taking refuge in the Wondrous Dharma Scripture: May celestial beings manifest their power, enabling all worldly beings to form virtuous connections.
• Taking refuge in the Dao-De Jing: Praising the profundity of Daoist teachings, may all scripture chanters attain immortality.

The final section involves blessings and refuge:

Wishing longevity and happiness for all, eliminating all afflictions. Special emphasis is placed on:

• Devoutly bowing to the Supreme Pure Master (referring to Laozi), beseeching salvation for those fallen into hell or misguided paths.
• Taking refuge in the Peacock Scripture itself can eradicate karmic obstacles.
• Ultimately taking refuge in the supreme virtuous cause of the Limitless Dao, chanting the sacred name of "Disaster-Dispelling Heavenly Worthy."

The ceremony concludes with ritual music and burning joss paper (symbolic offerings to deities in Daoist rites).

This scripture exemplifies the standard sequence of Daoist Zhaijiao ceremonies: preparing offerings, reverent presentation, scripture recitation, and dedicatory blessings. It embodies Daoist religious practice of communicating with deities through ritual to seek divine protection.

This scripture passage depicts a scene from a Daoist ritual ceremony, conveying the following essential teachings:

The path of cultivation requires transmission from sages, yet actual practice depends on oneself. All actions originate from within the heart—only with sincere reverence can one attain spiritual resonance. Within the ritual altar, practitioners are chanting the Peacock Wisdom King Scripture (Kongque Mingwang Jing), dedicating its merits to various sacred beings.

The text enumerates an extensive pantheon of deities receiving offerings:

1. Supreme divinities: The Three Pure Ones (Sanqing - Jade Pure, Upper Pure, and Great Pure), along with the Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Dadi)

2. Principal celestial beings: The Peacock Wisdom King (a guardian deity revered in both Esoteric Buddhism and Daoism), the Three Treasures (Dao, scriptures, and teachers), and spirits of the Three Realms (desire, form, and formlessness)

3. Astral deities: Lords of the Southern and Northern Dippers, Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, and Twelve Zodiacal Palaces

4. Nature spirits: Deities of the Five Sacred Mountains and Four Holy Rivers, along with Dragon Kings of waterways

5. Guardian forces: Celestial Kings and Jade Maidens, thunder department generals

6. Local deities: Earth Gods (Tudi), City Gods (Chenghuang), and Year Lords (Taisui)

7. Underworld entities: Karmic creditors, haunting specters

Through scriptural recitation's merits, practitioners seek to eradicate karmic obstacles and prolong life. The text expresses hope that the Celestial Worthy's compassion may illuminate all beings, bringing national stability, social harmony, and universal blessings. The ceremony concludes with communal veneration of the "Limitless Great Dao" and chanting of the sacred title "Great Celestial Worthy Peacock Wisdom King."

An appended note explains: This Peacock Scripture was originally preserved in a cave near She Shen Cliff by Zixiao Palace on Wudang Mountain, discovered by Overseer Li. The find included eighty-five volumes of the Scripture on Salvation (Duren Jing), followed by this three-volume Daoist Peacock Scripture.

(Note: This represents a Buddhist-Daoist syncretic text. The Peacock Wisdom King, a principal deity in Esoteric Buddhism, was assimilated into Daoism's practice system. The term "merit dedication" (huixiang), a Buddhist concept referring to the redirection of spiritual merits, illustrates characteristic Buddhist-Daoist synthesis.)

This passage explains the transmission and merits of the Supreme Primordial Celestial Worthy's Peacock Scripture. Here's a plain explanation:

(The opening mentions this scripture integrates teachings from both Daoism and Buddhism) Anyone who disbelieves this scripture will be detained by authorities. The profound principles contained in the text cannot remain hidden, so it is now being widely disseminated. We now transcribe the ancient scripture to spread it throughout the ten directions. If Daoist priests can read, explain, and recite this scripture, they will receive a thousandfold increase in blessings.

This scripture benefits rulers in governing above, and brings prosperity to common people below. Reciting it ensures favorable weather for crops, peaceful livelihoods for citizens, and harmony everywhere.

The colophon records its publication details: On the auspicious day of the Shangyuan Festival (15th day of the first lunar month) in the 35th year of the Wanli era (1607 CE), the scripture was proofread and published under imperial decree by Celestial Master Zhang Yuchu (honored as "Great Perfected Being Who Condenses Sincerity to Attain the Dao, Expounds Mysteries and Spreads Teachings"), the hereditary leader of the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) tradition. Its full title is Sacred Mother Peacock Bright King Scripture.

Additional notes:

1. "Peacock Bright King" is an important guardian deity in Buddhist esotericism, showing Daoist assimilation of Buddhist figures

2. The Shangyuan Festival is a major Daoist holy day when the Celestial Official bestows blessings

3. Zhang Yuchu was a prominent Ming dynasty Daoist leader overseeing all Daoist affairs

4. The described recitation benefits reflect standard persuasive rhetoric in Daoist scriptures