《太上元陽上帝無始天尊說火車王靈官真經》

The True Jing (Scripture) Spoken by the Supreme Lord of Primordial Yang, the Celestial Worthy of No Beginning, concerning the Fire Chariot King Lingguan. This scriptural title means that the Supreme Lord of Primordial Yang, the Celestial Worthy of No Beginning (a revered Daoist deity; “No Beginning” means beginningless from the very origin), proclaims the true Jing concerning the Fire Chariot King Lingguan (a protector deity of the Daoist Thunder Department); the opening of the scripture again sets out this title, likewise indicating that this Jing was spoken by the Supreme Lord of Primordial Yang, the Celestial Worthy of No Beginning, and concerns the Fire Chariot King Lingguan. “At that time” means at that moment. The Celestial Worthy of No Beginning formerly gathered countless celestial immortals in Fuli Heaven (the name of a heavenly realm) and proclaimed the supreme, utmost, true and wondrous teaching; he broadly expounded the profound subtleties of Dao and De; he spread abroad the subtle and wondrous Great Dao; he unfolded and read the numinous and wondrous scriptures; and he observed that the living beings of the lower realm were all being harmed by the demons of the Six Heavens (the demonic hosts of the six heavens) and the Nine Ugly Goblins (all kinds of fierce and ugly sprites). Living beings suffered widespread devastation, and many died; ghosts and monsters invaded and oppressed them; or they encountered various disasters such as flood and fire, bandits, and weapons and war, so that their sufferings were of many different kinds.

You assembled multitude, arrange yourselves in ranks in order and listen carefully to my decisive words: In the beginning, when I first opened heaven and earth, Yin-Yang was hard to distinguish, and Qian and Kun (Heaven and Earth) were not yet established. I then separated the clear and the turbid and established Qian and Kun; I first differentiated Yin-Yang, the Two Modes, the Four Images, the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), and the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). The mountains and rivers and the state altars were stabilized; the stars and planets, the sun and moon, east, west, south, and north, the four quarters and above and below, and the celestial circuit and astrological divisions were then fixed. In the world below, rulers and ministers were established; Fuxi, Shennong, and Xuanyuan Huangdi used plants as medicine and the hundred grains to nourish the people; only then were male and female distinguished. From Yao and Shun onward, there were civil governance and martial achievements to order the world; therefore the people were simple and good. Within instruction and transformation, Buddhism and Confucianism took form, enabling living people and those who become immortals to attain peace and happiness.

Nowadays the people below do not respect the Three Luminaries (the sun, moon, and stars) and offend divine principle; they commit the Ten Evils and acts of disobedience—being disloyal, inhumane, unkind, unvirtuous, unjust, and unfilial; they injure living things and kill sentient beings. When their blessings are exhausted and their lives end, they shall receive these painful retributions. At this time, the celestial immortals, terrestrial immortals, and divine immortals stepped forward from their ranks and reported: The people of the lower realm are suffering these afflictions; what expedient method should be established to save them? We humbly hope that the Celestial Worthy in great compassion will open his golden mouth, greatly open the way for benefit and salvation, and establish the essential principles of the teaching method, so that all those present may hear and know. Then the assembled multitude bowed with hands clasped and respectfully listened to the teaching.

You immortals, hear my admonition: If the lower realm is to be freed from the disturbances of demons and monsters and from all kinds of suffering, there is no way except to rely on the Huoluo (unimpeded and unobstructed) Fire Chariot King Lingguan; only this deity, loyal and good at heart and not following demons and evil, can cut off the demons. The immortals reported: We have not heard what virtues this deity cultivated; he occupies a place in the Thunder Palace (the divine office of the Thunder Department) and has great power; may the Celestial Worthy in compassion explain clearly. The Celestial Worthy said: This deity is the chief of the Fire Division of the Yu Star of the Southern Dipper (the name of a stellar deity); he regulates fire for ten thousand li; he hurls thousand-layered fire chariots; unimpeded and penetrating, he races through heaven and earth; his merits are exceedingly great.

The True Scripture (Jing) of the Fire-Chariot Wang Lingguan Spoken by the Most High Primordial Yang God, Wushi Tianzun (Taishang Yuanyang Shangdi, Heavenly Worthy of No Beginning): this is the true scripture spoken by the Most High Primordial Yang God, Wushi Tianzun (a title of a high Daoist deity), concerning the Fire-Chariot Wang Lingguan (Wang Lingguan, protector deity of the Thunder Department; “fire chariot” refers to the thunder-fire war chariot).

The Jade Emperor (Yuhuang Dadi) issued an order to summon Wang Lingguan. He brandished his whip and drove dragons to send rain. By Heaven’s mandate he bestowed rain. He drew out a dragon’s sinew and wrapped it around his waist. Because he was so fierce and brave, the Jade Emperor granted him a temple at Xiangtan to guard a region. When people made offerings and sacrifices, it was as if the deity was present before them. In the Tang dynasty, Master Sa (Sagong; Sa Shoujian, Zhenren Sa) unexpectedly traveled to this temple. Master Sa then used thunder-fire to burn the temple. The temple deity reported this to the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor bestowed a golden whip and ordered him to accompany Master Sa in investigating faults for twelve years. Zhenren Sa’s Daoist methods penetrated Xiantian (the prenatal realm and the system of divine offices). His ritual power was manifest at Longxing and Xihe. When his merits and practice were complete, his rank was established and he ascended to Heaven. Wang Lingguan became a deputy commander in the Water Department. He appeared in the river. He took Zhenren Sa as his master. He turned from evil to good. He attended and protected the teaching. He made a covenant to Heaven before his master. He vowed loyalty, dripping blood as an oath, clearly demonstrating his resolve. He wished to attend and protect. He swore to assist the emperor lord in protecting the state and securing the realm. He was memorialized and enfeoffed as the Fierce Thunder Official Before the Presence of Xiantian, the Three-Five Fire-Chariot Correcting and Punishing Officer, the Iron-Faced Impartial One, and the Huoluo Thunder Lord. His office was in Xiantian. He cut down the fierce and evil. He specifically governed cases of disloyalty and unfiliality, as well as offenses against ruler, parents, teachers, and friends. After taking charge of these, this divine general descended into the world to save and deliver. He vowed to cut off demons. He swept away evil and led beings back to rectitude. Only thus could purity and tranquility be attained.

The assembled immortals asked: How can we obtain this divine general’s descent into the world to save us, free us from all sufferings, bring security and peace to the people, and make the land pure and tranquil? Then Tianzun ordered the Golden Youth (an attendant of Tianzun) to hold a talisman (a summoning talisman) and go straight to Xiantian to summon this divine general. Upon hearing the summons, Lingguan, together with his master, commanded three thousand Silver-Toothed Generals and a million Yaksha soldiers (divine troops and generals). He immediately went to audience with Tianzun. Lingguan knelt for a long time before the Dao and reported: “I hold the office of Huoluo (a Thunder Department title), and my rank guards Xiantian. For what reason have I received this summons?” Tianzun said: “I now command you to descend to the lower world to subdue and remove demons and to save all beings.” Lingguan reported before the heavenly countenance: “My master, Zhenren Sa, has vows as heavy as a mountain, and he too will descend to save and lift up the people of the world.” Tianzun said: “You should descend to universally relieve the Youming (the dark places of suffering).” Zhenren Sa and the heavenly general bowed again. By imperial command they proclaimed the secret incantations and oath chapters (secret spells and vow passages). He is the fierce official deity among the Nine Heavens. His awe-inspiring power guards the palaces of the Nine Heavens. He comes and goes beyond the Three Realms (the Realm of Desire, the Realm of Form, and the Formless Realm). As a loyal minister, he assists the emperor lord. His valiant body appears clad in golden armor. With a wrathful countenance he gathers and subdues fire essence. His red robe flashes like lightning. His green boots travel throughout the great earth. He holds a dragon rope and a thunder-fire belt. Wind and clouds encircle and stabilize his body. He commands the generals and officers of the Huoluo division. He also leads the mighty Yaksha deities. The divine generals to his left and right receive and carry out Heaven’s mandate. I act by the command of Lord Ziwei (Ziwei Dadi, the Emperor of Purple Tenuity).

The Jade Emperor (Yudi), Supreme Lord of the Heavenly Court, has granted me his decree, and I raise the golden whip, the ritual implement of the Spiritual Official (Lingguan). The fire-wheel chariot, the Spiritual Official’s swift fiery-wheeled vehicle of patrol, spins like the wind; one revolution carries it ten thousand li. I specialize in investigating unfilial and rebellious deeds, and at once the golden whip manifests its awe-inspiring form.

I am sent up to the heavenly realm to have audience with the Jade Emperor and make report. I am sent into the water palace, the dragon-palace realm of waters, and the waves of the four seas surge. I am sent to the human world to immediately save living beings. I am sent into the underworld offices, going straight to the palaces of the netherworld. I am sent to command the divine generals, and the divine generals immediately respond spiritually and obey. I am sent to heal the sick, and the sick are immediately at peace. I am sent to seize ghosts and demons and destroy the camps of all ghosts. I am sent to capture monsters, piercing mountains and breaking rocks to seek them out. I am sent to relieve great drought, and at once thunder and rain pour down. I am sent to answer people’s prayers for rain, and heavy rain falls in continuous torrents. I am sent to stop wind and rain, and wind and rain immediately cease. I am sent to bring clear weather, and heaven and earth immediately clear. I am sent to burn heterodox temples of monsters, and the strange temples become fine dust. I am sent to hasten birth and assist delivery, and pregnancy comes to smooth birth. I am sent to carry out killing and subjugation to suppress evil, and my wrath shakes the ritual altar. I am sent when thunder is required, and the thunder sounds like drums, startling and awe-inspiring. I am sent to raise wind and clouds, and wind and rain immediately arise. I am sent to inspect the true officials, the inspecting immortal officials, and I raise the golden whip and report face to face. I am sent to break ground, and the Earth Lord, the earth god, trembles with fear. I am sent to govern plague, and the Plague Office, the divine bureau in charge of plagues, immediately carries out its task. I am sent to petition the Jade Emperor, and the Jade Emperor approves my words.

Those who share beginning and end with me become subjects of the Jade Emperor. I and you together make a vow, the vow to save living beings. If you transgress, the golden blade will cut your body to pieces. Forever you will suffer poisonous torture and perilous pain, and never again see the light. If you betray your own vow, for ten thousand kalpas you will lose the human body. If I betray my own vow, forever I will be counted among the demon hordes. If you serve me, my spirit will listen closely. If you serve me diligently with your heart, I will quickly appear. If you do not call my name, I will never come to the ritual altar. If you call my name, my true form will appear on level ground. Ren and Gui days, the Ren and Gui days of the sexagenary cycle, are the days I descend; upholding and reciting should be done diligently. Offer clear tea and jujube soup, and burn peachwood incense. I will appear at your left and right; set your heart at ease and do not be afraid. I and you together make a vow, the vow to save living beings.

When your merit and practice are complete, I will enter the Xiantian with you (the source realm before Heaven and Earth divided). I respectfully obey the statutes and commands of the Primordial Yang Emperor (Wushi Tianzun) and carry them out swiftly. The sworn spell of Master Sa (the Zhenren Sa Shoujian) says: Sa Shoujian of Xihe (a place name and clan seat) holds the authority of the Nine Heavens. He commands Lord Fenglong (the thunder god) and drives the gods of mountains, rivers, and springs. The Five Phases I reverse and deploy at will, unveiling the hidden workings of Earth (Kun) and Heaven (Qian). The Three Flowers (the essences of the Three Dantians) gather at the crown of the head, and the seven Qi (seven kinds of prenatal true Qi) pour into the spirit root (the root of life). Exhaling becomes thunder, inhaling becomes lightning; I look up to entreat your awe-inspiring spirit and bow to command the earth deities and spirits. With the Qi of the ten thousand things I nourish my body; this one Qi is called Xiantian. Universally cut down demons and malevolent spirits, and attack the camps of the various ghosts.

Marshal Wang (Wang Lingguan) is fierce as a qilin, turning back to return to the Mysterious Truth (the wondrous true Dao). I report to the Golden Portal Heavenly Court and command you to lead the thunder and lightning. I sign and seal your name; when the command arrives, you shall immediately descend at the summons. I command you to display your awe-inspiring power, causing the Five Peaks to break and overturn. I command you to execute the demonic sprites, so that ghosts and specters cannot hide their traces. I command you, the Investigating True Officer, to hold the golden whip and drive the fire wheel. I command you to save all living beings and bring peace to the common people and the ten thousand things. I command you to aid childbirth, so that the pregnant mother and child are safely delivered. I command you to lead the heavenly guards, with banners and pennants massed in the central army. I command you to summon and assemble the spirit troops, camping in separate camps on the left and right. I command you to descend upon the spirit-medium youth (a spirit-communicating child) to convey retribution, so that retribution is direct and clear. I command you to withdraw your power and sound, and stand with hands folded in attendance in the altar courtyard.

I do not betray your vow; you should quickly manifest your true form. If you do not betray my covenant, I shall reward your merit. If I violate your covenant, may I fall forever into Beiluo City (the underworld hell). In the long night, amid cold winds, for ten thousand kalpas I would lose my human body. If you violate my covenant, thunderbolts will shatter your form. Your true nature will fall into the demon hosts, and in every kalpa you will sink into the dark underworld. If you keep my covenant, you will accumulate merit and ascend to the heavenly court.

The Lingguan obeys the master’s spell command; the Zhenren once gave the order. Establishing the Daoist teachings to save the people of the world, dripping blood as a covenant. Universally save all imperial subjects; even the violent and perverse are likewise praised and revered. Quickly eradicate their traces. Morning and evening, hold and recite my name. By this covenant, manifest your true form. If what is invoked is not my name, I will never respond to your calling of the name. If I do not support the Mysterious Teaching (the Daoist Mysterious Gate), then may I bear the form of Heaven’s majesty descending upon me. Swiftly, swiftly, as by statute and command (to be carried out urgently as law and command).

Master Sa again establishes a sworn spell. Sa Shoujian of Xihe established the Way of Xiantian in his original station. Only in the Tang dynasty did he attain the Dao; from this, the Daoist teachings were expounded and flourished.

The Scripture of the Most High Primordial Yang Celestial Sovereign, the Beginningless Heavenly Lord, on the Fire-Chariot King Lingguan primarily recounts the demon-subduing might and deeds of Wang Lingguan (a Taoist guardian deity). In modern terms:

Wang Lingguan possesses the power to vanquish all demons and evil spirits, forcing them to reveal their true forms before turning to ashes. Whether it's the City God (local protector deities), Earth Gods, or the mountain deities of the Five Sacred Peaks and river gods of the Four Great Waterways, all pay homage by knocking their teeth in submission. Those who refuse to yield will have memorials submitted directly to the Shangqing Heaven (one of Taoism's highest celestial realms), where the Supreme Heavenly Lord (the highest deity) will descend with divine wrath.

Wang Lingguan declares his existence predates the formation of the cosmos. Leading fierce divine generals, he treads upon fiery wheels while wielding a golden whip. Swearing by heaven and earth as witness, bearing divine seals in hand, he specializes in subduing all manner of demonic forces. Those who dare resist will be crushed to dust, while the compliant will receive his recommendation to the Celestial Emperor. The text concludes with the standard Taoist incantation phrase "Swiftly, swiftly, in accordance with statutes and ordinances" (indicating immediate execution).

Following this is the deities' report after completing the demon-subjugation ritual: all infernal demons have been subdued, karmic grievances resolved, and cosmic harmony restored. The assembled immortals then kneel, petitioning the Heavenly Lord to issue formal encomiums (commendatory texts) for Master Sa (Wang Lingguan's teacher) and Wang Lingguan himself.

The Heavenly Lord promptly issues two encomiums:

The Encomium of Master Sa praises Sa Shoujian's western origins and miraculous manifestations in Longxing region, where he dispensed medicine to aid the world while accumulating virtue and perfecting the Great Dao (the Way). Receiving thunder rites from the Iron Master (a thunder department deity), he wore patchwork demon-subduing robes and wielded the Fivefold Illumination ghost-quelling fan. Commanding wind and rain, inscribing talismans (fulu) on jujubes, he vanquished demons beneath the Dipper Star formations. Having comprehended the Supreme Ultimate (Taiji) Dao, he ranks among the primordial celestial deities, roaming free as wild cranes and idle clouds. As an exemplary patriarch revered by all schools, he is honored as "The Unified Supreme True Lord Sa, Ancestral Sovereign of the Capital Heaven."

Though the Encomium of Wang Lingguan isn't fully expanded here, contextual clues indicate it extols this guardian deity's merits—the golden whip-wielding, fire-wheel-riding demon queller.

Scripture title: This is The True Scripture of the Fire-Chariot King Lingguan Spoken by the Most High Primordial Yang Emperor, the Celestial Worthy Without Beginning. “The Most High Primordial Yang Emperor, the Celestial Worthy Without Beginning” is the honorific name of a revered Daoist deity; “Fire-Chariot King Lingguan” is Wang Lingguan, the Daoist protector thunder god.

With one heart I take refuge in the Master and Chief General, the Spirit Lord of the One Qi (a deity who receives the One Qi of Prior Heaven), the Great Lingguan of All-Heaven Inspection and Punishment (the protector deity who inspects and rewards or punishes in the heavenly realm), and the impartial, fierce officer-general of the Three Realms. He has golden eyes and red hair and is called “Thunder Lord of the Three-Five Fire Chariot.” He has a phoenix beak and silver teeth and commands a million Pixiu (a fierce beast, here a metaphor for valiant divine troops) divine generals. He flies across clouds and mist and commands thunder. He can send rain and clear the skies, expel evil, and heal illness. For twelve years he observed the faults of sentient beings and was commissioned by the Jade Emperor. He has accumulated hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands of kinds of merit. He has vowed to assist the Patriarch, being supremely firm and courageous, saving the dying and preserving life. In every region he expounds the teaching; everywhere he establishes altars. He is Huoluo Fierce Officer (“Huoluo” is a divine title meaning penetrating and fearless), the Great Lingguan of the Three-Five Fire Chariot, Heavenly Lord Wang.

The Invocation and Vow Spell is a spell for invoking the deity and declaring vows. Reverently I invoke the Great Founder of the Azure Clouds, the Supreme Immortal Elder Sa of the One Primordial (Sa Shoujian, Patriarch Sa of Daoism). He is the Great Minister of the Prior-Heaven Thunder Department. Personally taught by the Iron Master and transmitting the wondrous instructions, he holds the Five Radiances Demon-Subduing Fan (a ritual fan). He wears the Hundred-Patch Demon-Subduing Robe (a ritual robe). He constantly uses food in an iron pot to perform empowerment. He universally relieves sentient beings (beings endowed with spirit), enabling them all to attain liberation. Spell-charged dates and written talismans—Daoist arts such as reciting spells over dates and drawing talismans—all have efficacious responses. He proclaims transformation on behalf of Heaven, always impartial from beginning to end. Wandering the world, he arrived at Longxing. The Iron-Faced General appeared at the bottom of the pool. For twelve years he observed faults. He accumulated hundreds, thousands, and tens of thousands of kinds of merit. He presented his oath and covenant in audience to God on High and caused all the Three Realms to take refuge. Curing illness and restoring life are as easy as turning the palm. In consecration and possession, he displays and spreads his divine power. I now invoke him, hoping he will descend. I humbly hope the Master’s grace will protect and sustain us.

The Lingguan Invocation Spell is a spell for invoking Lingguan to descend. Reverently I invoke the Divine-Power Huoluo General, the Great Lingguan of All-Heaven Inspection and Punishment. The Great Thunder Lord of the Three-Five Fire Chariot. Commissioned by the Three Heavens (the Gods of the Three Heavens) to subdue ghosts and malign influences. Holding a golden whip, he patrols the world. Wearing golden armor, he manifests divine power. Green boots and a wind belt protect his form. His fire-pupiled eyes illuminate heaven and earth. In an instant he reaches the Three Heavens to have audience with the Three Thearchs. In a moment he reaches the Nine Earths to save living people. Three thousand generals and soldiers with silver teeth and phoenix beaks; a million Pixiu troops with tiger heads. Moving through fire and riding the wind, they guard front and rear. Piercing mountains and shattering rocks, they seize demons and sprites. Prayed to for clear skies and rain, he relieves the world. In possession and circular light (manifesting images through ritual means), he can comprehend the meaning and intent of affairs. Healing illness and expelling evil are swift as lightning. He absorbs pestilence and toxic Qi and subdues all demons. He soars through clouds and mist and penetrates the void. He commands thunder and causes crashing peals. The great demons of the Three Realms all fold their hands and bow their heads. Outer-path heretics of the ten directions all take refuge. I now invoke him, hoping he will descend. May he greatly bestow thunder power and protect and support us.

The Urgent Invocation Spell is a spell for invoking the deity with urgent intent.

This scripture describes the formidable image of Daoist guardian deity Wang Lingguan (also known as the Fire-Chariot King Lingguan) and the merits of the "True Scripture of the Fire-Chariot King Lingguan."

The deity's appearance is awe-inspiring: he wields a golden divine whip, stands upon wind-fire wheels, has a dragon-shaped chain coiled around his waist, and possesses fiercely glaring eyes. He wears a yellow headscarf with crimson hair, clad in interlocking armor while his blue robe flutters in the wind. The scripture states there's no need to meticulously paint his image—what truly matters is achieving heart-to-heart resonance with the divine.

This deity commands the Five Thunders (the five types of thunderous divine power in Daoism), capable of reducing demons and malevolent spirits to dust with a single command. The scripture invites his descent to bestow thunderous might for protecting devotees.

Particular emphasis is placed on the scripture's powers: it can avert celestial and terrestrial disasters, safeguard national stability, dispel plagues and evil influences, quell fires, and resolve legal disputes. Keeping this scripture at home brings radiance, while carrying it ensures personal safety. Regular recitation yields specific benefits:

• Daytime recitation: wards off misfortune, attracts blessings
• Nighttime recitation: prevents nightmares
• Silent recitation: avoids disputes and slander
• Long-term recitation: prolongs lifespan
• National recitation: ensures border security
• Imperial recitation: strengthens the nation's fortune

The merits of recitation are profound:

• 1,000 recitations: generates auspicious light around the body
• 10,000 recitations: enables ascension on purple clouds
• Copying for others: increases prosperity and status
• Printing 1,000 copies: brings familial prosperity
• Widespread dissemination: generates immeasurable blessings

The scripture concludes that devout faith leads to enrollment in the celestial register (Daoist records of immortality) after death, with ancestors attaining the Dao and ascending to heaven, far removed from hell. Sincere prayers will be answered, and encountering this scripture signifies rare spiritual affinity.

The ending depicts the Celestial Worthy returning to the highest Daoist heaven (Jade Capital), with immortals and divine generals paying respects before withdrawing, expressing reverence for the Supreme Dao. It mentions the True Man's eulogistic incantations, noting his propagation of the Dao in Western Shu (modern Sichuan), using date-charming (a Daoist ritual technique) and talisman-drawing to save beings, while wandering the world to spread Daoist truth.

[Supplementary Notes]

1. Wang Lingguan is a prominent Daoist guardian deity, analogous to Buddhism's Skanda

2. "Five Thunders" represent the formidable exorcistic power in Daoism

3. "Purple clouds" symbolize auspicious signs of immortal ascension in Daoism

4. "Date-charming and talisman-drawing" are common Daoist techniques for worldly salvation

The Taishang Yuanyang Shangdi Wushi Tianzun Shu Huoche Wang Lingguan Zhenjing (True Scripture of the Fire-Chariot King Lingguan Spoken by the Supreme Lord of Primordial Yang and the Celestial Worthy of No Beginning)—Taishang Yuanyang Shangdi (a revered Daoist deity) and Wushi Tianzun (a supreme Daoist deity) proclaim the true scripture of Huoche Wang Lingguan (a protector of the Dharma, fire deity, and thunder deity). “Establishing the Dharma to save people” means establishing Daoist teachings and delivering the people of the world. “Master who saves from suffering” means a great master who rescues beings from hardship. “Supreme of the Primordial One” means being above the primordial unified Qi and supremely high. “Saving from suffering at Xihe” means at Xihe (a place associated with the Dharma lineage of Master Sa) saving beings from suffering and delivering them. “Sa Gong Zhenren” refers to Perfected Lord Sa (Sa Shoujian, the Daoist Patriarch Sa). “A lone cloud and a wild crane” means being detached and unfettered like a lone cloud and a wild crane. “A wild crane and a lone cloud” is the same—free and at ease. “A lone cloud and a wild crane roam freely” means roaming at will through heaven and earth like a lone cloud and a wild crane. “A wild crane and a lone cloud are always at ease” means being constantly at ease like a wild crane and a lone cloud. “With one heart taking refuge and entrusting one’s life” means wholeheartedly taking refuge and committing one’s life. “Uphold, recite, and practice” means receiving and upholding, reciting, and practicing according to the teachings. The title “Taishang Yuanyang Shangdi and Shi Tianzun Speak the True Scripture of Huoche Wang Lingguan” indicates that this scripture was proclaimed by Taishang Yuanyang Shangdi and Shi Tianzun (that is, Wushi Tianzun).