《靈寶文檢》Vol. 18

Plain-language explanation

This passage is not the main text of a scripture setting out Daoist teachings. It is the table of contents for Volume Five of the Daoist compendium Shangqing Lingbao Wenjian. The volume lists the titles of memorials—documents submitted to various deities during ritual services and offerings to the gods. It is devoted specifically to memorials for daytime offerings.

A daytime offering is a ritual service held during the day to pray for blessings, repay divine favor, or avert misfortune.

A memorial is a text that a Daoist priest burns or presents during an offering to explain a matter to the gods, ask for their protection, or give thanks.

The entries below are explained in plain language, following the order of the table of contents. “The second” in a title indicates that there are two texts with the same title.

The Three Pure Ones, the Jade Emperor, and the stars

“Memorial for Audience with the Nine Emperors” is used when paying respects to the Nine Emperors, including the Northern Dipper deities.

“Memorial for Repaying the Covenant with the Three Pure Ones” is used to fulfill a vow and repay a covenant with the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing).

“Memorial Reporting Merits to the Jade Emperor” reports merits to the Jade Emperor.

“Memorial for Communicating with the True Ones before the Jade Emperor” (two texts), “Memorial for Fire Protection before the Jade Emperor,” “Memorial for Settling the Memorial and Extending Life,” “Memorial for Purifying Impurities before the Jade Emperor,” “Memorial for Longevity before the Jade Emperor,” “Memorial for Averting Calamity before the Jade Emperor” (two texts), “Memorial for Repaying the Covenant before the Jade Emperor,” and “Memorial for Praying for Rain before the Jade Emperor” are used respectively to convey messages to the true spirits, prevent fires, settle a memorial and extend life, purify the ritual altar, offer birthday wishes, avert calamity, repay a covenant, and pray for rain.

“Memorial for Extending Life to the Star Lords,” “Memorial for Averting Calamity to the Star Lords,” and “Memorial for Confessing and Repenting to the Star Lords” are used to ask the star deities for long life or protection from calamity, or to confess and express remorse.

“Memorial for Untying Knots before Doumu” asks the Dipper Mother (Doumu) to resolve grievances and entanglements.

“Memorial for Extending Life before the Northern Dipper,” “Memorial for Protection from Illness before the Northern Dipper,” “Memorial for Focused Reflection on Illness before the Nine Emperors,” and “Memorial for Praying for Offspring before the Northern Dipper” are used to pray for long life, protection from illness, focused contemplation while caring for the sick, and children.

“Memorial for Protecting a Pregnancy before the Jade Emperor” (which can also be used with memorials to the Star Lords), “Memorial for the Canopy of the Northern Dipper,” and “Memorial for Praying for Rain before the Northern Dipper” are used to protect a pregnancy, seek the Canopy’s protection, and pray for rain.

“Memorial for Extending Life before the Southern Dipper” concerns the Southern Dipper’s power to extend life.

“Memorial for Longevity to the Three Officials” offers birthday wishes to the Three Officials of Heaven, Earth, and Water.

“Memorial for Confessing and Repenting to the Three Officials” is used to confess wrongdoing and repent before the Three Officials.

The Dark Emperor, the heavens, the Supreme Emperor, and the underworld

“Memorial to the Dark Emperor,” “Memorial to the Dark Emperor Concerning the Blood Lake,” and “Memorial for Averting Calamity before the Dark Emperor” concern the Dark Emperor, the Heavenly Worthy of Mysterious Heaven (the True Warrior), the Blood Lake, and the averting of calamity.

“Memorial to the Various Heavens” (two texts) is presented to the various heavens.

“Memorial to the Supreme Emperor” concerns the Supreme Emperor and related deities.

“Memorial for Borrowing Land” is used when borrowing land to establish and prepare a ritual altar.

“Memorial for Longevity before the Eastern Peak” (two texts), “Memorial for Untying Knots before the Eastern Peak,” “Memorial for Advance Cultivation before the Eastern Peak,” and “Memorial for Averting Calamity before the Eastern Peak” offer birthday wishes to the Great Emperor of the Eastern Peak, resolve grievances, make preparations for spiritual cultivation in advance, and avert calamity.

The Fire Deity, Wenchang, Lord Guan, and others

“Memorial to the Fire Deity” and “Memorial of Thanks for the Fire” concern the Star Lord of Fire Virtue and giving thanks after a fire.

“Memorial for Longevity before Wenchang,” “Memorial for Praying for Offspring before Wenchang,” and “Memorial Concerning Plague before Wenchang” concern birthday wishes, prayers for children, and plague before Emperor Wenchang.

“Memorial for Longevity before Lord Guan” offers birthday wishes to the Sage Lord Guan.

Ritual procedures and other entries

“Memorial for Inviting the Masters” and “Memorial for Thanking the Masters” are used to invite and thank the masters who transmit the scriptures.

“Memorial for Inviting the Mysterious Spirits” and “Memorial for Thanking the Mysterious Spirits” are used to invite and thank the mysterious spirits.

“Memorial for Cleansing” is used to cleanse and purify the ritual altar.

“Memorial to the Great Luminaries” concerns the Seven Luminaries and other stellar deities.

Summary

Volume Five is a table of model memorials for daytime offerings. Its titles are grouped by deity and purpose, covering the Three Pure Ones, the Jade Emperor, the Northern and Southern Dippers, the Three Officials, the Dark Emperor, the Eastern Peak, Wenchang, Lord Guan, the Fire Deity, and the inviting and thanking of masters. The memorials address matters such as longevity, calamity, children, rain, covenants, illness, and the Blood Lake, helping Daoist priests select the appropriate text for each ritual. The final line, “The table of contents of Volume Five of Shangqing Lingbao Wenjian ends here,” marks the end of this volume’s contents.