《靈寶文檢》Vol. 34
About this page. The original text of 《靈寶文檢》 Vol. 34 (Qing Daoist texts 清代道教文獻, 36 volumes) is shown in Classical Chinese as transmitted in the Kanripo (Kyoto University) edition. An English interpretation of the 3 passages on this page accompanies it: select a passage or press “Interpretation” to show it. All texts in English
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Source textInterpretation
Daoist Canon Compendium: Lingbao Texts and Documents, Volume Thirteen
Contents
Rites for the Dead: Talismans and Documents
(Talismans and documents used in rites to deliver departed souls)
| Original title | Plain-language explanation |
|---|---|
| Water Refining Talisman for Water-and-Fire Refinement | A talisman used during the water-refining stage of the water-and-fire refinement rite |
| Danyang Refinement Talisman | A talisman used in Danyang refinement |
| Yin Transformation Talisman | A talisman for transforming into, or returning to, the Yin realm |
| Kidney-Nourishing Talisman | A talisman for nourishment and growth associated with the kidneys |
| Three Luminaries Talisman | A talisman associated with the Three Luminaries—the sun, moon, and stars |
| Heart-Nourishing Talisman | A talisman for nourishment and growth associated with the heart |
| Primordial Qi Uniting Talisman | A talisman for uniting with primordial Qi |
| Liver-Nourishing Talisman | A talisman for nourishment and growth associated with the liver |
| Spirit Communion Talisman | A talisman for communicating with the spirit realm |
| Lung-Nourishing Talisman | A talisman for nourishment and growth associated with the lungs |
| Yin-Yang Talisman | A talisman for harmonizing Yin-Yang |
| Spleen-Nourishing Talisman | A talisman for nourishment and growth associated with the spleen |
| Spirit Transformation Talisman | A talisman for transformation and the passage of numinous substance |
| Bladder-Nourishing Talisman | A talisman for nourishment and growth associated with the bladder |
| Qi Transformation Talisman | A talisman for circulating and transforming the movement of Qi |
| Small Intestine-Nourishing Talisman | A talisman for nourishment and growth associated with the small intestine |
| Yang Light Talisman | A talisman associated with yang light and yang Qi |
| Gallbladder-Nourishing Talisman | A talisman for nourishment and growth associated with the gallbladder |
| Cyclical Transformation Talisman | A talisman for setting cycles and measures in motion |
| Large Intestine-Nourishing Talisman | A talisman for nourishment and growth associated with the large intestine |
| Yang Transformation Talisman | A talisman for transforming into, or raising, yang |
| Kidney-Nourishing Talisman | A talisman for nourishment and growth associated with the kidneys; the title repeats the earlier “Kidney-Nourishing Talisman,” perhaps for a different use |
| Primordial Unity Talisman | A talisman signifying unity in primordial Qi and the initial formation of chaos |
| Triple Burner-Nourishing Talisman | A talisman for nourishment and growth associated with the Triple Burner |
| Numinous Qi Uniting Talisman | A talisman for uniting with numinous Qi |
| Heart Enveloping Network-Nourishing Talisman | A talisman for nourishment and growth associated with the heart’s enveloping network |
| Hidden Texts of the Three Offices | Secret documents used by the Three Offices, such as the celestial, terrestrial, and aquatic offices |
| Fire Refining Talisman | A talisman used during the fire-refining stage |
| Fire Bell Talisman | A talisman used in the Fire Bell method |
| Primordial Qi Access Talisman | A talisman for gaining access to primordial Qi |
| Life-Giving Access Talisman | A talisman for gaining access to generation and the vitality of life |
| Yang Qi Access Talisman | A talisman for gaining access to yang Qi |
| Yin Qi Access Talisman | A talisman for gaining access to yin Qi |
| Spirit Access Talisman | A talisman for gaining access to the divine spirits |
| Immortal Realm Access Talisman | A talisman for gaining access to the realm of immortals |
| Numinous Realm Access Talisman | A talisman for gaining access to the spirit realm |
| True Realm Access Talisman | A talisman for gaining access to the realm of truth |
| Mystery Access Talisman | A talisman for gaining access to the mysterious and profound |
| Form Refining Talisman | A talisman for refining bodily form and the relationship between form and spirit |
| Union Talisman | A talisman for uniting Yin and Yang, or water and fire |
| Yellow Robe Talisman | A talisman used in the “donning yellow” rite, in which yellow garments or coverings are used in rites to deliver the dead |
| Birth-and-Death Transcendence Talisman | A talisman for escaping birth and death and delivering the soul |
| Mandate-Receiving Precious Register Talisman | A talisman associated with receiving a mandate and with precious registers |
| Water Pool Writ | An official document issued to the Water Pool Office |
| Fire Marsh Writ | An official document issued to the Fire Marsh Office |
| Yin Summoning Talisman | A talisman for summoning yin spirits or yin Qi |
| Yang Summoning Talisman | A talisman for summoning yang spirits or yang Qi |
| Water Pool Banner | A banner used in the Water Pool rite |
| Fire Illumination Banner | A banner used in the Fire Illumination rite |
| Yellow Robe Banner (front) | The front of the banner inscribed for the Yellow Robe rite |
| Yellow Robe Banner (back) | The back of the banner inscribed for the Yellow Robe rite |
| Demon-Commanding Banner | A banner for commanding and subduing demonic hosts |
| Impurity-Cleansing Talisman | A talisman for dispelling impure Qi and purifying |
| Water Refining Talisman | A talisman used in water refinement |
| Fire Refining Talisman | A talisman used in fire refinement |
| Ten Kings’ Case-Transfer Talismans (ten strips) | Ten talismans used to transfer cases among the Ten Halls of the Kings of Hell |
Background for reading the contents:
- Rites for the dead are ritual services performed for the departed to deliver and refine their souls.
- Water-and-fire refinement is a common ritual in the Lingbao tradition. Water and fire are used to refine the form and spirit of departed souls so they may ascend.
- Talismans, writs, and banners: A talisman is a secret seal or diagram; a writ is an official document sent to offices in the netherworld; a banner is a hanging ritual standard, often inscribed with talismans or text.
- “Nourishing” talismans for particular organs are often associated with visualizing spirits and refining Qi, correlating the Five Viscera with the Five Phases, and nourishing the souls. In refinement rites, they symbolize the restoration of vitality.
- The Ten Kings usually refers to the Kings of the Ten Halls of Hell. “Transferring a case” means reviewing a case, revising a judgment, or delivering the soul.
The contents of this volume list the talismans, writs, and banners used in rites for the dead and in water-and-fire refinement. The body of the text is expected to provide their inscriptions or instructions for use one by one.
A Plain-Language Reading of Entries in the Lingbao Register of Ritual Items
The following is a catalog-style list of talismans and ritual implements used in Lingbao rites, presented in the order of the original text with a brief explanation of their general purpose.
Upper Origin Desire-Extinguishing Talisman, Middle Origin Corpse-Cutting Talisman, Lower Origin Scene-Transforming Talisman
These correspond respectively to ritual occasions or levels associated with the Upper Origin, Middle Origin, and Lower Origin. The first is used to eliminate greed and desire; the second to cut away corpse energy and dispel baleful forces associated with the dead; and the third to transform the surroundings and help the souls of the dead pass onward.
Shangqing Talisman for Deliverance from the Five Sufferings (Five Destinies)
A talisman for deliverance from the Shangqing realm, used to help the dead escape the five sufferings of rebirth through the Five Destinies, often associated with suffering in hell and among hungry ghosts. The entry notes that there is a separate talisman for each of the Five Destinies.
Road-Opening Talismans (Two)
Two talismans for opening a path through the underworld for the dead and clearing away obstacles.
Talisman for Those Who Died by Hanging
A talisman specifically used to deliver those who died by hanging.
Talisman for Resolving a Hundred Afflictions
A general talisman for dispelling misfortune, used to resolve various calamities and karmic burdens.
Demon-Commanding Talisman
A talisman used to command and subdue demons, ghosts, and other malevolent beings.
Flood Dragon Talisman
A talisman for subduing or delivering flood dragons, water spirits, and those who died in water-related disasters.
Talisman for Prisoners’ Unresolved Bonds
This talisman is for the dead who are difficult to release because they died in confinement, wrongful imprisonment, or with unresolved inner anguish.
Talisman for Resolving Enmity and Unfinished Feuds
A talisman for dissolving old grudges and unfinished confrontations that continue to bind people to one another after death.
Talisman for Prisoners Burdened by Debt
A talisman for the dead who are burdened by debt in the underworld and pursued by creditors.
Talisman for Pursuit and Imprisonment
A deliverance talisman associated with prisons, pursuit, and calamities involving incarceration.
Talisman for Those Killed by Tigers or Wolves
A special talisman for those killed by tigers, wolves, or other wild beasts.
Talisman for Those Killed under the Law
A deliverance talisman for those who died because of state laws, criminal penalties, or official action, such as execution or death through collective punishment.
Talisman for Those Murdered by Robbers
A talisman for those killed by robbers.
Talisman for Soldiers Killed in Battle
A deliverance talisman for soldiers who died in battle.
Talisman for Deliverance through Combined Refinement
A talisman for delivering and refining the dead through a combined method of ritual refinement.
Three Lights Ritual Food Talisman, Yuyang Ritual Food Talisman, Cloud Flower Ritual Food Talisman, Immortal-Guiding Ritual Food Talisman, Precious Qi Ritual Food Talisman
“Ritual food” refers to offerings presented to divine beings and the dead during liturgies. These five talismans correspond to names or realms such as the Three Lights (sun, moon, and stars), Yuyang, Cloud Flower, Guiding Immortals, and Precious Qi. They are used in ritual food offerings of different grades.
Talisman for the Complete Manifestation of the Five Emperors
A talisman for the complete manifestation and descent of the Five Emperors, generally understood as the Sovereigns of the Five Directions or the Five Elders.
Soul-Summoning Talisman
A talisman for calling back wandering souls.
Hell-Breaking Talisman and Hell-Breaking Banner
A talisman and banner for breaking open hell and freeing the dead from the restraints of the underworld.
Pure Heaven-Eye Talisman
A talisman for purifying the Heaven Eye, opening wisdom, and gaining clear insight.
Litigation Talisman and Debt Talisman
These talismans are used to address lawsuits and disputes over debt in the underworld.
Talismans for a Dead Mother and Living Child, a Living Mother and Dead Child, a Mother and Child Both Dead after Birth, and a Mother and Child Both Dead before Birth
Separate deliverance talismans are selected according to the circumstances: the mother dies while the child survives, the mother survives while the child dies, both die after birth, or both die before birth.
Talisman for Examining the Souls of the Dead
A talisman for checking and investigating the identity, offenses, and merits of the dead.
Talisman for Those Executed by Beheading, Strangulation, or Beating
A talisman for those who died by punishments such as beheading, strangulation, or beating with a staff.
Talisman for Those Executed by Lingering Death or Dismemberment
A talisman for those who died by severe punishments such as lingchi or dismemberment.
Talisman for Those Killed by Artillery or Arrows in Battle
A talisman for those who died on the battlefield from artillery fire or arrows.
Talisman for Those Who Fell into Pits or Trenches
A talisman for those who died after falling into a pit or trench.
Talisman for Those Crushed by Falling Rocks or Struck by Trees
A talisman for those killed by rockslides or falling trees.
Talisman for Those Killed in Fights
A talisman for those who died in brawls or violent altercations.
Talisman for Those Crushed by Carts or Trampled by Horses
A talisman for those killed by carts or trampled by horses.
Talisman for Those Crushed by Bricks or Stones
A talisman for those struck and crushed by bricks or stones.
Talisman for Those Fatally Injured by Dogs, Pit Vipers, or Scorpions
A talisman for those who died after being bitten or stung by dogs, pit vipers, scorpions, or similar creatures.
Precious Register for Release by Imperial Edict and Ascension to Heaven
A precious register—a document-like ritual implement, listed alongside talismans—for those pardoned by imperial decree and raised to heaven.
Soul-Summoning Yellow Banners (Front and Back), Soul-Summoning Solitary Banners (Front and Back), Soul-Summoning Crimson Banner, Soul-Summoning Yellow Banner
Yellow, solitary, and crimson banners used to summon lonely souls. The entry specifies that some have both a front and a back.
Numinous Talisman for Summoning Solitary Souls and Their Natal Star
A numinous talisman for summoning lonely souls in conjunction with their natal star.
Talisman for Judging and Dissolving
A talisman for adjudicating and dissolving grievances and ending confrontations.
Throat-Opening Talisman
A talisman that opens the throats of the dead so they can receive ritual food and recite scriptures.
Four Duty Officials Talisman
A talisman associated with the merit-recording and memorial-presenting spirits known as the Four Duty Officials in Daoist liturgy.
Talisman for Presenting the Jade Tablet at Court before the Perfected
A talisman used when holding a jade tablet to attend court before the Perfected and other holy beings.
These entries are mostly names of talismans and banners used in Lingbao purification rituals, rites of refinement, and universal deliverance ceremonies. They are organized by cause of death, type of offense, and the circumstances of mothers and children, enabling Daoist priests to check and prepare the ritual implements listed in the register.
The "Jade Emperor's Sacred Edict Talisman Script" (Yuhuang Baogao Fuzhang) and the "Malaria-Cutting Talisman" (Qie Baizi Fu) both belong to the category of Daoist Fulu (talismans and registers), which are special documents inscribed with mystical symbols. The "Jade Emperor's Sacred Edict" refers to the holy appellations and hymns praising the Jade Emperor, the supreme deity in Daoism, while "Fuzhang" denotes the specialized document format used for writing talismans. The "Malaria-Cutting Talisman" is a specific functional talisman—"baizi" being a folk term for malaria—likely used to treat the disease or expel related pathogenic influences.
Such talismans are typically inscribed by Daoist priests using cinnabar on yellow paper, accompanied by incantations. Daoism holds that Fulu possess the power to communicate with divine beings and exorcise evil or cure illnesses. Their use requires strict adherence to ritual protocols and lineage transmission.
Source text: Kanripo 漢籍リポジトリ（KR5i0092）; Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Report an error / feedback