Shushan Earthly Immortal

Chapter 345 The Essentials of Preserving the Spirit, and the Extensive Path of Benevolence

The year 469 of the Ming Dynasty, the beginning of spring.

Juqu Mountain, thoughts without end.

The spring breeze was still chilly, and the cliff was covered in snow, a silver-white world, utterly silent, with only one voice slowly and deliberately telling its story.

"Point 48, 'Favorable timing and geographical advantage.' This needs to be mentioned specifically. This point is not entirely my own idea. It is a summary I came up with after reading through various scriptures, comparing and integrating them, and adding my own experience."

"If there's anything special about it, it's that when I was considering these favorable timing and location, I also incorporated some of the Lingbao ritual's ideas of the unity of heaven and man."

"I believe that the Three Pure Ones share the same origin and all methods return to one. Whether it is the Shangqing Preservation of Spirits or the Lingbao Ritual, both require communication with Heaven and Earth, so they can all learn from each other. Of course, what I am about to say is something I have personally tried and benefited from, not something I have cobbled together or made up. You can rest assured about that."

"The concept of 'favorable timing and location' should be quite intuitive. It means that when meditating and contemplating, one should also consider the influence of favorable timing and location. I think everyone is familiar with this point. The Shangqing Sanyuan Yujian Sanyuan Bujing in the Daoist Canon of Shangqing Dongzhen specifically emphasizes this. What I am about to say can be considered as some minor supplements."

"I have summarized the celestial timing for preserving the spirit into twelve periods: the Three Primal Elements, the Five La Periods, the Six Wu Periods, the Eight Festivals, the Hours, the Monthly Ordinances, the Thunder and Rain, the God's Birthday, and the Stars."

"The Three Yuan: the Heavenly Official bestows blessings in the Upper Yuan, the Earthly Official pardons sins in the Middle Yuan, and the Water Official relieves calamities in the Lower Yuan. The fifteenth of the first, seventh, and tenth months are the days when the Three Officials examine us. All people should stay at home and wait for the examination. Therefore, it is not advisable to keep your spirits in your hearts, otherwise it may backfire."

"The Five Sacrifices are: the Heavenly Sacrifices on the first day of the first lunar month, the Earthly Sacrifices on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, the Moral Sacrifices on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the People's Sacrifices on the first day of the tenth lunar month, and the Royal Sacrifices on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. On these five days, the Five Emperors of the Five Directions examine the spirits of the living and record good and evil deeds to determine sins and blessings. It is advisable to fast and preserve one's spirit, but one must avoid blood and dirt, purify oneself, burn incense, and sincerely worship the gods."

"The six Wu days are Wu Chen, Wu Yin, Wu Zi, Wu Xu, Wu Shen, and Wu Wu. On Wu days, the earth energy is heavy and closes the heavenly gate. Forcing oneself to meditate may offend the gods. Therefore, it is said: Wu does not pay homage to the truth."

"The eight solar terms are the Beginning of Spring, the Spring Equinox, the Beginning of Summer, the Summer Solstice, the Beginning of Autumn, the Autumn Equinox, the Beginning of Winter, and the Winter Solstice. On these eight days, the Qi of Heaven and Earth interacts, and the spirits move about. If one's thoughts are sincere and one's mind is calm, preserving one's spirit will be twice as effective with half the effort; however, if one's mind is wavering, one is easily misled by other spirits, resulting in the distortion of one's true spirit and form. Therefore, I do not recommend that fellow Daoists below the third realm preserve their spirit on the eight solar terms."

"The most noteworthy times are the four hours of Zi (11 PM - 1 AM), Wu (11 AM - 1 PM), Mao (5 AM - 7 AM), and You (5 PM - 7 PM). At Zi hour, Yang energy is just beginning to emerge, so it is good to focus one's spirit, but one must be wary of Yin energy. It is best to burn incense and light candles around oneself to create an array of Yang fire. At Wu hour, Yang energy reaches its peak and Yin energy begins to emerge, so it is good to focus one's spirit on the sun and fire elements, but one must avoid the poison of fire. It is best to surround oneself with a jar of water. Mao and You are the times when Yin and Yang intersect, so there is no taboo in focusing one's spirit at these times. However, I would recommend taking a bath at these times, as it can calm the mind and make it easier to meditate."

"The lunar calendar refers to the first and last days of the month. On the first day, Taiyi moves its palace and the gods change their positions; on the last day, Taiyin hides its form and all ghosts roam at night. It is not advisable to meditate on either day. However, on the fifteenth day, when the moon is full and the Qi is abundant, it is appropriate to visualize the gods of the imperial lineage, but it is still necessary to avoid blood and purify the body."

"Thunderstorms are days of extreme thunder and fury, when all the gods are in turmoil. Apart from the gods of thunder, it is not advisable to think about the others."

"The birthday of the gods is the day of their birth. Preserving the gods can achieve twice the result with half the effort."

"star,……

"...

"In addition, there are twenty-four advantageous locations, which are..."

On the altar, the Taoist priest preached eloquently, reciting various scriptures and allusions with ease.

Opposite him, the cliffside platform was packed with people, shoulder to shoulder. Beyond the cliff, clouds hung in the sky, obscuring the sunlight.

The listeners were so engrossed in the lecture that they were completely unaware of the heavy snowfall, nor did they use any magic to blow or melt the snow. So when the Taoist finished speaking, the entire audience had turned into snowmen.

"Alright, that concludes the forty-eighth point, 'Favorable Timing and Geographical Advantage.' Fellow Daoists, if you have any questions, please feel free to share them so we can discuss them together."

Cheng Xinzhan said.

The crowd fell silent for a moment. Some were deep in thought, some were scratching their heads, and some were still confused, seemingly unable to extricate themselves from his long speech.

Cheng Xinzhan had anticipated this, and there was indeed a lot to say about it. He originally intended to explain it in four parts: Heavenly Suitability, Heavenly Taboo, Earthly Suitability, and Earthly Taboo. However, it just so happened to be the number forty-eight, and he had been in Juqu Mountain for a whole year, so it was time for him to leave for the East Sea. He planned to leave tomorrow, so he was too lazy to separate them and simply combined them into one explanation.

After a long while, someone raised their hand, and snowflakes fell from their body.

"please say."

Cheng Xinzhan said.

The man looked significantly older than Cheng Xinzhan, but his demeanor and tone were extremely respectful. He asked,

"Sir, I am foolish. You say 'one should not pay homage to the gods on a Wu day,' but what should one do if a Wu day coincides with the birthday of a deity?"

"When encountering the Earthly Branch '戊', it is not considered an Earthly Branch."

Cheng Xinzhan gave the answer first, and then proceeded to explain.

"When a god's birthday falls on the day of Wu, the god naturally breaks through Wu, so the god's existence is unimpeded. This is a good question from a fellow Daoist, so let me take this opportunity to say a few more words."

"The phrase 'Wu Bu Chao Zhen' mainly refers to preserving the spirit and performing rituals, not to prohibiting all activities, and this needs to be clarified. For example, the Lingbao Yujian says that it is appropriate to practice the steps of the Big Dipper on Wu and Gui days; the Shangqing Tianshu Yuan Huiche Bidao Zhengfa says that it is appropriate to seal the Shangqing Nine Hells Divine Talisman on the sixth Wu day; the Huangdi Taiyi Bamen Rushi Mijue records that carving the sixth Wu seal on the sixth Wu day can suppress earth spirits and evil spirits; in the practice of thunder magic, the Dao Fa Huiyuan points out that the fifth Wu day is suitable for refining the Five Thunder True Texts."

"Furthermore, if a fellow Daoist is in seclusion and it happens to be an 'Wu' day, there is no need to worry too much or to interrupt the practice. The 'Dongzhen Taiyi Dijun Taidan Yinshu Dongzhen Xuanjing' mentions that on the six Wu days, one should fast and purify oneself before entering a stone chamber to preserve one's spirit, which can minimize the impact. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid the six Wu days if possible, but one should not give up on practice altogether because of a minor setback."

"Fellow Daoist, have I made myself clear?"

The person asking the question looked excited, stood up, and bowed.

"Thank you for your explanation, sir. I now understand."

After this person started, another person raised their hand to ask a question. This person was younger, and they said...
"Sir, I have the same question. If one's birth day falls on one of the four unlucky days, how should one conduct oneself?"

"It can be avoided or broken."

Cheng Xinzhan decided to answer first, and then explain in detail.

The *Yuanshi Shangpin Jing* states, "On your birth day, recite and contemplate, and your soul and spirit will be clear and upright, and all vital energy will endure." The *Yumen Jing* states, "On a day that falls on one of the four absolute days, vital energy is severed and the spirit is hidden; preserve your spirit but do not use it." Both scriptures speak of good and bad, but neither says what to do if the two days coincide.

"If you're not in a hurry, or if you're afraid of trouble, then avoid it. Because preserving your spirit is a gradual process that takes time and effort to achieve; avoiding it will only waste a day's work. But if you don't avoid it, and you don't do it the right way, you might end up losing more than you gain."

"But if it is indeed urgent, it is not without a solution. At this time, we must seek a way to resolve it. However, when seeking a solution, we cannot limit our vision to the methods of preserving the spirit and the Shangqing Dongzhen Dao Canon. As far as I know, the Taishang Xuanling Beidou Benming Yansheng Jing in the Jingming Dongzhen Dao Canon contains a solution that is applicable to this situation."

The "Beidou Jing" clearly states: "On your birth day, perform a fast and set up a ritual, pray to the Big Dipper, and recite the name of the Great Sage Seven True Lords of the Big Dipper. You will be cleansed of calamities and transgressions, have your vital energy restored, receive blessings and longevity, and attain good results." This clearly states that "restoring vital energy" means breaking the four days of severance.

"Furthermore, if fellow Daoists still have the energy to visualize an inner deity, they can also visualize a Big Dipper Star Lord, recognizing him as their natal deity. On ordinary days, this can ward off evil and protect the body; on their natal day, they will be free from all taboos. The scripture says:"
"The first star of the Big Dipper, Yangming Tanlang Tai Xingjun, belongs to those born in the year of Zi; the second star of the Big Dipper, Yin Jing Jumen Yuan Xingjun, belongs to those born in the year of Chou and Hai; the third star of the Big Dipper, Zhenren Lucun Zhen Xingjun, belongs to those born in the year of Yin and Xu; the fourth star of the Big Dipper, Xuanming Wenqu Niu Xingjun, belongs to those born in the year of Mao and You; the fifth star of the Big Dipper, Danyuan Lianzhen Gang Xingjun, belongs to those born in the year of Chen and Shen; the sixth star of the Big Dipper, Beiji Wuqu Ji Xingjun, belongs to those born in the year of Si and Wei; the seventh star of the Big Dipper, Tianguan Pojun Guan Xingjun, belongs to those born in the year of Wu."

"Fellow Daoist, have I made myself clear?"

Cheng Xinzhan asked.

This method isn't particularly difficult; one could say it's instantly grasped. But if you don't know it, you simply don't know it. It's perfectly normal for a disciple of the Shangqing School not to know, because he only encountered the series of Daoist texts about "Beidou Jiecha" (the Northern Dipper's Dispelling Calamities) in the Jingming School's scriptures, including the "Beidou Cishui" (Northern Dipper's Commanding Water) he had previously performed. He then discovered that the blessing on one's birth day in the *Beidou Jing* (Northern Dipper Scripture) could break a taboo in the Shangqing Cun Shen Fa (Preserving Spirit Method). Regarding the matter of lineage and sectarianism, he had discussed it with the three schools. If there were any points that could be mutually consulted without revealing the foundation of their lineages, they could be appropriately revealed during internal lectures within the three schools—this was something all three schools agreed to. Today, he lectured on the Lingbao and Jingming methods at Juqu Mountain, and he had also lectured on the Shangqing method with these two schools before. No one suffered a loss; it was a mutually beneficial arrangement.

"I understand, thank you for your explanation."

The man also bowed excitedly.

Then, everyone eagerly raised their hands to ask questions. As previously announced, everyone knew that Mr. Guanghong would be leaving the mountain tomorrow, and it would be many years before he gave another lecture. So everyone seized the last opportunity to ask their questions.

Cheng Xinzhan answered them one by one.

Time always flies when you're explaining the Dharma and answering questions, and before you know it, the sun is setting.

"Gentlemen, it's almost time. Perhaps we should continue this discussion another time."

Cheng Xinzhan said that he noticed fewer and fewer people were asking questions, so he was about to get up.

"Sir, I still have a question!"

Just then, a young woman raised her hand to ask a question.

He looked up and saw a young woman with a complicated expression, showing some hesitation and confusion, but her eyes were very firm.

"Fellow Taoist, please speak."

Cheng Xinzhan sat down again.

Then they heard the woman say...

"Sir, you just said that on the five Laba Festivals and the full moon, one should avoid blood and filth when meditating. However, for us women, before we collect cinnabar, the Red Dragon visits us every month. It is too frequent and delays the time. The scriptures also say, 'When the Red Dragon comes, the Three Corpses run rampant, and the body and spirit retreat. It is not advisable to meditate.' This is really distressing for us female cultivators. I wonder if you have a solution?"

After the woman finished speaking, a commotion broke out on Siwu Cliff.

Mr. Guanghong is a follower of the Qian (Heaven) principle, not the Kun (Earth) principle, so why would he ask such a question!

However, after the uproar, silence followed. All the female cultivators present looked at Cheng Xinzhan, even those who had already collected the cinnabar and slain the red dragon, their faces showing anticipation.

He hesitated for a moment before giving a somewhat vague answer.

"Perhaps there is a solution."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was another uproar.

Cheng Xinzhan had certainly thought about this issue. In fact, this issue is reflected in the three paths of preserving the spirit, rituals, and thunder magic. This is also one of the reasons why there are relatively few female cultivators in the Lingbao School, Shangqing School, and Shenxiao School.

Although slaying the Crimson Dragon can eliminate this problem, cultivation is always a matter of taking one step slowly, and if you are delayed in the beginning, it will be even more difficult to reach the point of slaying the Crimson Dragon.

The Shangqing Sect is doing well because it has a sect leader like Master Chengchu as a role model, so many female cultivators come to join the Shangqing Sect. The Lingbao Sect and the Shenxiao Sect are truly dominated by males and dominated by females.

Ever since Cheng Xinzhan learned that he had a junior sister, he had been considering this issue. After taking on another female disciple, he could no longer ignore it.

However, this problem has plagued many experts from the three sects for years, and it's not something he can solve simply by wishing to. Moreover, the three sects aren't entirely helpless; they are all ancient immortal sects, each with its own secret methods for concealing dragons. However, these methods require specific aptitudes and the use of external elixirs, making them difficult to cultivate. Their inability to be universally applicable is the crux of the problem.

The turning point came with the Pure Brightness spell.

After Cheng Xinzhan used "Beidou Divine Water" to receive Yu Jiaoniang's "Lieque Blood Divine Light" from the Blood God Sect, he pondered this question: "Beidou Divine Water" can remove the blood stains of the demonic path, so can it also remove the blood stains of the Crimson Dragon?

This incident touched him, but the Crimson Dragon was not impure, only turbid Qi. Moreover, the "Big Dipper Commands Water" technique was a secret technique of the Pure Bright School, which was quite difficult to cultivate and not suitable for general application. It could not be used directly.

But later, by chance, the sect passed down the "Midnight Moonlight Gang," which led him to suddenly understand the fifth character of the "Taiyin Mantra" passed down by his master, the character "Jing."

The Taiyin (Great Yin) is all-seeing, illuminating the five internal organs and ten directions. It can subdue internal evils and external demons, purify all defilements, and liberate both body and mind.

Furthermore, the Yin's "Purification" is different from the "Burning Purification" mantra that Cheng Xinzhan had previously comprehended. It is said that the sun destroys form, while the moon refines form. The "Burning Purification" method aims to eradicate evil completely, cutting off its roots to prevent its recurrence. The Yin's "Purification" mantra, however, aims to purify and clarify, removing impurities and preserving the essence, preventing harm to the mother body—this is precisely what is needed for the woman's "Red Dragon" disturbance.

Therefore, Cheng Xinzhan combined the Taiyin [Purification] Mantra, the "Big Dipper Commanding Water" and the essentials of mindfulness, and not long ago created a new method called the "Star and Moon Bright Light Purification Mantra". To practice this method, one should silently recite the mantra and visualize the bright moon and the Big Dipper shining universally in the Purple Palace, emitting white light like flowing water, which can purify the red dragon and will not hinder mindfulness, fasting, or thunder.

He replied,

"I have a method called the 'Starry Moon Bright Light Purification Mantra,' which I hope can be understood. All the methods I've previously described are ones I've personally tested and confirmed to be effective. However, I am, after all, a male, and cannot personally test this mantra, so I dare not say I can definitely understand it. Not long ago, I passed this method on to True Man Chengchu, asking him to check for any omissions and find someone to test it on. Currently, there is no news."

In fact, he certainly didn't just pass on his teachings to Cheng Chu Zhenren; he also passed them on to Gezao Mountain, Bingfeng Mountain, and Sanyuan Mountain.

The first two families were asked to help determine if this method would be helpful for female Taoist rituals and thunder-wielding during menstruation. The latter was given the method because it was inspired by the Jingming magic; it wouldn't be right to share a newly created method with everyone while ignoring its origins. Furthermore, Cheng Xinzhan hoped these families would communicate and, if modifications were needed, ideally adapt it to be usable by all of them, as having a different method for each family would be cumbersome.

After he finished speaking, everyone, including the woman who asked the question, was extremely shocked. No one expected that Mr. Guanghong, who was a male Taoist, had actually considered this issue and even created his own method!

Just then, a flash of light appeared in the void, and a woman's voice, full of laughter, rang out.

"It has been proven that Master Xinzhan's 'Starry Moon Bright Light Purification Mantra' is indeed effective. From now on, female Taoist priests will be free from the interference of the Red Dragon in their spirit preservation, fasting, and thunder-moving rituals!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Xinzhan stood up and bowed to the suddenly appearing Master Chengchu. A smile appeared on his face, indicating that it was effective.

"May the Sect Leader enjoy boundless blessings."

The disciples of the Shangqing Sect on Siwuya all rose and bowed, amidst a flurry of snowflakes.

Those present were all greatly encouraged upon hearing what Master Cheng Chu had said. The female cultivators, of course, were overjoyed; another obstacle had been removed from their path of cultivation. The male cultivators were equally delighted; their fellow disciples were making great progress in their cultivation, the sect's strength was increasing, and its lineage was becoming more complete—all worthy of celebration!

Before Master Chengchu could finish speaking, he continued,

"It is unanimously agreed that the four schools of Shangqing, Lingbao, Jingming, and Shenxiao jointly recommend Master Xinzhan as 'Master Renhui Guangfa,' and this will be announced to the world at the auspicious hour of Chenzheng tomorrow."

"It is agreed that within the Juqu Mountain, Master Guangfa holds the same position as the Vice Leader. All disciples of Shangqing, below the rank of Vice Leader, shall greet him with the respect due to a disciple."

"It is unanimously agreed that the essential points of Master Guangfa's teachings on the method of preserving the spirit, totaling forty-eight points, should be compiled into a book entitled 'Master Guangfa's Explanation of the Essential Points of Preserving the Spirit in Shangqing,' which should be included in the Shangqing Daozang Cave Spirit Section along with 'The Mantra of Bright Light of Stars and Moon.'"

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(End of this chapter)