Chapter 1890: The Canon of Lei Zu寶誥
r a moment, the cell was in chaos.Cold air collided with lightning, chaos unceasing. From within, the roars of the Qilin dragon echoed, accompanied by deafening thunder.‘Boom!’A thunderball slammed in...A silver thread descends.
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Stir the Divine Court.
The heavens were ripped open by silver threads, and the divine court barrier was clearly unable to withstand them. The cultivation of the person behind the silver threads was self-evident.
'Hiss...'
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The tremors caused by the silver threads shook the Divine Court.
Regardless of the Three Palaces, Four Symbols, Twenty-Eight Mansions, or even the Nine Heavens Thunder Citadel, all immortal mountains and divine halls swayed with the Divine Court. Inside the Divine Court, chaos reigned.
'Swish! Swish! Swish!'
The silver thread at the front swayed gently, bringing forth a raging wind, and clouds churned into gigantic waves.
Kun Dao looked up at the nine heavens, his expression solemn and grave. His jade hand flipped, offering an ancient incense burner.
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The incense burner is inscribed with the characters "Three Yuan and Eight Assemblies" inside, and phoenixes and qilin auspicious beasts are carved outside. The base of the burner is decorated with swirling cloud patterns, two dragons winding around each other, their claws supporting the incense burner.
The incense burner hung above the altar, swaying gently.
'Bang!'
A melodious chime resounded.
On both sides of the Kun Dao, two great immortals were meditating, refining their internal energy. Hearing the commotion, they woke up in surprise. Seeing the imposing presence of the Kun Dao, they instantly understood and quickly calmed their breath. They excitedly stood up, leaped into the air, and landed behind the Kun Dao.
They stood on either side, drawing their swords and holding them in front of them with hands clasped behind their backs. Their expressions were solemn.
The rest of the immortals also drew their swords, forming a defensive line behind the two great immortals, maintaining silence.
At the same time, the sound of the bell reached the temple where Zhong Mao was enshrined and even to all the Dharma altars within the two realms.
All the headmasters and their disciples stood respectfully before the altar, instinctively holding their breath.
The masses still knew nothing of the celestial changes, and were all filled with excitement, eagerly awaiting the True Monarch's decree.
It is not unexpected that the next grand and significant ritualistic ceremony after the decline of the Daoist court will be a truly remarkable one.
The so-called "vegetarianism and alchemy"
is not a single event, but refers to two separate things: vegetarianism and religious rituals.
'Zhai' means clean and pure.
The practice of ritual purification originated in ancient times when people were ignorant. Before worshipping heaven, earth, and spirits, to show sincerity and respect, they would first bathe and change their clothes, abstain from alcohol and meat, and refrain from sexual intercourse.
As it is said in ancient texts: "Those who fast are those who are most refined, and only then can they be offered to the gods."
At the beginning, Taoism absorbed the practice of *zai* (fasting and ritual meals) and carried it forward. From external rituals of sacrifice to *zai*, a more important form known as "heart *zai*" or "inner *zai*" emerged. It was believed that practicing precepts could help with heart *zai*, leading to the creation of numerous Taoist precepts.
A recluse is one who is pure and simple.
A person who practices abstinence, stands in awe and vigilance.
Taoism regards fasting as the fundamental principle of its laws and the gateway to seeking truth. It believes that fasting can connect with heaven and earth, communicate with deities, and be beneficial for cultivation.
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Later, as Daoism's understanding of Heaven, Earth, and the Tao deepened, and it became clear that celestial deities and spirits only existed in legends, 符道 (Fu Dao) evolved to create Fu Shen (符神), establishing its own divine court and developing ritual practices specifically for summoning these Fu Shen.
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The Fushi (Fu-shen) are not deities of heaven and earth.
Before the practice, there is no need to be as ceremonious and meticulous as ancient sacrificial rites. One does not have to strictly follow external rituals and observances, but one must cultivate a sincere mind through mental purification and focus on tranquility.
The character ‘醮’, is also derived from ancient sacrificial rituals, referring to the ritual ceremonies performed when praying to deities.
A libation, or ritual pouring of offerings, is a way to invoke and please the deities of heaven and earth. It shares a similar meaning with a sacrifice.
However, 'sacrifice' is more often used to refer to offerings of blood or food.
When performing a line sacrificial rite, one should prepare incense, flowers, candles, lamps, fruit wine, tea soup, etc. They should respectfully worship heaven and earth, and pray for blessings from the gods.
Since ancient times, Taoist rituals have always involved both fasting and practice. Before performing a ritual ceremony, one must fast.
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After the succession of Taoism, new meanings were given. The series of rites such as drawing talismans, performing rituals, and chanting spells during the ceremony of inviting gods are called 'Jiao'.
They run parallel, and today the term 'Qian Jiao' is used to refer to Daoist rituals.
After the establishment of the Divine Court, Taoist cultivators rarely paid respects to heaven, earth, and ghosts and spirits anymore. The rituals of qì and jiào refer to the rites for summoning and inviting deities.
The complexity of a Taoist ritual,
and the rank of the deities being invoked.
Whoosh!
In the palm of his hand, Kun Dao manifested a spirit incense. He inserted it into an incense burner, and wisps of smoke rose, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.
Smoke lingered around the True Ones, lasting for a long time.
Kun Dao pinched his fingers and struck out a divine talisman, which fell into the incense burner.
The incense burner instantly shot out streaks of treasure light, which combined with the fragrance and sprinkled on the true disciples, light as water.
As if born from the heavens, he donned a pure white robe, washing away all worldly impurities.
This is the first step of the Taoist ritual, called the incense offering ceremony. All matters related to fasting and cultivation rely on sincere incense offerings, with the act of burning incense as the primary practice.
The divine talisman wielded by Kun Dao is a fragrant talisman, used in conjunction with spirit incense and called the Bathing Incense Talisman.
Incense not only brings external changes to the true, but also washes away the clutter in their minds, purifies their hearts, and cleanses their spirits.
Only to see Kun Dao's movements were frequent, one after another spirits with different shapes were inserted into the incense burner, and accompanied by different talismans.
Fifteen incense charms were successively issued.
The Dao of Qian receives the sword and stands, so do all the Zhen.
All the halls of dharma, silent and still.
Including Kun Dao, all the cultivators looked like immortals wearing celestial robes, holding magic swords, their sleeves fluttering, and their demeanor aloof.
At this moment, all the cultivators are calm in mind and spirit, with not a single distracting thought.
Kun Dao stood before the dharma platform, his sword dancing. With a swift motion, he formed a divine symbol. His sword steps were precise as he chanted loudly.
Nine Heavens Golden Dragon, Longevity Spirit Talisman.
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To ascend to the celestial realm, and live in carefree emptiness.
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Today, I send you to ascend to the Heavenly Palace.
All the true disciples behind followed suit, reciting in unison, and so did the rest of the altars.
Under the moonlit night, within the Daoist realm.
A Taoist practitioner, standing before the altar, seemed to be dancing with a sword. Each step and each move of his sword were highly organized and rhythmical, with measured advance and retreat.
The incantation pierced straight through the Immortal Palace.
A golden beam of light suddenly erupted from the white stone altar, shooting towards the heavens, its end unknown.
The next moment, a deafening dragon roar shook the heavens.
A golden dragon descends from the heavens!
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This dragon is not a real dragon, but an illusionary shadow. It has sharp teeth and claws, with a divine appearance that surpasses even the golden dragons pulling the celestial chariot or the true dragons among the demon saints!
The golden dragon roared and swooped down.
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As the golden dragon was about to smash the altar, Kun Dao remained expressionless. His sword hovered, and the golden dragon, with a flick of its tail, took the divine talisman into its mouth and returned to the heavens.
At this moment, all the Daoist cultivators controlling the talismans in Daoting, including those from Zhongmaozhi**an, Jingtan, Dutantan, and Fenantan, heard the dragon's roar.
Golden light flickers in the sky.
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Suddenly, a multitude of dragons appeared.
Countless golden dragons rode upon golden light, descending to the mortal realm and surging into Dharma platforms across the land.
Within the realm of dual governance of Taoism, golden light filled the sky, visible clearly from beyond the boundary.
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It is not yet finished.
The Kun Dao sent out another talisman.
"Divine decree of the heavens, proclaimed to all celestial beings."
The Dragon Messenger's decree, in harmony with the Qi received.
After the incantation, a dragon roar echoed once more through the Daoist temple's double doors. However, it sounded less fierce and powerful than before.
Golden light sprinkled from the sky.
In every glimmer of gold, there is a golden-scaled dragon. The dragons carry commands and charge into the ancestral halls of various Daoist sects.
Summon the Heavenly Horse, and transmit the imperial edicts.
At the most rapid speed, it can arrive at any moment.
The imperial decree is passed down again. This time, the Kun Dao moves the sword of law, its tip pointing towards the east.
...Guts.
Many sects that do not belong to the Taoist school have either retreated into seclusion or dispatched their elite disciples from the mountains to hunt down the perpetrators. Only a portion of the cultivators remain in the mountain gate to guard it.
At a time of great turmoil and uncertainty.
Most cultivators gathered in front of the Grand Hall of Conferment, some vigilant ones had already set up their talismans and waited for the True Monarch of the Taoist sect to issue a decree.
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At this time, the cultivators residing in high places within these sects could see the astonishing celestial phenomenon of golden radiance reaching into the heavens in the west.
All cultivators were shocked by the visions created by Kun Dao's magical powers.
This is the true power of the True Monarch!
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This is the foundation of Taoism!
Suddenly, all the cultivators felt a change in their hearts. They looked up at the sky and saw golden light descending upon them.
Within the golden light, it was clearly a celestial steed, magnificent and peerless, holding an inscribed talisman in its mouth. Under the gaze of all, it transformed into a stream of light and charged into the magic array.
In an instant, the leaders of all factions understood the content of the mandate and immediately set up their altars to perform rituals according to its instructions.
Chuo, Shizuka, and Kumo, the three Dharma masters, were all summoned by Kun Dao to his platform.
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At this moment, between heaven and earth, it seemed as if a gigantic altar had been born, composed of countless smaller altars.
The Kun Dao is the one who governs the main altar.
But that's not enough!
"The Imperial Edict, inscribed on Jade tablets, shall be strictly obeyed." Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!
All is well. I respectfully submit the report for your review.
The flight is delivered, wind and fire don't stop.
With a spell, the entire area within the Three Realms was suddenly filled with golden light, countless and shimmering.
Countless golden lights, like fireflies in the night sky, danced wildly in the wind. Most of them flew towards the battlefields at both ends of north and south, as fast as lightning.
On the battlefield.
The cultivators were engaged in a fierce battle with the beast horde.
Suddenly, a rumor spread like wildfire that a decree was being issued.
Upon receiving the mandate, the recipient immediately retreated and bowed respectfully toward Shi Bai's altar from afar, placing the mandate within the talismanic array.
And then each drew their own sword, ready for battle.
The Lu Altar instantly shot out golden light, connecting with the Heavenly and Earthly Xuan Altar.
Kun Dao's move was to establish a foothold at the Four Divine Relay Stations of Jian Dao Men.
The Tao Te Ching notes: When setting up a mystical altar, first build four courtyards like relay stations. Pass on mandates and pronouncements, just as with postal offices in the mortal world.
The Four Great Divine Posts, namely the Golden Dragon Post, Azure Dragon Post, Golden Horse Post, and Fire Phoenix Post, each have different objectives.
The establishment of the Spirit Station also relies on the power of the Divine Court. Each station has a divine official in charge, who responds to orders and summons spirits.
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The purpose is to integrate the power of Taoism and perform rituals, transforming heaven and earth into a mystical altar!
The Kun Dao and incense burner ascended together, soaring into the sky and standing on the altar. Then, they took the spiritual incense and inserted it into the burner.
Fragrance comes from the heart, smoke from trust.
All are true, ascending to the heavens of Tian!
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Kun Dao lifted her slender chin, her gaze following a wisp of fragrance as it ascended to the heavens.
The fragrance pierced through the barriers of the Divine Court, passing through the Cloud Sea Immortal Mountain, and into the Lei City. It soared upwards through the Nine Heavens, reaching all the way to the eighth heaven of Lei City!
On this day, there is only one temple, dedicated to the Great Celestial Lord of Nine Heavens, who Responds and Changes Thunderous Sounds and Purifies All Things!
Kun Dao successively offered several kinds of incense, and the speed at which he danced his sword and performed talismans became increasingly rapid.
The fragrance of the Tao, the fragrance of virtue, the fragrance of inaction. Inaction is pure and natural.
Wonderful Cave Incense, Lingbao Wise Incense, Beyond Three Realms Incense, Three-Stick True Incense...
Incense curls and rises, ascending offerings in the air.
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With incense sticks being inserted into the incense burner.
The rest of the cultivators closed their eyes, sensing the mystical altar, and following the sword dance, they chanted the "Incense Ritual."
The fragrant cloud grew increasingly thick and robust, connecting to the grand hall of the Lei Zu!
The Kun Dao recites lightly:
"The Primordial Qi of Heaven and Earth pervades all, the Thirty-Six Celestial Jade Kings are pure."
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All disciples chant: "Universal Heavenly Venerable who manifests as thunder!"
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The Kun Dao is recited again:
The Jade Pivot hangs in the world, being the gate to eternal life and boundless treasures.
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The golden script is in the heavens, and the secret master has no time for this auspicious occasion!
All cultivators chant: “Universal Heaven Venerable, Thunderclap!”
Every chant resonates, reaching the heavens.
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Each word of the mantra, Kun Dao will cast a talisman.
Now we have reached the most crucial part of the Buddhist ritual ceremony—the offering and recitation.
On the eighth heaven of Leicheng, the demon gods gazed upon the dazzling Lei Zu Palace bathed in lightning, their hearts filled with awe and terror.
As the Taoist ritual progresses, the Lei Zu Temple and the mortal world resonate, transforming into a magnificent thunder hall.
'Click!'
"Boom boom boom!"
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Lightning filled the eighth heaven, radiating a terrifying aura, as if a bolt of heavenly thunder could reduce them to ashes.
But what terrified the demon gods was not just that, as the silver thread invaded the divine court, a terrifying pressure also came from the heavens.
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At this very moment, the demon gods felt their own insignificance, as small as ants.
At last, the ceremony is finally complete.
All the cultivators in the Heavenly Profound Altar felt an astonishing pressure, and their arms holding the swords trembled.
Kun Dao cast out the last divine talisman, took a deep breath, and suddenly raised his sword towards the sky.
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All the disciples received their fated commands, and everyone mustered all their strength. Together with Kun Dao, they chanted aloud with might.
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"The Palace of the Nine Heavens' Response, the Supreme Jade Pure King."
Transforming into myriad forms, filling all ten directions. Speaking of the Way, one's voice descends nine winds.
Above the Thirty-Six Heavens, I read the Precious Scripture and examine the Book of Jade.
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Five thousand eons before, the [true] position was attained, and power reached its fullest extent.
Holding aloft a golden wishful jewel, he proclaimed the Jade Emperor's Scripture.
The unharmonious transformed into fine dust, and issued orders with the speed of wind and fire.
With a tranquil mind and grand aspirations, with wisdom’s power subdue all demons.
The Five Thunder Commands, operating within the Three Realms.
The father of all beings, master of spirits.
May the great Sage be merciful and compassionate, may the supreme sovereign reign over all paths.
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"I invoke the mighty and all-encompassing decree of the Heavenly Thunder, the Supreme Being of Nine Heavens!"
The incantation echoed throughout the heavens and earth, shaking the three realms.
The Kun Dao establishes the Heavenly Xuan Altar, and the summoned talisman spirit is precisely Lei Zu, the All-Sounding Thunder from Nine Heavens, the Universalizing Celestial Venerable!
The widely recited mantra is called "The Precious Proclamation of Lei Zu".
The Nine Heavens Yiyuan Thunderclap Universal Heavenly Venerable is the realm of true realization, equivalent to the Daoist Celestial Master. The divine spirits and summoning incantations of such a high-ranking position are revered as "Precious Proclamations"!
Temple of Lei Zu.
The chanting of the _Lei Zu Bao Gao_ echoed within the hall, growing louder and louder, as if countless cultivators were reciting it together in the temple.
The God of Symbols felt deeply.
The Lei Dian erupted with blinding lightning, and suddenly a phantom slowly emerged from above the Lei Dian. Let me know if you have any other text you'd like translated!
A statue stood at the center of the lightning array. Dressed in a thunder robe, it was imposing and powerful. Its left hand held a thunder drum, and its right pushed forward a conical spear, as if about to strike.
Its form is difficult to behold, appearing as if its entire body is composed of lightning and thunder, majestic like a prison!
Those demon gods didn't even dare to peek at Lei Zu, completely forgetting the Great Saint's orders. They had long since revealed their true forms and were all cowering there, trembling with fear, their faces full of terror.
If someone gazed upon Lei Zu, they would see lightning dancing across the statue, more like fissures cracking open, scars on the divine form.
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Some have been mended, some are still prominent.
However, this does not detract from Lei Zuqiang's formidable presence.
At this very moment.
The silver thread has successfully pierced through the barrier of the Divine Court, dangling in the air, its tip gently swaying as if searching for its target.
Qin Sang and the two demon kings who were pursuing him both noticed the celestial phenomenon. Before they could understand what was happening, they felt a powerful aura erupting from Leiceng.
The Bi Lin Demon King and the black Peng suddenly changed color, abruptly stopping to chase Qin Sang. They turned their heads towards Lei City, the fierce light in their eyes disappeared, replaced by a deep fear.
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Qin Sang suddenly stood up from the jade throne and looked towards the peak of the clouds, where lightning flashed.
For some unknown reason, within his body, the talisman altar of Shenxiao thunder seal suddenly stirred. Vaguely, Qin Sang sensed a hint of familiarity from the lightning.
This is no illusion, the changes in Shenxiao Lei Xi are becoming more and more drastic.
Qin Sang's face changed, and a sense of foreboding arose within him. It seemed as if something major was about to happen!
With a crack of thunder!
Lightning illuminated the sky.
Qin Sang's eyes widened, as if he had seen a god of thunder incarnate, transforming into lightning and descending from the nine heavens, heading straight for him!
(The end)
Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!old man mumbled in reply, not daring to refuse Qin Sang's request.Three people walked along the earthen path. The elder was reserved in his manner, while the young man was full of curiosity.Let me kno...