Scripture of Disaster Dispensation Spoken by the Supreme Lord Lao 太上老君说消灾经

Scripture of Disaster Dispensation Spoken by the Supreme Lord Lao

The Heavenl Lord bestows blessings, sheltering and protecting the individual.

Scripture of Disaster Dispensation Spoken by the Supreme Lord Lao

On the day Bingwu, the twenty-eighth day of the fourth month in the Gengyin year, the Supreme Lord Lao sat together with the great sages of the various heavens in the Hall of Azure Radiance, upon the throne of Five Clouds. Perfected immortals guarded and attended him, with countless multitudes holding tally staffs and offering incense, arrayed on his left and right, all gathered at the same time. He then summoned celestial immortals, terrestrial immortals, the multitude of immortals from the Five Peaks, the thirty-six sovereign lords of celestial immortals, the twenty-four sovereign lords of terrestrial immortals, the ten sovereign lords of divine immortals, and the hosts of soaring immortals and great sages. Furthermore, there were thirty-six thousand superior immortals from other kingdoms, twenty-five thousand middle immortals, and fourteen thousand lesser immortals, along with the eight great dragon lords, the eight great ghost lords, the eight great animal lords, the rulers of the Three and Five, and the twenty-four natures—all assembled.

He commanded the recorders of the celestial capital and the namers of the earthly capital to immediately seize and register all malevolent demons, evil ghosts, mountain spirits and river sprites, thieves and bandits, tigers and wolves, as well as unjust officials, malicious gossip, weapons of war, floods and fires, diseases, calamities, and urgent perils. Those afflicted, regardless of gender, should bathe in fragrant water, observe fasting and abstinence, light lamps, burn incense, reverently recite, and make offerings to this scripture. If households are troubled by hordes of demons, wild thieves, essence sprites, pestilence, or times of urgent peril and difficulty, they should call upon the thirty-six Vajra deities, the twenty-five Divine Kings, the twenty-seven Powerful Warriors, and the thirty-seven Celestial Masters. All these names of Vajra deities, Divine Kings, Powerful Warriors, and Celestial Masters signify those who preside over and know the myriad illnesses and calamitous changes; all auspicious and inauspicious occurrences, good and evil, stem from them. If devout men and women can regularly observe fasting, burn incense, and reverently recite this scripture, their merit will be immeasurable. All the thousand calamities and ten thousand illnesses, wicked rebellions, thieves and bandits, tigers and wolves, and all difficulties and sufferings will spontaneously vanish. The Heavenly Lord bestows blessings, sheltering and protecting the individual. Their heart's desires will be fulfilled, and they will invariably obtain good fortune. Their households will be peaceful and secure, their descendants prosperous and illustrious. Those who cultivate and practice this will all attain numinous response. Those who treat it with contempt will bring calamity upon their nine generations of ancestors. Let this be made known to men and women, so they understand cause and effect, and all may benefit therefrom.

[List of Deity Names - Translated with a combination of meaning and transliteration, aiming for consistency and recognition where possible, often using established terms like Vajra for Vajra Guardians.]

Vajra Deities: Primordial Energy Vajra, Chaos Vajra, Commander-in-Chief Vajra, Myriad Multitudes Vajra, Ghost-Capturing Vajra, Registry Vajra, Energy-Collecting Vajra, Life-Loving Vajra, Guardian Vajra, Evil-Dispelling Vajra, Life-Preserving Vajra, Form-Guarding Vajra, Energy-Guarding Vajra, Truth-Practicing Vajra, Falsehood-Removing Vajra, Evil-Eradicating Vajra, Delusion-Shattering Vajra, Petition-Submitting Vajra, Lower Realm-Guarding Vajra, Upper Brilliance Vajra, Body-Protecting Vajra, Longevity Vajra, Transformation Vajra, Serene Stability Vajra, Body-Stabilizing Vajra, Vermilion Bird Vajra, Dark Warrior Vajra, Great Sage Vajra, Enlightenment-Accomplishing Vajra, Heavenly Dao Vajra, Earthly Dao Vajra, Divine Dao Vajra, Fire-Head Vajra, Wrathful Might Vajra, Great Strength Vajra, Demon-Destroying Vajra.

Divine Kings: Great Celestial King, Great Terrestrial King, Great Sovereign King, Primordial Essence King, Life-Originating King, Hidden Virtue King, Energy-Refining King, Spirit-Refining King, Life-Tempering King, Enlightenment-Opening King, Creation-Transforming King, True Dao King, Divine Dao King, Body-Protecting King, Evil-Smashing King, Upright-Holding King, Barbarian-Subduing King, Bandit-Destroying King, Ghost-Seeking King, Ghost-Slaying King, Far-Journeying King, Body-Settling King, Ghost-Killing King, Demon-Eating King, Spirit-Capturing King.

Powerful Warriors: Treachery-Eliminating Warrior, Flattery-Removing Warrior, Grudge-Breaking Warrior, Delusion-Shattering Warrior, Path-Opening Warrior, Disaster-Dispelling Warrior, Calamity-Scattering Warrior, Peril-Resolving Warrior, Demon-Dissolving Warrior, Authority-Grasping Warrior, Ghost-Leading Warrior, Ghost-Capturing Warrior, Evil-Collecting Warrior, Record-Copying Warrior, Text-Fixing Warrior, Judgment-Passing Warrior, Petition-Submitting Warrior, Sovereign-Facing Warrior, Decree-Receiving Warrior, Heaven-Manifesting Warrior, Earth-Expanding Warrior, Evil-Subduing Warrior, Army-Breaking Warrior, Expeditionary Warrior, Spirit-Subduing Warrior, Heaven-Spanning Warrior, Essence-Consuming Warrior.

Celestial Masters: Primordial Origin Master, Dao Light Master, Enlightenment-Opening Master, Immortality-Advancing Master, Reiterated Glory Master, Clear Brightness Master, Serene Stability Master, Evil-Subduing Master, Ghost-Capturing Master, Demon-Controlling Master, Ghost-Slaying Master, Heaven-Initiating Master, Registry Master, Petition-Submitting Master, Death-Removing Master, Life-Decreeing Master, Protection Master, Universal Salvation Master, Peril-Aiding Master, Death-Saving Master, Life-Guarding Master, Destiny-Delivering Master, People-Delivering Master, Life-Loving Master, Goodness-Loving Master, Transformation Master, Divine Wonder Master, Imperial Majesty Master, Myriad Blessings Master, Ultimate Master, Jade Prime Master, Supreme Sage Master, Empty Sovereign Master, Immeasurable Master, Luminous Sovereign Master, Profound Depth Master, Universal Subduing Master.

The Supreme Lord Lao said: These Celestial Masters hold positions above the Thirty-Six Heavens, yet they descend to govern the world, universally commanding ghosts and spirits, and all essence sprites, pestilence, diseases, tigers, wolves, venomous creatures, seasonal plagues, epidemic energies, malicious gossip, and curses—all fall under their purview. If people do not believe in the Dao and its methods, violate the immortal scriptures, exclusively serve heterodox spirits, or practice vulgar teachings, or follow evil customs, or sacrifice to ghosts and deities—such kinds of people will find their sins increasingly grave. Ignorant, defiled, and vulgar, turning their backs on the orthodox and believing in the heterodox, they consequently undergo retribution and judgment. For ten thousand kalpas they remain in darkness, for a thousand kalpas they suffer punishment, before they can be reborn among the categories of animals, not in human form, subject to others'drive, inconceivably. After death, they pass through the hells, with no time set for release. Their sins are profound and heavy, beyond complete description. Such people, even if reborn, constantly encounter diseases, poverty, hardship, and adversity, never finding peace. They are oppressed by the authorities, harmed by the multitude, their lifespans short. Upon death, they enter the long night, the dark underworld, unknown to others. For a hundred kalpas they suffer punishment before they can return to human form. If they can cleanse their hearts and change their actions, they may yet attain life. But if deluded and unrepentant, they approach death, destined long to dwell in the evil paths, with no means of rebirth. Now I solemnly admonish you: be clear and cautious in this. At that time, all the Perfected and great immortals, joyful and exultant, bowed their heads and composed a eulogy, saying:

The words of the Dao are most subtle and wondrous, universally saving and delivering humans and celestials.
Those who practice them all accomplish the Dao; those who turn away all bring calamity upon themselves.
This scripture can dispel disasters, cleanse defilement, and cut off clamor and dust.
Living beings lack wisdom, and turning away, they believe in heterodox spirits.
Dead, they enter the suffering of freezing ice, undergoing punishment, most arduous and bitter.
Turning their hearts back to the correct path, only then can they receive the true body.
With single-mindedness returning to the immortal path, they then attain the crossing to the Heavenly Ford.
Eternally enjoying limitless longevity, dividing forms into a million Perfected ones.
The Nine Darknesses are long dispersed, the Seven Ancestors leave the underworld's shores.
Spontaneously partaking of the celestial kitchen's feast, all relying on the sage emperor's grace.
Numinous songs chant the mysterious path, through ten thousand kalpas preserving purity and truth.
Following the world, delivering person by person, the Three Perfected respond to the sage emperor.
The five directions fall silent, the Dao's methods gradually fade with time.
As if half a day for humans, demons and sprites enter and hide within the heart.
Yin and Yang may wane or flourish, the common people suffer famine together.
The Perfected ones are about to depart the world, confusion and mixture truly hard to bear.
The hidden dragon desires to rise again, closing its eyes in secluded chambers.
Madmen's inverted karma soon brings calamity upon themselves.
Sinking into the hells below, in pain and agony, suffering judicial injury.
All due to heterodox views in the heart, causing them to experience焦惶 (anxiety/desolation).
The Vajra deities command the superior path, their mighty power shatters delusion and wilderness.
Singing as they walk, harmony prevails, the ultimate Dao eternally opens wide.
Winds and rains arrive in their seasons, the five grains fill granaries to overflowing.
The four directions all submit as guests, the qilin and phoenix spontaneously present auspicious signs.
When an enlightened ruler reigns according to the Dao, ten thousand kalpas preserve long years.

The Supreme Lord Lao said to Yin Xi: "This scripture is honorable and precious; it is the essential means for the multitude of immortals to attain Perfection. You have now received my essential teaching; you must be pure and focused, inwardly preserving it. Do not show it to the unworthy. Only Daoist practitioners learning the path of immortality, and devout men and women—these may receive it through transmission according to the scripture, clearly proclaiming the Dao's methods. Cause them to deeply observe the precepts and cautions, lest they miss the opportune time. Now I solemnly admonish you: you must not transmit it recklessly. My words are most secret; you should be cautious therein." Xi immediately bowed his head, knelt, prostrated, and received the scripture.

At that time, all the Perfected and multitude of immortals, having heard the scripture spoken to its end, withdrew from their mats reverently and stood in attendance. After a moment, numerous immortals descended riding through the empty sky, countless multitudes each holding fragrant flowers, bearing talismans and holding tally staffs, coming before the Dao. Simultaneously they bowed and requested the Supreme Lord Lao to return to the Jade Capital. The Supreme Lord Lao, joyful, prepared to ascend the carriage. He again said to Xi: "I shall now ascend. You have received this scripture; you will certainly accomplish the Dao." Xi was suddenly overcome with sorrow and wept, bowing prostrate in gratitude. Suddenly, the Lord was no longer there. Only the sound of music vibrating through the mountains and rivers was heard. Then, looking up, Xi saw the dragon-drawn carriages, encircled by swirling clouds and energies, radiant with five colors, unrecognizable to the world. In a moment, they gradually receded, hidden and no longer seen.

The Original Chinese Text

太上老君说消灾经

老君以庚寅年四月二十八日丙午，与诸天大圣俱坐碧霞之殿、五云之座，真仙侍卫，无鞅数众建节捧香，罗列左右，一时同会。即召天仙地仙、五岳众仙、天仙三十六皇主、地仙二十四皇主、神仙十皇主、飞仙大圣众，又别国主上仙三十六万人，中仙二十五万人，下仙十四万人，八大龙主、八大鬼主、八大畜主、三五之君、二十四性，悉皆来集。勅勅天都录事地都名字，即使摄录天下邪魔恶鬼、魑魅魍魉、盗贼虎狼、及横官口舌、兵戈水火、疾病灾害急厄，患之者，莫问男女，皆当香汤沐浴，斋戒然灯，烧香礼诵，供养此经。若家有众魔野盗精邪疾疫，急厄难之时，当呼三十六金刚，二十五神王、二十七力士、三十七天师，凡此金刚神王力士天师等名号者，皆主知万病灾变，吉凶好恶悉皆由也。若有善信男女，能长斋烧香，礼诵此经，功德无量，所有千灾万病，恶逆盗贼虎狼，一切病难，自然消灭。天尊降福，覆护其人，所向从心，无不获福，家门安泰，子孙隆昌，修习之人，皆致灵感，轻慢之者，祸及九祖，令可告男女，令知报应，皆得利焉。

元炁金刚，混沌金刚，总领金刚，万兆金刚，捉鬼金刚，部录金刚，收炁金刚，好生金刚，镇守金刚，去邪金刚，保命金刚，守形金刚，守炁金刚，行真金刚，除伪金刚，除邪金刚，破惑金刚，上奏金刚，下卫金刚，上明金刚，保身金刚，长生金刚，变化金刚，清定金刚，定身金刚，朱雀金刚，玄武金刚，大圣金刚，成道金刚，天道金刚，地道金刚，神道金刚，火头金刚，威怒金刚，大力金刚，灭魔金刚；天大神王，地大神王，王大神王，元素神王，素生神王，阴德神王，炼炁神王，炼精神王，炼生神王，开化神王，造化神王，真道神王，神道神王，护身神王，破邪神王，执正神王，破夷神王，破贼神王，觅鬼神王，斩鬼神王，远行神王，安身神王，杀鬼神王，食魅神王，捕精神王；除奸力士，除佞力士，破怨力士，破迷力士，开道力士，消灾力士，散祸力士，解厄力士，消魔力士，把揽力士，领鬼力士，收鬼力士，收邪力士，抄录力士，定文力士，定罪力士，上奏力士，对君力士，奉承力士，天显力士，地广力士，摄邪力士，破军力士，征伐力士，摄神力士，横天力士，食精力仕；启元天师，道光天师，开化天师，进仙天师，重光天师，朗清天师，清定天师，定邪天师，收鬼天师，制魔天师，斩鬼天师，启天天师，部录天师，上奏天师，除死天师，定生天师，保护天师，普济天师，济厄天师，救死天师，护生天师，度命天师，度人天师，好生天师，好善天师，变化天师，神妙天师，皇上天师，万福天师，至极天师，玉辰天师，上圣天师，虚皇天师，无量天师，明皇天师，洞深天师，普摄天师。

老君曰：此天师者，位在三十六天之上也，仍下统世界，普领鬼神，及一切精邪疫疾，虎狼毒兽，时瘟疫炁，口舌咒诅，悉皆由也。若人不信道法，违背仙经，专事邪神，或修俗教，或习邪风，或祭祀鬼神，如此等类，罪由转盛，无知秽俗，背正信邪，故受考对，万劫无明，千劫受罪，乃得还生畜生之类，非人之形，任他役使，不可思议，死经地狱，无有还期，其罪深重，不可尽言，如此之人，纵受生，恒遭疾病，贫穷苦厄，无时安静，官府所克，众人所害，年命短促，死入长夜冥冥地下，人所不知，百劫受罪，乃得返人之形。若能洗心易行，而得生也，若迷而不回者，而近於死也，将以长处恶道，无由重生也，今重告子，明慎之焉。是时诸真大仙，欢喜踊跃，稽首而作颂曰：

道言甚微妙，普济度天人。习者皆成道，背者悉殃身。此经能消灾，荡秽绝嚣尘。众生无智慧，违者信邪神。死入寒冰苦，受罪甚艰辛。回心归正道，方可受真身。一心归仙路，乃得度天津。永享无期寿，分形百万真。九幽长披散，七祖离冥津。自然天厨食，皆赖圣皇恩。灵歌唱玄路，万劫保清真。随世人人度，三真应圣皇。五方而静默，道法渐时光。似如人半日，妖魅入心藏。阴阳或衰盛，百姓并饥荒。真人将去世，混杂实难当。潜龙欲重起，闭目在幽房。狂人颠倒业，不久自遭殃。沉沦地狱下，痛毒被刑伤。皆由心邪见，致使受燋惶。金刚令上道，威力破迷荒。行歌而交泰，至道永开张。风调而雨顺，五谷满盈仓。四方皆宾伏，麟凤自呈祥。明君时有道，万劫保年长。

老君谓尹喜曰：此经尊贵，乃众仙得真之要也，子今受吾之要，直须精专，内自保之，勿示非人，唯学仙道士，及善信男女，此可依经传受，明宣道法，令深慎科戒，勿使失时，今重告子曰，不得妄传，吾言甚秘，宜慎之焉。喜即稽首跪拜受经。是时诸真众仙闻说经毕，退席恭敬，侍立俄顷，有诸仙驾浮空而下，无鞅数众各捧香花，持符执节来诣道前，一时稽首，奉请老君还玉京。老君於是欢喜临驾，重谓喜曰：吾当上升矣，子受此经，必成道矣。喜即莽然悲涕，俯伏礼谢，忽失其所在，唯闻音乐震动山川，因仰面视诸龙驾，云炁旋遶，五色鲜明，世之莫识，须臾渐远，隐而不见矣。