The Sublime Scripture of the Heavenly Incantation for Ascension Through Sweet Dew, Preached by the Primordial Heavenly Lord

This scripture records the method taught by the Primordial Heavenly Lord to the Youth of Quiet Bright Moonlight—how to rescue and deliver the wandering souls from the Fengdu Hell, enabling them to partake of sweet dew and sever all afflictions.

At that time, the Primordial Heavenly Lord was in the Fragrant Grove Garden of the Jade Kingdom of Xina, seated on a lotus throne adorned with seven treasures. He expounded the supreme true Dao to the celestial immortals, guiding them to enter the Mahayana (Great Vehicle) path, attain the gate of liberation, and transcend the delusion of emptiness.

Later, He preached to the celestial and earthly immortals the subtle and profound doctrines of the Hinayana (Small Vehicle)—focused on the karmic merits revealed through the operation and transformation of the Five Elements (metal, wood, water, fire, earth). His teachings permeated the empty realms of the Ten Directions, leading all beings into the domain of the Dao.

He also spoke of "immortals among ghosts." Such beings, in their past human lives, had performed three thousand hidden acts of virtue. After death, they passed through the realm of the Great Yin (the underworld) without falling into evil realms. They could transform and act with powers equal to those of ghosts and spirits, and through the power of their merits, they became "ghost immortals." The Heavenly Lord then taught the "Chapter on Nine Transformations to Refine Yin and Vitalize Corporeal Forms," enabling these ghost immortals to radiate yang brilliance and ascend to the Nine Heavens. He further expounded on the Three Evil Paths (hells, hungry ghosts, animals) and hells beneath the Ten Directions and Nine Earths, detailing the retribution for good and evil, the karmic causes and fruitional blessings—leaving no aspect unaddressed.

During this Dharma assembly, there was a youth named the Youth of Quiet Bright Moonlight. He rose from his seat, bowed with his forehead to the ground, and looked up to praise the Heavenly Lord: "Your magnificence is rare and supreme, and Your great compassion knows no bounds. You widely expound the characteristics of all Dharmas to celestial and human beings, guiding each to liberation. Today, this humble one is fortunate to behold Your sacred countenance, yet I harbor a doubt. I dare to present it to Your profound wisdom, praying that You will open Your golden mouth and spread the clouds of compassion far and wide.

"Just now, I heard You speak of the unceasing grievances and suffering in the Three Evil Paths and Five Torments of hell. Now I see that sentient beings in the world harbor the Ten Evil Thoughts and are deluded by the Five Poisons (greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, doubt). Their numbers are boundless, their karmic offenses endless; the evil realms are overflowing, and the fires of karmic retribution blaze fiercely. I have heard that when these beings die, they enter the 'long night' of the underworld, trapped and dragged by their karma. They suffer from hunger, thirst, and bitter toil, driven to anguish and exhaustion. Even if they encounter clear ice, it transforms into raging flames. Such suffering is beyond measure. To rescue beings from these Three Evil Paths, we must rely on meritorious deeds. If we can receive Your profound salvation, we will forever bear the grace of Your great kindness. I beseech You, Heavenly Lord—how shall we rescue and deliver them?"

At that moment, the Heavenly Lord aroused the intention of compassion, opened the gate of benefit, proclaimed the scriptures from the Jade Casket, transmitted the essential teachings of the Numinous Treasure (Lingbao) tradition, and addressed the Youth of Moonlight.

The Heavenly Lord said: "For sentient beings in the Three Realms (heavens, humans, underworld) and the boundless worlds of the Ten Directions—those who, after death, fall into evil realms to endure karmic retribution—their living relatives must go to the place where the deceased passed away. Take a cup of earth, place it in a clean vessel, and scatter fragrant flowers and offerings of food and drink over it. Once the ritual is completed, recite the 'Incantation for Opening the Path of Karma and Connecting to Truth Through Sweet Dew,' which says:

The Heavenly Lord added: "When the deceased in hell hear this incantation, they will naturally find joy, partake of sweet dew, and awaken the mind of devotion (turning toward the Dao). Their karmic afflictions will be severed. Then, command all those at the Dharma assembly to recite the 'Incantation for Purifying Fengdu, Breaking Through Hell, and Ascending to Heaven,' which says:

When the Heavenly Lord finished expounding this Dharma, all celestial immortals, dragons, ghosts, and spirits in heaven and on earth—together with the Youth of Quiet Bright Moonlight and the assembly of celestial and human beings—suddenly attained boundless wisdom, aroused the mind of non-action (wuwei, the Daoist ideal of effortless alignment with the Dao), entered the Mahayana path, and achieved the supreme Dao. They stepped forward, bowed with respect, and spoke: "Excellent! Excellent! We now ask: through the transformation of Your sacred Dao, all deceased sentient beings have attained liberation. The Three Evil Paths lie empty and closed, and the Nine Netherworlds no longer hold karmic trials. All in this assembly rejoice and praise You—Your wisdom is beyond compare!" They bowed in reverence and departed, devoutly upholding the true Dao.