The Supreme Scripture of the Three Lights for Blessing Life, Bestowing Good Fortune, Prolonging Life, and Attaining Wonderful Longevity

The Supreme Scripture of the Three Lights for Blessing Life, Bestowing Good Fortune, Prolonging Life, and Attaining Wonderful Longevity

The Dao Speaks:

I dwell within the Six Realms, abiding in the Hall of Brightness. Guarding and refining my essence and soul, I am naturally filled with vital vigor. I perceive clearly across the four distant quarters, and all realms are fully accessible to me. From the very beginning of creation, the Dao has been the primal ancestor. I expound this principle to speak of your own being. You must receive this in secrecy, and not pass it on to others.

Heaven holds seven celestial mechanisms, and also the Three Luminaries (Sun, Moon, Stars). Half of [your cultivation] responds to these mechanisms; the radiance [of your spirit] aligns with the celestial might. The Dipper (Big Dipper) has seven apertures, corresponding to the five viscera (heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys) [in the human body]. Remain tranquil to nourish your spirit—this is the true essence of cultivation.

Your ears must not listen to disorderly sounds; your eyes must not gaze upon evil; your nose must not smell foul odors; your mouth must not taste mixed (impure) flavors. Let the Three Luminaries [of spirit, essence, qi] in the void circulate throughout your body. Regard your head as Heaven, and your feet as Earth. The Dao saves and benefits people—it is but the natural way of nature itself.

If your ears listen to disorderly sounds, sensual pleasures will corrupt you; if your eyes gaze upon evil, your true radiance will dim; if your nose smells foul odors, your pure essence will be defiled; if your mouth tastes mixed flavors, your body will be prone to illness. Thus, "illness enters through the mouth, and blessings are ruined by lust." If you refrain from these [vices], your life will endure as long as Heaven.

If you can take the Golden Elixir, you shall surely achieve immortality and ascend; if you can take the Reverted Elixir, your bones will be strengthened and your years prolonged. If you have resolve, seek out only famous mountains. Be free from action and desire, and after attaining peace, you may transcend [worldly bondage]. Do not follow the ways of ordinary mortals—greed and desire are your foes. The profound sages of the Great Dao stand right before you. The Dipper covers your form, and its radiance illuminates your essence. Practice this in secrecy, and only then shall you attain the Dao.

Explanation of the Scripture:

The Great Dao is compassionate, responding and transforming without selfish intent. To enable all sentient beings to thoroughly realize the fundamental origin of the Great Dao, the exalted sages and true immortals have expounded various expedient teachings. All things in existence never depart from one’s true self—thus, it is said, "Regard your head as Heaven, and your feet as Earth," guiding us to reflect inward on our own bodies and perceive our inherent original mind.

The faculties of seeing, hearing, knowing, and perceiving are inherently the natural celestial mechanisms of the Dao—round, complete, pure, and undefiled, shining with light day and night. Alas, sentient beings arouse thoughts upon encountering external phenomena: they falsely generate distinctions, cling to delusions, and confuse their original mind without self-awareness. They wander in the cycle of birth and death, drowning in the sea of afflictions, recklessly dissipating their own essence and vital energy. This causes their lifespan to diminish, preventing them from attaining longevity.

How, then, to attain longevity? Simply keep your original mind radiant at all times (day and night), not clinging to any external realm. The Dao is not far from humanity—practice this in secrecy, and you shall surely attain longevity.

Chinese original text

太上三光注龄资福延寿妙寿经

道言：吾隐六合之内，处明堂之中。守炼精魄，自然冲冲。明达四远，万境咸通。开辟之始，道之先宗。吾陈此因，说子之身。子须秘受，勿施于人。天有七机，亦有三光。半应其机，光应其罡。斗有七孔，来应五脏。安静怡神，名正修养。耳则不可以乱听，眼则不可以视恶，鼻则不可以闻臭，口则不可以杂味。虚中三光，周流遍体。头以为天，足以为地。道法济人，自然之然耳。耳若乱听，声色败人。眼若视恶，真光不明。鼻若闻臭，玉真不清。口若杂味，身多病生。是故，病从口入，福从色败。子若戒之，命同天在。能服金液，飞仙必尅。能服还丹，坚骨延年。子若有志，但于名山。无为无欲，安而复迁。莫同凡俗，贪欲为冤。大道玄圣，在子目前。斗覆子形，光映子精。密而行之，方得道成。

经解：大道慈悲，无心而应化。为使众生彻悟大道本源，上圣高真设种种方便权宜之说。万有不离本我，故说“头以为天，足以为地”，令吾等各各返照形躯，见自本心。见闻觉知本是自然天机，圆坨坨清净无染，日夜光明。奈何众生见境生心，虚生分别、妄想执着，迷惑本心不自知觉。流浪生死烦恼苦海，虚散自身精气，致使寿元减损，不得长生。如何长生，但二六时中本心光明，不黏万境。道不远人，密而行之必得长生。