Canon of Pervasive Thunder 无上九霄玉清大梵紫微玄都雷霆玉经

Short title: Thunder Heaven Scripture.

Author unknown.

Judging from its content and language, it was presumably composed in the late Northern Song Dynasty.

Canon of Pervasive Thunder

One scroll, included in the Original Texts category of the Dongzhen Section of The Daozang.

The scripture is attributed to the transmission of the True King of Jade Purity of the Heavenly Divine Heavens, the Great Emperor of Longevity. It mainly expounds thunder rites. It states: The True King of Jade Purity of the Heavenly Divine Heavens is the ninth son of the Primordial Lord of Fulikou, the younger brother of the Primordial Lord of Heavenly Jade Purity, and the uncle of the Supreme Lord Laozi. This deity governs all forms, holds the reins of Yin and Yang, and oversees the thunder government of the Nine Heavens and Thirty-Six Heavens.

Thunder is the pivot of Heaven and Earth; it rewards good and punishes evil, governing life and death. “From the highest Heaven to the lowest Earthly Emperor, none can issue commands without Thunder; in great matters of life and death, and small matters of prosperity and decay, none can govern without Thunder.” Therefore, affairs such as securing the realm, comforting the people, eliminating disasters, and seeking blessings in the lower world all fall under the jurisdiction of Thunder government.

The scripture details the palaces and institutions of the Nine Heavens Mansions in the upper world, their bureaucratic structures, as well as the names and duties of the various thunder deities under their jurisdiction.

At the end of the scroll are nine “Talismans of the Nine Heavens Jade Clear Great Brahma Purple Tenuity Immortal Metropolis”, together with incantations and eulogies. It is said that those who recite the scripture and incantations may be delivered and spared from falling into hell.