The Yellow Register Prison-Breaking Lamp Liturgy
The author is unknown. It was probably compiled during the late imperial period, with origins traced to the Yuan Dynasty or the early years of the subsequent dynasty Ming Dynasty.
Consisting of one scroll, it is included in The Daozang (the authoritative collection of Taoist scriptures), specifically categorized under ritual texts in The Dongzhen Section (the True Reality Division).
As one of the Taoist lamp rituals, this text is used for transcending the deceased. Taoist practitioners hold a Huanglu Zhai (Yellow Register Retreat) in accordance with ritual protocols, light the Nine Underworlds Divine Lamps, and enshrine and pay homage to nine Heavenly Honored Ones. They pray for the Heavenly Honored Ones to show great compassion and rescue the souls trapped in the Nine Underworlds through supreme Taoist power—embodying the cosmic balance of complementary forces central to Taoist thought, Yin and Yang.
The nine Heavenly Honored Ones are: Yubao Huangshang Zun (Jade Treasure Supreme Honored One), Haosheng Duming Zun (Life-Loving Life-Saving Honored One), Xuanzhen Wanfu Zun (Mysterious True Ten-Thousand Blessings Honored One), Tailing Xuhuang Zun (Great Spirit Void Sovereign Honored One), Taimiao Zhiji Zun (Great Marvel Ultimate Honored One), Wuliang Taihua Zun (Boundless Great Beauty Honored One), Xuanshang Yuchen Zun (Mysterious Supreme Jade Dawn Honored One), Duxian Shangsheng Zun (Immortal-Transcending Supreme Sage Honored One), and Shangxiafang Jiuku Zun (Upper and Lower Realm Suffering-Relieving Honored One).
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