The Celestial Western Dipper Inscription and Ward 太上说西斗记名护身妙经

The author is unknown. According to textual research, it was composed by Taoist priests in Sichuan in the early Song Dynasty.

Originally a chapter ofThe Five Dipper Scriptures, it was separated as an independent scripture in the version ofThe Daozangand included in the Original Text Category ofThe Dongshen Section.

This scripture purports that in the second year of Yongshou of the Han Dynasty, afterLaozitransmittedThe Eastern Dipper Scripture of Eternal Lifeto the Heavenly Master ofZhengyi Daoin Shu Commandery, he descended again to bestow this scripture. It states that the Western Dipper Emperor Lords hold the divine authority of heaven,"presiding over all matters of punishment and execution in both the mortal and celestial realms, and searching out and exposing the forms of hidden evil ghosts and spirits. They record the deeds of all mortal beings under heaven: every good deed shall surely be inscribed, and every evil act shall certainly be noted".

All mortal beings shall pay homage to the Western Dipper and recite the scripture to invoke the divine presence in accordance with Taoist rituals. On one’s natal birthday, or on the seventh, ninth, and fifteenth days of each lunar month, one shall hold pure ritual ceremonies at night, pay homage to the Emperor Lords with reverence, and pray for the dispelling and elimination of calamities and misfortunes.

See the entry forThe Five Dipper Scriptures.