The Quanzhen Incense Offering Liturgy of the Iron Pot Food Bestowal

Master Zhang Wanli

Patriarch Sa is Sa Shoujian, a native of Xihe in Sichuan during the Song dynasty. In his youth he studied medicine and practiced as a physician to help the world. After accidentally killing a patient with the wrong medicine, he gave up medicine and turned to studying the Tao. He met the Celestial Master Xujing, who taught him the methods of the Five Thunders. Later he traveled in Fujian, where he brought Marshal Wang Lingguan to salvation. When his Tao was complete, he passed away sitting upright, and attained the rank of True Lord of the Supreme One Origin.

According to the Taoist scriptures, Patriarch Sa, the Supreme True Lord of the One Origin, cast incantations on jujubes and gave out medicine, universally delivering all beings. He further added talismans to an iron pot to benefit the dead and relieve their suffering, providing relief to orphaned souls, and handed down a liturgy for delivering the dead, revealing his compassionate heart for saving the world. This is the origin of Patriarch Sa's Iron Pot food bestowal rite, the “Flaming Mouth” (yankou).

The Incense Offering Liturgy of Patriarch Sa's Iron Pot Food Bestowal is the part of the rite that precedes the officiant's ascent to the high seat. It serves to summon the souls and bestow food, and it can also be used on its own as a small liturgy for the ritual deliverance of the dead.

When the Iron Pot Flaming Mouth is performed, a statue and a painted image of the Heavenly Worthy Who Saves from Suffering (Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun), who follows the voices of those who cry out, are enshrined on the altar, with the spirit tablet of Patriarch Sa, the Supreme One of the One Origin, set in the very center. The five offerings of incense, flowers, lamps, water, and fruit are laid out. The liturgists sit on both sides of a long table. A separate Ghost King altar is set up, hung with an image of the Ghost King (who was converted by the Heavenly Worthy Taiyi); another altar is set up for the spirits of the dead.

1. Opening Declaration

The Great Tao penetrates the mysterious void; whatever is thought, nothing fails to accord.

Refining the substance, one enters the immortal Perfected, and so attains an adamantine body.

2. Pacing the Void

Delivering from the hardships of the Three Realms, the five sufferings of hell are released.

All take refuge in the scriptures of the Most High, and with quiet mind bow the head in homage.

3. Hanging Verses

All manner of ignorance is the root of suffering; when the root of suffering is removed, the root of goodness remains.

Relying only on the awesome divine power of the sword of wisdom, one leaps out of the gate of the five sufferings of rebirth.

The Tao, with no-mind, delivers sentient beings; all skillful means are cultivating perfection.

If one takes refuge in the ground of holy wisdom and perfect penetration, one is born into heaven and attains the Tao.

Incense offering to the Heavenly Worthy Who Saves from Suffering in the Ten Directions!

4. Declaration

We now invoke our Patriarch, the Great Tao in compassion, the Master of the Teaching of Relief and Refinement, the True Lord Old Master Sa: deign to descend to the mysterious altar and bear witness to the relief and refinement. The feathered assembly, in devotion, reverently recite the proclamation.

5. Sacred Proclamation of Patriarch Sa

With utmost sincerity I take refuge and pay homage!

His lineage flowed from western Shu; his traces appeared at Longxing. He gave away his wealth and compounded medicines to help all beings; he accumulated deeds and merit and cultivated the supreme Tao. He received the teaching of the Iron Master and took charge of the thunder writs of the Jade Bureau. On his body he wears the hundred-patched robe that subdues demons; in his hand he holds the five-bright fan that quells ghosts. On behalf of heaven he proclaims the transformation; he casts incantations on jujubes and writes talismans. He moves wind and thunder within a foot's span, and cuts down demons beneath the stellar paces of the Dipper. His Tao joins the Supreme Ultimate. He is ranked among the immortals; like pine, bamboo, and wild crane he roams at will; like a lone cloud near and far he is ever free. In every direction he expounds the teaching and is the patriarch of the ten thousand methods; everywhere he opens altars and is the model for later generations. Lord of the Ancestral Lineage of the Capital Heaven, the Supreme True Lord Old Master Sa of the One Origin, the Heavenly Worthy Whose Mysterious Influence Is Forever Stirring.

6. Invocation Verse

The compassionate Worthy descends to the dharma realm and universally delivers all the souls of the dark.

If you wish to escape the suffering of rebirth, let all the assembly recite the Heavenly Worthy's name.

7. Heavenly Worthy Refrain

Heavenly Worthy Taiyi Who Saves from Suffering!

8. Short Hymn

Master of the Teaching of Qinghua, compassionate Worthy Taiyi, a manifestation of Jade Clarity revealing his true body, he opens wide the gate of sweet dew, receives and guides the souls of the dark, forever out of the ford of the river of craving.

9. Summons to the Five Directions

With single-minded sincerity we summon: from the worlds of the five directions, the lads of the five directions descend the jasper steps, holding flowered banners in their hands to receive and guide; they receive and guide the spirits of the dead here, receive and guide the spirits of the dead here.

10. Short Lament

By the summons of the sincere-hearted spirit banner, the Heavenly Worthy Who Saves from Suffering descends from the Purple Court; the long night of the Nine Abysses is flooded with light. Holding a flowered banner in his hand to receive and guide, he leads the spirits of the dead up to the Southern Palace. We chant the wondrous verse of four lines and burn true incense in the burner. On this day, reverently following the Tao, we hold the rite of relief, refinement, food bestowal, and delivering the dead to birth in heaven. At the Qingxuan altar of the fast for aiding deliverance, we now raise the spirit banner to make the summons: XXX (name of the deceased), of XXX Village, XXX County, XXX City, XXX Province, the People's Republic of China, one true-natured, gentle soul. We pray only: do not lament how far you have come along the dark road—turn your head and it will be your old home. This very night, come to the ritual assembly.

11. Intone

Heavenly Worthy Who Comes to the Ritual Assembly!

12. Raising the Rite

The Savior from Suffering of the Ten Directions sends forth auspicious light, shattering the bronze city and iron walls;

The dead turn and move with the light, leave the dark underworld, and come to the ritual arena.

13. Willow-Branch Rain

Willow-branch rain is sprinkled all over the ritual feast; clouds of compassion bear out the palace of the Milky Way; the throats of the souls of the dark are all opened; the nine-headed lion descends from the ninefold heavens; the Perfected of Qinghua comes to witness the merit of refinement and deliverance. [Repeat the line.]

14. Declaration

Humbly we consider: the Heavenly Worthy Who Saves from Suffering descends, his feet treading ten thousand golden lotuses; the nine-headed lion comes out of the rosy clouds, and five-colored auspicious clouds bear up his carriage. He arrives before the Terrace of Rebirth as an Immortal and sits floating in the air to preach the dharma, delivering the souls of the dark to be reborn in the immortal realm and soon to join the assembly of Penglai. The feathered assembly, in devotion, guide them before the spirit tablets.

15. Heavenly Worthy Refrain

Heavenly Worthy Taiyi Who Saves from Suffering!

16. Raising the Rite

The chant of pacing the void winds through the ten directions; rare flowers of the paradise gardens descend upon the ritual arena.

We respectfully invite the spirits of the dead to come and receive deliverance; in the golden burner we add a stick of soul-returning incense.

17. Soul-Returning Incense

One stick of soul-returning incense leads straight along the road of the Three Realms. We pray only for great compassion to proclaim the secret words, to deliver the spirits of the dead, and to free them from the suffering of the three evil paths. A human life of a hundred years is like wandering in a dream; when impermanence comes one day, where does one return? From here the soul departs and rises to the Southern Palace to pay homage to the Supreme Worthy Emperor of the Void. Supreme vow for the spirits of the dead: we pray only that the spirits of the dead be soon delivered to a higher birth.

18. Short Lament

Humbly we consider: the spirit banner flutters because of the wind; the wind moves, the banner flies, sending it to the western sky. If the banner comes with the wind, the souls will come; the souls follow the banner's lead up to the Southern Palace. We chant the wondrous verse of four lines and burn true incense in the burner. On this day, reverently following the Tao, we hold the rite of relief, refinement, food bestowal, and delivering the dead to rebirth. At the Qingxuan altar of the fast for aiding deliverance, we now raise the spirit banner to make the summons: XXX (name of the deceased), of XXX Village, XXX County, XXX City, XXX Province, the People's Republic of China, one true-natured, gentle soul. We pray only: with both hands push open the road of life and death; with one foot leap out of the gate of ghosts. This very night, come to the ritual assembly.

19. Intone

Heavenly Worthy Who Comes to the Ritual Assembly!

20. Sacred Proclamation of the Heavenly Worthy Taiyi Who Saves from Suffering

With utmost sincerity I take refuge and pay homage: in the Realm of Everlasting Joy of Qinghua, in the Palace of Wondrous Adornment of the Eastern Pole, in the fragrant grove of seven treasures, on the lotus throne of nine colors. Within the ring of ten thousand Perfected, amid ten billion auspicious rays, the Worthy of Jade Clarity and Numinous Treasure. A manifestation of the Mysterious Primordial, through vast kalpas he extends compassionate relief; he opens wide the gate of sweet dew, the true body of the wondrous Tao. Of purple-gold auspicious form. Responding to each occasion, his vows are boundless. Great sage of great mercy. Of great compassion and great vows. Transformed names in the ten directions. Universally delivering all beings. Through billions upon billions of kalpas, delivering people beyond measure. Following the voices of those who cry out and responding, the Heavenly Worthy Taiyi Who Saves from Suffering.

21. Short Prelude of Salvation from Suffering

Kin of three generations receive the summons; the ancestral spirits of one line are soon delivered upward. Universally delivering the souls of the dead to rise to the immortal realm, the Worthy Taiyi Who Saves from Suffering. We pray only that tonight they come to the assembly and that the spirits of the dead be guided up to the Southern Palace.

22. Declaration

Humbly we consider: golden nectar and jade liquid relieve the torments of the three evil paths; ritual pears and fire-dates fill the hunger and cold of the nine earths. Tonight they are settled in their places before the spirit tablets, to hear the scriptures and the dharma and receive deliverance. Afterwards, when the relief and refinement are finished and the food bestowal is fully completed, the spirits are sent off to be released and transformed, rising to the Southern Palace. The feathered assembly, in devotion, guide them back to the altar.

23. Heavenly Worthy Refrain

Heavenly Worthy Taiyi Who Saves from Suffering!

24. Declaration

Humbly we consider: incense communicates with the Perfected and welcomes the holy; water can dispel defilement and remove foul vapors. Incense and water mingle and become naturally clear. The feathered assembly, in devotion, offer three sticks of precious incense.

25. Invocation Verse

One stick of true incense burns in blazing fire; the Golden Lad and Jade Maiden hear it from afar above.

This incense goes straight to the Qinghua Bureau, announcing to the Worthy Taiyi Who Saves from Suffering.

The Three Sticks of Incense (Taking Refuge)

Bowing my head, I take refuge with the first stick of incense; the incense smoke winds through the ten directions.

This incense goes straight to the Qinghua Bureau, announcing to the Worthy Taiyi Who Saves from Suffering.

Bowing my head, I take refuge with the second stick of incense; the incense smoke winds through the ten directions.

This incense goes straight to the Vermilion Mound Bureau, announcing to the Worthy of Numinous Treasure of the Ten Directions.

Bowing my head, I take refuge with the third stick of incense; the incense smoke winds through the ten directions.

This incense goes straight to the Yellow Register Bureau, announcing to all the holy hosts of the ritual arena.

26. Incense Invocation Incantation

The Tao is learned through the heart; the heart relies on incense to convey it. The incense burns in the jade burner; the heart dwells before the Emperor. May the true spirits look down; may the immortal banners come to the terrace. Let your servant's announcement pass straight through to the Three (Six, Nine) Heavens.

Wondrous Adornment of Qinghua, compassionate forms by the thousands of millions. Dwelling in constant joy, seated at peace on a golden lotus. Wisdom-light without obstruction shines on all the dark springs; sweet dew flows and moistens, sprinkled throughout empty space. Rotted remains and withered bones all become bright and fresh. Delivering the drowned. They linger no longer in the cold abyss. We your servants commit our lives to him, and become one with the Tao in perfection.

27. Reverently Facing the Ritual Platform, Please State Your Office

Your servant belongs to: the Supreme Limitless Great Tao of the Most High, the Precious Register of the Golden Casket of Jade Clarity. The Purple Bureau of Primordial Unity, the highest grade of chosen immortals. Upholding the teaching expounded by Donghua, of the orthodox Longmen (Dragon Gate) lineage, under the gate of the Great Perfected Qiu. Unworthily conducting the rite according to the liturgy, I, XXX, together with the Taoist assembly of both ranks. I now present this report: XXX, a disciple who dwells at XXX Taoist Temple, XXX City, XXX Province, the People's Republic of China, and burns incense in cultivation, reverently follows the Tao, sets up an altar, and chants the scriptures. Now, on the XXX day of the XXX month of the year XXX of the heavenly cycle, we devoutly set up a ritual platform in this temple to pray for grace and deliverance upward, making formal offering at this fast for all the spirits of the dead, as well as for the ten kinds of orphaned souls and lingering spirits within this area who have no one to sacrifice to them. We pray only that the Heavenly Worthy will extend compassion, grant the light of grace in abundance, and receive and guide them; deliver the drowned, free them from all the realms of suffering, and raise them to the immortal realm. We your servants are overwhelmed by our humble feelings. With utmost earnest prayer, in sincere trepidation and awe.

28. Chant: Bowing the head and knocking the head to the ground, burning true incense in the burner, I devoutly make my invocation:

Far above in the Great Canopy Heaven, shining in the Palace of the Golden Gate. Of emptiness and nothingness and what is so of itself, the Heavenly Worthies of the Three Pure Ones, the Three Realms of Clarity, and the Three Treasures. In the Great Canopy Heaven, in the Palace of the Golden Gate, the Supreme Emperors, the Four Sovereigns. In the Palace of the Eastern Pole, the Heavenly Worthy Who Saves from Suffering; at the Southern Pole, the Heavenly Worthy of the Vermilion Mound Who Delivers Lives. At the Western Pole, the Heavenly Worthy of the Yellow Florescence Who Purifies Forms; at the Northern Pole, the Heavenly Worthy of the Jade Pupil Who Refines Substance. At the Central Pole, the Heavenly Worthy Who Frees from Sin in the Nine Abysses; the Heavenly Worthy of Birth in Heaven and Attaining the Tao. The Heavenly Worthy of Rebirth According to Karmic Conditions; the Heavenly Worthy Who Receives and Guides with Compassionate Light. The Heavenly Worthy Who Widely Delivers the Sunken; the Perfected of Great Mercy, Great Compassion, and Great Kindness. The True Lord Old Master Sa of Xihe Who Saves from Suffering; the Heavenly Worthy of Numinous Treasure Who Saves from Suffering in the Ten Directions; the countless hosts of the assembly of the Nine Heavens Who Save from Suffering; the Supreme Emperor Tianqi Rensheng of the Eastern Peak. The Supreme Emperors of the Five Peaks, the Four Rivers, and the Four Heavens; the Great Emperor Xuanqing of Fengdu of the Northern Yin. The Ten Kings of the Underworld, Compassionate and Benevolent True Lords; the officials on duty of the Three Primes. The two great marshals Shenhu and He Qiao; the Spirit Lad Who Pursues Souls and the Jade Maiden Who Gathers Spirits. The Merit Officer of the earthly way who opens the road between the underworld and the world of the living; the General of the Five Paths and the Great God Mingleng. The escorting divine officers, the City God of Mount Tai, and the Earth Gods along the way. The passes of the underworld and the dark soil. All the awesome spirits of the Perfected: may all, by this true incense, receive our universal offering.

29. The high priest prostrates himself and recites aloud: “We humbly pray that you will leave the cloud palaces for a while and descend to this incense altar. We have purely prepared the humble rites of offering; deign to look down and accept our sincerity. We now have a petition of salvation from suffering, which we reverently read out before you.”

30. When the declarer has finished reading the petition, the high priest continues: “The petition just presented has been fully proclaimed; here before the platform, we commit it to the fire.”

31. Sacred Proclamation of the Heavenly Worthy Taiyi Who Saves from Suffering

With utmost sincerity I take refuge and pay homage!

In the Realm of Everlasting Joy of Qinghua, in the Palace of Wondrous Adornment of the Eastern Pole, in the fragrant grove of seven treasures, on the lotus throne of nine colors. Within the ring of ten thousand Perfected, amid ten billion auspicious rays, the Worthy of Jade Clarity and Numinous Treasure. A manifestation of the Mysterious Primordial, through vast kalpas he extends compassionate relief; he opens wide the gate of sweet dew, the true body of the wondrous Tao. Of purple-gold auspicious form. Responding to each occasion, his vows are boundless. Great sage of great mercy. Of great compassion and great vows. Transformed names in the ten directions. Universally delivering all beings. Through billions upon billions of kalpas, delivering people beyond measure. Following the voices of those who cry out and responding, the Heavenly Worthy Taiyi Who Saves from Suffering.

32. Short Hymn

Master of the Teaching of Qinghua, compassionate Worthy Taiyi, a manifestation of Jade Clarity revealing his true body, he opens wide the gate of sweet dew, receives and guides the souls of the dark, forever out of the ford of the river of craving.

33. Declaration

Humbly we consider: the cloud road of ten million li can be traveled in an instant; the thirty-three heavens above can be reached in a moment. We your servants now ascend the precious altar and present one petition of salvation from suffering, and respectfully trouble the Merit Officer on duty today to carry the petition up to the Palace of Wondrous Adornment of Qinghua at the Eastern Pole and present it.

Wondrous Adornment of Qinghua, compassionate forms by the thousands of millions. Dwelling in constant joy, seated at peace on a golden lotus. Wisdom-light without obstruction shines on all the dark springs. Sweet dew flows and moistens, sprinkled throughout empty space. Rotted remains and withered bones all become bright and fresh. Delivering the drowned, they linger no longer in the cold abyss. We your servants commit our lives to him, and become one with the Tao in perfection.

We humbly pray: may the petition reach above and the gracious command be sent down below. Relying on the power of the Tao, may it become a good cause above. With utmost sincerity we recite: Heavenly Worthy Who Bears It Aloft on Flying Clouds—merit beyond conception.