The Sutra of the Eastern Emperor’s Path –
The Sutra of the Eastern Emperor’s Path serves as a foundational teaching for spiritual cultivation. It clearly indicates the correspondence between acupuncture points and the emotions associated with organs, illustrating the close relationship between thoughts and their transformations, as well as the cycles of energy movement and causality. It provides guidance on how to eat and live in daily life, nurturing one’s spirit and energy through proper conduct, thereby cultivating the mind and character, which in turn enhances morality and true energy. Cultivating the mind and virtue is regarded as supreme treasures that assist in elevating and advancing one’s spiritual essence.
I respectfully invite (one call, one kneel, three prostrations) the Eastern Emperor, Great Heavenly Sovereign of Wood, to receive this sacred decree with sincere devotion.
From Fusang comes spiritual nurturing. The Great Wood Sovereign emerges far to radiate brilliance. He governs heaven and earth while moving the sun and moon. He broadly opens responses to transformation, presiding over profound mysteries while enlightening those who are ignorant. He grants longevity and bestows blessings; dispels illness and eliminates calamities. He oversees three hundred sixty celestial realms. Majestic is his path as a model for all beings. He watches over countless beings with compassion; his celestial demeanor is remarkable. His achievements reach the highest realms of purity; he shines like a star among scholars. He commands all truths while venerating saints with respect; he nurtures great compassion as a universal king of law. I take refuge (three calls, three kneels, twelve prostrations) in the Great Father who nurtures all beings—the Primordial Ancestor of All Immortals, Eastern Emperor, Great Heavenly Sovereign of Wood.
Opening Praise
Eastern Emperor! Your essence is rooted in Yin-Yang harmony; your compassion saves all beings. You authored this scripture to universally guide sentient beings towards enlightenment through sincere reverence for high virtues.
Taking refuge in you—the Great Father who nurtures all beings—the Primordial Ancestor of All Immortals—Eastern Emperor, Great Heavenly Sovereign of Wood.
The Emperor says: Anyone who recites this sutra must know to worship sincerely with reverence—lay out flowers and fruits along with pure tea for offerings—no need for wine or meat—to surely receive divine presence that brings blessings; misfortunes will be dispelled forever without evil spirits causing harm—all shall partake in auspicious celebrations.
At that time, the Emperor was on Taiqing Mountain along with Master Xuanxuan, Yaochi Laomu (Mother Yaochi), Beihua Di Jun (Northern Hua Emperor), among other revered ones gathered together. They manifested golden bodies to promote righteous teachings widely expounding marvelous doctrines when suddenly they saw Compassionate Navigator arriving on a rainbow cloud.
With palms together in greeting he said: In this last age many beings are lost in ignorance regarding their spiritual nature; they cling to wealth and status while sinking into a sea of suffering where many commit evil deeds while few practice goodness.
How can we save them so they may return to Ling Mountain? Thus spoke the Emperor: I rise from my seat to declare this incantation:
“Supreme True Qi! Clear brilliance illuminates Jade Capital! Mysterious winds fan three treasures! Pure essence flows from primordial spirit! With heartfelt vows I wish to universally save sentient beings! Riding clouds wielding willow pens I transmit teachings across eight directions! Subduing all demons returning them towards good actions! All practitioners seeking truth should sincerely aspire; if one can follow my path they shall ascend together!”
Master Xuanxuan—Supreme Predecessor (one prostration) taking refuge sincerely.
Yaochi Laomu—Savior from Calamity (one prostration) taking refuge sincerely.
Beihua Di Jun—Heavenly Sovereign of Spiritual Response (one prostration) taking refuge sincerely.
Compassionate Navigator—Savior from Suffering (one prostration).
The Emperor said: For humans living long lives there are three essentials: Essence (Jing), Qi (vital energy), Blood.
Blood represents Yin; Qi represents Yang—the condensation of Yin-Yang forms Essence.
Essence resides within bone marrow connecting upwardly through blood seas downwardly through lower orifices—it is humanity’s greatest treasure.
Through Essence we transform Qi;
Through Qi we generate Spirit;
Through Spirit we return to Emptiness.
If one indulges in lustful desires then Essence leaks away;
When Essence leaks away Qi declines;
When Qi declines Spirit scatters.
When these three treasures are exhausted life cannot be prolonged.
For cultivators: Contrarily leads to holiness while following leads back towards ordinariness.
Harmonizing blood vessels aligns with five elements;
Love-hate should not dwell within emotions;
Worries-joys should not linger within thoughts;
Firmness-softness must be utilized appropriately based on life principles.
Only when settled can one achieve tranquility;
Only when tranquil can one attain peace;
Only when peaceful can one contemplate wisely.
A restless heart cannot find stillness,
A heart without contemplation cannot attain peace.
Extreme motion leads back towards stillness wherein Yang naturally grows;
Extreme stillness leads back towards motion wherein Yin does not arise.
Buddha says: “To clarify one’s heart is to see one’s nature;” it cannot be clear nor seen without stillness.
Dao says: “Cultivating truth nourishes character;” it cannot cultivate nor nourish without stillness.
Confucianism states: “To exhaust reason fully realizes nature;” it cannot exhaust nor realize without stillness.
Those whose hearts remain unsettled will fail at seeing through worldly attachments,
Unable to let go yet unable to detach desires remain unfulfilled.
Humanity relies on Qi as its foundation, on Heart as its root, on Nature as its veil.
When delusions arise nurture tranquility remaining unmoved, when selfish thoughts suddenly arise refine oneself into serenity.
When thoughts extinguish then selfish desires cease, when selfish desires cease then cravings purify, when cravings purify then pure Yang arises.
Pure Yang becomes true immortals living Buddhas.
The Emperor said: Cultivators should maintain clear hearts with few desires nurturing their character, not desiring exquisite dishes or fine wines but rather not disliking simple meals or thin soups.
Avoid fish or meat merely filling their bellies;b abandon luxurious adornments merely enhancing their appearances.
Understand labor’s hardship establishing careers maintaining harmony within families.
Indulging desires leads only toward indulgent pleasures making cultivation difficult achieving true progress.
Those whose hearts stray from benevolence will harm vital energies invisibly:The lustful damage divine essence while depriving true Yang lies within tangible forms.The ear hears vile sounds leading toward lustful thoughts;
The eye gazes upon lewd sights leading toward fixation;
The mouth tastes delicacies leading toward greed;
The nose inhales fragrant aromas stirring spirit into motion;
Three minds remain unresolved four appearances difficultly eliminated five aggregates unemptied six roots hard-cleansed;
Evil connections must not gather creating delusional minds enticing plans;
Mechanical minds easily obstruct generating resentful hearts;
Desires become inverted generating greedy attachment hearts wishing ill upon others;
Not storing images based on appearances nor attaching views based on selfhood holding onto Bodhisattva practices attaining Arhat results standing firm establishing merit knowing how cultivate virtue capable subduing tigers alongside descending dragons preserving life safeguarding existence dwelling amidst meditation returning origins restoring purity.
In winter fear not cold—in summer fear not heat;
Thunderclaps do not startle mountains crumbling do not frighten;
Beautiful women before you do not stir;
Fame does not entice your being;
Internally harbor sincerity externally display respect;
Until Dao clarifies refrain from impatience until fruits ripen do not harbor resentment or hatred;
Perhaps current merits insufficient perhaps past karmic ties entangled perhaps primordial vital energies deficient perhaps personal endeavors flawed—all require repentance enduring humiliation diligently advancing becoming one body with sacred profane united through Dao cultivation completed by achieving unity.
The Emperor said: Cultivators uphold eight virtues five constants primarily cultivating themselves doing good deeds during leisure rising at dawn sweeping courtyards settling into quiet rooms meditating silently offering incense before saints during meals ensuring proper seating arrangements maintaining orderliness during dining utensils lifted gracefully avoiding chaos during sleep ensuring no wandering thoughts keeping eyes straight avoiding idle chatter refraining from reading books at home maintaining decorum ensuring warmth yet solemnity where respect divides ranks thus establishing orderliness between high-low harmonizing warmth clarifying right-wrong easily understood
Strict yet unjust leads toward frivolity warm yet discordant leads toward separation establishing ethics promoting benevolence prioritizing public over private valuing kindness distinguishing right-wrong never losing sincerity using morality as foundation cultivating enlightenment seeking knowledge exhausting principles realizing nature
Dao enters primordial state achieving great transformation cultivating hidden depths awakening fruit causes acting conveniently forming good affinities must practice loyalty filial piety pleasing heaven must uphold integrity preserving chastity performing no evils practicing numerous goods.
The Emperor said: Cultivators base themselves upon compassion utilizing convenience avoiding killing releasing life ceasing connections creating future evils distributing wealth establishing virtue planting good causes now ensures prosperity whereas evil deeds lead descendants toward destruction never deem small acts good enough nor think minor evils permissible
Rewards for good-evil follow closely like shadows accompanying footsteps calamities arising from lust are slower than blessings arising from goodness blessings arising faster than calamities arising from lust seeing others doing good generates goodwill encountering others doing evil generates malicious intentions friendship requires caution associating with virtuous friends engages discussions about Dao associating with wicked people indulges drinking pleasures
In human society social interactions abound where there’s slanderous talk every day where there’s opposition every day being able accept slander being able endure opposition allows receiving benefits gaining progress upon Dao requires broad-mindedness having generous hearts what kind of nature can be refined what kind of Dao can be cultivated?The extreme rigidity breeds violence lacking subtlety extreme brightness breeds suspicion leading confusion becoming lonely selfish difficultly distinguished losing resources becoming incompatible remaining hidden refining oneself examining emptiness embracing forest streams enjoying profound mysteries diligently awakening joyfully pursuing Dao how could water moon round?The greater capacity yields greater emptiness virtue lofty moral depth illuminating all sentient beings establishing grand aspirations saving others refining oneself repaying four kindnesses below alleviating sufferings across paths refining nine transformations golden elixirs preparing well for peach banquet.
The Emperor said: All virtues stem from frugality many evils arise solely due luxury frugality embodies diligence diligence entails labor devoid any indulgent actions luxury embodies laziness laziness entails indulgence often witnessing karmic obstacles’ harms once virtuous intentions arise extending kindness benefiting others resolutely acting upon them once malevolent thoughts emerge greedily benefiting oneself blindly pursuing them adhering firmly onto duties thus no evil deeds committed securing rightful place allows virtuous fruits attainable grand aspirations saving others articulate wisdom increases enhancing character enlightening world revealing Bodhi manifests guiding teachers may explain cause-effect helping those studying profound mysteries ordinary fools remain ignorant often lost amidst distractions failing discern paths indulging pleasures appearing lofty empty colors realizing Zen enjoying tranquility nourishing own natures embodying heavenly nurturing earthly works illuminating own hearts cultivating own paths exhausting principles connecting divine mechanisms sages emphasize rectifying oneself maintaining peace governing society emphasizing compassion love refining indestructible bodies eliminating six desires cultivating bright mirrors free from dust adhering loyalty trust performing tasks knowing sincerity practicing filial piety benevolently residing quietly controlling external influences ensuring internal calm detailed actions must maintain righteousness qualities especially avoid extremes if aligned advance if misaligned retreat
Eight hundred fruits complete deep aspirations transcend suffering seas three thousand merits fulfilled further aspire high steps westward never fall into wrong paths causing souls’ disarray avoid entering side doors lest seven spirits scatter.
Verse:
Kan Li interacts understanding adds extraction refining golden elixir years pass leisurely
Eight hundred three thousand merits fulfilled soaring white sun ascending jade tower
Sincerely reciting sutras cultivates family fortune attaining smooth success
Sincerely reciting sutras prays for rain bringing sweet dew
Sincerely reciting sutras demons reveal true forms
Sincerely reciting sutras sailing smoothly amidst storms
Sincerely reciting sutras seeking children producing unicorns
Sincerely reciting sutras parents enjoy longevity
Sincerely reciting sutras mothers children safe during pregnancy
Sincerely reciting sutras grains flourish abundantly
Sincerely reciting sutras participating meditation elixir surely formed
Sincerely reciting sutras illnesses gain health restoration
Sincerely reciting sutras merchants gain double profits
Sincerely reciting sutras disasters cease permanently
Sincerely reciting sutras seeking positions gains fame successfully
Sincerely reciting sutras transcending early rebirths swiftly
Sincerely reciting sutras skills excel industriously.
The Emperor concludes his teachings clouds spread auspicious signs dragons cranes come welcoming returning jade capital at that time Master Xuanxuan Yaochi Laomu Northern Hua Di Jun Compassionate Navigator along with various heavenly saints Buddhas immortals bow respectfully proclaiming goodness returning riding cloud carriages filled joyfully accepting faith practicing diligently
Making respectful gestures bowing retreating.
Master Xuanxuan praises:
Primordial Ancestor among ten thousand immortals virtues match heaven’s span authoring scriptures dispelling calamities wishing fervently alleviate suffering stars shine broadly nation thrives people live peacefully diligent cultivation guarding mysterious gates.
Buddha Shakyamuni praises:
Well done well done Eastern Emperor compassionate savior broadly expounding spiritual texts whose meanings are profound mysterious pathways cultivate methods meditating upon jade tablets cleansing dust roots beginners nurture qi subsequently refine guarding spirit illuminating clarity awakening understanding recognizing fruit causes now elixirs refined surely achieves completeness great accomplishment first teacher praises:“Authoritative scriptures saving sentient beings proclaim wondrous ways hoping prosperity.” Good indeed old ancestor bestowing grace merits towering above capital again poetry:“This scripture holds profound meanings penetrating yin-yang creation mechanisms cleansing body-mind sincerely chanting welcoming auspicious clouds radiating brilliance.”....
Wenchang Di Jun praises:
Saints sages embrace saving common people awakening lost souls recognizing fruit causes wishing return walking correct path embodying immortal truths.
Another poem:“Authored scriptures revitalizing world reversing decline fostering goodwill always present reaching heavens above.” Quite pleased concluding seeking preface humbly expressing intentions completing praise precious scripture read aloud penetrating upper Three Purities auspicious light fills altar courtyard gathering blessings extending longevity marvelous ways flourish widely benefiting multitude sentient beings.”.
Taking Refuge (three calls three kneels twelve prostrations) nurturing great father Primordial Ancestor among ten thousand immortals Eastern Emperor Great Heavenly Sovereign of Wood.