敲爻歌 Qiao Yao Ge

The Song of Knocking the Lines of a Trigram

翻譯: 雙延館主

 

漢終唐國飄蓬客，所以敲爻不可測。
縱橫逆順沒遮欄，靜則無為動是色。

During the Tang Dynasty in China, there was a Wonderer. He was unpredictable, like fortune-telling by knocking the lines of a trigram. There was no hindrance for him in all directions. In tranquility, there was not, and inaction, there was substance.

 

也飲酒，也食肉，守定胭花斷淫欲。

行禪唱詠胭粉詞，持戒酒肉常充腹。

He drank, and he was an omnivore. He guarded the courtesan with celibacy. For Dhyana- he sang and chanted rouge words. For Sila- he filled his stomach with wine and meat.

色是藥，酒是祿，酒色之中無拘束。
只因花酒悟長生，飲酒帶花神鬼哭。

Beauty is a remedy, and wine brings good fortune. There is no inhibition with wine and beauty. But unfortunately, wine and beauty ruin longevity. Drinking and lust cause both God and ghosts to cry.

不破戒，不犯淫，破戒真如性即沉，
犯淫壞失長生寶，得者須由道力人，

One never breaks religious precepts or performs salacious acts. Breaking the Sila, one's Tathata spirit will sink. Committing a sensual act, one will lose the elixir. To win is dependent on the Dao adept.

 

 

 

 

道力人，真散漢，酒是良朋花是伴。
花街柳巷覓真人，真人只在花街玩。

A Dao adept is also a man of leisure. Wine is his good friend, and flowers are his companion. You can find the true man at the red-light district. The true man plays there as amusement.

 

摘花戴飲長生酒，景裡無為道自昌。
一任群迷多笑怪，仙花仙酒是仙鄉。

He picks the flowers to put on and drinks the longevity wine for enjoyment. There is voidness in the scene. The path of Dao will flourish. People are sarcastic and scornful about my weird behavior. The immortal flowers and the immortal wine is the fairyland.

到此鄉，非常客，奼女嬰兒生喜樂。
洞中常採四時花，花花結就長生藥。

When one reaches this land, one is an exceptional guest. The young maiden (mercury)and the baby (lead) generate happiness together. One gathers the flowers of the four seasons from the cave. Each flower can condense into a longevity remedy.

長生藥，採花心，花蕋層層艷麗春。
時人不達花中理，一訣天機直萬金。

The longevity remedy collects from the heart of the flower. Each layer of the stamen is bright and beautiful. If the contemporary cannot reach the meaning of the flower, one heavenly code is worth a thousand ounces of gold.

謝天地，感虛空，得遇仙師是祖宗。
附耳低言玄妙旨，提上蓬萊第一峰。

One thanks to heaven and earth, and one also is grateful to void and emptiness. When one meets the immortal master, a forebear, he whispers to your ear with a mysterious principle. It will lift you to the first peak of Peng-Lai ( 蓬萊-the fabled abode of the immortals).
第一峰，是仙物，惟產金花生恍惚。
口口相傳不記文，須得靈根堅髓骨。

The first peak is the immortal substance. It creates the golden flower and the state with mental preoccupation, and the state of absent-mindedness follows. It passes on by oral instruction without written words. Therefore, one should have utmost innate intelligence and fortitude like bone marrow to pursue.

 

堅髓骨，煉靈根，片片桃花洞裏春。
七七白虎雙雙養，八八青龍總一斤。

One should have strong bone marrow to refine and arouse innate intelligence. Inside every peach blossom, there is springtime. Seven and seven white tigers raise in pairs. Eight and eight green dragons total weigh a catty.

真父母，送元宮，木母金公性本溫。
十二官中蟾魄現，時時地魄降天魂。

One sends the real birth parents to the Yuen(original)palace. The wood mother and the metal father possess mild temperaments. When the Chan-Po(蟾魄moon) appears in the twelve-hour cycle, it is time for the earth spirit to subdue the heavenly soul.

鉛出就，汞初生，玉爐金鼎未經烹。
一夫一婦同天地，一男一女合乾坤。

When the lead first appears, and the mercury first emerges, both are separate and not yet cooked in the jade furnace and the golden tripod. One husband and one wife are similar to heaven and earth. One male and one female are similar to Qian and Kun.

 

庚要生，甲要生，生甲生庚道始萌。
拔取天根並地髓，白雪黃芽自長成。

Both Geng(（庚-similar to metal)and Jia(甲-similar to wood) need to be born. The birth of Geng and Jia makes the path of Dao flourish. In Dao, one is to extract Tian-Gen ( 天根-origin of Yang), and the Di-Sui (地髓-origin of Yin). Then, the Bai-Xue(白雪-white snow symbolizes mercury), and the Huang-Ya( 黃芽-yellow sprout symbolizes lead)will grow up.

 

鉛亦生，汞亦生，生汞生鉛一處烹。
烹煉不是精和液，天地乾坤日月精。

Lead needs generation, and mercury also needs generation. So the generation of lead and mercury both need to be cooked together. The cooking ingredients are not essence or liquid. They are the Qian Kun of heaven and earth or the spirit of sun and moon.

 

 

黃婆匹配得團圓，時刻無差口付傳。
八卦二元全藉汞，五行四象豈離鉛。

The Huang Po(黃婆-the yellow-faced woman, in Dao, means the spleen)creates matching and reunion. The accurate timing needs oral instruction. The duality of the eight trigrams depends on mercury( the Yang). The five elements and four forms rely on lead ( The Yin).

鉛生汞，汞生鉛，奪得乾坤造化權。
杳杳冥冥生恍惚，恍恍惚惚結成團。

The lead produces mercury, and the mercury generates the lead. One captures the cultivation power of Qian and Kun. Yao Yao and Ming Ming(杳杳冥冥-far away from nowhere)comes bewilderment. Bewilderment crystalizes into a lump.

性須空，意要專，莫遣猿猴取次攀。
花露初開切忌觸，鎖居土釜勿抽添。

The Xing (性-nature) needs to be null.The intention needs to be specific. Do not let the alp grasp freely. Don't disturb the young blooming flower with dews(Dharmas). They are locked up in the earthen cauldron so that no drawing or adding occurs.

玉爐中，文火爍，十二時中惟守一。
此時黃道會陰陽，三性元宮無漏泄。

It is inside the jade furnace and cooking with gentle fire ( 文火）. One focuses on singularity during the entire twelve hours of a lunar day. The Yin and Yang meet at the Huang Dao( 黃道-the ecliptic). The three energies( essence, Qi, and spirit) gather in the Yuen Palace without leaking.

氣若行，真火煉，莫使玄珠離寶殿。
加添火候切防危，初九潛龍不可煉。

If the Qi moves, one moves the fire to control it. Be cautious, don't let the mysterious pearl leave the imperial palace. Be careful when adding more fire. When the dragon is hiding, the initial nine ( the first bar of the Qian Hexagram  ) don't exercise fire.

 

消息火，刀圭變，大地黃芽都長遍。
五行數內一陽生，二十四氣排珠宴。

The changing fire causes the Dao Gui (刀圭-represents medicine) to alter. The yellow sprouts scatter all over. Within the numbers of the five elements, there give rise to one Yang. The Yang Qi creates twenty-four different Qi(s)which line up like in a

Pearl feast( 珠宴a formal feast according to rank).

火數足，藥方成，便有龍吟虎嘯聲。
三鉛只得一鉛就，金果仙芽未現形。

When there is enough smelting heat, the medicine will form. Then, the sound of the snorting dragons and the howling of the tigers will appear. There are three kinds of lead, but only one is useful. The golden fruits and the immortal sprouts are still invisible at this stage.

 

 

再安爐，重立鼎，跨虎乘龍離凡境。
日精才現月華凝，二八相交在壬丙。

At this time, a new furnace and a new tripod are re-establish. one can step on a tiger or ride on a dragon to leave this mortal world. The appearance of sun essence can condense the spirit of the moon. The two eights( essence and spirit)copulate at Ren(壬水-water)and Bing(丙火-fire).

龍汞結，虎鉛成，咫尺蓬萊第一程。
坤鉛乾汞金丹祖，龍鉛虎汞最通靈。

The dragon mercury solidifies, and the tiger lead forms. Then one is within easy reach of the initial path of Penguin-Lai (蓬萊-immortal). The Kun lead and the Qian mercury are the ancestors of the golden elixir. The dragon lead and the tiger mercury are the best spirit medium.

達此理，道方成，三萬神龍護水晶。
守時定日明符刻，專心惟在意虔誠。

One has to understand the secret codes to have a successful Dao path.Thirty thousand dragons are protecting the water crystal. One has to guard and determine the time, the day, and the tally time. The heart is firm, and the intention is sincere.

 

黑鉛過，採清真，一陣交鋒定太平。
三車搬運珍珠寶，送歸寶藏自通靈。

The black lead leaves. One can gather the purest. The peace will come after a brief confrontation, and the three wagons transport the pearl treasures. When the treasure arrives, one will gain supernatural power( telepathy).

 

天神祐，地祇迎，混合乾坤日月精。
虎嘯一聲龍出窟，鸞飛鳳舞入金城。

One will get protection from the celestial god or will be welcome by the earth's guardian. The mixing of Qian and Kun is the mixing of the essence of sun and moon. Then, one howling of the tiger, the dragon emerges from the cave. The Luan(鸞-a mythical bird)is flying, and the phoenix is dancing into the golden city.

硃砂配，水銀停，一派紅霞列太清。
鉛池迸出金光現，汞火流珠入帝京。

The cinnabar tries to match, and the mercury tries to stop. Finally, a red afterglow aligns with Tai-Qing(太清-Dao palace). The lead pond bursts out golden light. The mercury fire and the rolling pearls enter the king's capital.

龍虎媾，外持盈，走聖飛靈在寶瓶。
一時辰內金丹就，上朝金闕紫雲生。

When the dragon and tiger copulate together, the external factors must be favorable. To become a saint or telepathic depends on the precious vase. The golden elixir synthesizes within one lunar hour. Finally, the purple clouds appear and are the time to attend the golden court.

仙桃熟，摘取餌，萬化來朝天地喜。
齋戒等候一陽生，便進周天參同理。

When the immortal peaches are ripe, one can pick it as bait. There are myriad transformations paying tributes with universal joys. One practices fasting and abstinences to wait for the arrival of one Yang. One can practice cosmic circulation according to the teaching of Can Tong Qi ( 參同契-the seal of the unity of the three).

 

參同理，煉金丹，水火薰蒸透百關。
養胎十月神丹結，男子懷胎豈等閑。

The doctrine of Can Tong Qi is for the smelting of golden elixir. First, the fire smokes, and the water vaporizes to penetrate a hundred gates. Then, to nourish the fetal phase for ten months, the immortal Dan(丹-pill)is formed. It is so extraordinary for a male to get pregnant.
內丹成，外丹就，內外相接和諧偶。
結成一塊紫金丸，變化飛騰天地久。

The Nei-Dan(內丹）forms and the Wai-Dan(外丹）is available. The connection of inside and outside form a harmonious couple. It forms into a lump of golden Dan(丹). It is eternally mutable and perpetually volatile like heaven and earth.

 

丹入腹，非尋常，陰行剝盡化純陽。
飛昇羽化三清客，名遂功成達上蒼。

It is extraordinary for the Dan(pill) to enter the abdomen. The Yin quality completely strips and transforms into pure Yang. Then, one can ascend to heaven and be the guest of the three pristine immortals. The achievement of success and the winning of recognition reach heaven.

三清客，駕譎舉 (瓊輿)，跨風騰霄入太虛。
似此逍遙多快樂，遨遊三界最清奇。

As a guest of the three pristine immortals, one will ride in a colorful litter. Finally, one will cross the wind and rise into the great void (太虛). One will be carefree and happy. One will roam the three realms (Trilok)clearly and elegantly.

 

太虛之上修真士，朗朗圓成一物無。
一物無，遂顯道，五方透出真人貌。

At Tai-Xu(太虛-universe), one practices as a real Daoist. One clearly and brightly becomes one nothingness. At one nothingness, the path of Dao gradually appears. The image of the true man will appear in five directions.

 

仙童仙女彩雲迎，五明宮內傳真誥。
傳真誥，話幽情，只是真鉛煉汞精。

The immortal lads and immortal maidens will greet you with colorful clouds. The Wu Ming Palace( 五明宮-Daoist sanctuary)pronounce an imperial decree. They are no more than using the true lead to smelter the mercury spirit to announce the imperial decree or talk about the exquisite feelings.

聲聞緣覺冰消散，外道修羅縮項驚。
點枯骨，立成形，信道天梯似掌平。

It makes the Sravakas, and the Kama vanish away like ice. It makes the heretics who practice aura frightened with a contracting neck. Even one point at the skeletal bones will regenerate its shape. The immortal ladder for Daoist faith is flat like the palm and is for everyone.

九祖先靈得超脫，誰羨繁華貴與榮。
尋烈士，覓賢才，同安爐鼎化凡胎。

Even the nine ancestors and their souls receive liberation, and one should not admire rich and fame. But, to seek the martyr and talented persons, guide them to set up furnaces and tripods to cleanse the ordinary soul.

若是慳財並惜寶，千萬神仙不肯來。
修真士，不妄說，妄說一句天公折。

If one focuses too much on wealth and belongings, countless immortals will not come to help. A real Daoist will not say ignorant twaddles. Twaddles will bring punishment from the God of heaven.

萬劫塵沙道不成，七竅眼睛皆迸血。
貧窮子，發誓切，待把凡流盡提接。

One still can't accomplish the Dao Path even one experiences myriads of catastrophes similar to dust and sand or the seven orifices, including the eyes fill with blood. The poor ones who take firm oaths. The immortals will receive and lift them.

 

 

同赴蓬萊仙會中，凡景煎熬無了歇。
塵世短，更思量，洞裏乾坤日月長。

They are going to Peng-Lai(蓬萊)for immortal gatherings. The worldly torment is without stop. Life on earth is too short, and it needs serious thinking. The Qian and Kun in the cave grow day by day and month by month.

堅志苦心三二載，百千萬劫壽彌疆。
達聖道，顯真常，虎兕刀兵更不傷。

If one is firm and precise for two to three years, despite countless calamities, one will come out with blessings and long life. Then, if the immortal hood achieves the truth of Dao will appear. Then, there will be no fear of being hurt by a fierce tiger or the soldier's knife.

 

水火蛟龍無損害，拍手天宮笑一場。
這些功，真奇妙，吩咐與人誰肯要。

There will be no harm from the water or fire, not the scaled dragons. One will applaud the heavenly palace with long laughter. These endeavors are marvelous, but people will not be willing to accept them even if you tell people.

 

愚徒死戀色和財，所以神仙不肯召。
真至道，不擇人，豈論高低富與貧。

The foolish only love beauty and wealth to death, so the immortals will not summon them. The real Dao will not discriminate against anyone. There is no difference between high or low or rich and poor.

 

且饒帝子共王孫，須去繁華銼銳分。
嗔不除，憨不改，墮入輸迴生死海。

There is also have mercy on the royal family. But all you need to do is to forsake fame and power. If one's indignation stays and behavior unalter, one will fall into the cycle of samsara with life and death.

堆金積玉滿山川，神仙冷笑應不彩。
名非貴，道極尊，聖聖賢賢顯子孫。

Even there are heaps of gold and Jade filled up the mountain and stream. The immortal ignores them with a cool smile. Name is not precious, but Dao is supreme. The immortal saints can enlighten their descendants.

 

腰金跨玉騎驕馬，瞥見如同隙裏塵。
隙裏塵，石中火，何在留心為久計。

Even one rides on a beautiful horse and wears gold and Jade. Yet, he is still a piece of dust in a hole. Who will pay attention to their long-term plans like dust in a hole or a fire in a stone?

苦苦煎熬喚不回，奪利爭名如鼎沸。
如鼎沸，永沈淪，失道迷真業所根。

Even with zealous imploring, they still don't want to accept. People still like to scramble for power and profit like an overflow tripod. But, like an overflow tripod, it will perpetually sink. One will lose the Dao way and will miss the truth. It is because of his bad karma.

 

有人平卻心頭棘，便把天機說與君。
命要傳，性要悟，入聖超凡由汝做。

He will qualify to receive the immortal codes if one can remove the thorn from his heart(purified). The Ming(命-physical) requires to pass on, and the Xing(性spiritual)needs self-realization. You are free to choose transcendence and immortality.

三清路上少人行，畜類門前爭入去。
報賢良，休慕顧，性命機關堪守護。

People seldomly visit the path of San-Qing（三清immortal path). In contrast, the gate for the animal is competing to enter. Therefore, to tell the virtuous one, don't admire. The Xing and Ming secret mechanisms need protection.

 

若還缺一不芳菲，執著波渣應失路。
只修性，不修命，此是修行第一病。

If one is missing, it will have no fragrance. One will miss the path if one holds the Bo-Zha(波渣-nagging). If you only practice Xing and not Ming, this is the first illness in practicing Dao.

只修祖性不修丹，萬劫陰靈難入聖。
達命宗，迷祖性，恰似鑒容無寶鏡。

If one practices the Xing and neglects the Dan(丹pill)path, even one surpasses ten thousand catastrophes, one still can only be a Yin soul and cannot enter the rank of Dao immortals. But on the other hand, if one practices the Ming pathway proficiently but is bewildered by Xing, it is like looking at oneself without a mirror.

 

壽同天地一愚夫，權握家財無主柄。
性命雙修玄又玄，海底洪波駕法船。

The age is similar to an ordinary fool in this world, even one has a lot of wealth, but one cannot spend it. The dual practice of Xing and Ming is the mystery of the mysteries. The turbulent waves from the sea bottom steer the Dharma boat.

 

生擒活捉蛟龍首，始知匠手不虛傳。

The leader of the dragons catches alive. The craftsman's skills transmission is true and real.