Source: Qishen zouge 祈神奏格 (Standard memorials to petition gods), compiled by Cheng Minzheng 程敏政 (1445-1499), reprint in Zangwai daoshu 藏外道書 (Daoist Writings Not Included in the Canon) (Chengdu, 1992), vol. 17.
‘Qiusi qing shenzhu’ 求嗣請神燭 (Offering a divine candle to pray for offsprings), Qishen zouge, 759.
伏以香烟飄渺，通一念之虔忱。燭影熒煌，達眾心之悃禱。凡有禱求，必蒙感應。今拠鄉貫奉神信士某某衆信人等，涓今某年月日，蓋為親人某子嗣艱遲，衆信虔忱，恭詣某神御前，特請朝獻寶炬。祈求聖澤，早協熊羆之夢，降生麟[?]之祥。俯賜衆信之懇，永膺天命之長。凡干悃禱，悉賜照臨。所有信儀火化，伏惟神慈受納。
I reckon that the smoke from incense spreads thinly and communicates the piety of a devoted worshipper; the light of candles twinkles and conveys the genuine prayers from our hearts. Whenever there is a prayer, it will always be responded to. Now XX, a worshipper from XX village, together with fellow worshippers, have chosen the XX day of XX month in XX year, for the matter of our family member XX who is experiencing difficulties and delays in having a son. With great sincerity, we respectfully come to the throne of the god XX to offer a precious candle during an audience. We pray for divine blessings to assist soon with having a dream of bears and receiving omens of giving birth to a son. May the god fulfil the wishes of worshippers and undertake the Heavenly appointment forever. To all our sincere prayers, may the god give full consideration. May the gods kindly accept the offerings in the fire.
‘Cuisheng qingshen’ 催生請神 (Inviting the gods for speeding up childbirth), Qishen zouge, 764-65.
伏以神威煊赫，施化育于群生。聖德昭彰，佈陰功于萬姓。凡有禱求，必蒙感應。今拠鄉貫奉神信士某通家眷等，[?][?][?]香，先伸昭告：門丞土地尊神，敢勞值日功曹，降赴香筵，受兹忱悃，涓今某年月日，謹俻清酌牲筵，勞煩功曹，傳忱拜請：九天送子高元帥、九天監生大神、九天掌生元神、東岳聖母千金夫人、衛房聖母護胎元君、催生婆婆護產娘娘、抱送神女百子聖眾。再伸焚香拜請古城、芝山二殿五福大猖尊神，猖中祀典一切神眾，同降香筵，普通供養。
I reckon that the gods’ powers are glaringly glorious; they transform and cultivate the myriads of lives. The divine virtues are brightly manifest, and they spread hidden merits to the ten thousand surnames. Whenever there is a prayer, it will always be responded to. Now XX, a worshipper of the gods from XX village, together with all family members, [?] incense to first pray to the Noble Door Gods and Earth Gods. Could we ask the clerks on duty to descend to the incense altar and receive our sincere prayer? We have chosen the XX day of XX month in XX year to cautiously prepare a banquet of pure wine and meat. We hope to ask the clerks to forward our sincere invitations to: Marshall Gao of the Ninth Heaven Who Sends Sons, the Great God of the Ninth Heaven Who Supervises Childbirth, the Primordial God of the Ninth Heaven Who Administers Childbirth, the Sage Mother Who Is the Lady Daughter of the Eastern Peak, the Sage Mother Who Guards Rooms and Who Is the Primordial Lord Protecting the Foetuses, the Grandmother Who Speeds up Childbirth and Who Is the Consort Protecting Childbirth, the Divine Lady Who Carries and Sends [Sons], and the Sagely Crowd of a Hundred Sons. We burn incense again to invite: the Noble Gods of Five Blessings and Great Ferocity in the two palaces at Gucheng and Zhishan, and all furious divine soldiers included in the Register of Sacrifice, to descend together to the incense altar and widely share the offerings.
言念某等，忝在塵寰，欣逢昌運。于日拜干洪造，所伸情意，不爲別緣，蓋為室某媳氏，現今身懷六甲，兹當分娩期臨，切恐星辰之不順，由(猶)慮臨產之有艱。專祈臨盆有慶，坐草無厄。莫由人力，實仗神功。預先禳保，曷逆平安。
In my concerns, I, XX, living in this world, have had the joy of seeing prosperity and good fortune. On this day, I bow to ask for a favour from the great gods. What I pray for whole-heartedly is no other than the matter of my daughter-in-law XX who is now heavily pregnant. As the date of childbirth draws closer, we are deeply worried about any misfortunes arising from the stars. We are also concerned that there would be difficulties in her childbirth. We pray with all our hearts for the birth of a baby and for the safety of the mother during delivery. None of these can be achieved by human effort but instead all indeed rely on the gods’ merits. Rituals of protection are performed in advance, and we wish for a safe childbirth.
伏以臨月解懷，悉賴陰中保佑。時當分娩，全仗暗裏匡扶。仰沐恩光，特伸叩悃，有酒在樽，謹當初奠。伏以胎元穩妥，求無災厄之危，生產利順，望獲團圜之慶。祈求道力，伏望保扶。有酒在樽，再陳亞奠。伏以子求清吉，而獲傳芳之望，母賜平安，而免患難之危。特伸叩懇，悉仗匡扶，有酒在樽，滿酌三奠。
I reckon that the relief from the last month of a pregnancy fully depends on [the gods’] silent protection. At the time of childbirth, it all relies on [the gods’] hidden assistance. We look up to the gods’ light of favour, and bow to express our sincerity. With wine in the goblets, we cautiously offer the first libation. I reckon that for the safety of the baby in the womb, one would pray to avoid any dangers. For a smooth childbirth, one would wish to celebrate the reunion of the family. We pray to the gods with divine power and humbly wish for their protection. With wine in the goblets, we again present a second libation. I reckon that the newborn baby will need purity and luck to fulfil the expectation of passing on the household name; and the mother will need blessings of safety to avoid any dangers and sufferings. We express our sincere wishes, which will fully depend on [the gods’] assistance. With wine in the goblets, we pour full for a third libation.
伏願九天賜祉，列聖垂祥。俾胎元而穩妥，冀產體以安然。回凶降吉，轉女成男。坐草無厄，臨盆有慶。子母團圜，根基永固。福祉彌隆，禎祥叠見。凡干懇禱，悉仗帲幪。所有靈雞，剪血上獻。火化信儀，神慈鋻納。
We humbly wish that the Ninth Heaven will award us blessings and all gods will give us good fortune, so that the baby in the womb will be healthy and the mother will be safe after the childbirth; any misfortunes will turn into good fortune and a baby girl in the womb will be changed [at birth] into a baby boy; there will be no danger in childbirth and there will be celebrations afterwards; the baby and the mother will reunite and form a solid foundation of the house forever; blessings will be even more magnificent and good fortunes will come continually. All our sincere prayers rely on the gods’ blessings. Each numinous chicken has been slaughtered for blood to offer [to the gods] above. May the gods kindly examine and accept the offerings in the fire.
‘Qing zao’ 請灶 尋常用 (Inviting the Stove God, for common use), Qishen zouge, 812.
伏以五祀之中，惟六神而用事；一家之主，是灶聖而獨尊。資生皆賴，養命尤叨。今拠鄉貫奉神信士某通家眷等，涓今某年月日，謹備茶酒粿腐經儀，特伸拜請：東厨司命炎帝灶君、元皇帝君、府君夫人、炊淘神女、運水將軍、搬柴力士、進火童子、值日功曹、傳奏使者、一切聖慈，降垂香筵，受沾供養。
I reckon that among the Five (Household) Sacrifices, there are six gods who are in charge of matters. When it comes to the master of a house, it is the Stove God who is the most noble. People depend on him for sustenance and especially rely on him to nurture life. Now I, XX, a worshipper of the god from XX village, together with all family members, have chosen the XX day of XX month in XX year to cautiously prepare tea, wine, rice, bean curd, scriptures, and ritual goods. We extend our humble invitations to: the Stove God Who Is the Emperor of Fire Administering Life in the East Kitchen, the Imperial Lord Who Is the Primordial Emperor, the Lady of the Lord, the Goddess of Cooking and Washing, the General Who Carries Water, the Strong Man Who Carries Wood, the Lad Who Makes Fire, the clerks on duty, emissaries and messengers, and all other caring gods to descend to the incense altar and enjoy the offerings.
言念某等生居塵世，全仗恩光，于日拜干洪造，所伸情旨，兹逢八月十五/念四良夜，一年之内，無以爲虔，謹備芹儀，聊伸忱敬。或安新灶：兹於某月日，造立新灶，坐中朝西，或坐北朝南，未曾安[?]。今選吉日良夜，謹備芹儀，特伸虔奉。 (…)
In my concerns, I, XX, living in this world, fully depend on the gods’ light of favour. On this day, I bow to ask for a favour from the great gods. What I pray for is the following. On this nice evening of (the fifteenth/twenty-fourth day of) the eighth month – during the past year, we have not been able to show our piety – we have cautiously prepared humble rituals to express our sincerity and reverence. (For those who install a new stove: On the XX day of XX month, we have made and established a new stove. It sits in the centre and faces the west/it sits in the north and faces the south. We have not yet installed […] Now we have chosen the nice evening of this auspicious day to cautiously prepare humble rituals and express our pious worship. …)
伏以一家之主，五祀爲先。龍涎香焚於寶鼎，屈延聖馭之臨；雀舌茗烹於金卮，聊表愚忱之敬。謹焚真香，酒陳初奠。伏以搃權司命，受祉百神；蔭子享官祿之恩，宰黃牛而祀灶；少君有神仙之術，煉丹砂以成金。再焚真香，酒陳亞奠。伏以命承上界，位鎮東厨，記言祀係於六神，多藉爨炊之德；人羡權尊于一宅，普沾飲啜之功。謹焚真香，酒陳終奠。
I reckon that for the master of a household, the Five (Household) Sacrifices are top priorities. We burn ambergris incense in the precious cauldron to invite the gods for a visit; we boil the Bird’s Tongue tea in a gold vessel to humbly express our reverence. We cautiously burn the true incense and present wine for the first libation. I reckon that we are under the general governance of the Administrator of Life and we receive blessings from the hundreds of gods. Our sons will have ranks and salaries; they will slaughter oxen to offer sacrifices to the stove. The young lord will have the technique of immortals; he will refine cinnabar into gold. We burn the true incense again and present wine for a second libation. I reckon that the god receives appointment from the realm above to take a position in the East Kitchen. The Book of Rites prescribes sacrifices to him among all Six Gods; and he is mostly known for virtues related to cooking. With admirable powers, the god is respected in the whole household; he shares with all the merits in eating and drinking. We cautiously burn the true incense to present wine for the final libation.
伏愿東厨賜祉，司命延生，奏善事於天庭，降吉祥於蝸舎。灶無災眚之危，人有安康之慶。生子成能跨灶，爲官必謹代庖。茂賜泰來之福，蠲消無妄之災，火盜潛消，恩光永照。凡厥有生，均兹所欲。下有衣券經儀，用伸燎貢，奠聖安居，俯垂照納。
We humbly wish that the East Kitchen will award us happiness and the Administrator of Life will extend our lives; they will report our good deeds to the Heavenly Court and bring good fortune to our tiny house; the stove will cause no dangers or disasters; the families will celebrate peace and health; the sons of the family will be successful and do better than their fathers; those appointed as officials will be cautious as not to step beyond their roles; [the gods] will generously award blessings of peace and eliminate any haphazard misfortunes; fires and robberies will be extinguished silently and the light of favour will shine forever; throughout our lives, we will have what we wish. All clothing, money, scriptures, and ritual goods from below are burnt as offerings to the gods for the peace of the house. May the gods kindly examine and accept.
‘Banxi qingshen’ 搬戲請神 (Inviting the gods to a play), Qishen zouge, 760-761.
伏以春歸桂苑，生意盎無限風光；樂演梨園，和氣動許多景色。對良宵而聯志，祈聖澤以衍祥。今據（鄉貫）奉神信士（某某）眾信人等，涓今（某）年（某）月（某）夜，謹備牲醴福筵，列在戲臺，特伸拜請：
（火燭）天地虛空過往神衹、主火高宗孝文皇帝、陽間祀典十廟眾神、五福大猖神王、本境土地里域真君、戲家子弟和合喜神、各門侍奉長生香火道釋聖賢。
（或求子嗣）九天掌生賜福廣仁惠濟張仙衍慶真君、東嶽聖母千金夫人、九天送子高元帥。
（或求名利）輔元開化文昌司祿宏仁帝君、左右桂祿二籍仙官、白驢大將、五福大猖神王。
（或還願，聽許某神請）
一切威靈，仰望降臨，鑒觀凡演。
I reckon that spring returns to the garden of sweet osmanthus and life is thriving all around. Music plays in the grove of pear trees and harmony is permeating the air. On a fine night, aspirations are joined, and divine blessings are sought for continuing good fortune. Now, worshippers of the gods, XX, from XX village have chosen this night of XX day of XX month of XX year to cautiously prepare an auspicious banquet of meat and wine. We set it out on the stage for performance. We bow sincerely to invite:
Praying against fire: The gods and deities who patrol the void and emptiness between Heaven and Earth, Emperor Gaozong of Filial Piety and Literature Who Administers Fires, the various gods of the ten temples in the Sacrificial Register of this world, the Divine King of the Five Blessings and Great Ferocity, the True Lord of the Earthly Territories of this realm, the Joyous God of Harmony and Agreement for the performers of the theatre, the Daoist and Buddhist sages and worthies of all lineages who serve the incense of longevity.
Praying for sons: Immortal Zhang, the True Lord Spreading Happiness of the Ninth Heaven Who Administers Birth and Awards Blessings with Broad Benevolence and Generous Salvation, the Sage Mother Who Is the Lady Daughter of the Eastern Peak, and Marshall Gao of the Ninth Heaven Who Sends Sons.
Praying for degrees and profit: The Imperial Lord Wenchang of Wide Benevolence Who Assists the Primordial, Spreads the Transformation, and Administers Prosperity, the Immortal Officials on the Left and Right Who Administer the Two Registers of Ranks and Salaries, and the Divine King of the Five Blessings and Great Ferocity.
Fulfilling a vow made to a particular god: Depending on what was promised to which god.
And all the powerful gods whom we hope would descend and watch the whole play.
言念（某）眾信人等，叨生塵世，多沐洪恩，於日拜干大造，所伸情旨，不為別緣，蓋為（某）事。（或火燭：鄰里連居，慮防火燭，眾信誠心，共演梨園，俾佑一方清吉，四季平安，絕去火殃而滅迹，斥退賊盜以無驚。）
（求嗣：親人（某）室人（某）氏，年屆幾旬，嗣艱一脈，謹卜吉日良夜，用伸搬演梨園，祈求熊羆入夢，早叶麟趾呈祥。）
（求名：親人（某）脈繼書香，志圖簪紱，今遇考期，預先求懇，仰冀聖慈，俯從士望，朱衣點頭，青眼閱卷，文章中選，科第聯登，特演梨園，用伸祈悃。）
（還願：（某）人於（某）時，為（某）事，告許戲文，專祈保佑，今獲平安，自從款許，向未酬還，今選良夜，搬演叩謝。）
In our concerns I and my fellow worshippers while living in this world have received many generous favours. On this day, we bow to ask for a favour from the great gods. What we ask for concerns nothing other than the matter of XX.
Praying against fire: Neighbours who live close to each other worry about the prevention of fires. With the sincere minds of all worshippers, we have put on this play to pray for the good fortune of the whole area, for all to stay safe throughout the year, for the total elimination of any fire hazards and disasters, and for the repelling of robberies and any disturbances.
Praying for sons: For family member XX and his wife XX, in their XXth decade of life and having no sons to continue the family line, we have cautiously divined a fine night of an auspicious day to put up this play. We pray for the dream of bears and the early birth of fine sons.
Praying for degrees: For family member XX who continues the family tradition of learning and aspires to pursue an official career, now at the time of examination, we pray in advance for the gods’ blessings in fulfilling a scholar’s wish: for him to be approved by the officials of examination, for his examination papers to be read favourably, for his essays to be selected, and for him to achieve high ranks in all rounds of examination. For this purpose, we put on a play and express our sincere prayer.
Fulfilling a vow: I, XX, on the XX day for the matter of XX promised a play to pray wholeheartedly for protection and assistance. Now I have been staying safe. Ever since I made the vow, I have not yet fulfilled it. Now I have chosen this fine night to put on a play to offer thanks [to the gods].
伏以笙歌護發，緣人喜以洽神歡；鼓舞盡神，迹古人而求新慶。特設肴筵，聊伸菲敬，有酒在樽，滿斟三奠。伏願天鑒在茲，聖聰伊邇，今古同符，神人共悅。
I reckon that music and songs are played along with human joys to entertain the gods. Drums and dances are performed to the utmost to please the gods; we follow the customs of the ancient and seek new celebrations. We have specially prepared a banquet to express our humble respect. With wine in goblets, we pour full to make three libations. We humbly wish that Heaven will watch over here, and the perceiving gods will come close, so that the present and the past will match like tallies, and all gods and people will share the joy.
伏望（火燭）火星遠遁，俾回祿以消殃；吉曜降臨，冀禎祥而疊至。
（求嗣）光騰卯宿，降天上之麒麟；夢應長庚，產人間之鸑鷟。
（求名）秋日棘闈，首掇蟾宮之桂；春風杏苑，先傳鳳陛之臚。
（還願）彩筆生春，仙官掌執，勾消原許之名，注上今還之字。
仍望保扶家門清吉，人口平安，應事稱心，諸般遂意，火盜雙消，公私兩利。凡干動止，悉仗帲幪，火化信儀，神慈鑒納。We humbly hope that:
Regarding fires: Fire sparks will vanish so that blessings will return to eliminate any disasters; auspicious stars will descend, and omens of good fortune will come one after another.
Praying for sons: Light will arise from the stellar lodge of mao so that auspicious unicorns from Heaven will descend; dreams will resonate with the golden star so that phoenixes of this world will be born.
Praying for degrees: During autumn examinations, the sweet osmanthus from the palace on the moon (top places in exams) will be obtained; and the spring breeze from the apricot garden will bring a message from the emperor’s palace.
Fulfilling a vow: The colourful writing brush will come to life and be wielded by the immortal officer, who will write off the item that was originally promised and add the words “now fulfilled”.
We also pray for [the gods’] protection and assistance, so that the household will have purity and good fortune; the family will have peace and safety; things will all go well; all undertakings will go smoothly; fires or robberies will not happen; and matters either public or private will yield benefits. Whatever we do fully relies on the gods’ protection. May the gods kindly examine and accept the offerings in the fire.
‘Tianjia an hemiao’ 田家安禾苗 (Farmers securing the crops), Qishen zouge, 776.
伏以食为民命，口每資于五谷。粮為国課，纳必出于八家。若匪神功，曷慰農望。今據鄉貫奉神信士某某眾信人等，涓今某年月日，谨備清酌葷素福筵，恭詣某処田所(?)，特伸拜請：百谷祖主神農皇帝、本管社稷明公尊神、五方社令神衹、龍王土地之神、五穀苗稼龍神、田園種植虛耗神君、田公田母田子田孫聖眾、收攝蝗蟲使者、一切神衹，恭望遙臨。悉仗真香，受沾供養。
I reckon that food is what people depend on for life, as one always needs to eat the five grains. Grains are a state levy, the payment of which always come from the eight households. If it were not for the gods’ merits, how can farmers fulfil their wishes? Now, we worshippers of the gods, XX and XX from XX village, together with fellow worshippers, have chosen the XX day of XX month in XX year to cautiously prepare an auspicious banquet of pure wine, meat, and vegetables. We visit the field located at XX with respect to extend our invitations to: Emperor Shennong Who Is the Master of All Grains, the Luminous Noble God of Earth of the local area, the Gods of Soil in the Five Directions, the Dragon Gods and Earth Gods, the Dragon God of the Crops of the Five Grains, the Divine Lord Who Manages Waste from Fields and Gardens, the various gods – the Father, Mother, Sons and Grandsons – of the field, the Emissary Who Captures Locusts, and all other gods. We humbly wish that the gods would come from afar and through the true incense share the offerings.
言念某一方人等，務農求活，稼穡知艱，種作田疇，神力是賴。蒙天地撫育之恩，感神聖匡扶之德，兹值祈年之侯，特伸獻嵗之忱。伏以一舉(?)雨(?)足，農家多種而多收；萬頃雲連，神道有祈而有應。[?][?]悃禱，[?]賜豐登。酒汎金卮，敬陳初奠。伏以秀實連阡，風調雨順歌舜日；稻穰豐熟，民安物阜樂[?]天。全仗洪恩，俯從人願(?)。酒汎金卮，敬陳亞奠。伏以污邪滿車，田疇絕旱潦之憂；[?][?]滿篝，畎畝無蝗瘟之害。專祈庇佑，曷望有收。酒汎金卮，敬陳終奠。
In my concerns, we live in this place and make a living by farming. Planting crops has many difficulties. To work on the fields, we have to rely on the gods’ power. We receive favours from Heaven and Earth who nurture us, and we hold gratitude to the gods who assist us. At a time of annual prayers, we express our sincere hope in the beginning of the year. We reckon that plenty of rain in one go will enable farmers to plant more and harvest more. Clouds gathering above the ten thousand hectares of fields will show that the gods always respond to prayers. … pray with sincerity … be awarded a good harvest. With wine filling the golden goblet, we respectfully present the first libation. We reckon that when crops are yielded all across the fields, people will sing for the harmonious weather (just like) in the good days (of ancient past) under King Shun. When the grains ripen, people will live in peace and abundance with music celebrating the […] of Heaven. We fully rely on the grand favours from the gods who fulfil our wishes. With wine filling the golden goblet, we respectfully present a second libation. We reckon that when the carriages are filled with evil spirits [to be disposed of], there will be no worries about droughts or flooding in the fields. When the trenches are filled with […], there will be no harm to the crops from locusts and diseases. We pray wholeheartedly for the gods’ protection and wish for a good harvest. With wine filling the golden goblet, we respectfully present the final libation.
伏願先農賜祉，后稷降祥。時雨時暘，苗不耘而自長。曰秀曰實，草不除而自無。一年無旱蝹之災，五谷有豐登之慶。仰足事，富(俯?)足畜，嗟咨之聲不聞。國以泰，民以安，流離之苦鮮有。悉荷陶鎔之功，盡伏帲幪之力。火化錢財，神慈鑒納。
We humbly wish that the Ancestor of Farming will give us blessings and the King of Grains will award us good luck. With rain and sunshine in good timing, crops will grow without ploughing. With crops bearing ears and seeds, weeds will disappear by themselves without weeding. There will be no disasters of locusts throughout the whole year, and we will celebrate a good harvest of the five grains. There will be plenty to serve the old and raise the young; there will be no sound of sighs and laments. The state will thereby be stable, and the people will thereby live in peace. There will be no sufferings from dislocation and homelessness. All will receive the gods’ nurturing, and all will be blessed by the gods’ protection. May the gods kindly examine and accept the money and valuables in the fire.
‘Chuye xie zhulan tudi’ 除夜謝豬欄土地 (Thanks offering to the Earth God of the Pigsty on New Year’s Eve), Qishen zouge, 796.
伏以畜養蕃孳，賴有陰功之相；神人協濟，敢忘昭報之忱。值歲月以云終，仰恩光而拜謝。今拠鄉貫奉神信士某通家眷等，涓今某年臘月歲除之夜，謹備清酌肴筵，恭就欄前，特伸拜請：本欄土地福德尊神、土地夫人、採豬娘子、血財旺相神君、驅邪遣瘴神君、守護欄棬使者、方隅禁忌、一切神衹。鋻此香筵，受沾供養。念某蓄養豚豕，嵗獲平安。全仗神功擁佑，實蒙道力保扶。兹值歲除，特伸拜謝。
I reckon that animal farming and reproduction rely on the assistance of hidden merits; for the assistance from divine beings, how could one not express sincerity through repaying the (received) favour. At a time when the year comes to an end, we are fortunate to bow and thank the gods. Now I, XX, a worshipper from XX village, together with all family members, have chosen the New Year’s Eve in the last month of XX year to cautiously prepare pure wine and a banquet. We respectfully set them up at the pigsty to humbly extend our invitations to: the Noble God of Blessing and Virtue Who Is the Earth God of this pigsty, the Wife of the Earth God, the Maid Who Picks Pigs, the Divine Lord Who Assists with Wealth from Blood, the Divine Lord Who Expels Evil and Dismisses Plague, the Emissary Who Guards the Pigsty, the Gods of Directions and Taboos, and all other deities. May the gods examine the banquet in incense and enjoy the offerings. In my concerns, I, XX, raise suckling pigs and have been able to obtain peace and safety throughout the year. This is all thanks to the assistance from divine merits and is indeed due to the protection of the gods’ power. On this New Year’s Eve, I especially extend my sincere thanks.
伏以神功默贊，承朝夕之防閑；聖德陰扶，賴歲時之保佑。糠水無嫌于美惡，長膘尤鹿(麗?)于豐肥。若非默相之功，曷遂和寧之泰。敬竭一忱，酒斟三奠。伏願土地垂仁，欄神擁護，血財旺於新歲，頓班牛馬之形；豚豕盛于明年，杜絕虎狼之害。日無叫跳之聲，夜有安眠之慶。長養倍增，每有碩肥之喜；歲月時終，永無災瘴之侵。謹禱一年，不勝萬幸。凡兹蓄養，搃賴匡扶。火化信儀，惟神受納。
I reckon that with the silent assistance from the gods’ merits, we receive protection on a daily basis; with the hidden support from the divine virtues, we rely on their assistance throughout the year. Regardless of the quality of brans and water, the pigs easily grow plump and fat. If it were not for the gods’ silent assistance, how could we achieve such harmony and peace! With respect and sincerity, we pour wine to offer three libations. We humbly wish that the Earth God will bestow favour and the gods of the pigsty will give protection, so that the wealth from blood will prosper in the new year and relieve us from the labour of oxen and horses; and that the suckling pigs will thrive in the coming year and be free from harm from tigers and wolves. We wish that there will be no noise of restless screaming and jumping during the day and we will have the fortune to sleep in peace during the night. We wish that the pigs will be kept long and will multiply in number, constantly giving us joy by growing big and fat; and that as months and years pass by, there will be no outbreak of disasters or plagues. With caution we pray for the whole year, and we would be extremely fortunate for it. All animal farming relies on the gods’ assistance. May the gods kindly examine and accept the offerings in the fire.
‘Zhongdou jieyan’ 種痘解厭 (Exorcising Evil Forces for the Vaccination against Smallpox), Qishen zouge, 779-80.
伏以天花種作，宜清宜净；人間穢氛，當禳當解。今拠鄉貫奉神解厭信士某通家眷等，涓今某年月日，兹為某童種作天花。痘疹在身，尤恐家下塵紛，難以潔净，恐觸厭穢，莫知禁忌。庸涓今日，謹備茶米，列在家門，特伸禳解，百拜啓請：三壇法主上聖高真，太上九鳳破穢朱將軍，九龍蕩穢大神，破穢司，蕩穢司，解穢司，除穢司，清河夫人，渾濁玉女，壬癸使者，霹靂大神，痲痘哥哥，里社香火符使功曹，一齊降臨，會同證盟，解除厭穢。
I reckon that the vaccination against smallpox should be held in purity; and pollution from the human world should be exorcised. Now I, XX from XX village, a worshipper of gods to exorcise evil forces, together with all family members, have chosen XX day of XX month of XX year to vaccinate the child, XX, against smallpox. When rashes break out on his body, nothing is more worrisome than the various disorderly things happening around the household that are difficult to purify. We worry that evil forces may be triggered as we are not fully aware of the taboos. We have therefore chosen this day to cautiously prepare tea and grains to be set up at the entrance of the house. Hoping solely for exorcism, we bow many times to invite: the Exorcist Masters of the Three Altars Who Are the High Sages and Lofty Transcendents, General Zhu Who Destroys Pollution with the Nine Phoenixes from the Most High, the Great God Who Cleanses Pollution with Nine Dragons, the Ministry That Destroys Pollution, the Ministry That Cleanses Pollution, the Ministry That Exorcises Pollution, the Ministry That Expels Pollution, the Lady of the Pure River, the Jade Maiden of the Turbid Waters, the Emissaries of Ren and Gui, the Great God of Thunders and Lightning, Brother Rashes, and the clerks in charge of the incense and talismans in the area, for them all to descend and meet together to witness the vow of exorcising evil forces.
先慿太上之法水，灑除天厭地厭，人厭鬼厭，内厭外厭，生厭死厭，婦人血光；一切不祥眾穢，悉皆解散消除。伏願天真錫佑，上聖垂慈，掃蕩妖氛，復還淑氣。伴(保?)佑痘童某回凶降吉，改禍成祥；痘起灌濃(膿)，燋頭跌靨，星辰順度，運限亨通。福基永固，壽筭延洪。自今解送，天猒還天，地猒還地，人猒還人，鬼猒還鬼，内外生死，一切等厭，各回原位。火化信儀，俯垂鋻納；下情無任，禳解之至。
We first spray the holy water from the Most High to expel evil forces from heaven, from earth, from humans, from ghosts, from the outside, from the inside, from life, from death, and from the blood of women. All kinds of inauspicious pollution will be exorcised and eradicated. We humbly wish that the Heavenly Transcendents will award blessings and the High Sages will bestow mercy, so that evil forces will be thoroughly cleansed and that pure forces can return. We wish that the gods will assist the vaccinated child, XX, so that any misfortunes will be reversed to good fortunes, and any disasters will be turned into good luck. From the onset of rashes to their swelling with pus, then to the forming of scars and to their peeling off, we wish that celestial bodies will run smoothly and bring endless good luck; the foundation of his blessings will be strong forever and his life will be extended to a great length. After today’s exorcising, the evil forces from heaven will return to heaven, those from earth will return to earth, those from humans will return to the humans, those from ghosts will return to the ghosts; all kinds of evil forces from the inside and outside, from life and death will return to whence they came. May the gods kindly examine and accept the offerings in the fire. With extreme earnestness from below, we wish in extreme eagerness for the exorcising.
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