A Textual Study of "Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun" (Boundless Heavenly Worthy of the Buddha's Blessing)
The original article was published in the WeChat public account “Daoist Yin-Fu Culture” as “A Textual Study of 'Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun'.”
“Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun” appears very frequently in Daoist scriptures; a partial selection follows:
The Thunderbolt Jade Pivot Repentance for Forgiving Sins contains: “Bow in reverence and recite the names of the Three Pure Ones of the Three Realms Heavenly Worthy, the Heavenly Worthy of Universal Transformation by Thunderous Voice, the Heavenly Worthy of Mysterious Grace who Forgives Sins, Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, inconceivable merit.”
The Divine Wrath Expelling-Pestilence and Healing Method in the Collected Taoist Methods says: “Just now we extended this petition to the Blessing Spirits, all deities and genii, the thunder officials and officers of this bureau, harmoniously escorting the Pestilence Office, dispersing the sources of illness, expelling strange demons and exterminating evil phantoms, pacifying the Earth Prefecture, resolving faults and transgressions, so that those who are afflicted may find ease, household doors pure and auspicious, family and kin at peace—all within this light fully receiving silent protection. Bow in reverence and take refuge; with sincere heart recite: Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, inconceivable merit.”
The Northern Dipper Lamp Rite for Extending Life of One's Natal Star also says: “Bow in reverence and take refuge; with devout heart praise and hymn: Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun”
In the Golden Register Rite for Setting Up an Altar to Extend Life there is: “....Heavenly Worthy who Protects the Nation in Great Peace, Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, the Heavenly Worthies of the Great Luo Heavens, the various Jun Ladies of later times....”
In the Northern Dipper lamp rite of the Golden Book of Numinous Treasure for Leading the Teaching and Universal Salvation, the ending reads: “...harmoniously: may we obtain long life. Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun. The assembly recites the great mantra and circumambulates...”.
In the Southern Dipper lamp rite of the Golden Book of Numinous Treasure for Leading the Teaching and Universal Salvation, the ending reads: “...flowing grace from beginning to end. Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun. Just now we have prayed and lit the Southern Dipper star lamps; the merit is complete and rounded...”.
The Nine Netherworlds lamp rite of the Golden Book of Numinous Treasure for Leading the Teaching and Universal Salvation mentions the phrase “Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun”; its usage is:
”Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, leading to the east, the east of the Nine Netherworlds, called the Prison of Wind and Thunder. Sentient beings are deficient in the Heart of Zhen...”
"Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, leading to the south, the south of the Nine Netherworlds, called the Prison of Fire Blindness. Sentient beings are deficient in the Heart of Li..."
“Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, leading to the west, the west of the Nine Netherworlds, called the Prison of Metal Hardness. Sentient beings are deficient in the Heart of Dui...”
“Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, leading to the north, the north of the Nine Netherworlds, called the Prison of Dark Cold. Sentient beings are deficient in the Heart of Kan...”
"Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, leading to the north, the northeast of the Nine Netherworlds, called the Prison of Scalding Soup. Sentient beings are deficient in the Heart of Gen..."
"Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, leading to the southeast, the southeast of the Nine Netherworlds, called the Prison of Bronze Pillar. Sentient beings are deficient in the Heart of Xun..."
"Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, leading to the southwest, the southwest of the Nine Netherworlds, called the Prison of Butchering. Sentient beings are deficient in the Heart of Kun..."
"Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, leading to the northwest, the northwest of the Nine Netherworlds, called the Prison of Fire Cart. Sentient beings are deficient in the Heart of Qian..."
"Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, leading to the center, the center of the Nine Netherworlds, called the Prison of Universal Plunder. Sentient beings are deficient in the Heart of Thick Virtue..."
In the Watching-the-Lamps Rite for the Gods of the Golden Book of Numinous Treasure for Leading the Teaching and Universal Salvation, the phrase is used in many places: “.....Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, we your ministers sincerely surrender our lives...”.
In the Evening Court Process Rite for praying for office in the Golden Book of Numinous Treasure for Leading the Teaching and Universal Salvation, when stating one's dharma position during the opening invocation: “...Heavenly Worthy of Universal Transformation by Thunderous Voice Who Responds in the Nine Heavens, Heavenly Worthy of Long Life Who Protects Life, Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Worthies of the Ten Directions, the Great Sage assemblies of the Ten Directions who have attained the Dao, the true lords and elders...”.
It is also mentioned in the noon court and the Three Officials altar rites.
In the Dharma of the Jade Sounds, after the offerings of porridge and tribute, one recites “Fragrant kitchen's wonderful offerings, above offered to the Heavenly Worthies, in the middle to the true sages, below to all living beings, universally shared in offering together.”, then when the fast ends one is required to recite “Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun”.
In the wondrous method of the supreme chapter of the wondrous scripture of the Numinous Treasure of the Great One Who Boundlessly Saves People in the Cavern of Mystery it says: “Recite the Heavenly Worthy of the Three Pure Ones Supreme, the Heavenly Worthy who Protects the Nation in Great Peace, Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, the Heavenly Worthy of Long Life Who Protects Life, the Heavenly Worthy of Disasters Dispel and Hardships Saved, the Heavenly Worthy of Purple Clarity Bestowing Blessings, the Heavenly Worthy of Great One Who Saves from Suffering, the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Worthies of the Ten Directions, the Heavenly Worthy of Precious Flower Perfect Completeness—inconceivable boundless merit.”
In the Golden Register Rite for Releasing Life there is: “Recite the Heavenly Worthy of the Myriad Longevities of the Mysterious Capital, the Heavenly Worthy who Protects the Nation in Great Peace, the Heavenly Worthy of Loving Life Who Saves Lives, Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, inconceivable merit.”
In the Eastern Peak's Precious Repentance of Great Birth there is: “Recite the Eastern Numinous Treasure Heavenly Worthy, the Azure Spirit Primordial Elder Heavenly Worthy, the Eastern Flower Supreme Minister Heavenly Worthy, Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun.”
In the three morning, noon, and evening court rites of the Golden Register Prayer—Golden Register Prayer Morning Court Rite, Golden Register Prayer Noon Court Rite, Golden Register Prayer Evening Court Rite—there is: “...Heavenly Worthy who Protects the Nation in Great Peace, Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, the true lords and elders of the Numinous Treasure on the seven-treasure terraced purple micro upper palace atop the Jade Capital, the myriad hosts of sages of the Golden Palace...”
In the Golden Register Rite of Opening and Receiving for the Ten Returns Saving People noon court: “...directly turning toward the southwest infinite Supreme Numinous Treasure Heavenly Worthy of the southwest, the southwest Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, the southwest Heavenly Lord of the Primordial Essence of Celestial Source Qi, the Star Lords of the Celestial Wall Emperor Seat...”
In the seventh section of the Collection of Essentials for Comprehensive Instruction of the Dao Gate: “Now on this seventh pass, on behalf of the fasting host and family, we resolve disasters and hardships, pray for blessings and extend life. Relying on the Taoist assembly of the whole altar, holding in mind the names of the Heavenly Worthies and sages, turning and reciting the True Scripture of Extending Life of the Northern and Southern Dippers... Heavenly Worthy of Long Life Who Protects Life, Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, Heavenly Worthy of Disasters Dispel and Hardships Resolved...”
In the Rite Text of the Perfected Lord of the Northern Ultimate True Warrior Who Protects the Sages it says: “Bow in reverence and take refuge; with sincere heart recite. Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun, inconceivable merit.”
From the above scriptures it can be seen that in traditional Daoist scriptures, the designation “Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun” has existed since ancient times, and it can also serve as a referent for a specific persona.
Therefore, the modern Daoist advocacy that fellow practitioners greet each other with “Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun” as a respectful salutation—meaning something like “may you receive blessings immeasurable and inconceivable”—is theoretically entirely reasonable.
However, among the common folk it is also often said that some Taoists greet each other with “Wuliang Tianzun,” and early Hong Kong and Taiwan films and television also contained similar salutations. Is this form of address problematic?
In the Daoist Canon, the term “Wuliang Tianzun” appears independently in two main places:
The first is in the Scripture of the Numinous Treasure of the Great One on Karmic Retributions and Causes and Conditions, which mentions: “...arouse the great mind of the Dao, widely establish various monasteries, convert and save the people of the realm, create images of Wuliang Tianzun, widely write out the sacred names of this scripture, make innumerable banners and canopies, issue innumerable ritual robes, and make offerings to the Three Jewels...” Here “create images of Wuliang Tianzun“ means making a great many divine statues, and has nothing to do with a respectful salutation.
The second is in the Great Method of the Numinous Treasure for Boundlessly Saving People, when breaking open the prisons: “Visualize the talisman transforming into Wuliang Tianzun, everywhere visiting the prisons; all sinful souls all receive pardon and absolution.” Here “Wuliang Tianzun“ specifically refers to the Great One Who Saves from Suffering transforming into countless forms, and likewise has no connection with a salutation.
It can therefore be judged that using “Wuliang Tianzun” alone is not reasonable. But there really are old Taoists who greet each other this way—what is going on?
Tracing further, one finds that this form of address earliest appears in some precious scrolls or novels. Among the earliest materials currently seen are the Jingjiang Precious Scrolls transmitted from Jiangsu in the mid-Qing, which contain novelistic content such as: “...Xu Maozu heard this and laughed loudly, “Ha, Wuliang Tianzun, excellent, excellent. Xue Gang is far on the horizon, yet near before the eyes....”, “...the Eighth Prince was about to flare up, but the Taoist instead began to laugh: “Wuliang Tianzun, excellent, excellent, Your Highness, do not lose your temper; please sit down...”
So, those who address each other as “Wuliang Tianzun” have clearly been influenced by these popular traditions, and that influence goes at least as far back as the mid-Qing. Because the precious scrolls were widely circulated and quite influential, it is very likely that this form of address was also once popular among popular religious associations.