The “Fasting Incantation” (Jié Zhāi Zhòu, 结斋咒), central to the Daoist cultivation practices at Mount Jinyun (Jìn Yún Shān, 缙云山). Practitioners recite it calmly before and after each of the three daily meals. By holding to this incantation, not only does the body receive nourishment, but food is also transformed into the energy it provides, benefiting both oneself and others. It enhances gratitude for even a single meal or sip of porridge.
五星之气，六甲之精，三真天仓，青云常盈，黄父赤子，守中无倾
“The Qi of the Five Stars, the Essence of the Six Jia,
The Three Treasures of Heaven’s Granary,
Ever-Full Green Clouds,
Yellow Father and Red Child,
Guarding the Center Without Deviation.”
(Wǔ xīng zhī qì, liù jiǎ zhī jīng,
sān zhēn tiān cāng,
qīng yún cháng yíng,
huáng fù chì zǐ,
shǒu zhōng wú qīng.)
Gratitude and the Dao of Cause and Effect
(Gǎn ēn hé yīn yuán zhī dào, 感恩和因缘之道)
All experiences in life arise from various causes and conditions. Slight deviations in the encounters between people or events may cause opportunities to be missed. Therefore, one should hold gratitude in every moment, appreciating the power of yin yuan (因缘), or the interwoven forces of destiny.
The meaning of the Jié Zhāi Zhòu embodies the philosophy of Heaven, Earth, and Life.
Explanation of the Key Phrases:
- Five Stars and Six Jia (Wǔ xīng, liù jiǎ, 五星六甲)
This represents the celestial stars and the five organs and six systems of the human body, symbolizing the unity of Heaven and Humanity (Tiān rén hé yī, 天人合一). Through the mantra, the grand cosmos and the microcosm of the human body are harmonized. - Three Treasures of Heaven’s Granary (Sān zhēn tiān cāng, 三真天仓)
This symbolizes the three treasures of the human body—Essence (Jīng, 精), Qi (Qì, 气), and Spirit (Shén, 神). These treasures reside in the three Dantians: lower, middle, and upper. Through the energy of the five stars and the essence of the six Jia, food transforms into energy, nourishing the internal organs. - Ever-Full Green Clouds (Qīng yún cháng yíng, 青云常盈)
A metaphor for the practitioner’s pure and abundant internal energy (Qì, 气), signifying unimpeded energy flow and a pure heart. - Yellow Father and Red Child (Huáng fù chì zǐ, 黄父赤子)
This refers to the dynamic relationship between the Earth element (Yellow, representing the spleen and stomach) and the Fire element (Red, representing the heart). It emphasizes harmony between the heart and digestive system during meals. - Guarding the Center Without Deviation (Shǒu zhōng wú qīng, 守中无倾)
This encourages mindful eating, avoiding distractions, and maintaining balance between body and mind.
Daoist Philosophy on Purifying the Mind
(Dào jiào jìng huà zhī xīn, 道教净化之心)
“Human spirit loves clarity, but the mind disturbs it;
Human mind loves stillness, but desires draw it away.
One can dispel desires, and the mind will naturally be still;
Calm the mind, and the spirit will naturally be clear.
Thus, the six desires will not arise, and the three poisons will dissipate.”
This teaching, excerpted from the Qīng Jìng Jīng (清静经, “Scripture of Clarity and Stillness translated by Daoist Liu“), guides practitioners in eliminating desires, purifying the mind, and achieving harmony between body and spirit.
Translation and editing XuanMenJun (German Daoist Association)