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One Treatise, Seven Methods
One treatise, seven methods.
The treatise states: Heaven and Earth generate the Five Elements (Wu Xing, five phases), among which Water possesses the most spiritual virtue. It floats across the sky and supports the earth, reaching everywhere from high to low. Flowing downward it forms marshes; rising upward it becomes clouds; gathering it becomes fog; descending it becomes rain. Thus, the utility of water is truly extensive. It can cleanse filth and dregs; it can moisten scorched and withered things. Seeking its source, one cannot fathom its limits; gazing at it, one cannot see its boundaries. Therefore, sentient beings receiving Qi cannot live without water; all things taking form cannot be nurtured without water. On a grand scale, it encompasses Heaven and Earth; in detail, it takes shape according to the movement of Qi. The Sages modeled their conduct upon it, regarding it as the highest good. I have once seen true persons who attained the "Water Immortal" method, but I did not see the specific prescription. During the Wude era of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, a Daoist named Long Zhai bestowed upon me this volume of the *Classic of Taking Water*. Thus, I studied and pondered it day and night. The book had many worm-eaten damages, and the text was quite fragmented. Taking advantage of leisure time, I sought out its principles and compiled them into one piece. Gentlemen who love the Dao should diligently cultivate it, and the realm of immortality can be attained.

First Method of Taking Water:
In general, the method of taking water begins with generating a vast aspiration, rescuing beings from the great suffering of the Three Paths (San Tu, hells, hungry ghosts, and animals), and universally saving all sentient beings in the Dharma Realm. Then, take it with a settled mind.
The scripture says: To take water, one must set death as the deadline, resolve without doubt, then prepare a clay cup with a capacity of one sheng. Select days when the Four Seasons are prosperous and auspicious Jiazi days, as well as days that remove gloom and excess, and choose days that generate mutually with one's own life branch. Wait until there is not a wisp of cloud in the atmosphere, before sunrise, bathe cleanly, wear fresh and pure clothes, burn incense, and bow to the Buddhas of the Ten Directions and all sages, immortals, and heavenly truths, begging for great grace. Then face East to collect water and place it in the vessel. Wait until the sun rises above the horizon, let the water and the sun simultaneously yield three cups, each with a capacity of one sheng, and recite the mantra three times facing the sun. Facing the sun, hold the water with both hands in front of the heart, stand with feet together facing due East, first click the teeth three times and ring the heavenly drum three times, then bring the mouth close to the water surface and secretly recite the mantra one, three, or seven times, extremely softly, exerting slight force, and then swallow carefully. Visualize the first three swallows falling to the lower left chamber, the next three to the lower right chamber, and the last three to the lower center. Cycle through this repeatedly. Whenever taking water, follow this method, swallowing one cup of water at a time. Pause and observe. Walk slowly twenty steps. Then turn around and finish another cup, walk slowly forty steps more, then turn around and drink another cup. Walk eighty steps more and then stop. Do not drink excessively out of annoyance, nor too little. Often burn various fragrant woods and chant Buddha's name with utmost sincerity. Regarding any realized realms or appearances, do not cling to them. Then sincerely explain them to others. This is merely the initial method of taking water. Use a mulberry wood cup; a clay cup is also acceptable. The mantra says:
*Gan Yuan Heng Li Zheng Jiu Zhong Wu Sheng, Ri Yue Yu Wu Bing, Wu Fu Bu Ji Fu Bu Ke, Lai De Shui Yi Zi Huo. Jin Mu Shui Huo Tu Wu Xing Zhi Qi, Liu Jia Zhi Jing, San Zhen Tian Cang, Zhuo Yun Shang Ying, Huang Fu Chi Zi, Shou Zhong Wu Qing. Ji Ji Ru Lü Ling.* (Heavenly Origin, Prosperity, Correctness, Nine Types of My Life, Sun and Moon are with me, I am neither hungry nor thirsty, relying on water to sustain myself. The Qi of the Five Stars Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, the essence of the Six Jia, the Three True Heavenly Granaries, turbid clouds fill above, Yellow Father and Red Child, guard the center without tilting. Act swiftly as per the decree.) Use this mantra for every dose.
Detailed explanation of the method of taking Five-Colored Water:
The scripture says: The methods for taking White, Yellow, and Black water are as described above. Only the method for Green Water differs. After taking three spoonfuls, at noon one will crave food, and spirits/gods will pervade the body. They will ask people for food; one should give it according to the method. Cease eating the five grains, eat more dates and chestnuts. Pretend that spirits possess you and speak; people must not believe it. One should only harmonize according to the method, adapting to seasons and solar terms.

Prescription for Taking Red Water:
Red corresponds to the direction suitable for vital Qi. Three cups, three mantras. Open the palm of the hand, visualize, and recite the verse: *Jin Mu Shui Huo Tu Wu Jing Liu Fu, Yi Qie Shi Zang.* (Essence of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, six fu organs, all conscious viscera.) When desiring to take it, focus intention downward. Upon initial intake, it feels like fluid qi. After thirty-seven days, it tastes like sweet dew. Also, eat one sheng of dates and chestnuts. On the seventh day, intestinal worms will gradually emerge, and the Three Corpses (San Shi) will become vigorous, craving delicious food and connecting with all worldly things. Generate benevolent thoughts continuously for five to seven days. Eat dates and chestnuts twice during this period. The power of the water method will gradually strengthen and grow, complexion will become pleasant, and physical strength will be extraordinary. Saliva production should decrease gradually. As the moon and sun wax full, skin and sweat-like substances will gradually shed. Eyes will become sharp, sleep will diminish, the mind will open and understand. Just guard the mind cautiously according to the method. If not sincere, internal connections with the Six Consciousnesses will occur, and externally, spirits/gods will harass the mind. Chant the protection of the Green Emperor Spirit and the Water Essence for five to seven days. If legs feel weak and mind unsettled, maintain correct mindfulness and add the names of the Earth Officer, Father God, Mother of the Five Viscera. Evil spirits and miscellaneous ghosts will depart according to the method. After six or seven days, one will independently understand music. Do not perform prostrations; reflect and practice chanting to cultivate strength. Do not rage or envy; do not manipulate Qi; reduce sleep.

Mantra to Repel Ghosts:
The mantra says: *Ran Mo Ran Mo. Bo Xi Di Su Ruo Jie Zhuang An Ti. Ruo Meng Ruo Xiang. Ruo Cong Ming Yi Jie.* (Use this mantra frequently to dispel them.)

Taboos for Taking Water:
The scripture says: Generally, taking water forbids the use of copper and iron vessels; only use clay vessels. At the beginning, avoid cloudy skies, heavy rain, strong winds, and thick fog where heaven and earth are unclear; these are ominous.
Generally, taking water prohibits old rice, spoiled fermented beans, raw/cold foods, vinegar/slippery foods, pepper/ginger, and all fruits. One must not visit homes of mourning, filial piety rituals, childbirth, or nursing. One must not smell the odor of the Five Pungent Spices. All fatty, bloody foods, vegetables, and greens must not be eaten.
After four weeks of taking water, if one suddenly hears zither music or singing, one must not tolerate it. Enjoyment of life, music, and games must not be clung to. Gradually achieve smoothness and harmony with the Great Dao. The Five-Colored Water methods are all similar to this. Worldly interactions involving sound, grains, mourning, childbirth, profit-seeking, good friends, hearing evil names, and bad reputations must all be handled with caution.

Regulation of Taking Water:
The scripture says: Within seven days of taking water, gradually stop vinegar/slippery foods and gradually reduce solid food. After seven days are complete, eat dates and chestnuts. After two days, resume taking water. After fourteen days, intestinal worms will gradually emerge. Eat another sheng of dates and chestnuts. After twenty-one days, cravings for food will arise. Take two sheng of chestnuts and dates. After twenty-eight days, intestinal worms and cravings will feel like death; legs will be weak and unable to walk. After thirty-five days, water power will gradually fill, complexion will improve, and strength will be extraordinary. After forty-two days, one can walk endlessly, going east or west at will. After forty-nine days, the mind will comprehend unusual meanings, and ears will hear unusual sounds. One must absolutely not be greedy; attachment to meaning involves sorrow, joy, and compassion. In the fifty-sixth day cycle, guard the abdominal corpse. In the sixty-third day cycle, the stench of the corpse naturally repels itself, and one loses interest; all diseases of the five viscera in the world will be cured. By the seventieth day, marrow, brain, vessels, skin, and sweat-like substances will all heal; eyes will be sharp, thoughts distinct, knowing everything without exception. After a thousand days, inside and outside the body, the five viscera will gradually shrink and diminish; poisons will not harm; human essence and water spirit will gradually attach to the person. After seven years, intestines transform into sinews, marrow transforms into bone; fire cannot burn, water cannot float. Dwelling in water, one has the same color as water; at the bottom of the water, it is no different from land. Dwelling between mountains and marshes, those viewing from afar see one alone like a mountain thunder. This is the method for taking Yellow and Black water. For using water methods, clear streams from wells and springs are all usable.
(The character 'Lei' [Thunder] is doubtful.)

General Principles of Taking Water:
The scripture says: Generally, taking water sets death as the deadline; one must surely eliminate doubt, believing in cause and effect, with a true and upright mind, rejoicing in hearing the Dharma, and generating no confusion.
It also says: After finishing taking water, men lift the left foot first and walk left towards the Yang; women lift the right foot first and walk right towards the Yin. Men are odd, women are even.
General Method of Taking Water:
Stand while drinking; do not sit while drinking. Drink slowly and finely; do not gulp quickly. Cup capacity is one sheng. Each dose requires three cups. Each cup entails one return journey. Slowly walk after three cups and three returns. If eating slightly alongside, cup capacity is one sheng, thus three cups.
Generally, walking up covers 130 steps, walking level covers 120 steps, walking down covers 60 steps. Water is heavy and difficult to gain strength from. Those who manage it appropriately without losing their place: after 100 days the water stabilizes, after one year the water fills, after 40 years the Qi doubles 200 times, moving freely. Plateaus and lands are no different from water. Complexion...
Generally, anyone aged ten to under eighty may take it. If younger, add dates and chestnuts. The method for dates and chestnuts: Superior roots take them from the first week to the fourth week; medium roots from the first week to the eighth week; inferior roots from the first week to the seventeenth week, or even up to the seventy-second week. Later, those with medium-inferior roots rest only after a full cycle of supplementation.
Superior root individuals: one dose is like sweet dew; medium root individuals: two doses are like sweet dew; inferior root individuals: four doses are like sweet dew; extremely inferior root individuals: six doses are like sweet dew. Superior roots: one dose lasts two weeks; medium roots: over seven days to ten days; inferior roots: take again daily for seven days.
There are also superior roots extending days by three times, medium roots extending by one time, inferior roots barely matching the current day.
There are also superior practitioners whose precepts and meditation are strong from past karma; medium practitioners whose current cultivation is strong; inferior practitioners who set death as the deadline. Must surely eliminate doubt, trusting in the Three Jewels.
Medium roots have three grades. Medium-superior should hear of this precious Dharma. Desiring long life, take large sheng, one or two shi, and attain immortality. Medium-medium cultivate their conduct, compare wisdom and increase merit, should take this medicine, widely fulfill vows. Medium-inferior have little jealousy and laziness, possessing the Five Hindrances and Three Poisons. Arising from sinful causes, the country is chaotic, people suffer famine. Wars arise, thinking of taking this medicine to escape.
Inferior roots have three grades. Sleep without awareness, do not understand music, play games. Lack intelligence and clarity, requiring teaching and scolding. Medium-grade individuals stay somewhat away from people; inferior-grade individuals must dwell in deep mountains to take it.