老母真言
True Words of the Eternal Mother (老母真言 Lǎomǔ Zhēnyán) is a Yiguandao spirit-writing poem composed through planchette mediumship, circulated widely among Yiguandao congregations in Taiwan and Southeast Asia. The poem presents the voice of the Eternal Mother (無極老母 Wújí Lǎomǔ) — the supreme creative deity of Yiguandao — as she calls her children home from the Eastern Land (the mortal world) to the Pure Land in the Western Heaven. The text moves through several registers: cosmological (the soul's primordial origin and fall), devotional (the five-watch lament), didactic (instructions on vegetarian fasting, filial piety, finding an Illumined Teacher), and eschatological (the welcome of a returning soul into the Pure Land, with vivid descriptions of its splendors). The language is colloquial Southern Chinese with Hokkien/Minnan dialect vocabulary, reflecting the tradition's southern Chinese origins.
The source text is from taolibrary.com/category52/c52040, which states: "歡迎轉載，上傳，翻印，流通" — welcome to reprint, upload, reproduce, and circulate. This is the first English translation. A Good Works Translation — translated from the Chinese for the Good Works Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.
The blessed immortal maiden kept her heart pure in its vows.
After sixty years she departed the Heavenly Palace.
Three souls and seven spirits — all returned to the immortal realm.
The Cloud-Veiled Empress, clear within her heart.
The Eternal Mother nurtured this body of mine.
The One Primal Flower joined — and became this human form.
She entrusted the Dharma to the crown of this mortal body.
Not yet dead, yet meant to die — the Way is real and true.
Carrying a jade pearl within, with an escort in train.
But what could be foreseen? — The mortal world closed around.
Enclosed in mortality, unable to return.
This body rests in the Eastern Land and cannot come home.
The sun sinks behind the western mountains — night falls.
Thinking of home, the heart aches with longing.
With the Mother on Spirit Mountain we gathered from all sides —
When will we truly come together and go home?
We parted from the Mother on Spirit Mountain and fell down here.
Fallen into the Eastern Land, we suffer grinding trials.
Life after life, rich and poor alike, we take on suffering —
To cultivate the Way and go home: this is exactly right.
The Five Watches
First Watch
In darkness I sigh and ponder deeply.
Fallen into the Eastern Land, so far from home.
Ten thousand years I have longed for home —
Left the Buddha's Country, left my own dear mother and father.
Second Watch
In darkness I sigh and tears flow.
Fallen into the Eastern Land, suffering and laboring.
Life after life, however wealthy, hardship comes —
Cultivate the Way, keep the vegetarian vow, and turn to go back.
Third Watch
In darkness I sigh, knowing it within myself.
Fallen into the Eastern Land, suffering disaster and calamity.
With one mind I wish to return to the Western Heaven —
To leave the Eastern Land and not come back.
Fourth Watch
In darkness I sigh, tears pour down.
Fallen into the Eastern Land, tasting bitter hardship.
The ties of love in the red dust — all illusion.
To cultivate the Way and go home: this is the real thing.
Fifth Watch
In darkness I sigh as the shrike begins to cry.
Looking at this world, the heart is deluded and lost.
Clinging to the dusty world, we take on suffering —
Cultivate the Way, keep the vegetarian vow, return and be made whole.
There are ten thousand paths of cultivation in this world.
When the Illumined Teacher bestows the Dharma, the heart opens wide.
Turn to ask the Holy Mother to lift and carry you across —
Step into the Buddha's Country and the heart rests truly at peace.
In your own cultivation, follow your original heart.
Raising sons and daughters takes the heart another way.
See through all things — all of it is illusion.
Using the illusory to cultivate the real — where else can you look?
Hope for the name to be struck from the Book of the Dead —
Shed the mortal body and return home.
This place is not where you belong.
The bitter sea of samsara does not last long.
To return to the Buddha's Country, you must keep the vegetarian vow.
Heaven, Spirit Mountain — that is my home.
The Eternal Mother in Heaven is my own dear mother.
She sends word bidding me return to my homeland.
Returning home, we receive joy.
Here in the bitter sea of samsara, every field is suffering.
Sitting quietly within, the heart grows easy.
Human life is just like a dream.
Sitting still, raise up the balance scale —
Think of home: are you returning, or not?
Greedy and seduced by this transient life, adrift in the vast —
You let yourself lose the heart and follow the confused crowd.
Not thinking: time is taut as an arrow in flight.
Clinging to the red dust, deep as a bottomless pool.
Taking the side road, you end up in the underworld — too late.
Better to swiftly, early recite Amitabha.
When the great limit comes, there is no fixing it.
In the underworld, who knows the regret you will feel?
I urge all people: in this life, early turn the tide.
When the three inches of breath are cut, all things cease.
Filial sons and worthy grandchildren — all in the world of illusion.
Thinking them good ties of affinity — yet often they become adversaries.
People dream of a hundred years, moment by moment running on.
They dream of lush leaves and red flowers in their prime.
When the great limit comes, there is no fixing it —
Empty-handed you face Yama.
People imagine a hundred years of spring running on —
Yet the tree's branches wither and frost comes again.
Cultivating the Way, all beings take on hardship —
Purify the heart, receive the precepts, enter the Buddha hall.
Those with karmic affinity — good people, step forward early.
Work hard while young; when old, you will know ease.
All beings are like candles in the wind.
When Yama sends his invitation, no one knows when it will come.
Those with affinity and virtue: come to the Buddha's household.
I urge all people: cultivate the Way; think of what comes after.
Bow to the Illumined Teacher and receive direct guidance —
Yama hands over the Book; it is time to go home.
Gold and jade piled up in the house —
They cannot buy one life free from the dark descent.
Even with a virtuous wife and filial sons —
Before Yama's hall, none can intercede for you.
I urge all of you now: cultivate the Way diligently.
In lives to come, all worldly feeling is illusion.
This very body of yours is all illusion.
Use the illusory to cultivate the real — complete it early.
Seek to be the one whose name is not in the Book —
Shed the mortal body and return home.
This place is not where you belong.
The bitter sea of samsara — not for us.
To return to the Buddha's Country, you must keep the vegetarian vow.
Heaven's Buddha Country is my home.
Bow to the Illumined Teacher and receive direct instruction —
Then you need not fall into transmigration, adrift through transient lives.
When all beings bow before the Buddha and come to the hall,
Kneel and report to the Patriarch and the Holy Mother — make it known.
Pray to be carried home — soul illumined, returned to the Buddha's Country,
Bidding farewell to the Eastern Land, not coming back.
All beings in this world: walk straight and true.
Good hearts and patient spirits earn a true and lasting name.
All your life walk the proper path, however long it takes.
For a thousand, ten thousand years, people will speak your name.
Those of faithful hearts — men and women alike — ascend to the Buddha hall.
Ascend directly to the hall and behold the World-Honored One.
With lips reciting the Buddhas' names to save the suffering —
Lift and rescue your ancestors, bring blessings to your descendants.
At the Dragon Flower Assembly, ascend to the nine heavens.
Feet treading floating clouds, the ordinary transforms into the immortal.
Plant the seeds that fall into the field —
Spare the people of the Eastern Land their painful striving.
Wholeheartedly keep the vegetarian vow, without wavering doubt.
Long on the Way, with thoughts devoted to bowing to Amitabha.
This is what becomes a land of peace and joy.
Those of faithful hearts — men and women — bow and pray.
Rise early, honor the Buddha, recite Amitabha —
First cultivate through the bitter sea; blessings and good fortune multiply.
Every day, work to dissolve the sins of all beings.
Purify the heart, emerge from suffering, recite Amitabha.
Rise early, honor the Buddha, come to burn incense —
Wish to burn incense and seek the Holy Mother.
Fearing calamity when it strikes the mortal body —
Mountain after mountain, temple after temple: none of this is unusual.
Rise early, purify your heart, seek compassion.
The seeds of the five grains — lotus leaves follow in their wake.
Thoughts that are not upright are corrupt intention —
Turn yourself around, recall and witness compassion.
I urge all people: cultivate the Way with an open heart.
Men and women with steadfast hearts — all are equal.
In cultivation you need no luggage to carry.
Purify the heart, honor the Buddha — become a settled mountain.
The Eternal Mother calls out to her children:
Purify your heart, keep the vegetarian vow, and receive the robe of return.
Those who receive the robe of return have entered the right way.
The gate opens and the road unfolds, leading to the Western Heaven.
The Mother instructs her children — hear this:
Keep the vegetarian vow, do good deeds, and receive pure ease.
Bow to the Illumined Teacher — transformation comes.
Straight to the Western Heaven, to sit upon the precious lotus.
The Mother now speaks and tells her children — listen:
Purify your heart, keep the vegetarian vow, until the day you succeed.
Bow to the Illumined Teacher — the gate opens.
Amitabha receives and leads you up to the Buddha's hall.
First, bow to a good Illumined Teacher.
Second, in the Dao's propriety, put in the work.
Third, be led in to bow before the Patriarch.
Straight up to Spirit Mountain, bow to the Founding Ancestor.
The Eternal Mother's true words counsel her children:
Purify your heart, keep the vegetarian vow — remember this closely.
Fish and seafood — all such flavors, do not eat them.
One bowl of white rice alongside a branch of vegetables.
The Mother tells her children the reason:
Purify the heart and keep the vegetarian vow — let the mind be wholly committed.
Rare delicacies and fine flavors — leave them, do not eat.
One bowl of white rice alongside the heart of the vegetable.
The Mother's true words now tell her children:
In cultivation, never compare and weigh possessions.
Cultivation is cultivating the road ahead.
Go straight to Spirit Mountain, bow to the Founding Ancestor.
The Mother's golden words now call to her children:
Purify your heart, honor the Buddha, recite Amitabha.
Trees meet spring — the mountain is their master.
With a master, when spring comes the leaves and branches flourish.
The Eternal Mother's true words speak to her children — listen:
Purify your heart, cultivate the Way, cultivate until completion.
Sun and moon sometimes must go dark.
Wind blows through, rain falls — need not be afraid.
The Mother now tells her children the reason:
Cultivation requires no great wealth of silver and gold.
If money and silver could buy the Western road,
You would go straight to Spirit Mountain and bow to Guanyin.
The Mother speaks one word for your whole life:
Now you are old; this body cannot be young again.
Household goods and belongings — given to the children.
Even so, empty-handed you return home.
By the stream, white as silver threads —
Fear that as the years pass, the heart begins to waver.
A thousand taels of gold — you cannot take it with you.
It can only buy one road to the Western Land.
The road to the West is straight as a thread —
You need not face Yama, need not fear or doubt.
Down the center: one road to the Western Land.
Clear and plain it leads to the Western Heaven.
The Mother now instructs her children — listen:
Need not face Yama's lord, need not dread his judgment hall.
Purify your heart, cultivate the Way, enter the Buddha's Country.
Go straight to Spirit Mountain and bow to Shakyamuni.
The Mother now tells her children the reason:
In transient life, lodged in this world, the heart becomes mundane.
Alive as a human, there are endless affairs —
Yet it leads your soul to behold Guanyin.
The Eternal Mother speaks one word to her children:
In transient life, lodged in this world, we take on hardship.
Complete the Way and the body enters the West — one departure.
No luggage needed to journey through Heaven.
The Mother now speaks to her children of their whole lives:
I urge you to endure and pass through this transient life.
Do not covet the great wealth and honor of the mundane world.
Swiftly, early, cultivate the Way and turn to go home.
The Eternal Mother urges her children: do not wander far.
In mid-life is just the right time to cultivate.
Burn incense with faith: the Buddha watches over you.
Burn incense by force alone: the Buddha does not receive you.
Burn incense with faith: the Buddha is close at hand.
Burn incense with doubt: the Buddha draws far away.
A good heart always finds its good reward.
In the underworld, not one thing slips through the cracks.
The Mother speaks to her children of a thousand things:
Keep the vegetarian vow, do good deeds, let the heart open wide.
The wide-hearted person gives the heart to the Way.
One who has completed the Way — their children rise with blessing.
The vegetarian devotee's heart and nature open wide.
Honor the spirits, honor the Buddha — become a settled mountain.
With one mind, all of it goes to cultivating the road ahead.
Cultivate the road ahead; afterward ascend to Spirit Mountain.
The Eternal Mother opens her speech and calls to her children:
Rise early, bring incense, recite Amitabha.
Three times daily honor the Buddha — steady in the rites.
Hold the recitation, the heart's incense — ascend to the Western Heaven.
The Mother tells her children the reason:
True scripture, true Buddha — they move the human heart.
Bow to the Illumined Teacher and seek the teaching.
Amitabha receives and leads you to see Guanyin.
The Mother instructs her children — listen:
Purify your heart, eat vegetarian — do not do it for reputation.
Those who falsely use the name carry heavy sin.
Keep the vegetarian vow, recite the Buddha's name, follow Shakyamuni.
The Mother opens her mouth and calls to her children:
Vegetarian devotees are doubted by others — know this.
The vegetarian devotee's blessings shade their children.
These blessings shade descendants for ten thousand years.
The Eternal Mother tells her children the reason:
Vegetarian devotees are met with doubt in others' hearts.
The vegetarian devotee's shade covers their ancestors.
Those blessings carry ancestors up to the Western Heaven.
The Mother now urges her children: revere the household spirits.
Honoring the household spirits — there is a settled mountain.
Parents treasure children as they treasure jade.
Children honoring parents — it is all one and the same.
The Eternal Mother tells her children the reason:
In this world, among all one holds, children are nearest kin.
Parents' love for children: the merit and grace are great.
Children honoring parents: this is the grace of raising and nurturing.
The Mother speaks true words to her children:
Do not treat your own kin as strangers.
Within the family: harmony and beauty, calling each other well.
When poor kin come in hardship, step forward as one should.
The Mother now urges you: do not be quarrelsome.
The quarrelsome person has endless things to say.
Urge your neighbors to call each other well —
This surpasses entering the shrine to bow to Amitabha alone.
The Mother urges her children: do not let the heart go sideways.
Those who act with force and do evil have no face left.
Burning incense and honoring the Buddha — these are good things.
Before the Buddha, receive the vegetarian vow like a white lotus flower.
The Mother now speaks to her children:
Vegetarian devotees are different from those who eat meat.
Tend the garden, grow vegetables, do good deeds.
Brew the tea, prepare the water — diligent and hardworking.
The Mother now speaks to her children to know the reason:
To live as a human in this world, you must care.
Six monkeys climb the tree.
Six thieves steal from one another — no one escapes poverty.
The Mother instructs her children: listen clearly.
The vegetarian devotee has a settled, clear mind.
When insulted and scolded by others, hold no resentment.
Learn to bear insult patiently — the Way is truly complete.
The Mother's true words tell her children:
The iron pole stands before you.
The iron pole carries up dragon-heaven water.
Through all four seasons it carries, coming and going.
One iron pole, purple-red in color —
Neither too long nor too short — it stands in Heaven.
The iron pole carries up dragon-heaven water —
Carries it to the lotus pond to nurture the lotus grove.
One iron pole, purple-gold in color,
Placed at the gate of the Three Officials in the Twin Grove.
Some carry water all through the household.
The Three Officials, the Great Lords, settle in their place.
I urge my children: as you walk, recite Amitabha.
The vegetarian devotee's heart does not waver.
Three mute people sleeping in the same bed,
Yet their speech and Dharma reached the Western Heaven.
I urge my children: wherever you walk and stand, practice.
Vegetarian devotees who honor the Buddha do not mislead anyone.
Keeping the vegetarian vow and honoring the Buddha — these are good things.
The Eternal Mother's golden words, passed down from her own lips.
The Mother urges her children: bow to Amitabha.
Do not steal others' possessions.
Even if keeping the vegetarian vow falls short of completeness,
Still do not waste the effort of your heart.
The Eternal Mother urges her children: bow to Amitabha.
If the household is poor and lacking, do not say you have nothing.
Merit and achievement — great or small — it is yours to do.
Spare yourself the frantic rushing of the Eastern Land.
The Mother now urges her children: you must know to cultivate.
Do not linger and hesitate, wandering off halfway.
Cultivation is cultivating the road ahead.
The Western Heaven's Buddha Country — yours to roam freely.
Now the child responds to the Eternal Mother:
Kneeling, I ask the Mother to take charge.
I passed through this, lost and not knowing to wake —
Lost Spirit Mountain, lost my own dear Mother.
Now I the child speak to tell the Mother:
Fallen into the Eastern Land, I have suffered grinding trials.
I passed through this, lost and not knowing to wake —
Even my soul was lost and I did not know.
Now I the child speak to the Mother of the reason:
In transient life, lodged in this world, the heart became mundane.
Wishing to return to the Western Heaven, to the Buddha's Country —
I could not turn this body to see the Mother.
From the Bodhi tree there comes a being —
Whose words spread out seeking wisdom and clarity.
Wisdom and intelligence open the heart's aperture.
Coming to life, passing from life — the Buddha leads to completion.
When all beings bow before the hall,
Kneel and tell the Eternal Mother — make it known.
I pray for my soul to return to the Buddha's Country,
Bidding farewell to the Eastern Land, not coming back.
All beings honor the Buddha with settled, peaceful hearts —
At every moment bow and recite, dwelling in compassion.
I pray that compassion comes to receive and guide me —
Receiving and guiding the soul, the heart opens wide.
All beings honor the Buddha, reciting Amitabha —
At every moment honor the Buddha and the Buddha is close at hand.
Recite with sincere heart — the Buddha watches over you.
Receives and guides the soul to the Western Heaven.
The Mother speaks and tells her children the reason:
Wishing to become an immortal or a Buddha depends on the human heart.
Immortals and Buddhas are also made by those who walk the Way.
In one moment of completing the Way, the body transforms.
The Mother now speaks true words to her children:
Becoming an immortal, becoming a Buddha — it is also up to the person.
Bow to the Illumined Teacher and return to the One Dharma —
Then you need not fall into the Eastern Land and take on hardship.
The Eternal Mother's true words speak to her children — listen:
Becoming an immortal, becoming a Buddha, is walked by the person themselves.
Bow to the Illumined Teacher and return to the right way —
Then you need not travel the Eastern Land's roads.
Rise early, purify your heart, come near to the Buddha —
Kneel down in prayer and the Buddha's discernment is with you.
All beings wishing to return to the Western Heaven:
Pray to the many Buddhas for mutual support.
With one mind, long in recitation — the divine Buddhas know.
All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas descend to come near.
Pray for Heaven and Earth to watch over you.
Then listen to Heaven's own arrangements — it is good.
The human heart, when pure, rivals Guanyin herself.
She stands at the single-plank bridge in the Twin Grove.
Those of faithful hearts — banners and flags lead them forward.
No need to fall into the Eastern Land's field of right and wrong.
Raise your head and behold the stars of heaven —
The children who bring incense bring a cup of tea.
The incense-bringing children vow to turn and go back.
Swiftly, swiftly cultivate the Way — go home early.
The sun sinks behind the western mountains; lamp and candle glow red.
Rise early, enter the shrine, light the lantern.
Diligently sweep the Buddha hall.
Brew the tea, prepare the water — diligent and hardworking.
At the first watch the drum sounds and rings.
All beings cannot sleep through the night.
In past lives, not knowing to cultivate merit —
In this life, the merit of the past is the road of return.
The first watch passes; the second watch begins.
I urge all people — men and women — to cultivate the Way early.
Those of calculating hearts cannot buy the road.
Those who accumulate goodness roam the Western Heaven.
The second watch passes; the third watch is at its center.
Accumulate goodness, cultivate virtue — the Buddha holds and leads you.
Heaven's road — walk it freely.
The two roads of good and evil are not the same.
The third watch passes; the fourth watch arrives.
Cultivate the Way, recite the Buddha's name, recite the Tathagata.
A thousand bows, ten thousand bows — bow to the divine Buddhas.
Straight to the Western Heaven, to sit upon the precious lotus.
The fourth-watch drum sounds; the fifth watch arrives.
Together, all rise and bow to Amitabha.
Cultivation through the year's twelve months —
Cultivate the Way early and ascend to the Western Heaven.
The day is not yet bright but Heaven is just growing light.
Rise early, light the lamp, ascend to the Buddha hall.
The Ten Mornings
All beings wishing to return to the Western Heaven:
With diligent hearts, bow reverently to the Buddha's gate.
On the first bright morning when the sun is golden,
Bow to Guanyin — the four gates open.
The four gates open — behold the Eternal Mother.
With diligent hearts, bow reverently and offer tea.
On the second bright morning when the sun is full and round,
Its light reveals: in the Twin Grove, one Amitabha.
Three bows: present the request before the Kunlun Tree.
Beneath the Kunlun Tree — a good place to cultivate.
On the fourth bright morning when the sun shows gold,
With eyes turned aslant, behold: one Guanyin.
Who could know the mind of Guanyin?
Guanyin is within the heart of the good person.
On the fifth bright morning when the sun tilts west,
A dark cloud flies in to cover it.
The vegetarian devotee's shade covers their children.
Trudging through cultivation, follow the Mother's path.
On the sixth bright morning as the sun comes out to shine,
Its light reveals: a yellow dragon following close.
The dragon's head turns toward the inner stream water.
The dragon's tail coils around the ancient Guanyin.
On the seventh bright morning as the sun shines west,
Brothers and sisters in the Way support each other.
Brothers and sisters in the Way, of one heart and mind,
Lead each other out of suffering to the Western Heaven.
On the eighth bright morning when the sun shines over the hall,
The vegetarian devotee's name is known and honored.
On the ninth bright morning when the sun shines east,
Its light reveals on the eastern side: one point of red.
One luminous pearl of Sumeru-goodness —
That goodness, vast as Sumeru, faces the Diamond.
On the tenth bright morning when the sun shines west,
Its light reveals on the western side: a grove of lotus.
A pair of golden carp leaping through the water —
Through all four seasons they swim and swim.
Even fish and shrimp know to cultivate for the next life —
And yet people today do not cultivate — what is the reason?
A pair of golden carp floating on the water,
Dwelling in the water through all four seasons.
Even fish and shrimp know to cultivate for the next life —
And yet people today do not cultivate — what is this?
By the stream at the roadside: a pair of geese,
Their mouths reciting Amitabha as they graze.
Even birds and animals know to cultivate for the next life —
And yet people today do not cultivate — how can this be?
By the stream at the roadside: a pair of orioles,
Their mouths reciting true scripture as they graze.
Even birds and animals know to cultivate for the next life —
And yet people today do not cultivate — there is no humanity in this.
At the gateway to the Western Heaven: a realm of jewels.
The Dao's propriety is the Mother's own work.
Diligently honor the Buddha and return to the right Way.
Rising in court to become an official is a mundane affair.
At the gateway to the Western Heaven: a realm of lanterns.
Night and day, always reciting true scripture.
People today in this world do not like to give things up.
Rising in court to become an official — still a mundane body.
At the gateway to the Western Heaven: a pair of boats,
Night and day carrying scripture upon them.
Scripture accompanying the body — the Buddha transforms you.
Go straight to the Western Heaven and behold the World-Honored One.
When you see the World-Honored One, the heart rests truly at peace.
Old or young, it is all one and the same.
In the Western Heaven there is no night and no day.
The World-Honored One and all Buddhas are the settled mountain.
Step up to the top of the clouds and look upon the world —
Look at all the ordinary people in that world below.
Those who do good: the road to the Western Heaven.
Those who do evil: they take on hardship.
The Mother tells her children the reason:
Brothers and sisters in the Way are all your kin.
Brothers and sisters in the Way, of one heart and mind,
Walking together, bowing together, beholding Guanyin.
The Mother speaks true words to her children:
Brothers and sisters in the Way are your warmest kin.
Brothers and sisters in the Way, of one heart and mind,
Walking together, going together to the Western Heaven.
Step up to the immortal tower and burn incense —
Banners, flags, and precious canopies lead you over the bridge.
Golden Boys and Jade Girls come to receive and lead you.
No need to fall into the Eastern Land's field of right and wrong.
Step up to the edge of the clouds, laughing with joy —
Finding life itself — good to cultivate and hold.
Bow to the Illumined Teacher and return to the One Dharma —
Without liberating all beings, do not stop along the way.
Seeking branches and gathering leaves, find the one who leads you in.
Led in, the words open — mutual support.
Today you do not know tomorrow's affairs.
When the boat reaches the middle of the stream — too late to patch the leak.
Sun and moon, though bright, are sometimes covered by clouds.
Yet there is one great road, straight and wide.
For a while the darkness passes with the clouds —
Then clear and plain: follow Shakyamuni.
Guanyin stands at the midpoint of the clouds,
Looking at all the pitiful, frightened people in the world.
Looking at all the hardship of people in the world,
Guanyin soars through the clouds and mist, coming to save.
Standing on the mountain peak, calling out warmly —
Midlife is just the right time to cultivate.
All reckoned up, the vegetarian vow is good.
Drop by drop, bit by bit — also good to cultivate.
The Holy Mother descends from heaven to the mortal realm —
Golden Boys and Jade Girls follow on either side.
The Mother now transforms into a person through the immortal method —
Soars through clouds and mist, descending from the Heavenly Terrace.
The Holy Mother descends to the mortal world —
Her numinous power shines forth; people spread the word.
To receive the Holy Mother's golden words —
The Mother bears golden pearls to ferry humanity across.
The Holy Mother descends from the midst of heaven,
Ferrying all into the immortal realm, roaming through Heaven.
Only receiving the Holy Mother's golden words,
Reciting the Mother's scripture and mantras, roaming the Western Land.
The Holy Mother descends from heaven, roaming —
Through the vast expanse of heaven, near and far she roams.
The Mother now transforms into a person through the immortal method —
Bears jade pearls to the Western Heaven to roam.
The Holy Mother urges that your household be harmonious.
Coming to your home, she speaks of ten thousand things.
Urging all of you — young and old — to call each other well.
Being ferried to the immortal realm surpasses becoming an official.
The Holy Mother urges people: be good to your neighbors.
Neighbors in harmony — do not deceive one another.
Keeping the vegetarian vow and honoring the Buddha — good things.
Roaming to the Western Heaven — you are an immortal child.
Take up the incense holder — there are flowers within.
The women who keep the vegetarian vow and burn incense have honor and dignity.
One life of burning incense brings three lifetimes of good.
Like Guanyin herself sitting on the lotus flower.
The lotus flowers rise and fill the sky with clouds —
Flying here and roaming there, beholding the World-Honored One.
The World-Honored One exclaims: the vegetarian vow is good!
Vegetarian devotees who honor the Buddha understand the rites.
The World-Honored One rejoices, laughing with joy —
The Buddha's Dharma is boundless — people do not know.
Even the humble person who knows scripture and honors the Buddha —
The Patriarch Buddha leads you up to the Heavenly Terrace.
The vegetarian women kneel and tell the reason:
Kneeling, I pray to the many Buddhas for mutual support.
All my life I have done nothing wrong.
One bowl of white rice alongside a branch of vegetables.
The vegetarian women kneel and tell the reason:
I pray to the many Buddhas to support this body.
All my life I have done nothing wrong.
One bowl of white rice alongside the heart of the vegetable.
Guanyin rejoices, laughing with joy —
She calls the faithful women who cultivate the Way to come near.
The Return
A clean room — yours to rest in freely.
A hundred kinds of fruit surrounding you.
A hundred kinds of fruit, a hundred fragrances —
Any you wish to eat — there is a whole cluster of it.
Each kind of fruit — pick each kind.
A hundred kinds of fruit — eating them never exhausts the supply.
A sleeping bed arranged with an embroidered canopy —
Fragrant pouches rest close by the Mother.
The Holy Mother's true words, earnestly repeated:
Faithful women studying the Way — put your hearts into it.
Rare delicacies and a hundred fine flavors, precious in every way —
Still not as fragrant as one bowl of vegetable rice.
Eating in the mortal realm with a hundred flavors —
Before Yama's hall it is all determined and plain.
Wishing to keep the vegetarian vow: put your heart into it.
Put your heart into vegetarian eating — this is true diligence.
One point of the dark soul returns to the immortal realm.
Step up to the immortal realm and behold Guanyin.
Rise early and burn incense — the Buddha is in Heaven.
Burn incense with diligence — the Buddha gives support.
Wishing to follow the Mother, come and go with the Mother —
She lifts your soul up to the Western Heaven.
The Patriarch Buddha speaks true words to you:
Wishing to follow the Holy Mother, the heart must be wholly devoted.
She lifts your soul to return to the immortal realm —
Step up to the immortal realm and roam through Heaven.
Now the child kneels to report to the Mother:
Together, I speak to let the Mother know the reason.
I vow to keep the vegetarian vow and do good deeds —
Not to fall into the Eastern Land and take on bitter hardship.
Now the child kneels and tells the reason:
Together, I speak to let the Mother know the opportunity.
I vow to keep the vegetarian vow and do good deeds —
Not to fall into the Eastern Land in frantic rushing.
The Eternal Mother opens her mouth and responds:
She speaks out the Buddha's words to let her children know.
You now keep the vegetarian vow and cultivate the Way —
No need to go to the Eastern Land and suffer grinding trials.
Step up into the immortal scene and come to burn incense —
Kneel down and bow to the Eternal Mother.
The children follow their Mother's teachings and instructions.
They bow and ask the Mother to take charge.
The Mother now opens her mouth and calls to her children:
When did you take the vow of refuge?
When did you take the vow of refuge?
I remind my children earnestly: see the Lotus Pond.
The children kneel and report to the Mother:
On the seventh day of the first month, refuge came.
The child took refuge at fifteen years of age.
Together, I speak to let everyone know the reason.
The Eternal Mother rejoices, laughing with joy —
She exclaims: my child, you have seen the Lotus Pond!
My child, clever and bright, knows the time and the date.
Today seeing the Mother, reciting Amitabha.
The Eternal Mother rejoices, laughing with joy —
She instructs the Golden Boys and Jade Girls to know.
Bring forth the immortal robe and embroidered sash —
Whatever style my child wishes to wear.
The Golden Boys rejoice, laughing with joy:
The Holy Mother has given her command — we dare not delay.
Bring forth the immortal robe and embroidered sash —
Carry the embroidered sash and immortal robe and give it to them.
Take up the immortal robe and help the child put it on.
When you look at the faces — all alike, all radiant.
Take up the qilin and the eight-treasure pagoda.
Fragrant charm pouches flutter at the two banners.
Wearing the immortal robe, laughing with joy —
Kneel before the Mother's face.
Alive in this world as a human, affairs were endless.
Now having left the Eastern Land — such pure ease.
Wearing the immortal robe, laughing with joy —
Kneel close by the Mother's side.
Alive in this world as a human, affairs were endless.
Now having left the Eastern Land — such pure wonder.
The Mother now opens her mouth and calls out:
She instructs her children to follow the Mother.
Step up to the Buddha hall — beautiful immortal scene.
The drum sounds its golden voice, announcing itself.
Mother and child together now roam the immortal terrace —
Ten rooms and eight compartments — all roaming through.
Roaming up to the immortal terrace — splendid scenery.
Flutes play, music swells, joyful noise everywhere.
Mother takes the child's hand, laughing with joy —
In the upper rooms, peaches to enjoy; in the lower rooms, moving on.
Open up the golden trees — hundreds of flavors.
Rare delicacies, a hundred flavors — each kind wondrous.
Look at the railings: gold and stone bricks.
Flags in the wind, adorned with colorful streamers, some golden yellow.
Ten rooms and eight compartments — living treasures.
Peaches free to enjoy — roam through all in every direction.
Banners and flags, wooden drums, straight gold bricks —
One golden dragon facing the center.
The dragon's head faces the Buddha's steps.
The dragon's tail coils around the door of the Buddha hall.
The golden dragon spouts water — this is heaven and earth.
The dragon's claws reach out — golden clouds.
The dragon's mouth opens wide — the dragon's voice resounds.
One sound of the dragon, and the world hears it.
Time is like an arrow, taut as a bowstring.
Sun and moon like a loom-shuttle — fierce as an arrow.
Why dream uselessly of a thousand-year plan?
There is certainly no way to be young twice.
A hundred flowers blooming fully — truly wondrous.
Flowers bloom: some high, some low.
Beautiful flowers bloom, pale in the shade.
Five-colored, golden flowers — the heart finds them wondrous.
A hundred birds thread through the flower branches —
The heart loves the flowers' beauty and cannot bear to leave.
The spiritual bird can speak the spiritual bird's words.
On both wings it soars up to the Western Heaven.
The Eternal Mother calls her children to recite scripture and verse.
She instructs her children earnestly: see the Lotus Pond.
When the bell and drum sound, you must bow —
Kneel down and honor the Buddha, reciting Amitabha.
The Eternal Mother calls her children to read scripture diligently.
She earnestly instructs her children: the heart must be clear.
The bell and drum — keep watch over them rightly.
Not to be compared to ordinary people's confused world.
The Buddha's golden words — to be passed on to all.
Three hundred and seventy thousand — these are the Buddha halls.
Gold makes the beams and rafters; silver makes the pillars.
Gold tiles cover the roof; silver lines the floor.
Look at the golden beds like crystal —
And golden lions pacing through the full hall.
Look at those lions and bulls gazing at the bright moon.
The golden phoenix flies through the hall.
And there are golden cups cradling green plum —
Golden basins within which lotus flowers rest.
Look at silver bowls growing golden chrysanthemums —
And golden cups cradling golden flowers.
All the Buddhas tell you the reason:
Gold trees and silver cabinets are always with the Mother.
Flower gauze canopies festooned with colorful decorations —
Fragrant charm pouches rest on the Mother's body.
All the Buddhas speak true words to you:
Gold trees and silver cabinets — in the Mother's chamber.
Flower gauze canopies, all festooned with colorful decorations —
Fragrant charm pouches in the Mother's chamber.
Lions and bulls gazing at the moon — they too are golden.
Great bowls and small bowls — all are silver.
The eight treasures rest on the banners and flags.
Banners, flags, and precious canopies — all woven silk.
Early in the morning the golden rooster crows —
The practitioners recite scripture to the Western Heaven.
Summon the immortal maidens to come and exchange bows —
Instruct the immortal children to gather in reunion.
Call me, immortal child, and I will come.
Playing the flute, beating the drum — the heart is full of joy.
Carrying tea, sweeping the ground — I rejoice.
This surpasses being an official in the mortal realm.
Wishing to hear true scripture: share the Buddha's heart.
Wishing to hear true words: let the Buddha shine upon you.
Now I walk the Eastern road no longer.
I will not go to the Eastern Land to be stained by the red dust.
Study the Way, cultivate, and liberate all beings.
Liberate all beings through cultivation — behold Guanyin.
Seeing Guanyin, the heart is full of joy.
All together, we arrive at Spirit Mountain's forest.
Namo Amitabha Buddha.
南無阿彌陀佛。
Colophon
True Words of the Eternal Mother (老母真言, Lǎomǔ Zhēnyán). A Yiguandao spirit-writing poem, source text from taolibrary.com/category52/c52040 (善書圖書館). The text is designated free for circulation: "歡迎轉載，上傳，翻印，流通."
This is the first English translation. Translated from vernacular Chinese (colloquial Southern Chinese with Hokkien/Minnan dialect elements) for the Good Works Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, April 2026. Translator: translator-10 (Life 1). Gospel register throughout. The Blood Rule applies: this translation is independently derived from the Chinese source text; no English translation of this poem exists to consult. All 175 stanzas and the closing invocation translated complete.
Key terminology follows established Yiguandao archive conventions: 老母/娘娘 = the Eternal Mother; 食齋/食菜 = keeping the vegetarian vow; 明師 = the Illumined Teacher; 東土 = the Eastern Land (the mortal world); 西天/佛國 = the Western Heaven / the Buddha's Country; 靈山 = Spirit Mountain; 簿 = the Book of the Dead; 皈衣 = the robe of return; 龍華赴會 = the Dragon Flower Assembly of Maitreya.
Dialectal notes: The source contains Hokkien/Minnan dialect markers throughout — 袂 (bē, cannot), 呾 (speak/say), 乞 (give to), 着 (must/should), 恁 (you plural), 咲嘮唏 (laughing heartily), 厝邊 (neighbors). These reflect the tradition's southern Chinese origins. The register is the intimate, oral, ecstatic register of mediumistic scripture — the Mother speaking directly to her children. It has been rendered in plain, warm English.
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Source Text
老母真言
Source: taolibrary.com/category52/c52040
老母真言
富貴仙女心戒清。歲有六十離天宮。三魂七魄歸仙境。浮雲太后心內明。
老母飼吾那一身。一太花合占為人。將法寄在凡身頂。未死當死道正真。
身帶碧珠兵后隨。不料一去被凡圍。被凡圍去不能返。身在東土袂得歸。
日落西山是夜昏。想着家鄉心頭酸。與母靈山四散會。何日正會回家方。
共母靈山別落來。別落東土受磨刣。來生富貴受苦難。修行回家理當該。
一更暗嘆細思量。別落東土離家鄉。思量家鄉有萬載。離了佛國親爹娘。
二更暗嘆目汁流。別落東土受苦勞。來生富貴受難苦。修行食齋返回頭。
三更暗嘆自己知。別落東土受禍災。一心欲回西天國。辭了東土不回來。
四更暗嘆目汁淋。別落東土受苦辛。紅塵恩愛都是假。修行回家事是真。
五更暗嘆鶪聲啼。看許世界心痴迷。貪戀塵世受難苦。修行食齋歸返貞。
世上修行千萬般。明師教法心放寬。轉求娘娘超真度。踏入佛國心正安。
自己修行按本心。飼男養女不同心。看破萬般都是假。借假修真何處尋。
望着簿中無名字。脫落凡身回家中。只處不是安身所。娑婆苦海不久長。
欲回佛國着食齋。天堂靈山是我家。天堂老母我親娘。寄書乞我返回鄉。
返回家鄉受快樂。娑婆苦海受苦塲。閨門靜坐心頭鬆。人生恰似一夢中。
坐靜吊起天平秤。想着家鄉元不元。貪傼浮生渺茫茫。任者失心往亐人。
不思光陰緊如箭。貪戀紅塵深如潭。別路陰間受太遲。不如速早唸阿彌。
大限那到無定止。陰府那知受悔矣。勸人在世早收流。三寸氣斷萬事休。
孝子賢孫假凡世。好是結緣却是仇。人想百歲寸續間。亦想葉盛思花紅。
大限那到無定止。亦是空手見閻王。人想百歲春續長。樹木枯枝又遇霜。
眾生修行受艱苦。清心受戒入佛堂。有緣賢良早向前。後生磨力老來閑。
眾生恰似風前燭。閻王相請無人知。有緣賢良到佛家。勸人修行着後生。
參拜明師親指點。閻君交簿着回家。家中積玉共堆金。難買一命免歸陰。
並有賢妻共孝子。閻君殿前難代輕。我今勸恁好修行。來生都是假世情。
自己一身都是假。借假修真及早成。尋有簿中無名人。脫了凡身回家中。
只處不是安身所。娑婆苦海不相同。欲回佛國着食齋。天堂佛國是我家。
參拜明師親指教。免落輪迴寄浮生。眾生拜佛到堂前。叩稟佛祖娘娘知。
願求明魂歸佛國。辭了東土不回來。眾生在世照直行。善心忍氣正有名。
平生正道任久事。千年萬載人傳名。信心信女上佛堂。直上佛堂見世尊。
口唸諸佛救苦難。超拔祖宗蔭子孫。龍華赴會上九天。脚踏浮雲化凡仙。
落下種子田中種。免得苦心東土人。專心食齋不孤疑。久道念頭拜阿彌。
只處就是安樂國。信心信女拜神祈。早起奉佛唸彌陀。先修苦海福祿多。
眾生有罪日日解。清心出苦唸彌陀。早起拜佛來燒香。願欲燒香求娘娘。
恐畏凡身有遭難。山山寺寺不非常。早起清心求慈悲。五穀種子蓮葉隨。
念頭不正是邪意。轉身憶着見慈悲。勸人修行心放寬。男女堅心都一般。
修行不用帶行旅。清心拜佛做案山。老母娘娘叫子兒。清心食齋着皈衣。
皈衣之人成正道。開折門路通西天。母親吩咐子兒知。修齋行善受清閑。
參拜明師來變化。直到西天坐寶蓮。母今呾分子你聽。清心食齋食到成。
參拜明師來開折。彌陀接引上佛廳。一來拜着好明師。二來道禮着工夫。
三引進拜師父。直上靈山拜祖師。老母真言勸子兒。清心食齋着謹記。
溪海百味着勿食。一碗白飯配菜枝。母親許子說來因。清心食齋欲專心。
珍羞百味離不食。一碗白飯配菜心。母今真言說子知。修行切勿比東西。
修行便是修前路。直往靈山拜祖師。母今金言叫子兒。清心拜佛念阿彌。
樹木逢春山做主。有主春來發葉枝。老母真言呾子聽。清心修道修到成。
日月有時着烏暗。透風落雨亦免驚。母今共子說來因。修行亦免大錢銀。
錢銀買有西方路。直往靈山拜觀音。母就一言說平生。人今老子袂後生。
家伙物件付乞子。亦是空手返回家。溪邊雪白如銀條。恐畏人老心來搖。
千兩黃金帶不去。只買西方路一條。西方條路直如系。免見閻王免驚疑。
中央一條西方路。明明白白到西天。母今吩咐子兒聽。免見閻君免驚營。
清心修道入佛國。直往靈山拜釋迦。母今共子說來因。浮生寄世受凡心。
在生做人事頭多。引你冥魂見觀音。老母共子說一言。浮生寄世受艱難。
成道身入西一去。免帶行旅遊天堂。母今共子說平生。勸你忍耐過浮生。
勿貪凡世大富貴。速早修行轉回家。老母勸子勿遠遊。人生中年正好修。
信心燒香佛庇佑。強人燒香佛不收。信心燒香佛近邊。疑心燒香佛遠離。
好心自有好處報。陰府一些無漏機。母親共子說千般。修齋行善心放寬。
寬心之人心放道。成道之人子做官。食齋之人心性寬。拜神拜佛做案山。
一心都是修前路。修前後來上靈山。老母開言叫子兒。早起進香唸阿彌。
三時拜佛勤等禮。持念心香上西天。母親共子說來因。真經真佛動人心。
參拜明師求教法。彌陀接引見觀音。母親吩咐子兒聽。清心食菜免用名。
冒名之人罪孽重。食齋唸佛隨釋迦。母親開口叫子兒。食齋之人被人疑。
食齋之人福蔭子。福蔭子孫千萬年。老母共子說來因。食齋之人人疑心。
食菜之人蔭宗祖。福蔭宗祖上西天。母今勸子敬家官。奉敬家官有案山。
父母惜子如惜玉。子敬父母都一般。老母共子說言因。在世排來子是親。
父母惜子功恩大。子敬父母養育恩。母親共子說實言。莫掠親人當別人。
家內和美相叫好。窮苦親情來着當。母今勸你勿囉唆。囉唆之人說事多。
勸人厝邊相叫好。強過入菴拜彌陀。母親勸子心勿橫。做強做惡無面皮。
燒香拜佛是好事。佛前領齋白蓮花。母親就共子兒言。食齋不比食葷人。
修園種菜行善事。煎茶煉水勤苦工。母今呾乞子知因。世上做人着關心。
六個猿猴爬上樹。六賊相偷無貧人。母親吩咐子聽明。食齋之人定心清。
受人辱駡無抱怨。會受忍辱道正成。母親實言說子知。鐵擔就在子面前。
鐵擔擔起龍天水。一年四季擔有來。一枝鐵擔紫色紅。不長不短在天堂。
鐵擔擔起龍天水。擔來蓮池仰蓮欉。一枝鐵擔紫色黃。放在雙林三官門。
有人擔水通厝過。三官老爺安地方。勸子行路唸阿彌。食萊之人心不移。
三個啞人仝床睡。言談說法到西天。勸子行站亦好參。食菜拜佛不悞人。
食齋拜佛是好事。老母金言親口傳。母親勸子拜阿彌。別人物件勿偷。
繼然食齋補不到。亦是枉費爾心機。老母勸子拜彌陀。家內窮欠勿說無。
功果大小隨人做。免得東土受奔波。母今勸子着知修。無得躭躇半途遊。
修行亦是修前路。西天佛國任你遊。子今就應老母娘。叩求母娘做主張。
過我迷失不知醒。失了靈山親母娘。子今呾乞母親知。別落東土受磨刣。
過我迷失不知醒。失了冥魂都不知。子今共母說緣因。浮生寄世受凡心。
欲回西天歸佛國。不得身轉見娘親。菩提出有一眾生。眾生語傳求聰明。
聰明智慧開心竅。來生去世佛牽成。眾生拜佛到堂前。叩訴老母娘娘知。
願求冥魂歸佛國。辭了東土不回來。眾生拜佛心安為。時時叩念在慈悲。
求祝慈悲來接引。接引冥魂心頭開。眾生拜佛唸阿彌。時時拜佛佛在邊。
誠心唸佛佛庇佑。接引冥魂到西天。母親呾乞子知因。欲做仙佛隨人心。
仙佛亦是道人做。一時成道變化身。母今共子說真言。做仙做佛亦由人。
參拜明師歸一法。免落東土受艱難。老母真言呾子聽。做仙做佛由人行。
參拜明師歸正道。免落東土路上行。早起清心到佛邊。跪落祈祝佛知機。
眾生欲回西天國。求拜諸佛相扶持。一心久念神佛知。諸佛菩薩降臨來。
禱求天地來照顧。好却聽天自安排。人心賽如觀音娘。就在雙林獨木橋。
信心之人幢幡引。免落東土是非塲。抬頭望見一天星。進香兒女一甌茶。
進香兒女愿回轉。速速修行早回家。日落西山燈燭紅。早起入菴點燈籠。
勤心打掃佛堂處。煎茶煉水勤苦工。一更起擂皷聲鳴。眾生一夜眠不成。
前生不知做功果。今生功果昔回程。一更過了二更初。勸人男女早好修。
僥心之人買無路。積善之人西天遊。二更過了三更中。積善修德佛持牽。
天堂條路任行走。善惡二路不相同。三更過了四更來。修行唸佛唸如來。
千拜萬拜拜神佛。直上西天坐寶蓮。四更皷轉五更時。合齊起來拜阿彌。
一年修行十二月。及早修行上西天。日今未明天正光。早起點燈上佛堂。
眾生欲回西天國。勤心禮拜到佛門。第一明早日頭黃。參拜觀音開四門。
開着四門見老母。勤心禮拜奉茶湯。第二明早日正圓。照見雙林一阿彌。
三拜奏請崑崙樹。崑崙樹下好修持。第四明早日呈金。歪目看見一觀音。
誰人那曉觀音意。觀音就在善人心。第五明早日西斜。一朵烏雲飛來遮。
食菜之人福蔭子。跋涉修行隨娘行。第六明早日照臨。照見黃龍來隨身。
龍頭朝在內溪水。龍尾蟠在古觀音。第七明早日照西。師兄道友相扶持。
師兄道友同心意。相牽出苦到西天。第八明早日照廳。食齋之人有名聲。
第九明早日照東。照見東畔一點紅。一點明珠須彌善。須彌等善對金剛。
第十明早日照西。照見西畔一欉蓮。一對金鯉水上汆。一年四季水中遊。
魚蝦亦識修後世。人今不修也緣由。一對金鯉水上浮。一年四季水中居。
魚蝦亦識修後世。人今不修是何如。溪邊路頭一對鵝。口食青草唸彌陀。
禽畜亦識修後世。人今不修是如何。溪邊路頭一對鶯。口食青草唸真經。
禽畜亦知修後世。人今不修無人情。西天路頭一境珠。道禮就是娘工夫。
勤心拜佛皈正道。上朝做官是凡夫。西天路頭一境燈。夜日都是唸真經。
人今在世不喜捨。上朝做官是凡身。西天路頭一對船。夜日都是儎經文。
經文隨身佛變化。直往西天見世尊。見到世尊心正安。無老無少都一般。
西天無夜又無日。世尊諸佛做案山。踏上雲頭看世間。看許世界凡等人。
行善之人西天路。作惡之人受艱難。母親共子說來因。師兄道友都是親。
師兄道友同心意。同行同拜見觀音。母親共子說真言。師兄道友是赧人。
師兄道友同心意。同行同往到西天。踏上仙樓來燒香。幢幡寶盖引過橋。
金童玉女來接引。免落東土是非塲。踏上雲端咲嘮唏。尋着性命好修持。
參拜明師皈一法。不度眾生停向時。尋枝摘葉認引進。引進開言相扶持。
今日不知明日事。船到溪中補漏遲。日月雖光被雲遮。一條大路直又闊。
一時烏暗被雲過。明明白白隨釋迦。觀音就在半雲端。看許世界人悽惶。
看許世界人艱苦。騰雲駕霧來救人。踏在山頭叫優優。人在中年正好修。
算來亦是食齋好。點點滴滴亦好修。仙娘降凡落天來。金童玉女隨兩畔。
娘今化人仙化法。騰雲駕霧下天台。仙娘降凡落世間。威靈顯赫人傳揚。
能得娘娘金言說。娘帶金珠度人間。仙娘降凡落天中。度入仙境遊天堂。
只得娘娘金言着。唸娘經咒遊西方。仙娘降凡落天遊。天上寬濶遠近遊。
娘今化人仙化法。玉珠帶到西天遊。娘娘勸人家着和。來到你家說千般。
勸恁大細相叫好。度到仙境強做官。娘娘勸人做屋邊。屋邊和美勿相欺。
食齋拜佛是好事。遊到西天是仙兒。香筒持起亦有花。菜女燒香有面皮。
一世燒香三世好。親像觀音坐蓮花。蓮花飛起滿天雲。飛來遊去見世尊。
世尊呵食齋好。食菜拜佛曉禮文。世尊歡喜咲嘮唏。佛法無邊人不知。
小人識經又拜佛。佛祖引你上天台。菜女跪落說因依。拜求諸佛相扶持。
平生非事吾不做。一碗白飯配菜枝。菜女跪落說來因。禱求諸佛扶吾身。
平生非事吾不做。一碗白飯配菜心。觀音歡喜咲嘮唏。信女修道叫近邊。
淨房一間任你歇。百樣菓子隨身邊。百樣菓子百味馨。任你欲食的一欉。
一樣菓子一樣摘。百樣菓子食不空。安排眠床繡帳系。隨符香包在娘邊。
娘娘叮嚀真言語。信女學道用心機。珍羞百味百般珍。不如一碗菜飯香。
凡間食飯配百味。閻王殿前定了然。欲食齋菜着用心。用心食菜實慇懃。
一點冥魂皈仙境。踏上仙境見觀音。早起焚香佛在天。勤心燒香佛扶持。
欲隨娘來隨娘去。超你冥魂上西天。佛祖共你說實言。欲隨娘娘心着專。
超你冥魂皈仙境。踏上仙境遊天堂。子今跪禀告母親。仝頭呾乞母知因。
我願食齋行善事。不落東土受苦辛。子今跪落說因依。仝頭說乞母知機。
我願食齋行善事。不落東土受奔馳。老母開口應出來。說出佛言乞子知。
你今食齋修行事。免去東土受磨刣。踏上仙景來燒香。跪落就拜老母娘。
子兒所從母教訓。拜求母親做主張。母今開口叫子兒。問你皈依是那時。
子你皈依那時日。叮嚀子兒着見池。子兒跪落稟母親。正月初七皈依臨。
子兒皈依十五歲。同頭呾乞每知因。老母歡喜咲嘮唏。呵我子有見池。
子今伶俐知時日。今日見母唸阿彌。老母歡喜咲嘮咳。吩咐金童玉女知。
捧出仙衣共繡帶。任子欲穿也樣個。金童歡喜咲嘮唏。娘娘有旨不敢遲。
捧出仙衣共繡帶。繡帶仙衣捧乞伊。持起仙衣共子穿。看見面貌都相同。
持起麒麟八寶塔。隨符香色在二榜。穿起仙衣咲嘮咳。跪落就在母面前。
在世做人事頭多。今離東土甚清閑。穿起仙衣咲嘮唏。跪落就在母身邊。
在世做人事頭多。今離東土甚清奇。母今開口叫一聲。吩咐子兒隨母行。
踏上佛廳好仙景。打擂金聲來做名。母今母子遊仙台。十間八格都遊來。
仙台遊上好勝景。吹簫作樂鬧猜猜。母今牽子咲嘮唏。上間得桃下間移。
打開金樹數百味。珍饈百味般般奇。你看欄杆金石磚。風旗帶綵有個黃。
十間八格是活寶。任你得桃四散穿。幢旛木皷直金磚。一條金龍對中央。
龍頭朝在佛堦上。龍尾蟠在佛殿門。金龍吐水是乾坤。龍爪向出是金雲。
龍口拍開龍聲响。龍聲一响世間聞。光陰似箭緊如弦。日月如梭猛如箭。
何必枉想千年計。定無兩度再少年。百花開透實是奇。花開有高並有低。
好花開來淺間白。五色黃花心便奇。百鳥失翅穿花枝。心愛花巧不甘離。
靈鳥能呾靈鳥話。雙翅騰飛上西天。老母叫子誦經詩。吩咐子兒着見池。
鐘皷那响你着拜。跪落拜佛唸阿彌。老母叫子勤讀經。叮嚀子兒心着清。
鐘皷二字欲顧正。不比凡人亂世清。佛說金言乞人傳。三十七萬是佛堂。
金做棟樑銀做柱。金瓦蓋頂銀鋪磚。你看金床如水晶。亦有金獅滿廳行。
看許獅牛望明月。金鳳亦能飛過廳。亦有金盃仰青梅。金盆內面仰蓮花。
你看銀鉢種金菊。又有金甌仰金花。諸佛共你說來因。金樹銀櫃娘隨身。
花紗羅帳亦結彩。隨符香包在娘身。諸佛共你說真言。金樹銀櫃在娘房。
花紗羅帳都結彩。隨符香包娘房中。獅牛望月却是金。大鉢小鉢都是銀。
八寶就在幢旛上。幢旛寶盖盡是綾。早起金鷄叫聲啼。道士誦經到西天。
喚出仙女來交拜。吩咐仙童來團圓。叫吾仙童吾就來。吹簫打皷心喜猜。
捧茶掃地吾歡喜。亦強陽間做官個。欲聽真經同佛心。要聽真言照佛臨。
今我不行東方路。不往東土染紅塵。學道修行度眾生。度眾修行見觀音。
見着觀音心歡喜。一齊到同靈山林。
南無阿彌陀佛。
Source Colophon
Source text from 善書圖書館 (taolibrary.com), category 52, item c52040: 老母真言. Free for circulation: "歡迎轉載，上傳，翻印，流通." Language: colloquial Southern Chinese with Hokkien/Minnan dialect vocabulary. Date of composition unknown; circulated in Taiwan and Southeast Asian Yiguandao communities. The text was fetched directly from the staged source file at Tulku/Tools/yiguandao/laomu_zhenyan_raw.txt, which was in turn obtained from taolibrary.com.
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