老母真言
The True Words of the Old Mother (老母真言, Lǎomǔ Zhēnyán) is a Yiguandao (一貫道) devotional poem in which the Eternal Venerable Mother (無極老母) speaks to her lost children — the original souls she sent to the Eastern Land — weeping through the five watches of the night, instructing them in the vegetarian path, and guiding them home to the Western Heaven.
The text is remarkable for its dialect. Unlike most Yiguandao scriptures written in standard Classical or vernacular Chinese, this poem is composed in Southern Min (Hokkien) dialect characters — 呾 for "to tell," 着 for "must," 恁 for "you all," 袂 for "cannot," 咲嘮唏 for "laughing with joy." The Mother speaks not in the literary language of scholars but in the kitchen language of her believers: rice and greens, candles and incense, the shrike crying at dawn. The theology is conveyed entirely through domestic images — one bowl of white rice with a sprig of greens is the entire ethics; fish and geese reciting Amitabha is the entire cosmology.
The poem follows a devotional arc: the soul's descent from heaven and entrapment in the mortal world; the five watches of the night in which the soul laments; extended instruction from the Mother on vegetarianism, worship, filial piety, and neighborly harmony; the child's plea to return; a second set of night watches charting the path of merit; a sequence of ten mornings in which the sun illuminates heaven's landmarks; the Mother's descent to earth; the fasting woman's plea before the Buddhas; Guanyin's welcome; the child receiving immortal garments; and a tour of the golden palace in the Western Heaven. It closes with a vow to never return to the Eastern Land.
The Chinese source text is from taolibrary.com (善書圖書館), Category 52 (一貫道經典二), 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 Hokkien-dialect Chinese for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026. Gospel register.
The Descent
A maiden of celestial wealth, her heart pure and guarded —
at sixty years she left the heavenly palace.
Three souls and seven spirits returning to the immortal realm,
the Queen of Floating Clouds, her inner heart shining clear.
The Old Mother raised me in this body.
From the great flower she gathered me into a person.
She placed the Dharma atop my mortal form —
before death, face death: the Way is straight and true.
I wore jade beads with attendants at my side,
never thinking that once I left, the mortal world would close around me.
Surrounded by the mundane, unable to return —
my body in the Eastern Land, I cannot find my way home.
The sun falls behind the western hills, the night grows dark.
I think of my homeland and my heart turns sour.
From the Mother's Spirit Mountain we were scattered in all directions —
when shall we truly meet again and find the way home?
From the Mother's Spirit Mountain we parted and fell —
fell to the Eastern Land to endure suffering.
Whether born to wealth or hardship, all is suffering.
To cultivate and return home — this is what is right and proper.
The Five Watches
In the first watch, I sigh in darkness and think carefully.
We parted and fell to the Eastern Land, far from our homeland.
I have longed for home for ten thousand years,
cut off from the Buddha-land and my own dear parents.
In the second watch, I sigh in darkness, tears streaming.
We fell to the Eastern Land to endure toil and hardship.
Whether born to wealth or to poverty, all is suffering —
cultivate, keep the fast, and turn back around.
In the third watch, I sigh in darkness and know in my heart.
We fell to the Eastern Land to endure calamity.
With all my heart I long to return to the Western Heaven —
to leave the Eastern Land and never return.
In the fourth watch, I sigh in darkness, tears pouring down.
We fell to the Eastern Land to endure bitter hardship.
The loves and bonds of the red dust — all of them are false.
To cultivate and return home — that is the only truth.
In the fifth watch, I sigh in darkness as the shrike cries.
I see this world and my heart is lost in delusion.
Clinging to the dusty world, I suffer endlessly —
cultivate, keep the fast, and return to purity.
Seeking the Way
There are ten thousand ways to cultivate in this world.
An enlightened teacher's method will put your heart at ease.
Turn and beseech the Mother to deliver you beyond —
step into the Buddha-land and your heart will be at peace.
Cultivate according to your own true heart.
Raising sons and daughters, each heart is different.
See through it all — ten thousand things are false.
Borrow the false to cultivate the true — where shall you seek it?
Look into the register and find your name is not there.
Cast off the mortal body and return home.
This place is not a place to rest —
the bitter sea of samsara does not last forever.
If you would return to the Buddha-land, you must keep the fast.
Heaven and Spirit Mountain — that is my home.
The Old Mother in heaven is my own dear mother.
She sends a letter urging me to return to my homeland.
Return to your homeland and know true joy.
The bitter sea of samsara is a field of suffering.
Sit quietly behind closed doors, your heart at ease —
this human life is just as if a dream.
Sit still and raise up the scales of heaven.
Think of your homeland — is it whole, or is it not?
Greedy and confused, this floating life, vast and vague —
those who lose their hearts follow the crowd blindly.
They do not consider that time flies swift as an arrow.
They cling to the red dust, deep as a pool.
If you take the wrong path to the underworld, it is too late —
better to swiftly and early recite Amitabha.
When the appointed end arrives, nothing can stop it.
In the courts of the underworld, how you will regret!
I urge all people: while alive, rein in your wandering.
When the three inches of breath are cut, all things are done.
The Mother Speaks
Filial sons and worthy grandsons — this mortal world is false.
What seems a good bond turns out to be enmity.
You hope for a hundred years, yet between one inch and the next
you also wish for the leaves to flourish and the flowers to bloom red.
When the appointed end arrives, nothing can stop it.
You too will stand empty-handed before King Yama.
You hope for a hundred years of unbroken spring,
but the withered branches meet frost again.
Sentient beings who cultivate endure hardship.
Purify the heart, receive the precepts, enter the Buddha hall.
Those of good karma and virtue, step forward early —
work hard in youth, and in old age find peace.
Sentient beings are like candles in the wind.
When King Yama sends his invitation, no one knows.
Those of good karma and virtue, come to the Buddha's house.
I urge all people: cultivate while you are still young.
Bow before an enlightened teacher for personal instruction.
When King Yama hands over the register, go home.
At home you may have piled up jade and heaped up gold,
but it cannot buy one life free from returning to darkness.
Even with a worthy wife and filial sons,
before King Yama's throne, they cannot lighten your burden.
I now urge you all to cultivate well —
the next life is all just false worldly sentiment.
This body of yours is entirely false.
Borrow the false to cultivate the true — accomplish it early.
Seek the one whose name is not in the register,
cast off the mortal body and return home.
This place is not a resting place.
The bitter sea of samsara is not the same as home.
If you would return to the Buddha-land, keep the fast.
Heaven and the Buddha-land — that is my home.
Bow before an enlightened teacher for personal instruction —
escape the cycle of rebirth that traps this floating life.
Sentient beings, worship the Buddha, come before the hall.
Bow and report to the Buddha-ancestors and the Mother.
I pray that my bright soul may return to the Buddha-land,
to leave the Eastern Land and never return.
Sentient beings, while alive, walk the straight path.
A good heart that endures with patience — that earns a name.
Walk the straight Way through the long affairs of life.
For a thousand, ten thousand years, people will speak your name.
Faithful men and faithful women, ascend to the Buddha hall —
go straight up and meet the World-Honored One.
With your lips recite the Buddhas to rescue from suffering.
Deliver your ancestors and shade your descendants.
At the Dragon-Flower Assembly, ascend to the Ninth Heaven,
with feet upon the floating clouds — transform from mortal to immortal.
Plant the seeds, sow them in the field,
and spare the suffering of the people of the Eastern Land.
With single heart keep the fast, without doubt.
Long on the Way, turn your thoughts to Amitabha.
This place — this is the Land of Ease and Joy.
Faithful men and faithful women, worship and pray.
Rise early, serve the Buddha, recite Amitabha.
Cultivate first in the bitter sea, and blessings will multiply.
The sins of sentient beings, dissolved day by day.
Purify the heart, escape suffering, recite Amitabha.
Rise early, worship the Buddha, burn incense.
Burn incense and beseech the Mother.
Lest this mortal body meet with calamity —
every mountain, every temple holds something extraordinary.
Rise early, purify the heart, seek compassion.
The five grains as seeds, the lotus leaf as companion.
If your thoughts are not upright, that is wicked intention.
Turn yourself around, remember, and see compassion.
I urge all people: cultivate with an open heart.
Men and women who are steadfast — all are the same.
Cultivation needs no baggage for the journey.
A pure heart worshipping the Buddha becomes a sheltering mountain.
The Old Mother calls out to her children:
purify your hearts, keep the fast, and put on the robes of refuge.
Those who take the robes of refuge accomplish the true Way —
open the gate, clear the road that leads to the Western Heaven.
The Mother instructs her children to understand:
practice fasting and do good, and know true peace.
Bow before an enlightened teacher to be transformed —
go straight to the Western Heaven and sit upon the jeweled lotus.
Now the Mother tells her children: listen.
Purify your hearts and keep the fast until completion.
Bow before an enlightened teacher to have the gate opened.
Amitabha will guide you up to the Buddha's hall.
First, bow before a good enlightened teacher.
Second, the rites of the Way require effort.
Third, be led forward to bow before the Master.
Go straight up Spirit Mountain to bow before the Patriarch.
The Old Mother's true words urge her children:
purify your hearts and keep the fast — remember this well.
The hundred flavors of rivers and seas — do not eat them.
One bowl of white rice with a sprig of greens.
The Mother tells her children the reason:
to purify the heart and keep the fast requires single-mindedness.
The hundred delicacies — depart from them, do not eat.
One bowl of white rice with the heart of greens.
The Mother's true words — children, know this:
in cultivation, never compare this with that.
Cultivation is cultivating the road ahead.
Go straight to Spirit Mountain and bow before the Patriarch.
The Mother's golden words call her children:
purify the heart, worship the Buddha, recite Amitabha.
When trees meet spring, the mountain is their lord —
with a lord, spring comes and leaves and branches grow.
The Old Mother's true words — children, listen.
Purify the heart, cultivate the Way, cultivate unto completion.
The sun and moon at times grow dark,
but the wind breaks through and the rain falls — do not be afraid.
The Mother now tells her children the reason:
cultivation does not require great wealth.
Even money can build a road to the West —
go straight to Spirit Mountain and bow before Guanyin.
The Mother speaks one word about your life:
once old, you cannot be young again.
Your belongings and possessions — give them to your children.
You too will return home empty-handed.
By the stream, the white snow is like silver strips.
I fear that when people grow old, their hearts will waver.
A thousand taels of gold — you cannot take them with you.
Just buy one road to the Western Heaven.
The Western road is straight as a thread.
You need not face King Yama, need not fear or doubt.
In the center, one road to the Western Heaven —
clear and bright, all the way to the Western Heaven.
The Mother now instructs her children: listen.
You need not face King Yama, need not fret.
Purify the heart, cultivate the Way, enter the Buddha-land.
Go straight to Spirit Mountain and bow before Shakyamuni.
The Mother now tells her children the reason:
this floating life, lodging in the world, bears a mortal heart.
While alive, there are so many affairs of being human —
I will guide your spirit-soul to meet Guanyin.
The Old Mother speaks one word to her children:
this floating life, lodging in the world, endures hardship.
When the Way is accomplished, the body enters the West —
no need for luggage to wander in heaven.
The Mother now speaks to her children about life.
She urges you: endure with patience through this floating life.
Do not covet the great wealth of the mortal world.
Swiftly and early, cultivate and turn back home.
The Old Mother urges her children: do not wander far.
In the middle years of life, it is the perfect time to cultivate.
Burn incense with a sincere heart and the Buddha will protect you.
If the arrogant burn incense, the Buddha does not receive it.
Burn incense with sincerity and the Buddha draws near.
Burn incense with doubt and the Buddha withdraws.
A good heart naturally receives good reward.
The courts of the underworld miss not a single thing.
The Mother speaks to her children of a thousand things:
practice fasting, do good, keep an open heart.
Those with open hearts set their hearts on the Way.
Those who accomplish the Way — their children become officials.
Those who keep the fast have open natures.
Worshipping god and Buddha, they become sheltering mountains.
With single heart, they cultivate the road ahead.
Cultivate ahead, and afterward ascend Spirit Mountain.
The Old Mother opens her mouth and calls her children:
rise early, offer incense, recite Amitabha.
At three times of day, worship the Buddha with diligent rites.
Hold and recite the incense of the heart — ascend to the Western Heaven.
The Mother speaks to her children of the reason:
true scripture and true Buddha move the human heart.
Bow before an enlightened teacher and seek instruction.
Amitabha will guide you to meet Guanyin.
The Mother instructs her children to listen:
purify the heart, eat greens — no need for fame.
Those who claim false names bear heavy sins.
Keep the fast, recite the Buddha, follow Shakyamuni.
The Mother opens her mouth and calls her children:
those who keep the fast are doubted by others.
But those who keep the fast bring blessings upon their children —
blessings upon their descendants for a thousand, ten thousand years.
The Old Mother speaks to her children of the reason:
those who keep the fast are doubted by others.
But those who eat greens bring shade to their ancestors —
blessings upon their ancestors, ascending to the Western Heaven.
The Mother now urges her children: honor your elders.
Honor your elders and you shall have a sheltering mountain.
Parents cherish their children as they cherish jade —
children should honor parents just the same.
The Old Mother speaks to her children the reason:
in this world, count it — your children are your kin.
The merit and grace of parents cherishing their children is great.
Children honor parents for the grace of raising them.
The Mother speaks to her children honest words:
do not treat your kin as strangers.
Within the family, harmony and beauty, calling out to each other —
in poverty, let kinship be what sustains you.
The Mother now urges you: do not be quarrelsome.
The quarrelsome person creates many troubles.
I urge all people: call out kindly to your neighbors —
that is better than entering a nunnery to worship Amitabha.
The Mother urges her children: let not your hearts be stubborn.
To be forceful and wicked is to have no face.
Burning incense and worshipping the Buddha is a good thing —
before the Buddha, receive the fast: a white lotus flower.
The Mother speaks to her children:
those who fast are not like those who eat meat.
Tend the garden, grow greens, do good works —
brew tea, boil water, diligent and hard-working.
The Mother now tells her children the reason:
in this world, being human requires care.
Six monkeys climbing up a tree —
the six thieves rob, and no one is too poor to be robbed.
The Mother instructs her children to listen clearly:
those who fast will surely have a pure heart.
Endure insults and curses without complaint.
Those who can endure humiliation — their Way is truly accomplished.
The Mother speaks true words for her children to know:
an iron carrying-pole stands before you.
The iron pole carries the dragon-heaven water
through all four seasons, without ceasing.
One iron pole, purple turning to red —
neither too long nor too short, there in heaven.
The iron pole carries the dragon-heaven water,
carrying it to the lotus pool to nourish the lotus grove.
One iron pole, purple turning to yellow,
placed at the Twin Grove, the gate of the Three Officials.
Whoever carries water passing through the house —
the Three Official Lords will settle the place.
I urge you: as you walk the road, recite Amitabha.
Those who eat greens have hearts that do not waver.
Three mute people sleep in one bed —
yet they speak the Dharma all the way to the Western Heaven.
I urge you: whether walking or standing, contemplate well.
Eating greens and worshipping the Buddha does no one harm.
Fasting and worshipping the Buddha is a good thing.
The Old Mother's golden words, transmitted from her own lips.
The Mother urges her children to worship Amitabha.
Other people's belongings — do not steal.
If even fasting cannot make amends,
then all your scheming has been in vain.
The Old Mother urges her children to worship Amitabha.
If your household is poor, do not say you have nothing.
The merit you create, great or small, depends on you —
and you will be spared the toils of the Eastern Land.
The Mother now urges her children: you must know how to cultivate.
Do not linger and idle halfway along the road.
Cultivation is cultivating the road ahead.
The Western Heaven, the Buddha-land — wander there as you please.
The Child's Plea
The child now responds to the Old Mother,
kneeling, begging the Mother to take charge.
For I was lost and did not know to awaken —
I lost Spirit Mountain and my own dear Mother.
The child now tells the Mother:
I fell to the Eastern Land and endured suffering.
I was lost and did not know to awaken.
I lost my very spirit-soul and did not even know.
The child now tells the Mother the reason:
this floating life, lodging in the world, bore a mortal heart.
I long to return to the Western Heaven, to the Buddha-land,
but I cannot turn my body to see my Mother.
From the Bodhi there comes a sentient being,
a being whose words spread, seeking wisdom.
Wisdom and intelligence open the apertures of the heart —
in life and death, the Buddha guides them to completion.
Sentient beings worship the Buddha before the hall,
kneeling, they tell the Old Mother:
I pray that my spirit-soul may return to the Buddha-land,
to leave the Eastern Land and never come back.
Sentient beings worship the Buddha, hearts at peace,
at all times kneeling and reciting in compassion.
Praying to compassion to come and guide them —
guiding the spirit-soul, the heart opens wide.
Sentient beings worship the Buddha, recite Amitabha.
At all times worship the Buddha — the Buddha is beside you.
Recite the Buddha with sincerity, and the Buddha will protect you,
guiding the spirit-soul to the Western Heaven.
The Mother tells her children the reason:
to become immortal or Buddha depends on your own heart.
Immortals and Buddhas were also made by people of the Way —
in one moment, accomplish the Way and transform your body.
The Mother now speaks true words to her children:
to become immortal or Buddha also depends on you.
Bow before an enlightened teacher and return to the one Dharma —
escape falling to the Eastern Land to endure hardship.
The Old Mother's true words — children, listen:
to become immortal or Buddha depends on your own practice.
Bow before an enlightened teacher and return to the true Way —
escape walking the roads of the Eastern Land.
Rise early, purify the heart, come to the Buddha's side.
Kneel and pray — the Buddha knows the moment.
Sentient beings who wish to return to the Western Heaven,
pray and worship the Buddhas, who will offer their support.
With single heart, recite for a long time — the gods and Buddhas will know.
The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas will descend.
Pray to heaven and earth for their care —
it is good to trust heaven's own arrangement.
The human heart can rival Guanyin herself,
standing on the single-log bridge at the Twin Grove.
Those of sincere faith are led by banners and pennants,
escaping the field of right and wrong in the Eastern Land.
Raise your head and see a single heavenly star.
The incense-offering children, with one cup of tea —
the incense-offering children vow to turn back.
Swiftly, swiftly cultivate and return home early.
The Night Watches Return
The sun falls behind the western hills, the candlelight glows red.
Rise early, enter the hermitage, light the lanterns.
With diligent heart, sweep the Buddha hall —
brew tea, boil water, diligent, hard-working.
In the first watch, the drum sounds.
Sentient beings cannot sleep the whole night through.
In past lives they did not know to create merit —
in this life, let merit be the journey home.
The first watch passes, the second begins.
I urge all men and women: cultivate early and well.
Those who rely on luck cannot buy the road —
those who accumulate good will wander the Western Heaven.
The second watch passes, the middle of the third.
Accumulate good and cultivate virtue — the Buddha will hold and lead you.
The road to heaven, walk it as you please —
the roads of good and evil are not the same.
The third watch passes, the fourth arrives.
Cultivate, recite the Buddha, recite the Tathagata.
A thousand bows, ten thousand bows to gods and Buddhas —
go straight up to the Western Heaven and sit upon the jeweled lotus.
The drum turns from the fourth to the fifth watch.
All rise together to worship Amitabha.
Twelve months of cultivation in a year —
cultivate early and ascend to the Western Heaven.
The Ten Mornings
The day has not yet dawned, but heaven is already bright.
Rise early, light the lamp, ascend to the Buddha hall.
Sentient beings who wish to return to the Western Heaven —
with diligent hearts, bow and worship at the Buddha's gate.
On the first morning, the sun is yellow.
Bow before Guanyin and open the four gates.
With the four gates open, see the Old Mother.
With diligent heart bow and worship, offering tea.
On the second morning, the sun is perfectly round,
shining upon the Twin Grove and one Amitabha.
Three bows to petition the Kunlun Tree —
beneath the Kunlun Tree is a fine place to cultivate.
On the fourth morning, the sun shines gold.
With sidelong glance, catch sight of one Guanyin.
Who could know the mind of Guanyin?
Guanyin dwells in the hearts of the good.
On the fifth morning, the sun slants westward.
A dark cloud flies over to cover it.
Those who eat greens bring blessings upon their children,
trudging along the path of cultivation, following the Mother.
On the sixth morning, the sun shines down,
shining upon a golden dragon that follows close.
The dragon's head turns toward the inner stream.
The dragon's tail turns toward the ancient Guanyin.
On the seventh morning, the sun shines westward.
Senior brothers and Dao-friends support each other.
Senior brothers and Dao-friends, of one heart and mind —
hand in hand, they escape suffering and reach the Western Heaven.
On the eighth morning, the sun shines upon the hall.
Those who keep the fast have a good name.
On the ninth morning, the sun shines eastward,
shining upon a point of red at the eastern side.
One bright pearl, the goodness of Mount Sumeru —
Mount Sumeru's equal goodness faces the Diamond.
On the tenth morning, the sun shines westward,
shining upon a grove of lotus at the western side.
A pair of golden carp rising to the surface —
through all four seasons, swimming in the water.
The Creatures Who Cultivate
Fish and shrimp too know to cultivate for the afterlife.
If people do not cultivate now, what is their excuse?
A pair of golden carp floating on the water —
through all four seasons, dwelling in the water.
Fish and shrimp too know to cultivate for the afterlife.
If people do not cultivate now, how can this be?
By the stream, at the road's edge, a pair of geese
eating green grass, reciting Amitabha.
Even birds and beasts know to cultivate for the afterlife.
If people do not cultivate now, how can this be?
By the stream, at the road's edge, a pair of orioles
eating green grass, reciting the true scripture.
Even birds and beasts know to cultivate for the afterlife.
If people do not cultivate now, they have lost all feeling.
At the Western Heaven's road, one realm-pearl.
The rites of the Way are the Mother's work.
With diligent heart worship the Buddha, return to the true Way —
those who go to court as officials are mere mortals.
At the Western Heaven's road, one realm-lamp.
Night and day, nothing but reciting the true scripture.
If people in this world do not practice giving,
going to court as officials, they remain mortal bodies.
At the Western Heaven's road, a pair of boats,
night and day, laden with scripture.
Scripture follows the body, the Buddha transforms —
going straight to the Western Heaven to meet the World-Honored One.
Meeting the World-Honored One, the heart is at peace.
Neither old nor young, all are the same.
In the Western Heaven there is no night and no day.
The World-Honored One and all Buddhas are sheltering mountains.
Standing upon the cloud-tops, looking down at the world,
seeing the mortal people below:
those who do good walk the road to the Western Heaven;
those who do evil endure hardship.
The Mother Descends
The Mother speaks to her children of the reason:
senior brothers and Dao-friends are all your kin.
Senior brothers and Dao-friends, of one heart and mind —
walking together, bowing together, they meet Guanyin.
The Mother speaks to her children true words:
senior brothers and Dao-friends are devoted people.
Senior brothers and Dao-friends, of one heart and mind —
walking together, journeying together to the Western Heaven.
Ascending the immortal tower to burn incense,
banners and jeweled canopies lead across the bridge.
Golden boys and jade maidens come to guide you,
escaping the field of right and wrong in the Eastern Land.
Stepping upon the cloud-tops, smiling with joy,
having found your true nature, you cultivate well.
Bow before an enlightened teacher, return to the one Dharma —
do not stop until all sentient beings are delivered.
Seeking branches, picking leaves, recognizing the guide who leads forward.
The guide speaks and offers support.
Today you do not know tomorrow's affairs —
when the boat reaches the stream, it is too late to patch the leaks.
Though the sun and moon are bright, clouds may cover them.
One great road, straight and wide.
For a moment it is dark as clouds pass —
then clear and bright, following Shakyamuni.
Guanyin stands among the clouds,
looking upon the suffering and frightened people of the world.
Looking upon the hardship of the people of the world,
riding clouds and mist, she comes to save them.
Standing on the mountaintop, calling out gently:
in your middle years, it is the perfect time to cultivate.
When all is counted, keeping the fast is best —
drop by drop, it is good to cultivate.
The Immortal Mother descends from heaven to earth,
golden boys and jade maidens at her sides.
The Mother now transforms people, the immortal transforms the Dharma —
riding clouds and mist, descending from the heavenly terrace.
The Immortal Mother descends to the world below.
Her spiritual power, manifest and glorious, is spoken of among the people.
If you can receive the Mother's golden words —
the Mother brings golden pearls to save the human world.
The Immortal Mother descends from the midst of heaven,
leading into the immortal realm, wandering through heaven.
If only you heed the Mother's golden words,
reciting the Mother's scripture and mantras, wander in the West.
The Immortal Mother descends from heaven to wander.
In heaven's vast expanse, wandering near and far.
The Mother now transforms people, the immortal transforms the Dharma,
bringing jade pearls to wander in the Western Heaven.
The Mother urges people: let your families be harmonious.
Coming to your family, she speaks of a thousand things.
She urges all of you, great and small, to treat each other well —
she will lead you to the immortal realm, greater than any official.
The Mother urges people: get along with your neighbors.
Let your neighbors live in harmony, do not deceive one another.
Fasting and worshipping the Buddha is a good thing —
wander to the Western Heaven and become an immortal child.
Before the Buddhas
When you lift the incense holder, there are flowers.
The fasting woman who burns incense has dignity.
Burn incense in one lifetime, three lifetimes of goodness —
like Guanyin, sitting upon a lotus flower.
The lotus flower flies up, filling the sky with clouds,
flying here and there, meeting the World-Honored One.
The World-Honored One praises: keeping the fast is good!
Eating greens, worshipping the Buddha, knowing the rites.
The World-Honored One smiles with joy.
The Buddha-Dharma is boundless — people do not know.
Even the humble know the scripture and worship the Buddha.
The Buddha-ancestors guide you up to the heavenly terrace.
The fasting woman kneels and speaks her reasons,
bowing, begging the Buddhas for their support:
in all my life, wrongful things I have not done —
one bowl of white rice with a sprig of greens.
The fasting woman kneels and speaks again,
praying to the Buddhas to support this body of hers:
in all my life, wrongful things I have not done —
one bowl of white rice with the heart of greens.
Guanyin smiles with joy.
"Faithful daughter, come close," she calls.
"A clean room is yours to rest in.
A hundred kinds of fruit at your side."
A hundred kinds of fruit, a hundred flavors fragrant.
"Eat whichever one you wish.
Pick one fruit, then another —
a hundred fruits, and they will never be eaten up."
An embroidered bed-curtain prepared,
sachets of fragrance by the Mother's side.
The Mother's earnest true words:
"Faithful daughter, study the Way with diligence."
A hundred delicacies, a hundred kinds of treasure —
none compares to the fragrance of one bowl of vegetarian rice.
In the mortal world, rice is served with a hundred flavors,
but before King Yama's throne, the reckoning is clear.
If you would eat vegetarian, put your heart into it.
With true heart eat your greens, earnest and diligent.
One point of spirit-soul returning to the immortal realm —
stepping into the immortal realm, meeting Guanyin.
Rise early and burn incense — the Buddha is in heaven.
Burn incense with a diligent heart and the Buddha will sustain you.
If you wish to follow the Mother, follow the Mother —
she will deliver your spirit-soul to the Western Heaven.
The Buddha-ancestor speaks to you honest words:
if you wish to follow the Mother, your heart must be single.
She will deliver your spirit-soul to the immortal realm —
stepping into the immortal realm, wandering through heaven.
The Immortal Garments
The child now kneels to report to the Mother.
Together they tell the Mother the reason:
"I vow to keep the fast and do good works
and not to fall to the Eastern Land to suffer."
The child now kneels and speaks the reasons.
Together they tell the Mother:
"I vow to keep the fast and do good works
and not to fall to the Eastern Land to labor and run."
The Old Mother opens her mouth and replies,
speaking the Buddha's words for her children to know:
"Since you now fast and cultivate,
you are spared the Eastern Land and its suffering."
Ascending the immortal landscape to burn incense,
kneeling to bow before the Old Mother.
"My child, you have followed the Mother's instruction."
"I bow and beg my Mother to take charge."
The Mother opens her mouth and calls her child:
"Tell me — when did you take refuge?"
"When was the day you took refuge?
Remember, my child: you must see the Pool."
The child kneels to report to the Mother:
"On the seventh of the first month, I took refuge.
I took refuge at fifteen years of age."
Together they told her the reason.
The Old Mother smiles with joy:
"Ah, my child has seen the Pool!
My child is clever and knows the time.
Today you meet your Mother — recite Amitabha!"
The Old Mother smiles with joy.
She instructs the golden boys and jade maidens:
"Bring out the immortal garments and embroidered sashes.
Let my child wear whichever style they wish."
The golden boy smiles with joy:
"The Mother has decreed — I dare not delay."
He brings out the immortal garments and embroidered sashes.
The embroidered sash and immortal garment, offered up.
Taking up the immortal garment, dressing the child.
Looking at the face — all are the same.
Taking up the qilin and the pagoda of eight treasures,
sachets and fragrant colors on both sides.
Putting on the immortal garment, smiling with joy,
kneeling before the Mother:
"While in the world, there were so many affairs.
Now departed from the Eastern Land, how peaceful and free!"
Putting on the immortal garment, smiling with joy,
kneeling beside the Mother:
"While in the world, there were so many affairs.
Now departed from the Eastern Land, how wondrous and strange!"
The Heavenly Palace
The Mother now calls out once.
She instructs her child to follow.
Ascending the Buddha's hall, what fine immortal scenery!
The golden gong sounds, resounding far.
The Mother and her child now tour the immortal terrace.
Ten rooms, eight pavilions — they wander through them all.
The immortal terrace above, what splendid scenery!
Flutes playing, music sounding, joyous and lively.
The Mother takes her child's hand, smiling with joy.
Upper chambers for picking peaches, lower chambers for strolling.
Opening the golden trees with their hundred flavors —
rare delicacies, a hundred flavors, each one wondrous.
Look at the railings of gold stone and brick.
Wind-pennants with colored streamers, tipped with yellow.
Ten rooms, eight pavilions — all are living treasures.
Pick your peaches and wander wherever you wish.
Banners, wooden drums, straight gold bricks.
One golden dragon facing the center.
The dragon's head turns toward the Buddha's steps.
The dragon's tail coils at the Buddha hall's gate.
The golden dragon spouts water — this is heaven and earth.
The dragon's claws reach out into golden clouds.
The dragon opens its mouth and the dragon's voice resounds —
when the dragon sounds, the whole world hears.
Time flies like an arrow, taut as a bowstring.
Days and months like a shuttle, swift as an arrow.
Why waste time thinking of thousand-year plans?
You surely cannot be young twice.
A hundred flowers blooming full — how wondrous.
Some bloom high, some bloom low.
Fine flowers bloom, pale among the white —
five-colored yellow flowers, each heart is wondrous.
A hundred birds, losing their wings, thread through the flowering branches,
loving the flowers' beauty, they cannot bear to leave.
Spirit-birds can speak the spirit-bird's tongue —
on paired wings they soar up to the Western Heaven.
The Old Mother calls her child to recite scripture and verse.
She instructs her child: "You must see the Pool."
"When the bell and drum sound, you must bow."
Kneel, worship the Buddha, recite Amitabha.
The Old Mother calls her child to read scripture diligently.
She earnestly tells her child: "Keep your heart pure.
The two words 'bell and drum' must be attended to rightly —
this is not like the confused clarity of mortal people."
The Buddha speaks golden words for people to transmit.
Three hundred and seventy thousand is the Buddha hall.
Gold for the ridgepoles, silver for the pillars —
gold tiles capping the roof, silver paving the bricks.
Look at the golden bed, like crystal.
And golden lions walking through the hall.
Watch the lions and oxen gazing at the bright moon —
golden phoenixes can fly across the hall.
And golden cups brimming with green plums.
Within the golden basin, lotus flowers.
Look at the silver bowl growing golden chrysanthemums —
and golden vessels brimming with golden flowers.
The Buddhas speak to you of the reason:
golden trees and silver cabinets accompany the Mother.
Flower-gauze curtains adorned with festive colors,
sachets of fragrance about the Mother's person.
The Buddhas speak to you true words:
golden trees and silver cabinets in the Mother's chamber.
Flower-gauze curtains all adorned with festive colors,
sachets of fragrance in the Mother's chamber.
Lions and oxen gazing at the moon — all are golden.
Large bowls and small bowls — all are silver.
The eight treasures rest upon the banners.
Banners and jeweled canopies — all are silk.
At dawn the golden rooster crows.
The Daoist adept recites scripture all the way to the Western Heaven.
Calling out the immortal maidens to exchange bows,
instructing the immortal boys to come together.
"Call your immortal boy and I shall come."
Playing flutes, beating drums, hearts full of joy.
"Serving tea, sweeping the floor — I am happy.
Better than being an official in the mortal world."
If you wish to hear the true scripture, be of one heart with the Buddha.
If you wish to hear true words, follow the Buddha's descent.
"Now I will not walk the Eastern road.
I will not go to the Eastern Land to be stained by the red dust."
"Study the Way, cultivate, deliver sentient beings.
Delivering beings, cultivating, I shall meet Guanyin.
Meeting Guanyin, the heart fills with joy —
together we arrive at Spirit Mountain Grove."
Namo Amitabha Buddha.
Colophon
The True Words of the Old Mother (老母真言) is a Yiguandao devotional poem composed in Southern Min (Hokkien) dialect — one of the few Yiguandao scriptures written not in standard Classical Chinese but in the regional language of the believers who preserved it, likely from Taiwan or Fujian province. The text carries the full arc of Yiguandao soteriology in domestic images: the soul's exile from the Mother's Spirit Mountain, the five watches of the night in lament, the simple discipline of one bowl of white rice with greens, and the reunion in which the Mother laughs with joy and dresses her child in immortal garments.
First English translation. A Good Works Translation — translated from Hokkien-dialect Chinese by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026. Tulku Mínghuǒ (明火) of Megumi, Yiguandao Translator. The English is derived from reading the Chinese source text in full; the gospel register renders the Mother's voice as plain, warm, and direct. No reference translation was consulted — none exists. Dialectal characters were interpreted with reference to Southern Min phonology (呾 = thàn "tell"; 着 = tio̍h "must"; 恁 = lín "you all"; 袂 = bē "cannot"; 咲嘮唏 = chhiò-lau-hi "smiling with joy"; 磨刣 = bôa-thâi "suffering").
Compiled and formatted for the Good Work Library by the New Tianmu Anglican Church, 2026.
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Source Text: 老母真言
Chinese source text from taolibrary.com (善書圖書館), Category 52 (一貫道經典二), c52040. The text is written in Southern Min (Hokkien) dialect with literary Chinese structure. Presented here for reference, study, and verification alongside the English translation above.
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。叩求母親做主張。
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。龍尾朝在古觀音。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。看許世間凡等人。
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（左口右堖）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（左口右堖）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
Chinese source text from taolibrary.com (善書圖書館, the Morality Books Library), Category 52 (一貫道經典二), text c52040. The site's copyright notice states: "歡迎轉載，上傳，翻印，流通" — "Welcome to reprint, upload, reproduce, and circulate." Raw text staged by Tulku Tirtha (तीर्थ, Liberation Scout) on 2026-03-28 and stored at Tulku/Tools/yiguandao/laomu_zhenyan_raw.txt. The text is composed in Southern Min (Hokkien) dialect with literary Chinese structure — one of the few Yiguandao scriptures written in a regional Chinese language rather than standard Classical or vernacular Chinese.
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