This is one of the more popular Daoist scriptures. The scripture is spoken by Zhao Gongming, Marshal Zhao, who is venerated as the Martial god of Wealth.
In this scripture, Marshal Zhao recieves a report from his subordinate, the Wealth God of the Centre, on the general moral decline of humans. Marshal Zhao personally goes down to the human world to investigate, and finds this to be true. He then delivers a lengthy teaching in seven character verse. The teaching exhorts people to do good; they should remember that wealth and fortune depend on accruing merit. He then provides further moral instructions in prose: A person who regularly does meritorious acts will be protected by the gods of wealth, and further shows how even a poor person could acquire merit by donating their labor or exhorting others to do so. The scripture concludes with a list of benefits of keeping a copy of the scripture at home.
Regarding the text itself, Parallels can be drawn with other Daoist scriptures: The opening section- describing the god who revealed the scripture, the place where it was revealed, and the retinue in attendance, is standard feature of daoist scriptures.
The central section, written in seven-character verse, is a common format for popular religious texts. for example the so-called ‘Sutra spoken by the Buddha on cause and effect' 佛說因果經 is written in this format as well. Some may say that this indicates the verse section was composed first, perhaps as a revelation from a medium, and the rest of the scripture written later to make it appear more authoritative. However as far as I can tell, the central verse section does not circulate independently from the rest of the scripture (as is often the case with the Sutra on Cause and Effect).
The final section, where a list benefits of keeping the scripture at home, can also be found in Daoist scriptures like the Scripture of the Northern Dipper 北斗經.
I have taken the text of this scripture from http://taolibrary.com/video/video621.aspx. I do not know anything of the textual history of this scripture, The text begins and ends with hymns to Marshal Zhao. For reasons of time I have not translated the hymns here, but I hope to do so in the future. I cannot find any copy of this text in any of the Daoist Canons. If anyone can tell me more about the scripture, or correct errors in the translation I would be most obliged.
玄壇趙元帥財神經。本卷。
The Scripture of the God of Wealth [spoken by] Marshal Zhao of the Sublime Altar. In one Juan.
爾時。玄壇趙元帥在督財府。登百寶座。倚黃金案。五方財神。運寶郎君。送財童子。司庫仙。掌籍仙。金銀銅鐵錫五種司理之神。異寶奇珍司理之神。排班侍立。
At that time, Marshal Zhao of the Sublime Altar was in the Bureau overseeing Wealth. He ascended his seat of a Hundred Treasures, before a desk of gold. The gods of Wealth of the Five Directions, The Lords of Luck and Treasure, the Wealth-Giving lad, the Transcendent who controls the Coffer, the Immortal who manages the Register, the Gods who control the Five metals, Gold, Silver, Copper, Iron and Tin, as well as the gods who control rare treasures and marvellous gems, stood in rows in attendance.
參謁已畢。中央財神黃金使者。越班而出。稽首啟請。而稟元帥曰。下元甲子。凡夫每多揮金如土。窮奢極侈。毫不知地產五金。以賜人類。互相維繫生計之用。反致鑄金成幣。造成種種惡因。伏乞主帥運大威力。設法救正。免造成大劫。陷群生於苦坑。
After they all saluted, the Wealth God of the Centre, the Golden Messenger, stepped forward, bowed, and after requesting to speak, reported to the Marshal, “In the Lower Prime of the Sexagenary cycle, people squander gold as if it was earth, exhausting their every desire. They do not at all know that the Five Metals produced by the earth, are meant for humankind to sustain and mutually benefit each other. On the contrary, they melt gold to create coins, which creates all manner of evil causes. I now request my lord to use his mighty spiritual power, to create a way to save the upright, that they may be spared the great disaster, where the massed beings are entrapped with hardships.”
趙元帥正色曰。使者之言。正合吾心。吾當親臨下界巡視。告誡凡夫。
Marshal Zhao [stood up?] and said, “The Messenger’s words are entirely in accord with my mind. I will personally descend to the world below, to caution the common people”
於是。趙元帥身騎黑虎。手執金鞭。五路財神。依方護衛。各司神祇。前後擁護。於甲子年正月初五日。下降凡塵。巡視一過。喟然而歎。乃謂五方五路財神曰。黃金使者所稟。確且實情。以後凡遇歲首。正月初五日。汝各按方位查察。詳為且報。記錄善惡以憑賞罰。五路財神再拜稽首。奉命惟謹。
As such, Marshal Zhao, mounted a black tiger, with a golden whip in hand. The Gods of Wealth of Five Roads surrounded him their corresponding directions, whilst the various other gods made up the front and rear. They all descended to the mortal world on the Fifth Day of the First month of the Wood Rat Year. After making a tour of inspection, [Marshal Zhao] heaved a sigh and said to the gods of wealth of the five directions “What the Golden messenger said was truly the case. From now on, after the new year, on the fifth day of the first lunar month, you should all make an inspection in your direction, and make a detailed report, recording Good and Evil [deeds of people] for their reward or punishment” The Gods of Wealth of the Five Directions bowed, and obeyed the command.
於是趙元帥沉思良久。而作誥誠曰。
At that point Marshal Zhao sat in meditation for a long while, and then gave the following instruction:
吾是玄壇趙天君。 財帛府中我為尊。天下財源吾掌管。 富貴窮通由我定。 I am Heavenly Lord Zhao of the Sublime Altar,
In the Bureau of Wealth and Substance I am Lord.
Of all sources of wealth under heaven, I am he controller,
Wealth, and poverty are all controlled by me.
兼管風火瘟雷部。 三月十五是誕辰。家家戶戶虔誠奉。 我便賜財榮其身。
I also control the bureaus of Wind, Fire, Plague and Thunder,
My birthday is on the 15th day of the 3rd month.
Every family who sincerely venerates me,
I will bless with wealth and glory.
今日親臨五濁界。 告誡汝等一般人。焚香要帶誠意燒。 跪拜須將過改盡。
Today I have personally seen the world of five defilements,
And tell this to you common folk.
When offering incense, you must do so with sincerity,
When prostrating [as repentance] you must ensure your faults are thoroughly corrected.
富貴多行慈善事。 貧人安命守本分。綾羅綢緞雖好看。 一絲一命要知情。
The wealthy should perform more charitable acts,
The poor should keep contented to their lot.
Satin and brocade may be good to look at,
But you should know every thread claimed a life [of a silkworm]
棉麻葛布天上賜。 製成衣服格外溫。殺生害命貪口腹。 來世便是貧賤身。
Cotton and hemp cloth was bestowed by heaven,
To create clothes to keep one warm.
Those who Kill living creatures to satisfy their palates
Will surely be poor people in their next incarnation.
有財無子善不足。 財多子多有前因。今世富貴須行善。 不做善事保不成。
Those who have wealth but no sons, have done insufficient good.
Much wealth and children are due to causes in past lives.
Those who would be good in this life must perform good,
If they do no good, they will surely not succeed.
今世貧賤須安命。 勤儉持家種善因。金銀原是國之寶。 川流不息付與人。
A person who is poor and lowly is a result of their fate,
Be thrifty, support your family, and plant good causes.
Gold and Silver are in truth the treasures of a country,
Which the rivers unceasingly carry down for the good of people.
能聚能散方為貴。 分多潤寡貴平均。若還歛聚不行善。 死後依然付別人。
Of Those who can save, those who can scatter- who becomes noble?
Thus they are divided into the luxuriant, noble, wealthy, and average
[I am unsure of the translation of the above 2 lines- ed]
If you are still stingy and do no good,
[recall] after death, [your wealth] will go to other’s hands.
富不行善生敗子。 貧不安分丟性命。種瓜自能得瓜子。 善善惡惡不差分。
If the wealthy do not do good, they will give birth to failsons,
If the poor are not content with their lot, they destroy their nature and fate.
Planting melons produces melon seeds,
Without a doubt, Good follows good, and Evil follows evil.
試看施濟行善者。 不發自己發子孫。白屋也會出將相。 侯門後裔做乞人。
Look at those who perform acts of deliverance and good,
If they do not prosper, then their sons and grandsons will.
Plain huts may produce generals and ministers,
Ducal Houses’ descendants may also be beggars.
善惡到頭終有報。 財寶不付作惡人。汝等經吾誥誡後。 信受奉行做善 人。
Good and Evil will eventually have their retribution,
[loans of] Wealth and treasure, if not returned, makes one an evil person.
After you have heard my cautions,
You should believe and practise it, and be a good person.
趙元帥誥誡已畢。五路財神。稽首啟請。而稟曰。世人經此誥誡。回心向善。當以何種利益已顯果報。惟願主帥慈悲。示以未悟。
After Marshal Zhao finished his instruction, the Gods of Wealth of the Five Directions bowed and requested to speak. They reported “We request our marshal to tell us of the benefits the people of the world will attain, after hearing this instruction and having turned their minds to goodness, to instruct those yet to be awakened”
趙元帥即說利益曰。若有眾生。或因前因而富。或以今修而富。或享其祖先之成。若能一心向善。濟人利物。我即敕命
Marshal Zhao then said the benefits “If the massed beings are wealthy due to causes in past lives, or through their present cultivation, or through sharing in their ancestors’ accomplishments, if they can single-mindedly direct themselves to goodness, to save and benefit people, I will order
東路財神青金使者。
The God of Wealth of the Eastern Roads, The Azure Gold Messenger,
南路財神赤金使者。
The God of wealth of the Southern Roads, the Scarlet Gold Messenger
中路財神黃金使者。
The god of wealth of the Central Roads, the Yellow Gold Messenger
西路財神白金使者。
The God of Wealth of the Western Roads, the White Gold Messenger,
北路財神烏金使者。
The God of Wealth of the Northern Roads, the Black Gold Messenger,
各按所轄之方。統帥當方土地。帶領運寶郎君。 送財童子。以時在寶庫之中輸送財寶。使其財恆充足。流傳後代常為富有之人。
To arrive from the directions they govern to the land [where the good man is], leading their armies along with the Treasure Bringing Lords, Wealth Bestowing lads, to send treasures and wealth to the coffers there, ensuring that he shall always have sufficient wealth, [and furthermore] enough shall remain to pass to his descendants, so that they too will be wealthy.
若復有人身雖貧賤。而能守分安命。填不平之道路。以利人行。架溝澗之短橋。以利人涉。無財能盡其力。無力能盡其言。吾即敕命。掌籍仙官。將其貧籍除名。登入富籍。
Again, if a person is poor, but keeps to his allotted fate, repairs uneven roads to help the traveller, builds short bridges over rivers to help people cross – giving his strength if he has no money; encouraging people if he has no strength, I will order the coffer-managing Immortal officials, to remove his name from the registers of those fated to be poor, and enter them into the registers of the wealthy.
或使其生計日裕。事業漸興。由貧而小康。或使其得意外之財。而驟富。或使 其子孫發達。享其後福。
Alternately I will make his plans to prosper daily, his business to slowly flourish, allowing him to rise from poverty to comfort. Or I will make him come to wealth unexpectedly, allowing him to become wealthy of a sudden. Or I shall allow his sons and grandsons to flourish, and enjoy this latter fortune.
若復有人。信心不二。常年奉祀。香火不斷。流傳此經。以勸世人。吾即使其人口清吉。四季平安。有求必應。無願不從。各各信受。自護禎祥。
If there is a person, who with unwavering trust, performs the sacrifices every year without interruption, and circulates this scripture to encourage the people of the world, I will ensure that person’s family will enjoy pure auspiciousness, have peace in all four seasons, have all he seeks, all wishes go according to plan. All those who believe in this, shall personally get such blessings.
於是玄壇趙元帥復說偈曰。
At that time Marshall Zhao said this Gatha:
家 有 財 神 經 。財 寶 常 滿 盈。家 有 財 神 經 。生 計 常 茂 盛。 家 有 財 神 經 。人 口 保 平 安。 家 有 財 神 經。子 孫 永 不 貧。
If the family has the Scripture of the God of Wealth, they will always have plenty of wealth and treasure.
If the family has the Scripture of the God of Wealth, their plans will always flourish
If the family has the Scripture of the God of Wealth, they will always be safe and sound,
If the family has the Scripture of the God of Wealth, their children will never be poor
家 有 財 神 經 。財 神 常 降 臨。家 有 財 神 經 。橫 事 不 臨 門。
家 有 財 神 經。 往 來 無 白 丁。家 有 財 神 經。 窮 漢 變 財 星。
If the family has the Scripture of the God of Wealth,the god of wealth will always descend on them,
If the family has the Scripture of the God of Wealth, unexpected events will never come to their door
If the family has the Scripture of the God of Wealth, there will be no more commoners in the family,
If the family has the Scripture of the God of Wealth, a poor man will become a star of wealth
家 有 財 神 經 。瘟 疫 不 敢 侵。家 有 財 神 經。 雷 公 保 清 平。 If the family has the Scripture of the God of Wealth, no disease will dare enter
If the family has the Scripture of the God of Wealth, the Thunder Duke will guarantee peace
趙元帥說偈巳。霹靂一聲。天地震動。鬼神失色。黑虎長嘯。金鞭飛舞。萬魔攝伏。五路財神。各籍神王。仙靈童子。排班肅立。瘟火雷部。一 一參謁。信受奉行。作禮而退。
After Marshal Zhao said the Gatha, there was a clap of thunder. Heaven and earth quaked and the demonic gods lost their form. His black tiger let out a long roar, his golden whip danced about and the myriads of demons were subdued. The god of wealth of the five directions, the divine kings of the various registers, the numinous immortal lads, arranged themselves in rows, and respectfully straightened themselves. The departments of Plague and Thunder, each individually paid their respects, respectfully receiving the teaching and practising it. They saluted and left.