Scriptures

 

Daoist Canon Online (Zhengtong daozang 正统道藏[Daoist Canon of the Zhengtong Reign Period])

 

Huangting waijing jing 黃庭外景經 (Scripture on the External View of the Yellow Court; DZ 332). Composed in heptasyllabic lines divided into a three sections, this is a shorter text related to the third-century Huangting neijing jing黃庭內景經 (Scripture on the Internal View of the Yellow Court; DZ 331). It may be considered a condensed or abridged version of that text. It too describes the subtle physiology of the human body, including its internal divinities. The Huangting jing became highly influential on later internal alchemy movements, which borrowed much of the technical terminology contained therein.

 

Laojun jinglu 老君經律 (Scriptural Statutes of Lord Lao; DZ 786). This is a sixth-century anthology of Tianshi 天師 (Celestial Masters) conduct guidelines. It contains the earliest extant set of precepts (jie 戒), which also goes back to the Celestial Masters movement. In particular, there are the so-called Nine Practices (jiuxing 九行) and Xiang'er 想爾Precepts, which are derived from the Laozi Xiang'er zhu 老子想爾注 (Xiang'er Commentary on the Laozi; DH 56), as well as the Laojun yibai bashi jie 老君一百八十戒 (180 Precepts of Lord Lao).

 

Lijao shiwu lun 立教十五論 (Fifteen Discourses to Establish the Teachings; DZ 1233). Attributed to Wang Zhe 王喆 (Chongyang 重陽 [Redoubled Yang]; 1113-1170), the founder of Quanzhen 全真 (Complete Perfection), this text is a handbook of fifteen discourses intended as a guide for Quanzhen adepts. It is often read as one of the most representative and systematic discussions of the early Quanzhen cultivation system. The text has recently been engraved on a stele at Yuquan yuan 玉泉院 (Jade Spring Temple; Huayin, Shaanxi) of Huashan 華山, where it is also distributed in pamphlet form.

 

Qingjing jing 清靜經(Scripture on Clarity and Stillness; DZ 620). An anonymous ninth-century Daoist scripture associated with a group of Tang-dynasty (618-907) texts that could be labeled "Clarity-and-Stillness literature." Highly influential in internal alchemy lineages in general and Quanzhen 全真 (Complete Perfection) Daoism in particular. This text occupies a central position in contemporary Longmen 龍門 (Dragon Gate) Daoism and is chanted as part of that tradition's daily liturgy.

 

Yinfu Jing 陰符經 (Scripture on the Hidden Talisman; DZ 31). An anonymous sixth-century Daoist scripture of unknown provenance. Highly influential in internal alchemy lineages in general and Quanzhen 全真 (Complete Perfection) Daoism in particular. This text occupies a central position in contemporary Longmen 龍門 (Dragon Gate) Daoism. An engraving of the Yinfu jing is housed in Shangqing gong 上清宮 (Palace of Highest Clarity) on Qingcheng shan 青城山 (Azure Wall Mountain; Guanxian, Sichuan), and Ren Farong, the abbot of Louguan tai 樓觀臺 (Lookout Terrace Monastery; Zhouzhi, Shaanxi), has written a commentary on this scripture. 

 

 

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