Dongzhen Taishang Basu Zhenjing: Methods for Ingesting the Royal Radiance of the Sun and Moon
It is an early classic of the Shangqing School, presumably compiled during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317–420 CE).
Originally, it was a part of The Scripture of the Eight Essences (Basu Zhenjing), and later extracted to form an independent scroll. It is included in the "Zhengyi Section" (the core section of the Taoist Canon focusing on orthodox rituals and doctrines) of the Daozang (Taoist Canon).
This text is attributed to Qingtong Jun (the Youthful Lord, a high-ranking Taoist deity holding the position of "Prime Minister" in the celestial hierarchy) as its compiler. It expounds on the Dao of "ingesting the essences of the sun and moon" and "flying to ascend into the cosmos," with "swallowing talismans and presenting bamboo slips" regarded as the core key to practicing this Dao.
Its method of swallowing talismans prescribes:
- On the eight solar terms (key seasonal nodes in the traditional Chinese calendar), swallowing the "Eight Essences Jade Talismans of the Flying Essences of the Two Lights (Sun and Moon)" respectively;
- On the Taisui Day (the day associated with the Jupiter’s annual position in traditional Chinese astrology), swallowing the "Yang Essence Flying Radiance Talisman" and the "Yin Essence Flying Radiance Talisman";
- On one’s Birth Day (the day corresponding to one’s zodiac sign in the traditional calendar), swallowing the "Flying Glory Sun Radiance Jade Embryo Talisman" and the "Royal Glory Stone Radiance Internal Transformation Talisman."
It is claimed that by practicing this Dao for nine years, one can ascend to the cosmos.
Additionally, the text records the method of "presenting bamboo slips to pray for divine blessings": presenting eight bamboo slips to the "Eight Essences Heavenly Lords" respectively, praying to be granted the "Eight Essences Colorful Clouds" so as to ascend to the Jade Purity Realm (one of the highest celestial realms in Taoism) and pay homage to the Nine Heavens.
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