Golden Court Scripture of Non-Action 太上元宝金庭无为妙经

The author is unknown.

Judging from its content and wording, it was presumably written by a Taoist priest between the Tang and Song dynasties.

Consisting of one volume, it is included in the Zhengyi Section of the Daozang.

Golden Court Scripture of Non-Action

This scripture mainly expounds the theories of Internal Alchemy cultivation and nourishment, divided into twenty-seven chapters in total. Firstly, it discusses the principle that the Dao is naturally non-action, generating yin-yang, the Five Elements, heaven, earth and all things. It holds that sages follow the naturally non-actional way of the Dao, thus being able to transcend the mortal realm and enter sagehood. Secondly, it elaborates on the method of cultivating and nourishing the body, spirit, Qi and essence. It states that the way to attain immortality lies in nurturing the spirit and refining the body, harmonizing yin and yang, facilitating the intercourse of Kan and Li, keeping the spirit undispersed, and maintaining the unity of body and Qi. Those who cultivate the Dao, if able to preserve the body and essence intact, attain perfect spirit and upright Qi, can return to the state of an infant from old age and become true immortals. Finally, the scripture expounds the method of stabilizing the spirit and guarding the mind. It holds that the way to stabilize the spirit lies in guarding the mind, and guarding the mind lies in eliminating thoughts and desires. Without desires, the mind becomes upright; with an upright mind, the spirit becomes stable, hence achieving freedom from aging and death.

The main purport of the entire text is to teach people to practice purity and non-action, refine Qi and nurture the spirit, eliminate thoughts and reduce desires, so as to attain immortality.