Scripture of Serene Essence from Xuandu 太上玄都妙本清静身心经

The author is unknown. Judging from its content and linguistic style, it was presumably compiled during the Tang Dynasty.

Consisting of one volume, it is included in the Ben Wen (Original Text) category of The Dongzhen Section in The Daozang.

Scripture of Serene Essence from Xuandu

Falsely attributed to Yuanshi Tianzun (Primeval Heavenly Lord) preaching to Taishang Daojun (Supreme Dao Lord), Zhenren Fajie (True Person of Dharma Interpretation), and others in the Mysterious Capital, the scripture proclaims that the body and mind of all sentient beings are inherently pure and tranquil. Their original nature is clear and luminous, neither born nor destroyed. Later, however, due to "clinging to the illusory body, being deluded by the true Dao, committing inverted karma, and accumulating defilements of deceit," they bind their bodies and minds, obscure their true nature, and thus endure samsara—birth and death without end of liberation.

The method of liberation requires regularly cleansing physical impurities with fragrant water, and purifying mental defilements through the practice of "quiet contemplation," so that both the interior and exterior are pure. In this way, one can "return to the origin, recover one’s emptiness and clarity, attain the Dao naturally, and never wander in samsara again." The scripture also states that if the world copies, reveres, and upholds this scripture, they will "purify the wondrous origin and make their body and mind pure and white."