Sequence of the Daoist Canonical Inheritance 道门经法相承次序

The original text does not specify the author.

It records Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty (referred to as "Heavenly Emperor" in the book) consulting Taoist Master Pan Shizheng of Zhongyue (the Central Mountain). The work was presumably compiled by a Taoist priest of the Shangqing School during the Tang Dynasty.

Cataloged as a one-volume text in the Secret Catalog of the Southern Song Dynasty, the surviving version in the Daozang is divided into three volumes and included in the Taiping Section.

Sequence of the Daoist Canonical Inheritance

The content is structured into four parts:

Provides an overview of the origin and development of Taoism, as well as Taoist scriptures and methods. It explains over a dozen core terminologies, including the Three Heavens, Three Caverns, Three Lords, Ten Sections of Scriptures, Three Vehicles, Three Realms, Four Immeasurables, Six Perfections, Six Sense Faculties, Four Great Elements, Five Aggregates, Three Karmas, Five Sufferings, and Three Jewels.

Records dialogues between Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty and Master Pan Shizheng regarding Taoist scriptures and methods. The questions addressed include preserving the Three Principles, activating the Nine Palaces in the forehead, the Six Harmonies Palace, the stages of Taoist cultivation and enlightenment, the hierarchical titles of Heavenly Lords, the Ten Manifestations of Heavenly Lords, the names and abodes of celestial sages and true beings, the ranks of immortals, the names of the Thirty-Six Heavens, the deities of the sun, moon, stars, and the Ten Titles of the Mysterious Great Master.

Defines approximately one hundred Taoist ritual and magical terms, such as the One Vehicle, Contemplation, Vision, Qi (Vital Energy), and others.

Excerpts from the Hai Kong Zhi Zang Jing (Scripture of Oceanic Emptiness and Wisdom) and explains terminologies related to cultivating the mind, nature, and wisdom—including the Three Stages, Ten Minds, Ten Practices, Ten Paths, Ten Transformations, and Ten Obstacles.

With over 140 terminologies explained, the book serves as a concise dictionary of Taoist doctrines and principles.