Shangqing Demonic Statutes and Rituals 上清骨髓灵文鬼律
Paul PengShangqing Demonic Statutes and Rituals
Originally revised and rectified by Rao Dongtian, and recompiled by Deng Yougong.
Both were Taoist priests of the Tianxin Sect during the Northern Song Dynasty.
Originally three scrolls, included in the Rules and Precepts category of the Dongxuan Section of What is The Daozang.
Shangqing Demonic Statutes and Rituals
The book contains more than 120 statutes and rituals of the heavenly “Court for Expelling Demons”. They are said to have been established in imitation of “state laws”.
Volume One contains 63 “Demon Laws”, all rules governing gods, ghosts, and spirits including divine soldiers, generals and officials, City Gods, local deities, dragon gods, tree spirits, deceased souls, and demons.
Those who act out of selfishness, neglect their duties, delay memorials, or harm people shall be punished in accordance with the laws: minor offences result in beating, banishment, or exile; serious ones lead to annihilation and death.
Volume Two contains 16 “Jade Statutes”, rules for the judges of the heavenly Court for Expelling Demons regarding appointment, practice of methods, and transmission of teachings.
Volume Three contains 36 “Rites”, the ceremonial rules for practicing the Tianxin Orthodox Dharma; and 12 “Models”, various formats used by the heavenly Court for Expelling Demons in performing methods, such as seal models, models for walking the Big Dipper and chanting incantations, oaths to divine generals, official proclamations of the Orthodox Dharma, and appointment edicts for officials of the Court for Expelling Demons.
