The Celestial Taoist Summa 天皇至道太清玉册

Composed by the Immortal Elder of the Southern Pole of Longevity (Zhu Quan) in the Ming dynasties.

The original text was in two volumes; the extant version is divided into eight volumes, and incorporated into the Continued Daozang.

A self-preface by the author opens the book, stating that this treatise collates and revises Taoist doctrines and institutional norms, propagates profound Xuan enlightenment in great detail, establishes immutable standards and regulations, and records all rituals and utilities practiced in the Daoist school.

The first scroll of the original text is divided into nine chapters. Rooted in the thoughts of Laozi and Zhuangzi, and drawing references from historical records and Taoist scriptures, it elaborates exhaustively on the genesis of the universe, the evolution of heaven and earth, the movement of the sun, moon, wind and thunder, and the principles of mutual generation and restriction of yin and yang and the Five Elements. It also provides a thorough account of Lord Laozi’s divine manifestations and spiritual transformations, the hereditary lineage of the Celestial Masters, the northern and southern sects of Taoism, the catalogues of scriptures of the Three Caverns, official ranks and hierarchical grades, the hierarchy of Taoist Talismans, fasting and sacrificial ritual protocols, as well as monastic rules and commandments, leaving nothing unrecorded.

The second scroll is divided into ten chapters, documenting the Taoist system of ritual objects and denominations. It details with meticulous precision the architectural styles of Taoist temples and halls, the iconography of the Heavenly Venerables and the Jade Emperor, sacrificial offerings such as streamers, lamps, incense and fruits, ritual instruments including celestial music instruments and immortal staffs, ceremonies such as the Quanzhen meditation bowl sitting ritual, daily utilities like ordination robes, headgear, beds and combs, as well as inner cultivation formulas, auspicious dates for pilgrimages, nomenclature for Taoist records, esoteric taboos and prohibitions.

Well-structured and rich in content, this book is indeed an encyclopedic compendium for the study of Taoist philosophical doctrines and institutional norms in the Ming Dynasty. The author Zhu Quan was the seventeenth son of the Ming Taizu, enfeoffed as Prince of Ning. He once drafted the call to arms for the Prince of Yan’s southern expedition; later, fearing political calamity, he retreated into the Daoist faith, devoting himself to writing to conceal his talents and keep a low profile. His profound talent for narrating events and distinguishing principles is evident in this treatise.