The Central Harmony Chapter - An Exegesis 太上灵宝升玄内教经中和品述义疏

The author of the commentary is unnamed. Judging from its content and wording, it was probably written by a scholar of the Tang dynasty.

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

This work is a commentary on the "Zhonghe Pin (Neutrality Chapter)" in Volume 7 of the Shengxuan Neijiao Jing (Scripture of Ascending to Mystery and Inner Teaching), a Taoist scripture compiled during the Northern and Southern Dynasties of Ancient China.

The Central Harmony Chapter - An Exegesis

The author interpreted the original scripture using the philosophical doctrines of the Chongxuan School of the Sui and Tang dynasties, analyzing it systematically to elaborate the ideas of rejecting both existence and non-existence, abandoning extremities to embrace the middle way, and not clinging rigidly to the notions of good and evil. For instance, the first paragraph of the commentary states: "The Scripture of Neutrality is indeed the wonderful secret to attaining perfection and the essential method to enter the Dao; its principle runs through the Chongxuan (Twofold Mystery) philosophy, and its meaning embodies the rejection of dualities." It further states: "The term 'Zhong (neutrality)' refers to a state free from external biases, and 'He (harmony)' denotes the adherence to natural alignment. Focusing one’s mind inward is called 'Zhong'; following the Dao without deviation is called 'He'." "Aspiring to good and discarding evil is named 'Zhonghe (neutrality and harmony)'." This passage captures the core essence of the entire commentary.