The Concise Rituals for Zhengyi Daoist Cultivation 正一修真略仪

Author unknown.

Compiled approximately in the late Northern and Southern Dynasties or the early Sui-Tang period.

It is a one-scroll work included in the Zhengyi Section of the Daoist Canon.

This text expounds the ritual procedures and hierarchical stages for transmitting and cultivating the talismans, scriptures, and contracts of the Three Caverns.

It states that when Daoist priests receive and transmit the precious talismans and tallies, they must follow the ritual sequence, clarify the hierarchical ranks, examine the conceptual categories in detail, comprehend the essential tenets, and then practice in accordance with the law. Only in this way can they conform to the ritual norms and sincerely communicate with the deities.

The text divides the precious Daoist talismans into four ranks. Each rank includes dozens of talismans, ritual guidelines, and contracts, with their headings and hierarchical stages listed in detail, along with a brief account of the essential tenets and secret methods for receiving, holding, and cultivating the talismans. First, it lists The Supreme Three-Five Zhengyi Alliance and Might Precious Talismans, which comprises twenty-four ranks of talismans, as well as true contracts and ritual protocols.

Receiving and upholding the Zhengyi Alliance and Might Talismans marks the initial stage of Daoist practice.

Next, it mentions advancing to receive the Cavern God Precious Talismans (the relevant content is lost in the original text).

Subsequently, it elaborates on the secret methods for receiving and upholding the Cavern Mystery Precious Talismans.

After that, it discusses cultivating the twenty-four ranks of the Supreme Clarity Talismans, only listing the headings of the Supreme Clarity talismans and contracts.

Finally, it presents the Secret Methods for Copying Scriptures and Talismans, briefly describing the ritual procedures for transcribing the scriptures and talismans of the Three Caverns.

The headings and hierarchical stages of the various talismans and contracts listed in this book are derived from The Zhengyi Scripture and The Three Caverns Codes for Upholding the Dao, though the ordination rituals recorded herein are relatively concise.