The Daoist Pedagogical Primer 道门通教必用集

Compiled and revised by Lü Yuansu, a Taoist priest of the Southern Song Dynasty, and adapted by Ma Daoyi in the Yuan Dynasty.

In nine volumes, it is included in the Zhengyi Section of The Daozang.

This work was compiled by Lü Taigu in compliance with the instruction of his mentor Lü Yuansu. It anthologizes Taoist scripture teachings, masters’ traditions, as well as commonly used liturgical texts, incantations and essential formulas from the Daoist school, intended for Taoist masters to instruct their disciples and transmit the Dao while ordaining practitioners into the faith. The whole book is divided into eight chapters.

The first is The Model Chapter, which contains the Supreme Lord’s scriptures and teachings on renouncing secular life for the Dao, excerpting basic knowledge from Taoist scriptures for novices who have just embarked on the Daoist path as initiates. It also includes biographical sketches of patriarchal masters, selecting the life stories of sixteen renowned Taoist masters throughout the ages from Biographies of Eminent Taoists to serve as models for beginners to follow. The second is The Liturgical Verse Chapter and the third is The Hymn and Ode Chapter, which compile liturgical texts of the Daoist school that Taoist novices shall proficiently recite and learn, such as eulogies, void-walking verses, benedictions and incantations, gathas, precious chapters and perfect writings. The fourth Memorial Presentation Chapter, fifth Clerical Duty Chapter and sixth Ceremonial Guidance Chapter excerpt the ritual protocols and clerical regulations for fasting and practicing the Dao that Taoist priests observe when performing sacrificial ceremonies and rituals. The seventh Ritual Propriety Chapter and eighth Pure Contemplation Chapter compile the rules and regulations for the daily life and routines of Taoists, as well as essential formulas for their regular cultivation practices.

This book is indeed a guiding textbook for educating and training Taoist disciples during the Song and Yuan dynasties, and its canonical disciplinary doctrines inherit the ritual and educational traditions preserved in The Dongshen Section of the Taoist canon, with its textual roots traced back to the monastic education system established in the the Tang Dynasty.