The Cavern Mysterious and Numinous Treasure Scripture of the Four Great Vows
Author: Unknown
Date of Composition: Likely the Sui or Tang Dynasty
This text consists of one scroll and is included in the Original Text Category of the Cavern Mysterious Section in the Taoist Canon.
The scripture asserts that those who study the Dao should dwell in deep mountain forests or quiet chambers of Taoist temples to accumulate merits and cultivate themselves. They must make the “Four Great Vows” dedicated to the east, west, south, and north, praying to the enlightened gods of the four directions to bestow fourteen blessings, eleven aspirational wishes, nine blessings, and seven blessings. After making these vows, practitioners must keep them constantly in mind and uphold them morning and evening, and they will naturally unite with the Dao and attain true realization.
The scripture also lists various blessing rituals, such as “the method of blessing midday meals”, “the method of blessing those who offer alms with midday meals”, “the blessing method for almsgiving to all beings”, and “the blessing method for those receiving alms”. These are all invocations used by Taoist priests to offer blessings on behalf of lay devotees (zhaizhu).
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