Yujing Zhenjue: Three Paths to Daylight Ascension

The True Grotto: The Supreme Scripture of the Three-Nine Pure Words and the Jade Essence True Formula

As one of the early classic texts of the Shangqing School (Supreme Clarity School), it likely originated during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317–420 CE).

In Volume Five of The True Declarations (Zhengao), it is stated: “The Dao includes the Jade Essence True Formula and the Three-Nine Pure Words”; The Catalogue of the Supreme Clarity Great Cavern True Scripture (Shangqing Dadong Zhenjing Mu) records “One scroll of the Supreme Clarity Jade Essence True Formula and the Three-Nine Pure Words”—both references refer to this very scripture.

The present version is included in the Zhengyi Bu (Orthodox Unity Section) of the Daozang (Taoist Canon).

The entire text contains three Taoist practices, detailed as follows:

The Jade Essence True Formula and the Three-Nine Pure Words

This practice requires practitioners to enter a chamber on their “birth destiny day” (the day corresponding to one’s birth in the traditional Chinese calendar), then practice cunsi (visualization meditation) to imagine the Five Directional Emperors descending to reside in their five internal organs (liver, heart, spleen, lungs, kidneys). While doing so, they recite incantations and formulas, and rub their palms to warm them before patting their faces. It is claimed that after five years of practicing this method, one’s face will radiate a golden glow, the five internal organs will generate “splendor” (a sign of spiritual refinement), the organs will retain vital energy (qi), and one will attain the Dao of immortality.
The Method of Submitting Tallies and Burying Slips on the Eight Festivals

On the days of the Eight Festivals (the Beginning of Spring, Spring Equinox, Beginning of Summer, Summer Solstice, Beginning of Autumn, Autumn Equinox, Beginning of Winter, and Winter Solstice), practitioners submit “tallies” (ritual tokens) and bury “bamboo slips” (inscribed with prayers or vows) in sacred mountains—specifically the “birth destiny mountain” (a mountain associated with one’s birth destiny). Through this act, they present a petition to the Jade Clarity (Yuqing) realm (one of the highest celestial realms in Taoist cosmology). It is said that practicing this method for three years can summon divine beings and attract spiritual forces, enabling one to become an immortal.
The Supreme Method of the Emperor’s Jade Text for Stabilizing the Spirit

On days corresponding to the Heavenly Stems of Qian-Gui (a paired designation in the ten Heavenly Stems), Jia-Yi, Wu-Ji, Geng-Xin, and Bing-Ding, practitioners carve talismans on stones of five colors—green, red, yellow, white, and black. These colored talismans are then buried respectively in the five directions (east, south, center, west, north) of the mountain where they reside. After burying the talismans, practitioners tap their teeth (a ritual gesture in Taoism) and recite incantations. This practice is believed to summon divine beings, subdue demons, and allow one to ascend to heaven in broad daylight.