Dongzhen Taishang Cangyuan Shanglu (The Supreme Register of the Storehouse Origin of the Supreme Oneness of the Genuine Grotto)
One of the early classics of the Shangqing School, compiled approximately during the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420–589 CE).
It was already cited in Volume 47 of Wushang Miyao (The Supreme Secret Essentials).
The scripture mainly elaborates on the essential methods of cultivating goodness.
It holds that heaven and earth nurture all living beings, and humans are formed by inheriting the primordial qi of nature. Those who cultivate goodness and accumulate virtue can preserve their primordial qi to attain longevity; those who commit evil without repentance will lose their primordial qi and perish.
It further states that the path of Taoist practice is divided into three stages: upper, middle, and lower—namely Dongzhen (Genuine Grotto), Dongxuan (Mysterious Grotto), and Dongshen (Divine Grotto).
Each of the Three Grottoes comprises twelve categories of scriptures and precepts:
- Ziran Yuzi (Natural Jade Scripts);
- Fulu (Talismans);
- Zhujue (Annotations and Formulas);
- Tuxiang (Icons and Diagrams);
- Pulu (Genealogies and Registers);
- Jielü (Precepts and Rules);
- Weiyi (Etiquette and Deportment);
- Fangfa (Methods);
- Shushu (Occult Arts and Numerology);
- Jichuan (Records and Biographies);
- Zansong (Eulogies and Hymns);
- Biaozou (Memorials and Petitions).
Practitioners should cultivate according to these stages, pursue goodness and avoid evil, and embrace simplicity with few desires.
Those who diligently practice the twelve categories of scriptures and precepts of the Three Grottoes with unwavering perseverance can ascend to the Three Pure Realms.
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