Suling Dongyuan Jing: Shangqing Meditation & Inner Gods

The Wondrous Scripture of Great Mystery from the Primordial Cavern of the Supreme Pure Spirit of the Great Cavern Realm

As an important early classic of the Shangqing (Supreme Pure) School of Taoism, it is known as one of the "Three Rare Precious Texts" of the Shangqing tradition. It was probably compiled during the Eastern Jin Dynasty and the Southern Dynasties (317–589 CE).

Taoist texts such as the Wushang Miyao (Supreme Secret Essentials) and Sandong Zhunang (Pearl Satchel of the Three Caverns) all quote excerpts from this scripture. The scripture is included in the Zhengyi Bu (Orthodox Unity Section) of the Daozang (Taoist Canon).

The entire text contains seven chapters of scriptural essentials and Taoist practice methods, as well as two sections of ritual protocols and eulogies.

The seven practice methods are as follows:

Sandong Hunhua Neizhen Biansheng Guanh Hao Baoming (Precious Names and Official Titles of the Inner True Beings Transformed by the Fusion of the Three Caverns);
Taishang Daojun Shou Sanyuan Zhenyi Jing (Scripture of the Supreme Lord of the Dao Guarding the Three Origins and the True Oneness);
Taishang Daojun Shou Yuandan Shangjing (Upper Scripture of the Supreme Lord of the Dao Guarding the Primordial Elixir);
Sigong Ci Zhenyi Neishen Baoming Yujue (Jade Essentials on the Precious Names of the Inner Spirits of the True Female Principle in the Four Palaces);
Taishang Dadong Shouyi Neizhen Fa (Method of the Supreme Great Cavern for Guarding the Oneness and the Inner True Being);
Taishang Sanjiu Suyu Neizhou Juewen (Essential Text of the Inner Incantations in the Pure Language of the Three Nines by the Supreme One);
Taizhen Yinchao Qiuxian Shangfa (Upper Method of the Great True Being for Hidden Audience and Seeking Immortality).

All the seven methods mentioned above are cultivation practices of the early Shangqing School, whose core essence lies in swallowing talismans, chanting incantations, and contemplating, paying homage to, and worshipping various immortals and revered lords.

The primary spirit to be contemplated is the "Oneness" (Yi). The "Oneness" is also called the "Three Origins and the True Oneness" (Sanyuan Zhenyi), all of which are spirits residing within the human body. Specifically:

The "Upper Oneness" (Shangyi) is the Heavenly Emperor of the entire body;
The "Middle Oneness" (Zhongyi) is the Elixir Sovereign of the Crimson Palace (a mystical inner palace in the chest);
The "Lower Oneness" (Xiayi) is the Primordial Ruler of the Yellow Court (a mystical inner palace in the abdomen).

Together, they are called the "Three Onenesses" (Sanyi). It is said that guarding and maintaining the "Three Onenesses" enables communication with divine beings, the descent of spiritual powers, and ascension to immortality in broad daylight.

The scripture also includes two sections of ritual protocols and eulogies:

The first is Taishang Jiuzhen Mingke (The Bright Ritual Code of the Nine True Beings by the Supreme One), which is divided into three grades and twenty-seven articles, expounding on the ritual protocols for transmitting and applying the Shangqing scriptural methods.
The second consists of four eulogies, namely Taidijun Jie Dayou Miaozan (The Wondrous Eulogy in Verse by the Supreme Heavenly Lord on the Great Mystery), Tiandijun Zan (Eulogy to the Heavenly Emperor Lord), Taiwei Tiandijun Song (Recitation by the Heavenly Emperor Lord of the Supreme Tenuity), and Housheng Jinque Dijun Song (Recitation by the Posterior Sage Emperor Lord of the Golden Tower). These eulogies respectively summarize the core essentials of the entire scripture and praise its profound truths.