The Dongzhen Xiwangmu Baoshen Qiju Jing 洞真西王母宝神起居经

Dongzhen Queen Mother of the West’s Precious Spirit Daily Routine Scripture (Dongzhen Xiwangmu Baoshen Qiju Jing), author unknown.

Its content and wording are mostly seen in Tao Hongjing’s Zhengao (True Declarations), so it should have been compiled by Taoist priests of the Shangqing School during the Eastern Jin and Southern Dynasties.

This scripture has already been quoted in the Dunhuang manuscript P.2576 Shangqing Three Trues’ Essential Meaning Jade Commentary (Shangqing Sanzhen Zhiyao Yujue).

The original text consists of one scroll and is included in the Zhengyi Bu (Orthodox Oneness Section) of the Daozang (Taoist Canon).

This scripture is composed of four short texts, namely:

Its content mainly focuses on Taoist methods of health preservation and wellness, with particular emphasis on the care of the face, ears, and eyes. It states: "When a person is about to age, wrinkles on the face first appear below the two eyes; moreover, when a person’s body declines and vital energy (qi) becomes insufficient, the sign first shows between the two nostrils." It also claims: "The ears and eyes are the steps to seek the Dao and the gateway to gather spiritual energy," so one should maintain the ears and eyes to keep them sharp and clear.

The maintenance methods are mainly based on massage, supplemented by breath regulation (tuna), guided stretching (daoyin), bathing, deity contemplation (cunshen), incantation recitation, talisman ingestion, and absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, among others.

The effect of these methods can lead to sharp hearing and clear eyesight, "warding off wrinkles and decline, while maintaining healthy and harmonious vital energy."