The Jinglu Sect (Scripture and Talisman Sect) 经纂派

Taoist sects characterized by believing in a specific set of classics and transmitting a particular type of talismans are collectively referred to as Jinglu Sect (Scripture and Talisman Sect) of Taoism.

The Sanhuang Sect (which passed down the Sanhuang Jing [Scripture of the Three Emperors]), Lingbao Sect (which transmitted the series of Lingbao classics), and Shangqing Sect that emerged in the Jin Dynasty all belonged to the Jinglu Taoist sects.

In the Southern Dynasties, Lu Xiujing summarized the classics of the Three Grottoes and unified these three sects into the Jinglu Sect. During the Tang Dynasty, the Jinglu Sect of Taoism flourished for a time. There were no insurmountable boundaries between various sub-sects, but there was a strict system of Taoist ranks and grades. The ranks and titles of Taoists were distinguished according to the level of the scriptures, precepts, and talismans they received. For example, those who received the Zhengyi Mengwei talismans and other classics of the Zhengyi Sect were called Zhengyi Mengwei disciples and could perform rituals such as presenting memorials to gods and holding religious ceremonies for others. Within each Taoist sect, there were different ranks; in the Zhengyi Sect, for instance, there were different ranks such as disciple, true person, and master.

After receiving the Dongshen talismans and their classics on the basis of the Zhengyi Sect, one was called the Supreme Dongshen Master. Those who made achievements in practicing the Dongshen scriptures and talismans could then receive the Gaoxuan talismans, and after receiving the classics of the Gaoxuan Sect such as Daode Jing (Tao Te Ching) and Laozi Xisheng Jing (Laozi's Scripture of Ascending to Holiness), they could be promoted to Supreme Zixu Gaoxuan disciple or Gaoxuan Master. After advancing from the Gaoxuan division, one could receive the Shengxuan talismans and be called a Lingbao Shengxuan Inner Teachings disciple. From the Shengxuan division, one could further be promoted to Supreme Lingbao Dongxuan disciple or Supreme Dongxuan Master. Then, one could be promoted step by step to Dongzhen Master, Sandong Master, and Dadong Master, reaching the highest Taoist rank. Among the classics and talismans of the Jinglu Sect, those of the Zhengyi Sect were at the lowest level, while those of the Shangqing Sect were at the highest.

After the Tang Dynasty, with the rise of the Jindan (Golden Elixir) Sect, the Tianshi Dao of the Zhengyi Sect in Longhu Mountain took charge of the Jinglu Sects of the Three Mountains (the Lingbao Sect in Gezao Mountain, the Shangqing Sect in Maoshan Mountain, and the Zhengyi Sect in Longhu Mountain). The Jinglu Sect of Taoism thus became a major sect separate from the Jindan Sect of Taoism.