The Ling Bao San Tu Wu Ku Ba Du Sheng Si Miao Jing 太上洞玄灵宝三途五苦拔度生死妙经

The Ling Bao San Tu Wu Ku Ba Du Sheng Si Miao Jing 太上洞玄灵宝三途五苦拔度生死妙经

Paul Peng

The Wonderful Scripture of Delivering Beings from Birth and Death Through Rescuing Them from the Three Paths and Five Torments in the Cavern Mysterious and Numinous Treasure Scripture

Author: Unknown

Judging from its textual content, it should have been written by Taoist priests during the Northern and Southern Dynasties or the Sui-Tang period. It consists of one scroll and is included in the Original Text Category of the Cavern Mysterious Section in the Taoist Canon.

The scripture is framed as the Jade Primordial Heavenly Venerable explaining the karmic causes and conditions of birth and death, as well as the retribution of samsara, to the Perfected Being of Dharma Liberation.

It asserts that countless beings in hell are suffering from the torments of the Three Paths and Five Torments, all because “in the end times, morals decline, people are frivolous and deceitful, there are few who do good, and many who commit evil”.

Acts such as disloyalty and unfilial piety, lack of benevolence and righteousness, disrespect for the Three Jewels, slandering and destroying scriptures, harming creatures and injuring lives, and insatiable greed and cruelty are all roots and sources of sin and evil.

The methods for deliverance and liberation require accumulating merits and virtues, extensively cultivating fields of merit, reverently invoking the Heavenly Venerable Who Saves the Suffering, lighting lamps and hanging banners, copying and distributing scriptures, and donating money to relieve the poor.

By doing so, one can be freed from the sufferings of hell, transcend the souls of the deceased to be reborn in the Pure Land, bless and protect descendants, put an end to disasters and misfortunes, and obtain boundless blessings.
Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

About the Author

Paul Peng

Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is one of the curators of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.

Read his full story →
Back to blog
PREVIOUS ARTICLE
Zhao He Taoist - Cover

Zhao He: The Rite That Merges Priest and Deity 召合

Read More
No Next Article

Leave a comment

1 of 4