Daodian Lun: Early Daoist Terminology Dictionary

The author of On Taoist Canons (Daodian Lun) is unknown.

It was likely compiled during the transition between the Sui and Tang dynasties. According to records in the Secret Catalogue (Mi Mu) of the Southern Song Dynasty and the Tongzhi·Yiwen Lue (Tongzhi·Abstract of Literature and Arts), the original work consisted of 30 volumes.

Today, only 4 surviving volumes of the Daozang (Taoist Canon) version remain, which are included in the "Taiping" category of the canon. Additionally, there are two fragmentary Dunhuang manuscript copies (S3547 and P3920).

This work is a dictionary of Taoist terms. The extant Daozang version contains 54 entries, including:

Terms related to Taoist figures and titles: Taijun (Grand Lord), Dashen (Great Deity), Feitian (Flying Apsaras), Tongzi (Divine Youth), Dashi (Venerable Master), Daoshi (Taoist Priest), Xiansheng (Scholar-Master), Shangren (Virtuous Elder), Zhixue (Accomplished Learner), Pindao (Humble Daoist), Zongjiang (Foundational Master), Dizi (Disciple), Zhuzhe (Overseer), Shijie (Corpse Release, a Taoist transcendence practice);
Terms related to ethics, taboos, and omens: Feibang (Slander), Huiru (Insult), Gongji (Attack), Danjiu (Indulgence in Alcohol), Fangdang (Dissipation), Buci (Unkindness), Buxiao (Unfilial Piety), Sanzhang (Three Obstacles), Sanwei (Three Awe-Inspiring Principles), Sandu (Three Poisons), Sibing (Four Afflictions), Wuyu (Five Desires), Wuzhuo (Five Defilements), Qishang (Seven Harmful Acts), Ban’an (Eight Hardships), Qihuan (Seven Calamities), Wubai (Five Failings), Tianlie (Hunting), Yubu (Fishing), Kuku (Cruelty), Yinsi (Illicit Worship), Mouni (Treason), Chengfu (Karmic Inheritance), Miaorui (Auspicious Omens), Zaiyi (Calamities), Guaiyao (Evil Omens), Mengxiang (Dream Omens), Zhenren (True Person/Immortal), Jizhao (Auspicious Signs), Xiongzheng (Ominous Portents);
Terms related to Taoist practices: Fu’er (Ingestion of Elixirs), Daoyin (Guided Breathing Exercise), Taixi (Embryonic Breathing), Yunya (Cloud Teeth, a mythical nourishment), Fu Huangqi (Ingesting the Yellow Qi), Fu Wangqi (Ingesting the Royal Qi), Fu Liuwu (Ingesting the Six Wu Days), Fu Sanguang (Ingesting the Light of Sun, Moon, and Stars), Danpin (Types of Elixirs), Danming (Names of Elixirs), etc.

For each of the above entries, the term is first listed, followed by explanations supported by citations from classical Taoist texts.

Approximately 80 Taoist works are quoted in the book, all of which are "Three Grottoes and Four Supplements" classics of Taoism from the Han, Wei, Jin, and Southern and Northern Dynasties. This makes the work a valuable reference for researchers.