The Orthodox Unity Celestial Confession 太上正一朝天三八谢罪宝忏

Author unknown.

Since it mentions Emperor Chengzong of the Yuan Dynasty conferring an honorific title on Celestial Master Zhang Ling, the text should have been compiled between the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties.

Consisting of one scroll, it is included in The Daozang (Taoist Canon), under the Dongshen Section, Ritual Category.

The text states that although disciples of the Orthodox Unity School wholeheartedly seek transcendence, they are trapped in samsara and subject to karmic retributions due to numerous karmic debts accumulated in past lives. If they wish to unify their bodies and spirits with the Dao, and instantly eliminate all obstacles and karmic burdens, they should follow the ritual of atoning sins on the Three Eighths. They must wholeheartedly submit to the Three Pure Ones, the Jade Emperor and other deities, repent for the sins of the three karmas and ten evils including killing, theft and licentiousness, and resolve to renounce evil and practice good deeds. By diligently adhering to these practices, they will gradually enter the ranks of immortals and ascend to the celestial path.

The book contains several memorial texts expressing repentance to deities such as the Three Pure Ones and the Jade Emperor.