Preface to All Taoist Scriptures
The original author is unknown.
According to Dunhuang Manuscript No. S1513, the first line is titled "Imperially Composed Preface to All Taoist Scriptures", followed by 21 lines of preface text.
The preface is written in parallel prose style, mourning the passing of Emperor Xiaojing, and issuing an imperial order to transcribe 36 volumes of All Taoist Scriptures in his memory.
Research shows that Emperor Xiaojing was Li Hong, the eldest son of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty. He was established as the crown prince in the first year of Xianqing (656) and passed away in the second year of Shangyuan (675), posthumously titled Emperor Xiaojing.
This preface was presumably written by Empress Wu Zetian or Emperor Gaozong to mourn Li Hong.
Though short in length, it proves that the Taoist Canon (i.e., All Taoist Scriptures) had already been compiled by the reign of Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty at the latest.
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