The Primordial Panacea Scripture 元始天尊说药王救八十一难经

Author unknown, seemingly compiled during the Song-Yuan dynasties or the Ming Dynasty.

It consists of one scroll and is included in the Supplementary Daoist Canon.

The scripture proclaims that people in ancient times rarely suffered from illnesses and could live up to a thousand years. This was all because their nature was pure and simple, their physical form was firm and intact, and they revered the Great Dao. In recent generations, however, all beings harbor evil intentions and commit misdeeds—they kill living creatures, harm lives, benefit themselves at the expense of others. Hence, they suffer from mental daze and physical restlessness, are afflicted with numerous diseases, and thus die prematurely. Bian Que, the divine physician, accumulated boundless merits and was conferred the title of the Responsive Medicine King True Lord, with The True Scripture of Rescuing from the Eighty-One Afflictions handed down to later generations. This scripture is written in seven-character rhymed verses, totaling one hundred and sixty-two lines, and is said to be able to cure eighty-one types of illnesses.

Mortals who recite and uphold this scripture can safeguard themselves from diseases and enjoy peace; those already ill can be cured of their ailments.