The author of The Secret Cultivation Method of the Purple Court is unknown. Judging from its content, it seems to have been compiled by Shangqing Daoists during the Southern and Northern Dynasties or the Sui and Tang Dynasties.
This volume is included in the "Methods Category" of the "Dong Shen Section" in the Taoist Canon. The content of this scripture can be divided into three parts:
- The first part is copied from Shangqing Spiritual Book of Purple Text Scripture, discussing the method of "preserving the spirit and swallowing talismans". The spirits to be preserved refer to the Three Yuan Spirits in the Yuan Palace within the human body. It states that by reciting the names of the spirits, visualizing their forms, swallowing saliva while holding one's breath, and swallowing talismans while reciting incantations, one can ascend to heaven in broad daylight after practicing for 18 years. Additionally, there is a method of "restraining the Three Souls and controlling the Seven Poisons", which also involves preserving the spirit and reciting incantations to ensure the peace of the soul.
- The second part is copied from Zhen Gao (True Instructions), describing the dos and don'ts of hair care, taking medicine, diet, and bathing. It also includes the "Method of the Northern Emperor to Subdue Ghosts".
- The third part is copied from Baopuzi·Dengshe Chapter (The Master Who Embraces Simplicity: On Ascending and Crossing), talking about the methods for Daoists to enter mountains to collect herbs and practice. It covers techniques such as identifying ganoderma, taboos for herb collection, the secret art of Dunjia (Escape Armor), and wearing talismans and reciting incantations to ward off mountain spirits, tigers, wolves, insects, and snakes.
All the above are the cultivation techniques practiced by the early Shangqing School.
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