The Shang Qing San Yuan Yu Jian San Yuan Bu Jing 上清三元玉检三元布经

The Shang Qing San Yuan Yu Jian San Yuan Bu Jing 上清三元玉检三元布经

Paul Peng

The Supreme Clarity Scripture of the Three Yuan Jade Inscriptions and the Three Yuan Deployment

As one of the early classic texts of the Shangqing School (Supreme Clarity School), it likely originated during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317–420 CE).

In Volume Five of The True Declarations (Zhengao), it is stated: “The Dao encompasses the Three Yuan Deployment Scripture and the Diagram of Dao’s Truth”; The Catalogue of the Supreme Clarity Great Cavern True Scripture (Shangqing Dadong Zhenjing Mu) records “One scroll of the Supreme Clarity Scripture of the Three Yuan Jade Inscriptions and the Three Yuan Deployment”—both references denote this very scripture.

The present version in the Daozang (Taoist Canon) is included in the “Original Texts Category” (Benwen Lei) of the Dongxuan Bu (Mysterious Grotto Section). The text is also frequently quoted in The Essential Secrets of the Supreme (Wushang Miyao).

The scripture contains three types of talismanic true texts, namely:

  • The Upper Yuan Jade Inscription: The Heavenly Record Examination,
  • The Lower Yuan Jade Inscription: The Earthly Jade Text Examination,
  • The Middle Yuan Jade Inscription: The Immortal Truth Book Examination.

It is claimed that these Three Yuan Jade Inscription texts “originated before the Nine Mysteries and the Void, and were formed from the condensation of natural qi (vital energy) into jade texts.” Those who obtain these texts can travel freely through the Nine Heavens, attain long life, and become immortals.

To practice the Dao of the Three Yuan, practitioners must inscribe talismans and wear them on their bodies in accordance with the method, while simultaneously practicing cunsi (visualization meditation) to summon divine beings. The main deities visualized are the Profound Mother of the Nine Heavens (Jiutian Xuanmu) and the Profound Father (Xuanfu).

The Profound Mother of the Nine Heavens is also known as the Great Primeval Yuan Lord (Taisu Yuanjun), who gave birth to three daughters: the eldest is the Purple Primeval Yuan Lord (Zisu Yuanjun), the second is the Yellow Primeval Yuan Lord (Huangsu Yuanjun), and the youngest is the White Primeval Yuan Lord (Baisu Yuanjun).

It is said that Taoist practitioners who can see the White Primeval Yuan Lord will live up to a thousand years; those who see the Yellow Primeval Yuan Lord will live up to ten thousand years; those who see the Purple Primeval Yuan Lord will live up to thirty thousand years; and those who can see the Great Primeval Yuan Lord will live as long as heaven and earth.
Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

About the Author

Paul Peng

Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is one of the curators of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.

Read his full story →
Back to blog
PREVIOUS ARTICLE
Refining Generals Taoist - Cover

Lian Jiang: The Rite That Forges Spirit Generals Within 炼将

Read More ←
No Next Article

Leave a comment

Beginner's Package

View all

Taoist Talismans

View all

Collections

View all
1 4
View all

Popular Items

Year 2026 FAN TAISUI Talisman Personal Protection TAISUI FU 太岁符

Year 2026 FAN TAISUI Talisman Personal Protection TA...

 The Mountain Ghost Thunder Lord Blessing Coin Pendant

The Mountain Ghost Thunder Lord Blessing Coin Pendant

 Taoist I Ching Bagua Guardian Bracelet 易经八卦手串

Taoist I Ching Bagua Guardian Bracelet 易经八卦手串

 Lightning Jujube Wood Gourd for Fortune & Harmony 玉化雷击枣木平安符

Lightning Jujube Wood Gourd for Fortune & Harmony 玉化...

Hot Articles

What is The Taoism? What is the Tao in Taoism? About the Dao De Jing What is taoist feng shui? What is Taoist inner alchemy? What is offending taisui or fan taisui?

Latest Articles

Cun Xiang: Taoist Visualization Meditation Technique Lian Jiang: The Rite That Forges Spirit Generals Within 炼将 Generals Are Primordial Spirit: The Thunder Rites Doctrine Jiang Yong Ziji Yuanshen Fa Xing Xiantian: Precelestial Method in Thunder Rites 法行先天大道