The Shangqing Dongzhen Jieguo Jue 上清洞真解过诀

Shangqing Dongzhen Jieguo Jue (Shangqing True Grotto Secret of Redressing Offenses), author unknown.

Judging from its content and wording, it should have been written by Taoist priests of the Shangqing School during the Southern Dynasties.

It consists of one scroll and is included in the Yujue Lei (Jade Commentaries Category) of the Dongxuan Bu (Mysterious Grotto Section) of the Daozang (Taoist Canon).

This text discusses the Shangqing Dao’s secret methods for confessing sins and redressing offenses. It records eight methods of atoning for offenses attributed to figures such as True Person Pei Xuan of Qingling (Qingling Zhenren Peixuan), Mr. Xu of the Shangqing School (Shangqing Pai Xuxiansheng), and Mr. Liu of the Shangqing School (Shangqing Pai Liuxiansheng).

Confessing sins and redressing offenses should generally be done on specific occasions, such as the Eight Solar Terms (Bajie Ri) and the Five Tong Days (Wutong Ri). During the practice, one looks up at the North Pole, kowtows and bows twice, contemplates their own offenses, and prays to the true immortals in heaven to grant forgiveness. By doing so, the offenses will be resolved naturally.

The wording and structure of this text are also similar to those of works like Zhengao (True Declarations) and Dengzhen Yinjue (Secret Instructions for Ascending to Immortality).