Shangqing River Chart Precious Record (Shangqing Hetu Baolu), an early classic of the Shangqing School, was probably compiled during the Eastern Jin and Southern Dynasties.
Sandong Fengdao Kejie Yifan (Models of Precepts and Rites for Upholding the Dao in the Three Grottoes) records the title "Taixuan River Chart Precious Record of the Nine Emperors" (Taixuan Hetu Jiuhuang Baolu), which is believed to refer to this very text.
The original version consists of one scroll and is included in the Zhengyi Bu (Orthodox Oneness Section) of the Daozang (Taoist Canon).
The scripture focuses on the method of contemplating the various deities of the Nine Stars of the Big Dipper.
It contains details of the Nine Stars deities of the Big Dipper, including the Nine Emperor True Lords (Jiuhuang Zhenjun) and the Nine Emperor Consorts (Jiuhuang Furen), such as their true names (zhenhui), duties, divine images, palace diagrams, and the numbers of their subordinate spiritual officials, flying cavalry, messengers, immortal boys, and jade maidens. All this content constitutes the "River Chart Precious Record" (Hetu Baolu).
It is stated that if Taoist practitioners receive and uphold the Precious Record in accordance with the method—writing it down, wearing it on their person, and contemplating the deities—they can dispel disasters and misfortunes, obtain blessings, and achieve true immortality.
The content of this text also appears in the third chapter The Precious Record of the Nine Emperors (Jiuhuang Baolu) of Shangqing Hetu Neixuan Jing (Shangqing River Chart Inner Mysterious Scripture).
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