Shangqing River Chart Inner Mysterious Scripture (Shangqing Hetu Neixuan Jing), an early classic of the Shangqing School, was probably compiled during the Eastern Jin and Southern Dynasties.
Volume 11 of Zhengao (True Declarations) and Volume 4 of Wushang Miyao (The Supreme Secret Essentials) quote the Hetu Neiyuan Jing (River Chart Inner Origin Scripture), which is believed to be this very text.
The existing version has two scrolls and is included in the Zhengyi Bu (Orthodox Oneness Section) of the Daozang (Taoist Canon).
The scripture is divided into five parts, among which the first part (the preface) is incomplete.
- The second part, The Secret True Name of Taiyi (Taiyi Mihui), discusses the method of contemplating the Taiyi deity in the human head.
- The third part, The Precious Record of the Nine Emperors (Jiuhuang Baolu), covers the method of contemplating the divine beings of the Nine Stars of the Big Dipper—the Nine Star Morning Lords (Jiuxing Chenjun) and the Nine Emperor Consorts (Jiuhuang Furen), as well as wearing talismans and paying ritual respect to deities to ward off disasters and obtain blessings.
- The fourth part, The Incense Lamp Thanksgiving Text (Xiangdeng Xiewen), describes the method of arranging nine lamps and a ritual feast to perform sacrificial ceremonies for the Seven Spiritual Great Deities (Qiling Dashen) and the Nine Emperor True Lords (Jiuhuang Zhenjun), praying for blessings and protection from these deities.
- The fifth part, The Essential Method of Observing Stars (Guanxing Yaofa), explains the method for Taoist practitioners to observe the Big Dipper at night, identify the constellations guarded by the Nine Emperors, and focus their thoughts on the deities and true beings to dispel misfortunes and receive blessings.
The Taoist practices throughout the entire scripture mainly focus on contemplating deities and performing sacrificial ceremonies to them.
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