The Shangqing Jin Gui Yu Jing Xiuzhen Zhi Xuan Miao Jing 上清金匮玉镜修真指玄妙经

Also known as The True Scripture of Cultivating Truth and Pointing to the Mystery, the author of The Profound Scripture of Cultivating Truth and Pointing to the Mystery from the Golden Casket and Jade Mirror in Shangqing is unknown.

Judging from its content and writing style, it should have been written by Taoist priests between the Tang and Song dynasties.

It is a one-volume work and included in the "Original Text Category" of the "Dongxuan Section" in the Taoist Canon.

The scripture mainly discusses the way of cultivating "Xing" (nature) and "Ming" (life). It holds that "life is born from the Dao, and nature is endowed by the Oneness". All things in heaven and earth are born from "Qi" (vital energy). As "Qi is carried by the form, and the form is filled by Qi", those who wish to maintain the longevity of their physical form must first nourish their Qi.

The book teaches that cultivation and accumulating good deeds are equally important. It advocates being content with one's position to curb greed, emptying the mind to dispel desires, practicing loyalty, filial piety and harmony, correcting oneself to influence others, showing compassion for orphans and widows, and respecting the elderly while caring for the young.

It also details methods for memorializing the deceased and delivering souls from suffering. The scripture contains the "wonderful seals" of thirty-nine Heavenly Lords of Delivering from Suffering. It states that if a practitioner can recite these seals three thousand times every day, the souls of the deceased will be able to leave the underworld and ascend to the heavenly realm within three to nine days.