The Text of the Fifty-Eight Aspirations of the Supreme Clarity
Author: Unknown
Judging from its content and wording, this text was compiled and adapted by Taoist priests during the Northern and Southern Dynasties or Sui-Tang period by excerpting precepts from Lingbao scriptures.
It consists of one scroll and is included in the Precepts Category of the Cavern True Section in the Taoist Canon.
The content is divided into three parts:
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The Text of the Fifty-Eight AspirationsIt lists fifty-eight aspirations. For example:
- "When seeing someone drinking alcohol, may all beings be governed by the gate of destiny and stay away from disasters and chaos";
- "When seeing evil people, may all beings abandon misfortune and embrace auspiciousness, and refrain from violating imperial laws";
- "When seeing emperors and kings, may all beings respect and uphold royal principles, and be as filial to them as to their parents".
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Exhortations to the Ten Good DeedsIt contains ten precepts urging people to reverence the Three Jewels, practice loyalty and filial piety, copy scriptures and perform almsgiving, eliminate jealousy and desires, etc.
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Six Maxims Preached by the Perfected Being of Supreme UltimateIt exhorts people to be loyal and filial, believe in the Dao, refrain from killing living beings, avoid drinking alcohol, let go of jealousy, and so on.
The above aspirations and precepts are derived from early Lingbao school classics such as The Wonderful Scripture of the True Oneness, Exhortations and Precepts, and Dharma Wheel of the Cavern Mysterious and Numinous Treasure and The Scripture of the Supreme Mystery, Numinous Treasure Wisdom, the Root of Sins, and the Highest-Grade Great Precepts.
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