Tai Shang Jiu Zhen Ming Ke
Also known as Xuan Du Jiu Zhen Ming Ke (The Bright Code of the Nine Perfections from the Mysterious Capital).
It is an early classic of the Shangqing School (a major school of Taoism), presumably compiled during the Southern and Northern Dynasties (c. 420-589 CE). This scripture has already been cited in the Dunhuang Taoist manuscript P.2459 (a key archaeological find of medieval Taoist texts).
Consisting of one scroll, it is included in the "Zhengyi Section" (the core section of Taoist scriptures focusing on orthodox rituals and doctrines) of the Daozang (Taoist Canon) and comprises two parts:
- The first part is the eponymous Tai Shang Jiu Zhen Ming Ke, which is divided into three grades (Upper, Middle, and Lower). It details the keyi (ritual protocols) and jielü (precepts) for the transmission of Shangqing scriptures and practices—essential guidelines for Taoist practitioners to receive, inherit, and uphold the school’s teachings in a formal, ritualized manner.
- The second part consists of four eulogies, namely Tai Di Jun Ye Da You Miao Zan (The Eulogy of the Great Emperor on Worshiping the Wondrous [Teachings] of the Great Existence), Tian Di Jun Zan (The Eulogy of the Heavenly Emperor), Tai Wei Tian Di Jun Song (The Recitation of the Heavenly Emperor of the Supreme Tenuity), and Hou Sheng Jin Que Di Jun Song (The Recitation of the Later Holy Emperor of the Golden Tower). These eulogies respectively summarize the gist of the Da You Miao Jing (The Wondrous Scripture of the Great Existence) and praise its profound truths (miaodi).
Originally, the two aforementioned parts were included in the text Dong Zhen Tai Shang Su Ling Dong Xuan Da You Miao Jing (The Wondrous Scripture of the Great Existence from the Mysterious Mystery of the Pure Spirit of the Supreme Dao in the Cavern of Truth). Later generations extracted them from this scripture and compiled them into a separate scroll. For further details, please refer to the entry of the latter scripture.
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