The Tai Shang Jiu Zhen Ming Ke 太上九真明科

The Tai Shang Jiu Zhen Ming Ke 太上九真明科

Paul Peng

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

About the Author

Paul Peng

Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is one of the curators of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.

Read his full story →
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