The Supreme Cavern God’s Rites for Practicing the Dao and Conferring Initiation Degrees
Author unknown. Compiled approximately during the Northern and Southern Dynasties.
This text was already cited in Volume 38 of The Essential Secrets of the Supreme Dao.
The content of this book focuses on the Three Sovereigns Rites. It compiles five sets of ritual protocols, namely: the Ritual of Evening Devotion, the Cavern God’s Rites for Practicing the Dao, the Three Sovereigns’ Ritual of Sacrifice, the Rite of Conferring Initiation Degrees, and the Court Audience Rite.
According to the colophon at the end of the text: "The methods of the Cavern God and the Three Sovereigns enable practitioners to communicate with spirits, command ghosts, summon all deities, pacify the state and stabilize families, and bring relief to all people. Scholars who cultivate these methods may ascend to immortality and transcend the mortal world. However, since the time of the ancient masters, the relevant scriptures have been incomplete, and many details regarding the conferral of initiation degrees have been lost. Now, in accordance with the scriptures, I have compiled talisman diagrams and jade inscriptions, to be used in altar ceremonies for conferring degrees, as treasures for the practitioner’s self-cultivation."
From this, we can conclude that the ritual protocols recorded in this book were compiled based on The Cavern God Three Sovereigns Scripture and Talismans.
Volume 49 of The Essential Secrets of the Supreme Dao cites The Complete Rites for the Three Sovereigns’ Retreat, which refers precisely to this book.
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