The Taishang Dongxuan Lingbao Bawei Zhaolong Miaojing 太上洞玄灵宝八威召龙妙经

The Taishang Dongxuan Lingbao Bawei Zhaolong Miaojing 太上洞玄灵宝八威召龙妙经

Paul Peng
The Supreme Mysterious Grotto Lingbao Scripture of the Eight Powers for Summoning Dragons (Taishang Dongxuan Lingbao Bawei Zhaolong Miaojing), one of the ancient Taoist Lingbao Scriptures, was probably compiled during the Northern and Southern Dynasties (c. 420–589 CE).

It was already quoted in early Tang Dynasty Taoist texts such as The Pearl Sack of the Three Grottoes (Sandong Zhunang) and Classified Matters of the Shangqing Dao (Shangqing Dao Lei Shixiang), and also recorded in Jiang Shuyu’s Catalogue of Scriptures for Stabilizing Altars in Retreat Ceremonies (Zhaitan Anzhen Jingmu).

The original text consists of one scroll; in the current Daozang (Taoist Canon), it is divided into two scrolls and included in the Dongxuan Bu (Section of the Mysterious Grotto) and Benwen Lei (Category of Original Texts).

The first scroll describes rituals for summoning and controlling Dragon Kings and River Gods through Taoist retreat ceremonies (zhaijiao). It contains alliance texts and eulogies for invoking Dragon Kings, True Persons, and all dragons.

The second scroll narrates the origin and development of the scripture, stating that in primeval times, dragons caused catastrophic floods. The Primordial Heavenly Lord (Yuanshi Tianzun) subdued the Dragon Kings with the "Eight Powers" (Bawei). The so-called Eight Powers refer to "Power of Spirits, Power of Ghosts, Power of Mortals, Power of Falsehood, Power of Poison, Power of Hunting, Power of Wrongdoing, and Power of Creatures."

As this scripture uses the divine tactics of the Eight Powers to summon and control dragons, it is titled The Scripture of the Eight Powers for Summoning Dragons.

The scripture also asserts that if the world practices the Dao, performs good deeds, and propagates this scripture, they "can transcend life and death."
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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