The Taishang Dongxuan Lingbao Wuliang Duren Shangpin Miaojing 太上洞玄灵宝无量度人上品妙经

Referred to as The Sūtra of Salvation (Dùrén Jīng) for short.

As one of the ancient Taoist Numinous Treasure Scriptures (Língbǎo Jīng), it was probably compiled in the late Eastern Jin to early Southern Dynasties, and was already recorded in Lu Xiujing’s Catalogue of Numinous Treasure Scriptures (Língbǎo Jīngmù) during that period.

The original text consists of one scroll, with twelve Tang-dynasty manuscripts preserved in the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes—for detailed references, see Onishi Noboru’s Compiled Catalogue of Dunhuang Taoist Scriptures (Dūnhuáng Dàojīng Mùlù Biān). Additionally, there is a 61-scroll version included in the Daoist Canon (Dàozàng), where only the first scroll contains the core text of The Sūtra of Salvation.

With approximately 5,000 characters, the scripture is generally divided into three parts:

The core content narrates the Primordial Heavenly Venerable (Yuánshǐ Tiānzūn) preaching the Numinous Treasure salvation teachings in the Highest Pure Heaven (Shǐqīng Tiān) to the Ten Directions’ Heavenly Worthies, Great Sages, Supreme Holy Lords, and Perfected Ones of Wonderful Practices. It advocates the fundamental Taoist tenet: "The Daoist path values life; salvation extends infinitely to all beings" (Xiāndào guì shēng, dùrén wúliàng).

Within the main chapters, it describes that in each heaven, there exist deities of immortality and salvation, as well as gods overseeing destiny (Sīmìng), blessings (Sīlù), longevity extension (Yánshòu), lifespan augmentation (Yìsuàn), and calamity deliverance (Dù’è). Each heaven is endowed with a "Gate of Life" (Shēngmén), and within the void resound the Ballads of the Mysterious Cave (Kōngdòng Yáo Gē). Those who hear these spiritual melodies shall receive divine protection, be freed from sufferings, and ensure the ascension of their seven generations of ancestors. Reciting the scripture ten thousand times enables one to ascend to the cosmos and attain the rank of Immortal Lord (Xiāngōng).

The prefaces, odes, and Spiritual Book sections either depict the Primordial Heavenly Venerable’s preaching scene, elaborate on the salvation doctrine, or proclaim auspicious messages—all to illuminate the Heavenly Venerable’s mission of saving beings through successive kalpas (jié).

Revered by later Taoists as the "source of all methods and the foremost among all scriptures" (Wànfǎ zhī zōng, qúnjīng zhī shǒu), The Sūtra of Salvation has spawned numerous commentaries, annotated editions, and revised versions throughout history.