The Wondrous Precept of the Threefold Wisdom and Fivefold Virtue Transformation from the Supreme Scripture of the Eight Pure Principles
An early Shangqing (Highest Clarity) Taoist text, believed to have been composed during the Eastern Jin or Southern Dynasties period.
This text is one of the essential instructions for practicing the Scripture of the Eight Pure Principles.
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Comprising one volume, it is included in the Zhengyi (Orthodox Unity) section of the Daoist Canon.
The text teaches that Daoist practitioners should cultivate both esoteric methods (fangshu) and virtuous conduct (shanxing), emphasizing the complementary relationship between inner cultivation and outward action.
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Esoteric methods include practices such as breath regulation (tuna) and ingestion of herbal compounds (fushi).
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Virtuous conduct encompasses the Three Wisdoms—knowledge of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity—and the Five Virtues:
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Benevolence (ren)
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Righteousness (yi)
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Propriety (li)
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Wisdom (zhi)
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Fidelity (xin)
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The scripture states: “Those of superior aptitude and lofty talent first establish virtuous conduct, and only then engage in esoteric methods.”
By cultivating the self through the Three Wisdoms and Five Virtues, one may extend this transformation to family, state, and ultimately the world—a process termed “Transformation through the Three Wisdoms and Five Virtues.” This represents the ultimate undertaking for a Daoist disciple.
The text outlines six specific practices to achieve this transformation:
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Devotion to the Dao
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Upholding Virtue
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Practicing Humility
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Studying the Three Wisdoms
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Adhering to the Five Virtues
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Receiving Transmitted Methods
