Three Keys to the Dao — Chapter 三要达道篇

The author is unknown.

It was presumably compiled during the Song and Yuan dynasties.

Consisting of one volume, it is included in the Zhengyi Section of the Daozang.

Three Keys to the Dao — Chapter

This text expounds the essentials of cultivating the Dao. Based on the statement in Yinfu Jing (Scripture of the Hidden Talisman)—"The evils of the nine orifices lie in the three essentials"—the author holds that "those who cultivate the Dao and wish to eliminate the nine evils must first rectify the three essentials". The so-called three essentials refer to: not seeing what is contrary to propriety, not hearing what is contrary to propriety, and not speaking what is contrary to propriety. One should ensure that the eyes are not deluded by the five colors, the ears are not indulged by the five sounds, and the mouth does not utter improper words. In this way, the dharma eye sees all, the dharma ear hears all, the dharma speech distinguishes all, and the great Dao abides forever. Therefore, those who cultivate the Dao should "cast away worries and discard thoughts, cut off mortal dust and brush aside attachments". This text is presumably written by the same author as Chapter on the Submission of the Six Sense Faculties.