How to Become a True Taoist Priest?

  To become a true Taoist priest, one must "take refuge in the Three Treasures." Taking refuge in the Three Treasures is the first step for those who believe in Taoism to enter the religious community.

  The "Three Treasures" that Taoists take refuge in refer to "taking refuge in the Tao," "taking refuge in the scriptures," and "taking refuge in the master." The full names are "taking refuge in the Supreme Primordial Infinite Great Tao," "taking refuge in the Thirty-Six Books of the Exalted Scriptures," and "taking refuge in the Great Mysterious Master."

• The Treasure of the Tao
  

  The "Tao" believed in by Taoism is the origin of the universe and also the essence of the universe. For those who believe in Taoism, "the first thing is to take refuge in the Treasure of the Tao." In order not to forget the Treasure of the Tao at all times, Taoism requires its believers to recite the "Morning and Evening Recitation Scriptures of the Mysterious Gate" every day. The "Three Refuges" in this scripture states: "The Supreme Treasure of the Tao, may all living beings always serve the Celestial Worthy and be forever free from the cycle of reincarnation." In these words, believers are required to "always serve the Celestial Worthy" because the Celestial Worthy is the incarnation of the "Tao." In other words, taking refuge in the "Treasure of the Tao" is actually taking refuge in the Yuqing Primordial Celestial Worthy, the Shangqing Numinous Treasure Celestial Worthy, and the Taiqing Moral Celestial Worthy.

  
• The Treasure of the Scriptures
  

  Taoism sums up everything with the "Thirty-Six Books of the Exalted Scriptures," which can calm and stabilize the conscious spirit. Over time, the conscious spirit will naturally submit to the original spirit, obey its commands, and eventually merge with the original spirit and be in harmony with the Great Tao, thus obtaining unfathomable supernatural powers. Precisely because the "scriptures" can guide the conscious spirit, they are called the "Treasure of the Scriptures." In order not to forget the Treasure of the Scriptures at all times, Taoism requires its believers to recite the "Morning and Evening Recitation Scriptures of the Mysterious Gate" every day and to "be able to hear the right way throughout all lifetimes."

  
• The Treasure of the Master
  

  Since "the Tao is in the scriptures, profound and subtle, and one cannot understand its principles without a master," in short, without a "master," the "scriptures" cannot be understood clearly. Therefore, after believing in Taoism and taking refuge in the "Treasure of the Tao" and the "Treasure of the Scriptures," one should also take refuge in the "Treasure of the Master." Taoist scriptures state: "Without the Treasure of the Master, how can one save people? Therefore, one should ultimately take refuge in the Treasure of the Master." According to Taoist records, when the Primordial Celestial Worthy revealed the Dharma at the beginning of the kalpa, the Great Mysterious Master and the Celestial Emperor of the Innocents organized the celestial scriptures naturally formed by the clouds into official texts. Only then was the religion established. Later, Taoism used the holy title of "Ancestral Master" to generally refer to all the holy multitudes in the ten directions who can serve as teachers and the guiding teachers.