The Daoist Ritual Codex 要修科仪戒律钞

Originally attributed to Zhu Faman, a Taoist adept of the Three Caverns, who was also known by his courtesy name Junxu. A Taoist monk of Yuqing Guan in the Tang Dynasty, he passed away in the 8th year of the Kaiyuan reign (720). Thus, this work must have been compiled in the early Tang Dynasty. In sixteen volumes, it is included in the Disciplinary Precepts Category of The Dongxuan Section of The Daozang.

This book extracts and compiles various Taoist ritual protocols and disciplinary precepts by category, citing Taoist scriptures all pertaining to the Cavern Scriptures, disciplinary precepts and ritual protocols from the Six Dynasties to the early Tang Dynasty. Volumes One and Two compile the ritual protocols for Taoists to transmit and recite Taoist scriptures; Volume Three records the etiquettes for Taoist disciples to serve their masters; Volumes Four to Seven compile various disciplinary precepts and aspiration prayers; Volumes Eight and Nine compile ritual protocols for observing different kinds of fasts; Volumes Ten and Eleven record the methods for consecrating residences, personal names, jurisdictions and chambers, as well as ritual protocols for submitting Taoist memorials and documents to deities; Volumes Twelve to Fourteen excerpt miscellaneous rituals for practicing the Dao and forming karmic affinities; Volumes Fifteen and Sixteen compile ritual protocols for illnesses and funerals of Taoists and people of all walks of life.

Extensive in citations and well-organized in compilation, this work is analogous to Regulations and Precepts for Upholding the Dao in the Three Caverns, and stands as an important classic for researching the systems of Taoist ritual protocols and disciplinary precepts during the Six Dynasties, Sui and Tang dynasties.