Dongxuan Lingbao Zhai Shuo Guangzhu Jiefa Deng Zhuyuan Yi (The Rites of the Numinous Treasure Cavernous Mystery Retreat: Discourse on Light Candles, Precepts and Penalties, and Lamp Vows) was compiled by Lu Xiujing, a Taoist priest of the Liu-Song Dynasty in the Southern Dynasties.
It consists of one scroll and is included in the Rituals category of the Cavernous Mystery section of the Daozang (Taoist Canon).
Du Guangting also included its text in Volume 17 of his Wushang Huanglu Dazhai Licheng Yi (Complete Ritual for the Supreme Yellow Register Grand Retreat).
The book is divided into three sections. The first, titled Jueguang Zhai Wai Shuo (Discourse Outside the Glimmering Light Retreat), exhorts practitioners to observe ten practices when conducting a retreat, such as cleansing the body with scented bath water, setting aside worldly affairs, abstaining from savory foods, maintaining a solemn and proper demeanor, and refraining from idle speech.
The second section, Fazhu Xu (Preface to the Dharma Candles), expounds the essential purpose of retreat rituals. It states that the sages established the Lingbao retreat methods with the intention of restraining the three karmas (body, mouth, and mind) of ordinary people, enabling them to purify their hearts and conduct, return to tranquility and emptiness, and unite with the Dao to attain true reality.
The third section, Shou Shangpin Shijie Xuanshu Jinfa (Bestowing the Top-Grade Ten Precepts, Appointing Officials, and Proclaiming Prohibitions and Penalties), contains ritual procedures such as the master expounding precepts, appointing various celestial officials, and announcing prohibitions.
This book is an important historical source for studying the formation and development of early Taoist rituals and ceremonies.
✨ Recommended Taoist Talismans
Discover powerful talismans for your spiritual journey
