Sanyuan Weiyi Zhenjing: Early Daoist Ritual Code

The Supreme Mysterious Grotto Lingbao Scripture of the Three Lingbao Scripture of the Three Yuans' Etiquette and Natural Principles (Taishang Dongxuan Lingbao Sanyuan Weiyi Ziran Zhenjing), one of the ancient Taoist Lingbao Scriptures, was probably compiled in the late Eastern Jin Dynasty to the early Southern Dynasties (c. 4th–5th centuries CE). It was already recorded in Lu Xiujing’s Catalogue of Lingbao Scriptures (Lingbao Jingmu).

Research shows the original text was divided into three parts: Golden Seal Script of the Upper Yuan, Jade Seal Script of the Middle Yuan, and Yellow Seal Script of the Lower Yuan. These three parts were combined into one scroll, collectively titled The Scripture of the Three Yuans' Etiquette and Natural Principles. The current version in the Daozang (Taoist Canon) only preserves the second part, Jade Seal Script of the Middle Yuan, erroneously titled The Mysterious Grotto Lingbao Jade Seal Script Scripture of the Three Yuans' Etiquette and Natural Principles, and is classified under the Dongxuan Bu (Section of the Mysterious Grotto) and Weiyi Lei (Category of Etiquette and Rites).

Additionally, three fragmentary Dunhuang manuscripts (P3184, P3663, DX518) preserve partial contents of Yellow Seal Script of the Lower Yuan. Furthermore, numerous lost passages of this text are preserved in more than ten ancient Taoist works, such as The Supreme Secret Essentials (Wushang Mi Yao) and Compilation of Essential Cultivation Rituals, Precepts, and Etiquette (Yaoxiu Keyi Jielü Chao).

The scripture claims: "This text was originally a secret classic from heaven, consisting of three parts with 2,400 articles of etiquette in ancient times. After the Dragon Han Kalpa, most of the true texts were incomplete. In the first year of the Chiming era, the Supreme Sages compiled and revised them, resulting in 80 articles of etiquette for each of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Yuans, totaling 240 articles." The Heavenly Lord (Tianzun) transmitted this scripture to the Supreme Dao Lord (Taishang Daojun), instructing him to teach it to True Persons (Zhenren) and those destined to attain the Dao.

The surviving Daozang version preserves 80 articles of Jade Seal Script of the Middle Yuan, including 17 articles on "Etiquette for Revering Teachers," 54 articles on "Etiquette for Visiting Teachers," and 9 articles on "Etiquette for Being a Teacher." All are detailed rules of conduct for Taoist masters and disciples in daily life and cultivation practices.

The Dunhuang manuscripts preserve approximately 40 articles of Yellow Seal Script of the Lower Yuan, including entries such as "Etiquette for Receiving Scriptures," "Etiquette for Venerating Scriptures," "Etiquette for Meritorious Deeds," and "Etiquette for Eradicating the Root of Sins."

In addition, Taoist works like Compilation of Essential Cultivation Rituals, Precepts, and Etiquette quote passages from Golden Seal Script of the Upper Yuan, which include entries such as "Methods for Reciting the Three Grottoes Scriptures," "Methods for Reciting Mantras," "Etiquette for Lighting Lamps," and "Etiquette for Sitting and Standing."

In summary, the core content of this text revolves around the precepts, rituals, and etiquette of early Taoism.