The Supreme Mysterious Grotto Lingbao True Script Scripture of the Excellent Conduct for Delivering Beings (Taishang Dongxuan Lingbao Zhenwen Duren Benxing Miaojing), one of the ancient Taoist Lingbao Scriptures, was probably compiled during the Eastern Jin Dynasty to the Southern Dynasties (c. 4th–6th centuries CE).
It was already recorded in Lu Xiujing’s Catalogue of Lingbao Scriptures (Lingbao Jingmu), and quoted in Zhen Luan’s Treatise on Ridiculing Taoism (Xiaodao Lun) of the Northern Zhou Dynasty and Fa Lin’s Treatise on Distinguishing the Correct (Bianzheng Lun) of the Tang Dynasty. The original text consists of one scroll, which was not included in the Zhengtong Daozang (Orthodox Taoist Canon). A fragmentary manuscript copy from the Tang Dynasty (P3022V) is preserved among the Dunhuang manuscripts.
Purportedly narrated by the Primordial Heavenly Lord (Yuanshi Tianzun), the scripture elaborates on the fundamental causes of human beings’ karmic merits, sins, and actions—hence its alternative title The Supreme Rank of Fundamental Karma (Benye Shangpin).
However, only the opening section of the manuscript survives, making its specific content difficult to discern. For further reference, see Onishi Noboru’s Taoist Scriptures from Dunhuang.
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