#daoist texts

[sanctuaryofdao]

The Sanctuary of Dao is an Internet-based Daoist community resource center that also offers local weekly ceremony and meditation sessions, seasonal meditational retreats, and Daoist festivals in the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area.

[sanctuaryofdao]

This short scripture was most likely composed during the Tang

dynasty (618 to 907 CE). The primary message and wisdom

to be obtained from it is the realization of the dual mystery of

the Dao—being is just non-being and non-being is just being.

When a person attains this wisdom, it is called “illumination,”

and illumination cuts off all delusion, the Six Roots (the organs, functions, and consciousnesses of the eyes, ears, nose,

tongue, body, and mind), and all wrong influences. Therefore,

great spiritual beings thus surround and protect this scripture

from all negative forces and spirits, whom wish to destroy it

because it reveals the wisdom of the dual mystery of Dao that

allows people to attain the “naturally-just-so” and illumination, namely to attain the mind of Dao.

Because this scripture reveals true sagely wisdom, people

are encouraged to distribute it, read, recite, and even carry it

upon their person for protection. Since the scripture is protected by a great host of spiritual beings, the person reading,

reciting, and carrying the scripture will likewise be protected.

The scripture is attributed to the Exalted One (Lao Zi),

who introduces and explains the basis of the scripture. Heavenly Worthy (Jade Purity, the Heavenly Worthy of Primordial

Causation and main deity of the Three Pure Ones) spoke this

scripture at the Palace of the Five Luminaries in the Forest of

the Seven Treasures. The Forest of Seven Treasures is a

Protection of Life.qrk_Layout 1  12/18/11  12:02 PM  Page 1metaphor for the Three Origins and Four Images that reside

in the human body—namely, Primordial Essence, Qi, and

Spirit, and the four Yi Jing images of Qian (1, Heaven), Kun

(5, Earth), Li (7, Fire), and Kan (3, Water)—the Seven

Treasures. The Palace of the Five Luminaries is a metaphor for

the transmuted and illuminated essences of Earth, Metal,

Water, Wood, and Fire within the human body—the Five Elements. Basically, this means these spiritual places all exist

within the Mind of Dao, which is to say the Original Spirit

of every human being.

Hence, those who are illuminated see this forest and

palace; those who are not illuminated cannot see them. This

scripture, then, is a powerful means by which the spirits protecting it can come to the aid of mortals to become illuminated and thus end their suffering and delusion—to become

immortal.

Peace in the Way,

Sanctuary of Dao Staff