《太上说利益蚕王妙经》

At that time, the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure (Lingbao Tianzun), on Mount Maji in the land of Jingming, came together with the immortals, the Zhenren (Perfected), and attendants numbering in the millions to assemble at Chiming Palace and expound the teaching.

Among them was a Zhenren named Riyue Jing. He rose from his seat, respectfully holding his ceremonial tablet, and came forward to address the Celestial Worthy: “I now see that the lot of the people of the world is sometimes bitter and sometimes joyful, and that many have no clothes to wear. How are they to be rescued?”

Moved by compassion at this request, the Celestial Worthy sent the Zhenren Xuanming to transform into a silkworm moth and spin forth silk, so that people might gather the silk and learn the arts of reeling, weaving, and cutting cloth in order to make garments. Divine talismans (Fulu) were also used to protect the clothing and drive away evil spirits.

The Zhenren Riyue Jing asked the Celestial Worthy once more: “When people of the world raise silkworm moths, what retribution or reward will they receive?”

The Celestial Worthy replied: “After passing through this transformation, the silkworm moths will, in years to come, recover their original forms, fly freely, and come and go through the void.”

Thereupon the Zhenren Xuanming told the people: “The silkworm moth is a transformation of myself. I took pity on living beings suffering hunger and cold, and so I have come to rescue you. You must be sincere and reverent; you must not treat me lightly, still less cast me aside at will. If your hearts harbor disrespect, you will fall again into hardship; if you show reverence, you will obtain abundance. Raise many, and the harvest will be great; even if you raise few, there will still be a rich yield. So long as you believe with sincere hearts and treat them with reverence, all will rejoice.”

When this scripture (Jing) had been spoken, the immortals and Zhenren bowed in worship, took leave of the Celestial Worthy, and departed.