《太上灵宝净明法序》

The Jingming Method is a secret scripture (Jing) preserved in the Jade Capital of the Mysterious Metropolis of Highest Clarity.

In former times, the True Lord of the Sun, Bright King of the Way of Filial Piety, because his filial Way was outstanding and cast its light upon the human world, at last attained the unsurpassed Dao (the Way). Thereupon the Supreme Sovereign of Highest Clarity descended to the hall of the Spirit Cavern (Dongshen) at Fusang, summoned the Bright King, expounded and confirmed the methods of the Dao for him, received him as the foremost disciple, and bestowed the title “Great Perfected of the Numinous Treasure, Envoy Commissioned by the Edict of Jade Clarity,” commanding him to save the people of the world. The Perfected then made a great vow, wishing to dwell at the eastern extremity and rescue all living beings. This Perfected is the Heavenly Worthy of the Numinous Treasure Who Relieves Suffering. These events took place on the fifteenth day of the eighth month in the first year of Chiming.

What is called “Jingming” means a brightness that shines everywhere: there is no dark place it cannot illuminate, and no speck of dust that can defile it; both the foolish and the wise rely upon it. The Jingming Method is the gateway through which people are awakened and delivered, and the path by which cultivation leads to perfection. It takes filial piety and fraternal duty as its standard of conduct, cultivation as its method, and sustained practice as its essential secret. Merits of every kind accumulate step by step and support one another, and wisdom grows through refinement; only then can the Qi of the Dao (vital energy—the primordial energy of the Dao) become firm and complete, and spirits and Perfected Ones will submit to one’s command. In but a moment, one can penetrate the profound principle.

Formerly I admired the manner of the Daoist tradition, sought widely the instruction of teachers, held it firmly in mind, and kept my resolve unwavering. After receiving the method from Lord Ju and later studying with Mother Chen, my merit and practice were already complete. Thereafter I met exalted sages, who graciously transmitted this book to me, and only then was the art brought to fulfillment. As for such wondrous deeds as receiving grace, liberation, and ascension, they cannot be recounted one by one.

Whoever obtains this book of mine must cultivate it with care and must not abandon himself. To obtain this book is in every case the result of accumulation over successive lifetimes; thereafter one will gradually enter the path of ascent. I once appended at the end of a book thirty-five plain chapters of the Scripture of the Dao and circulated them in the world, yet those who obtained them were still few; how much more is this book the key to cultivating the method, consisting entirely of talismans and registers (Fulu) secretly conferred by exalted sages—how could one treat the practice lightly? I respectfully compose this preface.