《太上老君說常清靜妙經》

"Wondrous Scripture of Constant Purity and Stillness Expounded by the Most High Lord Lao" (Modern Interpretation):

These four classics are combined into one volume, containing essential methods for cultivating purity of heart. The Most High Lord Lao (supreme deity of Daoism) reveals: The Dao has no form yet gives birth to heaven and earth; it has no emotions yet governs the sun and moon; it has no name yet nourishes all things. We reluctantly call it "Dao."

The Dao encompasses the unity of opposites—clarity and turbidity, movement and stillness: heaven represents clarity while earth represents turbidity; heaven governs movement while earth governs stillness; masculinity embodies clarity and movement, femininity embodies turbidity and stillness. All things originate from this fundamental division—clarity is the source of turbidity, movement the foundation of stillness. If humans can maintain purity and stillness, they may unite with heaven and earth.

The human primordial spirit (Shen) is originally pure, but becomes disturbed by deluded thoughts; the heart should naturally be tranquil, yet is pulled by desires. If one can eliminate desires, the heart will naturally become still; by clarifying thoughts, the spirit will naturally become pure. Thus the six desires (of eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind) will not arise, and the three poisons (greed, anger, delusion) will be eradicated. Those who fail in this do so because their thoughts remain impure and desires unextinguished.

The cultivation method has three stages: inwardly contemplate the heart to realize its fundamental emptiness; outwardly observe forms to understand their illusory nature; distantly perceive all things to awaken to their essential void. When these three are all recognized as empty, even the concept of "emptiness" must be relinquished to reach the state of serene constant stillness. Desires then naturally cease to arise—this is true purity.

True purity responds to circumstances without losing its fundamental nature, eternally maintaining tranquility. Practicing thus, one gradually merges with the true Dao. Though we speak of "attaining the Dao," in truth nothing is attained—this is merely said to teach sentient beings. Those who comprehend this principle may transmit the sacred way.

Lord Lao further said: Superior practitioners do not contend with the world, while inferior practitioners constantly strive to prevail; those of superior virtue (De) do not cling to virtuous appearances, while those of inferior virtue stubbornly cling to virtuous reputations. Sentient beings fail to attain the Dao because they harbor deluded thoughts. When delusions arise, they disturb the primordial spirit; when the spirit is disturbed, it clings to external things; clinging gives rise to craving, and craving brings vexation. Vexations and delusions torment body and mind, causing people to sink into defilement.

The Wonderful Scripture of Constant Purity Spoken by the Supreme Lao Jun reveals:

Ordinary people perpetually drift in the bitter sea of life and death, forever losing sight of the true Dao (the cosmic origin and ultimate truth). Only those who attain enlightenment can naturally comprehend this eternally abiding Dao. Once awakened, one may maintain a state of constant purity.

Immortal Ge Xianweng (a renowned Daoist transcendent) explains: The reason I attained the Dao was through reciting this scripture over ten thousand times. Originally practiced by celestial immortals, this scripture was not meant for the mortal world. I received this transmission from the Emperor of Eastern Florescence (a revered Daoist deity), who in turn received it from the Emperor of Golden Portal, who obtained it from the Queen Mother of the West (the highest female immortal in Daoism). These transmissions were passed down orally without written records. Now I commit it to writing for the world: Those of superior capacity who comprehend it may ascend to become celestial officials; those of middling capacity who cultivate it may join the ranks of immortals in the Southern Palace; even those of lesser capacity who practice it can prolong their lives, roam freely through the Three Realms (the realms of desire, form, and formlessness), and ultimately ascend to the Golden Gate of the immortal realm.

The Perfected Being of the Left Mystery adds: If cultivators can uphold and recite this scripture, they will receive the protection of ten great benevolent deities. Thereafter, jade talismans (protective charms) will guard their spirit (Shen), while golden elixir (the essence of alchemical refinement) will transform their physical form. They will achieve the wondrous state where body and spirit unite, merging completely with the Great Dao.

The Perfected Being of Orthodox Unity (an important Daoist sage) further clarifies: Those who enshrine this scripture in their homes and understand it correctly will be shielded from calamities, with numerous sacred beings guarding their households. Their spirit may ascend to the upper realms to behold the Celestial Worthy, and when their virtuous deeds reach fulfillment, they will be received by the Emperor's summons. Those who persevere in recitation without cease shall ultimately ride purple clouds to ascend to the immortal realms.

(This scripture passage emphasizes how upholding and reciting the Scripture of Constant Purity can lead to various levels of cultivation attainment—from longevity to celestial ascension—while receiving divine protection. The transmission lineage demonstrates its sacred origins, embodying the Daoist tradition of "oral transmission beyond written words.")