《太上老君經律》

The third section of the Taishang Laojun Jinglü (Scriptural Precepts of the Most High Lord Lao) records the essential ethical framework of Daoism, comprising:

Nine foundational cultivation principles and twenty-seven precepts (observed by both male and female Daoist practitioners), along with specialized precepts for female cultivators—the Taiqing Yin Jie (Great Clarity Feminine Precepts) and Nüqing Lü Jie (Precepts of the Green Maiden’s Codex, though the original text is partially lost).

[Nine Cultivation Principles] are organized into three tiers:

Superior cultivation: Practice wuwei (non-action, aligning with natural flow), embody softness and receptivity (like the yielding nature of the feminine), and abide in humility (without striving to dominate).

Intermediate cultivation: Reject hollow reputation, maintain purity and stillness, and accumulate virtuous deeds.

Basic cultivation: Restrain desires, cultivate contentment, and embrace deference.

These nine principles distill the core teachings of the Daode Jing’s eighty-one chapters and must be upheld regardless of social status. Perfect adherence leads to transcendence (xian), fulfilling six extends longevity, and observing three still averts untimely death.

[Twenty-Seven Precepts] are likewise divided into three levels:

Superior Nine Precepts: Include abstaining from indulgent thoughts (moderating joy and anger), squandering jing (essence), harming qi (vital energy), consuming bloody or decadent foods, coveting fame, falsifying scriptures, neglecting Daoist methods, rashly testing cosmic principles, or speaking words that incite harm.

Intermediate Nine Precepts: Prohibit studying heterodox paths, chasing vanity or empty titles, being deluded by sensory desires, lacking humility, behaving frivolously or impatiently, acting recklessly, pursuing lavish attire or gourmet excess, and overindulgence.

Basic Nine Precepts: Forbid coercively seeking wealth despite poverty, committing evil, superstitious taboos, blind worship of spirits, tyrannical behavior, self-righteousness, contentiousness (yielding in disputes), falsely claiming sagehood, and warmongering.

These twenty-seven precepts also originate from the Daode Jing. Full observance leads to transcendence; eighteen extend life; nine avert untimely death.

[Background on Lao Jun’s 180 Precepts]:

Tradition holds that during the late Zhou dynasty under King Nan, the Most High Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) transmitted the Way of Great Peace (Taiping) to Qian Jun (an ancient immortal) at Langya (modern Shandong). After attaining the Dao, Qian Jun became a zhenren (Perfected Being). Concurrently, Lord Lao imparted the 170-volume Taiping Jing (Scripture of Great Peace), within which these 180 precepts were a central component. (The original precepts are partially lost.)

This scripture recounts the admonition given by Lord Lao (the supreme deity of Daoism) to the libationer (an early Daoist clerical position) Gan Ji, exposing the problems within the Daoist organization of that time.

The background of the story is as follows: The two perfected beings, Gan Ji and Bo Jun, once cultivated their practice beneath a magnolia tree in Langya (present-day Linyi, Shandong). During the reign of King You of Zhou, Lord Lao manifested as a foreigner and arrived in Hanzhong. Passing through Langya, he summoned Gan Ji. Lord Lao criticized him, saying: "Initially, male and female libationers were appointed to teach and guide the people and to aid the world. But recently, it has been discovered that these libationers have exploited Lord Lao’s name to indulge in greed and lust, becoming self-righteous and attacking one another. They forbid the common people from following other practitioners, claiming that 'only we are orthodox,' completely deviating from the true intent of Daoism."

Upon hearing this, Gan Ji trembled in fear and prostrated himself, admitting that this was the fault of the libationers and blaming himself for failing to properly guide the people. He earnestly begged Lord Lao to forgive their past transgressions and allow them to repent and reform.

Finally, Lord Lao sternly declared: "Even if a person lives for ten thousand years, without upholding the precepts, their life is no different from rotten wood or stubborn stone. It is better to live a single day as a virtuous person who keeps the precepts and ascends as an immortal after death, than to cling to sin and suffer torment in the soul." He particularly emphasized that if libationers continued to commit evil, they would fall into the Ninefold Nether Hell (the deepest hell in Daoism) after death—a tragedy not only for themselves but also for the ignorant masses they misled. Lord Lao instructed Gan Ji to record these admonitions as a set of precepts for future practitioners.

The core teachings of the text emphasize:

1. Practitioners must uphold the precepts.

2. Corruption among privileged religious elites must be opposed.

3. Genuine cultivation should benefit all beings, not serve selfish interests.

4. The view of life and death: Those who keep the precepts may achieve liberation and ascend as immortals (a Daoist method of transcendence), while evildoers will suffer punishment in the soul.

This passage from the Scriptural Precepts of the Most High Lord Lao presents the moral regulations established by Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun) for Daoist practitioners, consisting of two main sections:

The first section expounds on the impermanence of human life: All things in this world follow the cycle of birth and decay—the sun sets, the moon waxes and wanes, and since ancient times no mortal has achieved immortality. Only by cultivating Dao (the Way) and De (Virtue) can one attain true longevity. This very moment (referring to the transmission of precepts) is profoundly sacred, with virtuous sages, teachers, and disciples gathered in perfect harmony, while myriad deities and guardian spirits stand witness. Moved by compassion for all beings, Lord Lao personally imparts these essential precepts to the practitioner Wang Jia.

The second section emphasizes the vital importance of upholding precepts: Even if one lives ten thousand years, life is worthless as broken tiles if precepts are violated. It is better to die as a virtuous person who strictly observes precepts than to prolong life through wickedness. Those who keep the precepts will transcend the cycle of rebirth and attain immortality after death, while violators will suffer severe karmic retribution with no benefit to their soul.

The text concludes with twenty-one specific precepts:

1. Do not keep excessive servants, wives, or concubines

2. Never commit adultery with others' spouses or daughters

3. Abstain from stealing others' property

4. Do not harm any living creature

5. Never take others' money without permission

6. Avoid wanton destruction of property

7. Do not throw food into fire

8. Refrain from raising pigs, sheep, or other livestock

9. Never obtain things through improper means

10. Avoid consuming the Five Pungent Vegetables (garlic, onions, leeks, etc.)

11. Do not write careless or illegible documents for others

12. Avoid excessive correspondence

13. Never use drugs to induce abortion

14. Do not burn mountains, forests, or fields

15. Refrain from eating with gold or silver utensils

16. Do not inquire about military affairs or practice divination

17. Never associate with rebels or bandits

18. Avoid cutting down trees indiscriminately

19. Do not pick flowers or plants carelessly

20. Refrain from frequent visits to officials or currying favor with the powerful

21. Never treat disciples with disrespect or show partiality

These precepts encompass personal cultivation, social conduct, and environmental protection, combining ethical principles with concrete behavioral guidelines.

The precepts in the Scriptural Statutes of the Most High Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun Jinglü) can be paraphrased in modern terms as follows:

22nd Precept: Do not be greedy or miserly with wealth.

23rd Precept: Do not lie, use flattery, sow discord, or envy others.

24th Precept: Abstain from alcohol and meat.

25th Precept: Do not hoard riches or oppress orphans and the poor.

26th Precept: Do not eat alone (without sharing).

27th Precept: Forbid trading in human beings (slaves or servants).

28th Precept: Do not interfere in others' marital or private affairs.

29th Precept: Do not gossip about others or harbor suspicions.

30th Precept: Avoid excessive indulgence in song, dance, and entertainment.

31st Precept: Do not maliciously speculate about others or stir up trouble.

32nd Precept: Do not expose others' secrets.

33rd Precept: Do not criticize others' parents.

34th Precept: Do not flatter to someone's face but slander them behind their back.

35th Precept: Forbid using filthy things to mock others.

36th Precept: Do not poison rivers, lakes, or seas.

37th Precept: Do not show favoritism only to your own relatives.

38th Precept: Do not disrespect others' elders.

39th Precept: Forbid suicide.

40th Precept: Do not incite others to kill.

41st Precept: Do not disrupt family relationships.

42nd Precept: Do not kill out of personal anger.

43rd Precept: Forbid writing anonymous letters to falsely accuse others.

44th Precept: Do not be obstinate and self-willed.

45th Precept: Do not hold an inflated opinion of yourself.

46th Precept: Forbid arrogance and conceit.

47th Precept: Do not recklessly dig up land or damage mountains and rivers.

48th Precept: Forbid speaking harsh or abusive words.

49th Precept: Do not kick livestock.

50th Precept: Do not blind others (literally or metaphorically).

51st Precept: When treating illness, do not resort to sorcery ("厌" refers to witchcraft).

52nd Precept: Do not covet others' possessions.

53rd Precept: Do not drain lakes or marshes.

54th Precept: Do not speak carelessly about your teacher.

55th Precept: Forbid bathing naked.

56th Precept:....

These precepts cover various aspects of personal conduct, environmental protection, and moral cultivation, reflecting Daoist principles of harmony with nature and benevolence toward others.

The Scriptural Precepts of the Most High Lord Lao outlines thirty cultivation commandments, which in modern terms can be summarized as follows:

57. Do not disrespect or neglect the teachings of the scriptures.

58. Honor the elderly.

59. Do not watch animals mating.

60. Do not mock or tease others.

61. Do not abuse power to oppress others.

62. Do not show favoritism to friends and family (avoid cliques).

63. Except for soldiers, do not carry weapons.

64. Family members should live together (do not divide the household).

65. Do not lose your temper recklessly.

66. Do not insult others by calling them slaves.

67. Do not urinate in public.

68. Do not brand or tattoo the faces of servants.

69. Do not curse others with death or misfortune.

70. Do not take pleasure in others' suffering.

71. Do not wander aimlessly.

72. Do not stare at others aggressively.

73. Do not stick out your tongue at people.

74. Do not forcibly demand property or goods.

75. Do not extort alms from common people.

76. Do not assist officials in collecting taxes.

77. Do not preside over secular rituals for worldly people.

78. Do not help others select burial sites or practice geomancy (feng shui).

79. Do not engage in astrology or fortune-telling (as a profession).

80. Do not hunt or kill living beings.

81. Do not sabotage others' marriages.

82. Treat disciples equally (as you would your own children).

83. Do not steal fire from others at night.

84. Attend funerals with solemnity and mourning.

85. Do not form factions with worldly people to ridicule others.

86. Do not claim others' achievements as your own.

87. Do not be overly picky about your dwelling or bedding.

88. Do not slander others.

(Note: These precepts reflect the behavioral standards that Daoist practitioners must uphold, encompassing moral cultivation, daily conduct, and social interactions, all aimed at fostering a mindset of purity and Wuwei [non-action] in spiritual practice.)

The Scriptural Precepts of the Most High Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun Jinglü) details specific injunctions from the 88th to the 117th precepts, covering ethical conduct, environmental protection, and reverence for life. Here is a plain-language interpretation:

88th Precept: Do not boast about the superiority of your possessions.

89th Precept: Do not intentionally frighten others to instill fear.

90th Precept: Do not be picky about food, disparaging what is served.

91st Precept: Do not spread malicious gossip in social interactions.

92nd Precept: Do not exploit official authority to harm others.

93rd Precept: Do not interfere in disputes over others' rights and wrongs.

94th Precept: Do not forcibly demand others' property, even under the pretense of kindness.

95th Precept: In winter, do not dig up the earth and disturb hibernating creatures.

96th Precept: Do not travel frivolously, wasting precious time.

97th Precept: Do not recklessly climb trees to rob nests or destroy eggs.

98th Precept: Do not use traps or nets to capture wild animals.

99th Precept: Do not bore holes in walls to peep at women.

100th Precept: Do not throw filth into wells.

101st Precept: Do not block ponds or wells.

102nd Precept: Do not deceive the elderly or children.

103rd Precept: Do not open and read others' letters without permission.

104th Precept: Do not trick honest people into becoming servants or slaves.

105th Precept: Do not hoard excessive wealth, inviting calamity.

106th Precept: Do not cling obsessively to domestic comfort.

107th Precept: Do not hoard goods for speculative gain.

108th Precept: Do not deliberately damage currency in circulation.

109th Precept: Do not light fires indiscriminately on open ground.

110th Precept: Do not place thorny obstacles on roads.

111st Precept: Do not gossip or stir up trouble with loose words.

112nd Precept: Do not discard books or written materials near latrines.

113th Precept: Do not worship other spirits or deities (referring to exclusive devotion to orthodox Daoist divinities).

114th Precept: Do not collect or study the Eight Spirit Diagrams used in secular divination.

115th Precept: Do not associate with soldiers (historically referring to belligerent individuals).

116th Precept: Do not urinate or defecate on living plants, nor pollute drinking water sources.

117th Precept: (Text incomplete, likely referring to a specific prohibition.)

These precepts embody Daoist principles of harmony with nature, reverence for life, and wuwei (non-action). They include both moral restraints and ecological awareness, reflecting the tradition's holistic ethical vision.

The Scriptural Precepts of the Most High Lord Lao outlines behavioral guidelines for Daoist practitioners. Here's a modern interpretation of these injunctions:

Precept 118: Do not form intimate relations with widows.

Precept 119: Do not worship ghosts and deities solely for personal gain.

Precept 120: Do not impose excessive taboos on others.

Precept 121: Do not obsess over personal taboos.

Precept 122: Do not bathe recklessly in rivers or seas (considered dangerous in ancient times).

Precept 123: Do not borrow others' possessions to regift.

Precept 124: Do not act as guarantor for transactions involving land, property, or servants.

Precept 125: Do not associate with households known for licentiousness.

Precept 126: Do not store poison in containers.

Precept 127: Avoid loud speech; maintain gentle words and a smiling countenance.

Precept 128: Do not draft legal petitions to incite litigation.

Precept 129: Do not crave or study books on secret plots.

Precept 130: Do not whip livestock indiscriminately.

Precept 131: Do not ride horses or drive chariots at reckless speeds without cause.

Precept 132: Do not grab food with hands or bite dishes haphazardly.

Precept 133: Do not intentionally frighten birds or animals.

Precept 134: Do not casually criticize others' meals.

Precept 135: Do not arbitrarily dig ponds or lakes.

Precept 136: Do not boast of medical skills (unless patients specifically request help).

Precept 137: Do not travel alone (always have companions).

Precept 138: Do not assist others in seeking private advantages.

Precept 139: Do not covet excessive treasures.

Precept 140: Do not bring women into mountain retreats (reside separately).

Precept 141: Do not forget fundamentals while chasing trivialities (preserve the root).

Precept 142: Make offerings according to your means (avoid straining yourself).

Precept 143: Embrace purity and frugality, emulating ancient sages who lived simply like deer grazing on grass or oxen drinking water.

These precepts primarily regulate Daoist priests' daily conduct, emphasizing a lifestyle of mental clarity, minimal desires, kindness toward others, and reverence for nature. While some rules may appear stringent by modern standards, their core purpose remains teaching desire-restraint and reverential awareness.

The Scriptural Precepts of the Most High Lord Lao outlines the ethical codes Daoist practitioners should uphold, rendered here in contemporary language:

Article 43: When entering unfamiliar territory, first observe your surroundings—never act recklessly and offend others.

Article 44: Focus single-mindedly on cultivating the true Dao (the Way). Do not chase after the vulgar trends of the mundane world.

Article 45: Strengthen your commitment to spiritual practice. Never waver or defy the teachings of the Three Treasures (Dao, scriptures, and master).

Article 46: Exercise discretion. Do not exploit close relationships with parents or rulers to act willfully.

Article 47: Pursue the path of longevity with unceasing diligence, day and night—never slacken your efforts.

Article 48: When calamity arises, withdraw swiftly. Do not cling to official salaries or empty fame.

Article 49: Diligently practice qi absorption (a breath-regulation method) and bigu (grain abstention)—these are gateways to longevity.

Article 50: Distance yourself from wicked people, yet never abandon true friends.

Article 51: When eating, begin from one side of the dish. Do not fuss over the quality of food.

Article 52: Each time you offer incense, pray for the welfare of all people—never seek benefits for yourself alone.

Article 53: If addressed as Jijiu (a Daoist clerical title), respond with humility and prudence. Avoid frivolity that invites ridicule.

Article 54: When receiving offerings, sincerely wish blessings upon the benefactor.

Article 55: Avoid frequent gatherings for lavish feasting without cause.

Article 56: Do not accept excessive veneration from crowds without justification.

Article 57: In new places, first pay respects to local sages and virtuous persons to learn from them.

Article 58: Before visiting foreign lands, study local taboos.

Article 59: When entering another’s home, first inquire about elders’ names to observe naming taboos.

Article 60: Never visit others with expectations of being hosted for meals.

Article 61: Men and women must not walk side by side.

Article 62: Men and women must not converse privately in enclosed rooms.

Article 63: Clothing for either gender shall not exceed three sets (emphasizing frugality).

Article 64: Men and women must not dine together or pass objects hand-to-hand.

These precepts encompass both spiritual discipline and daily conduct, emphasizing purity, focus, humility, and wise engagement with secular society.

The Scripture of Precepts by the Most High Lord Lao records 180 cultivation precepts. Here we examine some key provisions:

Regarding the foremost of the Five Precepts: When encountering natural disasters like floods or droughts, one must not harbor resentment (First Precept).

Precept 166 reminds practitioners: Though evil people may outnumber the virtuous in this world, cultivators need not worry—the Great Dao (Dao) will naturally protect those who follow it.

On interpersonal conduct:

• When insulted, receive it silently without retribution (Precept 167)
• When slandered, focus on cultivating the Dao rather than fearing gossip or depleting your spirit (shen) through anxiety (Precept 168)
• Repay evil with good, as water extinguishes fire (Precept 169)
• Never resent others for receiving gifts you weren't given (Precept 170)
• Remain unmoved by both praise and slander—neither delighting in flattery nor angered by criticism (Precept 171)

Dietary restrictions:

• Never consume animals slaughtered specifically for you (Precept 172)
• Abstain from eating creatures whose slaughter you witnessed (Precept 173)
• Avoid foods with strong bloody odors (Precept 174)
• Don't crave delicacies of unknown origin (Precept 175)
• Ideally abstain completely from meat—though breaking this constitutes a minor violation (Precept 176)
• While vegetarianism is superior, never boast of it before rulers (Precept 177)

Essential cultivation principles:

• Only by venerating sages can one encounter true immortals (Precept 178)
• When wandering, lodge in mountain forests or caves—reciting precepts summons divine protection (Precept 179)
• Those who repent after violations and encourage others to keep precepts still gain celestial favor (Precept 180)

Finally, Lord Lao warns: All ancient perfected immortals attained the Dao through strict precept observance. The formless Great Dao requires transmission through teachers—never disrespect this lineage. Disciples should reverently receive these precepts.

(Note: The "180 Precepts" refer to the complete ethical system. "Kowtow" [qishou] denotes Daoism's highest ritual gesture—touching one's forehead to the ground during prostration.)