《太上洞玄靈寶天關經》

The Taishang Dongxuan Lingbao Tianguan Jing (Supreme Scripture of the Numinous Treasure from the Cavern of Mystery on the Celestial Pass) describes the cosmogonic process and the formation of heaven, earth, and all beings:

The primordial state of the cosmos unfolds through four evolutionary phases: Taiyi (when even Qi was not yet manifest), Taichu (the inception of Qi), Taishi (the beginning of form), and Taisu (the emergence of substance). When Qi, form, and substance remained undifferentiated in a blended state, this was called Hundun (Chaos) - the pristine condition prior to the differentiation of all things.

Subsequently, the light and pure Qi ascended to form heaven, while the heavy and turbid Qi condensed to form earth. The scripture reveals that Lord Lao (the deified Laozi as the supreme Daoist divinity) constitutes the fundamental source of all creation, from whom all life originates. Abiding in the unchanging Dao, Lord Lao traverses the void, harmonizes with the transformations of Yin-Yang, and upholds the primordial "Uncarved Block" (the authentic state of Dao). Through the permutations of 999,900,000,000 types of Qi, he brought forth heaven and earth.

When heaven and earth undergo the cosmic cycles of kalpic destruction and renewal, Lord Lao manifests under different sacred appellations: Supreme Mysterious Elder, Most High Lord Lao, and Exalted Lord Lao. Each time, he divides the primordial Qi to recreate heaven and earth - the solar essence forms the sun, the lunar essence forms the moon, and their combined essences generate the stars. He established the Twenty-Eight Lunar Mansions, Twenty-Four Solar Terms, Four Seasons, Five Phases, Five Planets, and Five Sacred Peaks, each governed by their respective Five Thearchs.

Through the intercourse of heavenly and earthly Qi, humanity, animals, and plants came into being. The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors were instituted to govern humankind, enabling the flourishing of civilization. The text further quantifies cosmic dimensions: 48,000 li between heaven and earth, 190,000,000 li spanning the four directions, with sun and moon each measuring 3,000 li in diameter and 9,000 li in circumference. Mount Kunlun stands as the cosmic axis, crowned by the Mysterious Lord of the Northern Dipper (Polaris deity) and the Big Dipper constellation.

This passage exemplifies Daoism's distinctive cosmology and creation theory, emphasizing how the Dao manifests through the sacred embodiment of Lord Lao to create and sustain the cosmos.

The Supreme Grotto Mystery Lingbao Scripture of the Celestial Pass describes the cosmological structure of celestial and terrestrial realms in Daoist thought:

The heavens are arranged in nine concentric layers, ascending from the lowest to highest: Poli Heaven, Jiayi Heaven, Fanbao Heaven, Huaying Heaven, Bujiao Heaven, Jiran Heaven, Xuyan Heaven, Chanshan Heaven, and Yudan Heaven. Correspondingly, the earth comprises nine descending strata: Serun Earth, Runse Earth, Seze Earth, Runze Earth, Jinsuze Earth, Jingangze Earth, Shuize Earth, Fengze Earth, and Dongquangangwei Earth (collectively termed the "Nine Fortresses").

The cosmos is divided into Three Realms encompassing Twenty-Eight Heavens:

1. The Realm of Desire with six heavens: Taihuang Heaven, Taiming Heaven, Qingming Heaven, Xuantai Heaven, Yuanming Heaven, and Qiyao Heaven

2. The Realm of Form with eighteen heavens including Xuwu Heaven, Taiji Heaven, and Chiming Heaven

3. The Formless Realm with four heavens: Xiaodu Heaven, Yuandong Heaven, Miaocheng Heaven, and Jinshang Heaven

Above these Three Realms lie the Four Peoples' Heavens (Changrong Heaven, Yulong Heaven, Fandu Heaven, and Jiayi Heaven), beyond which reside the Three Pure Realms:

1. Great Clarity Realm (Great Scarlet Heaven)

2. Supreme Clarity Realm (Yuyu Heaven)

3. Jade Clarity Realm (Qingwei Heaven)

The apex of this cosmic hierarchy is the Supreme Great Canopy Heaven, encompassing all celestial domains in its unsurpassed majesty. Altogether there exist thirty-six celestial strata, each governed by a Celestial Emperor. Mirroring this structure, thirty-six terrestrial layers exist beneath the earth, each administered by an Earthly Sovereign.

The scripture employs the metaphors of an egg or cartwheel to illustrate the cosmos' outer form, describing primordial Qi (vital energy) encircling heaven and earth like the solar corona - the very essence where celestial and terrestrial essences converge.

This scripture elucidates the generative principles governing heaven, earth, and all phenomena, while outlining the path to Daoist immortality. Its core teachings reveal:

The cosmos comprises 555,550,000 layered spatial dimensions, each governed by celestial patterns, terrestrial formations, and the fundamental forces of earth, water, fire, wind, and the interplay of Yin-Yang. These universal laws originate from the Dao (referred to as "I" in the text), whose transformative power manifests as:

• The division of heaven and earth (the Two Polarities)
• The radiance of sun, moon, and stars (the Three Luminaries)
• The harmonious succession of seasons (the Four Energies)
• The generative cycles of the Five Phases
• The unfathomable depths of rivers and oceans
• The dynamic interplay of mountain solidity and valley emptiness

Through the Dao's agency, all beings attain their distinctive qualities:

• Practitioners achieve immortality
• Rulers govern with wisdom
• All creatures flourish
• Deities manifest their power
• Departed souls find liberation
• Withered bones regain life

The Most High Lord Lao (supreme Daoist divinity) embodies the source of primordial Qi, the foundation of heaven-earth, the origin of Yin-Yang, and the sovereign of all deities. As creator and sustainer, he governs cosmic patterns (seasonal transitions, wind-rain-thunder-lightning) and social order (ruler-subject, parent-child ethics).

The scripture classifies sentient beings into three realms:

1. Desire Realm: Beings with gender distinctions who reproduce sexually

2. Form Realm: Embodied beings who propagate through transformation

3. Formless Realm: Consciousness without physical form

Adepts (lesser immortals) may live for eons and traverse realms freely, yet remain bound to rebirth. Only those attaining the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) — the supreme spiritual states — achieve ultimate liberation.

The cosmos contains Three Origin Palaces (Upper, Middle, Lower), administered by the Three Officials (Celestial, Earthly, Water). Their nine bureaus with 120 departments meticulously record every being's merits and transgressions without the slightest error.

Finally, practitioners are instructed to venerate the Ten Directional Celestial Worthies, including:

• The Eastern Celestial Worthy of Jade Treasure and Imperial Radiance: Governs the hours of Yin-Mao (3-7 AM), wields a dragon-tiger staff, and wears blue-green robes
• The Southern Celestial Worthy of Mystic Truth and Boundless Blessings: [text fragmentary]

This scripture presents Daoist cosmology and cultivation theory, emphasizing the Dao as primordial source while mapping the path to transcend the cycle of rebirth through spiritual practice, ultimately attaining eternal life and cosmic vision.

This scripture describes the iconographic characteristics of the Ten Directional Celestial Worthies (Shifang Tianzun) in Daoist belief, detailing their respective directions, Five Phases (Wuxing) attributes, and the human devotees under their governance. Each Celestial Worthy possesses distinct attire and symbolic implements:

The Southern Celestial Worthy (associated with Fire Phase) wears a crown marked with the celestial stems Bing-Ding (representing Fire), holds a jade tablet carved with the Vermilion Bird (Zhuque, southern mythological creature), and governs those born during the Si and Wu hours (9-13h). Devotees should submit to the Western Supreme Mystery Celestial Worthy.

The Western Celestial Worthy (Metal Phase) dons headgear and footwear inscribed with the Geng-Xin stems (Metal), wields a blade of frost and snow, and oversees those born during Shen and You hours (15-19h). Followers should submit to the Northern Mysterious Jade Dawn Celestial Worthy.

The Northern Celestial Worthy (Water Phase) wears headdress and shoes marked with Ren-Gui stems (Water), carries registers inscribed with the Black Tortoise (Xuanwu, northern mythological creature), and governs those born during Hai and Zi hours (21-1h). Devotees should submit to the Northeastern Salvation Sage Celestial Worthy.

The scripture sequentially describes other directional worthies: the Northeastern Worthy wields the Ghost Gate sword, the Southeastern Worthy holds the Wind Gate seal, the Southwestern Worthy keeps the Earth Portal register, while the Northwestern Worthy bears the Heavenly Gate mirror. The Supreme Worthy of the Zenith (Jade Void Luminous Sovereign) governs seasonal transitions and worldly order, whereas the Supreme Worthy of the Nadir (True Sovereign of Cavern Mysteries) oversees all earthly aspirations.

The text particularly notes that each of the thirty-six heavenly realms has its own Celestial Emperor (Tiandi), and each of the thirty-six earthly layers its own Earthly Sovereign (Dihuang), all with specific iconographic attributes. All Celestial Worthies, Emperors and Sovereigns submit to the leadership of the Ten Directional Worthies in governing the destinies of beings across the Three Realms. The scripture emphasizes that depictions of these deities in the Five Sacred Mountains (Wuyue) serve to guide humanity toward proper devotion.

The concluding eulogy states: "The Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) descend with divine response, beings from all directions submit in reverence, the celestial realms remain immaculately pure, and the Ten Directional Worthies manifest their sacred presence." When paying homage to these true deities, devotees should recite this scripture and devoutly worship the Ten Directional Worthies, with longevity-seekers submitting to their corresponding Celestial Worthy.

The Supreme Dongxuan Lingbao Scripture of Celestial Passage (Taishang Dongxuan Lingbao Tianguan Jing) stands as one of the pivotal Daoist scriptures. "Supreme" (Taishang) refers to the highest manifestation of the Dao, "Dongxuan" signifies penetrating the profound mysteries, while "Lingbao" honors the Celestial Worthy of Numinous Treasure (Lingbao Tianzun), one of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing). This scripture primarily elucidates cultivation methods for breaking through the "Celestial Pass" (Tianguan)—critical barriers on the spiritual path—to attain higher realms of realization. Containing numerous esoteric principles and essential teachings on Daoist practice, it serves as a vital text for studying internal alchemy (Neidan) within the Daoist tradition.