《靈寶文檢》Vol. 28

The Lingbao Wenjian (Numinous Treasure Document Compendium) is a significant scripture of the Shangqing (Highest Clarity) Daoist tradition. This volume primarily collects templates for various zhaijiao (purification rituals, Daoist ceremonial practices) documents. The contents are divided into two major categories:

The first category is "Proclamations and Declarations," consisting of standardized formats for bangwen (ritual notices posted during ceremonies). These include documents for "repaying karmic debts to the underworld" on behalf of the deceased, "funerary purification" texts for soul salvation, "scripture proclamation" formats for sutra-recitation assemblies, as well as specialized templates like "duty roster notices" (listing ritual officiants) and "wandering spirits proclamations" (for saving orphaned ghosts).

The second category is "Memorials of Grief," providing mourning text templates for commemorating the deceased. These are meticulously classified by familial relationships, containing dedicated memorials for parents, grandparents, uncles, spouses, siblings, teachers, and others. Particularly noteworthy are the specialized formats for "memorializing daughters deceased in childbirth" and "memorializing wives deceased in childbirth," reflecting Daoism's attention to women's unique transition circumstances.

These document templates demonstrate the standardization of Song Dynasty Daoist zhaijiao rituals, where specific occasions and recipients had corresponding prescribed texts. This reveals how Daoist ceremonies had developed into a rigorous system by that period.