Three paths of approaching Taoism and
the respective three virtues/treasures/jewels
| 學道者 Learning of theory | Three Jewels 皈奉道法三寶 similar to Three Refuges of Buddhism: 道 – Path 經 – Scriptures 師 – Masters |
| 修道者 Monasticism | Three (Spiritual) Treasures 出世工夫的三寶 精 – essence 氣 – breath 神 – spirit
essential energies sustaining human life theoretical cornerstones in traditional Chinese medicine and practices such as Neidan, Qigong, T'ai chi |
| 行道者 Practical life | Three (Moral) Treasures 作入世工夫三寶 慈 – compassion / love 儉 – frugality / simplicity 讓 – humility / modesty Three basic virtues of Taoism that formed the practical, political side of the Tao Te Jing 道德經 text |
not to be confused with Three Treasures are the
Three Primes 三元 a.k.a.
Three Purities 三清 which are
the Taoist Trinity
the three highest Gods in the Taoist pantheon
are regarded as
pure manifestation of the Tao and
the origin of all sentient beings
Lord of Celestial Treasure 玉清元始天尊
created Heaven and Earth (*Path 道寶尊)
Lord of Numinous Treasure 上清靈寶天尊
is associated with yin and yang and
was responsible as the custodian of
the sacred book (*Scripture 經寶尊)
also calculates time and
divides it into different epochs
Lord of Divine Treasure 太清道德天尊/太上老君
it is believed that He manifested himself in
the form of Laozi (*Master 師寶尊)
is also the treasurer of spirits
(*how the deities correspond to the
Three Jewels 皈奉道法三寶)
reference text:
| 道教原以： 元始天王所化 玉清天寶君，上清靈寶君，太清神寶君， 爲道教三寶，尊爲最高之神。 故又有以所本的三要旨，尊爲三寶者： (一)學道者： 以玉清元始天尊爲道寶尊， 上清靈寶天尊爲經寶尊， 太清道德天尊爲師寶尊， 作爲皈奉道法之“道、經、師”三寶。 (二)修道者： 以人身之“精、氣、神”爲修養性命， 作出世工夫的三寶。 (三)行道者： 以“慈、儉、讓”爲立身行道， 作入世工夫的三寶。 蓋基於老子三寶章雲： “我有三寶，持而寶之， 一曰慈，二曰儉，三曰不敢爲天下先”是也。 |