Pluralism X Naturalism: Three Treasures of Taoism 道教三寶

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。 然因道教以學道、修道、行道爲本， 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。