經藏 · Library
Scripture Library
Each scripture is given in the original Chinese beside the Society's English translation and notes. Older public-domain translations are included for comparison, each with its source.
道德經
Daodejing
The Scripture of the Dao and its Virtue
The foundational scripture of Taoism, attributed to Laozi. Eighty-one short chapters on the Dao, Virtue, non-action and the way of the sage.
81 chaptersOpen
太上老君說常清靜經
Scripture of Clarity and Stillness
Taishang Laojun Shuo Chang Qingjing Jing
A short scripture of the Tang period, recited daily in Taoist temples, on stilling the heart-mind and sending away desire. Includes the closing words of Ge Xuan and two Perfected.
12 sectionsOpen
黃帝陰符經
Yin Fu Scripture
The Yellow Emperor's Scripture of the Hidden Talisman
A terse and profound scripture on the hidden workings of Heaven and the human heart-mind, in three chapters, highly valued in inner alchemy.
21 sectionsOpen
太上感應篇
Treatise on Response and Retribution
Taishang Ganying Pian
The most widely read Taoist morality book: how good and evil deeds bring their own response, with a long list of deeds to practise and to avoid.
20 sectionsOpen
高上玉皇心印妙經
Jade Emperor's Mind Seal Scripture
Gaoshang Yuhuang Xinyin Miaojing
A short scripture in four-character verse on the three treasures of essence, qi and spirit, recited in Taoist daily liturgy and central to inner alchemy.
13 sectionsOpen
How we translate
- Faithful to the base text. We translate the edition named on each scripture page and do not paraphrase.
- Supplied words are marked. Words added in English for readability, with nothing in the Chinese behind them, appear in [square brackets].
- Key terms are kept. Terms such as Dao, De, qi, jing and shen are given in pinyin with an explanation.
- Variants are noted. Where other editions read differently (such as the Mawangdui silk manuscripts or the Guodian bamboo slips), or where the meaning is disputed, the notes say so.
Corrections are welcome. If you find an error, please write to us.