The Myth of Scriptural Transmission in Daoism: The Origin and Transformation of the August Emperor of Celestial Perfection

Vol. 38 No. 2   6/2008    

Title

The Myth of Scriptural Transmission in Daoism: The Origin and Transformation of the August Emperor of Celestial Perfection

Author

Shu-wei Hsieh

Genre

Article  

Pages

291-326

Download

PDF

Language

Chinese

Key words

Daoism, August Emperor of Celestial Perfection, Perfect One, Lingbao Scriptures

Abstract

  This paper analyzes the roles and functions of the August Emperor of Celestial Perfection in Medieval Daoism. Taking the August Emperor of Celestial Perfection as an example, we investigate people's use of ancient legends to construct new genres of sacred scriptures. The legend of the Yellow Emperor and the August Emperor of Celestial Perfection, which includes the practices of the "three-one" or the perfect one," was widespread in South China during the medieval period. This legend is preserved in Baopuzi and the Wufuxu , which are two of the earliest sources concerning the August Emperor of Celestial Perfection. This story is also preserved in various citations in the Daoist canon. In the Wufuxu, the August Emperor of Celestial Perfection is characterized as a transmitter and translator. In addition, the pattern of translation of celestial writing becomes a basic structure of the Lingbao Scriptures.

  The August Emperor of Celestial Perfection was created to be a translator and interpreter in scriptures relating to the Durenjing. The Scriptures of Inner Sounds of the Several Heavens includes the translations and interpretations of the Great Brahma. The inspiration for celestial script lies not only in traditional Chinese notions of writing; the idea that celestial script needed transcription and translation into a human language was strongly reinforced by the introduction of Buddhism. There are two types of scriptures relating to the August Emperor of Celestial Perfection in the Daoist canon. One is based on the framework of the Yellow Emperor asking the August Emperor of Celestial Perfection about Dao; the other is based on the pattern of the conversation between the Celestial Worthy and the August Emperor of Celestial Perfection. Although the status of the August Emperor of Celestial Perfection is quite different in these two types of texts, the August Emperor of Celestial Perfection was created as an agent who transmits and reveals scriptures through consultation and conversation.

 

 

Author: Shu-wei Hsieh
Genre: Article