Lingbao Tianzun, also known in
English as the Heavenly Lord of Spiritual Treasures,
[ is a ]Taoist
Taoism or Daoism (, ) is a diverse philosophical and religious tradition indigenous to China, emphasizing harmony with the Tao ( zh, p=dào, w=tao4). With a range of meaning in Chinese philosophy, translations of Tao include 'way', 'road', ...
god
In monotheistic belief systems, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. In polytheistic belief systems, a god is "a spirit or being believed to have created, or for controlling some part of the un ...
. Also known as Shangqing, he is numbered among the Three Pure Ones
The Three Pure Ones, also translated as the Three Pure Pellucid Ones, the Three Pristine Ones, the Three Divine Teachers, the Three Clarities, or the Three Purities, are the three highest gods in the Taoist pantheon. They are regarded as pure m ...
who head some forms of the Taoist pantheon.
He is thought to be able to control everything that goes on in the present
The present is the period of time that is occurring now. The present is contrasted with the past, the period of time that has already occurred; and the future, the period of time that has yet to occur.
It is sometimes represented as a hyperplan ...
.Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun Taiyi, Tai-yi, or Tai yi may refer to:
Religion and philosophy
* Donghuang Taiyi, a Chinese name and concept of God
* ''Taiyi Shengshui'' (太一生水), Taoist creation myth written about 300 BC
* Taiyi Taoism, Taoist schools#Chronology of major ...
is described as an avatar of Lingbao Tianzun, and able to manifest himself in any form to lead souls to paradise.
Record
According to the ''Yunji Qiqian'' (Seven Bamboo Tablets of the Cloudy Satchel), Lingbao Tianzun is one of the manifestations of the Great Dao, and is described as "the essence of the Jade Emperor
In the Chinese mythology, myths and Chinese folk religion, folk religion of Chinese culture, the Jade Emperor or Yudi is one of the representations of the Primordial Divinity (Tai Di), primordial god.
In Taoist theology, he is the assistant of ...
(Yuchen), the purple mist of nine auspicious clouds, radiant with jade brilliance and flowing with golden light. He embodies the convergence of transformation and beauty, containing and nurturing the primordial spirit. He was conceived within his mother's womb and took human form."
''The Lingbao Lüeji'' (Brief Records of Lingbao) further elaborates: "The Supreme Great Dao Lord, in the first year of the Kaihuang era, was conceived in the Western Green Jade Kingdom (Lüna Yuguo) and carried in the womb of the Hong family. His divine spirit coalesced in the jade-like womb for three thousand seven hundred years, after which he was born in that kingdom, at the Floating Lo Mountain (Fuluo Zhi Yue) in the Danxuan Valley. His name was Qi Du, with the courtesy name Shang Kaiyuan. As he grew, he became enlightened to the true Dao and aspired to the highest path. He sat beneath a withered mulberry tree, meditating deeply for a hundred days, until Yuanshi Tianzun
Yuanshi Tianzun (), the Celestial Venerable of the Primordial Beginning or the Primeval Lord of Heaven, is one of the highest deities of Taoism. He is one of the Three Pure Ones () and is also known as the Jade Pure One (). He resides in the Gr ...
(the Celestial Worthy of Primordial Beginning) descended and bestowed upon him the ten great volumes of the Lingbao Mahayana teachings."
Temples
The Dongxuan Palace in the Zhujia'ao Valley beside in Shanxi
Shanxi; Chinese postal romanization, formerly romanised as Shansi is a Provinces of China, province in North China. Its capital and largest city of the province is Taiyuan, while its next most populated prefecture-level cities are Changzhi a ...
is dedicated to the Lord of Lingbao. His statue in its main hall is covered by a ring of light; his eyes are thought to "contain the mysteries of the universe".[.]
References
Bibliography
* .
Chinese gods
Taoist deities
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