Tài shàng chú sān shī jiǔ chóng bǎo shēng jīng 太上除三尸九蟲保生經
Most High Scripture for Removing the Three Corpse-Worms and Nine Worms and Preserving Life
Anonymous; Five Dynasties
A Five-Dynasties Daoist scripture on the removal of the Three Corpse-Worms (sān shī 三尸) and the Nine Worms (jiǔ chóng 九蟲) — demonic parasites believed in Daoist physiological tradition to inhabit the human body and shorten its life. Their removal is a central task of Daoist longevity-cultivation. Preserved as DZ 871 / CT 871.
About the work
The Three Corpse-Worms
The sān shī 三尸 (Three Corpse-Worms) are demonic entities believed to reside in the three dān tián 丹田 (elixir-fields) of the human body. They report on the host’s transgressions to celestial authorities and seek to shorten their life. Their removal — through purification-rituals, dietary abstinence (especially grain-abstinence bì gǔ 辟穀), and talismanic protection — is a classical Daoist longevity-programme.
Dating. Five Dynasties. Dynasty: 五代.
Translations and research
- Kohn, Livia. Cosmos and Community: The Ethical Dimension of Daoism. Cambridge, MA: Three Pines Press, 2004. For the Three Corpse-Worms tradition.