Tài shàng Lǎo jūn zhōng jīng 太上老君中經
Central Scripture of the Most High Lord Lǎo
Anonymous; late Hàn
One of the earliest surviving Daoist meditation-scriptures — a late-Hàn source for the early Daoist visualization practice of internal body-gods. Foundational for the Six-Dynasties Huáng tíng 黃庭 tradition. Preserved as DZ 1168 / CT 1168 (Tài qīng bù 太清部).
Dating. Late Hàn (late 2nd / early 3rd century). Dynasty: 漢後期.
Translations and research
- Schipper, Kristofer M. “The Taoist Body.” History of Religions 17 (1978). Uses the Zhōng jīng extensively.
- Lagerwey, John. Taoist Ritual in Chinese Society and History. 1987.