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Lineage of the Perfected真系

Also known as
Biographical Lineage of the Perfected
Author / transmission
Li Bo (c. 773–831)
Period
Tang · Compiled by Li Bo of the Tang, probably completed in the early 9th century; the original text is not extant, and only the version preserved in fascicle 5 of the Yunji qiqian survives today.
Canon division
Preserved in the Yunji Qiqian
Collected in
Zhengtong Daozang, Taixuan Section (Yunji qiqian, fascicle 5).
Category
Immortal Biographies
Fascicles
One Fascicle (Juan)

Synopsis

Lineage of the Perfected, compiled by Li Bo of the Tang, is a genealogy of Shangqing transmission, preserved today in fascicle 5, 'Section on the Transmission of Scriptures and Teachings,' of the Yunji qiqian. The text narrates in sequence the order of transmission among the Shangqing patriarchs Wei Huacun (Lady Wei of Mount Heng), Yang Xi, Xu Mi, Xu Hui, Ma Lang, Ma Han, Lu Xiujing, Sun Youyue, Tao Hongjing, Wang Yuanzhi, Pan Shizheng, Sima Chengzhen, and Li Hanguang, constituting the classic statement of what later became known as the thirteen- (or twelve-) generation lineage of the Maoshan Lineage. Li Bo had composed a stele inscription for Li Hanguang and was well versed in the Maoshan textual corpus; his account largely agrees with the Maoshan zhi, the Huayang Tao yinju neizhuan, and Tang-dynasty stele inscriptions, and serves as a basic source for establishing the institution of Shangqing scriptural and register transmission and the chronology of the Maoshan patriarchs. The title 'Lineage of the Perfected' emphasizes the continuity of transmission of the 'true scriptures' — the Shangqing school established its dharma-lineage through the transmission of scriptures rather than through blood descent or administrative appointment, and this genealogy is precisely a product of that conception.

Key Ideas

  • The classic statement of the Shangqing transmission genealogy
  • The sequence of transmission from Wei Huacun to Li Hanguang
  • Establishing the dharma-lineage through the transmission of scriptures
  • A basic source for the chronology of the Maoshan Lineage
  • Preserved in fascicle 5 of the Yunji qiqian

Structure

One fascicle, presenting brief biographies of the patriarchs in order of generation.

Editions

  • Version in fascicle 5 of the Yunji qiqian
  • Zhonghua Daozang edition

Full Text & Online Resources

Related scriptures

Seven Slips from the Bookbag of the Clouds (Yunji qiqian), Declarations of the Perfected (Zhengao), Gazetteer of Mount Mao, Perfect Scripture of the Great Cavern (Dadong zhenjing)

Related figures

Wei Huacun, Yang Xi, Xu Mi, Xu Hui, Lu Xiujing, Tao Hongjing, Wang Yuanzhi, Pan Shizheng, Sima Chengzhen, Li Hanguang
References
  1. Isabelle Robinet, La révélation du Shangqing, 1984
  2. 任继愈主编《道藏提要》
  3. Chen Guofu, Studies on the Origins and Development of the Daoist Canon
  4. Schipper & Verellen, The Taoist Canon, 2004