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NinePractices DaoistFoundation

The Nine Practices are the earliest known Daoist precepts derived from the Daodejing. They consist of nine principles: nonaction, softness, guarding the feminine, being nameless, clarity, adeptness, desirelessness, knowing contentment, and yielding. The practices relate to Daoist ethics and virtue, and can guide reading the Daodejing or be applied daily by focusing on one principle for nine days. They help develop spiritual discernment.

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Jorge Rocha
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397 views1 page

NinePractices DaoistFoundation

The Nine Practices are the earliest known Daoist precepts derived from the Daodejing. They consist of nine principles: nonaction, softness, guarding the feminine, being nameless, clarity, adeptness, desirelessness, knowing contentment, and yielding. The practices relate to Daoist ethics and virtue, and can guide reading the Daodejing or be applied daily by focusing on one principle for nine days. They help develop spiritual discernment.

Uploaded by

Jorge Rocha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BLUE PAPERS 說一百八十戒 (180 Precepts Revealed by Lord Lǎo;

a.k.a. “180 Precepts”).

Nine Practices The Nine Practices are as follows:

(1) Nonaction (wúwéi 無為)


Louis Komjathy 康思奇, Ph.D., CSO (2) Softness and weakness (róuruò 柔弱)
Daoist Foundation 道教基金會 (3) Guarding the feminine (shǒucí 行守)
(4) Being nameless (wúmíng 無名)
(5) Clarity and stillness (qīngjìng 清靜)
The Nine Practices (jiǔxíng 九行) are the earliest (6) Being adept (zhūshàn 諸善)
known Daoist precepts (dàojiè 道 戒 ), that is, (7) Being desireless (wúyù 無欲)
(8) Knowing how to stop and be content (zhī
guidelines for a Daoist way of life. Derived from the
zhǐzú 知止足)
Dàodé jīng, these nine Daoist principles are associated (9) Yielding and withdrawing (tuīràng 推讓)
with the early Tiānshī 天 師 (Celestial Masters)
movement and probably date to around the early third The Nine Practices derive from the anonymous fourth-
century CE. They may be understood as classical and second century BCE Dàodé jīng 道德經 (Scripture on
foundational Daoist commitments, principles, qualities, the Dao and Inner Power). As a form of Daoist
and values. scripture study (jīngxué 經學), we may engage in
contemplative reading by exploring the various
The Nine Practices relate to Daoist ethics, specifically
appearances of the phrases. For example, Practice #6
dé and precept study and application. The character dé
connects to chapter 8, which contains what we refer to
德 (“inner power/virtue”) consists of chì 彳 (“step”)
as the Seven Aptitudes (qīshàn 七 善 ). Thus, one
and zhí 直 (“direct”) above xīn 心 (“heart-mind”). The
principle opens into seven additional dispositions.
Dao manifesting as embodied human activity in the
world, specifically as beneficial and transformational The Nine Practices may be employed in a variety of
influence. The character jiè 戒 (“precept”) consists of ways. As mentioned, they may be used as a guide to
gē 戈 (“spear”) and gǒng 廾 (“joined hands”). From a reading, studying, and applying the Dàodé jīng. This
central Daoist scripture may, in turn, be used to clarify
Daoist perspective, precepts serve as protection, even
and deepen our understanding of the Nine Practices.
moorings in the midst of turbulent seas. There is an
We also may engage them as Daoist daily application
“energetics of virtue,” including its talismanic power.
(rìyòng 日用). One approach involves focusing on and
The Nine Practices are preserved in the Lǎojūn jīnglǜ applying each individual principle over a nine-day
老君經律 (Scriptural Statutes of Lord Lao; DZ 786), period. Another centers on situational awareness and
which is probably a sixth-century Celestial Masters exploration. By being attentive to the features and
precept anthology. It consists of the following dynamics of a given circumstance, including the
materials: (1) “Dàodé zūnjīng jiè” 道 德 尊 經 戒 associated individuals and accompanying relationships,
(Precepts of the Venerable Scripture on the Dao and we may determine which principles are most relevant.
Inner Power; a.k.a. “Nine Practices”); (2) “Dàodé This increases the likelihood of a positive outcome or
zūnjīng xiǎng’ěr jiè” 道德尊經想爾戒 (Precepts from resolution.
the Xiǎng’ěr Commentary on the Venerable Scripture The Nine Practices, and Daoist precept study and
on the Dao and Inner Power; a.k.a. “27 Xiǎng’ěr application more generally, assist us in developing
Precepts”); and (3) “Lǎojūn shuō yībǎi bāshí jiè” 老君 spiritual discernment and recognizing realized insight.
Stay together, learn the flowers, go light.

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