Daoist Belief and Practice in the Sixth Century: An Examination through the Supreme Lingbao Scripture on Karma, Retribution, and Causality

This paper examines the "Ten Precepts" in The Supreme Lingbao Scripture on Karma, Retribution, and Causality, comparing them with those in three ancient Lingbao scriptures. The study shows that while core prohibitions against killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, and false speech remain consistent, this scripture omits certain earlier injunctions like "do not drink alcohol." Instead, it emphasizes Buddhist-inspired passages on equality, such as "regard all sentient beings as oneself," and provides more guidance on restraining mental defilements. These changes reflect both continuity with the Lingbao precept tradition and the integration of Buddhist concepts in sixth-century Daoist texts.