These paradise gardens and jade palaces are truly a place for leaving the dust of the world behind; the monastic rules and the Taoist way are a realm for refining character and temperament. Amid the ringing of the morning bell and the evening drum, worldly ties fade away unawares; through the clear chanting at dawn and dusk, worldly cares vanish entirely. Having ascended this altar that sends forth immortals, one should reverently carry out the sacred affairs. Ever since the Most High opened the lineage of Hunyuan and Changchun set forth the code of Complete Perfection, their authority has been exceedingly solemn.
We hereby set out twelve rules and prohibitions to punish wickedness and deal strictly with transgressions, so that none may provoke the wrath of heaven. Those who hold office must take care not to cause disturbance. Should anyone dare to overstep these rules in wild arrogance, the precepts will be enforced without partiality. The rules and prohibitions are listed below:
No officer of the monastery may form factions; violators shall face expulsion from the hall (qiandan).
Officers of the Hunyuan lineage altar shall handle affairs jointly; violators shall face expulsion from the hall.
Whoever engages in treachery or lewdness and slips away to roam among the laity shall be burned.
Whoever diverts public goods for private gain, commits fraud, or misappropriates what belongs to the community shall be stripped of their certificate.
Whoever keeps company with unworthy people and secretly lets them stay overnight shall be flogged and expelled.
Whoever slanders the community with a vicious tongue or plots in secret against good people shall be flogged and expelled.
Whoever brawls, gambles, jests, or mocks and disparages the lineage and the temple shall be punished by flogging.
Whoever makes false accusations, frames others, or stirs up trouble shall be expelled.
Whoever craves meat and wine and disturbs the halls shall be flogged and expelled.
Whoever steals, carries off goods, or secretly prepares food and drink shall be flogged and expelled.
Whoever, when all others comply, alone acts otherwise and makes up confused excuses shall be dismissed and expelled.
The above rules and prohibitions apply to all without distinction. By common agreement, whoever violates them, regardless of age or closeness of relationship, shall be dealt with according to the rules. Those who are old or sick or engaged in public business may be exempted; and those who, while practicing cultivation and taking medicines, are stirred by the fire timing and, with mind empty and spirit absorbed, break a precept by mistake, are not subject to these rules if their usual conduct can vouch for them.
Hereby proclaimed
Zixiao Palace