Editing Taoism (section)

===''The Taoist Canon''===
{{Main|Daozang}}

The Taoist Canon ({{lang|zh|道藏}}, ''Treasury of Tao'') is also referred to as the ''Daozang''. It was originally compiled during the [[Jin dynasty (265-420)|Jin]], [[Tang dynasty|Tang]], and [[Song dynasty|Song]] dynasties. The extant version was published during the [[Ming dynasty]].<ref>{{harvp|Schipper|Verellen|2004|pp= 1, 30}}</ref> The Ming ''Daozang'' includes almost 1,500 [[sacred text|texts]].<ref>{{harvp|Schipper|Verellen|2004|p=36}}</ref> Following the example of the Buddhist [[Tripiṭaka]], it is divided into three ''dong'' ({{lang|zh|洞}}, "caves" or "grottoes"). They are arranged from "highest" to "lowest":<ref>{{harvp|Schipper|Verellen|2004|p=15}}; {{harvp|Little|Eichman|2000|p=46}}</ref>
# The ''[[Reality|Zhen]]'' ("real" or "truth" {{lang|zh|眞}}) grotto, which includes the [[Shangqing School|Shangqing]] texts.
# The ''Xuan'' ("mystery" {{lang|zh|玄}}) grotto, which includes the [[Lingbao School|Lingbao]] scriptures.
# The ''[[Shen (Chinese religion)|Shen]]'' ("divine" {{lang|zh|神}}) grotto, which includes texts predating the Maoshan ({{lang|zh|茅山}}) revelations.

''Taoist'' generally do not consult published versions of the Daozang, but individually choose or inherit texts included in the Daozang. These texts have been passed down for generations from teacher to student.<ref>{{harvp|Schipper|Verellen|2004|p=44}}</ref>

The [[Shangqing School]] has a tradition of approaching Taoism through scriptural study. It is believed that by reciting certain texts often enough one will be rewarded with immortality.<ref>{{harvp|Robinet|1997|p=132}}</ref>