Taoist Quotes: Brief Introduction on the Three Grades of Taoism (道教三品之簡介)

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Few weeks ago, while chit-chatting with one of Long Shan Men’s Elders (from China), as we were discussing on the various Taoism Culture, Beliefs and Teaching, he mentioned to me that in Taoism, remembering the Three Grades of Taoism is important.

Reason for the remembering of these 3 Grades is to, allowing Oneself to be mould into a better person – not to fight with people, knowing our roots and also, to promote the necessary teachings to the other interested & keen parties.

After returning home, Jave started to dig out some of the records and finally got the phrases that being passed-down.

Here are the 3 Grades of Taoism (in simplified explanation):

道教三品

上品之人。悟性甚高。言真行正。真人矣。榮昇天官。巡遊三界。

中品之人。道緣非淺。時機為至。須修也。南宮列仙。校考人間。

下品之人。身在道中。言無道根。妄為人。離根忘本。九幽滯留。

Translation:

Taoism graded People in 3 Grades:

Top Grade – born according to Dao, actions & verbally upright and these people are closely connected with Dao.

Medium Grade – born in Dao but yet, the connection is weak, sometime got the calling, sometime don’t, easily thinking of giving up.

Low Grade – born in Dao but yet does not want to claim as part of Dao, lost it’s Root and link with Dao, always criticise the own Root and in time, forcing the others to leave Dao.