A variation of this phase is the canonization, with the title of San Yuean or Three Causes, of Wu-k’o San Chen Chuen, ’the Three True Sovereigns, Guests of the Kingdom of Wu.’  They were three Censors who lived in the reign of King Li (Li Wang, 878-841 B.C.) of the Chou dynasty.  Leaving the service of the Chou on account of Li’s dissolute living, they went to live in Wu, and brought victory to that state in its war with the Ch’u State, then returned to their own country, and became pillars of the Chou State under Li’s successor.  They appeared to protect the Emperor Chen Tsung when he was offering the Feng-shan sacrifices on T’ai Shan in A.D. 1008, on which occasion they were canonized with the titles of Superior, Medium, and Inferior Causes, as before, conferring upon them the regencies of Heaven, earth, and water respectively.

Yuean-shih T’ien-tsun

Yuean-shih T’ien-tsun, or the First Cause, the Highest in Heaven, generally placed at the head of the Taoist triad, is said never to have existed but in the fertile imagination of the Lao Tzuist sectarians.  According to them Yuean-shih T’ien-tsun had neither origin nor master, but is himself the cause of all beings, which is why he is called the First Cause.

As first member of the triad, and sovereign ruler of the First Heaven, Yue Ch’ing, where reign the saints, he is raised in rank above all the other gods.  The name assigned to him is Lo Ching Hsin.  He was born before all beginnings; his substance is imperishable; it is formed essentially of uncreated air, air a se, invisible and without perceptible limits.  No one has been able to penetrate to the beginnings of his existence.  The source of all truth, he at each renovation of the worlds—­that is, at each new kalpa—­gives out the mysterious doctrine which confers immortality.  All who reach this knowledge attain by degrees to life eternal, become refined like the spirits, or instantly become Immortals, even while upon earth.

Originally, Yuean-shih T’ien-tsun was not a member of the Taoist triad.  He resided above the Three Heavens, above the Three Pure Ones, surviving the destructions and renovations of the universe, as an immovable rock in the midst of a stormy sea.  He set the stars in motion, and caused the planets to revolve.  The chief of his secret police was Tsao Chuen, the Kitchen-god, who rendered to him an account of the good and evil deeds of each family.  His executive agent was Lei Tsu, the God of Thunder, and his subordinates.  The seven stars of the North Pole were the palace of his ministers, whose offices were on the various sacred mountains.  Nowadays, however, Yuean-shih T’ien-tsun is generally neglected for Yue Huang.

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