廣弘明集 9.121

9.121

玄中經說。道士執簡者用金玉。廣一寸長五寸五分。執之為況。中古王執朝師君。下古金玉隱執雜木。長九寸名為手簡。執以去慢誡於道士。若入王宮聚落人室。在舍外十步。著巾帔執況而入。勿有側背。出舍外脫巾帔著素服行。勿自顯損道法。若入俗家。整威儀執簡坐。勿使俗怪。道士行百里外。執杖巾帔香爐銅灌鉢釪。出家之具自隨。威儀具足得十種功德。

The Xuanzhong jing explains: 'As for the tablets held by Daoist priests, they use gold and jade, one inch wide and five inches and five-tenths long; holding them serves as a symbol. In middle antiquity, kings held them when having audience with their master-monarchs. In lower antiquity, gold and jade were concealed, and they held mixed woods, nine inches long, called hand tablets; holding them dispels pride and admonishes the Daoist priests. If one enters a royal palace, a settlement, or a person's room, when ten paces outside the cottage, put on the headdress and cape, hold the symbol, and enter; do not turn sideways or turn your back. When exiting the cottage, take off the headdress and cape, put on plain clothing, and walk; do not display yourself to the detriment of the Daoist methods. If entering a lay household, regulate your dignified demeanor, hold the tablet, and sit; do not cause the laity to be startled. When a Daoist priest travels beyond a hundred li, he carries a staff, headdress and cape, incense burner, bronze pitcher, and bowl—the requisites of leaving home follow him. Endowed fully with dignified demeanor, he attains ten kinds of merit.'