典藏书目

Marriage should be expected to last until white hair, and childbirth should be hoped for healthy growth. Yet there are those whose marital bond is extremely deep but who die midway, or whose childbirth is difficult and the child dies halfway; this is solely because they indulge their desires, secretly violate taboos, and are unaware of it. The *Daoist Canon* states that sexual intercourse has specific prohibitions; if one violates these, Heaven will shorten one's lifespan, and deities will bring calamity. The offspring may have ugly or strange appearances, bad character and conduct, physical disabilities, or premature death, with clear evidence supporting this. Therefore, a gentleman not only strives to eliminate external lust but also possesses methods of self-restraint within the bedroom and in conjugal harmony. Herein, the periods of abstinence for legitimate sexual relations are recorded as an aid to dispelling illness and preserving life.

The first day of the first lunar month (known as Tianla, when the Jade Emperor descends to assess people's fortunes; violators lose their fortune and years), the third day (assembly of all deities; violators lose years), the fifth day (Wuxu/Five Emptinesses), the sixth day (Liuhao/Six Exhaustions), the seventh day (Shanghui/Upper Assembly), the ninth day (Jade Emperor's birthday; violators lose years), the fourteenth day (Three Yuan descend; violators lose longevity), the fifteenth day (violators contract severe diseases).

The first day of the second lunar month (violators lose years, as on every first day), the third day (Changdi Dijun's birthday; violators lose fortune and years), the fifteenth day (Laozi's birthday), the twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, and thirtieth days (all follow previous rules).

The first day of the third lunar month (same as above), the third day (Xuantian Shangdi's birthday; violators lose years), the ninth day (Ox Demon Gods emerge; violators bear evil fetuses), the seventeenth day (violators lose years).

The first and third days of the fourth lunar month (same as above), the fourth day (Wanshen Shanhuahua; violators lose voice), the eighth day (Sakyamuni Buddha's birthday, and birthdays of Good and Evil Children; violators lose years), the twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, twenty-eighth, and thirtieth days (all follow previous rules).

The first day of the fifth lunar month (Nanji Changsheng Dadi's birthday; violators lose years), the third day (same as above), the fifth day (known as Dilaa, when Five Emperors examine people's official ranks; violators lose years), the sixteenth day (violators lose longevity), the twentieth day (violators lose years).

The first, third, and fifteenth days of the sixth lunar month (same as above), the nineteenth day (Guanyin attains Dao), the twenty-third day (Fire God's birthday), the twenty-fourth day (Guan Di's birthday; violators lose years).

The first and third days of the seventh lunar month (same as above), the seventh day (Daodela, when Five Emperors judge human good and evil; violators lose years), the tenth day (Yindu Day), the fifteenth day (Zhongyuan Earth Official checks registers; violators lose years), the twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, and twenty-eighth days (same as above), the thirtieth day (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's birthday; violators lose years).

The first day of the eighth lunar month (same as above), the third day (Siming Zaojun's birthday, and Beidou Xingjun's birthday; violators suffer severe illness and lose years), the tenth day (Beiyue Di's birthday; violators lose years), the eleventh day (To Sheng Xianshi's birthday; violators lose years), the seventeenth day (same as above).

The first day of the ninth lunar month (Nandou Jiangshen; violators lose years), from the first to the ninth day (these nine days are when Beidou descends, suitable for fasting and abstinence; also the ninth day is Beidou's birthday; violators lose years), the tenth day (violators lose years).

The first day of the tenth lunar month (Minsuilaa; violators lose years), the third day (same as above), the fifth day (All Deities Assemble; violators face great misfortune), the sixth day (Tiannao Cifu Day; violators lose years), the fifteenth day (violators lose years).

The first and third days of the eleventh lunar month (same as above), the sixth day (Xi Yue Di's birthday), the eleventh day (Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun's birthday), the fifteenth day (same as above), the twenty-second day (violators face great misfortune).

The first and third days of the twelfth lunar month (same as above), the seventh day (violators contract severe diseases), the eighth day (Wanghou Laa, also the Wu days of the first ten days; violators contract diseases), the twenty-ninth day (Human Benevolent Gods descend; violators lose years).

Every year, at the beginning of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, at the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes, at the Summer and Winter Solstices, on She Days, during the Sanfu Days, on Gengshen and Jiazi days, before sacrificial fasts, on parents' birthdays, ancestors' taboo days, couples' birthdays, personal destiny days, during violent winds and heavy rains, thunderstorms, darkness, solar and lunar eclipses; violators face great misfortune, suffer disasters, and fall ill. During extreme heat or cold, after illness or postpartum, after excessive drunkenness or on an empty stomach, after long travel or depression/anger; violators contract diseases and harm their bodies. Sexual intercourse in dim light most offends divine anger. For all the aforementioned periods, one must strictly abstain starting the night before. Generally, at midnight transitioning into the Zi hour, especially when nights are short, after the second watch approaching the Zi hour, one must be extremely cautious. According to the *Book of Rites: Monthly Ordinances*: "When day and night are equal, thunder begins to sound. Three days before thunder sounds, wooden clappers are shaken to command the people: 'Thunder is about to sound. Those who do not restrain their behavior will have malformed children and surely face disaster.' Thus, taboos have existed since ancient times." At the Summer Solstice, it says "stop music and women, do not advance"; at the Winter Solstice, it says "remove music and women, forbid desires." Indeed, during the Winter and Summer Solstices, when Yin and Yang contend, protection is most difficult, and abstinence is advisable for several days before and after. Furthermore, atop high mountains and great rivers, under the sun, moon, stars, and planets, inside temples and monasteries, beside wells, stoves, and coffins, and in any other inappropriate places or times, strict abstinence is required.

This edition began with Scholar Qin Zhuo'an, and has been widely circulated. This version is the most accurately collated, simplifying the complex by selecting only the most critical dates. Since taboos are too numerous, practicing them might lead to laxity. If one can avoid these taboos, one will surely reach old age; conversely, without such avoidance, disaster is inevitable. As the saying goes: "Extreme joy begets sorrow, indulgence breeds trouble." I earnestly advise the world to seek lasting joy rather than momentary pleasure. Intense desire is fleeting, while mild desire is enduring; this principle is unerring, and the facts are not false. Those who believe sincerely should copy the dates onto small paper and paste them on the wall, strictly observing every taboo.