道教宗元于三洞，以三洞为三元，道教的基本信仰和经教体系无不宗元于此，是道教的根本宗元。
Taoism originates from the Three Caves, and the Three Caves are the Three Origins. The basic beliefs and teaching systems of Taoism are all based on this, which is the fundamental origin of Taoism.
三洞宗元，是以“三元”为宇宙混沌之始。称“一分为三元，三元变化三气，三气变生三才，三才既滋，万物斯备”。然“三洞之元，本同道气，道气惟一，应用分三”。这是《云笈七签》对三洞宗元的基本论述。概括来说，“道”气衍化为三元，三元分别是，第一混洞太无元；第二赤混太无元；第三冥寂玄通元。由三元变化为三气，三气分别是始、元、玄三气，再由三气化生万物。其造化开辟的过程是，混沌之前，元气之始也。元气运行，而后天地始立。再由始、元、玄三气化生万物。在《道德经》中则说：道生一，一生二，二生三，三生万物。
The Three Caves Origin is based on the "Three Origins" as the beginning of the chaos of the universe. It is said that "one is divided into three origins, the three origins change into three qi, the three qi change into three talents, and the three talents are nourished, and all things are ready." However, "the origin of the three caves is the same as the Taoist qi, the Taoist qi is only one, and the application is divided into three." This is the basic discussion of the Three Caves Origin in "Yunji Qiqian". In summary, the "Tao" qi evolves into three origins, and the three origins are, the first is the Chaos Taiwu Yuan; the second is the Chi Hun Taiwu Yuan; the third is the Ming Ji Xuantong Yuan. The three origins change into three qi, which are the beginning, the origin, and the mysterious qi, and then the three qi give birth to all things. The process of its creation is that before the chaos, it is the beginning of the original qi. The original qi runs, and then the heaven and the earth are established. Then the beginning, the origin, and the mysterious qi give birth to all things. In the Tao Te Ching, it is said: Tao gave birth to one, one gave birth to two, two gave birth to three, and three gave birth to all things.
三洞宗元作为“道”化万物的信仰宗元，还有其更重要的一面，就是三元即三宝君。第一天宝君，从混洞太无元化生；第二灵宝君，从赤混太无元化生；第三神宝君，从冥寂玄通元化生。三宝君分别治于三清境，故三宝又称三清。天宝君治在玉清境，即清微天，其气始青；灵宝君治在上清境，即禹余天，其气元黄；神宝君治在太清境，即大赤天，其气玄白。而三元皆本同道气，所以，三宝君的名号虽殊，却本同于一。
The Three Caves Zong Yuan, as the belief Zong Yuan of "Tao" transforming all things, has a more important aspect, that is, the Three Yuans are the Three Treasure Lords. The first Tian Bao Lord was born from the Hundong Taiwu Yuan; the second Ling Bao Lord was born from the Chi Hun Taiwu Yuan; the third Shen Bao Lord was born from the Ming Ji Xuan Tong Yuan. The Three Treasure Lords governed in the Three Pure Realms respectively, so the Three Treasures are also called the Three Pure. Tian Bao Lord governs in the Yuqing Realm, that is, Qingwei Heaven, and its Qi is Shiqing; Ling Bao Lord governs in the Shangqing Realm, that is, Yu Yu Heaven, and its Qi is Yuanhuang; Shen Bao Lord governs in the Taiqing Realm, that is, Da Chi Heaven, and its Qi is Xuanbai. The Three Yuans are all based on the same Tao Qi, so although the names of the Three Treasure Lords are different, their origins are same.
三宝君、三清，道教全称玉清元始天尊、上清灵宝天尊、太清道德天尊(太上老君)。为道教最高尊神，乃神明之宗，造化之祖。同时还是经教之教主，为道教传下了三洞三十六部真经。《道教三洞宗元》说：天宝君说十二部经，为洞真教主；灵宝君说十二部经，为洞玄教主；神宝君说十二部经，为洞神教主。三洞合成三十六部尊经。三洞经又各有垂教的对象，以合乎学道修道的品级。开始人道修学之人，始入仙阶，登无累境，故初教以洞神神宝经。其次智渐精胜，既进中境，故中教以洞玄灵宝经。最后即登上境，智用无滞，故上教以洞真天宝经。其目的都是通过经教文化，诱俗修仙，从凡证道。故后世《道藏》的编纂，就是以“三洞四辅”来分例的，并构建起了以“三洞宗元”为信仰的经教体系。
The Three Treasure Lords and the Three Pure Ones, the full name of Taoism is Yuqing Yuanshi Tianzun, Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun, and Taiqing Daode Tianzun (Taishang Laojun). He is the highest god in Taoism, the ancestor of gods and the ancestor of creation. He is also the leader of the sutras, and has passed down the 36 true sutras of the Three Caves for Taoism. The "Three Caves of Taoism" says: Tianbao Jun said 12 sutras, and he is the leader of Dongzhen; Lingbao Jun said 12 sutras, and he is the leader of Dongxuan; Shenbao Jun said 12 sutras, and he is the leader of Dongshen. The three caves are combined into 36 sacred sutras. The three caves have their own teaching objects, which are in line with the level of learning and practicing Taoism. People who start to practice Taoism will enter the immortal level and reach the realm of no burden, so they are first taught with the Dongshen Shenbao Sutra. Secondly, their wisdom gradually becomes more refined, and they have entered the middle realm, so they are taught with the Dongxuan Lingbao Sutra. Finally, they have reached the upper realm, and their wisdom is unimpeded, so they are taught with the Dongzhen Tianbao Sutra. Their purpose is to use the culture of sutras to induce laymen to practice immortality and prove Taoism from the ordinary. Therefore, the compilation of the "Daoist Canon" in later generations was divided according to the "Three Caves and Four Auxiliary", and a sutra and teaching system based on the "Three Caves and Four Origins" was constructed.