 Lingbao cosmology also borrows heavily from Buddhism . Unlike previous Daoist cosmological systems which were divided into four to nine regions , Lingbao cosmology supposed that there were ten regions , an idea borrowed from Buddhism . In addition to the cosmological regions , there were 32 heavens divided into four sectors , each with eight heavens that were placed horizontally on the periphery of the celestial disc . Each of the four sectors was ruled by an emperor and populated by denizens of an earlier cosmic age ( kalpa ) . Like Buddhism , the heavens were divided into the " three worlds " of desire , form , and formlessness . Lingbao cosmology deviated from Buddhist beliefs by proposing that the heavens rotated around a huge mountain known as the Jade Capital , which was the residence of the Celestial Worthy , the Daoist version of the Buddha , and the primordial deity . 
