Baojuan

They are often written in vernacular Chinese and recount the mythology surrounding a deity or a hero, or constitute the theological and philosophical scriptures of organized folk sects.

[1] Baojuan is a type of performative text or storytelling found in China that emphasizes worship of ancient deities from Buddho-Daoist sects[2] often recounting stories concerning suffering or apocalyptical scenarios.

[3] The modern study of “precious scrolls” (baojuan 寶卷) can be said to begin with the publication by Zheng Zhenduo 鄭振鐸 of his “Foqu xulu” 佛曲敘錄, which is a catalogue of Buddhist songs.

Baojuan is still found today in parts of China - most notably Changshu city located in Jiangsu Province - sometimes called "telling scriptures.

"[2] "Telling scriptures" refers to special groups of actors or individuals who may perform Baojuan stories as plays or recitations to common folk of the town in temples or other places.