Page 538 - The Encyclopedia of Taoism v1_A-L

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TAOISM A-L

universe. He is the bridge that both joins and separates the one Dao and its
multiple facets, and the one who can follow and subsume all differences into
one Unity within a hierarchy of ethical (Confucian) values. The Saint's intuitive
and synthesizing knowledge of diverse and multiple times, beings, and means
lies beyond thinking, and can harmoniously employ each being according to
his capacities and relation to the whole.
Thus the Huainan zi combines two notions of order: one obtained through
distribution, the other through centering and radiating. The first is pyramidal,
hierarchically ordering values and ranks in a Confucian way, or adequately
allotting functions in a more Legalist mode; it changes in different times and
places. The other is the one, permanent Taoist order that proceeds through
inner centering and outer radiating.
Isabelle ROBINET

m Ames 1983 (trans. of j. 9); Kanaya Osamu 1959; Kohn 1994; Kusuyama
Haruki 1987; Larre 1982 (trans. of j. 7); Larre, Robinet, and Rochat de la ValU~e
1993 (trans. of j. I, 7, n, 13, 18, and 21); Le Blanc 1985 (trans. of j. 6); Le Blanc
1993; Le Blanc and Mathieu 2003 (complete trans.); Loewe 1994b; Major 1993
(trans. of j. 3-5); Robinet 1997b, 47-48; Roth 1985; Roth 1987C; Roth 199Ia; Roth
1992; Roth 1996; for other translations of individual chapters, see table 12
* COSMOLOGY

huandan

Reverted Elixir

I. Waidan
In *waidan, huandan is a generic term that denotes the elixir. It does not refer
to any single compound or method, but applies to virtually all processes of
refining that occur in cycles (zhuan 'PW.); hence such names as Reverted Elixir
in Nine Cycles (jiuzhuan huandan j L 'Mf ill: H).
The main underlying notion is that the alchemical process allows the
ingredients of the elixir to "revert" to their original state. The essences that
coagulate under the upper part of the crucible represent the initial state of
matter before its corruption caused by the action of time. Thus the elixir is
equated with the original essence (*jing) or the materia prima from which the
cosmos evolved. The commentary to the *}iudan jing (Scripture of the Nine