Page 540 - The Encyclopedia of Taoism v1_A-L

50 0 THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TAOISM A-L

anced Cultivation of Inner Nature and Vital Force) emphasize that huandan is
to be understood in relation to self-refinement and control of the heart (*xin):
"If you want to carry out the ninefold circulation to perfection, you should
first purify yourself and control your heart" (Wuzhen pian, in *Xiuzhen shishu,
CT 263, 29.4b). In the Zhonghe ji, the formation of the Great Reverted Elixir
(da huandan) is equivalent to the unification of the phenomenal and noume-
nal aspects of the Dao within the adept. The nine-cycled transformation is
emphasized in the Xingming guizhi, where it corresponds to the purification
of the heart and aims to return to its original state.
The formation of the nine-cycled elixir is important in neidan as 9 is the
number of pure Yang and symbolizes attainment. When the elixir is refined
nine times it attains its highest purity. According to the Baiwen pian S· rrD m-
(Folios of the Hundred Questions; in *Daoshu, 5.7a-22a), the adept needs nine
years to achieve the Reverted Elixir.

Martina DARGA
m Baldrian-Hussein 1984, 146-47, I52, 24I, and 254, Darga I999, 253-54, 30I-2,
and 332
* neidan

huandu

retreat, enclosure

The term huandu (lit., "encircled by four walls") has a long history in Chinese
literature and religion. It was first used in the *Zhuangzi (chapter 23; trans.
Watson I987, 248-49) to denote a humble hut where a hermit takes refuge, and
also appears in the Liji ~;i[' (Records of Rites; trans. Legge I885, 2: 405) to refer
to the abode of the poor but righteous scholar. Hence it often took the mean-
ing of a miserable hut, but also retained connotations that have nothing to do
with poverty. The du or "wall" is a small unit of length, whence the meaning
for huandu of a minimal surface which potentially becomes all-encompassing:
"One can stay inside one's huandu and know the entire universe" (Shuoyuan ~
:7[ 7·7). Moreover, the fact that its walls can isolate the room from the outside
world adds the possible opposite meanings of "protective enclosure" or even
"prison." From the idea of small, secluded room, huandu naturally became a
name for the Taoist meditation room. The *Zhengao (I8.6b) has a precise de-
scription of the huandu as a kind of *jingshi (quiet chamber). This acceptation