Page 712 - The Encyclopedia of Taoism v1_A-L

THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF TAOISM A-L

Taishang *I (Most High), entitled "Jingao shu" iz:~I!f. (Book of Golden
Declarations), "Yulu"[ %Z (Jade Records), and "Zhenyuan yi" ~ 5l; ~ (Mean-
ing of the True Origin), respectively. Zhongli allegedly extracted passages from
each of these texts and augmented them with three commentaries: "Biyu" tt
Pfttr (Comparisons [between the microcosm and the macrocosm]), "Zhenjue"
~~ (Perfect Instructions), and "Daoyao" jn~ (Essentials of the Way). In
the version that appears in the Taoist Canon, the last section is followed by
additional "Explications" ("Jie" ~It). Zhongli transmitted his synopsis to his
disciple *Ui Dongbin for circulation to help human beings in their search for
the Dao.
The Lingbao bifa ranked among the main *Zhong-Lii texts during the South-
ern Song. It is first mentioned in Zheng Qiao's ~~t! (n04-62) Tongzhi ;@;t
(Comprehensive Monographs; see van der Loon 1984, 164). *Miao Shanshi (fl.
1288-1324) believed it to have been written by *Shi Jianwu, the likely author
of the Zhong-Lii chuandao ji (Chunyang dijun shenhua miaotongji f,fg ~w;tt if!!
1tw);@ft.;c; CT 305, 5. 14b).
Unlike other Zhong-Lii sources, the Lingbao bifa is not cast in dialogue
form, but consists of a manual of longevity techniques clearly expounded in
steps and grades. It presents direct comparisons between the development of
the immortal self, the elixir (*huandan), and the formation of the cosmos, and
draws equally upon the *Yijing for the functioning of the cosmos and upon
medical literature for the workings of the human body. The alchemical ceuvre
is divided into three stages (sansheng _==: *" or Three Vehicles). The initial stage
(xiaosheng IJ\ *" or Small Vehicle) concerns breath control and gymnastics;
it comprises four techniques relevant to what later became known as "laying
the foundations" (zhuji ~;Ijt): union of Yin and Yang, breathing technique
for accumulating and dispersing pneuma (*qi), union of Dragon and Tiger
(*longhu), and fire phasing (*huohou). The second stage (zhongsheng Ij 1:*, or
Middle Vehicle) deals with methods of circulating pneuma and inner fluids.
The final three methods (dasheng **, or Great Vehicle) involve complex
practices of visualization and inner concentration leading to transfiguration.
They include purification of the pneumas of the five viscera (*wuzang) accord-
ing to season and time followed by their union (defined as "the five pneumas
have audience at the Origin,"' wuqi chaoyuan li~~5i), inner observation
(*neiguan), and exteriorization of the immortal self from the mortal body
(chaotuo ,m Jlft, or "emancipation").

Farzeen BALDRIAN-HUSSEIN
m Baldrian-Hussein 1984 (trans.); Boltz J. M. 1987a, 140; Qing Xitai 1994, 2:
152-54
* neidan; Zhong-Lii