HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Neidan, or internal alchemy (), is an array of esoteric doctrines and physical, mental, and spiritual practices that
Taoist Taoism or Daoism (, ) is a diverse philosophical and religious tradition indigenous to China, emphasizing harmony with the Tao ( zh, p=dào, w=tao4). With a range of meaning in Chinese philosophy, translations of Tao include 'way', 'road', ...
initiates use to prolong life and create an immortal spiritual body that would survive after death. Also known as Jindan ( "golden elixir"), inner alchemy combines theories derived from external alchemy ('' waidan'' ), correlative cosmology (including the
Five Phases ( zh, c=五行, p=wǔxíng), usually translated as Five Phases or Five Agents, is a fivefold conceptual scheme used in many traditional Chinese fields of study to explain a wide array of phenomena, including terrestrial and celestial rela ...
), the
emblems An emblem is an abstract art, abstract or representational pictorial image that represents a concept, like a moral truth, or an allegory, or a person, like a monarch or saint. Emblems vs. symbols Although the words ''emblem'' and ''symbol'' ...
of the ''
Yijing The ''I Ching'' or ''Yijing'' ( ), usually translated ''Book of Changes'' or ''Classic of Changes'', is an ancient Chinese divination text that is among the oldest of the Chinese classics. The ''I Ching'' was originally a divination manual in ...
'', and medical theory, with techniques of
Taoist meditation Taoist meditation (, ), also spelled Daoist (), refers to the traditional meditative practices associated with the Chinese philosophy and religion of Taoism, including concentration, mindfulness, contemplation, and visualization. The earliest C ...
,
daoyin ''Daoyin'' is a series of cognitive body and mind unity exercises practiced as a form of Daoist ''neigong'', meditation and mindfulness to cultivate '' jing'' (essence) and direct and refine '' qi'', the internal energy of the body according t ...
gymnastics, and sexual hygiene. In ''neidan'', the human body becomes a cauldron (or "ding") in which the Three Treasures of Jing ("Essence"), Qi ("Breath") and Shen ("Spirit") are cultivated for the purpose of improving physical, emotional and mental health, and ultimately returning to the primordial unity of the
Tao The Tao or Dao is the natural way of the universe, primarily as conceived in East Asian philosophy and religion. This seeing of life cannot be grasped as a concept. Rather, it is seen through actual living experience of one's everyday being. T ...
, i.e., attaining Taoist Immortality. It is believed the ''
Xiuzhen Tu The Xiuzhen tu () is a Daoist diagram of the human body illustrating the preventative Chinese medical principles called ''Neidan'' , incorporating Chinese astrology, and cosmology. Title The title ''Xiuzhen tu'' combines three Chinese words: *'' ...
'' is such a cultivation map. In China, it is an important form of practice for most schools of
Taoism Taoism or Daoism (, ) is a diverse philosophical and religious tradition indigenous to China, emphasizing harmony with the Tao ( zh, p=dào, w=tao4). With a range of meaning in Chinese philosophy, translations of Tao include 'way', 'road', ' ...
.


Terminology

The Chinese compound ''nèidān'' combines the common word ''nèi'' meaning "inside; inner; internal" with ''dān'' "cinnabar; vermillion; elixir; alchemy". The
antonym In lexical semantics, opposites are words lying in an inherently incompatible binary relationship. For example, something that is ''even'' entails that it is not ''odd''. It is referred to as a 'binary' relationship because there are two members i ...
of ''nèi'' is ''wài'' "outside; exterior; external", and ''nèidān'' "internal elixir / alchemy" was coined from the earlier complementary term ''wàidān'' "external elixir / alchemy". Traditional Chinese medical alchemical texts and sources ordinarily call ''neidan'' the ''jīndān dào'' or Way of the Golden Elixir. In
Modern Standard Chinese Standard Chinese ( zh, s=现代标准汉语, t=現代標準漢語, p=Xiàndài biāozhǔn hànyǔ, l=modern standard Han speech) is a modern Standard language, standard form of Mandarin Chinese that was first codified during the Republic of ...
usage, the term ''nèidān shù'' (with "art; skill; technique; method") refers generally to internal alchemical practices for longevity by maintaining good health, and the prevention of pain and suffering. The date for the earliest use of the term ''neidan'' is uncertain. or ''neidan'' had been mentioned in by Xu Xun 许逊 in
Jin dynasty (266–420) The Jin dynasty or Jin Empire, sometimes distinguished as the or the , was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty in China that existed from 266 to 420. It was founded by Emperor Wu of Jin, Sima Yan, eldest son of Sima Zhao, who had previou ...
, but on the other hand
Arthur Waley Arthur David Waley (born Arthur David Schloss, 19 August 188927 June 1966) was an English orientalist and sinologist who achieved both popular and scholarly acclaim for his translations of Chinese and Japanese poetry. Among his honours were ...
proposed that it was first recorded in the 559 vow taken by
Tiantai Tiantai or T'ien-t'ai () is an East Asian Buddhist school of Mahāyāna Buddhism that developed in 6th-century China. Drawing from earlier Mahāyāna sources such as Madhyamaka, founded by Nāgārjuna, who is traditionally regarded as the f ...
Buddhist patriarch Nanyue Huisi praying to successfully make an elixir that would keep him alive until the coming of
Maitreya Maitreya (Sanskrit) or Metteyya (Pali), is a bodhisattva who is regarded as the future Buddhahood, Buddha of this world in all schools of Buddhism, prophesied to become Maitreya Buddha or Metteyya Buddha.Williams, Paul. ''Mahayana Buddhism: Th ...
. Many scholars agreed, including
Joseph Needham Noel Joseph Terence Montgomery Needham (; 9 December 1900 – 24 March 1995) was a British biochemist, historian of science and sinologist known for his scientific research and writing on the history of Chinese science and technology, initia ...
and
Lu Gwei-djen Lu Gwei-djen (; July 22, 1904 – November 28, 1991) was a Chinese biochemist and historian. She was an expert on the history of science and technology in China and a researcher of nutriology. She was an important researcher and co-author of t ...
who translated Huisi's vow to live as an ascetic in the mountains:
I am seeking for the longevity in order to defend the Faith, not in order to enjoy worldly happiness. I pray that all the saints and sages will come to my help, so that I may get some good magic mushrooms 'zhi'' and numinous elixirs 'shendan'' enabling me to cure all illnesses and to stop both hunger and thirst. In this way I shall be able to practice continually the way of the Sutras and to engage in the several forms of meditations. I shall hope to find a peaceful dwelling in the depths of the mountains, with enough numinous elixirs and medicine to carry out my plans. Thus, by the aids of external elixirs 'waidan''I shall be able to cultivate the elixir within 'neidan''
Others believed that ''neidan'' first occurred in the biographies of Deng Yuzhi (fl. 483–493) and Su Yuanming (fl. ). However, the authenticity of the relevant passages mentioned above is doubtful. The term ''neidan'' was seldom used throughout the late
Tang dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, c=唐朝), or the Tang Empire, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an Wu Zhou, interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed ...
(618–907) and Five dynasties (907–960) period, and only became widespread around the beginning of the
Song dynasty The Song dynasty ( ) was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and went on to conquer the rest of the Fiv ...
(960–1279) period, when ''neidan'' evolved into a highly complex system in both its theoretical and practical aspects. Tang texts described internal alchemical practices with the words ''fúyào'' "take drug/medicine" and ''chángshēng'' "long life, longevity; (Taoism) eternal life". Liu Xiyue's 988 ''Taixuan langranzi jindao shi'' (Master Taixuan Langran's Poems on Advancing in the Tao) has the earliest datable mention of the terms ''neidan'' and ''waidan''. The '' Yunji Qiqian'' Taoist anthology mentions the term ''neidan''. Early texts that mention ''neidan'' define it as synonymous or similar with some ''qi'' circulation techniques: Cultivation and Transmutation (''xiulian'' ), Embryonic Breathing ('' taixi'' ), the Cyclical Elixir (''huandan'' ), the Golden Elixir (''jindan'' ), the Great Elixir (''dadan'' ), the Interior and Exterior Medicines (''nei/waiyao'' ), the Inner and Outer Counterparts (''nei/waixiang'' ), and the Yin Elixir and Yang Elixir (''yindan'' and ''yangdan'' ). Based upon the textual evidence, Farzeen Baldrian-Hussein concludes that in early texts, ''neidan'' refers to a specific technique, and by Song
Emperor Zhenzong Emperor Zhenzong of Song (23 December 968 – 23 March 1022), personal name Zhao Heng, was the third emperor of the Song dynasty of China. He reigned from 997 to his death in 1022. His personal name was originally Zhao Dechang, but was change ...
's reign (997–1022), the term designates a group of techniques, expressed in specific alchemical language. It is sometimes transliterated using the older Wade–Giles system as ''Neitan'' in literature on western Alchemy.


History and development

''Neidan'' is part of the Chinese alchemical meditative tradition that is said to have been separated into internal and external ('' Waidan'') at some point during the
Tang dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, c=唐朝), or the Tang Empire, was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907, with an Wu Zhou, interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed ...
. The ''Cantong qi'' ( The Kinship of the Three) is the earliest known book on theoretical alchemy in China; it was written by the alchemist Wei Boyang in 142 AD. This text influenced the formation of n''eidan'', whose earliest existing texts date from the first half of the 8th century. The authors of several ''neidan'' articles refer to their teachings as the Way of the Golden Elixir (''jindan zhi dao''). The majority of Chinese alchemical sources is found in the ''Daozang'' ( Taoist Canon), the largest collection of Taoist texts. ''Neidan'' shares a significant portion of its notions and methods with classical Chinese medicine, '' fangshi'' and with other bodies of practices, such as
meditation Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique to train attention and awareness and detach from reflexive, "discursive thinking", achieving a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state, while not judging the meditat ...
and the methods for "nourishing life" (''yangsheng''). What distinguishes alchemy from these related traditions is its unique view of the elixir as a material or immaterial entity that represents the original state of being and the attainment of that state. The ''neidan'' tradition of internal
alchemy Alchemy (from the Arabic word , ) is an ancient branch of natural philosophy, a philosophical and protoscientific tradition that was historically practised in China, India, the Muslim world, and Europe. In its Western form, alchemy is first ...
is practiced by working with the energies that were already present in the human body as opposed to using natural substances, medicines or elixirs, from outside of the body. The Shangqing School of Taoism played an important role in the emergence of ''neidan'' alchemy, after using Waidan mainly as a meditative practice, and therefore turning it from an external to an internal art.


The Three Treasures

Internal alchemy focuses upon transforming the bodily ''sanbao'' "three treasures", which are the essential energies sustaining human life: *'' Jing'' "nutritive essence, essence; refined, perfected; extract; soul, dark, animal instincts, demon; sperm, ovum, seed, Genetics" *'' Qi'' "acquired energy air food water vital energy, grey, force; air, vapour; breath; vigor; attitude" *'' Shen'' "spirit; mind, glow, bright; god, deity; vitality supernatural abilities, higher intentions, supernatural being" According to the 13th-century '' Book of Balance and Harmony'': :Making one's essence complete, one can preserve the body. To do so, first keep the body at ease, and make sure there are no desires. Thereby energy can be made complete. :Making one's energy complete, one can nurture the mind. To do so, first keep the mind pure, and make sure there are no thoughts. Thereby spirit can be made complete. :Making one's spirit complete, one can recover emptiness. To do so, first keep the will sincere, and make sure body and mind are united. Thereby spirit can be returned to emptiness. ... To attain immortality, there is nothing else but the refinement of these three treasures: essence, energy, spirit." When the "three treasures" are internally maintained, along with a balance of yin and yang, it is possible to achieve a healthy body and
longevity Longevity may refer to especially long-lived members of a population, whereas ''life expectancy'' is defined Statistics, statistically as the average number of years remaining at a given age. For example, a population's life expectancy at birth ...
, which are the main goals of internal alchemy (Ching 1996, 395).


Jing

'' Jing'' "essence" referring to the primordial energies of the physical body. Based upon the idea that death and illness are caused by over straining and stressing of one's mind and body leads to the depletion of one's ''jing'', Daoist internal alchemy claims that preserving ''jing'' allows one to have a long, healthy and happy life, known classically as longevity in Chinese thought, if not
immortality Immortality is the concept of eternal life. Some species possess "biological immortality" due to an apparent lack of the Hayflick limit. From at least the time of the Ancient Mesopotamian religion, ancient Mesopotamians, there has been a con ...
.


Qi

'' Qi'' or ''ch'i'' is defined as the "natural energy of the universe" and manifests in everyone and everything. By means of internal alchemy, Taoists strive to maintain a positive free flow of ''qi'' through the body in paths or meridians moving to each individual organ. as Stagnation of qi is a primary or root cause of many health conditions in traditional Chinese thinking. Healing practices such as
acupuncture Acupuncture is a form of alternative medicine and a component of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in which thin needles are inserted into the body. Acupuncture is a pseudoscience; the theories and practices of TCM are not based on scientif ...
,
Tui na ''Tui na'' (; ) is a form of alternative medicine similar to shiatsu. As a branch of traditional Chinese medicine, it is often used in conjunction with acupuncture, moxibustion, fire cupping, Chinese herbalism, tai chi or other Chinese int ...
, cupping and
herbal medicines Herbal medicine (also called herbalism, phytomedicine or phytotherapy) is the study of pharmacognosy and the use of medicinal plants, which are a basis of traditional medicine. Scientific evidence for the effectiveness of many herbal treatments ...
are believed to open up the ''qi'' meridians throughout the body so that the ''qi'' can flow freely. Keeping ''qi'' in balance and flowing throughout the body promotes health; imbalance can lead to sickness.


Shen

''Shen'' is the original spirit of the body. To have good Shen is to look vital and glowing on the surface of the skin and the gloss and spark seen in the eyes. It is the hue on the leaf of a tree. Taoists try to become conscious of ''shen'' through contemplative practices, including meditation.(Smith 1986, 202)


See also

*
Daoyin ''Daoyin'' is a series of cognitive body and mind unity exercises practiced as a form of Daoist ''neigong'', meditation and mindfulness to cultivate '' jing'' (essence) and direct and refine '' qi'', the internal energy of the body according t ...
* Bigu (avoiding grains) * Liu Yiming (1734–1821) *
Neigong ''Neigong'' (internal strength or internal skill), also spelled ''nei kung'', ''neigung'', or ''nae gong'', refers to a series of internal changes that a practitioner goes through when following the path to '' Dao'', and these changes may be ac ...
*
Neijia ''Neijia'' ( 內家) is the collective name for the internal Chinese martial arts. It relates to those martial arts occupied with spiritual, mental or '' qi''-related aspects, as opposed to an " external" approach focused on physiological aspec ...
* Neijing Tu *
Qigong Qigong ()) is a system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation said to be useful for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial arts training. With roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chinese medicine, Chin ...


Works cited

* *. * * * * * * * * * *


References


External links


''Daoist Alchemy in the West: The Esoteric Paradigms''
Lee Irwin

Fabrizio Pregadio *

', Fabrizio Pregadio (PDF, free download)

Walter Picca
An Shigao and Early Chinese Meditation Techniques
Phra Kiattisak Kittipanyo, ''DIRI Journal'' 1: 98–118. {{Alchemy Taoist philosophy Taoist practices Qigong de:Neidan