Taoist Internal Alchemy: An Anthology of Neidan Texts
This anthology presents translations of sixteen important works from the Taoist tradition of Neidan, or Internal Alchemy. The selections represent the major Neidan branches and lineages and are arranged chronologically to provide an overview not only of Neidan itself, but also of the historical development of its doctrines and practices. Four of the sixteen texts are translated in full. Six texts and two commentaries appear here, entirely or partially, for the first time in English. The volume concludes with several reference tables and an index of key terms.
Click the Contents tab below to see the list of translated texts.
For the complete contents, download the PDF Preview. The Chinese texts translated in this book are available as a separate PDF download.
Foreword
Sources
Translations
1. The Seal of the Unity of the Three — Cantong qi 參同契
2. The Hidden Agreement — Yinfu jing 陰符經
3. Mirror for Compounding the Medicine — Ruyao jing 入藥鏡
4. The Transmission of the Dao from Zhongli Quan to Lü Dongbin — Zhong Lü chuandao ji 鍾呂傳道集
5. Awakening to Reality — Wuzhen pian 悟真篇
6. Four Hundred Words on the Golden Elixir — Jindan sibai zi 金丹四百字
7. Pointers to the Mystery — Zazhu zhixuan pian 雑著指玄篇
8. Model Images of the Golden Elixir — Jindan faxiang 金丹法象
9. Questions and Answers on the Golden Elixir — Jindan wenda 金丹問答
10. Fifteen Essays to Establish the Teaching — Chongyang lijiao shiwu lun 重陽立教十五論
11. The Harmony of the Center — Zhonghe ji 中和集
12. The Great Essentials of the Golden Elixir — Jindan dayao 金丹大要
13. Rectifying Errors for the Seekers of the Golden Elixir — Jindan jiuzheng pian 金丹就正篇
14. Principles of the Conjoined Cultivation of Nature and Existence — Xingming guizhi 性命圭旨
15. The Secret of the Golden Flower — Jinhua zongzhi 金華宗旨
16. Discriminations on Difficult Points in Cultivating Reality — Xiuzhen biannan 修真辨難
Tables
Index of Main Terms
Glossary of Chinese Characters
Works Cited
★★★★★
Fantastic text. "I have enjoyed reading many of Dr. Pregadio's publications. Taoist Internal Alchemy: An Anthology of Neidan Texts is a wonderful translation of various Taoist nèi dān internal alchemy texts. . . . The commentary along with the footnotes gives the reader an understanding of what is being said."
— M.K. (Read the original review)
★★★★★
Very thorough. "As I progressed through the book I certainly began to deepen my understanding of the words and symbols that had changing meanings over the centuries I certainly plan to reread and reflect on this book and no doubt will have further insights. . . . Highly recommend to anyone with a sincere interest in Taoism from a beginner to more advanced students."
— D.S. (Read the original review)
★★★★★
Very meticulous translations. "[The author's] detailed footnotes and cross-referencing to other texts, many of which are in the anthology, are super helpful and make for clear reading."
— R.A.P. (Read the original review)
★★★★★
Great Overview and Sampling of Neidan Texts. "It's like sampling a buffet of different Taoist inner alchemical texts. Gives a very good broad overview of what the timeline of Neidan Texts consisted of and what the common message of continuity was between then all."
— Anonymous (Read the original review)
- Preview (PDF)
- Selections from the Book of the Hidden Agreement
- Selections from 400 Words on the Golden Elixir
- Selections from Pointers to the Mystery, by Bai Yuchan
- Selections from Fifteen Essays to Establish the Teaching, by Wang Chongyang
- Selections from The Harmony of the Center, by Li Daochun
- Selections from The Secret of the Golden Flower
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