The Zhong Lv Missionary Collection is an early work of the Zhong Lv Inner Alchemy School. Highly respected by later generations, it holds an undeniable position in the history of internal alchemy and Taoist sects.
1、 Yin Yang duality generates the human body, and growth and aging follow a regular pattern
According to the process of the growth and development of yin and yang, as well as their changes and transitions, the “Zhong Lv Ecclesiastical Collection” divides the process of human growth and development into seven stages: “Tai Chu”, “Tai Zhi”, “Tai Su”, “Shao Zhuang”, “Da Chang”, “Lao Mao”, and “Decline”.
From the perspective of the changes in yin and yang, a distinction was made between humans, ghosts, and immortals, with the aim of demonstrating that humans possess strong plasticity. It is pointed out that “those who are pure yin without yang are ghosts; those who are pure yang without yin are immortals; those who are separated by yin and yang are humans. Only humans can be ghosts or immortals. If young people do not cultivate, they will indulge in emotions and become ghosts due to illness and death. Until they cultivate, they will transcend the mortal realm and become immortals
Only humans are separated by yin and yang, and contain both yin and yang components, possessing innate plasticity. Through the fluctuation of two qi, humans can become ghosts or immortals. To become immortal, one must “cultivate knowledge”, that is, receive education, understand and cultivate one’s body and mind according to the laws of life movement.
2、 The purpose of health education in internal alchemy cultivation
Scholars have pointed out that Taoism values life and seeks immortality, which is more realistic than most religions that pursue the soul entering heaven after death. This reflects the cultural and psychological characteristics of the Chinese nation’s emphasis on real life. It provides a positive understanding and interpretation of Taoism’s belief and theory of pursuing immortality and ascension.
Based on the religious doctrine and belief of Taoism, which aims to achieve enlightenment and immortality, the “Zhong Lv Missionary Collection” has established clear health education objectives, namely “cultivating immortality among humans and ascending to heaven among immortals”. Through education and cultivation, people ultimately achieve the goal of ascending to immortality.
3、 Immortals are classified into five levels: human immortals, earth immortals, and heavenly immortals, which can be cultivated
The “Zhong Lv Ecclesiastical Collection” believes that there are five levels of “immortals”, namely “ghost immortals”, “human immortals”, “earth immortals”, “immortals”, and “heavenly immortals”. The ‘ghost immortals’ at the lower level are not sought after, and the’ heavenly immortals’ at the highest level are not even sought after. Therefore, ‘human immortals’,’ earth immortals’, and ‘immortals’ have become important training targets.
‘Immortal’ is in the second class of immortals. He is not like the heavenly immortals depicted by literati who do not live in the mortal world. ‘Immortals are inseparable from humans’, still living in the world, and are a member of the social group. Through health education, learning, and cultivation, people can become “solid in form and substance, unable to be harmed by the eight evil diseases, and less prone to illness. They are called immortals
The level of ‘Earth Immortal’ is slightly higher than that of ‘Human Immortal’. The standard is “refining the form to live in the world, and obtaining immortality”, which is the so-called “land immortals”. He lived in the same world as the “Immortal” and also received health education, constantly practiced, maintained a healthy physique, and achieved “immortality”.
Among the three immortals, there is only one who is known as a “divine being” who hates living in the mortal world as an earth immortal. He works tirelessly… refining and forming qi… He has a body outside his body, transforms from essence to immortality, becomes a transcendent saint, rejects worldly customs, and returns to the three mountains. This “divine being”, as people imagine, can transform into qi and is unpredictable. Completely like the “divine person” described by Zhuangzi as “carefree” outside the world.
