Table Of ContentALCHEMISTS, MEDIUMS, AND
MAGICIANS
Stories of Taoist Mystics
TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY
T C
HOMAS LEARY
Shambhala
Boston & London
2011
SHAMBHALA PUBLICATIONS, INC.
Horticultural Hall
300 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
www.shambhala.com
© 2009 by Thomas Cleary
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without
permission in writing from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Alchemists, mediums, and magicians: stories of Taoist mystics / translated and edited by Thomas Cleary.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
eISBN 978-0-8348-2166-8
ISBN 978-1-59030-659-8
1. Taoists—China. 2. Taoism—China—History.
I. Cleary, Thomas F., 1949– II. Title: Stories of Taoist mystics.
BL1910.A53 2009
299.5′14092251—dc22
[B]
2008032446
CONTENTS
Translator’s Introduction
1. ZHOU DYNASTY (1122–221 B.C.E.)
2. QIN DYNASTY (246–206 B.C.E.)
3. WESTERN HAN DYNASTY (206 B.C.E.–8 C.E.)
4. EASTERN HAN DYNASTY (25–220)
5. THE ERA OF THE THREE KINGDOMS (221–265)
6. JIN DYNASTY (265–420)
7. SOUTHERN DYNASTIES (420–588)
8. SUI DYNASTY (589–618) AND TANG DYNASTY (618–906)
9. FIVE DYNASTIES (907–960)
10. SONG DYNASTY (960–1278)
Select Bibliography
TRANSLATOR’S INTRODUCTION
One of the most persistent themes in esoteric thought all over the world is the
idea of a secret society surreptitiously superintending human affairs. Such a role
has been suggested or suspected of various organizations, both real and
imagined, throughout history. The Nine Unknowns of India, the Builders of
Egypt, and the Druids of Europe have all been portrayed in this way at various
times, as have later groups such as the Masons, Rosicrucians, and Illuminati.
Where secular leadership assumed a cultic character, moreover, suspicions of
occult connections also came to constitute a commonplace concern in the
context of political, military, and economic interests.
Secret societies have played a powerful role in Chinese history, even to the
point of organizing open revolt and assuming local functions of secular
government. As elsewhere in the world, emperors and kings of all eras in China
sought the support of such groups and the counsel and instruction of their
masters and adepts. Some associations, to be sure, if not imaginary, have been so
secret that their existence outside folklore is scarcely suspected, yet sources of
special teaching over the ages, however obscure their actual origins, have
undeniably produced many elevated minds and extraordinary personalities that
diffused evolutionary ideas of advanced human capacities.
Alchemists, Mediums, and Magicians is a collection of sketches from Chinese
history portraying more than one hundred of the remarkable individuals
associated with exceptional knowledge, uncommon artistry, and spiritual
leadership over a period of more than two millennia. Compiled under the title
Mystic History by Zhang Tianyu, a Taoist priest in the fourteenth century, this
collection introduces a broad range of personalities, professions, and pastimes of
China’s esoteric elite, from the most illustrious to the utterly obscure. Among
them are people who appear to the world as philosophers and scholars,
strategists and statesmen, recluses and courtiers, magicians and mediums,
philanthropists and educators, alchemists and physicians, seers and soothsayers,
priests and paupers, artists and poets.
Alchemists, Mediums, and Magicians introduces an expansive view of the
many faces of Taoism and its intimate connection with the core composition of
Chinese culture and society. Particular attention is paid to the masters of the
Taoist grotto governments that controlled entry into the cave systems where
supernal powers were invoked and dangerous mystical exercises were carried
out employing powerful consciousness-altering techniques, including sensory
deprivation, incantation, visualization, and concentration.
These secret societies also projected themselves as representative organs of an
esoteric government of ascended adepts commanded by an occult hierarchy of
immortals, portrayed as realized people of the past who had disappeared but not
died. A parallel political practice of imperial beatification, sanctification, and
posthumous court appointment of such figures typically included formal appeals
to them for divine intercession and assistance from on high.
Alchemists, Mediums, and Magicians features stories from the eleventh
century B.C.E. to the thirteenth century C.E., following the course of orthodox
dynastic history. Seeking to renew a unifying link between the esoteric and
exoteric dimensions of traditional Chinese culture, in his introduction Zhang
Tianyu invokes the father of Chinese historiography for a working definition of
Taoism to outline the design of this collection:
The Grand Historian1 wrote, “Taoism has people’s vital spirit
unified, acting appropriately without formality, sufficing all people. As
for the practical methods, based on the universal order of yin and yang,
taking what is good in Confucianism and Moism, distilling the
essences of logic and law, they move with the times, change in
response to the concrete, establish customs and carry on business in
any way appropriate. The instructions are simple and easy to practice;
little is done, but with much effect.”
I have been inspired to reflect that there must have been such
people, but their obscurity has prevented the assertion of the Grand
Historian to gain credence in later ages. So I determined to search for
them among the people of old. From Lao-tzu on down, I’ve drawn on
their literature on the Way and on virtue and arranged them by
categories, as it seems that I’ve found such people.
In ancient times, when Chuangtzu set forth the arts of the Way all
over the land, he honored Confucius but did not conform; now,
emulating his intent, here I make an anthology on Lao-tzu without
conformity, as the epitome of honor.
Yang Ziyun2 said, “Confucius was someone full of culture; Lao-tzu
was someone full of mysticism.” Accordingly, I have entitled this
Mystic History. In reality, the origins of Taoism, the extensive and
impressive precedents of realized people, are exemplary models for
causing the world to flourish and for establishing education.3 The
Grand Historian’s proposed definition is what I hope to emulate.
1. Sima Qian (ca. 145–90 B.C.E.), called the Grand Historian, was one of the most influential scholars of all
time.
2. Yang Ziyun was Yang Xiong, a famous scholar of the Han dynasty.
3. This statement encapsulates the key concern of this collection. It is addressed to the dichotomization of
esoteric and exoteric studies and means to say, in essence, that mysticism is not really antisocial, as it is
often imagined to be.
[ 1 ]
ZHOU DYNASTY
(traditionally, 1122–221 )
B.C.E.
Taoist Virtue and Character1
O X
FFICER I
Officer Xi was a grandee of Zhou. Adept at inner studies, he regularly consumed
vital essences and practiced secret charity. None of the people of his time knew
him.
When Lao-tzu traveled west,2 Xi perceived his atmosphere in advance and
knew a real human was going to pass through. Looking to stop him, he actually
found Lao-tzu. Lao-tzu knew he was exceptional too, and wrote two works for
him, on the Way and on virtue. Afterward he went into the Gobi Desert with
Lao-tzu and ate black sesame seed. No one knows where he ended up.
Xi also wrote a book, in nine chapters, called Keeper of the Pass.3 Liu Xiang4
called it murky and inconsistent, vast and very free, yet with models to make
people cool and light, not making people crazy. Chuangtzu also cites Xi’s saying,
“It is in oneself without abiding, reveals itself in forming things; like water in
movement, like a mirror in stillness, like an echo in response, so indistinct it is as
if not there, so still it seems clear. Those who assimilate to it harmonize, those
who attain it lead; it never precedes people but always follows people.”
Xi is famed as one of the great real people of old. He was originally called
Master Wenshi, Beginner of Culture.
O G
FFICER UI
Officer Gui was styled Gongdu. He was a man of Taiyuan5 and a cousin of
Master Wenshi. He studied widely in the Five Classics.6 He was particularly
learned in astrology, and he transmitted a Taoist book of more than a hundred
chapters. He regularly ingested polygonatum tonic.7
Before Wenshi met Lao-tzu at Box Canyon Pass, in the times of King Kang
and King Zhao of Zhou [1090–1002 B.C.E.],8 he was living in a reed hut he had
made on Mount Zhongnan;9 during the reign of King Mu (1001–946 B.C.E.) he
rebuilt his reed hut and made it into a temple where he could lodge people who
were imbued with the Way. Gongdu subsequently cultivated his practice there
with the recluse Du Zhong;10 he attained the Way and became the Real Human of
Great Harmony.
D Z
U HONG
Du Zhong was styled Xuanyi. He was a man of Gaojing.11 When he heard that
Wenshi had ascended to truth in 1024 B.C.E.,12 he went into seclusion in his
spiritual abode and studied the Way. At that time five hermits and recluses came
from far away.13 They all sank into silence, empty and aloof, correct and elegant,
lofty and plain. Oblivious of all but the arts of the Way, together they projected
an impeccable example. This is why King Mu built a temple and shrine for them,
installing Du Zhong as the resident Taoist.14 When he was more than 120 years
old he attained the Way and ascended.15 He is entitled the Real Human of the
Absolute.
X Q
IN IAN
Xin Qian, also called Jiran, was a man from the Pu River region of Mallow Hill.16
His teacher was Lao-tzu. He studied widely and comprehended everything.
King Ping of Chu17 asked him, “I hear you attained the Way from Lao-tzu;
may I hear it?”
He replied, “The potency of the Way rectifies the crooked and brings order to
chaos; for pure virtue to regenerate and the world to be at peace is essentially up
to one person. So if you develop virtue you become king, while if you
accumulate enmity you get annihilated. This is why Yao and Shun flourished;
this is why Jie and Zhou perished.”18
The king said, “I respectfully hear your directions.”
Later he traveled south to Wu and Yue, and Fan Li19 took him as his teacher.
When Yue was going to attack Wu, Li admonished, “I have heard from my
teacher that weapons are instruments of ill omen and war is perversity. Conflict
is pettiness. Secret plotting, perversity, inclination to use instruments of ill omen,
risking life out of pettiness—this will never do.” But Gou Jian20 didn’t listen and
was defeated at Fushu.
Later Jiran was appointed to the rank of superior grandee, but he didn’t accept
it, instead going into seclusion in the mountains. He wrote a book in twelve
scrolls, calling himself Wen-tzu.21 The language and doctrine are both based on
Lao-tzu. Liu Zihou22 edited it to bring out the meaning more. One section says,
“Spirit is the font of intelligence; when spirit is pure, intelligence is clear.
Intelligence is the capital of mind; when intelligence is impartial, the mind is
even.” It also says, “Higher learning is heard by spirit, middle learning is heard
by mind, lower learning is heard by ear.” It also says, “When people are highly
ranked, watch what they recommend; when they are wealthy, watch what they
want; when they are poor, watch what they’ll accept.” It also says, “Human
nature wants peace, but indulgence in desires spoils this.” This is but a sliver of
Wen-tzu.
In the Tianbao era (742–755) Wen-tzu was entitled Real Human Penetrating
the Mysteries, and his book was called Understanding the Mysteries: A Scripture
on Reality.
L T
U ONG
Lu Tong was the madman of Chu called the Carriage Grabber. He liked
nurturing life and would gather and eat radishes, fruits, and turnips. He traveled
around to famous mountains, and people saw him for several hundred years.
When Confucius was going to Chu, the Carriage Grabber passed Confucius,
saying, “Oh phoenix, oh phoenix, how virtue has declined! Those who are gone
cannot be admonished, those yet to come can still be pursued. Stop, stop! Those
who participate in government now are in peril.”
Confucius alighted, wanting to talk with him, but he ran away, so Confucius
didn’t get to talk to him.23
G C
ENGSANG HU
Gengsang Chu, a man of Chen, was an employee of Lao-tzu and had the best
understanding of his Way. He lived in the Weilei Mountains.24 He dismissed
servants who were obviously bright and kept away from maids who were
attentively kind, staying with the intractable and employing the unkempt.
After he had lived there for three years, the Weilei Mountains became very
fertile and rich. Later he traveled to Wu and lived in seclusion on Bowl Peak in
Piling.25 That is the location of the ancient Temple of the Open Spirit. He wrote a
book in nine chapters called Master Gengsang, also called The Master of the
Hidden Storehouse.26
The book was lost, but during the Kaiyuan era (713–741) of the Tang dynasty,
Wang Bao presented that book to the throne. Because of that, Gengsang was
entitled the Real Human of Open Spirituality, and his book was entitled Open
Spirituality: A Scripture on Reality.
