To get started with alchemy, it is recommended to first read the Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic, the Yellow Emperor's External Classic, the Eight Meridians of the Qi Jing, Zhou Yi, and Huang Ji Jing Shi Shu; then read the Zhou Yi Shen Tong Qi, Tao Te Ching, and Huang Di Yin Fu Jing , Enlightenment Chapter, etc.; these are some of the books I read, mainly related to Alchemy. This is only one aspect of Taoist culture, and some others are not suitable to be included. for reference.
In addition, for those who study alchemy, I think everyone should have at least a set of "Twelve Types of Taoism". This book was written by Liu Yiming, a high-ranking Taoist in the Qing Dynasty, and many of its contents are quite straightforward. Of course, there is a lot to read besides "The Twelve Kinds". Here I will briefly talk about my personal experience:
These alchemy books are all from the lower right corner of the picture. The basic alchemy books are Yes
We also recommend some introductory books to alchemy
Recommended books for introductory alchemy 1
"Yin Fu Sutra Commentary", "Wuzhen Zhizhi" and "Xiang Yan" "Resolving Suspicions", "Annotations on the Hundred-Character Stele", and "Explanation of the Rootless Tree"
These are all from the "Twelve Kinds of Taoism", and they are mainly annotations on the scriptures. If the previous chapters are all preparatory content, then these chapters will start with formal contact with the Alchemy Alchemy Sutra.
This book "Xiangyan Desolves Doubts" is very crucial. The Alchemy Classic often uses "xiangyan", which are some metaphorical words. These words were originally created by the ancestors who wanted to spread the word to the world, partly for the sake of image, and partly because they were afraid of misrepresentation, so they created many image words, such as lead and mercury, dragon and tiger, furnace tripod, golden crow, jade rabbit, Huang Po, Huang Ting, Xuan Qiao, Zuqiao... And "Xiangyan Breaks the Questions" specifically explains the meaning of some terms in the Alchemy Classic, which is very useful for later reading the Alchemy Classic.
The other several books are all sutra annotations, ranging in length from short to long, and they all directly touch on many issues in alchemy cultivation. The reason why we do not recommend "Shen Tong Zhi Zhi" and "Zhou Yi Chan Zhen" first is because these two books are still difficult for scholars at this stage and can be studied later.
Two Recommended Books for Getting Started with Alchemy
"Medicine Mirror", "Knocking Yao Song", "Four Hundred Words of Golden Elixir", "Defense of Cultivation" and "Defense after Cultivation"
< p>The first two parts are still the content of "Twelve Types", and they are all explanations of difficult issues in the cultivation process. The other few are in the form of poems, not very long, but they are all very classic alchemy scriptures, and their predecessors have also emphasized them very much.Three Recommended Books for Getting Started with Alchemy
"Record of Enlightenment", "Song of the Right Way", "Nine Essentials of Cultivation" and "Tongguanwen"
Among these four books, The first three are all from "The Twelve Kinds", and the latter is said to have been written by Patriarch Zhongli. The reason why it is listed at the top is that I think: "Nine Essentials of Cultivation" is very short, but it is also very insightful. It can be said to be a clear outline and clear up the misunderstandings. Nowadays, many people talk about the "uselessness of reading" and believe that "a true teaching is a sentence, but a false teaching is thousands of books". These are all mentioned in "Nine Essentials of Cultivation". If newbies want to have a comprehensive and simple understanding of alchemy, this book is a good one.
"Song of the Righteous Way to Break the Mystery" may not be easy to understand for beginners, but the reason why I put it at the front is to nip it in the bud. There are many "side ways" mentioned in this song. Beginners cannot distinguish them and can easily fall into the wrong path. The song "Breaking the Mystery of the Righteous Path" is to break through the fog and point out the right path.
"Enlightenment Record" uses some common phenomena in life to explain some principles of alchemy practice. From here, you can also start to get in touch with some Dan Jing terminology and what it means. What is alchemy cultivation all about?
Following this is the "Tongguanwen", which lists the fifty gates of mind and nature for practice. Many people who are hesitant have been scared away after reading this book. The difficulty of the alchemy method lies in Xing Gong. The founder said, "Practice yourself first before refining the elixir." Xin Xing Kung Fu should also be emphasized first.
If the Xinxing Kung Fu is not done well, then it is what the "Tongguan Wen" says: "It is difficult to try to understand the way!"