Bao Puzi is divided into internal and external articles. Nowadays, there are 20 "internal articles" about immortals, alchemy and Zuo Fu, 50 "external articles" about the gains and losses of current politics and the concealment of personnel, and some articles about literary theory criticism, such as Shi Jun, Shang Bo, Cixi and satellites. This book summarizes the immortal theory since Wei and Jin Dynasties, establishes the Taoist immortal theory system, and inherits Wei Boyang's alchemy theory, which is a great achievement of alchemy in Wei and Jin Dynasties.
"Bao Puzi's Inner Chapter" mainly talks about immortal prescriptions, changes in ghosts, health preservation and longevity, and treatment of disasters and diseases, which belongs to Taoism (referring to immortals). Its contents can be summarized as follows: discussing the universe itself, demonstrating the existence of immortals, discussing the production methods and applications of Dan medicine and panacea, discussing the study and application of various formulas, discussing various bibliographies of Taoist scriptures, and explaining the universality of world practice. Neipian takes metaphysics, Taoism and Oneness as the universe noumenon, and demonstrates the existence of immortals. Prepare techniques such as elixir of life, yellow and white, crossing the valley, medication, guidance, seclusion, change, service, meditation, calling gods, symbols, riding and jumping. It combines alchemy of Han, Jin and Jin, and is mixed with knowledge of medicine and chemistry. It is an important material for studying the history of ancient Taoism and science and technology in China.
The Biography of Bao Puzi mainly talks about various things in society, which belongs to the category of Confucianism, and also shows the development track of the author's immortal thought before Confucianism. Its content can be summarized as follows: on the gain and loss of the world, mocking the secular, and stressing the law of governing the people; Commenting on whether there are hidden things in the world, advocating that the hidden things should be treated with time, self-denial and thinking of the monarch; On remonstrating Ren Xian's ability, loving the people and abstinence, and monopolizing power; On being born free from vulgarity, writing books with cultivation and so on. In a word, Bao Puzi integrated metaphysics with divination, alchemy with elixir, elixir with symbol, Confucianism with immortals, thus establishing his theoretical system of immortals.
Ge Hong suggested that immortals must accumulate good deeds, make meritorious deeds and be charitable. In Bao Puzi, it is emphasized that people can't just start from practicing martial arts, and their aspirations in life can't just be hidden in the mountains. If they really want to cultivate immortality, they must make contributions, cultivate their morality, and rule the country. Advocating to realize spiritual liberation and physical take-off in real social life can not only help the world at once, but also be extraordinary. For example, he said, "The staff sergeant is in the three armies, the sergeant is in the city, and the corporal is in the mountains." He believes that self-cultivation can not only protect morality and lead to longevity, but also govern the world and lead to peace. Immortality can also be achieved through cultivation, and the greatest filial piety is that the body is not harmed.