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An annotated translation and study of Chapters on Awakening to the Real (ca. 1061): attributed to Zhang Boduan (ca. 983-1081) Crowe, Paul B. M.
Abstract
The Wuzhen pian (Chapters on Awakening to the Real), composed by Zhang Boduan during the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127), is one of the most important texts describing the Taoist method of cultivation known as neidan (inner alchemy). Neidan texts, including the Wuzhen plan, contain a complex array of symbols which draws on sources such as waidan (outer alchemy), the Yijing (Book of Changes), and the wuxing (five phases) in addition to earlier Taoist texts. One of the most influential representations of neidan literature is found in volume five of Joseph Needham's monumental reference work, Science and Civilisation in China. It is held here that this representation, while rich in detail, is flawed in its portrayal of the neidan process of cultivation. Needham and his colleagues present neidan as a form of proto-science which is concerned almost exclusively with physiological processes. An argument is made for understanding the Wuzhen pian, which is taken as representative of neidan literature in general, as primarily a spiritual document detailing a process which leads to an experience of enlightenment and transcendence rather than as a chapter of early proto-chemistry in the story of the evolution of modern science. This argument is based on the author's annotated translation of the edition of the Wuzhen pian found in the Xiuzhen shishu (Ten Compilations on the Cultivation of Perfection). The annotation pays close attention to the various commentaries included in this edition of the text as well as the other editions found in the Daozang (Taoist Canon). The main argument and the translation are preceded by a discussion of Zhang Boduan's (ca. 983-1081) life which is based on the hagiographic materials found in the Daozang and several gazetteers. A summary of the various major influences on the text and an overview its structure has also been included.
Item Metadata
Title |
An annotated translation and study of Chapters on Awakening to the Real (ca. 1061): attributed to Zhang Boduan (ca. 983-1081)
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
1997
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Description |
The Wuzhen pian (Chapters on Awakening to the Real), composed by Zhang Boduan during
the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127), is one of the most important texts describing the Taoist
method of cultivation known as neidan (inner alchemy). Neidan texts, including the Wuzhen plan,
contain a complex array of symbols which draws on sources such as waidan (outer alchemy), the
Yijing (Book of Changes), and the wuxing (five phases) in addition to earlier Taoist texts. One of the
most influential representations of neidan literature is found in volume five of Joseph Needham's
monumental reference work, Science and Civilisation in China. It is held here that this
representation, while rich in detail, is flawed in its portrayal of the neidan process of cultivation.
Needham and his colleagues present neidan as a form of proto-science which is concerned almost
exclusively with physiological processes.
An argument is made for understanding the Wuzhen pian, which is taken as representative
of neidan literature in general, as primarily a spiritual document detailing a process which leads to
an experience of enlightenment and transcendence rather than as a chapter of early proto-chemistry
in the story of the evolution of modern science. This argument is based on the author's annotated
translation of the edition of the Wuzhen pian found in the Xiuzhen shishu (Ten Compilations on the
Cultivation of Perfection). The annotation pays close attention to the various commentaries included
in this edition of the text as well as the other editions found in the Daozang (Taoist Canon).
The main argument and the translation are preceded by a discussion of Zhang Boduan's (ca.
983-1081) life which is based on the hagiographic materials found in the Daozang and several
gazetteers. A summary of the various major influences on the text and an overview its structure has
also been included.
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Extent |
9524449 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-04-27
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0099267
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
1998-05
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.