What is Three Corpse Gods 三尸神?

The Three Corpse Gods, also known as the "Three Pengs" or "Three Worms," are believed by Taoism to reside within the human body as three worms: the Upper Corpse, Middle Corpse, and Lower Corpse, dwelling in the upper, middle, and lower Dantian respectively.

According to Baopuzi Neipian·Weizhi, they belong to the category of souls, ghosts, and spirits. Legend has it that they indulge in reckless wandering and desire the early death of humans to enjoy sacrificial offerings. Therefore, on the day of Gengshen each year, they ascend to the Heavenly Court to report to the Life-Controller, accusing humans of their sins and transgressions. Hence, those seeking immortality must first eliminate the Three Corpse Gods by practicing simplicity, self-restraint, purity of mind, and accumulating virtues, while taking elixirs to nurture life, in order to achieve enlightenment and become immortals.

As stated in Lidai Shenxian Tongjian, "To become a true immortal on earth, one must first take medicine to expel the Three Corpse Gods and eliminate the grain insects."