What is WaiDan 外丹?
Paul PengWaidan, originally called "alchemy". To avoid confusion with "neidan" (internal alchemy), Taoism renamed it "waidan" (external alchemy). It is an experimental technique that involves burning and refining mineral medicines in furnaces and tripods to produce "elixirs of immortality" (also known as golden elixirs, miraculous elixirs, etc.).
The External Alchemy System
Part of the Series
This article is part of our comprehensive guide covering all core Taoist philosophies, concepts, and practices — curated from the classic Encyclopedia of Taoism.
View Full Guide → ✦ Explore All Topics
