1.2.2 Mi Jingzi’s Primacy of Cultivating Virtue

1.2.2 Mi Jingzi’s Primacy of Cultivating Virtue (修德养生)

Daoist Master Zhang Zhishun emphasized: “In our mystical tradition (Daoism), virtue (德) holds supreme importance. One with Dao but no virtue becomes a demon within Dao, destined to fail; one with virtue but no Dao becomes a sage within Dao, destined to attain it.” He interpreted Dao (道) in the Dao De Jing as Wuji (无极, the Limitless), while De (德) represents Taiji (太极, the Supreme Ultimate). In The Secret of the Golden Flower (太乙金华宗旨), the “Heavenly Heart” chapter describes inheriting the “primordial qi of parents to form a luminous spiritual pearl”—the parental essence (精血) corresponds to Taiji, while the luminous pearl embodies Wuji. From Taiji emerge the Two Polarities (两仪), Four Symbols (四象), Eight Trigrams (八卦), and Five Phases (五行).

Virtue in Daoist Context

Modern interpretations of “virtue” often focus on social morality—good deeds, kindness, or ethical norms. However, Daoist virtue (修德) transcends societal constructs; it is cultivated through wuwei (无为, non-action)—a mind free of striving, aligned with natural harmony.

The Dao De Jing states:

“Supreme virtue is not virtue; thus, it is virtue. Inferior virtue clings to virtue; thus, it is not virtue. Supreme virtue acts without action; inferior virtue acts with intent.”

Lü Dongbin (Pure Yang Master) clarified:

“Supreme virtue aligns with heaven’s truth—no speech, movement, hearing, or seeing. It forgets the self and external forms, flowing with nature’s course. Here, ‘virtue’ is synonymous with Dao, not moral merit.”

Classical Foundations

• Huangdi Neijing (黄帝内经): “Those who live a century in vigor do so because their virtue remains whole and unthreatened.”

• Zhuangzi: “Those who hold Dao preserve virtue; those who preserve virtue preserve their form.”

• Ge Hong (葛洪): “Without cultivating virtue, no longevity technique succeeds.”

Practical Cultivation

Lü Dongbin urged disciples to “cultivate human virtue before pursuing immortality.” Masters like Wu Chongxu and Liu Huayang stressed unwavering dedication to virtue as the foundation of Daoist practice. Zhang Zhishun outlined virtues for health preservation: love for one’s nation, filial piety, truthful speech, embracing humility, releasing worries, self-awareness, and unshakable faith (detailed in Chapter 2).