Supreme Scripture of the Divine Pearl 太清元极至妙神珠玉颗经
Paul PengSupreme Scripture of the Divine Pearl
The author is unknown, and it presumably dates back to the Tang Dynasty.
Consisting of one scroll, it is included in the Methods Category of the Dongshen Section within the Daoist canon (The Daozang).
This scripture expounds the method of Neidan (Internal Alchemy) cultivation. It states: "The Divine Pearl is the essence of the sun, and the Jade Bead is the quintessence of the moon’s radiance; the sun’s flowing pearl governs the yang within humans, while the moon’s mysterious pearl governs the yin." Only when yin and yang are harmonized and utilized in balance can "white gold be dispensed, red snow be matched, essence and blood be stabilized, the true embryo be formed, and the union of male and female conceive life."
Supreme Scripture of the Divine Pearl
Human creation follows the same principles as the operation and transformation of heaven, earth, Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, the four seasons, and the Eight Trigrams. Similarly, human cultivation aligns with the ways of heaven and earth: "To refine the golden elixir and supreme medicine, one cannot depart from the creation of yin and yang, but must rely on the cyclic operation of the celestial circuit."
Thus, the Neidan formulas described in this scripture are all coordinated with the advancement and retreat of celestial circuit talismans and fire, as well as changes in the trigrams and lines. The alchemical method is divided into three levels of practice:
- The upper level (three years): Practices the four cyclic circuits of year, month, day, and hour, following the images of the trigrams to regulate the advance and retreat of water and fire. "Practicing water" refers to rinsing the mouth and swallowing saliva; "practicing fire" refers to holding one’s breath and swallowing Qi (Vital Energy).
- The middle level (three years): Practices three cyclic circuits—the Four Cardinal Directions and Eight Applications, Sun-Moon, and Return to Origin—following the twenty-four solar terms and seventy-two pentads. It involves harmonizing dragon and tiger (metaphors for yin and yang energies), accumulating essence, and fulfilling the spirit.
- The lower level (three years): Practices three cyclic circuits—the Wonderful Water, Wonderful Fire, and Return and Restoration—following the stems and branches, Five Elements, and the numerical principles of yin-yang six zhu (a unit of measurement for energy). It involves uniting spirit and Qi, refining Qi to generate spirit.
The scripture concludes with eulogies and alchemical mantras, stating: "To understand cultivation, one must perfect essence, Qi, and spirit—true water and true fire, true mercury and true lead, either following or reversing the flow, returning seven times and revolving nine times." "If one practices this method, they shall enter sainthood and ascend to heaven."
