Taoist Alchemical Ode Daoist Classic 陶真人内丹赋

The original text bears no attribution to an author.

Research confirms it was likely composed by Tao zhi, a Taoist priest active during the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties period.

The Comprehensive Records of Literature·Bibliographic Survey catalogs "One Scroll of the Ode to the Golden Elixir", which is presumably this very work.

Taoist Alchemical Ode

The existing version is included in the Methods category of the Dongzhen Section of The Daozang.

This text consists of an ode with accompanying annotations. The language of the ode is obscure in meaning, generally elaborating that a transcendental hermit emulates the Two Principles, takes symbols from the Bagua, merges the transformations of Yin and Yang, follows the movement of the sun and moon, unites water and fire, tames the dragon and tiger, and undergoes the process of nine cycles of refinement and seven returns of transmutation, thus producing the Golden Elixir and White Snow Elixir. Ingesting these elixirs can prolong life and grant immortality.

The annotations are relatively detailed and clear, primarily quoting the Zhouyi Cantong Qi, the Golden Splendor Scripture, and the teachings of Li Chunfeng, Wu Yun, True Lord Huanyang and other figures. They elucidate the meanings of medicinal ingredients and fire control in golden elixir refining, and interpret the hidden and esoteric meanings of the ode’s abstruse verses.

The doctrines expounded herein pertain to External Alchemy, yet the text is titled "Ode to Internal Alchemy"—a misnomer, for it ought to be "Ode to the Golden Elixir".

See the entry for Ode to the Golden Elixir.