Liu Yiming’s Inner Alchemy Classics: Dao Shu Shi Er Zhong

Twelve Taoist Works (Daoshu Shier Zhong) is a collection of Taoist writings by Liu Yiming (1734–1815) of the Qing Dynasty.

Liu Yiming, with his Taoist title Wuyuan Zi and courtesy name Supu Sanren (the Unadorned Recluse), was a prominent Taoist master during the Qianlong and Jiaqing reigns of the Qing Dynasty. He belonged to the 11th generation of the Longmen (Dragon Gate) lineage of the Quanzhen (Complete Perfection) School. Later generations compiled his Taoist works into a single collection, which came to be generally known as Twelve Taoist Works.

There are different editions of this collection produced after the Qing Dynasty, including the woodblock printing edition from Huguo Nunnery in Changzhou (1819, the 24th year of the Jiaqing reign), the lithographic edition from Jiangdong Shuju in Shanghai (1913, the 2nd year of the Republic of China), and the woodblock printing edition from Yihua Tang in Shanghai (Guangxu reign). The collection is categorized under the "Doctrine and Theory" section in Extra-Canonical Taoist Texts (Zang Wai Dao Shu).

The works included in this collection mainly elaborate on Taoist philosophy and health cultivation. Despite its title, the number of works actually exceeds twelve, as detailed below:

Zhouyi Chanzhi (Straightforward Explanation of the I Ching, 4 volumes) and Kongyi Chanzhen (True Explanation of Confucian I Ching, 2 volumes): These two are essentially a single work. According to Liu Yiming’s preface, the original title was Yili Chanzhen (True Explanation of the Principles of the I Ching). The word "Chanzhen" (True Explanation) in the title was intended to "elucidate the true essence of nature and destiny."
Cantong Zhizhi (Direct Guidance to the Cantongqi): It includes three parts—Cantongqi Jingwen Zhizhi (Direct Guidance to the Scriptural Text of the Cantongqi, 3 volumes), Cantongqi Zhizhi Jianzhu (Direct Guidance with Annotations to the Cantongqi, 3 volumes), and Cantongqi Zhizhi Sanxiang Lei (Direct Guidance to the Three Categories of the Cantongqi, 3 volumes). Compiled in the early Jiaqing reign, Liu Yiming wrote the preface in 1799 (the 4th year of the Jiaqing reign). The work interprets the Cantongqi (a foundational text of Taoist alchemy) from the perspective of internal alchemy (neidan), stating that "all metaphorical and symbolic expressions in the text are thoroughly explained" and "presented with direct guidance for readers"—hence the term "Zhizhi" (Direct Guidance) in the title.
Wuzhen Zhizhi (Direct Guidance to the Wuzhenpian, 4 volumes): The preface was written in the autumn of 1794 (the 4th year of the Jiaqing reign). The work includes a brief collation of textual variations among different versions of the Wuzhenpian (Awakening to Truth, a core text of internal alchemy) and provides particularly detailed annotations and elaborations. It interprets the Wuzhenpian from the perspective of the Qingxiu (Pure Cultivation) School, using clear and unambiguous language.
Xiyou Yuanzhi (Original Meaning of Journey to the West, 2 volumes): It interprets the novel Journey to the West through the principles of internal alchemy.
Xiangyan Poyi (Resolving Doubts Through Symbolic Language, 2 volumes): Using theories to unify diagrams, the work explains the symbols related to the Golden Elixir (a core concept in Taoist alchemy).
Xiuzhen Biannan (Resolving Difficulties in Cultivating Perfection, 2 volumes): The first volume adopts a question-and-answer format between a teacher and students to resolve doubts for practitioners and elaborate on key concepts such as the Dao, yin-yang, and internal/external elixirs; the second volume focuses on positive arguments while also addressing doubts.
Shenshi Bafa (Eight Methods for Cultivating the Divine Chamber, 1 volume) and Xiuzhen Jiuyao (Nine Essentials for Cultivating Perfection, 1 volume): Both expound on the essential principles of internal alchemy. Liu Yiming believed that "cultivating the Dao is equivalent to cultivating the divine chamber" (a metaphor for the spiritual core in alchemy), so he proposed eight methods: firmness, gentleness, sincerity, trust, harmony, tranquility, emptiness, and spirituality. Xiuzhen Jiuyao outlines nine progressive essentials for internal alchemy practice, from basic to advanced levels.
Qiaoyao Ge Zhijie (Straightforward Interpretation of the Song of Knocking Yao , 1 volume) and Baizi Bei Zhu (Annotations to the Hundred-Character Stele, 1 volume): These are annotations to the Song of Knocking Yao and Hundred-Character Stele (traditionally attributed to Lü Dongbin, a legendary Taoist immortal), expounding on internal alchemy thought.
Wugen Shu Jie (Explanation of the Wugen Shu [Rootless Tree], 1 volume): An annotation to the Wugen Shu, a Taoist poem attributed to Zhang Sanfeng.
Jindan Sibaizi Jie (Explanation of the Four Hundred Characters on the Golden Elixir, 1 volume): The Four Hundred Characters is traditionally attributed to Zhang Ziyang (a key figure in internal alchemy). Liu Yiming provided line-by-line explanations, composed the Zhushu Sibaizi Zhenyi Ge (Song of the True Meaning of the Four Hundred Characters with Annotations) to summarize its essence, and appended the Xueren Ershisi Yao (Twenty-Four Essentials for Practitioners) and Danfa Ershisi Jue (Twenty-Four Maxims of the Elixir Method).
Yinfu Jing Zhu (Annotations to the Yinfujing [Hidden Talisman Classic], 1 volume) and Huangting Jing Jie (Explanation of the Huangting Jing [Yellow Court Classic], 1 volume): These interpret the two classics from the perspective of internal alchemy, with the latter being particularly distinctive.
Wudao Lu (Records of Awakening to the Dao, 2 volumes): A collection of Liu Yiming’s reflections on his Taoist practice.
Tongguan Wen (Essays on Passing Through Barriers, 2 volumes): Based on his various writings on alchemy, this work specifically identifies various "barriers" (obstacles) in the path of cultivating the Dao and provides methods to overcome them.
Huixin Ji (Collection of Heartfelt Insights, 4 volumes: 2 volumes of Neiji [Inner Collection] and 2 volumes of Waiji [Outer Collection]): A self-compiled collection of Liu Yiming’s poems, ci (a form of classical Chinese poetry), and songs. These works express his feelings through descriptions of objects and convey ideas through events—"all derived from heartfelt understanding and expressed in words," hence the title "Huixin" (Heartfelt Insights).