Lu Xixing(陆西星): Founder of Eastern School of Taoism

Lu Xixing (1520-1606), styled Changgeng, also known by the literary names Qianxuzi and Fanghu Waishi, was a native of Xinghua, Yangzhou, Jiangsu. He was a renowned Taoist priest in the Ming Dynasty and the founder of the East School of the Taoist Inner Alchemy School.

In his youth, Lu Xixing studied Confucianism and passed the imperial examination at the county level to become a xiucai (a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations). However, after failing the provincial examination nine times, he abandoned Confucianism and turned to Taoism, claiming that Lü Dongbin (a famous Taoist immortal) had taught him the secret techniques of inner alchemy. In his later years, he also studied Buddhism and practiced meditation.

Lu Xixing focused on inner alchemy and advocated the cultivation method of dual cultivation of yin and yang. His works include Fanghu Waishi, Commentary on the Southern Blossom Classic, Records of Taoist Karma, and Self-Records of Binweng.

Modern research suggests that Lu Xixing was the author of the novel Investiture of the Gods. It is said that Lu Xixing wrote Investiture of the Gods to raise funds for his daughter's dowry, and once the novel was published, it became extremely popular, with the saying that "paper in Luoyang became expensive" (a metaphor for a book's great popularity).

The Three Pillars of His Contribution

1. Inner Alchemy Master (内丹宗师)

Master Lu belonged to the Nandan (内丹) tradition - the path of internal elixir cultivation. This is not mere philosophy, fellow seekers, but a living practice that transforms the very essence of one's being.

Core Practices of Lu Xixing's Tradition:

Practice	Chinese Term	Purpose
Breath Cultivation	调息 (tiaoxi)	Harmonizing qi flow
Mind Stillness	静心 (jingxin)	Achieving inner tranquility
Essence Refinement	炼精 (lianjing)	Transforming bodily essence
Spirit Return	还神 (huanshen)	Uniting with the Dao

2. Textual Scholar and Commentator

What sets Master Lu apart from many cultivators is his deep scholarly devotion. He understood that true wisdom must be both lived and preserved. His commentaries on classical Daoist texts remain treasures that illuminate the path for modern practitioners.

Major Works and Commentaries:

• Dao De Jing annotations - bringing fresh insight to Laozi's eternal wisdom
• Zhuangzi interpretations - unlocking the playful profundity of the butterfly sage
• I Ching studies - revealing the cosmic patterns within the Book of Changes
• Original treatises on inner alchemy practices

3. Bridge Between Traditions

In Master Lu's time, artificial divisions had grown between different schools of thought. He saw beyond these surface distinctions, recognizing that Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism all pointed toward the same ultimate truth - though by different mountain paths.

The Philosophical Framework

The Nature of Cultivation

Master Lu taught that cultivation is not about adding something to ourselves, but about returning to our original nature. As I learned through years of practice, this means:

Wu Wei in Daily Life

• Acting without forcing
• Moving with natural rhythms
• Responding rather than reacting
• Finding effortless effort

The Process of Return (复归)

Scattered Mind → Focused Attention → Still Awareness → Unity with Dao
    (散乱)         (专注)           (静觉)         (道合)

Integration of the Three Teachings

Lu Xixing's genius lay in showing how the three great traditions complement rather than compete:

Tradition	Focus	Lu Xixing's Integration
Confucianism	Social harmony, ethics	Proper relationships as foundation for cultivation
Buddhism	Emptiness, compassion	Understanding the illusory nature of the self
Daoism	Natural spontaneity	Living in accordance with cosmic principles

Practical Wisdom for Modern Seekers

Daily Cultivation Methods

Having studied Master Lu's teachings for decades, I can share these essential practices:

Morning Practice (晨功)

• Greet the rising sun with gratitude
• Perform gentle qigong movements
• Sit in meditation facing east
• Set intention aligned with natural flow

Evening Reflection (晚省)

• Review the day without judgment
• Practice forgiveness (of self and others)
• Cultivate inner stillness
• Prepare mind for restorative sleep

The Art of Reading Sacred Texts

Master Lu emphasized that reading Daoist classics is itself a spiritual practice. He taught us to:

1. Read with the Heart - not just intellectual understanding
2. Contemplate Deeply - let meanings unfold naturally
3. Apply in Life - wisdom unused is wisdom lost
4. Share Respectfully - teach only when asked

Historical Context and Influence

The Ming Dynasty Setting

The 16th century presented unique challenges for Daoist practitioners. Imperial favor often shifted, and religious communities faced periodic restrictions. Master Lu navigated these waters with characteristic Daoist adaptability - yielding when necessary, persisting when possible.

Timeline of Lu Xixing's Era:

Year	Historical Context	Lu Xixing's Response
1520	Born during religious tolerance	Early classical education
1550s	Increasing neo-Confucian influence	Deepened Daoist studies
1570s	Buddhist revival movements	Developed syncretic philosophy
1580s-1590s	Peak creative period	Major commentaries written
1606	Passed away	Legacy established

Lasting Impact

Master Lu's influence extends far beyond his historical moment. Modern practitioners worldwide still benefit from his insights, particularly his emphasis on:

• Practical mysticism - bringing transcendent wisdom into daily life
• Scholarly devotion - honoring both experience and learning
• Religious harmony - seeing unity beneath apparent diversity

Closing Reflections

As I write these words in my mountain hermitage, watching mist rise from the valley below, I'm reminded of Master Lu's teaching: "The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao, yet we must speak of it to guide others to the silence."

His life exemplifies the Daoist ideal - profound wisdom worn lightly, deep learning shared humbly, and spiritual attainment expressed through service to others. In studying his legacy, we don't just learn about history; we connect with a living tradition that continues to nourish seekers across cultures and centuries.

For those drawn to walk this ancient path, Master Lu Xixing remains a trustworthy guide - neither pushing us forward nor holding us back, but showing through his example how scholarship and spirituality, tradition and innovation, solitude and service can dance together in perfect harmony.

May his wisdom illuminate your journey, as it has illuminated mine.

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