Liu Yiming (1734—1821), styled Wuyuanzi and also known by the alternative name Supu Sanren (Unadorned Hermit), was a native of Wo County, Pingyang Prefecture, Shanxi (present-day Wenxi County, Shanxi). He was a renowned Taoist priest and medical scientist in the Qing Dynasty.
At the age of 17, Liu Yiming suffered from a severe illness that could not be cured after long-term treatment. Fortunately, a true immortal granted him a prescription, which enabled him to recover from the illness. "Enlightened by the illness, he thus came to admire Taoism." At the age of 19, Liu Yiming traveled abroad to seek Taoist teachings. At 22, he met "Kangu Laoren (Old Man of Kangu)" in Yuzhong, Gansu, and received oral instructions and spiritual enlightenment from him. After that, he traveled all over the country in search of verification and confirmation of the teachings.
At the age of 37, Liu Yiming encountered "Xianliu Zhangren (Venerable Immortal Liu)", and under his enlightenment, he later lived in seclusion in Qiyun Mountain and Xinglong Mountain in Yuzhong County to practice Taoism, preach, practice medicine to help the world, and write books to expound his ideas. He made quite comprehensive expositions on inner alchemy, advocating the dual cultivation of nature and life, holding that "if one wants to attain Tao, one must cultivate both nature and life".
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His works include Elaboration on the Principles of the I Ching, True Interpretation of Confucian I Ching, Eight Methods of the Divine Chamber, Original Meaning of Journey to the West, Collection of Heartfelt Understandings, Annotations on the Yin Fu Jing, Direct Guidance to Understanding Truth, Nine Essentials of Cultivating Truth, Text on Passing Through Barriers, etc.
Life Journey and Spiritual Awakening
At age 17, Liu Yiming suffered a severe illness that resisted all treatments. He was fortunately cured after receiving a prescription from a Taoist immortal (zhenren). This experience inspired his deep interest in Taoism. By age 19, he began traveling externally to seek Taoist teachings.
| Age | Event Description |
|---|---|
| 17 | Contracted a serious illness, later cured by a Taoist immortal's prescription. |
| 19 | Began traveling in search of Taoist knowledge. |
| 22 | Met the "Kangu Elder" (龛谷老人) in Yuzhong, Gansu, receiving oral transmission of secret teachings. |
| 37 | Encountered the "Xianliu Elder" (仙留丈人), who guided him spiritually; thereafter lived in seclusion on Qiyun and Xinglong Mountains in Yuzhong County, teaching Taoism and practicing medicine. |
Contributions to Taoism and Medicine
Liu Yiming is renowned for his thorough elucidation of Taoist internal alchemy, emphasizing the dual cultivation of "xing" (nature) and "ming" (life or destiny). His famous assertion is:
"To attain the Tao, one must cultivate both nature and life."
He traveled extensively to deepen his understanding and later dedicated himself to teaching, healing, and writing influential works.
Major Works by Liu Yiming
| Title (Chinese) | English Translation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 《易理阐微》 | Elucidation of the Subtleties of Yi Principles | Explores the philosophical foundations of the I Ching. |
| 《孔易阐真》 | True Interpretations of Confucian and Yi Teachings | Integrates Confucian and Taoist thought. |
| 《神室八法》 | Eight Methods of the Divine Chamber | Taoist practice manual. |
| 《西游原旨》 | Original Meaning of the Journey to the West | Commentary on the classic Journey to the West. |
| 《会心集》 | Collection of Enlightenment | Compilation of Taoist teachings and insights. |
| 《阴符经注》 | Commentary on the Yin Conjuring Classic | Exegesis of a key Taoist text. |
| 《悟真直指》 | Direct Guidance to Enlightenment | Taoist meditation and cultivation guide. |
| 《修真九要》 | Nine Essentials for Cultivating Reality | Practical instructions for Taoist practice. |
| 《通关文》 | Passage Instructions | Ritual and internal alchemy text. |
Taoist Internal Alchemy (Neidan) and Dual Cultivation
A core aspect of Liu Yiming’s teachings is the integration of:
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Xing (性) | Human nature or innate essence—moral and spiritual qualities. |
| Ming (命) | Life or destiny—physical vitality and lifespan. |
He advocated that true Taoist realization requires simultaneous cultivation of both aspects—ethical refinement and physical-spiritual health
