《呂帝詩集》Vol. 2

The Anthology of Emperor Lü's Poetry is an important Daoist scripture containing the poetic works of Lü Dongbin (one of the Eight Immortals in Daoism). This poetry collection is divided into two volumes, with the first volume comprising various poetic forms categorized mainly into classical verse, five-character regulated verse, and seven-character regulated verse.

The classical verse section includes thirty-seven works covering themes of cultivation insights, moral admonitions, and landscape travels. Pieces like Song Against Killing, Song of Renouncing Desire, and Song Against Lust exhort people to cultivate virtue; Song of Dao Realization and Song of Realization at Ezhou recount spiritual insights; while Wandering Mount Tiantai and Inscription on Master Huang's Hermitage Gate at Tongbai Mountain depict scenic landscapes. Particularly noteworthy are specialized cultivation poems like Song of the Cauldron Vessel and Direct Pointing to the Great Elixir, which explain Neidan (internal alchemy) practices—essential Daoist longevity techniques.

The five-character regulated verse section contains twenty-one works, mostly expressing cultivation insights and spontaneous reflections. Sixteen Poems on Realization systematically expound cultivation principles, while On Embryonic Breathing and Understanding the Dao elucidate breathing techniques and other cultivation methods. Five Poems on Mountain Dwelling portrays the life of reclusion.

The thirty-four seven-character regulated verses primarily serve moral instruction. Twenty-Seven Exhortations to the World collectively expounds principles for conduct, while pieces like Lantern Festival and Summer Day depict seasonal scenery. Written in accessible language yet profound meaning, these poems embody Daoism's purpose of benefiting society and delivering beings.

The entire anthology reveals the wisdom of Patriarch Lü (an honorific title for Lü Dongbin) as a realized immortal, containing both profound cultivation methods and easily understandable moral teachings. It remains an essential text for understanding Daoist thought.

The Anthology of Emperor Lü's Poetry is a significant Daoist scripture containing the poetic works of Lü Dongbin (one of the Eight Immortals in Daoism). These poems primarily cover several aspects:

The first category consists of cultivation guidance, such as Instructions for Practicing the Dipper Ritual and Pointing to the Mysterious Work, which are poems where Patriarch Lü transmits cultivation methods, teaching disciples how to practice the Big Dipper rituals and cultivate the mysteries of Neidan (internal alchemy). Among these, The Profound Method of the Returned Elixir and Sixteen Verses on Pointing to the Mystery specifically elucidate the secrets of the Golden Elixir (Jindan) path.

The second category includes exchange poems, such as To Left Mysterious Chief and To the Suffering Man by the Roadside, which offer guidance to practitioners while also expressing compassion for ordinary people. Poems like To the Surgeon and To the Physician embody the Daoist spirit of benefiting the world and aiding humanity.

The third category comprises landscape and object poems, such as Ode to the Red Apricot, Ode to the Pine, and Ode to the Plum, which use natural scenery to expound on the philosophy of spiritual cultivation. The Sixty Verses on Wild Geese is a lengthy poetic series that reflects on Daoist insights through the imagery of migrating geese.

The fourth category consists of moral exhortation poems, such as Awakening the World in Two Verses and Admonishing People, urging kindness and the accumulation of virtue (De). Among these, there is a notable account of Patriarch Lü selling his family property to relieve famine victims ("In my hometown, I once encountered a famine and exhausted my wealth to distribute grain, saving tens of thousands from starvation"). He also composed poems in response to villagers who advised him to preserve his wealth for his descendants.

These poems are elegantly written, featuring expressions of cultivation experiences like "incense smoke occasionally coalescing into clouds," depictions of scenes such as "autumn night" and "moonlit night," as well as earnest teachings like Showing Sincerity and Forgiveness and Pointing to Awakening Truth for disciples. Together, they comprehensively reveal Patriarch Lü's spiritual cultivation and his compassionate dedication to the world.