《純陽三書》

The Three Books of Chunyang are the works of Patriarch Lü Dongbin (one of the Eight Immortals of Daoism), composed to instruct the world. They comprise three classics: The Secret Principles of Mysterious Subtlety, The Hidden Teachings Within the Pillow, and The Secret Principles of Spiritual Cultivation. These texts expound the principle of the unity of heaven and humanity, as well as the methods of dual cultivation of nature and life (xingming shuangxiu, the simultaneous refinement of spirit and body). The books meticulously reveal the essential techniques and profound mysteries of cultivation—whether through internal practice or external discipline, all revolve around the Dantian (the body's energy center) as the core. From foundational practices like the "Jade Nectar" (saliva cultivation techniques) to advanced stages of the "Golden Nectar" (refinement of the Golden Elixir), the process follows a gradual progression. Patriarch Lü emphasizes that only by correcting faults and accumulating virtue (De) can one ascend from the realm of ordinary beings to that of sages. He states that this transmission of esoteric methods during special epochs is ordained by the will of heaven.

In the 26th year of the Guangxu reign (1900), while collating the Collected Essentials of the Daoist Canon (Daozang Jiyao) at the Two Immortals Abbey (Erxian An) in Chengdu, I discovered this text. After prolonged study and verification, I found every sentence aligned with the true principles of cultivation. Later, during my travels, I deeply regretted not having it with me—until, in the eighth month of last year, while paying respects to my elder brother at Old Man’s Village, I unexpectedly rediscovered it among a pile of tattered books, as if recovering a priceless treasure. Now, Daoist Master Wang Yunpeng of Two Immortals Abbey intends to include it in the Collected Essentials of the Daoist Canon for public dissemination—a compassionate act of universal salvation that commands deep admiration. Having known Yunpeng for many years, I can attest to his genuine cultivation and practical realization. It is my hope that once this text circulates widely, those with the aspiration to cultivate the Dao may follow its guidance and more easily attain liberation.

This preface was composed in the 18th year of the Republic (1929) by Peng Yiqing of Xinjin (Daoist name: Qianyang), aged seventy-one, at the Preserving Antiquity Study Hall.

Appended hereafter is the Precious Eulogy of Patriarch Lü Chunyang, a scripture venerating Patriarch Lü:

Patriarch Lü is a sage manifested from the realm of the Limitless (Wuji), capable of transforming his form to universally deliver sentient beings. He has appeared as a teacher in the three traditions of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. In the celestial Purple Mansion (Zifu), he oversees rectification and inspection; his nature is in perfect accord with the true principles of Dao and De. Through the alchemical process of Nine Cycles and Seven Returns (jiuzhuan qifan), he accomplished the Great Dao of the Golden Elixir (Jindan). Like a jeweled ferryboat, he refines the Primordial Golden Elixir and comprehends the true meaning of the Dharma without attachment. His vast merits manifest in both celestial and human realms; he holds the Lingbao talismanic decrees of Jade Clarity (Yuqing) and executes the celestial court’s edicts to universally deliver those with karmic affinity. Whether beings trapped in the Six Paths of Rebirth or supplicants across the Three Realms and Ten Directions, all receive his compassionate protection. Ultimately, he attained the fruit of perfect realization, becoming the formless, compassionate Patriarch, enfeoffed as the Heavenly Physician Supreme General and Jade Clarity’s Inner Minister (Yuqing Neixiang).

This passage documents several important deities from the Daoist celestial pantheon. The "Perfected of Numinous Treasure" selected by the "Golden Portal" (the celestial palace) expounds the Daoist teachings to admonish and enlighten humanity. "Sovereign Lord Fu You" (namely Lü Dongbin, one of the Daoist Eight Immortals) is propagating the profound "Way of Three and Five" (referring to the cultivation system of the Three Powers [Heaven-Earth-Human] and Five Phases). The "True Lord of Primordial Qi (Yiqi)" extensively delivers sentient beings, verifying the Daoist methods. The "Perfected of Nine Brahma Talismans and Registers (Fulu)" (the immortal governing talismans and ritual registers) and the "Celestial Worthy Who Prospers the Great Dao" work together to promote the orthodox path. The final mention of the "Buddha of Unfettered Enlightenment" reflects Daoism's characteristic absorption of Buddhist elements, referring to an awakened one who has attained great liberation and comprehends Buddhist teachings. These honorific titles demonstrate the Daoist concept under the "Three Pure Ones (Sanqing) and Four Sovereigns" celestial system, where different deities perform distinct roles in saving and delivering humanity.