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Daoist
Natural Sciences - Daoist Chemistry
Origins:
Daoist alchemy is the predecessor of modern chemistry. Daoist
alchemists attempted to use natural minerals and plants to
produce a drug of immortality by chemical processing. They
thought that they could achieve immortality by taking such
drugs. Although they never realized their purpose, their observations,
chemical experiments, achievements, and their instruments,
equipment and methods laid a foundation for the birth of modern
chemistry. So Daoist alchemy can also be called Daoist chemistry.
Development:
Daoist alchemy originated in the Daoist Elixir Cauldron sect.
Li Shaojun of the Western Han dynasty refined gold with cinnabar.
Liu An, the king of Huainan, once recruited magicians to refine
elixirs. He himself also engaged in the practise. When organized
Daoism was founded in the Eastern Han dynasty, Daoist alchemy
was enriched. During the Jin and Southern and Northern dynasties,
Daoist alchemy became mature in its smelting and fire techniques,
as well as in theory and practice. Daoist alchemy entered
a period of great prosperity in the Tang dynasty. The gentry
class was engrossed with divine elixirs and golden potions
in its pursuit of longevity. The Tang emperor Taizong was
one of them.
Daoist alchemy in the Song lacked creativity. It was lengthy
and tedious, and purposely shrouded itself in mystery, so
people took it as hoax used to gain fame by deceiving the
public. Daoist alchemy showed signs of decline. Daoist alchemy
received some attention in the Ming Dynasty, when several
emperors died because of ingesting elixirs. As Daoist alchemy
could not secure longevity but benefited the corrupt and promiscuous,
it finally gave way to Inner Alchemy.
Theoretical basis:
Alchemists thought that if they ingested a substance which
would not burn in fire, would not rot in water and would not
decay in earth, they could acquire the same properties as
that substance. So their bones would become strong, and they
would achieve bodily longevity. " Becoming strong by
taking outer substances" is the theoretical basis of
Daoist alchemy.
Author:
Jiang Sheng
Translator: Chen Xia
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