Charting Internal Alchemy: The Xiuzhen tu from Qishan

Abstract: I recently obtained a rubbing of the Complete Chart of Internal and External Fire Phasing for the Cultivation of Perfection ( Xiuzhen neiwai huohou quantu [inline-graphic 01]), sponsored by Daoists of the Qinglong guan [inline-graphic 02] (Green Dragon Monastery) located at Luban qiao [inline-graphic 03] in Qishan [inline-graphic 04] county, Shaanxi. It was commissioned by the abbot Feng Zhixuan [inline-graphic 05] in 1935 and represents a chart of internal alchemy not found elsewhere in quite this format. Based on other well-known charts, such as the Neijing tu [inline-graphic 06] (Chart of Internal Passageways;), Huohou tu [inline-graphic 07] (Chart of Fire Phasing), and Xiuzhen tu [inline-graphic 08] (Chart for the Cultivation of Perfection), it develops and integrates their various elements, making it the culmination of modern Daoist charts for the practice of internal alchemy. In recent years, it has spread among Daoist academics, however, they have failed to relate it to the Neidan koujue [inline-graphic 09] (Oral Instructions on Internal Alchemy) by Zhou Yuanjue [inline-graphic 10] who, I believe, is also its designer. This article remedies this shortcoming, presenting and interpreting its contents in detail.