|
Introduction
The Inner Meridian Landscape
or Neijing Tu is a pictorial description of the
theory and practice of the cultivation of the inner
elixir.
The exact author is unknown
but some Taoist believe it was either hand drawn by Qiu Chuji  , the founder of the Longmen
School  or Wang Chongyang,
the founder of the Quanzhen School, while
scholars believe it should be first drawn during the Ming or Qing
dynasty when such literature and art form combining
picture, poems and enigma become popular in metaphysical
writings in China.
There are currently 3
slightly different versions of the Inner Meridian Landscape.
The most popular version is originated from the Baiyunguan
(The White Cloud Taoist
Temple) of Beijing, being publicized after sent to press in 1886 A.D. by
the Taoist Suyun.
Besides this, there is
another coloured version originally kept by the Manchurian
Qing dynasty Imperial Art Gallery. This version is
probably articles of tribute to the early Qing
emperors who honoured Taoism as a mean to pacify the Chinese
after their first taking over of China.
Finally, there is another
version titled "Inner Scenery Landscape" kept in Mt. Wudang, another
important Taoist school.
The different versions have
some words on it with similiar pronunciation but different
meaning, while the painting is almost identical.
This shows that it must have been passed on initially by word
of mouth - painting only with no words on it.
This somehow indicates the landscape has a much longer
tradition than what we can determine nowadays from known
historical record.
The Inner Meridian Landscape
symbolizes the human torso with landscape, laying out
important parts and paths of the body to cultivate the elixir:
On the right is the spine and the Governor
Vessel; the top is the head and corresponding
celestial realm. And there are poems pointing out key
points.
Please note that this
landscape marks the "main elixir" in the abdomen area which is
typical for the inner
elixir practice. However, the poems refers to
cultivating the golden
elixir in the upper field of
elixir.
Akrishi
Revised
2008/12/25 | 
