Longmen-Wu Liu Transmission History - Essential Nature Secret Law Complete Book
《性命法诀全书》- Xingming Fajue Quanshu
Compiled by Zhao Bichen (趙避塵) [1860-1942]
(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)
Author’s Note: Out of respect for Grandmaster Zhao Bichen, his great grandson – Master Zhao Ming Wang - the Zhao Family of Beijing, and the ‘Zhao Gate’ (which the Zhao Family maintains, supports and perpetuates), I have translated a short extract from a page of Master Zhao Bichen’s text entitled ‘Essential Nature Secret Law Complete Book’. I acquired this text from a Qianfeng Daoist disciple in Beijing (which I believe was carefully copy-typed by hand from the original book). Where possible, I have checked other available (and related) Chinese language texts to verify and confirm various points of geography, names, processes and conventions. I have treated this work as an act of respectful meditation and taken extra care in the translation work. Master Zhao Bichen is quoting ancient texts (either conveyed to him in verbal or written form from his teachers), and often uses traditional characters and the occasional concept not altogether clear (even if the characters can be ‘read’). Although four men are referred to in this text as ‘Generation Ancestral Masters’, in fact with Master Zhang Jingxu being included, this means that there are ‘five’ Generation Ancestral Masters, with Master Zhang Jingxu being the ‘5th Generation Ancestral Master’ of the Longmen-Wu Liu tradition. There is talk of a ‘way fee’, or ‘Dao fee’ (道费 – Dao Fei) in this text in relation to Masters Zhang Jingxu, Li Xuan and Cai Huanyang – to be paid in 5 or 6 silver taels. This might be a straightforward matter of money for impoverished Daoist ascetics to live on, or it might carry a metaphorical meaning referring to ‘hidden’ processes of advanced nei dan training. It could well be ‘coded’ language referring to both interpretations. One discrepancy in the Chinese language text is that of the name of Old Master Kun Yun (壸云) which is written as ‘壶云’ or ‘Hu Yun’. This might be an alternative spelling (壶Hu for 壸Kun) or it might be a copying error. Whatever the case, I have used the more complete character of ‘壸Kun’ in the translation of the name (which agrees with this name in other texts). Whereas ‘壶Hu’ refers to a ‘vase’ (or ‘pot’). ‘壸Kun’ translates as a ‘corridor in a palace’ – with ‘云Yun’ referring to ‘cloud’ or to ‘speak’, etc. If it is a copying error, it probably occurred with the transmission of the text from the book into digital format. The ‘Dragon Gate’ (Longmen) is a branch of the earlier ‘Complete Reality’ (Quanzhen) School, with the ‘Wu Liu’ School being a distinct aspect of the ‘Dragon Gate’ tradition. Today, the Wu Liu tradition is preserved (and fulfilled) within the Qianfeng School developed by Grandmaster Zhao Bichen.
ACW (21.10.2018)
ACW (21.10.2018)
The 6th Generation Ancestral Master was Li Xuan (李虚庵) – a Confucian scholar associated with the ‘Horse Spirit Temple’ (马神庙 – Ma Shen Miao) – situated in the Liu-an State area of Lujiang County, Anhui province (this was also the place of his family ancestry). In the ‘Ji Mao’ (己卯) year (1579CE) of the reign of Emperor Wanli (万历), Li Xuan met Master Zhang Jingxu (张静虚) – who was famous for meditating whilst sat on a tiger-skin – and received the full (hidden) and complete Daoist transmission of the ‘Essential Life, Mind-Body’ (性命双修– Xing Ming Shuang Xiu) methodology from him. Around the ‘Ren Wu’ (壬午) year (1582CE), Master Zhang visited Li Xuan (at his family home) and requested a support-fee for pursuing the Dao (5 or 6 silver taels) – but at that time Li Xuan could not raise the requested amount. Later, during the ‘Ding Hai’ (丁亥) year (1587CE) of the reign of Emperor Wanli, Li Xuan was politely invited to stay at the home of Cao Huanyang (曹还阳) – who lived in the Wuyang area of Nanchang County (Jiangxi province). Master Cao and his second brother, together with three friends had all donated silver for Li Xuan but there was still not quite enough to meet the requirements of the support-fee. Then, Cao Huanyang and two of his friends (who were virtuous and accomplished Daoists), were able to raise 30 silver taels to offer as the support-fee (and subsequently ensured a great breakthrough and the attainment of Immortality).
The 7th Generation Ancestral Master was Cao Huanyang (曹还阳) whose ancestral home was the Wuyang area of Nanchang County (Jiangxi province). Cao Huanyang was well-known for his strength and purity of character, and firm upholding of the Daoist tradition. The strength of his purity empowered and enriched all those who encountered him. This is why Master Li Xuan transmitted the full (hidden) and complete Daoist Law to Cai Huanyang in 1587CE. After staying in his home for several years engaged in the practice of Daoist self-cultivation, he was visited by the Nanchang County Magistrate who requested transmission. Master Cao knew that this Official was corrupt and refused to transmit the Daoist lineage to him. The Magistrate became angry and after shouting had Cai Huanyang arrested on the false charge of ‘being in debt’ and had him imprisoned. (This temporarily put a stop to the spread of this Daoist lineage). Cai Huanyang was only freed when the Magistrate died. After leaving the prison he passed on the Daoist lineage to Master Wu (伍) – the 8th Generation Ancestral Master of the ‘Dragon Gate’ (龙门 – Long Men) lineage.
The 8th Generation Ancestral Master was Wu Shouyang (伍守阳) – also known as ‘Wu Shouxu’ (伍守虚). His ancestral home was Bixie (辟邪) Village in Nanchang County in Jiangxi province. He was a Confucian scholar with an interest in Ch’an Buddhism. Wu Shouyang first encountered and studied with Cao Huanyang in the ‘Gui Si’ (癸巳) year (1593CE) of the reign of the Emperor Wanli but did not inherit the full (hidden) and complete Daoist transmission until the ‘Ren Zi’ (壬子) year (1612CE) of the reign of the Emperor Wanli. During the intervening 20 years, Wu Shouyang sought the true teachings from over a dozen teachers all of whom turned-out to be either false or possess incomplete knowledge. He was exploited and taken advantage of by some of these so-called ‘teachers’ who took his money and stole his land. This situation reduced Wu Shouyang to a state of utter poverty, which allowed him to dedicate his entire life to Daoist practice with no distractions. This was when he met Cao Huanyang again, who was so impressed with his purity of mind (and body) and dedication to the Daoist path, that he transmitted the full (hidden) and complete Daoist lineage to him. Wu Shouyang became a greatly renowned Daoist practitioner who is considered the author of the following important Ming Dynasty Daoist self-cultivation books: 1) ‘Divine-Sky Immortal Correct Principle’ (天仙证理 – Tian Xian Zheng Li), and 2) ‘Immortal Buddha Integrated Lineage’ (仙佛合宗 – Xian Fu He Zong), which are now very famous in the world.
The 9th Generation Ancestral Master was Liu Huayang (柳华阳). He was from a township in ‘Hongdu’ (洪都) – the old name for Nanchang County. He was at first a Confucian scholar but gave-up this path and began the study of Buddhism to gain enlightenment, and entered the ‘Twin Lotus Temple’ (双莲寺 – Shuang Lian Si) situated in Wan Shui (皖水) (he had been interested in Ch’an Buddhism since a young child). As he got older he realised that his understanding of reality was incomplete and he gave-up the life of a Buddhist monk. He re-entered the world and dedicated himself to studying the Daoist teaching of ‘Essential Life Mind-Body’ (性命双修 – Xing Ming Shuang Xiu) self-cultivation - vowing to seek-out a true Daoist master. He understood that although he had cultivated a clear and all-embracing mind – he still needed to work on building the health and strength of his body. After reading all the Daoist texts he could find (he would study late into the evening - until 2am each morning - before bowing to the ground five times to express his sincerity), Liu Huayang was fortunate enough to meet the 8th Generation Ancestral Master Wu Shouyang – a Daoist master of the ‘Dragon Gate’ tradition – who transmitted to him the full (hidden) and complete Daoist lineage – granting him the name of ‘Grand Elder’ (太长 – Tai Zhang). He also met Old Master Kun Yun (壸云) who opened his (qi) energy channels and sealed all leakages (of essential nature). Before leaving – Master Liu Huayang stated:
The 7th Generation Ancestral Master was Cao Huanyang (曹还阳) whose ancestral home was the Wuyang area of Nanchang County (Jiangxi province). Cao Huanyang was well-known for his strength and purity of character, and firm upholding of the Daoist tradition. The strength of his purity empowered and enriched all those who encountered him. This is why Master Li Xuan transmitted the full (hidden) and complete Daoist Law to Cai Huanyang in 1587CE. After staying in his home for several years engaged in the practice of Daoist self-cultivation, he was visited by the Nanchang County Magistrate who requested transmission. Master Cao knew that this Official was corrupt and refused to transmit the Daoist lineage to him. The Magistrate became angry and after shouting had Cai Huanyang arrested on the false charge of ‘being in debt’ and had him imprisoned. (This temporarily put a stop to the spread of this Daoist lineage). Cai Huanyang was only freed when the Magistrate died. After leaving the prison he passed on the Daoist lineage to Master Wu (伍) – the 8th Generation Ancestral Master of the ‘Dragon Gate’ (龙门 – Long Men) lineage.
The 8th Generation Ancestral Master was Wu Shouyang (伍守阳) – also known as ‘Wu Shouxu’ (伍守虚). His ancestral home was Bixie (辟邪) Village in Nanchang County in Jiangxi province. He was a Confucian scholar with an interest in Ch’an Buddhism. Wu Shouyang first encountered and studied with Cao Huanyang in the ‘Gui Si’ (癸巳) year (1593CE) of the reign of the Emperor Wanli but did not inherit the full (hidden) and complete Daoist transmission until the ‘Ren Zi’ (壬子) year (1612CE) of the reign of the Emperor Wanli. During the intervening 20 years, Wu Shouyang sought the true teachings from over a dozen teachers all of whom turned-out to be either false or possess incomplete knowledge. He was exploited and taken advantage of by some of these so-called ‘teachers’ who took his money and stole his land. This situation reduced Wu Shouyang to a state of utter poverty, which allowed him to dedicate his entire life to Daoist practice with no distractions. This was when he met Cao Huanyang again, who was so impressed with his purity of mind (and body) and dedication to the Daoist path, that he transmitted the full (hidden) and complete Daoist lineage to him. Wu Shouyang became a greatly renowned Daoist practitioner who is considered the author of the following important Ming Dynasty Daoist self-cultivation books: 1) ‘Divine-Sky Immortal Correct Principle’ (天仙证理 – Tian Xian Zheng Li), and 2) ‘Immortal Buddha Integrated Lineage’ (仙佛合宗 – Xian Fu He Zong), which are now very famous in the world.
The 9th Generation Ancestral Master was Liu Huayang (柳华阳). He was from a township in ‘Hongdu’ (洪都) – the old name for Nanchang County. He was at first a Confucian scholar but gave-up this path and began the study of Buddhism to gain enlightenment, and entered the ‘Twin Lotus Temple’ (双莲寺 – Shuang Lian Si) situated in Wan Shui (皖水) (he had been interested in Ch’an Buddhism since a young child). As he got older he realised that his understanding of reality was incomplete and he gave-up the life of a Buddhist monk. He re-entered the world and dedicated himself to studying the Daoist teaching of ‘Essential Life Mind-Body’ (性命双修 – Xing Ming Shuang Xiu) self-cultivation - vowing to seek-out a true Daoist master. He understood that although he had cultivated a clear and all-embracing mind – he still needed to work on building the health and strength of his body. After reading all the Daoist texts he could find (he would study late into the evening - until 2am each morning - before bowing to the ground five times to express his sincerity), Liu Huayang was fortunate enough to meet the 8th Generation Ancestral Master Wu Shouyang – a Daoist master of the ‘Dragon Gate’ tradition – who transmitted to him the full (hidden) and complete Daoist lineage – granting him the name of ‘Grand Elder’ (太长 – Tai Zhang). He also met Old Master Kun Yun (壸云) who opened his (qi) energy channels and sealed all leakages (of essential nature). Before leaving – Master Liu Huayang stated:
‘The integrated tradition of Buddhist-Daoist Mind-Body self-cultivation (as a distinct school) has nearly come to an end – as I am the last surviving master. My disciple shall preserve this school (together with my biography) and transmit it onward for the benefit of future generations. Each correct degree of training, the required discipline, the expected development and seeking disciples has been clearly explained. Your mind must be deep and broad, and your body clean and pure.’
Recorded by ‘Li Sibai’ (李思白) - also known as ‘Beautiful Jade’ (琼玉 – Qiong Yu).
Toward the end of the 4th year of the reign of Qing Dynasty Emperor Jiaqing (1799CE), during the 5th month, the Ch’an Buddhist monk named ‘Knowing Emptiness’ (了空 – Liao Kong) – also known as ‘Pure Stillness’ (清静 – Qing Jing) – received the full (hidden) and complete Longmen-Wu Liu transmission and became the 10th Generation Ancestral Master. This transmission happened on the bridge outside the main gate of the ‘Western Benevolence Temple’ (西仁寺 – Xi Ren Temple) situated in Beijing. There are many other and different names associated with this lineage, but at this time I do not know them.
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2018.
Original Chinese Language Source Text:
《性命法诀全书》
六代祖师李虚庵,安徽省六安州庐江县马神庙人也,是儒门秀士。于万历己卯年,遇师虎皮座张静虚传受性命双修全诀全法。后至壬午年,张师至李虚庵家,师助养道费银五、六两,不足养道。后至万历丁亥年,南昌县武阳里曹还阳将李师请至家内,曹家二兄与三友皆得性命真功。各友助银六两,还是不足过大关之用。曹与二友又助银三十两,而修成正果。
七代祖师曹还阳,南昌县武阳里人也。曹祖法名常然,力大家富,于明万历丁亥年得李虚庵师全诀全法。在家修数年后,有南昌县县令请求真道,曹祖因他是贪官,不传,县令大怒辞出。后将曹祖押狱,以撒手闭气法脱离狱难。至县令走后,又出世将全诀传与伍氏弟兄,为龙门第八派。
八代祖师伍守阳、伍守虚,江西省南昌县辟邪里人也。自万历癸巳年遇师曹还阳,至壬子年才得全诀全法。历二十年内,求真伪师数十位,卖田舍,破家什,苦心苦行,而得曹师真诀,著《天仙证理》、《仙佛合宗》等书行于世。后至清乾隆年,度柳华阴于禅门。
九代祖师柳华阳,洪都之乡人也。幼而好佛,因入梵宇有悟,常怀方外想。后乃投皖水之双莲寺,落发出家,才知我释门无有性命双修真诀。忽发一念,于每夕二鼓,五体投地,盟誓虔诚叩。阅及半载,幸遇龙门八代伍守虚道师,传以全诀真法,赐名太长。又遇壶云老师,开通一身关窍。临行,师嘱曰:佛教双修,今已断灭,子当续其命脉。奉师命,度了然、豁然、会然、李思白,号琼玉。
后至嘉庆四年五月,在北平前门外天桥西仁寺度了空(清静)全诀全法,为龙门第十代清字派,因是释教道名多有不知者。
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2018.
Original Chinese Language Source Text:
《性命法诀全书》
六代祖师李虚庵,安徽省六安州庐江县马神庙人也,是儒门秀士。于万历己卯年,遇师虎皮座张静虚传受性命双修全诀全法。后至壬午年,张师至李虚庵家,师助养道费银五、六两,不足养道。后至万历丁亥年,南昌县武阳里曹还阳将李师请至家内,曹家二兄与三友皆得性命真功。各友助银六两,还是不足过大关之用。曹与二友又助银三十两,而修成正果。
七代祖师曹还阳,南昌县武阳里人也。曹祖法名常然,力大家富,于明万历丁亥年得李虚庵师全诀全法。在家修数年后,有南昌县县令请求真道,曹祖因他是贪官,不传,县令大怒辞出。后将曹祖押狱,以撒手闭气法脱离狱难。至县令走后,又出世将全诀传与伍氏弟兄,为龙门第八派。
八代祖师伍守阳、伍守虚,江西省南昌县辟邪里人也。自万历癸巳年遇师曹还阳,至壬子年才得全诀全法。历二十年内,求真伪师数十位,卖田舍,破家什,苦心苦行,而得曹师真诀,著《天仙证理》、《仙佛合宗》等书行于世。后至清乾隆年,度柳华阴于禅门。
九代祖师柳华阳,洪都之乡人也。幼而好佛,因入梵宇有悟,常怀方外想。后乃投皖水之双莲寺,落发出家,才知我释门无有性命双修真诀。忽发一念,于每夕二鼓,五体投地,盟誓虔诚叩。阅及半载,幸遇龙门八代伍守虚道师,传以全诀真法,赐名太长。又遇壶云老师,开通一身关窍。临行,师嘱曰:佛教双修,今已断灭,子当续其命脉。奉师命,度了然、豁然、会然、李思白,号琼玉。
后至嘉庆四年五月,在北平前门外天桥西仁寺度了空(清静)全诀全法,为龙门第十代清字派,因是释教道名多有不知者。