The Arrival of Buddhism in China
Followers of Taoism and Buddhism sought a deeper understanding of chi circulation. In their search for immortality, they developed more efficient qigong exercises. This religious influence earmarked the second major period of development, occurring between 206 B.C. and 502 A.D..
The Han Dynasty was singularly peaceful. Its Buddhist emperor influenced the building of temples, research into Buddhist practices, and the spreading of religious doctrine. Consequently, many meditation and qigong techniques from India gradually entered Chinese culture.
The Han Dynasty was singularly peaceful, its emperor was Buddhist and therefore influential in the building of temples, research into Buddhist practices and the spreading of religious doctrine. As a result, many meditation and qigong techniques practiced in Buddhism that originated in India gradually made their way into Chinese culture.
Because many Buddhist practices aimed for Buddhahood, these religious qigong methods remained secret. They were taught only to reclusive Buddhist ascetics in monastic isolation.
The Evolution of Religious Taoism
Up until this era, Taoism existed essentially as a philosophy with little connection to religious beliefs. However, the arrival of Buddhism from India catalyzed a profound shift. The Taoist recluse Zhang Dao-Ling began weaving traditional Taoist principles together with Buddhist teachings. Through this synthesis, he established religious Taoism, now known as Dao Jiao.
Like other Taoists, Zhang Dao-Ling promised physical immortality through meditation and qigong. Yet, he distinguished his path by emphasizing the sacred. He integrated diverse meditation practices and principles from both Buddhist and Taoist sources. This new religious form of Taoism took hold rapidly, leaving its own lasting impact on qigong development.
The Emergence of Secular and Sacred Manuals
Beyond the religious spheres, secular scholars and medical practitioners continued their research into improving health. Around the third or fourth century A.D., a manual titled the Taiqing Zhenren Luming Jue (Methods of Longevity for Persons of Greatest Virtue) was published. This text introduced techniques focused on the visualization of cun wu shou (Five Beasts), which represented spirits of the body. By visualizing these beasts traveling through the internal organs, practitioners discovered a method for circulating and improving the flow of chi.
Two other significant manuals surfaced during this era: the Xian Dao Jing (Exposition of the Tao) and the Taiqing Daoyin Yangsheng Jing (Treatise of Great Purity on Gymnastics and Nurturing Vitality). The first manual taught techniques that emphasized fasting as a way to promote health and extend life. The second manuscript consisted of gymnastic and breathing techniques belonging to the Taoist religion and the “immortals” of antiquity, such as Chi Song and Wang Qiao.
Internal Alchemy and the Yellow Court
Dated just before 255 A.D. is the Taishang Huangting Waijing Yujing (Precious Book of the External Landscape of the Yellow Court). Considered the original text of the Huangting Jing, it describes human physiology as housing internal divinities. It also outlines internal alchemy movements achieved through specific meditation and breathing techniques.
One of the most famous physicians in Chinese medicine, Ge Hong, authored the Bao Pu Tzu (The Master Who Embraces Simplicity). In this work, he outlines Taoist alchemic methods for using the mind to guide and increase chi circulation. Later, between 420 and 581 A.D., Tao Hong-Jing described many qigong techniques in his book Yang Xing Yan Ming Lu (Records of Nourishing the Body and Extending Life). This included the popular Liu Qi Jue (Six Therapeutic Breaths), a practice that remains influential today.