Basic Cultivation

"Basic Cultivation"( 築基 Zhuji ) is a term of Inner Alchemy ( 內丹 Neidan ). According to Daoism, the cultivation of Inner Alchemy is a long process and all the steps should be taken on a good foundation. It can be compared to the building of a house. Without a solid foundation, a house would not be strong and firm. Daoist Inner Alchemists regard the Essential Matter ( 精 Jing ), the Vital Breath ( 氣 Qi ) and the Spirit ( 神 Shen ), which are called the "Three Jewels" ( 三寶 Sanbao ), as elements of the cultivation of Inner Alchemy. These three elements are complete when one is born, but are reduced with the passage of time, thus causing various diseases. "Basic Cultivation" in Inner Alchemy just aims at restoring the "Three Jewels" and curing diseases. The Elucidation of the Truth of Heavenly Immortality ( 天仙正理直論 Tianxian Zhengli Zhilun ) puts forward brilliant ideas on this subject. This book points out that the "basis" is the foundation for the cultivation of the Yang spirit, the place for pacifying the spirit and stabilizing the breath. Without this place, one will be unable to pacify his spirit, and so cultivation will be out of the question. Basic Cultivation is to foster and make up the Essential Matter and the Vital Breath. With their exuberance, the Spirit will grow full, too. To be concrete, by overcoming the interference of thoughts, the practitioner first sets the Spirit at ease in its place, makes up the Essential Matter and the Vital Breath as well as the Spirit, and only after that can he carry on other alchemical steps.

築基