Daoism Series 3 [part 1]
一至七字詩
Poems of One [Character] to Seven Characters
by Wang Chong Yang
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The following four-word combination is present in all of the writings of the Complete Realization School of Daoism, yet one of the most elucidating and insightful versions is contained in the《Collection of Complete Realization》[quan zhen ji 全真集] composed by Wang Chong Yang [王重阳], under the title Poems of One [Character] to Seven Characters [1] [yi zhi qi zi shi一至七字诗]. Each word is elaborated on by one poem, totaling four poems for these four conditions or vices.
There are also versions where the second sentence still has one character, and the third sentence only then has two characters. Afterwards it increases in succession.
In general, these poems provide insightful and profound analyses of these Four Walls [si du qiang四堵墙] and their various harmful effects on individuals, families, and society. Not only do they demonstrate unique findings for Longevity theories, but they also reflect deep understanding for mundane life.
Below, let us see the four Poems of One [Character] to Seven Characters by Wang Chong Yang:
一、《酒》
One, Alcohol
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酒，酒。
惡唇，贜口。
性多昏，神不秀。
損敗真元，消磨眉壽。
半酣愁腑腸，大醉摧心首。
於己唯恣猖狂，對人更沒慚忸。
不如不飲永醒醒，无害无災修九九。
Alcohol, alcohol;
Evilizing the lips, defiling the mouth;
Muddle-Headedness [in] Inner Nature –frequently, brilliance in Spirit – no longer;
Injuring and damaging the True Origin, whittling away the eyebrows of longevity;
Half-intoxication – frustration and anxiety [2] , great intoxication – devastation of the Heart-Mind and head;
Towards oneself, -abandoning restraint wildly, towards others – there is [even] less shame or shyness;
it would be better not to drink and stay sober perpetually, [while] without harm [and]without disaster cultivating Nine times Nine [3].
二、《色》
Two, Lust
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色，色。
多禍，消福。
損金精，傷玉液。
摧殘氣神，敗壞仁德。
會使三田空，能令五臟惑。
亡殞一性靈明，絕盡四肢筋力。
不如不做永綿綿，无害无災長得得。
Lust, lust;
[It will cause] frequent misfortune [and] the elimination of good fortune;
Damaging the Gold Essence [4], injuring the Jade Fluid;
Destroying and spoiling Qi and Spirit, declining and ruining Benevolence and Virtue;
[It] will lead to the emptiness of the Three Fields [5] and [it] is able to cause confusion [in] the Five Zang- Organs.
[It will ] perish Dying and perishing the Divine Illumination of one’s Inner Nature, completely cut off the strength of the tendons of [one’s] four limbs.
It would be better perpetually not to engage [in it] , [while)
without harm [and] without disaster obtaining and gaining the longevity [of life].
[deepest gratitude to Allen Tsaur for his major assistance with this translation, as the main credit goes to him]
[1] It is furthermore stated that the four poems below point out the six major dangers and harms of alcohol, lust, wealth and Qi; the first is loss of virtue, the second is delaying affairs, the third is to harm friends, the fourth is to ruin the family, the fifth is to injure the body and the sixth is to damage longevity.
[2] Frustration and anxiety literally is worry about the Large Intestine Fu-Viscera [you fu chang 愁腑肠], most likely due to the Large Intestine belonging to the metal element and the corresponding emotion of Metal is grief and worry together with the Spleen.
[3] There are several interpretations of this enigma of Nine times Nine. It perhaps refers the eighty-one chapters of
the《Dao De Jing》, or it perhaps points to seeking the state of Pure Yang [chun yang 纯阳], as 9 is the utmost
and highest Yang numeral. For many Daoist schools this is exactly the highest goal of cultivation; to achieve a
state of Yang only.
[4] The Golden Essence [jin jing 金精] and Jade Fluid [yu ye玉液] are high cultivation products of one’s saliva.
[5] According to some schools the three fields of the Elixir are the Hall of Impressions [yin tang 印堂] as the upper,
The Altar’s Centre [tan zhong 坛中] as the middle and Gate of the Origin [guan yuan 关元] as the lower Elixir Field.
– there are many variations in the locations and names though. Cinnabar fields, upper, middle and lower.
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Post-Scriptum:
The full article will appear in the appendix of Purple Cloud Press’ forthcoming publication of 《The 49 Barriers of the Cultivation of the Dao》 by Xing De, a manual for refining one’s Inner Nature based on Liu Yiming’s 50 Barriers.
