STUDY OF THE MEDICAL ELEMENTS IN TAOIST HEALING: THE USE OF TALISMANS AND INCANTATIONS1

Gai Jianmin

Taoist medicine is considered a religious medicine. As the product of the interaction between religion and science, it is not solely a specific medical system created by Taoists. They not only sought to inter- mingle their beliefs, doctrines, and ideology with traditional Chinese medicine, but also to establish a traditional Chinese medical school within Taoism.2 As a component of traditional Chinese medicine, Taoist medicine includes both science and mysticism, rational and superstitious practices.

The System of Taoist Medical Talismans and Incantations

The use of talismans and incantations is one of the most important Taoist ritual techniques. Taoist ritual techniques, also referred to as “techniques of the Tao,” ritual “techniques of the immortal,” and magic, are manifestations of Taoist religious practices. All of these practices, which aim to increase longevity, are at the core of Taoist ritual techniques. According to Taoism: The Tao is the ultimate perfection of vacuity and non-existence. Ritual techniques are a mysterious art of transformation. The Tao is formless. It helps people through the use of techniques. Human beings are natu- rally intelligent. They attain the Tao through practice. People learn the Tao, then can transform themselves at will. The essence of the Tao is concise and easy to understand. The mystery or secret of the techniques lies in the talismans, qi, and medicine.3

1 Published originally in Shijie zongjiao yanjiu, no. 4, 1992. 2 Gai Jianmin, Daojiao yixue 道教医学. Beijing: Zongjiao wenhua chubanshe, 2001, pp. 4–5. 3 Yunji qiqian, chapter 45: “Miyao juefa xushi diyi 秘要诀法·序事第一,” in the Taoist Canon. Shanghai shudian: Tianjin Ancient Books Publishing House, 1996, vol. 22, p. 317. 294 gai jianmin

The Tao and techniques are inseparable, as noted in the phrase “the Tao cannot be applied without the techniques.” Ritual techniques are one of the most important means used in the practice of the Tao. Taoist ritual techniques are numerous. Among the most important are talismans, qi, and medicine, which are called the three essential fac- tors: “The talisman is the spiritual writing of the Three Lights and the message of celestial perfection. Qi is the great union of Yin and Yang and the spirit of everything. Drugs are the gem of the five agents and the essence of Heaven and Earth. It will be enough to be expert in one of these three domains to realize what one wills.”4 People commonly believe that a talisman consists of a certain type of graphic writing and a line drawn in red or black, or made of curved strokes. It is at the same time a character and a picture. As for incantations, they are formulas chanted to a certain rhythm. Talismans and incantations can be used together or separately. Generally speaking, however, the use of Taoist talismans is linked to incantations. There are great numbers of Taoist talismans,5 which can be classified according to different cri- teria. Among Taoist talismans, there is a large proportion dedicated to medical treatment. We will briefly present them here. Among Taoist talismans, those originating from shamanistic talis- mans and used for curing people, are among the most ancient and have developed into the most systematic and coherent use. Ancient Taoist talismans were principally used in exorcism. In the Scripture of Great Peace there are many talismans made of “superimposed char- acters 复文”: “There are four parts, 95 chapters, and 2,128 char- acters in total. They are all the original text of the Scripture of Great Peace. The 362 chapters (of the current version of the Taipingjing) were

4 Idem. 5 The title and category are recorded in Sandong shenfu ji 三洞神符记, which con- tains several Taoist scriptures. In it we find “the method of three origins, eight unions, and six writings,” “the cloud seal characters” “the six writings and six characters of the body,” “the character of the talisman,” “the eight manifestations,” “the formula of the jade character,” “the character of the emperor and writing of the king,” “the celes- tial writing,” “the character of the dragon,” “the writing of the phoenix,” “the jade document and the golden book,” “the stone character,” “the white title,” “the jade writing,” “the east character,” “the jade document,” “the jade dispatch,” “the writ- ing of connecting fortune,” “the gem mussel and jade book,” “the silver document,” “the red writing,” “the real character refined by fire,” “the character of the golden pot and ink,” “the jade document,” “the purple character,” “the natural character,” “the character of the four unions,” and “the gem document and the stamen book.” See the Taoist Canon, vol. 2, p. 142; see also Yunji qiqian, chapter 7: “Erdong jingjiao bu benwen 二洞经校部·本文.”