Essential Formulas of the Golden Elixir

The 1-volumed Essential Formulas of the Golden Elixir ( 《金丹要訣》 Jindan Yaojue ) was written by Wu Shouyang of Ming Dynasty. It contains Principles of the Golden Elixir ( 《金丹大旨》 Jindan Dazhi ), Correspondence of the Anterior-heaven with the Post-heaven ( 《先天契後天說》 Xiantian Qi Houtian Shuo ), True Formula for Controlling Mortal Lead and Silver ( 制凡銀凡铅真訣 Zhi Fanyin Fanqian Zhenjue ), True Formula for Controlling Mortal Cinnabar and Mercury ( 制凡砂凡汞下手真訣 Zhi Fanyin Fangong Xianshou Zhenjue ), On Laying Foundation ( 築基說 Zhuji Shuo ), True Formula for Unifying Dead Cinnabar with Living Cinnabar ( 死砂接生砂真訣 Sisha Jie Shengsha Zhenjue ), On Nourishing the Mother ( 補母說 Bummu Shuo ). The book holds that only by combing inner and outer alchemy can one achieve immortality. Inner elixir forms the pure Yin body and outer elixir the pure Yang breath. With the two combined, one can become a heavenly immortal or a Golden Immortal of the Great Overarching Heaven ( 大羅金仙 Daluo Jinxian ). The book is collected in Section 6, Volume Bi of the Selections from the Daoist Canon ( 《道藏輯要》 Daozang Jiyao ).