Baopuzi (Master Embracing Simplicity), a famous Chinese ancient book written
by the Taoism master Ge Hong in the Jin Dynasty (265-420), consists of
Baopuzi Neipian (inner chapters) and Baopuzi Waipian (outer
chapters). It was regarded as the Taoism Canon.
The Baopuzi Neipian mainly describes
the prescriptions of supernatural being, apparition change of ghosts, health
preservation and secrets of longevity, and avoidance of disasters and cure of
disease. These contents belong to the Taoist school, and they can be concretely
concluded as follows: elaborate the noumenon of universe, demonstrate the
existence of supernatural being, describe the manufacturing method and
application of wonder drugs and pills of immortality, discuss the study and
applications of various arts of necromancy, astrology and medicine, etc., list
the bibliographies of Taoist canons, and illuminate the universality for common
people to cultivate vital energy.
Baopuzi Waipian is mainly about social affairs, which belongs to the scope of
Confucianism. Moreover, this book also testifies the author's development of his
thoughts from the Confucianism to Taoism. Its concrete contents can be concluded
as follows: discuss the gain and loss of current affairs, sneer the
common customs, explain the method to rule common people; appraise occurrences
in human life, advocate self-denying and waiting for the right moment to
demonstrate one's ability; persuade king to appoint able people, love people,
restrain desires and fully come into power; discuss the importance of talented
people, moral self-cultivation and writing books.
In a word, Baopuzi integrates the
metaphysics, Taoist theology, arts of necromancy (astrology and medicine, etc.),
pills of immortality, ancient cooking vessels of pills, magic figures or
incantations, Confucianism and immortality into a whole system. As a result, it
establishes the theoretical system of Taoist supernatural
being.