29 Facts About Ge Xuan

Ge Xuan, courtesy name Xiaoxian, was a Chinese Taoist practitioner who lived during the eastern Han dynasty and Three Kingdoms periods.

Ge Xuan was the ancestor of Ge Hong and a resident of Danyang Commandery in the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period.

Ge Xuan was described by his descendant, Ge Chaofu, as the first recipient of the Lingbao sacred scriptures.

Ge Xuan is remembered as a member of the Chinese Ge family and a prominent figure in the early development of Taoism.

Ge Xuan was associated with a number of Taoist traditions.

Ge Xuan belonged to a prominent family, and was considered intelligent.

At age 16, Ge Xuan was well known north of the Yangtze River.

Ge Xuan's parents died when he was 16 years old, beginning his obsession with studying the Dao and how life works.

Ge Xuan's secluded environment allowed Ge Xuan to discipline himself mentally, spiritually, and physically.

Ge Xuan visited Lingyue Mountain, Chicheng Mountain, and Luofu Mountain.

Ge Xuan visited noteworthy people, ate Ganoderma lucidum, setose thistle, and practiced self-cultivation.

When he encountered the legendary Zuo Ci, Ge Xuan obtained mythological scriptures such as the Immortals' Book of Liquefied Gold of the Nine Elixirs.

When he received this book, Ge Xuan began fasting and followed the commandments laid down by the Ultimate.

Ge Xuan's subservience enabled him to meander through mountains and over seas, and his ling helped him conduct exorcisms and heal the sick.

Ge Xuan became a healer, offering magical potions which he hoped would confer immortality.

Many people thought that Ge Xuan was one of the casualties, but he returned a few days later and apologized for his absence.

Ge Xuan said that he had been detained by the water deity, Wu Zixu, remaining submerged by holding his breath with his mastery of embryonic breathing and his ability to manipulate wind, rain, and rivers.

Ge Xuan's descendants gave him the title of "Transcendent Duke of the Left of the Great Ultimate" because of his beliefs.

Ge Xuan remained an important figure in Daoism until the Middle Ages, receiving posthumous titles from emperors.

Ge Xuan became a master of esoterica, excelling at breathing exercises.

In later life, one of Ge Xuan's responsibilities was to entertain the emperor.

Ge Xuan prepared for his transcendence by wearing his finest clothing and lying down on his bed.

Ge Xuan reportedly compiled the Classic of Purity, in which he wrote, "The Inner Spirit of people loves purity, but the mind of people is often rebellious".

Ge Xuan wrote that desires make individuals selfish and dishonest; the mind creates illusions, which cause suffering.

Ge Xuan reportedly received texts from Zuo Yuanfang, who received them from a divine man who came to him while he was practicing purification of thought on Mount Tianzhu.

Ge Xuan passed the Book of The Nine Elixirs to his great-nephew, Ge Hong.

The Lingbao account for Ge Xuan endured in an anonymous preface written during the Six Dynasties to the Heshang Gong-annotated version of the Dao De Jing; the "Preface and Secret Instructions" are attributed to him.

Ge Xuan was recognized as the Supreme Immortal when his scripts were passed to Ge Hong.

Ge Xuan is known as "the Perfect Sovereign and Protector", in correspondence with the Dao, and the "Immortal Elder Ge of the Supreme Ultimate".