Cultivating Nature and Life / Compiled and Translated by Lai Chi-tim

The entire book is divided into the "Outer Cultivation Chapter" and the "Inner Cultivation Chapter," comprising forty-one chapters that systematically expound the Taoist method of "dual cultivation of nature and life." Outer cultivation emphasizes nurturing one's nature and preserving life, as well as cultivating the heart and mind in worldly affairs. Inner cultivation delves into the practice of inner alchemy, covering the refinement and formation of essence, *qi*, and spirit, and the path to forming the elixir. This book is the first systematic study and vernacular annotated translation of "Cultivating the Inner and Outer." The compiler and translator combines their experience in the practice of inner alchemy with research into historical Taoist inner alchemy literature. They deeply examine the alchemical methods, historical context, textual variations, and spirit-writing lineage of "Cultivating the Inner and Outer," with a particular focus on the relationship between the spirit-scribe Hsieh Hsien-tung and the Yuen Yuen Institute and Yu Ching Auxiliary Temple. The work portrays the interaction between spirit-writing beliefs and cultivation practices. The book includes the original text, accompanied by precise annotations, vernacular translations, and key point summaries, serving as a pioneering work that enriches the study of contemporary Hong Kong Taoist spirit-writing history and inner alchemy. ----------------------------------------------------------- Currently, there is no dedicated academic research on "Cultivating the Inner and Outer." This book is undoubtedly a pioneering work. Professor Lai not only provides a creative exploration of the history of the Yuen Yuen Institute and the Yu Ching Auxiliary Temple since the Republic of China era but also offers detailed annotations to the original text of "Cultivating the Inner and Outer," along with accurate and fluent vernacular translations that precisely interpret the inner alchemy teachings within the text. The entire book is rigorously structured, smoothly written, and intelligently interpreted. — Professor Zhang Guangbao, Department of Philosophy, Peking University The compiler and translator extensively cite Taoist classics, verifying core concepts and terminology to ensure accuracy and grounding, significantly enhancing the book's academic rigor. This work not only offers crucial insights for scholars understanding the development of contemporary Taoism in Hong Kong but also provides a reliable text for numerous disciples of Patriarch Lü's spirit-writing altars to study "Cultivating the Inner and Outer." It enables a deeper comprehension of Patriarch Lü's thoughts on spiritual cultivation and the practical methods of inner and outer cultivation, thereby contributing to the healthy inheritance and development of Taoism in Hong Kong and globally. — Liu Gusheng, Associate Dean of Research, School of Historical and Cultural Studies, Central China Normal University Full Title: Cultivating Nature and Life: Vernacular Annotated Translation of the "Inner and Outer Cultivation Chapter" from the Profound Gate Author: Lai Chi-tim ISBN: 978-988-237-404-1 Binding: Paperback Language: Traditional Chinese Pages: 440 Dimensions: 229 x 152 mm **About the Author** **Lai Chi-tim** Currently a Professor in the Department of Cultural and Religious Studies at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Executive Deputy Director of the Institute of Chinese Studies, Director of the Centre for Taoist Studies, Director of the CUHK-Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation Asia-Pacific Institute of Chinese Studies, Editor-in-Chief of the *Journal of Taoist Studies*, and Editor-in-Chief of the *Journal of the Institute of Chinese Studies*. His research areas include the history of Taoism in the Six Dynasties, Tianshi Dao scriptures, Taoist rituals, the *Daozang Jiyao* (Essentials of the Taoist Canon) of the Qing Dynasty, the *Complete Works of Patriarch Lü*, the history of local Taoism in Guangdong, and the history of the Zhengyi and Quanzhen lineages of Taoism in Hong Kong. In recent years, he has been dedicated to promoting Taoist digital databases and will release the world's first Taoist Chinese-English lexicon in June 2025. His publications include "Religious Studies and Hermeneutics: Reflections on the Establishment of Religious Studies" (2003), "Studies on Local Taoism in Guangdong: Taoist Temples, Taoist Priests, and Rituals" (2007), "History and Inheritance of Taoist Rituals in Hong Kong Temples" (2007), "Taoism in Hong Kong: Historical Origins and Modern Transformation" (2010), "Collected Inscriptions of Taoist Temples in Guangzhou Prefecture: Interpretation and Analysis" (2013), "Cultivating the Heart and Refining Nature: Vernacular Annotated Translation of Patriarch Lü's Exegesis on the Supreme Profound Merit Spiritual Marvelous True Scripture" (2017), "Understanding Taoism" (2017, revised edition 2025), "Taoism Pervades Lingnan: Chronicle of Sanyuan Palace in Guangzhou" (2019), "Daozang Jiyao: An Abstract" (2021), "Chronicles of Hong Kong Temple Inscriptions: History and Catalog" (2023), among others.