Biography of Immortals

Name: Biography of Immortals
Author: Old Title Written by Liu Xiang, the Official of Han Guanglu

列仙传

by Old Title Written by Liu Xiang, the Official of Han Guanglu (旧题汉光禄大夫刘向撰)

Status: Completed
Length: 11k Words
Updated: 5y ago
Source: Fanqie

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Stats

90Reads

9.0Score

7Chapters

1Listens

52.3kReads · all time

Synopsis

"The Immortals" is China's earliest and relatively systematic work describing the deeds of ancient Han immortals. It records the names, life experiences and deeds of seventy-one immortals from Chisongzi (the master of Shennong Shiyu) to Xuansu (the immortal in the Western Han Dynasty), covering a wide epoch. The style of the biography is imitated in "Biography of Women", with biographies of immortals at the beginning, four words of praise at the end of each chapter, and general praise at the end of the chapter. "The Legend of Immortals" was not a Taoist book when it first appeared. Some people thought it was a novel about strange things, while others regarded it as a miscellaneous history. However, it was later included in "Tao Zang" (138 volumes) and became a Taoist book. Taoism pursues enlightenment and immortality, and constructs a relatively complete genealogy of immortals through enthusiastic and ecstatic imagination, and the gods and immortals appearing in "The Legend of Immortals" have become an important part of this genealogy.

Reader comments

It is not easy to read ancient classics. As for the content, benevolent people have different opinions and wise people have different opinions. There are no translations and annotations, so it is difficult for readers to find them. I wanted to translate it, but it was too difficult. I was old and had no work, so I gave it up.
20 likes3y ago
The ancient immortals are really in the human world, assimilating to the Great Dharma and practicing in the world. The essence of human beings is the immortals, and all disasters and catastrophes can be avoided by the immortals. Since ancient times, the most precious thing in the human world is the person who has become an immortal. The most precious thing is the person who cultivates immortality. The rest are ordinary people with different emotions and desires. Ordinary people live for money and die for power. They are trapped by the shackles of fame and money. They live and die in dreams because of love. All their efforts in life are just for death and they cannot take away everything they have gained through hard work in the world.
17 likes5y ago
Stay simple and return to simplicity
6 likes4y ago
If you can't recognize all the words, you should listen to the book. At least you know more than me [face covering]
5 likes2y ago
"The Legend of Immortals" is very interesting! The gods inside each have their own magical powers. For example, red pine nuts can burn themselves when put into the fire, and Ning Fengzi can rise and fall with the smoke. It is simply amazing! There is also Ma Shihuang who can cure dragon diseases, and Red General Ziyu can fly with the wind and rain. Every story is wonderful and eye-opening for me. However, I think these stories seem to be imagined by people. It would be great if there really were such gods. I also want to learn these magical powers!
3 likes2y ago
How many guides can read and understand the text?
2y ago

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