中國古代內丹玄牝學說初探

Abstract

本文討論中國古代內丹玄牝學說的歷史脈絡與學說內涵，作者首先整理了中國周朝至清朝相關歷史背景以及歷代內丹家的玄牝觀。為掌握玄牝修煉關鍵術語之意象，本文從陰陽、五行、醫學等角度，針對人體、屋舍、煉丹、地理、以及本體與物理等五大類玄牝相關術語進行釋名，以了解內丹家使用這些別稱試圖表達的玄牝意涵。再者，本文就孔竅、臟腑、炁脈等身體不同層次觀點討論玄牝位置定位說，並對念頭處說與修煉層次相應之不同關說兩種玄牝無定位觀點進行闡述。最後，作者就玄牝學說「以類相補」與「以類相求」兩大原則，以及玄牝在內丹修練全過程中的角色進行說明。 整體來說，中國古代玄牝學說發展呈現由具體孔竅臟腑朝無形氣脈關穴、由定位說朝無定位說、由強調命功朝融合性功發展的三大趨勢。內丹玄牝學說的豐富內涵與原則方法，無異為追求長生久視的仙道修煉提供的理論架構與實踐可能。玄牝學說強調取先天之炁，返純陽之體，而開啟玄牝之門正是成仙的不二法門。

This paper discusses the conceptions of Xuanpin (玄牝) in the Daoist Neidan (內丹) tradition in pre-modern China. By analyzing various interpretations and annotations of the ideas of Xuanpin from the Zhou to the Qing dynasties, I would also like to explore the key importance of Xuanpin in Daoist practice. Previous studies have not thoroughly had examined the doctrines of Xuanpin; therefore, I would like to delve into the meaning, terminology and metaphor of Xuanpin in Neidan tradition. Apart from Neidan literatures, I will also look into medical and other historical texts. The Daoist theories concerning the position of Xuanpin in the body and its practice were varied in pre-modern China. Thus, I will not only explore these theories to show the different points of view from many Neidan schools, but also demonstrate its significance in the practice of Xuanpin which provides a theoretical ground and a possible way to the pursuit of immortality.