Rare 10" statue of Immortal Lu Dong Bin, Chief of the eight Immortals of Taoism For Sale

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Rare 10" statue of Immortal Lu Dong Bin, Chief of the eight Immortals of Taoism:
$80.00

Lü Dongbin is the most well-know member of the eight Taoist immortals, a group of legendary figures in Chinese mythology. He is often seen as a carefree trickster with miraculous powers. A wide variety of accounts present him as a poet, hermit, scholar, a warrior against evil, calligrapher, and of course, as an immortal. Perhaps one of Lü’s most significant contributions to Taoist tradition was the practice of inner alchemy.

Lü Dongbin is an interesting mix of historical and mythical. Historical records seem to indicate Lü Dongbin may have actually been a real person who lived during the Tang Dynasty around whom numerous myths and stories later arose. Spiritual practices and rituals surrounding Lü have not restricted to Taoist circles. He is seen by many people around the world as a healer, wonder worker, and a ‘patron saint’, so to speak, of various trades such as ink making and even prostitution. Lü Dongbin was adopted as the patriarch of Perfect Realization Taoism at the end of the twelfth century.

One of the most famous stories about Lü Dongbin is probably the one known as "The Yellow-Millet Dream." The story goes that one day Lü entered a tavern and met a Taoist adept named Zhongli Quan. Zhongli began to prepare some millet. While the meal was cooking, Lü fell asleep and dreamt that he passed the imperial examination and started his career in the capital. He continued dreaming about the rest of his life, about getting married, having children, and becoming a prime minister with great power. Then he suddenly fell into disgrace and became an outcast until he finally died alone in a snowstorm.

Lü awoke from this dream to find that the millet was still cooking. Zhongli Quan explained to him that life is just like a dream, not worth rejoicing over or grieving about. So enlightened by the experience, Lü Dongbin fell to his knees and asked that Zhongli Quan become his teacher. Many feel the story highlights that the pursuit of fame and fortune is of little consequence when seen for what it is, and that spiritual values and pursuits can bring a greater sense fulfillment when one’s life is complete.

Lü was accepted as a student of Zhongli Quan and was severely tested and was able to pass all of Zhongli’s tests. It is said that Zhongli Quan achieved his immortality and traveled on the clouds to heaven. When he did, Zhongli looked back to Lü and told him it would not be long until Lü also arose to the celestial palace of heaven. Lü Dongbin slyly responded he would not ascent to heaven until all sentient beings traveled with him.

The mythology of Lü Dongbin is that he did attained his immortality and for hundreds of years was seen around China battling demons, playing tricks on people, performing healings, assisting people in their own pursuit of enlightenment and so forth. And so, the historical man became more than a man, he became on of the immortals.

The Master of Inner Alchemy

Lü Dongbin is credited with becoming a master of "inner alchemy." Inner alchemy is a practice quite different from traditional Chinese "outer alchemy" or "laboratory alchemy". Outer alchemy involved the physical mixture and refinement of certain elements, such as cinnabar and mercury, in order to make the elixir of immortality. The historical practice of this kind of alchemy dropped off with the rise of inner alchemy of which Lü was a major proponent. The goal of inner alchemy is to create this elixir of immortality and enlightenment within the adepts own body using one’s own ying, yang, and ki. Inner alchemy involves the use of meditation and visualization in an effort to direct these forces and vital energies.

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