Tiān yǐn zǐ 天隱子

Master of Heavenly Concealment

by 司馬承禎 (Sīmǎ Chéngzhēn, 647–735) — Twelfth Shàng qīng patriarch

A short Táng Daoist meditative treatise in eight sections, expounding a graduated ascent of meditative practice: 齋戒 zhāi jiè (fasting and precepts), 安處 ān chǔ (settled abode), 存想 cún xiǎng (visualization), 坐忘 zuò wàng (“sit-and-forget”), 神解 shén jiě (spiritual release). Traditionally attributed to Sīmǎ Chéngzhēn and closely paralleling his KR5d0059 Zuò wàng lùn. Preserved as DZ 1026 / CT 1026 (Tài xuán bù 太玄部).

Dating. Within Sīmǎ Chéngzhēn’s active life (c. 700–735). Dynasty: 唐.

Translations and research

  • Kohn, Livia. Seven Steps to the Tao: Sima Chengzhen’s Zuowanglun. Nettetal: Steyler, 1987. Paralleling treatment.