The Eight Immortals of Daoism

The Eight Immortals of Taoism

Lan Caihe

Cao Guojiu (A Penitent Official)

He was known as "Royal Uncle Cao," and he had a younger brother who was known for his evil ways, and who eventually became a murderer. Due to his disgust, Cao Guo Jiu decided to give up his wealth and position, and retreat to the mountains, to live the life of a hermit and study Taoism. One day he was visited while in the mountains by Immortals Lu Dongbin and Zhongli Quan, who taught him the techniques for attaining perfection. Within a couple of days after receiving these instructions, Cao Guo Jiu himself became an Immortal.

Daoism Practices

Abigail Altrath

He Xiangu (Immortal Maid)

Li Tieguai

• Physical health is required for Daoists to find union with the Tao. They must cultivate their bodies and be healthy, taking part in Martial Arts (Tai Chi) and Diets.
• They must maintain purity by avoiding certain activities and foods. Greed, lust, pride and dishonesty are examples of things that should be avoided as well.
• Meditation is important as well. Taoists meditate to still their minds and become closer with Tao.

Li came to have a crippled leg. Lao-zi had descended from Heaven to initiate Li in the Taoist teachings. Soon after Li had attained immortality, he left his body to travel to the Mount Hua-hsan. He charged one of his pupils with the task of guarding his body in his abscence. A special

One day a spirit appeared to her in a dream when she was 14, he told her to grind a stone known as the "mother of clouds" and eat the powder. If she did that, then she would become as light as a feather and gain immortality. She did these things and also vowed to remain a virgin. Soon after, she was able to fly above the mountains, gathering fruit and berries for her mother. As for herself, she no longer had any need of nourishment. One day the emperor summoned her to his court but she disappeared along the way and became an immortal.She is the only female among the eight immortals.

Daoism

instruction to this guard was to burn his body if he did not return within 7 days. On the sixth day, however, the guard received a message that his mother was dying. To fulfill his duty as a son he had to return home to her, but he also had to guard Li's body. They burned the body and went home. On the 7th day, Li returned but found his body in ashes. He was forced to enter the body of a dead beggar, a man with a crippled leg, among other deformities. Li did not want to live that way but Lao-zi begged him to accept his fate, and gave Li a crutch to help him walk.

The Eight Immortals

• Daoism is a Chinese philosophy based on the writings of Lao-Tzu, whom advocates humility and religious piety.
• In Daoism, all things originate from the Dao and return to the Dao.
• Change is what sets in motion the coming and going of things from the Dao.
• They believe that there are eight immortals who have achieved perfect union with Tao.

The eight immortals have reached union with the Tao and have achieved immorality. They represent different strata of the Chinese society such as different social classes. They have conquered change for a little while so that they could teach fellow Daoists.