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Quanzhen School

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The Quanzhen (全真,literally: "Complete Perfection") School, commonly called Complete Reality in English, is a major sect of Taoism that originated in Northern China. It was founded by the Taoist priest Wang Chongyang in the 12th century, during the rise of the Jin Dynasty. When the Mongols invaded the Northern Chinese (Song Dynasty) in 1254, the Quanzhen Taoists were among those who exerted great effort in keeping the peace, thus saving thousands of lives, particularly those of Han Chinese descent. This branch of Taoism is also mentioned frequently in Jinyong's popular wuxia novels, including the Condor Trilogy.

Foundation Principles

The meaning of Quanzhen can be translated literally to "All True" and for this reason, it is often called the "All Trueth Religion" or the "Way of Completeness and Truth." In some texts, it is also referred to as the "Way of Complete Perfection."

With strong Taoist roots, the Quanzhen School specializes in the process of "alchemy within the body" or Neidan (internal alchemy), as opposed to Waidan (external alchemy which experiments with the ingestion of herbs and minerals, etc). The Waidan tradition has been largely replaced by Neidan, as Waidan was a sometimes dangerous and lethal pursuit. Quanzhen focuses on internal cultivation of the person which is consistent with the pervading Taoist belief of Wu Wei, which is essentially "action through inaction."

Like most Taoists, Quanzhen priests were particularly concerned with longevity and immortality through alchemy, harmonising oneself with the Tao, studying the Five Elements, and ideas on balance consistent with Yin-Yang theory.

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