Alchemy in India and China

by Vijaya Jayant Deshpande | 1988 | 42,318 words

Hinduism Ayurveda Rasashastra

Buy relevant books

Summary: The thesis "Alchemy in India and China" explores the comparative aspects of alchemy in these two countries, focusing on chemical and protochemical formulations while addressing why modern science developed in the West rather than in India or China. It briefly touches upon internal alchemy in China and the ritualistic tantra in India.

Source 1: exoticindiaart.com
Source 2: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Alchemy in India and China in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Warning! This document has not been proofread. However, for each page you can (and should) verify the text with the original source PDF file.

Acknowledgement

Chapter 1 - Introduction to the history of Alchemy

+ Chapter 2 - Alchemy in India

. 1. Introduction (the history of Alchemy in India)

. 2. The Philosophy of Mercury

. 3. Ayurveda and Rasayana

. 4. Alchemical Texts of the Medieval Period

. 5. Endeavours of the Medieval Alchemist

. 6. Nagarjuna and Rasaratnakara

. 7. Introduction to the Rasarnava

. 8. Introduction to the Rasarnavakalpa (11th century)

. 9. Introduction to the Rasaratnasamuccaya of Vagbhata (14th century)

+ Chapter 3 - Chinese alchemy

. 1. Introduction to Chinese alchemy

. 2. Origins of Alchemy in China and Its relation to Taoism

. 3. Yin, Yang, Qi and Five-element Theories

. 4. Wei Bo-yang and “Can-tong-gi”

. 5. Ge Hong and Bao-pu-zi

. 6. The Golden Period of Chinese Alchemy

. 7. Sun Si-miao and His Alchemy

. 8. Alchemy in Tang, Song and Ming Dynasties

+ Chapter 4 - Transmutation of Base Metals into Gold

. 1. Uniform Substrate Alloys

. 2. Surface-layer Enrichment by Addition

. 3. Surface-layer Enrichment by Withdrawal

. 4. Surface Film Formation and Tinging

. 5. Special Cases

. 6. The “Poisonous Water” or “Visodaka”

+ Chapter 5 - Transmission of Alchemical and Chemical ideas

. 1. Introduction (the Alchemical Exchange between India and China)

. 2. Buddhist Monks and their Translation Activity

. 3. Secular Studies and Panca-Vidya

. 4. Buddhist Monks and Their Interests in Alchemy

. 5. References to Indian Sciences in Chinese Texts

. 6. References to Alchemy in Ganda Vyuha Sutra

. 7. Bogar Karpam—Three hundred

. 8. Bogar Karpam and Wei Bo-yang’s Alchemy

. 9. Bogar Karpam and Ge Hong's Alchemy

. 10. Case of China Silver

+ Chapter 6 - Transmission of Alchemical and Chemical ideas (Part 2)

. 1. Introduction

. 2. Case of Naga (i.e., Dragon or Long)

. 3. Case of Mica

. 4. Case of Arsenic Sulphide or Orpiment

. 5. Case of Nao Sha, Navasara or Sal-ammoniac

. 6. Case of Sindura or Cinnabar

. 7. Case of “Ban Cha Zhuo Shui” or Visodaka

. 8. Case of Tutenag or Zinc

. 9. Case of “Crow’s Beak Gold”

+ Chapter 7 - Indian and Chinese Alchemy—Parallels

. 1. Introduction to the “Chun zhu ji wen”

. 2. Case of making treasure using mercury and a gourd

. 3. Case of an herb transmuting mercury and iron gold

. 4. Case of a metal-container becoming golden

. 5. Case of purple gold

Comments:

Comment functionality currently not enabled

Last Updated: 26 November, 2024

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website:

Donate on Patreon

Buy me a Coffee

|

Why? | More options...