The “Lingzhi Culture” was greatly influenced by Taoism, the native religion in China. Taoism believes that living is most important and that human beings can be immortal by following the regimens and taking a certain magical herbs. Bao Pu Zi written by Ge Hong presented the theory suggesting that a person could learn to become immortal. It even included stories of such occurrences by taking Lingzhi.

The ancient Taoist theory considered Lingzhi as the best among the catholicons, and by consuming Lingzhi, one would never grow old or die. Donc, Lingzhi acquired the names, such as shenzhi (heavenly herb) and Xiancao (magic grass), and became mystified. In the book of Ten Continents in the World, Lingzhi grew everywhere in the fairy land. Gods fed on it to gain immortality. In the Jin Dynasty, Wang Jia’s Picking Up the Lost and in the Tan Dynasty, Dai Fu’s The Vast Oddities, 12,000 varieties of Lingzhi were said to be cultivated on acres of land in Mt. Kunlun by the gods. Ge Hong, in his Legend of the Gods, the beautiful goddess, Magu, pursued Taoism at Mt. Guyu and lived on the Panlai Isle. She brewed the Lingzhi wine specifically for the Queen’s birthday. This picture of Magu holding the wine, a child raising a birthday peach-shaped cake, an old man with a cup and a crane with Lingzhi in its mouth has become a popular folk art for birthday celebration with the wishes of fortune and longevity (figue. 1-3).

Most of the famous Taoists in history, including Ge Hong, Lu Xiu-Jing, Tao Hong-Jing and Sun Si-Miao, saw the importance of Lingzhi studies. They influenced greatly in promoting the Lingzhi culture in China. In pursuing immortality, the Taoists enriched the knowledge on the herb and led to the evolution of the Taoist medical practice, which emphasize health and well-being.

For their philosophy as well as a lack of scientific knowledge, the Taoists’ understanding of Lingzhi was not only limited but also mostly superstitious. The term, “zhi,” used by them referred to many other kinds of fungi. It even included the mythical and imaginary herb. The religious connection was criticized by the medical profession in China and impeded the progress of Lingzhi’s applications and true understanding.

Références

Lin ZB (ed) (2009) Lingzhi from mystery to science, 1st ed. Presse médicale de l'Université de Pékin, Beijing, pp 4-6