五难曰∶脉有轻重,何谓也?然∶初持脉,如三菽之重,与皮毛相得者,肺部也,如六菽之重,与
血脉相得者,心部也,如九菽之重,与肌肉相得者,脾部也。如十二菽之重,与筋平者,肝部也。按
之至骨,举指来疾者,肾部也,故曰轻重也。
六难曰∶脉有阴盛阳虚,阳盛阴虚,何谓也?然∶浮之损小,沉之实大,故曰阴盛阳虚;沉之
损小,浮之实大,故曰阳盛阴虚。是阴阳虚实之意也。
七难曰∶经言少阳之至,乍大乍小,乍短乍长;阳明之至,浮大而短;太阳之至,洪大而长;
太阴之至,紧大而长;少阴之至,紧细而微;厥阴之至,沉短而敦。此六者,是平脉邪?将病脉邪?然∶
皆王脉也。
其气以何月,各王几日?然∶冬至之后,得甲子少阳王。复得甲子阳明王。复得甲子太阳王。
复得甲子太阴王。复得甲子少阴王。复得甲子厥阴王。王各六十日,六六三百六十日,以成一岁。
此三阳三阴之王时日大要也。
八难曰∶寸口脉平而死者,何谓也?然∶诸十二经脉者,皆系于生气之原。所谓生气之原者,谓
十二经之根
本也,谓肾间动气也。此五脏六腑之本,十二经脉之根。呼吸之门,三焦之原,一名守邪之神。故气者,
人之根本也,根绝则茎叶枯矣。寸口脉平而死者,生气独绝于内也。
Difficulty 5 states: "There are degrees of pressure in pulse diagnosis; what does this mean?" The response is: "When initially grasping the pulse, with a pressure equivalent to the weight of three beans, feeling it at the level of the skin and hair, this corresponds to the Lung (Fei). With a pressure equivalent to six beans, feeling it within the blood vessels, this corresponds to the Heart (Xin). With a pressure equivalent to nine beans, feeling it at the level of the muscles, this corresponds to the Spleen (Pi). With a pressure equivalent to twelve beans, pressing until the tendons, this corresponds to the Liver (Gan). Pressing deeply to the bone, where the pulse rebounds swiftly upon lifting the finger, this corresponds to the Kidney (Shen). Hence, it is referred to as degrees of pressure."
Difficulty 6 states: "There are pulses characterized by Yin excess and Yang deficiency, and Yang excess and Yin deficiency; what does this mean?" The response is: "If the pulse appears deficient and small upon superficial palpation (Fu), but solid and large upon deep palpation (Chen), this is termed Yin excess and Yang deficiency. If the pulse appears deficient and small upon deep palpation (Chen), but solid and large upon superficial palpation (Fu), this is termed Yang excess and Yin deficiency. This illustrates the principles of Yin/Yang and Deficiency/Excess."
Difficulty 7 states: "The Classics state that when the Shaoyang (Lesser Yang) pulse arrives, it fluctuates between large and small, short and long; when the Yangming (Bright Yang) pulse arrives, it is floating, large, and short; when the Taiyang (Greater Yang) pulse arrives, it is surging, large, and long; when the Taiyin (Greater Yin) pulse arrives, it is tight, large, and long; when the Shaoyin (Lesser Yin) pulse arrives, it is tight, fine, and minute; when the Jueyin (Terminal Yin) pulse arrives, it is deep, short, and robust. Are these six types normal pulses (Ping Mai) or pathological pulses (Bing Mai)? The response is: 'They are all Wang Mai (Pulses of Dominance/Seasonal Pulses).'
In which months do these Qi dominate, and for how many days each? The response is: 'After the Winter Solstice, upon encountering the first Jiazi day, Shaoyang dominates. Upon encountering the next Jiazi day, Yangming dominates. Upon encountering the next Jiazi day, Taiyang dominates. Upon encountering the next Jiazi day, Taiyin dominates. Upon encountering the next Jiazi day, Shaoyin dominates. Upon encountering the next Jiazi day, Jueyin dominates. Each dominates for sixty days. Six times sixty equals three hundred and sixty days, completing one year. This is the general principle regarding the timing of the dominance of the Three Yang and Three Yin.'"
Difficulty 8 states: "Why does a person die when the Cun Kou (Radial Artery) pulse appears peaceful and normal?" The response is: "All twelve primary meridians are connected to the Yuan Qi (Source Qi). What is meant by the Yuan Qi is the root of the twelve meridians, also known as the Moving Qi between the kidneys. This is the root of the five Zang organs and six Fu organs, the root of the twelve primary meridians, the gate of respiration, the source of the San Jiao (Triple Burner), and is also called the 'Spirit that Guards against Pathogens.' Therefore, Qi is the root of human life; if the root is severed, the stems and leaves will wither. When a person dies despite the Cun Kou pulse appearing peaceful, it is because the Yuan Qi has been exclusively severed internally."