Library

The ancients said: "One who is a son must not be ignorant of medicine." This statement seems to refer specifically to one aspect of filial piety and fraternal duty. Why? Regardless of an individual's innate constitution, if the six excesses (Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness, Dryness, Fire) invade the exterior, and the seven emotions (Joy, Anger, Worry, Thought, Sorrow, Fear, Fright) damage the interior, without knowing how to regulate them, few will avoid illness and peril. As a son, can one entrust parents, uncles, brothers, wives, children, and other relatives into the hands of mediocre physicians? Therefore, one cannot but know medicine oneself. However, it is acceptable to acknowledge what one knows; but if one forces ignorance to appear as knowledge, it is better to remain ignorant. Historically, failures are often caused by those with half-baked understanding. Servile individuals or immature youths, once they侥幸ly obtain power or amass wealth, indulge in arrogance and haughtiness. They treat physicians like clerks and despise them as mere craftsmen. When a family member falls ill, they urge immediate treatment and place the responsibility for life and death entirely upon the physician. Have they not heard Bian Que say, "I can restore consciousness, but I cannot resurrect the dead"? Physicians themselves should reflect that in ancient times, medicine was divided into fourteen specialties, allowing practitioners to focus on one area with the aim of benefiting humanity. Today, however, everyone follows this trend, seeking favor and competing for fame, their ambition merely being to gain reputation and sustenance. Is this not despicable! One must understand that the origin of this art lies with the Yellow Emperor and his ministers, who, utilizing the profound principles of Fuxi's hexagrams, discussed daily the causes of diseases among the people, leaving teachings for future generations on the proper methods of treatment. Medicinal substances originated from the Yan Emperor, who personally experienced and observed the suitability of seasons, mountains, rivers, and soil, studied the properties of metals and minerals, tasted the flavors of aquatic, terrestrial, plant, and animal substances, to determine their toxicity, thermal natures (Cold, Heat, Warm, Neutral), and their uses in attacking, tonifying, moderating, or urgent treatments. It is said that each left behind written works: the Yellow Emperor's works are titled *Suwen* (Plain Questions) and *Lingshu* (Spiritual Pivot); the Yan Emperor's work is titled *Bencao* (Materia Medica). Since Wang Bing's commentary on *Suwen*, dozens of subsequent commentators have emerged. Beyond Tao Hongjing's *Bie Lu* (Additional Records) on *Bencao*, the volumes produced through the dynasties are too numerous to count. Unfortunately, contemporary physicians prefer to stay within worldly paths, attending to official duties in the morning and waiting on gentry in the evening, merely responding to local demands. Fearing displeasure from even one person, which could lead to endless slander and disaster, they bow and scrape day and night, neglecting sleep and food. How could they have spare energy to diligently study classics? Consequently, with such vast volumes, even compilations by Li Shizhen and Zhang Jiebin cause one to retreat in awe. How could one think that this statement refers only to filial piety? Touching one's heart in confusion, one must seek comprehensive understanding, extending love from kin to all people. I have long suffered from old age and laziness; since the Bingzi year, I have become a retired monk, never speaking of this profession again. One day, I accidentally recalled the books edited by Mr. Li Nian'e from Yunjian. Among them, *Jing Nei Zhi Yao* (Essentials of the Inner Canon) seemed closer to the needs of common people than my own earlier compilation, *Yi Jing Yuan Zhi*. Because it consists of only two volumes, it is extremely simple and essential, convenient for contemporary physicians to supplement their knowledge. Those who study diligently under lamplight can find some guidelines in their minds. Inquiring with booksellers, they all claimed its printing blocks had been lost for a long time, thus urging me to republish it. Regrettably, while books can be re-read and principles gradually clarified, the medicinal materials available now are like those in a cage, none of which are from the authentic ancient production areas or harvested at the proper time. Is medicine easy to know and easy to practice? Yet, it is indispensable to know.

Written in the summer of Jiashen year of the Qianlong reign by Niuniu Laoxiu Xue Xue, aged eighty-four.