Library

Mr. Haoran said: A physician treating a disease effectively is like an archer hitting the target. If an arrow does not enter the range (gou), even with the skill of Yi (Houyi), it cannot hit the target as precisely as a tree; if a physician does not master the essentials of medicine (entering the gou), even divine physicians like Huangdi and Qibo cannot achieve the swift effect of instantaneous recovery. The concept of "gou" has been around for a long time.

I am not proficient in medicine, but I have always loved reading medical books. Books that are incomplete and omit details seem simple, but their principles are not clear, leaving people exploring without finding a destination—how can this be considered understanding? Books that pile up rhetoric seem clear, but the text may be redundant, leading people to wander aimlessly without being able to question thoroughly—how can this be called simple? Both types are subject to criticism; even if there are enough books to fill a house and exhaust oxen, they differ greatly from actual medical practice. The only complete work is likely Sun Taishi's collection.

Looking back to my earlier years, I had heard of a famous physician named Taishi in Huzhou (Hulin), but we had not met. In the Renxu year, which was the year after I resigned from office, Taishi frequently visited me in Pingyuan because his patients lived near the provincial capital, and I finally had the chance to talk with him. When discussing Confucian classics, he made original contributions to the Classics, Histories, Masters, and Collections. When explaining Buddhist scriptures, regarding sutras such as the *Shurangama Sutra* and the *Lotus Sutra*, he cited passages at length, speaking fluently as if pouring out items from a bag. I could not help but sigh in admiration, saying, "Alas! Is Master Sun merely a good physician? He is a physician who is also a Confucian scholar, and a physician who is also a Buddhist."

When I stayed in the capital, the number of interactions with scholars and officials increased daily, and his reputation grew higher. In treating diseases, small trials yielded small effects, and large trials yielded great effects. It was like drawing water from a river or striking fire from flint; every inquiry received a response. The *Book of Songs* says: "Hit that small target, kill that large rhinoceros." This refers to hitting the mark. Similarly, Master Taishi's treatment of diseases generally followed this pattern.

Living in Yanguan for six or seven years, he saved thousands of lives. The townspeople, fearing illness, prayed to him devoutly like praying to Gengsang Chu. Suddenly, one day, he changed his mind and decided to return home, telling others, "I will hide my tracks to worship Buddha, planning for lotus flowers in the Western Pure Land in my next life." Retreating bravely from the current, friends tried to comfort and stop him, but he would not stay. He built a residence under the Jincheng Pavilion and Garden, and I inscribed the name of his study as "Resting Place for Preserving True Nature."

Two years later, he returned, holding a book and showing it to me, saying, "This is a volume I compiled by exhausting my spirit seeking medical knowledge, wearing down pens and breaking inkstones, privately capturing a glimpse of the leopard through a tube. I am now going to have it printed by the engraver and wish you would bestow a fine title upon it, hoping it will become immortal. Please accept my request despite my lack of talent." I declined due to my own inadequacy but eventually accepted and completed the review.

Volume One discusses sixteen key points of medicine. Volume Two discusses various syndromes caused by the transformation of the Six Excesses (Liu Yin). Although the words are brief, its profound understanding of treating symptoms and strengthening the root is as clear as eyebrows before one's eyes. Volume Three discusses diseases caused by the Seven Emotions and Nine Qi. Volume Four discusses deficiency of Qi and Blood. Although the phrases are short, its true interpretation of Ying (Nutritive) Wei (Defensive) and Couli (interstices) is as clear as looking at one's palm. From Volume Five to Volume Eight, it discusses various ailments of the head, face, ears, eyes, mouth, and nose, and compiles works on pediatrics, gynecology, and surgery. All are concise and not verbose. However, regarding ancient and modern texts for saving the world, it extracts mysteries and selects profound truths, shining like candlelight and counting accurately like tortoise shell divination. It is like washing away sand and mud to pick up precious jade, making Bian He gaze intently; it is like selecting thoroughbreds from inferior horses, making Sun Yang glance admiringly. It covers both major and minor aspects, encompassing beginning and end. The skilled artisan has indeed worked hard with great care. This is truly a book within the "gou," the most clear and the most simple. Therefore, I casually titled it *Jianming Yigou* (Concise Medical Bow Range). Taishi agreed repeatedly, clapping his hands in great joy!

Considering its origin, Taishi penetrates Zen principles. The thousands of volumes of the *Tripitaka* ultimately do not depart from the Bodhi Mind of Anuttara Samyak Sambodhi (Supreme Perfect Enlightenment). Perhaps he has slightly breached the fence of the World-Honored One (Buddha). Taishi is also proficient in Confucianism and Daoism. The three hundred poems of the *Mao Shi* are summarized in one phrase; the teachings of the *Qu Li* are passed down from generation to generation. Even for urban elites, these treasures within the heart are indispensable and should be treasured by everyone for generations. Moreover, the Imperial Medical Bureau will purchase this book. How can books that omit details and pile up rhetoric, filling houses and exhausting oxen, compare to it?

There is another point: Taishi's grandfather, Mr. Luochun, and his father, Mr. Guiyan, rose to prominence as Confucian physicians over generations. The source of the water and the root of the tree have their origins. Furthermore, he has three sons who practice this art everywhere. Unfortunately, his youngest brother, Taiyu, had a reputation in the Academy but could not live to an old age, yet he is still considered a difficult-to-match sibling. Thus, the publication of Taishi's *Yigou* can be called worthy of Qu Zhong, can be called continuing beauty, can be called inheriting the past, and can be called opening the future.

Furthermore, Mr Kuafu Zhong, who became a student of the Imperial Academy early on and received rations, has a virtuous wife, both inclined towards Buddhism. Upon their deaths, there were many unusual phenomena, and those knowledgeable consider them to have attained the Way and transformed. As for Taishi's filial piety and fraternal duty, his noble deeds are well-known and widely praised. He previously printed and distributed several volumes of the *Pure Land Three Sutras*, *Mahayana Precious Treasures*, and *Finger Points on Buddhist Dharma* to the world. This is a pure karma of self-deliverance and delivering others, which is particularly outstanding!

Written by Shen Hongyu, Mr. Haoran of Haishang, at the Haoran Tower, on the bright days following the first day of the twelfth lunar month in the second Jisi year of the Chongzhen Era.