Library

From this point onward, the following seven chapters differ significantly in textual meaning from the preceding ones, leading to suspicion that they were written by a different hand. This particular chapter is especially superficial and crude, often employing obscure phrasing to feign an archaic simplicity. Here, I specifically extract those passages that possess some coherence, compiling them briefly into one section merely to preserve the title; it is not worth extensive reading.

Huangdi (Yellow Emperor) sat in the Mingtang (the palace for promulgating government policies), summoned Leigong, and asked him, saying: "Do you understand the principles of medicine?" Leigong replied: "I have recited and can roughly comprehend, comprehended but cannot distinguish subtleties, distinguished but cannot clarify profoundly, clarified but cannot manifest fully. This knowledge is sufficient to govern officials, but insufficient for feudal lords. (Meaning what I know and understand only grasps the rules and numbers, yet fails to deeply exhaust the subtle applications.) I wish to receive the measure of Heaven, integrate it with the Yin and Yang of the four seasons, distinguish the stars and the light of the sun and moon, thereby illuminating the classic medical arts so that future generations may understand better. (...Note: Meaning he desires the Emperor to indicate the Way of Heaven to resolve the confusion of later people.)" Huangdi said: "Good! Do not lose it. These are all matters of mutual transmission and correspondence among Yin and Yang, exterior and interior, above and below, and male and female. By knowing astronomy above, geography below, and human affairs in the middle, one can endure long, teach the common people, and avoid doubt or danger." ... Leigong said: "Please let me receive the Dao and understand it through recitation." Huangdi said: "Have you not heard of the *Zhuan* on Yin and Yang? ('Zhuan' refers to ancient commentaries or biographies.)" Leigong said: "I do not know." Huangdi said: "The Three Yang channels take Heaven as their function. (Note: The Three Yang channels in the human body share Qi with Heaven, hence 'Heaven as function'.) They move up and down without constancy; when two Yangs combine and pathogenic factors arrive, they disproportionately harm Yin and Yang. (Note: Yang Qi is prone to movement, hence no constancy. When Yang combines with Yang, it becomes excessive and harmful.)" Leigong said: "The momentum of the Three Yang is irresistible; please hear its explanation. (Note: When the Three Yang combine, their momentum is unstoppable; what is the explanation?)" Huangdi said: "When the Three Yang arrive alone, it means the Three Yang arrive together. Their arrival is like wind and rain [violent]. Ascending, it causes diseases of the vertex; descending, it causes leakage diseases. (...Note: The Three Yang refer to the three Yang channels of the hands and the three Yang channels of the feet. In human meridians, hands and feet each have three Yin and three Yang. If the Three Yang arrive alone, there is pure Yang without Yin. 'Arriving alone' implies 'arriving together', which is most violent and severe. Thus, ascending leads to diseases of the crown, and descending leads to diseases of fecal and urinary incontinence.] The Three Yang are Supreme Yang. (Note: When combined, they reach extreme abundance.) Accumulation and combination lead to fright; the disease arises like a sudden gale, urgent as a whetstone, blocking all nine orifices. Yang Qi surges excessively, obstructing the throat and pharynx; (This indicates extreme heat and fire.) If it merges with Yin, it moves up and down without constancy, pressing upon the Zang organs causing intestinal lesions. (...Yin refers to the Zang organs. However, when Yang pathogenic factors press upon the Zang to cause disease, it also presents as diagnoses without fixed location. If the disease manifests in the lower part, it involves frequent urination and red/white dysentery.)" Leigong said: "I cannot clearly distinguish Yang, nor can I logically organize Yin. Please rise and accept the explanation, regarding it as the Supreme Dao."