夫宇宙之寥廓。莫能穷其涯际。然阴阳神鬼之运输。雨露风雷之灌溉。花卉之繁荣。日月之明晦。甚之河海渊源。
蜃楼万变极大内之幻观隐现。细之杜宇悲春。雌鸠唤雨。种种色像。各尽其致。噫。此皆一脉为之橐龠。消息于其中也。
岂吾人一身。为天地生民立心立命。担千古道脉之继。纲常礼乐之宗。超万物独钟其灵。而秉彝反异耶。故藏教云。父
母及子相感。业神入胎。地水火风。众缘和合。渐得长生。从一七至五七日。生五脏上下气。通身前身后。左右二边。
各
生脉五十条。一身之中。共、八百吸气之脉。至是皆具。通诸出入息气。盖此身与造化同流。左肾属水。右为命门属火。
阳生于子。火实藏之。所以三焦正与膀胱相对。有二白脉自中出夹脊而上。贯于脑。过重楼通之左右手。呼吸之有浮沉
迟数。可占其休咎生死疾患。莫得秘藏。是太素之所以有七珍九候。析五行之微。辨八节之候。何其明且备也。虽然。
呼吸即阴阳运输也。津液即雨露灌溉也。光泽即花木荣繁也。耳目即日月明晦也。及至出圣入贤。驰王骤帝。纬地经天。
若大功业。莫不从此精神酝酿之也。先儒云。人身一小天地。信哉。余读张山人脉诀。知其得先天之正。抉石室之珍。
穷及性命微言。终始造化妙绪。其资与生人养命之道。功岂浅鲜。因附剞劂以共海内。特书此以志其大云。
豫章云林龚廷贤撰
The universe is vast and boundless, its limits cannot be fully explored. Yet, the transformation of Yin and Yang, spirits, and ghosts; the irrigation of rain, dew, wind, and thunder; the flourishing of flowers; the brightness and darkness of the sun and moon; even the sources of rivers and seas; the myriad changes of mirages, where great illusions within appear and disappear; down to the subtle cries of cuckoos mourning spring or female jays calling for rain—all these various forms and images reach their utmost extent. Alas! All these are driven by the "pulse" acting as a bellows (a metaphor for the power source of Qi movement), with its waxing and waning occurring within.
Is it not that our human body is established to set the mind and destiny for all beings under heaven and earth, to carry forward the lineage of the Dao since antiquity, to serve as the root of ethical codes, rites, and music? It transcends all other things, possessing unique spirituality, and stands distinct from them. Thus, the Tibetan teachings state: Through mutual resonance between parents and child, the spirit of karma enters the womb. The four elements—Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind—and numerous conditions harmonize, gradually granting longevity. From the first seven days to the fifth seven days after conception, Qi is generated in the five Zang organs and above and below, penetrating the front and back, and both left and right sides. Fifty pulses are generated on each side, totaling eight hundred pulses associated with inhalation throughout the body, all of which are complete at this stage, connecting with all exhalations and inhalations. Essentially, this body flows in harmony with creation. The left Kidney belongs to Water, while the Mingmen (Gate of Life) on the right belongs to Fire. Yang Qi arises at the Zi hour (11 PM–1 AM), and Fire is actually stored within it. Therefore, the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) corresponds oppositely to the Bladder. Two white pulses emerge from the center, flanking the spine, ascending to penetrate the brain, passing through the Chonglou (Throat/Larynx), and reaching the left and right hands. The floating, deep, slow, and rapid qualities of respiration can predict auspiciousness, misfortune, life, death, and diseases. There is nothing to be kept secret. This is why Taisu Pulse Diagnosis possesses the Seven Treasures and Nine Examinations, analyzing the subtleties of the Five Elements and distinguishing the signs of the Eight Solar Terms, being so clear and comprehensive.
Nevertheless, respiration is the transformation of Yin and Yang; body fluids are the irrigation of rain and dew; luster is the flourishing of flowers and trees; ears and eyes are the brightness and darkness of the sun and moon. As for becoming sages and worthies, achieving the status of kings and emperors, and managing the world with grand accomplishments, none of these do not brew forth from this Spirit. The Confucian scholars of old said, "The human body is a small universe." How true this is! I have read Zhang Shanshan's Pulse Aphorisms and know that they obtain the orthodox way of Xiantian (Pre-Heaven). They uncover treasures from stone chambers, exhaust the profound words of Nature and Destiny, and trace the wonderful threads of Creation. Their value regarding the nourishment of life and the cultivation of vitality—how could their merit be slight? Therefore, I have had them printed and shared with the world, writing this specifically to record their main significance.
Written by Gong Tingxian of Yunlin, Yuzhang