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Chapter 66 states: The classic texts say that the Yuan-Source point of the Lung is Taiyuan (LU-9), the Yuan-Source point of the Heart is Daling (PC-7), the Yuan-Source point of the Liver is Taichong (LR-3), the Yuan-Source point of the Spleen is Taibai (SP-3), the Yuan-Source point of the Kidney is Taixi (KI-3), the Yuan-Source point of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart meridian is Duigu (i.e., Shenmen, HT-7), the Yuan-Source point of the Gallbladder is Qiuxu (GB-40), the Yuan-Source point of the Stomach is Chongyang (ST-42), the Yuan-Source point of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) is Yangchi (TE-4), the Yuan-Source point of the Bladder is Jinggu (BL-64), the Yuan-Source point of the Large Intestine is Hegu (LI-4), and the Yuan-Source point of the Small Intestine is Wangu (SI-4).

Examining the *Jia Yi Jing* (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), the Yuan-Source point of the Lung, Taiyuan, is located in the center of the depression behind the palm. The Yuan-Source point of the Heart, Daling, is located in the transverse crease at the back of the palm, between the two tendons; this is an acupoint of the Hand-Jueyin Pericardium meridian. Since the Heart and the Pericardium are interconnected, selecting this point can also be regarded as treating the Heart. The Yuan-Source point of the Liver, Taichong, is located in the depression two cun posterior to the metatarsophalangeal joint of the great toe. The Yuan-Source point of the Spleen, Taibai, is located in the depression at the medial border of the white skin on the foot, posterior to the great toe. The Yuan-Source point of the Kidney, Taixi, is located in the depression above the calcaneus, posterior to the medial malleolus, where the artery beats. The Yuan-Source point of the Hand-Shaoyin Heart meridian, Duigu, is Shenmen (HT-7), located in the depression at the end of the sharp bone at the back of the palm. The Yuan-Source point of the Gallbladder, Qiuxu, is located in the depression anterior to the lateral malleolus. The Yuan-Source point of the Stomach, Chongyang, is located on the dorsum of the foot, five cun from Neiting (ST-44), in the depression between the high bones where the artery beats. The Yuan-Source point of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner), Yangchi, is located in the depression on the dorsal aspect of the wrist. The Yuan-Source point of the Bladder, Jinggu, is located in the depression below the large bone posterior to the metatarsophalangeal joint of the little toe, at the medial border of the white skin. The Yuan-Source point of the Large Intestine, Hegu, is located in the depression between the divergent bones of the thumb and index finger. The Yuan-Source point of the Small Intestine, Wangu, is located in the depression below the starting bone anteriorly on the lateral side of the hand.

Commentary: The *Ling Shu · Chapter on Nine Needles and Twelve Original Points* states: "The Shaoyin within Yang is the Lung, its Yuan-Source point is Taiyuan, two points. The Taiyang within Yang is the Heart, its Yuan-Source point is Daling, two points. The Shaoyang within Yin is the Liver, its Yuan-Source point is Taichong, two points. the Zhiyin within Yin is the Spleen, its Yuan-Source point is Taibai, two points. The Taiyin within Yin is the Kidney, its Yuan-Source point is Taixi, two points. The Yuan-Source point of the Gao (fat surrounding the viscera) is Jiutui (CV-15), one point. The Yuan-Source point of the Huang (membrane below the diaphragm) is Boyang (CV-12), one point. These twelve Yuan-Source points govern diseases of the five Zang organs and six Fu organs. For distension, select the Yuan-Source points of the Three Yang meridians; for undigested food diarrhea, select the Yuan-Source points of the Three Yin meridians." The *Ling Shu* regards the twelve points of the five Zang organs as the Yuan-Source points, whereas this chapter posits that each of the six Zang and six Fu organs, comprising twelve meridians, has its own Yuan-Source point. To say that the Yuan-Source point of the Heart is Daling refers to diagnosing/treating diseases of the Pericardium, because the vessels of the Ministerial Fire and the Sovereign Fire are interconnected. To say that the Yuan-Source point of the Shaoyin is Duigu refers to the Heart (Shaoyin); Duigu is Shenmen. The *Xie Ke Pian* (Chapter on Evil Invasion) asks: "Why does the Shaoyin have no Shu points?" The answer is: "Its exterior meridian may be diseased while the interior organ remains healthy, so one exclusively selects the point at the end of the sharp bone at the back of the palm," which illustrates this principle. Yueren's (Bian Que's) intent was not to claim that the Heart has two Yuan-Source points, but rather to indicate that the Qi of the Sovereign Fire and Ministerial Fire combines with Jueyin and Shaoyin, allowing for combined treatment.

Why do all twelve meridians use the Shu points as Yuan-Source points? The response is: The Shu points of the five Zang organs are where the Qi of the Sanjiao (Triple Burner) travels and where the vital Qi stays and stops. Why are the Shu points traveled by the Sanjiao called Yuan-Source points?

The response is: The moving Qi between the kidneys below the umbilicus is the root of human life and the foundation of the twelve meridians, hence it is named Yuan-Source. The Sanjiao (Triple Burner) is the special envoy of the Yuan-Source Qi, primarily responsible for circulating the Qi of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Burners, passing through the five Zang organs and six Fu organs. Yuan-Source is a honorific title for the Sanjiao; therefore, wherever the Qi stops, it is called the Yuan-Source. When the five Zang organs and six Fu organs suffer from disease, their Yuan-Source points should be selected.

When it says all twelve meridians use the Shu points as Yuan-Source points, it refers to the *Nine Needles and Twelve Original Points* chapter, stating that the Shu points of the five Zang organs are used as Yuan-Source points, not those of the Fu organs. However, the Shu points of both the five Zang and six Fu organs are all pathways of the Sanjiao Qi, places where its energy stays and stops, thus they are called Yuan-Source. The root of the Sanjiao originates from the Mingmen (Gate of Life) between the kidneys. This is the original source of human life and the foundation of the twelve meridians. The Heavenly Yang Qi inhaled through the nose passes through the Lungs, reaches the Heart, guides the Heart Fire along the spinal muscles into the Kidney system, arrives at the Mingmen, steams the water of the Bladder, transforms it into Qi, and ascends. The Sanjiao controls the Ministerial Fire and acts as the special envoy of the original Qi in the Kidneys, causing the Ying (Nutritive) and Wei (Defensive) Qi of the twelve meridians to circulate, all driven by the Sanjiao. It circulates Sheng (Vital) Qi to the Shu points of the five Zang and six Fu organs; where this Qi stays and stops, it is termed Yuan-Source. It derives its name from the moving Qi between the Mingmen, also revealing that the Sanjiao is the abdominal membrane, and its connected omental fatty tissues belong to the Sanjiao, serving as the outer casing that encompasses and regulates the Zang and Fu organs.