Library

Ping An: The content from the beginning of this chapter to "attaching to the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel)" is found in Chapter 11 "Jing Bie" (Divergent Channels) of Volume 3 of *Ling Shu* (Spiritual Pivot), also in the First Lower Section of Volume 2 of *Jia Yi Jing* (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), and also in Chapter 9 "Jing Mai Zheng Bie" (Regular and Divergent Meridians) of this book. The content from "Yang Ming" to the end is found in Chapter 44 "Wei Lun" (Discourse on Flaccidity) of Volume 12 of *Su Wen* (Basic Questions), and also in Chapter 4 of Volume 10 of *Jia Yi Jing*.

The regular pathway of Foot-Shaoyin (Kidney Meridian) ascends to the popliteal fossa, branches off to connect with Taiyang (Bladder Meridian) and the Heart, and merges; it then ascends to the Kidney, exits at the level of the fourteenth thoracic vertebra, and attaches to the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel). (*Nan Jing* [Classic of Difficult Issues] states: The Dai Mai originates from the costal margin and encircles the body once. Since it is said to encircle once, it also encircles the waist and spine; thus, the Dai Mai is located at the fourteenth vertebra, binding the waist and abdomen like a belt, hence named Dai Mai.)
[Ping An: In *Ling Shu* and *Jia Yi Jing*, the character "Xin" (Heart) after "Taiyang" is absent. The upper part of the character "Dang" (at/level of) is eaten by insects, leaving only the lower half resembling "Tian"; based on *Ling Shu*, *Jia Yi Jing*, and this commentary, it should be read as "Dang". *Ling Shu* writes "Zhui" (vertebra) differently. In the commentary, "Ji Xie" (costal margin) is printed as "Ji Lu" in Yuan's edition, while the original manuscript and *Nan Jing* both use "Xie". Additionally, "Shu Dai Yao Fu" (bind belt waist abdomen) is printed as "Shu Dai Yao Dai Fu" in Yuan's edition.]

Yang Ming (Stomach Meridian) is the sea of the five Zang and six Fu organs, primarily moistening the Zong Jin (Major Confluence of Sinews). Zong Jin binds muscles and bones and facilitates joint movement. (Yang Ming governs water and grain, thus serving as the sea of the Zang and Fu organs; it can moisten Zong Jin, constrain bone and flesh, and facilitate various joints.) [Ping An: "Shu Rou Gu" (bind muscle bone) in *Su Wen* and *Jia Yi Jing* is written as "Zhu Shu Gu" (mainly bind bone).]

Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel) is the sea of the meridians, primarily seeping and irrigating the Xi Gu (valleys/clefts between muscles). (Yang Ming is the sea of the Zang and Fu organs. Chong Mai has vigorous Qi and Blood, thus becoming the sea of the meridians; it primarily seeps and irrigates places where bone and flesh meet, benefiting their Qi and Blood.) It combines with Yang Ming at the Yin region, gathering at the confluence of Zong Jin, meeting at Qi Jie (Street of Qi, referring to the inguinal region), with Yang Ming acting as the leader; all belong to Dai Mai and network with Du Mai (Governor Vessel). (Chong Mai and Yang Ming merge at the genitalia, gathering at Zong Jin, which refers to the testes and penis; they again meet at the left and right Qi Jie, dominated by the left and right Yang Ming, collectively belonging to Dai Mai, and still networking with Du Mai, because Dai Mai acts as a controlling belt.) [Ping An: "Jin Yin" (Sinew Yin) in *Su Wen* and *Jia Yi Jing* is written as "Zong Jin Yin Yang" (Four characters: Major Confluence of Sinews Yin Yang). "Qi Jie" in *Jia Yi Jing* is written as "Qi Chong".] Therefore, when Yang Ming is deficient, Zong Jin becomes flaccid, and Dai Mai fails to pull, resulting in foot Wei (flaccidity) and inability to use the legs. (When Grain Qi of Yang Ming is deficient, the sinews of Zong Jin become lax, Dai Mai does not provide traction, sinews and vessels relax, thus causing foot flaccidity.)