Library

Huangdi sat in the Mingtang (Bright Hall) and summoned Leigong, asking him, "Do you understand the principles of medicine?" Leigong replied, "I can recite the texts but cannot comprehend them; I can comprehend them but cannot distinguish their differences; I can distinguish their differences but cannot clarify their meanings; I can clarify their meanings but cannot manifest their applications. This knowledge is sufficient to treat officials but insufficient to treat feudal lords. I wish to learn the measures of Heaven, harmonize them with the Yin and Yang of the four seasons, differentiate the stars from the light of the sun and moon, thereby elucidating the classics so that future generations may understand them better. In this way, one can connect with Shennong (Divine Farmer) and establish supreme teachings comparable to the Two Emperors."

Huangdi said, "Good. Do not neglect these principles. These are all about the mutual correspondence and interaction of Yin and Yang, interior and exterior, upper and lower, and male and female. By mastering them, one can know astronomy above, geography below, and human affairs in between, allowing for long-term practice. One can teach the masses without doubt or danger. The *Lun Yi Dao Pian* (Treatise on the Way of Medicine) can be transmitted to posterity and kept as a treasure."

Leigong said, "Please let me receive this Way and use recitation to understand it."

Huangdi said, "Have you not heard of the *Yin Yang Zhuan* (Transmission of Yin and Yang)?" Leigong said, "No." Huangdi said, "The Three Yang (Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang) take Heaven as their domain. Their movement up and down has no fixed pattern. If they combine to cause disease, they will disrupt the balance of Yin and Yang. Leigong said, 'The Three Yang are unstoppable; please explain.' Huangdi said, 'When the Three Yang arrive alone, it means the Three Yang energies converge. This convergence is like wind and rain. Upward, it causes diseases of the head (Dian Ji); downward, it causes leakage disorders. Externally, there is no predictable cycle; internally, there is no normal pulse pattern. It does not follow the regular meridians. Diagnosis cannot distinguish upper from lower; differentiation must rely on textual records.'"

Leigong said, "My treatment of distant patients yields better results; I only grasp the general idea of your theory."

Huangdi said, "The Three Yang represent Extreme Yang. When accumulated and combined, they cause fright. The onset is as sudden as a gale, arriving like thunder. All nine orifices become blocked, Yang Qi overflows excessively, invading the throat and causing obstruction. If the Three Yang merge into the Yin, their movement becomes erratic, pressing upon the intestines and causing diarrhea. This is called the 'Three Yang striking the heart directly,' where the patient cannot sit or lie comfortably; lying flat provides relief. This characterizes the disease of the Three Yang. Furthermore, using this to understand the world, one must differentiate Yin and Yang, respond to the four seasons, and harmonize with the Five Elements."

Leigong said, "I cannot distinguish the discussion of Yang, nor can I reason through the discussion of Yin. Please rise and explain it to me, so I may regard it as the Supreme Way."

Huangdi said, "If you accept the transmission but do not integrate it with the Supreme Way, you will be confused by my teaching. Let me tell you the essence of the Supreme Way. If disease damages the Zang Organs, leading to the wasting of sinews and bones, and your understanding remains unclear and undistinguished, it shows that worldly scholars have exhausted their learning. When Kidney Qi is near exhaustion, the patient feels remorseful and anxious at dusk, remains lethargic and unwilling to go out, and shows no interest in worldly affairs."