Despite all the apparent issues with Richard Wilheelm's transliteration and understanding, I personally appreciate his efforts and think this book records an earlier time in East-West relations. Richard Hunn (like myself) studied the work of Carl Jung. Again, although I am critical of Jung's political ideas, and do not necesarily adhere to his interpretation of Eastern culture, I also know that when he was in his final years most of his viewpoints changed entirely to the extent where he praised the Chinese Ch'an Master Xu Yun (虛雲) [1840-1959]. Things exist in cycles and like my Mainland Chinese academic colleagues, I recognise reality as it is and as it has been, and with love in my heart, we move forward together into a progressive future!
I have Richard Hunn’s 1967 (hardback) copy of the English translation of Richard Wilhelm’s ‘Secret of the Golden Flower’. Richard Hunn discussed this translation with Charles Luk - the consensus being that although very well translated from the German into English by CF Baynes – this work is Eurocentric, misleading and hopelessly ‘Orientalist’ in the sense that relatively straightforward Chinese Daoist concepts are presented through a misleading and obscuring filter of Christianity, theosophy and Jung’s ‘psycho-babble’. Charles Luk taught Richard Hunn the original Chinese text (alongside the ‘Hui Ming Jing’ - 慧命經). The ‘Secret of the Golden Flower’ is written in Chinese script as ‘太乙金華宗旨’ (Tai Yi Jin Hua Zong Zhi) - or ‘Grand Unity Golden Flower Lineage Purpose’. Although Richard Wilhelm attributed this text to ‘Lu Dongbin’ (吕洞宾) [796-1016], many modern scholars attribute it to his disciple – Wang Chongyang (王重陽) [1113-1870] - the Founder of the ‘Quanzhen’ (全真) or ‘Complete Reality’ School. One of his disciples was ‘Qui Chuji’ (丘處機) [1148-1227] - who Founded the ‘Longmen’ (龍門), or ‘Dragon Gate’ School. After Charles Luk explained the genuine ‘Qianfeng Xiantian’ (千峰先天派), or ‘Thousand Peaks Prenatal’ School as passed on to him by Master Zhao Bichen (趙避塵) [1860-1942], then Richard Hunn was able to ‘penetrate’ the obscuration created by Wilhelm and Jung in the German-English translation. Interestingly, Wilhelm (who is treated with a certain amount of respect in modern China for at least ‘trying’ to understand Chinese culture), he also translated the ‘Hui Ming Jing’ (慧命經), or ‘Enlightened Life Classic’. This was written by ‘Liu Huayang’ (柳華陽) [1736-?], who together with Wu Shouyang (伍守阳) [1574-1644] - Founded the ‘Wu Liu’ School – through which Zhao Bichen inherited the Quanzhen and Longmen teaching. In reality, Richard Wilhelm (working in the 1920s), armed with a thoroughly Western intelligence and a Christian background, had no idea what genuine (ethnic Daoism) actually was, and it is clear from many of his comments that he also did not understand Chinese Buddhism, or exactly what Buddhist enlightenment is. These errors were compounded by Carl Jung’s misjudging and misinterpretation of Chinese culture, whilst attempting to fit it into a broad Eurocentric template. In reality, the ‘Golden Flower’ text is a basic method of Daoist meditation explained by Master Zhao Ming Wang (赵避尘) (b. 1966) numerous times in his Chinese language blog – which I have translated into English. There is no mystery involved in any of it. Charles Luk said that once the rue meaning is understood, then the Wilhelm text can be used by a practitioner in the West who knows how to translate the transliteration, but notice(1964) ‘ how different Wilhem’s explanation is to the pages of translation provided by Charles Luk in his (1970) ‘Taoist Yoga’, and his (1964) ‘Secrets of Chinese Meditation’ - particularly the Chapters upon Taoist Meditation and Taoist Practice.
Despite all the apparent issues with Richard Wilheelm's transliteration and understanding, I personally appreciate his efforts and think this book records an earlier time in East-West relations. Richard Hunn (like myself) studied the work of Carl Jung. Again, although I am critical of Jung's political ideas, and do not necesarily adhere to his interpretation of Eastern culture, I also know that when he was in his final years most of his viewpoints changed entirely to the extent where he praised the Chinese Ch'an Master Xu Yun (虛雲) [1840-1959]. Things exist in cycles and like my Mainland Chinese academic colleagues, I recognise reality as it is and as it has been, and with love in my heart, we move forward together into a progressive future!
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You must look within with clarity of vision and insight. Without a pristine vision of the inner processes, nothing within Daoist self-cultivation can be achieved. Illness, injury and emotional agitation all lead to obscuration of the inner processes, as does bodily discomfort of any kind. We can adjust our lifestyles and manipulate our environment to reduce this discomfort (particularly in the early days of training), but the fact remains that eventually a certain strength of meditative insight must be developed that penetrates and irons-out all discomfort, just as it penetrates every bodily cell and expands out into the environment. Within Daoist iconology, this is sometimes depicted as occupying other bodies or objects whilst a ‘thread’ of awareness extends from the mind and body of the practitioner – linking the ‘one’ to the ‘many’. Touching the tongue to the palate connects the energy channels and allows the jing and qi to flow down into the lower dan tian, whilst the area of the anus is stimulated and the flowing energy is drawn round and back-up. Sometimes a sense of bliss accompanies the micro and macro circulatory orbits that is related to sexual orgasm but without the emission or requirement for a sexual partner (as no base desire is involved).
ACW - 釋大道 (24.9.2019) UK Qianfeng Sub-Branch of the 千峰先天派 (Qian Feng Xian Tian Pai) - Thousand Peaks Prenatal School (Beijing) Martial arts practice is an important part of Qianfeng training. Master Zhao Bichen (1860-1942) learned various martial arts from the 36 teachers he trained under, and out of this rich tapestry he chose a core body of martial knowledge that has become associated with the ‘Zhao Gate’ (or ‘Zhao Family’) of Beijing. These are not the only martial arts suitable for Daoist self-cultivation, but they do serve as a sound and solid foundation. The purpose of these martial arts is to stimulate the flow, storage and retainment of jing (essential nature) and qi (vital force) energy, and the development of shen (expanded ‘empty’ conscious awareness that contains all things). On the other hand, Zhao Bichen was also a renowned martial artist who beat all those who confronted him in a violent manner throughout his life. When he was a tax collector working on the water ways of Beijing, and when he was a bodyguard, his fighting prowess was well-known throughout the area – and even ‘feared’. He even had a fight with the great martial artist known as ‘Du Xinwu (杜心五)’ - with Zhao Bichen fighting him to a ‘draw’. Afterwards, Master Du Xinwu became a disciple of Grand Master Zhao Bichen – and dedicated his life to perfecting the Qianfeng methodology.
Indeed, on July 23rd, 1953, Master Du Xinwu passed away peacefully whilst sat-up in meditation (aged 84 years old). This was reported without question all over ‘New’ China. This is a similar story to that of the earlier example of Grand Master Zhao Bichen who passed away sat upright in 1942 (aged 82 years old). Both Zhao Bichen and Du Xinwu were traditionally trained martial artists who believed that China needed to radically modernize if her ancient traditions had any chance of surviving in the contemporary world. Five times Master Du Xinwu travelled to Japan to accept ‘challenges’ from the top Sumo Wrestlers of the era – and five times he defeated each of these opponents. As he caught the eye of Revolutionary leader Sun Yat-Sen (孙中山), Du Xinwu was hired as his personal bodyguard (with rumours that both Sun and Du were men of Hakka Chinese ethnicity). As Du Xinwu was born in Cili County, western Hunan province, this might well have been a possibility. As ‘Xiangxi’ (湘西) bandits infested this area, the local mountain people trained communally in various forms of armed (including swords) and unarmed Chinese martial arts as a means of self-defense. This is the milieu that Du Xinwu was brought-up within – a culture rich in martial arts practice and real fighting that ended in death or maiming (for both sides). It is remarkable that by the time the highly experienced Du Xinwu fought the elderly Grand Master Zhao Bichen – Zhao Bichen was able to neutralize every technique used by Du Xinwu. I have been told that Zhao Bichen used ‘Eagle Claw’ (鹰爪 - Ying Zhao) to prevent Du Xinwu from gaining the upper hand. This happening was enough for Du Xinwu to recognize Zhao Bichen as a true master and subordinate himself to him. Even if you practice martial arts to gather qi and circulate jing – the traditional view in China is that a superior state of mind should enable a Daoist martial artist to dominate in any violent encounter. This is not the encouragement of violence – but rather the exact opposite. Through the possession of superior insight and physical ability, any violent threat can be over-come and peace restored as soon as possible. This is the correct Daoist attitude – violence is prevented and neutralized through superior positioning, movement and stillness. Certainly, Master Zhao Ming Wang (b. 1966) does not emphasize fighting ability - as many who come to him are very ill, weak or otherwise unsuited to this ability – but every Qianfeng ‘Master’ or ‘Senior Disciple’ is expected to be able to defuse violent situations through the martial applications of ‘peace’. If you find this confusing – good. CW - 釋大道 (16.9.2019) UK Qianfeng Sub-Branch of the 千峰先天派 (Qian Feng Xian Tian Pai) - Thousand Peaks Prenatal School (Beijing) Chinese Language References: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-hans/杜心五 http://www.twoeggz.com/news/3631689.html English Language Reference: http://qianfengdaoismuk.weebly.com/venerable-zhao-bichen-fights-master-du-xinwu.html From early 1989 until mid 2000 – Richard Hunn (1946-2006) would only emphasis the Ch’an training. The bulk of this training was completed between 1989-1991 – after which Richard Hunn relocated to Kyoto, Japan. After realizing ‘stillness’ of mind, followed by the apparent expansion of this emptiness from being limited to just the head, to including the enter environment (and everything within it), Richard Hunn emphasized the ‘integration’ of the ‘form’ and ‘void’ - stating ‘do not be attached to the void – nor hindered by phenomena.’ However, from 2000-2004 Richard Hunn focused upon Qianfeng Daoism through visits to our family home in South London, regular letters and long-distance telephone calls. As his health began to decline (due to lung and pancreatic cancer), 2005 was reduced to telephone calls and the occasional card (his Xmas card for 2005 read ‘Anything is possible’). As the cancer was progressing, I received a long telephone call in July of 2006, where Richard Hunn reiterated his transmission(s) to myself, and stressed that I must pursue these issues no matter what, to the best of my ability. We were hoping he would recover, but when he gave-up Western medicine and instead embraced only qigong and Daoist methods, we were quietly beginning to think the end might be near. As we were preparing to fly out to Japan, I received a telephone call from Taiko – Richard Hunn’s wife – and his son – Charles – both of whom informed me that Richard Hunn had passed away sat upright in a Kyoto hospital bed (on October 1st, 2006). His last words being ‘Let’s go to the bookshop and buy some Wordsworth.’
There are two ways of practicing Daoist nei dan – the superficial and the profound. Most are quite happy with the superficial which involves general keep fit (such as walking, martial arts and other routines), together with a good diet and responsible lifestyle. The superficial can be quite sophisticated and achieve considerable results. Since a child I have been practicing Chinese (Hakka) martial arts – although I ceased all martial movement during a period of intense hua tou (Ch’an) practice (1989-1992). Indeed, I stopped ALL worldly interaction at this point so as to ‘freeze’ the mind. This effort came to fruition and when I finally picked up a book and read it much later – it was like the words were tumbling out of my eyes and onto the page (a sign that the mind had ‘turned’ at its deepest levels as stated in the Lankavatara Sutra). When I re-started martial movement, it was ‘new’ and yet ‘familiar’. Still, Richard Hunn remained ‘silent’ about Qianfeng Daoism and wasn’t keen on me reading Charles Luk’s ‘Taoist Yoga’. We had spent the last three years ‘putting down’ or ‘ignoring’ every mind or body sensation and manifestation and the next stage was understanding the removal of the false barrier between the subjective and the objective. Although Charles Luk (1898-1978) had met with Zhao Bichen (1860-1942) in 1936 – and had promised to translate Zhao Bichen’s manual into English (receiving a nei dan transmission) - he did not accomplish this task until 1970, after he had fully ‘stilled’ and ‘expanded’ his mind, and fully understood the Qianfeng methodology. Without ‘stilling’ and ‘expanding’ the mind’s awareness through the mind, body and environment, there can be no profound grasping of the Qianfeng method. This is not a problem as many people never advance beyond this stage and are perfectly happy with their practice. This is as true in China as it is in the West – but the ‘superficial’ must not be presented as the ‘profound’ - as one or two claim in the world of international Daoism. My view is that if you do not discipline your mind and body over many years, and have not ‘stilled’ or ‘expanded’ the mind, you cannot practice ‘profound’ Qianfeng Daoism, although you can most certainly benefit from ‘superficial’ Qianfeng – you will not learn this from me unless in special circumstances. Qianfeng methodology has already been ‘modernized’ by Master Zhao Bichen (1860-1942), and part of this evolution has been the adoption of certain Western biological concept and principles, which have not replaced traditional Chinese thinking, but have rather reinforced the validity of ancient Chinese (Daoist) science. This is not very well known in the West because it happened in China in the early 1930s, with the Western terms being presented not in English, but rather in their Chinese translation (for use by Chinese-speaking people). Master Zhao Bichen was a very clever person. Logic and reason were emphasized by Zhao Bichen over superstition and ignorance. This is exactly the attitude the average Western person would have toward a medical doctor, avoiding any doctors who appealed to nonsensical beliefs, or overly used placebo, etc. Qianfeng Daoism has been modernized – but it has been modernized not by Western force of arms or economic terrorism – but rather by the Chinese people themselves, in their own time and in their own. Western science has not replaced TCM, but is used side by side in China. It is also true that Master Zhao Bichen did study Western science, understood it fully and adopted what he thought was useful for his Daoism, but he still preferred traditional Chinese thinking. He avoided dogma and prejudice and made use of what was useful in both systems whilst not allowing his personal opinion to interfere in the developmental process.
As Westerners, we should follow the good and virtuous example of Master Zhao Bichen, and we should do this regardless of where we live, or how we live. Master Zhao Bichen abolished the traditional Daoist practice of one master teaching one disciple per generation, and instead opened his doors to all and sundry. This does not mean that everyone is suitable for the training, but it does grant everyone an equal chance to ‘try’. Rich or poor – everyone can train regardless of social status, gender or ethnicity. Master Zhao Ming Wang (b. 1966) tends to prefer ‘face to face’ training (at least in the beginning stages), and he does this because like a TCM doctor, Master Zhao Ming Wang will also ‘treat’ the student by stimulating the qi energy channels that flow throughout the body (and mind) as a means to release psycho-physical blockages (usually stored as ‘tension’ in the musculature surrounding the inner organs), build physical strength and clear the mind. He does this by examining the attitude and bodily movement of the student, the colour of the eyes and tongue, and the strength of the various pulses, etc. He also advises a vegetarian diet and no alcohol. Master Zhao Ming Wang massages the muscles, and uses a traditional Daoist acupressure stick which hits the ‘points’ of the qi energy channels exactly. A student may lie down to receive this treatment, or sit upright in a chair. Master Zhao Ming Wang also teaches people with disabilities and adjusts this treatment to their needs. (This is an important point as I have seen other Daoist schools ‘banning’ disabled people on the grounds that they are ‘bad luck’ - this is exactly the ignorance that Master Zhao Bichen abolished). Western students of Qianfeng Daoism have to meaningfully make sense of all this in a manner that fully respects the cultural view of China (as expressed through the Qianfeng School), understands what Master Zhao Ming Wang a) expects, and b) is talking about, and do all this whilst carefully navigating a course through the choppy seas of cultural adaptations and potential misunderstandings. My own view is that all this must be achieved through a sense of spiritual self-sufficiency. Spiritual self-sufficiency has nothing to do with social status or economic situation – but is rather a reliance upon the realization of the empty mind ground (shen), and how this understanding permeates through the entirety of the body (automatically ‘clearing’ all the qi blockages and building ‘jing’). The mind must be ‘stilled’ to realize this reality which does not require any other stimulus – although this is a rare state to achieve. Stilling the mind is the first crucial stage of Qianfeng Daoist training and can be performed exactly where you are right now. Without the mind being ‘stilled’ the Qianfeng training will be only moderately successful. Whilst training to ‘still’ the mind, a Qianfeng student should train in a traditional Chinese martial art that suits their character (whilst ignoring the pettiness of sport). Regular qigong exercise builds a robust body and ensure a fluid mind. All this can be pursued around a central practice of ‘nei dan’ - or meditation which ‘stills’ the mind (whilst also guiding the breath and the circulation of qi and jing etc). If this is established, then the machinations of the external world will fall into place, ensuring that all paradox and confusion falls away. ACW - 釋大道 (12.9.2019) UK Qianfeng Sub-Branch of the 千峰先天派 (Qian Feng Xian Tian Pai) - Thousand Peaks Prenatal School (Beijing) The subjective elements of (nei dan) Daoist training are not confirmed by the rigours of modern science (but this does not mean they do not exist). Zhao Bichen (1860-1942) embraced modern science (which he accessed through Western texts) and even incorporated certain Western (biological) terms into his explanation of ancient Daoist methodology – although it is also true that he preferred ‘Chinese’ science over its Western counterpart. The point is that he integrated modern scientific terms into Chinese Daoist commentaries as a means to prove the ‘scientific’ nature of ancient Chinese thought (which had been demonized by the forces of Western imperialism in China). I was always taught – and prefer – fact over faith, and note this is the position of the Zhao family of Beijing as expressed by Master Zhao Ming Wang (b. 1966) - the generational and lineage inheritor of the Qianfeng School in China. By and large Zhao Ming Wang does not acknowledge the other lineages that ‘claim’ to represent his lineage due to their lack of respect for his status (although this is a complicated issue that needs clarification). Many key disciples of Zhao Bichen founded Qianfeng Schools (such as Niu Jin Bao) - and there is no problem with this – but it is what happened in the second or third generations, etc. On top of this, there are the fake Qianfeng Schools in China that charge huge amounts of money for the qigong forms that Zhao Ming Wang teaches for free, and a fake school in the West (not the US or Europe), which charges huge amounts and teaches a Eurocentric mish-mash of Orientalized ‘Taoism’ - working from the false assumption that no one outside of China possesses the language or cultural skills to check their lineage. I have checked their lineage and it is ‘false’. However, these other groups can do as they please, as Master Zhao Ming Wang insists that once correct knowledge and viewpoint is established, we must not ‘conflict’ with others as this is ‘unDaoist’ - I fully agree with this.
Turning the waterwheel is the ability to separate jing (精) and qi [氣] (from the breath) whilst continuing to circulate this substance through the Governing and Conception Vessels (and beyond). The breath continues the take-in of qi, and to provide the muscular ripple that travels up the spine, over the head and down the face, mouth (with tongue touching the upper palate), throat, sternum, abdomen and groin, etc., but the ‘intention’ of the mind now drives the rarefied and highly condensed jing-qi and shen (神) admixture into a new and extensive orbit that reaches tremendous speeds whilst sat in cross-legged meditation. This can work whilst performing martial arts forms – but only in the highest levels of spiritual self-development. Generally speaking, for the maximum health benefit, the breath must be deep and full and coordinate with all the martial arts movements. The waterwheel can be applied to a combat situation so that deep breathing is not required, and techniques ‘lash’ out at tremendous speeds and cannot be anticipated or countered by an opponent. This mastery is achieved whilst engaged within seated meditation, and not moving meditation (or martial training), but it can be expressed in martial practice after the fact. This is like when the breath ‘ceases’, although of course it does not really ‘cease’, but becomes so subtle that it is hard to discern. ACW - 釋大道 (8.9.2019) UK Qianfeng Sub-Branch of the 千峰先天派 (Qian Feng Xian Tian Pai) - Thousand Peaks Prenatal School (Beijing) Genuine Daoism advocates an expansion of consciousness into the totality of nature – but avoids a collapse into ‘otherness’ worship – as there is no attachment to the connectedness or collectivity of existence. Furthermore, as Daoist training begins and ends with honesty and self-sufficiency, there is no descent into a morbid attachment to an inner subjectivity. Collectivism and individualism reflect and complete one another – with the practitioner ‘free’ to ‘move’ and ‘think’ in any of the ten directions. The practice of nei dan requires a momentary ‘turning away’ from the outside world, but this is not a permanent state. The true nature of the external world is discovered once a limited view of it is given-up, and this is attained by looking within. By looking into the conscious fabric of the universe – the true nature of the universe is fully comprehended and understood. A good teacher only points the way and he or she does this in a timely manner free of ulterior motives, sinister calculations or hidden agendas. Daoism is a tricky business if a practitioner becomes bogged down in terminology and the sophistry often associated with a lack of genuine practical experience. A pseudo-intellectualism designed to distract a practitioner from a ‘teacher’s’ lack of experience is often deployed nowadays, to keep the student ‘trapped’ in a teacher-student relationship that is premised upon dishonesty and the furtherance of delusion in the world of red dust. This attitude also extends to false students who are engaged in a purely intellectual exercise of ‘collecting’ as much ‘dead’ information as possible about an obscure subject, and battling with their fellow ‘collectors’ about who can dishonestly ‘extract’ the most genuine information from true teachers (preferably for ‘free’). This type of person crosses my path on a regular basis in the West. They collect their lists and pretend to be authorities upon Daoist practice – but as they do not practice and have not achieved any of the stages they think they know about, their words are empty of substance and yet full of ego, hatred and anger. This is what they really feel inside about their deceptive ways, and are depressed every time their lying works (after a brief but fleeting sense of false euphoria). A person with experience immediately knows when he or she meets another person who has experienced a similar set of awakenings – it is that simple. Pseudo-knowledge is always transcended by genuine practice and real experiences. This is why honesty (诚实 - Cheng Shi) is an important aspect of character development in the Daoist practitioner. Those with bad characters and hidden agenda are gently ‘ignored’ and no further instruction is granted. Only a heartfelt adopting of genuine respect will remedy this situation.
ACW - 釋大道 (6.9.2019) UK Qianfeng Sub-Branch of the 千峰先天派 (Qian Feng Xian Tian Pai) - Thousand Peaks Prenatal School (Beijing) All living creatures possess a genetic clock which determines life expectancy. It is also true that lifestyle and life choices can improve life expectancy or diminish longevity. Living to an old age is usually thought of in Daoist literature to mean surviving to around 100 years old. Of course, within religious Daoism (道教 - Dao Jiao) there is the notion of physical and/or spiritual immortality, whilst within philosophical Daoism (道家 - Dao Jia), at least within the tradition of the Qianfeng School, there is a practical emphasis upon prolonging physical life to a greater degree than would have been expected if no training was undertaken. Vegetarianism features highly as a main dietary requirement, as meat is viewed as containing toxins of various kinds, and although alcohol is generally avoided as a habit, there are some traditional Chinese medicines that involve various herbs, fruits and spices distilled within rice-wine. (Western medical research agrees about the toxins in modern meat production – particularly with regard to the overloading of anti-biotics in farm animals and the use of dies to colour the meat – as well as confirms that a small amount of good quality alcohol [usually spirits] can be beneficial for cleansing the liver and other organs). Regular exercise of various kinds is beneficial to the structures and functionality of the mind and body. This can include stretching, bone-strengthening, muscle-building, muscle-relaxing, cardiovascular development (of the heart and lungs), and the development of a calm and an expansively ‘aware’ mind (all of which is accepted without question in the West). Within the Qianfeng tradition, seated meditation is practiced to calm and still the mind. This is an important first step that bears similarities to Ch’an Buddhist meditation, and reflects the fact that Master Zhao Bichen (1860-1942) inherited the Longmen-Wu-Liu lineage from two (Linji lineage) Ch’an Buddhist teachers – namely Masters Liao Ran (了然) and Liao Kong (了空). Liao Ran’s Daoist name was ‘Pure Meditation’ (清禅 - Qing Ch’an) and Master Liao Kong’s Daoist name was ‘Pure Stillness’ (清静 – Qing Jing). Before actively circulating the ‘jing’ (精) and ‘qi’ (氣) energies, the mind must be gathered and stilled through use of the hua tou (話頭) method. The breath and the hua tou are intrinsically linked so that a practitioner can breathe deeply and fully whilst simultaneously ‘returning’ the perception related to breathing back to its empty essence (mind ground). Eventually this practice extends into circulating jing and qi – and by ‘returning this dynamic activity to its immaterial essence - ‘shen’ [神] (or ‘emptiness’) is cultivated in the mind. This is why ‘jing’, ‘qi’ and ‘shen’ appear to be different entities in practice but are understood to emerge from the same united and empty mind ground in reality. Western science (which cannot be ignored even in modern China), does not recognize ‘jing’ (essential nature), ‘qi’ (breath or vital force), or ‘shen’ (expansive and aware ‘empty’ consciousness) as existing independently, such as an observable process, organ or limb, etc. I certainly do not advocate ‘faith’ over ’fact’ and neither does Master Zhao Ming Wang of Beijing (he views ‘jing‘, ‘qi’ and ‘shen’ as being scientifically ‘real’ from Chinese historical position). My view is that ancient Chinese science clearly identified a number of psychological and biological processes which were thought to be ‘integrative’ rather than ‘distinct’ (with Chinese science focusing upon ‘collective’ processes, and Western science upon ‘isolated’ functionality). China’s scientific trajectory favoured collective operation rather than separate functionality. Jing is that part of the reproductive chemicals (hormones) that combine in within sexual union between a man and a woman that produce the conception of child. Jing is also the basis (essential nature) of the physical life of the body once conceived and is considered crucial for a long and healthy existence. Withholding sexual emission preserves ‘jing’ (which when circulated) rejuvenates the bodily processes and structures. As far as I am aware, there is no Western scientific equivalent to this teaching. Qi quite literally equates to ‘breathing’, but also to the energy an individual receives from food and drink, as well as ‘Yuan Qi’ (元气) - or ‘Original Vital Force’ - which denotes the energy received from two parents at the point of conception. Qi can also be used to describe the attitude of mind of an individual, which can be vibrant and full of virtue (healthy qi), or deceptive, low and full of greed and anger (deficient in qi and virtue). For martial arts practice and bone-building, qi also equates to ‘bodyweight’ and ‘body mass’. Western science acknowledges breathing and the importance of oxygen intake, the circulation of oxygen around the body, the nutrition received from food and drink, and the strength of an individual’s immune system, etc. Gravity and its operation upon the human body is well-known and hundreds of years old in the West. Shen equates to various states of mind and would equate with the observations relating to Western psychology and psychiatry. Chinese Daoism is an ancient science which has studied the human condition very closely and has developed a number of very interesting ideas and concepts, etc. It is important to bear in mind that no matter how many scientists in the West reject the machinations of the Judeo-Christian faith, it is exactly from the milieu of this religion that modern, Western science has emerged (in the guise of secular knowledge). With this in mind, there is no reason to demand that a purely ‘Chinese’ (indigenous) take upon the measuring and recording of the processes and objects that comprise material reality should in any way conform to the cultural norms of the Judeo-Christian belief system.
ACW - 釋大道 (5.9.2019) UK Qianfeng Sub-Branch of the 千峰先天派 (Qian Feng Xian Tian Pai) - Thousand Peaks Prenatal School (Beijing) Master Zhao Ming Wang of Beijing has made a rule that that the exact technique involved in the practice of ‘Sweating Ox’ (as preserved within the Qianfeng School) will not be openly discussed in public, or explained in written articles. I follow this rule out of respect. However, as there is a general lack of understanding about this concept in the West, I thought I would build a Chinese cultural framework (in English) to help others build a cognitive foundation and appreciation of what ‘Sweating Ox’ might be. As someone who practices Hakka Chinese martial arts – and is the only lineage inheritor of Master Chan Tin Sang [陳天生] (1924-1993) - I can explain our family gongfu version of ‘Sweating Ox’ - which is also known as ‘Iron Ox’. This is different to what Master Zhao Ming Wang teaches (which I shall explore further on), but it is related over-all as far as Daoist self-cultivation is concerned. As an ‘external’ form of qigong, we learn to run a set distance carrying a weighted rucksack whilst wearing layers of clothing. This is a combination of weightlifting and cardiovascular fitness, that strengthens the bones to a very high degree. It makes little difference to us whether anyone else knows this method – as it is so difficult even fit people find it difficult to carry it out successfully. Although ‘external’ to start with, as the years roll by, the training transitions into an ‘internal’ practice involving very deep and profound psychological (and physiological) development. Another version of this is holding strength-building static stances at various times of the day, which can be performed in a ‘sweat lodge’ - rather like a Western sauna. As the advanced training involves hours of seated meditation practice, this is where we enter the realms of the ‘Sweating Ox’ as practiced in the Qianfeng School.
n my experience, most people are unable to achieve proficiency in either ’Iron Ox’ or ‘Sweating Ox’ methodology – lacking the will-power or insight to penetrate the more advanced levels of awareness and being. This is why Master Zhao Ming Wang guards this teaching very carefully and does not expose the wrong type of student to its machinations. This is an important facet of Daoist training, as a student must be matched with the appropriate techniques suitable to their character and level of awareness. Within Hakka Chinese gongfu, ‘Iron Ox’ and Sweating Ox’ generate an almost unstoppable strength whilst engaged in combat – but this is not the purpose of the Qianfeng School (despite many of its masters being quite excellent and outstanding martial artists). Within Chinese history the notion of a ‘sweating ox’ dates from the latter 8th century of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and was used to allude to the effort required to truly study the sacred books and become a sage - particularly in relation to the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’ (春秋 - Chun Qiu) of Confucius. The term ‘Sweating Ox’ (汗牛 - Han Niu) is first mentioned in the ‘Complete Collection of Tang Texts’ (全唐文 - Quan Tang Wen) - specifically Volume 588 - which relates the story of the scholar-official named ‘Liu Zongyuan’ [柳宗元] (773-819), who attended the grave of a ‘Mr Lu Wentong’ (陆文通) with the Crown Prince (around 793). In a statement read-out (I think) by the Crown Prince it was observed that the learned often possessed so many books that were often stacked up to the ceiling of their houses. If these books were moved from one place to another - and transported on a cart pulled by an ox – the weight would be so great that even the oxen would pour with sweat due to the effort needed to move them! This is how the principle of ‘sweating ox’ came to be associated with transformative spiritual training. I am not sure if this idea existed within Daoism prior to this time, but much of these schools tended to overlap in the times before the development of factions and official preference and persecution, etc. Generally speaking, Daoism and Confucianism had a much more entangled early history than later scholars would like to admit. Master Zhao Ming Wang has stated that within his Qianfeng School, the ‘Sweating Ox’ technique possesses ‘seven steps’. One of the transmission poems associated with this practice is: 汗牛耕地要真气, 三入丹田足下行 用巽督脉腰用力, 三上三牵到泥丸。 下行任脉振慢行, 松散逍遥在其中。 Which translates as: The ox sweats as it ploughs the land to develop ‘true vital force’ (真气 - Zhen Qi) - which is stored ib the lower energy centre (丹田 - Dan Tian) and then cultivated through a strict discipline that progresses step by step. Use the 5th trigram ‘巽’ (Xun) [‘wind’] - force is transmitted up the Governing Vessal (督脉 - Du Mai) - upward times three and the ‘ni wan’ (泥丸) - Mud Pill – is developed (at the centre of the brain). Circulation down the ‘Conception Vessel’ (任脉 - Ren Mai) is slow, vibrant and controlled – energy is centred, all is calm and happiness pervades the mind and body. This is slightly different to another Qianfeng lineage poem I was told, but the meaning is the same. The ox must work very hard to develop its inner strength, and whilst breathing very deeply and fully (like a strong wind) the cultivated forces (once the lower Dan Tian is full) are circulated up the Governing Vessel (along the spine) and down the Conception Vessel (along the centre-line of the front of the body). The breath is like a ‘wind’ or a ‘hurricane’ (hence the ‘5th trigram Xun’). This how qi energy (vital force) and ‘Jing’ (essential nature) travels through the three (Dan Tian) energy centres as they circulate the torso. Obviously, there is an element of hard-work associated with ‘Sweating Ox’ self-cultivation, at least in the early stages. The more advanced stages are rarefied and distinct as the practitioner enters an entirely new and profound way of perceiving the inner and outer world. There is no mystery, but some knowledge is closely guarded and has to be ‘earned’ before it is imparted. Chinese Language References: https://baike.baidu.com/item/汗牛 https://xw.qq.com/cmsid/20180612A14L7Q/20180612A14L7Q00 http://www.wuwo.org/qfgf/2768.html http://www.360doc.com/content/16/0402/19/32013898_547369221.shtml http://www.baike.com/wiki/汗牛冲动 In modern China there a Socialized health system (similar the NHS in the UK) which provides the best healthcare free at the point of use (paid for through taxation). China differs, however, in that there are two types of medicine available; a) Western medicine, and b) Traditional Chinese Medicine. Both are used interchangeably, with patients choosing which treatment method best suits their illness or injury recovery. Therefore, hospitals in China fall into three categories; 1) Western medicine, 2) TCM and 3) Integrated treatment. Hospitals in China are administered either by the Chinese State, or the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Rich individuals can choose to contribute (as a ‘thank you’) to the Chinese State and ‘pay’ for their treatment, but as the standard of medical care is so high in China – the service they receive is exactly the same as that received by the poorest villager. Master Zhao Ming Wang has written in his blog how he has often visited TCM hospitals in China, and helped treat people suffering with cancer when Western medicine has not worked. His experience suggests that the Daoist methods he employs are more effective in certain circumstances than the equivalent Western treatments. This does not mean that Western medicine is ineffective – as just as many Chinese patients report the opposite finding – namely that TCM did not work (or only partly worked), whilst Western medicine cured them fully or to a greater extent. Of course, in some incidences it could be that a combination of the two methods is the best approach.
My advice to you is that if you are ill, visit your General Practitioner (GP) or Medical Doctor (MD) and never leave ailments or injuries to drag on and get worse without treatment. I am aware that in other parts of the world (unlike the UK, Northern Europe, Japan, Cuba, North Korea or China, etc.), many people do not have access to regular or affordable healthcare. This is an unfortunate situation and issue of broader political development and democratic processes. In other words, things can be changed overtime through political effort, but what should a person do ‘here and now’? The internet is a great resource for basic self-healing and further research into herbal remedies and other treatments. There is a plethora of online videos, for instance, offering ‘free’ physiotherapy advice. The local Pharmacy is a good place to gain basic advice on treatment and pain relief, etc. As intelligent human beings, we must use our intellects to overcome our material hardships. Herbology is a good start, as herbology is the basis of the pharmaceutical industry, but can often offer alternative methods of treatment and rehabilitation. Daoist methodology is its greater part, is a system of preventative medicine. This means that we train our bodies and minds in methods that prevent illness through a continuous purification process. The problem with this approach is that we remain ‘unaware’ of how may illnesses we could have contracted, but which we avoided through this wise behaviour. Modern, Western medicine, however, tends to treat definite symptoms as and when they appear. TCM does this as well, but there is a greater tendency toward preventative than there is in Western hospitals (particularly with regard to the use of acupuncture which attempts to ‘undermine’ the illness whilst treating it as an ‘imbalance’ which needs to be rectified). TCM still uses freshly gathered herbs and plants which are viewable in the medicine shop, and which are prepared in front of the patient once a prescription is written. TCM treatment is a much organic experience than its more industrialized Western counterpart. Master Zhao Ming Wang, whilst meeting disciples in his home in Beijing, assesses their wellbeing through their posture, voice, skin-tone, eye colour and behaviour, and usually starts Qianfeng Daoist training by him personally ‘unblocking’ the qi energy channels and putting the disciple on the right psychological and physical path. There are levels, however, below and beyond the physical application of recuperative Daoist medicine, which involve the generation of universal love and compassion for the entirety of creation! Master Zhao Bichen (1860-1942) exercised this when he abolished the old Daoist tradition of one master to one disciple per generation, and threw open the gates for all to train! Daoist methodology is the practice of exact physical methods of discipline which are applied to the mind and body. Although some people have associated superstition and myth with Daoist methodology, Qianfeng Daoism rejects this approach and only focuses upon the physical Daoist techniques that have been proven to work, albeit applied with a sense of love and respect. Belief in miracles or of divine beings is not used to ‘cure’ the mind or body (although this approach does exist in other Daoist lineages, which is fine). We do not rely upon ‘faith’ just as a Western doctor does not rely upon faith. This does not mean that no one should have faith – as this is a matter of personal choice – but it is not within the methodology of the Qianfeng School. It was not part of the Qianfeng School during the latter Qing Dynasty, the Nationalist period, or the ‘New China’ era. It is not a new approach, but a matter of ancient Chinese science which understood thousands of years ago, that effective methods must be premised upon observation of material (physical) process and repeatability of results. This explains in-part why Zhao Bichen was interested in Western biology and science, and incorporated some of this terminology into his numerous Daoist instructional manuals. ACW - 釋大道 (2.9.2019) UK Qianfeng Sub-Branch of the 千峰先天派 (Qian Feng Xian Tian Pai) - Thousand Peaks Prenatal School (Beijing) |
AuthorAdrian Chan-Wyles (內丹 - Shi Da Dao) - Qianfeng Lineage: Zhao Bichen (1860-1942), Charles Luk (1898-1978) and Richard Hunn (1949-2006). Acknowledges Master Zhao Ming Wang (赵明旺) of Beijing as the ONLY Lineage Head of the Zhao Family Lineage of Qianfeng Daoism in China and the world. Archives
February 2024
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