An Assessment of the Title of Zhao Bichen’s Manual
BY ADRIAN CHAN-WYLES PHD
Zhao Bichen’s pivotal Daoist self-cultivation manual was translated into English by Charles Luk and published in the UK in 1970, under the title of ‘Taoist Yoga’. This book is called in Chinese ‘性命法訣明旨’ (Xing Ming Fa Jue Ming Zhi) which can be translated as ‘The Secret Cultivation of Essential Nature and Eternal Life’. However, by breaking the original title into its constituent parts, a greater clarity can be gained in translation of its distinct Daoist meaning:
Title = 性命法訣明旨 (Xing Ming Fa Jue Ming Zhi)
1) 性 (xing4) – underlying essence, or fundamental nature of the entire experience of conscious and physical existence.
Left-hand particle =忄a contraction of心 (xin1) – heart – mind.
Right-hand particle =生 (sheng1) – life, existence, birth, come into being.
When placed together to form ‘性’ (xing4) the meaning of the ‘heart’ or ‘underlying essence’ or ‘inherent nature’ (心) of ‘life’ (生) is created.
Chinese Dictionary Definition:
‘人或事物的本身所具有的能力、作用等:性质。性格。性命(生命)。性能。个性。属性。’
Translation:
‘The ‘substance’ of a living body that ‘functions’ in the world. It can refer to ‘nature’ (性质 – Xing Zhi), ‘character’ (性格 – Xing Ge), ‘essential life’ (性命 – Xing Ming) also written as ‘生命’ (Sheng Ming), ‘functionality’ (性能 – Xing Neng), ‘personality’ (个性 – Ge Xing), and ‘attribute’ (属性 – Shu Xing).’
2) 命 (ming4) – life, destiny, order, command, ordinances of the divine-sky (i.e. ‘fate’)
Top particle = 亼 (ji2) an inverted mouth meaning to ‘contest’ and ‘many’.
Left-hand particle = 口 (kou3) an open mouth, a person and an ‘opening’.
Right-hand particle =卩 (jie2) a person kneeling meaning to obey orders.
When placed together to form命 (ming4) the meaning of ‘life’, ‘direction of like’, ‘fate’, ‘assign’ the ‘course of events’, and the ‘pursuing of duty’ is created.
Chinese Dictionary Definition:
‘动植物的生活能力:生命。救命。逃命。拼命。命脉。性命。相依为命。’
Translation:
‘The ‘dynamic force’ that ‘animates’ all animal and plant life. It can refer to ‘existence’ (生命 – Sheng Ming), ‘preserving life’ (救命 – Jiu Ming), ‘flee for one’s life’ (逃命 – Tao Ming), ‘risk one’s life’ (拼命 – Pin Ming), ‘family lineage’ (命脉 – Ming Mai), ‘essential life’ (性命 – Xing Ming) and ‘bound by a common destiny’ (相依为命 – Xiang Yi Wei Ming).
3) 法 (fa3) – law, regulations, an institution, rules, statutes, legal or lawful methods, Buddhist or Daoist doctrine (and direction of practice).
Left-hand particle =氵a contraction of水 (shui3) for a flat (or ‘even’) body of water. Possibly historically linked to廌 (zhi4) – a mythical animal (such as a ‘unicorn’) that could intuitively and instinctively tell ‘right’ from ‘wrong’.
Right-hand particle = 去 (qu4) meaning a person (土大) leaving an enclosure (𠙴), to go, to depart, to play a distinct part (such as a character in the Beijing Opera), and to get rid of.
When placed together to form法 (fa3) the meaning of ‘law’, ‘legality’, ‘Buddhist and Daoist spiritual discipline’, ‘direction’, ‘standards’, ‘to follow’, ‘rule of law’ and ‘regulation’ is created.
Chinese Dictionary Definition:
‘佛家的道理:佛法。法号。法轮。法像。法门。道家佛家的所谓拿妖捉怪的技术:法师。法器。法事。’
Translation:
‘Generally refers to any Buddhist or Daoist method used to discipline the body, subdue the mind and uproot delusional thought. Within Buddhist and Daoist philosophy this term refers to the ‘Buddha-Dharma’ (佛法 – Fo Fa), A ‘Dharma-Name’ or ‘Law-Name’ (法号 Fa Hao), ‘Dharma-Wheel’ (法轮 – Fa Lun), ‘Dharma-Manifestation’ (法像 – Fa Xiang), ‘Dharma-Gate’ (法门 – Fa Men), ‘Dharma-Master’ or ‘Law-Master’ (法师 – Fa Shi), ‘Law-Device’ (法器 – Fa Qi) and ‘Dharma-Rituals’ or ‘Law-Ceremonies’ (法事 – Fa Shi).’
4) 訣 (jue2) – sorcery, the occult, a way or formula for achieving something, a secret method for achieving an objective.
Left-hand particle =讠a contraction of言 (yan2) for talk, speech, words, meaning and to express.
Right-hand particle =夬 (jue2-guai4) for that which is decisive, which settles, and makes clear.
When placed together to form 訣 (jue2) the meaning of ‘secrets of an art’, a ‘formula’ or ‘incantation’, and ‘secret hand gestures’ used within the Daoist religion, is created.
Chinese Dictionary Definition:
‘用事物的主要内容编成的顺口的便于记忆的词句:口诀。’
Translation:
‘Words and phrases structured in such a manner so as to make the body of knowledge represented, readily available to the faculty of memory in the mind, so that it is easily recalled when required. Invariably refers to formula passed on by word of mouth and intended for incantation, and instructions in rhyme. Referred to as ‘Mnemonics’ (口诀 – Kou Jue), or devices to assist in memory and memory recall.’
5) 明 (ming2) – bright, light, brilliant, clear, understand, intelligent, clever and obvious.
Left-hand particle =日 (ri4) usually for sun, but in this context means ‘not sun’ and refers to a window ‘囱’ (cong) at night.
Right-hand particle =月 (yue4) for moon.
When placed together to form明 (ming2) the meaning of a ‘bright moon’ shining through a ‘window’ at night is created.
Chinese Dictionary Definition:
‘亮,与“暗”相对:明亮。明媚。明净。明鉴(a.明镜;b.指可为借鉴的明显的前例;c.明察)。’
Translation:
‘Bright as opposed to, and contrasted with, the state of darkness. ‘Bright and clear’ (明亮 – Ming Liang), ‘bright and beautiful’ (明媚 – Ming Mei), ‘luminous’ (明净 – Ming Jing), and ‘clear reflection’ (明鉴 – Ming Jian) such as that as found in a ‘mirror’ (明镜 – Ming Jing), or that of applying a sound historical precedent to the present. Also a ‘bright’ and ‘clear’ process of ‘observation’, referring to the mind correctly observing phenomena (明察 – Ming Cha).‘
6) 旨 (zhi3) – purpose, will, intention, objective, imperial decree, good, excellent and beautiful.
Top particle =匕 (hua4) a man facing left, or lying down.
Bottom particle =曰 (yue1) to call, to say, or to name.
When placed together to form旨 (zhi3) the meaning of a ‘purpose’, an ‘aim’, an ‘objective’ and ‘profound meaning’ is created.
Chinese Dictionary Definition:
‘意义,目的:意旨。要旨。主旨。言近旨远。’
Translation:
‘Intention or objective of a philosophy (意旨 – Yi Zhi), central point (要旨 – Yao Zhi), prime aim (主旨 – Zhuzhi) and other examples of speech in the present-tense that pertain to achieve an objective in the future.’
Charles Luk translated ‘性命法訣明旨 (Xing Ming Fa Jue Ming Zhi)’ as ‘The Secret Cultivation of Essential Nature and Eternal Life’. Another way of interpreting this title is as follows:
a) 性命法 (Xing Ming Fa) = Essence of Life Law
b) 訣明旨 (Jue Ming Zhi) = Secret Formula that Sheds Light Instruction
As ‘Xing Ming’ (性命) implies the building of robust health (and thereby the achievement of immortality) through the practice of specific self-cultivation methods, the indication is that this is a foundational Daoist text. The use of ‘Jue’ (訣) implies that before Zhao Bichen wrote this text down, the bright knowledge (明 – Ming) contained therein, was only secretly transmitted (or passed-on) from master to disciple by word of mouth. In China’s feudal past, emperors issued ‘edicts’ (旨 – Zhi) that carried the full weight of the law. Edicts were not issued lightly and every word that constituted an imperial decree was carefully considered before its use. Therefore Zhao Bichen’s manual is an ‘authoritative’ statement about Daoist self-cultivation. Xing (性) is the cohesive power that holds living cells together. This cohesive power can be ‘weakened’ through experience of illness or the pursuit of unhealthy lifestyles. Ming (命) is an important element within Daoist thought that assumes that there is a superior path for humanity to follow that is premised upon a positive divine influence (fate) that is strengthened in the mind and body through the self-cultivation exercises of Daoist practice. This divine power is not separate from nature, but is in fact its very essence. This essence is obscured through unhealthy living and negative patterns of thought and emotional response. By deliberately building the cohesive force of ‘Xing’, the divine power of ‘Ming’ is manifest – this is why the two terms are placed together within Daoist philosophical thought. When ‘Xing’ and ‘Ming’ are cultivated, the cellular health of the body and mind improves, and a naturally long lifespan is to be expected. As cellular health improves, the functionality of the inner organs is optimised and the body and mind experiences an all-round blossoming. This self-cultivation is premised upon correct behaviour at all times, as this builds virtue and allows qi (气), jing (精) and shen (神) to be developed, integrated and transmuted for final transcendence. As Zhao Bichen committed this body of knowledge to writing, and then publicised its content throughout society (breaking with the tradition of exclusive Daoist lineages), he recorded the previous history of his wisdom in the rest of the title. What he presents was previously ‘secret’ but is now ‘open’. However, despite this change of presentation, the authoritative wisdom that is being shared is not weakened but strengthened in the new climate.
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2016.
Title = 性命法訣明旨 (Xing Ming Fa Jue Ming Zhi)
1) 性 (xing4) – underlying essence, or fundamental nature of the entire experience of conscious and physical existence.
Left-hand particle =忄a contraction of心 (xin1) – heart – mind.
Right-hand particle =生 (sheng1) – life, existence, birth, come into being.
When placed together to form ‘性’ (xing4) the meaning of the ‘heart’ or ‘underlying essence’ or ‘inherent nature’ (心) of ‘life’ (生) is created.
Chinese Dictionary Definition:
‘人或事物的本身所具有的能力、作用等:性质。性格。性命(生命)。性能。个性。属性。’
Translation:
‘The ‘substance’ of a living body that ‘functions’ in the world. It can refer to ‘nature’ (性质 – Xing Zhi), ‘character’ (性格 – Xing Ge), ‘essential life’ (性命 – Xing Ming) also written as ‘生命’ (Sheng Ming), ‘functionality’ (性能 – Xing Neng), ‘personality’ (个性 – Ge Xing), and ‘attribute’ (属性 – Shu Xing).’
2) 命 (ming4) – life, destiny, order, command, ordinances of the divine-sky (i.e. ‘fate’)
Top particle = 亼 (ji2) an inverted mouth meaning to ‘contest’ and ‘many’.
Left-hand particle = 口 (kou3) an open mouth, a person and an ‘opening’.
Right-hand particle =卩 (jie2) a person kneeling meaning to obey orders.
When placed together to form命 (ming4) the meaning of ‘life’, ‘direction of like’, ‘fate’, ‘assign’ the ‘course of events’, and the ‘pursuing of duty’ is created.
Chinese Dictionary Definition:
‘动植物的生活能力:生命。救命。逃命。拼命。命脉。性命。相依为命。’
Translation:
‘The ‘dynamic force’ that ‘animates’ all animal and plant life. It can refer to ‘existence’ (生命 – Sheng Ming), ‘preserving life’ (救命 – Jiu Ming), ‘flee for one’s life’ (逃命 – Tao Ming), ‘risk one’s life’ (拼命 – Pin Ming), ‘family lineage’ (命脉 – Ming Mai), ‘essential life’ (性命 – Xing Ming) and ‘bound by a common destiny’ (相依为命 – Xiang Yi Wei Ming).
3) 法 (fa3) – law, regulations, an institution, rules, statutes, legal or lawful methods, Buddhist or Daoist doctrine (and direction of practice).
Left-hand particle =氵a contraction of水 (shui3) for a flat (or ‘even’) body of water. Possibly historically linked to廌 (zhi4) – a mythical animal (such as a ‘unicorn’) that could intuitively and instinctively tell ‘right’ from ‘wrong’.
Right-hand particle = 去 (qu4) meaning a person (土大) leaving an enclosure (𠙴), to go, to depart, to play a distinct part (such as a character in the Beijing Opera), and to get rid of.
When placed together to form法 (fa3) the meaning of ‘law’, ‘legality’, ‘Buddhist and Daoist spiritual discipline’, ‘direction’, ‘standards’, ‘to follow’, ‘rule of law’ and ‘regulation’ is created.
Chinese Dictionary Definition:
‘佛家的道理:佛法。法号。法轮。法像。法门。道家佛家的所谓拿妖捉怪的技术:法师。法器。法事。’
Translation:
‘Generally refers to any Buddhist or Daoist method used to discipline the body, subdue the mind and uproot delusional thought. Within Buddhist and Daoist philosophy this term refers to the ‘Buddha-Dharma’ (佛法 – Fo Fa), A ‘Dharma-Name’ or ‘Law-Name’ (法号 Fa Hao), ‘Dharma-Wheel’ (法轮 – Fa Lun), ‘Dharma-Manifestation’ (法像 – Fa Xiang), ‘Dharma-Gate’ (法门 – Fa Men), ‘Dharma-Master’ or ‘Law-Master’ (法师 – Fa Shi), ‘Law-Device’ (法器 – Fa Qi) and ‘Dharma-Rituals’ or ‘Law-Ceremonies’ (法事 – Fa Shi).’
4) 訣 (jue2) – sorcery, the occult, a way or formula for achieving something, a secret method for achieving an objective.
Left-hand particle =讠a contraction of言 (yan2) for talk, speech, words, meaning and to express.
Right-hand particle =夬 (jue2-guai4) for that which is decisive, which settles, and makes clear.
When placed together to form 訣 (jue2) the meaning of ‘secrets of an art’, a ‘formula’ or ‘incantation’, and ‘secret hand gestures’ used within the Daoist religion, is created.
Chinese Dictionary Definition:
‘用事物的主要内容编成的顺口的便于记忆的词句:口诀。’
Translation:
‘Words and phrases structured in such a manner so as to make the body of knowledge represented, readily available to the faculty of memory in the mind, so that it is easily recalled when required. Invariably refers to formula passed on by word of mouth and intended for incantation, and instructions in rhyme. Referred to as ‘Mnemonics’ (口诀 – Kou Jue), or devices to assist in memory and memory recall.’
5) 明 (ming2) – bright, light, brilliant, clear, understand, intelligent, clever and obvious.
Left-hand particle =日 (ri4) usually for sun, but in this context means ‘not sun’ and refers to a window ‘囱’ (cong) at night.
Right-hand particle =月 (yue4) for moon.
When placed together to form明 (ming2) the meaning of a ‘bright moon’ shining through a ‘window’ at night is created.
Chinese Dictionary Definition:
‘亮,与“暗”相对:明亮。明媚。明净。明鉴(a.明镜;b.指可为借鉴的明显的前例;c.明察)。’
Translation:
‘Bright as opposed to, and contrasted with, the state of darkness. ‘Bright and clear’ (明亮 – Ming Liang), ‘bright and beautiful’ (明媚 – Ming Mei), ‘luminous’ (明净 – Ming Jing), and ‘clear reflection’ (明鉴 – Ming Jian) such as that as found in a ‘mirror’ (明镜 – Ming Jing), or that of applying a sound historical precedent to the present. Also a ‘bright’ and ‘clear’ process of ‘observation’, referring to the mind correctly observing phenomena (明察 – Ming Cha).‘
6) 旨 (zhi3) – purpose, will, intention, objective, imperial decree, good, excellent and beautiful.
Top particle =匕 (hua4) a man facing left, or lying down.
Bottom particle =曰 (yue1) to call, to say, or to name.
When placed together to form旨 (zhi3) the meaning of a ‘purpose’, an ‘aim’, an ‘objective’ and ‘profound meaning’ is created.
Chinese Dictionary Definition:
‘意义,目的:意旨。要旨。主旨。言近旨远。’
Translation:
‘Intention or objective of a philosophy (意旨 – Yi Zhi), central point (要旨 – Yao Zhi), prime aim (主旨 – Zhuzhi) and other examples of speech in the present-tense that pertain to achieve an objective in the future.’
Charles Luk translated ‘性命法訣明旨 (Xing Ming Fa Jue Ming Zhi)’ as ‘The Secret Cultivation of Essential Nature and Eternal Life’. Another way of interpreting this title is as follows:
a) 性命法 (Xing Ming Fa) = Essence of Life Law
b) 訣明旨 (Jue Ming Zhi) = Secret Formula that Sheds Light Instruction
As ‘Xing Ming’ (性命) implies the building of robust health (and thereby the achievement of immortality) through the practice of specific self-cultivation methods, the indication is that this is a foundational Daoist text. The use of ‘Jue’ (訣) implies that before Zhao Bichen wrote this text down, the bright knowledge (明 – Ming) contained therein, was only secretly transmitted (or passed-on) from master to disciple by word of mouth. In China’s feudal past, emperors issued ‘edicts’ (旨 – Zhi) that carried the full weight of the law. Edicts were not issued lightly and every word that constituted an imperial decree was carefully considered before its use. Therefore Zhao Bichen’s manual is an ‘authoritative’ statement about Daoist self-cultivation. Xing (性) is the cohesive power that holds living cells together. This cohesive power can be ‘weakened’ through experience of illness or the pursuit of unhealthy lifestyles. Ming (命) is an important element within Daoist thought that assumes that there is a superior path for humanity to follow that is premised upon a positive divine influence (fate) that is strengthened in the mind and body through the self-cultivation exercises of Daoist practice. This divine power is not separate from nature, but is in fact its very essence. This essence is obscured through unhealthy living and negative patterns of thought and emotional response. By deliberately building the cohesive force of ‘Xing’, the divine power of ‘Ming’ is manifest – this is why the two terms are placed together within Daoist philosophical thought. When ‘Xing’ and ‘Ming’ are cultivated, the cellular health of the body and mind improves, and a naturally long lifespan is to be expected. As cellular health improves, the functionality of the inner organs is optimised and the body and mind experiences an all-round blossoming. This self-cultivation is premised upon correct behaviour at all times, as this builds virtue and allows qi (气), jing (精) and shen (神) to be developed, integrated and transmuted for final transcendence. As Zhao Bichen committed this body of knowledge to writing, and then publicised its content throughout society (breaking with the tradition of exclusive Daoist lineages), he recorded the previous history of his wisdom in the rest of the title. What he presents was previously ‘secret’ but is now ‘open’. However, despite this change of presentation, the authoritative wisdom that is being shared is not weakened but strengthened in the new climate.
©opyright: Adrian Chan-Wyles (ShiDaDao) 2016.