Classical Qigong Texts: Foundations of Ancient Chinese Health Practices

Qigong, an ancient Chinese practice of coordinated body posture, movement, breathing, and meditation, has a rich literary heritage spanning millennia. The following classical texts, unearthed from historical sites or passed down through generations, provide invaluable insights into the theory and methods of qigong for health cultivation.

Discovered in the Mawangdui Han tombs in Changsha, Hunan, this Western Han dynasty text is divided into four sections: Ten Questions, Methods of Uniting Yin and Yang, Miscellaneous Prohibitions, and Discourse on the Ultimate Way Under Heaven. Its content focuses on health preservation, dietary therapy, breath regulation, and sexual practices, with particular emphasis on the latter. It remains a valuable resource for studying qigong and longevity techniques.

Also unearthed from the Mawangdui tombs, this 400-character text is a seminal work on breath control and grain avoidance (bigu). It provides specific methods for breath regulation and recommends the supplementary use of herbal medicines to enhance the effects of fasting.

Written by Liu An and others during the Western Han dynasty, this representative work of Daoist thought is also known as Huainan Honglie. In 21 chapters, it summarizes early Han Daoist philosophy. In the realm of health preservation, it develops the Daoist principles of tranquility and non-action, offering insights applicable to qigong practice.

This classic alchemical text, attributed to Wei Boyang of the Eastern Han dynasty, consists of three chapters and a supplementary Song of the Tripod. It integrates the theoretical framework of the Yijing (Book of Changes), the doctrines of Huang-Lao (Yellow Emperor and Laozi), and alchemical experience to establish a comprehensive system of internal alchemy (neidan). Revered as the 'King of Ten Thousand Dan Classics,' it is universally recognized as a foundational text of qigong internal alchemy. The book discusses three essential elements: the furnace and cauldron (represented by the Qian and Kun hexagrams), the ingredients (represented by the Kan and Li hexagrams), and the fire timing (represented by the 60 hexagrams such as Zhun and Meng). It employs obscure terminology such as black and white, metal and water, dragon and tiger, and soul and spirit. Over 40 commentaries exist, including those by Peng Xiao (Five Dynasties), Zhu Xi (Song dynasty), Chen Zhixu (Yuan dynasty), and Dong Dening (Qing dynasty), with Dong's commentary being particularly accessible for beginners.

An early Daoist classic originally in 170 volumes (57 extant), attributed to Yu Ji of the Eastern Han dynasty. This text expounds on the immortalist concept of uniting essence (jing), qi, and spirit (shen) to achieve longevity, as well as the governance of the state through the unity of heaven, earth, and humanity. Its comprehensive and diverse content has influenced the development of qigong in later generations.

One of the earliest Buddhist meditation scriptures translated into Chinese, in two volumes by An Shigao of the Eastern Han dynasty. It primarily discusses the six practices of counting breaths, following the breath, stopping, observing, returning, and purifying, along with their relationship to the 37 factors of enlightenment. The text places great emphasis on breath counting and introduces the 'four aspects' theory, which has had a profound impact on later contemplative traditions.

References

1. Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic).
2. Wei Boyang. Zhouyi Cantongqi (The Kinship of the Three). Eastern Han dynasty.
3. Yu Ji. Taiping Jing (Scripture of the Great Peace). Eastern Han dynasty.
4. An Shigao (trans.). Da Anban Shouyi Jing (Great Anapanasati Sutra). Eastern Han dynasty.
5. Liu An et al. Huainanzi. Western Han dynasty.
6. Mawangdui Han Tomb Texts: Yangsheng Fang and Quegu Shiqi Pian.