Shaolin Medicine-Shaolin Temple

Buddhist Medicine Forum

Vegetarian Diet and Regimen

Dieting

In The Twenty Conglin Essentials Chan master Baizhang Dazhi noted that: “The disease takes dieting as the herb decoction.” Buddhist practice advocates “not eat after noontime and even one-meal-a-day”. If this way of eating is used properly, it not only won’t result in malnutrition but could coordinate intestines and stomach to ease the burden of internal organs. Of course, the most easily accepted diet is seven eight full. It means eat eight points for every meal, which also perfectly accords with modern health concept. Adults should pay more attention to dieting and fighting binge eating and the like. (From Shaolin Encyclopedia)

2023-12-30
Chan Medicine and Acupoints

The understanding of acupoints for Chan medicine has distinct academic versions. Chan medicine stresses: deep multiple abscess of acupoints change with space-time and everything’s changes on the premise of life, for which there are quality change and liquidity of locations. Chan medicine says “location accurate” means the location of the efficacy is accurate, rather than accurate graphics, coordinates and size. Chan medicine stresses “conformity of pneuma, mind and spirit” and “alternate softness and hardness”, requiring doctors to have “universal compassion” and “learning from a painful experience” and build a Bodhisattva’s realm of connecting to the heart and understanding each other with patients deeply. Understanding patients spoken of here is not simple medical ethics but ineffable medical skills. Massage therapy in Chan medicine is not simple to exercise the muscles, and the bones and tendons but stresses the transmission of the state and energy information. The use of acupoints methods like one finger Chan, two fingers pointing up as well as palm Chan, boxing Chan and so on, brings back life to a patient. (From Shaolin Encyclopedia)

2023-03-31

Shaolin Medicine

Chan Medicine Study

“wushu” (武术) does not encompass the defi...

The definition of the term “wushu” (武术) does not encompass the definition of the term “gong-fu” (功夫). Actually the definition of “wushu” is merely a portion of the definition of “gong-fu”, because “gong-fu” encompasses <1> wushu and <2> moralization of a wushu practitioner’s psyche. Wushu is capable of changing its practitioner’s constitution, while moralization of a wushu practitioner’s psyche concerns itself with his outlook. Although practicing wushu bears on a practitioner’s constitution, physical strength, willpower, and vitality, yet it cannot change his outlook. But in the case of Shaolin gong-fu training, moralizing a gong-fu trainee’s line of conduct means helping him with carrying on his self-cultivation program.

Author： 2024-11-14

Chan Medicine Origin

Would you please say something about dietary habits, such as abstaining from taking food after midday and vegetarianism?

There are two seasons for monastic Buddhists not to eat after midday according to Buddhist regulations, they are: 1. Abstaining from taking food afternoon reduces the burden on the laity since they provide the food; 2. It is conductive to practicing contemplation (bhavana). In the southern countries, this situation is still in common practice today. The strictest adherents only drink water, without taking milk, tea, coconut juice or anything else, while others may drink tea, soda water or fruit juice, as well as take candies after midday. In China, the Han monks of the Zen Sect have been used to doing farm work since ancient times, and due to their physical work, they have to eat something in the evening, so in most monasteries, this regulation is relaxed, but supper is regarded as part of a “medical diet”. Even so, many monks continue to observe the rule of abstention from eating after midday. (From Essentials of Buddhism: Questions and Answers)

2022-11-29
What is the meaning of “Conglin Qinggui”?

The original meaning of “Conglin” is grove or forest. A thickly populated monastery is just like a forest with plenty of trees, so it is called “conglin”, meaning great monastery (Mahavihara). “Qinggui” means the rules or regulations daily observed by the monks or nuns in monasteries, which are laid down according to the Vinaya enacted by the Buddha and adapted to prevailing conditions, including climate, geography, social customs, laws and regulations of the state, as well as sectarian characteristics, etc. the earliest monastery rules in China were initiated by Dao’an of the Eastern Jin Dynasty in the 4th century. After that each sect in subsequent dynasties created its own monastery institutions. For example, in the Tang Dynasty a set of codes for monks of the Zen School was created by Master Baizhang. Then it was lost. Later on, a “Royal Revised Baizhang Code” was created by an emperor of the Yuan Dynasty. This was actually in conformity with the need of feudal rulers, and had nothing to do with Baizhang himself. Subsequently this code was enforced by imperial orders through the Hongwu and Yongle Eras of the Ming Dynasty, and became a universal system observed by all monks and nuns throughout China, in place of all sorts of original monastic regulations and codes. (From Essentials of Buddhism: Questions and Answers)

2022-11-29
Buddhist Medicine’s Impact on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Literature

Definition and connotation of traditional Chinese medicine have experienced three great changes amid the development process over thousands of years. The first change is during the Spring-Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.

2021-07-31

Buddhist Medicine Forum

Vegetarian Diet and Regimen

Dieting

Chan Medicine and Acupoints

Shaolin Medicine

Chan Medicine Study

“wushu” (武术) does not encompass the defi...

The relation between practicing Shaolin gong-fu an...

Traditional Chinese martial arts are part of China...

The ultimate origin of Shaolin gong-fu is the tene...

Chan Medicine Origin

Would you please say something about dietary habits, such as abstaining from taking food after midday and vegetarianism?

What is the meaning of “Conglin Qinggui”?

Buddhist Medicine’s Impact on the Traditional Chinese Medicine Literature

Definition and connotation of traditional Chinese medicine have experienced three great changes amid the development process over thousands of years. The first change is during the Spring-Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.