• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.79-97
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• 2015

Objectives : To research origin of the shape of vital gate(命門) in Yixuerunmen makes us understand more exactly what the author, Li Chan(李梴) thought vital gate shaped. Methods : It's shape described in his book was compared with pictures portraying it in Hua Tuo Xuan Men Nei Zhao Tu(華陀玄門內照圖), one of references of his book. Results : He reasonably modified its passing track, while explaining it according to the paintings in Hua Tuo Xuan Men Nei Zhao Tu. Vital gate, as he thought, was not an real organ like the other five viscera, but a cord or a tube similar to blood vessels. He believed its cord had long connections from pericardium to terminal of urethra, which went through pericardium upward, right kidney downward, right around terminal rectum down-frontward, and urethra in parallel outward. Conclusions : He had consistent understandings for vital gate to penetrate several different viewpoints, as based on pictures in Hua Tuo Xuan Men Nei Zhao Tu.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-17
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• 1993

This study is to know the concept and function of Vital Gate. The results are summarized as follows, 1. Vital Gate is the original of life, which is essential to life. 2. A physiological function of Vital Gate controls the physiological activity of the whole body through Triple Heater. 3. It is said that a partial establishment of Vital Gate is the concept of Hwang Jeong(黃庭) as the central point of the body. 4. It is effective that a clinical application of Vital Gate uses on the basis of Zoagyuyeum(左歸飮) and Woogyuyeum(右歸陰). 5. Fire of the Vital Gate means a original activity of life-activity and is different from the concept of the fire of Pericardium as a substitute for King Fire. 6. It is said that to explain the essence of Vital Gate in relation of kidney is to say the generative function. According to the above results, Vital Gate is understood as the control of physiological activity of the whole body as the original point of life-activity.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was done to find the philological origin of the concept of pulse of the vital gate being assigned left or right according to sex distinction, and study its theoretical features that had been applied to clinical diagnosis. Methods : Medical books such as Maijue(脈訣), Leizheng Huorenshu(類證活人書), Maijuezhizhang(脈訣指掌), Yixuerumen(醫學入門), which directly mentions or having been considered to mention such concept of pulse of the vital gate, were inquired to find the philological origin of the concept. And after the philological origin was confirmed, combination between this concept and traditional pulse theory was also discussed. Results & Conclusions : The philological origin of the concept was confirmed as having the Taoist origin. In this study it was discussed through the contents of Xiyuedouxiansheng Xiuzhenzhinan(西嶽竇先生修眞指南). A term that is called 'the vital pulse(命脈)' appears in this book, and it could be said that the concept of 'the vital pulse' which is assigned on left or right according to sex distinction in the book like this had lead the pulse assignment of the vital gate into such a form that considers the sex distinction. After being accepted in medical theory, this concept also had been united with traditional pulse theory that appears in Nanjing(難經) and Maijing(脈經) to become a applicable theory in clinical diagnosis.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.109-117
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• 2014

Objectives : He Meng-Yao(何夢瑤), a doctor from Qing Dynasty, wrote Yi Bian(醫碥, Fundamentals of Medicine), in which he described many things related to Medical Medicine of divination (醫易). As the content includes a lot of teachings for the posterity, I have studied it. Methods : I have taken from Yi Bian(醫碥) the selections related to Medicine of divination(醫易) and explained them. Results : While accepting the principle of upholding yang and suppressing yin based on the understanding of the Book of Changes(周易) that takes a superior man for yang and a small man for yin, He Meng-Yao(何夢瑤), who thought of both yin and yang as Qi (energy), criticized the contemporary malpractice of uniformly applying the principle. In matching the five viscera to the Eight Trigrams(八卦), he put Qian and Dui Trigram(乾兌) to lung, Kan Trigram(坎卦) to kidney, Zhen and Xun Trigram(震巽) to liver, Li Trigram(離卦) to heart, and Kun and Gen Trigram(坤艮) to spleen, which is reasonable. He didn't fix the position of the vital gate and called it Fire in water(水中之火), and set great store by the role of Fire from Vital Gate(命門火) by calling it Water begetting tree(水生木) when the fire of the vital gate steams the kidney water and turns it into Qi to send it up to liver. He emphasized Water-ascending and Fire-descending(水升火降), which he said involves all five viscera. He also argued that mind runs on the principle of water-ascending and fire-descending. He thought that Qi and blood both originate from kidney, which I think is a significant suggestion. Conclusions : The criticism on the uniform application of upholding yang and suppressing yin, the combination of the five viscera and the Eight Trigrams(八卦), the belief that the Vital gate(命門) is Fire in water(水中之火), the excellent opinion on water-ascending and fire-descending, and the suggestion that Qi and blood both originate from kidney, as presented by He Meng-Yao(何夢瑤), are all theories that should be reasonably appreciated and further developed by the posterity.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.47-57
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• 2008

This paper aims at the comparative study of practicing Buddhism and Taoism related to "life gate". The term "life gate", as a physiological entity of disputed morphological identity, first appears in The Inner Canon where it refers to the eyes. Reference to a "life gate" as an internal organ body first appears in The Classic of Difficult Issues which states, "The two kidneys are not both kidneys' The left one is the kidney, and the right is the life gate." Successive scholars refers to life gate as a gi point of Taoists.. The question of the life gate invited little discussion until the Myeong and Cheong Dynasty, when various different theories were put forward. Especially Jin Sa-taek says "life gate" is the governor of the twelve place in the human body, throwing light on the meaning of it. Not that life gate denotes a local point, it does a system of life gate. Generally speaking, life gate designates cinnabar field. I think that the human body produces essence by way of life gate. That is, the human body is unified by the system of life gate. Life gate is not only the source of infusing the engine of the human body with vital energy but also as well as gi-point.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.137-187
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• 2005

This thesis study of the medical concept Qiu Zheng Lu (求正錄) is discussed in the Lei Jing Fu Yi (類經附翼), a book authored by Zhang Jie Bin (張介賓) a medical doctor during the Chinese Ming (明) dynasty (1368-1683). The meaning of Qiu Zheng Lu (求正錄) is "searching for the rightness." In his book Zhang Jie Bin (張介賓) intended to clarify Qiu Zheng Lu (求正錄) by delineating the concept into four categories. These are: Sanjiao Baoluo Mingmen Bian (三焦包絡命門 辨) the theory of the triple warmer, the Pericardium, the Gate of Life ; Da Bao Lun (大寶論) the theory of the great treasure of the human body; Zhen Yin Lun (眞陰論) the theory of true-yin fluid; and Shi Er Zang Mai Hou Bu Wei Lun (十二臟脈候部位論) the theory of the part of the pulse and its condition in regards to the twelve viscera. Sanjiao Baoluo Mingmen Bian (三焦包絡命門辨), the theory of the triple warmer, the Pericardium, the Gate of Life. The triple warmer (三焦: Sanjiao) is composed of three parts: the upper, middle, and lower. This concept is also connected with the functions and roles of the vital organs. The upper burner is related to the heart and lungs. The middle burner is related to the liver and spleen. Whereas, the lower burner is related to the kidneys. Bao-Luo (包絡) is the Pericardium, the envelope of the heart, serving as the protector of the heart. Ming-Men (命門) is the Gate of Life, reffering to the vitals of life. It functions as kidney-yang which is considered as the origin of yang-energy of the human body, and serves partly as the function of cortico-adrenal gland in modern medicine. Zhang Jie Bin (張介賓) discussed the Da Bao Lun (大寶論) as the most important function in the human body because the Da Bao (大寶/great treasure) is the true-yang (眞陽) which is the affective force for physiological functions, and as the source of energy for life activities. Moreover, true-yang (眞陽) functions both as a heater and thermometer that warms the human body and indicates vitality by levels of body warmth respectively. The Zhen Yin Lun (眞陰論) theory states that if true-yang (眞陽) is energy, then true-yin (眞陰) is the source of energy. This can be likened to a tree with roots which absorbs nutrients from the ground (source), and spreads the nutrients (energy) through its branches. Thus, true-yin (眞陰) is the root cause for later functional activities of true-yang (眞陽). In Shi Er Zang Mai Hou Bu Wei Lun (十二臟脈候部位論) the theory of the pulse (脈 /Mai) and its condition in regards to the twelve viscera, Zhang Jie Bin (張介賓) insisted that when a diagnoses by the pulse is made the five vital organs and the six viscera (五臟六腑) of a human body should be harmoniously arranged in accordance with its respective part of the pulse. Furthermore, Zhang Jie Bin (張介賓) supported his theory with evidence from earlier Chinese medical doctors. And, by stating that human beings must cultivate and preserve their true-yin (眞陰) and true-yang (眞陽) energies he therefore created four new prescriptions called: Zuoguiyin (左歸飮), Youguiyin (右歸飮), Zuoguiwan (左 歸丸), Youguiwan (右歸丸). To further clarify his theory Zhang Jie Bin (張介賓) considered that the function of true-yang (眞陽) and true-yin (眞陰) is expressed by Ming-Men (命門). This theory is that for humans to be spiritually and physically healthy they must live in accord with natural law. Also, within the framework of natural law, astronomical and geographical factors must be considered for complete, holistic, health. Thus, Ming-Men is the basis for healthy living in the modern world.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.31-51
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• 2009

The characteristics of Jin's ideas on clinic theory can be arranged as follows. 1. Jin emphasized warming and tonifying[溫補] in treatment and the part that shows this the best is the taking care of[調理] the Vital gate[命門], kidney, liver, and spleen. His ideas were based on his understanding of a human life's origin, and was influenced by Seolgi(薛己), Joheon-ga(趙獻可) and Janggaebin(張介賓)'s Vital gate and source Gi theory(元氣說) so scholastically, he has that in common with them but was later criticized by later doctors such as Oksamjon(玉三尊) as an 'literary doctor(文字醫)' who followed the ideas of "Uigwan(醫貫)". 2. The warming and tonifying school[溫補學派], who were influenced by Taoism, said in their theory of disease outbreak[發病學說] that since one must not hurt one's Yin essence and Yang fire [陰精陽火] there is more deficiency than excess, so that was why they used tonifying methods. Jin was also like them and this point of view is universal in internal medicine, gynecology, pediatric medicine and surgery and so on. 3. Jin, who saw the negative form of pulse diagnosis[診脈] emphasized following symptoms over pulse diagnosis using the spirit of ‘finding truth based on truth[實事求是]' in "Maekgyeolcheonmi(脈訣闡微)", but emphasized 'the combination of pulse and symptoms[脈證合參]'. He understood pulse diagnosis as a defining tool for symptoms, and in "Seoksilbirok(石室秘錄)" simplified pulse diagnosis into 10 methods : floating/sunken(浮沉), slow/fast(遲數), large/fine(大小), vacuous/replete(虛實) and slippery/rough(滑澀). 4. Jin used 'large formulas(大方)' a lot that usually featured a large dose, and in " Bonchosinpyeon(本草新編)" he thought of the seven formulas(七方) and ten preparations(十劑) as the standard when using medicine. He did away with old customs and presented a 'new(新)' and 'extra(奇)' point of view. He especially used a lot of Insam(人蔘) when tonifying Gi and Geumeunhwa(金銀花) when treating sores and ulcers. 5. In the area of surgery Jin gave priority to the early finding and treatment of disease with internal treatment[內治] and was against the overuse of acupuncture. However records of surgical measures in a special situation like lung abscesses(肺癰) and liver abscesses(肝癰), and anesthetic measures using 'Manghyeongju(忘形酒)' and 'Singoiyak(神膏異藥)' and opening the abdomen or skull, and organ transplants using a dog's tongue are important data. 6. Jin stated the diseases of Gi and blood broadly. Especially in the principles of treating blood, blood diseases had to be forwarded[順] and Gi regulation[理氣] was the number one priority and stated the following two treatments. First, in "Jeonggiinhyeolpyeon(精氣引血篇)" of volume 6 of "Oegyeongmieon(外經微言)", for the rules for treating blood he stated the pattern identification of finding Gi in blood and blood in Gi. Second, he emphasized Gi regulation(理氣) in blood diseases and stated that the Gi must be tonifyed after finding the source of the loss of blood.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.226-254
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• 1999

For the first time, the theory of ChonKwanChuk(寸關尺) and the examination method of KyungJung(輕重法) of KiGu(氣口) were formed in "NanKyung(難經)". After that, the vicera assignment theory at left and right hands(左右守藏府記屬理論) was established in "MaekKyung(脈經)" After Reserching the theoretical relevance of the two books, theories between the doctors who understood the examination method of ChukBu(尺部診法) of "Somun MaekYoJungMiRon(素問 脈要精微論)" as the examination method of KyungJung(輕重法) and the doctors who understood that method as the method of ChonKwanChuk(寸關尺) were compared and researched. The results were as follows : 1. The posit ion of ChonKwanChuk(寸關尺) of the examination method of ChonKwanChuk(寸關尺法) is explained at 2nd Nan(二難) of "NanKyung" as follows. Chuk(尺) is the position which is 1Chon(1寸, unit) distant from Kwan(關) to the direction of ChukTaek acupuncture point(尺澤穴) and Chon(寸) is the position which is 9Pun(9分, unit) distant from Kwan(關) to the direction of EoJe acupuncture point(魚際穴). And the six vessels(六經) were assined to ChonKwanChuk(寸關尺) on the basis of OHangJaMoSnagSaeng(五行子母相生) at 18th Nan(18難) of NanKyung. After that Yang Hyun-Jo(楊玄操) at Dang Dynasty, Jung Deok-Yong(丁德用), Woo Seo(廬庶) at Song dynasty explaind the examination method of ChonKwanChuk(寸關尺法) of NanKyung as the method of ChonKwanChuk of two hands(兩手寸關尺法) from the viewpoint of "MaekKyung(脈經)". 2. From the viewpoint of MaeKyung, the vicera assignment of the two hand ChonKwanChuk method is as follows. At Chuk of left hand, the Heart and Small intestine are assigned. At Kwan of left hand, the Liver and Gall Bladder are assigned. At Chuk of left hand, the Kidney and Bladder are assigned. At Chuk of right hand, the Lung and Large in testine are assigned. At Kwan of right hand, the Spleen and Stomach are assigned. At Chuk of Right hand, the Vital Gate(命門) and Bladder are assigned. 3. For the first time, HwalSu(滑壽) at Won dynasty said that the paragraph "尺內兩傍${\cdots}{\cdots}$" of "Somun MaekYoJungMiRon" is the first of the examination method of KiGu(氣口診脈法). After that Ma Shi(馬蒔), Jang Gae-Bin(張介賓) of Myung Dynasty, Jang Ji-Chong(張志聰), Seo Dae-Chun(徐大椿) of Chung Dynasty who were influenced by him explained that paragraph as the method of KiGuChonKwanChuk(氣口寸關尺法). 4. Lee Kyu-Jun(李圭晙) explained the paragraph "尺內兩傍${\cdots}{\cdots}$" of "Somun MaekYoJungMiRon" as the method of KyungJung(輕重法) and explained Chok(尺) as the paragraph 'Chuk is low position of Kigu, and it means the depth(氣口之下位也, 言其深也)' and explained that 'the Left and the Right is layers(左右者層數). And he revised that the Jang(臟) must be examined at the inner part and the Bu(府) must be examined at the outer part. By this, he settled the theoratical basis of the method of KyungJung(輕重法). 5. The doctors who used the examination method of ChonKwanChok(寸關尺診法) settled their logical justification of the two hand examination method of ChonKwanChuk(兩手寸關尺診法) by connecting with "Somon MaekYoJungMi-Ron" from the viewpoint of 2nd Nan(難) and 18th Nan(難) of NanKyung and MaekKyung. On the contrary, the doctors who used the examination method of KyungJung(輕重診法) settled their logical justification of the examination method of KyungJung(輕重診法) by connecting with "Somun MaekYoJungMiRon" from the viewpoint of 4th Nan(四難) and 5th Nan(五難).