From Inner Alchemy to Inner Strenght: The Intellectual Origins and Unique Methods of the Early Yijinjing
Date Issued
2010
Date
2010
Author(s)
Goldberger, David
Abstract
The first Yijinjing (Sinews Transformation Classic) was probably written in the 17th century and since then different versions of it, both in the form of hand written manuscripts and books, have appeared. Some editions contain a preface singed by the Tang period general Li Jing which tells how Bodhidharma transmitted the Yijinjing to the monks of the Shaolin Monastery. This legend definitely contributed to the fame of the Yijinjing but its training methods might have also added to its appeal. When we consider the contents the of one early Yijinjing hand written manuscript ( An edition said to be part of Qian Zunwang’s collection) we can detect in it elements of inner alchemy , nourishing life and daoyin components. Since all these traditions have reached peak development and popularity during the Ming period it is safe to assume that the Yijinjing have been influenced by them. However the Yjinjing also contains its own, original, training methods which are meant to strengthen the sinews and membranes.
In order to show both the Yijinjing’s debt to previous works and its originality I will discuss the influence of the 16th century inner alchemy classic “Prescripts for Inner Nature and Destiny”(Xingming Guizhi) on it and then compare it to two Ming period classic works on self cultivation- “Eight Folios on Honoring Life “(Zunsheng bajian) and “Red Phoenix Marrow”(Chifengsui).I hope to show that although the Yijinjing devised original concepts and methods they can still be considered a part of China’s self cultivation tradition.
Subjects
Yijinjing, Xingming Guizhi,
Chifengsui
inner alchemy
nourishing life
Type
thesis
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