Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c12.s2.19

v2.c12.s2.19

Shi Chuan’s *Tao Luan Fashi fuqi* (Master Tao Luan’s Method for Breathing Exercise) has only 300 words. It basically explains the method of *Prāṇāyāma*, and the essential theory of self-cultivation and well-being. This method is as follows: first, sit relaxed, loosen all sleeves and clothes, and place both hands on the knees. Second, chant “Faxing pingdeng sheng si bu er jing (Essence of dharma is same, life and death are advaya / absolute truth without duality) Third, close eyes and touch palate with the tongue. Fourth, gradually fully exhale breath, first from fast to slow, and then slow to fast, doing each way more than ten times. Master Tanluan considers that the disharmony among four elements (earth, water, fire and air) are the cause of disease, "as cold increases with the wind, heat rises with the fire, slipperiness advances with the water, and astringent develops in the earth. Therefore neither cold, heat, slipperiness and astringent could reconcile”. Tan Luan’s method of prāṇāyāma thus obviously appears to fuse the Yoga theories of Buddhism and Daoism.