Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c12.s2.27

v2.c12.s2.27

Simultaneously, the Daoist borrowed heavily from the Buddhist meditation theories. For example, Sun Simiao (581-682 CE), famous as the legendary Chinese King of Medicine and Heavenly Doctor, in his *Qian jin yaofang* (*Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand in Gold*), *Yang xing* (*Nurturing the Body*), and *Tiao qifa* (*Methods of Prāṇāyāma/Adjust the Breath*) describes Buddhist "meditation methods". After its practice, this was considered to be an advanced method for breathing exercises. In the 7th chapter of the second volume of *Qian Jin Yao Fang*, there is also a mention of the "Massage Methods of Tianzhu country (India)" which, Sun Simiao notes, is "the Brahmanical method". This has been preserved until now and consists of a total of 18 kinds of steps, half of which relate to massage and the other half to physical exercises. It bears similarities with the present day Indian Yoga system. Spreading in China around the 6ᵗʰ century, it had far-reaching influence on the Chinese body strengthening massage techniques. The Daoist master, Sima Chengzhen (655-735 CE) wrote a book on self-cultivation and well-being entitled *Zuowanglun* [*Discourse on Sitting and Forgetting (Oblivion)*]. Its Volume One, explains "Peace of Mind and Oblivion Laws" as Buddhist meditation methods. It emphasises the importance of observation of qualities like: (i) Respect and Faith; (ii), Interception of Karma; (iii) Restraining the Mind; (iv) Detachment from Affairs; (v) True Observation; (vi) Intense Concentration; (vii) Realising the Dao/ Enlightenment. It also discusses problem of "discipline" and "wisdom" as well as methods of practicing *Xiao Zhi Guan* (*Beginner's Zen and the Little Samatha-Vipassyana Manual*) and other similar issues. Its appendix contains a text, *Dongxuan lingbao dingguanjing* (*Scripture on Concentration and *Observation of the Numinous Treasure from the Cavern Mystery*), the authorship of which is unknown. This also emphasises among other things “cultivation of discipline and wisdom” and obviously reflects continuing influence of Buddhist meditation techniques.