Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c12.s3.t1: Qigong
Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c12.s3.t1
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Qigong
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It was a method invented by the ancient Chinese for physical and mental exercise. It had a long history, and Lao Tzu explained life’s position in the natural world and relations between life and nature at the
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*Qianjin yaofang*
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level of philosophy. *Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon’* had a whole set of theories about “Qi”, expounded relations between “Qi” and life, for example, relations between it and five viscera, blood vessels, main and collateral channels, etc. It also discussed relations between “Qi” and the natural world, for example, relations between it and heaven, earth, Yin, Yang, five elements and seasons, etc. The theory of health and longevity focussed on “Qi” had been established. A *Stained Mind in Chuang Tzu* mentioned, “exhaling the old and inhaling the new, climbing the trees like a bear and stretching like a bird,” for “those who do physical exercises, and wish to keep fit and aspire for a long life,” which showed that China had been the pioneer practising Qigong long ago. “Qi circulation promotion method carved on jade” in 4^th century BCE reflected that China’s Qigong theory had been formed initially.
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The development of Chinese Daoism promoted the development of Qigong under the stimulus of Buddhism between the 3^rd century and 4^th century, and the Daoist Qigong became the representative of Chinese Qigong. There were many famous works related to Qigong, including *Fairy Scripture, Scripture on Living Qi* and *Treatise on Ming Medicine* during this period. *Record of Moral Cultivation and Longevity* compiled by the Daoist and medical scientist Tao Hongjing (452-536 CE) quoted from the books including, *Fairy Scripture, Scripture on Living Qi* and *Treatise on Ming Medicine* summarised methods regulating Qi for treatment and longevity. China’s Qigong theory had been formed systematically.
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After Buddhism was introduced into China, Daoist Qigong and Buddhist Zen (Yoga) borrowed and absorbed from each other, and China’s Qigong had been enriched and improved a lot. Sun Simiao (about 581-682 CE) of Tang Dynasty absorbed, “the way of Zen” of Buddhism into his work *Valuable Prescriptions for Emergencies: Cultivating Temperament & Methods for Regulating Qi. Ten Rules for Female Cultivation* written by the female Daoist Sun Bu’er (1119-1182) in the Northern Song Dynasty absorbed cultivation methods of Tantric Buddhism. *Scripture on Concentration and Observation of the Numinous Treasure from the Cavern Mystery* written by an unknown author emphasised, “Equal cultivation of meditation and wisdom,” which also came from Zen cultivation theory of Buddhism. *Three Elements for Health Preservation* written by Yuan Huang (1538 - 1606) in the Ming Dynasty quoted Zen theory of Buddhism as well. There are many such examples.
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*Deep breathing exercise (imagining the four nodes of the body in spiritual yoga)*
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Chinese Qigong received little attention and was on the verge of extinction after 1949. People began to attach importance to Qigong in the 1980s, but some superstitious activities seized the chance to spread. As a way of health preservation, Qigong has been recognised by the academic circle, and there are specific magazines studying Qigong. Meanwhile, there are many similarities between Chinese Qigong and Indian Yoga, therefore, Chinese and Indian scholars attach importance to them, and conduct relevant studies.
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(*Xue Keqiao*)