《上清黃庭五臟六府真人玉軸經》

The seventh volume of the Shangqing Huangting Wuzang Liufu Zhenren Yuzhou Jing (Jade Axle Scripture of the True Lords of the Five Viscera and Six Bowels from the Yellow Court Canon of Highest Clarity) records:

The Most High Lord of the Dao, Primordial Beginning Celestial Worthy (the supreme deity of Daoism), said to the Yellow Emperor: "You seek methods to govern the people, yet fail to understand the essential techniques for regulating your own body. You focus on managing external affairs without cultivating yourself, pursuing outer refinement while neglecting inner cultivation—is this not lamentable?"

The Yellow Emperor bowed reverently and said: "How fortunate I am! May this mortal body receive your profound teachings. I humbly beg for your compassionate guidance."

The Celestial Worthy instructed: "Human life is constituted by an eight-foot body, gathering the essence of all things. Externally, there are the four limbs and nine orifices; internally, the five viscera and six bowels, each governed by its own spirit. Jing (essence) inherits the qualities of Metal and Fire, while Qi (vital energy) harmonizes Wood and Water. The five viscera are the abodes of the five spirits, the vessels of life. Ensure the spirits remain tranquil and the Qi flows smoothly. The secret of cultivation lies in this: The nature of Fire is agitation and governs propriety; the nature of Metal is firmness and governs righteousness. Agitation and firmness belong to Yin, while propriety and righteousness belong to Yang. The law of Yin-Yang balance states: When Yin Qi is excessive, decline follows; when Yang Qi is abundant, growth ensues. Thus, restraining agitation and upholding propriety leads to growth, while indulging in recklessness and abandoning righteousness brings death. Externally, practice propriety and righteousness; internally, regulate the liver and gallbladder—this is the essential secret of nurturing life."

"Take loyalty and filial piety as your foundation. Failing to understand this root will harm your life. If you can calm the Shen (spirit), refine the body, absorb vital Qi, return to the Dao, distance yourself from delusions, awaken from chaos, enter the mysterious realm, comprehend the principles of supplementation and drainage, and master the methods of prolonging life, you may attain immortality. You should reflect upon yourself like a tortoise shell or a bright mirror—the Dao lies within."

The Yellow Emperor reverently received these efficacious secrets and devoted himself to cultivation. In less than twelve years, he attained spiritual powers: foreseeing the future, mobilizing heart essence through kidney Qi, and entering the mysterious realm. He could walk through water without drowning and through fire without burning. Internally, his Qi circulated; externally, spirits responded—was this not the state of utmost truth? The Yellow Emperor practiced these secret methods, nourishing the six bowels, refining the five essences, exhaling the old and inhaling the new, until his true Qi flowed unimpeded. Later, he ascended to immortality after casting the tripod at Mount Li.

[Illustrations of the Five Viscera and Six Bowels]

Diagram of the Lungs

To regulate the lungs, use the "Xi" (呬) technique: exhaling with the "Xi" sound drains, while inhaling supplements. The lungs correspond to the Dui (兑) trigram, embodying the essence of Metal. Their color is white, and their shape resembles a suspended chime. The lung spirit takes the form of a white auspicious beast. The Qi generated in the lungs transforms into a jade youth, seven inches tall, who moves about the lungs holding a staff. Those prone to anger often exhibit restlessness of the lung spirit.

This scripture primarily expounds on the methods for nurturing the lungs and cultivation practices, divided into several key points:

1. Essentials of Nourishing Life:

• The way to maintain mental tranquility and physical health lies in restraining distracting thoughts and moderating desires
• One should cultivate benevolence, control anger, speak less, and harmonize the vital Qi (life energy) with Heaven and Earth

2. The Relationship Between Lungs and Health:

• The lungs are internally-externally connected with the large intestine and govern the nose. Lung disorders manifest as: nasal congestion (wind invasion), sallow complexion (lung dryness), itchy nose (parasites), susceptibility to fear (unsettled hun and po souls), white skin patches (lung weakness), resonant voice (strong lungs), aversion to cold (lung exhaustion), craving for spicy food (lung Qi deficiency), pale complexion (healthy lungs), and intestinal rumbling (lung Qi stagnation)

3. Cultivation Methods:

• The lungs correspond to the Metal phase and the "Xi" sound technique. When lung ailments occur, use the "Xi" breathing method for regulation
• When feeling oppressed by anger, the "Xi" technique can provide natural relief through catharsis
• The three autumn months (July, August, September) are crucial for lung nourishment. Follow autumn's harvesting energy by retiring early and rising early while restraining anger
• Specific practice: Face west at dawn, sit quietly, knock teeth seven times, swallow saliva three times, close eyes and inhale white Qi from the west to replenish lung energy

4. Benefits:

• Persistent practice stabilizes the spirit (Shen), sharpens thinking, and enriches Qi and blood
• Achieves a state immune to diseases and harm from weapons, extending longevity and potentially attaining immortality

5. Supplementary Heart Practices:

• The heart corresponds to the "He" sound technique - "He" for purging, inhalation for tonifying
• The heart belongs to the Fire phase, appears red, shaped like a lotus, with its Shen resembling a vermilion bird
• The heart spirit manifests as a jade maiden figure, governing human mental activities

These methods embody the Daoist cultivation principle of "simultaneous nurturing of form and spirit," regulating organ functions through breath regulation, Daoyin exercises, and visualization techniques.

The Shangqing Huangting Five Viscera and Six Bowels Scripture of the Jade Axis presents methods for nurturing the heart and liver. Here's a plain explanation:

[Heart Section]

The heart governs consciousness and blood circulation. Heart disorders manifest in specific ways: blood stasis causes palpitations, while inability to distinguish flavors indicates deficient heart Qi (vital energy). The wise have seven apertures in their hearts, ordinary people one, and the dull-witted none. Forgetfulness signals scattered Shen (spirit), craving bitter flavors reveals insufficient heart fire, melancholy stems from impaired heart Qi, sluggish responses indicate chaotic Shen, blue-black facial hue shows heart meridian stagnation, while rosy complexion denotes cardiac health.

Heart-Nourishing Secrets:

1. The "He" Sound Technique: Pronouncing "he" (one of Daoist Six Healing Sounds) calms the heart. When agitated, exhale with this sound—a celestial health method few understand today. Neglecting this may trigger anger.

2. Summer Heart Cultivation: On the 1st and 15th lunar days during summer months (4th-6th moons), sit southward at dawn. Knock teeth nine times, rinse the mouth thrice, visualize inhaling crimson Qi from the southern Li Palace, then swallow three times to replenish heart Qi.

3. Daily Practice: Cultivate benevolence, charitable deeds, and filial piety to harmonize Shen and naturally sustain health. In summer, align with cosmic rhythms—sleep early (Hai hour, 9-11 PM) and rise early (Chou hour, 1-3 AM) to support heart Qi growth.

[Liver Section]

The liver, associated with Wood and the Zhen trigram (among the Bagua), governs the color green. It houses the ethereal soul (Hun), whose divine manifestation appears as two jade dragon-transformed attendants—a blue-robed youth and yellow-gowned maiden (Daoist belief assigns guardian spirits to each organ). These one-inch tall beings—one dragon-mounted, one holding jade nectar—reside within the liver. Philanthropic individuals often exhibit smooth liver Qi circulation.

Liver-Protecting Methods:

Use the "Xu" Sound Technique: Pronouncing "xu" (the purging sound among Six Healing Sounds) drains liver fire, while inhaling supplements it. The liver thrives on benevolent Qi—maintaining kindness best nourishes it.

(Note: The "Nine Palaces' Shock Gate" refers to the heart's position in the body's nine-sector model from Qimen Dunjia esotericism. "Golden Beam" denotes teeth and "Mystic Spring" saliva—both specialized terms in Daoist cultivation.)

This scripture primarily explains how to nurture life and prolong longevity by regulating the five viscera (particularly the liver and spleen). Let us first examine the section concerning the liver:

Those who wish to stabilize their hun-po (ethereal and corporeal souls) and extend their lifespan should emulate how dew nourishes plants by generously bestowing kindness—only thus can they preserve life and harmonize with the Great Purity (the highest celestial realm). The liver pairs with the gallbladder, governing eye function—when liver qi (vital energy) is abundant, the eyes turn red, and it also controls tendon movement. Liver deficiency leads to stiff tendons and withered skin; liver heat manifests as dry skin; darkened muscles indicate liver wind symptoms. A particular craving for sour flavors suggests insufficient liver qi, a greenish complexion indicates excessive liver qi, sweaty hands and feet show the liver is unimpaired, while brittle hair signals liver damage.

The liver corresponds to the moon. To treat liver ailments, employ the "Xu" sound technique (a breathing method), as "Xu" is the external manifestation of liver qi, embodying the virtue of benevolence. When one suffers pain from injury, the "Xu" method can alleviate it—this is a naturally verified truth. The liver governs spring. During spring's three months when celestial and terrestrial vitality flourish and all things grow, humans should follow yang qi (active energy). Otherwise, the liver becomes injured, causing hair and bones to lose luster. Specific cultivation method: From the first to third lunar month during the Yin hour (3-5 AM), sit facing east, click teeth three times, hold breath for seven cycles, then inhale and swallow the green qi from the Zhen palace (east Bagua direction) three times to replenish liver qi.

Regarding the spleen:

Regulating the spleen requires the "Hu" sound technique—exhaling drains while inhaling supplements. The spleen belongs to the Kun trigram (earth trigram), being the essence of earth, yellow in color, shaped like an inverted bowl. It governs consciousness, with its shen (spirit) resembling a phoenix that transforms into a six-inch jade maiden circulating within the spleen. The spleen spirit tends toward jealousy, as earth phase lacks fixed form, making envy irrational. Female jealousy is more severe due to yin influence. To calm the spleen spirit, reduce desires, restrain lust, minimize overthinking, and cultivate earth de (earth-like virtue of tolerance).

The spleen connects to the mouth as the organ digesting grains, functioning like a millstone that transforms raw food into cooked. Indigestion indicates spleen stagnation; undigested hard foods cause food accumulation. Lying down immediately after meals makes the spleen tilt and malfunction. Frequently eating hard foods leads to chronic digestive disorders.

(Note: "□" in the original text indicates missing characters, preserved as such in translation; "Hu" and "Xu" belong to the Daoist Six Healing Sounds breathing techniques for health preservation.)

The Shangqing Huangting Wuzang Liufu Zhenren Yuzhou Jing (Jade Scroll Scripture of the Perfected Lords of the Five Viscera and Six Bowels from the Shangqing Yellow Court) primarily expounds on the cultivation methods for the spleen and kidneys:

On the Spleen:

1. Spleen dysfunction damages both physical constitution and Shen (spirit). One should avoid consuming raw or hard-to-digest foods—this is fundamental to health preservation.

2. Manifestations of spleen disorders: poor appetite indicates indigestion; obsessive thoughts reveal unsettled "spleen consciousness"; binge eating stems from spleen deficiency; loss of appetite suggests spleen blockage; sallow complexion reflects spleen injury; craving sweets signals spleen weakness; a rosy glow indicates spleen vitality.

3. The spleen belongs to the Earth phase and resides in the central palace. To treat spleen ailments, employ the "Hu" (呼) breathing technique—a Daoist exhalation method that regulates spleen Qi. When internal heat arises, exhaling disperses it; otherwise, accumulated heat causes restlessness.

4. The spleen governs benevolence and cultivates magnanimity. It assists all things in seasonal growth and oversees digestive functions. For cultivation, face the central palace at dawn during the last 18 days of each season. Sit in stillness, hold breath five times, tap teeth seven times, then inhale and swallow yellow Earth Qi five times. Complement this with drinking "Jade Nectar" (Yuli) to nourish the spleen and Shen.

On the Kidneys:

1. Treat kidney disorders using the "Chui" (吹) technique—exhaling ("blowing") purges excess, while inhaling supplements deficiency.

2. The kidneys store Yin Jing (essence), correspond to the Kan trigram (坎), manifest as black in color, and resemble rounded stones. Their Shen appears as a Jade Child transformed from a white deer (a vision in Neidan meditation).

3. The kidneys govern gentleness. To stabilize kidney Shen, cultivate humane De (virtue) like nourishing rain enriching all things. Connected to bones and teeth, kidney deficiency manifests as bone pain; hearing loss indicates kidney depletion; toothache reveals kidney decline; dark complexion shows insufficient kidney Qi; chills suggest kidney strain; back pain signals abnormal kidney Qi.

4. Daily practice should avoid prolonged standing (which harms kidneys) and fear (which damages willpower). Storing Jing and willpower, the kidneys pair with the bladder. When kidney Qi flourishes, all five viscera harmonize.

This scripture primarily discusses health cultivation methods for the kidneys and gallbladder, divided into two sections:

Regarding the kidneys:

• Kidney disorders manifest through symptoms like blackened teeth, ear pain, inability to straighten the back, and yellowish complexion
• The kidneys govern bones, and their ailments should be treated with the "chui" (吹) breathing technique (a Daoist respiratory method)
• Winter constitutes the crucial season for kidney nourishment - during these three months, one should retire early and rise late (sleep during Xu hours [7-9 PM], rise during Yin hours [3-5 AM]), aligning with natural rhythms
• Specific cultivation method: From the tenth to twelfth lunar month, sit facing north, click teeth seven times, swallow saliva three times, and inhale the northern black Qi (symbolizing Water Phase energy) to replenish kidney Qi
• This practice ensures abundant kidney Qi, physical wellbeing, protection from pathogenic influences, and ultimately leads to longevity

Regarding the gallbladder:

• The gallbladder embodies metal essence (Jinjing) and water energy (Shuiqi), shaped like a hanging gourd
• Its spiritual manifestation (Shen) appears as a jade youth holding a halberd, one chi tall, symbolizing courage
• Gallbladder nourishment requires anger control and cultivation of benevolent heart (renyi)
• The gallbladder pairs with the bladder and governs body hair. Brittle hair, dry nails, spontaneous tearing, and craving sour flavors indicate gallbladder disorders
• Located in the Kan Palace (northern Water position), it endows people with wisdom, kindness, and moral integrity
• As a metal-natured organ (Jinxing), it governs martial courage, though moderation and restraint remain essential

Note: The mentioned "chui" (吹) and "xi" (嘻) techniques belong to Daoist Six Healing Sounds (Liuzi Jue) breathing methods; "Kan Palace" refers to the Kan trigram position in the Bagua (Eight Trigrams), representing north and the Water Phase.

This scripture primarily discusses the relationship between the five viscera and six bowels with human emotions, along with methods for cultivation and health preservation:

The connection between emotions and internal organs:

The metal Qi governing execution is born from water (kidneys), which is why tears flow from the eyes when one grieves. The heart belongs to fire and governs pungent flavors, while the gallbladder belongs to water and governs bitter flavors. When the Qi of water and fire conflict, and water overcomes fire, tears are produced. Since tears taste bitter, they are called "bitter tears" (lei). The bitter sound made during weeping originates from the gallbladder (associated with water), which belongs to Yin, while the eyes belong to Yang. As Yin emerges from Yang, tears flow from the eyes.

Cultivation methods:

During the first month of each season (known as Meng month in the lunar calendar), sit in meditation facing north and inhale the black Qi from the Mysterious Palace (Dantian). Swallow it in nine portions to repair gallbladder damage. Complement this practice by consuming turtle and snake (symbolizing Yin-Yang) foods and drinking the "Jade Youth's nectar" (referring to oral saliva). This harmonizes spirit and body, preventing pathogenic Qi from invading.

The importance of gallbladder Qi:

It's lamentable that ordinary people don't believe in these profound principles. Those with abundant gallbladder Qi can subdue ghosts and spirits simply by glaring and gnashing their teeth when encountering evil entities—this demonstrates the power of divine Qi.

Health preservation techniques:

Tooth-tapping (lightly clicking teeth together) can purge fire, while breath-holding and saliva-rinsing replenish the essence Qi of the six bowels.

The Yellow Emperor receiving the Dao:

The Yellow Emperor knelt to receive the Heavenly Lord's teachings, vowing to eternally remember these profound truths. The Heavenly Lord cautioned him to be selective in transmission, never teaching those lacking spiritual capacity.

Qibo's discourse on essence, Qi and spirit:

Humans receive Heaven-Earth Qi—the generative energy is called "Jing" (essence). When Jing interacts, it produces "Ling" (numinous awareness); when Ling transforms, it becomes "Shen" (spirit); and when Shen changes, it manifests as "Hun" (ethereal soul). What accompanies the Hun's coming and going is "Shi" (consciousness), while what moves with Jing's flow is "Po" (corporeal soul). The ruler of Jing and Po is the heart, and when the heart inclines, it creates "Qing" (emotion).

(Note: The text preserves Daoist technical terms like "Mysterious Palace" and "Jade Youth" with explanations, while providing necessary clarification for cultivation methods such as "Meng month" and "tooth-tapping.")

This scripture primarily discusses the correspondence between the human body and the cosmos, as well as methods for maintaining physical and mental health through cultivation.

The first section explains human mental activities: When emotions find anchorage, they become "intention" (yi); when intention gains direction, it becomes "will" (zhi); when will develops strategy, it becomes "contemplation" (si); when contemplation extends far, it becomes "deliberation" (lü); and when deliberation is put into practice, it becomes "wisdom" (zhi). These all represent manifestations of human Shen (spirit), hun-po (ethereal and corporeal souls), and volitional activities.

The second section cites Ge Hong's (Baopuzi) perspective: the human body is a microcosm. The head resembles heaven, the feet mirror earth, the eyes reflect the sun and moon, the hair corresponds to stars, the teeth symbolize gold and jade, and the internal organs align with mountains and rivers. The five zang organs (liver, gallbladder, spleen, lungs, and heart) correspond to the Five Phases (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). Neglecting cultivation and regulation leads to Qi stagnation, organ imbalance, and consequent illness. Thus practitioners must repair damage and prevent disease.

The third part presents the Yellow Emperor's view: each of the five zang organs houses a divine presence. Through Qi regulation, visualization of these deities (cunshen), and elimination of pathogenic influences, one can return to the right path.

The conclusion quotes Yuanshi Tianzun's Tai Xuan Zhen Jing (Scripture of Great Mystery): Excessive joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure harms one's innate nature and Shen while damaging vital Qi. The essential art of nurturing life lies in maintaining harmonious breath, tranquil spirit, and comfortable physical form.

(Note: "Five zang" refers to the solid organs, while "six fu" denotes the hollow organs—traditional Daoist classifications of internal organs; "cunshen" means visualizing internal deities during practice; "rong-wei" indicates the Qi-blood circulatory system)