The Classic of Difficult Issues
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Summary
The Nanjing (Classic of Difficult Issues) is traditionally attributed to Qin Yueren (known as Bian Que), a physician of the Warring States period. A classical work of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, it is written in question-and-answer form and discusses pulse studies, meridians and collaterals, visceral manifestations, diseases, acupoints, and treatment. It supplements and elaborates on related content in the Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor). Primarily concerned with foundational theory, the book focuses on meridian theory, specific points such as the five shu points, back-shu and front-mu points, and the application of reinforcing and reducing in acupuncture. It made outstanding contributions to the development of TCM pulse studies and is one of the four great classics of TCM, exerting a profound influence on later medical theory.
Editor's review
The Nanjing unfolds in question-and-answer form, posing layered questions on core topics such as pulse studies, meridians and collaterals, visceral manifestations, acupoints, and reinforcing and reducing in acupuncture. It both supplements and elaborates on the Huangdi Neijing and serves as an important introductory classic for understanding foundational TCM theory. Its value lies not in a collection of formulas and medicinals but in presenting the logical relationships among visceral manifestations, meridians, and diagnostic methods in a concentrated and clear way; its discussions of the five shu points, back-shu and front-mu points, and reinforcing and reducing in acupuncture are especially cited repeatedly by later physicians. This new edition helps modern readers grasp the original text's structure step by step, chapter by chapter. Read it as a problem-oriented theoretical work: first grasp the main points of the questions and answers, then compare them with relevant chapters of the Neijing; for entries on pulse studies and acupoints, make excerpted summaries. It is suitable for synchronized study alongside a systematic foundational TCM course and for clinicians revisiting theoretical roots. Note that its language is ancient and terse and its terminology dense; beginners should use annotated editions and reference works and should not treat it as a quick-start manual.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Students systematically studying foundational TCM theory who need to organize the framework of pulse studies and meridians
- Readers who have read selections from the Huangdi Neijing and wish to understand its supplements and elaborations through comparison
- Acupuncture and tuina practitioners who want to trace the sources of five shu points, back-shu and front-mu points, and reinforcing and reducing theory
- Traditional culture enthusiasts who plan to read all four great TCM classics and prefer the original question-and-answer text
Not a good fit for
- Absolute beginners with no TCM terminology who hope to learn treatment formulas and medicinals directly
- Readers seeking modern clinical guidelines or concrete case protocols who are unwilling to read classical theory
- Skimmers who only want quick wellness tips and lack patience for the meridian and acupoint system
Reading tips
- Read the questions and answers on pulse studies and meridians first to establish the book's problem framework, then move on to visceral manifestations and acupoints.
- Keep a selected edition of the Huangdi Neijing for comparison, marking cross-references in relevant chapters to understand the supplementary relationship.
- Make categorized excerpts of passages on the five shu points, back-shu and front-mu points, and reinforcing and reducing; organize them into your own terminology cards by theme.
- After each chapter, restate the key points of the questions and answers in your own words to check whether you truly understand rather than merely recognize ancient characters.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 内容简介
- 第一部分 论脉
- 一
- 二
- 三
- 四
- 五
- 六
- 七
- 八
- 九
- 十
- 十一
- 十二
- 十三
- 十四
- 十五
- 十六
- 十七
- 十八
- 十九
- 二十
- 二十一
- 二十二
- 第二部分 论经络
- 二十三
- 二十四
- 二十五
- 二十六
- 二十七
- 二十八
- 二十九
- 第三部分 论脏腑
- 三十
- 三十一
- 三十二
- 三十三
- 三十四
- 三十五
- 三十六
- 三十七
- 三十八
- 三十九
- 四十
- 四十一
- 四十二
- 四十三
- 四十四
- 四十五
- 四十六
- 四十七
- 第四部分 论病
- 四十八
- 四十九
- 五十
- 五十一
- 五十二
- 五十三
- 五十四
- 五十五
- 五十六
- 五十七
- 五十八
- 五十九
- 六十
- 六十一
- 第五部分 论穴道
- 六十二
- 六十三
- 六十四
- 六十五
- 六十六
- 六十七
- 六十八
- 第六部分 论针法
- 六十九
- 七十
- 七十一
- 七十二
- 七十三
- 七十四
- 七十五
- 七十六
- 七十七
- 七十八
- 七十九
- 八十
- 八十一
FAQ
Can I read the Nanjing directly without a TCM foundation?
You can read it, but not bare. The book is dense with terminology and its questions and answers are terse and ancient; absolute beginners should first understand basic concepts such as yin-yang, zang-fu organs, and meridians, then use a reliable annotated edition for item-by-item comparison. If you can turn each question and answer into a modern Chinese summary, comprehension will be much smoother; otherwise you may remain stuck at the literal level.
What is the relationship between the Nanjing and the Huangdi Neijing?
According to the book's materials, the Nanjing supplements and elaborates on related content in the Huangdi Neijing, using question-and-answer form to discuss pulse studies, meridians and collaterals, visceral manifestations, diseases, acupoints, and treatment. It is not a simple excerpt but a concentrated posing and answering of key questions, especially noted for its discussions of pulse studies, specific points, and reinforcing and reducing in acupuncture; it can be seen as a thematic thread for understanding Neijing theory.
What acupuncture content does the book emphasize?
The materials show that the book focuses on meridian theory, specific points such as the five shu points, back-shu and front-mu points, and the application of reinforcing and reducing in acupuncture. When reading, connect these entries with the sections on visceral manifestations and pulse studies: specific points are not isolated knowledge points but the therapeutic application of meridian and zang-fu theory; summarizing by theme is more effective than rote memorization item by item.
What tools should I use when reading the Nanjing?
Prepare a reliable annotated edition, a dictionary of TCM terminology, and a selected edition of relevant chapters from the Huangdi Neijing. First clarify characters, words, and terminology, then compare with the Neijing to understand its supplementary relationship; make excerpted summaries of passages on pulse studies and acupoints. If possible, use it alongside lecture notes or a foundational theory textbook.
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About the author
扁鹊
Author
Bian Que is a renowned physician of ancient China. His life and dates are difficult to verify, and public information is limited; later ages have generally regarded him as an important representative figure of the early medical tradition. The library holds two works attributed to him, the Huangdi Bashiyi Nanjing and the Nanjing, commonly classified under Eastern philosophy and medicine. These texts discuss pulse studies, meridians, the viscera, and diagnostic methods in a question-and-answer format, with concise language and clear organization, bearing the character of early medical theory being compiled and transmitted. As medical classics attributed to Bian Que, they have had a lasting influence on the formation and transmission of later traditional Chinese medical theory and are often used to discuss pulse diagnosis and medical principles. Readers should note that reliable records of the author's life are lacking and that views on the dating and attribution of the works differ; the introduction should therefore focus on the texts' content and significance in medical history rather than inventing personal details.
