Art of Nourishing Life According to the Kidney Meridian in Zhenjiu Dacheng (The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion)

Abstract “Daoyin Benjing” (Art of Nourishing Life) discusses the kidney meridian in depth. It is a dense and heterogeneous text that is heavily influenced by Daoism. The text proposes rules for the maintenance of life using language that is often cryptic and understandable only to the initiated. This language is closely interwoven with the classical terms of traditional Chinese medicine. The kidney is the home of vital energy, which is a type of sexual energy and the root of life. Engagement in moderate sexual activity nourishes life and leads to a long life. This is the goal of every Daoist follower and the goal of every doctor.