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The calisthenics of Buddhism: Yi-Gin-Ching of

Budhidharma
Wan-An Lu
1

Institute of Traditional Medicine, Yang-Ming University, Taipei, TAIWAN

2
Division of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taipei Jen-Ai Hospital, Taipei, TAIWAN
Yi-Gin-Ching (Muscle/Tendon Change Classics) is one kind of healthy-promotion calisthenics in Buddhism. The
Yi means change, improvement or amelioration; the Gin means ligament, tendon or nerve inside the human
body; and the Ching means a classic book containing many methods, experiences and knowledge. Thus, the meaning of
Yi-Gin-Ching as a whole is the good methods or training that can improve the health of the subject by changing his fascia,
ligament or tendon. The descriptions in Yi-Gin-Ching contain many details of body motions in which the torsion and angular
motion is in accordance with the principle of normal physiology during exercise and body extension. The torsion and angular
motion is not without order; rather, it must comply with the directions of meridians so that the meridians can be stimulated
during the practice. In addition, the torsion and angular motion of Yi-Gin-Ching calisthenics must be in harmony with
breathing pattern, similar to the guidance principle of Daoism and traditional Chinese Medicine. Basically, the actions of YiGin-Ching were derived from the labor positions in the daily life of ancient people. There were many characteristics of Yi-GinChing actions, such as withdrawal and reaching-out, bending and extension, pitching and torsion. The effects of these
actions are to increase mettle and strengthen the body ability by modulating the blood flow and Chi. It is more important to
strengthen the Chi inside the body than to strengthen body. The Chi inside the body is the basics of the Chi outside the
body in Kungfu practice. In other words, Yi-Gin-Ching training is one kind of Kungfu, rather than a martial art. Kungfu is not
only an ascesis, but also a practicing of Zen in Buddhism. The goal of Kungfu is to change human being from inside to
outside, and from behavior to mind. In short, Yi-Gin-Ching training is a kind of ascesis that can lead one into the harmonic
state of body and mind by way of exercises and breathing control.
Buddhidharma came to China from India about one thousand years ago to give five important edifications to ancient
Chinese people, including Dharma, Zen, Health-promotion calisthenics, and martial arts. From that time till now, the yogis
can improve their health, purge their minds, attain happiness, and obtain friendly relation with others by following the
teachings of Budhidharma. The great allocution of Budhidharma are: To realize your own self, The self is the mind; and
Besides the self, there is no Buddha at all. The ordinary people do not realize that their own mind is the true Buddha;
therefore, they search here and there and go nowhere. They pray to and salute the Buddha, but dont know where is the
Buddha. If one can know that the Buddha is in ones own mind, then one is the true practitioner of Buddhism. Although
Budhidharma was already in nirvana for more than one thousand years, his great kindness and spirits still influence many
people in the world.
The health-promotion methods and martial arts were depicted in the books of Yi-Gin-Ching and Shi-Soei-Ching
(Marrow/ Brain Purging Classics). The twelve acts of Yi-Gin-Ching are composed of many positions that combine walking,
accommodation, sitting and lying down. The effects of twelve acts are to improve the health and prevent the illness by using
the methods of exercise and breathing control without medicine. In addition, Yi-Gin-Ching training is good for mental
promotion for the yogis. The final goal of Yi-Gin-Ching training is to realize ones own mind through the ascesis of body and
mind.
Keywords: Buddhidharma, Yi-Gin-Ching, kungfu, Zen, twelve acts, calisthenics, Buddhism

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