上古天真论

The first chapter of the Huangdi Neijing Suwen, “On the Importance of Primordial Qi in Ancient Times,” discusses the health preservation methods and their significance in maintaining the primordial qi (innate vital energy) during the ancient era.In ancient times, people were born spiritually intelligent, developing both physically and mentally from childhood to adulthood, eventually ascending to the heavens. The Yellow Emperor asked the Heavenly Teacher why people in ancient times could live to a hundred years old without aging, while modern people aged rapidly by fifty.Qi Bo replied that the ancient people who understood the Dao knew how to nourish their essence and regulate yin and yang. They maintained a balanced diet and regular routine, neither overworking nor indulging excessively in sexual activities, which allowed them to live long lives. Modern people, however, have become addicted to alcohol, indulge their desires, and deplete their essence without restraint, leading to premature aging.The ancient people had few distractions, were content with little, balanced work and rest, and followed their hearts’ desires, enabling them to live in health and longevity. Their diet and lifestyle were simple, without competition between the upper and lower classes, resulting in a pure and unsophisticated folk culture. Consequently, they were not burdened by desires or confused by evil, and the foolish and wise lived equally long lives because they were in harmony with the Dao.

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昔在黄帝，生而神灵，弱而能言，幼而徇齐，长而敦敏，成而登天。
乃问于天师曰：余闻上古之人，春秋皆度百岁，而动作不衰；今时之人，年半百而动作皆衰者。时世异耶？人将失之耶？
岐伯对曰：上古之人，其知道者，法于阴阳，和于术数，食饮有节，起居有常，不妄作劳，故能形与神俱，而尽终其天年，度百岁乃去。
今时之人不然也，以酒为浆，以妄为常，醉以入房，以欲竭其精，以耗散其真，不知持满，不时御神，务快其心，逆于生乐，起居无节，故半百而衰也。
夫上古圣人之教下也，皆谓之虚邪贼风，避之有时，恬惔虚无，真气从之，精神内守，病安从来。
是以志闲而少欲，心安而不惧，形劳而不倦，气从以顺，各从其欲，皆得所愿。故美其食，任其服，乐其俗，高下不相慕，其民故曰朴。
是以嗜欲不能劳其目，淫邪不能惑其心，愚智贤不肖，不惧于物，故合于道。所以能年皆度百岁而动作不衰者，以其德全不危也。
帝曰：人年老而无子者，材力尽邪？将天数然也？
岐伯曰：女子七岁肾气盛，齿更发长。
二七而天癸至，任脉通，太冲脉盛，月事以时下，故有子。
三七肾气平均，故真牙生而长极。
四七筋骨坚，发长极，身体盛壮。
五七阳明脉衰，面始焦，发始堕。
六七三阳脉衰于上，面皆焦，发始白。
七七任脉虚，太冲脉衰少，天癸竭，地道不通，故形坏而无子也。
丈夫八岁肾气实，发长齿更。
二八肾气盛，天癸至，精气溢泻，阴阳和，故能有子。
三八肾气平均，筋骨劲强，故真牙生而长极。
四八筋骨隆盛，肌肉满壮。
五八肾气衰，发堕齿槁。
六八阳气衰竭于上，面焦，发鬓斑白。
七八肝气衰，筋不能动，八八天癸竭，精少，肾脏衰，形体皆极。
则齿发去。
肾者主水，受五藏六腑之精而藏之，故五脏盛，乃能泻。
今五脏皆衰，筋骨解堕，天癸尽矣，故发鬓白，身体重，行步不正，而无子耳。
帝曰：有其年已老而有子者，何也？
岐伯曰：此其天寿过度，气脉常通，而肾气有余也。此虽有子，男不过尽八八，女不过尽七七，而天地之精气皆竭矣。
帝曰：夫道者，年皆百数，能有子乎？
岐伯曰：夫道者，能却老而全形，身年虽寿，能生子也。
黄帝曰：余闻上古有真人者，提挈天地，把握阴阳，呼吸精气，独立守神，肌肉若一，故能寿敝天地，无有终时，此其道生。
中古之时，有至人者，淳德全道，和于阴阳，调于四时，去世离俗，积精全神，游行天地之间，视听八达之外，此盖益其寿命而强者也。亦归于真人。
其次有圣人者，处天地之和，从八风之理，适嗜欲于世俗之间，无恚嗔之心，行不欲离于世，被服章，举不欲观于俗，外不劳形于事，内无思想之患，以恬愉为务，以自得为功，形体不敝，精神不散，亦可以百数。
其次有贤人者，法则天地，象似日月，辨列星辰，逆从阴阳，分别四时，将从上古合同于道，亦可使益寿而有极时。