Exerpt from the Inscription on Protecting Life 保生銘 attributed to Sun Simiao, translated by Louis Komjathy, in “Primer for Translating Daoist Literature”
The present selection is the complete text of the Baosheng ming 保生銘 (Inscription on Protecting Life; DZ 835; ZH 957) (BSM), which is attributed to the famous Daoist physician and alchemist Sūn Sīmiǎo
孫思邈 (581–682). Formalistically speaking, it consists of twenty-four five-character couplets, or forty-eight total lines, with a concluding admonition couplet. The text is a brief exposition of basic Yangsheng principles, with a specific emphasis on moderation, regulated lifestyle,
and virtuous attitudes.
人若勞於形，百病不能成。
飲酒忌大醉，諸疾自不生。
食了行百步，數將手摩肚。
睡不苦高枕，唾涕不遠顧。
If people exercise their bodies, the hundred illnesses cannot occur.
If they never drink to intoxication, various ailments will not
emerge.
Walk a hundred steps after eating and massage the belly a few
times.
For sleeping, avoid high pillows; when grieving, do not look
backwards.
寅丑日剪甲，理髮須百度。
飽則立小便，飢乃坐漩溺。
行坐莫當風，居處無小隟。
向北大小便，一生昏羃羃。
日月固然忌，水火仍畏避。
Trim your nails on yín or chǒu days, and brush your hair a hundred
times;
When satiated, urinate standing up; when hungry, pass water
sitting down.
In walking and sitting, avoid the wind; in dwelling, avoid small
spaces.
Face north when relieving yourself, and remain obscure and
hidden throughout life.
Maintain the taboos of sun and moon, and avoid the perils of fire
and water.
每夜洗腳臥，飽食終無益。
忍辱為上乘，讒言斷親戚。
思慮最傷神，喜怒傷和息。
每去鼻中毛，常習不唾地。
平明欲起時，下牀先左腳。
Wash your feet each night before sleeping, and do not eat beyond
satiation.
Forbearance is the highest vehicle; slander destroys familial
relationships.
Worry causes the greatest harm to spirit; and joy and anger injure
the breath.
Regularly remove the nasal hairs, and always refrain from spitting
on the ground.
Rise as soon as day breaks; when getting up, put the left foot first.
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