毫火针 (fine fire needle)

The ‘Amulet’ of Self-Inflicted Fire in Traditional Chinese Medicine

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The 'Amulet' of Self-Inflicted Fire in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In daily life, people often say “引火烧身” (yǐn huǒ shāo shēn), which metaphorically means to bring trouble upon oneself or to self-destruct. Is there really anyone who would “引火烧身”? Buddhism claims that when a monk becomes enlightened, one method of dealing with the physical body is to “ignite the heart to burn the body”. We … Read more

Traditional Chinese Medicine Techniques: Small Bodies, Great Energy

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Traditional Chinese Medicine Techniques: Small Bodies, Great Energy

Fire needle, also known as “burning needle” (燔针, fán zhēn) or “quenched needle” (焠针, cuàn zhēn), is first mentioned in the “Huangdi Neijing” (黄帝内经). The “Lingshu: Guanzhen” (灵枢•官针) states: “In acupuncture, there are nine types… the ninth is the quenched needle, which is used to treat obstruction with the burning needle.” The fire needle combines … Read more