The Diverse Health Preservation Literature and Ideas in the Sanyuan Canzan Yanshou Shu

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The Sanyuan Canzan Yanshou Shu is an important health preservation literature in Daozang. The structure of this article is very clear, exploring its literature sources, major concepts of health preservation, and the differences between various editions. This article shows the author’s excellent research skills in classical Chinese literature.

 

Here are some suggestions for further improving this article:

 

Regarding the title of the article: the current title may be too simplistic. It would be better to revise it to reflect the core research question of the paper.

 

In the introduction, the author should provide a brief paragraph about the methodology. For example, in section 2.2, the author mentions digital humanities methodologies. The author should also briefly describe the structure of the article.

 

In the second section, the author first analyzes the relationship between Sanyuan Canzan Yanshou Shu and Yangsheng Leizuan in 2.1. Then, in 2.2, the author presents the possible sources of literature for Sanyuan Canzan Yanshou Shu. Through Table 1 and Picture 1, we can clearly see that Yangsheng Leizuan is indeed the most important source for Sanyuan Canzan Yanshou Shu. I am curious why the author did not first present the sources of Sanyuan Canzan Yanshou Shu and then compare Sanyuan Canzan Yanshou Shu with Yangsheng Leizuan. This way, when I first encountered Yangsheng Leizuan, it would not have felt so abrupt.

 

In the third section, the author identifies three major concepts of health preservation in Sanyuan Canzan Yanshou Shu. However, the first concept, “the preservation of primordial pneuma”, and the third concept, “the prolonging of life through the virtue of Yin”, are quite common in medical and Daoist texts. What is special about Sanyuan Canzan Yanshou Shu’s expression of these two ideas? If they are not special enough, does this text contribute to the development of these concepts? For example, we know that the idea of 奪算 existed in Daoism during the Six Dynasties. After the Yuan dynasty, religious morality books flourished, with the concept of the virtue of Yin being foundational in these texts. The length of one’s life was often seen as a manifestation of retribution. I'm not trying to force a connection between medical books and morality books, I'm just trying to inspire the author to further explore the potential deeper religious context and influences on the idea of “the prolonging of life through the virtue of Yin”.

 

In the fourth section, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the author found editions preserved in Japan. The author conducted a detailed comparison of various editions within the two systems; however, it seems that the reasons for the differences between these editions were not clearly explained. I apologize for not having personally read Liu Yuanran’s version, but I am curious whether the Daozang edition and Liu Yuanran’s edition, which were clearly printed with the involvement of Daoists, have more distinct Daoist characteristics.

 

Some scholars in the field of medical history believe that TCM is a politically charged term that emerged after the 1950s. Although it refers to “tradition”, it actually denotes a new form of Chinese medicine that the government, assisted by commissions of doctors, aimed to make scientific, modern, and compatible with Western medicine. Therefore, they prefer to use the term “traditional medicine”.

 

Finally, although it is not mandatory, I need to remind the author that as an English language article, there should be some attention paid to relevant research in the international academic community. This does not necessarily mean research specifically on Sanyuan Canzan Yanshou Shu, but rather on literature that similarly combines Daoism and medicine. If the author can engage with certain international academic trends, it would greatly enhance the academic value of this article.

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English expression of this article is good. Some words and complex sentences need a little polishing.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors I made a few comments on translations and recommended that the author review them, but overall the translations were fine. The one I thought might be wrong concerned the flooded anthill. I think the author missed the point about saving the ants, to make a Buddhist point. Comments on the Quality of English Language I made a few comments on translations and recommended that the author review them, but overall the translations were fine.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1. In the introduction of the paper, while the historical context and background information about Li Pengfei and his renowned medical treatise, the Sanyuan Canzan Yanshou Shu, are well-presented, the specific aim of the paper is not explicitly clear. Although the introduction effectively establishes the text's significance in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and references its historical importance, it lacks a direct statement outlining the primary objectives or research questions of the study. This omission makes it difficult for readers to immediately grasp the paper's intended focus and goals. Including a concise statement of the paper's aim and clearly defined research questions would significantly enhance the introduction's clarity and provide a better roadmap for the reader.  

2. I suggest to clarify some technical terms when first introduced, such as: Niwan (p.3), Kuigang (p.4), Jitou etc  

3. Make sure to introduce your methodology in the introduction rather than later. For instance, if section 2.2 discusses digital humanities methodology, this should be foreshadowed in the introduction.

4. Enhance the consistency of the paper. For example, the term "Taoism" (and Tao) is inconsistently written as both "Taoism" and "Daoism" without justification. I'd prefer to use Daoism. Also be cautious when using Chinese characters and italics for texts and sections, as their usage can sometimes appear arbitrary.

In general, the paper provides a comprehensive and well-researched examination of the Sanyuan Canzan Yanshou Shu, presenting clear and persuasive arguments substantiated by detailed evidence. The analysis would also benefit from additional secondary sources. 

 

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Some sentences are lengthy. Breaking them down into shorter, more manageable parts would enhance readability.

for example:

1."Recently, the emergence of the Jianwen first year (1399) re-engraved edition by Liu Yuanran 劉淵然 (1351-1432), which is held in Japan, has challenged the prevailing consensus in China that the edition (1445) in the Daozang 道藏 is the earliest version."

2."A more profound scholarly endeavor would involve a meticulous dissection of these primary doctrines to reveal how they integrate to form a comprehensive health system that transcends mere physical well-being to include spiritual and moral dimensions"

Both sentences (and many others) could be simplified for clarity

 

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf