Chinese medicine: from rural hospitals to top three hospitals in Kyoto

Chapter 1293 Chen Yang's Transformation (Part 1)

The auditorium at Kyoto University of Traditional Chinese Medicine was packed to capacity.

A solemn yet fervent sense of anticipation filled the air, as if one could hear the synchronized beating of countless young hearts.

When Chen Yang stepped onto the podium, a spontaneous yet restrained round of applause erupted from the audience.

The applause contained admiration for his medical skills, respect for his team's outstanding achievements, and a deep expectation for this legendary senior to return to the podium to impart knowledge and answer questions.

Chen Yang was awarded the title of full professor, and no one questioned it. Although Chen Yang is very young, he has indeed accomplished many remarkable things.

Everyone knows the truth: the recognition of Kyoto International Medical Center by top international medical institutions is, in essence, a recognition of Chen Yang personally.

Chen Yang didn't bring any heavy lecture notes; he only placed a cup of tea in the center of the podium, with a simple writing board behind him.

His composure and the fact that he came "empty-handed" only made him seem more confident.

Chen Yang's gaze swept calmly over the familiar and unfamiliar young faces below the stage.

Wherever his gaze fell, the students unconsciously straightened their backs.

"Students,"

Chen Yang spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching every corner, carrying a unique power of soothing and focusing: "It is an honor to be here today to continue discussing traditional Chinese medicine with everyone."

"Last semester, I talked a lot about specific theories, methods, prescriptions, and medicines in class. Today, I'd like to continue chatting with you."

"First, I'd like to ask everyone a question—"

As he spoke, Chen Yang turned around and forcefully wrote two powerful characters on the writing board with chalk:

"My Way?"

The "thump-thump" sound of chalk rubbing against the blackboard was particularly clear in the silence.

The auditorium fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone stared at those two words, as if a pebble had been thrown into a still lake, stirring up ripples of deep thought.

Zhuang Qiwen looked at the two characters written by Chen Yang and seemed to be deep in thought for a moment, while Xia Hongliang also frowned slightly.

The mere two words at the beginning made many people in the audience think deeply, clearly indicating that what Chen Yang was talking about today was not simple.

"Why do we recite classics, memorize prescriptions, and practice acupuncture techniques every day? What exactly is this 'Dao' that we inherit and learn?"

Chen Yang put down the chalk, placed his hands on the edge of the lectern, and leaned forward slightly—a posture designed to guide thought.

Many students instinctively held their breath.

Is it an exquisite antique in a museum, or a mysterious metaphysics in the deep mountains? Is it a "slow doctor" who can only treat chronic diseases, or a powerful medical system that can rival modern medicine and protect life?

Several questions, building upon each other, struck at the heart of the matter. Each question was like a heavy hammer, striking at some people's ingrained, vague perceptions.

Many students frowned slightly, lost in deep thought, and some even unconsciously tightened their grip on their pens.

To answer the question "What is my Way?", perhaps we need to first look back and ask ourselves "Where does my Way come from?"

Chen Yang's voice then took on a historical depth, drawing everyone's thoughts into the depths of time: "Let's turn our attention back more than two thousand years. That was not an era of advanced technology. Without microscopes, without biochemical indicators, without imaging, how did our ancestors understand the human body and diseases?"

Chen Yang raised a fundamental question.

As he spoke, Chen Yang slowly walked down from the stage and strolled along the aisle, his gaze quietly exchanging with the students on both sides.

Chen Yang's steps were steady, as if he were walking on the pulse of history.

“They looked up at the heavens, down at the earth, drew inspiration from their own bodies and from all things around them. They used the most basic natural philosophy—the waxing and waning of Yin and Yang, the generating and restraining relationships of the Five Elements, and the rising, falling, entering, and exiting of Qi—to construct a grand model for understanding life and disease.”

"This is not just a figment of imagination; it is a summary of countless generations’ meticulous observations, understandings, and practices of nature and themselves. The Inner Canon does not begin with prescriptions but first discusses 'the ancient people who knew the Dao followed the principles of Yin and Yang and harmonized with the arts of numerology.' This establishes the cornerstone of the 'cosmology' and 'life philosophy' of traditional Chinese medicine."

Chen Yang's words were evocative, seemingly transporting everyone to a distant era of discussing philosophy around a campfire and tasting medicine in the fields, with the figures of the sages gazing at the stars and bowing to the earth appearing right before their eyes.

"Then, Zhang Zhongjing's Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases came into being."

Chen Yang then changed the subject, his tone filled with unquestionable respect: "'Observe the pulse and symptoms to know what kind of adverse condition has been committed, and treat accordingly.'"

Chen Yang slowly recited the twelve-character mantra, each word resounding with power.

"These twelve characters carry immense weight! They mark a leap in traditional Chinese medicine from philosophical speculation to a rigorous system of clinical diagnosis and treatment logic. They tell us that no matter how sophisticated the theory, it must ultimately be grounded in specific 'pulse' and 'symptom' and must be tested by clinical efficacy. This is the cornerstone of the methodology of traditional Chinese medicine."

Many students in the audience had their eyes light up, as if they had suddenly grasped some key point.

As he spoke, Chen Yang returned to the stage, picked up his teacup, calmly took a sip, and continued: "From then on, physicians of all dynasties, including the four great masters of the Jin and Yuan dynasties, and the rise of the Wenbing School, all inherited, developed, and innovated the 'Dao' of the Inner Canon of Medicine and the 'Fa' of Zhang Zhongjing in different time and space backgrounds and in the face of different disease challenges."

"They may have different arguments and different prescriptions, but they share the same core—that is, to view people and diseases from a dynamic, holistic, and dialectical perspective, with the fundamental goal of restoring the body's own balance and harmony."

"so,"

Chen Yang's voice suddenly rose, his gaze sharp as he swept across the entire room: "Back to the original question—what is my path?"

After a pause, before anyone could answer, Chen Yang continued in a firm and clear voice: "In my view, the way of traditional Chinese medicine is a unique system of cognition and practice about life and health that originates from ancient wisdom and has been refined through thousands of years of clinical practice. It is not just a bunch of prescriptions and acupoints, but a way of thinking and a path to solve problems."

Chen Yang turned around and wrote two large characters in chalk again: "What's the use?"

Chalk dust fell in a flurry.

"With CT scans, MRIs, and genetic testing so advanced today, what use is our ancient system?"

When Chen Yang posed this pointed and realistic question, many students looked up with complex expressions, which reflected their inner confusion, anxiety, and even a hint of self-doubt.

"Its 'use' lies first and foremost in providing another dimension of cognition."

Chen Yang's voice was unwavering and persuasive: "Modern medicine excels at analyzing 'components' and combating 'pathogens.' Traditional Chinese medicine, on the other hand, excels at grasping 'relationships' and regulating 'conditions.'"