13. I Heal My Own Body : What is Oriental Medicine?

Oriental medicine is a medical system harmonizing Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. During the Joseon Dynasty, most scholars (Seonbi) studied Oriental medicine as a fundamental discipline and served as local doctors. Among these scholars, those with profound medical knowledge were called Yu-ui (儒醫), literally “Confucian doctors.” Notable figures include Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, Gosan Yun Seon-do, and Seongho Yi Ik. I was fortunate to study the Four Books and Five Classics as well as Laozi and Zhuangzi at a young age, later receiving teachings on the Diamond Sutra from a Buddhist master, and from my forties, dedicating myself to Chinese medicine.

I summarize the paradigm and conceptual framework of Oriental medicine into three principles:

First, the idea of “Heaven and Man as One” (天人合一).

Humans are regarded as a microcosm, explaining physiological and pathological processes through natural phenomena. The head corresponds to Heaven, the torso to Man, and the limbs to Earth. In Oriental thought, the number seven represents Heaven, so the seven orifices of the head indicate the face belongs to Heaven. The forehead is Heaven (天), the nose Earth (地), and below it, Man (人). The 24 ribs correspond to the 24 solar terms, and pulse diagnosis examines three positions (cun, guan, chi) reflecting Heaven, Earth, and Man. The genetic code’s 64 codons align precisely with the 64 hexagrams of the I Ching (Book of Changes). Just as mountains, rivers, and atmospheric flows exist, so does the flow of meridians and Qi within the body. Oriental medicine emphasizes minimizing artificial interventions and conforming to natural principles.

Second, the ultimate goal of Oriental medicine is becoming a “True Person” (真人).

A True Person is one who is fully united with nature, beyond birth and death. This involves nurturing essence (精), cultivating Qi (氣), awakening Spirit (神), and ultimately achieving emptiness (虛)—a state free of selfish desires (利己心). This parallels becoming “perfect” in Christianity, enlightenment in Buddhism, or sagehood in Confucianism. Oriental medicine pursues not only healing but the essence of life itself.

Third, Oriental medicine is based on the I Ching (易学) and the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements (阴阳五行论).

From birth to death, all aspects—diagnosis, prescription, pharmacology, acupuncture, physiology, pathology—are structured on Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory.

Oriental medicine requires insight integrating astronomy, human affairs, and geography—aligned with the fundamental reasons for human existence.

Dr. Jin-man Kim, director of Peace Oriental Clinic