occur at many levels. The pre–Qin dynasty general Sunzi (Sun Wu, probably
fourth century B.C.) wrote, in The Art of War, that the highest strategy is “to
bend the enemy without battle” [25] (Chap. 3). A middle strategy would be
“a decisive victory a thousand leagues away” [26] (“Designs,” Chap. 1). A
low strategy would be victory on the home front or victorious fisticuffs.
The Daoist principle that unites medicine and martial arts is the intent
(yi[27]) of life. All things have a drive to exist. This drive is not only pres-
ent in the individual, but over time, through succeeding generations.
Mengzi stated that, of the three major offenses against the family, the worst
was “no posterity” [28] (Book 4, Chap. 26), no succeeding generations.
Therefore, in Chinese culture, existence is understood to encompass both
the individual and the familial line.
Thus, martial artists defend not only themselves as individuals but
also their generational units, their families, and the social units that sustain
their families, as well as the cultural environment that nourishes these so-
cial units. Martial artists function as an element of the social body’s im-
mune system. Their unique role is to eliminate violent threats to the health
of the social system at whatever sphere of influence they operate.
Physicians are also responsible for the health of the society. Applying
their knowledge of nature, they promote those features that are healthy and
discourage those things that are unhealthy. The physician and the martial
artist share a common social purpose. Since they both recognize the directive
of the dao,they operate in tandem to create the conditions for health. Physi-
cians affirm order. Martial artists use their unique skills to exorcise disorder.
Yet, because martial operations are considered to be essentially destructive
and depleting, they are ideally subservient to the direction of medicine.
In return for this service to medicine, the physician contributed to the
development of the martial artist. In traditional Chinese medicine, there
was an entire discipline of military medicine,jun yi [29]. As in modern
times, military physicians traveled with their army and were versed in bat-
tlefield care as well as means of dealing with sanitation and nutritional
problems. Furthermore, the most evolved features of Chinese martial arts
are based on the utilization of Chinese medical physiology. These include
nutrition, strength and endurance training, and breathing techniques.
Since martial arts training and applications are inherently dangerous,
typically one of the earliest secrets passed to a disciple is the use of medicines
for training injuries. These medicines, formulated by physicians, were passed
down through the generations. Over the years, many martial artists have fre-
quented markets, selling these preparations and performing simple therapies.
This practice also contributed to the popular connection between medicine
and martial arts. But these medicine salesmen and bonesetters were never
mistaken for physicians. Nor did they represent themselves as such.332 Medicine, Traditional Chinese