Way of the Five Pecks of Rice: Difference between revisions

In the Hanzhong community, everyone was regarded as ill in some way.<ref>Bokenkamp (1997), 35.</ref> This was because sin caused qi to leave the body, and qi was necessary for life. In order to cure any illness, repentance was a crucial factor in ensuring that the loss of qi could be staunched. Repentance could be accomplished by spending time in a 'Chamber of SilenceSecrets,' and reflecting on one's sins, or by beating one's breasts and [[kowtow]]ing to heaven.<ref>Tsuchiya (2002), 46.</ref><ref>Hendrischke (1997), 154.</ref> Illness could be cured in other ways as well, such as using medicinal herbs and by listening to ritual music.<ref>Robinet (1997), 73.</ref> Eating very little was also of extreme importance, and an ideal diet would consist of no food at all, but only of noncorporeal things such as air, which the person could absorb through meditation.<ref>Robinet (1997), 73-74.</ref>