【Famous Medical Practitioner's Heritage】Master Hongcheng's Letter of Apprenticeship

To the esteemed Teacher Wu Mingjie,

I, a monastic disciple (Dharma name Hongcheng), who has left the householder’s life to pursue the Buddhist path, pay reverence to the Three Jewels and extend my respectful greetings.

Some time ago, due to an accidental fall, I suffered a fractured shoulder. The pain was intense, lifting my arm became difficult, and I tossed and turned sleeplessly night after day. The physical agony also unsettled my mind, hindering my spiritual practice. Fortunately, you, Teacher, moved by compassion and skilled in the healing arts, carefully examined my pulse and adeptly applied traditional Chinese medical techniques along with herbal remedies. With patient guidance and meticulous care, you helped regulate my qi and blood, restoring my bones and tendons. After over a month of treatment, I finally moved from suffering to relief—my shoulder recovered fully, allowing me once again to join my palms in reverence to the Buddha. Words cannot fully express my gratitude.

The healer’s compassionate heart, which relieves suffering and saves lives, mirrors the merciful vows of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. I deeply feel that you have not only healed my body but also, through your kindness, awakened wisdom within me—helping me understand that the true purpose of medicine lies not only in curing illness but also in bringing peace to the mind and transforming suffering. This profound kindness will forever remain engraved in my heart.

I now write this letter especially to express my gratitude and to express my wish to study the essence of your medical knowledge. I hope to glimpse the principles of qi, blood, meridians, and herbal formulas—not merely for self-care, but to help others. May what I learn become a support for my spiritual practice, enabling me to extend a helping hand to those who are ill and suffering, so that both body and mind may find peace and comfort. In this way, I hope to repay your kindness and bring benefit to all sentient beings.

May you, Teacher, enjoy good health and a clear, serene mind;

May your medical practice deepen daily, and your compassionate heart endure always;

May all beings be free from suffering, dwell in peace, and together realize Bodhi.

With palms joined in reverence,

Your monastic disciple (Dharma name Hongcheng)

October 25, 2025

Respectfully Submitted

Book overview

In "The Tao Within," the book embarks on a transformative journey of self-discovery, wisdom, and inner harmony. It shows how spirituality becomes a core element in our everyday lives and in maintaining our health. In the chaos of our modern world, we often find ourselves searching for meaning, purpose, and a deeper connection to our true selves.

In this profound and insightful exploration, Authors, Ming Wu, Ph.D., and Judy Lin, guide us on a spiritual and medical path toward self-empowerment and unveiling the timeless wisdom of the Tao. As we witness more limitations on western medicine, this book is presenting.

order the Tao within click below llink order from amazon: a.co/d/6ryPrIz