Back to the Source A Vet's Visit to China

By Dr Steve Marsden DVM ND MSOM LAc DiplCH RH (AGH)

An intrepid group of veterinary acupuncturists, their spouses and one brave teenager journeyed with CIVT Faculty member Steve Marsden and his family to Southern China in April, spending the better part of a week steeped in the traditions of classical Chinese medicine, as interpreted by one of China’s most noted scholars and physicians, Dr. Liu Li Hong.

Here's an excerpt from Steve's blog. 

During the first part of the trip, after touring the Guangxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, we were the honoured guests of the 11th century Zen Buddhist monastery nestled below the vaulting cliffs of Mount Bai Shi (‘White Rock’), southeast of Nanning. Nearby was a small rustic village, where we got up close and personal with life in rural China. 

Our five days in the temple were spent basking in the wisdom of Dr Liu Li Hong (pictured). Dr Liu is one of the foremost authorities in Chinese medicine in China today, and served as personal physician to the late Rimpoche Kenpu Jikhpun, head of the Ningma sect of Tibetan Buddhism (regarded by the Tibetans as one of the reincarnations of Manjushri, the Buddha of Wisdom). Today, he serves as a senior professor at Guangxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is the author of the recent bestselling work in China, Sikao ZhongYi (Rethinking Chinese Medicine), an interpretation of the classic Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Febrile Disease), where some of our most important herbal formulas were first published. In addition to a day spent on the Shang Han Lun, Dr Liu spent time discussing the revitalization of an old theory that is gaining new traction amongst Chinese medical scholars, namely the need to begin addressing medical disorders by first harmonizing the emotions. There followed some lively evening discussion how we might apply those ideas to animals.

Each afternoon, we had a chance to stretch our legs in the countryside surrounding the temple. Nearby were a series of sacred grottos where Ge Hong, the great 2nd century herbalist and founder of Daoism, retreated from society to receive enlightenment. Very few westerners are permitted to see this region, given its historic and cultural importance. The area is even closed to Chinese tourism, save for all but friends of the temple.

It was logical for a group of veterinarians and their families to visit this region. Ge Hong was, after all, one of the first practitioners to apply Chinese medicine to animals, and wrote a treatise on their acute care using acupuncture and herbs. The water from the spring inside the main cave where Ge Hong lived is said to have magical healing properties. Everyone drank heartily and then marvelled at the intricacies of the Daoist temple that has been built over the cave entrance.On the last night at the temple, we had an impromptu talent show where tour participants and their hosts took turns regaling each other with songs and skits, in Chinese and in English. By the time it was over, our sides ached with laughter and we’d been introduced to songs spanning the globe, from China, to Canada, to Australia.

After several days at the monastery, we journeyed to Yang Shuo, an impossibly scenic area of gentle rivers and soaring limestone peaks. After mornings spent learning about the arts of Feng Shui, landscape painting and the savouring of Chinese tea, we spent the afternoons on raft trips and strolling marketplaces both ancient and modern. 

Finally, the time came to part ways, with most going on to spend a few days taking in the sites of Beijing before jetting off to the United States, the Netherlands, Canada and Australia. The participants are grateful to Heiner Fruehauf, one of Dr Steve’s principal teachers, for putting up with Steve’s hundreds of emails and liaising with Dr Liu to organize most of the trip; to Vikki Weber of IVAS for organizing the Bei Jing leg, advertising the trip and registering the participants; to Dr Liu for his valuable time; and to Qu Yan, our tireless interpreter. I am also grateful to everyone who came on the trip with myself and my family. The trip had its rustic and challenging moments, but not once did anyone stop smiling. Thank you for representing your countries so well.