Twelve Characters: A Transmission of Wang Fengyi's Teachings

It is with great pleasure that we are able to offer you this introduction to the teachings of Wang Fengyi 王鳳儀, a Manchurian peasant-saint born in 1864. After our previous publication "Let the Radiant Yang Shine Forth," this is only the second English-language publication for readers who seek more information on this apparently simple yet deeply moving and life-changing method of healing and self-cultivation. See also the page on "Wang Fengyi and Five-Element Healing" on this website under the "Teachings" tab.

Here is what this book includes:

• An exposition of Wang Fengyi's teachings on the basis of these twelve terms:

  • The Three Realms: Inner Nature (xing 性), Heart (xin 心), Body (shen 身);

  • The Five Elements: Wood (mu 木), Fire (huo 火), Earth (tu 土), Metal (jin 金), and Water (shui 水)

  • The Four Great Realms of Existence: Commitment (zhi 志), Intention (yi 意), Heart (xin 心), and Body (shen 身).

• Twenty chapters in 202 pages.

• A bilingual edition with the full text of the Chinese original at the beginning of each chapter.

• A carefully crafted edition with an elegant yet literal translation in the spirit of the five-element virtues:

  • Wood, manifesting the virtue of "Firmness of Purpose" (zhuyi 主意): clear intention of self-less service and commitment to this work by everybody involved in this project.

  • Earth, manifesting the virtue of "Integrity and Trust" (xinshi 信實): complete faithfulness to the Chinese original and trust in the perfection of the sage's original voice.

  • Fire, manifesting the virtue of "Illumination of the Heavenly Principle" (mingli 明理): word choices guided by the clarity of personal experience, aided by lengthy discussions with Tamara Staudt and Drs Laurie Regan and Heiner Fruehauf.

  • Metal, manifesting the virtue of "Radiance of Sound and Light" (xiangliang 響亮): Artistic presentation and elegant language to allow the message to radiate with brilliance.

  • Water, manifesting the virtue of "Softness and Harmony" (rouhe 柔和): Respect for the wisdom of the sage and humble submission to forces beyond our human control or limited understanding.

• A foreword and some clinical notes by the eminent Chinese medicine practitioner Dr. Henry McCann.

• A lengthy introduction on the practical implications of this work by Tamara Staudt, one of only three Western teachers of retreats in the Wang Fengyi lineage.

• An appendix of key terms with pinyin pronunciation, Chinese characters, and English translation.

• Beautiful cover art by Sunjae Lee