A master physician must have both superb medical skills and a desire to help the world. This is how Sun Simiao (581-682), a famous Tang Dynasty physician, described a doctor in his work Essential Formulas for Emergencies. A “master physician” is an extraordinary and great doctor who wins the respect of others. Jing(精) or “superb” refers to outstanding medical skills and a striving for perfection; cheng (诚) or “sincere” means being devoted to treating the sick and injured. This encompasses both the professional and ethical aspects of the spirit of Chinese medicine, and is an organic integration of the scientific and humanistic spirits. Like the concepts of “the caring heart of the physician” and “practicing medicine to help the world,” this concept has been held in high regard by doctors through the ages and remains relevant to this day.

A person who studies medicine must delve deep into its principles and study tirelessly… When a master physician treats an illness, he must be calm in spirit and free from desires; he must first have a compassionate heart and be committed to relieving the sufferings of all people. He must treat all equally, as if they were his closest kin. He also must not be constantly looking left and right, worrying about personal gains and losses, caring more about his own property, family or safety of life. He must regard the suffering of others as his own… He must think only of helping the ill and not of enhancing his own reputation. In this way he will become a master physician revered by all. (Sun Simiao: Essential Formulas for Emergencies)