Objectives : This paper examined the Buddhist contents within the text, Bencaoshengyabanji(本草乘雅半偈).
Methods : Medicinals that were searched through Buddhist vocabulary were examined.
Results & Conclusions : Medicinals that quoted the Lengyanjing(楞嚴經) were related to the Water-Fire interaction, food and medicine, and karma, while those that quoted the Shidian(釋典) were related to 無上道, 去惡殺蟲, 樞機滑利, and 生生之氣. Those related to the Great Earth of the Four Elements(四大) corrected the body’s form based on Metal Qi, while those related to the Great Water were connected to the circulation of water dampness. Those related to the Great Fire were deeply related to Yang Qi, and those related to the Great Wind were connected to Wind control. Of the Four Origins(四生), medicinals that were viviparous(胎生) lowered Qi, while those that were oviparous(卵生) were related to communicating Shen, treating diseases of the Conception Vessel, and the closing and opening of day and night. Medicinals originating from dampness(濕生) were related to urination and fluid management, while those of metamorphosis(化生) were related to the process of Qi. Those related to emptiness(空) were related to the communication of the Qi system, while those related to 六根六塵 were connected to calming the Shen and strengthening the will, and smoothing the nine orifices. Medicinals related to 圓通 were used for improving eyesight and hearing and controlling the closing and opening. Lu Zhi-yi(盧之頤)’s analysis of medicinals through the Lengyanjing(楞嚴經) is original in that it suggested a new perspective other than previous theories on pharmacology which were based on the Yin-Yang and Five Phases and Rising/Lowering/Floating/Sinking theories, but also pedantic and exaggerated. The Bencaoshengyabanji(本草乘雅半偈) is a unique text on medicinals which analyzed each medicinal under Buddhist influence. However, it also followed the contexts of other previous texts on medicinals, and influenced Zou shu(鄒澍).