Is theory of yin-yang of traditional chinese medicine either monism or dualism?

Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language.1 Zhou Yi Xi Ci (The Zhou Book of Change •The Survey)said: “Alternation between Yin and Yang is called Tao (Way)”,2 Tao is the law of happen and development and changes for the things, “ Yin-Yang ‘ s greatness and vastness match the images of heaven and earth, change and transformation alternative four seasons, the meanings of the Yin-Yang movement and change of the sun and the moon, easiness and simplicity of the perfect philosophy in The Zhou Book of Change the perfect virtue;2 Li Ji Li Yun (The Book of Rites The Conveyance of Rites)said: “From all this it follows that rules of ceremony must be traced to their origin in the Grand Unity. This separated and became heaven and earth. It revolved and became the dual force of Yin and a Yang (in nature). It changed and became the four seasons.3 Zhuang Zi•Za Pian Tian Xia (Zhuang Zhou Miscellaneous Chapters Tianxi) said: Yi (Book of Changes) is to show the action of the Yin and Yang;.4 Lao Tzu’sTao Te Ching5 said: “Tao gave birth to the One; the One gave birth successively to two things, three things, up to ten thousand. These ten thousand creatures cannot turn their back to the shade without having the sun on their bellies, and it is on this blending of the breaths that their harmony depends.6 The theory of Yin-Yang is the essence of ancient Chinese philosophy, and also the philosophical foundation of epistemology and methodology of TCM. It is the core issue of the theoretical system of TCM7 Through the theory of Yin-Yang TCM practitioners understand and explain the origin and nature of life, the body’s physiological function and pathological changes, guide the diagnosis and prevention of disease. As the Huang Di Nei Jing. Su Wen (Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Medicine Plain Conversation) said: “Yin and Yang serve as Dao (law) of the heavens and the earth, the fundamental principle of all things, the parents of change, the beginning of life and death and the storehouse of Shenming8 Alternatively it means that the law of Yin and Yang is the natural order of the universe, the foundation of all things, mother of all changes, the root of life and death. The theory of Yin-Yang is not only a simple philosophical theory, but also reveals the law of changes in the universe and the law of nature that gives birth to life. It is enough to see how important the theory of Yin-Yang is Huang Di Nei Jing •ling Shu (Yellow Emperor’s Canon of Medicine • Spiritual Pivot said: “Clearly in the Yin-Yang, such as confused solution, drunk awake.9 Jing Yue Quan Shu Yin Yang said: “Medical doctrine, although complex, and can be said in a word: YinYang only.10 TCM practice must insist that Yin-Yang as the primary differentiation of disease, as the general outline of the eight principle of diagnosis, as the principle of herbs combination, as the foundation of formula and manipulation of acupuncture, and as both Yin-Yang in equilibrium as essentials of therapy. Is theory of Yin-Yang of Traditional Chinese Medicine either monism or dualism? Although Wikipedia defines “Yin and Yang as a dualistic concept derived from ancient Chinese philosophical thought,11 it also points out “The YinYang symbol in actuality has very little to do with Western dualism; instead it represents the philosophy of balance, where two opposites co-exist in harmony and are able to transmute into each other”, “The complementary dualistic concept seen in Yin-Yang represent the reciprocal interaction throughout nature and exchange reciprocally to promote stabilization similar to homeostasis.11 Zheng Meng• Can Liang Pian said: “Qi is a thing of two bodies”, “Qi consists of Yin and Yang, the reciprocal interaction of them gave birth successively ten thousand up to infinity.12 That is to say the world is the original One for all things, one Qi consists both of Yin and Yang, Qi movement is the movement of Yin and Yang, Qi is carrier of Yin and Yang, Yin and Yang is application of Qi. Heng Qu Yi Shuo Shuo Gua Tai He Pian said: “Yin and Yang mutual complementarity interaction. The Yin and Yang consist of the deficiency and excess, moving and still, gathered and dispersed, also pure and turbid, the original One.13