Easy Explanation of the I Ching

Author: Chen Menglei
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-10-01
Features: The Brief Explanation of the I Ching in eight volumes, written by Chen Menglei during the Qing Dynasty. The Brief Explanation of the I Ching primarily follows the main ideas of Zhu Xi's Basic Principles of the I Ching, while also incorporating Wang Bi's Commentary on the I Ching, Kong Yingda's Correct Interpretation of the I Ching, Su Shi's Su's Commentary on the I Ching, Hu Guang's Comprehensive I Ching, and Lai Zhide's Collected Annotations on the I Ching. For aspects not discussed by these scholars or where his views differ from theirs, Chen Menglei expresses his own opinions to clarify them. Chen Menglei believed that the meaning of the I Ching is primarily composed of four elements: principle, number, image, and divination. Explaining the I Ching through the four concepts of "principle, image, number, and divination" serves as the guiding principle of this book and also reflects the author's central thought. At the end of the book, there are 42 illustrations, created by Chen Menglei's friend Yang Daosheng. During this revision, the illustrations were corrected according to the annotations by Mr. Pan Yuting. Chen Menglei argued that "those who do not understand the illustrations cannot grasp the essence of the classic," hence they are included to benefit the readers.