I Ching: An Annotated Edition

Author: Chen Xuguo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-08-01
Features: The Book of Changes is one of the earliest divination books preserved in China. It presents the ancient Chinese dialectical thinking in the form of hexagrams and primarily introduces knowledge related to agricultural production, commercial travel, warfare, and marriage. The content is rich, the structure is rigorous, and the language is easy to understand. In ancient times, people had low levels of knowledge and strong beliefs in superstition, often being skeptical of things. Therefore, they used divination methods to seek guidance from deities to determine auspiciousness or inauspiciousness and to decide their actions. As a result, some people view The Book of Changes as extremely mysterious, believing that once one understands it and grasps the essence of divination, they can predict auspiciousness or inauspiciousness and know fortune or misfortune when going out to handle matters. Currently, in some backward regions, feudal superstition is gradually resurfacing, with more and more people burning incense, praying to gods, and seeking divination for their affairs. From trivial daily matters and commercial travel to major activities like building houses and marriage or funerals, people increasingly turn to gods for guidance and divination for decisions. We should approach The Book of Changes from a materialist perspective and critically refute feudal superstition. One aspect that this book pays particular attention to in its annotations is the ritual thoughts and systems reflected in The Book of Changes. Liang Huangkan said, "Although the teachings of the six classics differ, they all take Rites as their foundation." This applies to The Book of Changes as well.