I Ching Zen Interpretation

Author: Zhi Xu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Both I Ching studies and Buddhist studies are profound and extensive fields. Integrating Confucianism and Buddhism through Chan (Zen) to interpret the I Ching is an interdisciplinary field that is both ancient and novel. Among the various research approaches to the I Ching's meaning, symbolism, and ancient history, interpreting the I Ching through Chan is one of the more unique categories. The Ming Dynasty monk Zhi Xu was the epitome of integrating Chan and the I Ching, and The Chan Interpretation of the I Ching is his representative work. The Chan Interpretation of the I Ching was written at the age of 47 to synthesize Confucian and Buddhist thought. In interpreting the I Ching through Chan, Zhi Xu approached it from two perspectives: first, from the Buddhist perspective, using the form of "interpreting through Buddhist principles," such as "interpreting according to the fruit of Buddhist practice," "interpreting through receiving teachings and advancing," "interpreting according to the eight phases of Buddhist enlightenment," "interpreting according to the inner and outer sangha," "interpreting according to attainment and non-attainment," "interpreting according to principles," "interpreting according to the six stages of Buddhist practice," and so on, with as many as 131 instances in the text; second, from the perspective of observing the mind, using the form of "interpreting through observing the mind," with 22 instances in the text. Additionally, there are forms such as "interpreting according to the virtue of sages," "interpreting according to the world's ways," and "interpreting according to the learning of sages," truly reflecting the guiding principle of integrating Chan into Confucianism and guiding Confucians to understand Chan. In terms of writing style, it adopts either a direct statement or a question-and-answer format, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability.