Kaiyuan Astronomy (Vol. 1-2)

Author: (Tang) Qu Tan Xi Da
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-09-01
Features: The Treatise of the Kaiyuan Astrological Treatises is a comprehensive collection of ancient Chinese astrology and one of the most important works on astronomy. It integrates astronomy and astrology, blending science with superstition, and combines the "three materials' way of exploring the relationship between heaven and humanity and understanding the changes of past and present" with divination, making it one of the most distinctive ancient Chinese astronomy works with Eastern characteristics. The Treatise of the Kaiyuan Astrological Treatises was a dedicated work. After its publication, feudal dynasties regarded it as a state secret, monopolizing it for the imperial family and strictly prohibiting its external dissemination, so almost no copies survived in later generations. By the time of the modern era, even the imperial palace no longer had a copy of it. It was not until the 44th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1616) that Cheng Mingshan of She County, Anhui, accidentally discovered a manuscript of The Treatise of the Kaiyuan Astrological Treatises inside an ancient Buddha statue while applying gold leaf to it for a religious offering. This brought the book back into the light of day, allowing us to see this timeless masterpiece today. However, due to subsequent copying and dissemination, many manuscript copies of this book have been passed down. For example, the Beijing Library alone has at least three manuscript copies, with minor variations in format and wording. Errors and omissions are common. Among them are the 120-volume photocopied edition of The Siku Quanshu, the standalone editions published by the China Bookstore and Yue Lu Book Society, and the Siku Shuism Series published by the Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House.