I Ching

Author: Liang Zhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The Book of Changes was originally a divination text, yet it contains profound philosophical content. Through the evolution from the Classic to the Commentaries, the Book of Changes rose from a divination work to a philosophical one. Its ideas have had an extremely profound influence on the history of Chinese scholarship, thought, and even the way Chinese people think. The Book of Changes consists of sixty-four hexagrams, which later generations divided into the Upper Canon and the Lower Canon. The Upper Canon contains thirty hexagrams, while the Lower Canon contains thirty-four. The Upper Canon elucidates the principles of the heavens, while the Lower Canon elucidates the principles of humanity. In reality, when the Book of Changes speaks of the times of heaven, it speaks of humanity. Heaven and humanity are almost indistinguishably intertwined in the Book of Changes. The Book of Changes speaks of the "Three Natures" (heaven, earth, and humanity). Those who interpret the Book of Changes believe that the reason each hexagram has six lines is related to the relationship between heaven and humanity. The principles of heaven are yin and yang, the principles of earth are softness and hardness, and the principles of humanity are benevolence and righteousness. By encompassing the "Three Natures" and embodying both pairs of these principles, the Book of Changes has six lines. The logical framework of the Book of Changes is as follows: first, heaven and earth exist, then all things come into being. Next, all things give rise to male and female. Just as all things are born of the old, so too are humans.