35 replies to this topic

[MengTzu]

I wanna start a low-intensity study of the Yi Ching. There are so many things I still have difficulties with understanding the text.

Well, let's kick it off with a basic question:

I've read that one reads the "changing line" when making a prediction. I'm not suggesting that it is a reliable prediction tool (nor do I suggest that it is not,) I simply want to understand the technical background about the "changing line." Suppose that each hexagram represents a certain reality (say, Chien for Heaven,) and let's say a person got 1st old yang and for the rest of the lines he got young yang. This gives him a Chien hexagram, but he is supposed to read the text for the first line because that is the one that is changing. Philosophically, what would that represent? Would that present that a reality is changing to another? But if that's the case, wouldn't a person read the the text for the hexagram, or at least the line, that the changing line is changing to?

[LYY]

I've read that one reads the "changing line" when making a prediction. I'm not suggesting that it is a reliable prediction tool (nor do I suggest that it is not,) I simply want to understand the technical background about the "changing line."

In the nutshell, what Yi(易) can tell a diviner is the timing(時) and his position(位) with respect to his question in mind.

This can be judged from the 爻位 and 天地人(三极) and the Hexagram (卦) acquired.

Suppose that each hexagram represents a certain reality (say, Chien for Heaven,) and let's say a person got 1st old yang and for the rest of the lines he got young yang. This gives him a Chien hexagram, but he is supposed to read the text for the first line because that is the one that is changing. Philosophically, what would that represent? ...

The exact answer is always in the mind of the diviner.

For example getting first line change in Hexagram 1 (1.1) means - the time is not right yet; and the person involved is not suited to occupy the position w.r.t. a particular scenario or situation.

Would that present that a reality is changing to another? But if that's the case, wouldn't a person read the the text for the hexagram, or at least the line, that the changing line is changing to?

For example, a college graduate encounters a job and he acquires first line change in Hex 1 (in consulting Yi the suitability of this job):

111111 (Hexagram_1) - Primary Hexagram
100000 (changing line at line 1)
---------- Xor
011111 (Hexagram 44) - Relating Hexagram

(44 is is normally interpreted as temptation, a short encounter (as a metaphor)).

Reading the text in the first line of Hexagram 1, you get 潛龍勿用 - a self evident advice.
44 in this case implies that it is only an encounter, posing some form of temptation at best.

Note that there may be other way to interpret changing line.
One method is called Fan Yao2 - (Read the line text (in the same line position as Primary Hexagram) in the Relating Hexagram).
If you use Fan Yao2, then the reading is at the first line of 44 (i.e. 44.1) when you get 1.1.

For me, both give similar answer, but in different perspective.

[LYY]

I wanna start a low-intensity study of the Yi Ching. There are so many things I still have difficulties with understanding the text.

Let me start with a Binary Tree.
Hopefully that help.

Cotto Matte.

[LYY]

To understand Yi (易), understand the character Jing (經) first.

We are all connected in some way or another in the small world network.

(Note: Jing (經) literally means sutra).

Edited by LYY, 24 October 2005 - 02:54 AM.

[MengTzu]

To understand Yi (易), understand the character Jing (經) first.

We are all connected in some way or another in the small world network.

(Note: Jing (經) literally means sutra).

Well, one note: "Jing" (經) is used to translate the word "Sutra", but the word "Jing" is a native word used by the Chinese themselves. "Jing" is also used as the translation for the word "Scriptures". The most convincing definition of the word "Jing" is the strings used to bind bamboo strips together, as the original "Jing" comprises of strings and bamboo strips.

[LYY]

Jing - 'a warp thread', ie. the threads that run from top to bottom of a fabric.

[LYY]

The etymology of 易:

日 (the Sun) + 月 (the Moon)

ShuoWen:
蜥易蝘蜓守宮也象形秘書說日月為易象陰陽也一曰從勿凡易之屬皆從易

Edited by LYY, 24 October 2005 - 11:16 PM.

[LYY]

蜥易蝘蜓守宮也象形秘書說日月為易象陰陽也一曰從勿凡易之屬皆從易


日月為易象陰陽也一曰從


勿凡易之屬皆從易
易之屬 refers to the dichotomies (yin/yang, 0/1, +1/-1, 日/月 etc etc) and hence 從易 - conforms to Yi.

[jwrevak]

I wanna start a low-intensity study of the Yi Ching. There are so many things I still have difficulties with understanding the text.

Well, let's kick it off with a basic question:

I've read that one reads the "changing line" when making a prediction. I'm not suggesting that it is a reliable prediction tool (nor do I suggest that it is not,) I simply want to understand the technical background about the "changing line." Suppose that each hexagram represents a certain reality (say, Chien for Heaven,) and let's say a person got 1st old yang and for the rest of the lines he got young yang. This gives him a Chien hexagram, but he is supposed to read the text for the first line because that is the one that is changing. Philosophically, what would that represent?

As always, I think much depends on the question and the subjective interpretation of the querent. However, there are some good guildelines (see below).

Would that present that a reality is changing to another?

It often means that one is facing a time of significant change, with said change being best described by the text associated with the changing line. It could mean you are in a state of flux wherein you are moving from a situation summed up by the first hexagram to a situation summed up the the second hexagram.

But if that's the case, wouldn't a person read the the text for the hexagram, or at least the line, that the changing line is changing to?

Normally, it's a good idea to read the text for the (a) first hexagram, (b) the changing line(s), and ( c) the second hexagram for a fairly comprehensive picture. If the text for the changing line doesn't agree with or is incompatible with the text of either the first or second hexagram, one usually assigns greater value or importance to the text associated with the changing line. Presumably that's the critical info reflecting the current state of flux.

For a good, English-language, practical intro to the I Ching with special emphasis on divination see John Blofeld's translation.

[MengTzu]

Normally, it's a good idea to read the text for the (a) first hexagram, ( the changing line(s), and ( c) the second hexagram for a fairly comprehensive picture. If the text for the changing line doesn't agree with or is incompatible with the text of either the first or second hexagram, one usually assigns greater value or importance to the text associated with the changing line. Presumably that's the critical info reflecting the current state of flux.

Should one read the changing line(s) of the first or the second hexagram?

[jwrevak]

Should one read the changing line(s) of the first or the second hexagram?

The first.

[MengTzu]

The first.

Why not also read the changing line(s) of the second hexagram? Aren't the changing lines of the first hexagram changing into corresponding lines of the second hexagram?

[BlueDragonMagik]

I have read some books on Yi Ching. I have not found a good book to study.
It is something that I always wanted to learn. ... Is there a good book or a preferred Yi Ching web site that any of you experts can recommend? ...

[LYY]

Why not also read the changing line(s) of the second hexagram? Aren't the changing lines of the first hexagram changing into corresponding lines of the second hexagram?

If you get 1.1->44 (First Hexagram is 1, the second Hexagram 44)

=>Method 1: Read the 1st line of Hex1.

=>Method 2: Read the 1st line of Hex44.

For me, both methods work, but in different perspective.

I have read some books on Yi Ching. I have not found a good book to study.
It is something that I always wanted to learn. ... Is there a good book or a preferred Yi Ching web site that any of you experts can recommend? ...

In English I presume.

For a start, Stephen Karcher is not bad.
A good blend with Western taste.

John Blofeld?
Good, if you are a scholar.




More links for the books in English:

http://www.onlinecla...nded_books.html

http://www.onlinecla...anslations.html

Edited by LYY, 25 October 2005 - 02:22 AM.

[LYY]

Pre-Heaven Diagram