Information AboutI Ching |
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The ''I Ching'' (often spelled as I Jing, Yi Ching, Yi King, or Yi Jing; also called "Book of Changes" or "Classic of Changes") is the oldest of the Chinese Classic Texts . A symbol system designed to identify order in what seem like chance events, it describes an ancient system of Cosmology and Philosophy that is at the heart of Chinese cultural beliefs. The philosophy centers on the ideas of ''the dynamic balance of opposites'', ''the evolution of events as a process,'' and ''acceptance of the inevitability of change'' (see ''Philosophy'', below). In Western cultures, the ''I Ching'' is regarded by some as simply a system of Divination ; many believe it expresses the wisdom and philosophy of Ancient China . The book consists of a series of symbols, rules for manipulating these symbols, poems, and commentary. IMPLICATIONS OF THE TITLE
The conception behind this title, thus, is profound. It has three implications: # ''Simplicity'' - the root of the substance. The fundamental law underlying everything in the universe is utterly plain and simple, no matter how abstruse or complex some things may appear to be. # ''Variability'' - the use of the substance. Everything in the universe is continually changing. By comprehending this one may realize the importance of flexibility in life and may thus cultivate the proper attitude for dealing with a multiplicity of diverse situations. # ''Persistency'' - the essence of the substance. While everything in the universe seems to be changing, among the changing tides there is a persistent principle, a central rule, which does not vary with space and time. (易一名而含三義：易簡一也；變易二也；不易三也。 commented on by Zheng Xuan (鄭玄 ''zhèng xúan'') in his writings ''Critique of I Ching'' (易贊 ''yì zàn'') and ''Commentary on I Ching'' (易論 ''yì lùn'') of Eastern Han Dynasty ). Due to the profound ideas conveyed by the title itself, it is practically impossible to arrive at an unbiased translation which could preserve the original concepts intact. The translation of the title into English used to be ''Book of Changes'', though a slightly more accurate name, ''Classic of Changes'', appears more frequently in recent use. HISTORY Traditional view | ||
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