Book of Changes

Chapter 3 Kun Hexagram Second
down kun up kun
"Problem Solving"

"Kun" refers to earth, Sichuan, Shun and Yin. "Qian" created all things, "kun" formed all things, "one yin and one yang are called Dao", "Qiankun, the root of yin and yang, and the ancestor of all things."

The "Yin" and "Yang" mentioned in the "Book of Changes" are not simply the two major elements that constitute the universe, but more of a "holistic view" and a "dynamic view" that lead to it. The emphasis is on the time factor and the variables that are synchronized with it.American scholars Briggs and Pete, who study chaos, said: "The science of chaos describes an infinitely complex universe, in which everything is interrelated and affects each other. This seems to be the universe described in the Book of Changes." (Preface to the Chinese Edition of "Seven Lessons from Chaos", written by Briggs and Pete, translated by Chen Zhong and Jin Wei, Shanghai Science and Technology Education Press, first edition in July 2001) The method of knowing things in "Book of Changes", and The systems view of modern science has many things in common.In "Yi" (state), things show complex characteristics of non-fixation (period, periodicity), interaction, and integrity: non-fixation—unstability and stability, interaction—phase and phase non-existence, Overall - stable tropism.New disciplines of complexity (dissipative structure theory, synergy theory, catastrophe theory, etc.) are dedicated to these issues.

The interpretation of the hexagrams in "Kun" particularly emphasizes the attachment of yin to yang, which adds social content to nature.In society, "subordinates" rely on "masters" and individuals rely on "organizations", but in nature, yin "seeks" yang, and yang also "seeks" yin. A solitary yang does not grow, and a solitary yin does not grow. There is no master. next point.

"original"

"Kun": Yuan Heng, the chastity of the mare.A gentleman has a future, loses first and then wins, profit.Get friends in the southwest and lose friends in the northeast.An Zhen, Kat.

The sixth day of the lunar month: When you walk on the frost, the ice arrives.

Sixty-two: Straight, square, big, no practice, no disadvantages.

Six Three: Contains Zhang Kezhen.Or from the king's affairs, there is no success and no end.

June [-]th: Inclusive, without blame or reputation.

Sixth Five-Year: Huang Chang Yuan Ji.

Upper Six: The dragon fights in the wild, its blood is black and yellow.

Use six: Li Yongzhen.

"Translation"

The hexagram "Kun" symbolizes the pure yin and smoothness of the earth, and the prosperity at the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty, which can be compared to the choice of the right way for a mare. The "gentleman" defected to the "leader", first looking for the wrong place, but finally found it, which is beneficial to both parties.It is like a mare who first started to go southwest. Although it could find its own kind, it was not the leading horse. Then it left its kind and went to the northeast, and finally found the leading horse. It is of course auspicious to be so dedicated to the right way.

(筮得) The sixth line of the first day symbolizes stepping on the frost flower (feeling the beginning of yin qi), and then it will become colder and colder until the ice appears.

Liu Eryao, (the roads on the earth and the rivers and lakes covered by solid ice become) straight, regular, and wide, and there will be no adverse disasters (such as traps) on the roads that have not been traveled.

Sixth and third lines, (at this time) with talent, you can boldly do serious things, such as politics, war, etc. Even if you don't make great achievements, you will have a good ending.

Sixth and fourth lines, keep quiet, avoid mistakes, and don't be greedy for honor.

Sixth and fifth lines, wearing a yellow dress that expresses modesty, is auspicious and auspicious.

On the sixth line, (the mare does not know how to retreat modestly, and fights with the dragon in the field, blood stains the sky and the earth red).

Using six (understanding the necessity of Kunyin's advance and retreat), can keep things always changing to the favorable side.

"original"

"Yuan" said: "Zai Kun "Yuan", all things come into being, and they follow the sky.Kun is thick and loaded, and virtue is boundless.Contain Hongguangda, and the goods are salty "Heng". The "mare" is a kind of land that travels without boundaries, and is compliant with "lizhen". A "gentleman" acts wisely, "gets lost first" loses his way, and "later" follows along and "gets" often. "Winning friends in the southwest" means doing things with others; "losing friends in the northeast" means celebrating in the end. The "auspiciousness" of "Anzhen" has no boundaries.

"Translation"

"Zu Ci" says that when the vitality of Kunyin rises just right, all things are nourished, which is the obedience to God's will.The deep earth contains all things, and the virtues of the earth are vast and boundless.In the embrace of the earth, everything thrives and finds its place.The mare is of the same kind as the earth. It can carry heavy loads, gallop endlessly, and is gentle, so it can walk smoothly on the right path.When a gentleman seeks something, he finds the wrong direction first, and then his mentality and direction change, and he returns to normal.Just like the companion that a mare finds in the southwest direction, it is only the female of the same kind, leaving the same kind, walking northeast, and finally found the "leader horse" it was looking for, it is fortunate.It is of course auspicious to focus on the righteous way, which should be in line with the boundless virtue of the earth, and the future is bright.

"original"

"Xiang" said: "The terrain is Kun, and a gentleman carries things with virtue." "Walking on frost and hard ice" means that the yin begins to condense; taming the way leads to "hard ice". The movement of "June [-]" is "straight" and "square"; "Containing chapters can be chaste", it is also based on the time; "or from the king's affairs", knowing the greatness. "There is no blame for including everything", be careful not to harm. "Huang Chang Yuanji", Wen Zaizhong also. "Dragon fights in the wild", its way is poor. "Use Liu Yongzhen" to end with a big one.

"Translation"

"Xiangci" said: The earth is vast and boundless, and the gentleman imitates the earth and accepts all things with generous virtue.

(The sixth line of the first day) "Stepping on the frost flower and then hardening the ice" indicates that Yin Qi will be harvested more and more; this is the necessity of accepting nature until the ice is hardened (Yin Qi plays a role).

The actions during the "six and two lines" are based on the straightness and orderliness of the earth, "things that have not been experienced will not bring unfavorable results", which just shows the omnipresent protection of the virtue of the earth.

(Six and three lines) "With your talent, you can boldly do serious things", because the time has come to show yourself. "Either in politics or in the army, etc.", people's learning and potential can be brought into play.

([-]th line) "Refraining from speaking and avoiding mistakes" means to act modestly and cautiously so that disasters will not occur.

(Six and five lines) "Wearing a yellow dress is auspicious and prosperous", because this color expresses inner beauty.

(Upper sixth line) "War (with) the dragon in the wild", which means that the yin and yang will not retreat, and the end of the road will be reached.

"Using six, you can keep things always turning to the favorable side", this is the final cycle.

"original"

"Classical Chinese" says: "Kun is soft yet moving and rigid, and when it is quiet, it is virtuous." "Last Winner" has permanence, contains all things and turns into light.Kun Dao is compliant, and he follows the sky and moves with the times.

A family that accumulates goodness will surely have surplus celebrations; a family that accumulates bad qualities will surely have surplus calamities.Ministers murdered their rulers, sons murdered their fathers, it didn't happen overnight, the origin of it gradually disappeared!It is not early to argue because of the debate. "Yi" said: "Walk on the frost, and the ice is as hard as it is."

"Straight" means righteousness, and "square" means righteousness.A gentleman respects the straight inside, righteousness outside the square, respect for righteousness and virtue is not alone. "The straight square is big, if you don't practice it, you will have no disadvantages", then you don't doubt what it does.

Although yin has beauty, it is impossible to "follow the king's affairs" if it is "contained".The way of authenticity, the way of wives, the way of ministers.The authentic "no success" is replaced by "there is an end".

The world changes, and the vegetation grows; the world is closed, and the sages hide. "Yi" said: "Including the bag, there is no blame and no reputation." Gai Yan is also sincere.

The gentleman "yellow" is in the middle of reason, right in the body, the beauty is in it, and it is smooth in the four branches, and it is in the career, the beauty is the most beautiful!
Yin suspects that Yang must "fight", because it suspects that there is no Yang, so it is called "Dragon".It is still not separated from its kind, so it is called "blood".Husband "mysterious yellow", the sky and the earth are miscellaneous, the sky is mysterious and the earth is yellow.

"Translation"

"Wen Yan" says: "Kun" hexagram is like the earth, extremely soft in nature, but quite strong in movement, extremely peaceful on the outside, but the inner virtue is square and unshakable.As long as you find the "leader", you will walk on the common way; all things are contained.make it great. The character of "Kun" is suppleness, which plays a role in the four seasons by relying on the will of heaven.

People who do good deeds for a long time will have endless blessings; people who always do bad things will have endless disasters.The minister murdering the king, and the son murdering the father, did not happen overnight. The reasons have a gradual development process. The first reason is that they did not realize that they should do good deeds earlier. The "Book of Changes" says, "When you step on the frost, (slowly there will be) solid ice", it is exactly this gradual change process.

"Straight" refers to the cultivation of upright character, and "Fang" refers to the behavior of following morality.A gentleman cultivates his inner integrity with a serious attitude, and maintains an upright external behavior with a moral heart.Once seriousness and morality are established, his virtues will be trusted and responded by everyone. "Straight, orderly, and wide, and there will be no unfavorable disasters on the roads that have not been traveled." The reason is that there is no doubt about his virtue.

Although "Yin" has something worthy of praise, (a minister can only) serve the king with this talent, (after the matter is completed) he cannot take credit for it.This is the way of the earth, the way of a wife, and the way of a minister.The way of the earth is not successful, but it only shows the endless cycle of heavenly virtue.

The sky and the earth change according to the changes, making the vegetation lush and full of vitality; the sky and the earth are dark and closed, and the sages retreat. The "Book of Changes" says: "Refrain from speaking, avoid mistakes, and not be greedy for honor", which means being cautious (looking at the situation).

A gentleman is willing to wear a yellow skirt and choose a harmonious color. This is a common sense, and the seat is upright and decent.This kind of inner beauty can flow freely in the limbs (expressed as the beauty of etiquette) and develop its career. This is the highest state of beauty!
If the yin qi is so strong that it overwhelms the yang qi, there will inevitably be a big battle.It thinks that Yang Qi no longer exists and can replace the dragon.However, although the yin qi is strong, it is yin after all, so Yao Ci deliberately points out its color "blood".The so-called Xuanhuang refers to the (temporary) mixture of the colors of the sky and the earth, but in the end the sky is blue and the earth is yellow.

(End of this chapter)