A Study On The Theory Of Changes In The Diagrams Of Chuanshan’s Yi School

The theory of hexagram change is an important and difficult issue in the study of Yi like mathematics.Since the scholars of the Han Dynasty proposed a relatively complete and systematic theory of hexagram changes that can be used to explain the classical theory of hexagram changes,many scholars of the Han Dynasty have been actively discussing this issue for thousands of years,and have proposed many theories of hexagram changes with important philosophical significance.Wang Chuanshan is also one of these Yi scholars,and his theory of hexagram changes is an important content that cannot be ignored in Chuanshan’s Yi learning system.He has conducted a profound reflection on the existing theories of hexagram changes in the history of Yi learning.From a horizontal perspective,Confucianism during the Ming and Qing dynasties faced a crisis of simultaneous failure of both inner sages and outer kings.Under the dual influence of the logic of philosophy’s own development and the external current situation,the Yi learning during the Ming and Qing dynasties focused on "dispelling heresy and revitalizing orthodoxy",criticized and rebuilt around the issue of "where does the Yi learning go",forming an era atmosphere of opposing empty talk,emphasizing text,and emphasizing application,"And a fundamentally different paradigm from the study of the Song Dynasty began to emerge.".It is against this great historical background that Chuanshan’s Yi Studies developed.After 40 years of hard work,Chuanshan has finally established a large,critical,speculative,innovative,and worldly oriented system of Yi Studies with great thinking and boundless horizons.From the perspective of the historical development of the theory of hexagram changes,the theory of hexagram changes originated from the phenomenon of "changing hexagrams"and originated from "Yi Zhuan" has been developed and improved by generations of Yi scholars such as Jing Fang,Xun Shuang,Yu Fan,Shu Cai,Hou Guo,Li Zhicai,Shao Yong,and Zhu Xi,forming various patterns of hexagram changes and becoming an important method that cannot be ignored in the hermeneutics of Yi.However,in this process of development,the contradiction between image number and semantics,as well as between classics and reality,has become increasingly acute.The original theory of hexagram change,which was used to explain the classics,has gradually become a purely image number deduction that deviates from the classics.On the basis of inheriting the previous research results,Chuanshan’s theory of divination changes has made some innovations.On the whole,this theory of hexagram changes is established according to three principles:"from pure to miscellaneous","the two trigrams are interchangeable",and "the transmission of scriptures takes precedence.".The concept of Gua Bian can be roughly summarized into four points:First,the theory of Gua Bian is a style of Yi learning with clear sources and sufficient basis,and its existence should not be questioned.Secondly,the change of divination focuses on "the difference of divination" at the meaning level,rather than on "the origin of divination" at the generative level.There is a synchronic existence between the original divination and the change of divination.Thirdly,the theory of Gua Bian and the question of Bian Zhan should not be confused.The former belongs to the category of learning,while the latter is the question of Zhan.Fourth,as a thinking model,this style can be used to observe the differences in personnel in real society and analyze the reasons for these differences.Taken together,his theory of divination has three characteristics:"synchronicity","non systematicness",and "emphasis on personnel".These characteristics point to the ontology of Yi studies in his philosophical thought of "building heaven and earth together",the methodological principle of "using purity to overcome complexity,and not being consistent",and the view of studying "Yi" that "occupying one principle of learning,giving priority to righteousness".The so-called "combination of heaven and earth" refers to the combination of the two hexagrams of heaven and earth,which is sufficient to represent the harmony of yin and yang,and the combination of the two is inseparable and invincible.Moreover,the Tai Chi represented by the combination of heaven and earth is always changing in popularity as a whole,and its popularity change is a manifestation of its own internal differences.Fundamentally speaking,the 64 hexagrams represent the difference of Tai Chi itself,and each hexagram represents a part of the whole of Tai Chi at a certain time and under certain conditions.The so-called "controlling miscellaneous matters with purity and not adhering to one" means that Chuanshan believes that grasping the numerous miscellaneous matters must be achieved through grasping the pure virtue of Tai Chi.Therefore,when constructing the theory of divination changes,it is necessary to follow the method of grasping the simple divination to grasp the complex divination of Yin and Yang.Based on this understanding,Chuanshan continues the traditional idea of "news divination generates miscellaneous divination",and endows it with new connotation and significance from the perspective of pure miscellaneous relations.At the same time,Chuanshan pointed out that it is not possible to adhere to a specific style of Yi learning to strengthen the understanding of the entire Sutra.Therefore,his theory of hexagram change did not form a comprehensive hexagram change system covering the 64 hexagrams,but rather developed in a "use as needed" manner.The so-called "taking advantage of learning one principle and giving priority to righteousness"refers to Chuanshan’s understanding of the classic "Book of Changes" as a book of virtue that makes people poor,spiritual,knowledgeable,and virtuous.Based on this view of the study of the Book of Changes,Chuanshan divided the study of the Book of Changes into two aspects:the study of the Book of Changes and the study of the Book of Changes.The study of the Book of Changes has priority over the study of the Book of Changes.Therefore,the interpretation of the Book of Changes should take elucidation of the principles as the first purpose,rather than purely deducing the number of images as the first purpose.Compared with the existing theories of hexagram changes in the history of the Book of Changes,Chuanshan’s theory of hexagram changes has two important meanings:on the one hand,Chuanshan has redefined the connotation of the theory of hexagram changes to make it clearer and clearer.On the other hand,Chuanshan resolved the contradiction between words and images in the development of the theory of hexagram change,and restored the original meaning of the theory of hexagram change as an explanatory style.