Yijing - an introduction Part I
by Jayashree Bose

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In Chinese metaphysics there are various tools to foresee and predict the future accurately. One such tool is 'yijing'.

It was in 2001 that I had first learnt how to cast the coins and read a hexagram. After years of study and practice I find yijing an extremely accurate tool in making decisions.

In this part of the article I am writing a brief history on yi jing divination and an introduction to the "Book of changes - Yi".

YIJING - HISTORY
Divination has always been a part of Chinese culture. In the second Chinese classic "The shih" there is evidence of divination followed by site selection methods, a poem narrating how Duke Than-fu (grand father of King Wan Shang Dynasty BC 1766 - 1045) chooses a site for his people to settle down.

"The ancient duke than-fu, came in the morning, galloping his horse, along the banks of western rivers, to the foot of mount Khi and there he and the Lady Kiang came and together looked out for a site... There he singed the tortoise shell and demand the response were there to stay and then; they proceed there to build"[Translation by James Legge, 1879].

Not only was yijing used for site selection it was a useful tool in forming war strategies. Most of the instances mentioned in the Yijing text are related to the formation of the Zhou dynasty - one of China's largest and longest ruling dynasties which ruled for 800 years and had passed through 34 kings.

YIJING - "Book of changes"
The "Yijing - Book of changes" is said to have been written by the four most honored sages in Chinese history - Fuxi, King Wen, Duke of Zhou and Confucius, it is revered by the Chinese as their 'Holy Bible' - a book of ancient wisdom.

Although it is not mentioned in the text the core message of "Yijing" is that in life nothing is constant. The theory of transformation and change is the main essence of the yi jing. No situation remains favorable or unfavorable for ever.

The text not only guides a person in the current situation, it foretells the future and gives instruction on what to do or not to do, how to turn an adverse situation around, when it is favorable to move and when should one not move at all.

Read Yijing - an introduction (Part II)