Text of Confucianism Part 02

SR No.: 007676
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Legge
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1882
Total Pages: 2405
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 43 MB

Page 275

248
THE APPENDIXES.
SECT. II.
of place. Everything in the method of this increase proceeds according to the requirements of the time.
XLII. 1. The process of the formation of the trigrams here is the reverse of that in the preceding hexagram; and is open to the remarks I have made on that. Of course the people are full of complacency and pleasure in the labours of their ruler for their good.
2. The mention of the action of wood' has reference to the upper trigram Sun, which is the symbol both of wind and wood. From wood boats and ships are made, on which the great stream may be crossed. In three hexagrams, this, 59, and 61, of which Sun is a part, we find mention made of crossing the great stream. It is generally said that the lower trigram Kån also symbolises wood; but that is obtained by a roundabout process. Kån occupies the place of the east in. Wan's arrangement of the trigrams; but the east symbolises spring, when the growth of vegetation begins; and therefore Kån may symbolise wood! It was stated on p. 33, that the doctrine of the five elements' does not appear in the Yi. Khăng-gze takes wood t mů), as a misprint for increase ( yi).'
3. The words 'heaven dispensing and earth producing' are based on the fancied genesis of the figure from Khien and Khwăn (
E E ), the first lines in each changing places. It was the author of this Appendix, probably, who first introduced that absurd notion in connexion with the formation of Sun and Yi.
One rhyme runs through and connects these three paragraphs thus :
"Yî spoils the high, gives to the low;
The people feel intense delight. Down from above to all below, The blessing goes, so large and bright. Success will every movement mark, Central its source, its course aright. The great stream even may be crossed, When planks of wood their strength unite. Y1 movement shows and docile feet, Which progress day by day invite. Heaven gives; productive earth responds; Increase crowns every vale and height;
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