Zhu Xi's Thoughts on<i> The</i><i> Book</i><i> of</i><i> Changes:</i> Between Divination and Virture

Abstract

Zhu Xi's examination of The Book of Changes transcends textual analysis, delving into the interplay between divination of xiangshu, virtue of yili (). He critiqued the interpretation trend centered on yili and argued for the importance of divination in The Book of Changes while authoring Zhouyi Benyi ((O * )) ). He diligently researched methods such as shuyi to fill the gaps in xiangshu and even made personal decisions through divination. He emphasized that the entities consulted through divination, such as ancestors and spirits, were not seen as transcendent beings but rather as entities coexisting with people in the present world. He underscores the necessity of sincerity and virtue in divination, believing that only with these qualities could one obtain accurate divination results and implement them effectively. Without sincere intentions and virtue, divination becomes ineffective, severing the connection between yili and xiangshu. He asserted that yili-centered interpretation and divination in The Book of Changes are not mutually exclusive but are closely related. His thoughts on divination reveal that divination based on the xiangshu of The Book of Changes serves as another method of cultivation for the Learning of the Sages. Zhu Xi's insights provide a understanding of the interplay between divination, virtue within the context of The Book of Changes.