I Ching or Book of Changes

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

I'm wondering if anyone else has looked over the I Ching? I've had it on my shelf for years and the more I read it, the more I see an effort to keep society the same. The ones in power stay in power, the huddled masses remain the masses. I can see where Marx got some of his anger, if he ever even knew of this book. Some of the comments are "The superior man makes himself strong and untiring." (Wilhelm/Baynes, all quotes are from this source), or one of the most common terms used is "perseverance". The superior man perservers, it is best to persevere, etc.
The book is also filled with Daoist comments, "Do not act." "No blame, no praise."

This book seems to be a manual for both the peasant and a ruler. No one wants to be disgraced, "The great prince issues commands,... Inferior people should not be employed." There are many other quotes that have many interpretations.
Interesting that the book evolved from one of divination to one of saqe advise and wisdom.

[Anonymous]

I don't agree really. Anyone can be a Superior Man these days, right? I mean the philosophy transcends the time, doesn't it? The original purpose may have been to speak to noble men only, but the idea was to enoble men, so I think the basic tenets remain the same in any age even as the speaker and listener change, as humanity evolves and includes even women. Anyway, I always thought the I Ching was more a method of divination used to answer a particular question one might have. Sometimes it tells you to be patient and wait, other times it tells you to act. I really like the I Ching.

[Anonymous]

I am glad at least someone read the post....but I think that every person wants to be regarded as the superior man. So when the peasants are out working in the field, they are working, therefore not inferior. And by persevering, this person is showing they are superior. The more crop they turn out, the better they are.
I guess that is why this book has continued for so long, so many ways to interpret it.

[Author]

Posts