Wang Bi's commentary on the *I Ching (Zhouyi zhu)* presents the classic text not as a literal guide, but as a source of abstract moral and political wisdom. He argues for interpreting the *I Ching* through its underlying philosophical principles rather than its surface meaning. This approach influenced its reception for seven centuries.
This commentary, newly available in English, is presented alongside a translation of *The Classic of Changes*. Richard Lynn provides historical context for Wang Bi's work and explains the *I Ching*'s use as a divination manual through stalk and coin methods, offering aids for readers unfamiliar with its structure.
Key concepts
- Abstract Ideas — Wang Bi's interpretation of the *I Ching* emphasizes extracting underlying philosophical concepts rather than literal meanings.
- Moral and Political Wisdom — This is the primary lens through which Wang Bi viewed and advocated for the understanding of the *I Ching*.
- Divination Manual — The *I Ching* is presented as a text historically used for fortune-telling through specific methods.
- Stalk and Coin Methods — These are the practical techniques described for using the *I Ching* for divination.
- Trigrams and Hexagrams — These are fundamental structural components of the *I Ching* that aid in its interpretation and use.