Ch'an Dao Links:

YiJing (​易經) Studies

The study of the Yijing (Book of Changes) takes decades to mature. As a child, my exposure to traditional Chinese (Hakka) folk culture instilled in my mind and body a firm foundation of Chinese philosophical ideology. Central to this was the Yijing - with the "Great Treatise" conveying thousands of years of Chinese thought. Later, from around 16-years of age, I was exposed to Richard Wilhem's "I Ching" although rendered into the English language (from his native German - where the text is given as the "I Ging"). From 1989 onwards, and coinciding with my time as a Chinese Ch'an Buddhist monk, I was taken as a student by Richard Hunn (1949-2006). He helped me develop an advanced ability to read, translate, and transliterate old and new Chinese ideograms into (British) English. Even so, it has taken the best part of over 35-years of continuous academic and self-study to reach a level of development where I can approach the ancient texts associated with the Yijing - and render these strictures into modern and accurate English rendition. Although I have translated small extracts of the Yijing here and there - as private commissions - the "Great Treatise" presented below is my first full Yijing text to be present to the public for general study. Overtime, more translated Yijing texts will be presented - as Master Xu Yun (1840-1959) always taught that the lineage of the Caodong School of Chinese Ch'an (the lineage of RHACS) can only be properly understood if the Yijing is studied properly. This is particularly true of the "Five Ranks" Roundel and Trigram-Hexagram schematic of "Prince & Minister". 
- Wings 1 & 2 – Judgement Treatise (彖傳 – Tuan Zhuan) – English Translation
​- Wing 3 - Xiang Zhuan 象傳 (Image Treatise) Part I – English Translation
- Wing 4 - Xiang Zhuan 象傳 (Image Treatise) Part II – English Translation
​- Wing 5 - Wen Yan Zhuan 文言傳 (Literary Commentary Treatise) - English Translation
- Wings 6 & 7: The Great Treatise (大傳 – Da Zhuan) - English Translation