The Supreme Principles Governing the World

Yuan-Hui-Yun-Shi Cycle

元會運世

Preface and Abstract

提要與序

Siku Quanshu Abstract

四庫提要

皇極經世書十四卷宋邵雍撰 臣等謹按皇極經世書出於康節邵子於百泉即位以義理性情以氣數本天道統攝人事為大文

Supreme Principles Governing the World in Fourteen Volumes, composed by Shao Yong of the Song Dynasty. We respectfully note that the Supreme Principles Governing the World originated from Kangjie (Shao Yong). He established his position at Baiquan, using moral principles (yili) and human nature-emotion (xingqing), grounded in numerical patterns (qishu), rooted in the Way of Heaven (tiandao), to systematically govern human affairs as a grand pattern.

Reinterpretation of Qian and Kun

乾坤重釋

康節即如何以去金去木乾在易為天而經世為日坤在易為地而經世為月至離之為星艮之為土星之為日水火之為寒暑

Kangjie [Shao Yong] reinterpreted [the hexagrams]: in the Yijing, Qian represents Heaven, but in Governing the World it represents the Sun; in the Yijing, Kun represents Earth, but in Governing the World it represents the Moon; Li becomes the Stars, Gen becomes the Planets, the Sun governs Day, and Water and Fire govern Cold and Heat.

Critiques and Defense

批評與辯護

元會運世之分無以然其起而為辰之為水良之為土某之為日某所依據十二萬九千六百年之說近於釋氏之地水火風

Critics questioned the divisions of Yuan-Hui-Yun-Shi, saying they have no [foundation]. The theory of 129,600 years approaches Buddhist cosmology of earth, water, fire, and wind. Moreover, [they asked] why the Five Phases system excludes Metal and Wood.

Qianlong Imperial Review

乾隆校訂

不合然邵子在當日用以占驗無不奇中故深初見經世一書難明天道而實責成於人事 乾隆四十六年四月恭校上 總纂官臣紀昀臣陸錫熊臣孫士毅 總校官臣陸費墀

Though seemingly inconsistent, Master Shao in his time used this system for divination and verification with unfailingly miraculous accuracy. Initially the Governing the World book appears difficult in illuminating the Way of Heaven, yet it truly accomplishes its task through human affairs. Respectfully proofread and submitted in the fourth month of the 46th year of Qianlong [April 1781]. Chief Compilers: Ji Yun, Lu Xixiong, Sun Shiyi Chief Proofreader: Lu Feichi

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