The Study Of Wu Cheng's Yi-ology

In the history of ancient Chinese Yi-ology,scholars made comments on Zhoz-yi in the spirit of their own time,and formed two basic approaches:image-numerology and argumentation.As one of the most important scholars on Yi-ology in the Yuan Dynasty;Wu Cheng's thoughts on Yi-ology is manifested in two of his works,Yi Zuanyan and yi Zuanyan Waiyi.As a scholar after Zhu Xi,Wu Cheng's studies of Yi-ology has a clear characteristic of neo-Confucianism.The inheritance and development of Shao Yong and Zhu Xi's thoughts in his studies of argumentation,and his reconciliation and ntegration of contradictions between Zhu Xi and Lu Jiuyuan,have alwavs attracted the attention of researchers.On the other hand,Wu Cheng's studies of Yi-ology is not limited to the theory of argumentation in the Song Dynasty.On the basis of his explicit dissatisfaction with Zhu Xi's theory of image-numerology,he devoted most of his energy to the commenting of Zhou-vi using image-numerology.A large number of image-numerological models since the Han Dynasty is absorbed and transformed by him,and new interpretations of image-numerology are made through great efforts to reflect the new spirit of the times.In view of this,the purpose of this dissertation is to conduct a thorough analysis of Wu Cheng s works on Yi-ology,and then to offer a complete and in-depth discussion on his overall concept of Yi-ology,image-numerological models and theory of argumentation.This dissertation is divided into three main parts.The first chapter analyzes Wu Cheng's basic concept of Yi-ology.Under the influence of Zhu Xi's theory,Wu Cheng also accepts the basic view that Yi-ology is established by three sages.The theories of Fu Xi,Wen W ang and Zhou Gong,and Confucius are regarded as distinct yet connected,forming a coherent development of Yi-ology.By distinguishing the three theories,Wu Cheng is able to give an appropriate position in Yi-ology the study of He Tu and Luo Shu,the study of innate Eight Diagrams,the study of image-numerology,and the study of argumentation.By integrating the three theories,Wu Cheng summarizes and combines the study of He Tu and Luo Shu with Shao Yong's study of innate Eight Diagrams,explores Wen Wang's original study of innate Eight Diagrams and the sequence of diagrams,and makes unprecedented changes to Confucius'Yi Zhuan,which is criticized by later scholars as "interpreting the classics on his own assumption".The main research topic of this chapter is how to make an in-depth study of and appropriate comment on the basic views of Wu Cheng from the perspective of the history of Yi-ology studies,as well as in today's context,when the departure from the traditional view of Confucian classics is apparent.The second part of this dissertation focuses on Wu Cheng's main theory of image-numerology.Later scholars see the success of Wu Cheng's theory of Yi-ology as "all depending on image-numerology",which indicates the importance of image-numerology in his theory.Throughout Wu Cheng's writings on Yi-ology,the most obvious feature is his extensive application of image-numerological models introduced in the Han Dynasty.The Han Dynasty models,such as Guabian,Guazhu,Huti,Najia and Nazlii,are used by Wu Cheng as an important tool for the commenting of Zhoy-yi.However,if we thoroughly study Wu Cheng's principles and methods of applying these models,it is not difficult to find that he does not copy or emulate the existing models.Rather,he offers innovative understanding and new meaning to existing image-numerological models such as Guazhu.Guabian and Huti,enriching and developing the theory of image-numerology on the basis of extensive research.His choice of the particular models itself also reflects the development of neo-Confucianism of his age,which is different from the theoretical background of heaven-man interaction in the Han Dynasty.Meanwhile,Wu Cheng's discussion of image-numerology examples,hexaogram-records examples and divination examples in Yi Zhuanyan Waiyi not only systematically summarizes the method of image-numerology selection in the text of Zhou-yi,but also attempts to explore the recurrence of remarks appended to the lines,which did not receive sufficient attention from previous scholars.H is research work has broadened the development of image-numerology.The last part focuses on Wu Cheng's theory of argumentation as reflected in his study of Yi-ology.Although Wu Cheng used a large number of image-numerological models introduced in the Han Dynasty to comment on Zhou-yi.the argumentation beneath is drastically different from that in the Han Dynasty.His theory is rooted in the study of heaven and humanity developed since the Song Dynasty,which holds the cause of heaven as its core theory.On this basis,many image-numerological principles can only be understood from the perspective of "Taichi"(reason)and "Yin and Yang"(qi).In the perspective of neo-Confucianism.Wu Cheng gives a new meaning to Zhou-yi,formerly regarded only as a book of divination.The study of the mind is also reflected in his Yi-ology,which abounds in the characteristics of moral practice since the Song Dynasty.Wu Cheng's theory of the mind has a tendency to reconcile the theories of Zhu Xi and Lu Jiuyuan,which undoubtedly constitutes an important link in the development of neo-Confucianism in the Song and Ming dynasties.