Lin, Zhongjun. "On the Hermeneutics in the Yi Zhuan." (Conference Paper- International Conference on Creativity and Process: East-West Dialogue). Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan. 2007.
Abstract
The first hermeneutic principle in
the Yi Zhuan
(commentaries on the Test of Zhouyi, also called
the Ten Wings) is "adaptability". This principle is set forth
in conformity to the Dao
(way) to indicate that the Dao
gives birth to the myriad of things and man who can interpret,
understand it, can unite with the Dao.
To unite with the Dao
is the ultimate purpose of the hermeneutics of the Yi
studies. So far as the interpretation of the Dao is concerned,
the connotations of the Dao
is, on one hand, definite, clear and concrete, but, on the other hand,
it is indefinite which is exhibited in the reality as diversity and
adaptability. This characteristic of the Dao allows the
interpretations to have a broad and indefinite space in doing
interpretations. Departing from this principle, the Yi Zhuan realized
three transformations from the anciet Text of the Zhouyi:
(1) from a divinatory interpretation to a virtuous interpretation; (3)
from the interpretation of the original meaning of the hexagrams and
lines to the interpretation of the significance of the hexagrams and
lines. Thereby the present paper reveals that in ancient
China there was a form of hermeneutics, which differs not only from the
early Western exegetics but also from modern philosophical
hermeneutics. So, the hermenuetics in the Yi Zhuan
was unique.