In search of the "Human Bagua" II

My previous blog has discussed the source of the Bagua or 8-trigrams.  Now comes to the core of the discussion.

Middle Heaven Bagua (MHB) is also called "Yellow Emperor Bagua" because it is based on  Lian Shan Yi which was attributed to the Yellow Emperor.  The first version of MHB that I introduce here is based on Yuan-bao Jing (元包經)-- a classic written in Northern Chou Dynasty (557- 581 CE ).  It is regarded as an elaboration of  Gui Cang Yi (歸藏).

MIDDLE HEAVEN BAGUA BASED ON YUAN-BAO JING 
At first glance, this bagua is clear yin-yang division or sex-segregation.  The gua (trigram) order in this version are as follows:

• Kun to Qian
• Dui to Gen
• Li to Kan
• Xun to Zhen

Yuan-bao Jing model starts with Kun (female/ yin) and ends with Zhen (male/ yang). Females are on the left side and also on top of males. It shows "Yin first and Yang second" or matriarchy ideology. The word "Cang 藏" as in "Gui Cang 歸藏", stands for Kun or the receptive/ storage.   However, the ordering of trigrams still reflects yin-yang balance concept.

MIDDLE HEAVEN BAGUA BASED ON GUI CANG YI

Click over picture to enlarge

This looks like a "gay bagua" because both 90 and 180 degree paths of each trigram always reaches trigram of the same gender.  However, if you look at the neighboring trigram in terms of the yin trigram (e.g, Kun/ Qian, Dui/ Gen and so on),  you will find each "yao" of the trigram pair (the straight and broken lines) is yin-yang balanced.  

There is no accurate information except speculations on the gua order of this MHB.  All we know is it starts of Kun trigram with a right moving track.

Until one day a copy of Gui Cang Yi is discovered or unearthed, we cannot ascertain the validity of existing MHB creations.  This is one major reason that most Feng Shui books do not bother to include or discuss about MHB.  But it does not stop some marketers from boasting about their trove of "MHB secrets".

Anyway, all the bagua models (pre-, post- and Middle) reflect the rules of "yin-yang theory" like confrontation, mutual dependency and balancing.  Bagua models are also the original sources of 5-element theory. Pre-heaven bagua reflects the mutual-controlling aspect of 5-element theory.  Post-heaven bagua shows the nurturing aspect of the same theory.   Middle heaven bagua, if proven, points to the combination aspects of 5-element theory.

SHAO YONG AND MIDDLE HEAVEN BAGUA
The Pre-heaven Bagua diagram that we have today actually shows up LATER than the Post-heaven one.  It was put together by Shao Yong (1011–1077 CE) based on the following entry from Confucian classic Shuo-guo Chuan (說卦傳, Commentaries on Trigrams):
"天地定位，山澤通氣，雷風相薄，水火不相射，八卦相錯，數往者順，知來者逆﹔是故，易逆數也。"

This entry specifies the location and pairing of each trigrams.  It shows the spatial and original aspects of the system.  Trigrams also represent gender locations and relationship, so this Post-heaven bagua also reflects the human aspects of the system, especially in terms of power-relationship.

Shao Yong was probably one of the most talented Chinese cosmologists and Yi-Jing scholars.  He had created Huangji Jingshi (皇極經世, Book of supreme world ordering principles) and the Plum Blossom Divination method.  A logical question will arise:  If Shao was smart enough to figure out the Pre-heaven Bagua sequence from the classics, why did he not reconstruct one for the "Human or Middle Heaven Bagua"?  Did he feel the human aspects are already embedded in the Pre- and Post-heaven bagua?


MIDDLE HEAVEN BAGUA SECRETS???

Shao Yong (1011-1077 CE)

We do not know if MHB exists or not, so is there such thing as a "MHB secret"?  Anyway, someone claims "Turning Qian over to Kun" (扭轉乾坤, reverse the course of events ) is one of the MHB big secrets. I will give you a hint to crack it.

There are more than one way to do  "Turning Qian over to Kun".  Many people in the motivation, life-coaching and destiny-changing (or luck changing) business use similar technique. But people do not call it a MHB secret. It is just one of the basic yin-yang principles.

Here is the hint:  go to my website www.kenlaifengshui.com and click the link for "Destiny and Luck Management: Advanced Bazi Therapy and Enhancement" course.  Look for the DVD box cover image. It is one of the possible answers for  "Turning Qian over to Kun".


Ken Lai

Video Correspondence Courses: (click for details)   
“Advanced Visual Form Feng Shui” w/23 hr. HD video
“Visual Form Feng Shui” w/13 hr. HD video
"Applied Bazi: SIckness Forecasting and Management" w/33 hr. HD video 
“Destiny/Luck Mgmt. 1: Forecasting and Decision Support” w/32 hr. HD video
“Destiny/Luck Mgmt. 2: Basic Bazi Therapy w/18 hr. HD video
“Destiny/Luck Mgmt. 3 w/ Advanced Bazi Therapy w/18 hr. HD video
“Feng Shui Toolbox: Sha-qi, Health/Wealth and Career” w/ 7 hr. HD video
“Period 7/8 FS Toolkit w/ Advanced Flying Star techniques” w/ 6 hr. HD video
“Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG) w/ 12 hr. video
“Practical Imperial Qi-Men-Dun-Jia 4G” w/ 12 hr. video
“Professional Imperial QMDJ 4G” w/ 21 hr. video
“EZ QMDJ series: Astrology, Date/Task Selection, Annual Luck/ FS”w/ 3 hr. HD
“EZ QMDJ Advanced Feng Shui” with 4 hr. HD video
“Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui/Blessing” w/ 24 hr video
“Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
“4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp+ 2017 edition” with 18 hr. video

http://www.kenlaifengshui.com

In search of the "Human Bagua" I

A student asks these questions:  What is "Middle Heaven Bagua"? How come it is rarely seen or mentioned in traditional Feng Shui books?

Bagua or "8-trigrams" was created by the mythical ruler Fu Xi (伏羲, around 2800 BC).  It is the oldest binary symbol system in the world.  It started with "void" or nothingness to tai-ji or the "yin-yang fish" symbol.  The tai-ji evoles to "yin" and "yang" as represented by one line and two broken lines.  After 2 more iterations, the system of 8-trigrams or "bagua" emerges:   QIAN乾 ☰,  KUN坤 ☷,  LI离 ☲,  KAN坎 ☵,  ZHEN震 ☳,  XUN巽 ☴,  DUI兌 ☱ and  GEN艮 ☶   (Color stands for the elemental nature of the trigram).  

"Bagua" becomes the building blocks of Chinese civilization including metaphysics.  It is also probably the first creation model using binary symbols.  Yi-Jing or "Book of Changes" elaborates the functions and interactions of bagua elements.

The Yi-Jing or Zhou-yi (周易) that we have today is part of a trilogy of:    

1. Lian Shan Yi (連山易)--  Lian Shan means  "continuous mountains" in Chinese.  Pre-heaven Bagua is based on this classic.  The initiating trigram is Gen(艮).
2. Gui Cang Yi (歸藏易) Gui Cang means "return and in storage" in Chinese.   The initiating trigram is Kun (坤).  
3. Zhou-yi (周易)-- Zhou stands for King Wen of Zhou Dynasty.  Post-heaven Bagua is based on this classic. The initiating trigram is Qian (乾).  

Unfortunately, Lian Shan Yi and Gui Cang Yi had been lost though part of their texts were quoted in Zhou-yi and other classics.

Chinese metaphysics always talks about the "Three components" or "San Cai" (三材)-- "Heaven,  Human and Earth" (some people translated it as "holy trinity" or "cosmic trinity", too religious and value-laden for me).  In terms of Feng Shui applications, Pre-heaven bagua stands for the heaven aspects and Post-heaven bagua for the earth aspects. Logically some people will look for  the "human bagua" or the "Middle Heaven Bagua" because human beings stand between heaven and earth.

There are numerous versions of "Middle Heaven Bagua" created by the curious souls or metaphysics marketers over the centuries.  Here I will show you two versions that are more "reasonable" because they are based on the bits and pieces of  Lian Shan Yi and Gui Cang Yi as quoted in Zhou-yi or other ancient texts.

Time for a nap.  If you come back next time, I will show you a top middle-heaven bagua secret-- no affinity or money needed.


Ken Lai

Video Correspondence Courses: (click for details)   
“Advanced Visual Form Feng Shui” w/23 hr. HD video
“Visual Form Feng Shui” w/13 hr. HD video
"Applied Bazi: SIckness Forecasting and Management" w/33 hr. HD video 
“Destiny/Luck Mgmt. 1: Forecasting and Decision Support” w/32 hr. HD video
“Destiny/Luck Mgmt. 2: Basic Bazi Therapy w/18 hr. HD video
“Destiny/Luck Mgmt. 3 w/ Advanced Bazi Therapy w/18 hr. HD video
“Feng Shui Toolbox: Sha-qi, Health/Wealth and Career” w/ 7 hr. HD video
“Period 7/8 FS Toolkit w/ Advanced Flying Star techniques” w/ 6 hr. HD video
“Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG) w/ 12 hr. video
“Practical Imperial Qi-Men-Dun-Jia 4G” w/ 12 hr. video
“Professional Imperial QMDJ 4G” w/ 21 hr. video
“EZ QMDJ series: Astrology, Date/Task Selection, Annual Luck/ FS”w/ 3 hr. HD
“EZ QMDJ Advanced Feng Shui” with 4 hr. HD video
“Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui/Blessing” w/ 24 hr video
“Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
“4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp+ 2017 edition” with 18 hr. video

http://www.kenlaifengshui.com

Starving Cows in China

China Daily has reported a bizarre memorial video posted online by a farmer.  He uses the video to protest the death of his dairy cows due to land dispute with local government.

"The five minute video shows the impromptu memorial service in Zhaoling town, Luohe city in Central China's Henan province where it is claimed 230 dairy cows died after the farm's gates were locked and the land transferred due to unpaid rent."

You can see the video and report from this link:
http://english.sina.com/video/2011/0906/394722.html

In the video, the farm owner eulogizes the cows and prays for their safe passage to heaven.  He also accuses government officials embezzle his funds.  Last segment of the video shows Buddhist rituals are conducted to help the souls of these cows to migrate to Nirvana.  

Here is the response from a government official:

"According to the contract, because the cattle farm didn't execute the contract, the local government has the right to deal with the land without negotiations and the cattle farm should take the consequences..." 
  
Regardless of who is right or wrong, knowingly letting 230 cows starve to death is animal cruelty in any civilized society.  This lack of compassion and respect for life is sickening.

Land disputes between local government and farmers are common in China.  Local government officials team up with land developers to build housing estates to boost GDP.  Farmers or local residents are driven away from their land with little compensations.   This case is unusual as the victims are the defenseless dairy cows from Australia.

RIP 230 Dairy Cows

Ken Lai

"Destiny & Luck Mgmt: Basic Bazi Therapy & Enhancement” w/ 18 hr. HD video
"Destiny & Luck Mgmt.: Advanced Bazi Therapy/Enhancement” w/ 18 hr. HD video
"Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG)” w/ 13 hr. video
"Practical Imperial Qi-Men-Dun-Jia” w/ 11 hr. video
"Advanced Practical Imperial Qi-Men-Dun-Jia” w/ 18 hr. video
"Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
"Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
"4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video
http://www.kenlaifengshui.com/

1001 Uses of Feng Shui Luopan

To the average person, a Feng Shui luopan looks complicated and mysterious.  Many cartoons and TV series have used luopan as a magical tool with mysterious power.

In reality, a luopan is just an embellished compass with a big movable dial. It's primary function, similar to a regular compass, is to measure directions. 

Besides creating a "mysterious look" and measuring directions for the Feng Shui masters, luopan serves other functions that you may not have heard before.

Luopan as ghost detector

When you see your luopan needle go nuts or magnetic polarities totally reversed during a Feng Shui audit, it could be a sign of ghost or spirit in the area.  Ghost is a form of yin magnetic energy.  Sometimes the disturbance to your luopan needle is so severe that it knocks out the needle and the luopan stops functioning (and you kiss a few hundred US$ goodbye OR read my article on how to regenerate a luopan hidden somewhere in this blog or other online discussion list).

Ghosts dislike luopan because the symbols there remind them of the time dimension, which is unpleasant for them.  So you may use a luopan as a tool to drive ghosts away.  Better still, you run away first to save your luopan from magnetic damage!

The pix on the left shows Master Sezto Fa-zheng had used a luopan as ghost-detector and a mini-coffin to catch a ghost inside a haunted casino. 

Luopan as your door guard

Some people put a luopan on top of their front door to block out negative energy. 10 years ago I saw a Chinese supermarket in Sacramento (California) put a 2 feet long luopan on top of its front entrance!  That was a huge (and expensive) luopan!

Using a luopan to raise the auspicious energy level of a house

Houses with waning energy or qi can use a luopan to raise its auspicious or wealth energy (methods listed in my "Practical Date-Selection Course").

Using a luopan to change the direction of a house

This is a Qi-Men-Dun-Jia trick.

Using a luopan to lock in auspicious timing

This is also a Qi-Men-Dun-Jia trick.

Using a luopan as "metaphysical contraceptive"

Today is your lucky day-- here is the formula.  Simply put a luopan in your bedroom and it will decrease your chance of conception greatly. (Note:  Make sure you don't block the "entrance" with the luopan. No refund or returns if you still somehow manage to made a baby).

Luopan as Feng Shui aspirin for negative form energies
Black Hat Feng Shui is well-known for using crystals as their Feng Shui aspirin.  Some masters in Taiwan and China use luopans instead.  They advise clients to place a luopan facing any sha energy like T-junction, wall-knife and the likes to fix the sha qi problem. 

Using a luopan as a weapon

Yes, I literally mean a weapon-- minimum size one foot in diameter.  You can do some serious damages to whoever attacking you by hitting him/her with the corner or edge of a luopan.  However, it is much cheaper and more efficient by getting a bottle of beer--  drink the beer and use the bottle to do the trick.


Ken Lai

"Destiny & Luck Mgmt: Basic Bazi Therapy & Enhancement” w/ 18 hr. HD video
"Destiny & Luck Mgmt.: Advanced Bazi Therapy/Enhancement” w/ 18 hr. HD video
"Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG)” w/ 13 hr. video
"Practical Imperial Qi-Men-Dun-Jia” w/ 11 hr. video
"Advanced Practical Imperial Qi-Men-Dun-Jia” w/ 18 hr. video
"Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
"Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
"4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video
http://www.kenlaifengshui.com/

One Ring Master 一層大師

What do a circus and a Feng Shui practitioner have in common?   They are both evaluated by the number of rings each has.

We can get a quick feel of how big or small a circus is by how many "rings" it has,  like a 3-rings circus. As to the breadth of knowledge that a Feng Shui practitioner has, we can know by how many "luopan" or Feng Shui compass rings that s/he can handle .

A Feng Shui compass or luopan may have up to 50 rings.  Each ring represents measurements of time and space in a certain manner represented by a Feng Shui school or perspective.  So a Feng Shui practitioner's breadth of knowledge can be measured by the number of rings that s/he can handle.  An average Feng Shui compass has about 20- 30 rings.

A Feng Shui compass with 25+ rings

The Feng Shui mania during the late 1990's and early 2000's has produced many "Flying Star Feng Shui" practitioners both in the west and in Hong Kong.   Most of these practitioners become "masters" after a 20- 30 hours of training.  They can only handle the "24-mountain ring"  despite there are over 20 rings in their luopans.  More often than not, they simply run the star number game in their Feng Shui audits and do not take into consideration of the surrounding land forms in the environment.  An audit can be done in less than 30 minutes.

Some people in Hong Kong called these "Flying Star" practitioners as "One Ring Master" ( 一層大師 ) out of disdain, especially for those who think that Flying Star is the ultimate in Feng Shui.

If you are one of these ORM (One Ring Masters) and want to increase your rings (not wings), you can take my "Practical Door Feng Shui" video course.  You will get at least 3+ more rings and become a MRM (Multiple Rings Master) in a few weeks.

Ken Lai

"Destiny & Luck Mgmt: Basic Bazi Therapy & Enhancement” w/ 18 hr. HD video

"Destiny & Luck Mgmt.: Advanced Bazi Therapy & Enhancement” w/ 18 hr. HD video

"Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG)” w/ 13 hr. video
"Practical Imperial Qi-Men-Dun-Jia” w/ 11 hr. video
"Advanced Practical Imperial Qi-Men-Dun-Jia” w/ 18 hr. video
"Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
"Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
"4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video
http://www.kenlaifengshui.com/

"Coolest Tourist" or Feng Shui Hitchhiker?

China's Qing East Tombs (清东陵) is famous for its imperial tombs and auspicious Feng Shui. It was built in 1611 with 157 imperial family members including 5 emperors and 15 queens buried there.  It attracts many tourists and Feng Shui tour groups.

Qing East Tombs

In May 20, 2011,  a mysterious tourist went to a site parallel to the tomb of emperor Shunzhi (r. 1644-61),  dug a hole and attempted to bury the ash box of his deceased father there.

Tomb security people had stopped and arrested this man.  He told the security that he thought if he could bury his father's cremated ashes in this imperial tomb with auspicious Feng Shui,  he and his descendants will enjoy prosperity and good luck.

Other tourists called this man the "coolest tourist" while some netizens called him "Brother Superstition" (迷信哥).  

A man dug a hole near Emperor Shunzhi's tomb

Brother Superstition was "criticized" and "educated" while in captivity.  He had admitted "guilt" on the spot and was released.  Apparently the Tomb Security authority thinks that being a laughing stock is a good enough punishment for this Feng Shui nut.  The news was broadcast on TV and newspapers across China.

Brother Superstition should come to the United States where the Bush family tombs are located.  It must have great Feng Shui because it has already produced two U.S. presidents and one governor.  But his problem is that cremated ashes do not give strong "resonance" to the descendants than burial remains (bones).  The descendants may become president's butlers or housemaids instead of presidents or governors.   It is also difficult to "hitch" a spot near the Bush family plot if he tries to get a big bag of bones into the ground.

According to many great Feng Shui legends, good Feng Shui (tomb and residential) is only part of the equation to riches and fame.  It takes many generations of cultivation and accumulation of  merits and virtues for a family to produce to a high ranking official like an emperor or president.

This has something to do with the idea of "Blessed people reside in blessed land" -- whether these blessed people are dead or alive.


Ken Lai

"Destiny & Luck Mgmt: Basic Bazi Therapy & Enhancement” w/ 18 hr. HD video
"Destiny & Luck Mgmt.: Advanced Bazi Therapy & Enhancement” w/ 18 hr. HD video
"Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG)” w/ 13 hr. video
"Practical Imperial Qi-Men-Dun-Jia” w/ 11 hr. video
"Advanced Practical Imperial Qi-Men-Dun-Jia” w/ 18 hr. video
"Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
"Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
"4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video
 http://www.kenlaifengshui.com/

"Coolest T-Junction in History"

Click to enlarge photo

I have run into an amazing Feng Shui news while surfing the Chinese web.  Early last year in Gao-yi County of Hebei Province (河北高邑县),  the Party Secretary Cui Yan-xuan (崔欣元) had blocked a 40-meter wide boulevard with a deactivated fighter-jet because the boulevard forms a T-junction with another street that points to his office building.  Chinese netizens call this  the "Coolest T-junction in history" (史上最牛丁字路).

There is a half-moon pond in front of the fighter-jet monument with three layers of flower beds.  This will slow down the rush of qi or energy, according to Feng Shui theory "qi rides with wind and stops at water".

Building with a flag is the County office building

In addition, the front yard of the county office building has a circular  "Sun pond" with a few thousand tons of rocks from "Tai Shan" .(泰山石).  "Tai Shan" rocks are believe to block "sha qi" or clashing energy according to Chinese folklore.  

Why put a fighter-jet in the middle of the road?  Because a jet climbs or flies high-- symbolizes the Party Secretary Cui will climb up the official ladder fast.

This Feng Shui setup was designed by Cui's trusted Feng Shui master.

In terms of Form Feng Shui, T-junction is one of the worst sha energies.  It causes accidents and deaths to occupants of the building  that the qi or energy the T- junction points to.

But, can you spot the goof-up in this Feng Shui job?  The T-junction does not really point directly to the County office building!  There is a road blocking the rushing qi to the office!  A simple and inexpensive fix will be just putting up two "STOP" signs in the junction, so all the traffic will stop and no more sha-qi. 

Party Secretary Cui

Even if this T-junction really points to the County office building, the half-moon pond and the "Sun pond" should be good enough to reduce the rushing energy.   Cui's Feng Shui master had "overdone" the Feng Shui largely due to his ingratiating act.

Accusations of "Feng Shui superstition" got Secretary Cui fired from his post.  Netizens said he was "shot down by the fighter-jet". 

Feng Shui can help your career, but too much of any good thing will do the opposite for you.


Ken Lai

 "Destiny & Luck Mgmt: Basic Bazi Therapy & Enhancement” w/ 18 hr. HD video
 "Destiny & Luck Mgmt.: Advanced Bazi Therapy & Enhancement” w/ 18 hr. HD video
 "Practical Date-Selection Methods (incl. XKDG)” w/ 13 hr. video
 "Practical Imperial Qi-Men-Dun-Jia” w/ 11 hr. video
 "Advanced Practical Imperial Qi-Men-Dun-Jia” w/ 18 hr. video
 "Daoist Talismans for Feng Shui & Blessing” v.2 w/ 24 hr video
 "Practical Door Feng Shui for Wealth” w/ 3 hr. video
 "4-Pillars Forecasting Bootcamp” with 12 hr. video
 http://www.kenlaifengshui.com/