The Three Ancient Scriptures: One Lost for a Thousand Years, One Feared Today
In ancient times, although archaeologists and historians haven't reached a consensus on the definition of the ancient era, the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties in China are commonly viewed as part of this epoch. This period is cloaked in mystery, sparking endless imagination for future generations and leaving behind numerous cultural artifacts, including treasures from ancient tombs and classic texts. Among these texts, three are particularly noteworthy and called the "heavenly books"; one stands out as the most enigmatic: "Qimen Dunjia," a forbidden text that few dare to read today.
"Qimen Dunjia": The Essential Book for Emperors
"Qimen Dunjia" is rooted in the I Ching's eight trigrams and incorporates elements such as astrology, calendars, astronomy, geography, the eight gates, nine stars, yin-yang, and the five elements. It is considered a masterpiece of Chinese culture and is recognized as the most secretive art and preeminent predictive science within the I Ching.
The origins of Qimen Dunjia trace back to the chaos caused by Chiyou when the Yellow Emperor suffered multiple defeats. Legend has it that the celestial goddess Xuan Nu taught Qimen Dunjia to the Yellow Emperor to help him overcome Chiyou. With over five thousand years of history, Qimen Dunjia is revered as the highest level of predictive science, often dubbed the study of emperors. Mastering it is said to alter the course of destiny. Throughout history, many wise and virtuous individuals, who practiced Qimen Dunjia, favored its use by military strategists who helped govern the country, including Jiang Taigong, Fan Li, Zhang Liang, Zhuge Liang, and Liu Bowen.
This book also examines universal laws and celestial movements. The predictive accuracy of "Qimen Dunjia" is notably high; there's an old saying, "Once you learn Qimen Dunjia, you need not ask others." It reveals how to harness the forces of heaven, earth, and humanity, making it incomprehensible for most people. Throughout history, some legendary figures have delved deeply into this book. For instance, Zhang Liang assisted Liu Bang in establishing his rule based on the knowledge acquired from this text.
Historical records indicate that when "Qimen Dunjia" was first created, it consisted of 4,320 configurations. Feng Hou later revised it to 1,080 configurations, and Jiang Shang further condensed it to 72 military formations during the Zhou Dynasty. Zhang Liang reformed it again during the Han Dynasty, under the guidance of Huang Shigong, resulting in the current system of nine yin and nine yang configurations, totaling eighteen today. The remaining configurations have been lost over time. The knowledge within may only be grasped by truly exceptional individuals. Although "Qimen Dunjia" is widely applied today, it's often misused by some fortune-tellers, as much of the original knowledge has dissipated, leaving most unable to access its true teachings.
"The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon": Understanding Requires Great Virtue
The second book is "The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon," completed roughly two thousand years ago during the Warring States period. It summarizes medical achievements before the Qin and Han dynasties and is divided into "Ling Shu" and "Su Wen." As one of the earliest medical texts in China and one of the four classic works of traditional medicine, "The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon" is a comprehensive medical treatise establishing theories such as "yin-yang and the five elements," "pulse diagnosis," "organ theory," "meridian theory," "etiology," "pathogenesis," "symptoms," "diagnosis," "treatment," "health preservation," and "qi manipulation," all rooted in Huang Lao Daoism theories.
It provides the foundational understanding of human physiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment, making it a profoundly influential medical work in China, often dubbed the ancestor of medicine. Many are familiar with this book, and many have read it. Compared to the previous "heavenly book," "The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon" is relatively easier to comprehend, as it consists of dialogues between the Yellow Emperor and Qi Bo. However, very few can truly grasp its deeper meanings; while the basic concepts are straightforward, understanding the true essence of the Inner Canon requires great virtue.
"The Book of Lu Ban": A Marvelous Text on Civil Engineering
"The Book of Lu Ban" is an ancient Chinese treatise on civil engineering, traditionally attributed to the sage Lu Ban. Its first part covers Taoist techniques, while the second discusses methods of resolution and medical spells. However, aside from the medical spells, the other techniques lack practical instructions, containing only incantations and symbols. Numerous myths surround this book, including a supposed curse: those who study it might face widowhood, loneliness, or disability, as Lu Ban's techniques are said to ensure that learners will lack one of the five essential skills. As a result, "The Book of Lu Ban" is also ominously known as "The Book of Missing Skills," contributing to its reputation as a forbidden text. The specific content and the extent of its wonders remain largely unknown today.
Historically, many events are cloaked in mystery, and as time passes, stories are often transmitted only as fragments or through personal recollections. The passage of time adds to their mystique, and these three ancient texts are no exception. Given their ancient origins, the meanings and connotations of words have evolved, and the cultural and ideological gap between modern society and the past is vast, making these texts exceptionally difficult to fully comprehend.