Chapter 141: Cultivating True Nature and Refining the Soul

（修釋以全為主，修道以大為憑。）離官修定瞿曇之佛能成，坎府求玄蓬島之仙可作。人慾超凡入聖，須世旺身安。靈臺修持出塵入定，西方佛子證果皆成，腎水得堅，東來紫氣青牛獨跨超然入關，卦須世旺，又在身安。

This chapter discusses divination for cultivating true virtue and refining the nature: studying Buddhism should focus on metal, while studying Daoism should rely on wood. Practicing meditation in the hexagram Li (Fire) can achieve the Buddha's fruit like Shakyamuni; seeking the profound in the hexagram Kan (Water) can become a deity on Penglai Island. If a person wishes to transcend the mundane and reach the sacred, they must have the "World Line" prosperous and strong, and the hexagram body stable. By cultivating diligently in the mind (lingtai), withdrawing from worldly affairs and entering meditation, Buddhist disciples from the west can attain enlightenment. If the kidney water solidifies without leakage, it is like Laozi's purple qi coming from the east, riding a solitary qin ox to pass through the pass. Both these conditions require the "World Line" to be prosperous and strong, and the hexagram body to be stable.

無身則聖岸難登，空世則天書不絕，陰陽安伏，心清意靜好修真。內外交重，情亂性剛難學道。若或無身，則彼岸難登。如其空世，則天書不錄。陰陽得位安然不動，是乃心清意靜，真修之善士，若果內外交重，此乃情亂性剛，非為學道之高人。六爻不興，收六賊寧靖，六賊者，眼耳鼻舌身意也。五行恆逆，則五類真全，五行者，心肝脾肺腎也。六賊不興，必心有主宰，固宜修養。五行恆逆，則戕坎填離金丹可就。無合無沖，事無阻隔節得。不空不動，身如磐石之無改移也。

A hexagram without a body cannot reach the other shore of enlightenment; if the "World Line" falls into emptiness, your name will not appear on the list of immortals. When yin and yang are in their proper positions and remain still, this shows a person with a clear mind and quiet intentions, devoted to cultivation. However, if the inner and outer trigrams are mixed and chaotic, it indicates confusion of emotions and a restless nature, making it difficult to study the Way. If the hexagram lacks a body, reaching the other shore becomes difficult; if the "World Line" is empty, your name will not be recorded in the heavenly register. When yin and yang are in their proper places and remain unmoving, this is the mark of a virtuous person with a clear mind and sincere cultivation. If the inner and outer trigrams are mixed and their lines are in disorder, this shows a mind full of confusion and a fierce temper, not the way of a sage. If the six lines do not move recklessly, the six thieves will be subdued and at peace. The six thieves refer to the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind. If the Five Phases often move in reverse, the true energies of the five organs will be fully restored. The Five Phases refer to the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys. When the six thieves do not arise, it means the mind has a master, and it is most suitable for quiet cultivation. When the Five Phases move in reverse, one can take the坎 (Kan, Water) and fill the离 (Li, Fire), thus achieving the golden elixir. If the hexagram has no harmony and no conflict, there will be no obstacles to be controlled. If the useful god does not fall into emptiness and does not move, the body will be as firm as a rock, unchanging.

燒丹養火，喜龍虎之交蟠，面壁坐禪，得坎離之交姤。卦屬金宮，釋門可入；世臨本地，道教宜從。龍虎交蟠者，日青龍與月白虎。或月青龍與日白虎同臨身世即是，降龍伏虎再加財福兩旺，是煉丹得道而成。坎離交媾者，卦值內火外水、或下火上水既濟卦是也，此乃火降水升，禪林上之士，內官秀實之人也。卦居乾兌或居酉申，大利空門之子。世值卯寅或卦臨震巽，誠為道教之徒。

Alchemical fire cultivation requires the presence of the Azure Dragon and White Tiger interwoven around each other; meditation in seclusion demands the union of water and fire as represented by the Trigrams Kan and Li. Those whose hexagram belongs to the metal element are suitable for entering the Buddhist path, while those whose World Line falls in their native place are appropriate for following Taoism. The term "Dragon and Tiger interwoven" refers to the Azure Dragon on the Day Branch and the White Tiger on the Month Builder, or the Azure Dragon on the Month Builder and the White Tiger on the Day Branch, both appearing on the Hexagram Body and the World Line, which signifies the taming of the dragon and tiger. If further the Wealth and Children lines are strong, then one can achieve spiritual enlightenment through alchemy. The term "union of Kan and Li" refers to a hexagram where the inner trigram is fire and the outer trigram is water, or the lower trigram is fire and the upper trigram is water, as in the hexagram Ji Ji. This represents fire descending and water ascending, indicating that the person is of superior quality in the Buddhist monastic community, with inner refinement. A hexagram falling on Qian or Dui, or a line corresponding to You or Shen, is highly favorable for becoming a Buddhist disciple. If the World Line corresponds to Mao or Yin, or the hexagram is Zhen or Xun, then the person is truly suited for Taoism.

世值升爻，漸往天堂之境。身居降位，難逃地獄之途。鬼旺福柔，預布英雄之智量。子強官弱，夙培良善之根核。世值昇陽，天堂堪往。身居降位，地獄難逃。官父旺福神柔，英雄之酌量預逞。子孫強鬼象弱，良善之根芽宿培。官化子孫，先作後修成正道。子之官鬼，始修終作豈昇天？一字精微，萬無漏洩。官化子孫，先作後修而成功不小，有始有卒者能之。子之官鬼，始修終作而結果無真，此先貞後黷者之為也。卦理字字究入精微，易象文爻豈容漏洩。

The World Line falls in the rising position, gradually leading toward the realm of Heaven; the Hexagram Body falls in the descending position, and it is hard to escape the path of Hell. When the Official Ghost is strong and the Children are weak, it shows the wisdom of a hero; when the Children are strong and the Official Ghost is weak, it indicates a good foundation planted in past lives. The World Line in a rising yang position can reach Heaven; the Hexagram Body in a descending position cannot escape Hell. When the Official Ghost and Parents are strong and the Children are weak, it reveals the heroic spirit in advance; when the Children are strong and the Official Ghost is weak, it shows the roots of goodness planted in past lives. When the Official Ghost transforms into the Children, it means first creating karma and then practicing, eventually achieving the right path; when the Children transform into the Official Ghost, it means starting with practice but ending with karma, which cannot lead to heaven. Every word here is extremely subtle and must not be easily revealed. When the Official Ghost transforms into the Children, it means starting with action and then practicing, achieving great results, which only those who have a beginning and an end can accomplish; when the Children transform into the Official Ghost, it means starting with practice but ending with karma, resulting in something not genuine, which is the behavior of those who were pure at first but later became corrupt. Every word of the hexagram principles is examined to the most subtle level; the images and statements of the Book of Changes cannot have the slightest mistake.

（以世爻為主，福德為憑。）閉關不語修心行，打坐參神蓮氣同，一應最宜爻靜合，諸般卻忌世逢沖。閉關者，鎖住心猿意馬。不語者，禁止妄語狂言。打坐者，運轉性真元氣。參禪者，懇求秘旨玄機，諸般功果一切事宜，六爻皆當安靜，身世最忌克沖，凡欲修真須明此理。

This chapter discusses divination for the practice of retreat and quiet cultivation, with the "World Line" as the main focus and the "Children" (Fortune Virtue) as the basis. Remaining silent during retreat is a practice of cultivating the mind; sitting meditation and contemplation are all part of the same path as cultivating energy. Such matters are most suitable when the yao positions are calm and harmonious, and most忌 when the "World Line" is being attacked or clashed.the so-called retreat means locking away the restless mind and wandering thoughts;the so-called silence means prohibiting idle talk and reckless speech;the so-called sitting meditation means circulating the true vital energy of one's nature;所谓 contemplation means earnestly seeking the secret teachings and profound mysteries of Buddhism. All these practices and related matters require the six yao to be quiet, and the Hexagram Body and "World Line" must most avoid being attacked or clashed. Anyone who wishes to cultivate true virtue must first understand this principle.

世空自不專誠守，應陷難招施主從。世為一身之主，如遇空絕，畢竟難守空門戒行。應任十方施主，若逢絕時，誰趨法座皈從。身動必然心變革，齊糧缺乏犯財空。心為一身之主，世爻若動，心必變更。財為日用之需，財若空亡，齊糧絕望。

The World Line falls into emptiness, meaning one cannot remain sincere and devoted in holding fast; the Response Line falling into emptiness also fails to attract devotees to come and take refuge. The World Line represents one's own position; if it meets emptiness and decline, one will ultimately be unable to uphold the precepts of the monastic path. The Response Line symbolizes devotees from all directions; if it encounters a dead end, who would still come to the altar to take refuge. When the Hexagram Body becomes active, the mind inevitably changes; if the Wealth Line falls into emptiness, the food for the ritual will be lacking. The mind is the master of the body; if the World Line becomes active, the mind will certainly change. The Wealth Line represents daily necessities; if the Wealth Line falls into emptiness, there will be no hope for the food supply.

多災多訟因官動，無始無終為六沖，化出沖時難結果，六爻亂動改西東。官鬼能與災禍，修道之人逢官發動，雖不克世，自然有災有訟，若來克世，其禍不小。但凡求道之占，不宜沖剋，若卦值六沖或化沖擊、或六爻亂動，皆係變遷之象，豈得守真志滿，必然逐物意移。

The occurrence of many calamities and disputes is due to the "Official Ghost" line being activated, and the situation having no clear beginning or end is because the hexagram meets the "Six Clashes." The changing line also clashes, making it difficult for matters to reach a conclusion. With all six lines in disorder, the mind becomes fickle and uncertain. The "Official Ghost" can bring about misfortune; even if a person seeking spiritual cultivation encounters the "Official Ghost" line being activated and it does not control the "World Line," there will still be calamities and disputes. If it does control the "World Line," the misfortune will be even greater. In any divination concerning spiritual cultivation, clashes and controls should be avoided. If the hexagram meets the "Six Clashes," or if the changing lines clash, or if all six lines are in disorder, these are signs of change and instability. How can one maintain a steadfast heart and complete aspirations in such circumstances? One will inevitably be swayed by external things and lose focus.

卦無福德空修煉，世值兒孫得大功，父與上爻生合世，天人庇佑福無窮。卦內子孫為福德，若占修道，全賴此神，須要生扶拱合，大則功成行滿白日飛昇，小則還元固本益壽長年。倘落空亡或不上卦，則心無誠敬身有更張，祥關冷落丹室荒蕪，當為畫虎不成之誚耳，如父母並弟六爻生世合身者，天從人願得福無邊。

In a divination chart, if there is no "Children" (Fortune Virtue), the cultivation will be in vain; if "World Line" is occupied by "Children," great achievements can be attained; if "Parents" and the top line support and harmonize with "World Line," then heaven and earth will protect and bless, bringing boundless fortune. The "Children" in the chart represents the deity of fortune and virtue; in divination for cultivation, this line is essential and must generate and support the "World Line." If this is achieved, great success and spiritual transcendence may be attained; if not, one may only achieve minor benefits such as preserving essence and prolonging life. If "Children" falls into "Empty Wasteland" or is not present in the chart, it indicates lack of sincerity and inner intentions, leading to a cold and neglected cultivation chamber and a desolate inner sanctuary, ultimately resulting in ridicule. If "Parents" and other six lines such as "Siblings" all support and harmonize with "World Line," then heaven will fulfill one's wishes, bringing boundless blessings.

（以官爻為主，福德為憑。）心欲皈依五戒專，用爻得地好參神，元神上卦天常佑，忌象臨爻病久纏。凡占參禪修道，須得用爻有氣，元神上卦。用爻有氣，則道心堅固，元神扶助則法力彌高。所忌者，沖用克用之爻，用遭沖剋，病禍易生道心易退。

This chapter discusses divination regarding holding a斋 (fasting) and taking vows. The main focus is on the "Official Ghost" (官鬼), and the "Children" (子孙), which represents Fortune and Virtue (福德), serves as a reference. If one's heart is inclined towards皈依 (conversion to Buddhism) and dedicated to observing the Five Precepts (五戒), the Useful God (用神) must be in a favorable position to be able to worship deities. The Origin God (元神) and the Upper Trigram (上卦) should be present; the heavens often provide protection. However, if the Hostile God (忌神) appears in the爻 (line), illness will persist. When divining about meditation and spiritual cultivation, it is essential that the Useful God has vitality and the Origin God is present in the Upper Trigram. When the Useful God has vitality, the path of cultivation becomes firm; when the Origin God supports, spiritual power increases. What should be avoided is any line that clashes with or controls the Useful God. If the Useful God is clashed or controlled, illness and misfortune are likely to occur, and the spiritual resolve will easily fade.

自己奉齋身作主，他人受戒應為先，落空值破遭磨折，遇旺逢生有善緣。有為自己占，或為他人卜，己卜以世為用，他占以應為用，用值旬空月破者，雖則心懷善願，又遭病入膏肓。若得用爻逢生逢旺而發動者，乃宿有善緣終成正果也。

When one divines for oneself, the "World Line" (Shi Yao) represents oneself. When divining for others, the "Response Line" (Ying Yao) is the primary focus. If the Useful God (Yong Shen) falls into an empty position or is broken by the month, the person will face difficulties. If the Useful God is strong and receives support, it indicates good fortune. Divination can be for oneself or for others: when divining for oneself, the "World Line" is the Useful God; when divining for others, the "Response Line" is the Useful God. If the Useful God is in an empty position or broken by the month, the person may have good intentions but still suffer serious illness. If the Useful God is strong, flourishing, and active, it suggests a past karmic connection to good fortune, and eventually, they will achieve spiritual success.

虎雀爻興心不盡，游魂卦發意多遷，子孫旺相根栽善，官鬼交重孽未完。爻逢雀虎，卦值游魂者，中多事故，雀動有口舌，虎動多禍擾。游魂之卦，遷移不定，僧道遠比，方可修行。若遇諸凶迭發，則素心奢侈賦性狂。惟有子孫為之福德，旺相興隆，前世植有善種，愈久愈堅。獨怪官鬼為之孽冤，乃前生所造未得頓除。

The White Tiger and Vermilion Bird are active and vigorous, causing one's wishes to not fully materialize; when the Ghost of Wandering Soul hexagram is activated, the mind tends to change frequently; when the Children are prosperous and strong, it indicates deep cultivation of good roots; when the Official Ghost is activated through intersecting lines or repeated lines, it suggests unresolved past karmic issues. If the lines encounter the Vermilion Bird or White Tiger, and the hexagram is of the Wandering Soul type, there are often unexpected changes: the Vermilion Bird's movement brings disputes, while the White Tiger's movement brings troubles. The Wandering Soul hexagram signifies instability and change, so monks and Taoists should leave their original places to cultivate properly. If variousInauspicious Spirit (malevolent spirits) are activated consecutively, it indicates a selfish heart and wild nature. Only the Children, as the gods of fortune and virtue, when prosperous and flourishing, show that good deeds were planted in past lives, becoming stronger over time. One should be cautious of the Official Ghost, which represents past karmic debts, as these are results of previous actions that cannot be eliminated at once.

用與六爻生合者，天從人願永長年，六沖早晚開齋戒，內外相生道必全。持齋受戒欲求功成，須得內外相生六爻相合，乃道念和同義情寧靜永久無更，苦值六沖道不成而齋必破，心不安而行己虧，凡事無成矣！空淡戒鹹求卻病，守箴絕欲保身安，印經塑像皆祈福，一應修行共此篇。凡修行之人，有戒鹹食淡者，乃以六根之穢守箴。絕欲者，乃蘊五內之玄，誦讀祖師之經懺繪塑神聖之儀容，延生延福消罪消災，諸般戒行一體推詳。

The Useful God and the six yao mutually generate and harmonize, so heaven fulfills human wishes and one enjoys a long and peaceful life; when the hexagram meets the Six Clashes, one must eventually break the fast and abandon the vows. When the inner and outer trigrams mutually generate and support each other, one's spiritual practice is certainly complete. If one holds a fast and takes vows to achieve spiritual merit, one must have the inner and outer trigrams generating each other and the six yao harmonizing together, only then can the spiritual aspirations be in harmony, the emotions and relationships be peaceful and enduring. If one unfortunately meets the Six Clashes, one's spiritual cultivation will not be completed and the fast and vows will inevitably be broken, the mind will be restless, the spiritual practice will be lacking, and nothing will be achieved. Eating bland and avoiding salty food is to cure illness; keeping vows and refraining from desires is to protect one's body and safety; printing scriptures and making images are for praying for fortune. All spiritual practices are explained in this chapter. For all who practice, those who eat bland and avoid salty food use the simple diet to cleanse the six roots of impurity; those who cut off desires cultivate the hidden mysteries within the five internal organs. As for reciting the scriptures of the ancestral masters and painting or sculpting the images of the holy ones, these are all for prolonging life and fortune, eliminating sins and disasters. All kinds of vows are explained according to this principle.

（以用爻為主，福德為憑。）開齋開戒還宜福，鬼若交重禍便生，急要元神居旺地，不宜忌象值的興。凡占開齋破戒，須以子孫為用神，若得旺相或發動，去後平安。若子孫衰靜，官鬼興隆，乃無人制服多生災禍來侵。又宜元神旺相生助，助則有益，不堪忌神發動，動則生殃。用爻若也空而絕，必犯災危捐壽齡，助鬼傷隨鬼墓，逢之多病豈康寧。用爻若值空亡或逢墓絕，破齋破戒之後，多災之禍損壽損元。或助鬼傷身、或隨官入墓，皆係不祥之兆。

This chapter discusses divination regarding breaking the fast, with the Useful God as the main focus and the "Children" (Fortune Virtue) as the basis. To break the fast, one relies on the "Children." If the "Official Ghost" is activated by an intersecting or repeated line, misfortune will come. Most importantly, the Origin God should be in a prosperous and strong position; it is not advisable for the Hostile God to be flourishing. When divining about breaking the fast, the "Children" should be the Useful God: if it is prosperous or activated, one will still remain safe after breaking the fast; if the "Children" are weak and quiet while the "Official Ghost" is flourishing, there will be no one to restrain the Official Ghost, leading to many calamities. It is favorable for the Origin God to be prosperous and strong to support the Useful God; having support brings benefit. The most feared situation is the activation of the Hostile God, which brings disaster immediately. If the Useful God falls into "Empty" or meets "Mourning" and "Absolute Decline," one will certainly face disaster and danger, and even lose years of life. If the "Wealth" supports the "Official Ghost" and harms the Hexagram Body, or if the World Line follows the "Official Ghost" into a grave, one will suffer illness and will not be able to enjoy health and peace. If the Useful God falls into "Empty" or meets "Mourning" and "Absolute Decline," after breaking the fast, one will face many misfortunes and loss of life. If the "Wealth" supports the Ghost and harms the body, or follows the "Official Ghost" into a grave, these are ominous signs.

（以世身為主，財福為憑。）僧道今占還俗宗，世人復祖概相同，皆宜財福興而旺，各忌兄官交與重。凡僧道若占還俗與贅繼歸宗同論，惟喜妻財若旺，則歸宗足有衣祿之用，子孫旺動，則家室安寧，獨怪官興兄發，官興則是非接踵災病纏綿，兄動則財源耗散，藝業蕭條。

This chapter discusses divination for returning to secular life and rejoining one's family. The main focus is on the "World Line" and the "Hexagram Body," with the "Wealth" and "Children" lines as supporting factors. When monks or Taoist priests seek divination regarding returning to secular life or rejoining their family, the interpretation is largely similar to that of ordinary people seeking to trace their ancestral roots. Both situations favor the prosperity and strength of the "Wealth" and "Children" lines, and both avoid the activation of the "Siblings" and "Official Ghost" lines, especially when they are repeated or emphasized. For monks or Taoist priests seeking to return to secular life, the interpretation is the same as for those who have married into a family or been adopted and then seek to rejoin their family. The main concern is the prosperity of the "Wealth" line, which ensures sufficient food, clothing, and livelihood after rejoining the family. The activation of the "Children" line indicates family harmony and stability. The main fear is the prosperity of the "Official Ghost" line and the activation of the "Siblings" line. If the "Official Ghost" line becomes strong, troubles and illnesses will follow. If the "Siblings" line becomes active, wealth will be lost and one's profession or trade will decline.

世上有空誰曰吉，身中無破那雲凶，八純未可歸宗族，卦得歸魂返舍榮。世是平生之本，只宜旺相興隆，豈可空破？一值空沖其身無倚，焉得亨通？八純者皆係六沖，沖者散也，乃是無情之象，占者遇此百無一就，寧得遂其為乎？倘卜歸魂之卦或化歸魂，方可歸宗。故經云：游魂化入歸魂返舍回來大吉。

The World Line is adorned with an empty void; who can say it is auspicious. If the Hexagram Body remains undamaged, how can we speak of misfortune. When one divines an octagonal pure hexagram, it is still not suitable for returning to one's roots; only when one divines a returning soul hexagram can one return home with honor. The World Line represents the fundamental essence of a person's life; it should only be prosperous and strong, how can it be empty and broken. Once it meets an empty void and a clash, the person has no support, how can they achieve success. All octagonal pure hexagrams belong to the Six Clashes, which signify dispersion, an emotionless state; those who encounter them will have nothing accomplished, how can they achieve their wishes. If one divines a returning soul hexagram, or if the changing hexagram becomes a returning soul hexagram, then one can return to their roots. Therefore, the classic text says: "A wandering soul hexagram transforms into a returning soul hexagram, returning home, which is great auspiciousness."