Zhang Zhu

葬书

The Inner Chapters

內篇

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

葬者乘生氣也。

Burial is to ride Sheng Qi.

·       Comment: The purpose of burial is to ride the Sheng Qi.

·       Here the term  生氣 Sheng Qi is introduced. Sheng in Chinese means “growing”.  Sheng Qi here would represent healthy Qi which is related to growth.

五氣行乎地中，發而生乎萬物。

The 5 phases of Qi moves through the ground which developed and produced all living beings.

·       Comment: The Qi is categorized into 5 elements; Metal, Wood, Water, Fire & Earth.

·       It is through these 5 elemental Qi which developed and produced all living beings.

人受體于父母，本骸得氣，遺體受蔭。

Human acquire the body from the parents. If the ancestor’s bones obtained the Qi, the descendants will be protected/sheltered.

·       Comment: The relationship between the humans and their parents. In the western world, it is loosely termed as DNA. It is stated in this phrase that the state of the bones of the parents will affect the children.

經曰：氣感而應鬼福及人。

Classic: Qi is affected and respond accordingly; the effect of the spirits is extended to the humans.

是以銅山西崩，靈鍾東應。

When Copper Mountain collapsed in the West, the Bell in the East responded accordingly.

·       Comment: This is to explain the link between the bell where the ores originates from the West Copper Mountain. Even though it is physically detached. Similarly the bones of the ancestors also affect the descendents in a similar manner.

木華于春，栗芽於室。

The tree flourishes during spring, the chestnut sprouts in the hall.

·       Comment: Here the influence of the season is illustrated. The spring has influence on the tree as well as the sprouting of the chestnut.

·       It is hinted here that the strength of the Qi is seasonal. Stronger during spring time. Sheng Qi is related to growth which is strongest in Spring the season of growth.

蓋生者，氣之聚，凝結者成骨，死而獨留。

Life is an accumulation of Sheng Qi which solidifies as bones.  After death, the bones are the only thing left behind.

故葬者反氣人骨，以蔭所生之法也。

Hence through burial the Qi returns to the bones. Accordingly through this method the Sheng Qi provides protection/shelter to the children.

丘壟之骨，岡阜之支，氣之所隨。

The bones (structure) of hills and mountains.  The branches of the ridges and mounds. Represent the way the Qi flows.

·       Comment: The structure of the topography of the land is a representation of the movement of the Qi.

經曰: 氣乘風則散，界水則止。

Classic: Qi rides the wind and dissipates. The movement of Qi stop upon reaching water where the Qi gathers.

古人聚之使不散，行之使有止，故謂之風水。

The collection of Sheng Qi by the ancients to prevent it from dissipating.

The art of Feng Shui is observing the movement of Qi, where it stopped, retaining the Qi to make use of it.

風水之法，得水為上，藏風次之。

The methodology of Feng Shui is based on obtaining Water as the primary concern and storing the wind as the secondary criteria.

·       Comment: Obtaining water as the first criteria. Understanding the water mouth which is the most important key to Feng Shui. Not walking the dragon which is being taught in this modern world.

·       Storing the wind as the secondary criteria. How the External Qi is diverted to become internal Qi which is then stored. When the Qi is stored properly, it will accumulate and produce Sheng Qi.

經曰：外氣橫行，內氣止生，蓋言此也。

Classic: The external Qi moves horizontally. The internal Qi stops and accumulates. Why is that so?

·       Comment: External Qi moves horizontally following the contour.

·       When it enters and is considered as Internal Qi, it will accumulate and is considered as Sheng Qi.

何以言之？氣之盛，雖流行而其餘者猶有止，雖零散而其深者猶有聚。

Why is it stated? The accumulation of Qi:

Although Qi is moving, there will be some which are stopped/retained.

Although Qi is dispersed, there will be some which accumulate deep in the ground.

·       Comment: External Qi moves following the terrain until it is stopped/retained by water. It is stated here that not all will be stopped/retained. Once it is stopped/retained, it will accumulate underground. How deep underground will depend on the terrain.

故藏於涸燥者宜深。藏于坦夷者宜浅。

Burial in dry land should be deep.

Burial in flatland should be shallow.

·       Comment: Dry land is normally land which is higher where the water has a place to flow to. Mountains should be included here.

·       In mountainous area it is stated that Qi flows faster due to the terrain but goes deeper. Burial should therefore be deeper.

·       In low land which are flatter the Qi movement would be slower and therefore it flows closer to the ground. Burial accordingly should be shallower.

經曰：淺深得乘，風水自成。

Classic: With the correct depth, the Feng Shui will be activated naturally.

·       Comment: Just using this simple formula is good enough to activate good Feng Shui.

·       Without having to go through all the complicated theories proposed by FS Masters? Interesting point here.

夫陰陽之氣，噫而為風，升而為雲，降而為雨，行乎地中，而為生氣。

The Yin Yang Qi, traversing as wind, rises up as cloud, descending as rain, moving within the ground, considered as Sheng Qi.

·       Comment: The comment of Qi being Yin Yang Qi. When it is above ground, it is carried by the wind, cloud and rain. When it is within the ground, it is considered as Sheng Qi. The Yin Yang of Qi which is above and below ground.

夫土者氣之體，有土斯有氣。

Earth is the body of Qi; where there is earth, there is Qi.

·       Comment: Earth here means the topography. Qi moves following the terrain/slope. Feng Shui is all about observing the terrain.

氣者水之母，有氣斯有水。

Qi is the mother of water; where there is Qi, there is water.

·       Comment: Even though Qi is invisible, it is possible to observe Qi through earth and water.

經曰：土形氣形，物因以生。

Classic: The changes in the shape of the earth causes changes in the Qi movement which creates the birth of all living things.

·       Comment: The environment is shaped by the terrain. The terrain causes the Qi movement which together with the seasons dictate the creatures living within the area.

夫氣行乎地中，其行也，因地之勢;  其聚也，因勢之止。

Qi flows in the ground following the terrain. The Qi accumulates where the contour terminate.

·       Comment: Where the contour terminates: Where Sheng Qi is accumulated. Where it can be tapped.

葬者原其起，乘其止。

For burial, locate the source of Sheng Qi and ride it to where it accumulates.

·       Comment: To understand where Sheng Qi accumulates which is good for burial, it is necessary to identify where the Qi stopped/retained. To know where it stops it is necessary to know the source of the Sheng Qi. Riding it means following it to where it is retained by water.