63. Already Fulfilled

Name and Structure

In Chinese, the original meaning of the first Ji is finishing a meal. Later, this meaning was extended to already or already finished. The ancient ideograph of this character inscribed on an oracle bone shows a person kneeling on the right with a food vessel on the left. The ideograph cast on a bronze cauldron from the Zhou dynasty shows the food vessel replaced with an ear of grain with an open mouth. Originally the second Ji meant to cross a river. The left side of the second ideograph shows water flowing in a riverbed. On the right, there is a boat carrying three persons who are steering. Three people are pulling together to overcome a difficult situation, a picture of people helping each other get past an obstacle. Taken as a whole, the two parts of this ideograph mean to complete a course of action or to fulfill an achievement.

The structure of the gua is Water above, fire below. It is characteristic of water to flow downward, while fire flames upward. The upward and downward movements mutually help each other. In this way, the water is boiled. The image denotes a perfect situation in which everything is right. This gua has a close connection to the eleventh gua, Tai, Advance, one of the most auspicious gua. The structure of Advance is Earth above, Heaven below. When the second and fifth lines of Advance interchange, Advance alternates to this gua. Here, all yang lines are in yang places, and all yin lines are in yin places. All lines are in equilibrium, and all movements are in the proper order. Thus, the gua represents a condition of balance, harmony, and absolute correctness. It is an ideal situation.

However, sages with profound experience had the insight that this was also a time of climax. For this reason, the sages advised extreme caution. They understood that in a perfect situation there is still some imperfection. They purposefully made progress in small steps and achieved moderate success. They remained steadfast and upright. They acted to keep the good fortune at the beginning from becoming disorder in the end.

Already Fulfilled sounds like an auspicious gua, but King Wen’s Decision is not terribly auspicious and the Duke of Zhou’s Yao Text is filled with warnings. This is essential to the I Ching, showing the wisdom of the ancient Chinese. The delicacy of ancient Chinese wisdom evolved from the experience that only in intricate situations are changes possible. In Ji Ji, everything is too perfect. When people find themselves in perfect situations, when they have achieved their goals, they tend to lose focus and drive. That is why this gua, Already Fulfilled, cannot end the I Ching.

Sequence of the Gua

Those who exceed others,
Surely are able to fulfill their duty.
Thus, after Little Exceeding,
Already Fulfilled follows.

Decision

Already Fulfilled.
Even the little,
Being prosperous and smooth.
favorable to be steadfast and upright.
Beginning: good fortune.
End: disorder.

Commentary on the Decision

Thunder—Taking Action.
Being Prosperous and smooth.
Only in little affairs is there prosperity and smoothness

Favorable to be steadfast and upright.
Because the firm and the yielding are in correct places
And respond to their proper ones.

Beginning good fortune,
For the yielding is in the central.
End: disorder
And takes preventive measures against possible decline.

Commentary on the Symbol

Water over Fire.
An image of Already fulfilled.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person contemplates the laws of waxing and waning.
And takes preventive measures against possible decline.

Yao Text

Initial Nine
Dragging his wheels,
Wetting his tail.
No fault.

Significance

This gua outline the Chinese way of dealing with a perfect situation. Generally, in a situation where everything has been fulfilled, people let the success turn their heads. They want more and more success. Only the ancient sages were aware that a time of perfection is also a time of climax. Beyond that, there will be decline. The structure of gua is Water above, and fire below. fire boils water, but when the boiled water spills out of the pot, the fire might be quenched. Thus Confucius says, “In correspondence with this, the superior person contemplates the law of waxing and waning and takes preventive measures against possible decline.” And King Wen warns us, “Beginning: good fortune. End: disorder.”

The Chinese know that to undertake a project is difficult, but to maintain what has been achieved by oneself or one’s forefathers or predecessors is even more so. When an undertaking reaches its climax, one should guid its course to another new achievement. That is why after Already Fulfilled there comes Not Fulfilled. Where is an ending, there is also a beginning. the ending is not really Already Fulfilled—it is Not yet Fulfilled. The host of the gua is the yielding line at the second place. Confucius’s Commentary on the Decision says, “Beginning: good fortune, for the yielding is in the central.”

During King Wen’s sitting in stillness he reflected on the past in light of the present.The rise and decline of the Shang dynasty gave him insight. The Chinese believe that every entity has a predetermined lifespan that cannot be altered. The destiny of the Shang was already fulfilled; it could no longer accomplish great affairs only little ones. The Duke of Zhou notes that the Shang dynasty had gone through different stages of progress and success. After Emperor Gao Zong conquered the Gui Fang, a tribe in northern China, he eliminated the petty men in his court, which is compared to caulking the leak of a boat with ragged clothes and staying on guard all day long. This ushered in a period of good times. The Shang worked very hard and enjoyed the fruits of their labors. Then the tide turned. They became spoiled by success, which is likened to a woman who is so rich that she does not bother to recover her lost valuables. The whole ruling class of teh Shang wallowed in sensual pleasures, as if immersing their heads in water. Danger was not far ahead.

Initial Nine. Already Fulfilled alternates to Hardship (39)

The initial line is a yang element at a yang place. It symbolizes a firm and steadfast character. This element responds to the yin element at the fourth place which is at the bottom of the upper gua, Water. In the I Ching Water also represents the wheel of a cart. Lord Zi Chan of the Kingdom of Zheng, during the Spring and Autumn Period (722–480 B.C.) of the Zhou dynasty, helped someone ford a river by cart. he asked his servants to hold the wheels in order to control the cart. This is a warning for one to take precautions at an initial stage of an undertaking. Another story tells that the ancient sage saw a fox crossing a river. The fox was careful and lifted its tail to avoid getting it wet, though the water turned out to be too deep and its tail got wet anyway. The emphasis here is on being careful: one can do no more than take precautions, then accept whatever consequences follow. Thus, Confucius says, “Cautious as this, there should be no fault.”

51. Taking Action

Name and Structure

Zhen means shake, shock, or quake. In the I Ching, it is the symbol of Thunder. Wilhelm translates Zhen as The Arousing (Shock, Thunder), and Blofeld translates it as Thunder. Here I consider the significance of Thunder and employ the term Taking Action.

Sequence of the Gua

For taking charge of a sacrificial vessel,
no one is more suitable than the eldest son.
Thus, after Establishing the New,
Taking Action follows.

Decision

Taking Action.
Prosperous and smooth.
Thunder comes—alarm! alarm!
Laughing and talking—ha! ha!
Thunder shocks a hundred li.
The sacrificial spoon and chalice do not fall.

Commentary on the Decision

Thunder—Taking Action.
Prosperous and smooth.

Thunder comes—alarm! alarm!
Being fearful brings good fortune.
Laughing and talking—ha,ha!
After that, there is a principle to follow.

Thunder shocks a hundred li.
It startles the distant and frightens the near.
Coming forth, he is able to protect the temple of ancestors,
and the state as well,
And take charge of all sacrifices.

Commentary on the Symbol

Thunder is dual.
Action is doubled.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person with fearful mind
Is cultivating his virtue and examining his fault.

Fifth Six

Thunder comes, back and forth
Adversity
No great loss.
Something will happen.

Thunder comes, back and forth. Adversity.
One takes risk in doing.
Important matters are central.
Nothing at all is a great loss.

Significance

This gua is one of the eight among the sixty-four accomplished gua that is made by doubling one of the eight primary gua. Here, the accomplished gua is Zhen, Taking Action, and the primary gua is Thunder. The structure of the gua is Thunder above, Thunder below. When Thunder is doubled, the potential energy is tremendous. In the I Ching, Thunder represent the eldest son of Heaven and Earth. It symbolizes the beginning of a created being. After the eldest son is born, a new cycle starts, and a new generation starts out. Thunder is a gua of the spring season. An ancient Chinese adage says, “Once the spring thunder bursts, myriad beings on Earth are awakened.”k After that, the Earth will be green again and farmers can begin work in the field. Tis is a picture of prosperity.

Taking Action advises people to adopt a cautious heart and a cautious mind in dealing with a new situation before expecting success. Taking action brings success, and it is tempting to try to enhance success. But the wise man keeps himself calm and remains at ease. He does not let the excitement lead to failure in important matters. With a cautious mind, he cultivates his virtues and examines his errors. This is the key to success. The host of the gua is unusual—it is the solid line at the bottom. I hints that the positive energy is taking action and moving upward from below.

After King Wen’s new system was established, people were shocked, feeling as if a thunderstorm was striking. Some felt alrm. When the benefits became known, they talked to each other and laughed together. However, King Wen, from beginning to end, was as calm in carrying out the reformation as a priest holding a sacrificial spoon and chalice without letting them fall. The Duke of Zhou records how the people were happy but not the slave owners. Dangerous counterattacks were anticipated, for some in-laws o the tyrant stood against the reformation.

Fifth Six. Taking Action alternates to Following (17)

“Thunder comes, back and forth” suggests moving forward and backward. The line is a yin element at a yang place, central but not correct. If it moves forward, it reaches the top line–at the end of the action, there is no way to go forward. If it comes back, its corresponding line at the second position is also a yin element, and there will be no response. It is an unfavorable situation.
This line describes the time during the reformation when King Wen surveyed the whole situation. HJe remained calm and at ease. Although the shock of reformation affected everyone in a radius of a hundred li, he would not let the sacrificial spoon and chalice (political power) fall. There was no great loss at the moment, but he sensed that matters of importance could be affected.

51. Taking Action

Name and Structure

Zhen means shake, shock, or quake. In the I Ching, it is the symbol of Thunder. Wilhelm translates Zhen as The Arousing (Shock, Thunder), and Blofeld translates it as Thunder. Here I consider the significance of Thunder and employ the term Taking Action.

Sequence of the Gua

For taking charge of a sacrificial vessel,
no one is more suitable than the eldest son.
Thus, after Establishing the New,
Taking Action follows.

Decision

Taking Action.
Prosperous and smooth.
Thunder comes—alarm! alarm!
Laughing and talking—ha! ha!
Thunder shocks a hundred li.
The sacrificial spoon and chalice do not fall.

Commentary on the Decision

Thunder—Taking Action.
Prosperous and smooth.

Thunder comes—alarm! alarm!
Being fearful brings good fortune.
Laughing and talking—ha,ha!
After that, there is a principle to follow.

Thunder shocks a hundred li.
It startles the distant and frightens the near.
Coming forth, he is able to protect the temple of ancestors,
and the state as well,
And take charge of all sacrifices.

Commentary on the Symbol

Thunder is dual.
Action is doubled.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person with fearful mind
Is cultivating his virtue and examining his fault.

Significance

This gua is one of the eight among the sixty-four accomplished gua that is made by doubling one of the eight primary gua. Here, the accomplished gua is Zhen, Taking Action, and the primary gua is Thunder. The structure of the gua is Thunder above, Thunder below. When Thunder is doubled, the potential energy is tremendous. In the I Ching, Thunder represent the eldest son of Heaven and Earth. It symbolizes the beginning of a created being. After the eldest son is born, a new cycle starts, and a new generation starts out. Thunder is a gua of the spring season. An ancient Chinese adage says, “Once the spring thunder bursts, myriad beings on Earth are awakened.”k After that, the Earth will be green again and farmers can begin work in the field. Tis is a picture of prosperity.

Taking Action advises people to adopt a cautious heart and a cautious mind in dealing with a new situation before expecting success. Taking action brings success, and it is tempting to try to enhance success. But the wise man keeps himself calm and remains at ease. He does not let the excitement lead to failure in important matters. With a cautious mind, he cultivates his virtues and examines his errors. This is the key to success. The host of the gua is unusual—it is the solid line at the bottom. I hints that the positive energy is taking action and moving upward from below.

After King Wen’s new system was established, people were shocked, feeling as if a thunderstorm was striking. Some felt alrm. When the benefits became known, they talked to each other and laughed together. However, King Wen, from beginning to end, was as calm in carrying out the reformation as a priest holding a sacrificial spoon and chalice without letting them fall. The Duke of Zhou records how the people were happy but not the slave owners. Dangerous counterattacks were anticipated, for some in-laws o the tyrant stood against the reformation.

4. Childhood

Sequence of the Gua

Zhun denotes what has just been born.
What has just been born is in its childhood,
Thus, after Beginning, Childhood follows.

Decision:

Childhood.
Prosperous and smooth.
It is not I who seek the ignorant,
The ignorant seeks me.
On the first divination, I give light.
Repeating again is contemptuous.
Being contemptuous, I give no more instruction.
Favorable to be steadfast and upright.

Commentary on the Decision

Unenlightened ignorant.
At the foot of a mountain lies difficulty;
Difficulty makes him stand still.
It is ignorant behavior.

Repeating again is contemptuous.
Being contemptuous, no more instruction.
Showing contempt causes ignorance.
Uncovering the covered is to nourish the correct nature.
It is a holy task.

Commentary on the Symbol

A spring flows out of a mountain.
The symbol of an unenlightened ignorant.
In correspondence with this,
The superior person makes every effort
To cultivate virtue with resolute deeds.

Top Nine

Punishing the ignorant.
Not favorable to treat like a foe.
Favorable to prevent further mischief.

Preventing further mischief.
UIpper and lower go well.

Significance

The image of the gua is a spring flowing out of a mountain and becoming a murmuring stream. Afterward, the stream grows into a great river, nurturing myriad beings. However, as the river flows over the ground it becomes dirty. This gua takes this image to expound upon the importance of enlightening and educating the ignorant while in the infant stage.

The host of the gua is the yang element at the second place. It is central and firm, able to revere the teacher and therefore teach others. The yin element at the fifth place responds to this yang element. Two analogies are employed to expound upon the gua. One is about education; the other is about marriage. The yang element at the second place is a firm line at the central place of the lower gua. In the I Ching, the lower gua stands in a position inferior to the upper gua. Here, the yang element at the second place plays a major role. It represents a teacher who is enlightening and educating the ignorant. Because it is a firm line in the lower gua, it symbolizes the quality of magnanimity. There are four yielding lines surrounding it, one below and three above. Symbolically, these yielding lines are the ignorant who are to enlightened. the Chinese believed that every ignorant person is different. According to the ancient Chinese tradition, they should be taught in accordance with their aptitudes. The unenlightened should be humble and devout and take the initial step to seek enlightenment. In other words, they should be ready and willing to accept education. On the other hand, one acting as a source of enlightenment should also be patient and forgiving.

The image of this gua is Mountain above Water. In the I Ching, Mountain symbolizes a family, and Water represents the middle son. The four yin lines around a yang line can be viewed as four women approaching a man and intending to marry him. The solid line at the second place is a yang element, a man. The yielding line at the fifth place is a yin element, a woman. They respond to each other, and because both of them are in a central place and they yin and yang, a perfect match.

King Wen arranged this gua as a continuation of the preceding one. The preceding gua pertained to establishing feudal lords; it was a question of foreign affairs. This gua was meant to educate his own people; it had to do with internal affairs. King Wen realized the importance of education in abolishing the old system and establishing a new one. His policy was to start with those who were humble and devout and willing to accept education. In ancient China, divination was part of the social fabric bringing people together. Through divination the king promulgated decrees. In accepting an elder’s instruction, one should be as devout as when accepting the instruction of a divination.

In the Yao Text, the Duke of Zhou gives specific social advice; education, for example, should be used to lead the ignorant to the right path. Punishment should not be employed. A norm of proper behavior should be set up. It is important to be magnanimous to docile minority tribes and to educate them in the way to establish harmonious families and help their descendants sustain their families. It is better not to form alliances with half-hearted tribes, because they are not ready. And for isolated minority tribes, it is necessary to help them come into contact with other people.

Top Nine: Childhood alternates to Multitude (7)

The yang element at the top is at the uppermost place. In this place one reaches the extreme and becomes self-willed and opinionated. the ignorant one is too firm and fiery tempered. The upper gua is Mountain. In the I Ching, the character for Mountain also represents hands; thus the Duke of Zhou refers to punishing an unenlightened child. The ancient way of correcting a child rarely employed punishment. Only when there was no alternative was punishment employed. This gua gives warning that one should not treat the ignorant as a foe. The purpose of punishment is to prevent further mischief. This gua expounds upon a way of correcting mischief. The attitude should be firm, but the means should be gentle. Even punishment should contain gentleness within and express firmness without. The commentary says, “Preventing further mischief. Upper and lower go well.” The upper is the teacher, the lower is the student. The student should be humble and open-minded and the teacher should be patient and forgiving. Then, upper and lower, teacher and student, will do well.