A Study on Lebensphilosophie of The Book of Changes: focused on Ceaseless Production of 「Gyesajeon」

Nowadays, phenomenons such as pandemic, war, infanticide, etc. make us realize the severity of disregards-for-life and the importance of value-of-life. The term life-value includes the meaning of respect-for-life. Respect-for-life is an idea that values all living things and gives value to all life. Respect for life naturally leads to fear of life, which is called ‘reverence-for-life’ or ‘fear-for-life’. Life is extremely precious and deserves to be fully protected, but humanity is immature and often fails to maintain its natural attitude towards life and neglects or damages life. In 『Zhouyì』, the idea of respect-for-life is described as ‘Ceaseless Production(生生)’. 『Zhouyì』 understands the world and the entire universe as an eternal cycle with no beginning or end. Ceaseless Production(生生) means living and living. In this study, the structure of life philosophy is discussed focusing on 「Gyesajeon」, one of Ten Wings(十翼) of 『Zhouyì』. In 「Gyesajeon」, the cyclical process of Ceaseless Production(生生不息), in other words ‘birth and birth again’, is revealed based on the communion of heavenandearth-QianKun(天地乾坤) and Virtuous Concordance of Yin and Yang(陰陽合德). The study also reviews the essence and principles of life in the universe and how it changes and circulates based on the life principles of Qiando(乾道) and Kundo(坤道) and the principles of Yi-jian(易簡) from 「Gyesajeon」, the practice of Doeui(道義) through Cheng-seong (成性), the reality of gwisin(鬼神), and an analysis of the philosophical concept of life circulation. Furthermore, the role and significance of life philosophy from 『Zhouyì』 were considered in regards to social issues related to life occurring in modern society and the way to move from disregards-for-life to Respect-for-life was suggested.