Monday, October 13, 2008

Playing the Lineage Game

The lineage claim is just a game Feng Shui practitioners love to play. Most schools claim Yang Jun Song 杨筠松 (better known as Yang Jiu Pin 杨救贫) to be the founding great grand master. Come to think about this: Where and from whom did Yang Jiu Pin learn Feng Shui?

It is interesting that no one suggested he got the knowledge from some aliens who were much more advanced than our civilization. It is the only sensible answer if the lineage game is to be convincingly played.

People who know me well understand that I learned Chinese Metaphysics from ancient books under the guidance of an old master. Our relationship is just like that between a doctorate student and his professor. The lineage game is not played in universities but there may be a school of thought honoured by people with like minds.

The lineage game has suffocated the development of Chinese Metaphysics. I am giving out the wake-up call to dreamers and if my voice is not loud enough, please join me.

JY

8 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Joseph,

I remember I read somewhere that says Yang Jun Song learn his Feng Shui from the books he stole from the imperial library where he worked. Is this true and historical?

Thanks.

Cyril Quah

Joseph Yu said...

Hi Cyril,

The history book "Tang Shu 唐书" does not have a biography for Yang Jun Song. In a Song Dynasty book it is recorded that Yang was honoured as the National Master (国师) by Emperor Xi Zong (僖宗) and he held the post of Jin Zi Guang Lu Da Fu (金紫光禄大夫) and was responsible for spiritual geographical affairs (灵台地理事)meaning "Feng Shui".

When the rebels took over the capital, he grapped the books in the royal library and moved to Jiang Xi 江西 where he spent the rest of his life practising and teaching Feng Shui.

JY

Unknown said...

Hi Joseph,

I admire your knowledge on Chinese history. Are you a member of the Chinese History Forum? If not, this site is a good place to read more about it.

http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/

Can we say that Yang already knew Feng Shui prior to working for Emperor Xi Zong but the real secrets were actually contained in the books from the royal library, which the authors were unknown?

Cyril Quah

Maria Chandler said...

Master Yu,
During these turbulent economic times we seek answers. We want knowledge to lead us out of this labyrinth. Let us focus on what works not on how we found the way.
Respectfully,
MJ

Sherab Wong said...

Hi Joseph,
great words and objective comments on the 'lineage issue'.
I agree with you totally on what you have said, knowing that more and more opportunists are taking the advantage of socalled "lineage" to claim their fake status, for their name, fame and to win the competitive battles in the money game.
My question is, what is your idea and views about someone who learned FS from a socalled Great Grand Master (no comments on the title :-), but then he or she betrayed him, stoled all the materials and published his own books based on the stolen materials (assume this is true, according to reliable source...)? and this young and dynamic FS teacher is then defaming socalled lineage - not with a pure motivation, but with some personal agendas?
I am sure you know who am I talking about in the FS world. No interest to intervene with other's business, just curious to know your points on a FS Teacher's ethic and integrity...

Cheers,
Sherab

Joseph Yu said...

Hi Cyril,

Obviously Yang already had good knowledge of Feng Shui before he was appointed the post of National Master. We have no idea what books he took from the Royal Library. Some say that the books include the Burial Book written by Guo Pu and he developed his Feng Shui school based on this book. Others are of the opinion that the Burial Book was actually written in the Song Dynasty and claimed that it was written by Guo Pu.

Anyway, it is for sure that Yang developed the theories of Feng Shui based on some ancient books and the methods were tested by practical work.

JY

Joseph Yu said...

Hi Sherab,

I know both parties too well and therefore I will have no comment. From what you wrote, the reliable source is not that reliable. I can only say that when money is involved in a dispute, things turn uglier than what they are.

The lineage game, no matter how it is played, with or without any ignoble agenda, should be denounced.

JY

Sherab Wong said...

well...
line+age=lineage.
line= line of transmissions.
age=it takes time, sometimes ages for you to absorb, learn and most importantlt - to transcend what you have received, either skills or knowledge.
so, lineage is simply a line of transmissions, in FS or other fields.
whether you learn from a teacher, a book, or by observations - they MUST be a source out there.
what we need to condemn is the persons who use the lineage issue for their personal gain or to deceive others, not the lineage itself.
If this must be a game, then play it lawfully and ethically, with dignity.
If not, then just leave it with grace and carefree dignity.

cheers,
Sherab