生生 – Chinese philosophy and culture

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shēngshēng 生生

Perpetual Growth and Change

生生不息的变化。《周易·系辞上》言:“生生之谓易。”《周易》所言“生生”包含两层含义:其一,就万物的存在而言,“生生”指天地万物处于永恒的生成、变化之中,阴阳的交互作用构成了“生生”的内在动力。“生生”是天地万物的根本属性,也是道德之善行的来源。其二,就占筮而言,“生生”指奇画与偶画相交错,卦爻之象处于不断变化之中。

The term stands for perpetual change. According to The Book of Changes, while shengsheng (生生) here means continued growth and perpetual change, it can be understood at two levels. First, in regard to the existence of all things, it is the interaction of yin and yang that drives the process of the endless cycle of birth, rebirth, and change of heaven, earth, and all things. This process is a fundamental attribute of the universe, and the source of ethical behavior. Second, as a term in divination, it refers to the alternation of yin and yang hexagram lines and the fact that all elements in the symbol system of The Book of Changes are in a perpetual state of change.

引例 Citations:

◎生生之谓易。(《周易·系辞上》)

(生生不息,称之为“易”。)

One generation gives life to another generation in perpetual change. (The Book of Changes)

◎生生之谓易,是天之所以为道也。天只是以生为道,继此生理者,即是善也。(《二程遗书》卷二上)

(生生不息的变化,就是天道的内容。天只是以生生不息为原则,秉承此生生不息之理的,就是善。)

Continued growth and perpetual change is essence of the way of heaven. Heaven follows this principle, and kindness is guided by this principle. (Writings of the Cheng Brothers)

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