Heaven Fire Tongren: Confucian-Daoist Dialogue and the Investigation of Ancient Spiritual Origins from a Pre-Qin Perspective
This article deeply examines the *Tian Huo Tong Ren* hexagram from the *I Ching*, contextualizing it within Pre-Qin Confucian and Daoist thought and ancient culture to sequentially analyze the implications of its trigrams, hexagram statement, and line statements. By differentiating between 'Sameness' (Tong) and 'Harmony' (He) and integrating the structural logic of the *Xu Gua Zhuan*, it explores the pivotal role of the *Tong Ren* hexagram in the transition from stagnation to prosperity, revealing the primordial wisdom of seeking Great Consensus amidst difference.
Section 3: The Eternity of the Way of Tóng Rén
The principle revealed by the Tóng Rén hexagram is not limited to a specific era or society. Harmony between people is an eternal theme of humanity.
The Xi Ci Zhuan (Part II) states:
"In its vastness, the Yijing is fully comprehensive. It contains the Way of Heaven, the Way of Man, and the Way of Earth. It combines the Three Powers twice, hence Six. The Six are nothing other than the Way of the Three Powers." (《易》之为书也，广大悉备。有天道焉，有人道焉，有地道焉。兼三才而两之，故六。六者非它也，三才之道也。)
The Yijing encompasses the Ways of Heaven, Man, and Earth. The Tóng Rén hexagram is the same—it discusses the natural principle of Heaven and Fire (Heavenly Way), and the Way of harmony among people (Human Way), and implicitly includes the Way of Earth (the spatial images of the wilds, city gates, clans, and suburbs). The combination of the Three Powers constitutes the complete picture of the Way of Tóng Rén.
The Xi Ci Zhuan (Part I) also states:
"The Yijing corresponds to Heaven and Earth, thus it is able to encompass the Way of Heaven and Earth. Looking up, it observes the celestial patterns; looking down, it examines the geography; thus it understands the causes of dark and bright." (《易》与天地准，故能弥纶天地之道。仰以观于天文，俯以察于地理，是故知幽明之故。)
The Yijing aligns with Heaven and Earth, thus encompassing their Way. Looking up at celestial patterns and looking down at geography—this broad vision encompassing Heaven and Earth is the spirit of "Gathering in Accord in the wilds"—in the broadest space between Heaven and Earth, observing the celestial patterns, examining the geography, and achieving harmony among Heaven, Earth, and Man.