Heaven and Fire, Fellowship: A Deep Exploration of Confucian-Daoist Dialogue and Archaic Spiritual Origins in the Pre-Qin Perspective
This article offers a deep investigation of the Hexagram Tong Ren (Fellowship with Others) from the Yijing (Book of Changes), grounded in pre-Qin Confucian and Daoist thought and archaic culture, tracing layer by layer the meanings of the hexagram image, judgment, and line statements. Through a careful analysis of the distinction between 'sameness' (tong) and 'harmony' (he), and drawing on the structural logic of the Xu Gua Zhuan (Sequence of Hexagrams), the article illuminates Tong Ren's pivotal role in the transition from obstruction to openness, revealing its primordial wisdom of seeking Great Unity within difference.
Chapter Seven: Line-by-Line Commentary (Part II): Nine in the Fourth Through Top Nine
Section 1: Nine in the Fourth --- Mounting the Wall, Unable to Attack, Good Fortune
"Mounting the wall, unable to attack --- good fortune." Image: "Mounting the wall --- righteousness makes it impossible. Its good fortune lies in reflecting when in difficulty and returning to the rule."
Nine in the Fourth attempts to take by force but desists when recognizing that "righteousness makes it impossible." This capacity for self-correction is the source of "good fortune." As Zigong said: "The noble person's faults are like eclipses of the sun and moon. When he errs, all see it; when he corrects himself, all look up to him" (Lunyu, "Zi Zhang").
Section 2: Nine in the Fifth --- First Cries of Anguish, Then Laughter; a Great Army Overcomes and They Meet
"In fellowship, first cries of anguish, then laughter. A great army overcomes, and they meet." Image: "The beginning of fellowship: because of his centered uprightness. The great army meets: this speaks of mutual overcoming."
The most dramatic line: Nine in the Fifth, the proper correspondent of Six in the Second, must overcome the obstruction of Nine in the Third and Nine in the Fourth. The journey from anguish to joy depicts the truth that genuine fellowship --- deep spiritual union --- is never easily won. The Shijing ("Wang Feng," "Shu Li") laments: "Those who know me say my heart is sorrowful; those who do not know me ask what I seek." The Master's opening words resonate: "To have friends come from afar --- is this not a delight$12"
Section 3: Top Nine --- Fellowship in the Suburbs, No Regret
"Fellowship in the suburbs --- no regret." Image: "Fellowship in the suburbs: the aspiration is not yet fulfilled."
Top Nine arrives at the suburbs --- farther than the gate or clan, but not yet the open field. "No regret" but also "the aspiration is not yet fulfilled" --- a wistful conclusion. Like the Master, who pursued the Way all his life without fully realizing his ideal, yet "did not blame Heaven or reproach others" (Lunyu, "Xian Wen"). This "no regret" comes not from achievement but from having upheld the right path.
Section 4: Six Lines in Summary
The six lines trace a complete journey: beginning (gate), limitation (clan), intrigue (thicket), correction (wall), achievement (anguish then joy), and wistfulness (suburbs). No one reaches "fellowship in the open field" in a single step; each must pass through their own gates, clans, thickets, and walls.