Zhong dao (the characters) in the yi

[arien]

Ive noticed this two characters before (zhong1 dao4 = middle way), but this time after receiving 43.2, whose line image talks about finding the middle way, I decided once and for all to go check all instances of this pair

So, before I go any further, it appears (solely) in the following lines
18.2x
30.2x
40.2x
43.2x
63.2x

I'm using Bradford's nomenclature, so these are the small images (xiao xiang), or the later commentary on the lines.

Now, I know that zhongdao is the term that was used to translate madhyama, or middle path, as taught by the buddha. The term was of course existent before chinese buddhists used it as a buddhist term, but since these line's commentary are much more recent than the line's text (if they are post-confucian, then they are also post-buddhist), could it be that there was some induction of buddhist thought reflected here?
Or does this just reflect the central nature of the line? In this case, then, why not some instances of the pair on the fifth line? because its naturally a yang line instead of yin (receptive) like the 2nd?
Im just speculating here...

But all these lines (and respective hexagrams) seem to evoke a general meaning of repair, of correcting things, reforming. Actually I seem to find these hexagrams THE ones that deal with correcting things over, and maybe these are the ones that call for moderation and avoid extremes, which may then be what zhong dao wants to transmit in this place

It is still a bit puzzling, as there seem to be no casualities on the Yi

Any thoughts on this?

 

[bradford_h]

Hi Arien-
thanks for pointing this out - I'd never noticed all zhongdao's were in line 2.
Just to touch upon three of your points-

"since these line's commentary are much more recent than the line's text (if they are post-confucian, then they are also post-buddhist"

The Yi was canonized in pretty much its present form in the 2nd century bce. Buddhism didn't arrive in China until the 1st century bce.

"Or does this just reflect the central nature of the line? In this case, then, why not some instances of the pair on the fifth line? because its naturally a yang line instead of yin (receptive) like the 2nd?"

I haven't found any statistical validation of the dimension of Dang or correctness (except tautologically in the Xiao Xiang). And here we have a mix of 6's & 9's in the 2nd. The validity of line position (yao wei) as an original dimension is backed up time and again though.

"But all these lines (and respective hexagrams) seem to evoke a general meaning of repair, of correcting things, reforming."

I think you are closest with the third one, but I would hyphenate it re-forming, as in adapting to specific circumstances, a behavior perfectly characteristic of the meaning of the second line.

b

 

[arien]

Hi Brad,
Thanks for replying (I knew you would

)

But even in the 3rd argument leaves a lot to desire;
There is reform in some of the hexagrams, but what has 30 to do with reform? (some clarity of thought is needed?).
And wouldnt 64 be much more about reform than 63? (in 64 everything is out of place, although in 63 one has to bring fire and water to their proper places, through each other)

Well, I guess we'll never know, but was a funny coincidence anyhow