This is a partial extract of Chapter 1 from Xuan Kong Liu Fa Practical Application Course, Module 1, on Xuan Kong Legacy:

Since the beginning of Xuan Kong (玄空) legacy in ancient times, the Fengshui principles and methods are based only on 【Fa Jue 法诀】 and 【Yan Jue 眼诀】. Thereafter, in order to prevent the lost of knowledge over time, and to allow later generations to validate their Fengshui principles and methods against, Fengshui Classics are written and passed down.

These Fengshui Classics, notably those by Yang Yun Song[1] (楊筠松, 唐朝), includes:

• Qing Nang Xu 【青囊序】,
• Qing Nang Ao Yu 【青囊奥语】,
• Tian Yu Jing 【天玉经】, and
• Du Tian Bao Zhao Jing 【都天宝照经】

These Classics are later collectively named as the 【Shu Jue 书诀[2]】. Together, 【Fa Jue法诀[3]】, 【Shu Jue 书诀】 and 【Yan Jue 眼诀[4]】 are known as 【玄空三诀】, or literally, the Three Principles and Methods of Xuan Kong, where:

◎【Fa Jue 法诀】 is none other than Xuan Kong Liu Fa (玄空六法), which is comprise of【1. 一心, 2. 四决 and 3. 一法】.

• Yi Xin 一心 is Xuan Kong (玄空), the universal principle behind Xuan Kong Liu Fa, and also known as 心印 (Xin Yin)

• Si Jue 四诀 comprises of four principles, Ci Xiong Jue (雌雄诀), Jin Long Jue (金龙诀), Ai Xing Jue (挨星诀) and Cheng Men Jue (城门诀)

• • Ci Xiong Jue (雌雄诀): Recognizing Mountain (山) and Water (水), Emptiness (空) and Solid (实)
  • Jin Long Jue (金龙诀): Why certain locations require water in Period 8, e.g.
  • Ai Xing Jue (挨星诀): Determine the strength of Mountain and Water
  • Cheng Men Jue (城门诀): What should the Property sit/ face?

• Yi Fa 一法 is Tai Sui Fa (太岁法), focusing on when the Prosperous or Decline will occur and what are the events or effects that will happen because of this Property.

It is common for some to understand Xuan Kong Liu Fa as six distinct methods of Fengshui. However, the correct understanding of Xuan Kong Liu Fa is six principles, with an integrated approach in the application of Xuan Kong Liu Fa.   All properties around us, be it Auspicious or Inauspicious, includes Xuan Kong Liu Fa principles.

◎【Shu Jue 书诀】 is meant for one to validate one’s knowledge of 【Fa Jue 法诀】 against each and every line of the Fengshui Classics, to verify that his or her knowledge of Fengshui principles and methods are indeed the correct ones.

The historical Fengshui Chinese classics, especially those by Yang Gong (楊筠松, 唐朝), have spawned numerous annotations from various practitioners from past to present, in their quest to decipher what the classics meant, and as a result, to learn about the Fengshui methods used by Yang Gong.

However, one must know that throughout ancient China, Fengshui principles and methods are closely guarded secrets, passed down primarily through oral transmission. In fact, this practice continues even today. As such, one should not expect Fengshui principles and methods to be explicitly written down in the Classics. What use are the Fengshui Classics then? They are primarily meant for validation of one’s Fengshui principles and methods (演经证诀)!

As such, without prior knowledge of 【Fa Jue 法诀】, it is futile attempting to decipher the Classics to understand and learn about the Fengshui methods, as this will result in confusion and incorrect interpretations. Likewise, it is futile for one to engage in discussion on whether a particular school of Fengshui principles or methods are right or wrong as this is a question best suited for each and every practitioner to answer to him or herself.

If one attempts to start understand and to validate against the Classics, which Classic should one begin with? The answer is 【Qing Nang Xu 青囊序】. Qing Nang Xu, written by Yang Gong’s disciple, Zeng Wen Di (曾文迪), is meant to be the Preamble (序), providing an overview and containing the key points before one attempts to validate against the other Classics.

As for the other Fengshui Classics, 【Qing Nang Ao Yu 青囊奥语】, 【Tian Yu Jing 天玉经】 and 【Du Tian Bao Zhao Jing 都天宝照经】, have one give a thought on why it is TWO Classics or Scriptures (经)  and ONE Dialogue (语)?

The truth is, the real Fengshui Classics on Fengshui principles are only 【Tian Yu Jing 天玉经】 and 【Du Tian Bao Zhao Jing 都天宝照经】 these two Classics.  【Qing Nang Ao Yu 青囊奥语】 is on the important points of Fengshui methods during its practical application, recorded in the course of Yang Gong’s teachings to his disciples, hence the Dialogue (语) and not Classics or Scriptures (经).

Tian (天[5]) is Qian Gua (乾) and so is Yu (玉), hence the focus of 【Tian Yu Jing】 is on the Invisible and Shapeless Qi (气); that is, the Fengshui principles of Gua (卦) Qi; 【Xuan Kong Li Qi 玄空之理气) 】!

Du Tian (都天) is Wu Ji[6] (戊己) Earth, of Kun Gua (坤), hence the focus of 【Du Tian Bao Zhao Jing】 is on the Visible Forms, Matter (质); that is, the Fengshui principles of Xing (形) Qi; 【Xuan Kong Xing Luan[7] 玄空之形峦】!

Qing[8] (青) as Wood, the element with Life, refers to Man, and hence 【Qing Nang Ao Yu 青囊奥语】is focus on the practical applications of integrating Heaven, Earth and Man as one. That is, uniting Li Qi and Landforms!

With the basis and background of the Fengshui Classics now unveiled, the sequence of the Classics to understand and validating is clear. I hope one will treasure this important knowledge as knowing the basis and origins are of great value in one’s pursuit of the Way of Fengshui.

◎【Yan Jue 眼诀】 is the principles and methods of Landforms (形峦). It is also the prerequisite for understanding 【Ci Xiong Jue】, where Ci Xiong Jue is the recognition of the Formation (形局) form by the physical Landforms of Yin (雌; Female) and Yang (雄; Male) nature. Hence, 【眼诀】 is the most important and fundamental aspect of Fengshui principles and methods, and as reflected in the first sentence of the Fengshui Classic 【Qing Nang Xu 青囊序】 “杨公养老看雌雄[9]…”

【Yan Jue 眼诀】 is also the most difficult knowledge to master. This explains why many who have attempted or are learning Xuan Kong Liu Fa find Liu Fa to be accurate at times, inaccurate at other times in the course of their practical application, primarily due to 【Yan Jue 眼诀】. If one fails to recognize the Landforms correctly, all other efforts thereafter are futile and wrong!

For example, in the following four illustrations.....

[1] Yang Gong, Tang Dynasty

[2] 书: Book; Literal Translation. Refers to Fengshui Classic Texts

[3] 法: Principle, Application; Literal Translation.

[4] 眼: Eyes; Literal Translation. Techniques, Principles, Methods based on Observation of the Landforms

[5] 天: Heaven; 玉: Jade

[6] Heaven Stems of Wu and Ji, Earth Element

[7] Landforms

[8] Green, Literal Translation; Refers here to Trees, Wood

[9] 看: See, Observe, Recognize