Conference hydra::dejavu

    Sounds fascinating, is the translation readily available ? and who's
    the publisher ? price ?
    
    Thanks, Dave.

    re .1:
    
    I got my copy of the translated T'Ung Shu (�1986; 240 pages; paperback)
    for $7.95 from:
    
    		Shambala Publications
    		314 Dartmouth Street
    		Boston, Massachusetts	02116

    It is also apparently distributed in the US by Random House (possibly
    in a somewhat different form since they use a different ISBN#
    0-394-74221-4 than the Shambala version ISBN# 0-87773-346-5).
    
    I do not know if it is still in print, or available; I got mine in 1986
    at the Shambala bookstore in Cambridge, just outside of Harvard Square.
            
    They claim that this is the first english translation ever made.
    Actually they do not translate literally for each page of the T'Ung
    Shu, but summarize to give the gist of each of the 47 almanac sections.
    Actually, many of the actual T'Ung Shu pages are reprinted in Chinese
    with accompanying pictures, so if you can read Chinese as well as
    I can (not at all) then you can enjoy the pictures and Chinese glyphs,
    but if you can read any Chinese at all then you may be able to glean some
    additional information.  They also provide some interesting history and
    background in the preface, introduction, and appendices.

    					Todd

Feng Shui FAQ

Copyright (c) 1995 by William L. Cassidy. All rights reserved.

What is Feng Shui?

The term feng shui is literally translated as "wind and water." Feng
Shui--sometimes called Chinese "geomancy"-- first developed as the art
and science of orienting dwellings, buildings and cities. At a later date, Feng
Shui also came to be occupied with the situation of gravesites. 

Certain places in the landscape have life breath (sheng ch'i). Feng Shui is
concerned with discovery of such places and due note of their individual
qualities. 

What is the History of Feng Shui?

Although its origins are lost in antiquity, Feng Shui appears to have
developed in widespread consciousness during the Warring States period.
With the advent of the compass, two schools of practice came into being: the
"Form" School and the "Compass" School. 

The Form School--the earliest--is concerned with the essence of terrain,
climate, and ch'i. The Compass School--a later development--adds the use
of a specialized compass (and, later, a specialized ruler) to make its
determinations. 

Can Feng Shui Be Practiced Without A Compass?

Certainly. 

Are There Any Feng Shui "Masters?"

Feng Shui has, unfortunately, become corrupted. True masters of the art are
rare. There are perhaps a half-dozen practitioners in the world who can
claim mastery of the subject and none have much contact with the general
public. They are concerned primarily with new temple construction,
consultation with builders and architectural firms, and city planning. 

How Is Feng Shui Corrupted?

Feng Shui has become corrupted to contain absurd notions of interior
decoration, the use of charms and talismans, the runaway concept of site
"improvement," and by several generations of practitioners who know
nothing of its true essence. There are scores of people who cater to popular
superstition, offering to decorate homes, "improve" new businesses or
resolve neighborhood conflicts, all for a hefty fee. Recent (and popular)
English and Chinese language books on the subject have just compounded
the problem. 

Is There A Tibetan Feng Shui?

Yes and no. There are some modern Chinese "practitioners" who, in order
to make themselves seem more "mysterious," claim to have studied
"Tibetan Feng Shui." There is no indigenous Tibetan Feng Shui per se. The
whole art of Feng Shui as practiced in Tibet descended from the Chinese
Form School, and entered Tibet in the 7th Century. There is an indigenous
Tibetan practice concerned with the location of secret places wherein
religious treasures are concealed, but this has almost nothing to do with
basic Feng Shui principles. 

Is Feng Shui Practiced In Any Other Countries?

Feng Shui is practiced all over the world. In Vietnam, for example, it is
known as Dia Ly. Regardless of where it is practiced, it is still fundamentally
a Chinese science. Thus, traditional Feng Shui principles in Vietnam (or
America, for that matter) are the same as in China. 

Can Feng Shui Guarantee A Successful Business?

Not in and of itself, to the exclusion of all other factors. Anyone who claims
differently is a fraud. 

It is important to remember that Feng Shui originated in an agricultural
society and is founded on concern for environmental health and well-being.
If a site is in harmony with forces seen and unseen, tangible and intangible,
certainly this is of much benefit. 

Can Feng Shui Be Taught?

Certainly. A really gifted student will devote about twenty years of intense
study and experience to reach the first stage of proficiency. 

It is helpful to wander around the earth, visiting remote places, villages,
farms, towns, cities, etc. It is helpful to sleep alone in the mountains, hills, or
deserts, and experience changes in weather and climate. It is helpful to read
all of the classics on the subject, and to further study the modern sciences.
Extremely well developed powers of observation are necessary, and these are
difficult to teach. After a time, however, one gets a sense of knowing what to
look for. Later, this becomes a "felt" experience that really shouldn't be
described. 

Is Feng Shui A Religion?

No. Feng Shui is similar to natural science. 

Is Feng Shui Concerned With Divination?

No. Although you can make certain observations concerning the probable
outcome of certain activities, there is no divination aspect to Feng Shui. 

Are There "Lucky" and "Unlucky" Places?

All places are "lucky." Some places are "luckier" than others. The deepest
place in the ocean is lucky for sea-turtles. 

Can Feng Shui Change Luck?

In the mundane sense, perhaps yes. In the ultimate sense, certainly no. 

What Are "Dragons" and "Tigers?"

Dragons and Tigers are symbolics used to describe topographical formations.
Such symbolics can also refer to two of the four quarters: the Azure Dragon
of the East; the White Tiger of the West. 

What Are Dragon "Veins?"

Dragon veins or Dragon pulse are generally considered ch'i conducting
sinews and features of topography. One also hears of the Dragon's "navel,"
which is generally considered an ideal place. 

What Are "Secret Arrows?"

The sha are noxious channels, or, in the alternative, evil influences or
stagnant exhalations. Sha are bad vapours or inhibiting courses. 

Do Mirrors Repel "Secret Arrows?"

Not in my experience. Yet, thousands of people believe that mirrors have
such value, giving rise to the infamous "mirror wars" we always hear about. 

Can (and Should) A Grave Be "Sited?"

Any respect or care one shows to one's ancestors cannot be wrong. This
should be done for its own sake and not to confer wealth, fame or other
benefit to the living. 

Can (and Should) Sites Be "Improved?"

Within reasonable limitations, some improvement is possible. Common
sense can work wonders. There is some argument about whether or not ch'i
can be "attracted." It can, but the question is what kind? In general, you
cannot "put" ch'i in a place where ch'i is weak, but you can (occasionally)
diminish sha. 

Do Prayers and Sacrifices Play Any Role?

While it is certainly possible that prayer could change the course of rivers
and the lay of mountains I have not personally seen it done. It is, however, of
demonstrated benefit in changing men. Blood sacrifices are to be
condemned as barbaric and cash sacrifices usually benefit only one party. 

Can (and Should) Feng Shui Be Applied to Interiors?

Not in the classic sense. Feng Shui can open the mind and train the eye,
giving rise to a sense of balance, harmony and order. This can be reflected in
the placement of objects in interiors, or in a general awareness of space and
circulation. A beautiful, well-maintained fish tank pleases the eye and has
an interesting quality if you like that sort of thing. It is not a cure-all for
Feng Shui problems. Color and light are likewise important, but here we
begin to get away from the essence of what Feng Shui is and what Feng Shui
does. Again, the idea is to use common sense. 

What Is the Relationship Between Feng Shui and Astrology?

Later schools of Feng Shui incorporate astrological conventions and fate
calculation conventions into the basic concept of Feng Shui. To the extent
that both can be founded on five element theory there is a definite
relationship. But developed Feng Shui is much "larger" in the sense that it
can incorporate heaven, earth, man and fate into one cohesive whole. 

    re .3, thank you for entering that information/point of view.  I found
    it helpful and enlightening in my study of feng shui.