81 lines
2.7 KiB
Groff
81 lines
2.7 KiB
Groff
.\" @(#)ching.6 1.1 92/07/30 SMI; from UCB 4.2
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.TH CHING 6 "13 March 1984"
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.SH NAME
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ching \- the book of changes and other cookies
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.SH SYNOPSIS
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.B /usr/games/ching
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[ hexagram ]
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.SH DESCRIPTION
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.IX "ching command" "" "\fLching\fP \(em book of changes"
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The
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.I "I Ching"
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or
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.I "Book of Changes"
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is an ancient Chinese oracle that has been in use for centuries
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as a source of wisdom and advice.
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.PP
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The text of the
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.I oracle
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(as it is sometimes known) consists of sixty-four
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.I hexagrams,
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each symbolized by a particular arrangement of six straight (\-\-\-)
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and broken (\-\ \-) lines. These lines have values ranging
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from six through nine, with the even values indicating the broken lines.
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.PP
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Each hexagram consists of two major sections. The
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.B Judgement
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relates specifically to the matter at hand (E.g.,
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\*(lqIt furthers one to have somewhere to go.\*(rq) while the
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.B Image
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describes the general attributes of the hexagram and how they apply
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to one's own life (\*(lqThus the superior man makes himself strong
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and untiring.\*(rq).
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.PP
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When any of the lines has the value six or nine, it is a moving line;
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for any such line there is an appended judgement which becomes significant.
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Furthermore, the moving lines are inherently unstable and
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change into their opposites; a second hexagram
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(and thus an additional judgement) is formed.
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.PP
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Normally, one consults the oracle by fixing the desired question
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firmly in mind and then casting a set of changes (lines)
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using yarrow\-stalks or tossed coins. The resulting hexagram
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will be the answer to the question.
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.PP
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Using an algorithm suggested by S. C. Johnson, the UNIX
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.IR oracle " simply reads"
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a question from the standard input (up to an EOF)
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and hashes the individual characters in combination with the
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time of day, process id and any other magic numbers which happen to be lying
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around the system. The resulting value is used as the seed
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of a random number generator which drives a simulated coin\-toss divination.
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The answer is then piped through
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.BR nroff " for formatting"
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and will appear on the standard output.
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.PP
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For those who wish to remain steadfast in the old traditions,
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the oracle will also accept the results of a personal divination using,
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for example, coins. To do this, cast the change and then type the
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resulting line values as an argument.
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.PP
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The impatient modern may prefer to settle for Chinese cookies; try
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.IR fortune (6).
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.SH "SEE ALSO"
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It furthers one to see the great man.
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.SH DIAGNOSTICS
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The great prince issues commands,
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.br
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Founds states, vests families with fiefs.
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.br
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Inferior people should not be employed.
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.SH BUGS
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Waiting in the mud
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.br
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Brings about the arrival of the enemy.
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.PP
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If one is not extremely careful,
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.br
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Somebody may come up from behind and strike him.
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.br
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Misfortune.
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