“In the realm of Dao, the interplay of Yin and Yang manifests. The follower attains goodness from it, while completion and manifestation arise from human nature.”
—Zhou Yi, Explanation of the Appended Statements
The Zhou Yi, one of the Five Classics of ancient Chinese culture, contains rich philosophical content and dialectical thinking. Mao Zedong had been familiar with it since his youth and continued to love it into his later years.
In 1918, during his time in Beijing, Mao Zedong had the opportunity to encounter new ideological trends. Yet, his discussions with Cai Hesen still revolved around the “Dao” (law) of the Zhou Yi. This was because the philosophical ideas of renowned scholars Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao had a certain influence on the young Mao Zedong.
Kang Youwei, based on the “meaning of changes” in the Zhou Yi, emphasized that “change is about adapting to changing times” and “being exhausted leads to change, change leads to passage.” Liang Qichao developed Kang Youwei’s philosophy of “change,” enthusiastically extolling innovation and opposing stagnation. This had an enlightening effect on the young Mao Zedong. At the close of 1963, Professor Gao Heng from Shandong University attended a conference convened by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and was received by Chairman Mao Zedong. The Chairman remarked that he had perused Professor Gao’s works on the “Book of Changes” and commended his accomplishments. Upon returning to Jinan, Professor Gao sent his work, “Annotations on the Ancient and Modern ‘Book of Changes,'” to Zhou Yang for presentation to Chairman Mao. Before long, he received a reply: “Professor Gao Heng, I have received your books, your words, and two letters, for which I am deeply grateful. I greatly enjoy your literary works. Respectfully, Mao Zedong, March 18, 1964.”
