鉴真

This year, Jianzhen entered the Xin-Hai Major Cycle. The annual pillar was Xin-Chou. The Water element in his natal chart was already extremely strong. The annual earthly branch Chou, together with the Hai and Zi from his natal chart and major cycle, formed a powerful Hai-Zi-Chou Water Union, pushing the energy of the unfavorable Water element to its peak. Strong Water governs wisdom, but also wandering and change, symbolizing a fundamental shift in his life path from the secular to the spiritual. The heavenly stem Xin Metal (Partial Seal) emerged, representing religion, metaphysics, profound thought, and study—a strong signal for monastic life. Simultaneously, the multiple unions between the annual pillar, natal chart, and major cycle created a powerful collective energy field, foretelling his entry into a serious, organized monastic community (temple). The appearance of the Star of Blessings and Nobility also hints that this major life choice was guided by hidden blessings, laying the foundation for his future as a Vinaya master.

This was the final year of the Xin-Hai Major Cycle (Partial Seal). The major cycle heavenly stem Xin Metal (Partial Seal) governs thought, religion, and spiritual pursuit. It combined with the annual heavenly stem Bing Fire (Proper Wealth). The Bing-Xin combination transforms into Water, turning the worldly Wealth star into the competitive Water element, symbolizing the transformation of worldly desires into firm conviction and fellowship on the spiritual path. The annual pillar Bing-Wu clashed fiercely with the month pillar Ren-Zi (Ren clashes with Bing, Zi clashes with Wu). This intense upheaval broke open the overly dominant Water pattern in his natal chart, marking a crucial turning point where old patterns were shattered and a new path opened. The annual heavenly stem Bing Fire is precisely the seasonal regulator needed for the harsh winter in his chart, like the sun melting ice, bringing light and direction, granting him a key breakthrough and confirmation in his spiritual quest.

This year fell within the Geng-Xu Proper Seal Major Cycle. The major cycle heavenly stem Geng Metal is the Proper Seal, representing systematic study, orthodox transmission, and noble teachers. The annual pillar Ji-You has the heavenly stem Ji Earth as the 7-Kill (pressure, challenges, strict precepts) and the earthly branch You Metal as Partial Seal, further intensifying the energy for study and research. Although the annual You Metal does not directly interact with the natal hour pillar Jia-Yin, it activated the inherent Star of Literary Arts and Heavenly Virtue Nobleman in his chart. Furthermore, the annual pillar itself carries the Star of Literary Arts and Heavenly Official Nobleman. The convergence of multiple noble stars meant he was highly likely to gain recognition and mentorship from eminent monks (like Dao'an and Hongjing) on his learning path. The pressure from the 7-Kill (Ji Earth) corresponded precisely to the rigorous full ordination ceremony requiring immense willpower and determination. The Proper Seal (Geng Metal) resolves the 7-Kill (Ji Earth), forming "Kill transformed by Seal", turning pressure into motivation and wisdom for seeking the Dharma, making this Chang'an journey a key node for his leap in Buddhist cultivation and comprehensive knowledge.

This year was within the Geng-Xu Proper Seal Major Cycle, with the annual pillar Yi-Mao. The major cycle heavenly stem Geng Metal (Proper Seal) combines with the annual heavenly stem Yi Wood (Resource Star), known as "Combining Office, retaining Seal", favoring the consolidation and enhancement of scholarship and reputation. The annual earthly branch Mao Wood forms a Hai-Mao-Wei Triple Wood Union with the natal year branch Hai and day branch Wei. Wood is the Resource Star, representing wisdom, expression, and propagation ability. This union greatly amplified his energy for teaching and spreading the Dharma. Simultaneously, the annual Mao combines with Xu to produce Fire, activating the major cycle earthly branch Xu Earth (Office Star). Fire is the Wealth star, Earth is the Office star, representing the stabilization of career foundation and social status. The annual auspicious stars Heavenly Virtue Nobleman, Star of Literary Arts, and Hall of Learning gathered together, marking an excellent period for noble support, wisdom display, and teaching, highly consistent with his rapid rise as a Buddhist leader upon returning to Yangzhou.

This year was within the Wu-Shen Major Cycle (Proper Office). The major cycle heavenly stem Wu Earth (Proper Office) combines with the day master Gui Water (Wu-Gui combination), a strong signal for career advancement and status elevation. The annual pillar Gui-You has the heavenly stem Gui Water activating this combination, and the earthly branch You Metal is the Seal, forming Office and Seal supporting each other, indicating gaining official recognition and fame. The annual auspicious stars Heavenly Official Nobleman and Star of Literary Arts converge, favorable for attaining authoritative status in cultural and religious fields. The major cycle earthly branch Shen forms a half-water union with the natal hour branch Zi, which, while intensifying the Water strength, is countered by the annual heavenly stem Gui Water combining with the major cycle Wu Earth Office star, transforming the strong competitive energy into pursuit and responsibility for his career, perfectly corresponding to the role of an abbot leading a region and teaching multitudes.

This year, Master Jianzhen was in the Ding-Wei Partial Wealth Major Cycle. The annual pillar Ren-Wu and the major cycle formed a double combination of Ding-Ren combining into Wood and Wei-Wu combining into Fire, strongly activating career fortune, an excellent time for pioneering great endeavors. However, his natal day master Gui Water is extremely strong, with Fire and Earth as favorable elements. The annual heavenly stem Ren Water (Competitive Spirit) emerged as an unfavorable element, signifying adversaries, losses, and unexpected setbacks. The major cycle earthly branch Wei Earth (7-Kill) combines with the annual Wu Fire (Partial Wealth), which, while enhancing ambition and drive (Fire and Earth are favorable), sees the annual earthly branch Wu Fire clashing with the month pillar Zi Water (Root of Status), creating a turbulent pattern of "Wealth damaging the Seal". This precisely corresponds to preparing for a major undertaking (Fire combination favorable) but suddenly encountering false accusations, legal trouble, and detention (Competitive Spirit unfavorable, clashing the root), leading to the failure of the first eastward voyage. The day pillar Gui-Wei inherently carries the Star of Lonely Talent, activated in the major cycle, also foretelling his religious mission and the fate of solitary, distant travel.

This year, Master Jianzhen was in the Ding-Wei Major Cycle, with the annual pillar Gui-Wei. The annual heavenly stem Gui Water is the unfavorable Competitive element, clashing with the major cycle heavenly stem Ding Fire (favorable Partial Wealth) in a Ding-Gui clash, representing "Competitive Spirit seizing Wealth", indicating plans impacted by external forces and resource dissipation, corresponding to the setbacks of danger at sea and damage to people and ships. The annual earthly branch Wei Earth and the natal month and hour branches Zi Water form Zi harming Wei, exacerbating the opposition and difficulty between the environment (Water) and the goal (Earth). Crucially, the annual Gui-Wei echoes the day pillar Gui-Wei, a phenomenon signifying sorrow, repetition, stagnation, and revisiting old matters. This is the astrological reflection of the eastward endeavor encountering major obstacles and having to retreat to square one. Both the major cycle and annual pillar show the Star of Lonely Talent, which, while indicating talent refinement and spiritual pursuit, also brings a sense of isolation and hardship in action.

The annual pillar was Jia-Shen, the major cycle Ding-Wei. The major cycle heavenly stem Ding Fire (Partial Wealth) clashes with the day master Gui Water, forming a Gui-Ding clash. Clash signifies movement, indicating career plans facing sudden changes and impacts. The major cycle earthly branch Wei Earth (7-Kill) and the month pillar Zi Water (Root of Status) form Zi harming Wei, representing internal team or collaborators (month pillar for peers, companions) suffering harm and restraint from authorities (7-Kill). The annual earthly branch Shen Metal and the year pillar Hai Water form Hai harming Shen, which is Harming the Year's Ruler, signifying sabotage, broken cooperation. The major cycle encounters the Star of Lonely Talent, which, while good for spiritual focus, also makes actions prone to obstruction. Multiple unfavorable combinations led to the eastward endeavor being ruined due to "adversarial" reporting.

This year Jia-Shen, the annual earthly branch Shen Metal is the Seal, originally favorable, but forms complex relationships with the major cycle and natal chart. Major cycle Ding-Wei, heavenly stem Ding Fire (Partial Wealth) clashes with the day master Gui Water, forming "Ding-Gui clash", representing conflict between career goals (Ding Fire as Wealth, also the eastward wish) and personal action (Gui Water), leading to frequent reversals and impacts. The annual Shen Metal half-combines with the month and hour pillars' Zi Water into a water union, further intensifying the already strong Water in the chart, gathering unfavorable element energy, symbolizing that support from those around him (disciples, Water as Competitive element) turned into actual resistance (Zi harming Wei) due to excessive concern. Simultaneously, the annual "Harming the Year's Ruler" indicates susceptibility to covert obstruction and broken cooperation, precisely matching the disciple's petition for official interception. The major cycle encounters "Star of Lonely Talent", indicating inner solitude and perseverance; despite setbacks, his conviction remained unshaken.

The annual pillar Ji-Chou clashes with the day pillar Gui-Wei in a heavenly stem clash and earthly branch clash, and also Wei and Chou punish each other, marking a major turning point in fate. The day pillar represents self and health. The Gui Water day master is fiercely attacked by strong Earth (7-Kill). Earth overcomes Water, directly damaging the day master's foundation, corresponding to severe physical trauma. The annual earthly branch Chou harms the major cycle earthly branch Wu. Wu is Fire, a favorable element in the chart representing light and energy. Wu Fire is obscured and harmed by Chou Earth, damaging the Fire energy. Fire governs the eyes, hence the manifestation of blindness. Simultaneously, the annual pillar forms a Hai-Zi-Chou Triple Northern Water Union with the year, month, and hour pillars. Water is the most unfavorable Competitive element in the chart. The unfavorable element's energy gathers to its peak, exacerbating the situation of strong Water overwhelming Earth and Fire energy being overcome, leading to rapid health deterioration. Although the major cycle Bing-Wu is favorable, the annual negative force was too strong to rescue, forming a major life calamity.

This year, Master Jianzhen was in the Bing-Wu Proper Wealth Major Cycle. This cycle clashes with the month pillar Ren-Zi, forming a "Major Cycle clashing with the Month Pillar", shaking the foundation of life, indicating relocation far from home and major career changes. This is the astrological background for his repeated eastward voyages and unwavering determination. The annual pillar Gui-Si, with its earthly branch Si, together with the major cycle Wu and day branch Wei, forms a Si-Wu-Wei Triple Southern Fire Union. Fire is his seasonal regulator and favorable Wealth star, representing that his career goal (Dharma propagation) gained powerful convergence of timing, geography, and human harmony. The annual pillar clashes with the Year Ruler (year pillar Ding-Hai) and carries the Star of Travel, indicating drastic change and long-distance travel. Although the emergence of the Competitive element (Gui Water) brought companions and hardships, auspicious stars like the Heavenly Virtue Nobleman shone brightly, enabling him to overcome all difficulties and fulfill his mission.

This year was within the Bing-Wu Major Cycle (747-756). The major cycle heavenly stem Bing Fire (Proper Wealth) is the chart's seasonal regulator, and the earthly branch Wu Fire is a favorable element, marking a decade of breaking through limitations and welcoming opportunities. The annual pillar Gui-Si, together with the day pillar Gui-Wei and major cycle Bing-Wu, forms a "Wei-Wu-Si Triple Southern Fire Union". Fire is the Wealth star and also favorable, representing clear goals, collective effort, and prevailing trends. The annual earthly branch Si Fire is the Star of Travel, governing long journeys, movement, and change, precisely corresponding to the sea-crossing voyage. Simultaneously, the major cycle and month pillar Ren-Zi form a "Zi-Wu double clash" (clashing with the Month Pillar), shaking the foundation. This "clash" instead激发了 the energy of "prospering through clash", transforming immense pressure into historic achievement. The annual auspicious stars include the Heavenly Virtue Nobleman and Heavenly Virtue Nobleman,预示 that amidst hardships and dangers, he ultimately received invisible protection, turning danger into safety.

This was the final year of the Bing-Wu Major Cycle. The major cycle Bing Fire (Proper Wealth) is the most important seasonal regulator in the chart, capable of dispelling the cold of winter water, bringing light and status. The annual pillar Bing-Shen sees the Bing Fire regulator appear again, forming an auspicious pattern of "double emergence of the regulator" with the chart, representing the peak of his career and fame. Although the major cycle forms heavenly stem clashes and earthly branch clashes with the month and hour pillars, the pattern presents a special combination of "Upright Qi without Punishment", meaning that immense upheaval and pressure could instead transform into extraordinary achievement, precisely验证 his experience of gaining the highest official recognition after crossing vast oceans and enduring hardships. The annual earthly branch Shen Metal is the Proper Seal and carries the State Seal Nobleman, representing formal appointment and authority granted by the officialdom. Career fortune was extremely strong this year, marking the peak moment of his life's work.

This year was within the Yi-Si Resource Star Major Cycle. The major cycle heavenly stem Yi Wood (Resource Star) emerges, representing skill, wisdom, and pioneering propagation work, highly consistent with Jianzhen's identity as a Vinaya master and cultural transmitter. The annual pillar Ji-Hai clashes with the major cycle Yi-Si in a heavenly stem clash and earthly branch clash, a strong signal for major life changes. The major cycle earthly branch Si Fire is the strong position of the seasonal regulator Bing Fire, representing light, culture, and influence. Although clashed by the annual Hai Water, "clash" also implies "movement" and "initiation",恰恰激发了 the energy for transformation and establishing new foundations. The annual earthly branch Hai Water, though an unfavorable element, has its intrinsic Qi Ren Water which is also a seasonal regulator. Moreover, the Jia Wood (Hurt Officer) within Hai resonates with the natal hour pillar Jia-Yin. The Hurt Officer represents skill and the spread of reputation. Simultaneously, the annual auspicious stars include the Heavenly Virtue Nobleman and Star of Blessings, indicating assistance from noble people, turning danger into safety. Overall, this year contained great opportunity within turmoil. The power of the major cycle's Resource Star and seasonal regulator, under intense "clashing" motion, ultimately led to the founding of the immortal legacy of Toshodai-ji, allowing his wisdom and Dharma lineage to take root in Japan and become the highest institution of learning.

This year, the master was in the latter part of the Yi-Si Major Cycle. The major cycle earthly branch Si Fire clashes with the year pillar Hai Water, which is Star of Travel encountering clash, governing distant travel, change, and conclusion. The annual pillar Gui-Mao has the heavenly stem Gui Water as Competitive Spirit, intensifying the already extremely strong Water in the chart, a sign of rampant unfavorable element. The annual earthly branch Mao Wood forms a Triple Wood Union (Resource Star) with the year pillar Hai Water and day pillar Wei Earth. Wood governs culture, transmission, and spirit. This union gathered and sublimated the wisdom and merits of the master's entire life. However, the annual Mao Wood also forms Zi punishing Mao with the month and hour pillars' Zi Water, punishing the foundation and the children's palace (disciples, juniors), meaning the physical foundation suffers punishment and injury, while relationships with close ones also face profound change and test. The convergence of multiple Nobleman stars (Heavenly Virtue, Grand Ultimate, Literary Arts) symbolizes his spiritual realm transcending the ordinary, achieving perfection in wisdom and virtue, ultimately attaining great liberation.