This study is focused on the analysis of Jeong Yag-yong (1764-1836)’s cognizance of ‘Bu(卜)’ and ‘Shi(筮)’ recorded in the 『Yeokhakseoeon(易學緖言)』·「Bushitongyi(卜筮通義)」. 「Bushitongyi」 is a theory of yixue-criticism composed of eight topics. The contents of the 「Bushitongyi」are discussed focusing 『Yili(儀禮)』, 『Liji(禮記)』 and related references are comprising 『Chunqiuzuozhuan(春秋左傳)』, 『Zhouli(周禮)』, 『Guoyu(國語)』, 『Erya(爾雅)』, 『Shijing(詩經)』, 『Shujing(書經)』 and 『Zhouyibenyi(周易本義)』 were also studied.
Jeong Yag-yong discussed the ceremonial procedures and regulations of Divination by a turtle and Divination by a shicao(蓍草) documented in 『Yili』·「Guanli((冠禮))」 and 「Sangli(喪禮)」. Moreover, Jeong Yag-yong also discussed the significance of ‘Bushi’ in three volumes entitled 「Biaoji(表記)」 of 『Liji』, 「Quli(曲禮)」 and 「Shaoyi(少儀)」. Furthermore, Jeong Yag-yong analyzed the cases of Divination by a turtle and Divination by a shicao in the history of China mentioned in 「lingshici(令蓍辭)」 and 「buzhaoyao(卜兆繇)」. Hereby, he has also been studied the comprehensive meaning of ‘Bushi’ According to Jeong Yag-yong, the meaning of ‘Bushi’ is related to the questions of Fairness, governance and future prediction and judgement on values. Firstly, the ‘Bushi’ is a ritual ceremony to attend the heaven’s order. Secondly, the ‘Bushi’ signifies the King’s administration considering the allotted span in the presence of subjects. Thirdly, the ‘Bushi’ does not ask twice and it only acts in accordance with the righteousness.
The viewpoints of Jeong Yag-yong about the ‘Bushi’ are as follows: - Firstly, acting on the Divination by a turtle and Divination by a shicaoto to combat the problems arising due to not serving the God of heaven is an action of unhallowing the God of heaven. Secondly, the ‘Bushi’ influenced by the inappropriate trick is worthless. Thirdly, righteousness is the measure to reckon the law of nature. If the above conditions are not congregated, the ‘Bushi’ must be abolished. Fourthly, the meaning of ‘Bushi’ recorded in 『wangzhi』 is correct analysis.
There are 450 types of yici(易詞) in 『Zhouyi』. However, Jeong Yag-yong’s foretelling phrases of the three style omen(三兆: 玉兆, 瓦兆, 原兆) are three times greater. Jeong Yag-yong made an assumption of that books of buzhao(卜兆) disappeared between the Qin and Han dynasty.
『Zhouyi』is primarily a book of ‘Bushi(卜筮). Jeong Yag-yong recognized the overall significance of 『Zhouyi』 In 「Bushitongyi」 and explained the archetypal basis of the ‘bu’ and ‘shi’ through the comprehensive analysis of ceremonial procedures and regulations with historical references.