Introduction

Introduction

Feng Shui(geographical, psychological, philosophical, mathematical, aesthetic and astrological concepts in relation to space and energy flow) is one of the most useful studies in our lives but not familiar to human being. From the past, Feng Shui has been developed with most closely related to Korean culture. Nevertheless, only few know what it is exactly. This is because people acknowledge it is useful in every aspects of our lives, but do not delve into the subject to find its scientific grounds due to the social prejudice which they regard it as a form of superstition.

Since it has a long history, Feng Shui is rather considered as the oriental study than korean study. In addition, it is generally believed that the study originated in China. As described in Cheong-O-Kyoung & Keum-Nam-Kyung(the books designed for the study of Feng Shui), Feng Shui is developed in China and later delivered to Korea. Even though there is not a record in history which clearly describes its origin, some argue that Feng Shui is the product of Dong-EE tribe, in the northern part away from Chinese continent and Korean peninsular in the past. However, every perspective regarding Feng Shui, whatsoever, it has a considerably long history along with the theory of Eum and Yang & the Five Elements.

By seeking to achieve harmony of Ki(life energy of the Universe) between human and nature, Feng Shui represents the principal and method to be attuned with the flow of Ki in human lives and fortune. Fundamental to Feng Shui is the idea that Eum and Yang & five elements underlie all matter and creature in the universe. They are complementary and need each other to exist and flourish. The constantly changing interactions among them give rise to the infinite variety of patterns in life. Thus, the purpose of Feng Shui is to achieve harmony so as to live together to exist and flourish by studying the flow of life energy between human and nature.

According to Feng Shui, spaces can be divided into Eum-Taek and Yang-Taek in Chinese word. Eum-Taek refers to the grave of ancestor and Yang-Taek refers to the house for the living people. It is very crucial to build house for the living people in accordance with the flow of Ki in nature. It is also important to determine the right place for gravesite for ancestors because it is considered as not only filial piety to ancestors but also the Feng Shui of the cemeteries affect their living descendants in many aspects of lives.

I, as the author of this book, believe that Feng Shui is applied not only to Korea. Since the ups and downs or fortune and misfortune in life can be discovered by examining the interactions between human and nature in accordance with the theory of Feng Shui, Feng Shui may be applied to the East and the West as well as Korea. I believe that the reliability and its scientific characteristics of Feng Shui can be verified when its practicability is accepted worldwide by applying it to all the world including the East and the West.

In this perspective, I made explorations into the graves of celebrity's ancestors worldwide and put them in pictures. Furthermore, I analyze them in the perspective of Feng Shui. This is just the beginning. When you seek to occupy a place, you should look into Yong-Hyul-Sa-Su〔Dragon’s spot(a spot where influences to one's fortune converge) and mountain & water around the spot〕and analyze its direction, energy flow emitted from the direction and inauspicious spot to determine in synthetical judgement. I hope that Feng Shui become applicable to all the world through this book. Furthermore, I would like to inform that Feng Shui is not merely a form of superstition but practically useful applicable science and that it can be extended to the study for the harmony between human and nature. The pictures of the graves of the celebrity’s ancestors in the world herein can be references for younger researchers when they attempt to apply Feng Shui to worldwide. By representing these examples, I hope that studying Feng Shui is activated applicable to every area of the world as well as to Korea so as to make systematic theory of Feng Shui.

After I have made explorations into a number of graves of celebrity’s parents, grand parents, great grand parents and great-great grand parents of four generation for a long time, I confirmed that noble families, in most of time, bury their great grand parents and great-great grand parents in auspicious sites for grave. It is obvious that those family who bury their ancestors in auspicious sites for grave by considering the future will have good children and happy life. I hope that such conclusion of mine be a good lesson for many researchers.

I would lkie to appreciate to a doctor of literature Do-am You Poong Yeon and a professor Ha-san Lee Jong Bok who gave me advice for editing my manuscript helping me out for publishing ‘The Burial Custom in the World’. I do not know how to express my thanks.

2008. 8.

Master Yi-yeon Young-tae Jang