Feng Shui from the Perspective of Black Sect Tantric Buddhism

Feng Shui

Grandmaster Professor Thomas Lin Yun, current spiritual leader of Black Sect Tantric Buddhism, defines Feng Shui as a way "to use the knowledge of many different fields to choose, construct, and create the living and working environments which are the most suitable for the individual. This is the art and science of Feng Shui." The Chinese art of placement creates harmony between inhabitants and their environments by situating rooms, furniture, landscape features, colors, etc., to benefit the inhabitants’ luck, well being, relationships, and success.

There are many different approaches to Feng Shui, including Compass school, Form school, and the following various Eclectical schools: Three Harmonies, San-Yuan, Nine Stars, Yin Yang, Cantonese, Taoist, and Buddhist. Black Sect Feng Shui is a Buddhist school which has assimilated many different cultural practices and philosophies over thousands of years, evolving into an art both practical and useful in this time and place.

Often asked about the meaning of the name Black Sect, Professor Lin answers, "Just like the color black absorbs all other colors and becomes blacker, the Black Sect absorbs all the knowledge it encounters, keeps what works, and becomes wiser and more effective."

Black Sect Tantric Buddhism

Black Sect Tantric Buddhist influences are categorized into four stages. The first stage is the indigenous Bon tradition of Tibet–the roots of Black Sect. In the second stage when Buddhism from India spread into Tibet, the Black Sect retained Bon practices unlike the other four major Tantric Buddhist lineages which developed at this time. In the third stage Black Sect became heavily influenced by the philosophies and culture of China as it traveled eastward.

Black Sect Tantric Buddhism is now in its fourth stage, having been successfully introduced to the West by Professor Lin Yun. For the last three decades contemporary western knowledge has been incorporated into Black Sect practice, including physiology, psychology, architecture, urban planning, ecology, bau-biologie, color theory, and medicine. Professor Lin stresses that Feng Shui theories must adapt to changes in location and condition. And although Black Sect Feng Shui incorporates the essence of the spirituality of Buddhism, one does not need to become a Buddhist to practice this form of Feng Shui. Professor Lin’s adaptations attribute to the sudden impact this once obscure branch of Feng Shui has made on an international level. In fact, Professor Lin has taught quite a large number of Feng Shui practitioners in America.

A Brief Comparison of Black Sect and Traditional Feng Shui

Black Sect shares the same basic philosophies as the Compass School, which is often referred to as "traditional Feng Shui." For instance, they are both practiced with the same goal in mind–that of harmonizing one’s relationship with the universe. They share fundamental concepts such as the Later Heaven Ba-Gua, used to locate Feng Shui strengths and weaknesses, and the I-Ching and Five Element Theory which describe characteristics and the dynamics of change.

The main difference in Black Sect practice is alignment of the Ba-Gua according to the relative direction of the main entry or mouth of ch’i, which is ever-changing depending on each situation. The Compass School orients the Ba-Gua according to absolute direction, on a fixed axis with Fire to the south and Water to the north. Compass orientation is based on geographical considerations in the northern regions of China where this style of Feng Shui developed. For instance it was considered auspicious to face south or west because the winds were mild and the sun was warm.

Though not the traditional approach, there are various historical references of placing the Ba-Gua using relative direction. The Mei Hua Sin I (Plum Flower Mind I Ching), dating back more than one thousand years, is a divination method which involves placing the Ba-Gua with Fire in front and Water in back of one’s person–correlating with Black Sect placement.

Aside from Black Sect’s philosophy of adapting its practices to suit local conditions and cultures, its emphasis on invisible factors also distinguishes it from traditional approaches.

For instance, meditation, ceremony, and cultivation of the Sixth Sense are incorporated to enhance the accuracy of a Feng Shui diagnosis. Transcendental solutions are also unique to Black Sect, making it possible to remedy unfortunate placement without necessarily having to carry out extensive remodeling or moving of furniture. Professor Lin teaches that beyond the mundane installation of Feng Shui adjustments, one’s personal intent is a powerful ingredient which reinforces their power and effectiveness.

For more information, visit www.yunlintemple.org.