The Rice Grain Method (and Other Observational Techniques)

Beyond the more structured methods of deriving hexagrams from specific external events, numerical calculations, horary data, or direct channeling, the Plum Blossom (Mei Hua Yi) school also encompasses a variety of other techniques that rely on observation and counting. One such method specifically mentioned in the foundational information is the Rice Grain Method. These approaches share the common Plum Blossom theme of finding I Ching wisdom in the patterns of the immediate environment or through simple, focused actions.

The Rice Grain Method

The Rice Grain Method is a tangible, tactile approach that uses a common substance – rice grains – as the basis for numerical calculation to derive a hexagram. While specific detailed instructions can vary by tradition or teacher, the general principle involves:

Preparation and Intention

• As with other divination methods, the diviner would typically begin by calming their mind, focusing on their question, and perhaps creating a sacred or focused space.
• A quantity of rice grains (or other small, uniform countable items like beans or beads) is prepared.

The Scooping or Grabbing Action

• The diviner, while holding their question in mind, scoops or grabs a portion of the rice grains. This action is often done intuitively, without consciously trying to take a specific amount.
• Some traditions might involve dividing an initial pile and then taking from one section.

Counting and Calculation

• The selected grains are then carefully counted.
• This count (or numbers derived from it through division or other operations) is then used to determine the trigrams and potentially the changing lines of a hexagram. The mathematical procedures would likely be similar to those used in other Plum Blossom numerical methods:
  • For Trigrams: The total count (or parts of it) might be divided by 8, with the remainder indicating the upper and lower trigrams (using the Early Heaven Ba Gua sequence). For instance, one might perform two scoops, one count for the upper trigram and another for the lower. Or, a single count might be divided into segments or manipulated to yield two numbers for the trigrams.
  • For Changing Lines: A sum derived from the grain counts (or the total count itself) would be divided by 6, with the remainder indicating the changing line.

Example of a Possible Rice Grain Method Flow (Conceptual)

1. Focus on your question.
2. Intuitively scoop a small pile of rice grains.
3. Divide this small pile into two sub-piles (A and B) without counting.
4. Count the grains in sub-pile A. Let this be Count_A.
5. Count the grains in sub-pile B. Let this be Count_B.
6. Upper Trigram: Count_A ÷ 8. Remainder gives the upper trigram.
7. Lower Trigram: Count_B ÷ 8. Remainder gives the lower trigram.
8. Changing Line: (Count_A + Count_B) ÷ 6. Remainder gives the changing line.

(This is a speculative example to illustrate the principle, as precise traditional instructions for one single Rice Grain Method can vary.)

Other Observational or Count-Based Techniques

The spirit of the Plum Blossom method encourages finding divinatory input from a wide array of sources. The Rice Grain Method is just one example of using countable items. Other possibilities that align with Mei Hua Yi principles could include:

• Counting Sounds: The number of times a bird chirps, a bell chimes, or a knock is heard within a specific timeframe.
• Observing Arrangements: The number of books on a shelf, items on a table, or people in a room at the moment a question arises.
• Random Page Numbers/Words: Opening a book at random and using the page number, or counting a certain number of words from a starting point.
• Date/Time Elements as Raw Numbers: Using digits from the current date or time directly as inputs for the numerical calculation method (as described in Article 6), rather than performing full calendrical conversions for the horary method.

The Underlying Principle: Meaning in Mundanity

What all these observational and count-based techniques share is the Plum Blossom philosophy that the patterns of the Tao and the answers to our inquiries are not hidden away in some esoteric realm, but are present and accessible in the fabric of everyday life. The key is the diviner's focused attention, their "Plum Flowering Mind," which can perceive the significance in seemingly ordinary details and use simple, tangible actions or observations as a gateway to the I Ching's wisdom.

These methods offer a flexible and often spontaneous way to engage with the oracle, proving that profound insights can arise from the simplest of means when approached with intention and an understanding of the underlying numerical and symbolic language of Mei Hua Yi.