王弼

Wang Bi is a figure of far-reaching influence in the tradition of commentaries on the Zhouyi (Book of Changes). Public information about his life and native place is limited, and existing records provide no definite dates of birth or death. The library holds three of his works, which together reflect his core contribution to Yi studies, with the Zhouyi Commentaries and the Brief Examples of the Zhouyi as representative titles. The Zhouyi Commentaries explains the hexagram and line statements and the meaning of the classic text layer by layer, in concise language with strong philosophical reasoning, and it establishes a distinctive style of commentary. The Brief Examples of the Zhouyi discusses, at the methodological level, ways of understanding the Changes; it is short in length yet clear in organization. These works commonly fall under social culture, historical reading, and culture categories, and are notable for their intellectual content and textual interpretation; they suit readers interested in classical Chinese philosophy and the evolution of Yi studies. Because historical sources are insufficient, details of Wang Bi's life still await further public material, yet on the strength of these works alone he has left a clear and lasting influence on the history of Zhouyi commentary.