关键词: 蔡发, 蔡元定, 《发微论》, 堪舆术

Abstract:

Faweilun is a classic book on Geomancy recognized by the traditional geomantic circles. Most of the ancients believed that this book was different from charlatanism. Instead, the book could help people in setting their minds in line with conventional virtues, transforming customs, inheriting the ancient saints’ teachings and understanding and taking the proper way, thus it is seen as the representative work of revealing the truth through simple techniques. However, the author of book still remains a mystery, abut whom people usually have three speculations: the first is CAI Fa; the second is CAI Fa’s son CAI Yuanding; and the third is both the father and the son. Based on the analysis of relevant records, I discovered that CAI Fa was believed the author of the book before the mid-Ming Dynasty, but after the publication of the book DiLi DaQuan (“Geographic Encyclopedia”) written by LI Guomu in the late Ming Dynasty, the rumor that Cai Yuanding was the author became popular in the world. I’m in favor of the idea that the author of the book is CAI Fa. As for the date of writing the book Faweilun, if the book was written by CAI Fa, it would be completed before the year 1152; and if it was written by CAI Yuanding or co-authored by both the father and the son, it would be completed before the year 1166.

Key words: CAI Fa, CAI Yuanding, Faweilun, Geomancy