变化
Change
事物存在的基本状态。“变”与“化”既可合而言之，也可以分别而论。在区别的意义上，“变”指显著的变化，“化”指隐微、逐渐的变化。一般认为，天地万物包括人与社会，都处于“变化”之中。只有不断“变化”，才能长久地存在和发展。“变化”的原因在于人和事物所具有的对立属性之间不断碰撞、交合。有人认为“变化”遵循着恒常的法则，是可以认识和把握的;但也有人主张“变化”是无常的，难以把握。而佛教则认为万物的“变化”都是虚假的，万物是寂静不迁的。
The term refers to the fundamental state of the existence of things. Bian (变) and hua (化) may be used as one word or separately. Specifically, bian means manifest change, while hua indicates subtle and gradual change. Ancient Chinese thinkers generally held that all things under heaven and on earth, including humans and society, are all in a state of change. Only through constant change can they permanently exist and develop. Change is caused by constant clash and integration between the conflicting properties with which people and things are endowed. Some scholars believed that change follows a constant law and can thus be understood and grasped, while others maintained that change is unpredictable and therefore difficult to grasp. Buddhism, on the other hand, holds that changes of things are only superficial, and that all things are still and motionless.
引例 CITATIONS
刚柔相推而生变化。 （《周易·系辞上》） （刚与柔之间相互推移而产生变化。）
The interaction between firmness and gentleness produces change. (The Book of Changes)
变言其著，化言其渐。 （张载《横渠易说·系辞上》） （“变”说的是事物显著的变化，“化”说的是事物隐微逐渐的变化。）
Bian refers to obvious changes of things, while hua suggests gradual changes of things. (Zhang Zai: Zhang Zai’s Explanation of The Book of Changes)
Change
事物存在的基本状态。“变”与“化”既可合而言之，也可以分别而论。在区别的意义上，“变”指显著的变化，“化”指隐微、逐渐的变化。一般认为，天地万物包括人与社会，都处于“变化”之中。只有不断“变化”，才能长久地存在和发展。“变化”的原因在于人和事物所具有的对立属性之间不断碰撞、交合。有人认为“变化”遵循着恒常的法则，是可以认识和把握的;但也有人主张“变化”是无常的，难以把握。而佛教则认为万物的“变化”都是虚假的，万物是寂静不迁的。
The term refers to the fundamental state of the existence of things. Bian (变) and hua (化) may be used as one word or separately. Specifically, bian means manifest change, while hua indicates subtle and gradual change. Ancient Chinese thinkers generally held that all things under heaven and on earth, including humans and society, are all in a state of change. Only through constant change can they permanently exist and develop. Change is caused by constant clash and integration between the conflicting properties with which people and things are endowed. Some scholars believed that change follows a constant law and can thus be understood and grasped, while others maintained that change is unpredictable and therefore difficult to grasp. Buddhism, on the other hand, holds that changes of things are only superficial, and that all things are still and motionless.
引例 CITATIONS
刚柔相推而生变化。 （《周易·系辞上》） （刚与柔之间相互推移而产生变化。）
The interaction between firmness and gentleness produces change. (The Book of Changes)
变言其著，化言其渐。 （张载《横渠易说·系辞上》） （“变”说的是事物显著的变化，“化”说的是事物隐微逐渐的变化。）
Bian refers to obvious changes of things, while hua suggests gradual changes of things. (Zhang Zai: Zhang Zai’s Explanation of The Book of Changes)