ExclusiveBlack Magic or Mastery? The Truth Behind The Lu Ban Book #LuBan #TheForbiddenBook

During the Ming Dynasty, a story recorded in Shishuzaji by Yang Mu told of the Han family, who worked as builders but suffered frequent accidents over 40 years. One day, while repairing an old wall, they discovered a hidden mourning cloth inscribed with a curse, placed under a brick. This curse stemmed from an old grudge between the Han family and a carpenter. The carpenter had devised this sinister method to exact revenge. A popular saying warns, you can offend anyone, but never offend a carpenter. In folklore, many similarly sensational legends persist even today. Why is that? This brings us to a forbidden book, known as the Luban Book. Hello everyone, I'm Sarah. Today, let's explore the Luban Book and the Luban Classic. Many people confuse the two, but they are actually quite different. The Luban Classic originates from the legendary craftsman Gongshu Ban, who lived during the spring and autumn period. Born in the state of Lu, and because the ancient characters for Ban, and Ban, were interchangeable, he became known as Luban. Legend has it that cranes gathered, and the air was filled with a mysterious fragrance at his birth, leading many to believe he was a celestial star reincarnated. As a child, Luban showed little interest in academics, preferring play over study, but he had a deep fascination with carving and crafting. At 15, he experienced a burst of intellectual insight and studied under Duanmu, a disciple of Xixia, a student of Confucius. Within months, he mastered these teachings. Like Confucius, he was troubled by the trend of feudal lords usurping royal authority. He traveled among the states advocating for the Zhou Dynasty's legitimate order, but was ultimately unsuccessful. Disheartened, he returned to his hometown and lived in seclusion near Mount Tai for 13 years. During this time, Luban encountered Bao, a renowned scholar. Their conversation deeply inspired him, and Luban became Bao's apprentice, dedicating himself to learning carving and painting. His ingenuity soon led to remarkable inventions. Ancient texts such as Records of Unusual Things, Origins of Objects, and Examination of Ancient History credit him with creating saws, planes, chisels, squares, compasses, chalk lines, grindstones, abacuses, and even military equipment like cloud ladders, siege towers, and various siege weapons. He also designed wooden kites, wooden horses, and wooden automatons. One of his most groundbreaking contributions was the mortise and tenon joint, a method of interlocking wood pieces without nails. This innovation laid the foundation for structural engineering and advanced Chinese architecture, from simple huts to elaborately decorated buildings. Beyond crafting tools, Luban imparted profound insights to his apprentices. He often said, Without a compass, circles form naturally, without a square, angles appear naturally. These reflect the universe's natural order. This idea mirrors Laozi's philosophy of the Tao, a universal principle that exists naturally. Luban believed tools were necessary only because humans had strayed from nature's harmony. His tools served as bridges to help humanity reclaim this lost alignment. At 40, Luban retreated to Mount Li, where he learned mystical secrets from a hermit. He then traveled extensively, sharing his knowledge. At the age of 70, it is said that he ascended to immortality in broad daylight, becoming a celestial being. Today, Luban is revered as the patron saint of craftsmen, his legacy immortalized through the tools, techniques, and philosophy he left behind. The Luban Classic is believed to have originated from Luban's oral teachings, organized by his disciples. It emphasizes that craftsmanship is not just about tools, but also about character and moral values. Key principles include. Moral integrity, be rounded on the outside and squared on the inside, approachable, yet principled. Discipline, treat others generously, but hold oneself to strict standards. Self-cultivation, align the heart and mind to achieve harmony with the Tao. According to entries in the Yongle Encyclopedia, the Luban Classic, mirror for craftsmen consists of three volumes. Construction methods, house-building techniques with diagrams and rhymes. Carpentry and craftsmanship, details for building furniture and daily-use items. Feng Shui principles, architectural feng shui, including 72 diagrams of auspicious and inauspicious layouts. These teachings produced countless master artisans throughout Chinese history. While the Luban Classic contains feng shui elements, it is primarily a practical guide, and far less mystical than the Luban Book. Then when did the Luban Classic evolve into the so-called compendium of black magic we know today? When people mention the Luban Book, its chilling opening line often comes to mind. If you wish to learn this craft, you must first cut off your lineage. Folklore suggests this curse originated from Luban's grief after a tragedy involving his wife. Luban was once summoned to the palace to build a grand hall. His wife, who was heavily pregnant at the time, could not accompany him. Missing her husband deeply, she decided to visit him using a wooden kite invented by Luban. Ancient texts, such as Mozi, Questions on Luban, describe how Luban crafted a wooden bird that could fly for three days without landing. This invention, remarkably, resembles modern aerospace technology. Luban's wife climbed aboard the wooden kite and recited a spell to make it soar. However, as she prepared to land, she suddenly went into labor. Her blood stained the kite, and due to the belief in breaking magic through blood, the spell was disrupted. The wooden kite crashed, tragically killing both her and the unborn child. Grief-stricken, Luban was determined to prevent such a disaster from happening again. He reportedly placed a curse in the Luban Book to make it impossible for others to master the secrets of the wooden kite without facing misfortune. This curse led people to believe that learning the techniques in the Luban Book would inevitably bring bad luck, tying the learner to one of the fates described as the Five Misfortunes and Three Lacks, being widowed, orphaned, lonely, destitute, or disabled, and lacking wealth, power, or life. The book is said to have two volumes. The first volume contains practical techniques for woodworking and construction. The second volume is filled with spells, charms, healing arts, and mystical rituals. The second volume's darker content, such as live human sacrifices and malevolent spells, earned its reputation as a manual of black magic. In ancient times, rulers considered the Luban Book dangerous and banned it. While the Classic of Luban contains some feng shui-related content, its focus remains on practical craftsmanship, without the mystical and ominous undertones found in the Book of Luban. This shift likely occurred due to later additions of esoteric elements, particularly during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This becomes clearer when examined through the lens of historical development. During the spring and autumn period, the Hundred Schools of Thought flourished, and various philosophies shaped societal norms. Among them, Qi State's Guan Zhong proposed the Four Classes of People theory, advocating that scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants should each focus on their specific roles. Artisans ranked third in this hierarchy, reflecting their valued position in society. As the Warring States period unfolded, the importance of artisans surged due to the incessant wars between states. To vie for dominance, rulers sought to strengthen their militaries, which heavily relied on the designs and craftsmanship of skilled workers. For instance, Gong Xuban, renowned for his ingenious inventions, became a noble in Xu State. Similarly, Mozi, with his expertise in mechanical devices, founded the Mahist School, blending technology with philosophy. Artisans gained prestige as indispensable contributors to state power, bolstered by the growing demand for innovative tools, weapons, and infrastructure. After Qin unified China, artisans played a critical role in monumental projects. From the intricate sculptures of the Terracotta Army to the grandeur of the Mausoleum of the First Emperor, their skills remained unmatched. However, as the Han Dynasty progressed, the influence of Moism faded, and the status of artisans began to decline. During the Sui and Tang periods, artisans became increasingly marginalized within society. Their contributions were less recognized, and their roles were reduced to servicing the needs of the elite. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, the plight of common artisans worsened. Most struggled to make a living, often falling victim to exploitation by wealthy landlords and corrupt officials. Against this backdrop of declining status and growing hardship, the Book of Lu Ban likely emerged as a response to these challenges. China's rich architectural culture owes much to legendary figures like Lu Ban, who taught harmony between craft and nature. However, as modern society focuses on practicality and distances itself from spiritual reverence, the miraculous aspects of Lu Ban's legacy seem to have faded. Thank you for watching. Don't forget to leave a comment, like, and share this video. See you next time.