Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui
By
Vishnu Bhaskar 

Q.1. There is so much confusion about Vasthu from India and Feng Shui from China. Which one should one follow or how can an individual incorporate the goodness of both the sciences to enjoy benefits?

Ans 1. Let me tell you basic definitions: 

Vastu Shastra is the science of architecture of buildings – residential, commercial & temples, making most effective use of Panch Mahabhoot (Five Elements) – Earth, Water, Air, Fire & Aakash (the Sky or Ether) and three Gunas (Three Qualities - Sattwa, Rajasa & Tamasa) so that the basic objectives of life –Dharma, Artha, Kaama & Moksha are achieved by an individual. Achievement of these objectives is not only linked with the architecture of the building but also with the planetary disposition in the horoscopes (prepared on Niryana Zodiac) of the native at the time of birth, at the start of construction and other building activities and the entrance of the new house. Balanced fulfillment of these objectives brings the following:

Ø     Good health.
Ø     Mental peace & happiness.
Ø     Name, fame, status & financial prosperity.
Ø     Good family & happy family life with good marital and conjugal relations.
Ø     Good progeny & happiness from them.
Ø     Spirituality & compassion for others 

Feng Shui literally translates to “wind water,” the two natural elements that direct qi to a settlement, dwelling, or burial site. Figuratively, the term represents the art and science of living in harmony with your environment. Qi (also spelled ch’i) is the life force underlying everyone and everything. It is a field of information connecting us with each other and with our environment. The goal of feng shui is to balance qi in your living and/or working space to promote the likelihood of better health, wealth, and relationships. The concept of qi is not unique to the Chinese. It’s also known to other cultures:

Ø       Ki to the Japanese

Ø       Prana to the Hindus

Ø       Pneuma to the Greeks  

Ø       Ankh to the Egyptians

Ø       Ruah to the Hebrews

Ø       Tane to the Hawaiians

Ø       Arunquiltha to the Australian Aborigine

Thus the both have same objectives and similar philosophy. Both are equally powerful if applied properly. Feng Shui will require continuous change in the house during lifetime of a person, whereas Vastu shastra provide long lasting solution to the house architecture.

Both developed in different social, physical environments of the two countries there are bound to some differences. I have found both are complementary to each other. The principles of Vastu Shastra can be used most effectively where it is difficult to apply Feng Shui. Similarly Feng Shui will come to help those where Vastu Shastra difficult to apply. Let us not magnify differences or the good of one to propagate the other.

The apparent contradiction is given hype is media by the Faux schools of Feng Shui (made easy cure for all the Karma) as explained below.

Q.2. Although Vasthu is older than feng shui, people in India prefer Feng Shui over Vasthu because it has simple solutions using tool and gadgets. What are your comments.

Ans 2.  Feng Shui is equally old rooted in Yijing (I Ching) - one the oldest philosophies in the world.  “Traditional” or “classical” feng shui, is an ancient practice first developed some 6,000 years ago by the Neolithic Chinese. The early findings blossomed into a sophisticated, well-honed tradition by the Tang dynasty (618–907 C.E.). Essentially, classical feng shui is a system based on keen observation of heavenly (time) and earthly (interior and exterior space) forces and how the qi of each interact. It is a practice of balancing these forces. With balance comes the likelihood of better health, wealth, and relationships.

In modern day many erroneous things are propagated in the name of Feng Shui and in the age of media & publicity they get fancy of common man. Theses are by the Faux schools of Feng Shui which is of recent origin.  They are often linked with Life Aspirations or Black Sect (also known as Black Hat Sect Tantric Buddhist feng shui) theory. Developed during the 1970s and 1980s respectively, these commercialized schools are referred to as “modern” or “Western” schools of feng shui.

1         They divide a home into eight “life aspirations” or eight “life stations” of career, knowledge, family, wealth, fame, marriage, children, and helpful people.

2         The eight life stations are correlated with a direction. The northern stations always correspond to the wall containing the main entrance even if the door does not face a northerly direction.

3        Whether the doorway is on the left, center, or right side of the wall (if you face the dwelling) will determine if you enter the knowledge, career, or helpful people sectors respectively.

4         They match each of the five phases of qi (fire, earth, metal, water, and wood) with its affiliated direction. Stated another way, fire “activates” the southern fame aspiration/station; earth activates the northeastern knowledge and southwestern marriage sectors; metal activates the western children and northwestern helpful people sectors; water activates the northern career sector; and wood activates the eastern family and southeastern wealth sectors.

5         They also use “cures” such as mirrors, crystals, bamboo flutes, red ribbons, and statues or sculptures of fu dogs, frogs, and cats, among other things, to “activate” the eight life aspirations/stations. Statements like “A mirror will help to ward off evil spirits,” “A fish tank placed in the north will bring prosperity,” or “Hanging bells inside your door will ring in joy and happiness” are commonplace among these schools.

6         It’s a pity these inaccuracies have clouded the nature of feng shui. In fact, these widespread assumptions have made the practice seem like a fad reserved for the gullible and eccentric. Media and corporate world joins hand for obvious reasons.

Special Features of Classical Feng Shui: Here are a few distinguishing factors about classical feng shui:

1         The principle tool of the practitioner is a compass. While a Chinese luopan compass contains many concentric rings of information.

2         The magnetic (space) sitting or backside of the dwelling (as opposed to the location of the front door) and the year (time) the building was built are used to draw up an intricate numeric qi map of your dwelling (see the following figure). This technique is called Flying Star, the most sophisticated method of feng shui.

3         There are 216 types of houses. In other words, a pre-fabricated, one-size fits-all qi map composed of eight life aspirations/stations does not exist in classical feng shui. Like a snowflake or a fingerprint, each home is unique and individual.

4         The year the occupant(s) was born is an important factor in determining his or her innate compatibility with the house.

5         Only the five phases of qi (fire, earth, metal, water, and wood) are used to transform the home’s qi into a productive cycle, fostering the probability of increased

Ø       prosperity,

Ø       better health, and

Ø       beneficial relationships.

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