I have known professor Zhang for about eight years.I first met himwhen someone introduced me to his massage service.He told me he usedto be a Chinese classical literatures professor in Hangzhou Normal University.After he retired,he moved to San Jose to live with his daughter-sfamily.He told me chiropractic for him is a method to meet new friends,a way to make a living,and a window to know the world.His massageincludes both Chinese medicine and western chiropractic.
Because his massage has been effective so he has a fairly large groupof customers I have been one of them ;I go once a week for several yearsnow.During the one hour session,our conversation had topics rangefrom current national affairs to happenings in the community.Because Ihave been a local school district board member and also a CaliforniaSchool Boards Association director,our conversation often leads to topicsrelated to education eventually.professor Zhang has solid background inChinese education and thorough knowledge of current changes so he andI often exchange ideas on what we know and usually come to some ideasabout the best of education which combines the practices both countries.
He had put those ideas into practice in his own advices for hisgrandchildren-s choice of college. I had put some of those ideas in theCupertino School District where I am currently serving as president ofthe board of education and also in California School Boards Association,where I serve as a director for all Asian American students in California.
Professor Zhang and I both are advisors for American‐Chinese CulturalExchange Association.This association has the mission of promotingthe following activities between U. S. and China :arrange schoolvisits for students,teachers,principals,and scholars ;set up Chinese languageschools ;improve Chinese language learning and pedagogy ;establishsister cities relationship. Through discussions and practices for theassociation-s activities,the friendship between us has grown deeper.
Professor Zhang grew up in a difficult economical time and in a familynot had enough to eat ;so he was only able to finish his schools byhelp from his teachers and friends.He never forgets the people who hadhelped him,so he not only visits his teachers and friends when he getsopportunities but also has set up a scholarship for students who are inneeds.I know his heart is in helping even more students.
I had not studied Yi Ching before I met professor Zhang but throughactivities with China and Taiwan,and from discussions with professorZhang,I have learned some principles in Yi Ching.One of the issuesabout learning Yi Ching in America is the variation in different versionsof English translations.Professor Zhang has discussed with me in severaloccasions to determine proper interpretation for some of the jargons inYi Ching.
Professor Zhang spent several decades studying Yi Ching and evenmore years practiced principles in Yi Ching.This book is the crystallizationof wisdom from the ancient sages and the profound insights of professorZhang.I hope this book will benefit all its readers.
Ben Liao
President of Board Education
Cupertino Union School District
Director for Asian American Students
California School Boards Association