What the meaning of Ji 机？

Ji (机): Shuowen Jiezi (《说文解字》) states: "That which controls emission is called ji." In addition, it also carries meanings such as "key", "opportunity", and "omen".

Taoism regards "ji" as the basis for the existence of heaven, earth, and all things, the cause of their changes, and human beings' understanding of the key to the existence and changes of heaven, earth, and all things.

Nan Hua Zhen Jing (《南华真经》) says: "All things emerge from ji and return to ji."

Huainanzi (《淮南子》) uses "ji" to refer to the opportunity for behavioral changes, stating: "Thus, when the supreme general employs troops, he obtains the way of heaven above, the advantages of terrain below, and the support of people in the middle. Then he acts at the right ji, launches with momentum, and thus never has his army destroyed or defeated."

Yin Fu Jing (《阴符经》) says: "The nature of heaven is humanity; the mind of humanity is ji. Establish the way of heaven to stabilize humanity." "When heaven releases sha ji (killing ji), stars shift and constellations change; when earth releases sha ji, dragons and snakes rise from the land; when humans release sha ji, heaven and earth turn upside down. When heaven and humans release [ji] together, all changes are 奠定基础 (laid as a foundation)." It also says: "As for its dao ji (stealing ji), none can see it, none can know it. The virtuous person who obtains it preserves their person; the petty person who obtains it risks their life."

Here, a series of important doctrinal concepts such as "ji", "dao ji", and "sha ji" are put forward.