Jin Guo Pu, written by Li Dingxin,
Burial is about concealing and harnessing the vital energy. The energy of yin and yang sighs to become wind, rises to become clouds, descends to become rain, and moves within the earth, which we call "vital energy."
The vital energy flows in the earth and emerges to give life to all things. A person receives their body from their parents; if the bones receive the energy, then the living descendants are blessed.
For the living, it is the gathering of energy. When condensed, it forms bones, which remain after death. Therefore, burial returns the energy to the bones, thereby blessing the living. As the classic says: when the energy is abundant and responsive, the blessings of the spirit reach the living.
Thus, when the copper mountain in the west collapses, the bells in the east ring in response. Trees blossom in spring, and grains sprout indoors. Energy travels through the earth. Its movement follows the terrain, and its accumulation depends on where the terrain stops. The ancients gathered it so that it would not disperse, and guided it so that it would have a stopping point. Hence it is called Feng Shui.
In the practice of Feng Shui, obtaining water is paramount, while concealing wind is secondary. Even when the energy is abundant and flowing, there remains some that halts. Although scattered, there are still deeper places where it gathers. The classic says: external energy moves horizontally, internal energy halts and gives life. This refers to this principle. The classic also says: with appropriate depth and shallowness, Feng Shui naturally forms.
Earth is the mother of energy, where there is earth, there is energy. Energy is the mother of water, where there is energy, there is water. Therefore, for burials in dry places, it should be deep. For those in flat areas, it should be shallow. The classic says: as earth moves, so does energy, and all things grow accordingly.
The terrain traces the pulse, and the mountains trace the bones. Winding east or west, sometimes north or south, they twist back upon themselves, forming loops and repetitions. They seem to crouch and wait, to embrace and possess. Wanting to advance yet retreating, wanting to halt yet coming deeply. Accumulating and gathering, harmonizing yin and yang, with thick soil and deep water, lush grass and dense forests, the place is as valuable as a thousand chariots, as wealthy as ten thousand pieces of gold. The classic says: when movement halts and energy accumulates, all things come to life.
For land, the terrain should be level, and the soil should have support. Where the support begins, the energy starts, and where the support ends, the energy ends. Observing the method of support involves subtle and profound principles, with auspiciousness contained within. The classic says: when the land has auspicious energy, the soil rises accordingly. Where the support halts, water follows alongside. Following the flow of the terrain, returning and starting again, following the method of burial brings perpetual good fortune without calamity.