Chapter 2 Section 1 Confucianism and Ancient Culture

Confucius is one of the few great thinkers in Chinese history, and the school he founded is called Confucianism.Most of the names of schools of thought in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period are related to the basic ideas of the school, such as Taoism, Law, Soldiers, Agriculture, and famous schools. Some are related to the names of the founders, such as Mohism, and the name of Confucianism It is related to Confucius' status as a Confucian scholar. In the hierarchical society of the Zhou Dynasty, scholars were the lowest rank among nobles.They are attached to high-ranking nobles, engaged in battles, guards, and some clerical work, such as observing the time, divination, recording historical facts, counseling etiquette and so on.During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, society was turbulent, and a group of people with personal freedom and professional knowledge and skills separated from the old social organization, and they were also called scholars.To consolidate and expand their power, rulers need the help of scholars, who are willing to work for the rulers in order to make a living, advance and realize their political ideals.At that time, the scholar class was quite large and very active, and their activities had a powerful impact on the prosperity and decline of various vassal states and even the entire historical process. "Confucianism, softness." ("Shuowen Jiezi·Renbu") Among the scholars, in addition to warriors, Xingzhu Bushi, immortal alchemists and others can be called Confucianism or Confucian scholars.Confucius is a master Confucian scholar.

Confucian scholars in the pre-Qin period and Confucianism represented by Confucius had a special reverence and belief in ancient culture.They believe that the ancient culture including the Six Arts is the precious spiritual wealth created by China's glorious ancestors Yao, Shun, Yu, Tang, King Wen, King Wu, and Duke Zhou.Only ancient Chinese culture can tell us what is truth and what is a meaningful and valuable life.They guide our ancestors from darkness to light, from barbarism to civilization.Huaxia is Huaxia, and the fundamental difference between Huaxia and Yidi lies in whether they can master this culture.If Yidi learns and agrees with Chinese culture, they become Huaxia. On the contrary, if Huaxia abandons their own culture, they become Yidi.

Therefore, Confucianism has a strong tendency to go back to the past, thinking that the era ruled by the ancient sages was the golden age of human beings, and it was the eternal pursuit of future generations.For them, today is unfortunate because people have left the old ways, and the future is hopeful because it is possible to go back. Confucius believed that the beauty of ancient times was not only that the good people and good governance at that time were not found today, but also that the shortcomings of the people at that time were more lovely than those of today's people.For example, the madness of the ancients was just daring to speak out, but the madness of today's people is debauchery;

Confucius was quite devout in his belief in ancient cultures.He said that his academic attitude is "telling but not writing, believing and loving the ancients". ("Shuer") means to sincerely like the civilization road created by the ancient sages, devoutly believe in it, take it as a bounden duty to publicize them, and never put forward your own new opinions.Although it is not that he does not come up with new insights, but for him every new insight is ancient, but people have forgotten it and he has rediscovered it.So what is the road to civilization of the ancient sages?

In the ancient times of China, there were Yao and Shun. They were all great saints. Confucius praised them beyond words. "It's towering! Only the sky is great, and Yao is the only one. It's turbulent! The people are incompetent. It's towering! It has success. It's brilliant! It has articles." ("Tabo") Only the sky is the greatest , only Yao is a person who follows the way of heaven.The common people do not know how to praise him.How great are his exploits, how glorious are his laws and regulations! "Govern by doing nothing, even with Shun!" ("Wei Linggong") "It's so majestic! Shun and Yu have the world, but they don't want to be with each other!" ("Taibo") Shun is the son of heaven, but he never seeks personal gain , he ruled the world by doing nothing, allowing the people to live freely.So what era did Yao and Shun create?This is the great contemporaneity era without classes and patriarchal clan system that Confucius said in "Book of Rites·Li Yun".After Yao and Shun, since Yu, Tang, Wen, Wu, and Duke Zhou, it was a well-off era. At this time, there was private property, ritual and justice, and patriarchal clan system. Sometimes, it is also quite beautiful.Zhougong system of rites and music borrowed from the etiquette system of the second generation of Xia and Shang Dynasties, making Zhouli rich and beautiful.

Confucius said that his ambition is to "report Yao and Shun from his ancestors, charter civil and military affairs" ("Historical Records Confucian Family").This is because the great contemporaneity has passed, and Confucius can only "account" about the Tao of Yao and Shun, and he is preparing for people to practice it in the future when conditions permit.The only feasible thing at that time was the way of civil and military affairs, which should be used as the charter for governing the world.So Confucius has repeatedly stated that he supports the system of the Zhou Dynasty, and he wants to recreate an Eastern Zhou Dynasty in the State of Lu.The Duke of Zhou who made rituals and music for the Zhou Dynasty was a model he admired and learned from. When he was young, he often dreamed of Duke Zhou. When he was old, his ideals could not be realized, and he could not often dream of Duke Zhou. This made Confucius feel very sad.

---

Notes: , "Poetry", "Ritual", "Music", and "Spring and Autumn" six classics.