Chapter 7 second quarter

Everyone has been waiting for a long time.Last time I talked about some opinions on the saying of Confucius, "The dead are like a husband! Never give up day and night". I don't know if you agree.I will add a little more today, it may be a bit repetitive, please forgive me. "The dead are like husbands". ——What kind of spiritual realm does Confucius embody in this sentence? "Think and discuss on your own!" Confucius seems to have raised a huge question to the students. Maybe he wanted to find an opportunity to explain it to us, but he never expected that Yan Hui and Zilu would pass away before him, and then he would die too.

Confucius has made so many remarks, but he has never asked others to speculate about the profound meaning contained in this sentence like this one.Of course, because of this, anyone can freely gallop in its world, express their opinions, and have heated discussions. No wonder Zilu and the others always feel that their thinking is different from that of Confucius when they talk about this topic. On the night of Confucius’ funeral, I looked at the hut where I was about to live in mourning from that night, and walked out like a nocturnal wanderer. As I said last time, I left the capital and came to the outskirts. I walked aimlessly in the fields, and then through the forest, and came to a big river in the twilight.All this is recalled after the fact.When I left the capital, my mind was still sober, and then I couldn’t remember anything except that I was standing on the field reflected by the afterglow of the setting sun. When I woke up, I found myself sitting on the dark embankment .

I looked at the end of the river, and I naturally thought of "the dead are like a husband". For a long time, I sat there blankly, thinking about something, as if I didn't think about anything, and then I gradually sank into Confucius's words This kind of emotion went to the inner world. Everything in the past is like the flowing water of this great river, which does not stop day and night.A person's life, an era, and the history created by human beings also flow away and flow away without stopping. Such an atmosphere of indescribable loneliness permeates the phenomenon of changing and passing every moment.Just as the river flows continuously and pours into the sea, the human history created by man is also destined to be connected with the realization of the peaceful society that mankind has dreamed of since ancient times, and it is impossible not to be connected together.

I think it is precisely this kind of mood that Confucius expressed.I thought about it, savored it, and I don't know how much time has passed. I finally made up my mind: I will use my own way to follow in the footsteps of Confucius.Take the path that Confucius walked, the path that Zilu and Yan Hui walked, and the path that Zigong is about to walk. I stood up from the embankment, the twilight was heavy, and the vast plain was immersed in gloom. I have not been able to become the kind of person my teacher expected.Compared with Zilu, Zigong, Yanhui and other excellent disciples with strong personalities, I am nothing worth mentioning, nothing to recommend me, just a wilting ginger and an "old ginger".However, the kind and kind Confucius always stood up for me and said, "That's all right. That's all right."That's the way to live.So, I cultivated a small piece of land on this mountain and lived a clean life.When I meet unfortunate people, I take care of them with kindness. When I meet victims of famine, I help them tide over their difficulties.

That night, I designed a way of life in troubled times for myself who was destined to be lonely in the end of the world after three years of mourning at the tomb of Confucius. For a period of time after the death of Confucius, many of his disciples and students regarded the phrase "the dead are like husbands" as representing Confucius' outlook on life or teachings on life.From the outside, it does look like that.About three years from the year when the three-year mourning period expired, for some reason, this sentence of Confucius suddenly attracted the attention of many people.

I have consulted many people on this matter, and they generally agree that, in a word, these words of Confucius are full of his lament for his old age and the sadness of his life of inaction. I think everyone thinks that this sentence can directly touch Confucius' thoughts as a "human being", so they show extraordinary concern. There is Confucius' loneliness in this sentence!There is Confucius' sorrow in this sentence! Speaking of this, the image of a distressed Confucius emerged in front of my eyes. However, this sentence can also be interpreted in another way, and its connotation is extensive and can accommodate various understandings.

Whether Confucius did this consciously is not known, but if you change the angle a little, "the dead are like gentlemen" can be interpreted as a chant to life, it can also be regarded as a strict admonishment, or it can be used as a painting depicting the endless flow of beautiful rivers and rivers. Huge picture scroll. A few years ago—twenty-seven or eight years after the death of Confucius, I met a group of people who agreed with one voice that the phrase "the dead are like husbands" was Confucius' strict admonition, and concluded that there is no other Explanation.They understand it this way:

"Life is short. A person's life is fleeting, like running water. Therefore, in this short life, you must study, work, and work hard, and you must not slack off self-cultivation for a moment." The saying "the dead are like gentlemen" is indeed broad and profound, like the sea, it can contain all kinds of rivers and all-encompassing.It is not only Confucius' self-sigh and sadness about life, but also a chant about the loneliness of human beings, or a strict life admonition.No matter what kind of explanation, can find their place.Confucius kept silent, probably allowing us to understand it this way.

For the understanding of the phrase "the dead are like gentlemen", let's just talk about it here and there.The scene where Zilu, Zigong, and Yan Hui often got together to discuss this sentence now clearly reappears.Whenever this happens, I always listen intently, seeming to realize something, and find it fascinating.Of course, I am also very interested in which river made Confucius feel so emotional. I should have asked Zi Gong and Yan Hui to find out the name of this river. Unfortunately, I did not do this. This is just my negligence. place. It is now impossible to know on the bank of which great river Confucius stood in the Central Plains.Some people concluded that it was the Yellow River. I thought there was such a possibility, and there was no such possibility. Let me say that I hope it is the largest river in my motherland Caiguo——Ru River, but this is impossible.Confucius walked along Rushui for a few days after his arduous journey in Chen Guo and Cai Guo. At that time, he felt more lonely when he saw the desolation and dilapidation of a destroyed country than "the dead are like husbands". "The sigh is much stronger.

When I chanted "The dead are like a husband! Never give up day and night!", a magnificent, clear and clear emotion came to my heart.I think this is the response of Confucius' broad and bright heart, and the response of Confucius' firm belief in people and the history created by people. As for saying that this is Confucius' sorrow for his own aging, Confucius will probably smile wryly and express his approval. Thirty-three or four years passed in a blink of an eye after Confucius passed away. During this period, although I lived in a cold village in the remote mountains, I sometimes stood beside the endless river with the mentality of "the dead are like a husband".

I deeply feel that the thoughts of Confucius, Zilu, Zigong, Yanhui and many other disciples have been inherited by you young people, like a great river, flowing endlessly, expanding and growing, and rushing to the sea. In this sense, today is a very beautiful day.Confucius' thoughts have been inherited and developed by everyone in Lu Guoguo, and lectures and gatherings discussing Confucius' remarks have all been held in this remote mountain. Everyone who came here specially, what I said may not be of much use to you, but for me, it was a rare fulfilling and happy day.Only recently did I find out that Zigong had passed away ten years ago. If he was still alive, he would be over seventy-five years old.People who suffered hunger and hunger together in Chen Guo and Cai Guo, and shared weal and woe, all left me one by one, and I was left alone, living in the deep mountains, I am really ashamed. Turning now to the question of "Mandate of Heaven." "Heaven" and "Mandate of Heaven" are very difficult questions to answer.For me, "the dead are like husbands" is a difficult problem, and I don't know how to answer "heaven" and "destiny". In the question just now, there was the question "Have you ever personally listened to Confucius' exposition on the Mandate of Heaven?" I would like to start with this specific question and talk about my views on "Mandate of Heaven". I heard that in his later years, in the lecture hall in the capital of the state of Lu, Confucius told many disciples that he knew the destiny at fifty.But he did not give any explanation for the word "destiny", and let everyone think for themselves.Apart from this, I have never heard Confucius talk about the Mandate of Heaven in his speech.I really wanted to hear him speak for myself, but never got the chance. I have heard Zigong say several times that when Confucius was still living in the state of Wei, he wanted to visit Jin, a powerful state in the north. Accompanied by Zilu, Zigong, and Yan Hui, he came to the ferry of the Yellow River. At that time, news came that a coup d'état in Jin State and two virtuous officials were killed, so Confucius had to cancel the plan to cross the Yellow River.He looked up to the sky and sighed: "Beautiful water, full of water! If it doesn't help you, you will lose your life!" At that time, as long as others mentioned the famous Yellow River, I would immediately think of the saying "if the hills are not enough, life is the husband". Life is also husband!This is a sentence that is appropriate to Confucius' status, and it is impossible for anyone except Confucius to say it easily.When Confucius wanted to cross the Yellow River, he had already reached the ferry, but he finally failed to cross the Yellow River, which was the arrangement of fate and destiny. Once, the only time, I stood with Confucius when he should have cried out "Ming Ye Fu" with heartbroken heart. That was the night when we bid farewell to the coffin of King Chu Zhao on the side of the road in the negative letter.For Confucius, it was an unbearably special night, the only one in his life.Now I know very well that Confucius lived in Chen State for four years, and traveled long distances to Chenghan, all in order to meet King Zhao of Chu, and to meet the monarch of Chu State in the most natural form. Confucius traveled thousands of miles and came to a foreign country, and in his eyes, the letter was a foreign country in a foreign country.On this foreign night, the sudden death of King Chu Zhao was unexpectedly placed in front of him, and his years of painstaking efforts were smashed to pieces. Confucius had to face the merciless teasing of fate twice during his lobbying and exile journey, one at the ferry of the Yellow River and one at the negative letter. In order to realize the mission endowed by heaven, Confucius was determined to dedicate his whole life, and when he walked step by step and down-to-earth, he encountered the fate of having to call out to the sky "My husband is also my destiny" more than once.This is destiny.Destiny is incredible. Now, if I were to go down the mountain to a place to have a look, I would definitely choose the negative letter that I had accompanied Confucius to.Only the negative letter, I still want to take a trip, and then set foot on that piece of land.When I mention the negative letter, I can't help but feel sad. The last time I went to Neghan was in the sixth year of Duke Ai of Lu (489 BC). At that time, I was wandering in the wilderness of the border of Chencai, and it had been forty-three years.I don't know what the negative letter looks like now, maybe the place name of negative letter has been cancelled, merged into the nearby villages, and the residents can't tell whether they are from the state of Chu or the state of Cai. This is not surprising at all.Dozens or hundreds of famous and unnamed small countries in the Central Plains have perished one by one, and it is still going on today. Therefore, even if the negative letter disappeared, it is not surprising at all.Still, I wanted to go and see, and walk around at night in the villages on the great plains north of the Huaishui, shrouded in unique darkness.Forty-three years ago in the summer, Confucius, Zilu, Zigong, Yan Hui, and I walked through the village of Chenghan in the middle of a dark night. Now they are all dead, and I am the only one who knows about it. It was a rare night, a special night, and Confucius and his students walked together in the foreign town of Chenghan, which was governed by Ye Gong.This is a political town where "those who are near are happy and those who are far away come" and it is also a town that exudes a humanistic atmosphere. This time I want to walk in the dark night alone.In fact, there is no one else but me. On that foreign night forty-three years ago, the sky created the accident of King Zhao's death, and took it as destiny, and casually threw it on us.Confucius calmly accepted the arrangement of fate, and after bidding farewell to King Zhao's coffin, he returned to his mansion in silence. At that time, I was close to Confucius' left side, walking side by side with him.Being next to Confucius to take care of him like this has never happened before, and never happened again.That night, I was worried that Confucius would suddenly fall down while walking. When Ye Gongyi told us the news of King Zhao's sudden death, I stayed close to Confucius for fear that he would have an accident. In the middle of the night, in the middle of the night when you can't see your fingers, there is not a single star in the sky. Confucius must have felt that it was fate that he could not see King Zhao, so he didn't say a word, and when he returned to the mansion, he sat on the corridor and looked up at the night sky. Declaration of Action.This declaration is like a drum that shakes the sky and the earth, like the cry of thousands of troops.Moreover, Confucius ordered Zigong to pack up and leave this place immediately. Now it seems that he did this in order not to make us discouraged and to cheer up as soon as possible.These things have been said before, and I bring it up again today to re-experience the state of mind of Confucius at that time with everyone. Ten years ago, Confucius left the capital of the state of Lu, bid farewell to his hometown, mountains and rivers, left many students behind, gave up his status and prestige as a politician and educator, and took only three or four disciples, and plunged into the vortex of war and chaos in the Central Plains, where the people were in dire straits. At that time, what Confucius intended was beyond my imagination.It seems to want to get chestnuts out of the fire.In addition, he lived in Weiguo for four years, how he was in state of mind, because I hadn't served him at that time, so I didn't know anything. If it is considered that Confucius lived in Chen State for four years in order to wait for an opportunity to meet King Chu Zhao, then it can be inferred that he lived in Wei State because he had to ask for something.Before Confucius entered the state of Jin, I am afraid that there was still a shadow of the monarch of another country in his heart, but he could not do so, so he had to turn to the state of Jin. King Chu Zhao, who is the overlord of the Central Plains, is regarded as an ideal figure. He pinned all his hopes on King Chu Zhao, but the death of King Chu Zhao completely shattered his expectations. The night of bidding farewell to the coffin of King Zhao of Chu was so severe and cruel that only a man with a strong and tenacious character like Confucius could endure it. As a result, fourteen years of lobbying and desperation came to nothing, so he had no choice but to return to the State of Lu and return to his old career of education.But the quickness and accuracy of Confucius' adaptability are unmatched by anyone. This is a fight against destiny!I have this strange feeling when I think of that night.Confucius didn't say a word of blaming others, and he didn't say a word of discouragement.What a night of suicidal drama and brutality. Confucius was walking on the dark streets. He did not take the footsteps of a loser, but bravely faced the destiny, beat the drums, and issued the command "Return! Return!" to his troops. Now I want to take a walk on the night road of negative letters, just like Confucius did back then, thinking seriously about what is heaven and what is destiny in the dark.The first is the discourse of Confucius, which I have pondered over the past few years and half understood: "What does the sky say, how the four seasons go, how all things come into being, what does the sky say!" "The way of Tao will be done, and it will be fate! The way of Tao will be abolished, and it will be fate!" Because of this, I want to go to the negative letter as soon as possible. Someone raised the question of "Mandate of Heaven" before. The question was too big and too difficult to answer for a while, so it was delayed.However, from then on, I started to think, and after I entered the mountain, I thought about it again and again, and I went back to the negative letter before I figured it out.As for when to form a complete view, it is difficult to say.Confucius said to many disciples in his later years that he knew his destiny at fifty. This is how I see this sentence. When Confucius was fifty years old, he consciously realized that it is his natural mission to gradually govern the troubled times by starting from himself bit by bit. , there is nothing else to ask for. However, although it is a natural mission, it may not always be blessed by God everywhere, there will be difficulties and obstacles at any time, and it is possible to die halfway at any time, because we are insignificant people living in the vastness of nature. The weather is unfavorable, and it is commonplace, so there is nothing to make a fuss about.Of course, we cannot slacken the slightest slack in our efforts towards our natural mission.It is our small human beings who continue to accumulate our meager efforts to realize the era of human happiness and peace. The so-called knowing the destiny probably means this.There are two meanings: one is to fully realize that one's career is the great mission of innate talent; Unforeseen difficulties. ——Combining these two meanings into one is the meaning of knowing the destiny. No matter how correct and beautiful your career is, no one can guarantee that your life will not be in danger, and suffering may have come to you unknowingly.Good and bad fortune have nothing to do with a person's good deeds and evil deeds.That being the case, then throw yourself into the endless God's will, success or failure depends on the sky, and persevere in walking the path you firmly believe in!How magnificent!Apart from Confucius, who can have such a clear understanding! During his fourteen years of lobbying and exile, Confucius encountered difficulties many times.At times like this, he always said: In heaven, how could he suffer from hunger and death?I heard him say it once. Confucius said this, perhaps to boost everyone's morale, perhaps to encourage himself, but he must have thought in his heart that there is both hunger and death, and the road he chose is not smooth and straight, but twists and turns. way. At this time, I stared at the face of Confucius, and the sadness in his heart deeply infected me.