In the long historical development process, China's ancient thought and system of respecting the elderly have been relatively perfect. Can we refer to history to provide reference for the current pension problem? There was no pension in ancient times. How did the ancients solve the problem of providing for the aged and be able to spend their old age in peace?
1. The formation of the ancient concept and system of providing for the aged
In primitive society, people will participate in the management of the tribe by electing respected old people, who have richer social experience and convincing determination. And all kinds of production and living technologies are passed on by word of mouth between these people and their descendants. Therefore, the status of the elderly is very special, which seems to be the beginning of the tradition of respecting the elderly and providing for the elderly.
The concept and system of providing for the elderly appeared very early in the history of our country. Even many scholars believe that the concept and system of respecting the elderly were formed during the slave society, and after the evolution and development of Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasties, a systematic concept and system of providing for the elderly was formed. In the Book of Rites, once said? Protecting interest and supporting the public means caring for the young, supporting the elderly, helping the poor, sympathizing with the poor, tolerating diseases and being rich. ? This is an early and systematic record of the thought and system of providing for the aged.
Second, the development and practice of the concept of providing for the aged.
In ancient China, the old-age care system for ordinary people was mainly family care, and their descendants had to support the elderly. The government also had support policies for families with elderly people. The state grants official positions, titles and property to the elderly and their descendants, reduces taxes and corvees, and ensures the elderly to enjoy their old age.
Although there were frequent wars in the Spring and Autumn Period, the tradition of respecting the elderly has not changed. There is a story that during the Jin Dynasty, an old man in his seventies was recruited to participate in the construction of the Great Wall. When the doctor Meng Yue learned about it, he fired the official who violated the pension policy, apologized to the old man and gave him a field as compensation.
During the Warring States period, Qi had rules. For families with 70 elders, one son is tax-free, for families with 80 elders, for families with two sons, and for families with 90 elders, the whole family is tax-free.
Even in the Han dynasty? Law on the protection of the elderly? Implement filial piety to govern the world. People who don't respect the elderly will be severely punished by law and even sentenced to abandon the city. Also distribute? Old age certificate? Of course, the old-age card is not a certificate, but a name? Pigeon stick? It's a crutch that the emperor gave to the old man. According to historical data and archaeology, Liu Bang, the Emperor Gaozu, initiated the cudgel ceremony and made it a system. Another law stipulates that even if an old man over 70 breaks the law, he will not be severely punished as long as he does not take the lead. Inherited from the Qin dynasty? Although guilty, there is no additional punishment. ?
In the Tang Dynasty, the concept of providing for the aged even reached its peak. My parents are here, so I don't travel far. It is stipulated that when parents are alive, children and grandchildren can't travel far, can't split up, and can't save private money, otherwise they will be punished. This regulation is for future generations to better provide for the aged. The Tang dynasty not only inherited the system of giving tax exemption to employees, but also increased? Supply waiter? System, 80-year-old people arrange one waiter, 90-year-old two, 100-year-old five These waiters don't have to serve the elderly, they just need to concentrate on serving him.
Did the Tang Dynasty still attach importance to the elderly? Mental health? , popular? Raise color? . So-called? Raise color? It is to be kind when supporting parents and not to make the old people unhappy. Fang's achievements in this matter are also commendable. He is dutiful not only to his biological parents, but also to his stepmother? Cultivate people by color and respect others? . In the Tang dynasty, insulting elders was a felony, and the insulting person was hanged.
During the Southern and Northern Dynasties, there was a nursing home called. Lonely garden? , used to take in and support the elderly. But the prevalence of nursing homes was in the Song Dynasty, the early years of the Northern Song Dynasty? Futian Hospital? , and later established? Home for the aged? What was the name of the Southern Song Dynasty? Nursing home? And so on, take in the elderly, and the state supports it. Although the names are different, they all provide shelter and support for the elderly. In Song Huizong, the age standard for the elderly has been lowered to 50, which has expanded the number of the elderly, making them feel at ease, and also making people feel at ease.
What did the Qing Dynasty value most? For food? System, organized several countries elders to the imperial city for dinner, and named names? A thousand feasts? The Qianlong period was the most popular.
Official pension is mainly reflected in the official system. In ancient times, the retirement of officials was called official career, with an average age of 70, and they could enter if they were sick. Being an official is special, and the treatment after retirement is related to the monarch's preferences, official products, political achievements and many other aspects.
After Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, this situation has been improved to a certain extent, and everyone has enjoyed a high pension treatment, but it is still related to the preference of the monarch. If some officials are deeply loved by the monarch, they can even benefit future generations. Generally speaking, the pension system for officials is relatively perfect, forming a dual-track pension system for officials and the people. However, there is always a big difference between the system and reality, and the actual treatment is uneven, which also reflects the oppression of the people by feudal rule on the other hand.
Under the influence of traditional culture in China, monarchs in past dynasties paid attention to and devoted themselves to providing for the aged, which can even be understood as a kind of consciousness and responsibility. Filial piety culture is the core of China's traditional culture. Filial piety is the first of all virtues. The important content of filial piety is to support and respect the elderly. Throughout the ages, filial piety has been passed down from generation to generation, and the core content of respecting the elderly has not changed.
Third, the significance of the pension system.
Consolidating and strengthening the pension system means that the rulers use ethics to maintain social stability. First of all, the rulers let each member know his identity by praying for ghosts and gods and offering sacrifices to ancestors. Later, with the prevalence of Confucianism, the norms of the Middle Sect that bound people's lives were formed. If we abide by this norm in our activities, the social order will not be chaotic.
The pension system has been pushed to the foreground, becoming a tool for education and maintaining politics, with a certain political color. To truly respect the elderly and love the virtuous is not only to solve the problem of food and clothing, but also to give them respect and play their role. Because the elderly are more experienced, it is more practical to educate the whole people. The system of respecting the elderly is part of the embodiment of benevolent government. By this means, we can gain people's hearts, strengthen centralization and maintain the status of rulers.
Filial piety is the core of China traditional culture and the inheritance of national virtues. I am old, and I am old. China's old-age care system still has a strong reference significance today, which is worthy of our serious study, taking its essence, making the modern old-age care system more perfect, and doing our best to provide for the elderly, provide them with medical care, make friends with them, learn, enjoy, repair, think and be productive.
References:
Various ancient pension policies
On the Traditional Social Security in Ancient China
An Analysis of China's Ancient Thought and System of Providing for the Aged