The origin and background of Confucianism "Hanshu 6.1 Yiwenzhi": "The Confucianists originated from the officials of Situ, and they were those who helped the king to follow the Yin and Yang Ming teachings. You wrote in the Six Classics Among them, paying attention to benevolence and righteousness, the ancestors of Yao and Shun, the constitution of Wen and Wu, and the master Zhongni emphasized their words, and Tao was the highest. "

(Modern scholar Zhang Taiyan agrees with this view. However, Hu Shi held the opposite view. He agreed with the statement in "Huainanzi ~ Synopsis" that the scholars were out of "anxiety to meet the needs of the world", and thus put forward the view that Confucianism was transformed from the sorcerers among the survivors of the Yin and Shang Dynasties. )

In the Spring and Autumn Period when Confucius lived, the deep crisis caused by the irreconcilable contradictions within society shook the authority of traditional culture. The suspicion and critical spirit of traditional culture increased day by day. Even the ancestors wrote about Yao and Shun. Confucius, who was a civil and military man, had to inject the spirit of the times into his ideological system and appropriately transform the traditional culture in order to establish a new harmonious order and psychological balance in social practice. In this situation It was particularly prominent during the Warring States Period, which was a period of great change, because people could vaguely see the dawn of a new era that broke through the shackles of the old hierarchy on the ruins of the collapsed old world.

What kind of social model the future will be like has become a major issue of global concern, and has triggered a debate in the ideological circle. At that time, hundreds of schools of thought representing the interests of various classes and strata in society put forward their own opinions. One of the main focuses of debate was how to treat traditional culture. In the ideological confrontation surrounding this issue, the two major schools of thought, Confucianism and Legalism, are the most representative. They are equally matched, facing each other tit for tat, and those who respond are gathered together, all of whom are outstanding scholars. In addition, there are Mohist, Taoist, Yin-Yang, and other schools of thought. It can be said that there are many schools of thought.

Confucianism is an important school of thought that emerged from the contention of a hundred schools of thought in the Spring and Autumn Period. Its founder was the great thinker and educator Confucius, and was later developed by the thinker and writer Mencius. The core of Confucianism is benevolence. Confucius advocated the restoration of the ritual system of the Western Zhou Dynasty in politics, the establishment of private schools in education, advocated teaching without distinction, focusing on teaching students in accordance with their aptitude, and stressing that they should not be angry or angry, and should not be angry or angry; Mencius advocated that the king should practice benevolent government, so that he can Bring the world to its center. Confucianism was respected by many rulers during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period. However, in the turbulent social situation at that time, the princes all advocated force for their own benefit, and it was difficult to implement Confucian virtues. After the Han Dynasty, Confucianism was respected as the orthodox thought of feudal society. [Edit this paragraph] The founder of Confucianism, Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC), had a surname of Kong, a given name of Qiu, and a courtesy name of Zhongni. English: Confucius. Russian: Конфуций. The second among the brothers, he was a native of Lu in the late Spring and Autumn Period. He was born on September 28, 551 BC (the twenty-seventh day of the eighth lunar month) in Changping Township, Zouyi, Lu State (now Luyuan Village, southeast of Qufu City, Shandong Province); on April 11, 479 BC (the second month of the lunar calendar) He died on the 11th at the age of 72 and was buried on the Surabaya River in the north of Qufu City, where Confucius is today. Mencius

Confucius built his body with five elements and two rituals formed his nature. For the rest of the saints, those who have a lot of gold energy are strong and decisive, those who have a lot of wood energy are simple and upright, those who have a lot of fire energy are vigorous and vigorous, those who have a lot of water energy are clear and harmonious, and those who have a lot of earth energy are calm and vigorous. , those with more yang energy will be bright and bright, while those with more yin energy will be silent and subtle. Since his temperament is limited, no matter how good he is, he will still be a partial saint. These seven sons have many things that are not consistent with each other, and many words that are not consistent with each other. What they have in common is a big foundation and a big problem.

Kong Yan lived in poverty, why not harm the world with his benevolence? I have the means to overwhelm the world with benevolence, and my heart has never forgotten my benevolence over the world. ...

When Confucius was young, he served as a high-ranking official in the state of Lu. He governed the country very well. Corrupt officials fled to other countries one after another, and leaders of other countries also became very respectful of the state of Lu.

But he spent most of his life engaged in education. It is said that he had as many as 3,000 disciples, 72 sages, and taught many knowledgeable and talented students. Confucius was a thinker, educator, and founder of the Confucian school in the late Spring and Autumn Period. He served as a military official in the State of Lu. He later traveled around the country with his disciples. He eventually returned to Lu and concentrated on teaching. During his lifetime, he was known as the "Sage of Heaven", "Muduo of Heaven" and "Eternal Saint". He was one of the most erudite scholars in the society at that time, and was respected by later generations as the Holy Saint (the Saint among Saints) and the eternal teacher. . He was named Qiu because his parents prayed at Niqiu Mountain for the birth of a son. He edited "Poems" and "Books", settled "Rites" and "Music", prefaced "Book of Changes" and wrote "Spring and Autumn". Confucius' thoughts and theories had a profound impact on later generations.

"Historical Records? 6? 1 Family of Confucius" records: "Since the emperor and the princes, the six arts of Chinese language have been compromised by the Confucius. They can be called the most holy!" [Edit this paragraph] Confucian classics Confucian classics mainly include Confucianism Thirteen Classics. Confucianism has six classics, the Book of Songs, the Book of Documents, the Book of Rites, the Book of Music, the Book of Changes, and the Spring and Autumn Annals. The First Emperor of Qin "burned books and harassed Confucians". It is said that the "Book of Music" was lost after the fire of Qin;

On this basis, the Eastern Han Dynasty added "The Analects of Confucius" and "The Classic of Filial Piety", and finally the Seven Classics ;

In the Tang Dynasty, "Zhou Rites", "Book of Rites", "Spring and Autumn Gongyang Zhuan", "Spring and Autumn Gongyang Zhuan", "Erya" and *** Twelve Classics were added;

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In the Song Dynasty, "Mencius" was added, and later the "Commentaries on the Thirteen Classics" carved by the Song Dynasty were handed down to the world.

The "Thirteen Classics" is the basic work of Confucian culture. In terms of traditional concepts, "Yi", "Poetry", "Book", "Li" and "Spring and Autumn" are called "Classics". "Zuo Zhuan", "Gongyang Zhuan", and "Gu Liang Zhuan" belong to the "biography" of "Spring and Autumn Classic", "Book of Rites", "Xiao Jing", "The Analects of Confucius" and "Mencius" are all "notes". "Erya" is an exegesis work by the Confucian scholars of the Han Dynasty. Later, the "Four Books" refers to "The Great Learning" (a chapter in "Book of Rites"), "The Doctrine of the Mean" (a chapter in "Book of Rites"), "The Analects" and "Mencius", while the Five Classics refers to: "Book of Changes", "Book of Songs", "Book of Songs", "Book of Rites", and "Zuo Zhuan". [Edit this paragraph] The main representatives and main factions of Confucianism are Confucius, Mencius, Xunqing, Dong Zhongshu, Ercheng, Zhu Xi, Lu Shouren, Wang Yangming, and Lu Mingjian.

Eight schools of thought were formed due to the internal differentiation of Confucianism during the Warring States Period.

Confucius has been engaged in educational activities for a long time in his life and has many students. He is known as "three thousand disciples and seventy sages". Confucius's ideological and theoretical system covers a very wide range. Confucian disciples have different understandings of Confucius's words and thoughts, and it is inevitable that they will have differences. Therefore, after the death of Confucius, Confucius disciples began to gradually divide. In the middle and late Warring States period, while Confucianism became a "prominent school", eight different sects were formed within Confucianism. The theory of the "eight schools" of Confucianism first appeared in the "Xianxue" chapter of "Han Feizi": "Since the death of Confucius, there have been Confucianism of Zi Zhang, Confucianism of Zi Si, Confucianism of the Yan family, Confucianism of the Meng family, and lacquer carving. The Confucianism of the Hu Zhongliang family, the Confucianism of the Ye family, and the Confucianism of the Yue Zheng family. "Limited to historical documents, the eight schools of Confucianism in the Warring States period are briefly described as follows:

▲"Zizhang's Confucianism". :

Zizhang, whose surname was Zhuansun, was a famous teacher and given the courtesy name Zizhang. He was born in Yangcheng, Chen State (now Huaiyang, Henan Province) in the late Spring and Autumn Period. He was born in 503 BC and his year of death is unknown. Zi Zhang was a disciple of Confucius in his later years. He was outstanding in his studies and was as famous as Zi Xia and Zi You. He once traveled around the country from Confucius and was besieged between Chen and Cai. He was diligent in learning and inquiring, and often discussed various issues with Confucius. The Analects of Confucius records that he asked Confucius as many as twenty times. It advocates that "when a scholar sees danger, he will think of righteousness, when he sees sacrifice, he will think of respect, and when he is mourning, he will think of sorrow" ("Suiyu·Zizhang"), and clearly opposes "the virtue is not promoted, the belief is not sincere", "the word is not faithful, the deed is not respectful" "("The Analects of Confucius·Zizhang") people and things. Zi Zhang's temperament was a bit extreme. Confucius once criticized him for "not only surpassing the teacher", but also "improving the teacher" ("The Analects of Confucius·Advanced"). However, he was philanthropic and tolerant of others, and made many friends. He believed that a gentleman should "respect the virtuous and tolerate others, praise the good but be reserved" ("The Analects of Confucius·Zi Zhang"). Zizhang remained an official throughout his life. After Confucius died, he lived in the state of Chen, where he accepted apprentices and gave lectures. The disciples of Zizhang later formed "Zizhang's Confucianism" and were listed as the first of the eight schools of Confucianism in the Warring States Period. It is difficult to know the details of the academic or political views of "Zizhang Zhiru". Xunzi once severely criticized "Zi Zhang's Confucianism" in his "Not the Twelve Confucians" and called them "mean Confucianism". He said: "The younger brother Tuo is the best, the middle is the middle and the Tan is his words, Yu is walking and Shun is following, this is Zi Zhang is a Confucian." This criticism does not seem to have any academic or ideological basis, but only some words and deeds. It is generally believed that what Xunzi denounced may refer to those who attached themselves to the "Zizhang Zhiru" sect at the end of the Warring States Period. For example, Qing Dynasty scholar Hao Yixing believes that it refers to those people who only resemble Zi Zhang in appearance but not in reality (see the quote from Wang Xianqian's "Annotation of Xunzi Collection"). Modern scholar Dun Moruo believes that "Zizhang's disciples seem to be closer to the Mohists" based on the characteristics of "Zizhang's Confucianism", which is philanthropic, tolerant of others, strict with others, and tolerant of others. He also speculates that "Mo Zhai was influenced by Zizhang." ("Ten Critiques: Criticisms of the Eight Confucian Schools").

▲"Zi Si's Confucianism":

Zi Si is the grandson of Confucius (see the article "Zi Si" in this book). It is difficult to know the details of Zisi's "Confucianism" academic or political views.

Xunzi discussed it slightly from a negative perspective in "Fei Twelve Sons", saying: "To sketch out the ancient kings without knowing their heritage is to have great talents and great ambitions in drama, and to have miscellaneous knowledge and knowledge. When the case goes back to the old creation, it is called the Five Elements, which is very important. It is secluded but has no explanation, and it is closed and has no explanation. The case is decorated with words and only respects it, saying: "This is the words of a true gentleman." The Confucian scholars did not know what was wrong, so they accepted it and passed it on." According to the views of most Song Confucians, "Zi Si's Confucianism" developed Confucius's doctrine of the mean and elevated the spiritual entity of "sincerity" in the moral category of Confucianism. To the status of the origin of the world, he made a significant contribution to the Confucian theory of mind. Many scholars have expressed doubts about the theory of Song Confucianism in modern times.

▲ "Confucianism of the Yan family":

Based on the records of "The Analects", "Historical Records: Biography of Zhongni's Disciples" and other documents, *** among the disciples of Confucius were named Yan There are eight people, they are: Yan Wuyao, Yan Hui, Yan Xing, Yan Gao, Yan Zu, Yan Zhimu, Yan Kuai, and Yan He. It is difficult to determine exactly who among them "Yan's Confucianism" was passed down. Today, it is difficult to determine. The academic community generally believes that Yan Hui is the representative. Yan Hui is the most proud disciple of Confucius (see the article "Yan Hui" in this book). The main characteristic of his school is to live in poverty and enjoy the Taoism, and focus on working hard to practice Confucius's thoughts of benevolence. In addition, in the book "Zhuangzi", the cultivation theories of "Ziu Wang" and "Xin Zhai" of Yan Hui's school are also mentioned.

▲"Mencius' Confucianism":

The academic community generally believes that "Mencius' Confucianism" is represented by Mencius. Mencius was the main representative of Confucianism in the middle of the Warring States Period. He developed Confucius's "benevolence" thought, put forward the theory that "human nature is inherently good", and implemented the political ideals of "benevolent government" and "kingly rule" and the principle of "the people are valued and the monarch is valued." People-centered thought, etc. (see the "Mencius" article in this book). Mencius once said: "I am not a disciple of Confucius, but I am a disciple of Confucius" ("Mencius: Li Lou Xia"). Sima Qian said in "Historical Records: Biography of Mencius and Xunqing" that he "received his inheritance from Zi Si's disciples". Furthermore, Xunzi said in "Not the Twelve Confucians" that "Ziusi sang it, and Mencius harmonized it", so "Meng Ke's Confucianism" should be in the same line as "Zisi's Confucianism". Dun Moruo believed that the "Confucianism of Mencius" was not only in the same line as the "Confucianism of Zisi", but also in the same line as the "Confucianism of Yue Zhengshi" (Ten Criticisms: Conveying the Criticisms of Eight Schools).

▲"The Confucian of the Qi Diao family":

Based on the records of "The Analects of Confucius", "Historical Records: Biography of Zhongni's Disciples" and other documents, the number of Confucian disciples with the surname Qi Diao*** There are three people, they are: Qi Diao Kai, Qi Diao Duo, and Qi Diao Tufu ("Confucius Family Disciple Interpretation" as Qi Diao Cong). The academic community generally believes that the "Confucianism of Qi Diao family" is represented by Qi Diao Kai. The lacquer carving was opened, and the "Hanshu·Yiwenzhi" was used for the lacquer carving. According to the textual research of Song Confucian Wang Yinglin, "Qi" was the original name. The Han people avoided the taboo of Emperor Jing's name and changed it to "Kai". In the late Spring and Autumn Period, he was born in the Lu State (some say Cai State). AD 540, year of death unknown. Qi Diaokai was a disciple of Confucius. Confucius once asked him to be an official. He said that he had no confidence in being an official. Confucius expressed his appreciation (see "The Analects of Confucius: Gong Zhi Chang"). Qi Diao Kai has unyielding courage. "Han Feizi Xian Xue" says: "The discussion of Qi Diao should not be swayed by color, nor run away with eyes. If you go straight, you will be against Zang Huo. If you go straight, you will be angry with the princes. The Lord of the world thinks it is honest and polite. "In terms of views on human nature, it is advocated that there are good and evil natures. "Lun Heng·Ning Xing" records: "Mi (Biqi) Zi Jian, Qi Diao Kai, Gongsun Nizi's disciples also talk about emotions and nature, and the disciples ( Shishuo) all say that there are good and evil natures. According to these data, modern scholars believe that "Confucian scholars of the Qidiao family" do not want to be officials and are brave and heroic, and they belong to the school of knights among Confucian disciples. It advocates that human nature has both good and evil. Mi Zijian, Gongsun Nizi, Shishuo, etc. are all main members of this school; "Hanshu Yiwenzhi" records "Qi Diaozi", "Mizi", "Shizi", "Gongsun" Ni Zi", indicating that they all had writings at that time (all have been lost); in addition, "Mencius Gongsun Chou Shang" said that Beigong Qi, who was good at "cultivating courage", should also belong to the "Confucianism of the Qidiao family" (see Guo Moruo's "Ten Criticisms" Book "Criticism of the Eight Schools of Confucianism", Meng Wentong's "Gu Xue Zhen· Lacquer Carving on Confucian Research").

▲"Zhongliang's Confucianism":

Among the eight schools of Confucianism during the Warring States Period, this school cannot be examined. According to Guo Moruo's speculation, the "Confucians of the Zhongliang family" may be the Chen Liang group mentioned in "Mencius Teng Wengong". According to "Mencius" records: "Chen Liang, a native of Chu, liked the way of Zhou Gong and Zhongni. He learned from the north of China. Scholars in the north could not catch up with him. He was a so-called heroic scholar." Chen Liang's disciples There were Chen Xiang, Chen Xin, etc., who later appreciated the teachings of the farmer Xu Xing, but were severely criticized by Mencius.

According to Chen Qiyou's speculation, the "Confucians of the Zhongliang family" may be Zhongliangzi, a sect of Zhongliangzi recorded in the "Book of Rites·Tan ??Gong Shang". Zheng Xuan of the Eastern Han Dynasty said in the "Notes to the Book of Rites" that they were from Lu. According to the first chapter of "Book of Rites, Tan Gong Shang": "Zengzi said: The corpse was not decorated, so the curtains in the hall were narrow and thorough. Zhongliangzi said: The couple were in disorder, so the curtains in the hall were small and narrow but thorough." "The Biography of Mao's Poems" quotes Zhongliang Ziyu, and "Mao's Poems" originated from Zixia, so this school may have both Zeng Shen and Zixia's schools of thought (see Chen Qiyou's "Han Feizi's Collection of Explanations: Xianxue").

▲"Sun's Confucianism":

The academic community generally believes that "Sun's Confucianism" is the school represented by Xunzi. Xunzi was the main representative of Confucianism in the late Warring States Period. He inherited the academic tradition of Confucius and was one of the main disseminators of Confucian classics. In terms of political thought, he developed Confucius' "ethics" and advocated both etiquette and law. In philosophy, he advocated "heaven". "Divide people into each other" and "use it to control the destiny of heaven"; he believes that "human nature is evil, and those who are good are fake", emphasizing the importance of acquired learning (see the article "Xunzi" in this book). Among the "Confucians of the Sun family", in addition to those disciples who inherited Xunzi's classics, the famous ones are Han Fei and Li Si, but they have broken through the boundaries of their teacher Xunzi's Confucian school and become representatives of Legalism.

▲ "Le Zheng's Confucianism":

This one among the eight schools of Confucianism in the Warring States period cannot be examined. According to Guo Moruo's speculation, "Le Zheng's Confucianism" may be Le Zhengke, a disciple of Mencius, so he must belong to the "Mencius' Confucianism" line. According to Chen Qiyou's speculation, "the Confucian of Yue Zheng's family" may be Zeng Zi's disciple Yue Zheng Zichun, so he should pass on Zeng Zi's learning (see Chen Qiyou's "Han Fei Zi Ji Shi Xian Xue" collation note).

In short, the eight schools of Confucianism during the Warring States Period were internal factions that emerged in the "Hundred Schools of Thought" at that time. They had very different views, but they all considered themselves to represent Confucius' Confucian thought. Judging from the subsequent historical development, Mencius's school and Xunzi's school had a great influence. [Edit this paragraph] The characteristics of Confucianism are: first, Confucius is the first teacher and ideological leader; "Zuo Zhuan" and other books are classics;

Third, it forms a tension structure between benevolence and etiquette in thought;

Fourth, from the inner sage to the outer king, through The inner body's mind and nature achieve the external king's achievements;

Fifth, pay special attention to the ethical relationship between people, and apply it to political practice to become a guiding principle. [Edit this paragraph]★The conditions for the formation of Confucianism’s status and its relationship with various schools. The status that Confucianism has today is due to the long historical process of Confucianism from ancient times to the present after its emergence, especially in the past two thousand years. It was achieved after the feudal society implemented "deposing hundreds of schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone" to monopolize the unified ideological position. Confucianism advocates the rule of law and emphasizes traditional ethical relationships, especially the ethical relationships between people. In the pre-Qin Dynasty, Confucianism was fiercely criticized by the Mohist, Legalist, and Taoist schools. In the Qin Dynasty and the early Han Dynasty, it was rejected by the rulers. In the Six Dynasties, it was challenged by metaphysics and Buddhism. It experienced unprecedented disasters during the May Fourth Movement against Confucius and Confucianism. , but it still continues to this day. The reason is that Confucianism is rooted in China's inherent value system and can adjust itself at any time to adapt to changes in the times and society. And to a considerable extent, it is because it is the most valuable knowledge system in the East that today in a sense it is synonymous with Guoxue (traditional culture). Confucianism is the core and main body of Chinese studies.

▲Each school criticizes Confucianism

Moists have a lot of criticisms of Confucianism. They criticize Confucius for "state without doing", advocate "state and do", and criticize Confucius and Confucianism for their cumbersome etiquette. .

Taoism takes natural inaction as its purpose, despises etiquette and law, and holds a negative attitude towards Confucian etiquette and morality.

Pre-Qin Legalism was ideologically opposed to Confucianism. Shang Yang, an early representative of Legalism, believed that Confucianism was opposed to Legalism’s agricultural war thinking, resulting in the country being “impoverished and weakened.” Han Fei, the master of Legalism, respected Confucius personally, but he believed that Confucius's teachings were inappropriate for the times.

According to legend, Confucius was called Ru Tong Bodhisattva. Or he said: "My master is the ancestor of all generations of gentlemen, and he is a child. A child is a young child. A young child is a small child. He is a young teacher, so why is it strange that a Confucian scholar is a Buddhist? And the monk is called a bhikkhu. "Qiu, the master is taboo. The monk is a disciple of the Buddha. How can he be a disciple of the Confucian scholar?" Children are also called pure and without falsehood.

Manjushri is one of the seven Buddhist masters, and he is called Manjushri, a boy who benefits. Shancai attains supreme enlightenment in his life, and is called a boy with good wealth. Even the forty-two sages, who have "the abode of childlike innocence", all admire the extreme virtues and are not just children. That means. Therefore, it is said that a great man is one who has not lost his innocent heart. Ruofu Bhikkhu is Sanskrit. Sanskrit bhikkhu, this cloud of beggars also clouds the destruction of evil, and also clouds of fear of demons. Bi is not a combination, hill is not a hill, it is just the pronunciation and not the word. For example, the Sanskrit word "Nawu" refers to the meaning of "Nanwu". "Nanwu" takes the "south" of the "north" and "the south". Alas! When the Master is born in the country of Zhu, he will promote Buddhism to save all living beings; when Sakyamuni appears in the country of Lu, he will expound Confucianism and Taoism to teach all generations. The same is true for changing places. The actions of the great sage are completely unknown to all emotions. Those who are Confucian cannot destroy Buddhism, but those who are Buddhist can only destroy Confucianism? (Master Renchi, who was recognized as a leading figure in Confucianism before becoming a monk)

Some contemporary non-Confucian scholars make the following comments based on folk oral comments on the contribution of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism to the development of China: "The way of governing the world, the Buddha in troubled times , from rule to chaos is Confucianism. "[Edit this paragraph] The influence of Confucianism on China

1. The influence of Confucianism on Chinese culture

The influence of Confucianism on Chinese culture. The influence of Confucianism is profound. For thousands of years, feudal society has taught nothing more than the Four Books and the Five Classics. The traditional ideas of responsibility, temperance, and loyalty and filial piety are all the result of its combination with feudal rule. Therefore, Confucianism It is the mainstream thought of our contemporary times.

2. The influence of Confucianism on Chinese politics and economy

Confucianism has existed in China for thousands of years, and it has great influence on Chinese politics and economy. There are still huge potential impacts in all aspects.