Chinese Classics · Timeless Selections. The Four Books and Five Classics

Author: Tan Guoqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-03-01
Features: A book for the university, the ancient method of teaching people. Since the birth of the people, they have all been given the nature of benevolence, righteousness, and wisdom. However, due to the influence of their temperament and disposition, they may not be uniform, so they cannot all fully understand and fulfill their nature. When a wise and intelligent person who can fully fulfill their nature emerges, Heaven will surely appoint them as the teacher and ruler of the hundred million, allowing them to govern and teach them to restore their nature. This is why Fuxi, Shennong, Huangdi, Yao, and Shun succeeded Heaven to establish the ultimate principle, and why the position of the (Chief Education Officer) and the role of the (Chief Music Officer) were established. Since then, the habits of scholars who memorize texts and compose poetry have been more effective than elementary education but useless; the teachings of heretics who advocate emptiness and stillness are higher than those of the university but without substance. Other strategies, techniques, and all theories that pursue fame and status, as well as the various schools and skills that deceive the world and deceive the people, fill the void of benevolence and righteousness, and they emerge in a chaotic manner. If the noble ones are unfortunate enough not to hear the essence of the great way, and if the common people are unfortunate enough not to receive the translation of the ultimate governance, they will be in darkness and obstruction, repeatedly suffering from deep-rooted illnesses, and by the decline of the Five Dynasties, chaos reached its extreme! The cycle of Heaven's fortune is unending, and nothing goes unrewarded. The Song Dynasty was prosperous and its governance and education were bright. At that time, the two masters of the family in Henan emerged, and they were able to connect with the tradition of Mencius.