Color Version 60 Chinese Classics That Will Affect Middle School Students' Lives

Author: Yao Liping, Yan Zhaohui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features:
Author Introduction of the Book of Documents
Who compiled the Book of Documents? There have been different views throughout history, but Sima Qian and Ban Gu both believed it was compiled by Confucius. Confucius was the great synthesizer of ancient Chinese culture, living in the late Spring and Autumn Period when rites and music were in decline, and the Book of Songs, Book of Documents, Book of Rites, Book of Changes, Book of Music, and Spring and Autumn Annals were scattered. After traveling through various states, he returned to Lu and devoted his later years to compiling these six classics, including the Book of Documents, for which he also wrote a preface.
The Book of Documents is divided into the Jinwen (contemporary script) and Guwen (ancient script) versions. The Jinwen Book of Documents was passed down by Fu Sheng during the Han Dynasty, with three schools of transmission: the Ouyang, the Greater Xiahou, and the Lesser Xiahou. In the late Eastern Jin Dynasty, Mei Zhai presented the Guwen Book of Documents, which, when combined with the Jinwen, formed the version popular today. However, according to the research of Qing Dynasty scholars such as Ge Ruojun and Hui Dong, the Guwen Book of Documents was confirmed to be a spurious text. Nevertheless, it still preserves parts of the original Jinwen Book of Documents, retaining some historical value.
Content Summary
The Book of Documents, also known as the Classic of Documents or simply the Documents, is one of the "Six Classics" of Confucianism and is one of the earliest historical texts in China. Its style is a selection of historical records, primarily consisting of government archives from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, such as reports, decrees, oaths, and commands. Thus, it can be considered an ancient collection of political essays.
In both the Records of the Han Dynasty·Bibliography and the Records of the Sui Dynasty·Bibliography, it is stated that the Book of Documents originally had 100 chapters. However, after the burning of books by Qin Shi Huang, it was scattered. During the reign of Emperor Wen of Han, Fu Sheng recited it orally, resulting in 28 chapters—the Jinwen Book of Documents. These 28 chapters are divided by dynasty as follows:
- 2 chapters of the You Book: Yaodian and Gao Yao Mo
- 2 chapters of the Xia Book: Yugong and Ganshe
- 5 chapters of the Shang Book: Tangshe, Pan Geng, Gaozong Tongri, Xibei Keli, and Wei Zi
- 19 chapters of the Zhou Book: Mushie, Hongfan, Dagao, Jinteng, Kanggao, Jiugao, Zicai, Zhao Gao, Luogao, Duoshi, Wuyi, Junsang, Duofang, Lizheng, Gumeng, Feishie, Lü Xing, Wenhou Zhi Ming, and Qin She.
The Book of Documents is primarily a record of speeches, with its content mainly consisting of the words of historical figures and imperial decrees. Based on its nature, it can be divided into the following six categories:
1. Narratives of imperial deeds: Such as Yaodian, which can already be considered formal history.
2. Records of institutions and systems: Belonging to the nature of later chronicles, such as Yugong, which can be regarded as China's earliest geographical treatise.
3. Discussions on national politics: Hongfan, for example, is about the great principles of heaven and earth discussed by Ji Zi for King Wu, as well as the theories of governing the world.
4. Oaths for military campaigns: Such as Ganshe and Mushie.
5. Imperial decrees: Such as Wenhou Zhi Ming.
6. Proclamations: These make up the largest portion of the text and cover a wide range of topics, some from top to bottom and others from bottom to top.
Thus, the first three categories are historical records, while the last three are official documents. Although only 28 chapters remain, they cover a vast span of history.
The two chapters of the You Book are closely related in content and can be considered sister chapters. Yaodian focuses on the deeds of Yao and Shun, reflecting the historical disintegration of the clan system in the late primitive society. Gao Yao Mo centers on discussions of state governance, proposing "knowing people" and "ensuring the people's well-being," while also introducing the "Five Rites" and "Five Punishments." This indicates that the hierarchical system and state machinery were in the process of formation at the time.
The two chapters of the Xia Book reflect two major events of the Xia Dynasty: Yu's flood control and the Xia king's conquest of Youhu. Yu's flood control is an important historical legend in ancient China, recorded in many pre-Qin texts. The Xia king's conquest of Youhu was a major event in the transformation of China's social system. Additionally, Yugong is significant not only for recording this important historical legend but also as an invaluable ancient geographical treatise, detailing the geographical layout of mountains and rivers and dividing the country into nine regions.
The chapter Ganshe, though extremely brief, describes a major war with significant implications, providing documentary evidence for the study of the establishment of China's slave society.
There are five chapters in the Book of Documents that record the history of the Shang Dynasty: Tangshe describes the establishment of the Shang Dynasty, while Pan Geng and Gaozong Tongri record its revival, and Xibei Keli and Wei Zi record its decline. These five chapters basically reflect the development of the Shang Dynasty.
There are 19 chapters that record the history of the Zhou Dynasty, making up the largest portion of the Jinwen Book of Documents and having the highest historical value. From Mushie to Gumeng, the 15 chapters record the early history of the Western Zhou, specifically the reigns of King Wen, King Wu, King Cheng, and King Kang. Lü Xing, Wenhou Zhi Ming, and Feishie, among others, primarily describe major historical events during the establishment of the Zhou Dynasty and the measures taken to consolidate its rule after its founding.
In terms of historical events, there are: King Wu's conquest of the Shang, the suppression of Wu Geng, Lu Fu, and the three supervisors' rebellions, the rule of the Duke of Zhou, the death of King Cheng, and the enthronement of King Kang.
Reading Guide
The Book of Documents is the most difficult to read among all ancient Chinese classics. Therefore, to read it, one must refer to other texts. The most valuable references are the Records of the Five Emperors, Records of the Xia, Records of the Shang, and Records of the Zhou in the Records of the Han Dynasty. Sima Qian used a large amount of material from the Book of Documents in writing these chapters, narrating them in the language of his time, which greatly aids in reading the Book of Documents.
Additionally, in terms of version selection, options include Kong Yingda's Commentary on the Book of Documents, Cai Shen's Collected Interpretations of the Book of Documents, Sun Xingyan's Annotations and Explanations of the Jinwen and Guwen Book of Documents, and Liu Fenglu's Collected Explanations of the Jinwen and Guwen Book of Documents. Each has its strengths and can be chosen by readers.
Work Evaluation
The Book of Documents reflects the entire process of the establishment, consolidation, and prosperity of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, making it an extremely important source for studying the politics, economy, and culture of the Shang and early Western Zhou periods. For example, Yaodian records the "" (passing down of power) story of Yao, Shun, and Yu, reflecting the inheritance of authority in primitive communal society. Yugong is China's earliest historical geographical document. Pan Geng describes the relocation of the Shang court. However, as a collection of political documents, the chapters are largely independent and lack internal connections, and there is no clear chronological order, leaving many challenges for the study of ancient history.