plain book

Chapter 3 Interpretation of Plain Books (1)
original chapter

Note: "Tao cannot be without beginning."

Wang said: "The original sound, the root. The original, the beginning. The chapter, the chapter. In this chapter, first talk, virtue, benevolence, righteousness, and propriety. These five are the foundation of being a person and the principle of becoming famous."

【Interpretation】What is the foundation of life in this world?Huangshi generally believes that: the way of heaven, virtue, benevolence, justice, and etiquette are the fundamentals of being a human being and conducting oneself in the world.These five are also the highest state of Chinese humanistic thought.Success, failure, honor and disgrace in life, in the final analysis, is the grasp of these five words.

[Original] Husband and morality, virtue, benevolence, righteousness, and propriety, the five are one.

The note said: "When separated and used, there are five, and when combined and muddled, it becomes one; the reason why one penetrates five, and the five develops."

Wang said: "These five principles teach people to straighten their minds, cultivate themselves, regulate their families, govern their country, and bring peace to the world. If you are willing to follow each of them, it is the foundation of standing up and becoming famous."

【Interpretation】Tao, morality, benevolence, righteousness, and propriety seem to be five different moral standards, but in fact they are integrated into one when guiding people. A healthy person should possess these five virtues at the same time. Therefore, Confucianism It is said that "the way to establish people is called benevolence and righteousness".It is the foundation of righteousness, self-cultivation, family harmony, state governance, and world peace, and it is also the greatest strategy in life.

Some modern people don't take the spiritual elements of ancient Tao, morality, benevolence, righteousness, and propriety seriously, and think that they have no practical significance for today's life.But have people ever thought about why Chinese society has lasted for 5000 years?In fact, the secret lies in the Chinese culture of Tao, morality, benevolence, righteousness, and propriety.

A notable feature of Chinese culture is "self-motivation and self-improvement", the purpose of which is to pursue immortality in life.So Confucianism talks about establishing virtue, meritorious service, and establishing words, folks talk about ancestor worship, and Taoism talks about "longevity and long-term vision."So what is immortality?Simply put, as long as the spirit is eternal and complete, it is immortal.

In the eyes of the Chinese, "spirit" is not nothingness, but something qualitative and tangible, with energy beyond our imagination.This kind of thinking has been consistent from Confucianism's advocacy of "the benevolent is invincible" to today's "the power of role models is infinite".How can this energy be obtained?The Chinese also put forward self-cultivation based on "introspection", and regard the five virtues of Tao, morality, benevolence, righteousness, and propriety as five specific standards for daily cultivation.

Just imagine, if the majority of people in a nation are consciously pursuing spiritual self-improvement, this nation will surely last forever in the long river of history.

[Original Code] The Taoist is what people do, so that all things do not know their origin.

The note said: "The clothes of the Tao are covered by all things. They are wide and large. One movement and rest, one silent speech, one source, and one food and beverage. The big and the appearance of the eight wastes, the small and the inside of the awn, why is it suitable instead of the Tao? Ren It is not enough to be famous, so the benevolent see it as benevolence; wisdom is not enough, so the wise see it as wisdom; the people are not enough to see it, so they use it every day and don’t know it.”

Wang said: "Heaven has day and night, and the year is divided into four seasons. Spring is harmonious, summer is hot, autumn is cool, and winter is cold; the sun and the moon reciprocate and grow all things. , autumn prosperity, winter decline, all things flourish and wither according to their own conditions, this is the natural way of geography. The righteousness of heaven, earth, ruler and subject in life, the relationship between father and son, the difference between husband and wife, and the trust of friends, if you can be in harmony with the sky, It is the natural way of human affairs to observe the location and achieve all things."

【Interpretation】The so-called Dao is the natural law that people must follow. It is the inexhaustible natural rule of the universe and human society. Although "Tao" governs the generation and change of all things in the world, few people know the reason.

"Tao" is a concept with infinite extension and almost zero connotation.It is so simple that there is only one word; it is so complicated that it can't be more complicated, as big as infinite, as small as a dust, and even a person's breathing, pecking and drinking are all in the Tao.

Specifically, Dao can be divided into the Dao of Heaven, the Dao of Earth, and the Dao of Humanity.There are four seasons in the sky, wind, cold, rain and dew, the battle turns and the stars move, this is the way of heaven; all rivers return to the sea, everything rises and falls, this is the authentic way; success or failure, honor and disgrace, the order of seniors and young, the difference between husband and wife, this is the way of humanity.

Although the "Tao" is vague and difficult to understand, if a person wants to achieve a career, he must try his best to figure it out. "The Analects of Confucius Liren" even said, "If you hear the Tao in the morning, you can die in the evening."It means: If a person understands the Dao of the universe in the morning, he will die at night without regret.Those who follow the way will get things done easily; those who go against the way will have no roots in their karma.

[Original Code] Virtue is what people get, so that everything can get what it wants.

The note says: "To seek is desire. Desiring but not getting it is not the ultimate in virtue. Those who seek rules and regulations can only obtain square and round circles; those who seek balance and balance can only obtain severity. Those who seek virtue can have nothing but desires and cannot achieve Monarchs, ministers, fathers and sons get it, and think of it as kings and ministers, fathers and sons; insects, plants, and trees get it, and think it is insects, plants, and trees. The big can become big, and the small can become small. The body of the near and far is everything, and you can’t get what you want.”

Wang said: "Yin and yang, cold and heat are in the four seasons, and the wind and rain are in sequence, moistening and nourishing all things, which is the virtue of heaven. The plants and trees in the sky and the earth have their own production, and the birds and animals have their own habitats; all things in the mountains and rivers have their own nature. It is the virtue of the land. Explaining the scriptures of the sages, knowing the ancient and modern things. Living in peace, cultivating one's mind and self-cultivation, being loyal to the monarch, being filial to one's parents, being honest to one's friends, these are the virtues of a person."

【Interpretation】The so-called virtue refers to what people get in life. From a broad perspective, it means to let everything in the world conform to the arrangement of nature so that each gets its own place and does its best.

The original meaning of the word "de" is "get", that is, to get, to get.So how can you get it?First of all, people must have requirements and desires. Only when they are obtained from the heart can they be obtained from the outside, and only when they are thought of can they be obtained.Therefore, the core of "morality" is a person's inner thoughts.Of course, this idea must be correct, and it must conform to the rules of the "Tao". Only in this way can people respond to their needs, achieve great success with big desires, and achieve small achievements with small desires.If you don't preach Taoism and morality, and don't follow the laws of nature, even if you do your best, your desires will eventually come to nothing.

The character of De comes from "彳", which means action.People who have ideas are just dreams, and they must be put into action if they want to "get".It is still Kong Yingda who said clearly: "Being virtuous in the heart, and acting in deeds." With virtue in the heart, and try to do it, the heart decides to act.Therefore, virtue is done, and there will be no virtue if there is no action.

How can one be virtuous?It's simple to say, just four words: sacrifice yourself for others.Letting others gain is the real "virtue". "Book of Changes" explains that "supporting the cultivation of heaven and earth" is virtue. People should be as selfless as heaven and earth, let everything have its own place, let everyone around you get their own, and help people around you to develop their abilities. This is "virtue" ".Take a look at the virtues advocated in ancient China: loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, righteousness, gentleness, respect... which one is not for others first?
Let others benefit, and you get "virtue".

【Original Code】The benevolent person is loved by others, and has a heart of compassion and compassion, so that it can be born.

The note says: "The body of benevolence is like the sky, which can cover everything; it can be like the sea, and the sea can never tolerate it; it can be like the rain and dew, and the rain and dew can moisten it all. Kindness, wisdom, compassion, so use the sound of benevolence. It is not to be close to the world, but to be close to the world. There is no one who does not If you get what you want, there is nothing that can't get its life. "Book" says: "Birds, beasts, fish, and turtles are salty." and also."

Wang said: "Don't do to others what you don't want yourself to do to yourself. If you do favors, people will love each other, blame others with the heart of responsibility, and forgive others with the heart of forgiveness. If you can do justice and concessions, you will have nothing to fight for. The benevolent, Compassion for the lonely and the widowed is the heart of kindness for loved ones, compassion for the lonely and the needy, and helping those in need. When people are in pain, thinking and sharing the same worries; my happiness is sharing the joy with others, which is the heart of compassion. If you know compassion and compassion The way of doing this is not to interfere with people's physiology, and everyone will follow the way of art, making a living, starting a family, and making the country rich."

[Interpretation] The so-called benevolence is dearness. "Shuowen" Shiren said: "benevolence is closeness." It refers to the mutual affection between people and between people and all things. There is a heart of compassion and compassion. To help all things and all things can fulfill their wishes, and each has its own success.

"Benevolence" is the core of Confucianism and the center of Confucianism.But what is ren?Confucius himself is not unified, and there are many sayings, such as "love others", "establish others if you want to stand up for yourself, and achieve others if you want to achieve yourself", etc. If you read Confucius thoroughly, then the thought of "benevolence" can be expressed in a popular sentence : Start with yourself, do the things around you well, put others before yourself.

Start with yourself, start with your heart, and have a heart of compassion and compassion.People in the world always regard their own sadness and grief as infinite, and completely ignore other people's feelings; if someone can take other people's pain as his own pain, always consider other people's perspectives, and always feel the pain of others, That is the sage and the compassion advocated by Buddhism.

It can be seen that benevolence must start from the heart. Mencius once said: "The heart of compassion is also benevolence." In unearthed slips, some people also write "benevolence" as a body above and a heart below. It can be seen that the unity of body and mind is benevolence.When you treat the world with such a heart, the world will reward you in the same way.Remember: the world will change because of your attention.

Do things around you well.Confucianism never talks about theory, it pays attention to "practice". Therefore, when Confucius talked about benevolence, he always commented on some specific things and specific people. There is no heart of charity.Similarly, "deacon respect" is also an important criterion of benevolence.Japan Post Minister Seiko Noda, her first job was to wash toilets at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, but she vowed: Even if she washes toilets all her life, she will be the best toilet cleaner.As a result, she did it. She washed every toilet like a new one, and her "dedication" made her a brilliant life.

We have a heart of benevolence and do the things around us well, what is it for?Confucius gave the final answer: everything is for others!This is also the highest state of Chinese humanities, and putting others before oneself has become the only way to "do everything for others".A benevolent person is one who puts the perfection of others in the first place, "Establish others if you want to be established, and achieve others if you want to achieve yourself", so that everyone around you can live happily.

【Original】Righteousness, what is appropriate for people, rewards the good and punishes the evil, and makes meritorious deeds.

The note says: "Where the reason lies, it is called righteousness; making decisions according to the law, so doing righteousness. Rewarding the good and punishing the evil is the principle of righteousness; making meritorious deeds and doing things is the judgment of righteousness."

Wang said: "Be tolerant of the people, aiming at the peace of the people; abandoning gold and jade like dung, loving the virtuous and kind like missing relatives; always practicing humility and respect, this is the right way for a righteous person. Meritorious and good people are rewarded, and many people see it. , but also learn to do well; punish the guilty and punish the wicked, and if many people see it, they dare not do wrong, and they can succeed in doing things.”

【Interpretation】Behavior in line with reason is righteousness, which means that people should act in a timely manner when they do things, and behave in a decent way to make people feel comfortable.If it is further extended, righteousness is what people should do.That is to say, "righteousness" is a criterion for judging people's conduct in the world. Those who meet this standard are good and should be rewarded, while those who violate this standard are evil and should be punished.

a misunderstanding of meaning.Confucius himself was very flexible in dealing with this "righteousness":

When Confucius was studying abroad, he was trapped somewhere between Chen Guo and Cai Guo. He had no food for more than 10 days, and sometimes he couldn’t even eat wild vegetable soup. He was really hungry.

The student Zilu saw it and couldn't bear it, so he ran out and stole a cooked piglet.Confucius didn't ask where the meat came from, and ate it immediately; Zilu robbed someone else's clothes in exchange for wine, and Confucius didn't ask where the wine came from, and drank it as soon as he picked it up.However, when Duke Ai of Lu greeted him, Confucius showed the demeanor of a gentleman. He would not sit on the mat if it was not arranged properly, and he would not eat the meat if it was not cut properly.

Zilu really didn't understand, so he asked, "Sir, why is it different now than when Chen and Cai were trapped?"

Confucius' answer is very interesting: "I used to do that to steal a living, but today I do it to give lectures!"

[Original Code] The etiquette is what people wear, and it is the order of adult ethics.

The note said: "Rites, shoes. Those who practice day and night without losing their order are all rituals. Words, actions, sights, and hearings must be made out of order. Where do release, seclusion, evil, and extravagance come from?" "

Wang said: "In general, when serving the emperor and serving relatives, one must advance and retreat; in order to accept internal and external, one must be humble. The ritual of respect and service, not slack day and night, can be the order of human relations."

[Interpretation] From a large perspective, etiquette refers to the various systems of a country, and from a small perspective, it refers to the rules and rules for people and things.Each of us, from childhood to adulthood, whether at home or outside, consciously or unconsciously, is practicing the norms of etiquette. Only in this way can the society be orderly and the interpersonal relationship harmonious.

"Li" is the basic spirit of Chinese Confucianism, but the era of Confucius is far away from us, and the ritual system advocated by Confucius is not suitable for contemporary society, but we still have to learn from Confucius today.

First of all, learn the spirit of Confucian etiquette: respect others and always be in awe of everything around you.

There has never been a free lunch in this world. If you want to gain respect from others, you must first show respect to others, and it must be sincere.If you have prejudices against others, no matter how cleverly you pretend, you will definitely be seen through.Therefore, sincerity is a state of mind with the lowest cost and absolutely no need for additional concealment; it is also an investment with the highest return. Many opportunities in life will fall into your hands inadvertently because of sincerity.

Secondly, we must learn Confucius' attitude towards etiquette: do it yourself, never force it.

Confucius developed from an ordinary teacher to a "Confucius sage", not only because of Confucius' theories.He has a characteristic, that is, he does what he says.Whatever he advocates, he has to do it himself, starting with every word and deed, and starting from the little things in life, and he has done it all, which is not easy.What many people around us lack is exactly this point. They will always be opportunists who say one thing and do another.

Confucius' words and deeds are consistent, always like a mirror, shining on the hearts of future generations.

[Original] A husband who wants to be the foundation of a human being cannot be without one.

The note says: "Lao Tzu said: 'When a man loses virtue, he gains virtue; when he loses virtue, he gains benevolence; when he loses benevolence, he gains righteousness; For righteousness, when righteousness is scattered, it is ritual. The five things are not useless, but if they are not scattered, the Tao is just wonderful. Lao Tzu talked about its style, so he said: "The ritual is the leader of the thin and chaotic." Huangshi It is said that it is useful, so it is said: 'It cannot be without one.'”

Wang said: "Tao, morality, benevolence, righteousness, and etiquette are the five things that are for human beings and do good things together; if you want to rectify your mind, cultivate yourself, regulate your family, and govern the country, you must not have one of them."

【Interpretation】The most complicated and difficult thing in the world is actually how to behave, that is, how to deal with others.Because the heart of the human animal is extremely unstable, it is not only affected by its own restlessness, but also easily affected by the surrounding environment and social culture, and is constantly changing.Coupled with the strong creativity and radiation ability of human beings, this makes people possess the opposite duality, and the coexistence of creativity and destructive ability cannot be underestimated.

How to restrain and guide this "powerful ability to be unstable"?Therefore, whether in the past or in the future, politics will always be the first.

For individuals, the biggest strategy in life is actually here: how to effectively use one's ability to achieve the goal?How to use the abilities of others to achieve your own goals?In this game, if there are no rules, neither of the above two goals can be achieved.So what are the rules of the game?Or in other words, what are the correct rules of the game?
The way of heaven, virtue, benevolence, justice, and etiquette, from another perspective, are the rules of this game.If you meet these rules, or as long as you stick to a few of them, you can keep playing, and maybe even achieve a career; if you don’t even intend to follow one of the rules, then this society will definitely not let you play. Undoubtedly the biggest failure in life.

[Original] A sage and gentleman understands the way of ups and downs, knows the number of successes and failures; judges the trend of chaos, and reaches the principle of going and going.

(End of this chapter)