| Abstract |
It is critical to read and study unearthed bamboo tablets with correct compiling sequence. Among those unearned from the ancient tomb of Kuo Dian, China, there are four pieces with the same form and content, namely, "Cheng-Zhi-Wen-Zhu" (成之聞之), which means to accomplish and to learn; "Zun-Der-Yi" (尊德義), which means to respect moral justice; "Shing-Tz-Ming-Chu" (性自命出), which means that one's natural quality is derived from his destiny; and "Liu Der" (六德), which means six virtues. These four pieces are subject to Confucian reference and entitled by their first sentence respectively. However, some researchers challenge the compiling sequence. Where "Shing-Tz-Ming-Chu" is comparable to another volume unearthed at Chu area in Warring States Period, "Shing-Duo-Lun" (性惰論, the theory of inherent sloth), collected by Shanghai Museum, this part can be processed separable. But the other three need to rearrange the compiling sequence within and among pieces. By reviewing my previous papers on this topic, I intend to rearrange the original compiling groups, based on the analysis of certain characters in those tablets identified as separating marks. Further, I explore the possibility of various connections, proposing new ideas of compilation. The tablets that belonged to "Cheng-Zhi-Wen-Zhi" , "Zun-Der-Yi" and "Liu Der" shall be connected by their contents and sentences rather than specific pattern of handwriting. It is possible that those tablets are subject to three pieces. According to the convention of ancient books, the entitlement of each piece was adopted by the first sentence. I make the same arrangement in the three pieces: "Da-Chang" (大常, simper eadem), "Der-Yi" (德義, moral justice) and "Hsing-Shang" (刑賞, penalty and reward). "Liu Der" is the main part of "Da-Chang" , and its beginning and ending are incorporated in those tablets of "Cheng-Zhi-Wen-Zhi". I move tablets No. 31-33 and No. 40 of "Cheng-Zhi-Wen-Zhi" to "Da-Chang". The remaining plus tablet No.1 of "Zun-Der-Yi" constitute the piece of "Der-Yi". On the other hand, original tablets in "Zun-Der-Yi", by removing tablet No.1 and inserting tablet No. 49 in "Liu Der", constitute the piece of Hsing-Shang.
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