| Abstract |
The bamboo slips collected in Shanghai Museum regarding “Caring for people as parents” discuss the way of governance. Most of the contents can be seen in Book of Rites in the section of “Confucius being at leisure”. Both of the two texts are quite similar except few differences. One of the significant distinctions is that the section of “Confucius being at leisure” additionally remarks the virtue of “three kinds of unselfishness”. Obviously, both have close relation. Recent scholars who study the bamboo slips regarding “Caring for people as parents” mostly focus on the discussion of “Five Achievements” and “Three Absences”. In this article, I compare the bamboo slips in Shangai Museum with Book of Rites, and explore the profound meaning implied in the bamboo slips regarding “Caring for people as parents”, and relate it to the section of “Confucius being at leisure”. That is, based on the “origin of rites and music”, the ruler shall exercise “Five Achievements” and “Three Absences”, and then fulfill “Five Goals of Inspiration” and “Three Kinds of Unselfishness”. This article is consisted of eight sections: 1. Preface - Introducing the motif, purpose and approach to study the subject. 2. Discussing the theme of “Caring for people as parents”. 3. The way to “Caring for people as parents” shall attain to the origin of rites and music. 4. “Five Goals of Inspiration” is the metaphysical principles of governance. 5. “Three Absences” is the supreme guidelines of governance. 6. “Five Goals of Inspiration” is the way to enhance the level of “Three Absences”. 7. “Three Kinds of Unselfishness” is the virtues that the ruler shall realize. 8. Conclusion - Discussing the consistent principles of governance between the text recorded in the slips and that in Book of Rites.
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