"Yan Family Instructions" and Family Education in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties
Author: Liang Mancang, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
The Chinese nation has a long history and cultural tradition Ethnicity and family motto are an integral part of Chinese traditional culture. Family precepts have a long history. "Shang Shu Wu Yi" is a warning given to Zhou Gong after he returned to power and became king, and it has initially taken on the nature of family education. If it is counted as a family training document, then family education can be traced back to the pre-Qin period. By the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, family education had developed very maturely, and the emergence of "Yan Family Instructions" was a landmark achievement.
"Yan's Family Instructions"
"Yan's Family Instructions" is the first systematic and mature family education document in the history of our country. Chen Zhensun of the Song Dynasty said in "Explanation of the Titles of Zhizhai Shulu": ?The ancient and modern family motto is based on this. ?Yuan Zhong of the Ming Dynasty said in "Miscellaneous Records of Court Curtains": ?The Yan Zhitui family method of the Six Dynasties was the most correct and passed down the furthest. ?It can be seen that its profound influence in history.
Mature tutoring works are produced in the corresponding social environment. "Yan's Family Instructions" was produced in the late Northern Dynasties. It was the historical reality of the continuous development and maturity of family education in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties that gave birth to this far-reaching work. After a long period of historical evolution, the clan organizations in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties had a strong feudal flavor and formed social and historical characteristics that were different from the previous ones. This is the rise of aristocratic families. Aristocratic families are a social class that has a decisive influence in politics, economy, and culture. They attach great importance to family and family education, thus driving the development and maturity of family education in the entire society. This is reflected in the following aspects:
First, family education focuses on cultural inheritance. Many cultural families emerged in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, including famous Confucian families such as Fu Xu and Fu Ting in the Southern Dynasties. There are famous families who studied "Li" such as He Shao and Zi He Xun. Literary families such as Qiu Lingju and Qiu Chi. There are three generations of medical families such as Yao Bodhi, Yao Sengyuan and Yao Zui. Historian families include Wang Quan, Wang Yin and his son, and Yao Cha and Yao Silian. Technological families such as Zu Chongzhi, Zu Xun and his son, and the Yu Xi family for several generations. Calligraphy families such as Wang Xizhi, his wife Xi Xuan, his sons Xuanzhi, Ningzhi, Huizhi, Caozhi, Xianzhi, and Ning's wife Xie Daoyun all wrote calligraphy. Until the Chen and Sui Dynasties, Wang Xizhi's seventh grandson Shi Zhiyong was still a famous calligrapher.
Second, family education focuses on cultivating family tradition. The noble families used Confucianism as their cultural support. During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, the social influence and role of Confucianism had spread to the entire society. The core of Confucian ethical thought is "loyalty and filial piety". During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, filial piety was the top priority, not only for gentry families, but also for common people families. Guo Shidao, a native of Yongxing, Kuaiji, his mother died just after he was born, and his father continued his marriage. Guo Shidao served his father and stepmother with filial piety and integrity. When he was fourteen years old, his father died again. Guo Shidao had to pay too much attention to the mourning ceremony and was extremely sad. The family is poor and has no property, so she has to use servants to support her stepmother? Her filial piety is touching. His son Guo Yuanping is also a filial son, and he must do his best to support his relatives. Guo Yuanping went out to work and often went hungry, saving his wages to buy food for his parents. His father was seriously ill, and Guo Yuanping was unable to take off his clothes and did not taste salt and vegetables. He suffered from severe cold and heat. At that time, Kuaiji Township paid great attention to the two identities of "wangji" and "wangxiao", which were generally the starting point for the official career of a wealthy family, equivalent to the author and secretary. Cai Xingzong, who was in charge of the election at that time, elected the eldest son of Kong Zhongzhi from Shanyin as "Wangji" and the second son of Guo Yuanping as "Wangxiao". According to historical records, Zhongzhi met with the high gates of the country, and Yuanping unified the country, and wanted to fight against each other? ("Song Book" Volume 91 "Xiaoyi Guo Shidao Biography"). Tang Changru pointed out: The ethical order advocated by Confucianism expands from the inside to the outside, from closeness to distance. Focus on the moral behavior of a family member, and then extend it to the township party. (Tang Changru's "History of the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties") The Confucian ethical order extends from the inside to the outside, from the close to the distant, starting from personal filial piety, "filial piety is the first," and "loyal ministers must be filial sons." , being filial to one's relatives means being loyal to the king. Loyalty to the king is extended to loyalty to the country and the nation, loyalty to the cause, loyalty to teachers and friends, and loyalty to relatives. Respecting the elderly and loving the young extends from bloodline clans to society, which means "the benevolent love others". The ethics of brotherhood within the clan is "fraternity", and by extension to society, "all brothers are brothers in the four seas". This process of extension is also the same for the common people and clans.
Looking through "Yan's Family Instructions", there are many teachings on the two words of loyalty and filial piety: "The book of husbands and saints teaches people to be honest and filial"; If you sacrifice your whole family and sacrifice your body to help the country, a gentleman will not be blamed?; An honest minister will favor his master and abandon his relatives; a filial son will settle down in his family and forget the country, each has his own way of doing things? Love cannot be simple. Jane means kindness and filial piety, but love means neglect. When the father is not kind, the son will be unfilial. If the brother is not friendly, the younger brother will be disrespectful. It can be said that loyalty and filial piety were the most important family traditions of the scholar-bureaucrats and commoner families at that time.
Third, family tradition education pays attention to methods and methods. Family education in the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties created many effective methods in practice, and there are four types of methods in summary:
The first is oral admonishment. For example, "The Biography of Xie An" records: "Although An was born in Hengmen, his name was still among the top ten thousand people. Naturally, he had the hope of being a public servant, and he often taught his children by etiquette and example in his family." The same book "Xie An's Biography of Xie Xuan" contains: Xuan's character is Youdu. Shaoyingwu, together with his brother Lang, were both highly valued by his uncle An. An Changjie made an appointment with his son and nephew, because he said: "How can my children care about people and want to make them good? No one has anything to say," Xuan replied: "It's like the orchid and jade tree, I want it to grow on the steps of the courtyard." ?Anyue. ?
The reason why Xie An was satisfied with Xie Xuan's answer was because he expressed his feelings of looking for talents out of his gratitude. "Shishuo Xinyu - Speech Chapter" contains: "Xie Taifu Hanxue gathered in one day and lectured on the meaning of literature with his children. Suddenly, it snowed suddenly. The Duke happily said: "What does the white snow look like?" Brother Hu said: "Sprinkle salt in the air to make a difference. Simulate. The brother and daughter said: "It's not like catkins blowing up in the wind." ?The public laughed happily. ?
The same book "Literature Chapter" also contains: "Xie Gongyi's younger brothers gathered together and asked: "Which sentence is the best in "Mao Shi"? He said: "In the past, I left, and the willows were still there. Now I am Come to think of it, it's raining and snowing. The Duke said: "Mo has decided the fate, and I will tell you from afar." He said that this sentence is more elegant and profound. ?Conclusion is the small character of Xie Xuan. What Xie Xuan said is a line from "The Book of Songs Xiaoya Caiwei". This poem reflects people's sorrow and unrest in their lives due to the invasion of foreign enemies. What Xie An said is a sentence from "The Book of Songs? Daya? Yi", which expresses the meaning of stabilizing the country and bringing order to the four directions. At that time, the Eastern Jin Dynasty was faced with the threat of the minority regime in the north. Xie An's intention to ask his sons and daughters to establish peace and control the barbarians through discussing the Book of Songs was obvious.
Liu Ziye, the prince of Emperor Xiaowu of the Liu Song Dynasty, wrote a letter of greetings to his father during his western tour, but the handwriting was not careful. Emperor Xiaowu admonished him and said: "If you don't make progress in writing, this will be a loss of ears." I heard that you have been slacking off and becoming more and more violent, so why are you so stubborn? Yang Chun, the Situ of the Northern Wei Dynasty, retired to his hometown. Before leaving, he gathered his descendants and admonished him: "I heard that when you were a layman in your studies, there were some people who sat down to entertain guests. , There are those who drive the powerful, there are those who make light of people's evil, and when they see the noble and the superior, they respect them, and when they see the poor and the humble, they are slow and easy. This person has made a big mistake in his conduct and is seriously ill in his body. Since your family became emperor in the Wei Dynasty, there have been seven prefects of seven counties and governors of thirty-two prefectures below the emperor. If you can maintain etiquette, avoid extravagance, arrogance, and hypocrisy, you will be able to avoid criticism and become a famous person. I am seventy-five years old this year, and I am still strong enough to pay homage to the Emperor. Therefore, those who seek to retreat diligently want to make you know the meaning of the world's satisfaction. It is a Dharma ear, and it is not just seeking a name for a thousand years. If you can remember my words, a hundred years from now, you will have no regrets. ?("Book of Wei" Volume 58 "Yang Bo attached to Yang Chun's Biography")
Zhuge Liang once wrote two "Books of Admonitions", one of which said: "A gentleman's journey should be quiet to cultivate one's character and be frugal. Cultivating virtue means that without being indifferent, one will not be able to clarify one's aspirations, and without being tranquil, one will not be able to reach far. The husband must be quiet to study, and the talent must study. Without learning, there is no way to expand talents; without ambition, there is no way to achieve learning. If you are impatient and slow, you will not be able to stimulate your essence, and if you are dangerous and impetuous, you will not be able to cure your nature. Years pass by with time, thoughts pass with the sun, and they become withered and withered. Most of them do not take on the world, and they stay in the poor house with sadness. Where will it be again!? ("Yi Wen Lei Ju" Volume 23 "Human Department? Warning")
This "Book of Commandments" not only explains the ways and methods of self-cultivation, but also points out the relationship between determination and learning; it not only explains the importance of tranquility and indifference, but also points out the dangers of indulgence, indolence, and extreme impatience. Zhuge Liang not only had strict requirements on his sons in terms of general principles and was persuasive, but he also showed his subtle care for his children in some specific matters. Another chapter of his "Book of Commandments" says: "The setting of husband's wine is in accordance with the etiquette and affection, it is suitable for the body and nature, and the etiquette finally retreats, this is the end of harmony." If the idea is not lost and the guest is still tired, he can get drunk without becoming confused.
? ("Taiping Yulan" Volume 497 "Personnel Department? Drunk" quoted from "Zhuge Liang Collection")
This sentence means: The purpose of setting up a banquet is to comply with etiquette and communicate feelings, so as to adapt to the body and The need of one's mind can be met and the etiquette can be followed before exiting. This will reach the peak of harmony. When the host's interest is not exhausted and the guests are a little tired, they can drink until they are drunk, but not to the point of coma. This is Zhuge Liang's admonition to his children on specific matters. Some people believe that Zhuge Liang's son Zhuge Zhan was only 8 years old when he died, and the contents of the two "Books of Commandments" mentioned above do not seem to be addressed to children, so they suspect that they were forged by later generations. However, if we consider the fact that Zhuge Qiao adopted Zhuge Liang as his heir, there will be no doubt about the above two "Books of Commandments". Zhuge Qiao was 25 years old in the sixth year of Jianxing (228 years) and was already an adult. Zhuge Liang's two "Books of Commandments" should be addressed to his adult heir Zhuge Qiao. Zhuge Qiao and his brother Zhuge Ke in Soochow are both famous in the world. Many people think that Zhuge Qiao is not as talented as his brother Zhuge Ke, but he surpasses Zhuge Ke in terms of character cultivation. This should be the result of Zhuge Liang's education.
Tao Mu retreats from the fish
The third type is behavioral admonishment. Tao Kan, a famous official in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, was born in poverty. When he was young, he worked as a county official. He once used his position to send a can of pickled fish to his mother Zhan. Zhan refused to eat it, and even blamed Tao Kan, saying: "You are an official, and if you leave me the official property, not only will it not benefit me, but it will increase my worries." ?("Book of Jin" Volume 96 "The Biography of Tao Kan's Mother Zhan") Xie An's nephew Xie Xuan liked to wear violet sachets when he was young. Later, he used this behavior to educate him, and since then Xie Xuan stopped wearing the sachet. Xie Lang, the brother of Xie An, was good at talking about mystical principles and had a brilliant literary talent. After recovering from a serious illness in his childhood, he met his uncle Xie An to discuss mysteries with the monk Zhidun, and the debate was very fierce. Xie An's sister-in-law, Wang, who had been widowed for many years, was worried that her son would be overworked and hurt his health, so she sent people to call Xie Lang back twice. Mr. Xie An was reluctant to let Xie Lang go and wanted them to come up with a conclusion. Mrs. Wang had no choice but to go to Xie An's house in person and said: "The bride has suffered a lot of hardships and her whole life is here." She dragged Xie Lang away in tears. Xie An said to Zhi Dun: "My sister-in-law's words are so generous that I wish the court officials would not see her." ? ("Book of Jin" Volume 79 "Biography of Xie An") expresses understanding and respect for the behavior of the sister-in-law. These two incidents reflect the Xie family's family tradition of emphasizing education and respecting etiquette.
The fourth method is to take advantage of the situation. Zhang Chong, the son of Zhang Xu, a native of the Southern Qi Dynasty, did not uphold moral conduct and loved to wander. Once Zhang Xu asked for leave and went home. As soon as he arrived at Xichengguo, he saw his son hunting in the suburbs. He had an eagle in his left arm and a dog in his right hand. Zhang Chong also saw his father's ship approaching, so he put down his falcon and hunting dogs and met him on the shore. Zhang Xu did not blame him, but asked with a double entendre: "Doing two jobs in one job, is it a waste of time?" Zhang Chong looked ashamed and replied: "Chong heard that he stood up at thirty and is now twenty-nine. Please come next year." Respect Yi Zhi. Zhang Xu then encouraged him and said: "If you can correct your mistakes, this is what the Yan family has done." ?Sure enough, Zhang Chong cultivated his moral character and studied hard in the second year, and later became as famous as his uncle Zhang Ji ("Liang Shu" Volume 21 "Biography of Zhang Chong").