Did you know that Zhang Zai, the founder of Guanxue, spent his life searching and left four famous sayings that are still passed down to this day?

Happy and interesting

Zhang Zai (1020--1077) was a philosopher of the Northern Song Dynasty. Zi Hou was born in Hengqu Town, Mei County, Shaanxi Province today, and he was known as Mr. Hengqu in the world. In his youth, he studied the art of war and wanted to make friends with others to regain the lost territory in Taoxi. He also served as secretary of Chongwen Academy and other positions. He wrote books, lectured, and taught throughout his life. He was "the master of the scholars in Guanzhong" and was known as "Mr. Hengqu" in the world.

"Establish a heart for heaven and earth, establish a destiny for the people, carry forward the unique knowledge for the past saints, and create peace for all generations." In Zhang Zai's spiritual heritage, these four famous sayings are widely recited and are also his thoughts. The essence of. Therefore, these four sentences are also called "Four Hengqu Sentences" by contemporary philosopher Mr. Feng Youlan.

Zhang Zai lived in this special historical era of the Northern Song Dynasty - the period of Confucian revival. He wrote prolifically throughout his life and put forward the theory of "Taixu is Qi", affirming that "Qi" is the entity that fills the universe. Due to the gathering, dispersion and change of "Qi", various phenomena are formed. Zhang Zai wrote "Zhengmeng", "Collected Works", "Yi Shuo", "Chun Qiu Shuo", "Confucian Classics Theory", etc.

Because of his lectures on Guanzhong, Zhang Zai’s school was called “Guan Xue”. "

After carefully studying "The Doctrine of the Mean", Zhang Zai then carefully studied Buddhist thought, and finally returned to Confucianism, forming a complete system of thought. Historically, it has been said that the doctrine "respects propriety and virtue, is happy with heaven and lives well. Taking "Yi" as the sect, "The Doctrine of the Mean" as the body, and Confucius and Mencius as the law", we can see Fan Zhongyan's knowledge of people and Zhang Zai's dedication to learning. "Four Sentences of Hengqu" are simple in words and grand in meaning, showing the awe-inspiring atmosphere of Neo-Confucianism in the Northern Song Dynasty and carrying It contains the profound heritage of traditional Chinese culture.

"Establishing a heart for the world" means "establishing oneself" and "achieving oneself"; "establishing a life for the people" means "establishing people" and "reaching people". This is space. The extension and expansion of the dimension; "carrying on the unique knowledge to the saints and creating peace for all generations" is to open up the future for China and even mankind while not forgetting the original. This is the extension and expansion of the time dimension, so that we can achieve great things.

Experts believe that "to establish a heart for the world, to establish a destiny for the people, to carry forward the unique knowledge of the saints, and to create peace for all generations", respectively emphasizing man and nature, man and society, and man and man. , the relationship between people and the inner soul. These four sentences fully reflect the Confucian "benevolent atmosphere" and "the feelings of heaven and earth". If "cultivation, family order, country governance, and world peace" are Confucian personal ideals, then "Hengqu" "Four Sentences" is the Confucian ambition to use the world.

Zhang Zai's thoughts not only have a foundational and pioneering role in Neo-Confucianism in the Song and Ming dynasties, but also from the perspective of the entire history of Confucian thought, Zhang Zai's thoughts have a magnificent Thoughts and magnanimity, the spirit of innovation and the mission to turn the tide.

In the vast universe, although individual people are small, everyone can uphold the "Four Sentences of Hengqu" and can set a heart for the world. , to establish a destiny for the people, to carry forward the unique knowledge of the past saints, and to create peace for all generations.

In Zhang Zai's life, he was called to the Jin Dynasty twice, served as a foreign official for three times, wrote books and founded sects, and lived in poverty all his life. After his death, he was too poor to bury him. After hearing the news, the students rushed over to buy a coffin and bury him. Fan Wenzhenggong said in the famous book "Yueyang Tower" that "if you live high in the temple, you will worry about the people; if you live far away from the rivers and lakes, you will worry about them." In his own place, Mr. Hengqu became a follower when he advanced, and became a local sage when he retreated. With practical actions, he opened up a new situation for Confucian scholars to take on the role under the historical conditions at that time.

"Establish a heart for the world and live for a living." The people establish their destiny, carry forward the unique knowledge for the saints, and create peace for all generations." This is the essence of Zhang Zai's thought. These four famous quotes have been widely recited in the new era, and our country's leaders have elaborated on these famous quotes in international conferences many times. , exporting China’s excellent traditional culture.

I suggest you memorize these four famous quotes to continue Hengqu’s Guan studies, tell Hengqu’s stories well, carry forward the spirit of Guan studies, and strengthen cultural confidence.