A brief examination of the concept of "Guoxue" in ancient China

Abstract: The word "Guoxue" has been around since ancient times. It first appeared in "The Rites of Zhou" and carries the responsibility of musicians to teach rituals and music. . In the development of later generations, its meaning also gradually evolved. First of all, based on the records in "Hanshu Shihuo Zhi", it can be inferred that the national studies of the time were controlled by local princes and nobles, and played a transitional role in transporting local elites to the central government. Since then, Chinese studies have gradually become part of the national official education system, and a relatively sound system has been formed in terms of teaching objects, teaching content, and regulations, thus establishing the status of Chinese studies as the highest official education.

Keywords: Chinese studies; ritual and music education; official studies; ancient education

Chinese picture classification: K20 Document identification code: A

The concept of Chinese studies in the modern sense At the beginning of modern times, it gradually became synonymous with traditional Chinese culture. However, the term "Guoxue" has existed since ancient times, and its meaning has also experienced development and evolution in the long-term historical development. As Chinese studies have entered the academic field in the modern context, various schools have been arguing endlessly, and discussions on its meaning often focus on the excavation and endowment of new meanings. When you look through ancient classics and look for traces of Chinese studies again, you will find that Chinese studies have been inseparable from ancient Chinese education for thousands of years. Especially as an important component of the country's official studies, Chinese studies have obviously become the study of the nobility or the representative of the highest education in the country. At present, academic research tends to focus on the debate on Chinese studies on the modern stage and the practical functions of Chinese studies, but lacks a detailed review of the concepts of ancient Chinese studies. This article will use this as a breakthrough to review the concepts of ancient Chinese studies. The historical materials and personal knowledge included are limited. If there is any inappropriateness, please correct me.

1. Rites and music education: a speculation about the origin of Chinese studies

Modern people often trace "Chinese studies" to the beginning of "Zhou Li", that is, "Zhou Li·Chun Guan Zongbo· "Musicians" records: "Musicians are in charge of the government of Chinese studies." [1] 50 Based on this discussion and the extension of later works, the academic community mainly has the following conclusions regarding the early meaning of Chinese studies. One is that Chinese studies are the general term for official studies in the Zhou Dynasty. , and refers to primary schools and universities. For example, in "Zhou Li Zhengyi" in the late Qing Dynasty, Sun Yirang regarded Guoxue as the primary school on the left side of the royal palace in the national city; the second view concluded that Guoxue means a place where musicians teach ritual and music courses or a place where skills are transmitted; Three views hold that Chinese studies are national education, specifically referring to high-level national institutions or schools, and are mainly taught to children of aristocrats. Most of them hold this view. These views may be based on the education of the Zhou Dynasty, or they may be based on the overall level of ancient education, but they rarely focus on the "Zhou Rites" itself. Therefore, this article will first take the records of "Zhou Rites" as the excavation object, explore the origin of Chinese studies, and make the following analysis.

First of all, Guoxue may originally refer to part of the national ritual and music system. Among the official positions in the Zhou Dynasty, the position of musician belonged to the Chunguan system. Chunguan was the "ceremony officer" and was in charge of rituals and music. In the Zhou Dynasty, which attached great importance to etiquette, the importance of Chunguan can be imagined. Since Chinese studies appear in the position of musician in the Chunguan system, they are inseparable from rituals and music, and the responsibility of rituals and music is even more important than education. Second, although there were many official positions in the Zhou Dynasty responsible for "teaching Guozi dance", in the records of the official positions in "Zhou Li", it seems that only the responsibility of musicians explicitly mentioned the word "Guoxue", so the early meaning of Guoxue It is very likely that it is just a small music and dance in ritual music. Third, musicians “take charge of the government of Chinese studies” with a teaching color and educational function. A distinctive feature of the officials in the Zhou Dynasty was the "unity of officialdom and education", in which many functions were shouldered by both politics and education. The Chinese studies under the guidance of musicians may be part of the national official education system, and must have the function and color of education. Fourth, Chinese studies are unlikely to be the country’s high-level official studies. The local officials "manage their subordinates and take charge of the country's education, and assist the king in keeping the country peaceful". They are "subordinates of the instructors". However, the educational function of the spring officials is relatively weak, and the educational role of the musicians who belong to the spring officials does not seem to be the main one. job. Based on this, the author speculates that the origin of Chinese studies is as follows: as one of the responsibilities of musicians, Chinese studies are small-scale music and dances that belong to the national ritual and music system of the Zhou Dynasty. They have educational functions, but they are not high-level official studies of the state.

2. Studies controlled by local princes: Taking the records of "Hanshu Shihuo Zhi" as an example

After the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the term "Guoxue" appeared gradually more and more, and its meaning It has also gone through a process of development and evolution. The meaning of ritual and music education in ancient times is no longer obvious, but has gradually become a part of the national education system. In the beginning, it was probably just a school under the jurisdiction of the princes, and it was only a matter of time before it became the central official school of the country. Here, we take the description of education in "Hanshu Shihuozhi" as an example to explore the initial evolution of Chinese studies.

"Hanshu" records: "It is the month, and Yuzi is also in the preface room. At the age of eight, he entered elementary school and learned about Liujia, Wufang, and calligraphy. Only then did he know the relationship between parents and children in the room. At fifteen, he entered university. If you learn the rites and music of the ancestors, you will know the etiquette of the emperor and his ministers. Those who are outstanding will move to their hometowns to learn from Xiangxu; , studied at the university, and was destined to make a scholar. "[2] 291 This narrative appears in "Shi Huo Zhi", which records the socio-economic production, especially agricultural production, in the Han Dynasty. The "Shi Huo Zhi" that appears at the beginning refers to the slack season in winter. .

This paragraph describes the educational process of common people's children. The so-called "preface room" refers to the school where Meng children go to school. "Primary school" and "university" here refer to the common people's children's progression to higher education levels, so they are later called "excellent ones" Only then have the right to be recommended, so "primary school" and "university" here refer to the local schools where common people's children study, which is different from the "university" and "primary school" of the central aristocrats. Therefore, the rural studies, Xiangxu, Guoxue and Guoxue that appear in the second half Shaoxue may be a higher-level local official school or a school of local princes and nobles.

According to the previous article in "Shi Huo Zhi", "Five families are neighbors, five neighbors are li, four li are clans, five tribes are regulars, five permanent states are states, and five states are townships", "there are "Xiu" refers to the first-level school in the village, and "Xiu" refers to the school at the township level, so the "xu" here is approximately Lower-level local schools run by officials or nobles. According to the interpretation by Huang Sheng of the Qing Dynasty, "Xiangxue is the general name of Xiangxu. Guoxue is a different name of Shaoxue" [3]196, then Xiangxu is Xiangxue, and Guoxue is Shaoxue. Outstanding students in local primary schools and universities can be promoted to study in rural studies (Xuxu), and those who are excellent in rural studies can be taught in Guoxue (Shaoxue). Those who are outstanding in Guoxue can be recommended by princes to the highest institution of learning directly under the emperor. Therefore, Guoxue is composed of Local official schools directly controlled by local princes and nobles.

Through the above analysis, we have experienced the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period when various scholars contended, private private schools emerged, and the top-down education system recommendation mechanism gradually improved. In an era when the imperial examination system had not yet taken shape and non-aristocratic talents among the people were mainly recommended, Chinese studies became a high-level local official school controlled by princes and nobles. It was a transitional bridge between private and central education and a key step in transporting academic elites from local to central levels. . In the development process of later generations, especially after the establishment of the imperial examination system and the weakening of the talent recommendation function of local nobles, Chinese studies appeared more in the setting up of central state institutions and became an important part of central official studies.

3. The country’s highest official education: a multi-perspective interpretation of ancient Chinese studies

With the gradual improvement of the national education system in the past dynasties, the meaning of Chinese studies has gradually expanded to become “the study of the country” or “a At the same time, it was gradually given the default status of national higher education institutions. In the subsequent evolution process, Chinese studies became the representative of the highest official education. When Chinese studies appeared in the central official education system, the interpretation of Chinese studies was linked to aristocratic education and talent cultivation. Chinese studies also became a high-level aristocratic school and the source of the country's highest cultural source. This kind of Chinese studies has broken away from the color of early rituals and music, and has formed a systematic and sound normative system. The following will roughly outline the relationship between Chinese studies, Chinese studies, and Taixue, the teaching objects of Chinese studies, the teaching content of Chinese studies, and the regulations of Chinese studies. Examine the concept of Chinese studies as the highest official education of the country.

(1) Guoxue, Guozixue and Taixue

Emperor Wu of Jin Dynasty established Guoxue, and Guoxue gradually became the abbreviation of Guozixue or Guozijian in subsequent dynasties. During the period from the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty to the unification of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, the document records of each dynasty mentioned the establishment of Guoxue. A reasonable explanation is that the Guoxue established in the Western Jin Dynasty took "Guoxue" as the The abbreviation was used by various small courts during the subsequent division of the Northern and Southern Dynasties. For example, Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty "in the fourth year of Tianjian, he ordered the opening of five museums and the establishment of Chinese studies" [4] 1730. In the second year of Jianyuan of Emperor Ming of Qi, "the Chinese studies had been abandoned for a long time" and "Qi Zhi first went to the table to establish the school" [4] 666. By the Yuan Dynasty, Guoxue and Guozijian had the same meaning. In the early years of Kublai Khan, he "established Guozijian and established Guoxue supervisors"[5]296. It is worth noting that the Yuan Dynasty also established Mongolian Guozixue and Huihui Guozixue, which reflected the various ethnic groups. The cultural heritage of China certainly also contains the color of strict national hierarchy. Since the establishment of Guoxue (i.e. Guozixue), it has become the highest official school in the country, superior to Taixue and other schools. Cao Siwen of the Southern Qi Dynasty once wrote a letter saying: "According to what I see, today's Guoxue is the ancient Taixue. ... The difference between Taixue and Guoxue is that in the Jin Dynasty, the scholars were distinguished from the common people, and they were different from the nobles and the humble." [6] 83 In addition, the "New Book of Tang" records: "The Emperor Gaozu was ordered to... Guoxue established seventy-two members. He should be chosen as a son or grandson of a third-grade or above; a hundred and forty members of the Taixue should be chosen as a fifth-grade or above; a hundred and thirty members of the four schools should be chosen as a seventh-grade or above. "[7] 5635 It is also obvious that the established Chinese studies are here. The grades and admission requirements are significantly more stringent than those of Taixue, Simenxue and other schools.

(2) The recipients of Chinese studies

From the perspective of the recipients of "Chinese studies", initially the phrase "Chinese studies" appears in the sentence "Musicians are in charge of the administration of Chinese studies to teach Chinese students small dances" "The two words are obviously aimed at the education of the children of noble officials. In the process of evolution and development in later generations, most of the highest official academic institutions in each generation were named after "Guozi", such as Guozixue, Guozi Temple, and Guozijian. They were even simplified to "Guoxue". Zheng Xuan noted that "Guozi" means "Qing" He is also the son of a great official." However, not all officials' children can enter the school. Only the officials' children who meet the corresponding standards can enroll. For example, in the Tang Dynasty, "Guozixue gave birth to 300 people, including descendants of the third-rank civil and military rank or above, great-grandsons of the second rank or above, and sons of the second-rank official, county prince, and capital official with fourth-rank titles and third-rank honors." [7] 1159 . After the Song Dynasty, its recruitment targets have gradually been relaxed. As for the Ming Dynasty, it was extended to ordinary civilians. "All national students, descendants and nephews of first- to ninth-grade civil and military officials, and those over 12 years old will be supplemented by one hundred people." For those who are outstanding among the people and are over 15 years old and able to understand the Four Books and the Great Meanings, they are willing to enter the country and be admitted to Zhongshu Province. There will be a quota of fifty." [8] 253.

"Source of Chinese students" and "scholars who have entered the country" have gradually come to refer to students who can receive the highest level of education in the country, that is, "children of public ministers, incorporated into Chinese studies" [9] 365. Strict identity restrictions and high selection standards indicate the high threshold for admission to Chinese studies and the dignity of Chinese studies. Not only that, during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty, “the chiefs of Korea, Baekje, Silla, Gaochang, and Tubo also sent their children to study Chinese studies” [10]303, which reflected the openness of Chinese studies to foreign students.

(3) Chinese Studies teaching content or research content

First of all, respect for Confucius. Since Han Wudu adopted Confucianism recommended by Dong Zhongshu as the official philosophy, the supreme status of Confucianism has continued for thousands of years, and the country has It is natural for the highest officials to follow Confucius. Dong Zhongshu, the originator of the idea of ??respecting Confucianism, himself had been a doctor of Taixue for many years, and strongly advocated that "anyone who does not follow Confucius' technique in the six arts must follow his own path." "Book of the Later Han Dynasty" once recorded that Zhu Fu, an official of the Eastern Han Dynasty, said: "With the rise of Chinese studies," he "sought officials with doctorate degrees to become the masters of the world, so that the words of Confucius can be passed on endlessly" [11] 316, which can also be seen in the custom of respecting Confucius in Chinese studies. . In addition, there are many records in the literature about worshiping Confucius or establishing Confucius temples in Chinese studies. For example, in the second year of Zhenguan in the Tang Dynasty, the Duke of Zhou was ordered to be the first sage, and a Confucius temple was established in Chinese studies. "As the first sage" [12] 252. In the Yuan Dynasty, "in the 24th year of the Yuan Dynasty, Guoxue was established, and the Confucius Temple was the capital school, and those who promoted academic affairs still used the title of Guozi Jijiu" [5] 2301, During the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, "Dingwei, Tailao worshiped the ancestor Confucius in Chinese Studies" [13] 20. In addition, when Zhu Yuanzhang was conferred the title of Kong Na, a descendant of Confucius, he "ordered the etiquette officer to send the students to the Chinese Studies with music and music in the teaching workshop, and the academic officer led the students More than 2,000 people welcomed Chengxian Street [13] 7297, which is a clear manifestation of the emphasis on Confucius and Confucius in ancient Chinese studies.

Secondly, the etiquette teachings of ancient times are continued, and there are complicated regulations for entering Chinese studies. Although the Duke of Zhou was once regarded as the sage in the early Tang Dynasty, he was also respected as a person who valued etiquette, and Confucius highly praised the Duke of Zhou, and he also had profound thoughts on etiquette and music. During the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Confucius was again respected in Chinese studies. Since Confucius was respected, etiquette must be valued. As the country’s highest learning, Chinese studies must set an example. As Yu Ji, a Yuan-Confucian doctor, said, “Chinese studies are about etiquette and righteousness. "[6] 4175. When the children of aristocratic officials entered the Chinese Academy of Sciences, they would perform the ceremony of opening the door to the chest or the ceremony of releasing and laying the foundation. There were also royal family members and officials watching the ceremony. In the Tang Dynasty, Linghu Xuan and Teng Jue both had "Ode to the Viewing Ceremony of the Opening of the Imperial Academy of Chinese Studies" The poem was passed down to later generations, "When I was in Imperial College, I was watching the ceremony, and the colors of dawn in the east were divided. The majestic appearance is He Didi, and the rings and ornaments are numerous." [14] 2849 "In the temple of Susu's ancestors, there are Yiyi Zhouzi group. The court is full of old rituals, and the account is opened to worship Qingfen." "The Holy Master respects Confucianism, and the Spring and Autumn Period lays honorary tributes." [15] 2850, used to praise the etiquette of Chinese studies.

Thirdly, the teaching content of Chinese studies is based on Confucian classics. During the reign of Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty, "the Five Classics were always used to teach Guoxue, but Guoxue was the classics, and each classic had an assistant teacher." [16] In 433, in the first year of Taiji in Emperor Ruizong of the Tang Dynasty, "the Crown Prince personally explained Guoxue. Ling Wuliang lectured on "The Book of Filial Piety" and "The Book of Rites" [17] 3167. Most of the children of noble officials in the dynasty entered the study of Chinese studies when they reached the required age, and the emperor also visited in person many times to consult Confucian classics. In addition, the subjects of study of Chinese studies It not only focuses on Confucian classics, but also has extensive knowledge of classics and history, as well as hundreds of schools of thought. For example, in the early years of the Tang Dynasty, with the exchange and collision of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, Chinese studies were also affected by this trend. Li Yuan, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, once "Shidian" "Calling Confucian monks and Taoists to discuss the meaning of Chinese culture" [18] 160.

(4) The regulation of Chinese culture

Including students and officials, Chinese culture can be achieved when the country is strong Thousands of people, hundreds of schools, and impressive regulations. Chinese studies not only brought together a large number of academic elites at that time, but also cultivated many academic successors. This is evident from the fact that China has always attached great importance to culture and education, especially in the Tang Dynasty. During the Taizong period, not only did the country grow stronger, its culture flourished, and foreign exchanges continued, but the development of Chinese studies was also spectacular. "The number of Chinese studies including foreign students increased to 1,200," and "there are more than 8,000 people in Chinese studies." [10] 302. By the time of the Yuan Dynasty, although it was ruled by the Mongolian people, it still did not neglect Confucianism. Han Yuanshan, a Han official, once said that "Chinese learning has been flourishing in all dynasties, but there are only 400 Chinese students in this dynasty." [ 5]786, indicating that 400 students were already a small number. Of course, there were times when the number was even smaller. For example, in the first month of the fourth year of the founding of the Qi Dynasty in the Southern Dynasty, Xiao Daocheng issued an edict to establish Guoxue with one hundred and fifty students.[6]82 , but after all, it was considered a "little court" living alone in a corner. As the country's highest academic institution, especially the Chinese studies, which were also responsible for cultivating the princes and nobles and recruiting top students from all over the world, they not only stored reserve power for the emperor's think tank, but also served as a vital resource for the country. As an important cultural town, its huge structure is the need to preserve the cultural heritage of the country, and it is also the need to fundamentally continue the supremacy of Confucianism and protect the imperial power.

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