A century-old era of blending history and thought in Eastern Friday.

Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770-256 BC), is a brilliant era in the history of China, is an important key to understand the history and civilization of China, no era like the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, has brought such lasting shock to future generations. However, it seems difficult to fully understand the Eastern Zhou Dynasty only based on the data of this era.

The latest published by Unity Publishing HouseCentennial of East FridayIt is the author Zhang Xinjiejie.Three hundred years of Western Zhou DynastyAfter another masterpiece. We say that reality is the continuation of history. When we have a good understanding of the Western Zhou Dynasty, many questions in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty will be solved. Based on the in-depth study of the Western Zhou Dynasty, the author further interprets this great era in the history of China-the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.

This book combs the complicated history, finds the causal relationship between different events and reveals the driving force behind the historical evolution. Get rid of the prejudice that the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period do not see the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, show the evolution of the Eastern Friday in a panoramic view, and truly restore the original face of history. Taking other civilizations in the "Axis Age" as a reference, the distinctive features of China’s history and Chinese civilization are contrasted. On the one hand, this book confuses and reorganizes, tells the changing history of the East Friday in the past 100 years, on the other hand, it ascends to the distance, summarizes and evaluates the creations of great thinkers in this era, discusses the mutual promotion between them, and touches the pulse of history deeper.

Today, the small group specially prepared for everyone.Centennial of East FridayThe preface, let’s read and look back together.770 BC-221 BCThese 500-year-old changes have returned to the era when history and thoughts blended together to explore the inherent laws of China’s historical development.

An era of blending history and thought.

From the 8th century BC to the 2nd century BC, it is called the axis era of human history. During this period, China, Indian, Middle East and Greater Greece successively set off unprecedented ideological and cultural movements, which laid the foundation of human ideological concepts and spiritual beliefs and influenced them to this day. For this phenomenon, people are used to overlooking and summarizing it from the perspective of philosophy and religious development. This way of understanding is conducive to identifying the identity of different civilizations in historical development and observing the rhythm of human civilization development. However, there are some shortcomings in recognizing the particularity of different civilizations. Because without the soil on which civilization depends, it is difficult to understand its essence and see its true meaning.

Axis era, corresponding to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period in China’s history. And hundred schools of thought is the creative subject of this great era. In the past two thousand years, the research materials about the pre-Qin philosophers have been filled with boxes and cars. However, the ancients were limited by the established vision, and the research methods were intertwined, which was suspected of overlapping beds. Since modern times, scholars have generally adopted analytical methods to study the history of thought. They regard thinkers as dissected objects, extract several points from the latter’s works and words and deeds, and then conclude that they are the representatives or all of their thoughts. This method sometimes hits the nail on the head, and sometimes there are too many deviations. A life with outstanding thoughts and fresh soul can not be dissected by a simple surgical knife.

Each civilization system has its own distinct personality and characteristics, and only by in-depth exploration along the origin can we touch its beating heart. The greatest feature of Chinese civilization is its remarkable historical and political attributes (to some extent, politics is another form of history). In the world, the Chinese nation pays the most attention to learning from history. We have a vast collection of historical records, ranking first in the world. In terms of philosophical methods, Chinese thinkers favor the utility of politics the most. The content of political construction in hundred schools of thought occupies the largest space in their works. Therefore, to understand the essence of Chinese civilization, China in the Axial Age and hundred schools of thought’s thought, we can’t avoid history and politics. Only by starting with history and politics can we discover the mystery of civilization hidden behind thinkers.

So there is such a method, and with the pace of historical progress, we will follow suit to interpret China in the Axial Age. Only by thoroughly integrating into the historical context can we realize profound insights. For example, hundred schools of thought is essentially not a different philosophical school divided vertically, but a historical experiencer and a political participant linked horizontally; The blending depth of China’s history and thought is beyond ordinary imagination; It is history that creates ideas, not philosophy that creates ideas; Hundred schools of thought’s historical identity is far more important than his philosophical identity. Therefore, we know that the problems encountered by Chinese civilization in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period were solved by history (politics) rather than philosophy.

This method of separate interpretation is conducive to understanding the essential features of a particular civilization. But the world we live in today is no longer a divided world. People can’t use historical answers to answer current problems. What future generations can only inherit and learn from is the free spirit and innovative vitality of Tessa in the Axial Age.

further reading

Centennial of East Friday

brief Introduction of the content

Starting from the timeline of China’s historical development and evolution, The Hundred Years of East Friday is a grand narrative of this category. On the one hand, the work confuses and reorganizes, and tells the changing history of the East Friday in the past 100 years, on the other hand, it ascends and overlooks, summarizes and evaluates the creations of great thinkers in this era, and discusses the mutual promotion between them. Through hundreds of years’ exploration and practice, the Chinese nation has finally found an advanced ruling style and lifestyle that suits it. The author not only narrates a wonderful history from a unique perspective, but also devotes himself to exploring the inherent laws of China’s historical development, revealing the core elements of Chinese civilization and the powerful driving force for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation.

Brief introduction of the author

Zhang Xinjue, a native of Danzhou City, Hainan Province, graduated from the Chinese Department of Central South University. Wide interests and extensive reading. I have maintained a strong interest in China’s history and culture for a long time, constantly expanded the breadth, breadth and depth of reading, liked to think independently, and loved to create. I have published works on publication platforms such as National History of China, History University Hall and many newspapers and periodicals, and I have published the work "Three Hundred Years of the Western Zhou Dynasty".

Three hundred years of Western Zhou Dynasty

brief Introduction of the content

The Western Zhou Dynasty, which inherited the Xia and Shang Dynasties and initiated the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, was an era that Confucius prepared and respected. However, due to the lack of historical materials, it is very difficult to understand the whole picture of the Western Zhou Dynasty. Fortunately, the excavation of a large number of bronzes made up for this shortcoming to some extent, and also made it more feasible to restate the history of the Western Zhou Dynasty.

This book refers to historical materials such as Historical Records, Shangshu, Book of Songs and unearthed bronze records, sorts them out with a rigorous attitude, and narrates them in popular and smooth language, restoring a complete, continuous, plump and vivid historical picture of the Western Zhou Dynasty and reappearing a heroic epic led by the Duke of Zhou, a civil servant. As far as the author is concerned, the political, military, institutional, ideological and cultural aspects of the Western Zhou Dynasty are also discussed accordingly, in order to let readers know more about the budding and developing state of China culture in the Western Zhou Dynasty and show the deep value of the works. The works are supplemented by pictures and tables to enhance the expressiveness and attractiveness of the content. This book is not only a popular work for the public, but also a serious reading that is valuable for promoting traditional culture.

What is culture? This is the best answer I have ever heard (good article).

Reading a lot of books, having a lot of knowledge, and having a high degree of education … are completely different from having a culture.

People who are truly literate have achieved the following.

01

A flight attendant named Judy told an interesting story about Liu Shishi at the Weibo.

As a stewardess, Judy often meets all kinds of big coffees and stars, but these big coffees and stars didn’t leave a deep impression on her until she met Liu Shishi a few days ago.

On that day, Liu Shishi took the first class. After the plane landed, Judy went to tidy up the first class, and suddenly found:The quilt on Liu Shishi’s seat was neatly folded.

Judy was shocked at once:"In the past, all the guests in the first class huddled their quilts, threw them under their feet and left. I didn’t expect the poems to be stacked neatly. I was so touched."

People who fly first class are usually people of great status.But you see, there are so few people who fold quilts. Once in a while, the stewardess will be moved for a long time.

02

On May 1 ST, I met a wandering singer on the road. The singer sang very well. After a song, many people walked by and threw the change into the singer’s hat, but then, a lady’s behavior surprised people.

She went to the hat and crouched down slowly.Gently put two coins into the hat, and smiled and nodded to the wandering singer.

Educated, I don’t care if I have read many books. But at this moment: many people lose her too much.

Comparing this matter, I am reminded of Bai Yansong’s words:

"Whether a person has a culture is not based on how high his education is. People with academic qualifications do not necessarily have culture, while those without academic qualifications do not necessarily have no culture. "

Read a lot of books, have a high diploma,And whether you have culture or not are sometimes completely different.

03

Wu Xiao Xian told another touching story.

Once, he followed the boss to talk about business, and at lunch, he ordered a table in the hotel.

Halfway through the meal, the waiter served a special dish, and the boss said politely:"Thank you, we don’t need food."

The waiter explained:"This dish is free."

Boss still answer with a smile:"We don’t want it for free, we can’t eat it, it’s a waste."

After the meal, the boss wrapped the leftovers.

On the way back to the company,The boss drove the car slowly, as if looking at something.

Wu Xiao Xian was wondering when the boss stopped the car.Picked up the packed food, got off the bus, walked up to a beggar and handed it over with both hands.

What is culture? This is culture. Culture is self-cultivation rooted in the heart.

04

I read another story in People’s Daily.

On the weekend, my nephew followed a Chinese to go fishing in Sydney, Australia. Every time you cast a net, you always get something.

But every time the net comes up, the Chinese always pick and choose.Then throw most of its shrimps and crabs back into the sea.

His nephew was puzzled: "I finally hit it, why throw it back?"

Chinese answer:"Fish and shrimp that meet the specified size can be caught."

His nephew said, "No one can care about you on the high seas?"

Chinese smile:"Not everything needs to be reminded and urged by others!"

What is culture? This is culture. Culture is consciousness without reminding.

05

What is freedom?

Many people’s understanding is:Freedom is to let yourself do what you want freely.

But people who think like this don’t know what real freedom is.

Linda, a Chinese-American writer, wrote a book "Worry in the Deep of History", which presents a fact:The United States is both the freest country in the world and the least free country in the world.

On one occasion, he accompanied his friends to visit the Grand Canyon of America.

My friend picked up a coke can and wanted to throw it into the Grand Canyon:"What a pity not to do something in such a deep canyon!"

Linda got a fright, hurriedly stop:"This is illegal."

The freest America in the world is actually full of illiberality:

It is illegal to hold an open wine bottle in the street;It is illegal for parents to slap their children when they cry.It is illegal to even talk about pornographic jokes in the office;……

Many people in China don’t understand why the United States has so many restrictions.In fact, it is precisely because of so many constraints that American freedom has been created.

The philosopher Mill said:"Constraints are the mother of freedom. Personal freedom must be based on not infringing on the freedom of others. "

What is culture? This is culture. Culture is freedom based on constraints.

06

There was a man who taught his disciples to break glass products, put the fragments into garbage bags and wrote on them with a pen:"There are glass fragments inside, dangerous!"

In this way, garbage collectors won’t scratch their fingers.

The mineral water bottles after drinking drinks are also emptied and tightened.This facilitates the collection of waste recyclers.

You ask me what is culture? This is culture. Culture is kindness for others.

When going to the toilet, think of the next person who goes to the toilet;When throwing garbage, think of the next garbage collector;No matter what you do, you must think of the next person;……

07

Xia Yan, a dramatist, was in great pain before he died.

The secretary said, "I’ll call the doctor."

Just as he was about to open the door, Xia Yan opened his eyes and said with difficulty:"Not called, please."

Then he passed out and never woke up.

"Not called, please." Xia Lao changed a word, but touched a building.

Do you know how Liang Qichao died?

He died in a medical accident at Union Medical College Hospital;The doctor cut the left kidney that should have been removed into the right kidney.

Before he died, Liang Qichao did not curse the doctor, but told his family:

"Don’t tell the media, don’t publish. The people have just begun to believe in western medicine. If they know about me, they will inevitably retreat. "

Xia Lao Liang Lao is the truly literate person.

A true literate person does not depend on how many books he has read or what school he has attended, but should have four qualities:

Cultivation rooted in the heart;

Consciousness without reminding;

Freedom based on constraints;

Kindness for others.

Reprinted from WeChat official account: Poetry World

The specific meaning of the culture of "Oriental Sinology Originality"

The word "culture" is familiar to everyone, and everyone likes to label something as "culture", ranging from classical culture, modern culture, western culture and Asian culture to chopsticks culture, toilet culture and costume culture in daily life. So what is "culture"?

According to the search results displayed by Baidu Encyclopedia, the meaning of "culture" can be explained from at least three levels. First, from the perspective of western philosophy, culture is the expression of philosophical thoughts. Second, from the perspective of China’s philosophy, "Wen" and "Hua" first appeared together in the Book of Changes, Ben Gua and Bi Zhuan-"Rigid and flexible, astronomical; Civilization stops, so does humanity. It’s about astronomy to observe the changes of time, and it’s about humanities to turn into the world. " In this sentence, there is a clear distinction between "astronomy" and "humanism", in which "astronomy" refers to nature, while "humanism" refers to the spirit related to human life. In China’s traditional discourse system, the meaning of "culture" is mostly derived from it.

Third, on the level of social anthropology, culture in a broad sense is the sum of material wealth and spiritual wealth created by human beings in the process of social and historical practice; The narrow sense of culture is the explanation put forward by British culturist Taylor in his book Primitive Culture, that is, culture is a complex whole including knowledge, belief, art, morality, law, customs and the abilities and habits acquired by anyone as a member of society.

However, on the whole, I personally think that "culture" is a comprehensive summary of all beings with beautiful characteristics. Because judging from the emergence of "culture" and its relationship with human social life, the greatest influence of "culture" on people lies in letting people know beauty, know beauty and inherit beauty. Throughout ancient and modern China and foreign countries, the existence that can be called "culture" can basically give people beautiful impressions or feelings, such as poetry culture, from which readers can feel the beauty of language and rhythm, while clothing culture can make people feel the beauty of design and human body. At the same time, "beauty" is actually the dominant factor in the integration, guidance, order maintenance and inheritance of "culture". In addition, in a narrow sense, "culture" ultimately leads to "beauty of human nature". Why do we often refer to a person as a "literate person" instead of others? In essence, it is because this person gives others the impression that they understand beauty, kindness and elegance. We often say that we should inherit the traditional culture of China, but what we inherit is the beauty of China tradition. Where is the beauty? Beauty lies in the life of mutual respect, love for life and free choice among people.

Author: Shi Ying