SuaveG – The Gentle Path

Chinese mythology, folktales, and literature

ancestral reverence

  • The Analects – Chapter 14.40

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    Zizhang asked, “The Book of Documents says, ‘When Gaozong was in mourning, he did not speak for three years.’ What does this mean?”The Master replied, “It was not only Gaozong – this was the practice of all ancient people. When a ruler died, all officials managed their own duties and submitted to the Chief…

  • The Analects – Chapter 10.15

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    When a friend died and had no family to care for the funeral, Confucius said, “I will handle his burial.” When friends gave gifts – even something as valuable as a carriage and horses – he would not bow in thanks unless the gift was sacrificial meat.

  • Mencius – Chapter 4.7 Filial piety, ritual, and the ethics of burial

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    Mencius went from Qi to Lu (to bury his mother). After burying his mother in Lu, Mencius was returning to Qi and stopped at Ying.