This chapter records debates between Mozi and Confucian Gong Mengzi. Mozi refutes Confucian views on passive conduct, ancient robes, fatalism, elaborate funerals and empty music, denouncing four harmful Confucian doctrines while acknowledging Confucius’ valid ideas.
Confucius questions whether ritual merely means jade and silk, or music only bells and drums. He criticizes empty formalism, stressing their true essence lies in inner reverence and harmony rather than superficial ceremonial objects.
by Han Fei Long ago, the Yellow Emperor assembled spirits and demons on Mount Tai.
Mencius said: “The essence of ren (benevolence) is serving one’s parents;the essence of yi (righteousness) is following one’s elder brothers.The essence of zhi (wisdom) is understanding these two and never abandoning them;the essence of li (ritual propriety) is giving them proper form and refinement;the essence of yue (music/joy) is delighting in these two –and…
Chen Baoyue, a native of Fujian Province, was the chief executive of Qinzhou dao (Trans. Note: Dao in ancient China was an administrative division under the province).