Study Of Song Dynasty’s Research On The Preface Of Mao Poem

The Book of Songs has long been regarded as a Confucian classic,embodying Confucian thought and ethical significance.Although modern research on The Book of Songs has focused mostly on its literary value,the importance of its value in Confucian classics has not been sufficiently emphasized.From the perspective of Confucian classics,this paper uses the Song Dynasty’s research on the The Preface of Mao Poem as an entry point to explore the ethical significance of The Book of Songs in the Song Dynasty,as well as the inspiration it provides for future research on The Book of Songs.In addition to the introduction and conclusion,the main body of the paper is divided into five chapters.Chapter One provides a general overview of Song scholars’ research on The Preface of Mao Poem.First,it summarizes the views of pre-Song scholars on The Preface of Mao Poem,including Zheng Xuan’s extended interpretation and Kong Yingda’s rebuttal of the Zheng commentary in certain places.It then elaborates on the Song scholars’ doubts and debates on The Preface of Mao Poem,introduces key Song scholars and their works concerning The Preface of Mao Poem,and gives an overview of the debates on The Preface of Mao Poem in the Song Dynasty.Finally,taking the Siku officials as a representative,the evaluation of the Song Dynasty’s The Preface of Mao Poem by the Qing government is pointed out,pointing out the tendency of Siku officials to respect Han and demote Song.Chapter Two sorts out Song scholars’ views on the division of the big and small prefaces and the authorship of The Preface of Mao Poem.The Song scholars divided the big and small prefaces mainly due to differences in the understanding of content,and there was no bias based on academic faction.The variety of Song scholars’ views on the authorship of The Preface of Mao Poem has expanded the scope of the discussion.The two factions supporting and opposing The Preface of Mao Poem mostly started to promote their own opinions with the discussion of the authorship of The Preface of Mao Poem,and the Song scholars’ discussions on the authorship of The Preface of Mao Poem led to the debate on the respect or rejection of The Preface of Mao Poem.Chapter Three elaborates on the Song scholars’ debates on the respect or rejection of The Preface of Mao Poem,as well as the two factions’ claims.It introduces the process of the Song scholars’ debates on the respect or rejection of The Preface of Mao Poem in chronological order,and presents the views of the Northern Song scholars,including Liu Chang,Ouyang Xiu,and Su Shi,who doubted The Preface of Mao Poem,as well as the views of the two Cheng brothers,who supported The Preface of Mao Poem.It also examines the views of the Southern Song representatives,including Zheng Qiao and Zhu Xi,who rejected The Preface of Mao Poem,and the views of Fan Chuyi and Lu Zuqian,who respected The Preface of Mao Poem.Chapter Four discusses the research on the teaching of The Book of Songs in the Song Dynasty reflected in Song scholars’ research on The Preface of Mao Poem.The essence of The Preface of Mao Poem is the teaching of poetry,which is expressed through The Preface of Mao Poem.The Preface of Mao Poem explains the content of Confucius’ s poetry teaching of "gentleness and sincerity," expands the scope of Confucius’ s poetry teaching,and incorporates rulers into the guidance of the educational values.Using Lu Zuqian and Zhu Xi as examples,this chapter examines the poetic teaching thoughts of the two factions supporting and opposing The Preface of Mao Poem and points out that both Lu Zuqian and Zhu Xi inherited and developed the political education of Han Dynasty’s scholarship emphasizing the beauty and satire,and their poetic teaching thoughts also have rationalist elements.Chapter Five reflects on Song scholars’ research on The Preface of Mao Poem.Combining the debates on The Preface of Mao Poem in the Song Dynasty,errors in The Book of Songs research during the Song Dynasty,and the current research status of The Book of Songs,this chapter considers the issue of whether The Book of Songs has a "true meaning" and whether The Preface of Mao Poem should be abolished.It argues that the value of the ethical significance of The Book of Songs is much greater than the value of its "true meaning." Furthermore,The Preface of Mao Poem has a rigorous system of moral and ethical guidance that is a valuable achievement in the study of The Book of Songs.Therefore,The Preface of Mao Poem should not be abolished.