Humanistic Education In The Traditional Vision Of The Zhou Dynasty Rite

Culture of rites and music is outstanding among traditional culture of China,so research of the culture of rites is obviously important.With the revival of Chinese traditional culture,more and more people concerns on culture of rites.Therefore,people pay more attention to and make good use of some ancient rites which have been handed down since ancient times,and initiation rite is very important one of them.Since the original era,after the continuous development of the three dynasties,the concept of humanities gradually awakened and was improved.The function of ceremony developed from "serving God for blessing" to the attention and service of personnel.As a code of conduct in the process,tradition of humanistic education with Chinese characteristics gradually formed. As a means of education,rites and ceremony are different from "punishment" which by enforcing got identity from different classes,then got adequate development in the society of Xi Zhou Dynasty which was famous of "humanity".Both perfect ceremony and expansion of righteousness laid a solid foundation for the prosperous development of culture of rites at later time.Initiation rite which evolved from "Cheng Ding Li" of primitive society ever played an important role in human history.At Xi Zhou Dynasty,Initiation rite which was generated in China had a comprehensive form and high indoctrination meaning.Initiation rite included "Guan Li" and "Ji Li",but the former was more important.The book named《Yi Li》had the specific instrumental introduction of Initiation rite of men,which was the important documents for learning Initiation rite.Initiation rite,which ranked as the first of Jia ceremony,was very important.Because of its Status,other historical records also involved it,which provide essential materials for us.As people continuously studied the function of ceremony,the education of ceremony plays an increasingly important role.At that period,people paid great emphasis on timely education of young people,hoping that they "start with the good",so that "nothing with evil",as a result, society was perfect.This is the regulation of Zhou dynasty and also is an ideal of the Confucianism.In this way,both the children of kings and nobles and that of ordinary people, firstly studied in primary schools to learn the "Etiquette".As they grew older,they began to study the essential meaning of rites.In this process,Initiation rite had been continuously improved,and developed.Its role in educating the public and benefiting the state was gradually apparent.In the Spring and Autumn Period,with rites and music collapsing,some ceremonies became unknown,while some were only known of their forms.Thus,early members of Confucianism took on the task of reviving ancient ritual,but that was not a simple repetition.By "Innovating in depiction",they valued the meaning of rites and re-excavating in the form of ritual.This can manifest the education functions of it.Confucius and his students attached great importance to the concept of "adult".In Confucian context,"adult" was often emphasized and given rich connotations.Combining with of these elements,we can have a more comprehensive understanding of education function of initiation rite at Zhou Dynasty.At present,initiation rite held in some places of our country often becomes a mere formality because of the lack of academic and theoretical guidance.So it is short of educational influence. This article discusses initiation rite of Zhou Dynasty from the perspective of the humanities education,which will be able to give useful inspiration to improve initiation rite at the present.