The Study Of Zhou Bida’s Ritual Thought

Zhou Bida was an important statesman,thinker and litterateur in the early and middle period of the Southern Song Dynasty.He was the official to the right Prime Minister of Xiaozong Dynasty.He had a close relationship with the Neo Confucianism in the same period.His thought adhered to the Confucian orthodoxy,especially the rites and music,and emphasized the rule of the people by rites.There were many related works,which were worth special research on his rites.The core of the thesis is divided into four chapters,which can be divided into two parts: the ideological background and ideological content,trying to make a more systematic and in-depth analysis of Zhou Bida’s ritual thought.First of all,this thesis discusses the background of the formation of Zhou Bida’s theory of rites.On the one hand,under the background of social and ideological transformation in Tang and Song Dynasties,the urgent need to revive the study of rites and the emerging Neo Confucianism have a great impact on Zhou Bi’s thought of rites.On the other hand,the scholar bureaucrats in Luling,who are typical of Ouyang Xiu,and the regional cultural characteristics of Jiangxi in Song Dynasty,which emphasize Confucianism and courtesy,also have a subtle influence on Zhou Bida’s thought of ritual.Then,it focuses on the main content and characteristics of Zhou Bi’s theory of rites.According to the text analysis,Zhou Bida’s thought of rites can be divided into three levels:The first is to emphasize the importance of rites and scriptures in respect of talents.Zhou Bida put forward the idea of respecting the heaven and earth,the temple of rites,the loyalty of the king,and the courtesy of the ministers from the two aspects of "things ghosts and gods" and "distinguishing the names",and settled the relationship between the heaven and the people,the kings and the ministers through rites,which is the fundamental of rites.Second,we should pay attention to the etiquette and music competition.According to Zhou Bida,in the process of enlightenment and guidance,moral education is obviously more effective than penalty deterrence.As far as his personal political practice and idea are concerned,he regards rites and music as the most important way for adults,not only for the education of Prince and monarch,but also for the education of common people.The third is to advocate that the rites for the country must be appropriate.Zhou Bida applied the thought of rites to the practice of governing the country.Meanwhile,in the internal and foreign affairs of the dynasty,he repeatedly emphasized the appropriate and random adjustment of rites,which reflected the pragmatic side of his thought of rites,while paying attention to the standard.On the whole,Zhou Bida’s thought of Rites has duality,which includes interpretation of justice and practice.Etiquette is not only the way to cultivate oneself,but also the guarantee of governing the country and keeping the country safe.Etiquette is a common rule,but also has its flexible characteristics of contingency.By grasping Zhou Bida’s thought of rites,we can not only enrich the overall understanding of Zhou Bida’s thought,but also further reflect on the diversity of academic thought in the early and middle period of the Southern Song Dynasty.