Confucius' Three Questions about Laozi

According to historical records, in the seventh year of Lu (535 BC), Confucius first asked Laozi for a gift in Xiangdang (now Shandong). At that time, due to internal contradictions in the Zhou Dynasty, Lao Tzu was removed from his post of guarding Tibetan history because of being framed, so he began to travel around the world. When he traveled to Lu, it happened that a friend of his party in Lu died. People know that Lao Tzu is familiar with etiquette, so he was invited to preside over the funeral.

On the day of the funeral, seventeen-year-old Confucius was also present. Because he was undertaker at that time, he was also invited to help undertaker.

Just as the funeral procession was marching, a solar eclipse suddenly appeared. Lao Tzu immediately ordered the funeral procession to stop moving forward, stand on the right and stop crying until the end of the eclipse.

Confucius, who was in charge of guiding the coffin in front, was puzzled, but in the face of Laozi, who was proficient in etiquette, he could only do what his predecessors told him.

After returning from the funeral, Confucius expressed his views to Laozi. He thinks it is impolite to stop moving halfway, and people don't know how long the eclipse will last. If you wait too long, the dead will be upset. You have to move on.

Lao Tzu listened to Confucius' question and said, "Governors always work at sunrise and rest at sunset; When doctors visit other countries, they also travel at sunrise and rest before sunset. Similarly, funerals should not be held before sunrise. Only night walkers commit crimes or go home to mourn.

When there is a solar eclipse, it is as dark as night. For a gentleman who abides by etiquette, it is impossible to put the dead in such a situation of running away in the dark. Therefore, when the funeral encounters a solar eclipse, you should stop immediately and move on after the solar eclipse. "

The second conversation between Confucius and Laozi was in twenty-four years in Lu. Confucius and his disciple Nangong Shu Jing studied Zhou Li last week.

This time, Confucius focused on the funeral.

Confucius asked, "Under what circumstances do we need to invite the gods out of the temple?"

Laozi replied, "When the emperor or vassal died, Taizu invited the immortals from various temples to Taizu Temple. The purpose of this is to show that ancestors gathered together for national mourning. After the funeral, please send the gods of the temples back to their respective temples.

"Lao Tzu also stressed:" No matter whether God is invited out of or back to the temple, there must be a special guard of honor, and no idle people are allowed to walk around.

Confucius asked again, "A doctor's child aged eight to eleven died. Can I use a coffin?" ?

Lao Tzu replied, "In the past, when children of this age died, they had to be buried in the ground, not in ancestral graves, let alone in coffins.

Kong Qiu asked again, "The country has two major events, one is sacrifice, and the other is war. If your parents died in the war, should you stop fighting or continue to fight? "

Laozi replied: "When mourning for my parents, politely say, don't fight. Under normal circumstances, it is impossible for a person not to seriously mourn for three years because of convenience. " After listening to Lao Zi, Confucius felt that he had gained a lot, so he got up and left.

Laozi sent Confucius out of the gate and said to him, "Rich people like to give away with money, while learned people like to give away with words. I'm not a learned man, but I'll give you a few words! " Lao Tzu paused and said, "Kong Qiu, you know, people who are good at doing business always hide their goods as if there is nothing;" A virtuous man looks modest as a fool. As a courtier of others, you must not be arrogant. I hope you can remember! "Confucius nodded:" Disciples must keep it in mind! "

After Lao Zi dismissed from office and returned to his hometown (now Lubang, Henan Province), Confucius asked for the third time.

Confucius and Luz wanted to collect books of the Zhou Dynasty and asked Laozi for help, but to their surprise, Laozi refused. Laozi refused Confucius' request, on the one hand, because the collection of Zhou royal family had existed in name only, on the other hand, because Laozi's understanding of everything had entered a new realm at this time.

However, Confucius' understanding of Laozi still stayed in the past, so he quoted the Six Classics and tried to convince Laozi with etiquette.

I didn't want to listen to Confucius' long speech, so I said, "Your words are a little too long. Only explain the main points. "

Confucius replied: "The main idea of the Six Classics is benevolence and righteousness. I personally measure everything in the world with righteousness as the standard. "

Laozi laughed: "Is your so-called benevolence and righteousness human nature?"

Confucius replied: "Yes, benevolence and righteousness are human nature! A gentleman cannot be a gentleman without compassion, and there can be no injustice in the world. Renyi is indeed human nature. "

Lao Tzu asked, "Then tell me, what is benevolence and righteousness?"

Confucius said, "There are no evil thoughts in my heart. I hope that everything will be happy without complaining, love everyone without being partial, and do things that benefit everyone without forgetting me. This is the general face of benevolence and righteousness. "

Lao Tzu shook his head and said, "What you just said is really dangerous. Is it a bit pedantic to talk about fraternity these days? History and reality have proved that the so-called selflessness is to achieve selfishness. "

Confucius didn't achieve the expected goal this time, because he and Laozi have fundamentally different views on society.

One day Confucius asked Laozi again.

When Lao Tzu saw Confucius visiting, he asked, "I heard that you have now become a famous saint in the north. I wonder if you have realized' Heaven' now?"

Confucius replied: "I haven't realized' heaven' yet.

Lao Tzu asked again, "So, how did you explore' Heaven'?"

Confucius replied: "I have been studying' courtesy' and' benevolence and righteousness', and I have sought it through institutional education. It's been five years now, and I still haven't realized it.

Lao Tzu asked again, "How did you keep looking?"

Confucius replied, "I have been searching for the change of yin and yang for twelve years, but I still have nothing."

Laozi said: "The so-called way of Yin and Yang is that the eyes can't see, the ears can't hear, the words can't express, and the wisdom can't master. So the so-called "Tao" can only be realized. If you want to know Tao like a tangible and audible object, you can neither hear nor see it. If you want to express it in words, there is no suitable text to express it clearly. "

Lao Tzu looked at Confucius, paused for a moment, and then said, "It is natural that you said that you have been looking for Tao for twelve years. If "Tao" can be dedicated, then everyone will be dedicated to the king; If "Tao" can be used to show respect, then children will show respect to their parents; If "Tao" can be told to others, then no one will not tell it to his brother; If "Tao" can be given to others, then no one will not give it to their descendants.

However, these are only assumptions, which are impossible to realize. The reason is that Tao is invisible, inaudible, inexpressible and cannot be sent out. The key to seeking Tao lies in your inner feelings. If you don't have this feeling in your heart, then you can't keep the Tao; The realization of Tao in my mind needs the confirmation of external environment. It can be said that those who really get the Tao belong to quietism. He lives a simple but contented life, without pretending to be a charity giver or spending any money. Only chaste people can make others chaste. If you can't correctly understand the avenue in your heart, then your spiritual activities will not be smooth.

After Confucius went back, his disciples asked Confucius what he had gained from this visit to Laozi.

Confucius said: "birds, I know they are good at flying;" Fish, I know they are good at swimming; Beasts, I know they are good at running. For a bird, I can shoot it with a bow and arrow; For fish, I can catch it with a fishing net; For the beast, I can catch it with a trap. As for the dragon flying high in the sky, I don't know its shape or how it flies in the wind. Seeing Lao Zi today is like seeing a dragon! His knowledge is profound, and his high interest is elusive. He stretches and contracts like a snake and changes like a dragon. Mr Lao Dan, he is really my teacher! "