CHINESE LITERATURE COMPRISING THE ANALECTS OF CONFUCIUS, THE SAYINGS OF MENCIUS, THE SHI-KING, THE TRAVELS OF FÂ-HIEN, ANDTHE SORROWS OF HAN WITH CRITICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES BY EPIPHANIUS WILSON, A. M. REVISED EDITION 1900 THE ANALECTS OF CONFUCIUS Introduction BOOK I. On Learning--Miscellaneous SayingsII. Good Government--Filial Piety--The Superior ManIII. Abuse of Proprieties in Ceremonial and MusicIV. Social Virtue--Superior and Inferior ManV. A Disciple and the Golden Rule--MiscellaneousVI. More Characteristics--Wisdom--PhilanthropyVII. Characteristics of Confucius--An IncidentVIII. Sayings of Tsang--Sentences of the MasterIX. His Favorite Disciple's Opinion of HimX. Confucius in Private and Official LifeXI. Comparative Worth of His DisciplesXII. The Master's Answers--Philanthropy--FriendshipsXIII. Answers on the Art of Governing--ConsistencyXIV. Good and Bad Government--Miscellaneous SayingsXV. Practical Wisdom--Reciprocity the Rule of LifeXVI. Against Intestine Strife--Good and Bad FriendshipsXVII. The Master Induced to Take Office--Nature and HabitXVIII. Good Men in Seclusion--Duke of Chow to His SonXIX. Teachings of Various Chief DisciplesXX. Extracts from the Book of History THE SAYINGS OF MENCIUS Introduction Book I. King Hwuy of Lëang. -- Part I [_Books II. , III. , and IV. Are omitted_] Book V. Wan Chang. -- Part I THE SHI-KING Introduction _Part I. --Lessons from the States_. BOOK I. --THE ODES OF CHOW AND THE SOUTH. -- Celebrating the Virtue of King Wan's Bride Celebrating the Industry of King Wan's Queen In Praise of a Bride Celebrating T'ae-Sze's Freedom from Jealousy The Fruitfulness of the Locust Lamenting the Absence of a Cherished Friend Celebrating the Goodness of the Descendants of King Wan The Virtuous Manners of the Young Women Praise of a Rabbit-Catcher The Song of the Plantain-Gatherers The Affection of the Wives on the Joo BOOK II. --THE ODES OF SHAOU AND THE SOUTH. -- The Marriage of a Princess The Industry and Reverence of a Prince's Wife The Wife of Some Great Officer Bewails his Absence The Diligence of the Young Wife of an Officer The Love of the People for the Duke of Shaou The Easy Dignity of the Officers at Some Court Anxiety of a Young Lady to Get Married BOOK III. --THE ODES OF P'EI. -- An Officer Bewails the Neglect with which He is Treated A Wife Deplores the Absence of Her Husband The Plaint of a Rejected Wife Soldiers of Wei Bewail Separation from their Families An Officer Tells of His Mean Employment An Officer Sets Forth His Hard Lot The Complaint of a Neglected Wife In Praise of a Maiden Discontent Chwang Keang Bemoans Her Husband's Cruelty [_Books IV. , V. , and VI. Are omitted_] BOOK VII. --THE ODES OF CH'ING. --- The People's Admiration for Duke Woo A Wife Consoled by Her Husband's Arrival In Praise of Some Lady A Man's Praise of His Wife An Entreaty A Woman Scorning Her Lover A Lady Mourns the Absence of Her Student Lover--- BOOK VIII. --THE ODES OF TS'E. -- A Wife Urging Her Husband to Action The Folly of Useless Effort The Prince of Loo BOOK IX. --THE ODES OF WEI. -- On the Misgovernment of the State The Mean Husband A Young Soldier on Service BOOK X. --THE ODES OF T'ANG. -- The King Goes to War Lament of a Bereaved Person The Drawbacks of Poverty A Wife Mourns for Her Husband BOOK XI. --THE ODES OF TS'IN. -- Celebrating the Opulence of the Lords of Ts'in A Complaint A Wife's Grief Because of Her Husband's Absence Lament for Three Brothers In Praise of a Ruler of Ts'in The Generous Nephew BOOK XII. --THE ODES OF CH'IN. -- The Contentment of a Poor Recluse The Disappointed Lover A Love-Song The Lament of a Lover BOOK XIII. --THE ODES OF KWEI-- The Wish of an Unhappy Man BOOK XIV. --THE ODES OF TS'AOU. -- Against Frivolous Pursuits BOOK XV. --THE ODES OF PIN. -- The Duke of Chow Tells of His Soldiers There is a Proper Way for Doing Everything _Part II. --Minor Odes of the Kingdom_. BOOK I. --DECADE OF LUH MING. -- A Festal Ode A Festal Ode Complimenting an Officer The Value of Friendship The Response to a Festal Ode An Ode of Congratulation An Ode on the Return of the Troops BOOK II. --THE DECADE OF PIH HWA. -- An Ode Appropriate to a Festivity BOOK III. --THE DECADE OF T'UNG KUNG. -- Celebrating a Hunting Expedition The King's Anxiety for His Morning Levee Moral Lessons from Natural Facts BOOK IV. --THE DECADE OF K'E-FOO. -- On the Completion of a Royal Palace The Condition of King Seuen's Flocks BOOK V. --THE DECADE OF SEAOU MIN. -- A Eunuch Complains of His Fate An Officer Deplores the Misery of the Time On the Alienation of a Friend BOOK VI. --THE DECADE OF PIH SHAN. -- A Picture of Husbandry The Complaint of an Officer BOOK VII. --DECADE OF SANG HOO. -- The Rejoicings of a Bridegroom Against Listening to Slanderers BOOK VIII. --THE DECADE OF TOO JIN SZE. -- In Praise of By-gone Simplicity A Wife Bemoans Her Husband's Absence The Earl of Shaou's Work The Plaint of King Yew's Forsaken Wife Hospitality On the Misery of Soldiers _Part III. --Greater Odes of the Kingdom_. BOOK I. --DECADE OF KING WAN. -- Celebrating King Wan [_Book II. Is omitted_] BOOK III. --DECADE OF TANG. -- King Seuen on the Occasion of a Great Drought _Part IV. --Odes of the Temple and Altar_. BOOK I. --SACRIFICIAL ODES OF CHOW. -- Appropriate to a Sacrifice to King Wan On Sacrificing to the Kings Woo, Ching, and K'ang THE TRAVELS OF FÂ-HIENTranslator's IntroductionCHAPTERI. From Ch'ang-gan to the Sandy DesertII. On to Shen-shen and thence to KhotenIII. Khoten--Processions of ImagesIV. Through the Ts'ung Mountains to K'eech-ch'aV. Great Quinquennial Assembly of MonksVI. North India--Image of Maitreya BodhisattvaVII. The Perilous Crossing of the IndusVIII. Woo-chang, or Udyana--Traces of BuddhaIX. Soo ho-to--Legends of BuddhaX. Gandhara--Legends of BuddhaXI. Takshasila--Legends--The Four Great TopesXII. Buddha's Alms-bowl--Death of Hwuy-kingXIII. Festival of Buddha's Skull-boneXIV. Crossing the Indus to the EastXV. Sympathy of Monks with the PilgrimsXVI. Condition and Customs of Central IndiaXVII. Legend of the Trayastrimsas HeavenXVIII. Buddha's Subjects of DiscourseXIX. Legend of Buddha's Danta-kashthaXX. The Jetavana Vihara--Legends of BuddhaXXI. The Three Predecessors of SakyamuniXXII. Legends of Buddha's BirthXXIII. Legends of Rama and its TopeXXIV. Where Buddha Renounced the WorldXXV. The Kingdom of VaisaliXXVI. Remarkable Death of ÂnandaXXVII. King Asoka's Spirit-built Palace and HallsXXVIII. Rajagriha, New and Old--Legends Connected with ItXXIX. Fâ-Hien Passes a Night on Gridhra-kuta HillXXX. Srataparna Cave, or Cave of the First CouncilXXXI. Sakyamuni's Attaining to the BuddhashipXXXII. Legend of King Asoka in a Former BirthXXXIII. Kasyapa Buddha's Skeleton on Mount GurupadaXXXIV. On the Way Returning to PatnaXXXV. Dakshina, and the Pigeon MonasteryXXXVI. Fâ-Hien's Indian StudiesXXXVII. Fâ-Hien's Stay in Champa and TamaliptiXXXVIII. At Ceylon--Feats of Buddha--His Statue in JadeXXXIX. Cremation of an Arhat--Sermon of a DevoteeXL. After Two Years Fâ-Hien Takes Ship for China Conclusion THE SORROWS OF HAN IntroductionTranslator's PrefaceDramatis PersonaePrologueAct FirstAct SecondAct ThirdAct Fourth THE ANALECTS OF CONFUCIUS [_Translated into English by William Jennings_] PRONUNCIATION OF PROPER NAMES _j_, as in French. _ng_, commencing a word, like the same letters terminating one. _ai_ or _ei_, as in _aisle_ or _eider_. _au_, as in German, or like _ow_ in _cow_. _é_, as in _fête_. _i_ (not followed by a consonant), as _ee_ in _see_. _u_ (followed by a consonant), as in _bull_. _iu_, as _ew_ in _new_. _ui_, as _ooi_ in _cooing_. _h_ at the end of a name makes the preceding vowel short. _i_ in the middle of a word denotes an aspirate (_h_), as _K'ung_=Khung. INTRODUCTION The strangest figure that meets us in the annals of Oriental thought isthat of Confucius. To the popular mind he is the founder of a religion, and yet he has nothing in common with the great religious teachers ofthe East. We think of Siddartha, the founder of Buddhism, as the veryimpersonation of romantic asceticism, enthusiastic self-sacrifice, andfaith in the things that are invisible. Zoroaster is the friend of God, talking face to face with the Almighty, and drinking wisdom andknowledge from the lips of Omniscience. Mohammed is represented assnatched up into heaven, where he receives the Divine communicationwhich he is bidden to propagate with fire and sword throughout theworld. These great teachers lived in an atmosphere of the supernatural. They spoke with the authority of inspired prophets. They brought theunseen world close to the minds of their disciples. They spokepositively of immortality, of reward or punishment beyond the grave. Thepresent life they despised, the future was to them everything in itspromised satisfaction. The teachings of Confucius were of a verydifferent sort. Throughout his whole writings he has not even mentionedthe name of God. He declined to discuss the question of immortality. When he was asked about spiritual beings, he remarked, "If we cannoteven know men, how can we know spirits?" Yet this was the man the impress of whose teaching has formed thenational character of five hundred millions of people. A temple toConfucius stands to this day in every town and village of China. Hisprecepts are committed to memory by every child from the tenderest age, and each year at the royal university at Pekin the Emperor holds afestival in honor of the illustrious teacher. The influence of Confucius springs, first of all, from the narrownessand definiteness of his doctrine. He was no transcendentalist, and nevermeddled with supramundane things. His teaching was of the earth, earthy;it dealt entirely with the common relations of life, and the Golden Rulehe must necessarily have stumbled upon, as the most obvious canon of hissystem. He strikes us as being the great Stoic of the East, for hebelieved that virtue was based on knowledge, knowledge of a man's ownheart, and knowledge of human-kind. There is a pathetic resemblancebetween the accounts given of the death of Confucius and the death ofZeno. Both died almost without warning in dreary hopelessness, withoutthe ministrations of either love or religion. This may be a merecoincidence, but the lives and teachings of both men must have led themto look with indifference upon such an end. For Confucius in histeaching treated only of man's life on earth, and seems to have had noideas with regard to the human lot after death; if he had any ideas hepreserved an inscrutable silence about them. As a moralist he prescribedthe duties of the king and of the father, and advocated the cultivationby the individual man of that rest or apathy of mind which resembles somuch the disposition aimed at by the Greek and Roman Stoic. Even as amoralist, he seems to have sacrificed the ideal to the practical, andhis loose notions about marriage, his tolerance of concubinage, theslight emphasis which he lays on the virtue of veracity--of which indeedhe does not seem himself to have been particularly studious in hishistoric writings--place him low down in the rank of moralists. Yet hetaught what he felt the people could receive, and the flat mediocrity ofhis character and his teachings has been stamped forever upon a peoplewho, while they are kindly, gentle, forbearing, and full of familypiety, are palpably lacking not only in the exaltation of Mysticism, butin any religious feeling, generally so-called. The second reason that made the teaching of Confucius so influential isbased on the circumstances of the time. When this thoughtful, earnestyouth awoke to the consciousness of life about him, he saw that theabuses under which the people groaned sprang from the feudal system, which cut up the country into separate territories, over which the powerof the king had no control. China was in the position of France in theyears preceding Philippe-Auguste, excepting that there were no places ofsanctuary and no Truce of God. The great doctrine of Confucius was theunlimited despotism of the Emperor, and his moral precepts were intendedto teach the Emperor how to use his power aright. But the Emperor wasonly typical of all those in authority--the feudal duke, the judge onthe bench, and the father of the family. Each could discharge his dutiesaright only by submitting to the moral discipline which Confuciusprescribed. A vital element in this system is its conservatism, itsadherence to the imperial idea. As James I said, "No bishop, no king, "so the imperialists of China have found in Confucianism the strongestbasis for the throne, and have supported its dissemination accordingly. The Analects of Confucius contain the gist of his teachings, and isworthy of study. We find in this work most of the precepts which hisdisciples have preserved and recorded. They form a code remarkable forsimplicity, even crudity, and we are compelled to admire the force ofcharacter, the practical sagacity, the insight into the needs of thehour, which enabled Confucius, without claiming any Divine sanction, toimpose this system upon his countrymen. The name Confucius is only the Latinized form of two words which mean"Master K'ung. " He was born 551 B. C. , his father being governor ofShantung. He was married at nineteen, and seems to have occupied someminor position under the government. In his twenty-fourth year heentered upon the three years' mourning for the death of his mother. Hisseclusion gave him time for deep thought and the study of history, andhe resolved upon the regeneration of his unhappy country. By the time hewas thirty he became known as a great teacher, and disciples flocked tohim. But he was yet occupied in public duties, and rose throughsuccessive stages to the office of Chief Judge in his own country of Lu. His tenure of office is said to have put an end to crime, and he becamethe "idol of the people" in his district. The jealousy of the feudallords was roused by his fame as a moral teacher and a blameless judge. Confucius was driven from his home, and wandered about, with a fewdisciples, until his sixty-ninth year, when he returned to Lu, afteraccomplishing a work which has borne fruit, such as it is, to thepresent day. He spent the remaining five years of his life in editingthe odes and historic monuments in which the glories of the ancientChinese dynasty are set forth. He died in his seventy-third year, 478B. C. There can be no doubt that the success of Confucius has beensingularly great, owing especially to the narrow scope of his scheme, which has become crystallized in the habits, usages, and customs of thepeople. Especially has it been instrumental in consolidating the empire, and in strengthening the power of the monarch, who, as he every yearburns incense in the red-walled temple at Pekin, utters sincerely theinvocation: "Great art thou, O perfect Sage! Thy virtue is full, thydoctrine complete. Among mortal men there has not been thine equal. Allkings honor thee. Thy statutes and laws have come gloriously down. Thouart the pattern in this imperial school. Reverently have the sacrificialvessels been set out. Full of awe, we sound our drums and bells. " E. W. THE ANALECTS BOOK I On Learning--Miscellaneous Sayings:-- "To learn, " said the Master, "and then to practise opportunely what onehas learnt--does not this bring with it a sense of satisfaction? "To have associates in study coming to one from distant parts--does notthis also mean pleasure in store? "And are not those who, while not comprehending all that is said, stillremain not unpleased to hear, men of the superior order?" A saying of the Scholar Yu:-- "It is rarely the case that those who act the part of true men in regardto their duty to parents and elder brothers are at the same time willingto turn currishly upon their superiors: it has never yet been the casethat such as desire not to commit that offence have been men willing topromote anarchy or disorder. "Men of superior mind busy themselves first in getting at the root ofthings; and when they have succeeded in this the right course is open tothem. Well, are not filial piety and friendly subordination amongbrothers a root of that right feeling which is owing generally from manto man?" The Master observed, "Rarely do we meet with the right feeling due fromone man to another where there is fine speech and studied mien. " The Scholar Tsang once said of himself: "On three points I examinemyself daily, viz. , whether, in looking after other people's interests, I have not been acting whole-heartedly; whether, in my intercourse withfriends, I have not been true; and whether, after teaching, I have notmyself been practising what I have taught. " The Master once observed that to rule well one of the larger Statesmeant strict attention to its affairs and conscientiousness on the partof the ruler; careful husbanding of its resources, with at the same timea tender care for the interests of all classes; and the employing of themasses in the public service at suitable seasons. "Let young people, " said he, "show filial piety at home, respectfulnesstowards their elders when away from home; let them be circumspect, betruthful; their love going out freely towards all, cultivating good-willto men. And if, in such a walk, there be time or energy left for otherthings, let them employ it in the acquisition of literary or artisticaccomplishments. " The disciple Tsz-hiá said, "The appreciation of worth in men of worth, thus diverting the mind from lascivious desires--ministering to parentswhile one is the most capable of so doing--serving one's ruler when oneis able to devote himself entirely to that object--being sincere inone's language in intercourse with friends: this I certainly must callevidence of learning, though others may say there has been 'nolearning. '" Sayings of the Master:-- "If the great man be not grave, he will not be revered, neither can hislearning be solid. "Give prominent place to loyalty and sincerity. "Have no associates in study who are not advanced somewhat likeyourself. "When you have erred, be not afraid to correct yourself. " A saying of the Scholar Tsang:-- "The virtue of the people is renewed and enriched when attention is seento be paid to the departed, and the remembrance of distant ancestorskept and cherished. " Tsz-k'in put this query to his fellow disciple Tsz-kung: said he, "Whenour Master comes to this or that State, he learns without fail how it isbeing governed. Does he investigate matters? or are the facts givenhim?" Tsz-kung answered, "Our Master is a man of pleasant manners, and ofprobity, courteous, moderate, and unassuming: it is by his being suchthat he arrives at the facts. Is not his way of arriving at thingsdifferent from that of others?" A saying of the Master:-- "He who, after three years' observation of the will of his father whenalive, or of his past conduct if dead, does not deviate from thatfather's ways, is entitled to be called 'a dutiful son. '" Sayings of the Scholar Yu:-- "For the practice of the Rules of Propriety, [1] one excellent way is tobe natural. This naturalness became a great grace in the practice ofkings of former times; let everyone, small or great, follow theirexample. "It is not, however, always practicable; and it is not so in the case ofa person who does things naturally, knowing that he should act so, andyet who neglects to regulate his acts according to the Rules. "When truth and right are hand in hand, a statement will bearrepetition. When respectfulness and propriety go hand in hand, disgraceand shame are kept afar-off. Remove all occasion for alienating those towhom you are bound by close ties, and you have them still to resort to. " A saying of the Master:-- "The man of greater mind who, when he is eating, craves not to eat tothe full; who has a home, but craves not for comforts in it; who isactive and earnest in his work and careful in his words; who makestowards men of high principle, and so maintains his own rectitude--thatman may be styled a devoted student. " Tsz-kung asked, "What say you, sir, of the poor who do not cringe andfawn; and what of the rich who are without pride and haughtiness?" "Theyare passable, " the Master replied; "yet they are scarcely in the samecategory as the poor who are happy, and the rich who love propriety. " "In the 'Book of the Odes, '" Tsz-kung went on to say, "we read of one Polished, as by the knife and file, The graving-tool, the smoothing-stone. Does that coincide with your remark?" "Ah! such as you, " replied the Master, "may well commence a discussionon the Odes. If one tell you how a thing goes, you know what ought tocome. " "It does not greatly concern me, " said the Master, "that men do not knowme; my great concern is, my not knowing them. " [Footnote 1: An important part of a Chinaman's education still. Thetext-book, "The Li Ki, " contains rules for behavior and propriety forthe whole life, from the cradle to the grave. ] BOOK II Good Government--Filial Piety--The Superior Man Sayings of the Master:-- "Let a ruler base his government upon virtuous principles, and he willbe like the pole-star, which remains steadfast in its place, while allthe host of stars turn towards it. "The 'Book of Odes' contains three hundred pieces, but one expression init may be taken as covering the purport of all, viz. , Unswervingmindfulness. "To govern simply by statute, and to reduce all to order by means ofpains and penalties, is to render the people evasive, and devoid of anysense of shame. "To govern upon principles of virtue, and to reduce them to order by theRules of Propriety, would not only create in them the sense of shame, but would moreover reach them in all their errors. "When I attained the age of fifteen, I became bent upon study. Atthirty, I was a confirmed student. At forty, nought could move me frommy course. At fifty, I comprehended the will and decrees of Heaven. Atsixty, my ears were attuned to them. At seventy, I could follow myheart's desires, without overstepping the lines of rectitude. " To a question of Mang-i, as to what filial piety consisted in, themaster replied, "In not being perverse. " Afterwards, when Fan Ch'i wasdriving him, the Master informed him of this question and answer, andFan Ch'i asked, "What was your meaning?" The Master replied, "I meantthat the Rules of Propriety should always be adhered to in regard tothose who brought us into the world: in ministering to them whileliving, in burying them when dead, and afterwards in the offering tothem of sacrificial gifts. " To a query of Mang Wu respecting filial piety, the Master replied, "Parents ought to bear but one trouble--that of their own sickness. " To a like question put by Tsz-yu, his reply was this: "The filial pietyof the present day simply means the being able to support one'sparents--which extends even to the case of dogs and horses, all of whichmay have something to give in the way of support. If there be noreverential feeling in the matter, what is there to distinguish betweenthe cases?" To a like question of Tsz-hia, he replied: "The manner is thedifficulty. If, in the case of work to be done, the younger folks simplytake upon themselves the toil of it; or if, in the matter of meat anddrink, they simply set these before their elders--is this to be taken asfilial piety?" Once the Master remarked, "I have conversed with Hwúi the whole daylong, and he has controverted nothing that I have said, as if he werewithout wits. But when his back was turned, and I looked attentively athis conduct apart from me, I found it satisfactory in all its issues. No, indeed! Hwúi is not without his wits. " Other observations of the Master:-- "If you observe what things people (usually) take in hand, watch theirmotives, and note particularly what it is that gives them satisfaction, shall they be able to conceal from you what they are? Concealthemselves, indeed! "Be versed in ancient lore, and familiarize yourself with the modern;then may you become teachers. "The great man is not a mere receptacle. " In reply to Tsz-kung respecting the great man:-- "What he first says, as a result of his experience, he afterwardsfollows up. "The great man is catholic-minded, and not one-sided. The common man isthe reverse. "Learning, without thought, is a snare; thought, without learning, is adanger. "Where the mind is set much upon heterodox principles--there truly andindeed is harm. " To the disciple Tsz-lu the Master said, "Shall I give you a lesson aboutknowledge? When you know a thing, maintain that you know it; and whenyou do not, acknowledge your ignorance. This is characteristic ofknowledge. " Tsz-chang was studying with an eye to official income. The Masteraddressed him thus: "Of the many things you hear hold aloof from thosethat are doubtful, and speak guardedly with reference to the rest; yourmistakes will then be few. Also, of the many courses you see adopted, hold aloof from those that are risky, and carefully follow the others;you will then seldom have occasion for regret. Thus, being seldommistaken in your utterances, and having few occasions for regret in theline you take, you are on the high road to your preferment. " To a question put to him by Duke Ngai [2] as to what should be done inorder to render the people submissive to authority, Confucius replied, "Promote the straightforward, and reject those whose courses arecrooked, and the thing will be effected. Promote the crooked and rejectthe straightforward, and the effect will be the reverse. " When Ki K'ang [3] asked of him how the people could be induced to showrespect, loyalty, and willingness to be led, the Master answered, "Letthere be grave dignity in him who has the oversight of them, and theywill show him respect; let him be seen to be good to his own parents, and kindly in disposition, and they will be loyal to him; let himpromote those who have ability, and see to the instruction of those whohave it not, and they will be willing to be led. " Some one, speaking to Confucius, inquired, "Why, sir, are you not anadministrator of government?" The Master rejoined, "What says the 'Bookof the Annals, ' with reference to filial duty?--'Make it a point to bedutiful to your parents and amicable with your brethren; the same dutiesextend to an administrator. ' If these, then, also make an administrator, how am I to take your words about being an administrator?" On one occasion the Master remarked, "I know not what men are good for, on whose word no reliance can be placed. How should your carriages, large or little, get along without your whipple-trees or swing-trees?" Tsz-chang asked if it were possible to forecast the state of the countryten generations hence. The Master replied in this manner: "The Yindynasty adopted the rules and manners of the Hiá line of kings, and itis possible to tell whether it retrograded or advanced. The Chow linehas followed the Yin, adopting its ways, and whether there has beendeterioration or improvement may also be determined. Some other line maytake up in turn those of Chow; and supposing even this process to go onfor a hundred generations, the result may be known. " Other sayings of the Master:-- "It is but flattery to make sacrificial offerings to departed spiritsnot belonging to one's own family. "It is moral cowardice to leave undone what one perceives to be right todo. " [Footnote 2: Of Lu (Confucius's native State). ] [Footnote 3: Head of one of the "Three Families" of Lu. ] BOOK III Abuse of Proprieties in Ceremonial and Music Alluding to the head of the Ki family, [4] and the eight lines ofposturers [5] before their ancestral hall, Confucius remarked, "If theKi can allow himself to go to this extent, to what extent will he notallow himself to go?" The Three Families [6] were in the habit, during the Removal of thesacred vessels after sacrifice, of using the hymn commencing, "Harmoniously the Princes Draw near with reverent tread, Assisting in his worship Heaven's Son, the great and dread. " "How, " exclaimed the Master, "can such words be appropriated in theancestral hall of the Three Families?" "Where a man, " said he again, "has not the proper feelings due from oneman to another, how will he stand as regards the Rules of Propriety? Andin such a case, what shall we say of his sense of harmony?" On a question being put to him by Lin Fang, a disciple, as to what wasthe radical idea upon which the Rules of Propriety were based, theMaster exclaimed, "Ah! that is a large question. As to some rules, wherethere is likelihood of extravagance, they would rather demand economy;in those which relate to mourning, and where there is likelihood ofbeing easily satisfied, what is wanted is real sorrow. " Speaking of the disorder of the times he remarked that while thebarbarians on the North and East had their Chieftains, we here in thisgreat country had nothing to compare with them in that respect:--we hadlost these distinctions! Alluding to the matter of the Chief of the Ki family worshipping onTai-shan, [7] the Master said to Yen Yu, "Cannot you save him from this?"He replied, "It is beyond my power. " "Alas, alas!" exclaimed the Master, "are we to say that the spirits of T'ai-shan have not as muchdiscernment as Lin Fang?" Of "the superior man, " the Master observed, "In him there is nocontentiousness. Say even that he does certainly contend with others, asin archery competitions; yet mark, in that case, how courteously he willbow and go up for the forfeit-cup, and come down again and give it tohis competitor. In his very contest he is still the superior man. " Tsz-hiá once inquired what inference might be drawn from the lines-- "Dimples playing in witching smile, Beautiful eyes, so dark, so bright! Oh, and her face may be thought the while Colored by art, red rose on white!" "Coloring, " replied the Master, "requires a pure and clear background. ""Then, " said the other, "rules of ceremony require to have abackground!" "Ah!" exclaimed the Master, "you are the man to catch thedrift of my thought. Such as you may well introduce a discussion on theOdes. " Said the Master, "As regards the ceremonial adopted and enforced by theHiá dynasty, I am able to describe it, although their own descendants inthe State of Ki can adduce no adequate testimony in favor of its usethere. So, too, I am able to describe the ceremonial of the Yin dynasty, although no more can the Sung people show sufficient reason for itscontinuance amongst themselves. And why cannot they do so? Because theyhave not documents enough, nor men learned enough. If only they hadsuch, I could refer them to them in support of their usages. "When I am present at the great quinquennial sacrifice to the _manes_ ofthe royal ancestors, " the Master said, "from the pouring-out of theoblation onwards, I have no heart to look on. " Some one asked what was the purport of this great sacrifice, and theMaster replied, "I cannot tell. The position in the empire of him whocould tell you is as evident as when you look at this"--pointing to thepalm of his hand. When he offered sacrifices to his ancestors, he used to act as if theywere present before him. In offering to other spirits it was the same. He would say, "If I do not myself take part in my offerings, it is allthe same as if I did not offer them. " Wang-sun Kiá asked him once, "What says the proverb, 'Better to courtfavor in the kitchen than in the drawing-room'?" The Master replied, "Nay, better say, He who has sinned against Heaven has none other towhom prayer may be addressed. " Of the Chow dynasty the Master remarked, "It looks back upon two otherdynasties; and what a rich possession it has in its records of thosetimes! I follow Chow!" On his first entry into the grand temple, he inquired about every matterconnected with its usages. Some one thereupon remarked, "Who says thatthe son of the man of Tsou [8] understands about ceremonial? On enteringthe grand temple he inquired about everything. " This remark coming tothe Master's ears, he said, "What I did is part of the ceremonial!" "In archery, " he said, "the great point to be observed is not simply theperforation of the leather; for men have not all the same strength. Thatwas the fashion in the olden days. " Once, seeing that his disciple Tsz-kung was desirous that the ceremonialobservance of offering a sheep at the new moon might be dispensed with, the Master said, "Ah! you grudge the loss of the sheep; I grudge theloss of the ceremony. " "To serve one's ruler nowadays, " he remarked, "fully complying with theRules of Propriety, is regarded by others as toadyism!" When Duke Ting questioned him as to how a prince should deal with hisministers, and how they in turn should serve their prince, Confuciussaid in reply, "In dealing with his ministers a prince should observethe proprieties; in serving his prince a minister should observe theduty of loyalty. " Referring to the First of the Odes, he remarked that it was mirthfulwithout being lewd, and sad also without being painful. Duke Ngai asked the disciple Tsai Wo respecting the places forsacrificing to the Earth. The latter replied, "The Family of the GreatYu, of the Hiá dynasty, chose a place of pine trees; the Yin founderschose cypresses; and the Chow founders chestnut trees, solemn andmajestic, to inspire, 'tis said, the people with feelings of awe. " The Master on hearing of this exclaimed, "Never an allusion to thingsthat have been enacted in the past! Never a remonstrance against what isnow going on! He has gone away without a word of censure. " The Master once said of Kwan Chung, [9] "A small-minded man indeed!" "Was he miserly?" some one asked. "Miserly, indeed!" said he; "not that: he married three rimes, and hewas not a man who restricted his official business to too few hands--howcould he be miserly?" "He knew the Rules of Propriety, I suppose?" "Judge:--Seeing that the feudal lords planted a screen at their gates, he too would have one at his! Seeing that when any two of the feudallords met in friendly conclave they had an earthenware stand on which toplace their inverted cups after drinking, he must have the same! If heknew the Rules of Propriety, who is there that does not know them?" In a discourse to the Chief Preceptor of Music at the court of Lu, theMaster said, "Music is an intelligible thing. When you begin aperformance, let all the various instruments produce as it were onesound (inharmonious); then, as you go on, bring out the harmony fully, distinctly, and with uninterrupted flow, unto the end. " The warden of the border-town of I requested an interview withConfucius, and said, "When great men have come here, I have never yetfailed to obtain a sight of them. " The followers introduced him; and, onleaving, he said to them, "Sirs, why grieve at his loss of office? Theempire has for long been without good government; and Heaven is about touse your master as its edict-announcer. " Comparing the music of the emperor Shun with the music of King Wu, theMaster said, "That of Shun is beautiful throughout, and also goodthroughout. That of Wu is all of it beautiful, but scarcely all of itgood. " "High station, " said the Master, "occupied by men who have no large andgenerous heart; ceremonial performed with no reverence; duties ofmourning engaging the attention, where there is absence of sorrow;--howshould I look on, where this is the state of things?" [Footnote 4: The Chief of the Ki clan was virtually the Duke of Lu, under whom Confucius for a time held office. ] [Footnote 5: These posturers were mutes who took part in the ritual ofthe ancestral temple, waving plumes, flags, etc. Each line or rank ofthese contained eight men. Only in the sovereign's household shouldthere have been eight lines of them; a ducal family like the Ki shouldhave had but six lines; a great official had four, and one of lowergrade two. These were the gradations marking the status of families, andConfucius's sense of propriety was offended at the Ki's usurping in thisway the appearance of royalty. ] [Footnote 6: Three great families related to each other, in whose handsthe government of the State of Lu then was, and of which the Ki was thechief. ] [Footnote 7: One of the five sacred mountains, worshipped upon only bythe sovereign. ] [Footnote 8: Tsou was Confucius's birthplace; his father was governor ofthe town. ] [Footnote 9: A renowned statesman who flourished about two hundred yearsbefore Confucius's time. A philosophical work on law and government, said to have been written by him, is still extant. He was regarded as asage by the people, but he lacked, in Confucius's eyes, the one thingneedful--propriety. ] BOOK IV Social Virtue--Superior and Inferior Man Sayings of the Master:-- "It is social good feeling that gives charm to a neighborhood. And whereis the wisdom of those who choose an abode where it does not abide? "Those who are without it cannot abide long, either in straitened or inhappy circumstances. Those who possess it find contentment in it. Thosewho are wise go after it as men go after gain. "Only they in whom it exists can have right likings and dislikings forothers. "Where the will is set upon it, there will be no room for malpractices. "Riches and honor are what men desire; but if they arrive at them byimproper ways, they should not continue to hold them. Poverty and lowestate are what men dislike; but if they arrive at such a condition byimproper ways, they should not refuse it. "If the 'superior man' make nought of social good feeling, how shall hefully bear that name? "Not even whilst he eats his meal will the 'superior man' forget what heowes to his fellow-men. Even in hurried leave-takings, even in momentsof frantic confusion, he keeps true to this virtue. "I have not yet seen a lover of philanthropy, nor a hater ofmisanthropy--such, that the former did not take occasion to magnify thatvirtue in himself, and that the latter, in his positive practice ofphilanthropy, did not, at times, allow in his presence somethingsavoring of misanthropy. "Say you, is there any one who is able for one whole day to apply theenergy of his mind to this virtue? Well, I have not seen any one whoseenergy was not equal to it. It may be there are such, but I have nevermet with them. "The faults of individuals are peculiar to their particular class andsurroundings; and it is by observing their faults that one comes tounderstand the condition of their good feelings towards their fellows. "One may hear the right way in the morning, and at evening die. "The scholar who is intent upon learning the right way, and who is yetashamed of poor attire and poor food, is not worthy of being discoursedwith. "The masterly man's attitude to the world is not exclusively this orthat: whatsoever is right, to that he will be a party. "The masterly man has an eye to virtue, the common man, to earthlythings; the former has an eye to penalties for error--the latter, tofavor. "Where there is habitual going after gain, there is much ill-will. "When there is ability in a ruler to govern a country by adhering to theRules of Propriety, and by kindly condescension, what is wanted more?Where the ability to govern thus is wanting, what has such a ruler to dowith the Rules of Propriety? "One should not be greatly concerned at not being in office; but ratherabout the requirements in one's self for such a standing. Neither shouldone be so much concerned at being unknown; but rather with seeking tobecome worthy of being known. " Addressing his disciple Tsang Sin, the Master said, "Tsang Sin, theprinciples which I inculcate have one main idea upon which they allhang. " "Aye, surely, " he replied. When the Master was gone out the other disciples asked what was thepurport of this remark. Tsang's answer was, "The principles of ourMaster's teaching are these--whole-heartedness and kindly forbearance;these and nothing more. " Other observations of the Master:-- "Men of loftier mind manifest themselves in their equitable dealings;small-minded men in their going after gain. "When you meet with men of worth, think how you may attain to theirlevel; when you see others of an opposite character, look within, andexamine yourself. "A son, in ministering to his parents, may (on occasion) offer gentleremonstrances; when he sees that their will is not to heed such, heshould nevertheless still continue to show them reverent respect, neverobstinacy; and if he have to suffer, let him do so without murmuring. "Whilst the parents are still living, he should not wander far; or, if awanderer, he should at least have some fixed address. "If for three years he do not veer from the principles of his father, hemay be called a dutiful son. "A son should not ignore the years of his parents. On the one hand, theymay be a matter for rejoicing (that they have been so many), and on theother, for apprehension (that so few remain). "People in olden times were loth to speak out, fearing the disgrace ofnot being themselves as good as their words. "Those who keep within restraints are seldom losers. "To be slow to speak, but prompt to act, is the desire of the 'superiorman. ' "Virtue dwells not alone: she must have neighbors. " An observation of Tsz-yu:--"Officiousness, in the service of princes, leads to disgrace: amongfriends, to estrangement. " BOOK V A Disciple and the Golden Rule--Miscellaneous The Master pronounced Kung-ye Ch'ang, a disciple, to be a marriageableperson; for although lying bound in criminal fetters he had committed nocrime. And he gave him his own daughter to wife. Of Nan Yung, a disciple, he observed, that in a State where thegovernment was well conducted he would not be passed over in itsappointments, and in one where the government was ill conducted he wouldevade punishment and disgrace. And he caused his elder brother'sdaughter to be given in marriage to him. Of Tsz-tsien, a disciple, he remarked, "A superior man indeed is thelike of him! But had there been none of superior quality in Lu, howshould this man have attained to this excellence?" Tsz-kung asked, "What of me, then?" "You, " replied the Master--"You area receptacle. " "Of what sort?" said he. "One for high and sacred use, "was the answer. Some one having observed of Yen Yung that he was good-natured towardsothers, but that he lacked the gift of ready speech, the Master said, "What need of that gift? To stand up before men and pour forth a streamof glib words is generally to make yourself obnoxious to them. I knownot about his good-naturedness; but at any rate what need of that gift?" When the Master proposed that Tsi-tiau K'ai should enter the governmentservice, the latter replied, "I can scarcely credit it. " The Master wasgratified. "Good principles are making no progress, " once exclaimed the Master. "IfI were to take a raft, and drift about on the sea, would Tsz-lu, Iwonder, be my follower there?" That disciple was delighted at hearingthe suggestion; whereupon the Master continued, "He surpasses me in hislove of deeds of daring. But he does not in the least grasp the pith ofmy remark. " In reply to a question put to him by Mang Wu respecting Tsz-lu--as towhether he might be called good-natured towards others, the Master said, "I cannot tell"; but, on the question being put again, he answered, "Well, in an important State [10] he might be intrusted with themanagement of the military levies; but I cannot answer for his goodnature. " "What say you then of Yen Yu?" "As for Yen, " he replied, "in a city of a thousand families, or in asecondary fief, [11] he might be charged with the governorship; but Icannot answer for his good-naturedness. " "Take Tsz-hwa, then; what of him?" "Tsz-hwa, " said he, "with a cincture girt upon him, standing asattendant at Court, might be charged with the addressing of visitors andguests; but as to his good-naturedness I cannot answer. " Addressing Tsz-kung, the Master said, "Which of the two is ahead of theother--yourself or Hwúi?" "How shall I dare, " he replied, "even to lookat Hwúi? Only let him hear one particular, and from that he knows ten;whereas I, if I hear one, may from it know two. " "You are not a match for him, I grant you, " said the Master. "You arenot his match. " Tsai Yu, a disciple, used to sleep in the daytime. Said the Master, "Onemay hardly carve rotten wood, or use a trowel to the wall of amanure-yard! In his case, what is the use of reprimand? "My attitude towards a man in my first dealings with him, " he added, "was to listen to his professions and to trust to his conduct. Myattitude now is to listen to his professions, and to watch his conduct. My experience with Tsai Yu has led to this change. "I have never seen, " said the Master, "a man of inflexible firmness. "Some one thereupon mentioned Shin Ch'ang, a disciple. "Ch'ang, " said he, "is wanton; where do you get at his inflexibleness?" Tsz-kung made the remark: "That which I do not wish others to put uponme, I also wish not to put upon others. " "Nay, " said the Master, "youhave not got so far as that. " The same disciple once remarked, "There may be access so as to hear theMaster's literary discourses, but when he is treating of human natureand the way of Heaven, there may not be such success. " Tsz-lu, after once hearing him upon some subject, and feeling himself asyet incompetent to carry into practice what he had heard, used to beapprehensive only lest he should hear the subject revived. Tsz-kung asked how it was that Kung Wan had come to be so styled Wan(the talented). The Master's answer was, "Because, though a man of anactive nature, he was yet fond of study, and he was not ashamed to stoopto put questions to his inferiors. " Respecting Tsz-ch'an, [12] the Master said that he had four of theessential qualities of the 'superior man':--in his own private walk hewas humble-minded; in serving his superiors he was deferential; in hislooking after the material welfare of the people he was generously kind;and in his exaction of public service from the latter he was just. Speaking of Yen Ping, he said, "He was one who was happy in his mode ofattaching men to him. However long the intercourse, he was alwaysdeferential to them. " Referring to Tsang Wan, he asked, "What is to be said of this man'sdiscernment?--this man with his tortoise-house, with the pillar-headsand posts bedizened with scenes of hill and mere!" Tsz-chang put a question relative to the chief Minister of Tsu, Tsz-wan. He said, "Three times he became chief Minister, and on none of theseoccasions did he betray any sign of exultation. Three times his ministrycame to an end, and he showed no sign of chagrin. He used without failto inform the new Minister as to the old mode of administration. Whatsay you of him?" "That he was a loyal man, " said the Master. "But was he a man of fellow-feeling?" said the disciple. "Of that I am not sure, " he answered; "how am I to get at that?" The disciple went on to say:--"After the assassination of the prince ofTs'i by the officer Ts'ui, the latter's fellow-official Ch'in Wan, whohad half a score teams of horses, gave up all, and turned his back uponhim. On coming to another State, he observed, 'There are here characterssomewhat like that of our minister Ts'ui, ' and he turned his back uponthem. Proceeding to a certain other State, he had occasion to make thesame remark, and left. What say you of him?" "That he was a pure-minded man, " answered the Master. "But was he a man of fellow-feeling?" urged the disciple. "Of that I am not sure, " he replied; "how am I to get at that?" Ki Wan was one who thought three times over a thing before he acted. TheMaster hearing this of him, observed, "Twice would have been enough. " Of Ning Wu, the Master said that when matters went well in the State heused to have his wits about him: but when they went wrong, he lost them. His intelligence might be equalled, but not his witlessness! Once, when the Master lived in the State of Ch'in, he exclaimed, "Let meget home again! Let me get home! My school-children [13] are wild andimpetuous! Though they are somewhat accomplished, and perfect in onesense in their attainments, yet they know not how to make nicediscriminations. " Of Peh-I and Shuh Ts'i he said, "By the fact of their not rememberingold grievances, they gradually did away with resentment. " Of Wei-shang Kau he said, "Who calls him straightforward? A person oncebegged some vinegar of him, and he begged it from a neighbor, and thenpresented him with it!" "Fine speech, " said he, "and studied mien, and superfluous show ofdeference--of such things Tso-k'iu Ming was ashamed, I too am ashamed ofsuch things. Also of hiding resentment felt towards an opponent andtreating him as a friend--of this kind of thing he was ashamed, and sotoo am I. " Attended once by the two disciples Yen Yuen and Tsz-lu, he said, "Comenow, why not tell me, each of you, what in your hearts you are reallyafter?" "I should like, " said Tsz-lu, "for myself and my friends and associates, carriages and horses, and to be clad in light furs! nor would I mindmuch if they should become the worse for wear. " "And I should like, " said Yen Yuen, "to live without boasting of myabilities, and without display of meritorious deeds. " Tsz-lu then said, "I should like, sir, to hear what your heart is setupon. " The Master replied, "It is this:--in regard to old people, to give themquiet and comfort; in regard to friends and associates, to be faithfulto them; in regard to the young, to treat them with fostering affectionand kindness. " On one occasion the Master exclaimed, "Ah, 'tis hopeless! I have not yetseen the man who can see his errors, so as inwardly to accuse himself. " "In a small cluster of houses there may well be, " said he, "some whoseintegrity and sincerity may compare with mine; but I yield to none inpoint of love of learning. " [Footnote 10: Lit. , a State of 1, 000 war chariots. ] [Footnote 11: Lit. , a House of 100 war chariots. ] [Footnote 12: A great statesman of Confucius's time. ] [Footnote 13: A familiar way of speaking of his disciples in theirhearing. ] BOOK VI More Characteristics--Wisdom--Philanthropy Of Yen Yung, a disciple, the Master said, "Yung might indeed do for aprince!" On being asked by this Yen Yung his opinion of a certain individual, theMaster replied, "He is passable. Impetuous, though. " "But, " argued the disciple, "if a man habituate himself to a reverentregard for duty--even while in his way of doing things he isimpetuous--in the oversight of the people committed to his charge, is henot passable? If, on the other hand, he habituate himself to impetuosityof mind, and show it also in his way of doing things, is he not thenover-impetuous?" "You are right, " said the Master. When the Duke Ngai inquired which of the disciples were devoted tolearning, Confucius answered him, "There was one Yen Hwúi who lovedit--a man whose angry feelings towards any particular person he did notsuffer to visit upon another; a man who would never fall into the sameerror twice. Unfortunately his allotted time was short, and he died, andnow his like is not to be found; I have never heard of one so devoted tolearning. " While Tsz-hwa, a disciple, was away on a mission to Ts'i, the discipleYen Yu, on behalf of his mother, applied for some grain. "Give her threepecks, " said the Master. He applied for more. "Give her eight, then. "Yen gave her fifty times that amount. The Master said, "When Tsz-hwawent on that journey to Ts'i, he had well-fed steeds yoked to hiscarriage, and was arrayed in light furs. I have learnt that the'superior man' should help those whose needs are urgent, not help therich to be more rich. " When Yuen Sz became prefect under him, he gave him nine hundred measuresof grain, but the prefect declined to accept them. [14] "You must not, "said the Master. "May they not be of use to the villages and hamletsaround you?" Speaking of Yen Yung again, the Master said, "If the offspring of aspeckled ox be red in color, and horned, even though men may not wish totake it for sacrifice, would the spirits of the hills and streams rejectit?" Adverting to Hwúi again, he said, "For three months there would not bein his breast one thought recalcitrant against his feeling of good-willtowards his fellow-men. The others may attain to this for a day or for amonth, but there they end. " When asked by Ki K'ang whether Tsz-lu was fit to serve the government, the Master replied, "Tsz-lu is a man of decision: what should preventhim from serving the government?" Asked the same question respecting Tsz-kung and Yen Yu he answeredsimilarly, pronouncing Tsz-kung to be a man of perspicacity, and Yen Yuto be one versed in the polite arts. When the head of the Ki family sent for Min Tsz-k'ien to make himgovernor of the town of Pi, that disciple said, "Politely decline forme. If the offer is renewed, then indeed I shall feel myself obliged togo and live on the further bank of the Wan. " Peh-niu had fallen ill, and the Master was inquiring after him. Takinghold of his hand held out from the window, he said, "It is taking himoff! Alas, his appointed time has come! Such a man, and to have such anillness!" Of Hwúi, again: "A right worthy man indeed was he! With his simplewooden dish of rice, and his one gourd-basin of drink, away in his poorback lane, in a condition too grievous for others to have endured, henever allowed his cheery spirits to droop. Aye, a right worthy soul washe!" "It is not, " Yen Yu once apologized, "that I do not take pleasure inyour doctrines; it is that I am not strong enough. " The Master rejoined, "It is when those who are not strong enough have made some moderateamount of progress that they fail and give up; but you are now drawingyour own line for yourself. " Addressing Tsz-hiá, the Master said, "Let your scholarship be that ofgentlemen, and not like that of common men. " When Tsz-yu became governor of Wu-shing, the Master said to him, "Do youfind good men about you?" The reply was, "There is Tan-t'ai Mieh-ming, who when walking eschews by-paths, and who, unless there be some publicfunction, never approaches my private residence. " "Mang Chi-fan, " said the Master, "is no sounder of his own praises. During a stampede he was in the rear, and as they were about to enterthe city gate he whipped up his horses, and said, 'Twas not my daringmade me lag behind. My horses would not go. '" _Obiter dicta_ of the Master:-- "Whoever has not the glib utterance of the priest T'o, as well as thehandsomeness of Prince Cháu of Sung, will find it hard to keep out ofharm's way in the present age. "Who can go out but by that door? Why walks no one by these guidingprinciples? "Where plain naturalness is more in evidence than polish, we have--theman from the country. Where polish is more in evidence than naturalness, we have--the town scribe. It is when naturalness and polish are equallyevident that we have the ideal man. "The life of a man is--his rectitude. Life without it--such may you havethe good fortune to avoid! "They who know it are not as those who love it, nor they who love it asthose who rejoice in it--that is, have the fruition of their love forit. "To the average man, and those above the average, it is possible todiscourse on higher subjects; to those from the average downwards, it isnot possible. " Fan Ch'i put a query about wisdom. The Master replied, "To labor for thepromoting of righteous conduct among the people of the land; to beserious in regard to spiritual beings, and to hold aloof fromthem;--this may be called wisdom. " To a further query, about philanthropy, he replied, "Those who possessthat virtue find difficulty with it at first, success later. "Men of practical knowledge, " he said, "find their gratification amongthe rivers of the lowland, men of sympathetic social feeling find theirsamong the hills. The former are active and bustling, the latter calm andquiet. The former take their day of pleasure, the latter look to lengthof days. " Alluding to the States of Ts'i and Lu, he observed, that Ts'i, by onechange, might attain to the condition of Lu; and that Lu, by one change, might attain to good government. An exclamation of the Master (satirizing the times, when old termsrelating to government were still used while bereft of their oldmeaning):--"A quart, and not a quart! _quart_, indeed! _quart_, indeed!" Tsai Wo, a disciple, put a query. Said he, "Suppose a philanthropicperson were told, 'There's a fellow-creature down in the well!' Would hego down after him?" "Why should he really do so?" answered the Master. "The good man or, asuperior man might be induced to go, but not to go down. He may bemisled, but not befooled. " "The superior man, " said he, "with his wide study of books, and hedginghimself round by the Rules of Propriety, is not surely, after all that, capable of overstepping his bounds. " Once when the Master had had an interview with Nan-tsz, which hadscandalized his disciple Tsz-lu, he uttered the solemn adjuration, "If Ihave done aught amiss, may Heaven reject me! may Heaven reject me!" "How far-reaching, " said he, "is the moral excellence that flows fromthe Constant Mean! [15] It has for a long time been rare among thepeople. " Tsz-kung said, "Suppose the case of one who confers benefits far andwide upon the people, and who can, in so doing, make his bountyuniversally felt--how would you speak of him? Might he be calledphilanthropic?" The Master exclaimed, "What a work for philanthropy! He would requireindeed to be a sage! He would put into shade even Yau and Shun!--Well, aphilanthropic person, desiring for himself a firm footing, is led on togive one to others; desiring for himself an enlightened perception ofthings, he is led on to help others to be similarly enlightened. If onecould take an illustration coming closer home to us than yours, thatmight be made the starting-point for speaking about philanthropy. " [Footnote 14: At this time Confucius was Criminal Judge in his nativeState of Lu. Yuen Sz had been a disciple. The commentators add that thiswas the officer's proper salary, and that he did wrong to refuse it. ] [Footnote 15: The doctrine afterwards known by that name, and which gaveits title to a Confucian treatise. ] BOOK VII Characteristics of Confucius--An Incident Said the Master:-- "I, as a transmitter[16] and not an originator, and as one who believesin and loves the ancients, venture to compare myself with our old P'ang. "What find you indeed in me?--a quiet brooder and memorizer; a studentnever satiated with learning; an unwearied monitor of others! "The things which weigh heavily upon my mind are these--failure toimprove in the virtues, failure in discussion of what is learnt, inability to walk according to knowledge received as to what is rightand just, inability also to reform what has been amiss. " In his hours of recreation and refreshment the Master's manner was easyand unconstrained, affable and winning. Once he exclaimed, "Alas! I must be getting very feeble; 'tis long sinceI have had a repetition of the dreams in which I used to see the Duke ofChow. [17] "Concentrate the mind, " said he, "upon the Good Way. "Maintain firm hold upon Virtue. "Rely upon Philanthropy. "Find recreation in the Arts. [18] "I have never withheld instruction from any, even from those who havecome for it with the smallest offering. "No subject do I broach, however, to those who have no eager desire tolearn; no encouraging hint do I give to those who show no anxiety tospeak out their ideas; nor have I anything more to say to those who, after I have made clear one corner of the subject, cannot from that giveme the other three. " If the Master was taking a meal, and there were any in mourning besidehim, he would not eat to the full. On one day on which he had wept, on that day he would not sing. Addressing his favorite disciple, he said, "To you only and myself ithas been given to do this--to go when called to serve, and to go backinto quiet retirement when released from office. " Tsz-lu, hearing the remark said, "But if, sir, you had the handling ofthe army of one of the greater States, [19] whom would you haveassociated with you in that case?" The Master answered:-- "Not the one 'who'll rouse the tiger, ' Not the one 'who'll wade the Ho;' not the man who can die with no regret. He must be one who should watchover affairs with apprehensive caution, a man fond of strategy, and ofperfect skill and effectiveness in it. " As to wealth, he remarked, "If wealth were an object that I could go inquest of, I should do so even if I had to take a whip and do grooms'work. But seeing that it is not, I go after those objects for which Ihave a liking. " Among matters over which he exercised great caution were times offasting, war, and sickness. When he was in the State of Ts'i, and had heard the ancient Shau music, he lost all perception of the taste of his meat. "I had no idea, " saidhe, "that music could have been brought to this pitch. " In the course of conversation Yen Yu said, "Does the Master take thepart of the Prince of Wei?" "Ah yes!" said Tsz-kung, "I will go and askhim that. " On going in to him, that disciple began, "What sort of men were Peh-Iand Shuh Ts'i?" "Worthies of the olden time, " the Master replied. "Hadthey any feelings of resentment?" was the next question. "Their aim andobject, " he answered, "was that of doing the duty which every man owesto his fellows, and they succeeded in doing it;--what room further forfeelings of resentment?" The questioner on coming out said, "The Masterdoes not take his part. " "With a meal of coarse rice, " said the Master, "and with water to drink, and my bent arm for my pillow--even thus I can find happiness. Richesand honors without righteousness are to me as fleeting clouds. " "Give me several years more to live, " said he, "and after fifty years'study of the 'Book of Changes' I might come to be free from seriouserror. " The Master's regular subjects of discourse were the "Books of the Odes"and "History, " and the up-keeping of the Rules of Propriety. On all ofthese he regularly discoursed. The Duke of Shih questioned Tsz-lu about Confucius, and the latter didnot answer. Hearing of this, the Master said, "Why did you not say, He is a man witha mind so intent on his pursuits that he forgets his food, and findssuch pleasure in them that he forgets his troubles, and does not knowthat old age is coming upon him?" "As I came not into life with any knowledge of it, " he said, "and as mylikings are for what is old, I busy myself in seeking knowledge there. " Strange occurrences, exploits of strength, deeds of lawlessness, references to spiritual beings--such-like matters the Master avoided inconversation. "Let there, " he said, "be three men walking together: from that number Ishould be sure to find my instructors; for what is good in them I shouldchoose out and follow, and what is not good I should modify. " On one occasion he exclaimed, "Heaven begat Virtue in me; what can mando unto me?" To his disciples he once said, "Do you look upon me, my sons, as keepinganything secret from you? I hide nothing from you. I do nothing that isnot manifest to your eyes, my disciples. That is so with me. " Four things there were which he kept in view in histeaching--scholarliness, conduct of life, honesty, faithfulness. "It is not given to me, " he said, "to meet with a sage; let me butbehold a man of superior mind, and that will suffice. Neither is itgiven to me to meet with a good man; let me but see a man of constancy, and it will suffice. It is difficult for persons to have constancy, whenthey pretend to have that which they are destitute of, to be full whenthey are empty, to do things on a grand scale when their means arecontracted!" When the Master fished with hook and line, he did not also use a net. When out with his bow, he would never shoot at game in cover. "Some there may be, " said he, "who do things in ignorance of what theydo. I am not of these. There is an alternative way of knowing things, viz. --to sift out the good from the many things one hears, and followit; and to keep in memory the many things one sees. " Pupils from Hu-hiang were difficult to speak with. One youth came tointerview the Master, and the disciples were in doubt whether he oughtto have been seen. "Why so much ado, " said the Master, "at my merelypermitting his approach, and not rather at my allowing him to draw back?If a man have cleansed himself in order to come and see me, I receivehim as such; but I do not undertake for what he will do when he goesaway. " "Is the philanthropic spirit far to seek, indeed?" the Master exclaimed;"I wish for it, and it is with me!" The Minister of Crime in the State of Ch'in asked Confucius whether DukeCh'an, of Lu was acquainted with the Proprieties; and he answered, "Yes, he knows them. " When Confucius had withdrawn, the minister bowed to Wu-ma K'i, adisciple, and motioned to him to come forward. He said, "I have heardthat superior men show no partiality; are they, too, then, partial? Thatprince took for his wife a lady of the Wu family, having the samesurname as himself, and had her named 'Lady Tsz of Wu, the elder, ' If heknows the Proprieties, then who does not?" The disciple reported this to the Master, who thereupon remarked, "Wellfor me! If I err in any way, others are sure to know of it. " When the Master was in company with any one who sang, and who sang well, he must needs have the song over again, and after that would join in it. "Although in letters, " he said, "I may have none to compare with me, yetin my personification of the 'superior man' I have not as yet beensuccessful. " "'A Sage and a Philanthropist?' How should I have the ambition?" saidhe. "All that I can well be called is this--An insatiable student, anunwearied teacher;--this, and no more. "--"Exactly what we, yourdisciples, cannot by any learning manage to be, " said Kung-si Hwa. Once when the Master was seriously ill, Tsz-lu requested to be allowedto say prayers for him. "Are such available?" asked the Master. "Yes, "said he; "and the Manual of Prayers says, 'Pray to the spirits above andto those here below, '" "My praying has been going on a long while, " said the Master. "Lavish living, " he said, "renders men disorderly; miserliness makesthem hard. Better, however, the hard than the disorderly. " Again, "The man of superior mind is placidly composed; the small-mindedman is in a constant state of perturbation. " The Master was gentle, yet could be severe; had an over-awing presence, yet was not violent; was deferential, yet easy. [Footnote 16: In reference to his editing the six Classics of his time. ] [Footnote 17: This was one of his "beloved ancients, " famous for what hedid in helping to found the dynasty of Chow, a man of great politicalwisdom, a scholar also, and poet. It was the "dream" of Confucius's lifeto restore the country to the condition in which the Duke of Chow leftit. ] [Footnote 18: These were six in number, viz. : Ceremonial, Music, Archery, Horsemanship, Language, and Calculation. ] [Footnote 19: Lit. , three forces. Each force consisted of 12, 500 men, and three of such forces were the equipment of a greater State. ] BOOK VIII Sayings of Tsang--Sentences of the Master Speaking of T'ai-pih the Master said that he might be pronounced a manof the highest moral excellence; for he allowed the empire to pass byhim onwards to a third heir; while the people, in their ignorance of hismotives, were unable to admire him for so doing. "Without the Proprieties, " said the Master, "we have these results: fordeferential demeanor, a worried one; for calm attentiveness, awkwardbashfulness; for manly conduct, disorderliness; for straightforwardness, perversity. "When men of rank show genuine care for those nearest to them in blood, the people rise to the duty of neighborliness and sociability. And whenold friendships among them are not allowed to fall off, there will be acessation of underhand practices among the people. " The Scholar Tsang was once unwell, and calling his pupils to him he saidto them, "Disclose to view my feet and my hands. What says the Ode?-- 'Act as from a sense of danger, With precaution and with care, As a yawning gulf o'erlooking, As on ice that scarce will bear, ' At all times, my children, I know how to keep myself free from bodilyharm. " Again, during an illness of his, Mang King, an official, went to askafter him. The Scholar had some conversation with him, in the course ofwhich he said-- "'Doleful the cries of a dying bird, Good the last words of a dying man, ' There are three points which a man of rank in the management of hisduties should set store upon:--A lively manner and deportment, banishingboth severity and laxity; a frank and open expression of countenance, allied closely with sincerity; and a tone in his utterances utterly freefrom any approach to vulgarity and impropriety. As to matters of bowlsand dishes, leave such things to those who are charged with the care ofthem. " Another saying of the Scholar Tsang: "I once had a friend who, though hepossessed ability, would go questioning men of none, and, thoughsurrounded by numbers, would go with his questions to isolatedindividuals; who also, whatever he might have, appeared as if he werewithout it, and, with all his substantial acquirements, made as thoughhis mind were a mere blank; and when insulted would not retaliate;--thiswas ever his way. " Again he said: "The man that is capable of being intrusted with thecharge of a minor on the throne, and given authority over a largeterritory, and who, during the important term of his superintendencecannot be forced out of his position, is not such a 'superior man'? Thathe is, indeed. " Again:--"The learned official must not be without breadth and power ofendurance: the burden is heavy, and the way is long. "Suppose that he take his duty to his fellow-men as his peculiar burden, is that not indeed a heavy one? And since only with death it is donewith, is not the way long?" Sentences of the Master:-- "From the 'Book of Odes' we receive impulses; from the 'Book of theRules, ' stability; from the 'Book on Music, ' refinement. [20] "The people may be put into the way they should go, though they may notbe put into the way of understanding it. "The man who likes bravery, and yet groans under poverty, has mischiefin him. So, too, has the misanthrope, groaning at any severity showntowards him. "Even if a person were adorned with the gifts of the Duke of Chow, yetif he were proud and avaricious, all the rest of his qualities would notindeed be worth looking at. "Not easily found is the man who, after three years' study, has failedto come upon some fruit of his toil. "The really faithful lover of learning holds fast to the Good Way tilldeath. "He will not go into a State in which a downfall is imminent, nor takeup his abode in one where disorder reigns. When the empire is wellordered he will show himself; when not, he will hide himself away. Undera good government it will be a disgrace to him if he remain in povertyand low estate; under a bad one, it would be equally disgraceful to himto hold riches and honors. "If not occupying the office, devise not the policy. "When the professor Chi began his duties, how grand the finale of theFirst of the Odes used to be! How it rang in one's ears! "I cannot understand persons who are enthusiastic and yet notstraightforward; nor those who are ignorant and yet not attentive; noragain those folks who are simple-minded and yet untrue. "Learn, as if never overtaking your object, and yet as if apprehensiveof losing it. "How sublime was the handling of the empire by Shun and Yu!--it was asnothing to them! "How great was Yau as a prince! Was he not sublime! Say that Heaven onlyis great, then was Yau alone after its pattern! How profound was he! Thepeople could not find a name for him. How sublime in his achievements!How brilliant in his scholarly productions!" Shun had for his ministers five men, by whom he ordered the empire. King Wu (in his day) stated that he had ten men as assistants for thepromotion of order. With reference to these facts Confucius observed, "Ability is hard tofind. Is it not so indeed? During the three years' interregnum betweenYau and Shun there was more of it than in the interval before thispresent dynasty appeared. There were, at this latter period, one woman, and nine men only. "When two-thirds of the empire were held by King Wan, he served withthat portion the House of Yin. We speak of the virtue of the House ofChow; we may say, indeed, that it reached the pinnacle of excellence. " "As to Yu, " added the Master, "I can find no flaw in him. Living onmeagre food and drink; yet providing to the utmost in his filialofferings to the spirits of the dead! Dressing in coarse garments; yetmost elegant when vested in his sacrificial apron and coronet! Dwellingin a poor palace; yet exhausting his energies over thoseboundary-ditches and watercourses! I can find no flaw in Yu. " [Footnote 20: Comparison of three of the Classics: the "Shi-King, " the"Li Ki, " and the "Yoh. " The last is lost. ] BOOK IX His Favorite Disciple's Opinion of Him Topics on which the Master rarely spoke were--Advantage, and Destiny, and Duty of man to man. A man of the village of Tah-hiang exclaimed of him, "A great man isConfucius!--a man of extensive learning, and yet in nothing has he quitemade himself a name!" The Master heard of this, and mentioning it to his disciples he said, "What then shall I take in hand? Shall I become a carriage driver, or anarcher? Let me be a driver!" "The sacrificial cap, " he once said, "should, according to the Rules, beof linen; but in these days it is of pure silk. However, as it iseconomical, I do as all do. "The Rule says, 'Make your bow when at the lower end of the hall'; butnowadays the bowing is done at the upper part. This is great freedom;and I, though I go in opposition to the crowd, bow when at the lowerend. " The Master barred four words:--he would have no "shall's, " no "must's, "no "certainty's, " no "I's. " Once, in the town of K'wang fearing that his life was going to be taken, the Master exclaimed, "King Wan is dead and gone; but is not '_wan_'[21] with you here? If Heaven be about to allow this '_wan_' to perish, then they who survive its decease will get no benefit from it. But solong as Heaven does not allow it to perish, what can the men of K'wangdo to me?" A high State official, after questioning Tsz-kung, said, "Your Master isa sage, then? How many and what varied abilities must be his!" The disciple replied, "Certainly Heaven is allowing him fullopportunities of becoming a sage, in addition to the fact that hisabilities are many and varied. " When the Master heard of this he remarked, "Does that high official knowme? In my early years my position in life was low, and hence my abilityin many ways, though exercised in trifling matters. In the gentleman isthere indeed such variety of ability? No. " From this, the disciple Lau used to say, "'Twas a saying of the Master:'At a time when I was not called upon to use them, I acquired myproficiency in the polite arts. '" "Am I, indeed, " said the Master, "possessed of knowledge? I knownothing. Let a vulgar fellow come to me with a question--a man with anemptyish head--I may thrash out with him the matter from end to end, andexhaust myself in doing it!" "Ah!" exclaimed he once, "the phoenix does not come! and no symbolsissue from the river! May I not as well give up?" Whenever the Master met with a person in mourning, or with one infull-dress cap and kirtle, or with a blind person, although they mightbe young persons, he would make a point of rising on their appearance, or, if crossing their path, would do so with quickened step! Once Yen Yuen exclaimed with a sigh (with reference to the Master'sdoctrines), "If I look up to them, they are ever the higher; if I try topenetrate them, they are ever the harder; if I gaze at them as if beforemy eyes, lo, they are behind me!--Gradually and gently the Master withskill lures men on. By literary lore he gave me breadth; by the Rules ofPropriety he narrowed me down. When I desire a respite, I find itimpossible; and after I have exhausted my powers, there seems to besomething standing straight up in front of me, and though I have themind to make towards it I make no advance at all. " Once when the Master was seriously ill, Tsz-lu induced the otherdisciples to feign they were high officials acting in his service. During a respite from his malady the Master exclaimed, "Ah! how long hasTsz-lu's conduct been false? Whom should I delude, if I were to pretendto have officials under me, having none? Should I deceive Heaven?Besides, were I to die, I would rather die in the hands of yourselves, my disciples, than in the hands of officials. And though I should failto have a grand funeral over me, I should hardly be left on my death onthe public highway, should I?" Tsz-kung once said to him, "Here is a fine gem. Would you guard itcarefully in a casket and store it away, or seek a good price for it andsell it?" "Sell it, indeed, " said the Master--"that would I; but Ishould wait for the bidder. " The Master protested he would "go and live among the nine wild tribes. " "A rude life, " said some one;--"how could you put up with it?" "What rudeness would there be, " he replied, "if a 'superior man' wasliving in their midst?" Once he remarked, "After I came back from Wei to Lu the music was putright, and each of the Festal Odes and Hymns was given its appropriateplace and use. " "Ah! which one of these following, " he asked on one occasion, "are to befound exemplified in me--proper service rendered to superiors whenabroad; duty to father and elder brother when at home; duty that shrinksfrom no exertion when dear ones die; and keeping free from the confusingeffects of wine?" Standing once on the bank of a mountain stream, he said (musingly), "Like this are those that pass away--no cessation, day or night!" Other sayings:-- "Take an illustration from the making of a hill. A simple basketful iswanting to complete it, and the work stops. So I stop short. "Take an illustration from the levelling of the ground. Suppose againjust one basketful is left, when the work has so progressed. There Idesist! "Ah! it was Hwúi, was it not? who, when I had given him his lesson, wasthe unflagging one! "Alas for Hwúi! I saw him ever making progress. I never saw him stoppingshort. "Blade, but no bloom--or else bloom, but no produce; aye, that is theway with some! "Reverent regard is due to youth. How know we what difference there maybe in them in the future from what they are now? Yet when they havereached the age of forty or fifty, and are still unknown in the world, then indeed they are no more worthy of such regard. "Can any do otherwise than assent to words said to them by way ofcorrection? Only let them reform by such advice, and it will then bereckoned valuable. Can any be other than pleased with words of gentlesuasion? Only let them comply with them fully, and such also will beaccounted valuable. With those who are pleased without so complying, andthose who assent but do not reform, I can do nothing at all. "Give prominent place to loyalty and sincerity. "Have no associates in study who are not advanced somewhat likeyourself. "When you have erred, be not afraid to correct yourself. "It may be possible to seize and carry off the chief commander of alarge army, but not possible so to rob one poor fellow of his will. "One who stands--clad in hempen robe, the worse for wear--among othersclad in furs of fox and badger, and yet unabashed--'tis Tsz-lu, that, isit not?" Tsz-lu used always to be humming over the lines-- "From envy and enmity free, What deed doth he other than good?" "How should such a rule of life, " asked the Master, "be sufficient tomake any one good?" "When the year grows chilly, we know the pine and cypress are the lastto fade. "The wise escape doubt; the good-hearted, trouble; the bold, apprehension. "Some may study side by side, and yet be asunder when theycome to the logic of things. Some may go on together in thislatter course, but be wide apart in the standards they reach init. Some, again, may together reach the same standard, andyet be diverse in weight of character. " "The blossom is out on the cherry tree, With a flutter on every spray. Dost think that my thoughts go not out to thee? Ah, why art thou far away!" Commenting on these lines the Master said, "There can hardly have beenmuch 'thought going out, ' What does distance signify?" [Footnote 21: "Wan" was the honorary appellation of the great sage andruler, whose praise is in the "Shi-King" as one of the founders of theChow dynasty, and the term represented civic talent and virtues, asdistinct from Wu, the martial talent--the latter being the honorarytitle of his son and successor. "Wan" also often stands for literatureand polite accomplishments. Here Confucius simply means, "If you killme, you kill a sage. "] BOOK X Confucius in Private and Official Life In his own village, Confucius presented a somewhat plain and simpleappearance, and looked unlike a man who possessed ability of speech. But in the ancestral temple, and at Court, he spoke with the fluency andaccuracy of a debater, but ever guardedly. At Court, conversing with the lower order of great officials, he spokesomewhat firmly and directly; with those of the higher order his tonewas somewhat more affable. When the prince was present he was constrainedly reverent in hismovements, and showed a proper degree of grave dignity in demeanor. Whenever the prince summoned him to act as usher to the Court, his lookwould change somewhat, and he would make as though he were turning roundto do obeisance. He would salute those among whom he took up his position, using theright hand or the left, and holding the skirts of his robe in properposition before and behind. He would make his approaches with quickstep, and with elbows evenly bent outwards. When the visitor withdrew, he would not fail to report the execution ofhis commands, with the words, "The visitor no longer looks back. " When he entered the palace gate, it was with the body somewhat bentforward, almost as though he could not be admitted. When he stood still, this would never happen in the middle of the gateway; nor when movingabout would he ever tread on the threshold. When passing the throne, hislook would change somewhat, he would turn aside and make a sort ofobeisance, and the words he spoke seemed as though he were deficient inutterance. On going up the steps to the audience chamber, he would gather up withboth hands the ends of his robe, and walk with his body bent somewhatforward, holding back his breath like one in whom respiration hasceased. On coming out, after descending one step his countenance wouldrelax and assume an appearance of satisfaction. Arrived at the bottom, he would go forward with quick step, his elbows evenly bent outwards, back to his position, constrainedly reverent in every movement. When holding the sceptre in his hand, his body would be somewhat bentforward, as if he were not equal to carrying it; wielding it now higher, as in a salutation, now lower, as in the presentation of a gift; hislook would also be changed and appear awestruck; and his gait would seemretarded, as if he were obeying some restraining hand behind. When he presented the gifts of ceremony, he would assume a placidexpression of countenance. At the private interview he would be cordialand affable. The good man would use no purple or violet colors for the facings of hisdress. [22] Nor would he have red or orange color for his undress. [23]For the hot season he wore a singlet, of either coarse or fine texture, but would also feel bound to have an outer garment covering it. For hisblack robe he had lamb's wool; for his white one, fawn's fur; and forhis yellow one, fox fur. His furred undress robe was longer, but theright sleeve was shortened. He would needs have his sleeping-dress oneand a half times his own length. For ordinary home wear he used thicksubstantial fox or badger furs. When he left off mourning, he would wearall his girdle trinkets. His kirtle in front, when it was not needed forfull cover, he must needs have cut down. He would never wear his (black)lamb's-wool, or a dark-colored cap, when he went on visits of condolenceto mourners. [24] On the first day of the new moon, he must have on hisCourt dress and to Court. When observing his fasts, he made a point ofhaving bright, shiny garments, made of linen. He must also at such timesvary his food, and move his seat to another part of his dwelling-room. As to his food, he never tired of rice so long as it was clean and pure, nor of hashed meats when finely minced. Rice spoiled by damp, and sour, he would not touch, nor tainted fish, nor bad meat, nor aught of a badcolor or smell, nor aught overdone in cooking, nor aught out of season. Neither would he eat anything that was not properly cut, or that lackedits proper seasonings. Although there might be an abundance of meatbefore him, he would not allow a preponderance of it to rob the rice ofits beneficial effect in nutrition. Only in the matter of wine did heset himself no limit, yet he never drank so much as to confuse himself. Tradesmen's wines, and dried meats from the market, he would not touch. Ginger he would never have removed from the table during a meal. He wasnot a great eater. Meat from the sacrifices at the prince's temple hewould never put aside till the following day. The meat of his ownofferings he would never give out after three days' keeping, for afterthat time none were to eat it. At his meals he would not enter into discussions; and when reposing(afterwards) he would not utter a word. Even should his meal consist only of coarse rice and vegetable broth ormelons, he would make an offering, and never fail to do so religiously. He would never sit on a mat that was not straight. After a feast among his villagers, he would wait before going away untilthe old men had left. When the village people were exorcising the pests, he would put on hisCourt robes and stand on the steps of his hall to receive them. When he was sending a message of inquiry to a person in another State, he would bow twice on seeing the messenger off. Ki K'ang once sent him a present of some medicine. He bowed, andreceived it; but remarked, "Until I am quite sure of its properties Imust not venture to taste it. " Once when the stabling was destroyed by fire, he withdrew from theCourt, and asked, "Is any person injured? "--without inquiring as to thehorses. Whenever the prince sent him a present of food, he was particular to sethis mat in proper order, and would be the first one to taste it. If theprince's present was one of raw meat, he must needs have it cooked, andmake an oblation of it. If the gift were a live animal, he would be sureto keep it and care for it. When he was in waiting, and at a meal with the prince, the prince wouldmake the offering, [25] and he (the Master) was the pregustator. When unwell, and the prince came to see him, he would arrange hisposition so that his head inclined towards the east, would put over himhis Court robes, and draw his girdle across them. When summoned by order of the prince, he would start off without waitingfor his horses to be put to. On his entry into the Grand Temple, he inquired about everythingconnected with its usages. If a friend died, and there were no near relatives to take him to, hewould say, "Let him be buried from my house. " For a friend's gift--unless it consisted of meat that had been offeredin sacrifice--he would not bow, even if it were a carriage and horses. In repose he did not lie like one dead. In his home life he was notformal in his manner. Whenever he met with a person in mourning, even though it were afamiliar acquaintance, he would be certain to change his manner; andwhen he met with any one in full-dress cap, or with any blind person, hewould also unfailingly put on a different look, even though he werehimself in undress at the time. In saluting any person wearing mourning he would bow forwards towardsthe front bar of his carriage; in the same manner he would also salutethe bearer of a census-register. When a sumptuous banquet was spread before him, a different expressionwould be sure to appear in his features, and he would rise up from hisseat. At a sudden thunder-clap, or when the wind grew furious, his look wouldalso invariably be changed. On getting into his car, he would never fail (first) to stand up erect, holding on by the strap. When in the car, he would never look about, norspeak hastily, nor bring one hand to the other. "Let one but make a movement in his face, And the bird will rise and seek some safer place. " Apropos of this, he said, "Here is a hen-pheasant from Shan Liang--andin season! and in season!" After Tsz-lu had got it prepared, he smelt itthrice, and then rose up from his seat. [Footnote 22: Because, it is said, such colors were adopted in fastingand mourning. ] [Footnote 23: Because they did not belong to the five correct colors(viz. Green, yellow, carnation, white, and black), and were affectedmore by females. ] [Footnote 24: Since white was, as it is still, the mourning color. ] [Footnote 25: The act of "grace, " before eating. ] BOOK XI Comparative Worth of His Disciples "The first to make progress in the Proprieties and in Music, " said theMaster, "are plain countrymen; after them, the men of higher standing. If I had to employ any of them, I should stand by the former. " "Of those, " said he, "who were about me when I was in the Ch'in andTs'ai States, not one now is left to approach my door. " "As for Hwui, " [26] said the Master, "he is not one to help me on: thereis nothing I say but he is not well satisfied with. " "What a dutiful son was Min Tsz-k'ien!" he exclaimed. "No one findsoccasion to differ from what his parents and brothers have said of him. " Nan Yung used to repeat three times over the lines in the Odes about thewhite sceptre. Confucius caused his own elder brother's daughter to begiven in marriage to him. When Ki K'ang inquired which of the disciples were fond of learning, Confucius answered him, "There was one Yen Hwúi who was fond of it; butunfortunately his allotted time was short, and he died; and now his likeis not to be found. " When Yen Yuen died, his father, Yen Lu, begged for the Master's carriagein order to get a shell for his coffin. "Ability or no ability, " saidthe Master, "every father still speaks of 'my son. ' When my own son Lidied, and the coffin for him had no shell to it, I know I did not go onfoot to get him one; but that was because I was, though retired, in thewake of the ministers, and could not therefore well do so. " On the death of Yen Yuen the Master exclaimed, "Ah me! Heaven is ruiningme, Heaven is ruining me!" On the same occasion, his wailing for that disciple becoming excessive, those who were about him said, "Sir, this is too much!"--"Too much?"said he; "if I am not to do so for him, then--for whom else?" The disciples then wished for the deceased a grand funeral. The Mastercould not on his part consent to this. They nevertheless gave him one. Upon this he remarked, "He used to look upon me as if I were his father. I could never, however, look on him as a son. Twas not my mistake, butyours, my children. " Tsz-lu propounded a question about ministering to the spirits of thedeparted. The Master replied, "Where there is scarcely the ability tominister to living men, how shall there be ability to minister to thespirits?" On his venturing to put a question concerning death, heanswered, "Where there is scarcely any knowledge about life, how shallthere be any about death?" The disciple Min was by his side, looking affable and bland; Tsz-lualso, looking careless and intrepid; and Yen Yu and Tsz-kung, firm andprecise. The Master was cheery. "One like Tsz-lu there, " said he, "doesnot come to a natural end. " Some persons in Lu were taking measures in regard to the Long TreasuryHouse. Min Tsz-k'ien observed, "How if it were repaired on the oldlines?" The Master upon this remarked, "This fellow is not a talker, butwhen he does speak he is bound to hit the mark!" "There is Yu's harpsichord, " exclaimed the Master--"what is it doing atmy door?" On seeing, however, some disrespect shown to him by the otherdisciples, he added, "Yu has got as far as the top of the hall; only hehas not yet entered the house. " Tsz-kung asked which was the worthier of the two--Tsz-chang or Tsz-hiá. "The former, " answered the Master, "goes beyond the mark; the latterfalls short of it. " "So then Tsz-chang is the better of the two, is he?" said he. "To go too far, " he replied, "is about the same as to fall short. " The Chief of the Ki family was a wealthier man than the Duke of Chow hadbeen, and yet Yen Yu gathered and hoarded for him, increasing his wealthmore and more. "He is no follower of mine, " said the Master. "It would serve him right, my children, to sound the drum, and set upon him. " Characteristics of four disciples:--Tsz-káu was simple-minded; Tsang Si, a dullard; Tsz-chang, full of airs; Tsz-lu, rough. "As to Hwúi, " said the Master, "he comes near to perfection, whilefrequently in great want. Tsz-kung does not submit to the appointmentsof Heaven; and yet his goods are increased;--he is often successful inhis calculations. " Tsz-chang wanted to know some marks of the naturally Good Man. "He does not walk in others' footprints, " said the Master; "yet he doesnot get beyond the hall into the house. " Once the Master said, "Because we allow that a man's words havesomething genuine in them, are they necessarily those of a superior man?or words carrying only an outward semblance and show of gravity?" Tsz-lu put a question about the practice of precepts one has heard. TheMaster's reply was, "In a case where there is a father or elder brotherstill left with you, how should you practise all you hear?" When, however, the same question was put to him by Yen Yu, his replywas, "Yes; do so. " Kung-si Hwa animadverted upon this to the Master. "Tsz-lu asked you, sir, " said he, "about the practice of what one has learnt, and you said, 'There may be a father or elder brother still alive'; but when Yen Yuasked the same question, you answered, 'Yes, do so. ' I am at a loss tounderstand you, and venture to ask what you meant. " The Master replied, "Yen Yu backs out of his duties; therefore I pushhim on. Tsz-lu has forwardness enough for them both; therefore I holdhim back. " On the occasion of that time of fear in K'wang, Yen Yuen having fallenbehind, the Master said to him (afterwards), "I took it for granted youwere a dead man. " "How should I dare to die, " said he, "while you, sir, still lived?" On Ki Tsz-jen putting to him a question anent Tsz-lu and Yen Yu, as towhether they might be called "great ministers, " the Master answered, "Ihad expected your question, sir, to be about something extraordinary, and lo! it is only about these two. Those whom we call 'great ministers'are such as serve their prince conscientiously, and who, when theycannot do so, retire. At present, as regards the two you ask about, theymay be called 'qualified ministers. '" "Well, are they then, " he asked, "such as will follow their leader?" "They would not follow him who should slay his father and his prince!"was the reply. Through the intervention of Tsz-lu, Tsz-kau was being appointed governorof Pi. "You are spoiling a good man's son, " said the Master. Tsz-lu rejoined, "But he will have the people and their superiors togain experience from, and there will be the altars; what need to readbooks? He can become a student afterwards. " "Here is the reason for my hatred of glib-tongued people, " said theMaster. On one occasion Tsz-lu, Tsang Sin, Yen Yu, and Kung-si Hwa were sittingnear him. He said to them, "Though I may be a day older than you, do not(for the moment) regard me as such. While you are living this unoccupiedlife you are saying, 'We do not become known. ' Now suppose some one gotto know you, what then?" Tsz-lu--first to speak--at once answered, "Give me a State of large sizeand armament, hemmed in and hampered by other larger States, thepopulation augmented by armies and regiments, causing a dearth in it offood of all kinds; give me charge of that State, and in three years'time I should make a brave country of it, and let it know its place. " The Master smiled at him. "Yen, " said he, "how would it be with you?" "Give me, " said Yen, "a territory of sixty or seventy li square, or offifty or sixty square; put me in charge of that, and in three years Ishould make the people sufficiently prosperous. As regards theirknowledge of ceremonial or music, I should wait for superior men toteach them that. " "And with you, Kung-si, how would it be?" This disciple's reply was, "I have nothing to say about my capabilitiesfor such matters; my wish is to learn. I should like to be a juniorassistant, in dark robe and cap, at the services of the ancestraltemple, and at the Grand Receptions of the Princes by the Sovereign. " "And with you, Tsang Sin?" This disciple was strumming on his harpsichord, but now the twangingceased, he turned from the instrument, rose to his feet, and answeredthus: "Something different from the choice of these three. " "What harm?"said the Master; "I want each one of you to tell me what his heart isset upon. " "Well, then, " said he, "give me--in the latter part ofspring--dressed in full spring-tide attire--in company with five or sixyoung fellows of twenty, [27] or six or seven lads under that age, to dothe ablutions in the I stream, enjoy a breeze in the rain-dance, [28]and finish up with songs on the road home. " The Master drew in his breath, sighed, and exclaimed, "Ah, I take withyou!" The three other disciples having gone out, leaving Tsang Sin behind, thelatter said, "What think you of the answers of those three?"--"Well, each told me what was uppermost in his mind, " said the Master;--"simplythat. " "Why did you smile at Tsz-lu, sir?" "I smiled at him because to have the charge of a State requires dueregard to the Rules of Propriety, and his words betrayed a lack ofmodesty. " "But Yen, then--he had a State in view, had he not?" "I should like to be shown a territory such as he described which doesnot amount to a State. " "But had not Kung-si also a State in view?" "What are ancestral temples and Grand Receptions, but for the feudallords to take part in? If Kung-si were to become an unimportantassistant at these functions, who could become an important one?" [Footnote 26: The men of virtuous life were Yen Yuen (Hwúi), MinTsz-k'ien, Yen Pihniu, and Chung-kung (Yen Yung); the speakers anddebaters were Tsai Wo and Tsz-kung; the (capable) government servantswere Yen Yu and Tsz-lu; the literary students, Tsz-yu and Tsz-hiá. ] [Footnote 27: Lit. , capped ones. At twenty they underwent the ceremonyof capping, and were considered men. ] [Footnote 28: I. E. , before the altars, where offerings were placed withprayer for rain. A religious dance. ] BOOK XII The Master's Answers--Philanthropy--Friendships Yen Yuen was asking about man's proper regard for his fellow-man. TheMaster said to him, "Self-control, and a habit of falling back uponpropriety, virtually effect it. Let these conditions be fulfilled forone day, and every one round will betake himself to the duty. Is it tobegin in one's self, or think you, indeed! it is to begin in others?" "I wanted you to be good enough, " said Yen Yuen, "to give me a briefsynopsis of it. " Then said the Master, "Without Propriety use not your eyes; without ituse not your ears, nor your tongue, nor a limb of your body. " "I may be lacking in diligence, " said Yen Yuen, "but with your favor Iwill endeavor to carry out this advice. " Chung-kung asked about man's proper regard for his fellows. To him the Master replied thus: "When you go forth from your door, be asif you were meeting some guest of importance. When you are making use ofthe common people (for State purposes), be as if you were taking part ina great religious function. Do not set before others what you do notdesire yourself. Let there be no resentful feelings against you when youare away in the country, and none when at home. " "I may lack diligence, " said Chung-kung, "but with your favor I willendeavor to carry out this advice. " Sz-ma Niu asked the like question. The answer he received was this: "Thewords of the man who has a proper regard for his fellows are utteredwith difficulty. " "'His words--uttered with difficulty?'" he echoed, in surprise. "Is thatwhat is meant by proper regard for one's fellow-creatures?" "Where there is difficulty in doing, " the Master replied, "will therenot be some difficulty in utterance?" The same disciple put a question about the "superior man. " "Superiormen, " he replied, "are free from trouble and apprehension. " "'Free from trouble and apprehension!'" said he. "Does that make them'superior men'?" The Master added, "Where there is found, upon introspection, to be nochronic disease, how shall there be any trouble? how shall there be anyapprehension?" The same disciple, being in trouble, remarked, "I am alone in having nobrother, while all else have theirs--younger or elder. " Tsz-hiá said to him, "I have heard this: 'Death and life have destinedtimes; wealth and honors rest with Heaven. Let the superior man keepwatch over himself without ceasing, showing deference to others, withpropriety of manners--and all within the four seas will be his brethren. How should he be distressed for lack of brothers!'" [29] Tsz-chang asked what sort of man might be termed "enlightened. " The Master replied, "That man with whom drenching slander and cuttingcalumny gain no currency may well be called enlightened. Ay, he withwhom such things make no way may well be called enlightened in theextreme. " Tsz-kung put a question relative to government. In reply the Mastermentioned three essentials:--sufficient food, sufficient armament, andthe people's confidence. "But, " said the disciple, "if you cannot really have all three, and onehas to be given up, which would you give up first?" "The armament, " he replied. "And if you are obliged to give up one of the remaining two, which wouldit be?" "The food, " said he. "Death has been the portion of all men from of old. Without the people's trust nothing can stand. " Kih Tsz-shing once said, "Give me the inborn qualities of a gentleman, and I want no more. How are such to come from book-learning?" Tsz-kung exclaimed, "Ah! sir, I regret to hear such words from you. Agentleman!--But 'a team of four can ne'er o'er-take the tongue!'Literary accomplishments are much the same as inborn qualities, andinborn qualities as literary accomplishments. A tiger's or leopard'sskin without the hair might be a dog's or sheep's when so made bare. " Duke Ngai was consulting Yu Joh. Said he, "It is a year of dearth, andthere is an insufficiency for Ways and Means--what am I to do?" "Why not apply the Tithing Statute?" said the minister. "But two tithings would not be enough for my purposes, " said the duke;"what would be the good of applying the Statute?" The minister replied, "So long as the people have enough left forthemselves, who of them will allow their prince to be without enough?But--when the people have not enough, who will allow their prince allthat he wants?" Tsz-chang was asking how the standard of virtue was to be raised, andhow to discern what was illusory or misleading. The Master's answer was, "Give a foremost place to honesty and faithfulness, and tread the pathof righteousness, and you will raise the standard of virtue. As todiscerning what is illusory, here is an example of an illusion:--Whomyou love you wish to live; whom you hate you wish to die. To have wishedthe same person to live and also to be dead--there is an illusion foryou. " Duke King of Ts'i consulted Confucius about government. His answer was, "Let a prince be a prince, and ministers be ministers; let fathers befathers, and sons be sons. " "Good!" exclaimed the duke; "truly if a prince fail to be a prince, andministers to be ministers, and if fathers be not fathers, and sons notsons, then, even though I may have my allowance of grain, should I everbe able to relish it?" "The man to decide a cause with half a word, " exclaimed the Master, "isTsz-lu!" Tsz-lu never let a night pass between promise and performance. "In hearing causes, I am like other men, " said the Master. "The greatpoint is--to prevent litigation. " Tsz-chang having raised some question about government, the Master saidto him, "In the settlement of its principles be unwearied; in itsadministration--see to that loyally. " "The man of wide research, " said he, "who also restrains himself by theRules of Propriety, is not likely to transgress. " Again, "The noble-minded man makes the most of others' good qualities, not the worst of their bad ones. Men of small mind do the reverse ofthis. " Ki K'ang was consulting him about the direction of public affairs. Confucius answered him, "A director should be himself correct. If you, sir, as a leader show correctness, who will dare not to be correct?" Ki K'ang, being much troubled on account of robbers abroad, consultedConfucius on the matter. He received this reply: "If you, sir, were notcovetous, neither would they steal, even were you to bribe them to doso. " Ki K'ang, when consulting Confucius about the government, said, "SupposeI were to put to death the disorderly for the better encouragement ofthe orderly--what say you to that?" "Sir, " replied Confucius, "in the administration of government whyresort to capital punishment? Covet what is good, and the people will begood. The virtue of the noble-minded man is as the wind, and that ofinferior men as grass; the grass must bend, when the wind blows uponit. " Tsz-chang asked how otherwise he would describe the learned official whomight be termed influential. "What, I wonder, do you mean by one who is influential?" said theMaster. "I mean, " replied the disciple, "one who is sure to have a reputationthroughout the country, as well as at home. " "That, " said the Master, "is reputation, not influence. The influentialman, then, if he be one who is genuinely straightforward and loves whatis just and right, a discriminator of men's words, and an observer oftheir looks, and in honor careful to prefer others to himself--willcertainly have influence, both throughout the country and at home. Theman of mere reputation, on the other hand, who speciously affectsphilanthropy, though in his way of procedure he acts contrary to it, while yet quite evidently engrossed with that virtue--will certainlyhave reputation, both in the country and at home. " Fan Ch'i, strolling with him over the ground below the place of therain-dance, said to him, "I venture to ask how to raise the standard ofvirtue, how to reform dissolute habits, and how to discern what isillusory?" "Ah! a good question indeed!" he exclaimed. "Well, is not putting dutyfirst, and success second, a way of raising the standard of virtue? Andis not attacking the evil in one's self, and not the evil which is inothers, a way of reforming dissolute habits? And as to illusions, is notone morning's fit of anger, causing a man to forget himself, and eveninvolving in the consequences those who are near and dear to him--is notthat an illusion?" The same disciple asked him what was meant by "a right regard for one'sfellow-creatures. " He replied, "It is love to man. " Asked by him again what was meant by wisdom, he replied, "It isknowledge of man. " Fan Ch'i did not quite grasp his meaning. The Master went on to say, "Lift up the straight, set aside the crooked, so can you make the crooked straight. " Fan Ch'i left him, and meeting with Tsz-hiá he said, "I had an interviewjust now with the Master, and I asked him what wisdom was. In his answerhe said, 'Lift up the straight, set aside the crooked, and so can youmake the crooked straight. ' What was his meaning?" "Ah! words rich in meaning, those, " said the other. "When Shun wasemperor, and was selecting his men from among the multitude, he 'liftedup' Káu-yáu; and men devoid of right feelings towards their kind wentfar away. And when T'ang was emperor, and chose out his men from thecrowd, he 'lifted up' I-yin--with the same result. " Tsz-kung was consulting him about a friend. "Speak to him frankly, andrespectfully, " said the Master, "and gently lead him on. If you do notsucceed, then stop; do not submit yourself to indignity. " The learned Tsang observed, "In the society of books the 'superior man'collects his friends; in the society of his friends he is furtheringgood-will among men. " [Footnote 29: From Confucius, it is generally thought. ] BOOK XIII Answers on the Art of Governing--Consistency Tsz-lu was asking about government. "Lead the way in it, " said theMaster, "and work hard at it. " Requested to say more, he added, "And do not tire of it. " Chung-kung, on being made first minister to the Chief of the Ki family, consulted the Master about government, and to him he said, "Let theheads of offices be heads. Excuse small faults. Promote men of sagacityand talent. " "But, " he asked, "how am I to know the sagacious and talented, beforepromoting them?" "Promote those whom you do know, " said the Master. "As to those of whom you are uncertain, will others omit to noticethem?" Tsz-lu said to the Master, "As the prince of Wei, sir, has been waitingfor you to act for him in his government, what is it your intention totake in hand first?" "One thing of necessity, " he answered--"the rectification of terms. " "That!" exclaimed Tsz-lu. "How far away you are, sir! Why suchrectification?" "What a rustic you are, Tsz-lu!" rejoined the Master. "A gentleman wouldbe a little reserved and reticent in matters which he does notunderstand. If terms be incorrect, language will be incongruous; and iflanguage be incongruous, deeds will be imperfect. So, again, when deedsare imperfect, propriety and harmony cannot prevail, and when this isthe case laws relating to crime will fail in their aim; and if theselast so fail, the people will not know where to set hand or foot. Hence, a man of superior mind, certain first of his terms, is fitted to speak;and being certain of what he says can proceed upon it. In the languageof such a person there is nothing heedlessly irregular--and that is thesum of the matter. " Fan Ch'i requested that he might learn something of husbandry. "Forthat. " said the Master, "I am not equal to an old husbandman. " Might hethen learn something of gardening? he asked. "I am not equal to an oldgardener. " was the reply. "A man of little mind, that!" said the Master, when Fan Ch'i had goneout. "Let a man who is set over the people love propriety, and they willnot presume to be disrespectful. Let him be a lover of righteousness, and they will not presume to be aught but submissive. Let him lovefaithfulness and truth, and they will not presume not to lend him theirhearty assistance. Ah, if all this only were so, the people from allsides would come to such a one, carrying their children on their backs. What need to turn his hand to husbandry? "Though a man, " said he, "could hum through the Odes--the threehundred--yet should show himself unskilled when given someadministrative work to do for his country; though he might know much ofthat other lore, yet if, when sent on a mission to any quarter, he couldanswer no question personally and unaided, what after all is he goodfor? "Let a leader, " said he, "show rectitude in his own personal character, and even without directions from him things will go well. If he be notpersonally upright, his directions will not be complied with. " Once he made the remark, "The governments of Lu and of Wei are inbrotherhood. " Of King, a son of the Duke of Wei, he observed that "he managed hishousehold matters well. On his coming into possession, he thought, 'Whata strange conglomeration!'--Coming to possess a little more, it was, 'Strange, such a result!' And when he became wealthy, 'Strange, suchelegance!'" The Master was on a journey to Wei, and Yen Yu was driving him. "Whatmultitudes of people!" he exclaimed. Yen Yu asked him, "Seeing they areso numerous, what more would you do for them?" "Enrich them, " replied the Master. "And after enriching them, what more would you do for them?" "Instruct them. " "Were any one of our princes to employ me, " he said, "after atwelvemonth I might have made some tolerable progress;" Again, "How true is that saying, 'Let good men have the management of acountry for a century, and they would be adequate to cope withevil-doers, and thus do away with capital punishments, '" Again, "Suppose the ruler to possess true kingly qualities, then surelyafter one generation there would be good-will among men. " Again, "Let a ruler but see to his own rectitude, and what trouble willhe then have in the work before him? If he be unable to rectify himself, how is he to rectify others?" Once when Yen Yu was leaving the Court, the Master accosted him. "Why solate?" he asked. "Busy with legislation, " Yen replied. "The details ofit, " suggested the Master; "had it been legislation, I should have beenthere to hear it, even though I am not in office. " Duke Ting asked if there were one sentence which, if acted upon, mighthave the effect of making a country prosperous. Confucius answered, "A sentence could hardly be supposed to do so muchas that. But there is a proverb people use which says, 'To play theprince is hard, to play the minister not easy. ' Assuming that it isunderstood that 'to play the prince is hard, ' would it not be probablethat with that one sentence the country should be made to prosper?" "Is there, then, " he asked, "one sentence which, if acted upon, wouldhave the effect of ruining a country?" Confucius again replied, "A sentence could hardly be supposed to do somuch as that. But there is a proverb men have which says, 'Not gladlywould I play the prince, unless my words were ne'er withstood. ' Assumingthat the words were good, and that none withstood them, would not thatalso be good? But assuming that they were not good, and yet nonewithstood them, would it not be probable that with that one saying hewould work his country's ruin?" When the Duke of Sheh consulted him about government, he replied, "Wherethe near are gratified, the far will follow. " When Tsz-hiá became governor of Kü-fu, and consulted him aboutgovernment, he answered, "Do not wish for speedy results. Do not look attrivial advantages. If you wish for speedy results, they will not befar-reaching; and if you regard trivial advantages you will notsuccessfully deal with important affairs. " The Duke of Sheh in a conversation with Confucius said, "There aresome straightforward persons in my neighborhood. If a father has stolena sheep, the son will give evidence against him. " "Straightforward people in my neighborhood are different from those, "said Confucius. "The father will hold a thing secret on his son'sbehalf, and the son does the same for his father. They are on their wayto becoming straightforward. " Fan Ch'i was asking him about duty to one's fellow-men. "Be courteous, "he replied, "in your private sphere; be serious in any duty you take inhand to do; be leal-hearted in your intercourse with others. Even thoughyou were to go amongst the wild tribes, it would not be right for you toneglect these duties. " In answer to Tsz-kung, who asked, "how he would characterize one whocould fitly be called 'learned official, '" the Master said, "He may beso-called who in his private life is affected with a sense of his ownunworthiness, and who, when sent on a mission to any quarter of theempire, would not disgrace his prince's commands. " "May I presume, " said his questioner, "to ask what sort you would putnext to such?" "Him who is spoken of by his kinsmen as a dutiful son, and whom thefolks of his neighborhood call' good brother. '" "May I still venture to ask whom you would place next in order?" "Such as are sure to be true to their word, and effective in theirwork--who are given to hammering, as it were, upon one note--of inferiorcalibre indeed, but fit enough, I think, to be ranked next. " "How would you describe those who are at present in the governmentservice?" "Ugh! mere peck and panier men!--not worth taking into the reckoning. " Once he remarked, "If I cannot get _via media_ men to impart instructionto, then I must of course take the impetuous and undisciplined! Theimpetuous ones will at least go forward and lay hold on things; and theundisciplined have at least something in them which needs to be broughtout. " "The Southerners, " said he, "have the proverb, 'The man who sticks notto rule will never make a charm-worker or a medical man, 'Good!--'Whoever is intermittent in his practise of virtue will live tobe ashamed of it. ' Without prognostication, " he added, "that will indeedbe so. " "The nobler-minded man, " he remarked, "will be agreeable even when hedisagrees; the small-minded man will agree and be disagreeable. " Tsz-kung was consulting him, and asked, "What say you of a person whowas liked by all in his village?" "That will scarcely do, " he answered. "What, then, if they all disliked him?" "That, too, " said he, "is scarcely enough. Better if he were liked bythe good folk in the village, and disliked by the bad. " "The superior man, " he once observed, "is easy to serve, but difficultto please. Try to please him by the adoption of wrong principles, andyou will fail. Also, when such a one employs others, he uses themaccording to their capacity. The inferior man is, on the other hand, difficult to serve, but easy to please. Try to please him by theadoption of wrong principles, and you will succeed. And when he employsothers he requires them to be fully prepared for everything. " Again, "The superior man can be high without being haughty. The inferiorman can be haughty if not high. " "The firm, the unflinching, the plain and simple, the slow to speak, "said he once, "are approximating towards their duty to theirfellow-men. " Tsz-lu asked how he would characterize one who might fitly be called aneducated gentleman. The master replied, "He who can properly beso-called will have in him a seriousness of purpose, a habit ofcontrolling himself, and an agreeableness of manner: among his friendsand associates the seriousness and the self-control, and among hisbrethren the agreeableness of manner. " "Let good and able men discipline the people for seven years, " said theMaster, "and after that they may do to go to war. " But, said he, "To lead an undisciplined people to war--that I callthrowing them away. " BOOK XIV Good and Bad Government--Miscellaneous Sayings Yuen Sz asked what might be considered to bring shame on one. "Pay, " said the Master; "pay--ever looking to that, whether the countrybe well or badly governed. " "When imperiousness, boastfulness, resentments, and covetousness ceaseto prevail among the people, may it be considered that mutual good-willhas been effected?" To this question the Master replied, "A hard thingovercome, it may be considered. But as to the mutual good-will--I cannottell. " "Learned officials, " said he, "who hanker after a home life, are notworthy of being esteemed as such. " Again, "In a country under good government, speak boldly, act boldly. When the land is ill-governed, though you act boldly, let your words bemoderate. " Again, "Men of virtue will needs be men of words--will speak out--butmen of words are not necessarily men of virtue. They who care for theirfellow-men will needs be bold, but the bold may not necessarily be suchas care for their fellow-men. " Nan-kung Kwoh, who was consulting Confucius, observed respecting I, theskilful archer, and Ngau, who could propel a boat on dry land, thatneither of them died a natural death; while Yu and Tsih, who with theirown hands had labored at husbandry, came to wield imperial sway. The Master gave him no reply. But when the speaker had gone out heexclaimed, "A superior man, that! A man who values virtue, that!" "There have been noble-minded men, " said he, "who yet were wanting inphilanthropy; but never has there been a small-minded man who hadphilanthropy in him. " He asked, "Can any one refuse to toil for those he loves? Can any onerefuse to exhort, who is true-hearted?" Speaking of the preparation of Government Notifications in his day hesaid, "P'i would draw up a rough sketch of what was to be said; theShishuh then looked it carefully through and put it into proper shape;Tsz-yu next, who was master of the ceremonial of State intercourse, improved and adorned its phrases; and Tsz-ch'an of Tung-li added hisscholarly embellishments thereto. " To some one who asked his opinion of the last-named, he said, "He was akind-hearted man. " Asked what he thought of Tsz-si, he exclaimed, "Alasfor him! alas for him!"--Asked again about Kwan Chung, his answer was, "As to him, he once seized the town of P'in with its three hundredfamilies from the Chief of the Pih clan, who, afterwards reduced toliving upon coarse rice, with all his teeth gone, never uttered a wordof complaint. " "It is no light thing, " said he, "to endure poverty uncomplainingly; anda difficult thing to bear wealth without becoming arrogant. " Respecting Mang Kung-ch'oh, he said that, while he was fitted forsomething better than the post of chief officer in the Cháu or Weifamilies, he was not competent to act as minister in small States likethose of T'ang or Sieh. Tsz-lu asked how he would describe a perfect man. He replied, "Let a manhave the sagacity of Tsang Wu-chung, the freedom from covetousness ofKung-ch'oh, the boldness of Chwang of P'in, and the attainments inpolite arts of Yen Yu; and gift him further with the graces taught bythe 'Books of Rites' and 'Music'--then he may be considered a perfectman. But, " said he, "what need of such in these days? The man that maybe regarded as perfect now is the one who, seeing some advantage tohimself, is mindful of righteousness; who, seeing danger, risks hislife; and who, if bound by some covenant of long standing, never forgetsits conditions as life goes on. " Respecting Kung-shuh Wan, the Master inquired of Kung-ming Kiá, saying, "Is it true that your master never speaks, never laughs, never takesaught from others?" "Those who told you that of him, " said he, "have gone too far. My masterspeaks when there is occasion to do so, and men are not surfeited withhis speaking. When there is occasion to be merry too, he will laugh, butmen have never overmuch of his laughing. And whenever it is just andright to take things from others, he will take them, but never so as toallow men to think him burdensome. " "Is that the case with him?" saidthe Master. "Can it be so?" Respecting Tsang Wu-chung the Master said, "When he sought from Lu theappointment of a successor to him, and for this object held on to hispossession of the fortified city of Fang--if you say he was not thenusing constraint towards his prince, I must refuse to believe it. " Duke Wan of Tsin he characterized as "artful but not upright"; and DukeHwan of Ts'i as "upright but not artful. " Tsz-lu remarked, "When Duke Hwan caused his brother Kiu to be put todeath, Shau Hwuh committed suicide, but Kwan Chung did not. I should sayhe was not a man who had much good-will in him--eh?" The Master replied, "When Duke Hwan held a great gathering of the feudallords, dispensing with military equipage, it was owing to Kwan Chung'senergy that such an event was brought about. Match such good-will asthat--match it if you can. " Tsz-kung then spoke up. "But was not Kwan Chung wanting in good-will? Hecould not give up his life when Duke Hwan caused his brother to be putto death. Besides, he became the duke's counsellor. " "And in acting as his counsellor put him at the head of all the feudallords, " said the Master, "and unified and reformed the whole empire; andthe people, even to this day, reap benefit from what he did. Had it notbeen for him we should have been going about with locks unkempt andbuttoning our jackets (like barbarians) on the left. Would you supposethat he should show the same sort of attachment as exists between a pooryokel and his one wife--that he would asphyxiate himself in some sewer, leaving no one the wiser?" Kung-shuh Wan's steward, who became the high officer Sien, went upaccompanied by Wan to the prince's hall of audience. When Confucius heard of this he remarked, "He may well be esteemed a'Wan, '" The Master having made some reference to the lawless ways of Duke Lingof Wei, Ki K'ang said to him, "If he be like that, how is it he does notruin his position?" Confucius answered, "The Chung-shuh, Yu, is charged with theentertainment of visitors and strangers; the priest T'o has charge ofthe ancestral temple; and Wang-sun Kiá has the control of the army andits divisions:--with men such as those, how should he come to ruin?" He once remarked, "He who is unblushing in his words will withdifficulty substantiate them. " Ch'in Shing had slain Duke Kien. Hearing of this, Confucius, afterperforming his ablutions, went to Court and announced the news to DukeNgai, saying, "Ch'in Hang has slain his prince. May I request that youproceed against him?" "Inform the Chiefs of the Three Families, " said the duke. Soliloquizing upon this, Confucius said, "Since he uses me to back hisministers, [30] I did not dare not to announce the matter to him; andnow he says, 'Inform the Three Chiefs. '" He went to the Three Chiefs and informed them, but nothing could bedone. Whereupon again he said, "Since he uses me to back his ministers, I did not dare not to announce the matter. " Tsz-lu was questioning him as to how he should serve his prince. "Deceive him not, but reprove him, " he answered. "The minds of superior men, " he observed, "trend upwards; those ofinferior men trend downwards. " Again, "Students of old fixed their eyes upon themselves: now they learnwith their eyes upon others. " Kü Pih-yuh despatched a man with a message to Confucius. Confucius gavehim a seat, and among other inquiries he asked, "How is your mastermanaging?" "My master, " he replied, "has a great wish to be seldom atfault, and as yet he cannot manage it. " "What a messenger!" exclaimed he admiringly, when the man went out. "What a messenger!" "When not occupying the office, " was a remark of his, "devise not thepolicy. " The Learned Tsang used to say, "The thoughts of the 'superior man' donot wander from his own office. " "Superior men, " said the Master, "are modest in their words, profuse intheir deeds. " Again, "There are three attainments of the superior man which are beyondme--the being sympathetic without anxiety, wise without scepticism, brave without fear. " "Sir, " said Tsz-kung, "that is what you say of yourself. " Whenever Tsz-kung drew comparisons from others, the Master would say, "Ah, how wise and great you must have become! Now I have no time to dothat. " Again, "My great concern is, not that men do not know me, but that theycannot. " Again, "If a man refrain from making preparations against his beingimposed upon, and from counting upon others' want of good faith towardshim, while he is foremost to perceive what is passing--surely that is awise and good man. " Wi-shang Mau accosted Confucius, saying, "Kiu, how comes it that youmanage to go perching and roosting in this way? Is it not because youshow yourself so smart a speaker, now?" "I should not dare do that, " said Confucius. "Tis that I am sick ofmen's immovableness and deafness to reason. " "In a well-bred horse, " said he, "what one admires is not its speed, butits good points. " Some one asked, "What say you of the remark, 'Requite enmity withkindness'?" "How then, " he answered, "would you requite kindness? Requite enmitywith straightforwardness, and kindness with kindness. " "Ah! no one knows me!" he once exclaimed. "Sir, " said Tsz-kung, "how comes it to pass that no one knows you?" "While I murmur not against Heaven, " continued the Master, "nor cavil atmen; while I stoop to learn and aspire to penetrate into things that arehigh; yet 'tis Heaven alone knows what I am. " Liáu, a kinsman of the duke, having laid a complaint against Tsz-lubefore Ki K'ang, an officer came to Confucius to inform him of the fact, and he added, "My lord is certainly having his mind poisoned by hiskinsman Liáu, but through my influence perhaps we may yet manage to seehim exposed in the marketplace or the Court. " "If right principles are to have their course, it is so destined, " saidthe Master; "if they are not to have their course, it is so destined. What can Liáu do against Destiny?" "There are worthy men, " said the Master, "fleeing from the world; somefrom their district; some from the sight of men's looks; some from thelanguage they hear. " "The men who have risen from their posts and withdrawn in this mannerare seven in number. " Tsz-lu, having lodged overnight in Shih-mun, was accosted by thegate-keeper in the morning. "Where from?" he asked. "From Confucius, "Tsz-lu responded. "That is the man, " said he, "who knows things are notup to the mark, and is making some ado about them, is it not?" When the Master was in Wei, he was once pounding on the musical stone, when a man with a basket of straw crossed his threshold, and exclaimed, "Ah, there is a heart that feels! Aye, drub the stone!" After which headded, "How vulgar! how he hammers away on one note!--and no one knowshim, and he gives up, and all is over! Be it deep, our skirts we'll raise to the waist, --Or shallow, then up to the knee, '" "What determination!" said the Master. "Yet it was nothard to do. " Tsz-chang once said to him, "In the 'Book of the Annals'it is stated that while Káu-tsung was in the Mourning Shed hespent the three years without speaking. What is meant bythat?" "Why must you name Káu-tsung?" said the Master. "Itwas so with all other ancient sovereigns: when one of themdied, the heads of every department agreed between themselvesthat they should give ear for three years to the Prime Minister. " "When their betters love the Rules, then the folk are easytools, " was a saying of the Master. Tsz-lu having asked what made a "superior man, " he answered, "Self-culture, with a view to becoming seriously-minded. " "Nothing more than that?" said he. "Self-culture with a view to the greater satisfaction ofothers, " added the Master. "That, and yet no more?" "Self-culture with a view to the greater satisfaction of all theclans and classes, " he again added. "Self-culture for the sakeof all--a result that, that would almost put Yau and Shun intothe shade!" To Yuen Jang, [31] who was sitting waiting for him in a squatting(disrespectful) posture, the Master delivered himself as follows:"The man who in his youth could show no humility or subordination, who in his prime misses his opportunity, and who when old agecomes upon him will not die--that man is a miscreant. " And hetapped him on the shin with his staff. Some one asked about his attendant--a youth from the villageof Kiueh--whether he was one who improved. He replied, "I notethat he seats himself in the places reserved for his betters, and that when he is walking he keeps abreast with his seniors. He is not one of those who care for improvement: he wants tobe a man all at once. " [Footnote 30: Confucius had now retired from office, and this incidentoccurred only two years before his death. ] [Footnote 31: It is a habit with the Chinese, when a number are outwalking together, for the eldest to go first, the others pairing offaccording to their age. It is a custom much older than the time ofConfucius. ] BOOK XV Practical Wisdom--Reciprocity the Rule of Life Duke Ling of Wei was consulting Confucius about army arrangements. Hisanswer was, "Had you asked me about such things as temple requisites, Ihave learnt that business, but I have not yet studied military matters. "And he followed up this reply by leaving on the following day. After this, during his residence in the State of Ch'in, his followers, owing to a stoppage of food supply, became so weak and ill that not oneof them could stand. Tsz-lu, with indignation pictured on hiscountenance, exclaimed, "And is a gentleman to suffer starvation?" "A gentleman, " replied the Master, "will endure it unmoved, but a commonperson breaks out into excesses under it. " Addressing Tsz-kung, the Master said, "You regard me as one who studiesand stores up in his mind a multiplicity of things--do you not?"--"Ido, " he replied; "is it not so?"--"Not at all. I have one idea--one cordon which to string all. " To Tsz-lu he remarked, "They who know Virtue are rare. " "If you would know one who without effort ruled well, was not Shun sucha one? What did he indeed do? He bore himself with reverent dignity andundeviatingly 'faced the south, ' and that was all. " Tsz-chang was consulting him about making way in life. He answered, "Betrue and honest in all you say, and seriously earnest in all you do, andthen, even if your country be one inhabited by barbarians, South orNorth, you will make your way. If you do not show yourself thus in wordand deed how should you succeed, even in your own district orneighborhood?--When you are afoot, let these two counsels be twocompanions preceding you, yourself viewing them from behind; when youdrive, have them in view as on the yoke of your carriage. Then may youmake your way. " Tsz-chang wrote them on the two ends of his cincture. "Straight was the course of the Annalist Yu, " said the Master--"aye, straight as an arrow flies; were the country well governed or illgoverned, his was an arrow-like course. "A man of masterly mind, too, is Kü Pih-yuh! When the land is beingrightly governed he will serve; when it is under bad government he isapt to recoil, and brood. " "Not to speak to a man. " said he, "to whom you ought to speak, is tolose your man; to speak to one to whom you ought not to speak is to loseyour words. Those who are wise will not lose their man nor yet theirwords. " Again, "The scholar whose heart is in his work, and who isphilanthropic, seeks not to gain a livelihood by any means that will doharm to his philanthropy. There have been men who have destroyed theirown lives in the endeavor to bring that virtue in them to perfection. " Tsz-kung asked how to become philanthropic. The Master answered himthus: "A workman who wants to do his work well must first sharpen histools. In whatever land you live, serve under some wise and good manamong those in high office, and make friends with the more humane of itsmen of education. " Yen Yuen consulted him on the management of a country. He answered:-- "Go by the Hiá Calendar. Have the State carriages like those of the Yinprinces. Wear the Chow cap. For your music let that of Shun be used forthe posturers. Put away the songs of Ch'ing, and remove far from you menof artful speech: the Ch'ing songs are immodest, and artful talkers aredangerous. " Other sayings of the Master:-- "They who care not for the morrow will the sooner have their sorrow. "Ah, 'tis hopeless! I have not yet met with the man who loves Virtue ashe loves Beauty. "Was not Tsang Wan like one who surreptitiously came by the post heheld? He knew the worth of Hwúi of Liu-hiá, and could not stand in hispresence. "Be generous yourself, and exact little from others; then you banishcomplaints. "With one who does not come to me inquiring 'What of this?' and 'What ofthat?' I never can ask 'What of this?' and give him up. "If a number of students are all day together, and in their conversationnever approach the subject of righteousness, but are fond merely ofgiving currency to smart little sayings, they are difficult indeed tomanage. "When the 'superior man' regards righteousness as the thing material, gives operation to it according to the Rules of Propriety, lets it issuein humility, and become complete in sincerity--there indeed is yoursuperior man! "The trouble of the superior man will be his own want of ability: itwill be no trouble to him that others do not know him. "Such a man thinks it hard to end his days and leave a name to be nolonger named. "The superior man is exacting of himself; the common man is exacting ofothers. "A superior man has self-respect, and does not strive; is sociable, yetno party man. "He does not promote a man because of his words, or pass over the wordsbecause of the man. " Tsz-kung put to him the question, "Is there one word upon which thewhole life may proceed?" The Master replied, "Is not Reciprocity such a word?--what you do notyourself desire, do not put before others. " "So far as I have to do with others, whom do I over-censure? whom do Iover-praise? If there be something in them that looks very praiseworthy, that something I put to the test. I would have the men of the presentday to walk in the straight path whereby those of the Three Dynastieshave walked. "I have arrived as it were at the annalist's blank page. --Once he whohad a horse would lend it to another to mount; now, alas! it is not so. "Artful speech is the confusion of Virtue. Impatience over little thingsintroduces confusion into great schemes. "What is disliked by the masses needs inquiring into; so also does thatwhich they have a preference for. "A man may give breadth to his principles: it is not principles (inthemselves) that give breadth to the man. "Not to retract after committing an error may itself be called error. "If I have passed the whole day without food and the whole night withoutsleep, occupied with my thoughts, it profits me nothing: I were betterengaged in learning. "The superior man deliberates upon how he may walk in truth, not uponwhat he may eat. The farmer may plough, and be on the way to want: thestudent learns, and is on his way to emolument. To live a right life isthe concern of men of nobler minds: poverty gives them none. "Whatsoever the intellect may attain to, unless the humanity within ispowerful enough to keep guard over it, is assuredly lost, even though itbe gained. "If there be intellectual attainments, and the humanity within ispowerful enough to keep guard over them, yet, unless (in a ruler) therebe dignity in his rule, the people will fail to show him respect. "Again, given the intellectual attainments, and humanity sufficient tokeep watch over them, and also dignity in ruling, yet if his movementsbe not in accordance with the Rules of Propriety, he is not yet fullyqualified. "The superior man may not be conversant with petty details, and yet mayhave important matters put into his hands. The inferior man may not becharged with important matters, yet may be conversant with the pettydetails. "Good-fellowship is more to men than fire and water. I have seen menstepping into fire and into water, and meeting with death thereby; Ihave not yet seen a man die from planting his steps in the path ofgood-fellowship. "Rely upon good nature. 'Twill not allow precedence even to a teacher. "The superior man is inflexibly upright, and takes not things upontrust. "In serving your prince, make your service the serious concern, and letsalary be a secondary matter. "Where instruction is to be given, there must be no distinction ofpersons. "Where men's methods are not identical, there can be no planning by oneon behalf of another. "In speaking, perspicuity is all that is needed. " When the blind music-master Mien paid him a visit, on his approachingthe steps the Master called out "Steps, " and on his coming to the mat, said "Mat. " When all in the room were seated, the Master told him"So-and-so is here, so-and-so is here. " When the music-master had left, Tsz-chang said to him, "Is that the wayto speak to the music-master?" "Well, " he replied, "it is certainly theway to assist him. " BOOK XVI Against Intestine Strife--Good and Bad Friendships The Chief of the Ki family was about to make an onslaught upon theChuen-yu domain. Yen Yu and Tsz-lu in an interview with Confucius told him, "The Ki isabout to have an affair with Chuen-yu. " "Yen, " said Confucius, "does not the fault lie with you? The Chief ofChuen-yu in times past was appointed lord of the East Mung (mountain);besides, he dwells within the confines of your own State, and is anofficial of the State-worship; how can you think of making an onslaughtupon him?" "It is the wish of our Chief, " said Yen Yu, "not the wish of either ofus ministers. " Confucius said, "Yen, there is a sentence of Cháu Jin which runs thus:'Having made manifest their powers and taken their place in the officiallist, when they find themselves incompetent they resign; if they cannotbe firm when danger threatens the government, nor lend support when itis reeling, of what use then shall they be as Assistants?'--Besides, youare wrong in what you said. When a rhinoceros or tiger breaks out of itscage--when a jewel or tortoise-shell ornament is damaged in itscasket--whose fault is it?" "But, " said Yen Yu, "so far as Chuen-yu is concerned, it is nowfortified, and it is close to Pi; and if he does not now take it, inanother generation it will certainly be a trouble to his descendants. " "Yen!" exclaimed Confucius, "it is a painful thing to a superior man tohave to desist from saying, 'My wish is so-and-so, ' and to be obliged tomake apologies. For my part, I have learnt this--that rulers of Statesand heads of Houses are not greatly concerned about their smallfollowing, but about the want of equilibrium in it--that they do notconcern themselves about their becoming poor, but about the best meansof living quietly and contentedly; for where equilibrium is preservedthere will be no poverty, where there is harmony their following willnot be small, and where there is quiet contentment there will be nodecline nor fall. Now if that be the case, it follows that if men inoutlying districts are not submissive, then a reform in education andmorals will bring them to; and when they have been so won, then will yourender them quiet and contented. At the present time you two areAssistants of your Chief; the people in the outlying districts are notsubmissive, and cannot be brought round. Your dominion is divided, prostrate, dispersed, cleft in pieces, and you as its guardians arepowerless. And plans are being made for taking up arms against those whodwell within your own State. I am apprehensive that the sorrow of the Kifamily is not to lie in Chuen-yu, but in those within their own screen. " "When the empire is well-ordered, " said Confucius, "it is from theemperor that edicts regarding ceremonial, music, and expeditions toquell rebellion go forth. When it is being ill governed, such edictsemanate from the feudal lords; and when the latter is the case, it willbe strange if in ten generations there is not a collapse. If theyemanate merely from the high officials, it will be strange if thecollapse do not come in five generations. When the State-edicts are inthe hands of the subsidiary ministers, it will be strange if in threegenerations there is no collapse. "When the empire is well-ordered, government is not left in the hands ofhigh officials. "When the empire is well-ordered, the common people will cease todiscuss public matters. " "For five generations, " he said, "the revenue has departed from theducal household. Four generations ago the government fell into the handsof the high officials. Hence, alas! the straitened means of thedescendants of the three Hwan families. " "There are, " said he, "three kinds of friendships which are profitable, and three which are detrimental. To make friends with the upright, withthe trustworthy, with the experienced, is to gain benefit; to makefriends with the subtly perverse, with the artfully pliant, with thesubtle in speech, is detrimental. " Again, "There are three kinds of pleasure which are profitable, andthree which are detrimental. To take pleasure in going regularly throughthe various branches of Ceremonial and Music, in speaking of others'goodness, in having many worthy wise friends, is profitable. To takepleasure in wild bold pleasures, in idling carelessly about, in the toojovial accompaniments of feasting, is detrimental. " Again, "Three errors there be, into which they who wait upon theirsuperior may fall:--(1) to speak before the opportunity comes to them tospeak, which I call heedless haste; (2) refraining from speaking whenthe opportunity has come, which I call concealment; and (3) speaking, regardless of the mood he is in, which I call blindness. " Again, "Three things a superior should guard against:--(1) against thelusts of the flesh in his earlier years while the vital powers are notfully developed and fixed; (2) against the spirit of combativeness whenhe has come to the age of robust manhood and when the vital powers arematured and strong, and (3) against ambitiousness when old age has comeon and the vital powers have become weak and decayed. " "Three things also such a man greatly reveres:--(1) the ordinances ofHeaven, (2) great men, (3) words of sages. The inferior man knows notthe ordinances of Heaven and therefore reveres them not, is undulyfamiliar in the presence of great men, and scoffs at the words ofsages. " "They whose knowledge comes by birth are of all men the first inunderstanding; they to whom it comes by study are next; men of poorintellectual capacity, who yet study, may be added as a yet inferiorclass; and lowest of all are they who are poor in intellect and neverlearn. " "Nine things there are of which the superior man should be mindful:--tobe clear in vision, quick in hearing, genial in expression, respectfulin demeanor, true in word, serious in duty, inquiring in doubt, firmlyself-controlled in anger, just and fair when the way to success opensout before him. " "Some have spoken of 'looking upon goodness as upon something beyondtheir reach, ' and of 'looking upon evil as like plunging one's handsinto scalding liquid';--I have seen the men, I have heard the sayings. "Some, again, have talked of 'living in seclusion to work out theirdesigns, ' and of 'exercising themselves in righteous living in order torender their principles the more effective';--I have heard the sayings, I have not seen the men. " "Duke King of Ts'i had his thousand teams of four, yet on the day of hisdeath the people had nothing to say of his goodness. Peh-I and Shuh-Ts'istarved at the foot of Shau-yang, and the people make mention of them tothis day. 'E'en if not wealth thine object be, 'Tis all the same, thou'rt changed to me. ' "Is not this apropos in such cases?" Tsz-k'in asked of Pih-yu, "Have you heard anything else peculiar fromyour father?" "Not yet, " said he. "Once, though, he was standing alone when I washurrying past him over the vestibule, and he said, 'Are you studying theOdes?' 'Not yet, ' I replied. 'If you do not learn the Odes, ' said he, 'you will not have the wherewithal for conversing, ' I turned away andstudied the Odes. Another day, when he was again standing alone and Iwas hurrying past across the vestibule, he said to me, 'Are you learningthe Rules of Propriety?' 'Not yet, ' I replied. 'If you have not studiedthe Rules, you have nothing to stand upon, ' said he. I turned away andstudied the Rules. --These two things I have heard from him. " Tsz-k'in turned away, and in great glee exclaimed, "I asked one thing, and have got three. I have learnt something about the Odes, and aboutthe Rules, and moreover I have learnt how the superior man will turnaway his own son. " The wife of the ruler of a State is called by her husband "My helpmeet. "She speaks of herself as "Your little handmaiden. " The people of thatState call her "The prince's helpmeet, " but addressing persons ofanother State they speak of her as "Our little princess. " When personsof another State name her they say also "Your prince's helpmeet. " BOOK XVII The Master Induced to Take Office--Nature and Habit Yang Ho was desirous of having an interview with Confucius, but on thelatter's failing to go and see him, he sent a present of a pig to hishouse. Confucius went to return his acknowledgments for it at a timewhen he was not at home. They met, however, on the way. He said to Confucius, "Come, I want a word with you. Can that man besaid to have good-will towards his fellow-men who hugs and hides his ownprecious gifts and allows his country to go on in blind error?" "He cannot, " was the reply. "And can he be said to be wise who, with a liking for taking part in thepublic service, is constantly letting slip his opportunities?" "He cannot, " was the reply again. "And the days and months are passing; and the years do not wait for us. " "True, " said Confucius; "I will take office. " It was a remark of the Master that while "by nature we approximatetowards each other, by experience we go far asunder. " Again, "Only the supremely wise and the most deeply ignorant do notalter. " The Master once, on his arrival at Wu-shing, heard the sound of stringedinstruments and singing. His face beamed with pleasure, and he saidlaughingly, "To kill a cock--why use an ox-knife?" Tsz-yu, the governor, replied, "In former days, sir, I heard you say, 'Let the superior man learn right principles, and he will be loving toother men; let the ordinary person learn right principles, and he willbe easily managed. '" The Master (turning to his disciples) said, "Sirs, what he says isright: what I said just now was only in play. " Having received an invitation from Kung-shan Fuh-jau, who was in revoltagainst the government and was holding to his district of Pi, the Mastershowed an inclination to go. Tsz-lu was averse to this, and said, "You can never go, that is certain;how should you feel you must go to that person?" "Well, " said the Master, "he who has invited me must surely not havedone so without a sufficient reason! And if it should happen that myservices were enlisted, I might create for him another East Chow--don'tyou think so?" Tsz-chang asked Confucius about the virtue of philanthropy. His answerwas, "It is the being able to put in practice five qualities, in anyplace under the sun. " "May I ask, please, what these are?" said the disciple. "They are, " he said, "dignity, indulgence, faithfulness, earnestness, kindness. If you show dignity you will not be mocked; if you areindulgent you will win the multitude; if faithful, men will place theirtrust in you; if earnest, you will do something meritorious; and ifkind, you will be enabled to avail yourself amply of men's services. " Pih Hih sent the Master an invitation, and he showed an inclination togo. Tsz-lu (seeing this) said to him, "In former days, sir, I have heard yousay, 'A superior man will not enter the society of one who does not thatwhich is good in matters concerning himself'; and this man is in revolt, with Chung-man in his possession; if you go to him, how will the casestand?" "Yes, " said the Master, "those are indeed my words; but is it not said, 'What is hard may be rubbed without being made thin, ' and 'White may bestained without being made black'?--I am surely not a gourd! How am I tobe strung up like that kind of thing--and live without means?" "Tsz-lu, " said the Master, "you have heard of the six words with theirsix obfuscations?" "No, " said he, "not so far. " "Sit down, and I will tell you them. They are these six virtues, caredfor without care for any study about them:--philanthropy, wisdom, faithfulness, straightforwardness, courage, firmness. And the sixobfuscations resulting from not liking to learn about them are, respectively, these:--fatuity, mental dissipation, mischievousness, perversity, insubordination, impetuosity. " "My children, " said he once, "why does no one of you study theOdes?--They are adapted to rouse the mind, to assist observation, tomake people sociable, to arouse virtuous indignation. They speak ofduties near and far--the duty of ministering to a parent, the duty ofserving one's prince; and it is from them that one becomes conversantwith the names of many birds, and beasts, and plants, and trees. " To his son Pih-yu he said, "Study you the Odes of Chow and the South, and those of Shau and the South. The man who studies not these is, Ishould say, somewhat in the position of one who stands facing a wall!" "'Etiquette demands it. ' 'Etiquette demands it, ' so people plead, " saidhe; "but do not these hankerings after jewels and silks indeed demandit? Or it is, 'The study of Music requires it'--'Music requires it'; butdo not these predilections for bells and drums require it?" Again, "They who assume an outward appearance of severity, beinginwardly weak, may be likened to low common men; nay, are they notsomewhat like thieves that break through walls and steal?" Again, "The plebeian kind of respect for piety is the very pest ofvirtue. " Again, "Listening on the road, and repeating in the lane--this isabandonment of virtue. " "Ah, the low-minded creatures!" he exclaimed. "How is it possible indeedto serve one's prince in their company? Before they have got what theywanted they are all anxiety to get it, and after they have got it theyare all anxiety lest they should lose it; and while they are thus fullof concern lest they should lose it, there is no length to which theywill not go. " Again, "In olden times people had three moral infirmities; which, it maybe, are now unknown. Ambitiousness in those olden days showed itself inmomentary outburst; the ambitiousness of to-day runs riot. Austerity inthose days had its sharp angles; in these it is irritable and perverse. Feebleness of intellect then was at least straightforward; in our day itis never aught but deceitful. " Again, "Rarely do we find mutual good feeling where there is fine speechand studied mien. " Again, "To me it is abhorrent that purple color should be made todetract from that of vermilion. Also that the Odes of Ch'ing should beallowed to introduce discord in connection with the music of the FestalSongs and Hymns. Also that sharp-whetted tongues should be permitted tosubvert governments. " Once said he, "Would that I could dispense with speech!" "Sir, " said Tsz-kung, "if you were never to speak, what should yourpupils have to hand down from you?" "Does Heaven ever speak?" said the Master. "The four seasons come andgo, and all creatures live and grow. Does Heaven indeed speak?" Once Ju Pi desired an interview with Confucius, from which the latterexcused himself on the score of ill-health; but while the attendant waspassing out through the doorway with the message he took his lute andsang, in such a way as to let him hear him. Tsai Wo questioned him respecting the three years' mourning, saying thatone full twelve-month was a long time--that, if gentlemen were for threeyears to cease from observing rules of propriety, propriety mustcertainly suffer, and that if for three years they neglected music, music must certainly die out--and that seeing nature has taught us thatwhen the old year's grain is finished the new has sprung up forus--seeing also that all the changes[32] in procuring fire by frictionhave been gone through in the four seasons--surely a twelve-month mightsuffice. The Master asked him, "Would it be a satisfaction to you--that returningto better food, that putting on of fine clothes?" "It would, " said he. "Then if you can be satisfied in so doing, do so. But to a gentleman, who is in mourning for a parent, the choicest food will not bepalatable, nor will the listening to music be pleasant, nor willcomforts of home make him happy in mind. Hence he does not do as yousuggest. But if you are now happy in your mind, then do so. " Tsai Wo went out. And the Master went on to say, "It is want of humanfeeling in this man. After a child has lived three years it then breaksaway from the tender nursing of its parents. And this three years'mourning is the customary mourning prevalent all over the empire. Canthis man have enjoyed the three years of loving care from his parents?" "Ah, it is difficult, " said he, "to know what to make of those who areall day long cramming themselves with food and are without anything toapply their minds to! Are there no dice and chess players? Better, perhaps, join in that pursuit than do nothing at all!" "Does a gentleman, " asked Tsz-lu, "make much account of bravery?" "Righteousness he counts higher, " said the Master. "A gentleman who isbrave without being just may become turbulent; while a common person whois brave and not just may end in becoming a highwayman. " Tsz-kung asked, "I suppose a gentleman will have his aversions as wellas his likings?" "Yes, " replied the Master, "he will dislike those who talk much aboutother people's ill-deeds. He will dislike those who, when occupyinginferior places, utter defamatory words against their superiors. He willdislike those who, though they may be brave, have no regard forpropriety. And he will dislike those hastily decisive and venturesomespirits who are nevertheless so hampered by limited intellect. " "And you, too, Tsz-kung, " he continued, "have your aversions, have younot?" "I dislike, " said he, "those plagiarists who wish to pass for wisepersons. I dislike those people who wish their lack of humility to betaken for bravery. I dislike also those divulgers of secrets who thinkto be accounted straightforward. " "Of all others, " said the Master, "women-servants and men-servants arethe most difficult people to have the care of. Approach them in afamiliar manner, and they take liberties; keep them at a distance, andthey grumble. " Again, "When a man meets with odium at forty, he will do so to the end. " [Footnote 32: Different woods were adopted for this purpose at thevarious seasons. ] BOOK XVIII Good Men in Seclusion--Duke of Chow to His Son "In the reign of the last king of the Yin dynasty, " Confucius I said, "there were three men of philanthropic spirit:--the viscount of Wei, whowithdrew from him; the viscount of Ki, who became his bondsman; andPi-kan, who reproved him and suffered death. " Hwúi of Liu-hiá, who filled the office of Chief Criminal Judge, wasthrice dismissed. A person remarked to him, "Can you not yet bear towithdraw?" He replied, "If I act in a straightforward way in servingmen, whither in these days should I go, where I should not be thricedismissed? Were I to adopt crooked ways in their service, why need Ileave the land where my parents dwell?" Duke King of Ts'i remarked respecting his attitude towards Confucius, "If he is to be treated like the Chief of the Ki family, I cannot do it. I should treat him as somewhere between the Ki and Mang Chiefs. --I amold, " he added, "and not competent to avail myself of him. " Confucius, hearing of this, went away. The Ts'i officials presented to the Court of Lu a number of femalemusicians. Ki Hwan accepted them, and for three days no Court was held. Confucius went away. Tsieh-yu, the madman [33] of Ts'u, was once passing Confucius, singingas he went along. He sang-- "Ha, the phoenix! Ha, the phoenix! How is Virtue lying prone! Vain to chide for what is o'er, Plan to meet what's yet in store. Let alone! Let alone! Risky now to serve a throne. " Confucius alighted, wishing to enter into conversation with him; but theman hurried along and left him, and he was therefore unable to get aword with him. Ch'ang-tsü and Kieh-nih [34] were working together on some ploughedland. Confucius was passing by them, and sent Tsz-lu to ask where theford was. Ch'ang-tsü said, "Who is the person driving the carriage?" "Confucius, " answered Tsz-lu. "He of Lu?" he asked. "The same, " said Tsz-lu. "He knows then where the ford is, " said he. Tsz-lu then put his question to Kieh-nih; and the latter asked, "Who areyou?" Tsz-lu gave his name. "You are a follower of Confucius of Lu, are you not?" "You are right, " he answered. "Ah, as these waters rise and overflow their bounds, " said he, "'tis sowith all throughout the empire; and who is he that can alter the stateof things? And you are a follower of a learned man who withdraws fromhis chief; had you not better be a follower of such as have forsaken theworld?" And he went on with his harrowing, without stopping. Tsz-lu went and informed his Master of all this. He was deeply touched, and said, "One cannot herd on equal terms with beasts and birds: if I amnot to live among these human folk, then with whom else should I live?Only when the empire is well ordered shall I cease to take part in thework of reformation. " Tsz-lu was following the Master, but had dropped behind on the way, whenhe encountered an old man with a weed-basket slung on a staff over hisshoulder. Tsz-lu inquired of him, "Have you seen my Master, sir?" Saidthe old man, "Who is your master?--you who never employ your four limbsin laborious work; you who do not know one from another of the fivesorts of grain!" And he stuck his staff in the ground, and began hisweeding. Tsz-lu brought his hands together on his breast and stood still. The old man kept Tsz-lu and lodged him for the night, killed a fowl andprepared some millet, entertained him, and brought his two sons out tosee him. On the morrow Tsz-lu went on his way, and told all this to the Master, who said, "He is a recluse, " and sent Tsz-lu back to see him again. Butby the time he got there he was gone. Tsz-lu remarked upon this, "It is not right he should evade officialduties. If he cannot allow any neglect of the terms on which elders andjuniors should live together, how is it that he neglects to conform towhat is proper as between prince and public servant? He wishes forhimself personally a pure life, yet creates disorder in that moreimportant relationship. When a gentleman undertakes public work, he willcarry out the duties proper to it; and he knows beforehand that rightprinciples may not win their way. " Among those who have retired from public life have been Peh-I andShuh-Ts'i, Yu-chung, I-yih, Chu-chang, Hwúi of Liuhia, and Sháu-lien. "Of these, " said the Master, "Peh-I and Shuh-Ts'i may be characterized, I should say, as men who never declined from their high resolve norsoiled themselves by aught of disgrace. "Of Hwúi of Liu-hiá and Sháu-lien, if one may say that they did declinefrom high resolve, and that they did bring disgrace upon themselves, yettheir words were consonant with established principles, and their actionconsonant with men's thoughts and wishes; and this is all that may besaid of them. "Of Yu-chung and I-yih, if it be said that when they retired intoprivacy they let loose their tongues, yet in their aim at personalpurity of life they succeeded, and their defection was also successfulin its influence. "My own rule is different from any adopted by these: I will take noliberties, I will have no curtailing of my liberty. " The chief music-master went off to Ts'i. Kan, the conductor of the musicat the second repast, went over to Ts'u. Liáu, conductor at the thirdrepast, went over to Ts'ai. And Kiueh, who conducted at the fourth, wentto Ts'in. Fang-shuh, the drummer, withdrew into the neighborhood of the Ho. Wu thetambourer went to the Han. And Yang the junior music-master, and Siangwho played on the musical stone, went to the sea-coast. Anciently the Duke of Chow, addressing his son the Duke of Lu, said, "Agood man in high place is not indifferent about the members of his ownfamily, and does not give occasion to the chief ministers to complainthat they are not employed; nor without great cause will he set asideold friendships; nor does he seek for full equipment for every kind ofservice in any single man. " There were once eight officials during this Chow dynasty, who were fourpairs of twins, all brothers--the eldest pair Tab and Kwoh, the next Tuband Hwuh, the third Yé and Hiá, the youngest Sui and Kwa. [Footnote 33: He only pretended to be mad, in order to escape beingemployed in the public service. ] [Footnote 34: Two worthies who had abandoned public life, owing to thestate of the times. ] BOOK XIX Teachings of Various Chief Disciples "The learned official, " said Tsz-chang, "who when he sees danger aheadwill risk his very life, who when he sees a chance of success is mindfulof what is just and proper, who in his religious acts is mindful of theduty of reverence, and when in mourning thinks of his loss, is indeed afit and proper person for his place. " Again he said, "If a person hold to virtue but never advance in it, andif he have faith in right principles and do not build himself up inthem, how can he be regarded either as having such, or as being withoutthem?" Tsz-hiá's disciples asked Tsz-chang his views about intercourse withothers. "What says your Master?" he rejoined. "He says, " they replied, "'Associate with those who are qualified, and repel from you such as arenot, '" Tsz-chang then said, "That is different from what I have learnt. A superior man esteems the worthy and wise, and bears with all. He makesmuch of the good and capable, and pities the incapable. Am I eminentlyworthy and wise?--who is there then among men whom I will not bear with?Am I not worthy and wise?--others will be minded to repel me: I havenothing to do with repelling them. " Sayings of Tsz-hiá:-- "Even in inferior pursuits there must be something worthy ofcontemplation, but if carried to an extreme there is danger offanaticism; hence the superior man does not engage in them. "The student who daily recognizes how much he yet lacks, and as themonths pass forgets not what he has succeeded in learning, mayundoubtedly be called a lover of learning. "Wide research and steadfast purpose, eager questioning and closereflection--all this tends to humanize a man. "As workmen spend their time in their workshops for the perfecting oftheir work, so superior men apply their minds to study in order to makethemselves thoroughly conversant with their subjects. "When an inferior man does a wrong thing, he is sure to gloss it over. "The superior man is seen in three different aspects:--look at him froma distance, he is imposing in appearance; approach him, he is gentle andwarm-hearted; hear him speak, he is acute and strict. "Let such a man have the people's confidence, and he will get much workout of them; so long, however, as he does not possess their confidencethey will regard him as grinding them down. "When confidence is reposed in him, he may then with impunity administerreproof; so long as it is not, he will be regarded as a detractor. "Where there is no over-stepping of barriers in the practice of thehigher virtues, there may be freedom to pass in and out in the practiceof the lower ones. " Tsz-yu had said, "The pupils in the school of Tsz-hiá are good enough atsuch things as sprinkling and scrubbing floors, answering calls andreplying to questions from superiors, and advancing and retiring to andfrom such; but these things are only offshoots--as to the root of thingsthey are nowhere. What is the use of all that?" When this came to the ears of Tsz-hiá, he said, "Ah! there he ismistaken. What does a master, in his methods of teaching, consider firstin his precepts? And what does he account next, as that about which hemay be indifferent? It is like as in the study of plants--classificationby _differentiae_. How may a master play fast and loose in his methodsof instruction? Would they not indeed be sages, who could take in atonce the first principles and the final developments of things?" Further observations of Tsz-hiá:-- "In the public service devote what energy and time remain to study. After study devote what energy and time remain to the public service. "As to the duties of mourning, let them cease when the grief is past. "My friend Tsz-chang, although he has the ability to tackle hard things, has not yet the virtue of philanthropy. " The learned Tsang observed, "How loftily Tsz-chang bears himself!Difficult indeed along with him to practise philanthropy!" Again he said, "I have heard this said by the Master, that 'though menmay not exert themselves to the utmost in other duties, yet surely inthe duty of mourning for their parents they will do so!'" Again, "This also I have heard said by the Master: 'The filial piety ofMang Chwang in other respects might be equalled, but as manifested inhis making no changes among his father's ministers, nor in his father'smode of government--that aspect of it could not easily be equalled. '" Yang Fu, having been made senior Criminal Judge by the Chief of the Mangclan, consulted with the learned Tsang. The latter advised him asfollows: "For a long time the Chiefs have failed in their government, and the people have become unsettled. When you arrive at the facts oftheir cases, do not rejoice at your success in that, but rather be sorryfor them, and have pity upon them. " Tsz-kung once observed, "We speak of 'the iniquity of Cháu'--but 'twasnot so great as this. And so it is that the superior man is averse fromsettling in this sink, into which everything runs that is foul in theempire. " Again he said, "Faults in a superior man are like eclipses of the sun ormoon: when he is guilty of a trespass men all see it; and when he ishimself again, all look up to him. " Kung-sun Ch'an of Wei inquired of Tsz-kung how Confucius acquired hislearning. Tsz-kung replied, "The teachings of Wan and Wu have not yet fallen tothe ground. They exist in men. Worthy and wise men have the moreimportant of these stored up in their minds; and others, who are notsuch, store up the less important of them; and as no one is thus withoutthe teachings of Wan and Wu, how should our Master not have learned? Andmoreover what permanent preceptor could he have?" Shuh-sun Wu-shuh, addressing the high officials at the Court, remarkedthat Tsz-kung was a greater worthy than Confucius. Tsz-fuh King-pih went and informed Tsz-kung of this remark. Tsz-kung said, "Take by way of comparison the walls outside our houses. My wall is shoulder-high, and you may look over it and see what thehouse and its contents are worth. My Master's wall is tens of feet high, and unless you should effect an entrance by the door, you would fail tobehold the beauty of the ancestral hall and the rich array of all itsofficers. And they who effect an entrance by the door, methinks, arefew! Was it not, however, just like him--that remark of the Chief?" Shuh-sun Wu-shuh had been casting a slur on the character of Confucius. "No use doing that, " said Tsz-kung; "he is irreproachable. The wisdomand worth of other men are little hills and mounds of earth:traversible. He is the sun, or the moon, impossible to reach and pass. And what harm, I ask, can a man do to the sun or the moon, by wishing tointercept himself from either? It all shows that he knows not how togauge capacity. " Tsz-k'in, addressing Tsz-kung, said, "You depreciate yourself. Confuciusis surely not a greater worthy than yourself. " Tsz-kung replied, "In the use of words one ought never to beincautious; because a gentleman for one single utterance of his is aptto be considered a wise man, and for a single utterance may be accountedunwise. No more might one think of attaining to the Master's perfectionsthan think of going upstairs to Heaven! Were it ever his fortune to beat the head of the government of a country, then that which is spoken ofas 'establishing the country' would be establishment indeed; he would beits guide and it would follow him, he would tranquillize it and it wouldrender its willing homage: he would give forward impulses to it to whichit would harmoniously respond. In his life he would be its glory, at hisdeath there would be great lamentation. How indeed could such as he beequalled?" BOOK XX Extracts from the Book of History The Emperor Yau said to Shun, "Ah, upon you, upon your person, lies theHeaven-appointed order of succession! Faithfully hold to it, without anydeflection; for if within the four seas necessity and want befall thepeople, your own revenue will forever come to an end. " Shun also used the same language in handing down the appointment to Yu. The Emperor T'ang in his prayer, said, "I, the child Li, presume toavail me of an ox of dusky hue, and presume to manifestly announce toThee, O God, the most high and Sovereign Potentate, that to thetransgressor I dare not grant forgiveness, nor yet keep in abeyance Thyministers. Judgment rests in Thine heart, O God. Should we ourselftransgress, may the guilt not be visited everywhere upon all. Should thepeople all transgress, be the guilt upon ourself!" Chow possessed great gifts, by which the able and good were richlyendowed. "Although, " said King Wu, "he is surrounded by his near relatives, theyare not to be compared with men of humane spirit. The people aresuffering wrongs, and the remedy rests with me--the one man. " After Wu had given diligent attention to the various weights andmeasures, examined the laws and regulations, and restored the degradedofficials, good government everywhere ensued. He caused ruined States to flourish again, reinstated intercepted heirs, and promoted to office men who had gone into retirement; and the heartsof the people throughout the empire drew towards him. Among matters of prime consideration with him were these--food for thepeople, the duty of mourning, and sacrificial offerings to the departed. He was liberal and large-hearted, and so won all hearts; true, and sowas trusted by the people; energetic, and thus became a man of greatachievements; just in his rule, and all were well content. Tsz-chang in a conversation with Confucius asked, "What say you isessential for the proper conduct of government?" The Master replied, "Let the ruler hold in high estimation the fiveexcellences, and eschew the four evils; then may he conduct hisgovernment properly. " "And what call you the five excellences?" he was asked. "They are, " he said, "Bounty without extravagance; burdening withoutexciting discontent; desire without covetousness; dignity withouthaughtiness; show of majesty without fierceness. " "What mean you, " asked Tsz-chang, "by bounty without extravagance?" "Is it not this, " he replied--"to make that which is of benefit to thepeople still more beneficial? When he selects for them such labors as itis possible for them to do, and exacts them, who will then complain? Sowhen his desire is the virtue of humaneness, and he attains it, howshall he then be covetous? And if--whether he have to do with few orwith many, with small or with great--he do not venture ever to becareless, is not this also to have dignity without haughtiness? Andif--when properly vested in robe and cap, and showing dignity in hisevery look--his appearance be so imposing that the people look up to andstand in awe of him, is not this moreover to show majesty withoutfierceness?" "What, then, do you call the four evils?" said Tsz-chang. The answer here was, "Omitting to instruct the people and theninflicting capital punishment on them--which means cruel tyranny. Omitting to give them warning and yet looking for perfection inthem--which means oppression. Being slow and late in issuingrequisitions, and exacting strict punctuality in the returns--whichmeans robbery. And likewise, in intercourse with men, to expend and toreceive in a stingy manner--which is to act the part of a merecommissioner. " "None can be a superior man, " said the Master, "who does not recognizethe decrees of Heaven. "None can have stability in him without a knowledge of the proprieties. "None can know a man without knowing his utterances. " THE SAYINGS OF MENICUS [Translated into English by James Legge_] INTRODUCTION A hundred years after the time of Confucius the Chinese nation seemed tohave fallen back into their original condition of lawlessness andoppression. The King's power and authority was laughed to scorn, thepeople were pillaged by the feudal nobility, and famine reigned in manydistricts. The foundations of truth and social order seemed to beoverthrown. There were teachers of immorality abroad, who published theold Epicurean doctrine, "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die. "This teaching was accompanied by a spirit of cold-blooded egotism whichextinguished every spark of Confucian altruism. Even the pretendeddisciples of Confucius confused the precepts of the Master, and bystripping them of their narrow significance rendered them nugatory. Itwas at this point that Mang-tsze, "Mang the philosopher, " arose. He wassturdy in bodily frame, vigorous in mind, profound in political sagacityand utterly fearless in denouncing the errors of his countrymen. He hadbeen brought up among the disciples of Confucius, in whose province hewas born B. C. 372, but he was much more active and aggressive, less aMystic than a fanatic, in comparison! with his Master. He resolved onactive measures in stemming the tendency of his day. He did indeedsurround himself with a school of disciples, but instead of making aseries of desultory travels, teaching in remote places and along thehigh-road, he went to the heart of the evil. He presented himself like asecond John the Baptist at the courts of kings and princes, and thereboldly denounced vice and misrule. It was not difficult for a Chinesescholar and teacher to find access to the highest of the land. TheChinese believed in the divine right of learning, just as they believedin the divine right of kings. Mang employed every weapon of persuasionin trying to combat heresy and oppression; alternately ridiculing andreproving: now appealing in a burst of moral enthusiasm, and nowdenouncing in terms of cutting sarcasm the abuses which after all hefailed to check. The last prince whom he successfully confronted was theMarquis of Lu, who turned him carelessly away. He accepted this as theDivine sentence of his failure, "That I have not found in this marquis, a ruler who would hearken to me is an intimation of heaven. " Henceforthhe lived in retirement until his ninety-seventh year; but from hisapparent failure sprang a practical success. His written teachings areamongst the most lively and epigrammatic works of Chinese literature, have done much to keep alive amongst his countrymen the spirit ofConfucianism, and even Western readers may drink wisdom from this springof Oriental lore. The following selections from his sayings well exhibitthe spirit of his system of philosophy and morality. E. W. THE SAYINGS OF MENCIUS BOOK I KING HWUY OF LËANG Part I Mencius went to see King Hwuy of Lëang. [1] The king said, "VenerableSir, since you have not counted it far to come here a distance of athousand li, may I presume that you are likewise provided with counselsto profit my kingdom?" Mencius replied, "Why must your Majesty used thatword 'profit'? What I am likewise provided with are counsels tobenevolence and righteousness; and these are my only topics. "If your Majesty say, 'What is to be done to profit my kingdom?' thegreat officers will say, 'What is to be done to profit our families?'and the inferior officers and the common people will say, 'What is to bedone to profit our persons?' Superiors and inferiors will try to takethe profit the one from the other, and the kingdom will be endangered. In the kingdom of ten thousand chariots, the murderer of his ruler willbe the chief of a family of a thousand chariots. In the State of athousand chariots, the murderer of his ruler will be the chief of afamily of a hundred chariots. To have a thousand in ten thousand, and ahundred in a thousand, cannot be regarded as not a large allowance; butif righteousness be put last and profit first, they will not besatisfied without snatching all. "There never was a man trained to benevolence who neglected his parents. There never was a man trained to righteousness who made his ruler anafter consideration. Let your Majesty likewise make benevolence andrighteousness your only themes--Why must you speak of profit?" When Mencius, another day, was seeing King Hwuy of Lëang, the King wentand stood with him by a pond, and, looking round on the wild geese anddeer, large and small, said, "Do wise and good princes also takepleasure in these things?" Mencius replied, "Being wise and good, theythen have pleasure in these things. If they are not wise and good, though they have these things, they do not find pleasure. " It is said inthe 'Book of Poetry':-- 'When he planned the commencement of the Marvellous tower, He planned it, and defined it, And the people in crowds undertook the work, And in no time completed it. When he planned the commencement, he said, "Be not in a hurry. " But the people came as if they were his children. The king was in the Marvellous park, Where the does were lying down-- The does so sleek and fat; With the white birds glistening. The king was by the Marvellous pond;-- How full was it of fishes leaping about!' King Wan used the strength of the people to make his tower and pond, andthe people rejoiced to do the work, calling the tower 'the MarvellousTower, ' and the pond 'the Marvellous Pond, ' and being glad that he hadhis deer, his fishes and turtles. The ancients caused their people tohave pleasure as well as themselves, and therefore they could enjoy it. "In the Declaration of T'ang it is said, 'O Sun, when wilt thou expire?We will die together with thee. ' The people wished for Këeh's death, though they should die with him. Although he had his tower, his pond, birds and animals, how could he have pleasure alone?" King Hwuy of Lëang said, "Small as my virtue is, in the government of mykingdom, I do indeed exert my mind to the utmost. If the year be badinside the Ho, I remove as many of the people as I can to the east ofit, and convey grain to the country inside. If the year be bad on theeast of the river, I act on the same plan. On examining the governmentalmethods of the neighboring kingdoms, I do not find there is any rulerwho exerts his mind as I do. And yet the people of the neighboring kingsdo not decrease, nor do my people increase--how is this?" Mencius replied, "Your Majesty loves war; allow me to take anillustration from war. The soldiers move forward at the sound of thedrum; and when the edges of their weapons have been crossed, on oneside, they throw away their buff coats, trail their weapons behind them, and run. Some run a hundred paces and then stop; some run fifty pacesand stop. What would you think if these, because they had run but fiftypaces, should laugh at those who ran a hundred paces?" The king said, "They cannot do so. They only did not run a hundred paces; but they alsoran. " Mencius said, "Since your Majesty knows this you have no ground toexpect that your people will become more numerous than those of theneighboring kingdoms. "If the seasons of husbandry be not interfered with, the grain will bemore than can be eaten. If close nets are not allowed to enter the poolsand ponds, the fish and turtles will be more than can be consumed. Ifthe axes and bills enter the hill-forests only at the proper times, thewood will be more than can be used. When the grain and fish and turtlesare more than can be eaten, and there is more wood than can be used, this enables the people to nourish their living and do all offices fortheir dead, without any feeling against any. But this condition, inwhich the people nourish their living, and do all offices to their deadwithout having any feeling against any, is the first step in the Royalway. "Let mulberry trees be planted about the homesteads with their fiveacres, and persons of fifty years will be able to wear silk. In keepingfowls, pigs, dogs, and swine, let not their time of breeding beneglected, and persons of seventy years will be able to eat flesh. Letthere not be taken away the time that is proper for the cultivation ofthe field allotment of a hundred acres, and the family of several mouthswill not suffer from hunger. Let careful attention be paid to theteaching in the various schools, with repeated inculcation of the filialand fraternal duties, and gray-haired men will not be seen upon theroads, carrying burdens on their backs or on their heads. It has neverbeen that the ruler of a State where these results were seen, persons ofseventy wearing silk and eating flesh, and the black-haired peoplesuffering neither from hunger nor cold, did not attain to the Royaldignity. "Your dogs and swine eat the food of men, and you do not know to storeup of the abundance. There are people dying from famine on the roads, and you do not know to issue your stores for their relief. When men die, you say, 'It is not owing to me; it is owing to the year, ' In what doesthis differ from stabbing a man and killing him, and then saying, 'Itwas not I; it was the weapon'? Let your Majesty cease to lay the blameon the year and instantly the people, all under the sky, will come toyou. " King Hwuy of Lëang said, "I wish quietly to receive your instructions. "Mencius replied, "Is there any difference between killing a man with astick and with a sword?" "There is no difference, " was the answer. Mencius continued, "Is there any difference between doing it with asword and with governmental measures?" "There is not, " was the answeragain. Mencius then said, "In your stalls there are fat beasts; in your stablesthere are fat horses. But your people have the look of hunger, and inthe fields there are those who have died of famine. This is leading onbeasts to devour men. Beasts devour one another, and men hate them fordoing so. When he who is called the parent of the people conducts hisgovernment so as to be chargeable with leading on beasts to devour men, where is that parental relation to the people? Chung-ne said, 'Was henot without posterity who first made wooden images to bury with thedead?' So he said, because that man made the semblances of men and usedthem for that purpose; what shall be thought of him who causes hispeople to die of hunger?" King Hwuy of Lëang said, "There was not in the kingdom a stronger Statethan Ts'in, as you, venerable Sir, know. But since it descended to me, on the east we were defeated by Ts'e, and then my eldest son perished;on the west we lost seven hundred li of territory to Ts'in; and on thesouth we have sustained disgrace at the hands of Ts'oo. I have broughtshame on my departed predecessors, and wish on their account to wipe itaway once for all. What course is to be pursued to accomplish this?" Mencius replied, "With a territory only a hundred li square it has beenpossible to obtain the Royal dignity. If your Majesty will indeeddispense a benevolent government to the people, being sparing in the useof punishments and fines, and making the taxes and levies of producelight, so causing that the fields shall be ploughed deep, and theweeding well attended to, and that the able-bodied, during their days ofleisure, shall cultivate their filial piety, fraternal duty, faithfulness, and truth, serving thereby, at home, their fathers andelder brothers, and, abroad, their elders and superiors, you will thenhave a people who can be employed with sticks which they have preparedto oppose the strong buff-coats and sharp weapons of the troops of Ts'inand Ts'oo. "The rulers of those States rob their people of their time, so that theycannot plough and weed their fields in order to support their parents. Parents suffer from cold and hunger; elder and younger brothers, wivesand children, are separated and scattered abroad. Those rulers drivetheir people into pitfalls or into the water; and your Majesty will goto punish them. In such a case, who will oppose your Majesty? Inaccordance with this is the saying, 'The benevolent has no enemy!' I begyour Majesty not to doubt what I said. " Mencius had an interview with King Sëang[2] of Lëang. When he came outhe said to some persons, "When I looked at him from a distance, he didnot appear like a ruler; when I drew near to him, I saw nothingvenerable about him. Abruptly he asked me, 'How can the kingdom, allunder the sky, be settled?' I replied, 'It will be settled by beingunited under one sway, ' "'Who can so unite it?' he asked. "I replied, 'He who has no pleasure in killing men can so unite it. ' "'Who can give it to him?' he asked. "I replied, 'All under heaven will give it to him. Does your Majestyknow the way of the growing grain? During the seventh and eighth months, when drought prevails, the plants become dry. Then the clouds collectdensely in the heavens, and send down torrents of rain, so that the grainerects itself as if by a shoot. When it does so, who can keep it back?Now among those who are shepherds of men throughout the kingdom, thereis not one who does not find pleasure in killing men. If there were onewho did not find pleasure in killing men, all the people under the skywould be looking towards him with outstretched necks. Such being indeedthe case, the people would go to him as water flows downwards with arush, which no one can repress. " King Seuen of Ts'e asked, saying, "May I be informed by you of thetransactions of Hwan of Ts'e and Wan of Ts'in?" Mencius replied, "There were none of the disciples of Chung-ne who spokeabout the affairs of Hwan and Wan, and therefore they have not beentransmitted to these after-ages; your servant has not heard of them. Ifyou will have me speak, let it be about the principles of attaining tothe Royal sway. " The king said, "Of what kind must his virtue be who can attain to theRoyal sway?" Mencius said, "If he loves and protects the people, it isimpossible to prevent him from attaining it. " The king said, "Is such an one as poor I competent to love and protectthe people?" "Yes, " was the reply. "From what do you know that I amcompetent to that?" "I have heard, " said Mencius, "from Hoo Heih thefollowing incident:--'The king, ' said he, 'was sitting aloft in thehall, when some people appeared leading a bull past below it. The kingsaw it, and asked where the bull was going, and being answered that theywere going to consecrate a bell with its blood, he said, "Let it go, Icannot bear its frightened appearance--as if it were an innocent persongoing to the place of death. " They asked in reply whether, if they didso, they should omit the consecration of the bell, but the king said, "How can that be omitted? Change it for a sheep. "' I do not know whetherthis incident occurred. " "It did, " said the king, and Mencius replied, "The heart seen in this issufficient to carry you to the Royal sway. The people all supposed thatyour Majesty grudged the animal, but your servant knows surely that itwas your Majesty's not being able to bear the sight of the creature'sdistress which made you do as you did. " The king said, "You are right; and yet there really was an appearance ofwhat the people imagined. But though Ts'e be narrow and small, howshould I grudge a bull? Indeed it was because I could not bear itsfrightened appearance, as if it were an innocent person going to theplace of death, that therefore I changed it for a sheep. " Mencius said, "Let not your Majesty deem it strange that the peopleshould think you grudged the animal. When you changed a large one for asmall, how should they know the true reason? If you felt pained by itsbeing led without any guilt to the place of death, what was there tochoose between a bull and a sheep?" The king laughed and said, "Whatreally was my mind in the matter? I did not grudge the value of thebull, and yet I changed it for a sheep! There was reason in the people'ssaying that I grudged the creature. " Mencius said, "There is no harm in their saying so. It was an artificeof benevolence. You saw the bull, and had not seen the sheep. So is thesuperior man affected towards animals, that, having seen them alive, hecannot bear to see them die, and, having heard their dying cries, hecannot bear to eat their flesh. On this account he keeps away from hisstalls and kitchen. " The king was pleased and said, "The Ode says, 'What other men have in their minds, I can measure by reflection, ' This might be spoken of you, my Master. I indeed did the thing, but whenI turned my thoughts inward and sought for it, I could not discover myown mind. When you, Master, spoke those words, the movements ofcompassion began to work in my mind. But how is it that this heart hasin it what is equal to the attainment of the Royal sway?" Mencius said, "Suppose a man were to make this statement to yourMajesty, 'My strength is sufficient to lift three thousand catties, butis not sufficient to lift one feather; my eyesight is sharp enough toexamine the point of an autumn hair, but I do not see a wagon-load offagots, ' would your Majesty allow what he said?" "No, " was the king'sremark, and Mencius proceeded, "Now here is kindness sufficient to reachto animals, and yet no benefits are extended from it to the people--howis this? is an exception to be made here? The truth is, the feather'snot being lifted is because the strength was not used; the wagon-load offirewood's not being seen is because the eyesight was not used; and thepeople's not being loved and protected is because the kindness is notused. Therefore your Majesty's not attaining to the Royal sway isbecause you do not do it, and not because you are not able to do it. " The king asked, "How may the difference between him who does not do athing and him who is not able to do it be graphically set forth?"Mencius replied, "In such a thing as taking the T'ae mountain under yourarm, and leaping with it over the North Sea, if you say to people, 'I amnot able to do it, ' that is a real case of not being able. In such amatter as breaking off a branch from a tree at the order of a superior, if you say to people, 'I am not able to do it, ' it is not a case of notbeing able to do it. And so your Majesty's not attaining to the Royalsway is not such a case as that of taking the T'ae mountain under yourarm and leaping over the North Sea with it; but it is a case like thatof breaking off a branch from a tree. "Treat with reverence due to age the elders in your own family, so thatthose in the families of others shall be similarly treated; treat withthe kindness due to youth the young in your own family, so that those inthe families of others shall be similarly treated--do this and thekingdom may be made to go round in your palm. It is said in the 'Book ofPoetry, ' 'His example acted on his wife, Extended to his brethren, And was felt by all the clans and States;' Telling us how King Wan simply took this kindly heart, and exercised ittowards those parties. Therefore the carrying out of the feeling ofkindness by a ruler will suffice for the love and protection of allwithin the four seas; and if he do not carry it out, he will not be ableto protect his wife and children. The way in which the ancients camegreatly to surpass other men was no other than this, that they carriedout well what they did, so as to affect others. Now your kindness issufficient to reach to animals, and yet no benefits are extended from itto the people. How is this? Is an exception to be made here? "By weighing we know what things are light, and what heavy. By measuringwe know what things are long, and what short. All things are so dealtwith, and the mind requires specially to be so. I beg your Majesty tomeasure it. --Your Majesty collects your equipments of war, endangersyour soldiers and officers and excites the resentment of the variousprinces--do these things cause you pleasure in your mind?" The king said, "No. How should I derive pleasure from these things? Myobject in them is to seek for what I greatly desire. " Mencius said, "May I hear from you what it is that your Majesty greatlydesires?" The king laughed, and did not speak. Mencius resumed, "Are youled to desire it because you have not enough of rich and sweet food foryour mouth? or because you have not enough of light and warm clothingfor your body? or because you have not enough of beautifully coloredobjects to satisfy your eyes? or because there are not voices and soundsenough to fill your ears? or because you have not enough of attendantsand favorites to stand before you and receive your orders? YourMajesty's various officers are sufficient to supply you with all thesethings. How can your Majesty have such a desire on account of them?""No, " said the king, "my desire is not on account of them. " Menciusobserved, "Then what your Majesty greatly desires can be known. Youdesire to enlarge your territories, to have Ts'in and Ts'oo coming toyour court, to rule the Middle States, and to attract to you thebarbarous tribes that surround them. But to do what you do in order toseek for what you desire is like climbing a tree to seek for fish. " "Is it so bad as that?" said the king. "I apprehend it is worse, " wasthe reply. "If you climb a tree to seek for fish, although you do notget the fish, you have no subsequent calamity. But if you do what you doin order to seek for what you desire, doing it even with all your heart, you will assuredly afterwards meet with calamities. " The king said, "MayI hear what they will be?" Mencius replied, "If the people of Tsow werefighting with the people of Ts'oo, which of them does your Majesty thinkwould conquer?" "The people of Ts'oo would conquer, " was the answer, andMencius pursued, "So then, a small State cannot contend with a great, few cannot contend with many, nor can the weak contend with the strong. The territory within the seas would embrace nine divisions, each of athousand li square. All Ts'e together is one of them. If with one partyou try to subdue the other eight, what is the difference between thatand Tsow's contending with Ts'oo? With the desire which you have, youmust turn back to the proper course for its attainment. "Now, if your Majesty will institute a government whose action shall allbe benevolent, this will cause all the officers in the kingdom to wishto stand in your Majesty's court, the farmers all to wish to plough inyour Majesty's fields, the merchants, both travelling and stationary, all to wish to store their goods in your Majesty's market-places, travellers and visitors all to wish to travel on your Majesty's roads, and all under heaven who feel aggrieved by their rulers to wish to comeand complain to your Majesty. When they are so bent, who will be able tokeep them back?" The king said, "I am stupid and cannot advance to this. But I wish you, my Master, to assist my intentions. Teach me clearly, and although I amdeficient in intelligence and vigor, I should like to try at least toinstitute such a government. " Mencius replied, "They are only men of education, who, without a certainlivelihood, are able to maintain a fixed heart. As to the people, ifthey have not a certain livelihood, they will be found not to have afixed heart. And if they have not a fixed heart, there is nothing whichthey will not do in the way of self-abandonment, of moral deflection, ofdepravity, and of wild license. When they have thus been involved incrime, to follow them up and punish them, is to entrap the people. Howcan such a thing as entrapping the people be done under the rule of abenevolent man?" "Therefore, an intelligent ruler will regulate the livelihood of thepeople, so as to make sure that, above, they shall have sufficientwherewith to serve their parents, and below, sufficient wherewith tosupport their wives and children; that in good years they shall alwaysbe abundantly satisfied, and that in bad years they shall not be indanger of perishing. After this he may urge them, and they will proceedto what is good, for in this case the people will follow after that withreadiness. "But now the livelihood of the people is so regulated, that, above, theyhave not sufficient wherewith to serve their parents, and, below, theyhave not sufficient wherewith to support their wives and children; evenin good years their lives are always embittered, and in bad years theyare in danger of perishing. In such circumstances their only object isto escape from death, and they are afraid they will not succeed in doingso--what leisure have they to cultivate propriety and righteousness? "If your Majesty wishes to carry out a benevolent government, why notturn back to what is the essential step to its attainment? "Let mulberry trees be planted about the homesteads with their fiveacres, and persons of fifty years will be able to wear silk. In keepingfowls, pigs, dogs, and swine, let not their times of breeding beneglected, and persons of seventy years will be able to eat flesh. Letthere not be taken away the time that is proper for the cultivation ofthe field-allotment of a hundred acres, and the family of eight mouthswill not suffer from hunger. Let careful attention be paid to theteaching in the various schools, with repeated inculcation of the filialand fraternal duties, and gray-haired men will not be seen upon theroads, carrying burdens on their backs or on their heads. It has neverbeen that the ruler of a State, where these results were seen, the oldwearing silk and eating flesh, and the black-haired people sufferingneither from hunger nor cold, did not attain to the Royal dignity. " [NOTE: _Books II, III, and IV are omitted_] [Footnote 1: The title of this book in Chinese is--"King Hwuy of Lëang;in chapters and sentences. " Like the Books of the Confucian Analects, those of this work are headed by two or three words at or near thecommencement of them. Each Book is divided into two parts. Thisarrangement was made by Chaou K'e, and to him are due also the divisionsinto chapters, and sentences, or paragraphs, containing, it may be, manysentences. ] [Footnote 2: Sëang was the son of King Hwuy. The first year of his reignis supposed to be B. C. 317. Sëang's name was Hih. As a posthumousepithet, Sëang has various meanings: "Land-enlarger and Virtuous";"Successful in Arms. " The interview here recorded seems to have takenplace immediately after Hih's accession, and Mencius, it is said, was sodisappointed by it that he soon after left the country. ] THE SHI-KING [_Metrical translation by James Legge_] INTRODUCTION The wisdom of Confucius as a social reformer, as a teacher and guide ofthe Chinese people, is shown in many ways. He not only gave them a codeof personal deportment, providing them with rules for the etiquette andceremony of life, but he instilled into them that profound spirit ofdomestic piety which is one of the strongest features in the Chinesecharacter. He took measures to secure also the intellectual cultivationof his followers, and his Five Canons contain all the most ancient worksof Chinese literature, in the departments of poetry, history, philosophy, and legislation. The Shi-King is a collection of Chinesepoetry made by Confucius himself. This great anthology consists of morethan three hundred pieces, covering the whole range of Chinese lyricpoetry, the oldest of which dates some eighteen centuries before Christ, while the latest of the selections must have been written at thebeginning of the sixth century before Christ. These poems are of thehighest interest, and even nowadays may be read with delight byEuropeans. The ballad and the hymn are among the earliest forms ofnational poetry, and the contents of the Shi-King naturally showspecimens of lyric poetry of this sort. We find there not only hymns, but also ballads of a really fine and spirited character. Sometimes thepoems celebrate the common pursuits, occupations, and incidents of life. They rise to the exaltation of the epithalamium, or of the vintage song;at other times they deal with sentiment and human conduct, being in thehighest degree sententious and epigrammatic. We must give the credit toConfucius of having saved for us the literature of China, and of havingset his people an example in preserving the monuments of a remoteantiquity. While the literatures of ancient Greece and Rome have largelyperished in the convulsions that followed the breaking up of the Romanempire in Europe, when the kingdom of China fell into disorder anddecrepitude this one great teacher stepped forward to save the preciousrecord of historic fact, philosophical thought, and of legislation aswell as poetry, from being swept away by the deluge of revolution. Confucius showed his wisdom by the high value he set upon the poetry ofhis native land, and his name must be set side by side with that of theastute tyrant of Athens who collected the poems of Homer and preservedthem as a precious heritage to the Greek world. Confucius has given ushis opinion with regard to the poems of the Shi-King. No man, he says, is worth speaking to who has not mastered the poems of an anthology, theperusal of which elevates the mind and purifies it from all corruptthoughts. Thanks to the work of modern scholarship, English readers cannow verify this dictum for themselves. E. W. THE SHI-KING _PART I--LESSONS FROM THE STATES_ BOOK I THE ODES OF CHOW AND THE SOUTH ~Celebrating the Virtue of King Wan's Bride~ Hark! from the islet in the stream the voice Of the fish-hawks that o'er their nests rejoice! From them our thoughts to that young lady go, Modest and virtuous, loth herself to show. Where could be found to share our prince's state, So fair, so virtuous, and so fit a mate? See how the duckweed's stalks, or short or long, Sway left and right, as moves the current strong! So hard it was for him the maid to find! By day, by night, our prince with constant mind Sought for her long, but all his search was vain. Awake, asleep, he ever felt the pain Of longing thought, as when on restless bed, Tossing about, one turns his fevered head. Here long, there short, afloat the duckweed lies; But caught at last, we seize the longed-for prize. The maiden modest, virtuous, coy, is found; Strike every lute, and joyous welcome sound. Ours now, the duckweed from the stream we bear, And cook to use with other viands rare. He has the maiden, modest, virtuous, bright; Let bells and drums proclaim our great delight ~Celebrating the Industry of King Wan's Queen~ Sweet was the scene. The spreading dolichos Extended far, down to the valley's depths, With leaves luxuriant. The orioles Fluttered around, and on the bushy trees In throngs collected--whence their pleasant notes Resounded far in richest melody. The spreading dolichos extended far, Covering the valley's sides, down to its depths, With leaves luxuriant and dense. I cut It down, then boiled, and from the fibres spun Of cloth, both fine and coarse, large store, To wear, unwearied of such simple dress. Now back to my old home, my parents dear To see, I go. The matron I have told, Who will announcement make. Meanwhile my clothes, My private clothes I wash, and rinse my robes. Which of them need be rinsed? and which need not? My parents dear to visit, back I go. ~In Praise of a Bride~ Graceful and young the peach-tree stands; How rich its flowers, all gleaming bright! This bride to her new home repairs; Chamber and house she'll order right. Graceful and young the peach-tree stands; Large crops of fruit it soon will show. This bride to her new home repairs; Chamber and house her sway shall know. Graceful and young the peach-tree stands, Its foliage clustering green and full. This bride to her new home repairs; Her household will attest her rule. ~Celebrating T'ae-Sze's Freedom from Jealousy~ In the South are the trees whose branches are bent, And droop in such fashion that o'er their extent All the dolichos' creepers fast cling. See our princely lady, from whom we have got Rejoicing that's endless! May her happy lot And her honors repose ever bring! In the South are the trees whose branches are bent, And droop in such fashion that o'er their extent All the dolichos' creepers are spread. See our princely lady, from whom we have got Rejoicing that's endless! Of her happy lot And her honors the greatness ne'er fade! In the South are the trees whose branches are bent, And droop in such fashion that o'er their extent All the dolichos' creepers entwine. See our princely lady, from whom we have got Rejoicing that's endless! May her happy lot And her honors complete ever shine! ~The Fruitfulness of the Locust~ Ye locusts, wingèd tribes, Gather in concord fine; Well your descendants may In numerous bright hosts shine! Ye locusts, wingèd tribes, Your wings in flight resound; Well your descendants may In endless lines be found! Ye locusts, wingèd tribes, Together cluster strong; Well your descendants may In swarms forever throng! ~Lamenting the Absence of a Cherished Friend~ Though small my basket, all my toil Filled it with mouse-ears but in part. I set it on the path, and sighed For the dear master of my heart. My steeds, o'er-tasked, their progress stayed, When midway up that rocky height. Give me a cup from that gilt vase-- When shall this longing end in sight? To mount that lofty ridge I drove, Until my steeds all changed their hue. A cup from that rhinoceros's horn May help my longing to subdue. Striving to reach that flat-topped hill, My steeds, worn out, relaxed their strain; My driver also sank oppressed:-- I'll never see my lord again! ~Celebrating the Goodness of the Descendants of King Wan~ As the feet of the _lin_, which avoid each living thing, So our prince's noble sons no harm to men will bring. They are the _lin!_ As the front of the _lin_, never forward thrust in wrath, So our prince's noble grandsons of love tread the path. They are the _lin!_ As the horn of the _lin_, flesh-tipped, no wound to give, So our prince's noble kindred kindly with all live. They are the _lin!_ [NOTE. --The "lin" is the female of "K'e"--a fabulous animal--thesymbol of all goodness and benevolence; having the body of adeer, the tail of an ox, the hoofs of a horse, one horn, the scales of afish, etc. Its feet do not tread on any living thing--not even on livegrass; it does not butt with its forehead; and the end of its horn iscovered with flesh--to show that, while able for war, it wills to havepeace. The "lin" was supposed to appear inaugurating a golden age, but the poet finds a better auspice of that in the character of Wan'sfamily and kindred. ] ~The Virtuous Manners of the Young Women~ High and compressed, the Southern trees No shelter from the sun afford. The girls free ramble by the Han, But will not hear enticing word. Like the broad Han are they, Through which one cannot dive; And like the Keang's long stream, Wherewith no raft can strive. Many the fagots bound and piled; The thorns I'd hew still more to make. As brides, those girls their new homes seek; Their colts to feed I'd undertake. Like the broad Han are they, Through which one cannot dive; And like the Keang's long stream, Wherewith no raft can strive. Many the fagots bound and piled; The Southern-wood I'd cut for more. As brides, those girls their new homes seek; Food for their colts I'd bring large store. Like the broad Han are they, Through which one cannot dive; And like the Keang's long stream, Wherewith no raft can strive. ~Praise of a Rabbit-Catcher~ Careful he sets his rabbit-nets all round; _Chang-chang_ his blows upon the pegs resound. Stalwart the man and bold! his bearing all Shows he might be his prince's shield and wall. Careful he is his rabbit-nets to place Where many paths of rabbits' feet bear trace. Stalwart the man and bold! 'tis plain to see He to his prince companion good would be. Careful he is his rabbit-nets to spread, Where in the forest's depth the trees give shade. Stalwart the man and bold! fit his the part Guide to his prince to be, and faithful heart. ~The Song of the Plantain-Gatherers~ We gather and gather the plantains; Come gather them anyhow. Yes, gather and gather the plantains, And here we have got them now. We gather and gather the plantains; Now off the ears we must tear. Yes, gather and gather the plantains, And now the seeds are laid bare. We gather and gather the plantains, The seeds in our skirts are placed. Yes, gather and gather the plantains. Ho! safe in the girdled waist! ~The Affection of the Wives on the Joo~ Along the raised banks of the Joo, To hew slim stem and branch I wrought, My lord away, my husband true, Like hunger-pang my troubled thought! Along the raised banks of the Joo, Branch and fresh shoot confessed my art. I've seen my lord, my husband true, And still he folds me in his heart. As the toiled bream makes red its tail, Toil you, Sir, for the Royal House; Amidst its blazing fires, nor quail:-- Your parents see you pay your vows. BOOK II THE ODES OF SHAOU AND THE SOUTH ~The Marriage of a Princess~ In the magpie's nest Dwells the dove at rest. This young bride goes to her future home; To meet her a hundred chariots come. Of the magpie's nest Is the dove possessed. This bride goes to her new home to live; And escort a hundred chariots give. The nest magpie wove Now filled by the dove. This bride now takes to her home her way; And these numerous cars her state display. ~The Industry and Reverence of a Prince's Wife~ Around the pools, the islets o'er, Fast she plucks white Southern-wood, To help the sacrificial store; And for our prince does service good. Where streams among the valleys shine, Of Southern-woods she plucks the white; And brings it to the sacred shrine, To aid our prince in solemn rite. In head-dress high, most reverent, she The temple seeks at early dawn. The service o'er, the head-dress see To her own chamber slow withdrawn. ~The Wife of Some Great Officer Bewails His Absence~ Shrill chirp the insects in the grass; All about the hoppers spring. While I my husband do not see, Sorrow must my bosom wring. O to meet him! O to greet him! Then my heart would rest and sing. Ascending high that Southern hill, Turtle ferns I strove to get. While I my husband do not see, Sorrow must my heart beset. O to meet him! O to greet him! Then my heart would cease to fret. Ascending high that Southern hill, Spinous ferns I sought to find. While I my husband do not see, Rankles sorrow in my mind. O to meet him! O to greet him! In my heart would peace be shrined. ~The Diligence of the Young Wife of an Officer~ She gathers fast the large duckweed, From valley stream that southward flows; And for the pondweed to the pools Left on the plains by floods she goes. The plants, when closed her toil, she puts In baskets round and baskets square. Then home she hies to cook her spoil, In pans and tripods ready there. In sacred chamber this she sets, Where the light falls down through the wall. 'Tis she, our lord's young reverent wife, Who manages this service all. ~The Love of the People for the Duke of Shaou~ O fell not that sweet pear-tree! See how its branches spread. Spoil not its shade, For Shaou's chief laid Beneath it his weary head. O clip not that sweet pear-tree! Each twig and leaflet spare. 'Tis sacred now, Since the lord of Shaou, When weary, rested him there. O touch not that sweet pear-tree! Bend not a twig of it now. There long ago, As the stories show, Oft halted the chief of Shaou. ~The Easy Dignity of the Officers at Some Court~ Arrayed in skins of lamb or sheep, With five silk braidings all of white, From court they go, to take their meal, All self-possessed, with spirits light. How on their skins of lamb or sheep The five seams wrought with white silk show! With easy steps, and self-possessed, From court to take their meal, they go. Upon their skins of lamb or sheep Shines the white silk the seams to link. With easy steps and self-possessed, They go from court to eat and drink. ~Anxiety of a Young Lady to Get Married~ Ripe, the plums fall from the bough; Only seven-tenths left there now! Ye whose hearts on me are set, Now the time is fortunate! Ripe, the plums fall from the bough; Only three-tenths left there now! Ye who wish my love to gain, Will not now apply in vain! No more plums upon the bough! All are in my basket now! Ye who me with ardor seek, Need the word but freely speak! BOOK III THE ODES OF P'EI ~An Officer Bewails the Neglect with which He is Treated~ It floats about, that boat of cypress wood, Now here, now there, as by the current borne. Nor rest nor sleep comes in my troubled mood; I suffer as when painful wound has torn The shrinking body. Thus I dwell forlorn, And aimless muse, my thoughts of sorrow full. I might with wine refresh my spirit worn; I might go forth, and, sauntering try to cool The fever of my heart; but grief holds sullen rule. My mind resembles not a mirror plate, Reflecting all the impressions it receives. The good I love, the bad regard with hate; I only cherish whom my heart believes. Colleagues I have, but yet my spirit grieves, That on their honor I cannot depend. I speak, but my complaint no influence leaves Upon their hearts; with mine no feelings blend; With me in anger they, and fierce disdain contend. My mind is fixed, and cannot, like a stone, Be turned at will indifferently about; And what I think, to that, and that alone, I utterance give, alike within, without; Nor can like mat be rolled and carried out. With dignity in presence of them all, My conduct marked, my goodness who shall scout? My foes I boldly challenge, great and small, If there be aught in me they can in question call. How full of trouble is my anxious heart! With hate the blatant herd of creatures mean Ceaseless pursue. Of their attacks the smart Keeps my mind in distress. Their venomed spleen Aye vents itself; and with insulting mien They vex my soul; and no one on my side A word will speak. Silent, alone, unseen, I think of my sad case; then opening wide My eyes, as if from sleep, I beat my breast, sore-tried. Thy disc, O sun, should ever be complete, While thine, O changing moon, doth wax and wane. But now our sun hath waned, weak and effete, And moons are ever full. My heart with pain Is firmly bound, and held in sorrow's chain, As to the body cleaves an unwashed dress. Silent I think of my sad case; in vain I try to find relief from my distress. Would I had wings to fly where ills no longer press! ~A Wife Deplores the Absence of Her Husband~ Away the startled pheasant flies, With lazy movement of his wings. Borne was my heart's lord from my eyes;-- What pain the separation brings! The pheasant, though no more in view, His cry, below, above, forth sends. Alas! my princely lord, 'tis you-- Your absence, that my bosom rends. At sun and moon I sit and gaze, In converse with my troubled heart. Far, far from me my husband stays! When will he come to heal its smart? Ye princely men who with him mate, Say, mark ye not his virtuous way. His rule is--covet nought, none hate;-- How can his steps from goodness stray? ~The Plaint of a Rejected Wife~ The east wind gently blows, With cloudy skies and rain. 'Twixt man and wife should ne'er be strife, But harmony obtain. Radish and mustard plants Are used, though some be poor; While my good name is free from blame, Don't thrust me from your door. I go along the road, Slow, with reluctant heart. Your escort lame to door but came, There glad from me to part. Sow-thistle, bitter called, As shepherd's purse is sweet; With your new mate you feast elate, As joyous brothers meet. Part clear, the stream of King Is foul beside the Wei. You feast elate with your new mate, And take no heed of me. Loose mate, avoid my dam, Nor dare my basket move! Person slighted, life all blighted, What can the future prove? The water deep, in boat, Or raft-sustained, I'd go; And where the stream did narrow seem, I dived or breasted through. I labored to increase Our means, or great or small; When 'mong friends near death did appear, On knees to help I'd crawl. No cherishing you give, I'm hostile in your eyes. As pedler's wares for which none cares, My virtues you despise. When poverty was nigh, I strove our means to spare; You, now rich grown, me scorn to own; To poison me compare. The stores for winter piled Are all unprized in spring. So now, elate with your new mate, Myself away you fling. Your cool disdain for me A bitter anguish hath. The early time, our love's sweet prime, In you wakes only wrath. ~Soldiers of Wei Bewail Separation from Their Families~ List to the thunder and roll of the drum! See how we spring and brandish the dart! Some raise Ts'aou's walls; some do field work at home; But we to the southward lonely depart. Our chief, Sun Tsze-chung, agreement has made, Our forces to join with Ch'in and with Sung. When shall we back from this service be led? Our hearts are all sad, our courage unstrung. Here we are halting, and there we delay; Anon we soon lose our high-mettled steeds. The forest's gloom makes our steps go astray; Each thicket of trees our searching misleads. For death as for life, at home or abroad, We pledged to our wives our faithfulest word. Their hands clasped in ours, together we vowed, We'd live to old age in sweetest accord. This march to the South can end but in ill; Oh! never shall we our wives again meet. The word that we pledged we cannot fulfil; Us home returning they never will greet. ~An Officer Tells of His Mean Employment~ With mind indifferent, things I easy take; In every dance I prompt appearance make:-- Then, when the sun is at his topmost height, There, in the place that courts the public sight. With figure large I in the courtyard dance, And the duke smiles, when he beholds me prance. A tiger's strength I have; the steeds swift bound; The reins as ribbons in my hands are found. See how I hold the flute in my left hand; In right the pheasant's plume, waved like a wand; With visage red, where rouge you think to trace, While the duke pleased, sends down the cup of grace! Hazel on hills; the _ling_ in meadow damp;-- Each has its place, while I'm a slighted scamp. My thoughts go back to th' early days of Chow, And muse upon its chiefs, not equalled now. O noble chiefs, who then the West adorned, Would ye have thus neglected me and scorned? ~An Officer Sets Forth His Hard Lot~ My way leads forth by the gate on the north; My heart is full of woe. I hav'n't a cent, begged, stolen, or lent, And friends forget me so. So let it be! 'tis Heaven's decree. What can I say--a poor fellow like me? The King has his throne, sans sorrow or moan; On me fall all his cares, And when I come home, resolved not to roam, Each one indignant stares. So let it be! 'tis Heaven's decree. What can I say--a poor fellow like me? Each thing of the King, and the fate of the State, On me come more and more. And when, sad and worn, I come back forlorn, They thrust me from the door. So let it be! 'tis Heaven's decree. What can I say--a poor fellow like me? ~The Complaint of a Neglected Wife~ When the upper robe is green, With a yellow lining seen, There we have a certain token, Right is wronged and order broken. How can sorrow from my heart In a case like this depart? Color green the robe displays; Lower garment yellow's blaze. Thus it is that favorite mean In the place of wife is seen. Vain the conflict with my grief; Memory denies relief. Yes, 'twas you the green who dyed, You who fed the favorite's pride. Anger rises in my heart, Pierces it as with a dart. But on ancient rules lean I, Lest to wrong my thoughts should fly. Fine or coarse, if thin the dress, Cold winds always cause distress. Hard my lot, my sorrow deep, But my thoughts in check I keep. Ancient story brings to mind Sufferers who were resigned. [NOTE. --Yellow is one of the five "correct" colors of the Chinese, whilegreen is one of the "intermediate" colors that are less esteemed. Herewe have the yellow used merely as a lining to the green, or employed inthe lower, or less honorable, part of the dress;--an inversion ofpropriety, and intimating how a favorite had usurped the place of therightful wife and thrust her down. ] ~In Praise of a Maiden~ O sweet maiden, so fair and retiring, At the corner I'm waiting for you; And I'm scratching my head, and inquiring What on earth it were best I should do. Oh! the maiden, so handsome and coy, For a pledge gave a slim rosy reed. Than the reed is she brighter, my joy; On her loveliness how my thoughts feed! In the pastures a _t'e_ blade she sought, And she gave it, so elegant, rare. Oh! the grass does not dwell in my thought, But the donor, more elegant, fair. ~Discontent~ As when the north winds keenly blow, And all around fast falls the snow, The source of pain and suffering great, So now it is in Wei's poor state. Let us join hands and haste away, My friends and lovers all. 'Tis not a time will brook delay; Things for prompt action call. As when the north winds whistle shrill, And drifting snows each hollow fill, The source of pain and suffering great, So now it is in Wei's poor state, Let us join hands, and leave for aye, My friends and lovers all, 'Tis not a time will brook delay; Things for prompt action call. We look for red, and foxes meet; For black, and crows our vision greet. The creatures, both of omen bad, Well suit the state of Wei so sad. Let us join hands and mount our cars, My friends and lovers all. No time remains for wordy jars; Things for prompt action call. ~Chwang Keang Bemoans Her Husband's Cruelty~ Fierce is the wind and cold; And such is he. Smiling he looks, and bold Speaks mockingly. Scornful and lewd his words, Haughty his smile. Bound is my heart with cords In sorrow's coil. As cloud of dust wind-blown, Just such is he. Ready he seems to own, And come to me. But he comes not nor goes, Stands in his pride. Long, long, with painful throes, Grieved I abide. Strong blew the wind; the cloud Hastened away. Soon dark again, the shroud Covers the day. I wake, and sleep no more Visits my eyes. His course I sad deplore, With heavy sighs. Cloudy the sky, and dark; The thunders roll. Such outward signs well mark My troubled soul. I wake, and sleep no more Comes to give rest. His course I sad deplore, In anguished breast. [NOTE: Selections from Books IV. , V. , and VI. , have been omitted. --EDITOR. ] BOOK VII THE ODES OF CH'ING ~The People's Admiration for Duke Woo~ The black robes well your form befit; When they are worn we'll make you new. Now for your court! oh! there we'll sit, And watch how you your duties do. And when we to our homes repair, We'll send to you our richest fare, Such is the love to you we bear! Those robes well with your virtue match; When they are worn we'll make you new. Now for your court! There will we watch, Well pleased, how you your duties do. And when we to our homes repair, We'll send to you our richest fare, Such is the love to you we bear! Those robes your character beseem; When they are worn we'll make you new. Now for your court! oh! there we deem It pleasure great your form to view. And when we to our homes repair, We'll send to you our richest fare, Such is the love to you we bear! ~A Wife Consoled by Her Husband's Arrival~ Cold is the wind, fast falls the rain, The cock aye shrilly crows. But I have seen my lord again;-- Now must my heart repose. Whistles the wind, patters the rain, The cock's crow far resounds. But I have seen my lord again, And healed are my heart's wounds. All's dark amid the wind and rain, Ceaseless the cock's clear voice! But I have seen my lord again;-- Should not my heart rejoice? ~In Praise of Some Lady~ There by his side in chariot rideth she, As lovely flower of the hibiscus tree, So fair her face; and when about they wheel, Her girdle gems of _Ken_ themselves reveal. For beauty all the House of Këang have fame; Its eldest daughter--she beseems her name. There on the path, close by him, walketh she, Bright as the blossom of hibiscus tree, And fair her face; and when around they flit, Her girdle gems a tinkling sound emit. Among the Keang she has distinguished place, For virtuous fame renowned, and peerless grace. ~A Man's Praise of His Wife~ My path forth from the east gate lay, Where cloud-like moved the girls at play. Numerous are they, as clouds so bright, But not on them my heart's thoughts light. Dressed in a thin white silk, with coiffure gray Is she, my wife, my joy in life's low way. Forth by the covering wall's high tower, I went, and saw, like rush in flower, Each flaunting girl. Brilliant are they, But not with them my heart's thoughts stay. In thin white silk, with head-dress madder-dyed, Is she, my sole delight, 'foretime my bride. ~An Entreaty~ Along the great highway, I hold you by the cuff. O spurn me not, I pray, Nor break old friendship off. Along the highway worn, I hold your hand in mine. Do not as vile me scorn; Your love I can't resign. ~A Woman Scorning Her Lover~ O dear! that artful boy Refuses me a word! But, Sir, I shall enjoy My food, though you're absurd! O dear! that artful boy My table will not share! But, Sir, I shall enjoy My rest, though you're not there! ~A Lady Mourns the Absence of Her Student Lover~ You student, with the collar blue, Long pines my heart with anxious pain. Although I do not go to you, Why from all word do you refrain? O you, with girdle strings of blue, My thoughts to you forever roam! Although I do not go to you, Yet why to me should you not come? How reckless you, how light and wild, There by the tower upon the wall! One day, from sight of you exiled, As long as three long months I call. [NOTE: Selections from Books IV. , V. , and VI. , have beenomitted. --EDITOR. ] BOOK VIII THE ODES OF TS'E ~A Wife Urging Her Husband to Action~ His lady to the marquis says, "The cock has crowed; 'tis late. Get up, my lord, and haste to court. 'Tis full; for you they wait. " She did not hear the cock's shrill sound, Only the blueflies buzzing round. Again she wakes him with the words, "The east, my lord, is bright. A crowded court your presence seeks; Get up and hail the light. " 'Twas not the dawning light which shone, But that which by the moon was thrown. He sleeping still, once more she says, "The flies are buzzing loud. To lie and dream here by your side Were pleasant, but the crowd Of officers will soon retire; Draw not on you and me their ire!" ~The Folly of Useless Effort~ The weeds will but the ranker grow, If fields too large you seek to till. To try to gain men far away With grief your toiling heart will fill, If fields too large you seek to till, The weeds will only rise more strong. To try to gain men far away Will but your heart's distress prolong. Things grow the best when to themselves Left, and to nature's vigor rare. How young and tender is the child, With his twin tufts of falling hair! But when you him ere long behold, That child shall cap of manhood wear! ~The Prince of Loo~ A grand man is the prince of Loo, With person large and high. Lofty his front and suited to The fine glance of his eye! Swift are his feet. In archery What man with him can vie? With all these goodly qualities, We see him and we sigh! Renowned through all the land is he, The nephew of our lord. With clear and lovely eyes, his grace May not be told by word. All day at target practice, He'll never miss the bird. Such is the prince of Loo, and yet With grief for him we're stirred! All grace and beauty he displays, High forehead and eyes bright. And dancing choice! His arrows all The target hit aright. Straight through they go, and every one Lights on the self-same spot. Rebellion he could well withstand, And yet we mourn his lot! BOOK IX THE ODES OF WEI ~On the Misgovernment of the State~ A fruit, small as the garden peach, May still be used for food. A State, though poor as ours, might thrive, If but its rule were good. Our rule is bad, our State is sad, With mournful heart I grieve. All can from instrument and voice My mood of mind perceive. Who know me not, with scornful thought, Deem me a scholar proud. "Those men are right, " they fiercely say, "What mean your words so loud?" Deep in my heart my sorrows lie, And none the cause may know. How should they know who never try To learn whence comes our woe? The garden jujube, although small, May still be used for food. A State, though poor as ours, might thrive, If but its rule were good. Our rule is bad, our State is sad, With mournful heart I grieve. Methinks I'll wander through the land, My misery to relieve. Who know me not, with scornful thought, Deem that wild views I hold. "Those men are right, " they fiercely say, "What mean your words so bold?" Deep in my heart my sorrows lie, And none the cause may know. How can they know, who never try To learn whence comes our woe? ~The Mean Husband~ Thin cloth of dolichos supplies the shoes, In which some have to brave the frost and cold. A bride, when poor, her tender hands must use, Her dress to make, and the sharp needle hold. This man is wealthy, yet he makes his bride Collars and waistbands for his robes provide. Conscious of wealth, he moves with easy mien; Politely on the left he takes his place; The ivory pin is at his girdle seen:-- His dress and gait show gentlemanly grace. Why do we brand him in our satire here? 'Tis this---his niggard soul provokes the sneer. ~A Young Soldier on Service~ To the top of that tree-clad hill I go, And towards my father I gaze, Till with my mind's eye his form I espy, And my mind's ear hears how he says:-- "Alas for my son on service abroad! He rests not from morning till eve. May he careful be and come back to me! While he is away, how I grieve!" To the top of that barren hill I climb, And towards my mother I gaze, Till with my mind's eye her form I espy, And my mind's ear hears how she says:-- "Alas for my child on service abroad! He never in sleep shuts an eye. May he careful be, and come back to me! In the wild may his body not lie!" Up the lofty ridge I, toiling, ascend, And towards my brother I gaze, Till with my mind's eye his form I espy, And my mind's ear hears how he says:-- "Alas! my young brother, serving abroad, All day with his comrades must roam. May he careful be, and come back to me, And die not away from his home. " BOOK X THE ODES OF TANG ~The King Goes to War~ The wild geese fly the bushy oaks around, With clamor loud. _Suh-suh_ their wings resound, As for their feet poor resting-place is found. The King's affairs admit of no delay. Our millet still unsown, we haste away. No food is left our parents to supply; When we are gone, on whom can they rely? O azure Heaven, that shinest there afar, When shall our homes receive us from the war? The wild geese on the bushy jujube-trees Attempt to settle and are ill at ease;-- _Suh-suh_ their wings go flapping in the breeze. The King's affairs admit of no delay; Our millet still unsown, we haste away. How shall our parents their requirements get? How in our absence shall their wants be met? O azure Heaven, that shinest there afar, When shall our homes receive us from the war? The bushy mulberry-trees the geese in rows Seek eager and to rest around them close-- With rustling loud, as disappointment grows. The King's affairs admit of no delay; To plant our rice and maize we cannot stay. How shall our parents find their wonted food? When we are gone, who will to them be good? O azure Heaven, that shinest there afar, When shall our homes receive us from the war? ~Lament of a Bereaved Person~ A russet pear-tree rises all alone, But rich the growth of leaves upon it shown! I walk alone, without one brother left, And thus of natural aid am I bereft. Plenty of people there are all around, But none like my own father's sons are found. Ye travellers, who forever hurry by, Why on me turn the unsympathizing eye? No brother lives with whom my cause to plead;-- Why not perform for me the helping deed? A russet pear-tree rises all alone, But rich with verdant foliage o'ergrown. I walk alone, without one brother's care, To whom I might, amid my straits repair. Plenty of people there are all around, But none like those of my own name are found. Ye travellers, who forever hurry by, Why on me turn the unsympathizing eye? No brother lives with whom my cause to plead;-- Why not perform for me the helping deed? ~The Drawbacks of Poverty~ On the left of the way, a russet pear-tree Stands there all alone--a fit image of me. There is that princely man! O that he would come, And in my poor dwelling with me be at home! In the core of my heart do I love him, but say, Whence shall I procure him the wants of the day? At the bend in the way a russet pear-tree Stands there all alone--a fit image of me. There is that princely man! O that he would come, And rambling with me be himself here at home! In the core of my heart I love him, but say, Whence shall I procure him the wants of the day? ~A Wife Mourns for Her Husband~ The dolichos grows and covers the thorn, O'er the waste is the dragon-plant creeping. The man of my heart is away and I mourn-- What home have I, lonely and weeping? Covering the jujubes the dolichos grows, The graves many dragon-plants cover; But where is the man on whose breast I'd repose? No home have I, having no lover! Fair to see was the pillow of horn, And fair the bed-chamber's adorning; But the man of my heart is not here, and I mourn All alone, and wait for the morning. While the long days of summer pass over my head, And long winter nights leave their traces, I'm alone! Till a hundred of years shall have fled, And then I shall meet his embraces. Through the long winter nights I am burdened with fears, Through the long summer days I am lonely; But when time shall have counted its hundreds of years I then shall be his--and his only! BOOK XI THE ODES OF TS'IN ~Celebrating the Opulence of the Lords of Ts'in~ Our ruler to the hunt proceeds; And black as iron are his steeds That heed the charioteer's command, Who holds the six reins in his hand. His favorites follow to the chase, Rejoicing in his special grace. The season's males, alarmed, arise-- The season's males, of wondrous size. Driven by the beaters, forth they spring, Soon caught within the hunters' ring. "Drive on their left, " the ruler cries; And to its mark his arrow flies. The hunting done, northward he goes; And in the park the driver shows The horses' points, and his own skill That rules and guides them at his will. Light cars whose teams small bells display, The long-and short-mouthed dogs convey. ~A Complaint~ He lodged us in a spacious house, And plenteous was our fare. But now at every frugal meal There's not a scrap to spare. Alas! alas that this good man Could not go on as he began! ~A Wife's Grief Because of Her Husband's Absence~ The falcon swiftly seeks the north, And forest gloom that sent it forth. Since I no more my husband see, My heart from grief is never free. O how is it, I long to know, That he, my lord, forgets me so? Bushy oaks on the mountain grow, And six elms where the ground is low. But I, my husband seen no more, My sad and joyless fate deplore. O how is it, I long to know, That he, my lord, forgets me so? The hills the bushy wild plums show, And pear-trees grace the ground below. But, with my husband from me gone, As drunk with grief, I dwell alone. O how is it, I long to know, That he, my lord, forgets me so? ~Lament for Three Brothers~ They flit about, the yellow birds, And rest upon the jujubes find. Who buried were in duke Muh's grave, Alive to awful death consigned? 'Mong brothers three, who met that fate, 'Twas sad the first, Yen-seih to see. He stood alone; a hundred men Could show no other such as he. When to the yawning grave he came, Terror unnerved and shook his frame. Why thus destroy our noblest men, To thee we cry, O azure Heaven! To save Yen-seih from death, we would A hundred lives have freely given. They flit about, the yellow birds, And on the mulberry-trees rest find. Who buried were in duke Muh's grave, Alive to awful death consigned? 'Mong brothers three, who met that fate, 'Twas sad the next, Chung-hang to see. When on him pressed a hundred men, A match for all of them was he. When to the yawning grave he came, Terror unnerved and shook his frame. Why thus destroy our noblest men, To thee we cry, O azure Heaven! To save Chung-hang from death, we would A hundred lives have freely given. They flit about, the yellow birds, And rest upon the thorn-trees find. Who buried were in duke Muh's grave, Alive to awful death consigned? 'Mong brothers three, who met that fate, 'Twas sad the third, K'ëen-foo, to see. A hundred men in desperate fight Successfully withstand could he. When to the yawning grave he came, Terror unnerved and shook his frame. Why thus destroy our noblest men, To thee we cry, O azure Heaven! To save K'ëen-foo from death, we would A hundred lives have freely given. [NOTE. --The incident related in this poem occurred in the year B. C. 620, when the duke of Muh died after playing an important part in the affairsof Northwest China. Muh required the three officers here celebrated, tobe buried with him, and according to the "Historical Records" thisbarbarous practice began with duke Ching, Muh's predecessor. In all, 170individuals were buried with Muh. The death of the last distinguishedman of the Ts'in dynasty, the Emperor I, was subsequently celebrated bythe entombment with him of all the inmates of his harem. ] ~In Praise of a Ruler of Ts'in~ What trees grow on the Chung-nan hill? The white fir and the plum. In fur of fox, 'neath 'broidered robe, Thither our prince is come. His face glows with vermilion hue. O may he prove a ruler true! What find we on the Chung-nan hill? Deep nook and open glade. Our prince shows there the double _Ke_ On lower robe displayed. His pendant holds each tinkling gem, Long life be his, and deathless fame! ~The Generous Nephew~ I escorted my uncle to Tsin, Till the Wei we crossed on the way. Then I gave as I left For his carriage a gift Four steeds, and each steed was a bay. I escorted my uncle to Tsin, And I thought of him much in my heart. Pendent stones, and with them Of fine jasper a gem, I gave, and then saw him depart. BOOK XII THE ODES OF CH'IN ~The Contentment of a Poor Recluse~ My only door some pieces of crossed wood, Within it I can rest enjoy. I drink the water wimpling from the spring; Nor hunger can my peace destroy. Purged from ambition's aims I say, "For fish. We need not bream caught in the Ho;Nor, to possess the sweets of love, require To Ts'e, to find a Keang, to go. "The man contented with his lot, a meal Of fish without Ho carp can make;Nor needs, to rest in his domestic joy, A Tsze of Sung as wife to take. " ~The Disappointed Lover~ Where grow the willows near the eastern gate, And 'neath their leafy shade we could recline, She said at evening she would me await, And brightly now I see the day-star shine! Here where the willows near the eastern gate Grow, and their dense leaves make a shady gloom, She said at evening she would me await. See now the morning star the sky illume! ~A Love-Song~ The moon comes forth, bright in the sky;A lovelier sight to draw my eye Is she, that lady fair. She round my heart has fixed love's chain, But all my longings are in vain. 'Tis hard the grief to bear. The moon comes forth, a splendid sight;More winning far that lady bright, Object of my desire!Deep-seated is my anxious grief;In vain I seek to find relief; While glows the secret fire. The rising moon shines mild and fair;More bright is she, whose beauty rare My heart with longing fills. With eager wish I pine in vain;O for relief from constant pain, Which through my bosom thrills! ~The Lament of a Lover~ There where its shores the marsh surround, Rushes and lotus plants abound. Their loveliness brings to my mindThe lovelier one that I would find. In vain I try to ease the smartOf wounded love that wrings my heart. In waking thought and nightly dreams, From every pore the water streams. All round the marsh's shores are seenValerian flowers and rushes green. But lovelier is that Beauty rare, Handsome and large, and tall and fair, I wish and long to call her mine, Doomed with the longing still to pine. Nor day nor night e'er brings relief;My inmost heart is full of grief. Around the marsh, in rich display, Grow rush and lotus flowers, all gay. But not with her do they compare, So tall and large, majestic, fair. Both day and night, I nothing speed;Still clings to me the aching need. On side, on back, on face, I lie, But vain each change of posture. THE ODES OF KWEI ~The Wish of an Unhappy Man~ Where the grounds are wet and low, There the trees of goat-peach grow, With their branches small and smooth, Glossy in their tender youth. Joy it were to me, O tree, Consciousness to want like thee. Where the grounds are wet and low, There the trees of goat-peach grow. Soft and fragrant are their flowers, Glossy from the vernal showers. Joy it were to me, O tree, Ties of home to want like thee. Where the grounds are wet and low, There the trees of goat-peach grow, What delicious fruits they bear, Glossy, soft, of beauty rare! Joy it were to me, O tree, Household cares to want like thee. BOOK XIV THE ODES OF TS'AOU ~Against Frivolous Pursuits~ Like splendid robes appear the wings Of the ephemeral fly; And such the pomp of those great men, Which soon in death shall lie! I grieve! Would they but come to me! To teach them I should try. The wings of the ephemeral fly Are robes of colors gay; And such the glory of those men, Soon crumbling to decay! I grieve! Would they but rest with me, They'd learn a better way! The ephemeral fly bursts from its hole, With gauzy wings like snow; So quick the rise, so quick the fall, Of those great men we know! I grieve! Would they but lodge with me, Forth they would wiser go. BOOK XV THE ODES OF PIN ~The Duke of Chow Tells of His Soldiers~ To the hills of the east we went, And long had we there to remain. When the word of recall was sent, Thick and fast came the drizzling rain. When told our return we should take, Our hearts in the West were and sore; But there did they clothes for us make:-- They knew our hard service was o'er. On the mulberry grounds in our sight The large caterpillars were creeping; Lonely and still we passed the night, All under our carriages sleeping. To the hills of the East we went, And long had we there to remain. When the word of recall was sent, Thick and fast came the drizzling rain. The heavenly gourds rise to the eye, With their fruit hanging under the eave. In our chambers the sow-bug we spy; Their webs on our doors spiders weave. Our paddocks seem crowded with deer, With the glow-worm's light all about. Such thoughts, while they filled us with fear, We tried, but in vain, to keep out. To the hills of the East we went, And long had we there to remain. When the word of recall was sent, Thick and fast came the drizzling rain. On ant-hills screamed cranes with delight; In their rooms were our wives sighing sore. Our homes they had swept and made tight:-- All at once we arrived at the door. The bitter gourds hanging are seen, From branches of chestnut-trees high. Three years of toil away we had been, Since such a sight greeted the eye. To the hills of the East we went, And long had we there to remain. When the word of recall was sent, Thick and fast came the drizzling rain. With its wings now here, and now there, Is the oriole sporting in flight. Those brides to their husbands repair, Their steeds red and bay, flecked with white. Each mother has fitted each sash; Their equipments are full and complete; But fresh unions, whatever their dash, Can ne'er with reunions compete. ~There is a Proper Way for Doing Everything~ In hewing an axe-shaft, how must you act? Another axe take, or you'll never succeed. In taking a wife, be sure 'tis a fact, That with no go-between you never can speed. In hewing an axe-shaft, hewing a shaft, For a copy you have the axe in your hand. In choosing a wife, you follow the craft, And forthwith on the mats the feast-vessels stand. PART II. --MINOR ODES TO THE KINGDOM BOOK I DECADE OF LUH MING ~A Festal Ode~ With sounds of happiness the deer Browse on the celery of the meads. A nobler feast is furnished here, With guests renowned for noble deeds. The lutes are struck; the organ blows, Till all its tongues in movement heave. Each basket loaded stands, and shows The precious gifts the guests receive. They love me and my mind will teach, How duty's highest aim to reach. With sounds of happiness the deer The southern-wood crop in the meads, What noble guests surround me here, Distinguished for their worthy deeds! From them my people learn to fly Whate'er is mean; to chiefs they give A model and a pattern high;-- They show the life they ought to live. Then fill their cups with spirits rare, Till each the banquet's joy shall share. With sounds of happiness the deer The salsola crop in the fields. What noble guests surround me here! Each lute for them its music yields. Sound, sound the lutes, or great or small. The joy harmonious to prolong;-- And with my spirits rich crown all The cups to cheer the festive throng. Let each retire with gladdened heart, In his own sphere to play his part. ~A Festal Ode Complimenting an Officer~ On dashed my four steeds, without halt, without stay, Though toilsome and winding from Chow was the way. I wished to return--but the monarch's command Forbade that his business be done with slack hand; And my heart was with sadness oppressed. On dashed my four steeds; I ne'er slackened the reins. They snorted and panted--all white, with black manes. I wished to return, but our sovereign's command Forbade that his business be done with slack hand;-- And I dared not to pause or to rest. Unresting the Filial doves speed in their flight, Ascending, then sweeping swift down from the height, Now grouped on the oaks. The king's high command Forbade that his business be done with slack hand;-- And my father I left, sore distressed. Unresting the Filial doves speed in their flight, Now fanning the air and anon they alight On the medlars thick grouped. But our monarch's command Forbade that his business be done with slack hand;-- Of my mother I thought with sad breast. My four steeds I harnessed, all white and black-maned, Which straight on their way, fleet and emulous strained. I wished to return; and now venture in song The wish to express, and announce how I long For my mother my care to attest. [NOTE. --Both Maou and Choo agree that this ode was composed inhonor of the officer who narrates the story in it, although they say itwas not written by the officer himself, but was put into his mouth, asit were, to express the sympathy of his entertainer with him, and theappreciation of his devotion to duty. ] ~The Value of Friendship~ The woodmen's blows responsive ring, As on the trees they fall; And when the birds their sweet notes sing, They to each other call. From the dark valley comes a bird, And seeks the lofty tree. _Ying_ goes its voice, and thus it cries, "Companion, come to me. " The bird, although a creature small, Upon its mate depends; And shall we men, who rank o'er all, Not seek to have our friends? All spirits love the friendly man, And hearken to his prayer. What harmony and peace they can Bestow, his lot shall share. _Hoo-hoo_ the woodmen all unite To shout, as trees they fell. They do their work with all their might;-- What I have done I'll tell. I've strained and made my spirits clear, The fatted lambs I've killed. With friends who my own surname bear, My hall I've largely filled. Some may be absent, casually, And leave a broken line; But better this than absence by An oversight of mine. My court I've sprinkled and swept clean, Viands in order set. Eight dishes loaded stand with grain; There's store of fatted meat. My mother's kith and kin I'm sure I've widely called by name. That some be hindered better is Than ~I~ give cause for blame. On the hill-side the trees they fell, All working with good-will I labor too, with equal zeal. And the host's part fulfil. Spirits I've set in order meet, The dishes stand in rows. The guests are here; no vacant seat A brother absent shows. The loss of kindly feeling oft From slightest things shall grow, Where all the fare is dry and spare, Resentments fierce may glow. My store of spirits is well strained, If short prove the supply, My messengers I straightway send, And what is needed buy. I beat the drums, and in the dance Lead joyously the train. Oh! good it is, when falls the chance The sparkling cup to drain. ~The Response to a Festal Ode~ Heaven shields and sets thee fast. It round thee fair has cast Thy virtue pure. Thus richest joy is thine;-- Increase of corn and wine, And every gift divine, Abundant, sure. Heaven shields and sets thee fast. From it thou goodness hast; Right are thy ways. Its choicest gifts 'twill pour, That last for evermore, Nor time exhaust the store Through endless days. Heaven shields and sets thee fast, Makes thine endeavor last And prosper well. Like hills and mountains high, Whose masses touch the sky; Like streams aye surging by; Thine increase swell! With rite and auspice fair, Thine offerings thou dost bear, And son-like give, The season's round from spring, To olden duke and king, Whose words to thee we bring:-- "Forever live, " The spirits of thy dead Pour blessings on thy head, Unnumbered sweet. Thy subjects, simple, good, Enjoy their drink and food. Our tribes of every blood Follow thy feet. Like moons that wax in light; Or suns that scale the height; Or ageless hill; Nor change, nor autumn know; As pine and cypress grow; The sons that from thee flow Be lasting still! ~An Ode of Congratulation~ The russet pear-tree stands there all alone; How bright the growth of fruit upon it shown! The King's affairs no stinting hands require, And days prolonged still mock our fond desire. But time has brought the tenth month of the year; My woman's heart is torn with wound severe. Surely my warrior lord might now appear! The russet pear-tree stands there all alone; How dense the leafy shade all o'er it thrown! The King's affairs require no slackening hand, And our sad hearts their feelings can't command. The plants and trees in beauty shine; 'tis spring. From off my heart its gloom I fain would fling. This season well my warrior home may bring! I climbed that northern hill, and medlars sought; The spring nigh o'er, to ripeness they were brought. "The King's affairs cannot be slackly done";-- 'Tis thus our parents mourn their absent son. But now his sandal car must broken be; I seem his powerful steeds worn out to see. Relief has gone! He can't be far from me! Alas! they can't have marched; they don't arrive! More hard it grows with my distress to strive. The time is passed, and still he is not here! My sorrows multiply; great is my fear. But lo! by reeds and shell I have divined, That he is near, they both assure my mind;-- Soon at my side my warrior I shall find! ~An Ode on the Return of the Troops~ Forth from the city in our cars we drove, Until we halted at the pasture ground. The general came, and there with ardor strove A note of zeal throughout the host to sound. "Direct from court I come, by orders bound The march to hasten";--it was thus he spake. Then with the carriage-officers around, He strictly charged them quick despatch to make:-- "Urgent the King's affairs, forthwith the field we take. " While there we stopped, the second corps appeared, And 'twixt Us and the city took its place. The guiding standard was on high upreared, Where twining snakes the tortoises embrace, While oxtails, crest-like, did the staff's top grace. We watched the sheet unfolding grandly wave; Each flag around showed falcons on its face. With anxious care looked on our leader brave; Watchful the carriage-officers appeared and grave. Nan Chung, our chief, had heard the royal call To go where inroad by Heen-yuns was made, And 'cross the frontier build a barrier wall. Numerous his chariots, splendidly arrayed! The standards--this where dragons were displayed, And that where snakes round tortoises were coiled-- Terrific flew. "Northward our host, " he said, "Heaven's son sends forth to tame the Heen-yun wild. " Soon by this awful chief would all their tribes be foiled. When first we took the field, and northward went, The millet was in flower;--a prospect sweet. Now when our weary steps are homeward bent, The snow falls fast, the mire impedes our feet. Many the hardships we were called to meet, Ere the King's orders we had all fulfilled. No rest we had; often our friends to greet The longing came; but vain regrets we stilled; By tablets stern our hearts with fresh resolve were thrilled. "Incessant chirp the insects in the grass; All round about the nimble hoppers spring. From them our thoughts quick to our husbands pass? Although those thoughts our hearts with anguish wring. Oh! could we see them, what relief 'twould bring! Our hearts, rejoiced, at once would feel at rest. " Thus did our wives, their case deploring, sing; The while our leader farther on had pressed, And smitten with his power the wild Jung of the west. The spring days now are lengthening out their light; The plants and trees are dressed in living green; The orioles resting sing, or wing their flight; Our wives amid the southern-wood are seen, Which white they bring, to feed their silkworms keen. Our host, returned, sweeps onwards to the hall, Where chiefs are questioned, shown the captives mean Nan Chung, majestic, draws the gaze of all, Proud o'er the barbarous foe his victories to recall. BOOK II THE DECADE OF PIH H'WA ~An Ode Appropriate to a Festivity~ The dew lies heavy all around, Nor, till the sun shines, leaves the ground. Far into night we feasting sit; We drink, and none his place may quit. The dew lies heavy, and its gems Stud the luxuriant, grassy stems. The happy night with wassail rings; So feasted here the former kings. The jujube and the willow-tree All fretted with the dew we see. Each guest's a prince of noble line, In whom the virtues all combine. The _t'ung_ and _e_ their fruits display, Pendant from every graceful spray. My guests are joyous and serene, No haggard eye, no ruffled mien. BOOK III THE DECADE OF TUNG RUNG ~Celebrating a Hunting Expedition~ Our chariots were well-built and firm, Well-matched our steeds, and fleet and strong. Four, sleek and large, each chariot drew, And eastward thus we drove along. Our hunting cars were light and good, Each with its team of noble steeds. Still further east we took the way To Foo-mere's grassy plains that leads. Loud-voiced, the masters of the chase Arranged the huntsmen, high and low. While banners streamed, and ox-tails flew, We sought the prey on distant Gaou. Each with full team, the princes came, A lengthened train in bright array. In gold-wrought slippers, knee-caps red, They looked as on an audience day. Each right thumb wore the metal guard; On the left arm its shield was bound. In unison the arrows flew; The game lay piled upon the ground. The leaders of the tawny teams Sped on their course, direct and true. The drivers perfect skill displayed; Like blow well aimed each arrow flew. Neighing and pleased, the steeds returned; The bannered lines back slowly came. No jostling rude disgraced the crowd; The king declined large share of game. So did this famous hunt proceed! So free it was from clamorous sound! Well does our King become his place, And high the deeds his reign have crowned! ~The King's Anxiety for His Morning Levée~ How goes the night? For heavy morning sleep Ill suits the king who men would loyal keep. The courtyard, ruddy with the torch's light, Proclaims unspent the deepest hour of night. Already near the gate my lords appear; Their tinkling bells salute my wakeful ear. How goes the night? I may not slumber on. Although not yet the night is wholly gone, The paling torch-light in the court below Gives token that the hours swift-footed go. Already at the gate my lords appear; Their tinkling bells with measured sound draw near. How goes the night? I may not slumber now. The darkness smiles with morning on its brow. The courtyard torch no more gives forth its ray, But heralds with its smoke the coming day. My princes pass the gate, and gather there; I see their banners floating in the air. ~Moral Lessons from Natural Facts~ All true words fly, as from yon reedy marsh The crane rings o'er the wild its screaming harsh. Vainly you try reason in chains to keep;-- Freely it moves as fish sweeps through the deep. Hate follows love, as 'neath those sandal-trees The withered leaves the eager searcher sees. The hurtful ne'er without some good was born;-- The stones that mar the hill will grind the corn. All true words spread, as from the marsh's eye The crane's sonorous note ascends the sky. Goodness throughout the widest sphere abides, As fish round isle and through the ocean glides. And lesser good near greater you shall see, As grows the paper shrub 'neath sandal-tree. And good emerges from what man condemns;-- Those stones that mar the hill will polish gems. BOOK IV THE DECADE OF K'E-FOO ~On the Completion of a Royal Palace~ On yonder banks a palace, lo! upshoots, The tender blue of southern hill behind; Firm-founded, like the bamboo's clamping roots; Its roof made pine-like, to a point defined. Fraternal love here bears its precious fruits, And unfraternal schemes be ne'er designed! Ancestral sway is his. The walls they rear, Five thousand cubits long; and south and west The doors are placed. Here will the king appear, Here laugh, here talk, here sit him down and rest. To mould the walls, the frames they firmly tie; The toiling builders beat the earth and lime. The walls shall vermin, storm, and bird defy;-- Fit dwelling is it for his lordly prime. Grand is the hall the noble lord ascends;-- In height, like human form most reverent, grand; And straight, as flies the shaft when bow unbends; Its tints, like hues when pheasant's wings expand. High pillars rise the level court around; The pleasant light the open chamber steeps; And deep recesses, wide alcoves, are found, Where our good king in perfect quiet sleeps. Laid is the bamboo mat on rush mat square;-- Here shall he sleep, and, waking, say, "Divine What dreams are good? For bear and grizzly bear, And snakes and cobras, haunt this couch of mine. " Then shall the chief diviner glad reply, "The bears foreshow that Heaven will send you sons. The snakes and cobras daughters prophesy. These auguries are all auspicious ones. "Sons shall be his--on couches lulled to rest. The little ones, enrobed, with sceptres play; Their infant cries are loud as stern behest; Their knees the vermeil covers shall display. As king hereafter one shall be addressed; The rest, our princes, all the States shall sway. "And daughters also to him shall be born. They shall be placed upon the ground to sleep; Their playthings tiles, their dress the simplest worn; Their part alike from good and ill to keep, And ne'er their parents' hearts to cause to mourn; To cook the food, and spirit-malt to steep. " ~The Condition of King Seuen's Flocks~ Who dares to say your sheep are few? The flocks are all three hundred strong. Who dares despise your cattle too? There ninety, black-lipped, press along. Though horned the sheep, yet peaceful each appears; The cattle come with moist and flapping ears. These climb the heights, those drink the pool; Some lie at rest, while others roam. With rain-coats, and thin splint hats cool, And bearing food, your herdsmen come. In thirties, ranged by hues, the creatures stand; Fit victims they will yield at your command. Your herdsmen twigs and fagots bring, With prey of birds and beasts for food. Your sheep, untouched by evil thing, Approach, their health and vigor good. The herdsman's waving hand they all behold, And docile come, and pass into the fold. Your herdsmen dream;--fish take the place Of men; on banners falcons fly, Displacing snakes and tortoises. The augur tells his prophecy:-- "The first betoken plenteous years; the change Of banners shows of homes a widening range. " BOOK V THE DECADE OF SEAOU MIN ~A Eunuch Complains of His Fate~ A few fine lines, at random drawn, Like the shell-pattern wrought in lawn To hasty glance will seem. My trivial faults base slander's slime Distorted into foulest crime, And men me worthless deem. A few small points, pricked down on wood, May be made out a picture good Of the bright Southern Sieve. Who planned, and helped those slanderers vile, My name with base lies to defile? Unpitied, here I grieve. With babbling tongues you go about, And only scheme how to make out The lies you scatter round. Hear me--Be careful what you say; People ere long your words will weigh, And liars you'll be found. Clever you are with changeful schemes! How else could all your evil dreams And slanders work their way? Men now believe you; by and by, The truth found out, each vicious lie Will ill for ill repay. The proud rejoice; the sufferer weeps. O azure Heaven, from out thy deeps Why look in silence down? Behold those proud men and rebuke; With pity on the sufferers look, And on the evil frown. Those slanderers I would gladly take, With all who help their schemes to make, And to the tigers throw. If wolves and tigers such should spare, Td hurl them 'midst the freezing air, Where the keen north winds blow. And should the North compassion feel I'd fling them to great Heaven, to deal On them its direst woe. As on the sacred heights you dwell, My place is in the willow dell, One is the other near. Before you, officers, I spread These lines by me, poor eunuch, made. Think not Mang-tsze severe. ~An Officer Deplores the Misery of the Time~ In the fourth month summer shines; In the sixth the heat declines. Nature thus grants men relief; Tyranny gives only grief. Were not my forefathers men? Can my suffering 'scape their ken? In the cold of autumn days Each plant shrivels and decays. Nature then is hard and stern; Living things sad lessons learn. Friends dispersed, all order gone, Place of refuge have I none. Winter days are wild and fierce; Rapid gusts each crevice pierce. Such is my unhappy lot, Unbefriended and forgot! Others all can happy be; I from misery ne'er am free. On the mountains are fine trees; Chestnuts, plum-trees, there one sees. All the year their forms they show; Stately more and more they grow. Noble turned to ravening thief! What the cause? This stirs my grief. Waters from that spring appear Sometimes foul, and sometimes clear, Changing oft as falls the rain, Or the sky grows bright again. New misfortunes every day Still befall me, misery's prey. Aid from mighty streams obtained, Southern States are shaped and drained. Thus the Keang and Han are thanked, And as benefactors ranked. Weary toil my vigor drains; All unnoticed it remains! Hawks and eagles mount the sky; Sturgeons in deep waters lie. Out of reach, they safely get, Arrow fear not, nor the net. Hiding-place for me there's none; Here I stay, and make my moan. Ferns upon the hills abound; _Ke_ and _e_ in marshy ground. Each can boast its proper place, Where it grows for use or grace. I can only sing the woe, Which, ill-starred, I undergo. ~On the Alienation of a Friend~ Gently and soft the east wind blows, And then there falls the pelting rain. When anxious fears pressed round you close, Then linked together were we twain. Now happy, and your mind at rest, You turn and cast me from your breast. Gently and soft the east wind blows, And then there comes the whirlwind wild. When anxious fears pressed round you close, Your bosom held me as a child. Now happy, and in peaceful state, You throw me off and quite forget. Gently and soft the east wind blows, Then round the rocky height it storms. Each plant its leaves all dying shows; The trees display their withered forms. My virtues great forgotten all, You keep in mind my faults, though small. BOOK VI THE DECADE OF PIH SHAN ~A Picture of Husbandry~ Various the toils which fields so large demand! We choose the seed; we take our tools in hand. In winter for our work we thus prepare; Then in the spring, bearing the sharpened 'share, We to the acres go that south incline, And to the earth the different seeds consign. Soon, straight and large, upward each plant aspires;-- All happens as our noble lord desires. The plants will ear; within their sheath confined, The grains will harden, and be good in kind. Nor darnel these, nor wolf's-tail grass infests; From core and leaf we pick the insect pests, And pick we those that eat the joints and roots:-- So do we guard from harm the growing fruits. May the great Spirit, whom each farmer names, Those insects take, and cast them to the flames! The clouds o'erspread the sky in masses dense, And gentle rain down to the earth dispense. First may the public fields the blessing get, And then with it our private fields we wet! Patches of unripe grain the reaper leaves; And here and there ungathered are the sheaves. Handfuls besides we drop upon the ground, And ears untouched in numbers lie around;-- These by the poor and widows shall be found. When wives and children to the toilers come, Bringing provisions from each separate home, Our lord of long descent shall oft appear; The Inspector also, glad the men to cheer. They too shall thank the Spirits of the air, With sacrifices pure for all their care; Now red, now black, the victims that they slay, As North or South the sacrifice they pay; While millet bright the altars always show;-- And we shall thus still greater blessings know. ~The Complaint of an Officer~ O Heaven above, before whose light Revealed is every deed and thought, To thee I cry. Hither on toilsome service brought, In this wild K'ew I watch time's flight, And sadly sigh. The second month had just begun, When from the east we took our way. Through summer hot We passed, and many a wintry day. Summer again its course has run. O bitter lot! There are my compeers, gay at court, While here the tears my face begrime. I'd fain return-- But there is that dread net for crime! The fear of it the wish cuts short. In vain I burn! Ere we the royal city left, The sun and moon renewed the year. We marched in hope. Now to its close this year is near. Return deferred, of hope bereft, All mourn and mope. My lonesome state haunts aye my breast, While duties grow, and cares increase, Too hard to bear. Toils that oppress me never cease; Not for a moment dare I rest, Nigh to despair. I think with fond regard of those, Who in their posts at court remain, My friends of old. Fain would I be with them again, But fierce reproof return would cause. This post I hold. When for the West I left my home, The sun and moon both mildly shone, Our hearts to cheer. We'd soon be back, our service done! Alas! affairs more urgent come, And fix us here. The year is hastening to expire. We gather now the southern-wood, The beans we reap;-- That for its fragrance, these for food. Such things that constant care require Me anxious keep. Thinking of friends still at their posts, I rise and pass the night outside, So vexed my mind. But soon what changes may betide? I here will stay, whate'er it costs, And be resigned. My honored friends, O do not deem Your rest which seems secure from ill Will ever last! Your duties quietly fulfil, And hold the upright in esteem, With friendship fast. So shall the Spirits hear your cry, You virtuous make, and good supply, In measure vast. My honored friends, O do not deem Repose that seems secure from ill Will lasting prove. Your duties quietly fulfil, And hold the upright in esteem, With earnest love. So shall the Spirits hear your prayer, And on you happiness confer, Your hopes above. BOOK VII DECADE OF SANG HOO ~The Rejoicings of a Bridegroom~ With axle creaking, all on fire I went, To fetch my young and lovely bride. No thirst or hunger pangs my bosom rent-- I only longed to have her by my side. I feast with her, whose virtue fame had told, Nor need we friends our rapture to behold. The long-tailed pheasants surest covert find, Amid the forest on the plain. Here from my virtuous bride, of noble mind, And person tall, I wisdom gain. I praise her while we feast, and to her say, "The love I bear you ne'er will know decay. "Poor we may be; spirits and viands fine My humble means will not afford. But what we have, we'll taste and not repine; From us will come no grumbling word. And though to you no virtue I can add, Yet we will sing and dance, in spirit glad. "I oft ascend that lofty ridge with toil, And hew large branches from the oaks; Then of their leafy glory them I spoil, And fagots form with vigorous strokes. Returning tired, your matchless grace I see, And my whole soul dissolves in ecstasy. "To the high hills I looked, and urged each steed; The great road next was smooth and plain. Up hill, o'er dale, I never slackened speed; Like lute-string sounded every rein. I knew, my journey ended, I should come To you, sweet bride, the comfort of my home. " ~Against Listening to Slanderers~ Like the blueflies buzzing round, And on the fences lighting, Are the sons of slander found, Who never cease their biting. O thou happy, courteous king, To the winds their slanders fling. Buzzing round the blueflies hear, About the jujubes flocking! So the slanderers appear, Whose calumnies are shocking. By no law or order bound, All the kingdom they confound. How they buzz, those odious flies, Upon the hazels clust'ring! And as odious are the lies Of those slanderers blust'ring. Hatred stirred between us two Shows the evil they can do. BOOK VIII THE DECADE OF TOO JIN SZE ~In Praise of By-gone Simplicity~ In the old capital they stood, With yellow fox-furs plain, Their manners all correct and good, Speech free from vulgar stain. Could we go back to Chow's old days, All would look up to them with praise. In the old capital they wore _T'ae_ hats and black caps small; And ladies, who famed surnames bore, Their own thick hair let fall. Such simple ways are seen no more, And the changed manners I deplore. Ear-rings, made of plainest gold, In the old days were worn. Each lady of a noble line A Yin or Keih seemed born. Such officers and ladies now I see not and my sorrows grow. With graceful sweep their girdles fell, Then in the days of old. The ladies' side-hair, with a swell, Like scorpion's tail, rose bold. Such, if I saw them in these days, I'd follow with admiring gaze. So hung their girdles, not for show;-- To their own length 'twas due. 'Twas not by art their hair curled so;-- By nature so it grew. I seek such manners now in vain, And pine for them with longing pain. [NOTE. --Yin and Keih were clan names of great families, the ladiesof which would be leaders of fashion in the capital. ] ~A Wife Bemoans Her Husband's Absence~ So full am I of anxious thought, Though all the morn king-grass I've sought, To fill my arms I fail. Like wisp all-tangled is my hair! To wash it let me home repair. My lord soon may I hail! Though 'mong the indigo I've wrought The morning long; through anxious thought My skirt's filled but in part. Within five days he was to appear; The sixth has come and he's not here. Oh! how this racks my heart! When here we dwelt in union sweet, If the hunt called his eager feet, His bow I cased for him. Or if to fish he went away, And would be absent all the day, His line I put in trim. What in his angling did he catch? Well worth the time it was to watch How bream and tench he took. Men thronged upon the banks and gazed; At bream and tench they looked amazed, The triumphs of his hook. ~The Earl of Shaou's Work~ As the young millet, by the genial rain Enriched, shoots up luxuriant and tall, So, when we southward marched with toil and pain, The Earl of Shaou cheered and inspired us all. We pushed our barrows, and our burdens bore; We drove our wagons, and our oxen led. "The work once done, our labor there is o'er, And home we travel, " to ourselves we said. Close kept our footmen round the chariot track; Our eager host in close battalions sped. "When once our work is done, then we go back, Our labor over, " to themselves they said. Hard was the work we had at Seay to do, But Shaou's great earl the city soon upreared. The host its service gave with ardor true;-- Such power in all the earl's commands appeared! We did on plains and low lands what was meet; We cleared the springs and streams, the land to drain. The Earl of Shaou announced his work complete, And the King's heart reposed, at rest again. ~The Plaint of King Yew's Forsaken Wife~ The fibres of the white-flowered rush Are with the white grass bound. So do the two together go, In closest union found. And thus should man and wife abide, The twain combined in one; But this bad man sends me away, And bids me dwell alone. Both rush and grass from the bright clouds The genial dew partake. Kind and impartial, nature's laws No odious difference make. But providence appears unkind; Events are often hard. This man, to principle untrue, Denies me his regard. Northward the pools their waters send, To flood each paddy field; So get the fields the sap they need, Their store of rice to yield. But that great man no deed of grace Deigns to bestow on me. My songs are sighs. At thought of him My heart aches wearily. The mulberry branches they collect, And use their food to cook; But I must use a furnace small, That pot nor pan will brook. So me that great man badly treats, Nor uses as his wife, Degrades me from my proper place, And fills with grief my life. The bells and drums inside the court Men stand without and hear; So should the feelings in my breast, To him distinct appear. All-sorrowful, I think of him, Longing to move his love; But he vouchsafes no kind response; His thoughts far from me rove. The marabow stands on the dam, And to repletion feeds; The crane deep in the forest cries, Nor finds the food it needs. So in my room the concubine By the great man is placed; While I with cruel banishment Am cast out and disgraced. The yellow ducks sit on the dam, With left wing gathered low; So on each other do they lean, And their attachment show. And love should thus the man and wife In closest concord bind; But that man turns away from me, And shows a fickle mind. When one stands on a slab of stone, No higher than the ground, Nothing is added to his height;-- Low with the stone he's found. So does the favorite's mean estate Render that great man mean, While I by him, to distance sent, Am pierced with sorrow keen. ~Hospitality~ A few gourd leaves that waved about Cut down and boiled;--the feast how spare! But the good host his spirits takes, Pours out a cup, and proves them rare. A single rabbit on the mat, Or baked, or roast:--how small the feast! But the good host his spirits takes, And fills the cup of every guest. A single rabbit on the mat, Roasted or broiled:--how poor the meal! But the guests from the spirit vase Fill their host's cup, and drink his weal. A single rabbit on the mat, Roasted or baked:--no feast we think! But from the spirit vase they take, Both host and guests, and joyous drink. ~On the Misery of Soldiers~ Yellow now is all the grass; All the days in marching pass. On the move is every man; Hard work, far and near, they plan. Black is every plant become; Every man is torn from home. Kept on foot, our state is sad;-- As if we no feelings had! Not rhinoceroses we! Tigers do we care to be? Fields like these so desolate Are to us a hateful fate. Long-tailed foxes pleased may hide 'Mong the grass, where they abide. We, in box carts slowly borne, On the great roads plod and mourn. PART III. --GREATER ODES OF THE KINGDOM BOOK I DECADE OF KING WAN ~Celebrating King Wan~ The royal Wan now rests on high, Enshrined in brightness of the sky. Chow as a state had long been known, And Heaven's decree at last was shown. Its lords had borne a glorious name; God kinged them when the season came. King Wan ruled well when earth he trod; Now moves his spirit near to God. A strong-willed, earnest king was Wan, And still his fame rolls widening on. The gifts that God bestowed on Chow Belong to Wan's descendants now. Heaven blesses still with gifts divine The hundred scions of his line; And all the officers of Chow From age to age more lustrous grow. More lustrous still from age to age, All reverent plans their zeal engage; And brilliant statesmen owe their birth To this much-favored spot of earth. They spring like products of the land-- The men by whom the realm doth stand. Such aid their numerous bands supply, That Wan rests tranquilly on high. Deep were Wan's thoughts, sustained his ways; His reverence lit its trembling rays. Resistless came great Heaven's decree; The sons of Shang must bend the knee;-- The sons of Shang, each one a king, In numbers beyond numbering. Yet as God spoke, so must it be:-- The sons of Shang all bent the knee. Now each to Chow his homage pays-- So dark and changing are Heaven's ways. When we pour our libations here, The officers of Shang appear, Quick and alert to give their aid:-- Such is the service by them paid, While still they do not cast aside The cap and broidered axe--their pride. Ye servants of our line of kings, Remember him from whom it springs. Remember him from whom it springs;-- Let this give to your virtue wings. Seek harmony with Heaven's great mind;-- So shall you surest blessing find. Ere Shang had lost the nation's heart, Its monarchs all with God had part In sacrifice. From them you see 'Tis hard to keep high Heaven's decree. 'Tis hard to keep high Heaven's decree! O sin not, or you cease to be. To add true lustre to your name, See Shang expire in Heaven's dread flame. For Heaven's high dealings are profound, And far transcend all sense and sound. From Wan your pattern you must draw, And all the States will own your law. [Book II. Is omitted] BOOK III [*] DECADE OF TANG ~King Seuen on the Occasion of a Great Drought~ Grand shone the Milky Way on high, With brilliant span athwart the sky, Nor promise gave of rain. King Seuen long gazed; then from him broke, In anguished tones the words he spoke. Well might he thus complain! "O Heaven, what crimes have we to own, That death and ruin still come down? Relentless famine fills our graves. Pity the king who humbly craves! Our miseries never cease. To every Spirit I have vowed; The choicest victim's blood has flowed. As offerings I have freely paid My store of gems and purest jade. Hear me, and give release! "The drought consumes us. As on wing Its fervors fly, and torment bring. With purest mind and ceaseless care My sacrifices I prepare. At thine own border altars, Heaven, And in my father's fane, I've given What might relief have found. What Powers above, below, have sway, To all my precious gifts I pay, Then bury in the ground. Yes, every Spirit has received Due honor, and, still unrelieved, Our sufferings greater grow. How-tseih can't give the needed aid, And help from God is still delayed! The country lies a ruined waste. O would that I alone might taste This bitter cup of woe! "The drought consumes us. Nor do I To fix the blame on others try. I quake with dread; the risk I feel, As when I hear the thunders peal, Or fear its sudden crash. Our black-haired race, a remnant now, Will every one be swept from Chow, As by the lightning's flash. Nor I myself will live alone. God from his great and heavenly throne Will not spare even me. O friends and officers, come, blend Your prayers with mine; come, lowly bend. Chow's dynasty will pass away; Its altars at no distant day In ruins all shall be! "The drought consumes us. It keeps on Its fatal course. All hope is gone. The air more fierce and fiery glows. Where can I fly? Where seek repose? Death marks me for its prey. Above, no saving hand! Around, No hope, no comfort, can be found. The dukes and ministers of old Give us no help. Can ye withhold Your sympathy, who lately reigned? And parents, how are you restrained, In this so dreadful day? "The drought consumes us. There on high The hills are parched. The streams are dry. Drought's demon stalks abroad in ire, And scatters wide his flames and fire. Alas, my woful heart! The fires within its strength consume; The heat without creates a gloom That from it will not part. The dukes and ministers by-gone Respond not to my prayer and moan. God in great Heaven, permission give That I may in retirement live, And try to heal my smart! "The drought consumes us. Still I strive, And will not leave while I survive. Duty to shun I fear. Why upon me has come this drought? Vainly I try to search it out, Vainly, with quest severe. For a good harvest soon I prayed, Nor late the rites I duly paid, To Spirits of the air and land. There wanted nought they could demand, Their favor to secure. God in great heaven, be just, be kind! Thou dost not bear me in Thy mind. My cry, ye wisest Spirits, hear! Ye whom I constantly revere, Why do I this endure? "The drought consumes us. People fly, And leave their homes. Each social tie And bond of rule is snapt. The Heads of Boards are all perplexed; My premier's mind is sorely vexed; In trouble all are wrapt. The Masters of my Horse and Guards; My cook, and men of different wards:-- Not one has from the struggle shrunk. Though feeling weak, they have not sunk, But done their best to aid. To the great sky I look with pain;-- Why do these grievous sorrows rain On my devoted head? "Yes, at the mighty sky I gaze, And lo! the stars pursue their maze, And sparkle clear and bright. Ah! Heaven nor helps, nor seems to ken. Great officers and noble men, With all your powers ye well have striven, And reverently have sought from Heaven Its aid in our great fight. My death is near; but oh! keep on, And do as thus far you have done. Regard you only me? No, for yourselves and all your friends, On whom for rule the land depends, You seek security. I turn my gaze to the great sky;-- When shall this drought be done, and I Quiet and restful be?" [NOTE *: Selections from Book II. Are omitted. --EDITOR. ] PART IV. --ODES OF THE TEMPLE AND ALTAR BOOK I SACRIFICIAL ODES OF CHOW ~Appropriate to a Sacrifice to King Wan~ My offerings here are given, A ram, a bull. Accept them, mighty Heaven, All-bountiful. Thy statutes, O great king, I keep, I love; So on the realm to bring Peace from above. From Wan comes blessing rich; Now on the right He owns those gifts to which Him I invite. Do I not night and day, Revere great Heaven, That thus its favor may To Chow be given? ~On Sacrificing to the Kings Woo, Ching, and K'ang~ The arm of Woo was full of might; None could his fire withstand; And Ching and K'ang stood forth to sight, As kinged by God's own hand. We err not when we call them sage. How grandly they maintained Their hold of all the heritage That Wan and Woo had gained! As here we worship, they descend, While bells and drums resound, And stones and lutes their music blend. With blessings we are crowned. The rites correctly we discharge; The feast we freely share. Those Sires Chow's glory will enlarge, And ever for it care. THE TRAVELS OF FÂ-HIEN [Translation by James Legge] TRANSLATOR'S INTRODUCTION Nothing of great importance is known about Fâ-hien in addition to whatmay be gathered from his own record of his travels. I have read theaccounts of him in the "Memoirs of Eminent Monks, " compiled in A. D. 519, and a later work, the "Memoirs of Marvellous Monks, " by the thirdemperor of the Ming dynasty (A. D. 1403-1424), which, however, is nearlyall borrowed from the other; and all in them that has an appearance ofverisimilitude can be brought within brief compass. His surname, they tell us, was Kung, and he was a native of Wu-yang inP'ing-yang, which is still the name of a large department in Shan-hsî. He had three brothers older than himself; but when they all died beforeshedding their first teeth, his father devoted him to the service of theBuddhist society, and had him entered as a Srâmanera, still keeping himat home in the family. The little fellow fell dangerously ill, and thefather sent him to the monastery, where he soon got well and refused toreturn to his parents. When he was ten years old, his father died; and an uncle, consideringthe widowed solitariness and helplessness of the mother, urged him torenounce the monastic life, and return to her, but the boy replied, "Idid not quit the family in compliance with my father's wishes, butbecause I wished to be far from the dust and vulgar ways of life. Thisis why I choose monkhood. " The uncle approved of his words and gave overurging him. When his mother also died, it appeared how great had beenthe affection for her of his fine nature; but after her burial hereturned to the monastery. On one occasion he was cutting rice with a score or two of hisfellow-disciples, when some hungry thieves came upon them to take awaytheir grain by force. The other Srâmaneras all fled, but our young herostood his ground, and said to the thieves, "If you must have the grain, take what you please. But, sirs, it was your former neglect of charitywhich brought you to your present state of destitution; and now, again, you wish to rob others. I am afraid that in the coming ages you willhave still greater poverty and distress; I am sorry for you beforehand. "With these words he followed his companions to the monastery, while thethieves left the grain and went away, all the monks, of whom there wereseveral hundred, doing homage to his conduct and courage. When he had finished his novitiate and taken on him the obligations ofthe full Buddhist orders, his earnest courage, clear intelligence, andstrict regulation of his demeanor, were conspicuous; and soon after, heundertook his journey to India in search of complete copies of theVinaya-pitaka. What follows this is merely an account of his travels inIndia and return to China by sea, condensed from his own narrative, withthe addition of some marvellous incidents that happened to him, on hisvisit to the Vulture Peak near Râjagriha. It is said in the end that after his return to China, he went to thecapital (evidently Nanking), and there, along with the Indian SramanaBuddha-bhadra, executed translations of some of the works which he hadobtained in India; and that before he had done all that he wished to doin this way, he removed to King-chow (in the present Hoo-pih), and diedin the monastery of Sin, at the age of eighty-eight, to the great sorrowof all who knew him. It is added that there is another larger workgiving an account of his travels in various countries. Such is all the information given about our author, beyond what he hashimself told us. Fâ-hien was his clerical name, and means "Illustriousin the Law, " or "Illustrious master of the Law. " The Shih which oftenprecedes it is an abbreviation of the name of Buddha as Sâkyamuni, "theSâkya, mighty in Love, dwelling in Seclusion and Silence, " and may betaken as equivalent to Buddhist. He is sometimes said to have belongedto "the eastern Tsin dynasty" (A. D. 317-419), and sometimes to "theSung, " that is, the Sung dynasty of the House of Liû (A. D. 420-478). Ifhe became a full monk at the age of twenty, and went to India when hewas twenty-five, his long life may have been divided pretty equallybetween the two dynasties. If there were ever another and larger account of Fâ-hien's travels thanthe narrative of which a translation is now given, it has long ceased tobe in existence. In the catalogue of the imperial library of the Suy dynasty (A. D. 589-618), the name Fâ-hien occurs four times. Towards the end of thelast section of it, after a reference to his travels, his labors intranslation at Kin-ling (another name for Nanking), in conjunction withBuddha-bhadra, are described. In the second section we find "A Record ofBuddhistic Kingdoms"--with a note, saying that it was the work of "theSramana, Fâ-hien"; and again, we have "Narrative of Fâ-hien in twoBooks, " and "Narrative of Fâ-hien's Travels in one Book. " But all thesethree entries may possibly belong to different copies of the same work, the first and the other two being in separate subdivisions of thecatalogue. In the two Chinese copies of the narrative in my possession the title is"Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms. " In the Japanese or Corean recension thetitle is twofold; first, "Narrative of the Distinguished Monk, Fâ-hien";and then, more at large, "Incidents of Travels in India, by the Sramanaof the Eastern Tsîn, Fâ-hien, recorded by himself. " There is still earlier attestation of the existence of our little workthan the Suy catalogue. The "Catalogue Raisonné" of the imperial libraryof the present dynasty mentions two quotations from it by Le Tâo-yüen, ageographical writer of the dynasty of the Northern Wei (A. D. 386-584), one of them containing eighty-nine characters, and the other two hundredand seventy-six; both of them given as from the "Narrative of Fâ-hien. " In all catalogues subsequent to that of Suy our work appears. Theevidence for its authenticity and genuineness is all that could berequired. It is clear to myself that the "Record of Buddhistic Kingdoms"and the "Narrative of his Travels by Fâ-hien" were designations of oneand the same work, and that it is doubtful whether any larger work onthe same subject was ever current. With regard to the text subjoined tomy translation, it was published in Japan in 1779. The editor had beforehim four recensions of the narrative; those of the Sung and Mingdynasties, with appendices on the names of certain characters in them;that of Japan; and that of Corea. He wisely adopted the Corean text, published in accordance with a royal rescript in 1726, so far as I canmake out; but the different readings of the other texts are all given intop-notes, instead of foot-notes as with us, this being one of thepoints in which customs in the East and West go by contraries. Veryoccasionally, the editor indicates by a single character, equivalent to"right" or "wrong, " which reading in his opinion is to be preferred. The editors of the "Catalogue Raisonné" intimate their doubts of thegood taste and reliability of all Fâ-hien's statements. It offends themthat he should call central India the "Middle Kingdom, " and China, whichto them was the true and only Middle Kingdom, but "a Border-land"--itoffends them as the vaunting language of a Buddhist writer, whereas thereader will see in the expressions only an instance of what Fâ-hiencalls his "simple straightforwardness. " As an instance of his unreliability they refer to his account of theBuddhism of Khoten, whereas it is well-known, they say, that theKhoteners from ancient times till now have been Mohammedans;--as if theycould have been so one hundred and seventy years before Mohammed wasborn, and two hundred twenty-two years before the year of the Hegira!And this is criticism in China. The catalogue was ordered by theK'ien-lung emperor in 1722. Between three and four hundred of the "GreatScholars" of the empire were engaged on it in various departments, andthus egregiously ignorant did they show themselves of all beyond thelimits of their own country, and even of the literature of that countryitself. Much of what Fâ-hien tells his readers of Buddhist miracles and legendsis indeed unreliable and grotesque; but we have from him the truth as towhat he saw and heard. In concluding this introduction I wish to call attention to someestimates of the number of Buddhists in the world which have becomecurrent, believing, as I do, that the smallest of them is much abovewhat is correct. In a note on the first page of his work on the Bhilsa Topes (1854), General Cunningham says: "The Christians number about two hundred andseventy millions; the Buddhists about two hundred and twenty-twomillions, who are distributed as follows: China one hundred and seventymillions, Japan twenty-five millions, Anam fourteen millions, Siam threemillions, Ava eight millions, Nepál one million, and Ceylon onemillion. " In his article on M. J. Barthélemy Saint-Hilaire's "Le Bouddhaet sa Religion, " republished in his "Chips from a German workshop, " vol. I. (1868), Professor Max Müller says, "The young prince became thefounder of a religion which, after more than two thousand years, isstill professed by four hundred and fifty-five millions of humanbeings, " and he appends the following note: "Though truth is not settledby majorities, it would be interesting to know which religion counts atthe present moment the largest numbers of believers. Berghaus, in his'Physical Atlas, ' gives the following division of the human raceaccording to religion: 'Buddhists 31. 2 per cent. , Christians 30. 7, Mohammedans 15. 7, Brahmanists 13. 4, Heathens 8. 7, and Jews O. 3. ' AsBerghaus does not distinguish the Buddhists in China from the followersof Confucius and Laotse, the first place on the scale belongs really toChristianity. It is difficult in China to say to what religion a manbelongs, as the same person may profess two or three. The emperorhimself, after sacrificing according to the ritual of Confucius, visitsa Tao-tsé temple, and afterwards bows before an image of Fo in aBuddhist chapel. " ("Mélanges Asiatiques de St. Pétersbourg, " vol. Ii. P. 374. ) Both these estimates are exceeded by Dr. T. W. Rhys Davids (intimatingalso the uncertainty of the statements, and that numbers are no evidenceof truth) in the introduction to his "Manual of Buddhism. " The Buddhiststhere appear as amounting in all to five hundred millions:--thirtymillions of Southern Buddhists, in Ceylon, Burma, Siam, Anam, and India(Jains); and four hundred and seventy millions of Northern Buddhists, ofwhom nearly thirty-three millions are assigned to Japan, and 414, 686, 974to the eighteen provinces of China proper. According to him, Christiansamount to about 26 per cent, of mankind, Hindus to about 13, Mohammedansto about 12-1/2, Buddhists to about 40, and Jews to about one-half ofone per cent. In regard to all these estimates, it will be observed that the immensenumbers assigned to Buddhism are made out by the multitude of Chinesewith which it is credited. Subtract Cunningham's one hundred and seventymillions of Chinese from his total of two hundred and twenty-twomillions, and there remain only fifty-two millions of Buddhists. Subtract Davids's four hundred fourteen and one-half millions of Chinesefrom his total of five hundred millions, and there remain onlyeighty-five and one-half millions for Buddhism. Of the numbers assignedto other countries, as well as of their whole populations, I am inconsiderable doubt, excepting in the cases of Ceylon and India; but thegreatness of the estimates turns upon the immense multitudes said to bein China. I do not know what total population Cunningham allowed forthat country, nor on what principle he allotted one hundred and seventymillions of it to Buddhism; perhaps he halved his estimate of the whole, whereas Berghaus and Davids allotted to it the highest estimates thathave been given of the people. But we have no certain information of the population of China. At aninterview with the former Chinese ambassador, Kwo Sung-tâo, in Paris, in1878, I begged him to write out for me the amount, with the authorityfor it, and he assured me that it could not be done. I have readprobably almost everything that has been published on the subject, andendeavored by methods of my own to arrive at a satisfactoryconclusion;--without reaching a result which I can venture to lay beforethe public. My impression has been that four hundred millions is hardlyan exaggeration. But supposing that we had reliable returns of the whole population, howshall we proceed to apportion that among Confucianists, Tâoists, andBuddhists? Confucianism is the orthodoxy of China. The common name forit is Jû Chiâo, "the Doctrines held by the Learned Class, " entrance intothe circle of which is, with a few insignificant exceptions, open to allthe people. The mass of them and the masses under their influence arepreponderatingly Confucian; and in the observance of ancestral worship, the most remarkable feature of the religion proper of China from theearliest times, of which Confucius was not the author but the prophet, an overwhelming majority are regular and assiduous. Among "the strange principles" which the emperor of the K'ang-hsîperiod, in one of his famous Sixteen Precepts, exhorted his people to"discountenance and put away, in order to exalt the correct doctrine, "Buddhism and Tâoism were both included. If, as stated in the note quotedfrom Professor Müller, the emperor countenances both the Tâoist worshipand the Buddhist, he does so for reasons of state; to please especiallyhis Buddhistic subjects in Thibet and Mongolia, and not to offend themany whose superstitious fancies incline to Tâoism. When I went out and in as a missionary among the Chinese people forabout thirty years, it sometimes occurred to me that only the inmates oftheir monasteries and the recluses of both systems should be enumeratedas Buddhists and Taoists; but I was in the end constrained to widen thatjudgment, and to admit a considerable following of both among thepeople, who have neither received the tonsure nor assumed the yellowtop. Dr. Eitel, in concluding his discussion of this point in his"Lecture on Buddhism, an Event in History, " says: "It is not too much tosay that most Chinese are theoretically Confucianists, but emotionallyBuddhists or Taoists. But fairness requires us to add that, though themass of the people are more or less influenced by Buddhist doctrines, yet the people, as a whole, have no respect for the Buddhist church, andhabitually sneer at Buddhist priests. " For the "most" in the former ofthese two sentences I would substitute "nearly all;" and between myfriend's "but" and "emotionally" I would introduce "many are, " and wouldnot care to contest his conclusion further. It does seem to mepreposterous to credit Buddhism with the whole of the vast population ofChina, the great majority of whom are Confucianists. My own opinion isthat its adherents are not so many as those even of Mohammedanism, andthat instead of being the most numerous of the religions (so-called) ofthe world, it is only entitled to occupy the fifth place, ranking belowChristianity, Confucianism, Brahmanism, and Mohammedanism, and followed, some distance off, by Tâoism. To make a table of percentages of mankind, and to assign to each system its proportion, are to seem to be wisewhere we are deplorably ignorant; and, moreover, if our means ofinformation were much better than they are, our figures would merelyshow the outward adherence. A fractional percentage might tell more forone system than a very large integral one for another. JAMES LEGGE. THE TRAVELS OF FÂ-HIEN CHAPTER I ~From Ch'ang-gan to the Sandy Desert~ Fâ-Hien had been living in Ch'ang-gan. [1] Deploring the mutilated andimperfect state of the collection of the Books of Discipline, in thesecond year of the period Hwang-che, being the Ke-hâe year of the cycle, [2] he entered into an engagement with Hwuy-king, Tâo-ching, Hwuy-ying, and Hwuy-wei, that they should go to India and seek for the DisciplinaryRules. After starting from Ch'ang-gan, they passed through Lung, [3] and cameto the kingdom of K'een-kwei, [4] where they stopped for the summerretreat. When that was over, they went forward to the kingdom ofNow-t'an, crossed the mountain of Yang-low, and reached the emporium ofChang-yih. [5] There they found the country so much disturbed thattravelling on the roads was impossible for them. Its king, however, wasvery attentive to them, kept them in his capital, and acted the part oftheir dânapati. [6] Here they met with Che-yen, Hwuy-keen, Sang-shâo, Pâo-yun, andSang-king; and in pleasant association with them, as bound on the samejourney with themselves, they passed the summer retreat of that year [7]together, resuming after it their travelling, and going on toT'un-hwang, [8] the chief town in the frontier territory of defenceextending for about eighty li from east to west, and about forty fromnorth to south. Their company, increased as it had been, halted therefor some days more than a month, after which Fâ-hien and his fourfriends started first in the suite of an envoy, having separated for atime from Pâo-yun and his associates. Le Hâo, the prefect of Tun-hwang, had supplied them with the means ofcrossing the desert before them, in which there are many evil demons andhot winds. Travellers who encounter them perish all to a man. There isnot a bird to be seen in the air above, nor an animal on the groundbelow. Though you look all round most earnestly to find where you cancross, you know not where to make your choice, the only mark andindication being the dry bones of the dead left upon the sand. [Footnote 1: Ch'ang-gan is still the name of the principal district (andits city) in the department of Se-gan, Shen-se. It had been the capitalof the first empire of Han (B. C. 202 A. D. 24), as it subsequently wasthat of Suy (A. D. 589-618). ] [Footnote 2: The period Hwang-che embraced from A. D. 399 to 414, beingthe greater portion of the reign of Yâo Hing of the After Ts'in, apowerful prince. He adopted Hwang-che for the style of his reign in 399, and the cyclical name of that year was Kang-tsze. It is not possible atthis distance of time to explain, if it could be explained, how Fâ-hiencame to say that Ke-hâe was the second year of the period. It seems mostreasonable to suppose that he set out on his pilgrimage in A. D. 399, thecycle name of which was Ke-hâe. In the "Memoirs of Eminent Monks" it issaid that our author started in the third year of the period Lung-gan ofthe Eastern Ts'in, which was A. D. 399. ] [Footnote 3: Lung embraced the western part of Shen-se and the easternpart of Kan-suh. The name remains in Lung Chow, in the extreme west ofShen-se. ] [Footnote 4: K'een-kwei was the second king of "the Western Ts'in. "Fâ-hien would find him at his capital, somewhere in the presentdepartment of Lan-chow, Kan-suh. ] [Footnote 5: Chang-yih is still the name of a district in Kan-chowdepartment, Kan-suh. It is a long way north and west from Lan-chow, andnot far from the Great Wall. Its king at this time was, probably, Twan-yeh of "the northern Lëang. "] [Footnote 6: Dâna is the name for religious charity, the first of thesix pâramitâs, or means of attaining to nirvâna; and a dânapati is "onewho practises dâna and thereby crosses the sea of misery. "] [Footnote 7: This was the second summer since the pilgrims leftCh'ang-gan. We are now, therefore, probably, in A. D. 400. ] [Footnote 8: T'un-hwang is still the name of one of the two districtsconstituting the department of Gan-se, the most western of theprefectures of Kan-suh; beyond the termination of the Great Wall. ] CHAPTER II ~On to Shen-shen and thence to Khoten~ After travelling for seventeen days, a distance we may calculate ofabout 1500 li, the pilgrims reached the kingdom of Shen-shen, a countryrugged and hilly, with a thin and barren soil. The clothes of the commonpeople are coarse, and like those worn in our land of Han, [1] somewearing felt and others coarse serge or cloth of hair; this was the onlydifference seen among them. The king professed our Law, and there mightbe in the country more than four thousand monks, who were all studentsof the hînayâna. [2] The common people of this and other kingdoms inthat region, as well as the Sramans, [3] all practise the rules ofIndia, only that the latter do so more exactly, and the former moreloosely. So the travellers found it in all the kingdoms through whichthey went on their way from this to the west, only that each had its ownpeculiar barbarous speech. The monks, however, who had given up theworldly life and quitted their families, were all students of Indianbooks and the Indian language. Here they stayed for about a month, andthen proceeded on their journey, fifteen days' walking to the northwestbringing them to the country of Woo-e. In this also there were more thanfour thousand monks, all students of the hînayâna. They were very strictin their rules, so that Sramans from the territory of Ts'in were allunprepared for their regulations. Fâ-hien, through the management of FooKung-sun, _maître d'hotellerie_, was able to remain with his company inthe monastery where they were received for more than two months, andhere they were rejoined by Pâo-yun and his friends. At the end of thattime the people of Woo-e neglected the duties of propriety andrighteousness, and treated the strangers in so niggardly a manner thatChe-yen, Hwuy-keen, and Hwuy-wei went back towards Kâo-ch'ang, hoping toobtain there the means of continuing their journey. Fâ-hien and therest, however, through the liberality of Foo Kung-sun, managed to gostraight forward in a southwest direction. They found the countryuninhabited as they went along. The difficulties which they encounteredin crossing the streams and on their route, and the sufferings whichthey endured, were unparalleled in human experience, but in the courseof a month and five days they succeeded in reaching Yu-teen. [Footnote 1: This is the name which Fâ-hien always uses when he wouldspeak of China, his native country, as a whole, calling it from thegreat dynasty which had ruled it, first and last, for between four andfive centuries. Occasionally, as we shall immediately see, he speaks of"the territory of Ts'in or Ch'in, " but intending thereby only thekingdom of Ts'in, having its capital in Ch'ang-gan. ] [Footnote 2: Meaning the "small vehicle, or conveyance. " There are inBuddhism the triyâna, or "three different means of salvation, i. E. Ofconveyance across the samsâra, or sea of transmigration, to the shoresof nirvâna. Afterwards the term was used to designate the differentphases of development through which the Buddhist dogma passed, known asthe mahâyâna, hînayâna, and madhyamayâna. " "The hînayâna is the simplestvehicle of salvation, corresponding to the first of the three degrees ofsaintship. " E. H. , pp. 151-2, 45, and 117. ] [Footnote 3: "Sraman" may in English take the place of Sramana, the namefor Buddhist monks, as those who have separated themselves from (left)their families, and quieted their hearts from all intrusion of desireand lust. ] CHAPTER III ~Khoten--Processions of Images~ Yu-Teen is a pleasant and prosperous kingdom, with a numerous andflourishing population. The inhabitants all profess our Law, and jointogether in its religious music for their enjoyment. The monks amount toseveral myriads, most of whom are students of the mahâyâna. [1] They allreceive their food from the common store. Throughout the country thehouses of the people stand apart like separate stars, and each familyhas a small tope [2] reared in front of its door. The smallest of thesemay be twenty cubits high, or rather more. They make in the monasteriesrooms for monks from all quarters, the use of which is given totravelling monks who may arrive, and who are provided with whatever elsethey require. The lord of the country lodged Fâ-hien and the others comfortably, andsupplied their wants, in a monastery called Gomati, of the mahâyânaschool. Attached to it there are three thousand monks, who are called totheir meals by the sound of a bell. When they enter the refectory, theirdemeanor is marked by a reverent gravity, and they take their seats inregular order, all maintaining a perfect silence. No sound is heard fromtheir alms-bowls and other utensils. When any of these pure men requirefood, they are not allowed to call out to the attendants for it, butonly make signs with their hands. Hwuy-king, Tâo-ching, and Hwuy-tah set out in advance towards thecountry of K'eeh-ch'â; but Fâ-hien and the others, wishing to see theprocession of images, remained behind for three months. There are inthis country four great monasteries, not counting the smaller ones. Beginning on the first day of the fourth month, they sweep and water thestreets inside the city, making a grand display in the lanes and byways. Over the city gate they pitch a large tent, grandly adorned in allpossible ways, in which the king and queen, with their ladiesbrilliantly arrayed, take up their residence for the time. The monks of the Gomati monastery, being mahâyâna students, and held ingreatest reverence by the king, took precedence of all the others in theprocession. At a distance of three or four li from the city, they made afour-wheeled image car, more than thirty cubits high, which looked likethe great hall of a monastery moving along. The seven precioussubstances [3] were grandly displayed about it, with silken streamersand canopies hanging all around. The chief image stood in the middle ofthe car, with two Bodhisattvas [4] in attendance on it, while devas weremade to follow in waiting, all brilliantly carved in gold and silver, and hanging in the air. When the car was a hundred paces from the gate, the king put off his crown of state, changed his dress for a fresh suit, and with bare feet, carrying in his hands flowers and incense, and withtwo rows of attending followers, went out at the gate to meet the image;and, with his head and face bowed to the ground, he did homage at itsfeet, and then scattered the flowers and burnt the incense. When theimage was entering the gate, the queen and the brilliant ladies with herin the gallery above scattered far and wide all kinds of flowers, whichfloated about and fell promiscuously to the ground. In this wayeverything was done to promote the dignity of the occasion. Thecarriages of the monasteries were all different, and each one had itsown day for the procession. The ceremony began on the first day of thefourth month, and ended on the fourteenth, after which the king andqueen returned to the palace. Seven or eight li to the west of the city there is what is called theKing's new monastery, the building of which took eighty years, andextended over three reigns. It may be two hundred and fifty cubits inheight, rich in elegant carving and inlaid work, covered above with goldand silver, and finished throughout with a combination of all theprecious substances. Behind the tope there has been built a Hall ofBuddha, of the utmost magnificence and beauty, the beams, pillars, venetianed doors and windows, being all overlaid with gold-leaf. Besidesthis, the apartments for the monks are imposingly and elegantlydecorated, beyond the power of words to express. Of whatever things ofhighest value and preciousness the kings in the six countries on theeast of the Ts'ung range of mountains are possessed, they contribute thegreater portion to this monastery, using but a small portion of themthemselves. [Footnote 1: Mahâyâna is a later form of the Buddhist doctrine, thesecond phase of its development corresponding to the state of aBodhisattva, who, being able to transport himself and all mankind tonirvâna, may be compared to a huge vehicle. ] [Footnote 2: A worshipping place, an altar, or temple. ] [Footnote 3: The Sapta-ratna, gold, silver, lapis lazuli, rock crystal, rubies, diamonds or emeralds, and agate. ] [Footnote 4: A Bodhisattva is one whose essence has become intelligence;a Being who will in some future birth as a man (not necessarily orusually the next) attain to Buddhahood. The name does not include thoseBuddhas who have not yet attained to parinirvâna. The symbol of thestate is an elephant fording a river. ] CHAPTER IV ~Through the Ts'ung Mountains to K'eech-ch'a~ When the processions of images in the fourth month were over, Sang-shâo, by himself alone, followed a Tartar who was an earnest follower of theLaw, and proceeded towards Ko-phene. Fâ-hien and the others went forwardto the kingdom of Tsze-hoh, which it took them twenty-five days toreach. Its king was a strenuous follower of our Law, and had around himmore than a thousand monks, mostly students of the mahâyâna. Here thetravellers abode fifteen days, and then went south for four days, whenthey found themselves among the Ts'ung-ling mountains, and reached thecountry of Yu-hwuy, where they halted and kept their retreat. [1] Whenthis was over, they went on among the hills for twenty-five days, andgot to K'eeh-ch'a, there rejoining Hwuy-king and his two companions. [Footnote 1: This was the retreat already twice mentioned as kept by thepilgrims in the summer, the different phraseology, "quiet rest, " withoutany mention of the season, indicating their approach to India. Two, ifnot three, years had elapsed since they left Ch'ang-gan. Are we now withthem in 402?] CHAPTER V ~Great Quinquennial Assembly of Monks~ It happened that the king of the country was then holding the pañchaparishad; that is, in Chinese, the great quinquennial assembly. Whenthis is to be held, the king requests the presence of the Sramans fromall quarters of his kingdom. They come as if in clouds; and when theyare all assembled, their place of session is grandly decorated. Silkenstreamers and canopies are hung out in it, and water-lilies in gold andsilver are made and fixed up behind the places where the chief of themare to sit. When clean mats have been spread, and they are all seated, the king and his ministers present their offerings according to rule andlaw. The assembly takes place in the first, second, or third month, forthe most part in the spring. After the king has held the assembly, he further exhorts the ministersto make other and special offerings. The doing of this extends over one, two, three, five, or even seven days; and when all is finished, he takeshis own riding-horse, saddles, bridles, and waits on him himself, whilehe makes the noblest and most important minister of the kingdom mounthim. Then, taking fine white woollen cloth, all sorts of preciousthings, and articles which the Sramans require, he distributes themamong them, uttering vows at the same time along with all his ministers;and when this distribution has taken place, he again redeems whatever hewishes from the monks. The country, being among the hills and cold, does not produce the othercereals, and only the wheat gets ripe. After the monks have receivedtheir annual portion of this, the mornings suddenly show the hoar-frost, and on this account the king always begs the monks to make the wheatripen [1] before they receive their portion. There is in the country aspittoon which belonged to Buddha, made of stone, and in color like hisalms-bowl. There is also a tooth of Buddha, for which the people havereared a tope, connected with which there are more than a thousand monksand their disciples, all students of the hînayâna. To the east of thesehills the dress of the common people is of coarse materials, as in ourcountry of Ts'in, but here also there were among them the differences offine woollen cloth and of serge or haircloth. The rules observed by theSramans are remarkable, and too numerous to be mentioned in detail. Thecountry is in the midst of the Onion range. As you go forward from thesemountains, the plants, trees, and fruits are all different from those ofthe land of Han, excepting only the bamboo, pomegranate, and sugarcane. [Footnote 1: Watters calls attention to this as showing that the monksof K'eeh-ch'â had the credit of possessing weather-controlling powers. ] CHAPTER VI ~North India--Image of Maitreya Bodhisattva~ From this the travellers went westward towards North India, and afterbeing on the way for a month, they succeeded in getting across andthrough the range of the Onion mountains. The snow rests on them bothwinter and summer. There are also among them venomous dragons, which, when provoked, spit forth poisonous winds, and cause showers of snow andstorms of sand and gravel. Not one in ten thousand of those whoencounter these dangers escapes with his life. The people of the countrycall the range by the name of "The Snow mountains. " When the travellershad got through them, they were in North India, and immediately onentering its borders, found themselves in a small kingdom calledT'oleih, where also there were many monks, all students of the hînayâna. In this kingdom there was formerly an Arhan, [1] who by his supernaturalpower took a clever artificer up to the Tushita [2] heaven, to see theheight, complexion, and appearance of Maitreya Bodhisattva, [3] and thenreturn and make an image of him in wood. First and last, this was donethree times, and then the image was completed, eighty cubits in height, and eight cubits at the base from knee to knee of the crossed legs. Onfast-days it emits an effulgent light. The kings of the surroundingcountries vie with one another in presenting offerings to it. Here itis--to be seen now as of old. [Footnote 1: Lo-han, Arhat, Arahat are all designations of the perfectedÂrya, the disciple who has passed the different stages of the NoblePath, or eightfold excellent way, who has conquered all passions, and isnot to be reborn again. Arhatship implies possession of certainsupernatural powers, and is not to be succeeded by Buddhaship, butimplies the fact of the saint having already attained Nirvâna. ] [Footnote 2: Tushita is the fourth Devaloka, where all Bodhisattvas arereborn before finally appearing on earth as Buddha. Life lasts inTushita four thousand years, but twenty-four hours there are equal tofour hundred years on earth. ] [Footnote 3: Maitreya was a Bodhisattva, the principal one, indeed, ofSâkyamuni's retinue, but is not counted among the ordinary disciples, nor is anything told of his antecedents. It was in the Tushita heaventhat Sâkyamuni met him and appointed him as his successor, to appear asBuddha after the lapse of five thousand years. Maitreya is therefore theexpected Messiah of the Buddhists, residing at present in Tushita. ] CHAPTER VII ~The Perilous Crossing of the Indus~ The travellers went on to the southwest for fifteen days at the foot ofthe mountains, and following the course of their range. The way wasdifficult and rugged, running along a bank exceedingly precipitous, which rose up there, a hill-like wall of rock, ten thousand cubits fromthe base. When one approached the edge of it, his eyes became unsteady;and if he wished to go forward in the same direction, there was no placeon which he could place his foot; and beneath were the waters of theriver called the Indus. In former times men had chiselled paths alongthe rocks, and distributed ladders on the face of them, to the numberaltogether of seven hundred, at the bottom of which there was asuspension bridge of ropes, by which the river was crossed, its banksbeing there eighty paces apart. The place and arrangements are to befound in the Records of the Nine Interpreters, but neither Chang K'een[1] nor Kan Ying [2] had reached the spot. The monks asked Fâ-hien if it could be known when the Law of Buddhafirst went to the east. He replied, "When I asked the people of thosecountries about it, they all said that it had been handed down by theirfathers from of old that, after the setting up of the image of MaitreyaBodhisattva, there were Sramans of India who crossed this river, carrying with them Sútras and Books of Discipline. Now the image was setup rather more than three hundred years after the Nirvâna of Buddha, which may be referred to the reign of king P'ing of the Chow dynasty. According to this account we may say that the diffusion of our greatdoctrines in the East began from the setting up of this image. If it hadnot been through that Maitreya, the great spiritual master who is to bethe successor of the Sâkya, who could have caused the 'Three PreciousOnes, ' [3] to be proclaimed so far, and the people of those border landsto know our Law? We know of a truth that the opening of the way for sucha mysterious propagation is not the work of man; and so the dream of theemperor Ming of Han had its proper cause. " [Footnote 1: Chang K'een, a minister of the emperor Woo of Han (B. C. 140-87), is celebrated as the first Chinese who "pierced the void, " andpenetrated to "the regions of the west, " corresponding very much to thepresent Turkestan. Through him, by B. C. 115, a regular intercourse wasestablished between China and the thirty-six kingdoms or states of thatquarter. ] [Footnote 2: Less is known of Kan Ying than of Chang K'een. Being sentin A. D. 88 by his patron Pan Châo on an embassy to the Roman empire, heonly got as far as the Caspian sea, and returned to China. He extended, however, the knowledge of his countrymen with regard to the westernregions. ] [Footnote 3: "The precious Buddha, " "the precious Law, " and "theprecious Monkhood"; Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha; the whole beingequivalent to Buddhism. ] CHAPTER VIII ~Woo-chang, or Udyâna--Traces of Buddha~ After crossing the river, the travellers immediately came to the kingdomof Woo-chang, which is indeed a part of North India. The people all usethe language of Central India, "Central India" being what we should callthe "Middle Kingdom. " The food and clothes of the common people are thesame as in that Central Kingdom. The Law of Buddha is very flourishingin Woo-chang. They call the places where the monks stay for a time orreside permanently Sanghârâmas; and of these there are in all fivehundred, the monks being all students of the hînayâna. When strangerbhikshus [1] arrive at one of them, their wants are supplied for threedays, after which they are told to find a resting-place for themselves. There is a tradition that when Buddha came to North India, he came atonce to this country, and that here he left a print of his foot, whichis long or short according to the ideas of the beholder on the subject. It exists, and the same thing is true about it, at the present day. Herealso are still to be seen the rock on which he dried his clothes, andthe place where he converted the wicked dragon. The rock is fourteencubits high, and more than twenty broad, with one side of it smooth. Hwuy-king, Hwuy-tah, and Tâo-ching went on ahead towards the place ofBuddha's shadow in the country of Nâgara; but Fâ-hien and the othersremained in Woo-chang, and kept the summer retreat. That over, theydescended south, and arrived in the country of Soo-ho-to. [Footnote 1: Bhikshu is the name for a monk as "living by alms, " amendicant. All bhikshus call themselves Sramans. Sometimes the two namesare used together by our author. ] CHAPTER IX ~Soo-ho-to--Legends of Buddha~ In that country also Buddhism is flourishing. There is in it the placewhere Sakra, [1] Ruler of Devas, in a former age, tried the Bodhisattva, by producing a hawk in pursuit of a dove, when the Bodhisattva cut off apiece of his own flesh, and with it ransomed the dove. After Buddha hadattained to perfect wisdom, and in travelling about with his disciplesarrived at this spot, he informed them that this was the place where heransomed the dove with a piece of his own flesh. In this way the peopleof the country became aware of the fact, and on the spot reared a tope, adorned with layers of gold and silver plates. [Footnote 1: Sakra is a common name for the Brahmanic Indra, adopted byBuddhism into the circle of its own great adherents;--it has been said, "because of his popularity. " He is now the representative of the secularpower, the valiant protector of the Buddhist body, but is looked upon asinferior to Sâkyamuni, and every Buddhist saint. ] CHAPTER X ~Gandhâra--Legends of Buddha~ The travellers, going downwards from this towards the east, in five dayscame to the country of Gandhâra, the place where Dharma-vivardhana, theson of Asoka, [1] ruled. When Buddha was a Bodhisattva, he gave his eyesalso for another man here; and at the spot they have also reared a largetope, adorned with layers of gold and silver plates. The people of thecountry were mostly students of the hînayâna. [Footnote 1: Asoka is here mentioned for the first time--the Constantineof the Buddhist society, and famous for the number of vihâras and topeswhich he erected. He was the grandson of Chandragupta, a rudeadventurer, who at one time was a refugee in the camp of Alexander theGreat; and within about twenty years afterwards drove the Greeks out ofIndia, having defeated Seleucus, the Greek ruler of the Indus provinces. His grandson was converted to Buddhism by the bold and patient demeanorof an Arhat whom he had ordered to be buried alive, and became a mostzealous supporter of the new faith. ] CHAPTER XI ~Takshasilâ--Legends--The Four Great Topes~ Seven days' journey from this to the east brought the travellers to thekingdom of Takshasilâ, which means "the severed head" in the language ofChina. Here, when Buddha was a Bodhisattva, he gave away his head to aman; and from this circumstance the kingdom got its name. Going on further for two days to the east, they came to the place wherethe Bodhisattva threw down his body to feed a starving tigress. In thesetwo places also large topes have been built, both adorned with layers ofall the precious substances. The kings, ministers, and peoples of thekingdoms around vie with one another in making offerings at them. Thetrains of those who come to scatter flowers and light lamps at themnever cease. The nations of those quarters call those and the other twomentioned before "the four great topes. " CHAPTER XII ~Buddha's Alms-bowl--Death of Hwuy-king~ Going southwards from Gândhâra, the travellers in four days arrived atthe kingdom of Purushapura. [1] Formerly, when Buddha was travelling inthis country with his disciples, he said to Ânanda, [2] "After mypari-nirvâna, [3] there will be a king named Kanishka, who shall on thisspot build a tope. " This Kanishka was afterwards born into the world; and once, when he hadgone forth to look about him, Sakra, Ruler of Devas, wishing to excitethe idea in his mind, assumed the appearance of a little herd-boy, andwas making a tope right in the way of the king, who asked what sort of athing he was making. The boy said, "I am making a tope for Buddha. " Theking said, "Very good;" and immediately, right over the boy's tope, heproceeded to rear another, which was more than four hundred cubits high, and adorned with layers of all the precious substances. Of all the topesand temples which the travellers saw in their journeyings, there was notone comparable to this in solemn beauty and majestic grandeur. There isa current saying that this is the finest tope in Jambudvîpa [4]. Whenthe king's tope was completed, the little tope of the boy came out fromits side on the south, rather more than three cubits in height. Buddha's alms-bowl is in this country. Formerly, a king of Yüeh-sheraised a large force and invaded this country, wishing to carry the bowlaway. Having subdued the kingdom, as he and his captains were sincerebelievers in the Law of Buddha, and wished to carry off the bowl, theyproceeded to present their offerings on a great scale. When they haddone so to the Three Precious Ones, he made a large elephant be grandlycaparisoned, and placed the bowl upon it. But the elephant knelt down onthe ground, and was unable to go forward. Again he caused a four-wheeledwagon to be prepared in which the bowl was put to be conveyed away. Eight elephants were then yoked to it, and dragged it with their unitedstrength; but neither were they able to go forward. The king knew thatthe time for an association between himself and the bowl had not yetarrived, and was sad and deeply ashamed of himself. Forthwith he built atope at the place and a monastery, and left a guard to watch the bowl, making all sorts of contributions. There may be there more than seven hundred monks. When it is nearmid-day, they bring out the bowl, and, along with the common people, make their various offerings to it, after which they take their mid-daymeal. In the evening, at the time of incense, they bring the bowl outagain. It may contain rather more than two pecks, and is of variouscolors, black predominating, with the seams that show its fourfoldcomposition distinctly marked. Its thickness is about the fifth of aninch, and it has a bright and glossy lustre. When poor people throw intoit a few flowers, it becomes immediately full, while some very richpeople, wishing to make offering of many flowers, might not stop tillthey had thrown in hundreds, thousands, and myriads of bushels, and yetwould not be able to fill it. [5] Pâo-yun and Sang-king here merely made their offerings to the alms-bowl, and then resolved to go back. Hwuy-king, Hwuy-tah, and Tâo-ching hadgone on before the rest to Nagâra, to make their offerings at the placesof Buddha's shadow, tooth, and the flat-bone of his skull. ThereHwuy-king fell ill, and Tâo-ching remained to look after him, whileHwuy-tah came alone to Purushapura, and saw the others, and then he withPâo-yun and Sang-king took their way back to the land of Ts'in. Hwuy-king came to his end in the monastery of Buddha's alms-bowl, and onthis Fâ-hien went forward alone towards the place of the flat-bone ofBuddha's skull. [6] [Footnote 1: The modern Peshâwur. ] [Footnote 2: A first cousin of Sâkyamuni, and born at the moment when heattained to Buddhaship. Under Buddha's teaching, Ânanda became an Arhat, and is famous for his strong and accurate memory; and he played animportant part at the first council for the formation of the Buddhistcanon. The friendship between Sâkyamuni and Ânanda was very close andtender; and it is impossible to read much of what the dying Buddha saidto him and of him, as related in the Mahâpari-nirvâna Sûtra, withoutbeing moved almost to tears. Ânanda is to reappear on earth as Buddha inanother Kalpa. ] [Footnote 3: On his attaining to nirvâna, Sâkyamuni became the Buddha, and had no longer to mourn his being within the circle oftransmigration, and could rejoice in an absolute freedom from passion, and a perfect purity. Still he continued to live on for forty-fiveyears, till he attained to pari-nirvâna, and had done with all the lifeof sense and society, and had no more exercise of thought. He died; butwhether he absolutely and entirely ceased to be, in any sense of theword being, it would be difficult to say. Probably he himself would notand could not have spoken definitely on the point. So far as our use oflanguage is concerned, apart from any assured faith in and hope ofimmortality, his pari-nirvâna was his death. ] [Footnote 4: Jambudvîpa is one of the four great continents of theuniverse, representing the inhabited world as fancied by the Buddhists, and so-called because it resembles in shape the leaves of the jambutree. ] [Footnote 5: Compare the narrative in Luke's Gospel, xxi. 1-4. ] [Footnote 6: This story of Hwuy-king's death differs from the accountgiven in chapter xiv. --EDITOR. ] CHAPTER XIII ~Festival of Buddha's Skull-bone~ Going west for sixteen yojanas, [1] he came to the city He-lo [2] in theborders of the country of Nagâra, where there is the flat-bone ofBuddha's skull, deposited in a vihâra [3] adorned all over withgold-leaf and the seven sacred substances. The king of the country, revering and honoring the bone, and anxious lest it should be stolenaway, has selected eight individuals, representing the great families inthe kingdom, and committed to each a seal, with which he should seal itsshrine and guard the relic. At early dawn these eight men come, andafter each has inspected his seal, they open the door. This done, theywash their hands with scented water and bring out the bone, which theyplace outside the vihâra, on a lofty platform, where it is supported ona round pedestal of the seven precious substances, and covered with abell of lapis lazuli, both adorned with rows of pearls. Its color is ofa yellowish white, and it forms an imperfect circle twelve inches round, curving upwards to the centre. Every day, after it has been broughtforth, the keepers of the vihâra ascend a high gallery, where they beatgreat drums, blow conches, and clash their copper cymbals. When the kinghears them, he goes to the vihâra, and makes his offerings of flowersand incense. When he has done this, he and his attendants in order, oneafter another, raise the bone, place it for a moment on the top of theirheads, and then depart, going out by the door on the west as they hadentered by that on the east. The king every morning makes his offeringsand performs his worship, and afterwards gives audience on the businessof his government. The chiefs of the Vaisyas [4] also make theirofferings before they attend to their family affairs. Every day it isso, and there is no remissness in the observance of the custom. When allof the offerings are over, they replace the bone in the vihâra, wherethere is a vimoksha tope, of the seven precious substances, and rathermore than five cubits high, sometimes open, sometimes shut, to containit. In front of the door of the vihâra, there are parties who everymorning sell flowers and incense, and those who wish to make offeringsbuy some of all kinds. The kings of various countries are alsoconstantly sending messengers with offerings. The vihâra stands in asquare of thirty paces, and though heaven should shake and earth berent, this place would not move. Going on, north from this, for a yojana, Fâ-hien arrived at the capitalof Nagâra, the place where the Bodhisattva once purchased with moneyfive stalks of flowers, as an offering to the Dipânkara Buddha. In themidst of the city there is also the tope of Buddha's tooth, whereofferings are made in the same way as to the flat-bone of his skull. A yojana to the northeast of the city brought him to the mouth of avalley, where there is Buddha's pewter staff; and a vihâra also has beenbuilt at which offerings are made. The staff is made of GosirshaChandana, and is quite sixteen or seventeen cubits long. It is containedin a wooden tube, and though a hundred or a thousand men were to try tolift it, they could not move it. Entering the mouth of the valley, and going west, he found Buddha'sSanghâli, [5] where also there is reared a vihâra, and offerings aremade. It is a custom of the country when there is a great drought, forthe people to collect in crowds, bring out the robe, pay worship to it, and make offerings, on which there is immediately a great rain from thesky. South of the city, half a yojana, there is a rock-cavern, in a greathill fronting the southwest; and here it was that Buddha left hisshadow. Looking at it from a distance of more than ten paces, you seemto see Buddha's real form, with his complexion of gold, and hischaracteristic marks in their nicety, clearly and brightly displayed. The nearer you approach, however, the fainter it becomes, as if it wereonly in your fancy. When the kings from the regions all around have sentskilful artists to take a copy, none of them have been able to do so. Among the people of the country there is a saying current that "thethousand Buddhas must all leave their shadows here. " Rather more than four hundred paces west from the shadow, when Buddhawas at the spot, he shaved off his hair and clipped his nails, andproceeded, along with his disciples, to build a tope seventy or eightycubits high, to be a model for all future topes; and it is stillexisting. By the side of it there is a monastery, with more than sevenhundred monks in it. At this place there are as many as a thousand topesof Arhans and Pratyeka Buddhas. [Footnote 1: Now in India, Fâ-hien used the Indian measure of distance;but it is not possible to determine exactly what its length then was. The estimates of it are very different, and vary from four and a half orfive miles to seven, and sometimes more. ] [Footnote 2: The present Hidda, west of Peshâwur, and five miles southof Jellalabad. ] [Footnote 3: "The vihara, " says Hardy, "is the residence of a recluse orpriest;" and so Davids--"the clean little hut where the mendicantlives. "] [Footnote 4: The Vaisyas, or the bourgeois caste of Hindu society, aredescribed here as "resident scholars. "] [Footnote 5: Or Sanghâti, the double or composite robe, part of a monk'sattire, reaching from the shoulders to the knees, and fastened round thewaist. ] CHAPTER XIV ~Crossing the Indus to the East~ Having stayed there till the third month of winter, Fâ-hien and the twoothers, proceeding southwards, crossed the Little Snowy mountains. Onthem the snow lies accumulated both winter and summer. On the north sideof the mountains, in the shade, they suddenly encountered a cold windwhich made them shiver and become unable to speak. Hwuy-king could notgo any farther. A white froth came from his mouth, and he said toFâ-hien, "I cannot live any longer. Do you immediately go away, that wedo not all die here"; and with these words he died. Fâ-hien stroked thecorpse, and cried out piteously, "Our original plan has failed; it isfate. What can we do?" He then again exerted himself, and they succeededin crossing to the south of the range, and arrived in the kingdom ofLo-e, [1] where there were nearly three thousand monks, students of boththe mahâyâna and hînayâna. Here they stayed for the summer retreat, [2]and when that was over, they went on to the south, and ten days' journeybrought them to the kingdom of Poh-nâ, where there are also more thanthree thousand monks, all students of the hînayâna. Proceeding from thisplace for three days, they again crossed the Indus, where the country oneach side was low and level. [Footnote 1: Lo-e, or Rohi, or Afghanistan; only a portion of it can beintended. ] [Footnote 2: We are now therefore in A. D. 404. ] CHAPTER XV ~Sympathy of Monks with the Pilgrims~ After they had crossed the river, there was a country named Pe-t'oo, where Buddhism was very flourishing, and the monks studied both themahâyâna and hînayâna. When they saw their fellow-disciples from Ts'inpassing along, they were moved with great pity and sympathy, andexpressed themselves thus: "How is it that these men from a border-landshould have learned to become monks, and come for the sake of ourdoctrines from such a distance in search of the Law of Buddha?" Theysupplied them with what they needed, and treated them in accordance withthe rules of the Law. CHAPTER XVI ~Condition and Customs of Central India~ From this place they travelled southeast, passing by a succession ofvery many monasteries, with a multitude of monks, who might be countedby myriads. After passing all these places, they came to a country namedMa-t'âou-lo. They still followed the course of the P'oo-na river, on thebanks of which, left and right, there were twenty monasteries, whichmight contain three thousand monks; and here the Law of Buddha was stillmore flourishing. Everywhere, from the Sandy Desert, in all thecountries of India, the kings had been firm believers in that Law. Whenthey make their offerings to a community of monks, they take off theirroyal caps, and along with their relatives and ministers, supply themwith food with their own hands. That done, the king has a carpet spreadfor himself on the ground, and sits down on it in front of thechairman;--they dare not presume to sit on couches in front of thecommunity. The laws and ways, according to which the kings presentedtheir offerings when Buddha was in the world, have been handed down tothe present day. All south from this is named the Middle Kingdom. In it the cold and heatare finely tempered, and there is neither hoarfrost nor snow. The peopleare numerous and happy; they have not to register their households, orattend to any magistrates and their rules; only those who cultivate theroyal land have to pay a portion of the gain from it. If they want to gothey go; if they want to stay on, they stay. The king governs withoutdecapitation or other corporal punishments. Criminals are simply fined, lightly or heavily, according to the circumstances of each case. Even incases of repeated attempts at wicked rebellion, they only have theirright hands cut off. The king's body-guards and attendants all havesalaries. Throughout the whole country the people do not kill any livingcreature, nor drink intoxicating liquor, nor eat onions or garlic. Theonly exception is that of the Chandâlas. That is the name for those whoare held to be wicked men, and live apart from others. When they enterthe gate of a city or a market-place, they strike a piece of wood tomake themselves known, so that men know and avoid them, and do not comeinto contact with them. In that country they do not keep pigs and fowls, and do not sell live cattle; in the markets there are no butchers' shopsand no dealers in intoxicating drink. In buying and selling commoditiesthey use cowries. Only the Chandâlas are fishermen and hunters, and sellflesh meat. After Buddha attained to pari-nirvâna the kings of the various countriesand the heads of the Vaisyas built vihâras for the priests, and endowedthem with fields, houses, gardens, and orchards, along with the residentpopulations and their cattle, the grants being engraved on plates ofmetal, so that afterwards they were handed down from king to king, without any one daring to annul them, and they remain even to thepresent time. The regular business of the monks is to perform acts of meritoriousvirtue, and to recite their Sûtras and sit wrapped in meditation. Whenstranger monks arrive at any monastery, the old residents meet andreceive them, carry for them their clothes and alms-bowl, give themwater to wash their feet, oil with which to anoint them, and the liquidfood permitted out of the regular hours. [1] When the stranger hasenjoyed a very brief rest, they further ask the number of years that hehas been a monk, after which he receives a sleeping apartment with itsappurtenances, according to his regular order, and everything is donefor him which the rules prescribe. Where a community of monks resides, they erect topes to Sâriputtra, [2]to Mahâ-maudgalyâyana, [3] and to Ânanda, and also topes in honor of theAbhidharma, [4] the Vinaya, [4] and the Sûtras. [4] A month after theannual season of rest, the families which are looking out for blessingstimulate one another to make offerings to the monks, and send round tothem the liquid food which may be taken out of the ordinary hours. Allthe monks come together in a great assembly, and preach the Law; afterwhich offerings are presented at the tope of Sâriputtra, with all kindsof flowers and incense. All through the night lamps are kept burning, and skilful musicians are employed to perform. When Sâriputtra was a great Brahman, he went to Buddha, and begged to bepermitted to quit his family and become a monk. The great Mugalan andthe great Kas'yapa also did the same. The bhikshunis [5] for the mostpart make their offerings at the tope of Ånanda, because it was he whorequested the World-honored one to allow females to quit their familiesand become nuns. The Srâmaneras [6] mostly make their offerings toRahula. [7] The professors of the Abhidharma make their offerings to it;those of the Vinaya to it. Every year there is one such offering, andeach class has its own day for it. Students of the mahâyâna presentofferings to the Prajña-pâramitâ, to Mañjus'ri, and to Kwan-she-yin. When the monks have done receiving their annual tribute from theharvests, the Heads of the Vaisyas and all the Brahmans bring clothesand such other articles as the monks require for use, and distributeamong them. The monks, having received them, also proceed to giveportions to one another. From the nirvâna of Buddha, the forms ofceremony, laws, and rules, practised by the sacred communities, havebeen handed down from one generation to another without interruption. From the place where the travellers crossed the Indus to South India, and on to the Southern Sea, a distance of forty or fifty thousand li, all is level plain. There are no large hills with streams among them;there are simply the waters of the rivers. [Footnote 1: No monk can eat solid food except between sunrise and noon, and total abstinence from intoxicating drinks is obligatory. Food eatenat any other part of the day is called vikâla, and forbidden; but aweary traveller might receive unseasonable refreshment, consisting ofhoney, butter, treacle, and sesamum oil. ] [Footnote 2: Sâriputtra was one of the principal disciples of Buddha, and indeed the most learned and ingenious of them all. ] [Footnote 3: Mugalan, the Singhalese name of this disciple, is morepronounceable. He also was one of the principal disciples, calledBuddha's "left-hand attendant. " He was distinguished for his power ofvision, and his magic powers. ] [Footnote 4: The different parts of the tripitaka. ] [Footnote 5: The bhikshunis are the female monks or nuns, subject to thesame rules as the bhikshus, and also to special ordinances ofrestraint. ] [Footnote 6: The Srâmaneras are the novices, male or female, who havevowed to observe the Shikshâpada, or ten commandments. ] [Footnote 7: The eldest son of Sâkyamuni by Yasodharâ. Converted toBuddhism, he followed his father as an attendant; and after Buddha'sdeath became the founder of a philosophical realistic school(vaibhâshika). He is now revered as the patron saint of all novices, andis to be reborn as the eldest son of every future Buddha. ] CHAPTER XVII ~Legend of the Trayastrimsas Heaven~ From this they proceeded southeast for eighteen yojanas, and foundthemselves in a kingdom called Sankâs'ya, at the place where Buddhacame down, after ascending to the Trayastrims'as heaven [1], and therepreaching for three months his Law for the benefit of his mother [2]. Buddha had gone up to this heaven by his supernatural power, withoutletting his disciples know; but seven days before the completion of thethree months he laid aside his invisibility, and Anuruddha [3], with hisheavenly eyes, saw the World-honored one, and immediately said to thehonored one, the great Mugalan, "Do you go and salute the World-honoredone, " Mugalan forthwith went, and with head and face did homage atBuddha's feet. They then saluted and questioned each other, and whenthis was over, Buddha said to Mugalan, "Seven days after this I will godown to Jambudvîpa"; and thereupon Mugalan returned. At this time thegreat kings of eight countries with their ministers and people, nothaving seen Buddha for a long time, were all thirstily looking up forhim, and had collected in clouds in this kingdom to wait for theWorld-honored one. Then the bhikshunî Utpala thought in her heart, "To-day the kings, withtheir ministers and people, will all be meeting and welcoming Buddha. Iam but a woman; how shall I succeed in being the first to see him?"Buddha immediately, by his spirit-like power, changed her into theappearance of a holy Chakravartti king, and she was the foremost of allin doing reverence to him. As Buddha descended from his position aloft in the Trayastrims'asheaven, when he was coming down, there were made to appear three flightsof precious steps. Buddha was on the middle flight, the steps of whichwere composed of the seven precious substances. The king of Brahma-loka[4] also made a flight of silver steps appear on the right side, wherehe was seen attending with a white chowry in his hand. Sakra, Ruler ofDevas, made a flight of steps of purple gold on the left side, where hewas seen attending and holding an umbrella of the seven precioussubstances. An innumerable multitude of the devas followed Buddha in hisdescent. When he was come down, the three flights all disappeared in theground, excepting seven steps, which continued to be visible. Afterwardsking As'oka, wishing to know where their ends rested, sent men to digand see. They went down to the yellow springs without reaching thebottom of the steps, and from this the king received an increase to hisreverence and faith, and built a vihâra over the steps, with a standingimage, sixteen cubits in height, right over the middle flight. Behindthe vihâra he erected a stone pillar, about fifty cubits high, with alion on the top of it. [5] Let into the pillar, on each of its foursides, there is an image of Buddha, inside and out shining andtransparent, and pure as it were of lapis lazuli. Some teachers ofanother doctrine once disputed with the S'ramanas about the right tothis as a place of residence, and the latter were having the worst ofthe argument, when they took an oath on both sides on the conditionthat, if the place did indeed belong to the S'ramanas, there should besome marvellous attestation of it. When these words had been spoken, thelion on the top gave a great roar, thus giving the proof; on which theiropponents were frightened, bowed to the decision, and withdrew. Through Buddha having for three months partaken of the food of heaven, his body emitted a heavenly fragrance, unlike that of an ordinary man. He went immediately and bathed; and afterwards, at the spot where he didso, a bathing-house was built, which is still existing. At the placewhere the bhikshuni Utpala was the first to do reverence to Buddha, atope has now been built. At the places where Buddha, when he was in the world, cut his hair andnails, topes are erected; and where the three Buddhas [6] that precededS'âkyamuni Buddha and he himself sat; where they walked, and whereimages of their persons were made. At all these places topes were made, and are still existing. At the place where S'akra, Ruler of the Devas, and the king of the Brahma-loka followed Buddha down from theTrayastrimsas heaven they have also raised a tope. At this place the monks and nuns may be a thousand, who all receivetheir food from the common store, and pursue their studies, some of themahayana and some of the hînayâna. Where they live, there is awhite-eared dragon, which acts the part of danapati to the community ofthese monks, causing abundant harvests in the country, and the enrichingrains to come in season, without the occurrence of any calamities, sothat the monks enjoy their repose and ease. In gratitude for itskindness, they have made for it a dragon-house, with a carpet for it tosit on, and appointed for it a diet of blessing, which they present forits nourishment. Every day they set apart three of their number to go toits house, and eat there. Whenever the summer retreat is ended, thedragon straightway changes its form, and appears as a small snake, withwhite spots at the side of its ears. As soon as the monks recognize it, they fill a copper vessel with cream, into which they put the creature, and then carry it round from the one who has the highest seat at theirtables to him who has the lowest, when it appears as if saluting them. When it has been taken round, immediately it disappears; and every yearit thus comes forth once. The country is very productive, and the peopleare prosperous, and happy beyond comparison. When people of othercountries come to it, they are exceedingly attentive to them all, andsupply them with what they need. Fifty yojanas northwest from the monastery there is another, called "TheGreat Heap. " Great Heap was the name of a wicked demon, who wasconverted by Buddha, and men subsequently at this place reared a vihâra. When it was being made over to an Arhat by pouring water on his hands, some drops fell on the ground. They are still on the spot, and howeverthey may be brushed away and removed, they continue to be visible, andcannot be made to disappear. At this place there is also a tope to Buddha, where a good spiritconstantly keeps all about it swept and watered, without any labor ofman being required. A king of corrupt views once said, "Since you areable to do this, I will lead a multitude of troops and reside there tillthe dirt and filth has increased and accumulated, and see whether youcan cleanse it away or not. " The spirit thereupon raised a great wind, which blew the filth away, and made the place pure. At this place there are many small topes, at which a man may keepcounting a whole day without being able to know their exact number. Ifhe be firmly bent on knowing it, he will place a man by the side of eachtope. When this is done, proceeding to count the number of the men, whether they be many or few, he will not get to know the number. [7] There is a monastery, containing perhaps six hundred or seven hundredmonks, in which there is a place where a Pratyeka Buddha used to takehis food. The nirvâna ground where he was burned after death is as largeas a carriage wheel; and while grass grows all around, on this spotthere is none. The ground also where he dried his clothes produces nograss, but the impression of them, where they lay on it, continues tothe present day. [Footnote 1: The heaven of Indra or Sâkya, meaning "the heaven ofthirty-three classes, " a name which has been explained both historicallyand mythologically. "The description of it, " says Eitel, "tallies in allrespects with the Svarga of Brahmanic mythology. It is situated betweenthe four peaks of the Meru, and consists of thirty-two cities of devas, eight on each of the four corners of the mountain. Indra's capital ofBellevue is in the centre. There he is enthroned, with a thousand headsand a thousand eyes, and four arms grasping the vajra, with his wife and119, 000 concubines. There he receives the monthly reports of the fourMahârâjas, concerning the progress of good and evil in the world, " etc. , etc. ] [Footnote 2: Buddha's mother, Mâyâ and Mahâ-mâyâ, died seven days afterhis birth. ] [Footnote 3: Anuruddha was a first cousin of Sâkyamuni, being the son ofhis uncle Amritodana. He is often mentioned in the account we have ofBuddha's last moments. His special gift was the "heavenly eye, " thefirst of the six "supernatural talents, " the faculty of comprehending inone instantaneous view, or by intuition, all beings in all worlds. ] [Footnote 4: This was Brahma, the first person of the BrahmanicalTrimurti, adopted by Buddhism, but placed in an inferior position, andsurpassed by every Buddhist saint who attains to bodhi. ] [Footnote 5: A note of Mr. Beal says on this:--"General Cunningham, whovisited the spot (1862), found a pillar, evidently of the age of Asoka, with a well-carved elephant on the top, which, however, was minus trunkand tail. He supposes this to be the pillar seen by Fâ-hien, who mistookthe top of it for a lion. It is possible such a mistake may have beenmade, as in the account of one of the pillars at Srâvasti, Fâ-hien saysan ox formed the capital, whilst Hsüan-chwang calls it an elephant. "] [Footnote 6: These three predecessors of Sakya-muni were the threeBuddhas of the present or Mahâ-bhadra Kalpa, of which he was the fourth, and Maitreya is to be the fifth and last. They were: (i) Kra-kuchanda, "he who readily solves all doubts"; a scion of the Kasyapa family. Humanlife reached in his time forty thousand years, and so many persons wereconverted by him. (2) Kanakamuni, "body radiant with the color of puregold"; of the same family. Human life reached in his time thirtythousand years, and so many persons were converted by him. (3) Kasyapa, "swallower of light. " Human life reached in his time twenty thousandyears, and so many persons were converted by him. ] [Footnote 7: This would seem to be absurd; but the writer evidentlyintended to convey the idea that there was something mysterious aboutthe number of the topes. ] CHAPTER XVIII ~Buddha's Subjects of Discourse~ Fâ-Hien stayed at the Dragon vihara till after the summer retreat, [1]and then, travelling to the southeast for seven yojanas, he arrived atthe city of Kanyakubja, lying along the Ganges. There are twomonasteries in it, the inmates of which are students of the hinayâna. Ata distance from the city of six or seven li, on the west, on thenorthern bank of the Ganges, is a place where Buddha preached the Law tohis disciples. It has been handed down that his subjects of discoursewere such as "The bitterness and vanity of life as impermanent anduncertain, " and that "The body is as a bubble or foam on the water. " Atthis spot a tope was erected, and still exists. Having crossed the Ganges, and gone south for three yojanas, thetravellers arrived at a village named A-le, containing places whereBuddha preached the Law, where he sat, and where he walked, at all ofwhich topes have been built. [Footnote 1: This was, probably, in A. D. 405. ] CHAPTER XIX ~Legend of Buddha's Danta-kâshtha~ Going on from this to the southeast for three yojanas, they came to thegreat kingdom of Shâ-che. As you go out of the city of Shâ-che by thesouthern gate, on the east of the road is the place where Buddha, afterhe had chewed his willow branch, stuck it in the ground, when itforthwith grew up seven cubits, at which height it remained, neitherincreasing nor diminishing. The Brahmans, with their contrary doctrines, became angry and jealous. Sometimes they cut the tree down, sometimesthey plucked it up, and cast it to a distance, but it grew again on thesame spot as at first. Here also is the place where the four Buddhaswalked and sat, and at which a tope was built that is still existing. CHAPTER XX ~The Jetavana Vihâra--Legends of Buddha~ Going on from this to the south, for eight yojanas, the travellers cameto the city of Sravasti in the kingdom of Kosala, in which theinhabitants were few and far between, amounting in all only to a fewmore than two hundred families; the city where king Prasenajit ruled, and the place of the old vihâra of Maha-prajâpati; [1] of the well andwalls of the house of the Vaisya head Sudatta; [2] and where theAngulimâlya [3] became an Arhat, and his body was afterwards burned onhis attaining to pari-nirvâna. At all these places topes weresubsequently erected, which are still existing in the city. TheBrahmans, with their contrary doctrine, became full of hatred and envyin their hearts, and wished to destroy them, but there came from theheavens such a storm of crashing thunder and flashing lightning thatthey were not able in the end to effect their purpose. As you go out from the city by the south gate, and one thousand twohundred paces from it, the Vais'ya head Sudatta built a vihâra, facingthe south; and when the door was open, on each side of it there was astone pillar, with the figure of a wheel on the top of that on the left, and the figure of an ox on the top of that on the right. On the left andright of the building the ponds of water clear and pure, the thickets oftrees always luxuriant, and the numerous flowers of various hues, constituted a lovely scene, the whole forming what is called theJetavana vihâra. When Buddha went up to the Trayastrimsas heaven, and preached the Lawfor the benefit of his mother, after he had been absent for ninety days, Prasenajit, longing to see him, caused an image of him to be carved inGosirsha Chandana wood, and put in the place where he usually sat. WhenBuddha, on his return entered the vihara, this image immediately leftits place, and came forth to meet him. Buddha said to it, "Return toyour seat. After I have attained to pari-nirvâna, you will serve as apattern to the four classes of my disciples, " [4] and on this the imagereturned to its seat. This was the very first of all the images ofBuddha, and that which men subsequently copied. Buddha then removed, anddwelt in a small vihara on the south side of the other, a differentplace from that containing the image, and twenty paces distant from it. The Jetavana vihâra was originally of seven stories. The kings andpeople of the countries around vied with one another in their offerings, hanging up about it silken streamers and canopies, scattering flowers, burning incense, and lighting lamps, so as to make the night as brightas the day. This they did day after day without ceasing. It happenedthat a rat, carrying in its mouth the wick of a lamp, set one of thestreamers or canopies on fire, which caught the vihâra, and the sevenstories were all consumed. The kings, with their officers and people, were all very sad and distressed, supposing that the sandalwood imagehad been burned; but lo! after four or five days, when the door of asmall vihâra on the east was opened, there was immediately seen theoriginal image. They were all greatly rejoiced, and cooperated inrestoring the vihâra. When they had succeeded in completing two stories, they removed the image back to its former place. When Fâ-hien and Tâo-ching first arrived at the Jetavana monastery, andthought how the World-honored one had formerly resided there fortwenty-five years, painful reflections arose in their minds. Born in aborder-land, along with their like-minded friends, they had travelledthrough so many kingdoms; some of those friends had returned to theirown land, and some had died, proving the impermanence and uncertainty oflife; and today they saw the place where Buddha had lived now unoccupiedby him. They were melancholy through their pain of heart, and the crowdof monks came out, and asked them from what kingdom they were come. "Weare come, " they replied, "from the land of Han. " "Strange, " said themonks with a sigh, "that men of a border country should be able to comehere in search of our Law!" Then they said to one another, "During allthe time that we, preceptors and monks, have succeeded to one another, we have never seen men of Han, followers of our system, arrive here. " Four li to the northwest of the vihâra there is a grove called "TheGetting of Eyes. " Formerly there were five hundred blind men, who livedhere in order that they might be near the vihâra. Buddha preached hisLaw to them, and they all got their eyesight. Full of joy, they stucktheir staves in the earth, and with their heads and faces on the ground, did reverence. The staves immediately began to grow, and they grew to begreat. People made much of them, and no one dared to cut them down, sothat they came to form a grove. It was in this way that it got its name, and most of the Jetavana monks, after they had taken their mid-day meal, went to the grove, and sat there in meditation. Six or seven li northeast from the Jetavana, mother Vaisakha builtanother vihâra, to which she invited Buddha and his monks, and which isstill existing. To each of the great residences for the monks at the Jetavana vihârathere were two gates, one facing the east and the other facing thenorth. The park containing the whole was the space of ground which theVaisaya head, Sudatta, purchased by covering it with gold coins. Thevihâra was exactly in the centre. Here Buddha lived for a longer timethan at any other place, preaching his Law and converting men. At theplaces where he walked and sat they also subsequently reared topes, eachhaving its particular name; and here was the place where Sundari [5]murdered a person and then falsely charged Buddha with the crime. Outside the east gate of the Jetavana, at a distance of seventy paces tothe north, on the west of the road, Buddha held a discussion with theadvocates of the ninety-six schemes of erroneous doctrine, when the kingand his great officers, the householders, and people were all assembledin crowds to hear it. Then a woman belonging to one of the erroneoussystems, by name Chañchamana, prompted by the envious hatred in herheart, and having put on extra clothes in front of her person, so as togive her the appearance of being with child, falsely accused Buddhabefore all the assembly of having acted unlawfully towards her. On this, Sakra, Ruler of Devas, changed himself and some devas into white mice, which bit through the strings about her waist; and when this was done, the extra clothes which she wore dropped down on the ground. The earthat the same time was rent, and she went down alive into hell. This alsois the place where Devadatta, trying with empoisoned claws to injureBuddha, went down alive into hell. Men subsequently set up marks todistinguish where both these events took place. Further, at the place where the discussion took place, they reared avihâra rather more than sixty cubits high, having in it an image ofBuddha in a sitting posture. On the east of the road there was adevâlaya [6] of one of the contrary systems, called "The ShadowCovered, " right opposite the vihâra on the place of discussion, withonly the road between them, and also rather more than sixty cubits high. The reason why it was called "The Shadow Covered" was this: When the sunwas in the west, the shadow of the vihâra of the World-honored one fellon the devâlaya of a contrary system; but when the sun was in the east, the shadow of that devâlaya was diverted to the north, and never fell onthe vihâra of Buddha. The malbelievers regularly employed men to watchtheir devâlaya, to sweep and water all about it, to burn incense, lightthe lamps, and present offerings; but in the morning the lamps werefound to have been suddenly removed, and in the vihâra of Buddha. TheBrahmans were indignant, and said, "Those Sramanas take our lamps anduse them for their own service of Buddha, but we will not stop ourservice for you!" [7] On that night the Brahmans themselves kept watch, when they saw the deva spirits which they served take the lamps and gothree times round the vihâra of Buddha and present offerings. After thisadministration to Buddha they suddenly disappeared. The Brahmansthereupon knowing how great was the spiritual power of Buddha, forthwithleft their families, and became monks. It has been handed down, that, near the time when these things occurred, around the Jetavana vihârathere were ninety-eight monasteries, in all of which there were monksresiding, excepting only in one place which was vacant. In this MiddleKingdom there are ninety-six sorts of views, erroneous and differentfrom our system, all of which recognize this world and the future worldand the connection between them. Each has its multitude of followers, and they all beg their food: only they do not carry the alms-bowl. Theyalso, moreover, seek to acquire the blessing of good deeds onunfrequented ways, setting up on the roadside houses of charity, whererooms, couches, beds, and food and drink are supplied to travellers, andalso to monks, coming and going as guests, the only difference being inthe time for which those parties remain. There are also companies of the followers of Devadatta still existing. They regularly make offerings to the three previous Buddhas, but not toSâkyamuni Buddha. Four li southeast from the city of Srâvastî, a tope has been erected atthe place where the World-honored one encountered king Virûdhaha, whenhe wished to attack the kingdom of Shay-e, and took his stand before himat the side of the road. [Footnote 1: Explained by "Path of Love, " and "Lord of Life. " Prajâpatiwas aunt and nurse of Sâkyamuni, the first woman admitted to themonkhood, and the first superior of the first Buddhistic convent. She isyet to become a Buddha. ] [Footnote 2: Sudatta, meaning "almsgiver, " was the original name ofAnâtha-pindika, a wealthy householder, or Vaisya head, of Srâvasti, famous for his liberality. Of his old house, only the well and wallsremained at the time of Fâ-hien's visit to Srâvasti. ] [Footnote 3: The Angulimâlya were a sect or set of Sivaitic fanatics, who made assassination a religious act. The one of them here mentionedhad joined them by the force of circumstances. Being converted byBuddha, he became a monk. ] [Footnote 4: Ârya, meaning "honorable, " "venerable, " is a title givenonly to those who have mastered the four spiritual truths:--(i) that"misery" is a necessary condition of all sentient existence; this isduhka: (ii) that the "accumulation" of misery is caused by the passions;this is samudaya: (iii) that the "extinction" of passion is possible;this is nirodha: and (iv) that the "path" leads to the extinction ofpassion; which is marga. According to their attainment of these truths, the Aryas, or followers of Buddha, are distinguished into fourclasses--Srotâpannas, Sakridâgamins, Anâgâmins, and Arhats. ] [Footnote 5: Hsüan-chwang does not give the name of this murderer; seein Julien's "Vie et Voyages de Hiouen-thsang "--"a heretical Brahmankilled a woman and calumniated Buddha. " See also the fuller account inBeal's "Records of Western Countries, " where the murder is committed byseveral Brahmacharins. In this passage Beal makes Sundari to be the nameof the murdered person. But the text cannot be so construed. ] [Footnote 6: A devâlaya is a place in which a deva is worshipped--ageneral name for all Brahmanical temples. ] [Footnote 7: Their speech was somewhat unconnected, but natural enoughin the circumstances. Compare the whole account with the narrative in 1Samuel v. About the Ark and Dagon, that "twice-battered god ofPalestine. "] CHAPTER XXI ~The Three Predecessors of Sâkyamuni~ Fifty li to the west of the city brings the traveller to a townnamed Too-wei, the birthplace of Kâsyapa Buddha. At theplace where he and his father met, and at that where he attainedto pari-nirvâna, topes were erected. Over the entire relicof the whole body of him, the Kâsyapa Tathâgata, a great topewas also erected. Going on southeast from the city of Srâvasti for twelve yojanas, the travellers came to a town named Na-pei-keâ, the birthplaceof Krakuchanda Buddha. At the place where he and his father met, and at that where he attained to pari-nirvâna, topes were erected. Going north from here less than a yojana, they came to a townwhich had been the birthplace of Kanakamuni Buddha. At the placewhere he and his father met, and where he attained to pari-nirvâna, topes were erected. CHAPTER XXII ~Legends of Buddha's Birth~ Less than a yojana to the east from this brought them to the city ofKapilavastu; but in it there was neither king nor people. All was moundand desolation. Of inhabitants there were only some monks and a score ortwo of families of the common people. At the spot where stood the oldpalace of king Suddhodana there have been made images of his eldest sonand his mother; and at the places where that son appeared mounted on awhite elephant when he entered his mother's womb, and where he turnedhis carriage round on seeing the sick man after he had gone out of thecity by the eastern gate, topes have been erected. The places were alsopointed out where the rishi Â-e inspected the marks of Buddhaship on thebody of the heir-apparent when an infant; where, when he was in companywith Nanda and others, on the elephant being struck down and drawn onone side, he tossed it away; [1] where he shot an arrow to thesoutheast, and it went a distance of thirty li, then entering the groundand making a spring to come forth, which men subsequently fashioned intoa well from which travellers might drink; where, after he had attainedto Wisdom, Buddha returned and saw the king, his father; where fivehundred Sâkyas quitted their families and did reverence to Upâli [2]while the earth shook and moved in six different ways; where Buddhapreached his Law to the devas, and the four deva kings and others keptthe four doors of the hall, so that even the king, his father, could notenter; where Buddha sat under a nyagrodha tree, which is still standing, with his face to the east, and his aunt Mahâ-prajâpati presented himwith a Sanghâli; and where king Vaidûrya slew the seed of Sâkya, andthey all in dying became Srotâpannas. [3] A tope was erected at thislast place, which is still existing. Several li northeast from the city was the king's field, where theheir-apparent sat under a tree, and looked at the ploughers. Fifty li east from the city was a garden, named Lumbinî, where the queenentered the pond and bathed. Having come forth from the pond on thenorthern bank, after walking twenty paces, she lifted up her hand, laidhold of a branch of a tree, and, with her face to the east, gave birthto the heir-apparent. When he fell to the ground, he immediately walkedseven paces. Two dragon-kings appeared and washed his body. At the placewhere they did so, there was immediately formed a well, and from it, aswell as from the above pond, where the queen bathed, the monks even nowconstantly take the water, and drink it. There are four places of regular and fixed occurrence in the history ofall Buddhas: first, the place where they attained to perfect Wisdom andbecame Buddha; second, the place where they turned the wheel of the Law;third, the place where they preached the Law, discoursed ofrighteousness, and discomfited the advocates of erroneous doctrines; andfourth, the place where they came down, after going up to theTrayastrimsas heaven to preach the Law for the benefit of theirmothers. Other places in connection with them became remarkable, according to the manifestations which were made at them at particulartimes. The country of Kapilavastu is a great scene of empty desolation. Theinhabitants are few and far between. On the roads people have to be ontheir guard against white elephants [4] and lions, and should not travelincautiously. [Footnote 1: The Lichchhavis of Vaisâlî had sent to the young prince avery fine elephant; but when it was near Kapilavastu, Deva-datta, out ofenvy, killed it with a blow of his fist. Nanda (not Ânanda, but ahalf-brother of Siddhartha), coming that way, saw the carcass lying onthe road, and pulled it on one side; but the Bodhisattva, seeing itthere, took it by the tail, and tossed it over seven fences and ditches, when the force of its fall made a great ditch. ] [Footnote 2: They did this, probably, to show their humility, for Upâliwas only a Sûdra by birth, and had been a barber; so from the first didBuddhism assert its superiority to the conditions of rank and caste. Upâli was distinguished by his knowledge of the rules of discipline, andpraised on that account by Buddha. He was one of the three leaders ofthe first synod, and the principal compiler of the original Vinayabooks. ] [Footnote 3: The Srotâpannas are the first class of saints, who are notto be reborn in a lower sphere, but attain to nirvàna after having beenreborn seven times consecutively as men or devas. The Chinese editionsstate there were one thousand of the Sãkya seed. The general account isthat they were five hundred, all maidens, who refused to take theirplace in king Vaidurya's harem, and were in consequence taken to a pond, and had their hands and feet cut off. There Buddha came to them, hadtheir wounds dressed, and preached to them the Law. They died in thefaith, and were reborn in the region of the four Great Kings. Thencethey came back and visited Buddha at Jetavana in the night, and therethey obtained the reward of Srotâpanna. ] [Footnote 4: Fâ-hien does not say that he himself saw any of these whiteelephants, nor does he speak of the lions as of any particular color. Weshall find by and by, in a note further on, that, to make them appearmore terrible, they are spoken of as "black. "] CHAPTER XXIII ~Legends of Râma and its Tope~ East from Buddha's birthplace, and at a distance of five yojanas, thereis a kingdom called Râma. The king of this country, having obtained oneportion of the relics of Buddha's body, returned with it and built overit a tope, named the Râma tope. By the side of it there was a pool, andin the pool a dragon, which constantly kept watch over the tope, andpresented offerings at it day and night. When king Asoka came forthinto the world, he wished to destroy the eight topes over the relics, and to build instead of them eighty-four thousand topes. [1] After hehad thrown down the seven others, he wished next to destroy this tope. But then the dragon showed itself, and took the king into its palace;when he had seen all the things provided for offerings, it said to him, "If you are able with your offerings to exceed these, you can destroythe tope, and take it all away. I will not contend with you. " The king, however, knew that such appliances for offerings were not to be hadanywhere in the world, and thereupon returned without carrying out hispurpose. Afterwards, the ground all about became overgrown with vegetation, andthere was nobody to sprinkle and sweep about the tope; but a herd ofelephants came regularly, which brought water with their trunks to waterthe ground, and various kinds of flowers and incense, which theypresented at the tope. Once there came from one of the kingdoms adevotee to worship at the tope. When he encountered the elephants he wasgreatly alarmed, and screened himself among the trees; but when he sawthem go through with the offerings in the most proper manner, thethought filled him with great sadness--that there should be no monasteryhere, the inmates of which might serve the tope, but the elephants haveto do the watering and sweeping. Forthwith he gave up the greatprohibitions by which he was bound, and resumed the status of aSrâmanera. With his own hands he cleared away the grass and trees, putthe place in good order, and made it pure and clean. By the power of hisexhortations, he prevailed on the king of the country to form aresidence for monks; and when that was done, he became head of themonastery. At the present day there are monks residing in it. This eventis of recent occurrence; but in all the succession from that time tillnow, there has always been a Srâmanera head of the establishment. [Footnote 1: The bones of the human body are supposed to consist of84, 000 atoms, and hence the legend of Asoka's wish to build 84, 000topes, one over each atom of Sakyamuni's skeleton. ] CHAPTER XXIV ~Where Buddha Renounced the World~ East from here four yojanas, there is the place where the heir-apparentsent back Chandaka, with his white horse; and there also a tope waserected. Four yojanas to the east from this, the travellers came to the Charcoaltope, where there is also a monastery. Going on twelve yojanas, still to the east, they came to the city ofKusanagara, on the north of which, between two trees, on the bank of theNairañjanâ river, is the place where the World-honored one, with hishead to the north, attained to pan-nirvâna and died. There also are theplaces where Subhadra, [1] the last of his converts, attained to Wisdomand became an Arhat; where in his coffin of gold they made offerings tothe World-honored one for seven days, where the Vajrapâni laid aside hisgolden club, and where the eight kings divided the relics of the burntbody: at all these places were built topes and monasteries, all of whichare now existing. In the city the inhabitants are few and far between, comprising only thefamilies belonging to the different societies of monks. Going from this to the southeast for twelve yojanas, they came to theplace where the Lichchhavis wished to follow Buddha to the place of hispari-nirvâna, and where, when he would not listen to them and they keptcleaving to him, unwilling to go away, he made to appear a large anddeep ditch which they could not cross over, and gave them his alms-bowl, as a pledge of his regard, thus sending them back to their families. There a stone pillar was erected with an account of this event engravedupon it. [Footnote 1: A Brahman of Benâres, said to have been one hundred andtwenty years old, who came to learn from Buddha the very night he died. Ânanda would have repulsed him; but Buddha ordered him to be introduced;and then putting aside the ingenious but unimportant question which hepropounded, preached to him the Law. The Brahman was converted andattained at once to Arhatship. ] CHAPTER XXV ~The Kingdom of Vaisâlî~ East from this city ten yojanas, the travellers came to the kingdom ofVaisâlî. North of the city so named is a large forest, having in it thedouble-galleried vihâra where Buddha dwelt, and the tope over half thebody of Ânanda. Inside the city the woman Âmbapâlî [1] built a vihâra inhonor of Buddha, which is now standing as it was at first. Three lisouth of the city, on the west of the road, is the garden which the sameÂmbapâlî presented to Buddha, in which he might reside. When Buddha wasabout to attain to his pari-nirvâna, as he was quitting the city by thewest gate, he turned round, and, beholding the city on his right, saidto them, "Here I have taken my last walk. " Men subsequently built a topeat this spot. Three li northwest of the city there is a tope called, "Bows and weaponslaid down. " The reason why it got that name was this: The inferior wifeof a king, whose country lay along the river Ganges, brought forth fromher womb a ball of flesh. The superior wife, jealous of the other, said, "You have brought forth a thing of evil omen, " and immediately it wasput into a box of wood and thrown into the river. Farther down thestream another king was walking and looking about, when he saw thewooden box floating in the water. He had it brought to him, opened it, and found a thousand little boys, upright and complete, and each onedifferent from the others. He took them and had them brought up. Theygrew tall and large, and very daring and strong, crushing all oppositionin every expedition which they undertook. By and by they attacked thekingdom of their real father, who became in consequence greatlydistressed and sad. His inferior wife asked what it was that made himso, and he replied, "That king has a thousand sons, daring and strongbeyond compare, and he wishes with them to attack my kingdom; this iswhat makes me sad. " The wife said, "You need not be sad and sorrowful. Only make a high gallery on the wall of the city on the east; and whenthe thieves come, I shall be able to make them retire. " The king did asshe said; and when the enemies came, she said to them from the tower, "You are my sons; why are you acting so unnaturally and rebelliously?"They replied, "Who are you that say you are our mother?" "If you do notbelieve me, " she said, "look, all of you, towards me, and open yourmouths. " She then pressed her breasts with her two hands, and each sentforth five hundred jets of milk, which fell into the mouths of thethousand sons. The thieves thus knew that she was their mother, and laiddown their bows and weapons. The two kings, the fathers, hereupon fellinto reflection, and both got to be Pratyeka Buddhas. The tope of thetwo Pratyeka Buddhas is still existing. In a subsequent age, when the World-honored one had attained to perfectWisdom and become Buddha, he said to his disciples, "This is the placewhere I in a former age laid down my bow and weapons. " [2] It was thusthat subsequently men got to know the fact, and raised the tope on thisspot, which in this way received its name. The thousand little boys werethe thousand Buddhas of this Bhadra-kalpa. [3] It was by the side of the "Weapons-laid-down" tope that Buddha, havinggiven up the idea of living longer, said to Ânanda, "In three monthsfrom this I will attain to pari-nirvâna"; and king Mâra [4] had sofascinated and stupefied Ânanda, that he was not able to ask Buddha toremain longer in this world. Three or four li east from this place there is a tope commemorating thefollowing occurrence: A hundred years after the pari-nirvâna of Buddha, some Bhikshus of Vaisâlî went wrong in the matter of the disciplinaryrules in ten particulars, and appealed for their justification to whatthey said were the words of Buddha. Hereupon the Arhats and Bhikshusobservant of the rules, to the number in all of seven hundred monks, examined afresh and collated the collection of disciplinary books [5]. Subsequently men built at this place the tope in question, which isstill existing. [Footnote 1: Âmbapâlî, Âmrapâlî, or Âmradarikâ, "the guardian of theÂmra (probably the mango) tree, " is famous in Buddhist annals. She was acourtesan. She had been in many nârakas or hells, was one hundredthousand times a female beggar, and ten thousand times a prostitute; butmaintaining perfect continence during the period of Kâsyana Buddha, Sakyamuni's predecessor, she had been born a devî, and finally appearedin earth under an Âmra tree in Vaisâlî. There again she fell into herold ways, and had a son by king Bimbisâra; but she was won over byBuddha to virtue and chastity, renounced the world, and attained to thestate of an Arhat. ] [Footnote 2: Thus Sâkyamuni had been one of the thousand little boys whofloated in the box in the Ganges. How long back the former age was wecannot tell. I suppose the tope of the two fathers who became PratyekaBuddhas had been built like the one commemorating the laying down ofweapons after Buddha had told his disciples of the strange events in thepast. ] [Footnote 3: Bhadra-kalpa, "the Kalpa of worthies or sages. " "This, "says Eitel, "is a designation for a Kalpa of stability, so-calledbecause one thousand Buddhas appear in the course of it. Our presentperiod is a Bhadra-kalpa, and four Buddhas have already appeared. It isto last two hundred and thirty-six millions of years, but over onehundred and fifty-one millions have already elapsed. "] [Footnote 4: "The king of demons. " The name Mara is explained by "themurderer, " "the destroyer of virtue, " and similar appellations. "He is, "says Eitel, "the personification of lust, the god of love, sin, anddeath, the arch-enemy of goodness, residing in the heaven ParanirmitaVasavartin on the top of the Kamadhatu. He assumes different forms, especially monstrous ones, to tempt or frighten the saints, or sends hisdaughters, or inspires wicked men like Devadatta or the Nirgranthas todo his work. He is often represented with 100 arms, and riding on anelephant. "] [Footnote 5: Or the Vinaya-pitaka. The meeting referred to was animportant one, and is generally spoken of as the second Great Council ofthe Buddhist Church. The first Council was that held at Râjagriha, shortly after Buddha's death, under the presidency of Kâsyapa--say aboutB. C. 410. The second was that spoken of here--say about B. C. 300. ] CHAPTER XXVI ~Remarkable Death of Ânanda~ Four yojanas on from this place to the east brought the travellers tothe confluence of the five rivers. When Ânanda was going from Magadha toVaisâlî, wishing his pari-nirvâna to take place there, the devasinformed king Ajâtasatru [1] of it, and the king immediately pursuedhim, in his own grand carriage, with a body of soldiers, and had reachedthe river. On the other hand, the Lichchhavis of Vaisâlî had heard thatÂnanda was coming to their city, and they on their part came to meethim. In this way, they all arrived together at the river, and Ânandaconsidered that, if he went forward, king Ajâtasatru would be veryangry, while, if he went back, the Lichchhavis would resent his conduct. He thereupon in the very middle of the river burnt his body in a fieryecstasy of Samâdhi [2], and his pari-nirvâna was attained. He dividedhis body into two parts, leaving one part on each bank; so that each ofthe two kings got one part as a sacred relic, and took it back to hisown capital, and there raised a tope over it. [Footnote 1: He was the son of king Bimbisâra, who was one of the firstroyal converts to Buddhism. Ajasat murdered his father, or at leastwrought his death; and was at first opposed to Sakyamuni, and a favorerof Devadotta. When converted, he became famous for his liberality inalmsgiving. ] [Footnote 2: "Samâdhi, " says Eitel, "signifies the highest pitch ofabstract, ecstatic meditation; a state of absolute indifference to allinfluences from within or without; a state of torpor of both thematerial and spiritual forces of vitality; a sort of terrestrialNirvâna, consistently culminating in total destruction of life. "] CHAPTER XXVII ~King Asoka's Spirit-built Palace and Halls~ Having crossed the river, and descended south for a yojana, thetravellers came to the town of Pâtaliputtra [1], in the kingdom ofMagadha, the city where king Asoka ruled. The royal palace and hallsin the midst of the city, which exist now as of old, were all made byspirits which he employed, and which piled up the stones, reared thewalls and gates, and executed the elegant carving and inlaidsculpture-work--in a way which no human hands of this world couldaccomplish. King Asoka had a younger brother who had attained to be an Arhat, andresided on Gridhra-kûta hill, finding his delight in solitude and quiet. The king, who sincerely reverenced him, wished and begged him to comeand live in his family, where he could supply all his wants. The other, however, through his delight in the stillness of the mountain, wasunwilling to accept the invitation, on which the king said to him, "Onlyaccept my invitation, and I will make a hill for you inside the city. "Accordingly, he provided the materials of a feast, called to him thespirits, and announced to them, "Tomorrow you will all receive myinvitation; but as there are no mats for you to sit on, let each onebring his own seat. " Next day the spirits came, each one bringing withhim a great rock, like a wall, four or five paces square, for a seat. When their sitting was over, the king made them form a hill with thelarge stones piled on one another, and also at the foot of the hill, with five large square stones, to make an apartment, which might be morethan thirty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and more than ten cubitshigh. In this city there had resided a great Brahman, named Râdha-sâmi, aprofessor of the mahâyâna, of clear discernment and much wisdom, whounderstood everything, living by himself in spotless purity. The king ofthe country honored and reverenced him, and served him as his teacher. If he went to inquire for and greet him, the king did not presume to sitdown alongside of him; and if, in his love and reverence, he took holdof his hand, as soon as he let it go, the Brahman made haste to pourwater on it and wash it. He might be more than fifty years old, and allthe kingdom looked up to him. By means of this one man, the Law ofBuddha was widely made-known, and the followers of other doctrines didnot find it in their power to persecute the body of monks in any way. By the side of the tope of Asoka, there has been made a mahâyânamonastery, very grand and beautiful; there is also a hînayâna one; thetwo together containing six hundred or seven hundred monks. The rules ofdemeanor and the scholastic arrangements in them are worthy ofobservation. Shamans of the highest virtue from all quarters, and students, inquirerswishing to find out truth and the grounds of it, all resort to thesemonasteries. There also resides in this monastery a Brahman teacher, whose name also is Mañjusrî, whom the Shamans of greatest virtue inthe kingdom, and the mahâyâna Bhikshus honor and look up to. The cities and towns of this country are the greatest of all in theMiddle Kingdom. The inhabitants are rich and prosperous, and vie withone another in the practice of benevolence and righteousness. Every yearon the eighth day of the second month they celebrate a procession ofimages. They make a four-wheeled car, and on it erect a structure offive stories by means of bamboos tied together. This is supported by aking-post, with poles and lances slanting from it, and is rather morethan twenty cubits high, having the shape of a tope. White and silk-likecloth of hair is wrapped all round it, which is then painted in variouscolors. They make figures of devas, with gold, silver, and lapis lazuligrandly blended and having silken streamers and canopies hung out overthem. On the four sides are niches, with a Buddha seated in each, and aBodhisattva standing in attendance on him. There may be twenty cars, allgrand and imposing, but each one different from the others. On the daymentioned, the monks and laity within the borders all come together;they have singers and skilful musicians: they say their devotions withflowers and incense. The Brahmans come and invite the Buddhas to enterthe city. These do so in order, and remain two nights in it. All throughthe night they keep lamps burning, have skilful music, and presentofferings. This is the practice in all the other kingdoms as well. TheHeads of the Vaisya families in them establish in the cities houses fordispensing charity and medicines. All the poor and destitute in thecountry, orphans, widowers, and childless men, maimed people andcripples, and all who are diseased, go to those houses, and are providedwith every kind of help, and doctors examine their diseases. They getthe food and medicines which their cases require, and are made to feelat ease; and when they are better, they go away of themselves. When king Asoka destroyed the seven topes, intending to make eighty-fourthousand, the first which he made was the great tope, more than three lito the south of this city. In front of this there is a footprint ofBuddha, where a vihara has been built. The door of it faces the north, and on the south of it there is a stone pillar, fourteen or fifteencubits in circumference, and more than thirty cubits high, on whichthere is an inscription, saying, "Asoka gave the Jambudvipa to thegeneral body of all the monks, and then redeemed it from them withmoney. This he did three times. " North from the tope three hundred orfour hundred paces, king Asoka built the city of Ne-le. In it there is astone pillar, which also is more than thirty feet high, with a lion onthe top of it. On the pillar there is an inscription recording thethings which led to the building of Ne-le, with the number of the year, the day, and the month. [Footnote 1: The modern Patna. The Sanscrit name means "The city offlowers. " It is the Indian Florence. ] CHAPTER XXVIII ~Râjagriha, New and Old--Legends Connected with It~ The travellers went on from this to the southeast for nine yojanas, andcame to a small solitary rocky hill, at the head or end of which was anapartment of stone, facing the south--the place where Buddha sat, whenSakra, Ruler of Devas, brought the deva-musician, Pañchasikha, to givepleasure to him by playing on his lute. Sakra then asked Buddha aboutforty-two subjects, tracing the questions out with his finger one by oneon the rock. The prints of his tracing are still there; and here alsothere is a monastery. A yojana southwest from this place brought them to the village of Nâla, where Sâriputtra was born, and to which also he returned, and attainedhere his pari-nirvâna. Over the spot where his body was burned there wasbuilt a tope, which is still in existence. Another yojana to the west brought them to New Râjagriha--the new citywhich was built by king Ajâtasatru. There were two monasteries in it. Three hundred paces outside the west gate, king Ajâtasatru, havingobtained one portion of the relics of Buddha, built over them a tope, high, large, grand, and beautiful. Leaving the city by the south gate, and proceeding south four li, one enters a valley, and comes to acircular space formed by five hills, which stand all round it, and havethe appearance of the suburban wall of a city. Here was the old city ofking Bimbisâra; from east to west about five or six li, and from northto south seven or eight. It was here that Sâriputtra and Maudgalyâyanafirst saw Upasena [1]; that the Nirgrantha made a pit of fire andpoisoned the rice, and then invited Buddha to eat with him; that kingAjâtasatru made a black elephant intoxicated with liquor, wishing him toinjure Buddha; and that at the northeast corner of the city in a largecurving space Jîvaka built a vihâra in the garden of Âmbapâlî, andinvited Buddha with his one thousand two hundred and fifty disciples toit, that he might there make his offerings to support them. These placesare still there as of old, but inside the city all is emptiness anddesolation; no man dwells in it. [Footnote 1: One of the five first followers of Sakyamuni. He is alsocalled Asvajit; in Pali Assaji; but Asvajit seems to be a militarytitle, "Master or trainer of horses. " The two more famous disciples methim, not to lead him, but to be directed by him, to Buddha. ] CHAPTER XXIX ~Fâ-Hien Passes a Night on Gridhra-kûta Hill~ Entering the valley, and keeping along the mountains on the southeast, after ascending fifteen li, the travellers came to mount Gridhra-kûta. Three li before you reach the top, there is a cavern in the rocks, facing the south, in which Buddha sat in meditation. Thirty paces to thenorthwest there is another, where Ânanda was sitting in meditation, whenthe deva Mâra Pisuna, having assumed the form of a large vulture, tookhis place in front of the cavern, and frightened the disciple. ThenBuddha, by his mysterious, supernatural power, made a cleft in the rock, introduced his hand, and stroked Ânanda's shoulder, so that his fearimmediately passed away. The footprints of the bird and the cleft forBuddha's hand are still there, and hence comes the name of "The Hill ofthe Vulture Cavern. " In front of the cavern there are the places where the four Buddhas sat. There are caverns also of the Arhats, one where each sat and meditated, amounting to several hundred in all. At the place where in front of hisrocky apartment Buddha was walking from east to west in meditation, andDevadatta, from among the beetling cliffs on the north of the mountain, threw a rock across, and hurt Buddha's toes, the rock is still there. The hall where Buddha preached his Law has been destroyed, and only thefoundations of the brick walls remain. On this hill the peak isbeautifully green, and rises grandly up; it is the highest of all thefive hills. In the New City Fâ-hien bought incense-sticks, flowers, oiland lamps, and hired two bhikshus, long resident at the place, to carrythem to the peak. When he himself got to it, he made his offerings withthe flowers and incense, and lighted the lamps when the darkness beganto come on. He felt melancholy, but restrained his tears and said, "HereBuddha delivered the Sûrângama Sûtra. I, Fâ-hien, was born when I couldnot meet with Buddha; and now I only see the footprints which he hasleft, and the place where he lived, and nothing more. " With this, infront of the rock cavern, he chanted the Sûrângama Sûtra, remained thereover the night, and then returned towards the New City. CHAPTER XXX ~Srataparna Cave, or Cave of the First Council~ Out from the old city, after walking over three hundred paces, on thewest of the road, the travellers found the Karanda Bamboo garden, wherethe old vihâra is still in existence, with a company of monks, who keepthe ground about it swept and watered. North of the vihâra two or three li there was the Smasânam, which namemeans in Chinese "the field of graves into which the dead are thrown. " As they kept along the mountain on the south, and went west for threehundred paces, they found a dwelling among the rocks, named the Pippalacave, in which Buddha regularly sat in meditation after taking hismid-day meal. Going on still to the west for five or six li, on the north of the hill, in the shade, they found the cavern called Srataparna, [1] the placewhere, after the nirvâna of Buddha, five hundred Arhats collected theSûtras. When they brought the Sûtras forth, three lofty seats had beenprepared and grandly ornamented. Sâriputtra occupied the one on theleft, and Maudgalyâyana that on the right. Of the number of five hundredone was wanting. Mahâkasyapa was president on the middle seat. Ânandawas then outside the door, and could not get in. At the place there wassubsequently raised a tope, which is still existing. Along the sides of the hill, there are also a very great many cellsamong the rocks, where the various Arhans sat and meditated. As youleave the old city on the north, and go down east for three li, there isthe rock dwelling of Devadatta, and at a distance of fifty paces from itthere is a large, square, black rock. Formerly there was a bhikshu, who, as he walked backwards and forwards upon it, thought withhimself:--"This body is impermanent, a thing of bitterness and vanity, and which cannot be looked on as pure. I am weary of this body, andtroubled by it as an evil. " With this he grasped a knife, and was aboutto kill himself. But he thought again:--"The World-honored one laid downa prohibition against one's killing himself. " [2] Further it occurred tohim:--"Yes, he did; but I now only wish to kill three poisonousthieves. " Immediately with the knife he cut his throat. With the firstgash into the flesh he attained the state of a Srotâpanna; when he hadgone half through, he attained to be an Anâgâmin; and when he had cutright through, he was an Arhat, and attained to pari-nirvâna, and died. [Footnote 1: A very great place in the annals of Buddhism. The Councilin the Srataparna cave did not come together fortuitously, but appearsto have been convoked by the older members to settle the rules anddoctrines of the order. The cave was prepared for the occasion by kingAjâtasatru. ] [Footnote 2: Buddha made a law forbidding the monks to commit suicide. He prohibited any one from discoursing on the miseries of life in such amanner as to cause desperation. ] CHAPTER XXXI ~Sâkyamuni's Attaining to the Buddhaship~ From this place, after travelling to the west for four yojanas, thepilgrims came to the city of Gayâ; but inside the city all was emptinessand desolation. Going on again to the south for twenty li, they arrivedat the place where the Bodhisattva for six years practised with himselfpainful austerities. All around was forest. Three li west from here they came to the place where, when Buddha hadgone into the water to bathe, a deva bent down the branch of a tree, bymeans of which he succeeded in getting out of the pool. Two li north from this was the place where the Grâmika girls presentedto Buddha the rice-gruel made with milk; and two li north from this wasthe place where, seated on a rock under a great tree, and facing theeast, he ate the gruel. The tree and the rock are there at the presentday. The rock may be six cubits in breadth and length, and rather morethan two cubits in height. In Central India the cold and heat are soequally tempered that trees live for several thousand and even for tenthousand years. Half a yojana from this place to the northeast there was a cavern in therocks, into which the Bodhisattva entered, and sat cross-legged with hisface to the west. As he did so, he said to himself, "If I am to attainto perfect wisdom and become Buddha, let there be a supernaturalattestation of it. " On the wall of the rock there appeared immediatelythe shadow of a Buddha, rather more than three feet in length, which isstill bright at the present day. At this moment heaven and earth weregreatly moved, and devas in the air spoke plainly, "This is not theplace where any Buddha of the past, or he that is to come, has attained, or will attain, to perfect Wisdom. Less than half a yojana from this tothe southwest will bring you to the patra tree, where all past Buddhashave attained, and all to come must attain, to perfect Wisdom. " Whenthey had spoken these words, they immediately led the way forward to theplace, singing as they did so. As they thus went away, the Bodhisattvaarose and walked after them. At a distance of thirty paces from thetree, a deva gave him the grass of lucky omen, which he received andwent on. After he had proceeded fifteen paces, five hundred green birdscame flying towards him, went round him thrice, and disappeared. TheBodhisattva went forward to the patra tree, placed the kusa grass at thefoot of it, and sat down with his face to the east. Then king Mâra sentthree beautiful young ladies, who came from the north, to tempt him, while he himself came from the south to do the same. The Bodhisattva puthis toes down on the ground, and the demon soldiers retired anddispersed, and the three young ladies were changed into oldgrandmothers. At the place mentioned above of the six years' painful austerities, andat all these other places, men subsequently reared topes and set upimages, which all exist at the present day. Where Buddha, after attaining to perfect Wisdom, for seven dayscontemplated the tree, and experienced the joy of vimukti; where, underthe patra tree, he walked to and fro from west to east for seven days;where the devas made a hall appear, composed of the seven precioussubstances, and presented offerings to him for seven days; where theblind dragon Muchilinda [1] encircled him for seven days; where he satunder the nyagrodha tree, on a square rock, with his face to the east, and Brahma-deva came and made his request to him; where the four devakings brought to him their alms-bowls; where the five hundred merchantspresented to him the roasted flour and honey; and where he converted thebrothers Kasyapa and their thousand disciples;--at all these placestopes were reared. At the place where Buddha attained to perfect Wisdom, there are threemonasteries, in all of which there are monks residing. The families oftheir people around supply the societies of these monks with an abundantsufficiency of what they require, so that there is no lack or stint. Thedisciplinary rules are strictly observed by them. The laws regulatingtheir demeanor in sitting, rising, and entering when the others areassembled, are those which have been practised by all the saints sinceBuddha was in the world down to the present day. The places of the fourgreat topes have been fixed, and handed down without break, since Buddhaattained to nirvâna. Those four great topes are those at the placeswhere Buddha was born; where he attained to Wisdom; where he began tomove the wheel of his Law; and where he attained to pari-nirvâna. [Footnote 1: Called also Maha, or the Great Muchilinda. Eitel says: "Anaga king, the tutelary deity of a lake near which Sakyamuni once satfor seven days absorbed in meditation, whilst the king guarded him. " Theaccount in "The Life of the Buddha" is:--"Buddha went to wherelived the naga king Muchilinda, and he, wishing to preserve him from thesun and rain, wrapped his body seven times round him, and spread out hishood over his head; and there he remained seven days in thought. "] CHAPTER XXXII ~Legend of King Asoka in a Former Birth~ When king Asoka, in a former birth, was a little boy and playing on theroad, he met Kasyapa Buddha walking. The stranger begged food, and theboy pleasantly took a handful of earth and gave it to him. The Buddhatook the earth, and returned it to the ground on which he was walking;but because of this the boy received the recompense of becoming a kingof the iron wheel, to rule over Jambudvîpa. Once when he was making ajudicial tour of inspection through Jambudvîpa, he saw, between the ironcircuit of the two hills, a naraka for the punishment of wicked men. Having thereupon asked his ministers what sort of a thing it was, theyreplied, "It belongs to Yama, [1] king of demons, for punishing wickedpeople. " The king thought within himself:--"Even the king of demons isable to make a naraka in which to deal with wicked men; why should notI, who am the lord of men, make a naraka in which to deal with wickedmen?" He forthwith asked his ministers who could make for him a narakaand preside over the punishment of wicked people in it. They repliedthat it was only a man of extreme wickedness who could make it; and theking thereupon sent officers to seek everywhere for such a bad man; andthey saw by the side of a pond a man tall and strong, with a blackcountenance, yellow hair, and green eyes, hooking up the fish with hisfeet, while he called to him birds and beasts, and, when they came, thenshot and killed them, so that not one escaped. Having got this man, theytook him to the king, who secretly charged him, "You must make a squareenclosure with high walls. Plant in it all kinds of flowers and fruits;make good ponds in it for bathing; make it grand and imposing in everyway, so that men shall look to it with thirsting desire; make its gatesstrong and sure; and when any one enters, instantly seize him and punishhim as a sinner, not allowing him to get out. Even if I should enter, punish me as a sinner in the same way, and do not let me go. I nowappoint you master of that naraka. " Soon after this a bhikshu, pursuing his regular course of begging hisfood, entered the gate of the place. When the lictors of the naraka sawhim, they were about to subject him to their tortures; but he, frightened, begged them to allow him a moment in which to eat hismid-day meal. Immediately after, there came in another man, whom theythrust into a mortar and pounded till a red froth overflowed. As thebhikshu looked on, there came to him the thought of the impermanence, the painful suffering and inanity of this body, and how it is but as abubble and as foam; and instantly he attained to Arhatship. Immediatelyafter, the lictors seized him, and threw him into a caldron of boilingwater. There was a look of joyful satisfaction, however, in thebhikshu's countenance. The fire was extinguished, and the water becamecold. In the middle of the caldron there rose up a lotus flower, withthe bhikshu seated on it. The lictors at once went and reported to theking that there was a marvellous occurrence in the naraka, and wishedhim to go and see it; but the king said, "I formerly made such anagreement that now I dare not go to the place. " The lictors said, "Thisis not a small matter. Your Majesty ought to go quickly. Let your formeragreement be altered. " The king thereupon followed them, and entered thenaraka, when the bhikshu preached the Law to him, and he believed, andwas made free. Forthwith he demolished the naraka, and repented of allthe evil which he had formerly done. From this time he believed in andhonored the Three Precious Ones, and constantly went to a patra tree, repenting under it, with self-reproach, of his errors, and accepting theeight rules of abstinence. The queen asked where the king was constantly going to, and theministers replied that he was constantly to be seen under such and sucha patra tree. She watched for a time when the king was not there, andthen sent men to cut the tree down. When the king came, and saw what hadbeen done, he swooned away with sorrow, and fell to the ground. Hisministers sprinkled water on his face, and after a considerable time herevived. He then built all round the stump with bricks, and poured ahundred pitchers of cows' milk on the roots; and as he lay with his fourlimbs spread out on the ground, he took this oath, "If the tree do notlive, I will never rise from this. " When he had uttered this oath, thetree immediately began to grow from the roots, and it has continued togrow till now, when it is nearly one hundred cubits in height. [Footnote 1: Yama was originally the Âryan god of the dead, living in aheaven above the world, the regent of the south; but Brahmanismtransferred his abode to hell. Both views have been retained byBuddhism. The Yama of the text is the "regent of the narakas, residingsouth of Jambudvîpa, outside the Chakravâlas (the double circuit ofmountains above), in a palace built of brass and iron. He has a sisterwho controls all the female culprits, as he exclusively deals with themale sex. Three times, however, in every twenty-four hours, a demonpours boiling copper into Yama's mouth, and squeezes it down his throat, causing him unspeakable pain. " Such, however, is the wonderful"transrotation of births, " that when Yama's sins have been expiated, heis to be reborn as Buddha, under the name of "The Universal King. "] CHAPTER XXXIII ~Kasyapa Buddha's Skeleton on Mount Gurupada~ The travellers, going on from this three li to the south, came to amountain named Gurupada, inside which Mahâkasyapa even now is. He made acleft, and went down into it, though the place where he entered wouldnot now admit a man. Having gone down very far, there was a hole on oneside, and there the complete body of Kasyapa still abides. Outside thehole at which he entered is the earth with which he had washed hishands. If the people living thereabouts have a sore on their heads, theyplaster on it some of the earth from this, and feel immediately easier. On this mountain, now as of old, there are Arhats abiding. Devotees ofour Law from the various countries in that quarter go year by year tothe mountain, and present offerings to Kasyapa; and to those whosehearts are strong in faith there come Arhats at night, and talk withthem, discussing and explaining their doubts, and disappearing suddenlyafterwards. On this hill hazels grow luxuriantly; and there are many lions, tigers, and wolves, so that people should not travel incautiously. CHAPTER XXXIV ~On the Way Returning to Patna~ Fâ-Hien returned from here towards Pâtaliputtra, keeping along thecourse of the Ganges and descending in the direction of the west. Aftergoing ten yojanas he found a vihâra, named "The Wilderness"--a placewhere Buddha had dwelt, and where there are monks now. Pursuing the same course, and going still to the west, he arrived, aftertwelve yojanas, at the city of Vârânasî in the kingdom of Kâsî. Rathermore than ten li to the northeast of the city, he found the vihâra inthe park of "The rishi's Deer-wild. " [1] In this park there formerlyresided a Pratyeka Buddha, with whom the deer were regularly in thehabit of stopping for the night. When the World-honored one was about toattain to perfect Wisdom, the devas sang in the sky, "The son of kingSuddhodana, having quitted his family and studied the Path of Wisdom, will now in seven days become Buddha. " The Pratyeka Buddha heard theirwords, and immediately attained to nirvâna; and hence this place wasnamed "The Park of the rishi's Deer-wild. " After the World-honored onehad attained to perfect Wisdom, men built the vihâra in it. Buddha wished to convert Kaundinya and his four companions; but they, being aware of his intention, said to one another, "This Sramana Gotama[2] for six years continued in the practice of painful austerities, eating daily only a single hemp-seed, and one grain of rice, withoutattaining to the Path of Wisdom; how much less will he do so now that hehas entered again among men, and is giving the reins to the indulgenceof his body, his speech, and his thoughts! What has he to do with the Pathof Wisdom? To-day, when he comes to us, let us be on our guard not tospeak with him. " At the places where the five men all rose up, andrespectfully saluted Buddha, when he came to them; where, sixty pacesnorth from this, he sat with his face to the east, and first turned thewheel of the Law, converting Kaundinya and the four others; where, twenty paces further to the north, he delivered his prophecy concerningMaitreya; and where, at a distance of fifty paces to the south, thedragon Elâpattra asked him, "When shall I get free from this nâgabody?"--at all these places topes were reared, and are still existing. In the park there are two monasteries, in both of which there are monksresiding. When you go northwest from the vihâra of the Deer-wild park for thirteenyojanas, there is a kingdom named Kausâmbi. Its vihâra is namedGhochiravana--a place where Buddha formerly resided. Now, as of old, there is a company of monks there, most of whom are students of thehînayâna. East from this, when you have travelled eight yojanas, is the placewhere Buddha converted the evil demon. There, and where he walked inmeditation and sat at the place which was his regular abode, there havebeen topes erected. There is also a monastery, which may contain morethan a hundred monks. [Footnote 1: "The rishi, " says Eitel, "is a man whose bodily frame hasundergone a certain transformation by dint of meditation and asceticism, so that he is, for an indefinite period, exempt from decrepitude, age, and death. As this period is believed to extend far beyond the usualduration of human life, such persons are called, and popularly believedto be, immortals. " Rishis are divided into various classes; andrishi-ism is spoken of as a seventh path of transrotation, and rishisare referred to as the seventh class of sentient beings. ] [Footnote 2: This is the only instance in Fâ-hien's text where theBodhisattva or Buddha is called by the surname "Gotama. " For the mostpart our traveller uses Buddha as a proper name, though it properlymeans "The Enlightened. " He uses also the combinations "Sâkya Buddha, "which means "The Buddha of the Sâkya tribe, " and "Sâkyamuni, " whichmeans "The Sâkya sage. " This last is the most common designation of theBuddha in China. Among other Buddhistic peoples "Gotama" and "GotamaBuddha" are the more frequent designations. ] CHAPTER XXXV ~Dakshina, and the Pigeon Monastery~ South from this two hundred yojanas, there is a country named Dakshina, where there is a monastery dedicated to the by-gone Kasyapa Buddha, andwhich has been hewn out from a large hill of rock. It consists in all offive stories;--the lowest, having the form of an elephant, with fivehundred apartments in the rock; the second, having the form of a lion, with four hundred apartments; the third, having the form of a horse, with three hundred apartments; the fourth, having the form of an ox, with two hundred apartments; and the fifth, having the form of a pigeon, with one hundred apartments. At the very top there is a spring, thewater of which, always in front of the apartments in the rock, goesround among the rooms, now circling, now curving, till in this way itarrives at the lowest story, having followed the shape of the structure, and flows out there at the door. Everywhere in the apartments of themonks, the rock has been pierced so as to form windows for the admissionof light, so that they are all bright, without any being left indarkness. At the four corners of the tiers of apartments, the rock hasbeen hewn so as to form steps for ascending to the top of each. The menof the present day, being of small size, and going up step by step, manage to get to the top; but in a former age they did so at one step. Because of this, the monastery is called Paravata, that being the Indianname for a pigeon. There are always Arhats residing in it. The country about is a tract of uncultivated hillocks, withoutinhabitants. At a very long distance from the hill there are villages, where the people all have bad and erroneous views, and do not know theSramanas of the Law of Buddha, Brahmanas, or devotees of any of theother and different schools. The people of that country are constantlyseeing men on the wing, who come and enter this monastery. On oneoccasion, when devotees of various countries came to perform theirworship at it, the people of those villages said to them, "Why do younot fly? The devotees whom we have seen hereabouts all fly"; and thestrangers answered, on the spur of the moment, "Our wings are not yetfully formed. " The kingdom of Dakshina is out of the way, and perilous to traverse. There are difficulties in connection with the roads; but those who knowhow to manage such difficulties and wish to proceed should bring withthem money and various articles, and give them to the king. He will thensend men to escort them. These will, at different stages, pass them overto others, who will show them the shortest routes. Fâ-hien, however, wasafter all unable to go there; but having received the above accountsfrom men of the country, he has narrated them. CHAPTER XXXVI ~Fâ-Hien's Indian Studies~ From Vârânasî the travellers went back east to Pâtaliputtra. Fâ-hien'soriginal object had been to search for copies of the Vinaya. In thevarious kingdoms of North India, however, he had found one mastertransmitting orally the rules to another, but no written copies which hecould transcribe. He had therefore travelled far and come on to CentralIndia. Here, in the mahâyâna monastery, he found a copy of the Vinaya, containing the Mahâsânghikâ [1] rules--those which were observed in thefirst Great Council, while Buddha was still in the world. The originalcopy was handed down in the Jetavana vihâra. As to the other eighteenschools, each one has the views and decisions of its own masters. Thoseagree with this in the general meaning, but they have small and trivialdifferences, as when one opens and another shuts. This copy of therules, however, is the most complete, with the fullest explanations. [2] He further got a transcript of the rules in six or seven thousandgâthas, [3] being the sarvâstivâdâh [4] rules--those which are observedby the communities of monks in the land of Ts'in; which also have allbeen handed down orally from master to master without being committed towriting. In the community here, moreover, he got theSamyuktâbhi-dharma-hridaya-sâstra, containing about six or seventhousand gâthas; he also got a Sûtra of two thousand five hundredgâthas; one chapter of the Pari-nirvâna-vaipulya Sûtra, of about fivethousand gâthas; and the Mahâsânghikâ Abhidharma. In consequence of this success in his quest Fâ-hien stayed here forthree years, learning Sanscrit books and the Sanscrit speech, andwriting out, the Vinaya rules. When Tâo-ching arrived in the CentralKingdom, and saw the rules observed by the Sramanas, and the dignifieddemeanor in their societies which he remarked under all occurringcircumstances, he sadly called to mind in what a mutilated and imperfectcondition the rules were among the monkish communities in the land ofTs'in, and made the following aspiration: "From this time forth till Icome to the state of Buddha, let me not be born in a frontier-land. " Heremained accordingly in India, and did not return to the land of Han. Fâ-hien, however, whose original purpose had been to secure theintroduction of the complete Vinaya rules into the land of Han, returnedthere alone. [Footnote 1: Mahâsânghikâ simply means "the Great Assembly, " that is, ofmonks. ] [Footnote 2: It was afterwards translated by Fâ-hien into Chinese. ] [Footnote 3: A gâtha is a stanza, generally consisting of a few, commonly of two, lines somewhat metrically arranged. ] [Footnote 4: "A branch, " says Eitel, "of the great vaibhâshika school, asserting the reality of all visible phenomena, and claiming theauthority of Râhula. "] CHAPTER XXXVII ~Fâ-hien's Stay in Champâ and Tâmaliptî~ Following the course of the Ganges, and descending eastward for eighteenyojanas, he found on the southern bank the great kingdom of Champâ, withtopes reared at the places where Buddha walked in meditation by hisvihâra, and where he and the three Buddhas, his predecessors, sat. Therewere monks residing at them all. Continuing his journey east for nearlyfifty yojanas, he came to the country of Tâmaliptî, the capital of whichis a seaport. In the country there are twenty-two monasteries, at all ofwhich there are monks residing. The Law of Buddha is also flourishing init. Here Fâ-hien stayed two years, writing out his Sûtras, and drawingpictures of images. After this he embarked in a large merchant-vessel, and went floatingover the sea to the southwest. It was the beginning of winter, and thewind was favorable; and, after fourteen days, sailing day and night, they came to the country of Singhala. The people said that it wasdistant from Tâmaliptî about seven hundred yojanas. The kingdom is on a large island, extending from east to west fiftyyojanas, and from north to south thirty. Left and right from it thereare as many as one hundred small islands, distant from one another ten, twenty, or even two hundred li; but all subject to the large island. Most of them produce pearls and precious stones of various kinds; thereis one which produces the pure and brilliant pearl--an island whichwould form a square of about ten li. The king employs men to watch andprotect it, and requires three out of every ten pearls which thecollectors find. CHAPTER XXXVIII ~At Ceylon--Feats of Buddha--His Statue in Jade~ The country originally had no human inhabitants, but was occupied onlyby spirits and nâgas, with which merchants of various countries carriedon a trade. When the trafficking was taking place, the spirits did notshow themselves. They simply set forth their precious commodities, withlabels of the price attached to them; while the merchants made theirpurchases according to the price; and took the things away. Through the coming and going of the merchants in this way, when theywent away, the people of their various countries heard how pleasant theland was, and flocked to it in numbers till it became a great nation. The climate is temperate and attractive, without any difference ofsummer and winter. The vegetation is always luxuriant. Cultivationproceeds whenever men think fit: there are no fixed seasons for it. When Buddha came to this country, wishing to transform the wicked nâgasby his supernatural power, he planted one foot at the north of the royalcity, and the other on the top of a mountain, [1] the two being fifteenyojanas apart. Over the footprint at the north of the city the kingbuilt a large tope, four hundred cubits high, grandly adorned with goldand silver, and finished with a combination of all the precioussubstances. By the side of the tope he further built a monastery, calledthe Abhayagiri, where there are now five thousand monks. There is in ita hall of Buddha, adorned with carved and inlaid work of gold andsilver, and rich in the seven precious substances, in which there is animage of Buddha in green jade, more than twenty cubits in height, glittering all over with those substances, and having an appearance ofsolemn dignity which words cannot express. In the palm of the right handthere is a priceless pearl. Several years had now elapsed since Fâ-hienleft the land of Han; the men with whom he had been in intercourse hadall been of regions strange to him; his eyes had not rested on an oldand familiar hill or river, plant or tree: his fellow-travellers, moreover, had been separated from him, some by death, and others flowingoff in different directions; no face or shadow was now with him but hisown, and a constant sadness was in his heart. Suddenly one day, when bythe side of this image of jade, he saw a merchant presenting as hisoffering a fan of white silk; [2] and the tears of sorrow involuntarilyfilled his eyes and fell down. A former king of the country had sent to Central India and got a slip ofthe patra tree, which he planted by the side of the hall of Buddha, where a tree grew up to the height of about two hundred cubits. As itbent on one side towards the southeast, the king, fearing it would fall, propped it with a post eight or nine spans around. The tree began togrow at the very heart of the prop, where it met the trunk; a shootpierced through the post, and went down to the ground, where it enteredand formed roots, that rose to the surface and were about four spansround. Although the post was split in the middle, the outer portionskept hold of the shoot, and people did not remove them. Beneath the treethere has been built a vihâra, in which there is an image of Buddhaseated, which the monks and commonalty reverence and look up to withoutever becoming wearied. In the city there has been reared also the vihâraof Buddha's tooth, in which, as well as on the other, the seven precioussubstances have been employed. The king practises the Brahmanical purifications, and the sincerity ofthe faith and reverence of the population inside the city are alsogreat. Since the establishment of government in the kingdom there hasbeen no famine or scarcity, no revolution or disorder. In the treasuriesof the monkish communities there are many precious stones, and thepriceless manis. One of the kings once entered one of those treasuries, and when he looked all round and saw the priceless pearls, his covetousgreed was excited, and he wished to take them to himself by force. Inthree days, however, he came to himself, and immediately went and bowedhis head to the ground in the midst of the monks, to show his repentanceof the evil thought. As a sequel to this, he informed the monks of whathad been in his mind, and desired them to make a regulation that fromthat day forth the king should not be allowed to enter the treasury andsee what it contained, and that no bhikshu should enter it till after hehad been in orders for a period of full forty years. In the city there are many Vaisya elders and Sabaean merchants, whosehouses are stately and beautiful. The lanes and passages are kept ingood order. At the heads of the four principal streets there have beenbuilt preaching halls, where, on the eighth, fourteenth, and fifteenthdays of the month, they spread carpets, and set forth a pulpit, whilethe monks and commonalty from all quarters come together to hear theLaw. The people say that in the kingdom there may be altogether sixtythousand monks, who get their food from their common stores. The king, besides, prepares elsewhere in the city a common supply of food for fiveor six thousand more. When any want, they take their great bowls, and goto the place of distribution, and take as much as the vessels will hold, all returning with them full. The tooth of Buddha is always brought forth in the middle of the thirdmonth. Ten days beforehand the king grandly caparisons a large elephant, on which he mounts a man who can speak distinctly, and is dressed inroyal robes, to beat a large drum, and make the following proclamation:"The Bodhisattva, during three Asankhyeya-kalpas, [3] manifested hisactivity, and did not spare his own life. He gave up kingdom, city, wife, and son; he plucked out his eyes and gave them to another; he cutoff a piece of his flesh to ransom the life of a dove; he cut off hishead and gave it as an alms; he gave his body to feed a starvingtigress; he grudged not his marrow and brains. In many such ways asthese did he undergo pain for the sake of all living. And so it was, that, having become Buddha, he continued in the world for forty-fiveyears, preaching his Law, teaching and transforming, so that those whohad no rest found rest, and the unconverted were converted. When hisconnection with the living was completed, he attained to pari-nirvanaand died. Since that event, for one thousand four hundred andninety-seven years, the light of the world has gone out, and all livingthings have had long-continued sadness. Behold! ten days after this, Buddha's tooth will be brought forth, and taken to the Abhayagiri-vihâra. Let all and each, whether monks or laics, who wish to amassmerit for themselves, make the roads smooth and in good condition, grandly adorn the lanes and by-ways, and provide abundant store offlowers and incense to be used as offerings to it. " When this proclamation is over, the king exhibits, so as to line bothsides of the road, the five hundred different bodily forms in which theBodhisattva has in the course of his history appeared:--here as Sudâna, there as Sâma; now as the king of elephants, and then as a stag or ahorse. All these figures are brightly colored and grandly executed, looking as if they were alive. After this the tooth of Buddha is broughtforth, and is carried along in the middle of the road. Everywhere on theway offerings are presented to it, and thus it arrives at the hall ofBuddha in the Abhayagiri-vihâra. There monks and laics are collected incrowds. They burn incense, light lamps, and perform all the prescribedservices, day and night without ceasing, till ninety days have beencompleted, when the tooth is returned to the vihâra within the city. Onfast-days the door of that vihâra is opened, and the forms of ceremonialreverence are observed according to the rules. Forty li to the east of the Abhayagiri-vihâra there is a hill, with avihâra on it, called the Chaitya, where there may be two thousand monks. Among them there is a Sramana of great virtue, named Dharma-gupta, honored and looked up to by all the kingdom. He has lived for more thanforty years in an apartment of stone, constantly showing such gentlenessof heart, that he has brought snakes and rats to stop together in thesame room, without doing one another any harm. [Footnote 1: This would be what is known as "Adam's peak, " having, according to Hardy, the three names of Selesumano, Samastakûta, andSamanila. There is an indentation on the top of it, a superficialhollow, 5 feet 3 3/4 inches long, and 2 1/2 feet wide. The Hindus regardit as the footprint of Siva; the Mohammedans, as that of Adam; and theBuddhists, as in the text--as having been, made by Buddha. ] [Footnote 2: We naturally suppose that the merchant-offerer was aChinese, as indeed the Chinese texts say, and the fan such as Fâ-hienhad seen and used in his native land. ] [Footnote 3: A Kalpa, we have seen, denotes a great period of time; aperiod during which a physical universe is formed and destroyed. Asankhyeya denotes the highest sum for which a conventional termexists--according to Chinese calculations equal to one followed byseventeen ciphers; according to Thibetan and Singhalese, equal to onefollowed by ninety-seven ciphers. Every Maha-kalpa consists of fourAsankhye-yakalpas. ] CHAPTER XXXIX ~Cremation of an Arhat--Sermon of a Devotee~ South of the city seven li there is a vihâra, called the Mahâ-vihâra, where three thousand monks reside. There had been among them a Sramana, of such lofty virtue, and so holy and pure in his observance of thedisciplinary rules, that the people all surmised that he was an Arhat. When he drew near his end, the king came to examine into the point; andhaving assembled the monks according to rule, asked whether the bhikshuhad attained to the full degree of Wisdom. They answered in theaffirmative, saying that he was an Arhat. The king accordingly, when hedied, buried him after the fashion of an Arhat, as the regular rulesprescribed. Four or five li east from the vihâra there was reared agreat pile of firewood, which might be more than thirty cubits square, and the same in height. Near the top were laid sandal, aloe, and otherkinds of fragrant wood. On the four sides of the pile they made steps by which to ascend it. With clean white hair-cloth, almost like silk, they wrapped the bodyround and round. They made a large carriage-frame, in form like ourfuneral car, but without the dragons and fishes. At the time of the cremation, the king and the people, in multitudesfrom all quarters, collected together, and presented offerings offlowers and incense. While they were following the car to theburial-ground, the king himself presented flowers and incense. When thiswas finished, the car was lifted on the pile, all over which oil ofsweet basil was poured, and then a light was applied. While the fire wasblazing, every one, with a reverent heart, pulled off his upper garment, and threw it, with his feather-fan and umbrella, from a distance intothe midst of the flames, to assist the burning. When the cremation wasover, they collected and preserved the bones, and proceeded to erect atope. Fâ-hien had not arrived in time to see the distinguished Shamanalive, and only saw his burial. At that time the king, who was a sincere believer in the Law of Buddhaand wished to build a new vihâra for the monks, first convoked a greatassembly. After giving the monks a meal of rice, and presenting hisofferings on the occasion, he selected a pair of first-rate oxen, thehorns of which were grandly decorated with gold, silver, and theprecious substances. A golden plough had been provided, and the kinghimself turned up a furrow on the four sides of the ground within whichthe building was to be. He then endowed the community of the monks withthe population, fields, and houses, writing the grant on plates ofmetal, to the effect that from that time onwards, from generation togeneration, no one should venture to annul or alter it. In this country Fâ-hien heard an Indian devotee, who was reciting aSûtra from the pulpit, say: "Buddha's alms-bowl was at first in Vaisâlî, and now it is in Gandhâra. After so many hundred years (he gave, whenFâ-hien heard him, the exact number of years, but he has forgotten it), it will go to Western Tukhâra; after so many hundred years, to Khoten;after so many hundred years, to Kharachar; after so many hundred years, to the land of Han; after so many hundred years, it will come toSinhala; and after so many hundred years, it will return to CentralIndia. After that, it will ascend to the Tushita heaven; and when theBodhisattva Maitreya sees it, he will say with a sigh, 'The alms-bowl ofSâkyamuni Buddha is come'; and with all the devas he will present to itflowers and incense for seven days. When these have expired, it willreturn to Jambudvîpa, where it will be received by the king of the seanâgas, and taken into his nâga palace. When Maitreya shall be about toattain to perfect Wisdom and become Buddha, it will again separate intofour bowls, which will return to the top of mount Anna, whence theycame. After Maitreya has become Buddha, the four deva kings will againthink of the Buddha with their bowls as they did in the case of theprevious Buddha. The thousand Buddhas of this Bhadra-kalpa, indeed, willall use the same alms-bowl; and when the bowl has disappeared, the Lawof Buddha will go on gradually to be extinguished. After that extinctionhas taken place, the life of man will be shortened, till it is only aperiod of five years. During this period of a five years' life, rice, butter, and oil will all vanish away, and men will become exceedinglywicked. The grass and trees which they lay hold of will change intoswords and clubs, with which they will hurt, cut, and kill one another. Those among them on whom there is blessing will withdraw from societyamong the hills; and when the wicked have exterminated one another, theywill again come forth, and say among themselves, 'The men of formertimes enjoyed a very great longevity; but through becoming exceedinglywicked, and doing all lawless things, the length of our life has beenshortened and reduced even to five years. Let us now unite together inthe practice of what is good, cherishing a gentle and sympathizingheart, and carefully cultivating good faith and righteousness. When eachone in this way practises that faith and righteousness, life will go onto double its length till it reaches eighty thousand years. WhenMaitreya appears in the world, and begins to turn the wheel of this Law, he will in the first place save those among the disciples of the Lawleft by the Sâkya who have quitted their families, and those who haveaccepted the three Refuges, undertaken the five Prohibitions and theeight Abstinences, and given offerings to the Three Precious Ones;secondly and thirdly, he will save those between whom and conversionthere is a connection transmitted from the past. '" [1] Such was the discourse, and Fâ-hien wished to write it down as a portionof doctrine; but the man said, "This is taken from no Sûtra, it is onlythe utterance of my own mind. " [Footnote 1: That is, those whose Karma in the past should be rewardedby such conversion in the present. ] CHAPTER XL ~After Two Years Fâ-hien Takes Ship for China~ Fâ-hien abode in this country two years; and, in addition to hisacquisitions in Patna, succeeded in getting a copy of the Vinaya-pitakaof the Mahîsâsakâh school; the Dîrghâgama and Samyuktâgama Sûtras; andalso the Samyukta-sañchaya-pitaka;--all being works unknown in the landof Han. Having obtained these Sanscrit works, he took passage in a largemerchantman, on board of which there were more than two hundred men, andto which was attached by a rope a smaller vessel, as a provision againstdamage or injury to the large one from the perils of the navigation. With a favorable wind, they proceeded eastward for three days, and thenthey encountered a great wind. The vessel sprang a leak and the watercame in. The merchants wished to go to the smaller vessel; but the menon board it, fearing that too many would come, cut the connecting rope. The merchants were greatly alarmed, feeling their risk of instant death. Afraid that the vessel would fill, they took their bulky goods and threwthem into the water. Fâ-hien also took his pitcher and washing-basin, with some other articles, and cast them into the sea; but fearing thatthe merchants would cast overboard his books and images, he could onlythink with all his heart of Kwan-she-yin, and commit his life to theprotection of the church of the land of Han, saying in effect, "I havetravelled far in search of our Law. Let me, by your dread andsupernatural power, return from my wanderings, and reach myresting-place!" In this way the tempest continued day and night, till on the thirteenthday the ship was carried to the side of an island, where, on the ebbingof the tide, the place of the leak was discovered, and it was stopped, on which the voyage was resumed. On the sea hereabouts there are manypirates, to meet with whom is speedy death. The great ocean spreads out, a boundless expanse. There is no knowing east or west; only by observingthe sun, moon, and stars was it possible to go forward. If the weatherwere dark and rainy, the ship went as she was carried by the wind, without any definite course. In the darkness of the night, only thegreat waves were to be seen, breaking on one another, and emitting abrightness like that of fire, with huge turtles and other monsters ofthe deep all about. The merchants were full of terror, not knowing wherethey were going. The sea was deep and bottomless, and there was no placewhere they could drop anchor and stop. But when the sky became clear, they could tell east and west, and the ship again went forward in theright direction. If she had come on any hidden rock, there would havebeen no way of escape. After proceeding in this way for rather more than ninety days, theyarrived at a country called Java-dvipa, where various forms of error andBrahmanism are flourishing, while Buddhism in it is not worth speakingof. After staying there for five months, Fâ-hien again embarked inanother large merchantman, which also had on board more than two hundredmen. They carried provisions for fifty days, and commenced the voyage onthe sixteenth day of the fourth month. Fâ-hien kept his retreat on board the ship. They took a course to thenortheast, intending to fetch Kwang-chow. After more than a month, whenthe night-drum had sounded the second watch, they encountered a blackwind and tempestuous rain, which threw the merchants and passengers intoconsternation. Fâ-hien again, with all his heart, directed his thoughtsto Kwan-she-yin and the monkish communities of the land of Han; and, through their dread and mysterious protection, was preserved todaybreak. After daybreak, the Brahmans deliberated together and said, "It is having this Sramana on board which has occasioned our misfortuneand brought us this great and bitter suffering. Let us land the bhikshuand place him on some island-shore. We must not for the sake of one manallow ourselves to be exposed to such imminent peril. " A patron ofFâ-hien, however, said to them, "If you land the bhikshu, you must atthe same time land me; and if you do not, then you must kill me. If youland this Sramana, when I get to the land of Han, I will go to the king, and inform against you. The king also reveres and believes the Law ofBuddha, and honors the bhikshus. " The merchants hereupon were perplexed, and did not dare immediately to land Fâ-hien. At this time the sky continued very dark and gloomy, and thesailing-masters looked at one another and made mistakes. More thanseventy days passed from their leaving Java, and the provisions andwater were nearly exhausted. They used the salt-water of the sea forcooking, and carefully divided the fresh water, each man getting twopints. Soon the whole was nearly gone, and the merchants took counseland said, "At the ordinary rate of sailing we ought to have reachedKwang-chow, and now the time is passed by many days;--must we not haveheld a wrong course?" Immediately they directed the ship to thenorthwest, looking out for land; and after sailing day and night fortwelve days, they reached the shore on the south of mount Lao, on theborders of the prefecture of Ch'ang-kwang, and immediately got goodwater and vegetables. They had passed through many perils and hardships, and had been in a state of anxious apprehension for many days together;and now suddenly arriving at this shore, and seeing those well-knownvegetables, the lei and kwoh, [1] they knew indeed that it was the landof Han. Not seeing, however, any inhabitants nor any traces of them, they did not know whereabouts they were. Some said that they had not yetgot to Kwang-chow, and others that they had passed it. Unable to come toa definite conclusion, some of them got into a small boat and entered acreek, to look for someone of whom they might ask what the place was. They found two hunters, whom they brought back with them, and thencalled on Fâ-hien to act as interpreter and question them. Fâ-hien firstspoke assuringly to them, and then slowly and distinctly asked them, "Who are you?" They replied, "We are disciples of Buddha. " He thenasked, "What are you looking for among these hills?" They began tolie, [2] and said, "To-morrow is the fifteenth day of the seventh month. We wanted to get some peaches to present to Buddha. " He asked further, "What country is this?" They replied, "This is the border of theprefecture of Ch'ang-kwang, a part of Ts'ing-chow under the ruling Houseof Ts'in. " When they heard this, the merchants were glad, immediatelyasked for a portion of their money and goods, and sent men toCh'ang-kwang city. The prefect Le E was a reverent believer in the Law of Buddha. When heheard that a Sramana had arrived in a ship across the sea, bringing withhim books and images, he immediately came to the sea-shore with anescort to meet the traveller, and receive the books and images, and tookthem back with him to the seat of his government. On this the merchantswent back in the direction of Yang-chow; but when Fâ-hien arrived atTs'ing-chow, the prefect there begged him to remain with him for awinter and a summer. After the summer retreat was ended, Fâ-hien, havingbeen separated for a long time from his fellows, wished to hurry toCh'ang-gan; but as the business which he had in hand was important, hewent south to the Capital; and at an interview with the masters thereexhibited the Sûtras and the collection of the Vinaya which he hadprocured. After Fâ-hien set out from Ch'ang-gan, it took him six years to reachCentral India; stoppages there extended over six years; and on hisreturn it took him three years to reach Ts'ing-chow. The countriesthrough which he passed were a few under thirty. From the sandy desertwestwards on to India, the beauty of the dignified demeanor of themonkhood and of the transforming influence of the Law was beyond thepower of language fully to describe; and reflecting how our masters hadnot heard any complete account of them, he therefore went on withoutregarding his own poor life, or the dangers to be encountered on the seaupon his return, thus incurring hardships and difficulties in a doubleform. He was fortunate enough, through the dread power of the threeHonored Ones, to receive help and protection in his perils; andtherefore he wrote out an account of his experiences, that worthyreaders might share with him in what he had heard and said. [Footnote 1: What these vegetables exactly were it is difficult to say;and there are different readings of the characters for kwoh, brings thetwo names together in a phrase, but the rendering of it is simply "asoup of simples. "] [Footnote 2: It is likely that these men were really hunters; and, whenbrought before Fâ-hien, because he was a Sramana, they thought theywould please him by saying they were disciples of Buddha. But what haddisciples of Buddha to do with hunting and taking life? They were caughtin their own trap, and said they were looking for peaches. ] ~THE SORROWS OF HAN~ [Translated into English by John Francis Davis] INTRODUCTION "The Sorrows of Han" is considered by Chinese scholars to be one of thelargest tragedies in the whole range of the Chinese drama, which is veryvoluminous. Although, properly speaking, there are no theatres in China, the Chinese are passionately fond of dramatic representations. Chineseacting is much admired and praised by travellers who are competent tofollow the dialogue. The stage is generally a temporary erectionimprovised in a market-place, and the stage arrangements are of the mostprimitive character; no scenery is employed, and the actors introducethemselves in a sort of prologue, in which they state the name andcharacter they represent in the drama. They also indicate the placewhere they are in the story, or the house which they have entered. Yetthe Chinese stage has many points in common with that of Ancient Greece. It is supported and controlled by government, and has something of areligious and national character, being particularly employed forpopular amusement in the celebration of religious festivals. Only twoactors are allowed to occupy the stage at the same time, and this isanother point in common with the early Greek drama. The plots or storiesof the Chinese plays are simple and effective, and Voltaire is known tohave taken the plot of a Chinese drama, as Molière took a comedy ofPlautus, and applied it in writing a drama for the modern French stage. "The Sorrows of Han" belongs to the famous collection entitled "TheHundred Plays of the Yuen Dynasty. " It is divided into acts and is madeup of alternate prose and verse. The movement of the drama is good, andthe dénouement arranged with considerable skill. E. W. TRANSLATOR'S PREFACE The following drama was selected from the "Hundred Plays of Yuen, " whichhas already supplied to Europe two specimens of the Chinese stage--thefirst, called the "Orphan of Chaou, " translated by Père Premare; and thesecond, entitled an "Heir in Old Age, " by the author of the presentversion. "The Sorrows of Han" is historical, and relates to one of themost interesting periods of the Chinese annals, when the growingeffeminacy of the court, and consequent weakness of the government, emboldened the Tartars in their aggressions, and first gave rise to thetemporizing and impolitic system of propitiating those barbarians bytribute, which long after produced the downfall of the empire and theestablishment of the Mongol dominion. The moral of the piece is evidently to expose the evil consequences ofluxury, effeminacy, and supineness in the sovereign. "When love was all an easy monarch's care, Seldom at council--never in a war. " The hero, or rather the chief personage, of the drama, came to thethrone very near the beginning of the Christian era, about B. C. 42. Thefate of the Lady Chaoukeun is a favorite incident in history, of whichpainters, poets, and romancers frequently avail themselves; her "VerdantLamb" is said to exist at the present day, and to remain green all theyear round, while the vegetation of the desert in which it stands isparched by the summer sun. In selecting this single specimen from among so many, the translator wasinfluenced by the consideration of its remarkable accordance with ourown canons of criticism. The Chinese themselves make no regularclassification of comedy and tragedy; but we are quite at liberty togive the latter title to a play which so completely answers to theEuropean definition. The unity of action is complete, and the unities oftime and place much less violated than they frequently are on our ownstage. The grandeur and gravity of the subject, the rank and dignity ofthe personages, the tragical catastrophe, and the strict award ofpoetical justice, might satisfy the most rigid admirer of Grecian rules. The translator has thought it necessary to adhere to the original bydistinguishing the first act (or Proëm) from the four which follow it:but the distinction is purely nominal, and the piece consists, to allintents and purposes, of five acts. It is remarkable that this peculiardivision holds true with regard to a large number of the "Hundred Playsof Yuen. " The reader will doubtless be struck by the apparent shortness of thedrama which is here presented to him; but the original is eked out, incommon with all Chinese plays, by an irregular operatic species of song, which the principal character occasionally chants forth in unison with alouder or a softer accompaniment of music, as may best suit thesentiment or action of the moment. Some passages have been embodied inour version: but the translator did not give all, for the same reasonsthat prompted Père Premare to give none--"they are full of allusions tothings unfamiliar to us, and figures of speech very difficult for us toobserve. " They are frequently, moreover, mere repetitions oramplifications of the prose parts; and being intended more for the earthan the eye, are rather adapted to the stage than to the closet. His judgment may perhaps be swayed by partiality towards the subject ofhis own labors; but the translator cannot help thinking the plot andincidents of "The Sorrows of Han" superior to those of the "Orphan ofChaou"--though the genius of Voltaire contrived to make the last theground-work of an excellent French tragedy. Far is he, however, fromentertaining the presumptuous expectation that a destiny of equalsplendor awaits the present drama; and he will be quite satisfied if thereader has patience to read it to the end, and then pronounces it to bea somewhat curious sample of a very foreign literature. JOHN FRANCIS DAVIS. DRAMATIS PERSONAE YUENTE, Emperor of China of the Dynasty Han. HANCHENYU, K'han of the Tartars. MAOUYENSHOW, a worthless Minister of the Emperor. SHANGSHOO (a title), President of the Imperial Council. CHANGSHEE (a title), Officer in waiting. FANSHE (a title), Envoy of the K'han. CHAOUKEUN, Lady, raised to be Princess of Han. Tartar Soldiers, Female Attendants, Eunuchs. The Scene is laid in the Tartar Camp on the Frontiers; andin the Palace of Han. ~THE SORROWS OF HAN~ [1] ~PROLOGUE~ _Enter Hanchenyu, K'han [2] of the Tartars, reciting four verses_. K'HAN. The autumnal gale blows wildly through the grass, amidst our woolen tents. And the moon of night, shining on the rude huts, hears the lament of the mournful pipe: The countless hosts, with their bended horns, obey me as their leader. Our tribes are ten distinguished friends of the family of Han. I am Hanchenyu, the old inhabitant of the sandy waste; the sole ruler of the northern regions. The wild chase is our trade; battle and conquest our chief occupation. The Emperor Wunwong retired before our Eastern tribes; Weikeang trembled at us, and sued for our friendship. The ancient title of our chiefs has in the course of time been changed to that which I now bear. When the two races of Tsin and Han contended in battle, and filled the empire with tumult, our tribes were in full power: numberless was the host of armed warriors with their bended horns. For seven days my ancestor hemmed in with his forces the Emperor Kaoute; until, by the contrivance of the minister, a treaty was concluded, and the Princesses of China were yielded in marriage to our K'hans. Since the time of Hoeyte and the Empress Leuhow, [3] each successive generation has adhered to the established rule, and sought our alliance with its daughters. In the reign of the late Emperor Seuente, my brothers contended with myself for the rule of our nation, and its power was weakened until the tribes elected me as their chief. I am a real descendant of the empire of Han. I command a hundred thousand armed warriors. We have moved to the South, and approached the border, claiming an alliance with the Imperial race. Yesterday I despatched an envoy with tributary presents to demand a princess in marriage; but know not if the Emperor will ratify the engagement with the customary oaths. The fineness of the season has drawn away our chiefs on a hunting excursion amidst the sandy steppes. May they meet with success, for we Tartars have no fields--our bows and arrows are our sole means of subsistence. _Enter Minister of Han, reciting verses_. MINISTER. Let a man have the heart of a kite, and the talons of an eagle. Let him deceive his superiors, and oppress those below him; Let him enlist flattery, insinuation, profligacy, and avarice on his side, And he will find them a lasting assistance through life. I am no other than Maouyenshow, a minister of the sovereign of Han. By a hundred arts of specious flattery and address I have deceived the Emperor, until he places his whole delight in me alone. My words he listens to; and he follows my counsel. Within the precincts of the palace, as without them, who is there but bows before me--who is there but trembles at my approach? But observe the chief art which I have learned: It is this: to persuade the Emperor to keep aloof from his wise counsellors, and seek all his pleasures amidst the women of his palace. Thus it is that I strengthen my power and greatness. But, in the midst of my lucubrations--Here comes the Emperor. _Enter Emperor Yuente, attended by Eunuchs and Women_. EMPEROR [_recites verses]_. During the ten generations that have succeeded our acquisition of Empire, my race has alone possessed the four hundred districts of the world. Long have the frontiers been bound in tranquillity by the ties of mutual oaths. And our pillow has been undisturbed by grief or anxiety. Behold in us the Emperor Yuente, of the race of Han. Our ancestor Kaoute emerged from a private station, and raised his family by extinguishing the dynasty of Tsin, and slaughtering their race. Ten generations have passed away since he left this inheritance to us. The four boundaries of the empire have been tranquil; the eight regions at rest! But not through our personal merits; we have wholly depended on the exertions of our civil and military rulers. On the demise of our late father, the female inmates of the palace were all dispersed, and our harem is now solitary and untenanted; but how shall this be endured! MINISTER. Consider, sir, that even the thriving husbandman may desire to change his partner; then why not your Majesty, whose title is the Law of Heaven, whose possessions are the whole world! May I advise that commissioners be despatched to search throughout the empire for all of whatever rank that is most beautiful between the ages of fifteen and twenty, for the peopling of the inner palace. EMPEROR. You say well. We appoint you at once our minister of selection, and will invest you with a written authority. Search diligently through our realms; and when you have selected the most worthy, let us be provided with portraits of each, as a means of fixing our choice. By the merits of your services, you may supply us with an occasion of rewarding you on your return. [_Exeunt_. [Footnote 1: Han Koong Tsew, literally "Autumn in the Palace of Han";but in Chinese, Autumn is emblematic of Sorrow, as Spring is of Joy, andmay therefore be rendered by what it represents. ] [Footnote 2: In Chinese, Ko-ban. ] [Footnote 3: The mother of Hoeyte, a bold and able woman, who ruled forher son, the second emperor of Han. ] ~ACT FIRST~ MINISTER [_repeats verses_]. The huge ingots of yellow gold I appropriate to myself. I heed not the seas of blood which flow by perverting the laws. During life I am determined to have abundance of riches; what care I for the curses of mankind after my death? Having received the Emperor's commission to search far and wide for the most beautiful damsels, I have fixed upon ninety and nine. Their families were glad to invite my selection by rich gifts, and the treasure that I have amassed is not small. On arriving yesterday at a district pertaining to Chingtoo city, I met with a maiden, daughter of one Wongchang. The brightness of her charms was piercing as an arrow. She was perfectly beautiful--and doubtless unparalleled in the whole empire. But, unfortunately, her father is a cultivator of the land, not possessed of much wealth. When I insisted on a hundred ounces of gold to secure her being the chief object of the imperial choice, they first pleaded their poverty--and then, relying on her extraordinary beauty, rejected my offers altogether. I therefore left them. [_Considers awhile_. ] But no!----I have a better plan. [_He knits his brows and matures his scheme_. ] I will disfigure her portrait in such a manner that when it reaches the Emperor it shall secure her being doomed to neglected seclusion. Thus I shall contrive to make her unhappy for life--Base is the man who delights not in revenge! [_Exit. _ _Night_. --_Enter the Lady Chaoukeun, with two female attendants_. CHAOUKEUN [_recites verses_]. Though raised to be an inhabitant of the imperial dwelling I have long been here without the good fortune to see my prince. This beautiful night must I pass in lonely solitude, with no companion but my lute to solace my retirement. I am a native of Chingtoo city; and my father's occupation is husbandry. My mother dreamed on the day I was born that the light of the moon shone on her bosom, but was soon cast low to the earth. [1] I was just eighteen years of age when chosen as an inhabitant of the imperial palace; but the minister Maouyenshow, disappointed in the treasure which he demanded on my account, disfigured my portrait in such a manner as to keep me out of the Emperor's presence; and now I live in neglected solitude. While at home, I learned a little music, and could play a few airs on the lute. Thus sorrowing in the stillness of midnight, let me practise one of my songs to dispel my griefs. [_Begins to play on the lute_. _Enter Emperor, attended by a Eunuch, carrying a light_. EMPEROR. Since the beauties were selected to grace our palace, we have not yet discovered a worthy object on whom to fix our preference. Vexed and disappointed, we pass this day of leisure roaming in search of her who may be destined for our imperial choice. [_Hears the lute. _] Is not that some lady's lute? ATTENDANT. It is. --I hasten to advise her of your Majesty's approach. EMPEROR. No, hold! Keeper of the yellow gate, discover to what part of our palace that lady pertains; and bid her approach our presence; but beware lest you alarm her. ATTENDANT [_approaches in the direction of the sound, and speaks_]. What lady plays there? The Emperor comes! approach to meet him. [_Lady advances_. EMPEROR. Keeper of the yellow gate, see that the light burns brightly within your gauze [2] lamp, and hold it nearer to us. LADY _[approaching_]. Had your handmaid but known it was your Majesty, she would have been less tardy; forgive, then, this delay. EMPEROR. Truly this is a very perfect beauty! From what quarter come such superior charms? LADY. My name is Chaoukeun: my father cultivates at Chingtoo the fields which he has derived from his family. Born in an humble station, I am ignorant of the manners that befit a palace. EMPEROR. But with such uncommon attractions, what chance has kept you from our sight? LADY. When I was chosen by the minister Maouyenshow, he demanded of my father an amount of treasure which our poverty could not supply; he therefore disfigured my portrait, by representing a scar under the eyes, and caused me to be consigned to seclusion and neglect. EMPEROR. Keeper of the yellow gate, bring us that picture, that we may view it. [_Sees the picture_. ] Ah, how has he dimmed the purity of the gem, bright as the waves in autumn. [_To the attendant_] Transmit our pleasure to the officer of the guard, to behead Maouyenshow and report to us his execution. LADY. My parents, sir, are subject to the tax [3] in our native district. Let me entreat your Majesty to remit their contributions and extend favor towards them! EMPEROR. That shall readily be done. Approach and hear our imperial pleasure. We create you a Princess of our palace. LADY. How unworthy is your handmaid of such gracious distinction! [_Goes through the form of returning thanks_. ] Early to-morrow I attend your Majesty's commands in this place. The Emperor is gone: let the attendants close the doors:--I will retire to rest. _[Exit. _ [Footnote 1: Boding a short but fatal distinction to her offspring. ] [Footnote 2: Instead of glass, to defend it from the wind. ] [Footnote 3: The principal taxes in China are the land-tax, customs, salt monopoly, and personal service; which last is the source of muchoppression to the lowest orders, who have nothing but their labor tocontribute. ] ~ACT SECOND~ _Enter K'han of the Tartars, at the head of his Tribes_. K'HAN. I lately sent an envoy to the sovereign of Han, with the demand of a princess in marriage; but the Emperor has returned a refusal, under the plea that the princess is yet too young. This answer gives me great trouble. Had he not plenty of ladies in his palace, of whom he might have sent me one? The difference was of little consequence. [1] Let me recall my envoy with all speed, for I must invade the South with out forces. And yet I am unwilling to break a truce of so many years' standing! We must see how matters turn out, and be guided by the event. _Enter Minister of Han_. MINISTER. The severity with which I extorted money, in the selection of beauties for the palace, led me to disfigure the picture of Chaoukeun, and consign her to neglected seclusion. But the Emperor fell in with her, obtained the truth, and condemned me to lose my head. I contrived to make my escape--though I have no home to receive me. I will take this true portrait of Chaoukeun and show it to the Tartar K'han, persuading him to demand her from the Emperor, who will no doubt be obliged to yield her up. A long journey has brought me to this spot, and from the troops of men and horses I conclude I have reached the Tartar camp. [_Addresses himself to somebody_] Leader, inform King Hanchenyu that a great minister of the empire of Han is come to wait on him. K'HAN [_on being informed_]. Command him to approach. [_Seeing Maouyenshow_] What person are you? MINISTER. I am a minister of Han. In the western palace of the Emperor is a lady, named Chaoukeun, of rare and surpassing charms. When your envoy, great king, came to demand a princess, this lady would have answered the summons, but the Emperor of Han could not bring himself to part with her, and refused to yield her up. I repeatedly renewed my bitter reproaches, and asked how he could bear, for the sake of a woman's beauty, to implicate the welfare of two nations. For this the Emperor would have beheaded me; and I therefore escaped with the portrait of the lady, which I present, great king, to yourself. Should you send away an envoy with the picture to demand her, she must certainly be delivered up. Here is the portrait. [_Hands it up_. K'HAN. Whence could so beautiful a female have appeared in the world! If I can only obtain her, my wishes are complete. Immediately shall an envoy be despatched, and my ministers prepare a letter to the Emperor of Han, demanding her in marriage as the condition of peace. Should he refuse, I will presently invade the South: his hills and rivers shall be exposed to ravage. Our warriors will commence by hunting, as they proceed on their way; and thus gradually entering the frontiers, I shall be ready to act as may best suit the occasion. [_Exit. _ _The Palace of Han. Enter Lady, attended by females_. PRINCESS. A long period has elapsed since I had to thank his Majesty for his choice. The Emperor's fondness for me is so great, that he has still neglected to hold a court. I hear he is now gone to the hall of audience, and will therefore ornament myself at my toilet and be ready to wait on him at his return. [_Stands opposite a mirror_. _Enter Emperor_. EMPEROR. Since we first met with Chaoukeun in the western palace, we have been as it were deranged and intoxicated; a long interval has elapsed since we held a court; and on entering the hall of audience this day, we waited not until the assembly had dispersed, but returned hither to obtain a sight of her. [_Perceiving the Princess_. ] Let us not alarm her, but observe in secret what she is doing. [_Comes close behind and looks over her. _] Reflected in that round mirror, she resembles the Lady in the Moon. [2] _Enter President, and an Officer in waiting_. PRESIDENT [_recites verses. _] Ministers should devote themselves to the regulation of the empire; They should be occupied with public cares in the hall of government. But they do nought but attend at the banquets in the palace. When have they employed a single day in the service of their prince? This day, when the audience was concluded, an envoy arrived from the Tartars to demand Chaoukeun in marriage, as the only condition of peace. It is my duty to report this to his Majesty, who has retired to his western palace. Here I must enter. [_Perceiving the Emperor. _] I report to your Majesty that Hanchenyu, the leader of the northern foreigners, sends an envoy to declare that Maouyenshow has presented to him the portrait of the princess, and that he demands her in marriage as the only condition of peace. If refused, he will invade the South with a great power, and our rivers and hills will be exposed to rapine. EMPEROR. In vain do we maintain and send forth armies; vain are the crowds of civil and military officers about our palace! Which of them will drive back for us these foreign troops? They are all afraid of the Tartar swords and arrows! But if they cannot exert themselves to expel the barbarians, why call for the princess to propitiate them? PRESIDENT. The foreigners say that through your Majesty's devoted fondness for the princess, the affairs of your empire are falling into ruin. They declare that if the government does not yield her up, they will put their army in motion, and subdue the country. Your servant reflects, that Chow-wong [3] who lost his empire and life entirely through his blind devotion to Takee, is a fit example to warn your Majesty. Our army is weak, and needs the talents of a fit general. Should we oppose the Tartars, and be defeated, what will remain to us? Let your Majesty give up your fondness for the princess, to save your people. OFFICER. The envoy waits without for an audience. EMPEROR. Well; command that he approach us. _Enter Envoy_. ENVOY. Hanchenyu, K'han of the Tartars, sends me, his minister, to state before the great Sovereign of Han, that the Northern tribes and the Southern empire have long been bound in peace by mutual alliances; but that envoys being twice sent to demand a princess, his requisitions have been refused. The late minister, Maouyenshow, took with him the portrait of a beautiful lady, and presented it to the K'ban, who now sends me, his envoy, on purpose to demand the Lady Chaoukeun, and no other, as the only condition of peace between the two nations. Should your Majesty refuse, the K'han has a countless army of brave warriors, and will forthwith invade the South to try the chances of war. I trust your Majesty will not err in your decision. EMPEROR. The envoy may retire to repose himself in his lodging. [_Exit the Envoy_. ] Let our civil and military officers consult, and report to us the best mode of causing the foreign troops to retire, without yielding up the princess to propitiate them. They take advantage of the compliant softness of her temper. Were the Empress Leuhow alive--let her utter a word--which of them would dare to be of a different opinion? It would seem that, for the future, instead of men for ministers, we need only have fair women to keep our empire in peace. PRINCESS. In return for your Majesty's bounties, it is your handmaid's duty to brave death to serve you. I can cheerfully enter into this foreign alliance, for the sake of producing peace, and shall leave behind me a name still green in history. --But my affection for your Majesty, how am I to lay aside! EMPEROR. Alas, I [4] know too well that I can do no more than yourself! PRESIDENT. I entreat your Majesty to sacrifice your love, and think of the security of your Dynasty. Hasten, sir, to send the princess on her way! EMPEROR. Let her this day advance a stage on her journey, and be presented to the envoy. --To-morrow we will repair as far as the bridge of Pahling, and give her a parting feast. PRESIDENT. Alas! Sir, this may not be! It will draw on us the contempt of these barbarians. EMPEROR. We have complied with all our minister's propositions--shall they not, then, accede to ours? Be it as it may, we will witness her departure--and then return home to hate the traitor Maouyenshow! PRESIDENT. Unwillingly we advise that the princess be sacrificed for the sake of peace; but the envoy is instructed to insist upon her alone--and from ancient times, how often hath a nation suffered for a woman's beauty! PRINCESS. Though I go into exile for the nation's good, yet ill can I bear to part from your Majesty! _[Exeunt. _ [Footnote 1: The honor of the imperial alliance being the chief object. ] [Footnote 2: Changngo, the goddess of the moon, gives her name to thefinely curved eyebrows of the Chinese ladies, which are compared to thelunar crescent when only a day or two old. ] [Footnote 3: Chow-wong was the last of the Shang dynasty, and infamousby his debaucheries and cruelties, in concert with his empress Takee, the Theodora of Chinese history. ] [Footnote 4: The imperial pronoun "Tchin, " _me_, is with very good tastesupplied by _I_ in these impassioned passages. ] ~ACT THIRD~ _Enter Envoy, escorting the Princess, with a band of music_. PRINCESS. Thus was I, in spite of the treachery of Maouyenshow, who disfigured my portrait, seen and exalted by his Majesty; but the traitor presented a truer likeness to the Tartar king, who comes at the head of an army to demand me, with a threat of seizing the country. There is no remedy--I must be yielded up to propitiate the invaders! How shall I bear the rigors--the winds and frosts of that foreign land! It has been said of old, that "surpassing beauty is often coupled with an unhappy fate. " Let me grieve, then, without entertaining fruitless resentment at the effects of my own attractions. _Enter Emperor, attended by his several officers_. EMPEROR. This day we take leave of the princess at Pahling bridge! [_To his ministers_. ] Can ye not devise a way to send out these foreign troops, without yielding up the princess for the sake of peace? [_Descends from his horse and seems to grieve with Chaoukeun_. ] Let our attendants delay awhile, till we have conferred the parting cup. ENVOY. Lady, let us urge you to proceed on your way--the sky darkens, and night is coming on. PRINCESS. Alas! when shall I again behold your Majesty? I will take off my robes of distinction and leave them behind me. To-day in the palace of Han--to-morrow I shall be espoused to a stranger. I cease to wear these splendid vestments--they shall no longer adorn my beauty in the eyes of men. ENVOY. Again let us urge you, princess, to depart; we have delayed but too long already! EMPEROR. 'Tis done!--Princess, when you are gone, let your thoughts forbear to dwell with sorrow and resentment upon us! [_They part_. ] And am I the great Monarch of the line of Han? PRESIDENT. Let your Majesty cease to dwell with such grief upon this subject! EMPEROR. She is gone! In vain have we maintained those armed heroes on the frontier. [1] Mention but swords and spears, and they tremble at their hearts like a young deer. The princess has this day performed what belonged to themselves: and yet they affect the semblance of men! PRESIDENT. Your Majesty is entreated to return to the palace: dwell not so bitterly, Sir, on her memory:--allow her to depart! EMPEROR. Did I not think of her, I had a heart of iron--a heart of iron! The tears of my grief stream in thousand channels--this evening shall her likeness be suspended in the palace, where I will sacrifice to it--and tapers with their silver lights shall illuminate her chamber. PRESIDENT. Let your Majesty return to the palace--the princess is already far distant! [_Exeunt_. _The Tartar Camp. Enter K'han at the head of his tribes, leadingin the Princess_. K'HAN. The Emperor of Han having now, in observance of old treaties, yielded up to me the Lady Chaoukeun in marriage, I take her as my rightful queen. The two nations shall enjoy the benefits of peace. [_To his generals_] Leaders, transmit my commands to the army to strike our encampment, and proceed to the north. [_They march_. _The river Amoor. [2] Tartar army on its march_. PRINCESS. What place is this? ENVOY. It is the River of the Black Dragon, the frontier of the Tartar territories and those of China. This southern shore is the Emperor's; on the northern side commences our Tartar dominion. PRINCESS [_to the K'han_]. Great King, I take a cup of wine, and pour a libation towards the South--my last farewell to the Emperor--[_pours the libation_] of Han, this life is finished. I await thee in the next! [_Throws herself into the river. The K'han, in great consternation, endeavors to save her, but in vain_. K'HAN. Alas! alas!--so determined was her purpose against this foreign alliance--she has thrown herself into the stream, and perished! Tis done, and remediless! Let her sepulchre be on this river's bank, and be it called "the verdant tomb, " [3] She is no more; and vain has been our enmity with the dynasty of Han! The traitor Maouyenshow was the author of all this misery. [_To an officer_] Take Maouyenshow and let him be delivered over to the Emperor for punishment. I will return to our former friendship with the dynasty of Han. We will renew and long preserve the sentiments of relationship. The traitor disfigured the portrait to injure Chaoukeun--then deserted his sovereign, and stole over to me, whom he prevailed on to demand the lady in marriage. How little did I think that she would thus precipitate herself into the stream, and perish!--In vain did my spirit melt at the sight of her! But if I detained this profligate and traitorous rebel, he would certainly prove to us a root of misfortune: it is better to deliver him for his reward to the Emperor of Han, with whom I will renew, and long retain, our old feelings of friendship and amity. _[Exeunt. _ [Footnote 1: It may be observed that the great wall is never onceexpressly mentioned through this drama. The expression used is Pëensih, the border, or frontier. The wall had existed two hundred years at thistime, but the real frontier was beyond it. ] [Footnote 2: Or Saghalien, which falls into the sea of Ochotsk. ] [Footnote 3: Said to exist now and to be green all the year. ] ~ACT FOURTH~ _Enter Emperor, with an attendant_. EMPEROR. Since the princess was yielded to the Tartars, we have not held an audience. The lonely silence of night but increases our melancholy! We take the picture of that fair one and suspend it here, as some small solace to our griefs, [_To the attendant_] Keeper of the yellow gate, behold, the incense in yonder vase is burnt out: hasten then to add some more. Though we cannot see her, we may at least retain this shadow; and, while life remains, betoken our regard. But oppressed and weary, we would fain take a little repose. [_Lies down to sleep. The Princess appears before him in avision_. ] [1] PRINCESS. Delivered over as a captive to appease the barbarians, they would have conveyed me to their Northern country: but I took an occasion to elude them and have escaped back. Is not this the Emperor, my sovereign? Sir, behold me again restored. [_A Tartar soldier appears in the vision_. ] SOLDIER. While I chanced to sleep, the lady, our captive, has made her escape, and returned home. In eager pursuit of her, I have reached the imperial palace. --Is not this she? [_Carries her off. The Emperor starts from his sleep_. ] EMPEROR. We just saw the Princess returned--but alas, how quickly has she vanished! In bright day she answered not to our call--but when morning dawned on our troubled sleep, a vision presented her in this spot. [_Hears the wild fowl's [2] cry_] Hark, the passing fowl screamed twice or thrice!--Can it know there is no one so desolate as I? [_Cries repeated_] Perhaps worn out and weak, hungry and emaciated, they bewail at once the broad nets of the South and the tough bows of the North. [_Cries repeated_] The screams of those water-birds but increase our melancholy. ATTENDANT. Let your Majesty cease this sorrow, and have some regard to your sacred [3] person. EMPEROR. My sorrows are beyond control. Cease to upbraid this excess of feeling, since ye are all subject to the same. Yon doleful cry is not the note of the swallow on the carved rafters, nor the song of the variegated bird upon the blossoming tree. The princess has abandoned her home! Know ye in what place she grieves, listening like me to the screams of the wild bird? _Enter President_. PRESIDENT. This day after the close of the morning council, a foreign envoy appeared, bringing with him the fettered traitor Maouyenshow. He announces that the renegade, by deserting his allegiance, led to the breach of truce, and occasioned all these calamities. The princess is no more! and the K'han wishes for peace and friendship between the two nations. The envoy attends, with reverence, your imperial decision. EMPEROR. Then strike off the traitor's head, and be it presented as an offering to the shade of the princess! Let a fit banquet be got ready for the envoy, preparatory to his return. _[Recites these verses_. At the fall of the leaf, when the wild-fowl's cry was heard in the recesses of the palace. Sad dreams returned to our lonely pillow; we thought of her through the night:Her verdant tomb remains--but where shall we seek her self?The perfidious painter's head shall atone for the beauty which he wronged. [Footnote 1: There is nothing in this more extravagant than the similarvision in the tragedy of Richard III. ] [Footnote 2: Yengo, a species of wild goose, is the emblem in China ofintersexual attachment and fidelity, being said never to pair againafter the loss of its mate. An image of it is worshipped by newlymarried couples. ] [Footnote 3: Literally, "dragon person. " The emperor's throne is oftencalled the "dragon seat. "]