Indian Antiquary Vol 17

SR No.: 032509
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 430
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[NOVEMBER, 1888.
as a present a carp, and Confucius therefore above justice. When statesmen use this lannamed his son Li, that being the Chinese word guage they mean that they prefer to hold for "carp.' Native artists represent the sage firmly to Confucianism, but it is not unjust to as standing at his door with folded hands, pre- say that the real cause of their want of willingpared to receive the platter of fish from the ness to inaugurate improvements is that they servant who accompanied the official messen- possess too much indolence, timidity, and narger of the prince.
rowness of view, to allow of their making any Confucius, while still young, was a diligent decided progress, willingly at least. inquirer into ceremonies, and it is mentioned Confucius went on a visit to the Chow counthat he visited the ancestral temple of the try, the imperial domain. He is usually resovereign of Loo to enquire into the details of presented as travelling in a carriage drawn by worship. The harp, the bell, and the musical two horses, the gift of his sovereign. He stone, the vases in which the offerings were would proceed westward for ten or twelve days placed, and the other implements used in sa- to reach the old capital of the Chow emperors. erificing, were all in turn the subjects of his He there saw the founder of Tanism, known questionings. The intense interest shewn by as Lau-tan. In the modern engraving conhim in ceremonies was one of the reasons why tained in the hundred pictures of the life of he attained, while comparatively young, the Confucias above referred to, Lan-tan is an old reputation of a sage. In one of a hundred gentleman, sitting at a table on which a harp scenes engraved in China to accompany bio- lies. This he plays. He has a high forehead graphical noticer of Confucius, may be seen deeply marked with the lines of age. Confuthe master seated at a table with his pupils cius is 51 years old, grave, intelligent and around him. Two new disciples are just polite. He asks information as to the cereentering. They are grave men coming to monies of the Court. Lan-tan, being an officer consult the sage. They do so because they of many years' standing, is well able to answer have been recommended by their instructor,his enquiries. On parting he said to his just deceased, to rely in future on the aid visitor,--"Not being rich, I have no valuable of Confucius in their studies. In the Great things to present to you. The good man, when Instruction, 'the first among the Four Books, parting, speaks his thoughts. It is robbery for there is a sentence which has become very me to claim to be good, but I speak my popular—"Let justice be your profit." In a thoughts; and this I say, that with intelligence kingdom, gain is not to be considered as gain. you distinguish deeply and are bold to advise Its gain will be found in justice. That is, the even if death be near. Your views are aim of men must be to do justly and to regard broad; and even when dangerous to yourself this as prosperity. These were, it is said, the you will expose men's crimes. As a son, you words of a forefather of the dying statesman, regard yourself as entirely belonging to your who recommended his pupils to follow the father and mother; as a subject, as entirely teaching of Confacius. With him they would belonging to your prince." This interview is be morally safe. This sentence from the mentioned in the life of Confucius, writien Great Instruction-"Gain will be found in about 100 B.C. by Ss-ma-tsien. In the extant justice"-is a great favourite, and is frequently sculpture of this visit made about the year seen written on the doors of tradespeople in China A.D. 180, Lau-tan stands leaning on a staff. in interchange with such sentences as "Those Confucius presents him with a bird as a gift, who are loyal and filial will long maintain and another bird flying near is added as an their family prosperity." At the present time ornament. Both the sages wear a flat-crowned the same sentence is often quoted by the hat with turned-up brim. There are no characChinese in defence of their conservative policy. teristic features, nor any attempt to express Tf they are advised to adopt railways and the the greatness of the two sagas. The merit of foreign method of working wines, in order to the sculptured group is that of representing increase the material prosperity of their coun the customs of the time. The costumes, the try, they reply that this would be to invert usages, the stamp of Chinese antiquity are the teaching of the sages by putting gain there. In the artist's mind the two sages are