Heaven Fire Tongren: Confucian-Daoist Dialogue and the Investigation of Ancient Spiritual Origins from a Pre-Qin Perspective

Section 6: Music and Dance in Tóng Rén

In ancient society, music and dance were among the most effective means of aggregating people's hearts. The Lüshi Chunqiu (Ancient Music, though a late Warring States work, it preserves many legends of ancient music and dance) records stories of ancient sage-kings composing music.

The Book of Documents (Shùn Diǎn) records:

"The Emperor said: 'Kui! I command you to take charge of music, to instruct the young sons. Be upright yet warm, generous yet serious, vigorous yet not tyrannical, simple yet not arrogant. The poems express intent, the songs prolong the words, the sounds follow the prolongation, the pitches harmonize the sounds. The eight tones are completely harmonious, none overstepping the others, so that spirits and men are in accord.' Kui replied: 'Ah! When I strike the stone and beat the stone, all beasts dance in attendance.'" (帝曰：夔！命汝典乐，教胄子。直而温，宽而栗，刚而无虐，简而无傲。诗言志，歌永言，声依永，律和声。八音克谐，无相夺伦，神人以和。夔曰：於！予击石拊石，百兽率舞。)

"The eight tones are completely harmonious, none overstepping the others, so that spirits and men are in accord" (bā yīn kè xié, wú xiāng duó lún, shén rén yǐ hé)—the eight kinds of musical instruments, made of different materials, produce different sounds, but they cooperate harmoniously under the coordination of the musician, leading to accord between spirits and men. "All beasts dance in attendance"—the appeal of music is so great that even the wild beasts dance along. This describes the highest form of Tóng Rén achieved through music—not only accord between people but even accord between people and beasts, and between people and spirits.

The power of music lies in its ability to directly move people's hearts and consolidate their unity without resorting to verbal reasoning. When a group sings the same song and dances the same dance, they naturally sense each other's presence and connection—this feeling does not require "understanding," only "resonance."

Confucius greatly valued music. The Analects (Taibai) records:

"The Master said: 'To be aroused by the Odes, to establish oneself by Rites, and to be perfected by Music.'" (兴于诗，立于礼，成于乐。)

"Perfected by Music" (chéng yú yuè)—the final perfection of character is achieved through music. Music enables people to reach the highest spiritual state—a state of harmony, joy, and integration with Heaven, Earth, and all things. This is the ultimate expression of the Way of Tóng Rén.