An Inquiry into the Core of Xunzi's 'On Rites': The Origin of Rites, Textual-Structural Logic, and the Way of Elevation and Reduction
This article provides an in-depth exegesis of the foundational text in the opening of Xunzi's 'On Rites,' systematically analyzing the logical chain linking the origin of rites to human desire and societal conflict, elucidating the structural concept of 'Honoring the fundamental is called text (wen), utilizing it closely is called principle (li),' and investigating the hierarchical dimensions of elevation (long), reduction (sha), and the middle way within rites pertaining to the gentleman's path.
Section 1 "That which is deep (hou) is the accumulation of Rites": The Profundity of Rites
"Thus, that which is deep (hou) is the accumulation of Rites; that which is great (da) is the expanse of Rites; that which is high (gao) is the flourishing (long) of Rites; that which is bright (ming) is the perfection (jin) of Rites."
This sentence summarizes the highest qualities of Rites using four terms—"Depth, Greatness, Height, Brightness"—which can be called the "Four Virtues of Rites."
"That which is deep (hou) is the accumulation of Rites" (Hou zhe, Li zhi ji ye)—"Depth" (Hou) is the accumulation of Rites.
"Deep" (Hou)—Profound, mellow. "Accumulation" (Ji)—Accumulation, sedimentation. "Depth" is the profound foundation formed through long-term accumulation.
The cultivation of Rites cannot be achieved overnight; it requires long-term study, practice, and reflection. The term "accumulation" (ji) is entirely consistent with the concept of "accumulation" repeatedly emphasized by Master Xunzi in the Quan Xue chapter:
"Accumulate soil to form a mountain, and wind and rain will arise from it; accumulate water to form a deep pool, and dragons will emerge from it; accumulate goodness to form virtue, and divine perception will be spontaneously attained, and the Sage’s mind will be complete. Thus, without accumulating steps of one pace, one cannot travel a thousand li; without accumulating small streams, one cannot form rivers and seas."
Accumulating soil to form a mountain, accumulating water to form a pool, accumulating goodness to form virtue—all great achievements result from accumulation. The "depth" (hou) of Rites is also formed through the daily accumulation of cultivation. It is not superficial decoration but a quality ingrained in the bones—like the depth of the Earth, it bears all things without wavering.
The I Ching, Kun Gua (Receptive Hexagram) states:
"The status of Earth is Receptive; the superior man thereby strengthens his virtue and carries all things."
"Strengthening virtue and carrying all things" (Hou de zai wu)—The "depth" (hou) of Rites is the concrete manifestation of this profound virtue. A truly cultivated person, in practicing Rites, is as deep as the Earth—able to respond calmly to any situation without losing measure.
The Book of Songs, Da Ya, Yi states:
"The gentle and respectful man, this is the foundation of virtue."
The gentle and respectful person (wen wen gong ren)—gentle and profound—is a vivid portrayal of the "depth" (hou) of Rites.