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 4 "This is what is meant": The Concluding Meaning
"This is what is meant." (Ci zhi wei ye.)
Master Xunzi uses this phrase from the Book of Odes to conclude and summarize his entire argument. His intention is that the beautiful scene described in the Book of Odes—where "Rites and ceremonies perfectly measure, laughter and speech perfectly accord"—is the literary expression of the ideal state of Rites he has been discussing.
Theoretically, this ideal state is:
- "Emotion and culture fully realized" (qing wen ju jin)—Emotion and form both reach their extremes.
- "When the two combine to form culture, they return to the Great Unity" (liang zhe he er cheng wen, yi gui Da Yi)—Root and utility are perfectly unified, returning to the Great Unity.
- "Ends in joyful calibration" (zhong hu yue jiao)—Consciously observing order amidst harmony and joy.
- "Moving deftly and grasping the order implicitly" (fang huang zhou xie, qu de qi ci xu)—Skillfully mastering every detail.
- Possessing the qualities of "Depth, Greatness, Height, and Brightness" (hou, da, gao, ming).
In practice, this ideal state is exactly as described in the Book of Odes—during sacrificial banquets, all rites conform to standards, and all laughter and speech are perfectly appropriate—solely solemn yet naturally free, both regulated and liberal, both profound and joyous.