An Inquiry into the Core of Xunzi's 'On Rites': The Origin of Rites, Textual-Structural Logic, and the Way of Elevation and Reduction

Section 4 The Dynamism and Adaptability of Rites

Reading through these four passages in Master Xunzi’s Discourse on Rites, one theme that runs throughout is: Rites are dynamic, not static.

"The two support each other and grow"—Desire and material things grow together. "Begins with simplicity, is completed in culture, and ends in joyful calibration"—Rites have a process of arising and developing. "Flourishing, reduction, middle course"—Rites have different forms depending on the situation. "Steps, gallops, swift flights"—The practice of Rites has different rhythms and intensities.

This dynamism implies that Rites are not a set of rigid dogmas but a living organism—capable of adapting to different situations, different eras, and different groups of people.

Master Kong’s discussion of "addition and subtraction" (sun yi) in Rites precisely emphasizes this adaptability:

"The Yin Shang inherited the Rites of the Xia, the additions and subtractions can be known; the Zhou inherited the Rites of the Yin, the additions and subtractions can be known."

Rites undergo constant "addition and subtraction" throughout history to adapt to new needs. But the unchanging core of this "addition and subtraction" is "honoring the root" (respecting the fundamental spirit). When the fundamental spirit remains unchanged, the specific forms can be adjusted according to the times—this is the unity of dynamism and stability in Rites.

Master Xunzi criticizes those who are rigidly conservative and fail to adapt in the Fei Shi Er Zi (Against the Twelve Masters) chapter:

"They do not know the method of establishing a state and governing the world, favoring great frugality and neglecting differentiation of grades."

This criticism targets those who do not understand the dynamism and adaptability of Rites.