Three teachings and nine streams, five elements and eight works
The Three Religions and Nine Streams refer to the religions and various academic schools in ancient China, which is a hierarchical division of people's status and professional names in ancient times, and is also used to refer to various industries and people in society.
Let's talk about the "three religions" first. Confucianism is based on the basic doctrine of "monarchs, ministers, fathers, fathers, sons"; With the fundamental purpose of "loyalty and filial piety". With the principle of "being poor and being alone, and helping the world when you are good". In fact, it is based on Mencius's "four hearts" theory of "compassion", "shame", "resignation" and "right and wrong" as the guiding ideology to standardize people's way of life. "Taoism" is based on Lao Tzu's "Tao Te Ching" as the classic, with the Tao as the ontology, believing that the Tao gives birth to one, life to two, two to three, and three to all things. Man is the law of the earth, the earth is the law of the sky, the heaven is the law, and the Tao is the nature. Pursue the rule of inaction and achieve the realm of quiet inaction. "Buddhism" is Buddhism, which is a religion with Shakyamuni as the founding patriarch. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, Buddhism was introduced to China along the Silk Road.
Let's talk about the "ninth stream". The Hanshu Art and Literature Chronicles divides the hundred schools of thought into nine streams, such as "Yin and Yang", "Confucianism", "Mo", "Name", "Law" and "Morality". Ancient books refer to Confucianism, Taoism, Moism, mastery, legalism, and moralism as the "Six Ways". The most genre is the Yin-Yang family, which divides the number of magicians into six types: astronomy, almanac, five elements, yarrow turtle, miscellaneous occupation, and form method. "Food and Goods" is divided into four schools: heaven, earth, yin and yang. In addition, there are nine streams and ten families, such as vertical and horizontal families, miscellaneous families, peasant families, vertical and horizontal families, celebrity schools, ** families, soldiers, and Mo families. Each family has made a contribution to certain aspects of society and has left its own distinctive mark on it. Confucianism and Taoism were successful scholars, and the secret of their success lay in adapting to the political needs of the ruling class. Therefore, it was enshrined as orthodox and has been passed down to this day. The Mohists and Legalists, who were once flourishing in the Warring States Period, have disappeared as independent schools, and their influence has gradually weakened. Why is that? Because their political views are extreme, especially their attitude towards the working people, which is incompatible with the ruling class. Therefore, it was denounced as "heresy" by orthodox Confucianism and was excluded and suppressed. From a class standpoint, Confucianism is indeed superior to Mohistism. As a representative of small production laborers, the political ideas of the Mohists were quite difficult to realize, so they were finally submerged in the vast river of history.
In ancient Chinese society, the "five elements and eight works" generally referred to workers in various industries. The "Five Elements" refer to the five substances of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, and the "Eight Works" refer to the eight trades in which craftsmen work: blacksmiths, stonemasons, potters, carpenters, bricklayers, straw weavers, paper-cutters, and painters.
In traditional Chinese culture, "three religions, nine streams, five elements and eight works" is a complex concept that reflects the pluralism and class differentiation of ancient Chinese society. By understanding the characteristics and status of these different classes and groups, we can better understand the diversity and complexity of ancient Chinese society. The division of occupations and role positioning in the "Three Teachings, Nine Streams, Five Elements and Eight Works" are not static, but constantly changing with the development of history and the changes in the social environment. In modern society, the concept of "three religions, nine streams, five elements and eight works" is no longer applicable, and has been replaced by a more equal and inclusive social structure and values. However, the concept of "Three Teachings, Nine Streams, Five Elements and Eight Works" is still significant, providing us with an important perspective on ancient Chinese society and culture. By studying the formation and development of this concept, we can gain insight into the political, economic, and cultural conditions of ancient Chinese society, as well as the relationships and interactions between different classes and groups. This will help us better understand the development of Chinese history and culture, and better inherit and carry forward the excellent traditional cultural heritage in today's society.