本集課程重點包括:
一、孔子真的不懂禘禮嗎?
孔子博學多聞能通達禮儀,對於禘禮卻說不知道,其實是為了避諱魯君的過惡,也就是上一章所說,亂昭穆(輩分)、僭越禮制的行為,所以孔子稱說不知,避免張揚。
二、孔子的言外之意
孔子接著又說,如果知道禘禮的意義、內涵等等說法,那對於複雜的天下事,就會像觀自己掌紋那般清楚地顯示。孔子的言外之意,他對於禘禮其實是明瞭的,而且真正懂得禘禮的人,再複雜困難的事情,例如辦政治,也可以辦成功。
三、禘禮的意義
在這個盛大的祭祀典禮中,有莊嚴的儀式,還有知恩報恩的心態。大家辦事時,不忘依照身分、輩分安排應有的次序,祭典結束後,還能共享祭品,代表恩惠能夠普施大眾,彼此敬酒時也能相互恭敬禮讓,以上都是成功的政治所需要的內涵,是治國的要領。
八佾篇第十一章白話翻譯
【經文】
或問禘之說。子曰:不知也。知其說者之於天下也,其如示諸斯乎。指其掌。
【白話解釋】
有人問孔子,禘祭之禮,這個禮怎麼說明。孔子答說不知道,然後伸出手掌,告訴此人,誰能知道禘禮之說,誰即對於天下複雜的事,顯示如這般。說到「示諸斯」時,孔子就用另一手,指他所伸的手掌,亦即顯示天下事如手掌紋,對於天下事了如指掌。
【章旨】
此章言臣為國諱惡,亦是禮也。
《論語講要》原文
或人問孔子,禘祭之禮,其說何如。孔子先答曰不知。然後伸出手掌,告訴或人,誰能知道禘禮之說,誰即對於天下複雜之事,其如示之於此乎。「示諸斯」的諸字,是「之於」二字的合音字。斯字作此字講。孔子說到「示諸斯」時,即以另一手,指其所伸的手掌。之於二字的「之」字即指天下事而言。「如示諸斯」即是猶如指示天下事於此手掌之中。亦即是對於天下事了如指掌之意。「指其掌」是記者之言。
「子曰,不知也。」孔安國注:「答以不知者,為魯諱。」劉氏正義說:「孔子諱,即逆祀之事。」皇侃疏:「臣為國諱惡,則是禮也。」
English
Teacher Tang Yuling will accompany you to read The Analects
52. Book 3 Ba Yi (The Eight-row Dance), Chapter 11
Some one asked the meaning of the great sacrifice. The Master said, “I do not know. He who knew its meaning would find it as easy to govern the kingdom as to look on this” - pointing to his palm.
Highlights of this lecture include:
1. Does Confucius really not understand the meaning of the “di禘” or great sacrifice?
Confucius was well-learned and had profound knowledge about propriety and ceremonies. He answered that he could not explain the rite of di to the one with a question. Actually, he wanted to avoid addressing the fault of the then Duke of Lu—the willful fault of reverse the zhao昭and mu穆 ordering of the spirit tablets the that abuse the honor of seniority and the rites of propriety. That's why Confucius replied he did not know was to prevent the fault making known to public.
2. Confucius’s unspoken implication
And then Confucius said whoever knew the meaning of the di sacrificial ritual would deal with all the difficult affairs under heaven as clearly as lines on his palm he was pointing. Confucius’s unspoken implication was that he knew and could explain the meaning of the di sacrifice; and anyone who really understand the meaning of the great sacrifice would deal with all difficult affairs such as politics.
3. The meaning of the di sacrifice
Throughout the magnificent ceremonies of the di rite of ancestral worship, a solemn atmosphere was created to express participants’ gratitude. In order to allow the ceremonies to move on smoothly, orders of priorities in respect to status and seniority were followed. Every step and conduct was proceeded in accordance to right and rank. Eventually, food of sacrifice and offerings were shared among familial member-participants as a form and symbol of conferring blessings on each and every one of them. They toasted and drank wine becomingly with mutual respects and courtesy. A right apprehension of the rites also made government easy. As these qualities of propriety were the true meanings behind the great di sacrifice which could help to found a successful governance of a polity.