The Threefold Significance of Confucius’ Sacrificial Concept: An Examination Based on the Shanghai Museum Bamboo Slips “The Great Drought in Lu” and “Confucius’ Commentary on the Book of Songs - Gantang (The Sweet Pear Tree)”

Abstract

The recent publication of the Shanghai Museum bamboo slips Lu Bang Da Han (The Great Drought in the State of Lu) and Kongzi Shi Lun·Gan-tang (Confucius' Commentary on the Book of Songs: The Sweet Pear Tree) has opened new avenues for the study of Confucius’ views on sacrifice. The text of Lu Bang Da Han, which prioritizes “rectifying punishments and virtues” over “sacrificing to mountains and rivers”, reveals that Confucius regarded sac-rifice as a flexible instrument to pacify the people and promote virtuous gover-nance. Meanwhile, the four commentaries in Gantang interpret “bao” (requital) as “bao” (protection), highlighting that the essence of sacrifice lies in commem-orating virtuous governance and expressing gratitude, rather than seeking blessings or averting calamities. Drawing on these newly available materials from Lu Bang Da Han and Kongzi Shi Lun·Gantang, Confucius’ sacrificial per-spective can be synthesized into three core principles: first, the ethical principle of “reflecting on origins and repaying roots, with virtue as the only truth”; sec-ond, the political principle of “taking virtuous governance as the foundation, employing flexibility as the means”; and third, the practical principle of “combin-ing reverence with moderation, opposing excessive sacrifices”.

上博简《鲁邦⼤旱》《孔⼦诗论·⽢棠》⼆篇整理问世，为孔⼦祭祀观研 究开辟新境。《鲁邦⼤旱》中“正刑与德”先于“祭祀⼭川”的论述等，揭示了孔⼦ 将祭祀视为安抚⺠⼼、推⾏德政的权变⼯具。⽽《⽢棠》四评则以“报”释“保”， 彰显了祭祀的本质在于追怀德政、感念恩德，⽽⾮祈福禳灾。结合上博简《鲁邦 ⼤旱》《孔⼦诗论·⽢棠》材料补充，孔⼦祭祀观实可综括为三重要义：⼀为“反 始报本，唯德为真”的伦理要义，⼆为“德政为本，权变为⽤”的政治要义，三为 “敬度相济，反对淫祀”的实践要义。