At the end of the Spring and Autumn Period, Laozi reflected on the real society from a historical perspective and wrote the Tao Te Ching, which marked the birth of the Taoist school. And some of his ideological successors inherited his spirit of criticism and transcendence, forming the school of Laozi and Zhuangzi; Some inherited his thought of "noble birth and rebirth" and formed the Yang Zhu School. Some inherited his thought of practical use and formed the Huang-Lao School. Among them, the school of Huang Lao followed the trend of the times and was favored by the rulers, and gradually became the mainstream of Taoist thought at that time.
Just before and after the birth of the Tao Te Ching, wuyue's hegemony happened. With the help of Fan Li and others, the weak country of Yue made a policy of rest and recuperation, and finally won ten years after reunification. On this basis, an epoch-making work, Silk of Huang Lao, came out and became a classic of Huang Lao. Since then, Huang Lao's family has formed two closely related branches centered on Qi and Chu. Among them, the most influential is the Huang family. It is closely related to Xia Ji and Gong Xue of Qi State.
After Tian replaced Qi, in order to get rid of the accusation of usurping power, strive for talents and consolidate political power, he founded and recruited talents everywhere. Soon, there was a grand occasion for a hundred schools of thought to contend and a hundred schools of thought to contend. Among Xia Ji, Gong Xue and hundred schools of thought, the Huang family in Xia Ji has the largest number, the strongest influence, the richest works and the greatest influence, which can be said to be "Huang Lao dominates, overwhelming hundreds". Its representative figures are Meng Peng, Shen Dao, Tian Pian, Meson, Yuan Huan, Song Shuo, Yin Wen and so on. In addition to the lost Song Zi, there are Shen Zi, Yin Wenzi and Hong who are closely related to the Huang Lao family. The rulers of Qi basically ruled the country according to Huang Lao's Taoist thought and became one of the most powerful countries among the Seven Heroes in the Warring States Period.
By the end of the Warring States period, the King of Qi was militaristic and full of vitality, Xia Ji and Gong Xue declined, and the descendants of the Huang-Lao School in Xia Ji gradually dispersed. Soon, the people who were called upon by the then Prime Minister of Qin went there in succession and became counselors and assistants, which played a very important role in the compilation of Lv's Spring and Autumn Annals. Lv Buwei also promoted the politics of Huang Lao in Qin State, where legalism was dominant, which made the economy and culture of Qin State prosperous for a short time. In addition, it is worth mentioning that Guanzi, which was born in the State of Chu in this period, is also an important work of Huang. Together with Lu Chunqiu, it shows the characteristics of Huang Lao's thought at the end of the Warring States Period.
After Qin Shihuang came to power, he abolished most of Lv Buwei's measures, revived Legalism, and spread his will to the whole country in the process of unifying China. Soon, he pursued the cultural absolutism policy of "burning books to bury Confucianism", which dealt a heavy blow to the contention of a hundred schools of thought, including Huang and Huang. However, the remnants of Huang Lao's thought among the people still exist. After the Han Dynasty replaced the Qin Dynasty, Cao Can, then prime minister, absorbed the essence of Huang Lao's thought of governing the country in Qi State, the birthplace of Huang Lao School in Xia Ji, and turned it into the guiding ideology of the whole country. As a result, a prosperous period called "cultural scene rule" appeared in the history of China. Under such a solid realistic background, Sima Tan (the father of Sima Qian) summed up Huang Lao's Taoist thought and put forward the concept of Taoism for the first time. He said: "Taoism is inaction, and it is said that everything is there. In fact, it is easy to do, but its handwriting is difficult to understand. Its technology is based on nothingness and uses conformity. Nothing is possible and impermanent, so we can study the feelings of everything. Not the first thing, not the last thing, so it can be the master of all things. " Taoism "because of the harmony of Yin and Yang, it is not appropriate to adopt the goodness of Confucianism and Mohism, to summarize the famous laws, to keep pace with the times, to change things, and to establish customs; This is easy to operate and less and less. " In addition, Liu An, the king of Huainan at that time, organized his disciples to compile Huainanzi, which became the pinnacle of Huang. Influenced by his father Sima Qian, Historical Records reveals the thoughts of the Huang family everywhere. Moreover, because Taoism brought great economic prosperity, Sima Qian also discussed the laws of economic operation and entrepreneurship, which became a unique phenomenon in ancient China.
However, at that time, Huang Lao's thought became the mainstream, which was based on the separation of the three powers of emperor, vassal and military class, and the imperial power was restricted to a certain extent. After Emperor Han Jing put down the "Seven Kingdoms Rebellion", the vassal power was greatly weakened, and the military class was worse than the previous generation. The emperor, whose power expanded, could no longer bear the shackles of the "quiet nature" of the Huang family. Therefore, Confucianism, which advocates respecting the monarch and making long rites, has replaced Taoism and become the orthodox thought of the country. This situation lasted for nearly two thousand years. During these two thousand years, most of the works of the Huang family were gradually lost, and the glory of the Huang family was gradually forgotten. Only in recent decades, due to the excavation of a large number of ancient bamboo slips, people gradually realized the grand occasion of the Huang family in the Warring States, Qin and Han Dynasties.
After Confucianism replaced Taoism as the orthodox thought of the country, Huang Lao's Taoist thought did not completely disappear. Many times, the rulers are "tyrannical and miscellaneous", as Xuan Di, the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, said. That is, sometimes it is "serving Confucianism outside" and sometimes it is "serving Confucianism outside". Whenever the imperial system is partially restricted by subjective and objective conditions, the Huang Lao family will revive and bring economic and cultural prosperity (because the inaction of the rulers is limited to economic and cultural). Song Huizong, Zhu Yuanzhang, Kangxi and other The Ming dynasty emperors's interpretations of Tao Te Ching and Wen Jing Zhi, as well as the high economic and cultural prosperity in the Song Dynasty, the enlightenment trend in the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties, and today's achievements in reform and opening up are all closely related to Huang Lao's thoughts. Therefore, there is a folk saying that "the way to govern the world, the Buddha in troubled times, and the Confucianism in chaos".
School relationship
Sima Tan said, "Because of the harmony between Yin and Yang, it is not appropriate to adopt the goodness of Confucianism and Mohism, grasp the importance of fame and law, keep pace with the times, conform to the changes of things, and establish customs and do things." Huang's attitude towards Confucianism, Mohism and Legalism is eclectic, which not only enriches his theoretical system, but also has a far-reaching influence on other schools. Historical facts also show that the period when Huang Laojia ruled the country was mostly a period of cultural prosperity and a hundred schools of thought contended.
1, the relationship with Taoism
The Huang family is one of the two branches of Taoism. During the Warring States, Qin and Han Dynasties, it was the main form of Taoist thought. After the rise of metaphysics in Wei and Jin Dynasties, its position was replaced by Laozi and Zhuangzi. And the relationship with Zhuang zi is very close. This edition of Tao Te Ching is the result of the combination of Lao Zi's original thought and Huang Lao's thought. Even Zhuangzi, the representative work of Laozi and Zhuangzi School, is deeply branded with Huang Lao's thoughts.
2. Relationship with Legalists
Academically, legalist thought originated from Huang. Legalists attached great importance to the regularity of Tao, clarified the relationship between Tao and reason, and inherited and developed Huang Lao's thought. The so-called magic potential they emphasized was first put forward by the Huang family. Therefore, they are very similar in many aspects, so many people think that the Huang family, like the Legalists, are all "the art of governing the south", but the Huang Laodao family adheres to the principle of "the Tao is quiet, and the Tao gives birth to the law", which is in sharp contrast with the Legalists. In addition, Huang Laotao advocated adopting a hundred schools at the same time, while Legalists advocated banning a hundred schools. Therefore, after the sudden demise of the Qin dynasty, which used legalism, the emerging Han dynasty wanted to set things right with Huang Lao's thought.
3. Relationship with Confucianism
Huang Lao's thoughts on Confucian hierarchy, benevolence and courtesy were absorbed, and Huang Lao's thoughts on the unity of punishment and morality also had a far-reaching impact on Confucianism. Because the simple use of Confucianism will bring disaster to Wang Mang, most of the rulers in the future will be "Confucianism outside" or "Huang Lao inside Confucianism outside". In the early days of the founding of many dynasties, Confucianism and Huang Lao thought were cultivated both internally and externally, which played an important role in the recovery of social economy and culture.
4. relationship with sage
Because Huang Lao Dao's scholars are eclectic and eclectic, they are often regarded as sages in history. But in fact, Huang Laodao's concern is mainly Taoism. Embodied in Guanzi, Lv Chunqiu and Huainanzi, it is guided by Taoism and absorbs hundreds of theories, which is different from pure saints such as Yanzi Chunqiu.
Representative figure
1, Laozi (about 600 years before the legend-about 470 years before): a recognized founder of Taoism, whose life experience has not yet been determined, is about the Chu people in the late Spring and Autumn Period and the early Warring States Period, and his masterpiece is Tao Te Ching.
2. Wen Zi: A disciple of Laozi, contemporary with Xia Zi in Shang Bo, but not as good as Confucius, once asked to learn from Xia Zi and Mozi. There are twelve existing Wen Zi, which were once considered as fake books after the Han Dynasty. However, in 1973 bamboo slips unearthed from more than 40 Han tombs in Dingxian County, Hebei Province, there are remnants of Wen Zi, so it is undoubtedly confirmed that they are works of the pre-Qin period.
3. Tian Pian: a thinker in the Warring States Period. Also known as Chen Qing, the imperial clan of the State of Qi. He once taught under Xia Ji, and because of his eloquence, he was called "the mantra". His works advocating "nobility", "passerby", "discernment" and "justice" have been lost.
4. Shen Dao (about 395 BC ~ 3 BC15): Zhao people in the Warring States Period. In his early years, he studied the art of Huang Lao. He once gave lectures under the State of Qi, enjoying a high reputation, and then left the State of Qi for South Korea. Advocating "following the crowd", "respecting the law" and "attaching importance to the situation", there are 42 Shen Ziwen recorded in Hanshu Yiwenzhi, which are listed as legalists, and there are only 7 existing ones. His famous saying is: "the wise are not enough to convince the public, but the powerful are enough to deceive."
5. Song Shuo (about 370 BC to 29 BC1year): A native of the Song Dynasty, he advocated "advocating frugality", "not fighting" and "parting". Song Zi has eighteen songs, which have been lost today, with only one album left.
6. Yin Wen (about 360 BC-280 BC) was a native of Qi. Oppose the annexation war between princes. Thought "Tao" is "Qi", and clearly put forward the essence theory. The rationality and inevitability of social division of labor are demonstrated. Other ideas are similar to those of Song Shuo. There is a volume of Yin Wenzi, which is divided into two parts: Avenue. The first part discusses the theory of form and name, and the second part discusses the way of governing the country.
7. Yuan Huan: a thinker in the Warring States Period. Chu people. Learn the moral skills of Huang Lao (when you say Yuan Huan, it means Guanyin and Lao Dan). He once gave a lecture to Xia Ji and wrote 13 Xun Zi, which has long been lost.
8. Lv Buwei (292-235 BC) was a patriotic businessman in China during the Warring States Period. Later, he became a famous politician in the late Warring States period through political speculation. And called on the public to compile Lv Chunqiu.
9. Cao Can? BC 190): A native of Pei County, Jiangsu Province, he worked as a jailer in Pei County during the Qin Dynasty. In 209 BC, he followed Liu Bang to fight Qin in Pei County. After Liu Bang proclaimed himself emperor, Cao Can was named Hou Pingyang. When he was in Qi Xianggong, he came into contact with the Taoist thoughts of Huang and Lao from Jiaoxigai Office and put them into practice, which made the economy of Qi recover and develop rapidly. After the death of Xiao He, the prime minister of the Han Dynasty, Cao Can succeeded to the throne and governed the country according to the policies formulated by Xiao He. This made the story of "Little Cao Gui Sui" a historical story.
10, Liu An (former 179- former 122), a native of Pei Jun County (now Fengxian County, Jiangsu Province) in the Western Han Dynasty, was the grandson of Liu Bang, who was named King of Huainan at that time. Is one of the inventors of tofu. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty committed suicide because of rebellion. Invited guests to write Huai Nan Zi.
1 1, Ji 'an (? -65438 BC+065438 BC+02 BC) was born in Puyang, Western Han Dynasty (now southwest of Puyang, Henan Province), with a long word. Emperor Xiaojing washed the horse for the prince, and after Emperor Wudi ascended the throne, he became a courtier, and successively served as the governor of Xingyang, the satrap of Donghai and the Lord of Taiwei, ranking Jiuqing. To be honest, I often make a fuss.
magnum opus
1, Tao Te Ching: Legends were written by Laozi in the Spring and Autumn Period and are an important source of Taoist philosophy. There are many versions, and the most common one is the general edition of Tao Te Ching (Wang Biben). In addition, Laozi, a bamboo slip unearthed in Guodian, and Laozi (A and B), a silk book unearthed in Mawangdui Han Tomb, show the different styles of the early Tao Te Ching, which are valued by most scholars today.
2. Huang Lao's Silk Writings:1At the end of 973, four lost ancient books were found in Mawangdui No.3 Han Tomb in Changsha, namely Classic, Sixteen Classics, Weighing and Daoyuan. The original copy is in the same volume of the second edition of Laozi. It, together with Tao Te Ching, is called two classics of the Huang family. Its famous saying is: "Tao gives birth to law." Those who practice the law draw gains and losses with ropes, and those who are clear and straight are also. Therefore, those who hold the Tao are born with the law, dare to do it, and legislators dare to abolish it. So, I can lead myself to the rope, and then I will know the world without confusion. "
3. Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals: The late Warring States Period (about 22 1 year BC) was compiled collectively by Lv Buwei, the prime minister of Qin State, also known as Lu Lan. The content is complex, including Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, France, military, agriculture, Zongheng, Yin and Yang, and so on. Therefore, Hanshu Yiwenzhi lists it as a miscellaneous family. But in fact, it is mainly based on Taoist thought, integrating various theories and serving the real society. The famous saying in Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals: "The world is the world of all."
4. Huainanzi: Also known as Huainan Lie Hong, was written by Liu An, Li Shang, Su Fei and Wu Bei, kings of Huainan in the early Western Han Dynasty. The History of Literature and Art in Hanshu lists Huainanzi as a sage. In fact, this book is a masterpiece of the Huang family in the early Han Dynasty, which is guided by Taoism and absorbs hundreds of theories. "Huainanzi" famous saying: "There are points in ancient times, so the people are forbidden, so you can't be arrogant; French etiquette, so the king is forbidden, so there is no good judgment. "
5. Huangdi Neijing: one of the four classic works of China's traditional medicine, is the earliest existing medical classic in China's medical treasure house. It is a medical masterpiece that studies human physiology, pathology, diagnostics, therapeutic principles and pharmacology. Theoretically, the theories of yin and yang, five elements, pulse condition, Tibetan image, meridians, etiology and pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, health preservation and luck are established. His medical theory is based on the philosophy of Huang family in ancient China.