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Chienkun Net 乾坤网 |
六艺 Six Arts in Chinese traditional culture |
六艺～礼、乐、射、御、书、数，为君子达道之基本。 The Art of Tao originates from the six ancient arts in China, which are propriety, music, archery, driving, writing, and mathematics. These are the foundation for one to become a virtuous person. From the metaphysical sense, the pursue of the art of Tao can be satisfied through the pursue of the truth of Tao via the six arts. |
Propriety is the foremost among the six arts. This means humans should take propriety as their moral standards, so that everyone can gain others' respect through propriety. Through mutual respect, the human morality can be established. This is why propriety is listed first among the six arts. |
Music functions not only as a tool for personal cultivation, it can also be a way to meet friends. Through music one can feel the wonderful and mystic sounds in the cosmos, and the tune and rhythm in the flow of all things. Through the metaphysical tunes and rhythms, the accords and rhythms of the flow of Tao are revealed. |
六艺之中以「礼」为首，其意皆人以礼为道德之规范，使人人能以 礼待人，互相敬重，从而立人之道德大成，故礼为六艺之首。 |
「乐」- 不单能陶冶性情，更能以乐会友，从音乐中感受宇宙微妙 之音色，运转万物之韵律，以无形之音韵表现道之旋律运行。 |
「射」- 古之谓射，非是狩猎之技，实乃心性工夫发乎於自然，对 准目标，准确程度百发百中，是體能动力之发挥，为动能表现之至极。 |
「御」- 御者，驾也，非人力可从，实为智能涵养之表达；能屈能 伸，能动能静，砰然若气，随心应手，为御之道。 |
「书」- 文章书画，皆能表露个性内涵，从文笔画意之表达更能體会 个人之情操，气定神闲，凝神贯注，感情自然流露於笔墨之中。 |
「数」- 数理之句，推陈出新，千变万化，大自然变化莫测，非数理 莫能解，明其数知其理，知其理则通达，亦道之體用也。 |
Archery, as practiced in the ancient days, was not for the purpose of hunting. It was meant to be a practice for the spirit and the soul to express their natural aim towards a target. As such, the accuracy is perfect, which manifests the inner force within the body. Then, the exercise becomes the ultimate expression of the inner force within the body. |
Driving means to direct. The direction comes not from the conscious effort, but the expression of ones inner wisdom. With such wisdom, one is adaptable and flexible, can act and react, and can be in motion and can be still. As the spontaneous spirit arises, one can achieve at will, and this is the way of driving. |
Writing refers to articles and calligraphy, which can express ones internal character. So, from writings, calligraphy and paintings, one can better experience his inner self. When breathing calmly and being alert, being concentrated and involved, one's true feeling emanates naturally through the brush and ink. |
Mathematics means divination. The divination through mathematics and the truth can derive from past events to future events, which encompass myriad changes. Changes in the nature are beyond one's perception, and can only be deciphered through mathematical derivation and the truth. When one understands the mathematical derivation, one understands the truth. By understanding the truth, one can be perspective, which is the attainment of both the essence and manifestation of Tao. |
故六艺为君子必学。 Hence, the six arts are a must for virtuous people. |