The Rites Controversy Between Ming Dynasty And Choson

Confucius stressed the importance of "Li"as fundamental to legitimacy in classical China. Chinese traditional dynasties make use of "Li" not only to govern the country and maintain social rank order, but to deal with diplomatic relations with neighbouring states. Some modern scholars call the form of international relations in East Asia as "Tributary relations", Where the vassal states accept Chinese emperors’s conferment to ensure authorities and pay tributes to China so as to maximize diplomatic interests.In the period of Ming dynasty, Tributary relations were based on the "Notes of Pan Guoyi(蕃国仪)”,and reflected rank order between Chinese Emperor and Kings of other countries. As a basic rule, the vassal states were forced to obey "Notes of Pan Guoyi" that always played an important role in regulating and adjusting relationship between the two sides, Which resulted in inequalities of diplomatic relations. Therefore, there were disputes about the issues of "Li" between the two sides to pursue balance. The dispute over etiquette related to coordinating diplomatic relations was the core question in the late imperial period.The relationship between the Ming Dynasty and Choson has always been considered as one typical example of Tributary relations. However, there were also lots of disputes over etiquette between the two sides, Which has being ignored by academic circles for a long time. The research on these disputes is a very important subject in studies on the history of Sino-Korean relations. Hence, this dissertation will supply a gap in this field by systematically investigating the main contents of disputes, detailed outline of the development track and the deep reasons.The dissertation is divided into three parts.In the first part, I will examines the Tributary relations (1401-1636) between the Ming dynasty and Choson, and the Ming’s civilian envoys system. According to the Choson’s attitude changes on practicing diplomatic rites, I divide the relations into three stages, and this method to study the history of bilateral relations maybe the first time in academic circles.The first stage began at the time of "Battle of Jing Nan(靖难之役)”,When Emperor Jianwen(建文帝)conferred Li Fanyuan(李芳远)the title of Choson’king. Choson respectfully implementated the "Fivebai three kowtow"(五拜三叩头audience with the emperor ceremony) to greet the Ming imperial envoys, Which marked the establishment of the Tributary Relations. After 1450 of "Tumubao change(土木堡之变)”,Ming’power declined While Choson became stronger with the reign of King Sejong(世宗王),and Choson tried to use "bow" instead of "Five Baili" on the diplomatic rites, When disputes occurred. Not until the reign of Emperor Jiajing(嘉靖),did Choson recover the "five Baili", with the introduce and development of Chinese neo-confucianism(性理学)Moreover, Ming gradually considered Choson as the "Internal Phan country(内服)”,even formed military alliance relationship with Choson against Japan’s aggression during the "Renchen War：壬辰战争)”,Which is the second stage. Appreciating on Ming’s kindness on " re-creating vassal state(再造藩邦)”,Choson respectfully practiced the rites and actively supported Ming’fight against Jurchen until being forced to release their relations under Jurchen’s military power.Ming’s civilian envoys are major participants in these disputes, usually selected from the Hanlin(翰林),Six provinces officials(六部官员)and Xinren(行人),according to their background, knowledge, artistic talent and appearance. Generally, Civilian envoys’missions include promulgating Zhaoshu(诏书)and Chishu(敕书),transferring messages, issuing calendar, rewarding posthumous, canonization, rewarding goods, etc. Based on the principle of "ministers without diplomacy(人臣无外交)",civilian envoys made use of their advantages and became the main bridge between the two countries to exchange information, resolve disputes, disseminate culture, exchange materials, Who had made a significant contribution to the development of bilateral relations. For instance, Gong Yongqing(龚用卿),an official in the period of Jiajing(1522-1566), contributed to the establishment of "the Tenghuang System’’(誊黄制度transcript on yellow paper of imperial edict)between Ming and Choson, which is the landmark event that the Ming Dynasty treated the Choson as "Internal Phan country ". This system were also the fundamental of the two countries jointed to fight against Japan.In the second part, I will research the main contents of these dispute, including "Meeting edict and liberties Rites Controversy", "Banquet Rites Controversy" and" Sacrifice and Posthumous reward Rites Controversy", and the first type is the most complicated.Dealing with "Meeting edict and liberties Rites Controversy", I mainly examined the disputes in five areas, including greeting the Chao Shu, greeting Chi Shu, Chao Shu and Chi Shu greeted together or separately, the king taking the chariot or horse, the prince participated ceremony or not, which generated between the Ming envoys and the Choson reception officials.The focus of "Greeting the Chao Shu Rites Controversy" was that the Choson officials refused to obey "five Bai three kowtow " and tried to replace it with "bow" according to "Phan National Instrument note(藩国仪注)”.Ming envoys made disputes with them for a hundred years till Jiajing’s regulation was published.The origins of" Greeting the Chi Shu Rites Controversy " was due to the record of the "Ming Hui Dian(明会典)",Where considered the rites of zhaoShu and ChiShu were the same, however, Choson attached great importance to zhao Shu but despised Chi Shu, until the Renchen War breaked out, Choson had a few cases in accordance with Ming envoy’s requirements to greet the Chi Shu.In accordance with the Ming envoy’s interpretation on the "Hongwu Lizhi(洪武礼制)"and "Ming Hui Dian", the Choson king should "Riding", "greeting partly" the zhao Shu and Chi Shu. However, the Choson kings chariot ride to show their honor, in order to facilitate and to greet Zhao Shu and Chi Shu together. Ming’s envoys made concession at the start, and later allowed Choson to continue.According to "Five rites"(五礼仪)and other notes, Choson prince was required to greet the ZhaoShu and ChiShu, but Choson always said that prince was too young or ill as a cause to refuse, and the Ming’s envoys had no choice but to allow it.The next steps after Ying Chao and Chi were Xuan Chao, Song Chao and left Chao, and there were also disputes between the Ming’s envoys and Choson officials.The content of disputes on XuanZhao rites was about direction where envoys should face. Mings envoys insisted on standing face South, however, Choson considered Ming envoys should face West. According to the contained "Hongwu Etiquette(洪武礼制)Ying Chao Schema(迎诏图)”, I think that Choson’s ritual ceremony is correct.Besides, Ming did not formulate the Liu Chao Rites which is created by the envoys themselves, Who demanded that Choson grand saluted to do it. Initially, Choson only sent the high officials ask for the Chao Shu, latterly, the king do it himself to express his loyalty to the Ming emperor.Ming Dynasty also requested Song Zhao rites while Choson did not obey it at the first time. Ming’s envoys requested the King and officials send the Chao Shu to their station with playing music, Choson King accommodated it.Finally, Choson kings had to entertain the Ming’s envoys, which also caused disputes on seat order and music. According to the Ming Dynasty " Popular Rites System(时制)”,both sides sit in north-south order, the guests sit in the north and the host sit in the south, While Choson considered that both sides should sit in west-east order according to " Notes of Pan Guoyi ". As for the music, Ming’s envoys were opposed to Choson traditional female music which arose an internal discussion. After the Renchen War, Female music was abolished.What’s more, Offering gift and giving posthumous are also important responsibilities of Ming’s envoys. They also disputed with Choson officials on "Sacrifice and reward posthumous ", " Longting oration and spiritual seat to sit" and" King costume colors greet imperial reform".In accordance with the concept of filial piety and actual implementation of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming’s envoys should first give posthumous worship to the king has died, and then conferred the new king, while Choson wanted canonization first. Later, Choson gradually accepted Ming’rites with sinicization of Chinese culture. According to "Five etiquettes", Choson set "Ling Seat", in the middle, to the South. However, Ming’s envoys objected that arrangements, Which caused disputes. As for the King costume colors greeting envoys, Ming asked Choson King to wear auspicious clothes to greet the Chao and Chi, the king intended to wear mourning clothes, but did not get the Ming envoy’s permission.These disputes between Ming and Choson showed their real relationship that covered by the name of Tributary relations for a long time, and uncovered Choson’s fight even they had submit to Ming from usual perspectives, Which will provide an abundant view on" Tribute System", "Tributary Relations", "Reiji System" and other related terms.hi the third part, I will analyse the reason and essence of disputes. On the surface, the reason is that Ming dynasty and Choson insisted different etiquette system and customs. However, in this dissertation, I will provide some deep argument. For one thing, Ming’s lack of supervision over Choson’s implementation and envoys’professional competencies are very important resons, For another, more significantly, Choson King’s attitude towards etiquette and their national self-esteem and cultural self-confidence are decisive reason. Because of Choson’s unwilling to state the unequal status of Tributary Relations, and pursuit of independence spiritual culture, Choson were in contention for right to interpret of the rites, which caused long-term instability. With the development of Chinese neo-confucianism(性理学),Choson became more loyal to Ming. Their relationship were more and more harmonious, and then rose to the military alliance, Which determined the political situation in East Asia. Actually, The essence of disputes is a long-term power wrestle related to the relationship between two countries, and it also reflect competitions between "Chinese culture" and Choson native culture.