Xunzi In Classical Studies Occurred In The History Of The Status

Xun Zi is the last learned scholar in Pre-Qin dynasty.He not only gave an end to Pre-Qin subset,but also began Confucian classics in Han dynasty.Since Han dynasty people have began to realized the existence of Xun Zi and Confucian classics and Xun Zi's influence on the development of Confucian classics.We think Xun Zi plays a transitional part of the development of Confucian classics.During the more unrested late period of Warring States,strictly obeyed Confucianism,as well as passed down six meridians which the Confucian emperor' doctrine lied in.Confucian classics have a long history from the time it appeared to the time it's built.Studies by learners show that six meridians and Confucian classics were mentioned in the same breath when Confucius was alive.Confucius was in close touch in six meridians.Confucius classics had sprouted at his time.When it came to Xun Zi's time,six meridians became even more important.Xun Zi spoke highly of ancient scholars and quoted six meridians mainly aimed to support his opinions.It not only strengthened that six meridians had got authority and became more important but also showed that Xun Zi was at the point of Confucianism and made it possible to pass down six meridians.However,as for the classical relationship between Xun Zi and Confucianism, learners at all ages have different opinions.The final reason lies in the biased evaluation towards some thoughts of Xun Zi.That's to say,studies on the historical status of Xun Zi are still poor in the academic world.Xun Zi supported "thriving propriety and opposing Book of Poetry and Book of Documents".People have biased evaluation on this point,which leads to misunderstand Xun Zi.Some people even deny the Confucius property of Xun Zi's theory and further ran down his influence on the development of Confucian classics.In fact,Xun Zi's advocation aimed not to respect propriety but drop Book of Poetry and Book of Documents,but aimed to realize his social expectations,that's "the internal refinement and external achievement" promoted by Confucianism,by mastering the hidden wisdom of wise emperor mentioned in six meridians through promoting propriety.Xun Zi set himself up as a "scholar " and his thoughts were aimed at achieving his political ideal.No matter whether he went for "total depravity "or "propriety promotion" or "following the wise man's lead",the fundamental goal was for "the internal refinement and external achievement " to realize political ideal.Xun Zi rigidly observed Confucianism during the late period of Warring States.However, Xun Zi's thoughts were more characterized with the very time features,compared with other early Confucian ideas.Xun Zi selected the great achievements of early Confucianism.He promoted the Confucian ideology of internal refinement and external achievement,and passed down its classics,by which these classics attained even more important place,as well as built up solid base for the establishment of Confucian classics in the Han dynasty. Xun Zi followed Confucius and paid great attention to six meridians.He passed down six meridians while promoted wise thoughts.The heredity made by Xun Zi alike played very important role towards the beginning or Han dynasty's Confucian classics. Therefore,we regard Xun Zi as a primate part during the development of Confucian classics.Xun Zi's commitments to classics and his amount of facts citing six meridians are the right evidences of his outstanding contribution in the development of Confucian classics.