Ceremonies come after. Tsze-hsia asked a question to Confucius about a verse of poetry. What did the writer mean when he said the plain background that the colours were put on to make the beautiful …More
Ceremonies come after.
Tsze-hsia asked a question to Confucius about a verse of poetry. What did the writer mean when he said the plain background that the colours were put on to make the beautiful image?
Confucius said that the plain background was what came first and the colours are added afterwards. In any beautiful picture, it must start with a plain piece of paper as its background before it can be drawn.
The poetry was interpreted to be referring to more than just about art but about human life and society. It meant that before anyone could have something beautiful, the life had to be plain and without spot on the inside.
Tsze-hsia, inferring this meaning, then asked whether that meant that ceremonies, like religious ceremonies were something that came afterwards. Confucius then said that Tsze-hisa (who is also called Bu Shang) understood his meaning correctly.
In Christianity, the mass, and the liturgy only has a benefit if the people who take part in it are living right in the world outside the church. Like the painting, they must also start with a plain sheet in their lives before the beautiful things can be painted on top.
All Glory to God
Tsze-hsia asked a question to Confucius about a verse of poetry. What did the writer mean when he said the plain background that the colours were put on to make the beautiful image?
Confucius said that the plain background was what came first and the colours are added afterwards. In any beautiful picture, it must start with a plain piece of paper as its background before it can be drawn.
The poetry was interpreted to be referring to more than just about art but about human life and society. It meant that before anyone could have something beautiful, the life had to be plain and without spot on the inside.
Tsze-hsia, inferring this meaning, then asked whether that meant that ceremonies, like religious ceremonies were something that came afterwards. Confucius then said that Tsze-hisa (who is also called Bu Shang) understood his meaning correctly.
In Christianity, the mass, and the liturgy only has a benefit if the people who take part in it are living right in the world outside the church. Like the painting, they must also start with a plain sheet in their lives before the beautiful things can be painted on top.
All Glory to God