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天所以以親射何？助陽氣達萬物也。春氣微弱，恐物有窒塞，不能自達者。夫射，自內發外，貫堅入剛，像物之生，故以射達之也。 |
| | Why does Heaven shoot He in person? To assist the yang energy in reaching all things. The spring qi is weak, and there is fear that some things may be obstructed or blocked, unable to reach their own potential. Shooting involves emitting from within outward, penetrating the firm and entering the rigid, symbolizing the growth of things; therefore, it is used to achieve this reaching out.
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| | 鄉射: |
《含文嘉》曰：「天子射熊。諸侯射麋，大夫射虎、豹，士射鹿、豕。」 |
| | The Hanwen Jia says: "The Son of Heaven shoots a bear." Dukes shoot deer, high officials shoot tigers and leopards, and commoners shoot roe deer and boars."
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| | 鄉射: |
天子所以射熊何？示服猛，巧佞也。熊為獸猛巧者，非但當服猛也。示當服天下巧佞之臣也。諸侯射麋者，示達遠迷惑人也。麋之言迷也。大夫射虎豹何？示服猛也。士射鹿、豕者？示除害也。各取德所能服也。 |
| | Why does the Son of Heaven shoot a bear? To demonstrate subduing ferocity and cunning. The bear is a fierce and cunning beast; it is not merely about subduing fierceness. It demonstrates the need to subdue the cunning and sycophantic ministers of the realm. Dukes shoot deer to demonstrate reaching out to those who are distant and easily misled. The word "mi" means being lost or confused. Why do high officials shoot tigers and leoparks? To demonstrate subduing fierceness. Commoners shoot roe deer and boar to demonstrate the taming of wildness and disorder. To demonstrate the removal of harm. Each takes what their virtue is capable of subduing.
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| | 鄉射: |
大夫、士兩射者人臣，示為君親視事，身勞苦也。或曰：臣陰，故數偶也。侯者，以布為之何，用人事之始也。本正則末正矣。所以名為侯何？明諸侯有不朝者，則射之，故《禮射祝》曰：「嗟爾不寧侯，爾不朝於王所，以故天下失業。亢而射爾。」所以不射正身何？君子重同類，不忍射之，故畫獸而射之。 |
| | High officials and commoners, as subjects who shoot together, demonstrate that a ruler personally oversees affairs and endures toil in person. Some say: ministers belong to yin, hence the even number. The target (hou) is made of cloth; this symbolizes the beginning of human affairs. If the root is upright, then the end will also be upright. Why is it named "hou"? It signifies that if a vassal lord does not pay homage, he is to be shot; hence the Li She Zhu says: "Alas, you unpeaceful hou, you do not appear before the Son of Heaven, and thus the realm loses its order." "Rise up and shoot you." Why is the actual person of a vassal not shot? Gentlemen value their own kind and cannot bear to shoot them, hence they paint beasts as targets and shoot those instead.
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| | 鄉射: |
射正何為乎？曰：射義非一也。夫射者，執弓堅固，心平體正，然後中也。二人爭勝，樂以德養也。勝負俱降，以宗禮讓，可以選士。故射選士，大夫勝者。發近而制遠也，其兵短而害長也，故可以戒難也。所以必因射助陽選士者，所以扶助微弱而抑其強，和調陰陽，戒不虞也。何以知為戒難也？《》曰：「」因射習禮樂，射於堂上何？示從上制下也。《禮》曰：「賓主執弓請升，射於兩楹之間。」天子射百二十步，諸侯九十步，大夫七十步，士五十步。明尊者所服遠也，卑者所服近也。 |
| | What is the purpose of shooting a person directly? It is said: the meaning of shooting is not one. Shooting involves holding a firm bow, maintaining a calm mind and upright body; only then can one hit the target. Two people compete for victory, taking joy in cultivating virtue through this practice. Whether winning or losing, both parties descend to the principles of ritual and yielding; thus, it can be used to select worthy individuals. Therefore, archery is used to select officials, with high-ranking officials emerging as victors. It involves aiming close yet controlling the distant; its weapon is short but its harm extends far, hence it can serve as a warning against difficulties. The reason why archery must be used to assist yang energy and select worthy individuals is to support the weak while restraining the strong, harmonize yin and yang, and serve as a precaution against unforeseen dangers. Why do we know it serves as a warning against difficulties? The Shi Jing says: "Four arrows return, to ward off chaos." Why is archery practiced indoors as a means of learning ritual and music? To demonstrate that authority flows from above to below. The Li says: "Host and guest hold bows and request to ascend, shooting between the two pillars." The Son of Heaven shoots at a distance of 120 bu, vassal lords at 90 bu, high officials at 70 bu, and commoners at 50 bu. This signifies that those of higher rank subdue what is distant, while those of lower rank subdue what is near.
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| | 鄉射: |
所以十月行鄉飲酒之禮何？所以復尊卑長幼之義。春夏事急，俊井次墻，至有子使父，弟使兄，故以事閒暇，復長幼之序也。 |
| | Why is the ritual of "xiang yinjiu" (communal drinking in the native district) conducted in the tenth month? To reaffirm the principles of hierarchy, respect for elders, and the distinctions between superiors and inferiors. In spring and summer, affairs are urgent; wells are dug next to walls, and even sons command fathers, younger brothers command older ones. Therefore, during periods of leisure, the order between elders and juniors is restored.
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王者父事三老，兄事五更者何？欲陳孝悌之德，以示天下也。故雖天子，必有尊也，言有父也；必有先也，言有兄也。天子臨辟雍，親袒割牲。尊三老，父象也。謁忠奉几杖，授安車濡輪，恭綏執授。兄事五更，寵接禮交加客謙敬順貌也。《·》云：「祀于明堂，所以教諸侯之孝也。享三老、五更于太學者，所以諸侯悌也。」不正言父、兄，言五更者何，老者壽考也，欲言所令者多也。更者更也，所更歷者，眾也。即如是，不但言老言三何？欲言其明於天地人之道而老也，五更者，欲言其明於五行之道而更事也。三老、五更幾人乎？曰：各一人。何以知之？既以父事，父一而己，不宜有三。 |
| | Why does a sovereign treat the Three Elders as his father and the Five Elders as his elder brothers? To demonstrate filial piety and fraternal respect, setting an example for the realm. Therefore, even though he is the Son of Heaven, a ruler must have someone to revere—this signifies having a father; he must also have predecessors—this signifies having an elder brother. The Son of Heaven visits the Biyong, personally unclothing himself to slaughter sacrificial animals. He reveres the Three Elders, who symbolize a father figure. He pays homage to the loyal and presents canes and cushions, bestows a comfortable carriage with well-moistened wheels, and respectfully supports and assists them. Treating the Five Elders as elder brothers demonstrates courteous reception, reciprocal ritual interaction, and a demeanor of humility, respect, and obedience. The Book of Rites: Sacrificial Meaning says: "Offering sacrifices in the Mingtang hall is to teach vassal lords filial piety." Honoring the Three Elders and Five Elders at the Taixue academy is to cultivate fraternal respect among vassal lords." Why not directly refer to father and elder brother, but instead mention the Five Elders? Because these elders are long-lived and wise; it signifies that they have much to command and teach. "Geeng" means change, referring to those who have experienced many changes in life—thus representing the multitude of people. If this is so, why mention not only old age but also the number three? It signifies that they are wise in the principles of Heaven, Earth, and humanity and have reached old age; as for the Five Elders, it indicates their understanding of the Five Elements' principles and their experience through various affairs. How many people are there among the Three Elders and the Five Elders? It is said: one person each. How do we know this? Since they are treated as a father, and one has only one father, it would not be appropriate to have three.
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