| | 儒林传序: |
昔王莽更始之际，天下散乱，礼乐分崩，典文残落，及光武中兴，爱好经术，未及下车而先访儒雅，采求阙文，补缀漏逸，先是，四方学士，多怀挟图书，遁逃林薮，自是莫不抱负坟策，云会京师，于是立五经博士，各以家法教授，太常差次总领焉。建武五年，乃修起太学，稽式古典，笾豆干戚之容，备之于其列，服方领，习矩步者，委他乎其中，中元元年，初建三雍。 |
| | During the time when Wang Mang was overthrown and the dynasty changed, the world fell into chaos; rites and music collapsed, and classical texts were damaged or lost. When Emperor Guangwu revived the Han dynasty, he loved Confucian scholarship. Even before assuming his official duties, he first sought out learned scholars, collected missing passages of classics, and supplemented those that had been lost. Previously, many scholars from all directions carried books with them and fled into remote forests; since then, none failed to bring their classical texts and gather in the capital like clouds. Thus, five Confucian classics were established as official subjects for Doctoral positions, each taught according to its own school tradition, and the Taichang (Ministry of Rites) was responsible for organizing and overseeing them accordingly. In the fifth year of Jianwu (29 AD), the Taixue (Imperial Academy) was rebuilt, following classical precedents. The forms and arrangements for ritual vessels, weapons, and ceremonial implements were fully restored in their proper order. Scholars wearing square-collared robes and practicing formal steps gathered within its halls. In the first year of Zhongyuan (56 AD), the three yong academies were initially established.
|
| | 儒林传序: |
明帝即位，亲行其礼，天子始冠通天，衣日月，备法物之驾，盛清道之仪，坐明堂而朝羣后，登灵台以望云物，袒割辟雍之上，尊养三老五更，后复为功臣子孙四姓末属别立校舍，搜选高能，以授其业，自期门羽林之士，悉令通孝经章句，匈奴亦遣子入学，济济乎。洋洋乎。盛于永平矣。建初中，大会诸儒于白虎观，考详同异，连月乃罢，肃宗亲临称制，如石渠故事，孝和亦数幸东观，览閲书林。 |
| | When Emperor Ming ascended the throne, he personally performed these rituals. The Son of Heaven first wore a tiantong (heaven-piercing) hat and robes embroidered with sun and moon symbols, was accompanied by ceremonial objects in full procession, and followed elaborate protocols to clear the way. He sat in the Mingtang Hall to receive homage from all his ministers, ascended Lingtai Terrace to observe clouds and celestial phenomena, performed sacrifices bare-chested on the Piyong platform, and honored the Three Elders and Five More Ancestors with great respect. Later, separate school buildings were established for the descendants of meritorious officials and four prominent clans. Talented individuals were selected and assigned to teach them. All soldiers from the Qimen and Yulin forces were required to study the Analects of Confucius along with its commentaries. Even the Xiongnu sent their sons to attend school, a scene filled with solemnity and grandeur. How vast and magnificent! The flourishing of Confucian learning reached its height during the Yongping era. During the Jianchu period, a grand assembly of Confucian scholars was held at the Baihu Guan (White Tiger Pavilion) to examine and compare differing interpretations; this meeting lasted for several months before concluding. Emperor Suzong personally attended and presided over the proceedings in the manner of the old Shi Quu tradition. Emperor Xiaohe also frequently visited the Dongguan, reviewing collections of books and literature.
|
| | 儒林传序: |
及邓后称制，学者颇懈，安帝览政，薄于艺文，博士倚席不讲，朋徒相视怠散，学舍颓敝，鞠为园蔬，牧儿荛竪，至薪刈其下，顺帝感翟酺之言，乃更修黉宇，试明经下第补弟子，除郡国耆儒皆补郞舍人，本初元年。诏曰：大将军下至六百石，悉遣子就学，每岁辄于鄕射月一飨会之，自是游学增盛，至三万馀生，然章句渐疏，而多以浮华相尚，儒者之风盖衰矣。熹平四年，灵帝乃诏诸儒正定五经，刋于石碑，为古文，篆，隶，三体书法，以相参检，树之学门，使天下咸取则焉。 |
| | When Empress Dowager Deng assumed regency, scholars became somewhat lax. When Emperor An took charge of government affairs, he showed little interest in literary and artistic pursuits. The Doctoral professors relied on their seats without lecturing; students looked at each other with apathy and gradually dispersed. School buildings fell into disrepair and were turned into vegetable gardens. Shepherds and farmhands even cut firewood beneath them. Emperor Shun was moved by Zhi Pu's words, so he ordered the restoration of school buildings. He tested those who had failed in Confucian classics to supplement the ranks of disciples; all elderly scholars from commanderies and states were appointed as Lang or She Ren (attendants). This occurred in the first year of Benchu. The edict stated: "From the Grand General down to officials of the rank of six hundred measures, all must send their sons for schooling. Every year, a banquet and gathering shall be held once a month during archery ceremonies in the native districts." From then on, traveling scholars increased greatly, reaching more than thirty thousand students. However, interpretations based solely on textual analysis gradually declined, while superficial elegance became prevalent; thus, the scholarly spirit of Confucianism began to wane. In the fourth year of Xiping (175 AD), Emperor Ling issued an edict to summon Confucian scholars to correct and standardize the Five Classics, which were then carved onto stone steles. These inscriptions included three scripts—ancient script, seal script, and clerical script—for mutual verification. The steles were erected at the entrance of the Imperial Academy so that people throughout the land could take them as a model.
|
