『예기』와 선진 제자서의 상례 비교

Abstract

In the text, different cases of variational rites(變禮) in 『the Book of Rites』 were examined focusing on funeral rites, and they were investigated in comparison with what was reflected in other books of all classes of philosophers. Regarding “funeral rites” that were mentioned first in 『Laozi』 among pre-Qin philosophy books, all classes of philosophers considered them important as an “unavoidable procedure from compassion.” The main reason for variational rites performed at the situation of free discussion of those times was that the rapidly changing situation of the era caused the application of strict regulations to become difficult. Representatively, the relation between a teacher and a pupil, which had been established by the vitalization of the pursuit of study under Confucius, created the variational rites of invisible and special “mind funeral”(a funeral rite performed in mind) in ancient rites and 『Rites』. In addition, variational rites were also carried out owing to affection between a subject and an object of a funeral rite or changes in the social position and status of a funeral rite’s main agent. The characteristics of how variations of rites were developed can be summarized as, first, funeral rites’ institution or process changed from complex to simple, second, the understanding of funeral rites gradually changed from strict to loose or contemptuous attitude, third, substance became regarded more important than formality in the process of performing funeral rites, and fourth, the application scope of funeral rites expanded from a blood relationship, relatives or political relation to a teacher-pupil relationship or a friend little by little. Confucianism considered strict common sense as reasonable to control a living person’s emotions while emphasizing the essence and meanings of funeral rites, yet, as in the case of variational rites, codified regulations are hard to be adjusted to the changes of the times. It can be confirmed in the discussion under Confucius suggested in the text, too. 『The Book of Rites』 seems to have accepted variational rites on the assumption of compelling circumstances while criticizing some no-rites of those times. Moreover, Mohism criticized Confucius funeral rites in terms of formality, but didn’t deny funeral rites themselves. Therefore, 『The Book of Rites』 needs to be understood as it has accepted criticism of variational rites and funeral rites developed in the process of free discussion since Confucius in a certain scope.