Non-mainstream intellectual phenomenon in the mid-Tang period : characteristics of Dan Zhu's (724-770) Chun qiu study and related social background = Zhong Tang ru xue si xiang de yi cai : Dan Zhu (724-770) zhi "Chun qiu" de te dian ji qi xiang guan she hui bei jing

Abstract

The intellectual development in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) could be generally divided into two phases, with the first one inherited from the Han Wei period focusing on the meaning of words, while the second phase focuses on the teaching of the Confucian classics. Among the various scholars during the course of this transformation, Dan Zhu (啖助,724-770) has been recognized as a non-mainstream but yet very influential character.

To avoid the An-Shi Rebellion, Dan Zhu resided in the south-eastern part of the country where he taught Lu Chun (陸淳) the Chun Qiu (春秋) classic. Many famous Tang political reformers including Lu Wen (呂溫) and Liu Zong Yuan (柳宗元) are considered by historians as Dan Zhu’s students and followers. This has made Dan Zhu even more influential than other Confucius scholars in that period. Nevertheless, due to the controversial nature of his teachings, Dan Zhu was heavily criticized by Ouyang Xiu (歐陽修) as being specious and at the same time appraised by Cheng Yi (程頤) to be one of the fore-runners who founded the Song Confucianism.

This research reveals that Dan Zhu abandons the approach of focusing on the meaning wording and goes directly into the teachings of the classics. He considers that there are large amount of mistakes in the then contemporary explanation of Chun Qiu, he also considers that Tang scholars have not just worked in isolation without much view sharing, but also misinterpreted Confucius’ teachings. Moreover, the Tang scholars are treating Chun Qiu as history or even as literature, rather than Confucius’ teaching on how the society should be run. From Dan Zhu’s perspective, Confucius was trying to make use of histories to set proper behavioural standards and protocols for running the country, with an objective of saving the imperial control of Zhou (周).

During the mid-Tang period, China was undergoing major social changes from a feudal to a modern society. Tang imperials whose ancestors carried a nomadic blood stream tried to strengthen their control by adopting Confucianism; and placing more emphasis on the south-eastern region where the Han Chinese of the Southern Dynasty was concentrated. Coupling with the civil examination (科舉) reform and the impacts of Zen Buddhism, the Tang society was undergoing major social-political transformation which Dan Zhu was situated right on its course.

The research concludes that Dan Zhu’s ideas fit well with Xuan-zong’s (唐玄宗) appeal for revival of Confucius teachings and the social-political setting in Mid-Tang. Although Dan Zhu is considered a non-mainstream scholar, his teachings have brought about significant impacts on later development of the Neo-Confucianism. Nonetheless, Dan Zhu has not deviated from the fundamental principles of a Confucian whose destiny is to serve the people and the country, and of course for Dan Zhu, the Tang Dynasty.