Tung Chung-Shu and the new text confucian victory, with a translation of his three memorials to emperor Wu

Abstract

The work consists of five sections, of which the fifth is the translation, made from the punctuated text of the Chung hua shu chii edition of the Han shu, and taking account of the glosses therein of Yen Shih-ku and others. The first of the four introductory sections considers the importance of Tung Chung-shu and the problem of his writings, and indicates the urgent need for an exhaustive textual inquiry into the Ch'un ch'iu fan lu. The second is concerned with that aspect of New Text Confucianism which was responsible for its victory, namely its Yin Yang teachings, together with the origin and absorption into Confucian dogma of this school of thought. The third considers the victory itself and examines Tung Chung-shu's part in it, which has hitherto been somewhat exaggerated. The fourth section is a specific introduction to the Han shu biography and the following translation of the three memorials. There is a bibliography of works quoted, and a list of Chinese characters.