When Jin people tried to get rid of the utilitarian causal chain of reality, they not only discovered the beauty of landscapes, broke out artistic creation in calligraphy, painting, and poetry, but also lived an artistic life. This is the so-called beauty of Jin people. Feng Youl

When Jin people wanted to get rid of the utilitarian causal chain of reality, they not only discovered the beauty of landscapes, broke out artistic creation in calligraphy, painting, and poetry, but also lived an artistic life. This is the so-called beauty of Jin people.

Feng Youlan , Zong Baihua noticed that during the Wei and Jin Dynasties, there was a lot of discovery and appreciation of the beauty of personality. It seems that only Jin people can appreciate the beauty of personality.

But if you look at the entire twenty-four histories, which dynasty did not have the "discovery and appreciation" of the beauty of personality?

According to Mr. Qian Mu, Chinese history is a history centered on human beings, and events are just human deeds.

[In contrast, Western history is a history that unfolds according to time and events, and characters are only accessories to the events. 】

So, the crux of the problem is not that Jin people appreciate the beauty of personality, but how the standards of Jin people for appreciating the beauty of personality are different from those of previous generations?

I think that the two Jin standards for appreciation of personality are mainly in pursuit of Zhuangzi 's artistic conception.

Its core is "things but not things in things" proposed by the eminent monk Zhidaolin of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. [This phrase originally comes from "Zhuangzi·Shanmu"]

wuwu, the literal translation means "to treat things as things". The free translation of

is: objectifying and instrumentalizing external objects (including other people, objective conditions, or things we encounter), so that I can have a sense of control and freedom that transcends external objects.

is not about things, is about not being controlled by the above things.

For example, we all need money in life. Money is a tool for my use.

But being a "stingy man" or a "miser", or even giving up your life rather than your money, is tantamount to becoming a slave to money and being controlled by money in the opposite direction.

Zhuangzi believes that the reason why this reversal occurs is due to people's obsession with the things they care about.

For example, there is a fable in "Han Feizi" about "Zheng Man Buys Shoes". Zheng Man was obsessed with the size of his feet, and as a result, he delayed buying shoes.

If we can realize "things and not things in things", we can be "self-sufficient and self-sufficient without asking for external things", and people can be free and easy...

However, in life, we are dependent on external conditions and others everywhere. , how could it be possible without asking for help?

To put it bluntly, it means materializing and objectifying foreign objects. Don't blame God, don't blame others.

On the contrary, to blame Heaven is to rely on Heaven; to blame others is to rely on humans, so humans will be taken advantage of by things, and they will not be free and carefree.

[Note: The "materialization" used here and later in this article does not mean "materialization " in the original text of "Zhuangzi". 】

The following mainly combines five positive cases and four negative cases of the beauty of Jin people to concretely demonstrate the beauty of Jin people and reveal the artistic conception of Zhuangzi "things are not things and things are" reflected behind them.

1. Cases and analysis of the beauty of Jin people

1, Wang Huizhi Snow Night Visit Dai Kui

Original text:

Wang Ziyou (Wang Huizhi, the son of Wang Xizhi) lives in Shanyin (Shaoxing, Zhejiang). It's snowing heavily at night, I sleep in bed, I open my room, I order to drink wine, and I look around at the bright sky. Because of the hesitation, I chanted Zuo Si "The Poetry of Zhao Yin ", and suddenly recalled Dai Andao (Dai Kui) . At that time, I wore it in Shan (Shan, Sheng County) , even if I took a small boat to get there at night. After passing through the place, he arrived and returned without building the gate. When people asked why, the king said: "I came here in pleasure and came back exhausted, why should I meet Dai!"

Analysis:

The sense of freedom and ease presented in this case has always been talked about by later generations of gentlemen, so I simply I have uploaded the original text from "Shishuoxinyu" for everyone to enjoy. Because ancient texts are translated into vernacular, they always lose a lot of flavor. The appreciation point of this case of

lies in the last sentence. Where is the beauty?

If there is a beautiful scenery, it will be more interesting to go to Dai Kui to enjoy it together. This is also human nature.

But Wang Huizhi knew in his heart that his interest aroused by the snow scene was fundamental. Although Dai Kui was an important background, it was only an important background. When the interest was gone, visiting Dai Kui became unnecessary.

How do we ordinary people do it?

First, when appreciating the snow scenery, you must find a companion. You won’t be able to enjoy it alone. You must find your own "Dai Kui" before appreciation can begin. For Wang Huizhi, is the materialization of "Dai Kui"; for us, it is the materialization of "Dai Kui".

Secondly, to appreciate the scenery, you have to visit a holy place to check in, otherwise you won’t be appreciating the scenery. Thinking about it afterwards, the best scenery has already unfolded on the way to the holy place to check in, but we can't open our hearts at any time and rush on the way; when we arrive at the holy place to check in, we feel boring.

is here, the "check-in holy place" of is "Dai Kui". Our hearts are "materialized" by the check-in holy place.

Third, when appreciating the scenery, you have to take photos to commemorate it, otherwise you are not appreciating the scenery. In order to take pictures, you hinder your ability to fully integrate into the scenery, which is tantamount to paying for the pearl.

2, Huan Xuan 's family taboo

Huan Xuan was on a passenger ship when he met Wang Chen ( Wang Tanzhi 's son) who came to visit him. Huan Xuan entertained him with wine and food.

Since Wang Chen had just eaten Wu Shi Powder and could only drink warm wine, he repeatedly called Huan Xuan's servants: "Bring warm wine, bring warm wine!"

Huan Xuan started crying.

Wang Chen wanted to leave when he saw him. Huan Xuan, wiping his tears, held him back and said, "It's my family taboo, what does it have to do with you?"

Wang Chen heard this and said: You are really very broad-minded. .

Analysis:

There are two knowledge points in this case that need to be explained: (1) After Wei and Jin Dynasties scholars took Wushi Powder, they must drink warm wine and eat cold meat, otherwise their lives will be in danger;

(2) Huan Xuan is Huan Wen 's eldest son, so saying "Wen" violated Huan Xuan's family taboo and reminded Huan Xuan of his dead father, so he cried sadly.

Offending someone's taboo is a very impolite behavior in ancient customs. If it is done deliberately, most people will be very angry; if it is unintentional, it will generally make people very embarrassed.

So when Wang Chen saw that Huan Xuan didn't blame him, he praised him for being really broad-minded.

But the reason why Huan Xuan did not blame Wang Chen was because he realized the essence of the family taboo, which was "touching the scene and triggering feelings". It was because I had the heart of a filial son, and Wang Chen was just a "foreign object", which reminded me of missing my late father. .

So, you already have in mind, so why blame others? !

This custom of avoiding parental names is no longer a big deal in modern society, but there are still some similar things that exist.

For example, Zhang San intentionally (or perhaps unintentionally) exposed Li Si's shortcomings, which often made Li Si furious.

But back to the true nature of the matter, it is because you have this shortcoming in the first place, and you care about your shortcoming, so why should you take it out on others? ! If you don't care, who can do anything to me? !

So, if you look at things in detail, you can achieve 's joy and anger, but not others.

3, Dai Kui's Xianya

Dai Kui went from Kuaiji to Jiankang, Kyoto, and Taifu Xie An went to visit him.

Xie An had always despised Dai Kui's academic attainments, so when he met Dai Kui, he did not talk to him about metaphysics, but only about music, calligraphy and painting.

But Dai Kui not only did not mean to be unhappy, but instead started chatting with Xie An enthusiastically, and the more he talked, the more interested he became.

Xie An felt Dai Kui's leisurely and contented magnanimity from this.

Analysis:

In the Eastern Jin Dynasty, when seclusion was the fashion, only a handful of people, such as Dai Kui, were true hermits.

Although Dai Kui also has a foundation in metaphysics and has some unique insights, due to his personal talents and interests, he mainly focused on music, painting, and sculpture, and he is a top expert in these three aspects.

Moreover, Dai Kui is a very interesting person. He not only enjoys himself but is also good at entertaining others, so many literati like to associate with him.

But he is not just charming and charming, but he is a person with great character.

Once, Dazai sent someone to invite him to play the piano and perform at his house. He got so angry that he threw the piano down and vowed not to be a high-ranking actor.

Xie An and Dai Kui were similar in age and had friends, but the scholars of the Eastern Jin Dynasty valued metaphysics chatting first, while Dai Kui preferred art, which seemed to be a bit biased. Xie An probably despised him because of this, and did not talk to him about knowledge (qingtan) when they met. , only talking about charm (art).

Dai Kui probably knew the meaning behind Xie An's uneven choice of topics, but he didn't care about it.

So Xie An was deeply impressed by Dai Kui's magnanimity.

From Dai Kui's logic, the key is to be loyal to your inner feelings. If you come to me to talk about art, if it arouses my interest, I will talk about it. Why should I care about what other ideas you have?

Many things are like this. Instead of pursuing other people's motives, it is better to pursue your own motives.

This is "self-sufficient, not seeking from outside", which is the same principle as "things are things but not things."

4, Chu Pei and the county magistrate:

Chu Pei, who was not yet a high official, stopped at a county government-run inn during a trip.

As a result, the county magistrate had a distinguished guest that night. In order to make room for the county magistrate's distinguished guest, the inn manager kicked Chu Pei and his party out and arranged them to live in a cowshed. Chu Pei followed without saying anything.

After a while, the county magistrate came to see the dormitory arrangements in person. When he saw people living in the cowshed, he asked who lived here? What's going on? The inn manager replied that he was a strange guest.

The county magistrate was curious and called Chu Pei: Hey, who are you? Where did it come from? Chu Pei announced his name. Although the county magistrate has never met Chu Pei, he knows his famous name in Shilin, which is like thunder in his ears.

The county magistrate was so frightened that he broke into a cold sweat. He hurriedly asked people to relocate the house for Chu Pei, beat the inn manager in front of Chu Pei, and quickly set up a banquet for Chu Pei. Chu Pei was neither happy nor angry about the arrogance of the county magistrate and the inn manager.

analysis:

What would we do if we faced a similar experience as Chu Pei?

The inn manager must have been angry and helpless when he threw us into the bullpen. You may have an argument in person, or you may be holding back a burst of anger, thinking that you must get the situation back if you have the opportunity in the future.

The county magistrate happened to come and found out that I was a famous person and treated me with all kinds of flattery. Our emotions are bound to have ups and downs, and we may take the opportunity to vent.

But in this case, are our emotions being pulled by the outside world and unable to control ourselves?

I think of the recent reading of Gao Ertai 's collection of autobiographical essays " Looking for Home" . What I felt was not only the ups and downs of his experience, but also the beauty of his writing. The deeper aftertaste lies in: his narrative. There is always a heart that is neither special nor resentful, and is happy with the situation.

Even all his sufferings and ups and downs are actually interesting to read.

5, Yangfu had a good relationship with the Wang brothers

Yangfu and Xie Huan, who were arrogant at first and respectful at the other. One morning, they went to visit Xie Hun without breakfast, but Xie Huan probably hadn't gotten up yet. After a while, brothers Wang Qi and Wang Jian also came to visit. When they saw Yang Fu, who had arrived first, they didn't recognize him, so they showed various expressions of disgust on their faces, wishing that he would get out early.

However, Yang Fu's attitude towards the two kings was unfaithful. He put his feet up on the table, looked around, and chanted to himself, looking calm.

After a while, Xie Hun got up and entered the living room. He only exchanged a few words with the Erwang brothers, and then focused all his attention on Yang Fu, talking about various knowledge and other things. After listening to the conversation between the two, the second king realized that this Yang Fu was not an ordinary person, so he also joined in the conversation and interjected.

After a while, the servant brought the breakfast. The two kings did not bother to eat, but only advised Yang Fu to eat more. Yangfu still didn't care about them, he just ate and drank, and then left after eating.

The two kings tried again and again to stay, but Yang Fu was determined to leave. Before leaving, he said to the two kings: You two just wanted to drive me away, but I didn't leave because I was still hungry.

Analysis:

Let me first explain the identities and backgrounds of the three characters in the article:

The Wang Xie family is the top gentry of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.

Although the two kings did not have much academic knowledge, their elder brother Wang Gong was the minister that Emperor Xiaowu of Jin relied on most at that time.

Although Yang Fu's great-uncle was the founding father of the Western Jin Yang Hu , the Yang family's status had declined greatly in the late Eastern Jin Dynasty and could not compete with Wang Xie, so it was normal for the two kings not to know Yang Fu and to dislike Yang Fu. of.

But Yang Fu himself was a great talent, and was later relied upon by the careerist Huan Xuan, who regarded him as his " Zhuge Liang".

Let’s taste this case. What is the first thing we feel? This Yangfu is very powerful. What is so great about it?

In general favors, being disliked by others will definitely make you feel uncomfortable. You will often look for various opportunities to compete with others to regain your face. But in this case, you will be led by others.

Therefore, whether it is Chu Pei’s case above or this case, they all have one thing in common, that is, they do not care about other people’s attitudes and are not interested. How to do this?

Some people would say that both Chu Pei and Yang Fu are very confident in their own talents, so they can not care about the attitudes of others.

This is of course very possible, but it is not necessarily the case. There are many talented people who think highly of themselves but cannot tolerate others. For example, Wang Xizhi will be mentioned later.

Therefore, the key point of the protagonists' state of mind in the two cases lies in the "materialization" of others' arrogant and respectful attitude.

This is like when we encounter a bumpy road and stumble. It hurts. After we recover, we just walk around. Who would face this setback, get angry and curse, and stay unhappy all day long? !

has grasped this mentality, maybe we can also have the mentality of these celebrities.

6, Li Shi's sister

During the Jin Dynasty, the Li family of the Di ethnic group established the Chenghan regime in Yizhou (today's Sichuan).

After Huan Wen destroyed the Cheng Han Dynasty, he took the sister of the last king Li Shi as his concubine. He was extremely favored. Huan Wen's wife was jealous, so he led a group of female soldiers to kill her aggressively.

At that time, sister Li Shi had just finished washing her hair. She had beautiful hair and a calm demeanor. Facing the swords and guns of Huan Wen's wife and the female soldier, he said: Our country is ruined and our family is ruined, and our lives are like nothing. We have no intention of pursuing glory and wealth. If you want to kill me, you just fulfilled my wish.

As a result, Huan Wen's wife was restrained. She hugged Li Shi's sister and said, "Ah, sister, I feel pity for you."

analysis:

Zhuangzi compared life to "the pain of hanging upside down" , because the so-called health maintenance of ordinary people is actually just maintaining the body (life in the physiological sense). For this reason, they shrink back, worry about gains and losses, and lose their lives. A state of contentment.

"Zhuangzi Dasheng" puts forward the three realms of life: money, body, and spirit.

People have to have money if they want to make a living, but compared to life, money is just a tool and cannot be a "slave of money", otherwise it will be a "thing within a thing";

But few people realize that the body is actually only spiritual. Tools, without a body, there is no spirit, but people cannot be slaves of the body, otherwise, life will be a "suffering of hanging upside down."

It is already very difficult to see through the instrumentality of money. In this case, Li Shi's sister experienced the destruction of her country and her family, and had the opportunity to see through life and death, so she could have a calm and calm beauty when facing swords and axes.

Author: Speaker of the column "Exploring the Style of Wei and Jin Dynasties" - Xu Hua

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