First Memorial:
Son of the Most High, it has become evident that the examination system might not currently be fulfilling the purpose for which it is intended. The Master says, “This much can be known about music. It begins with playing in unison. When it gets into full swing, it is harmonious, clear and unbroken. In this way it reaches the conclusion.” (III, 23). We are all knowledgeable about the past and witnesses to the present, and in comparing the ancients to ourselves, it is obvious that we are not in unison. The Master said, “Be stimulated by the Odes, take your stand on the rites and be perfected by music.” (VIII, 8) How many among us in the Hanlin Academy, as well as those in provincial appointments, can claim to be purely inspired by the wisdom of the ancients and reject the vanity that lures one into a position in society such as ours? “The Master said, ‘How I have gone downhill! It has been such a long time since I dreamt of the Duke of Chou.’” (VII, 5) The current disharmony in the Middle Kingdom identifies that we, as models for society, have deviated from the Way.
To condemn our use of the Classics is too extreme. We must acknowledge that we are subject to the exigencies of time, and in being responsible for the welfare of the people we must trust our instincts and be confident in our understanding of the Classics. I trust that each of us identify and separate our personal motivations from governing and are objective in our interpretations and use of the Classics. Our current practice of periodic reexaminations ensures that officials maintain their devotion to knowledge. However, limiting appointments based on regional divisions does not ensure that the best candidates are being selected. This limits the reviewing officials’ ability to completely and properly fulfill their duties.
If we stray from the Way, then what hope is there of finding worthy scholars in the Middle Kingdom? Our influence on the people cannot be understated. The Mandate of Heaven lies with the people and the emperor. We cannot abandon the Classics, but we should consider the effect that time has on our traditions. We of the Hanlin Academy should consider establishing a modern framework from which the Classics can be interpreted. We should incorporate the lessons that history has taught those who governed before us and update the examinations in terms of this new framework.
There are worthy scholars in the Middle Kingdom, but our means of identifying them has shown signs of being outdated. “The Master said, ‘It is only the most intelligent and the most stupid who are not susceptible to change.’”(XVII, 3) It is our duty to find the middle ground between tradition and change. This applies to revising the examinations and our methods of selecting the best candidates. It is a mockery and profanation of the wisdom of the ancients to allow those with influence to purchase governmental appointments. The Master would not condone filling the coffers at the expense of wisdom. Reestablishing harmony within the Kingdom begins with reevaluating our motivations in governing and in our individual relationships with the Classics, and by establishing harmony among ourselves we will only then be capable of revising the examination process and thereby ensure stability for the future of the Middle Kingdom.
Son of the Most High, it has become evident that the examination system might not currently be fulfilling the purpose for which it is intended. The Master says, “This much can be known about music. It begins with playing in unison. When it gets into full swing, it is harmonious, clear and unbroken. In this way it reaches the conclusion.” (III, 23). We are all knowledgeable about the past and witnesses to the present, and in comparing the ancients to ourselves, it is obvious that we are not in unison. The Master said, “Be stimulated by the Odes, take your stand on the rites and be perfected by music.” (VIII, 8) How many among us in the Hanlin Academy, as well as those in provincial appointments, can claim to be purely inspired by the wisdom of the ancients and reject the vanity that lures one into a position in society such as ours? “The Master said, ‘How I have gone downhill! It has been such a long time since I dreamt of the Duke of Chou.’” (VII, 5) The current disharmony in the Middle Kingdom identifies that we, as models for society, have deviated from the Way.
To condemn our use of the Classics is too extreme. We must acknowledge that we are subject to the exigencies of time, and in being responsible for the welfare of the people we must trust our instincts and be confident in our understanding of the Classics. I trust that each of us identify and separate our personal motivations from governing and are objective in our interpretations and use of the Classics. Our current practice of periodic reexaminations ensures that officials maintain their devotion to knowledge. However, limiting appointments based on regional divisions does not ensure that the best candidates are being selected. This limits the reviewing officials’ ability to completely and properly fulfill their duties.
If we stray from the Way, then what hope is there of finding worthy scholars in the Middle Kingdom? Our influence on the people cannot be understated. The Mandate of Heaven lies with the people and the emperor. We cannot abandon the Classics, but we should consider the effect that time has on our traditions. We of the Hanlin Academy should consider establishing a modern framework from which the Classics can be interpreted. We should incorporate the lessons that history has taught those who governed before us and update the examinations in terms of this new framework.
There are worthy scholars in the Middle Kingdom, but our means of identifying them has shown signs of being outdated. “The Master said, ‘It is only the most intelligent and the most stupid who are not susceptible to change.’”(XVII, 3) It is our duty to find the middle ground between tradition and change. This applies to revising the examinations and our methods of selecting the best candidates. It is a mockery and profanation of the wisdom of the ancients to allow those with influence to purchase governmental appointments. The Master would not condone filling the coffers at the expense of wisdom. Reestablishing harmony within the Kingdom begins with reevaluating our motivations in governing and in our individual relationships with the Classics, and by establishing harmony among ourselves we will only then be capable of revising the examination process and thereby ensure stability for the future of the Middle Kingdom.
posted by mike | 1:38 PM
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