Book of Rites, Liji: Bilingual Edition, English and Chinese 禮記: Classic of Rites 禮經
Not Available / Digital Item
Book of Rites, Liji: Bilingual Edition, English and Chinese 禮記: Classic of Rites 禮經
This complete edition of The Book of Rites (Liji) features both English and Chinese side-by-side for easy reference and bilingual support. The sections are linked and organized for easy reading.
The Book of Rites or Liji, literally the Record of Rites, is a collection of texts describing the social forms, administration, and ceremonial rites of the Zhou dynasty as they were understood in the Warring States and the early Han periods. The Book of Rites, along with the Rites of Zhou (Zhouli) and the Book of Etiquette and Rites (Yili), which are together known as the "Three Li (San li)," constitute the ritual (li) section of the Five Classics which lay at the core of the traditional Confucian canon. As a core text of the Confucian canon, it is also known as the Classic of Rites (Lijing), which some scholars believe was the original title. Some sections consist of definitions of ritual terms, particularly those found in the Etiquette and Ceremonial, while others contain details of the life and teachings of Confucius.
Confucius described Li as all traditional forms that provided a standard of conduct. Li literally means "rites" but it can also be used to refer to "ceremonial" or "rules of conduct". The term has come to generally be associated with "good form" or "decorum". The ideas of li were thought to become closely associated with human nature, ethics, and social order as the population integrated li into their lives. Li was beneficial to society because it forced people to recognize and fulfill their responsibilities toward others.
*This edition includes a Classical Chinese Quick Study Guide.