earticle

영어

This paper investigates the character of Zixia(子夏) and his role as a disciple of Confucius(孔子), with particular attention to their master-disciple relationship and its influence on Tsze-hsiâ’s intellectual and moral development. Zixia was born with the family name Bu(卜) and the given name Shang(商); his courtesy name(字), by which he is commonly known, was Zixia. Zixia was forty-four years younger than Confucius. He was a native of the state of Wei(魏) and became a disciple during the later years of Confucius’s life, studying under him for approximately four to five years until the Master’s death. Although Zixia was known for his calm and composed demeanor, his overemphasis on ritual propriety and formalities sometimes resulted in a neglect of the essential duties that required timely and appropriate action. Accordingly, Confucius’s teachings were directed toward making Zixia aware of this shortcoming. It seems that Zixia was conscious of this aspect of his character. He was a remarkably intelligent disciple, gifted with keen insight. After receiving Confucius’s teachings, Zixia came to realize that the ideal image of the Junzi(君子: person of high stature) he had pursued was merely a combination of peripheral elements. He deeply regretted and reflected on his tendency to fixate on minor matters and to expand his understanding in that narrow direction, and thereafter focused on cultivating inner sincerity and substance. This shift in focus played a crucial role in his growth into a distinguished Confucian scholar[孔門]. Following the death of Confucius, Zixia was entrusted with the responsibility of completing the learning of the Junzi[君子] and transmitting it to future generations, thus bearing the weight of preserving and perpetuating the Master[孔子]'s legacy. The transmission of the Classic of Poetry(Shi, 詩), the Book of Documents and History(Shu, 書), the Rites of propriety(Li, 禮), and the Classic of Music(Yue, 樂), as well as the revision and compilation of the Book of Rites(Chunqiu, 春秋) and the Book of Changes(Yijing, 易), were all carried out under his direction. The successful fulfillment of these tasks by Zixia can be attributed to the convergence of his natural disposition, his capacity for self-reflection, and the profound influence of Confucius’s teachings. As a result, he earned the distinguished reputation encapsulated in the phrase(『論語』 ｢先進｣ 2), “For their literary acquirements, Ziyou(子游) and Zixia(子夏),” reflecting the high esteem in which he was held for his scholarly accomplishments.

한국어

소론은 자하의 인물됨과 사승 관계를 고찰한 것이다. ①자하(子夏)는 성(姓)은 ‘복(卜)’이고 명(名)은 ‘상(商)’이며 ‘자하(子夏)’는 그의 자(字)이다. 공자보다 44세 젊었다. 출신국은 위나라[魏]이며 공자의 유력 말기에 입문하여 공자가 몰할 때까지 4~5년간 수업하였다. 자하는 차분하고 침착한 성격의 소유자였지만, 절차와 형식을 지나치게 중시한 나머지, ‘마땅히 행해야 할 일’의 처리에는 소홀한 점이 있었다. 그래서 공자의 가르침도 이런 점을 일깨워주는 방향으로 펼쳐졌다. 자신에게 이런 면이 있다는 것은 본인도 알았던 것 같다. 그는 영민한 두뇌를 타고난 제자였다. 그래서 공자의 가르침을 받은 후, 자신이 추구한 군자의 상이 지엽적인 것들의 조합임을 깨닫고, 작은 일에 집착하여 그 방면으로 인식을 확장해 간 것에 대해 깊은 후회와 반성을 한 뒤, 내면의 충실함을 다지는 데에 집중했다. 이것은 그가 대학자로 성장하는데 큰 밑걸음이 되었다. 자하는 공자 몰후 ‘군자의 학’의 완성과 수훈(垂訓)의 책임이 위임된 제자였다. 시서예악[詩書禮樂]의 전수와 『춘추』 그리고 『역』 의 정비는 모두 그의 손에 의해 이루어졌다. 자하가 이 일을 수행할 수 있었던 것은 그의 타고난 성벽(性癖)과 반성적 지혜, 공자의 가르침이 잘 어우러졌기 때문이다. 그래서 세간에 ‘문학(文學)에는 자하(子夏)’라는 성명(盛名)이 있게 된 것이다.