The Sanzi Jing, usually translated as the Three-Character Classic, has been a required text for all Chinese children and was used in Taiwan at least as late as the 1960s. Kids would recite it as a group, accompanied with the swaying of the body to give it a proper rhythm. It was written in the thirteenth century and usually attributed to Wang Yinglin (1223-1296), a renowned Confucian scholar. The "poem" consists of a series of couplets of three characters. The complete text is less than 1200 characters but in that limited space it manages to enumerate all of the salient features of the Confucian tradition. Children were required to memorize it, much as a Catholic Catechism might be, even before they could read and write. The text is broken down into five paragraphs, as follows:
- Paragraph 1 states the basic belief in the inherent goodness of mankind, the importance of education, filial piety, and family and social relationships.
- Paragraph 2 provides a roadmap to the Confucian Classics.
- Paragraph 3 lists the dynastic history of China. The text was updated multiple times to bring it up to date and suit current sensibilities. This particular version ends with the Qing dynasty.
- Paragraph 4 lists exemplary Confucian behavior.
- Paragraph 5 serves as closing statement and exhortation to the student to study hard.
http://www.chinasage.info/lang3characters.htm
https://www.yellowbridge.com/onlinelit/sanzijing.php
https://www.yellowbridge.com/onlinelit/sanzijing.php
三字经拼音读本及易解.pdf | |
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