整理/秦珍子 制圖/汪琪(實習生)
慎終追遠
慎重地對待喪事、追念逝去的先人。曾子主張以“慎終追遠”的態(tài)度對待逝者。隨著逝者的遠去,人們容易逐漸淡忘其存在及其對自己的關愛與影響。“慎終”即要求人們慎重地遵行喪禮的儀節(jié),表達對逝者的真摯哀悼?!白愤h”則要求人們依禮祭祀逝者,以緬懷其恩情及其德行、功業(yè)。曾子認為,“慎終追遠”的做法有助于敦厚人情。
Mourn the Deceased and Memorialize Those Long Gone
This term means to hold obsequies in a proper way and cherish the memory of those long deceased. This is what Zengzi believed one should do toward the deceased. As someone passed away, with the passage of time, people close to him would forget the care and love shown to them by the deceased. So people should follow due procedures at a funeral to express their grief over the deceased and memorialize the altruism, virtue and achievement of the dead even long after his death. Zengzi believed this would increase care and love among the people.
引例 曾子曰:“慎終追遠,民德歸厚矣?!保ā墩撜Z·學而》)(曾子說:“慎重地對待喪事、追念逝去的先人,百姓就會歸于敦厚真誠了?!保?/p>
Zengzi said,"When holding obsequies in a proper way and deeply remembering those who have long gone, people will become honest and sincere." (The Analects)