The Research of Zhai-Jie Ceremony before the Period of Qin Dynasty
Date Issued
2010
Date
2010
Author(s)
Chang, Ming-Lang
Abstract
Zhai-Jie, a kind of pre-rites before many important ceremonies or events in Chinese culture, concludes several significances: purification of both physical and mental, consecration, and seclusion. At first, Zhai-Jie was supposed to be a religious pre-rite, including fasting, taking a bath and shampoo, changing clothes, and secluding. As time went by, in the period before the Qin Dynasty, the using and meaning of Zhai-Jie had changed: from only religion to both religion and thinking.
In this thesis, I''ve used two methods for research: one is the traditional Classics, and the other is Anthropology. Traditional scholars (before the Republic of China) had made researches on the Five Classics. Though there were no monograph about Zhai-Jie, they mentioned some details of Zhai-Jie in their books. On the other hand, when we study ancient ceremonies, the methods of anthropology is necessary. Traditional scholars showed us HOW the ancient Han people held "Zhai-Jie", but if we want to know WHY, we need to use Anthropology methods. Comparing Zhai-Jie with other peoples'' fasting or asceticism is the way to know WHY the rules must exist.
Chapter 1 is the purpose and methods of this thesis. Chapter 2 is the process of Zhai-Jie. Chapter 3 includes the thought and the theory of Zhai-Jie. Chapter 4 displays the applications of Zhai-Jie in the period of Qin Dynasty, to see how the ancient Han people bring it into exercise. Chapter 5, 6, 7, 8 show how Zhai-Jie was held. Chapter 5 is ablution, the function of purification of exterior. Chapter 6 is fasting, the function of purification of inner. Chapter 7 is clothing, the function of consecration. Chapter 8 is the rules of living and moving, the restriction of secluding. Chapter 9 is the conclusion of this thesis.
※Note: Zhai-Jie is usually translated as "fasting" in English, but in fact, fasting is only a part of diet of Zhai-Jie. However, when the ancient Han people was holding Zhai-Jie, they might eat more meat than other days. When we use the word "fasting", we always bethink of eat less and diet or taboo, but it''s not the whole meaning of "Zhai-Jie". So in this essay, I decided to use "Zhai-Jie" instead of "fasting" in order to tell the difference between these two words.
Subjects
Zhai-Jie
Ancient Han nationality
sincerity and respect
consecration
purification
secluding
Type
thesis
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