《Daoists》
作词:無渊界.玄音
(By Xuan Yin of the Boundless Abyss)
In the twilight of the Zhou dynasty, the mountains and rivers tilted, and the years collapsed; the royal authority crumbled, and the rites fell silent.
The vassal lords fought for supremacy, dividing the world; the rituals and music were shattered, and the ways of the world were locked in conflict.
The common people in a troubled era suffered endless hardships; in the mortal dust, few upheld the pillars of righteousness.
Born into this declining and chaotic world, the Master Confucius carried the spirit of Yao and Shun throughout his life.
Orphaned in his youth, he was tempered by hardships; in his early years, he studied the poems and the classics, awakening to the ways of the world.
He vowed to cultivate his character and pursue the ancient sages, seeking to revive the rites of Zhou and invigorate the vast oceans.
He traveled through the states, enduring the frost and hardships; for fourteen years, he trod upon the long and arduous road.
Time and again, he was trapped and starved in Chen, meeting cold stares; frequently, he encountered the chaos of war in a troubled era.
Yet, he did not shift his original resolve in poverty and lowliness; nor did the vicissitudes of life alter his pure sincerity.
He opened the Apricot Altar to spread education and enlightenment; as a commoner, he taught and broke the boundaries of social classes.
Three thousand disciples inherited the path of the sages; seventy-two virtuous scholars shone in the annals of history.
He edited the poems and the classics, and refined the rites and music; with his brush, he compiled the Spring and Autumn Annals to distinguish between the righteous and the wicked.
His subtle words and profound meanings illuminated the ages; his clear praises and censures served as a warning to the chaotic armies.
Mencius succeeded the sage and inherited the Confucian lineage; he traveled through the vassal states, preaching benevolence and wisdom.
He fiercely rejected the hegemonic ways and advocated for benevolent governance; he loved the people and lightened their taxes, showing compassion to the masses.
He established the theory of innate goodness to open the minds of men; his noble, righteous spirit pierced through the azure sky.
When the customs of the Warring States fell into chaos, Xunzi founded his theories to supplement the Confucian form.
He advocated for elevating the rites and emphasizing the law; he urged learning and self-cultivation to inspire all living beings.
He clarified that human nature is flawed, but the mind can be tempered; through acquired education, one can achieve greatness.
The Confucian lineage is the root of Huaxia (China); it takes virtue as its foundation and rites as its guiding rope.
Filial piety, brotherly love, loyalty, and trustworthiness establish one's character; benevolence, righteousness, gentleness, and goodness forge one's temperament.
Cultivating oneself and bringing order to the family, one harbors bright virtue; governing the state and pacifying the realm, one entrusts their pure sincerity.
They did not flaunt political stratagems nor revere military might; they relied solely on education and enlightenment to nourish the masses.
Having endured the frost and winds of a thousand years, their voice continues to resonate across the four seas.
In a troubled era, they could uphold the bones of loyalty and righteousness; in times of peace, they could preserve the purity of societal customs.
The source of the cultural vein for a thousand autumns lies here; from this, the garments and crowns of Huaxia were forged.
