The influence of Confucian thought in Tang thuong ngau luc by Pham Dinh Ho and Nguyen An

3. Research purpose

When carrying out the topic "The influence of Confucian thought in Tang thuong ngu luc " by Pham Dinh Ho and Nguyen An, the author of the thesis hopes to contribute to making people know more about a medieval work and understand more clearly the influence of Confucian thought in the work. At the same time, recognize and evaluate the role and position of the work in the history of cultural development of our ancestors.

4. Research subjects

To carry out the topic, the research object of the thesis is the influences of Confucian thought expressed in the work Tang thuong ngu luc by Pham Dinh Ho and Nguyen An.

5. Scope of research

Maybe you are interested!

- The work Tang thuong ngau luc by Pham Dinh Ho and Nguyen An.

The work consists of 90 stories and poems after the story collection.

- Tang thuong ngau luc is a Chinese work, there are many different translators, we choose the text translated by Truc Khe Ngo Van Trien (Literature Publishing House 2001). It is a text known to many people and used by most prestigious researchers.

6. Research methods

To carry out the topic, I used the following methods:

- Statistical methods

- Systemic method

- Comparison method

Along with the above methods, the thesis combines analytical and descriptive operations... to better complete the topic.

7. Contribution of the thesis

Through the development of the thesis topic, I hope to help readers understand the influence of Confucian thought on the work Tang thuong ngau luc by

Pham Dinh Ho and Nguyen An. At the same time, it helps readers have a more thorough view when evaluating the work, understand more about Confucianism, and is helpful for teaching and research in the future.

8. Thesis layout

In addition to the Introduction, Conclusion and References, the Content of the thesis includes 2 chapters as follows:

- Chapter 1. Overview of the basic ideas of Confucianism and the author of the work Tang thuong ngau luc .

- Chapter 2. Tang thuong ngau luc - A work deeply influenced by Confucian thought.

CONTENT

Chapter 1

OVERVIEW OF BASIC IDEAS OF CONFUCIANISM AND THE AUTHOR, THE WORK " TANG THUONG NGAU LUC"

1.1. Basic Confucian ideas influence Vietnamese literature

Confucianism is a typical doctrine of ancient and medieval Chinese philosophy. Confucianism was founded by Confucius and appeared around the first century BC, during the Spring and Autumn period. Confucian ideas are expressed in two classic books: the Four Books and the Five Classics . The Four Books include: Doctrine of the Mean, Great Learning, Analects, and Mencius. The Five Classics include: Poetry, History, Rites, Changes, and Spring and Autumn Annals. That system of classics is mostly about politics and society, and rarely about nature. This shows that the tendency to debate about society, politics, and ethics are the core ideas of Confucianism.

Confucius and his students saw the power and great role of morality in society. According to Confucius: "The Way is the five basic social relationships of human beings called human relations", Mencius called the five relationships: king-subject, father-son, husband-wife, brother-sister, friend-friend. In which, the three most basic relationships Dong Trong Thu called Tam Cuong - three bonds that bind people from within family relationships to outside society: king-subject, father-son, husband-wife. Virtue is the most important quality that people need to have to perform well the above basic relationships.

The rule - often is the basic content of the Confucian morality, the principle that governs all thoughts and actions and is the golden rule, the jade ruler to evaluate human virtue. On the one hand, the rule - often contributes to regulating human behavior, bringing people into the rules according to the etiquette system of the previous Zhou Dynasty and later feudal dynasties. The rule - often is an important factor that makes society stable according to hierarchy, is the basis to ensure the rule of the Son of Heaven.

The five ethical categories that Confucianism mentions are: humanity, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. These categories all evaluate human morality and are the measure of human virtue.

Born and existed for more than 2500 years. During its existence, Confucianism has had an influence on many Eastern countries, including Vietnam. This influence is shown in many aspects, especially in the field of literature.

First, Confucianism influenced the subject of writing. Confucianism with the ideology of "respecting men and despising women" and women having to "follow the three obediences and four virtues" breathed into the social life of our country an atmosphere of heavy unequal ideology, which most clearly influenced the subject of writing. Therefore, most talented poets and writers were men. In the first period of literature, the main subjects of writing were nobles and mandarins such as: King Ly Cong Uan ( Thien do chieu ), Tran Quoc Tuan ( Hich tuong si). Later, due to the expansion of learning, there were more Confucian scholars and hermits such as: Pham Ngu Lao, Nguyen Trai... It was not until later, at the beginning of the 18th century, that a number of female poets began to appear, typically: Ho Xuan Huong, Ba Huyen Thanh Quan.

Not only does Confucianism influence the subject of creation, it also influences the content of literary works. First of all, we can see that literary works are greatly influenced by the Four Books - Five Classics , learning many historical anecdotes and allusions... to enrich and deepen the content and meaning of the work. For example , the Proclamation on the Transfer of the Capital by Ly Cong Uan "In the past, the Shang Dynasty moved the capital five times under the reign of Ban Canh, the Zhou Dynasty moved the capital three times under the reign of Thanh Vuong... or the Tale of Kieu by Nguyen Du uses the allusion "the three-seven apricot" inspired by the Book of Poetry in the verse: "The three-seven apricot is ripe, / Young peaches should be prepared early to weave silk in time." to refer to the act of getting married.

Not only that, literature also absorbs and exalts the word "Nhan" in Confucianism, turning it into one of the main creative themes in poetry, novels, and stories. Nhan means human love, filial piety, and faithful love: we have been fascinated by the filial piety of a Thuy Kieu who sold herself to redeem her father, a Kim Trong who was faithful to his oath in the poem Truyen Kieu or a heart that sympathizes with Tieu Thanh in Doc Tieu Thanh Ky by Nguyen Du and feels moved for the tragic Vu Nuong in Truyen Ky Man Luc by Nguyen Du. Nhan also means people, human beings. Nguyen Trai in Binh Ngo Dai Cao also exalted the word Nhan in the way of governing the country: "The work of Nhan is to pacify the people".

Next, medieval literature also shows the inequality that Confucianism affirmed: "male superiority and female inferiority". The status of women in ancient society was looked down upon like duckweed floating on the water waves: the character Thi Kinh (play Quan Am Thi Kinh) or Banh Troi Nuoc ( Ho Xuan Huong). At the same time, the "anti-democratic" ideology of Confucianism influenced Vietnamese medieval literature, only exalting the "I" and almost completely eliminating the "ego" of the individual.

In literature, the central character images are also influenced by Confucianism with many concepts of ethics and etiquette. As a man, one must be a gentleman, talented, virtuous, wise, and have a career... As a woman, one must maintain etiquette, be virtuous, and know the three obediences and four virtues...

The ideology of loyalty and patriotism with the inspiration of independence, hatred of the enemy, fighting spirit, pride in the country and people... as in Proclamation of Victory over the Wu (Nguyen Trai), Proclamation to the Generals and Soldiers (Tran Quoc Tuan)... or the Confucian ideology of "men and women should not touch each other" also influenced the literary content of this period.

In short, it can be seen that the influence of Confucianism on literature is very great: Confucianism encourages the development of literature.

1.2. Overview of the author and the work Tang thuong ngau luc

1.2.1. Author of "Tang thuong ngau luc"

Pham Dinh Ho was born in the year of Mau Ty (1768) in a Confucian family, with the names Tung Nien and Binh Truc, and the title Dong Da Tieu, commonly known as Mr. Chieu Ho. His hometown was Dan Loan village, Duong An district, Thuong Hong prefecture, Hai Duong town (now Nhan Quyen commune, Binh Giang district, Hai Duong province). He was a Vietnamese researcher, writer, and poet around the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century.

Born into a family of scholars, his father was Pham Dinh Giap, also known as Diec Hien, who was good at both literature and mathematics and was well-versed in astrology. Pham Dinh Giap took the exams many times but only passed the Huong Cong exam. In 1756, when he passed the exam, he worked in the lord's palace. He served as the inspector of Nam Dinh, was promoted to the position of Son Tay governor and was promoted to the position of Hoang Tin Dai Phu Thai Boc Tu Khanh. Pham Dinh Ho's mother was Pham Thi Xuyen - the granddaughter of the first-ranked scholar Pham Quang Trach, from Dong Ngac village.

Pham Dinh Ho lost his father at an early age. At the age of 9, he was already reading Chinese characters. At the age of 12, his father died and his studies became neglected. Although he studied and read many books, he only passed the Sinh Do (literally, Bachelor's degree) exam at the end of the Chieu Thong era.

During the chaos, King Le Chieu Thong sent people to seek help from the Qing Dynasty, then the Le - Trinh Dynasty collapsed, and the Tay Son Dynasty took power. During this time, Pham Dinh Ho lived a life of a Confucian scholar, teaching in his hometown.

When Gia Long ascended the throne and restored the system of studying and taking exams, he took the provincial exams three times but failed each time. At that time, he was teaching in Thai Cuc ward, Tho Xuong district in Thang Long citadel. Every day he trained students and compiled books. Here he became friends with poetess Ho Xuan Huong.

In the year Canh Thin (1820), he and Phan Huy Chu were summoned to Hue to wait for orders to be appointed, but because of illness, he could not go.

In the year of Tan Ty (1821), King Minh Mang went to the North. At that time, Pham Dinh Ho was 53 years old. He was invited by the King to ask about education, the examination situation and talents in the North. The King also advised that if there were books about previous dynasties and previous books, they should be presented. He then presented the books he had compiled to the King. Due to his profound knowledge, he was summoned to Hue to work as a Hanh Tau Vien Han Lam, but after a short time, he resigned.

In the 7th year of Minh Mang (1926), the king summoned him again to be an official of the Royal Academy. The king praised Pham Dinh Ho: "Outstanding literature, upright character, not flattering power or authority". After more than a month, he was promoted to the position of Rector of the National University. The following year, he asked for sick leave and resigned. Later, he returned to his post and was promoted to the position of Assistant Lecturer (this was a special case because a person with only a bachelor's degree was promoted to such a high position in a school).

In the year of Nham Thin (1832), he retired. In the year of Ky Hoi (1839), Pham Dinh Ho passed away in his hometown, at the age of 72.

Thus, through the journey of Pham Dinh Ho's path of examination and career, we can recognize his noble personality and attitude towards life. Because from a young age, Pham Dinh Ho expressed his will that: As a man, one must establish himself and practice his religion... become famous in life with poetry and literature... He was a Confucian scholar who deeply understood the principles of leaving one's life and doing good deeds. When the country was in chaos and war, he lived in seclusion to teach. But when the examination system was restored, he also brought his tent to take the exam with the desire to support the king and help the country. Pham Dinh Ho made great contributions to the country not only in the political field but also in the cultural field.

Regarding writing: Pham Dinh Ho was a person who consciously left a legacy for posterity before writing and left behind a relatively large legacy. He has two collections, Vu Trung Tuy But and Tang Thuong Ngu Luc (co-written with Nguyen An) in Chinese characters.

Regarding poetry, he has Dong Da Hoc Ngon Thi Tap and Tung Cuc Hien Mai Tu Huu in Chinese characters. Regarding geographical, historical and cultural research, he left behind books: An Nam Chi , O Chau Luc , Ai Lao Ambassador Trinh , Le Trieu Hoi Dien , Bang Giao Dien Le , Kien Khon Nhat Lang , Nhat Dung Thuong Dam , etc.

In the field of literature, Pham Dinh Ho's poems and writings are very unique, although they are all written in Chinese characters. Like Vu Trung Tuy But , Tang Thuong Ngu Luc, co-written with Nguyen An, was written with all his passion for authentic literature about people and landscapes, about the diverse and rich human life and world.

Nguyen An was born in 1770, with the name Thanh Ngoc, the name Kinh Phu, also known as Ngu Ho, some documents recorded as Ngu Ho Khach and Giang Bac Coi. He was a famous scholar who lived in the late Le Dynasty and early Nguyen Dynasty, under the reign of King Gia Long. His hometown was in Viem Diem village, later he moved to Du Lam, Dong Ngan district, Tu Son prefecture, Kinh Bac town (now Bac Ninh province).

Nguyen An lived during the most turbulent period in the nation's history and also witnessed the country's stability under the Nguyen Dynasty. However, perhaps his deepest impression was the chaos at the end of the Le Dynasty, when in less than twenty years the country changed dynasties three times.

He came from a family of scholars. His great-grandfather was Dr. Nguyen Kham, his grandfather was Dr. Nguyen Y, and his father was Nguyen Chi Hoan. In addition, his paternal uncles and aunts were all scholars from the Later Le dynasty.

Nguyen An was an intelligent, studious person with extensive knowledge, well-traveled, experienced, and witnessed many changes in the country. Growing up in a time of chaos, he failed in his studies and exams. He lived almost as a hermit in Thang Long, living on other people's land and earning a hard living by teaching, practicing medicine, finding solace in nature and literary friends.

The influence of Confucian thought in Tang thuong ngau luc by Pham Dinh Ho and Nguyen An - 2

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