From Chronicle to Canon
The Hermeneutics of the Spring and Autumn according to Tung Chung-shu

A meticulous analysis of Tung Chung-shu's importance in Chinese philosophy and religion.

Sarah A. Queen (Author)

9780521612135, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 28 April 2005

304 pages, 2 b/w illus.
23 x 15.3 x 1.9 cm, 0.457 kg

'In this meticulous work of scholarship, Sarah Queen shows convincingly that there was more complexity in Han political thought than suggested by a dichotomy into Confucians and others.' Asian Affairs

Every general account of the development of Chinese thought makes mention of Tung Chung-shu (c. 195–105 bce) as one of the pivotal philosophers of the Han. Professor Queen's accomplishment is a meticulous dissection of Tung Chung-shu's major work. The Luxuriant Gems of the Spring and Autumn Annals (Ch'un-ch'iu fan lu) established the first state-sponsored Confucian Canon, and created an ideal of the ruler and his role in government that was central to political discussion for two thousand years. The author has carefully scrutinised this text for authenticity, and has concluded that it was compiled several centuries after Tung's death, but was mostly compiled from Tung's authentic writings. By historicising this important text, Queen allows a new view of Tung's relation to the political and doctrinal discourses of his day, and also addresses the role of scriptures in Confucian spirituality.

1. Introduction
Part I. Three Perspectives on the Authenticity of the Ch'un-ch'iu fan-lu: 2. A biography of Tung Chung-shu
3. A history of Tung Chung-shu's literary corpus
4. The authorship of the Ch'un-ch'iu fan-lu
Part II. Exegesis and Canonization: 5. The Spring and Autumn and Kung-yang tradition
6. Reforming the Ch'in laws
7. The wider circle of Han jurisprudence
8. Refashioning the imperial rites
9. Canon, cosmos, and court patronage
10. Conclusion
Part III. Appendices: Appendix 1. The birth and death dates of Tung Chung-shu
Appendix 2. The dates of the Han-shu 56 memorials
Appendix 3. Han transmission of Kung-yang learning
Appendix 4. Han dynasty disciples of Tung Chung-shu
Appendix 5. Citations and titles attributed to Tung Chung-shu
Appendix 6. Transmission of Ch'un-ch'iu fan-lu editions.

Subject Areas: Asian history [HBJF]