明鬼(下)

Master Mozi said: 'Since the three generations of sage kings passed away, the realm has lost righteousness and the feudal lords rule by force. Therefore rulers and ministers, superiors and subordinates are not generous and loyal; fathers and sons, brothers young and old are not kind, filial, respectful, and good; leaders are not diligent in governance; and common people are not diligent in their work. The people commit lewdness, violence, brigandage, chaos, and theft, using weapons, poison, water, and fire to ambush innocent people on roads and paths, seizing their chariots, horses, and clothing for personal gain -- all these things have arisen together, and this is the beginning of why the realm is in chaos. What is the reason? It is all because people are confused about whether ghosts and spirits exist, and are not clear about the ability of ghosts and spirits to reward the worthy and punish the wicked.'

Master Mozi said: 'If we rely on what many have jointly seen and jointly heard, then there is the case of Du Bo of old.' King Xuan of Zhou killed his minister Du Bo though he was innocent. Du Bo said: 'My lord kills me though I am innocent. If the dead have no awareness, then so be it; but if the dead have awareness, within three years I will certainly make my lord know it.' Three years later, King Xuan of Zhou assembled the feudal lords for a hunt in the park, with several hundred hunting chariots and several thousand followers filling the fields. At noon, Du Bo appeared riding a white horse and plain chariot, wearing vermilion robes and cap, holding a vermilion bow with vermilion arrows, and pursued King Xuan, shooting him in his chariot, striking him in the heart and breaking his spine. He collapsed in his chariot, fell over his bow case, and died.

Therefore Master Mozi said: 'If we consider that ghosts and spirits can reward the worthy and punish the wicked, and extend this principle to the governance of states and the welfare of the myriad people, this is truly the Way of governing states and benefiting the myriad people.'

Therefore Master Mozi said: 'Now when I perform sacrifices, I am not simply pouring offerings into a ditch and throwing them away. Above, I am securing the blessings of the spirits; below, I am bringing people together in joyful assembly and building goodwill with my community. If the spirits truly exist, then I am feeding my parents and brothers. Is this not a beneficial thing for the realm? Even if the spirits do not exist, the sacrificial food is shared among kinsmen and neighbors -- it still serves to unite the community.'