先秦的“圣人崇拜”与诸子之称“经”——兼论中国文化主流为人文信仰

中国上古宗教是由天子、诸侯、宗子垄断祭祀权力的身份性宗教。处在这一宗教体系圈子中的人不可能发展宗教思想学说。而无缘进入这种宗教体系圈子中的人也不愿冒着"僭越"的巨大风险,去发展与其相关的宗教思想学说。为此,孔子及先秦诸子另辟蹊径倡导"圣人崇拜"。在先秦文献中,"圣人"概念包括掌握国家政治、军事权力的君王和大臣(如武王、周公),也包括那种以其思想学说救世的布衣之士。出现这种将"圣人"范围扩大到民间无身份人士的现象,本身就是一种进步。这种进步绕开了那些垄断宗教资源的天子、诸侯、宗子们,而从哲学、伦理学、政治学的方向寻求突破,来实现他们"救世"的宏伟目标。始于春秋末期的"圣人崇拜"思潮正是中国经学孕育的温床。

“Worship of Sage” in the Pre-Qin Period and Philosophical Masters' Use of the Term “Classic”: The Humane Faith as the Mainstream of Chinese Culture

This paper argues that Chinese ancient religion,whose sacrificial rights were monopolized by the Emperors,feudal lords and lineal successors,was based on people’s identity.People who were in the circle of this religious system were unable to develop any thoughts and doctrines of the religion.Meanwhile,people who were outside of the circle of this religion were unwilling to develop the thoughts and doctrines at the high risk of " arrogation ". Therefore,Confucius and various philosophical Masters in the pre-Qin period advocated " worship of sage ". Among the documents of the pre-Qin period,the concept of " sage " referred to not only the lords and ministers,such as King Wu of Zhou and the Duke of Zhou,whowere in charge of the country’s politic and military power,but also the civilian intellectuals who tried to save the world by their thoughts and theories.It was a progress that the civilian intellectuals were included into the concept of " sage ". This progress made the civilian intellectuals get rid of the monopolization of religious resources which were controlled by the Emperors,feudal lords and lineal successors,and led them turn to philosophy,ethics and politics for breakthrough in order to fulfill their magnificent goal of " salvation ". The trend of thought about " worship of sage ", which started in late Spring and Autumn Period,was the breeding ground of the Study of Chinese Confucian Classics.