《中国传统修身故事绘本》(第四辑)包含10册绘本,分别讲述了古代先贤陶侃、祖逖、王羲之、吴隐之、李密、李世民、杜甫、裴度、范仲淹、宗悫的故事。孩子们通过阅读故事,可以看到并学习他们身上闪耀着的修身自律的可贵精神,从而提高内在修养,树立正确的人生观以及价值观。同时,绘本还借由历史故事,传播了中国厚重的历史文化知识,集中展现了中华文化永久的魅力和风采。绘本插画由专业插画师手绘而成,古朴素雅,颇具中国风,并且兼具故事性。
This series illustrates ancient sages such as Du Fu, Fan Zhongyan, Zong Que etc. From the books, young readers can learn about the traditional culture of China and the moral cultivation of ancient sages.
Mencius has observed, That whereby man differs from the lower animals
is but scarce 希, xi. Zhu Xi has noted that this remark means there
are very few differences between humans and animals. But I think that xi
in this remark perhaps also covers the meaning rare and uncommon.
As a kind of animals, humans naturally have very few differences from
other animals, but these tiny differences indeed matter and are therefore
valuable.
Then, what are our differences from animals or advantages over them?
In my opinion, humans are superior to animals not because our teeth
or hands are more capable, our bodies are stronger and more sophisticated,
not because we run faster, have more brilliant dwellings or eat
more exquisite food. We are differentiated from animals mainly because
we are morally advanced, which is represented in Mencius four terms,
including sympathy, sense of shame, courtesy and a clear mind to distinguish
between right and wrong.
Xiushen 修身, cultivation of ones moral self, as our ancestors kept
stressing, is to maintain and promote such differences, so that we would
not abandon the few advantages endowed by Heaven or obtained
through evolution and backslide into a barbaric status. Xiushen is the key
to self-cultivation through pursuit of knowledge and rectification of mind,
and to the regulation of families, states and the world.
Xiushen, therefore, is to cultivate an indestructible spirit. Though it
sounds illusory, there are innumerable ways of practicing such cultivation.
In the long history of China, numerable sages have set up examples
for us to cultivate ourselves. Despite the vast diversity of their paths of
life and achievements, they all show us, through their spiritual struggles,
their splendid personalities and the glory of human nature.
Todays society is very different from the past, marked by changing
environment and faster pace of life. For this reason, we should be more
consistently and diligently cultivating ourselves, so that we can stay true
and firm to our aspirations.
We wish that this series of picturebooks would offer children a
glimpse into ancient sages noble character, self-discipline and social
commitment. Perhaps, a worthy life of constant self-improvement could
start from these books.