These are the fundamental ideas of
Confucius' teaching,
and also the principles upon which Confucianism is based.
大学之道以“三纲领”和“八条目”为宗旨。何谓三纲领？就是“明德，亲民，止于至善。”
The Way of the Great Learning consists of
three guidelines and eight articles. The three guidelines are:
illustrating virtue, renewing the people, and resting in the
highest excellence.
（一）明德：自己的德性清净光明之后，也教他人的德性清净光明
1. Illustrating virtue means that after one's own virtue
become pure and bright, one teaches others to make their virtue pure and bright
as well.
（二）亲民：令所有老百姓知道正当的道路，做个明理的人。
2. Renewing the people means causing all the people to
know the proper path and to understand principle.
（三）止于至善：大家居处于最完善的地方。
3. Resting in the highest excellence means that all
people abide in the most excellent place.
何谓八条目？就是“格物，致知，正心，诚意，修身，齐家，治国，平天下。”
What are the eight articles? They are investigating
things, extending knowledge, rectifying the mind, making the intent sincere,
cultivating oneself, regulating the family, managing the state, and bringing
peace to the world.
（一）格物：研究天地间万事万物之性理。
1. Investigating things means investigating the natures
and principles of the myriad things of the universe.
（二）致知：运用智慧，仔细分析物理，知道究竟
2.
Extending knowledge means using one's wisdom to analyze in detail the principles
of all phenomena, so that ultimate knowledge can be attained.
（三）正心：端正一身所主宰的心。
3.
Rectifying the mind means making one's mind, which is the master of the body,
proper and upright.
（四）诚意：诚实所发之意。
4.
Making the intent sincere means being sincere in one's thinking.
（五）修身：修好自己的身（德行）。
5.
Cultivating oneself means cultivating one's own virtuous conduct.
这五种是属于身心之学。
These five articles pertain to the study of body and
mind.
（六）齐家：整齐自己的家。
6. Regulating the family means managing one's own family.
（七）治国：治理自己的国家。
7.
Managing the state means governing one's country well.
（八）平天下：令天下太平。
8.
Bringing peace to the world means causing tranquility to prevail
throughout the entire world.
这三种是属于政治之学。
These last three articles pertain to the study of
politics.
These
are the fundamental ideas of Confucius' teaching, and also the principles upon
which Confucianism is based. Today I have briefly explained the three guidelines
and the eight articles. A more detailed explanation may be given in the future.
