FAQs
We recommend the study of "Di Zi Gui", it was hailed as "the top elementary text for self-cultivation", rivaling the three classics -- "San Zi Jing" ("Three-character Primer"), "Bai Jia Xing" ("Book of Hundred Surnames") and "Qian Zi Wen" ("Thousand-Character Classic") in terms of its educational value.
Frequently Asked Questions
(1) What is "Di Zi Gui"?
"Di Zi Gui" or "Standards for Being a Good Student and Child" (SBGSC), was written for young children in China back in the Qing Dynasty. It was meant to be one of the first book to be read and memorized by children. It orderly teaches the young ones on moral values like filial piety, respect for elders, to be earnest and truthful, to emphasize humanity, practices benevolence, follow the good example of a sage or virtuous man, self-discipline, self-respect and diligence. It aims to guide the young ones to have a good start in life.
(2) How is "Di Zi Gui" related to Confucius and the "Analects"?
Its origin could be traced back to the Qing Dynasty scholar Li Yu Xiu, who first compiled a text for educating the young from extracts of the "Analects" (or "Lunyu"). The work was divided into five segments, with key ideas drawn from the following excerpts in the "Analects": "A young man should be filial to his parents at home and be respectful to elders outside his home. He should be earnest and truthful, endorses humanity, and practises benevolence. When he has done this and has the energy to spare, he can study literature and the arts."
The text was subsequently edited by another scholar, Jia Cun Ren, to become "Di Zi Gui" or "Standards for Being a Good Student and Child". "Di Zi Gui" comprises 360 verses and 1080 characters. It has three characters in each verse, with every two verses rhyming with each other.
(3) Which are the verses in "Di Zi Gui" that are suitable for the family?
Most if not all of the verses in "Di Zi Gui" are suitable for the family. For example, "Older sibling should befriend the younger ones, younger sibling should respect and love the older ones. Siblings who keep harmonious relationships among themselves, are being dutiful to their parents." (“兄道友，弟道恭，兄弟睦，孝在中”). This is both a guideline and a reminder for us. Parents wish their children can have harmonious relationships among themselves. This requires teaching the children from their young age, of the way they should treat each other. Such harmonious relationships among children, reflects their being filial piety.