ngũ kinh

Definition

1. Proper Noun:
   • The Five Classics: The collective term for the five ancient Chinese texts that form the foundational canon of Confucianism. These texts are considered authoritative sources for Confucian thought, ethics, history, poetry, and divination.

Usage Examples

• Proper Noun:
  • Ngũ Kinh có ảnh hưởng sâu sắc đến văn hóa Đông Á. (The Five Classics have profoundly influenced East Asian culture.)
  • Các học giả Nho giáo phải nghiên cứu Ngũ Kinh. (Confucian scholars must study the Five Classics.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is used in historical, philosophical, and cultural studies to refer specifically to this defined corpus. It is often contrasted with the Tứ Thư (Four Books), another core set of Confucian texts compiled later.

The Five Component Texts

• Kinh Thi (Classic of Poetry): An anthology of ancient poetry and folk songs.
• Kinh Thư (Classic of History): A collection of documents and speeches from ancient Chinese rulers.
• Kinh Lễ (Classic of Rites): Texts describing social forms, administration, and ceremonial rites.
• Kinh Dịch (Classic of Changes): A divination text and system of cosmology.
• Kinh Xuân Thu (Spring and Autumn Annals): A historical chronicle of the state of Lu.

Synonyms

• The Five Confucian Classics: A direct descriptive synonym.
• The Canonical Classics: Emphasizes their authoritative status.

Related Terms

• Tứ Thư (The Four Books): Refers to the , , , and , which together with the Ngũ Kinh form the core of the Confucian canon.
• Nho giáo (Confucianism): The philosophical and ethical system based on the teachings of Confucius and these texts.