Completion through Music

Obviously, Confucianism's value of music was deeply influenced by the rite or culture in Zhou Dynasty. Confucius said, "To enlighten with poem, to educate with rite, and to complete with music." (The Analects, Tai Bo) In other words, "completion through music" was the highest stage in the cultivation of character, which highlighted the role music played. Confucius benefited a lot from music:

Since Shi Zhi starts to play, my ears have been pleased until he ends with Crying Ospreys. (Tai Bo)

It was recorded that after Confucius heard Shao music, he did not know how meat tasted for a long time and said, "I do not think I am so fascinated with music like that." (Shu Er)

With the taste for aesthetics and the cultivation of emotion, one could achieve a great state. In Xian Jin, it was recorded that: Confucius asked his disciples to tell their ideals. When Zi Lu, Ran Qiu, Gong Chixi said theirs, it turned to Zeng Dian. Confucius said, "Dian, how about yours?"

Zeng Dian answered: In late spring, the clothes are finished. I take bath in Yishui River with more than 10 adults and youths and feel the spring wind at Terrace for Praying Rain. Then we sing and return." Confucius nodded, "That's also what I want!" Here, Zeng Dian did not confine his idea to reality and presented the romantic and pleasant spirit. It was so beautiful and it was also the real pleasure of human.

Afterwards, Theory on Music and Record on the Subject of Music elaborated on the role music played in the cultivation of character. Theory on Music was written by Xun Zi. In Theory on Music, it was clearly stated that, "Music is what expresses pleasure; the musical instruments made with metal and bamboo are what indicate morality." Record of Music inherited the views in Theory on Music and stressed the close relationship between music and morality:

Music relates to morality. (Nature of Music)

Music symbolizes morality. (Play of Music)

Music represents the essence of morality. (Image of Music)

Meantime, Theory on Music and Record on the Subject of Music clearly suggested the significance of music for emotion:

Music expresses human's pleasure that all have. (Theory on Music)

Music comes from one's heart. Sound forms when human's emotion is evoked. Music forms when sound is organized. (Record on the Subject of Music)

Music always expresses one's emotion. (Emotion in Music)

It should be noted that to clarify the relationship between music and emotion was very important, which meant that the cultivation of character closely related to emotion and aesthetics, or the complete character must include emotion and aesthetics. In addition, Theory on Music and Record of Music both emphasized the role music played in cultivation, or specifically in reform people and transforming social customs, which extended the cultivation of character or morality. For instance,

Music is what a sage likes. It can make citizens kind, move people, and transform social customs. Therefore, the late king guided citizens with music and made them harmonious. (Theory on Music)

To rule with music can publicize morality, make citizens healthy and peaceful, transform social customs, and bring peace to a country. (Record on the Subject of Music)

Therefore, a gentleman harmonizes their wills according to their nature and cultivates them via popularizing music among them. A gentleman displays morality when he popularizes music and guides citizens into the right direction. (Image of Music)

Music could lead people to do good deed, by which the moral goal was fulfilled. In this sense, it was of enormous importance to achieve cultivation through the popularity of music.