Record of Teaching and Practice
Teaching Regulations
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196 · Morning Examination of Conduct
Each morning, after the pupils have paid their respects and bowed, the teacher should question them all in turn. At home, has their mind of affection and reverence toward parents become slack or careless, failing to be genuine and earnest? Have they neglected the forms of warming and cooling their parents and attending them at night and morning, failing to put them into practice? In walking through streets and lanes, have their steps and manners become unrestrained, failing to be careful and orderly? In all speech, conduct, and intentions, has there been deception, falsehood, perversity, or deviation, failing in loyalty, trustworthiness, earnestness, and reverence?
The children must each answer truthfully. If there are faults, correct them; if not, add further encouragement. The teacher should again take the particular time and affair as the occasion for detailed instruction, explanation, and awakening. Only then should they return to their seats and study.
197 · The Practice and Schedule of Singing
In singing poems, pupils must put their appearance in order and settle their breath, make their voices clear and bright, and keep their rhythms and tunes even and exact. They must not be restless and hurried, unrestrained and noisy, or timid and shrinking. Over time their vital spirit will open and flow freely, and their mind and qi will become peaceful and harmonious.
In each school, according to the number of children, divide them into four groups. Each day one group takes its turn singing poems, while all the others remain seated, compose their appearance, and listen attentively. Every fifth day, all four groups sing in succession in their school. At each new and full moon, gather the schools to sing together at the academy.
198 · The Practice and Schedule of Rites
In practicing rites, pupils must clear their minds and make their thoughts reverent, attend carefully to ceremonial measures, and regulate their deportment. They must not be careless and lazy, discouraged and ashamed, or rash and wild. They should be composed without falling into slow and awkward delay, and careful without falling into cramped restriction. Over time their ritual deportment will become familiar through practice, and their moral nature firm and settled.
The children's groups are arranged just as for singing poems. Every other day, one group takes its turn practicing rites, while all the others remain seated, compose their appearance, and watch attentively. On a day of ritual practice, their assigned copying exercises are waived. Every tenth day, all four groups practice in succession in their school. At each new and full moon, gather the schools to practice together at the academy.
199 · Teach Less and Let Understanding Deepen
In assigning books, do not seek mere quantity. What matters is exact familiarity. Judge each child's capacity: one who can manage two hundred characters should be assigned only one hundred. Always leave a reserve of vital spirit and strength. Then there will be no trouble of weariness and bitterness, and there will be the beauty of personal understanding.
During recitation, require concentrated mind and single resolve. The mouth recites while the mind considers; each character and sentence is drawn out and repeatedly examined. Vary the rhythm and intonation, and make the mind open and spacious. Over time, rightness and ritual propriety will penetrate and harmonize, and clear perception will open more each day.
200 · The Daily Order and Its Living Application
The daily work is: first examine virtue; next recite from memory and read aloud; next practice rites or do assigned copying exercises; next recite again and discuss the books; next sing poems.
Practicing rites, singing poems, and such activities all serve constantly to preserve children's minds, making them delight in practice without weariness and leaving no leisure to turn toward perversity and deviation. Teach in this way, and you will know what to apply. Yet this is only the general outline. To make it wondrously effective and clear rests with the person.
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