What are the three teachings and nine streams, the five elements and eight works?

Three Religions

Three Religions refers to the three traditional religions - [1] Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.

Confucianism

Confucianism is also called "Confucianism" and "Holy Religion" (Confucianism is not the same as Confucianism). Taking "Confucianism" as the highest belief and "establishing a mind for the heaven and earth, establishing a destiny for the people, inheriting the unique knowledge for the saints, and creating peace for all generations" as the ultimate goal. Later, it was distinguished from Taoism, which advocated Taoist ideas such as Huang Lao Liezhuang. From the Southern and Northern Dynasties, it was called Confucianism and also called Holy Religion. Together with Buddhism and Taoism, it was called the Three Religions. “Confucianism is a religion native to the Chinese nation[2]”. Confucianism is the representative of ritual and music civilization and the direct successor of ancient religions.

“Confucianism is a unique traditional religion of the Chinese nation. It is practiced by all ethnic groups living in this ancient land of China, including ethnic minorities other than the Han nationality, such as the Liao, Jin, Yuan, Xixia and Qing dynasties in the north. All dynasties have adopted Confucianism as the state religion, with Confucius as the leader (this was something Confucius did not expect during his lifetime, just as Laozi was not expected to be regarded as the leader of Taoism)... Confucianism took advantage of the combination of politics and religion to become the state religion. Divine power and imperial power are integrated and indivisible [3] ”

Taoism

Taoism takes “Tao” as its highest belief, with belief in gods and goddesses as its core content, and alchemy as its core content. The path of cultivation takes the attainment of Taoism as the ultimate goal, pursues natural harmony, national peace, social stability, and family harmony. It is believed that those who cultivate Taoism and accumulate virtue can be happy and live a long life. This fully reflects the spiritual life, religious consciousness and belief psychology of the Chinese people. .

Buddhism

Buddhism is also one of the three major religions in the world. It refers to Buddhism that was introduced to our country during the Eastern Han Dynasty. Buddha means "the awakened one". The Buddha is also called the Tathagata, the worthy offering, the right and all-knowing, the perfect practitioner of enlightenment, the good passerby, the understander of the world, the supreme scholar, the master of discipline, the teacher of gods and humans, and the World Honored One. Buddhism attaches great importance to human spiritual and moral progress and enlightenment. The purpose of Buddhist believers to practice Buddhism is to discover the truth of life and the universe according to the practice methods enlightened by Siddhartha, and ultimately transcend life, death and suffering, cut off all troubles, and obtain ultimate liberation.

Nine streams

The so-called nine streams actually refer to the three levels of ‘upper, middle and lower’. Among the three religions, there are three classes of people; naturally three out of three make nine.

As for the theory of the upper, middle and lower nine streams, it originated from "Hanshu·Yiwenzhi". Among them, the world's theories are divided into nine streams and ten schools.

In "Hanshu·Yiwenzhi" they respectively refer to: Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, Legalism, Famous Family, Miscellaneous Family, Farmer Family, Politician and Yin Yang Family. The ninth-rate ten schools include novelists in addition to the ninth-rate.

Novelist's leisurely entertainment, in ancient times, could only be studied by those who were "ignorant and unskilled", did not have fame and fortune, and did not farm or weave. To make a living in this way often requires catering to others, which is close to flattery. In ancient times, there was an extreme lack of material resources, and novelists were unable to serve society, so they were considered "not mainstream."

The reason why it is described as "flow" is actually to compare the social form to water. No matter whether mountains and rivers change or water veins diverge, water always obeys the laws of nature while still showing its own will and thoughts. Novelists, on the other hand, often have to cater to readers first.

However, the novelist’s style is unique. Everyone has dabbled in many of the three religions and nine streams. As a way to entertain others and ourselves in ancient times, it is regarded as the "tenth family".

The upper nine streams: the first-rate Buddha, the second-rate immortal, the third-rate emperor, the fourth-rate official, the fifth-rate pot cooker, the sixth-rate seven merchants, the eight guests, and the nine farmers.

The middle nine streams: the first-rate doctor, the second-rate doctor, the third-rate Feng Shui Fourth-rate batches, fifth-rate paintings, sixth-rate figures, seven-rate monks, eight-course nine-string chess

Nine-rates: first-rate witches, second-rate prostitutes, third-rate masters, fourth-rate gangs, five shavers, six blowers, seven actors, eight beggars, and nine selling sweets

"Five Elements and Eight Works" is a traditional common name among Hangzhou people referring to all walks of life, originating from the Southern Song Dynasty. At that time, various industries in the market were called "tuan", "xing", "market", "zuofen", etc. "Tuan, Xing and Shi" are mostly commerce, while "making points" are small handicrafts. Wu Zimu of the Southern Song Dynasty recorded in "Mengliang Lu Tuan Xing": "There are people named 'Tuan', such as Chengxi Flower Group, Nilu Green Fruit Group, Houshijie Ganzi Group, and Mushui Gate Tuan Group.

There are also those named "Xing", such as Guanxiang Fangshu Hang, Gold Sales Store, Guanzi Store, Fish Store in the North City, Crab Store in the East City, Jiang Store, Ling Store, Beizhu Store, Nanzhu Store outside Houchaomen, Nantubeitumen Food Store, Baziqiao Fresh Fish Store, Henghetou Cloth Store, and Chicken and Goose Store. There are even more named "markets", such as Tanqiao Medicine Market, Guanxiang Flower Market, Ronghe City Nanfang Pearl Market, Xiuyifang Meat Market, and Chengbei Rice Market. "Other workers may be called 'workers', such as those who grind jade, drill and roll, grate and knife, belt, gold and silver, wrap and paste, pave green, and frame. Decorative work, oil work, wood work, brick and tile work, mud work, stone work, bamboo work, lacquer work, nail and hinge work, hoop and barrel work, tailoring work, repairing incense and pouring candles, making paper, making utensils, etc. Make points. "From the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties to the Republic of China, this kind of "trade", "market" and "workshop" were still used in all walks of life.

To put it simply: five elements: cars, boats, shops Walking around as a yamen servant, eight tasks: goldsmith, silversmith, coppersmith, blacksmith, tinsmith, carpenter, bricklayer, and stonemason