The three sects divided into three religions and nine streams
Three religions and nine streams, in the old days, generally referred to people from all walks of life and from all walks of life.
Folk tradition:
The "three religions" refer to Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.
In feudal society, people divided the "nine streams" into three categories: upper, middle and lower.
The "Shangjiu Liu" means: first-class Buddha, second-class immortal, third-class emperor and fourth-class official, fifth-class official and six-class guest, seven burns and eight kiosks. Among them, "ke" refers to merchants (merchants), "shao" means people who burn pots (make wine), and "dang" means people who open pawn shops.
"Mid-nine-rate" means: first-rate doctor, second-rate doctor, third-rate Fengjian, fourth-rate critic, fifth-rate painter and sixth-rate worker, seven-rate monk, eight-level nine-string chess player. Among them, "Feng Jian" is the yin and yang man who reads Feng Shui, and "Pi" is the fortune teller who criticizes horoscopes.
The "lower nine streams" are: one has a pedicure, the other has a haircut, the third has oil from the four classes and five, six plays seven prostitutes, eight plays and nine plays hand-playing. Among them, "ban" refers to the head office worker, "luo" refers to the restaurant owner, and "ba" refers to the entertainer!
Feudal society divided occupations into high and low. We now believe that as long as it is reasonable and legal, any profession has no distinction between high and low!
In fact, the original meaning of "three religions and nine schools" in ancient times refers to three religions and nine academic schools.
The "three religions" are recorded to have originated during the Three Kingdoms period. The three religions mentioned in the conversation between Sun Quan of Wu State and Ling Kanze refer to Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
The "Nine Streams" are nine academic schools in the pre-Qin Dynasty, which are found in "Hanshu Yiwenzhi". The nine schools are Confucianism, Taoism, Yin-Yang School, Legalism, Mingjia, Mohism, Politicians, Miscellaneous Schools, and Nongjia.
Confucianism: It is the main body of ancient Chinese feudal culture. The theory of Confucius has the most profound influence on Chinese culture. From the Han Dynasty to the May Fourth Movement, it has always occupied an important position in the Chinese cultural and ideological circles. Mencius and Dong Zhongshi are famous representatives.
Taoism: an academic school centered on the "Tao" doctrine of Laozi in the pre-Qin Dynasty. Zhuangzi inherited and developed Laozi's thoughts and was called a "moralist". Laozi's philosophical thoughts have the thought of simple dialectics. Taoism in the Han Dynasty respected Laozi as the ancestor of Taoism.
Yin Yang School: A school of thought that advocated the theory of Yin Yang and Five Elements during the Warring States Period. The representative figure was Zou Yan of Qi State.
Legalism: An important school that advocated the rule of law during the Warring States Period. It originated from Guan Zhong and Zichan in the Spring and Autumn Period, and its representatives were Shang Yang and Shen Buhai in the Warring States Period. Han Fei was the master of Legalism.
Mingjia: a school of thought during the Warring States Period, a "debator", and ancient logic. The representative figure is Gongsun Long.
Mo School: A school of thought during the Warring States Period, advocating "non-offensive (opposing unjust wars)", "frugal use", "frugal burial", etc. The founder is Mo Zhai.
Political strategists: Among the strategists engaged in political and diplomatic activities during the Warring States Period, there were the "United Zong Faction" and the "Lian Heng Faction". The representative figures are Su Qin (advocating "uniting vertically", that is, the six countries unite to resist Qin), and Zhang Yi (advocating "joining horizontally", that is, disintegrating the unity of the six countries and making them serve Qin separately). These two types of strategists are collectively called "strategists."
Miscellaneous scholars: A group of scholars who mixed the thoughts of various schools from the Warring States Period to the Qin and Han Dynasties. Their characteristic is that they "combine Confucianism and Mohism, as well as fame and law." His representative works are "Lu's Spring and Autumn Annals" and "Huainanzi".
Nongjia: an academic school that reflected agricultural production and farmers’ thoughts during the Warring States Period.
The above is the original meaning of ‘Three Religions and Nine Streams’. Because many people do not understand its meaning..., with the changes of the times, it has been extended to the derogatory meaning of three and nine.