江阴市华顺船舶:唐太宗的成功源于尊重多元文化（图文）

  

     千古第一帝王唐太宗

耶鲁大学法学教授蔡美儿（Amy Chua）在《帝国时代》（Day ofEmpire）一书中如是道。她在本书从历史上分析七个超强帝国的崛起与没落──波斯国、罗马帝国、盛唐中国、蒙古王朝、荷兰、英国、美国，这些国家能主导当时的世界，都有两大特色"宽容与多元"（toleranceandmulticulturalism）；相反的，超强帝国的没落，往往因为同化能力衰落，陷入不宽容与排外。

《史密森尼》杂志的记者问，蔡美儿表示："唐太宗的贞观之治和唐玄宗开元之治，政局稳定，经济繁荣，国力富强，是唐朝的极盛时期，也是中国文化最为灿烂辉煌的时候。当时唐玄宗接见阿拉伯的外交使节代表团，免去他们要叩头的礼节。反观千年之后，清朝嘉庆皇帝把一位英国大使驱逐出京，因为不愿行三跪九叩礼。相比之下，清朝不如唐朝的宽容和多元，结果王朝盛世也远比唐朝逊色。 

唐太宗开创的唐代是我国历史上辉煌灿烂的时代，是世界上闻名的天朝大国。盛唐时期指的是贞观之治到开元盛世这段时间，这个时期政治清明，经济繁荣，文化开明，在社会生活、文学艺术等各个方面所呈现出来的繁盛景象，被后世称为“盛唐气象”。这种局面的开创，是由于始于唐太宗及其后的君王关爱百姓、选贤任能、善于纳谏的结果。唐太宗身居高位而谦恭待人、大度容人，敢用反对过自己的人，励精图治，不仅是唐代盛世伟业的开创者，更为后世树立了治世的典范。

唐文化的特有气质，正是这种“兼收并蓄”、“有容乃大”的精神。孟子说：“充实之谓美，充实而有光辉之谓大”（《孟子·尽心下》），这种精神造就了唐代的“充实而又光辉”的文化繁荣时代，使我国传统文化进入了一个异彩纷呈、奇峰迭起的时期。

一、文学艺术

从清康熙年间编纂的《全唐诗》来看，作家二千二百多人，作品四万八千多首，唐朝诗人之众，诗作之繁，实为中国诗史之奇观。唐诗不仅数量众多，而且艺术精湛、水平极高，《全唐诗》开篇就是唐太宗的《帝京篇十首》，诗作气势宏大，使人感到他“心随朗日高，志与秋霜洁”（《经破薛举战地》）的高尚节操和远大抱负。随后群臣的诗作也展现出阔大的气势和胸襟，如大臣杨师道的“爽气长空净，高吟觉思宽”（《初秋夜坐应诏》）等，刚健质朴的贞观诗风影响着后世。

盛唐时期名家辈出，宛如星汉：“诗仙”李白；“诗圣”杜甫；以写自然风景著称的孟浩然、王维；边塞诗人高适、岑参；“诗家夫子”王昌龄；经历了盛唐的成熟，中晚唐时期众多的诗人代表者白居易等。其诗作博大、雄浑、深远、超逸，无不体现着时代的风格和精神。如李白的“俱怀逸兴壮思飞，欲上青天揽明月”、杜甫的“煌煌太宗业，树立甚宏达”、王维的“江流天地外，山色有无中”……

除诗歌外，唐代散文、小说、传奇等方面也达到了相当高的成就。体现了一代文人：“济苍生”、“安社稷”的理想抱负，反映民生和揭露社会时弊的敏锐洞察力和勇气，对国家的责任感，高瞻远瞩的大眼光、大格局。

二、书法绘画

唐太宗非常重视书法，设置了弘文馆，委任书法名家担任书学博士，专门培养书法人才，并下诏京师五品以上的官员必须到弘文馆学习书法；倡导天下学习王羲之的字体，并称其“尽善尽美”，使书法正统化。在唐太宗的影响下，唐高宗、唐中宗、唐睿宗都十分爱好和提倡书法，唐代书法水平因而达到了历朝历代的巅峰，也是我国书法史上书法家最多的一个朝代，如褚遂良、欧阳询、虞世南、薛稷、李邕、颜真卿、柳公权、张旭等。而颜、柳、欧、褚等名家法帖，至今仍是很多书法研习者们临摹的样本。

唐代的画坛亦显示出蓬勃的活力，题材范围空前地扩大了。如阎立本所画《太宗真容》、《凌烟阁功臣二十四人图》，图绘了开创大唐伟业的唐太宗及众臣，形象逼真传神，时人誉之为“丹青神化”。吴道子曾在长安、洛阳寺观中作佛道壁画四百余间，神态各不相同，展现出神佛的庄严和天国圣境的光辉。他落笔一挥而就，绘画轰动长安，“立笔挥扫，势若风旋，人皆谓之神助”。他被后世尊为“画圣”，被民间画塑匠人尊为“祖师”，足见其影响之大。

唐代的壁画和雕塑也有了高度的发展，以卓绝的造型、丰富的色彩，富丽中不失典雅，鲜明中又有沉着，呈现出一派大气雍容的风度。如敦煌莫高窟壁画中的《西方净土变》，展现出天国世界的景象，神佛、菩萨、众生，人物众多，画面宏伟，神采生动，令人敬畏与神往。

三、乐舞艺术

唐乐舞荟萃历代歌舞所长，兼收西域众多少数民族及国外之精粹，日臻极境，充份体现了盛唐时百国朝贺、民族交融的景象，是国泰民安的完美写照。唐乐舞气势磅礴，场面壮观，集诗、词、歌、赋于吹奏弹唱；融钟、鼓、琴、瑟于轻歌曼舞；乐曲高亢悠扬，动作舒展流畅，服饰华丽多紫，堪称历代歌舞之最，成为吸收异域优秀文化和传播中华文明的载体。唐乐舞中：继承前代的传统乐舞并加以发展的，如《九部乐》、《十部乐》中的《清商乐》；以国名、地名、族名为乐部或舞名的，如《十部乐》中的《西凉乐》、《高丽乐》、《龟兹乐》等；唐代新创的乐舞，是音乐、舞蹈、诗歌三者结合的大型多段体乐舞套曲，如吸收传统武舞的《破阵乐》、《大定乐》等。据《新唐书·礼乐志》记载，唐太宗时设立了十部乐，除了燕乐、清商为中原乐舞，其余四部来自唐朝境内少数民族、四部来自国外，南至印度支那，北到撒马尔罕。

当时著名的歌舞大曲有《秦王破阵乐》，以唐太宗统一中国、功定天下为题材，表现了除奸佞、气吞万里的气势和拯民于水火的仁德，此曲当时在国外亦广为流传。西域音乐在唐也非常盛行，长安城内住有大批西域音乐家，著名的乐曲有《龟兹佛曲》等。有关民间乐舞盛况，在唐诗中也多有反映，出现了“《六幺》《水调》家家唱，《白雪》《梅花》处处吹”的局面。

四、意识形态和信仰

唐代是儒、释、道发展和弘扬的鼎盛时期，三家思想交相辉映，规范着人们的思想和行为，渗透在社会各个领域的方方面面，使社会维持较高的道德水准。唐太宗既尊崇儒学，又扶持道教和佛教。唐代有完善的祭祀天地、神明和宗庙的祭祀制度，人们敬天信神，尊道崇德，读圣贤书，以经世济民为己任。儒家的“仁者爱人”，道家的“悟道证真”，佛家的“慈悲普度”，在这些正统信仰的影响下，人们明了做人的理念，保持质朴、善良、纯真的本性，追求真理，坚定为善。

唐太宗下诏组织学者修撰了《五经正义》，使儒家经典成为唐代科举考试的标准教材，并一直沿用后世，儒家思想成为规范人们思想行为的基本准则。唐代道家思想亦得以广泛弘扬，文人中求道访道的非常多：真率夷旷如贺知章，或翩翩欲仙如李白；在绘画上有“道释人物”一科，画家们的艺术也被人们称为有若神助的艺术；音乐上“玄真道曲”、“大罗天曲”大盛；书法上追求“真率天然”、“禀天而自强”的境界美，看重意象，崇尚自然；名医孙思邈一生以修道和行医济世为务，造福世人不计其数，被后世称为“孙真人”和“药王”。佛家思想传播亦规模空前，佛经翻译、传播数量巨大，人们信奉佛法，敬信神佛，深信因果而修心向善，社会安定，民风淳朴，八方来朝，正如佛经所述：“佛所行处，国邑丘聚，靡不蒙化。天下和顺，日月清明。风雨以时，灾厉不起。国丰民安，兵戈无用。崇德兴仁，务修礼让。国无盗，无有冤枉。强不凌弱，各得其所。”

高僧玄奘法师以慈悲为怀，立志拜佛取经以济众生，远赴西域印度十七年，取回六百五十七部佛经，并在长安慈恩寺将其全部译成中文。唐太宗赞其壮举，对其翻译、广传佛经给予大力帮助和扶植，并为译经作序《大唐三藏圣教序》。此序文气势开阔，文笔典雅，从天地阴阳、四时变化述及显像与无形，宏观与微观，再述及佛家教化之功能，赞扬玄奘法师拜佛求经之壮举，“松风水月未足比其清华，仙露明珠讵能方其朗润”、“方翼兹经流施，将日明而无穷；斯福遐敷，与乾坤而永大”。

五、对外文化交流

唐太宗提出“柔怀万国”的睦邻友好政策，贞观之治为邻近列国所仰慕，和中国有使节往来的国家和部落已经超过了三百个，于是朝廷设立鸿胪寺、典客署和礼宾院等外事机构，专门接待外宾。亚洲、非洲许多国家纷派使节，而有“万国遣使”的盛况。唐很多措施许多国家甚至是照搬过去直接来用。许多外国的王侯、使臣、留学生、艺人、僧侣都来到唐朝，长安成为当时世界上最大的国际都会，国子监成为世界上最可观的高等学府。仅日本一国先后十九次派出的遣唐使，就有五千人以上。其中随团前来的留唐学生大多被唐朝友好地接纳到唐朝最高学府国子监学习，学习数年毕业后或在唐朝官府工作或返国将汉文化传授于国。僧侣们则入住寺院，潜心钻研佛经。有的国家还礼请中国派人去传授文化，如高僧鉴真携带佛像、佛经六次东渡日本，在日本弘扬佛法与盛唐文化，为中日文化交流作出了卓越的贡献。

综上所述，唐代文化不仅以辉煌的成就使华夏文明璀璨夺目，而且以深刻的内涵、强大的力度远播世界，使唐代文化成为向周边国家和地区辐射的文化源地，在世界文化史上映照古今。唐文化是中华民族史册上一幅亮丽的历史画卷，它是华夏儿女的骄傲和自豪！人们怀念和向往记忆中永远清晰的盛世天朝，无限景仰唐太宗的正义、仁爱和宽广的胸怀。

(Clearwisdom.net) The Tang Dynasty is considered a golden age inChinese history, a time when China was the largest and strongestnation in the world. The apex of the Tang Dynasty refers to thetime between the "Reign of Zhen Guan" (i.e., the reign of EmperorTaizong of Tang) and the "Reign of Kai Yuan" (i.e. the reign ofEmperor Xuanzong of Tang.) During this period, China enjoyed amoral political system and flourished in all aspects including theeconomy, society, as well as literature and the arts.

Why was this so? It was because Emperor Taizong of Tang and hissuccessors had caring and loving hearts for the people. Theyappointed virtuous and capable people to important positions, andwere able to accept suggestions and even criticism from theirappointees. Although supreme as an emperor, Taizong was humble,respectful, and tolerant. He even appointed those who had opposedhim to important positions. Taizong had always been diligent andhad lofty goals. Thus, he was not only the founder of the TangDynasty, but also a role model for future emperors.

The unique character of Tang can be summarized as "having anopen and broad mind, combining the very best of all." It isprecisely this spirit that forged this culturally diverse andsplendid period in Chinese history.

I. Literature and the Arts

"The Complete Tang Poems," compiled during the reign ofEmperor Kang Xi of the Qing Dynasty, is a collection of more than48,000 poems written by over 2,200 poets. The number ofaccomplished poets and the diversity of their poetry was a shiningstar in the history of Chinese literature. The poems written duringthe Tang Dynasty were not only great in number, but were also highin artistic value.

The opening piece of "The Complete Tang Poems" wasTaizong's ten poems of "The Imperial Capital." "My heart rose withthe sun in clear sky; my aspiration as pure as the autumnchrysanthemum." (From "Re-visiting the Battlefield where I DefeatedXue Ju") Xue Ju was a warlord at the end of the Sui Dynasty.These pieces had an imposing spirit, which allowed the readers toexperience the author's lofty realm and high ambitions.

The ensuing poems by the officials in Taizong's royal court alsomanifested open and broad vision. For example, high-rankingofficial Yang Shidao wrote in his poem "Waiting to See His Majestyin Early Autumn:" "In the clean air and clear sky, I felt mymind was broadened while reciting a poem." The upright, pure, andsimple character of poems during the Reign of Zhen Guan had quitean impact on future generations.

The golden time of the Tang Dynasty produced countless renownedpoets: "God of Poetry" Li Bai, "Saint of Poetry" Du Fu, Meng Haoranand Wang Wei who were both famous for poems describing naturalscenery, Gao Shi and Cen Shen whose poems were mostly about life inborder areas, "the Poetry of Confucius" Wang Changling, and so on.In the later years, Bai Juyi was typical of many poets in themid-to-late Tang Dynasty. Their poems are profound, imposing, andfar-reaching; they transcend the mundane and embody the spirit ofthe Tang Dynasty. "(My heart is so) inspired by lofty aspirations,as if we were about to fly to the blue sky to pluck the moon." Thispoem, written by Li Bai, is just one example of their skill withwords.

In addition to poetry, Tang style essays, novels, and tales ofmarvels also reached a very high artistic level. Scholars of theTang Dynasty wrote about people's lives and exposed the dark sideof society, demonstrated acute insight, courage, sense ofresponsibility, great foresight, and broad vision. Between thelines we are able to see their high ambition of "saving themultitudes of people, and maintaining the peace and prosperity ofsociety."

II. Calligraphy and Painting

Taizong paid great attention to calligraphy. He establishedHongwen Palace and appointed renowned calligraphers to teachstudents. He issued an order that all officials whose rank was overthe fifth grade must go to Hongwen Palace to study calligraphy.Taizong praised the calligraphy of Wang Xizhi, one of the greatestcalligraphers, as "perfect in terms of both virtue and art," andadvocated Wang's style of calligraphy. Calligraphy was thus on anorthodox path. Under the influence of Taizong, the later emperorssuch as Gaozong and Zhongzong also loved and advocated goodcalligraphy. As a result, calligraphy reached its peak during theTang Dynasty. The Tang Dynasty also produced the largest number ofcalligraphers among all of the dynasties. For example, Ouyang Xun,Yu Shinan, Yan Zhenqing, and Liu Gongquan just to name a few. Theirworks still serve as prime examples for calligraphy lovers toemulate.

The painting circle was very active during the Tang Dynasty, andthe range of subjects was broadened like never before.

"A True Portrait of Taizong" and "The Twenty-Four Officials ofGreat Merit" by painter Yan Liben looked true to life and vividlyrepresented the images and expressions of Taizong and hisofficials, whose great feats laid the foundation for the prosperityof Tang. Yan was therefore acclaimed "a god-like painter."

Another painter Wu Daozi made over 400 Buddhist and Taoist muralpaintings in temples at Chang'an and Luoyang. Each Buddhist andTaoist figure was different from the other; moreover, his paintingsfully displayed the mighty dignity of Buddhas and deities, and thesplendor of paradises. He was able to finish a painting with oneflourish of the brush, and his paintings awed the entire Chang'ancity.

Later generations respected him as the "Saintof Painting" and described his work as follows: "Waving the brushas a swirl of wind, as if a god is helping him." Painters andsculptors worshipped him as the "Founding Master." He was andremains quite influential.

Mural painting and sculpture also made great progress during theTang Dynasty. They had outstanding composition and rich colors,sumptuous yet elegant, bright yet calm. They were truly magnificentand graceful. For example, "The Western Pure Land," one of thepaintings in the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang, displayed the magnificentscene of a heavenly paradise with a multitude of Buddhas,Bodhisattvas, and sentient beings, each with a radiant look andvivid expression; it is truly awe-inspiring and enchanting.

III. Music and Dance

Tang era music and dance used the best movements of previousgenerations, and adopted the best from the many minorities as wellas foreign nationalities in the west. The music and dance are atrue reflection of a peaceful and prosperous society with hundredsof nations and a variety of nationalities in perfect harmony.

Tang music and dance are grand and magnificent. Poetry and proseare compiled into songs and odes; the instruments were very diverseincluding the zither, Chinese harp, and drums; the dances weregraceful and smooth; the costumes were colorful and diverse. Amongthe Tang music and dance there was "Qingshang Music," whichincluded traditional music starting from as far back as the HanDynasty; there was also "Northwest Land Music" and "Goryeo Music,"which were named after the places they originated.

The original pieces compiled during the Tang Dynasty were acombination of music, dance, and poetry, often in the form oflarge-scale, multi-section presentations. One of the most famousproductions created during the Tang Dynasty was "Li ShiminDefeating Liu Wuzhou," a grand and majestic showcase of music anddance that described and praised Taizong's virtuous feat ofeliminating a vicious enemy, unifying the nation, and bringingpeace to the people. The music became very popular, and was evenwidely spread in countries outside of China.

IV. Ideology and Beliefs

Tang Dynasty is a period when Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoismcontinued to develop to their peak in popularity. The teachings ofthese three schools helped to regulate people's ideology andconduct, and permeated all aspects of society. As a result, theentire society was able to maintain a high moral standard. The TangDynasty thus reached a glorious level.

Taizong not only respected Confucianism, but also supportedTaoism and Buddhism. During the Tang Dynasty, there was a completesystem of worshipping heaven and earth, as well as worshipingdeities. People respected heaven and believed in God. Scholarsrespected Taoism and promoted virtuous conduct, taking thewell-being of the people and prosperity of society as theirresponsibility. Confucianism teaches peoples: "A Benevolent PersonLoves Others;" the Taoist school teaches "Enlighten to Tao andValidate the Truth;" the Buddhist school teaches "Offeringsalvation with Compassion." These orthodox beliefs helped peopleunderstand the doctrines of life, so as to maintain their pure andbenevolent nature. People of that time strived to seek truth andfirmly maintain a virtuous heart.

Taizong issued an order to have some scholars compile the book"Five Classics of Confucianism," which became the standardtextbook for students to study in preparation for the imperialexamination. It remained a standard textbook for later generationsas well. Confucianism then became the basic principles todiscipline people's minds and conduct.

Taoist teaching was also widely promoted during the TangDynasty. Many scholars, such as He Zhizhang and Li Bai, sought theTao. In fine arts, there was a special study dedicated to Taoistand Buddhist figures. Musicians compiled grand Taoist music pieces.The renowned Chinese Medicine doctor Sun Simiao was a Taoistcultivator whose lifetime endeavor was the cultivation of Tao andproviding medical treatment for people. He saved the lives ofcountless people. Later generations worshipped him as "Taoist TrueMan Sun" and "the King of Medicine."

The Buddhist doctrine was also widely promoted. Large numbers ofBuddhist scriptures were being translated and spread during thistime. People believed in Buddha Dharma, and believed in karmicrelationships. They cultivated the heart and strived to becompassionate. Society was in great peace and people's minds werepure and kind.

Accomplished monk Xuanzang, with his compassionate heart forall, was determined to go to India to obtain some Buddhistscriptures. He spent 17 years making a long and arduous journey toIndia and back, and returned with 657 scriptures. Upon his return,he translated all of the scriptures into Chinese at Ci'en Temple inChang'an. Taizong greatly acclaimed the monk's feat and gave himtremendous support. Moreover, Taizong personally wrote the forewordfor Xuanzang's translation collections. It began with an expositionon heaven and earth, yin and yang, transformation of the fourseasons, the visible and the intangible, macroscopic andmicroscopic, then transitioned to the power of Buddhist teachings,and praised the incredible feat of seeking the Buddhist scriptures.The foreword was majestic in its momentum, yet elegant in itsliterary style.

V. Cultural Exchange with Neighboring Countries

Taizong proposed and adopted a friendly foreign policy: "GentlyEmbracing Thousands of Nations." The Reign of Zhen Guan was greatlyadmired by neighboring countries; over 300 countries and tribesregularly sent diplomatic envoys to China. The royal Tang courttherefore set up numerous organizations to host foreign visitorsand take care of bilateral relationships. Many countries in Asiaand Africa sent envoys to China. Other countries adopted many ofthe policies of the Tang Dynasty. Among those who went to thecapital Chang'an from abroad to learn from Tang culture weremembers of royal families, envoys, students, artists, and monks.Chang'an became the largest international capital of the world atthat time. The Guozijian (Central Academy of Feudalist China) wasthe most acclaimed academy in the world. Japan had sent only 19groups of envoys to China, totaling over 5,000 people.

Students from overseas were admitted to Tang's highesteducational institution Guozijian. After several years of study,the students might stay to work in an official capacity in China,or go back to their home countries to spread Han culture to theircountrymen. Monks from other countries resided in temples, andworked hard to study the Buddhist scriptures. Some countriesinvited accomplished persons in China to teach in their countries.For example, Monk Jianzhen went to Japan six times, bringing Buddhastatues and Buddhist scriptures to Japan and promoting Buddhism aswell as Tang culture to Japan. He thereby made a significantcontribution to the cultural exchange between Japan and China.

The Tang culture has glorious achievements that will shineforever in China's civilization. It has also become a treasure forthe entire world with its profound substance and great influence onneighboring countries. It is a most splendid scroll in the annalsof history. It will forever remain Chinese people's pride andglory. The prosperous, heaven-like kingdom and Taizong's upright,benevolent, and broad heart will never fade from people'smemories.

In today's China, the Chinese communist party has distortedtraditional moral values and traditional culture. The "PartyCulture" has infiltrated people's minds and is characterized by"deceit, evil, and violence," thus taking people to a dangerousstate of complete moral collapse.

There is a way out. Those who firmly believe in truth and upholdmoral values and justice, are the hope of ournation.