Page 211 - Christie's Important Chinese Works of Art, May 31 to June 1, 2023 Hong Kong

human beings, all of which constitute the essential purpose of self- alignment between the ideas conveyed in the aforementioned seal
improvement and self-actualisation. Once more, Emperor Jiaqing inscriptions and his ideology and actions. In the view of Jiaqing, an
utilised the interpretation of Xu Ming Jing to articulate his governance emperor must possess a noble moral character that inspires admiration
philosophy and the ideal state of emptiness and clarity that he sought to among the populace, and such character is attained through inner
attain in governing the nation. tranquility and humility, just as happiness comes from nothingness.
He also placed great emphasis on the idea that self-cultivation is the
By examining these poems, we can understand why Emperor Jiaqing foundation of ruling a nation: the aim of self-cultivation is to govern
made the Xu Ming Jing seal set, and why he chose to inscribe Lechuxu and the nation and to govern without any trace of self-interest. Jiajing’s
Gongshengming for the yajiao seals. Lechuxu references The Adjustment of verses “The path to attaining substance involves cultivating emptiness,
Controversies in Zhuangzi—”The flute is empty inside, so it can produce where sincerity leads to clarity, and with clarity, obstacles disappear. To
elegant music”, and this concept extends to the notion that only by achieve emptiness, selfishness must be eliminated, which then paves the
attaining inner clarity can individuals develop and embody virtuous way for wisdom and discernment to take hold and bring forth progress”
qualities. Meanwhile, gongshengming is a reference to “Fairness brings are in sync with the Lechuxu and Gongshengming seal inscriptions, aptly
clarity, bias brings darkness” from the Bugou (Nothing Improper) elucidating the fundamental meaning of Xu Ming Jing. The Xu Ming
chapter of Xunzi, which means a just mind is capable of perceiving Jing three-piece seal set essentially conveys the moral cultivation and
things clearly, while a selfish mind is likely to result in mediocrity. governance practice that Emperor Jiaqing believed in, motivating and
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, “gongshengming” evolved into spurring him to listen to public opinions.
a widely adopted principle among government officials, and a stone
monument bearing its inscription was frequently erected in front of The production of imperial seals was a serious matter. The inscriptions
government halls as a cautionary reminder. The two seal inscriptions engraved on them were not chosen lightly but were instead a
place emphasis on different aspects, with the former highlighting the direct reflection of the Emperor’s own thoughts and perceptions.
significance of individual moral cultivation, while the latter focuses on The connection between Emperor Jiaqing’s thoughts and his seal
specific measures to be taken in governance. By anatomizing Jiaqing’s inscriptions is vividly illustrated in the interpretation of the Xu Ming
opinions and inspecting his governance, we can observe a striking Jing seal and its companion seals.

人的關係，提倡「因公本正論，為己皆邪說」、「偏則昏沉正 貫的思想主張和行為是非常契合的。在嘉慶皇帝看來，作為
則明，大公無我育群生」。要以國家、蒼生為念，克己存誠， 君臨天下的治國者，皇帝必須具備令百姓欽服的高尚品德。
知人安民，這是修身養性的根本目的。再次，嘉慶皇帝通過 而高尚品德的修成要通過內心澄靜，虛懷若谷來實現，猶如
對虛明境的闡釋，表明了自己的為政思想，以及自己在治理 樂出虛的道理一樣。而強調修己是治人的前提，修己的目的
國家過程中所希望達到的虛明境界。 是為了治國平天下，治理國家要在大公無我。他的「養虛得
實誠則明，事幾澄澈消障隔。集虛至要先去私，公斯生明始
通過這些詩作，我們就可以比較容易地理解嘉慶皇帝為什麼
有獲」詩句正和「樂出虛」、「公生明」印文相對應，非常準
刻製「虛明境」組璽，並將「樂出虛」、「公生明」選為組璽壓
確地詮釋了「虛明境」的基本意涵。可以說，「虛明境」三方
角章印文的原因。按「樂出虛」典出《莊子》「齊物論」篇「
組璽的印文表達的實際上就是嘉慶帝所認為的人君道德修
夫簫管內虛，故能出於雅樂」，講的是簫管等樂器內部空虛，
養和為政實踐的重要內容，也是嘉慶皇帝對自己臨民聽政的
所以能發出雅樂之聲。由此延伸到人只有保持內心的靜明澄
勉勵和鞭策。
澈，才能夠養成令人敬仰的良好品德。「公生明」典出《荀子》
「不苟」篇「公生明，偏生暗」，意思是公正才能明察事理， 皇帝御用寶璽的製作是極為嚴肅的事情，印文的選取並不是
偏私便會斷事昏庸。明清時期「公生明」演化成為流行的官 隨意而為之的，而是皇帝本人心態和思想意識的直接反映。
場箴規，在衙署堂前常立「公生明」石碑，以警戒官吏。兩方 這從對嘉慶帝的此方「虛明境」璽及其相關組璽的解讀中也
印文各有側重，前者是講自身道德修養的重要性，後者是講 可以深切地體會到。
在施政過程中的具體措施。如果我們翻檢嘉慶帝的言論，考
察他的施政，就會發現上述璽文所蘊涵的意義與嘉慶皇帝一

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