Abstract:
The significance of Daxue and Zhongyong, as well as their relationship, will be discussed in three parts in this article. One is the link between "Daotong" discourse and "The Four Books." The Discourse creates the genealogy relation of "Daotong," and as a result of the Discourse, Daxue and Zhongyong become related, and "the Four Books" are created. The second is the connection between the contents of Daxue and Zhongyong. The contents of the two are similar, but the level of expression and keywords alter, but their essential ideas and meanings remain the same. The third is that Daxue and Zhongyong function in molding the Confucian Former King's image. This function elevates the image of the former king to the moral and political standard of Chinese monarchs throughout history.