Record of Rites: Li Ji Hardcover – October 11, 2025

"Record of Rites" is an important book on regulations and systems in ancient China and one of the classic works of Confucianism. It is also known as "Record of Rites Compiled by the Lesser Dai" or "Lesser Dai's Record of Rites". According to the "Art and Literature Annals" in the "Book of Han", it was recorded by the later generations of the seventy disciples of Confucius and transmitted by Dai Sheng of the Han Dynasty. Chen Shao of the Jin Dynasty wrote in his "Preface to the Discussion on the 'Rites of Zhou'": "Dai De selected 85 chapters from the 240 chapters of the ancient 'Rites' and named it 'Greater Dai's Record of Rites'; Dai Sheng selected 49 chapters from the 'Greater Dai's Record of Rites' and this became the 'Lesser Dai's Record of Rites'." Most of the chapters in the "Greater Dai's Record of Rites" have been lost. The "Record of Rites" that has been passed down refers to the "Record of Rites Compiled by the Dai Family", also known as "Record of Rites Compiled by the Lesser Dai" or "Lesser Dai's Record of Rites".Its main content is to record the theoretical explanations made by Confucius' disciples, their disciples' disciples, and their disciples' disciples' disciples regarding ancient rituals. Although there are many idealized elements, it also reflects some historical materials and ideological resources from ancient times. It is an important reference for studying the social conditions, Confucianism, and cultural institutions of ancient China. Some chapters, such as "Record of Learning", "Great Learning", "Doctrine of the Mean", "Record of Music", "Royal Regulations", "Heir Apparent of King Wen", "Inner Rules", "Expositions of Conduct", and "Confucian Learning", record the educational system and educational ideology before the Qin and Han Dynasties. They are important references for studying the social conditions, Confucianism, and cultural institutions of ancient China, including educational ideology and educational system. Read more