The Spring and Autumn (Chunqiu) is a chronicle kept by the dukes of the state of Lu from 722 to 481 B.C.E. Luxuriant Gems of the "Spring and Autumn" (Chunqiu fanlu) follows the interpretations of the Gongyang Commentary, whose transmitters sought to explicate the special language of the Spring and Autumn. The work is often ascribed to the Han scholar and court official Dong Zhongshu, but, as this study reveals, the text is in fact a compendium of writings by a variety of authors spanning several generations. It depicts a utopian vision of a flourishing humanity that they believed to be Confucius's legacy to the world.The Gongyang masters thought that Confucius had written the Spring and Autumn, employing subtle phrasing to indicate approval or disapproval of important events and personages. Luxuriant Gems therefore augments Confucian ethical and philosophical teachings with chapters on cosmology, statecraft, and other topics drawn from contemporary non-Confucian traditions. A major resource, this book features the first complete English-language translation of Luxuriant Gems, divided into eight thematic sections with introductions that address dating, authorship, authenticity, and the relationship between the Spring and Autumn and the Gongyang approach. Critically illuminating early Chinese philosophy, religion, literature, and politics, this book conveys the brilliance of intellectual life in the Han dynasty during the formative decades of the Chinese imperial state.

AcknowledgmentsIntroductionGroup 1: Exegetical Principles1. King Zhuang of Chu2. Jade Cup3. Bamboo Grove4. Jade Brilliance5. The Quintessential and the Ornamental6. The Kingly Way7. Annihilated States, Part A8. Annihilated States, Part B9. Waxing and Waning in Accord with the Root10. The Essentials of Covenants and Meetings11. The Rectifying Thread12. Ten Directives13. Emphasize Governance14. Images for the Regulation of Dress15. Two Starting Points16. Signs and Omens17. Yu's PostfaceGroup 2: Monarchical Principles18. Departing from and Conforming to the Fundamental19. Establishing the Originating Spirit20. Preserving Position and Authority21. Investigating Achievement and Reputation22. Comprehending the State as the BodyGroup 3: Regulatory Principles23. The Three Dynasties' Alternating Regulations of Simplicity and Refinement24. Regulations on Officialdom Reflect Heaven25. Yao and Shun Did Not Presumptuously Transfer [the Throne]; Tang and Wu Did Not Rebelliously Murder [Their Rulers]26. Regulations on Dress27. Regulating Limits28. Ranking StatesGroup 4: Ethical Principles29. Standards of Humaneness and Righteousness30. The Necessity of [Being] Humane and Wise31. For Nurturing the Self, Nothing Is More Important Than Righteous Principles32. An Official Response to the King of Jiangdu: The Great Officers of Yue Cannot Be Considered Humane33. Observing Virtue34. Serving the Root35. Deeply Examine Names and Designations36. Substantiating Human Nature37. The Lords of the Land38. An Official Response Regarding the Five Phases39. [Title and text are no longer extant]40. [Title and text are no longer extant]41. Heaven, the Maker of Humankind42. The Meaning of the Five PhasesGroup 5: Yin-Yang Principles43. Yang Is Lofty, Yin Is Lowly44. The Kingly Way Penetrates Three45. Heaven's Prosperity46. The Heavenly Distinctions Lie in Humans47. The Positions of Yin and Yang48. Yin and Yang End and Begin the Year49. The Meaning of Yin and Yang50. Yin and Yang Emerge, Withdraw, Ascend, and Descend51. Heaven's Way Is Not Dualistic52. Heat or Cold, Which Predominates?53. Laying the Foundation of Righteousness54. [Title and text are no longer extant]55. The Correlates of the Four Seasons56. Human Correlates of Heaven's Regularities57. Things of the Same Kind Activate One AnotherGroup 6: Five-Phase Principles58. The Mutual Engendering of the Five Phases59. The Mutual Conquest of the Five Phases60. Complying with and Deviating from the Five Phases61. Controlling Water by Means of the Five Phases62. Controlling Disorders by Means of the Five Phases63. Aberrations of the Five Phases and Their Remedies64. The Five Phases and Five AffairsGroup 7: Ritual Principles65. Sayings Pertaining to the Suburban Sacrifice66. The Principles of the Suburban Sacrifice67. Sacrificial Rites of the Suburban Sacrifice68. The Four [Seasonal] Sacrificial Rites69. The Suburban Sacrifice70. Following Orders71. An Official Response Regarding the Suburban Sacrifice72. Presenting Gifts to Superiors73. Hymn to the Mountains and Rivers74. Seeking Rain75. Stopping Rain76. The Principles of Sacrificial RitesGroup 8: Heavenly Principles77. Conform to Heaven's Way78. The Conduct of Heaven and Earth (Lau version)78A. The Conduct of Heaven and Earth (Su Yu version)79. The Origins of Severity and Beneficence80. In Imitation of Heaven's Activities (Lau version)80A. In Imitation of Heaven's Activities (Su Yu version)81. Heaven, Earth, Yin, and Yang (Lau version)81A. Heaven, Earth, Yin, and Yang (Su Yu version)82. The Way of Heaven Bestows (Lau version)82A. The Way of Heaven Bestows (Su Yu version)Appendix A. Biographies of the Confucian ScholarsAppendix B. The Biography of Dong ZhongshuSelected BibliographyIndex