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Maesan(梅山) Hong Jik-pil(洪直弼)’s Theories on Rites: his understanding of lineage system appeared in his Rites in general(通禮) in Theories on Rites by master Maesan(梅山先生禮說)

Young-june, Lee 1

1해동경사연구소

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ABSTRACT

This article surveys Hong Jikpil’s understanding of lineage system through his 梅山先生禮說(Theories on Rites by master Maesan) compiled by Yi Jinok(李鎭玉), especially focused on the items of 宗法, 出後, 次養, 侍養, 攝祀 of its 通禮(Rites in general). In Joseon dynasty which adopted Neo-Confucianism as a national policy, it was lineage system which maintained public order rightly and it was same to Hong Jikpil. Hong strongly kept the principle of succession by the eldest legitimate son(嫡長子), however he also allowed succession by the second legitimate son in unavoidable circumstances accounting the old rituals. He maintained the principle of the strict distinction between legitimate and illegitimate lines of descent, but he, on the other hand, also admitted that a illegitimate son could hold a funeral of his father and legitimate sons which meant that he did not break moral laws of family relationships. He also regarded succession by a illegitimate son as appropriate rather than adopting a relative who had no blood relationship in respect that first, it was permitted by national law; second, it was based on Classic of Rites; and third, it was appropriate to human feelings. As to the title and rituals for the original family of adopted son(本生家), he kept the principle of rigid distinction between the original family and the family he adopted(所後家). But he asserted that one should share one’s natural feeling to one’s original parents that he called himself as an ‘unworthy’ nephew in the epitaph of his original parents which showed the distinction between the original parents who as a result had become an uncle and aunt, and the ordinary uncle and aunt. As to the second adopted son(次養子) and an adopted son regardless of succession(侍養子), he insisted that they are in principle illegal according to ancient ritual though they were widely accepted and conducted among people. He added however, 侍養子 could hold a memorial service for his adoptive parents. He believed that this would be appropriate to human feelings. It is presumable that Hong gave priority to the principle of JIng(經) while considering human feelings and the realistic situation when a judgement on theories on Rites was needed. He on the one hand strongly kept the ideal theories on Rites, and on the other hand suggested the way of 變通(accommodating to circumstances) which was the result of consideration of human feelings. It is assumable that this standpoint which compromises the ideal with the reality underlies his understanding of lineage system.

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