Scholars › Philosopher / Thinker
Dai Sheng
Western Han ritual scholar credited with transmitting the 49-chapter Book of Rites later canonized among the Five Classics.
A thatched pavilion open on three sides stands among tall bamboo; one person sits with their back turned at the veranda rail beside a zither and a stack of bamboo slips, while a stone path runs to a calm pond reflecting clouds and distant hills.
Also known as Zi Cijun · Xiao Dai
Dai Sheng, courtesy name Cijun, came from Liang and studied ritual under Hou Cang together with his uncle Dai De, hence the name 'Younger Dai'. Under Emperor Xuan he was appointed an Erudite, took part in the Shiqu Pavilion conference and later became Grand Administrator of Jiujiang. He is credited with compiling the 49-chapter Book of Rites, which after Zheng Xuan's commentary became one of the Five Classics.
Life and times
Dates Dates unknown; active under Emperor Xuan of Western Han (73–49 BCE)