Liji, or Book of Rites, is a collection of texts compiled by students of Confucius during the Han Dynasty. They describe the social forms, etiquette and ceremonial rites. In the chapter “Record on the Subject of music,” it said, "Virtue is the original nature of humankind; music is the blossoming of virtue." Music encompasses self-cultivation, enlightenment of a civilization, connection with the divine, and harmony with heaven and earth. From this, we can tell that ancient people emphasized the effect of music on one's heart. They used music to facilitate personal conduct and rites, and used music to maintain the social order. Music was often integrated in the teaching of moral standards.
 
Confucius also paid attention to the moral meaning of music. He said, "Music is the best way to implement changes in people's traditions or habits. Aligning personal conduct is the best way to maintain the social order." He believed that music's inner meaning and art form were reflected in kindness and beauty. The reason why music can help guide people is its popularity. Music has tone and rhythm, which touch people's hearts and resonates within. Music is closely related to conduct. Music is a reflection of virtue, while conduct regulates people's behavior. In traditional Chinese culture, music and etiquette are merged together into a complete and integral system. This system connects heaven and earth, in accordance with yin and yang, with profound meaning, to regulate everything in human society. People are thus heading towards kindness, and this righteousness leads to long-term social stability.
 
There are many kinds and many levels of music. Only those tones that resonate in alignment with the Tao can be referred to as music. When inferior music goes against natural laws, allowing unrestrained human nature or desire, it will lead to the degeneration of a person or the destruction of a nation. On the other hand, tones that resonate at high levels are consistent with heavenly laws. When people listen to such music, their minds are uplifted and nourished, leading towards virtuousness.
 
During the Spring and Autumn Periods (770 – 476 BC), King Wenhou of the Wei Kingdom asked Zixia, one of Confucius’ prominent disciples, "What is the difference between ancient music and contemporary music?" Zixia said, "In ancient music, tones are passed down from ancient sages and men of virtue, such as 'Xianchi' during the time of Emperor Huangdi, 'Dazhang' during the time of Emperor of Yao (2356 – 2255 BC), 'Shao' during the time of Emperor Shun (2294 – 2184 BC), 'Xia' during the time of Emperor Yu (2200 – 2101 BC), and so on. Those rhythms are regular and solemn and have deep inner meaning. When a gentleman listens to such music, he can understand that the inner meaning of such music is that of worshiping heaven with virtue. He will consider how to improve himself, harmonize with others, lead the nation in a better direction, and bring peace to the world. In contrast, contemporary music is indulgent, since the rhythm is chaotic and superficial, filled with various material desires. It leads people to be decadent or arrogant, with no inner meaning. Most music of this type is from fatuous and self-indulgent emperors or officials. It goes against virtue and cannot be referred to as music."
 
The moral meaning embedded in music is far beyond music itself. It is also an indispensable cultural component of a society. The style of music reflects its era, such as its morality or degree of political clarity. Music that follows the way of the gentlemen reflects the desire to give order to society, directs people to focus on self-cultivation and promotes a thriving society. Music composed during auspicious periods are vast and peaceful, which gives audience the feeling of peace and harmony in society. For example, music from ancient sages highlighted the Tao, emphasizing personal improvement and social prosperity. With a peaceful nature, it harmonized people as well as society.
 
The content and inner meaning of music is the most important. Similarly, the virtue of a musician is more important than his or her skills. Throughout history, the outstanding musicians had a high level of cultivation. For example, Shikuang, the “music sage” who lived in the Spring and Autumn Periods, not only had great musical expertise, but also a high level of virtue. In the music he composed, such as “Yangchun” (Sunny Spring) and “Baixue” (White Snow), the serene and lofty nature presented his noble personality. Many kings and high officials invited him to perform. Every time he performed, he dressed formally and solemnly in accordance with etiquette. Then he performed with righteousness, to achieve harmony between mind and body, heaven and earth. When listening to his music, people were bathed in compassion and their spirits were uplifted.
 
In the realm of art, good music touches one's mind. Through a righteous paradigm, one can gain deeper and higher understanding about life and the universe. In this way, one can become closer to the heavenly way. That is to say, true art originated from divine culture.
 
乐者，德之光华
 
《礼记•乐记》中说“德者，性之端也；乐者，德之华也”，是指德是人的天性，乐是德之光华。音乐具备修身养性、教化天下、通神明之德、合天地之和等意义。因此古人非常注重音乐对人心的影响，以乐辅礼，以乐施政，“寓教于乐”的道德教化功能成为音乐的主要功用。
 
孔子尤其看重音乐实施的道德含义，说道：“移风易俗莫善于乐，治民安上莫善于礼。”认为音乐的思想性和艺术性是“善”和“美”。乐之所以能为教，是因为乐的形式最为人民喜闻乐见。乐有音调，有节奏，有强烈的感染力，闻声而心从，润物细无声。谈乐不可能不涉及礼，乐是德之音，礼规范著人的思想行为。传统文化中把乐和礼融合在一起，形成了非常完整的礼乐文化体系。礼乐充盈于天地，合于阴阳，通于鬼神，极其高远深厚，规范著人类社会的一切。使人心向善，纯化社会风气，从而求得长治久安。
 
乐音种类很多，有不同的层次，只有合于道的音，才能称为乐。悖逆天道原则的低级乐音，对人性的宣泄毫无节制，会引导人走向颓靡或暴戾的极端，最终毁灭人性，是亡国之音。而高层次的乐音是天道的体现，使人在享受音乐的同时，受到道德的薰陶，涵养心性，是入德之门。
 
春秋时，魏文侯问子夏说：“古乐和今乐有甚么不同呢？”子夏回答：“古乐是黄帝、尧舜以来，圣贤相传的雅乐，如黄帝之乐《咸池》，尧之乐《大章》、舜之乐《韶》，禹之乐《夏》等，节奏平和而庄重，富有寓意。君子聆听到此，可以说出古乐的义理，以德敬天，思索修身齐家，治国、平天下。所谓的今乐，有些只能称之为溺音。表演时行伍杂乱，奸声滥溺，表现出满足种种物欲的狂热，使人听后意志颓废或骄横，毫无内涵可言。多是昏君乱臣的作品，完全悖逆了德治的精神，有害于德，不能称为乐。”
 
音乐中所蕴含的道德内涵，远超音乐的本身，也是一个社会应具有的文化内涵。音乐的高雅低俗品位关乎时代风气，反映著社会道德水准的高低和政治清明昏暗的程度。以君子之道作为主导的音乐，宣道治世，使人注重修身和促进社会繁荣。盛世之乐宽广而祥和，使人们感受到社会的安定和谐。如上古时期的“尧舜之治”，周朝的文武之治，唐朝的贞观之治……人心的回归向善，是众生之福。
 
音乐的内容内涵是主要的，技能是次要的，演奏者的道德修养是首要的。自古以来的杰出音乐家都有较高的修养。如春秋时的师旷，不仅音乐造诣高深，而且品行高洁，被后人尊为“乐圣”。他创作了《阳春》、《白雪》等清逸迥然、曲高和寡的雅乐。《白雪》其调属商，取凛然清洁，雪竹琳瑯之音；《阳春》其调属宫，取万物之春，和风淡荡之意。表达了君子的洁身自爱，胸无尘渣，追求美好理想的崇高品格和志向。诸侯们纷纷请他到各地演奏。师旷每次抚琴都仪表端庄，以合乎礼节；用正心、正念以达到宁静致远，心身和一，与天地相和的境界。使人们在欣赏音乐的同时受到善的感化，思想境界得到升华。
 
艺术的意境和境界，在于使人的思想受到感染而产生共鸣，以正确的审美观和道德水准，领悟蕴含和昭示的深刻人生哲理及宇宙意义的更高境界，从而实现对天道的领悟而把握永恒。真正的艺术源于伟大的神传文化。