What Is the Guliang Commentary About?

The Guliang Commentary (Guliang Zhuan) is an abbreviation of The Spring and Autumn Annals: Guliang Commentary. Alongside the Zuo Commentary (Zuo Zhuan) and the Gongyang Commentary (Gongyang Zhuan), it is one of the three major commentaries on The Spring and Autumn Annals. Its structure is similar to that of the Gongyang Commentary. Traditionally attributed to Guliang Chi, a disciple of Zixia, the text comprises over 23,000 characters in a question-and-answer format to interpret The Spring and Autumn Annals. 

The work focuses on explaining the core principles of the Annals, particularly its political significance. It emphasizes the importance of respecting the authority of rulers in court, upholding the roles and duties of monarchs and ministers, and adhering to proper codes of conduct. In terms of social governance, it advocates for moral and cultural education through rituals and music, the strengthening of familial bonds, and governance based on benevolence and virtue. 

The commentary explicitly states, "The people are the foundation of the ruler," suggesting that when tyrannical rulers meet their downfall or flee, the people feel as though a heavy burden has been lifted. Conversely, it praises wise and virtuous rulers who care for their citizens and prioritize their well-being.