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During the reign of Tang, the founder of the Shang Dynasty (1766 B.C.), China suffered a seven-year drought. Someone suggested that a human sacrifice was necessary. Chan Kei Thong tells the story:
"Tang appointed a day for this to be done, and a great multitude gathered for the unprecedented event. To the amazement of all, the emperor, clad in rushes, presented himself as the sacrificial victim. Having fasted, cut his hair, and trimmed his nails, he arrived in a plain carriage draw by white horses at the designated site in the Mulberry Woods, near the capital city of Bo."
He prayed, "I myself have sinned the ten thousand people have no part. If, however, the ten thousand people have sinned, the offenses must also rest upon me."
The result: "when he finished praying, a heavy rain fell and the drought was relieved, rendering the sacrifice unnecessary."
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Friday, May 11, 2007 at 12:31 PM
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