MOZI AND THE GHOSTS: THE CONCEPT OFMING明 INMOZI’S “MING GUI”《明鬼》

Abstract This article offers a new reading ofMozi’s chapter “Ming gui” 明鬼, conventionally considered as a treatise explaining Mohist ideas about ghosts and spirits, by shifting the focus from the ghosts (gui鬼) to the concept ofming明, interpreted as “sagely illumination.” The “Ming gui” chapter does not discuss ghosts in general, but instead a specific group of “punitive ghosts” who mete out punishments and rewards; it also shows thatming guiwas not a group of ghosts particular toMozior Mohism alone, but was widespread in the beliefs and practices of the period. The execution of justice, which is the crucial concern of the treatise, depends onming—the principle of justice and Heaven’s agency in human life—and not on ghosts.Mingalso is an indispensable component of sagehood, as it is the illuminated sage ruler (ming jun明君) who, on behalf of Heaven, ultimately metes out just punishments and rewards.