This paper discusses the process and stages of traditional learning in ancient China.

In The Doctrine of the Mean, there are five learning methods in turn: erudition, interrogation, deliberation, discernment and persistence. The second is to interrogate, ask questions, thoroughly understand the spirit and recognize the essence; Third, seriously think dialectically, explore the true meaning and grasp the law; Fourth, distinguish between right and wrong, distinguish between black and white, and judge authenticity; Fifth, stick to what you have learned, persevere and achieve Excellence.

Later learning added determination and habits to it, forming the saying of seven stages of learning: "determination, erudition, interrogation, careful thinking, discerning, learning habits, perseverance." Determination is to stimulate learning motivation, erudition is to read more, interrogation is to ask more questions and be suspicious (not to doubt everything), careful thinking is to combine learning with thinking, discernment is to form a clear concept, habit learning is to review in time, and perseverance is to apply what you have learned.