7.  CONFUCIANISM
The Great Mystery - Texts

You cannot treat spirits and divinities properly before you are able to treat your fellow-men properly."
(The Sayings of Confucius XI 12)

When a thing is done though by no one, then it is the work of Heaven; when a thing comes about though no one brings it about, then it is Destiny.
(The Sayings of Confucius XVII.17)

Sky says nothing! Yet the four seasons proceed under its sway, and all creation comes into being thanks to it. Sky says nothing.
(The Sayings of Confucius XVII.17)

The Great Mystery - Musings

Who can really know anything about the divine? The seasons proceed. The world turns on its endless rounds. Creation comes into being. Everything is done, and no one knows how.

Fortunes change. Wealth and honor come and go. What can we know? Only that sky is above and earth is below. Sky says nothing. Earth says nothing. All we can know is that a mystery is at work.

When a thing is done though by no one, then it is the work of Heaven; when a thing comes about though no one brings it about, then it is Destiny.

Who can say anything about the Great Mystery? Like the Buddha, Confucius did not try. It is fruitless. Like the Buddha, he concentrated on the good of the people.

Tao is the master pattern for Nature, but also for the moral ordering of humanity. When human beings follow the pattern of Tao, living in correct relationship, when the ruler rules according to its principles, the Will of Heaven is carried out. When the ruler does not rule correctly, and people do not follow the laws, disaster follows, and the Mandate of Heaven is withdrawn. The Will of Heaven mysteriously orders things. Thus Confucius says:
You cannot treat spirits and divinities properly before you are able to treat your fellow-men properly.
It is for great rulers to mediate its blessings and for people of the world to find their proper relationships.
Concentrate on this, and Heaven will take care of everything else.

The World - Texts

Confucius said, "When the Way prevails in the Empire, the rites and music and punitive expeditions are initiated by the Emperor. When the Way does not prevail in the Empire, they are initiated by the feudal lords, [then] it is surprising if power does not pass from the Emperor within ten generations.
(The Sayings of Confucius XVI.2)

Confucius said, "When the Way prevails in the Empire, the rites and music and punitive expeditions are initiated by the Emperor. When the Way does not prevail in the Empire, they are initiated by the feudal lords, [then] it is surprising if power does not pass from the Emperor within ten generations.
(The Sayings of Confucius XVI.2(

The World - Musings

Heaven is above. The world is below. The Will of Heaven, mediated by the emperor, dictates the state of the world

The natural world is a mystery that must be treated correctly. People are its inhabitants, and will experience its bounty if they treat each other properly.

If the ruler rules wisely and citizens behave morally, heaven will be satisfied and the world proceeds smoothly.

If the ruler is not ruling wisely, if the people are mistreating each other and hoarding things, the world will convulse with disaster and famine. If the emperor is not ruling wisely, it falls into disorder. When people do not follow the moral order, violence and incivility reign.

The state of the world depends on the state of the ruler and the state of the people. Therefore it must be kept in order by living in it in an orderly fashion.

Humanity - Texts

Confucius said, "When the Way prevails in the Empire, the rites and music and punitive expeditions are initiated by the Emperor. When the Way does not prevail in the Empire, they are initiated by the feudal lords, [then] it is surprising if power does not pass from the Emperor within ten generations.
(The Sayings of Confucius XVI.2)

The Master said, "For Gentlemen of purpose and men of benevolence while it is inconceivable that they should seek to stay alive at the expense of benevolence, it may happen that they have to accept death in order to have benevolence accomplished.
(The Sayings of Confucius XV.9)

Fan Chi'ih said "May I ask about the exaltation of virtue, the reformation of the depraved and the recognition of misguided judgement?"
The Master said, What a splendid question! To put service before the reward you get for it, is not that exaltation of virtue? To attack evil as evil and not as a particular man, is that not the way to reform the depraved? To let a sudden fit of anger make you forget the safety of your own person or even that of your parents, is that not misguided judgement?"
(The Sayings of Confucius XII. 21)

Humanity - Musings

The Chinese character for a human being is a stick figure with legs astride the earth. The character for "Great man" is the same figure with her arms outstretched, embracing the world. The Character for heaven is great man under Sky.

And the character for the great Confucian ideal, jen, generally translated as gentleman, benevolent man or man-at-his-best is a human stick figure beside two horizontal strokes. It signifies that the highest virtue is attained by behaving properly in relationship with others.

To be fully human and civilized, I must understand and practice propriety in all my relationships. I must cultivate proper relationships with my parents, with my siblings, with my friends, students, teachers, colleagues, and with the elder and younger members of society.

That is what it means to be truly human.

The Teacher - Texts

I shall always teach, even if but a pittance be offered me.
(The Sayings of Confucius V. 7)

I transmit but I do not create; I am sincerely
fond of the ancient.
(The Sayings of Confucius VIII)

I make no claim to be a sage or to be Manhood-at-its-best; but it can be said of me that I act unstintingly with them in view, and that I never weary of teaching others.
(The Sayings of Confucius V. 34)

I do not instruct the uninterested; I do not help those who fail to try. If I mention one corner of a subject and the pupil does not deduce therefrom the other three, I drop him.
(The Sayings of Confucius V.8)

The Teacher - Musings

Confucius' greatest gift was teaching. Like Socrates, who was his near contemporary in ancient Greece, he never tired of drawing forth the knowledge of his students. (The word education comes from the Latin ex & ducare, to lead forth from.)

Confucius said:

If I mention one corner of a subject and the pupil does not deduce therefrom the other three, I drop him.

Seekers of wisdom had to follow his lead. He demanded that his students apply themselves unstintingly in the pursuit of knowledge and the understanding and practice of virtue.

Revering the sages of old, Confucius never tired of transmitting their wisdom. Although he did not see himself creating a new way, his way was distinctive.

He was convinced the key to a great society was having the people behave humanely with each other. Desiring peace in a time of lawlessness, he said:

I should like to bring security to the aged, to be loyal to my friends, to be affectionate with the young.

He taught that if people would relate correctly to each other - the old to the young, the emperor to the citizens, the student to the teacher, the father to the son, the husband to the wife, etc., there would be peace in the world.

Both teaching and learning were the activities of his whole lifetime. They resulted in a legacy that became China's social pattern for over two and half millennia.

The Way - Texts

Tuan-Tz'u said, "What I do not wish others to do unto me
I also wish not to do unto others."
(The Sayings of Confucius)

Today when people call a man filial they mean that he is supporting his parents. But he does as much for his dogs and horses! If he does not show respect for his parents, how is he differentiating between them and the animals?
(The Sayings of Confucius II. 7)

Worry not that no one knows of you;
seek to be worth knowing.
(The Sayings of Confucius V.14I)

In administering your government, just desire the good yourself, and the common people will be good. The virtue of the gentleman is like wind; the virtue of the small man is like grass. Let the wind blow over the grass and it is sure to bend."
(The Sayings of Confucius XII.19)

The Master said "Men of antiquity studied to improve themselves; men today study to impress others.
(The Sayings of Confucius Book XIV 24)

He who in this world can practice five things may indeed be considered Manhood-at-its-best. Humility, magnanimity, sincerity, diligence and graciousness.
(The Sayings of Confucius XVII.5)
The Way - Musings

The Confucian way has been the ideal social way in China for more than twenty-five hundred years. Confucian ethics, based on mutual respect and propriety permeate the cultures of China as well as Japan in today's world.

The basis of the Confucian way is a pervasive attitude of civility. Like Buddhist mindfulness, this attitude is a constant backdrop for leading the good life. The greatest virtue is jen. We have described the figure of the human being accompanied by two strokes, symbolizing that the Great Human Being is one who is in proper relationship with all other human beings. The rightness of this kind of life is rooted in being thoroughly present in every relationship. This begins with the golden rule.

Virtue applies to the ruler as well as the individuals of society. If the people behave with civility and the ruler rules wisely, the world is harmonious.

In administering your government, just desire the good yourself, and the common people will be good. The virtue of the gentleman is like wind; the virtue of the small man is like grass. Let the wind blow over the grass and it is sure to bend."

Correctness - Texts

The Master said, "A craftsman who wishes to practice his craft well must first sharpen his tools. You should, therefore, seek the patronage of the most distinguished Counsellors and make friends with the most benevolent Gentlemen in the state where you happen to be staying.
(The Sayings of Confucius XV.10)

There are nine things of which Great Man must be mindful:
to see when he looks,
to hear when he listens,
to have a facial expression of gentleness,
to have and attitude of humility,
to be loyal in speech,
to be respectful in service,
to inquire when in doubt,
to think of the difficulties when angry,
to think of justice when he sees an advantage.
(The Sayings of Confucius XVI.1)

Correctness - Musings

There is no particular emphasis on prayer or meditation in the Confucian scheme, but there are practices. Rituals must be correctly performed to give stability to society. Life and all its relationships should be attended to. In order to live good lives we must sharpen our tools.

Among the virtues are some that are typically Chinese because they emphasize decorum and respect, especially in gesture and speech. Confucius even takes our facial expression and attitudes into account. When we are engaged in conversation, we should really see, that is be present. We should not appear arrogant or like a know-it-all, but have a gentle, humble stance. And we should above all, be respectful and fair.

Evil and Suffering - Texts

The gentleman helps others to realize what is good in them; he does not help them to realize what is bad in them.
The small man does the opposite.
(The Sayings of Confucius Book XII 16)

What is meant by the four wicked practices? The Master said, "To impose the death penalty without first attempting to reform is to be cruel; to expect results without first giving warning is to be tyrannical; to insist on a time limit when tardy in issuing orders is to cause injury. When something has to be given to others anyway, to be miserly in the actual giving is to be officious.
(The Sayings of Confucius Book XX)

I dislike those in whom plagiarizing passe for wisdom. I dislike those in whom insolence passes for courage. I dislike those in whom exposure of others passes for forthrightness.
(The Sayings of Confucius Book XVII 24)

The gentleman helps others to realize what is good in them; he does not help them to realize what is bad in them.
The small man does the opposite
(The Sayings of Confucius Book XII 16)

The Master said "Men of antiquity studied to improve themselves; men today study to impress others.
(The Sayings of Confucius Book XIV 24)
Confucianism
Evil and Suffering - Musings

The period of the Warring States stood in sharp contrast to the Golden Age of the ancestors for both Confucius and Lao Tzu. Confucius' lament about the rulers of the day is a paean on the decline of virtue.

It is our attitude that is all wrong. If we don't have the correct attitude and correct values, our actions are uncivilized, that is, evil.

Men of antiquity studied to improve themselves; men today study to impress others.

Uncivil people are engaged in petty pursuits when we try to impress. Instead of courage, uncivil people are insolent, and do not strive for true wisdom. Uncivil people expose each other's skeletons rather than concentrate on their own agenda. Uncivil people plagiarize instead of being truly forthright. Does this sound familiar, especially in today's politics?

Confucius hated cruelty and tyranny. He despised miserliness, selfishness and disrespect.

In the time of the Warring States, incivility abounded. Confucius' solution was to teach, not to judge.

To put service before the reward you get for it, is that not exaltation of virtue? To attack evil as evil and not as evil or a particular man, is that not the way to reform the depraved?

Struggle - Texts

Tseng Tzu said, "A Gentleman must be strong and resolute, for his burden is heavy and the road is long. He takes benevolence as his burden. Is that not heavy? Only when death comes does the road come to an end. Is that not long?
(The Sayings of Confucius. Book VIII 7)

"If in work you are conscientious and trustworthy and in deed singleminded and reverent, then even in the lands of the barbarians you will go forward without obstruction. But if you fail go be conscientious and trustworthy in word or to be singleminded and reverent in deed, then can you be sure of going forward without obstruction even in your own neighborhood?
(The Sayings of Confucius Book XV 6)

The Master said, "A craftsman who wishes to practice his craft well must first sharpen his tools. You should, therefore, seek the patronage of the most distinguished Counsellors and make friends with the most benevolent Gentlemen in the state where you happen to be staying.
(The Sayings of Confucius. Book XV 10)

Struggle - Musings

It takes effort and discipline to become a gentleman, a person of benevolence. Confucius was well aware of the behavior of barbarians. It may be a great ambition and a heavy burden to try to civilize the world, but it is one worth carrying. We should struggle to be strong and resolute all of our lives. There is never a time when we are not gentle-people. It is good to ingrain a habitual attitued of authentic humanity. If we do, even people who are alien to us - "barbarians" - will be drawn to us.

Death - Texts

Chi-lu asked how the spirits of the dead and the gods should be served.
The Master said, "You are not able even to serve man. How can you serve the spirits?"
"May I ask about death?"
"You do not understand even life. How can you understand death?"
(The Sayings of Confucius XI.12)

Sad is the cry of a dying bird;
Good are the words of a dying man.
(The Sayings of Confucius VIII 4)

Great Man's concern is that he may die without a good name.
(The Sayings of Confucius XV. 20)

Death - Musings

Death is sad. It is tragic. That much we know. We perform rituals and honor the people who have passed away.

More than that, Confucius cannot say.

The most he can say is that we should attend to living a good life. On our deathbed, we will not care about the empires we've built or the wealth we've accumulated. Rather, having led a good life in the service of others, we can leave the world peacefully, in dignity, and beloved.

This is what is meant by having a good name.

The Ultimate - Texts

Noble persons first practice what they preach and afterwards preach according to their practice.
If, when you look into your own heart, you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about?
What is there to fear?
It is fate that will determine whether System prevails or fails.
(The Sayings of Confucius XIV.36)

But now that I have studied to the point of understanding everything, the one who knows of me is Sky!"
(The Sayings of Confucius XIV.35)

Great Man applies himself to the fundamentals, for once the fundamentals are there System comes into being.
(The Sayings of Confucius I.2)

When the world is following System, then the rites, the music, punitive expeditions, and attacks are all determined by the Son of Sky, that is, the King.
(The Sayings of Confucius XVI.2)

Noble persons first practice what they preach and afterwards preach according to their practice.
If, when you look into your own heart, you find nothing wrong there, what is there to worry about?
What is there to fear?
It is fate that will determine whether System prevails or fails.
(The Sayings of Confucius XIV.36)

Man can make System great;
It isn't System which makes man great.
(The Sayings of Confucius XV.29)

The Ultimate - Musings

Not knowing much about death, Confucius finds nobility in an ordered life.

If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.

It is by being in alignment with Tao that we become intimate with its way. In pure delight we gain an inner serenity. Knowing "sky" (heaven) I am known by Sky.

Looking at the world this way is more satisfying to me than looking at it in terms of mere cause and effect. Seeing it in this way gives value to the seeking of wisdom. It dignifies our struggle for goodness by assigning us a role in bringing the divine into being.