Confucianism Is a Philosophy Rather than a Religion - Term Paper Example

? Confucianism is a philosophy rather than a religion. Yet when religions are studied, the teachings of Confucius are considered as part of the religious beliefs of East Asians together with Buddhism and Taoism. Confucian teachings are a complete ideology and span topics that are as diverse as human relations , the role of government in society and a complete set of principles concerning education, learning and filial responsibilities. Confucianism is a corner stone of Chinese life, and has been for thousands of years, yet during the Mao years, there was a stringent purging of this learned man’s teachings. For the people of China, Mao’s ferocious campaign against the teachings of Confucius are bewildering to say the least. However, when one reads the teachings of Confucius, it is not surprising that Mao thought all Confucian scholars were counter revolutionaries. Mao admired the political philosophy of Legalism, expounded by Han Fei, a rival of Confucius. Mao’s derision of the teachings of Confucius was because they clashed with the teachings of Han Fei. An authoritarian government like Mao’s would emphasize the absolute power of the state over its subjects, punishing everyone except for the ruler, and would consider law as a tool to keep its people under control. During the period of the cultural revolution, Mao wanted complete control. Absolutism was the way he saw for China to go forward. Mao believed that the government was all powerful and people were there to serve the government. This however was not what Confucius taught. Although Confucius believed that the Government was important, his view was that the government existed for the good of the people. An authoritarian system of governance believes that the system of severe punishments is necessary in order to run the state and avoid chaos, where Confucius believed in benevolence, humanity and tolerance. The political philosophy of Confucius is rooted in his belief that a ruler should learn self-discipline, and should lead by example treating his people with love and concern. “The relation between superiors and inferiors is like that between the wind and the grass. The grass must bend, when the wind blows across it." (The Analects By Confucius Section 3 Part 12) Confucius believed that what characterized a good ruler was the possession of de or ‘virtue” which was a kind of moral power that attracted followers without the need to resort to force. "He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.”(The Analects By Confucius Section 1 Part 2) These beliefs are totally opposite to what an authoritarian regime believes , hence would not be possible for governments such as Mao’s to adopt. Another dimension of the teachings of Confucius relate to education. He does not believe in intuition and adheres to the principle that the only way to really understand a subject is to study it minutely. He said, "Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous." (The Analects By Confucius Section 1 Part 2) Confucius also emphasizes the importance of integrity and disparages sycophancy. The Mao years in China, bred a contempt for intellectuals and a dislike for learning. Mao’s Red Guards were ordered to destroy all old habits customs and thinking in society. Hence the wise teachings of Confucius were buried till the time was ripe to resurrect them once again. As China stands at the crossroads today, there is a conscious effort to reverse the effect of Mao’s hatred of intellectuals and his contempt for traditional forms of learning. The sudden turnaround in China’s policy of restoration of Confucian philosophy hint at both domestic as well as international reasons. In its effort to make the nation richer, Chinese people are being encouraged to focus on education. The number of Chinese students enrolled in universities the world over is a telling example of how China is reverting to the teachings of Confucius. China’s leaders hope that the teachings of the sage will fill the spiritual vacuum created by a materialistic society spawned by the economic reforms of the late Deng Xiaoping. Perhaps, they are also trying to send a message to the international community about their being a peace loving nation. This was evident when during the Olympics that China hosted, Confucian sayings such as “The world’s peoples are all brothers” were prominently displayed. In tense areas like Tibet and Xinjiang where emotions tend to run high and conflagration is never very far from the surface, espousing Confucius’ teachings of benevolence and tolerance, could also be a useful tool to avoid a crisis . In a landmark speech in 2005, President Hu Jintao emphasized that Confucius’ idea that “harmony is something to be cherished” is one of the principles that the party hopes to use to build “a socialist harmonious society”.(reported in The China Post) By the same yardstick, could China’s warming up to Confucian doctrines, be a ploy to showcase China as a nation of moderation and ethical values? Today with the highest growth rate in the world, a booming export market and the power to play a decisive role in world politics, the Chinese government seems to lack nothing. However there is a feeling in China that this has been attained by sacrificing its traditional values. Communism in China has lost its sheen mostly due to the growth of a rising middle class. Confucianism is therefore being revived because of its emphasis on Jun-zi which literally means a prince or nobleman but Confucius defined it as a man who conducts himself nobly. These people embodied the ideals of morality and aesthetics and achieved their status through merit and used their skills for the benefit of others. During the years of the cultural revolution, people were encouraged to spy even on family members, yet the principles of Confucianism are so deeply rooted in the Chinese psyche, that even today they have very strong family ties. For example, filial piety which means looking after elderly parents is still strong in China. "A youth, when at home, should be filial, and, abroad, respectful to his elders”. (The Analects By Confucius Section 1 Part1) With the increasing number of aged people in China today, the Confucian principle concerning the attitude towards one’s family and elders, has assumed greater importance. While China has been shaped by Communism, Confucianism too has played a prominent role throughout China’s history. Despite major differences in the ideologies of the two, there are also similarities and it is these similarities that have allowed even authoritarian governments to justify their decrees. For thousands of years successive Chinese governments have manipulated the political sayings of Confucius to suit their own purposes. If the lessons of Confucius emphasizing social harmony and peaceful resolution of conflicts are revived, we could look forward to living in a more peaceful and harmonious world. The teachings of Confucius have not only survived for thousands of years despite their being reviled and efforts being made to destroy them; but have served as a guide to living a good and fulfilled life for people all over the world. Works Cited Page The Analects By Confucius Section 3 Part 12 The Internet Classics Archive Web Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1994 Web 29th. April 2011 The Analects By Confucius Section 1 Part 2 The Internet Classics Archive Web Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1994 Web 29th. April 2011 The Analects By Confucius Section 1 Part 2 The Internet Classics Archive Web Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1994 Web April 29th 2011 The Analects By Confucius Section 1 Part1 The Internet Classics Archive Web Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1994 Web 29th. April 2011 Reporting of Hu Jintao’s address in The China Post “Confucius rises as Communist Party revives tradition” Updated April 4th. 2011, TWN, By Bill Smith, dpa Web April 29th. 2011 http://www.chinapost.com.tw/china/national-news/2011/04/04/297217/p2/Confucius-rises.htm Read More