Comments on: Confucius Says… http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/14/confucius-says/ My life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile. Fri, 10 Jun 2011 15:44:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Gerald Ford http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/14/confucius-says/#comment-1782 Gerald Ford Mon, 17 Mar 2008 03:55:42 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=107#comment-1782 Hi Erg: Confucianism does actually have something of a utopian ideal, but like Taoism, it's a return to the "good ol' days" in early Chinese history. Presumably, Confucius felt if everyone observed the five relationships correctly (husband - wife, child - parent, student - teacher, sibling - sibling, friend - friend), then society would function well. Jishin: Yeah, I think Confucius is the most beat-up of all Chinese thinkers in the West because Westerns cherish their individuality, but lately I've been thinking that this just leads to self-indulgence and a "every man for himself" attitude. My wife comes from a more Confucian culture (Japan), and through her I've learned to see the world pretty differently. I don't totally buy into Asian culture, but I've learned to hold up a pretty critical mirror to my own. :( Hi Erg: Confucianism does actually have something of a utopian ideal, but like Taoism, it’s a return to the “good ol’ days” in early Chinese history. Presumably, Confucius felt if everyone observed the five relationships correctly (husband – wife, child – parent, student – teacher, sibling – sibling, friend – friend), then society would function well.

Jishin: Yeah, I think Confucius is the most beat-up of all Chinese thinkers in the West because Westerns cherish their individuality, but lately I’ve been thinking that this just leads to self-indulgence and a “every man for himself” attitude. My wife comes from a more Confucian culture (Japan), and through her I’ve learned to see the world pretty differently. I don’t totally buy into Asian culture, but I’ve learned to hold up a pretty critical mirror to my own. :(

]]> By: Jishin http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/14/confucius-says/#comment-1781 Jishin Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:34:47 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=107#comment-1781 Gerald I was very pleased your appreciation of Confucious who is sadly ignored or even denigrated today. Western Buddhism has I believe a lot to learn from the teaching of Confucious as it is such a major part of Japanese, Chinese and Korean traditions of Buddha-Dharma. Confucious is concerned with how we live our lives in the here-and-now and how our lives have deep roots that stretch back far into the past which we disregard at our peril. I don't he wants so much of a return to the 'good ol' days' but to engender an awareness and respect for our foundations or in Shin Buddhist teaching to awaken grateful awareness of 'what has been done for us' (Go-On). Gerald I was very pleased your appreciation of Confucious who is sadly ignored or even denigrated today. Western Buddhism has I believe a lot to learn from the teaching of Confucious as it is such a major part of Japanese, Chinese and Korean traditions of Buddha-Dharma.

Confucious is concerned with how we live our lives in the here-and-now and how our lives have deep roots that stretch back far into the past which we disregard at our peril. I don’t he wants so much of a return to the ‘good ol’ days’ but to engender an awareness and respect for our foundations or in Shin Buddhist teaching to awaken grateful awareness of ‘what has been done for us’ (Go-On).

]]> By: Erg http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/03/14/confucius-says/#comment-1780 Erg Fri, 14 Mar 2008 21:12:20 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=107#comment-1780 From the Confucius I've read I've also noticed, at least from my limited point of view, unlike Buddhism, which promises to end suffering, or Taoism where one is supposed to go along with, almost be one with the Tao, Confuscianism is not really interested in that sort of utopian building projects. Confucious isn't like "I've found the solution to the problem of LIFE!" but rather "Maybe if we honored our traditions, were polite to our neighbors, nice to our kids, respected our parent, cleaned up the place a little, and studied a little harder things might suck a little less around here." In other words, his advice lines up pretty well with what my grandpa always used to tell me to do. Or maybe I am reading it to shallowly. From the Confucius I’ve read I’ve also noticed, at least from my limited point of view, unlike Buddhism, which promises to end suffering, or Taoism where one is supposed to go along with, almost be one with the Tao, Confuscianism is not really interested in that sort of utopian building projects.
Confucious isn’t like “I’ve found the solution to the problem of LIFE!” but rather “Maybe if we honored our traditions, were polite to our neighbors, nice to our kids, respected our parent, cleaned up the place a little, and studied a little harder things might suck a little less around here.” In other words, his advice lines up pretty well with what my grandpa always used to tell me to do. Or maybe I am reading it to shallowly.

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