Comments on: Appreciating Confucianism and Japanese Culture http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/02/13/appreciating-confucianism-and-japanese-culture/ My life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile. Sat, 11 Jun 2011 01:53:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Just Sitting http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/02/13/appreciating-confucianism-and-japanese-culture/#comment-1581 Just Sitting Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:11:14 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=3144#comment-1581 Hi Doug, Didn't have a comment on this post but wanted to stop by to thank you for your great comments that really got the Devotional Zen topic started. I'm hoping some more folks will chime in. Take care! Hi Doug,

Didn’t have a comment on this post but wanted to stop by to thank you for your great comments that really got the Devotional Zen topic started. I’m hoping some more folks will chime in. Take care!

]]> By: Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/02/13/appreciating-confucianism-and-japanese-culture/#comment-1578 Doug Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:10:45 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=3144#comment-1578 The "official" Confucian school during the Tokugawa shogunate, the Mito school, had altered the teachings somewhat to legitimize Tokugawa rule, but it's not the first time this has happened in China, Japan or other places. :p What fascinates me about Confucianism lately is how there's something for everyone in it. Shoguns can learn to be benevolent rulers, fathers can learn to be good parents, and children can grow up respecting their teachers and elders. It's kind of utopian in a way, but it's a nice ethical lifestyle to work towards. The “official” Confucian school during the Tokugawa shogunate, the Mito school, had altered the teachings somewhat to legitimize Tokugawa rule, but it’s not the first time this has happened in China, Japan or other places. :p

What fascinates me about Confucianism lately is how there’s something for everyone in it. Shoguns can learn to be benevolent rulers, fathers can learn to be good parents, and children can grow up respecting their teachers and elders. It’s kind of utopian in a way, but it’s a nice ethical lifestyle to work towards.

]]> By: tornadoes28 http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/02/13/appreciating-confucianism-and-japanese-culture/#comment-1577 tornadoes28 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:42:57 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=3144#comment-1577 Confucian philosophy played a very important part of many leaders throughout Japanese history including some of the Tokugawa Shoguns. It was especially important to the 5th Tokugawa Shogun Tsunayoshi. He is also derisively called the Dog Shogun when in reality, his Confucian beliefs led to one of the most compassionate periods of government. Confucian philosophy played a very important part of many leaders throughout Japanese history including some of the Tokugawa Shoguns. It was especially important to the 5th Tokugawa Shogun Tsunayoshi. He is also derisively called the Dog Shogun when in reality, his Confucian beliefs led to one of the most compassionate periods of government.

]]> By: Doug http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/02/13/appreciating-confucianism-and-japanese-culture/#comment-1576 Doug Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:49:06 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=3144#comment-1576 I had a couple translations over the years (including Waley I think). The Watson one made a big difference I noticed. Like his translation of the Lotus Sutra, it was nice reading, but still retained that classic sense. Good stuff. :) I had a couple translations over the years (including Waley I think). The Watson one made a big difference I noticed. Like his translation of the Lotus Sutra, it was nice reading, but still retained that classic sense. Good stuff. :)

]]> By: Jishin http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2009/02/13/appreciating-confucianism-and-japanese-culture/#comment-1575 Jishin Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:11:29 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=3144#comment-1575 I haven't read the Watson translation. The Waley version isn't so easy to pick one's way through. I haven’t read the Watson translation. The Waley version isn’t so easy to pick one’s way through.

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