Confucian and Jen
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Confucian teachings focuses around the idea of Jen or in other words “virtue of humanity”. In order to accomplish this divinity, five relationships must be honored: ruler and minister, father and son, husband and wife, elder and younger brother, and friend and friend (Hsueh-li, 11). This way of living and thinking led a push for a revolution of the political system to adopt the methods of Jen. Confuciuss main goal was to revive the ancient Chinese culture by redefining the importance of society and government. He described a society governed by reasonable, humane, and just sensibilities, not by the passions of individuals arbitrarily empowered by hereditary status (Hsueh-li, 13). He felt that this could be achieved through education and the unification of cultural beliefs. He believed that a nation would be benefited by citizens that were cultivated people whose intellects and emotions had been developed and matured by conscious people
(Wright, 123).
Confucius believed that those born into the feudal system had a personal duty to excel socially by means of power. People who were of lesser class should also seek out education to better themselves. This purposes for betterment of man and society as one whole is known as “Li”. Li means “the rationalized social order” (Wrigth, 132). Confucius advocated that love and respect for authority was the main ingredient to a perfect society. This strict respect was practiced through rituals and magic (Jansen 34). The Confucius traditions have caused a tradition to set within its institution and is extremely active. It has, unfortunately, allowed the political institution to manipulate the Confucius system. The same can be said in regards to Christianity.
Christianity also preaches a divine, brotherly love. Christianity tries to discover a rational understanding of the person as did Confucius (Gonzalez, 56); yet, Christianity feels that faith in the Jesus Christ as a personal savior is essential to this enlightenment. It was also under the guise of Christianity that it had to confront totalitarian systems (dehumanize) uses of power in its sphere of influence (state and church, and (these) systems triumphed under the banner of de-Christianization (Gonzalez, 70). Unlike Confucius reformers of their corrupt state pushed the beliefs of the true ideals of Confucius, Christians believed in an “Absolute” against all absolving of the relative, can protest in the name of God (Gonzalez, 101). Many argue that Confucius did support and an Absolute, but he described it as the entirety of Heaven. Others have the belief that Confuciuss “Heaven” was analogous to the God unto which Christians served. Christians feel that in order to also gain a Jen-like status, one must have a serious relationship with the church and Jesus Christ himself. Confucius, on the other hand, feels that the body, mind and soul must be recognized as one to reach Jen (Wright, 33).
Confucius believed that through education or ritual practices, one gains wealth. However, relationships between men should be the most desirable. These aspects are the core of “Li”. Li, basically represents love for authority and respect for others
(Hsueh-li, 11). Christianity looks at wealth very differently. At the heart of the Christian faith and at its source of its traditions in Scripture, is the belief in a covenant
(Hsueh-li, 17). This is the promise between God and the individual that ensures (through faith) that ones kind actions on Earth will be awarded in a divine way. The five relationships of Jen are also honored in Christianity with references to Honor thy father and mother, for this is the first commandment with promise (Gonzalez, 120).
It is obvious that Christianity and Confucius are very similar in their philosophy. Some would insist that Confucius lack of a strong theology is its failure to correlate with the Christian ethics. They equally feel that relationships with neighbors and family is a vital part of becoming virtuous. Even the spiritual outlook on the “self” is equivalent in the sense of purification. Christians rely on the teachings of Jesus while the Confucians look towards those who have wealthy estates. This point shows that Christians may be more dependent on their spiritual guidance opposed to the Confucius examination of the worldly infrastructure of trial and error.
When comparing Confucianism with Buddhist and Taoists, their basic beliefs are similar in the sense that they want peace and good behavior. The Buddhists, on the other hand, strictly have the purpose to reach Nirvana and follow the four noble truths. The overall goal of Confucian is different