And remember, no matter where you go, there you are.
Confucius
Confucianism
INTERNATIONAL MEIHUA QUAN FEDERATION
Confucianism & Daoism
Meihua Quan style was born and developed over the centuries as syncretism or harmonic fusion of the philosophical contents of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, intimately linked to the theories of Yin & Yang, the Five Elements, and Bagua (eight trigrams theory).
Confucianism represents a Chinese philosophical and ethical system developed from the teachings of Confucius (551–479 BCE). Confucius wrote many classic texts and books compiled, edited, or commented upon by Confucius himself. During the ” Spring and Autumn ” period, he was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher.
On the other hand, Daoism is a philosophical and religious tradition emphasizing living in harmony with the Dao. Dao denotes the driving force and the source behind everything that exists. It means "the way," "the path," or "the principle," and can also be found in other Chinese philosophies and religions than Daoism.
Confucianism & Confucius
Confucianism is an intellectual and spiritual tradition based on the teachings of Confucius. It was introduced by describing the Confucian teachings on social harmony and self-cultivation. Political leaders used the Confucius teachings to legitimize their rule and safeguard imperial China’s prevailing social structure and political system. Confucianism has often been considered a conservative force against creativity because it respected tradition. The Confucian heritage of constant self-development and building on the past should not be overlooked in promoting creativity in contemporary societies.
Confucianism consists of rules of conduct concerned with how people adjust to living. Its lack of metaphysical foundations makes it an ethical doctrine not a religion. The difference between Confucianism and other religions or philosophies includes:
(1) No deity to worship and it is based on rules of conduct;
(2) Does not compete with other religions;
(3) No institutional places of worship with priests, lay disciples, and ceremonial customs
Philosophy Basics
Confucianism
In Confucianism, the family is the basic unit of society. Since the family is the core unit, an individual’s actions reflect on the family when the virtues of kindness, righteousness, propriety, intelligence, and faithfulness are practiced. To maintain social harmony, people must follow reciprocal relationships and responsibilities. Saving face and not causing shame to another is essential. A specific hierarchy is pragmatic, and Confucianism places the most significant importance on rank and age in all interactions.
Five Ethical Elements
- The relationships between father and son;
- Ruler and ruled;
- Husband and wife;
- Elder brother and younger brother;
- Friends.
Sacred Texts
- “Si Shu” or Four Books;
- “Wu Jing” or Five Classics.
Six Virtues of Humanity
- Ren: benevolence, humaneness toward others – the highest Confucian virtue;
- Li: ritual, propriety, etiquette;
- Xiao: love within the family: love of parents for their children and of children for their parents;
- Yi: righteousness;
- Xin: honesty and trustworthiness;
- Cheng: loyalty to the state and commitment in general;
Look, learn, imagine, teach
Confucius dietary principles
From the “Analects of Confucius”
Grains should be finely processed, and fish cut into delicate pieces. Rotten food and fish should not be eaten, so should food that has changed color or smell, or not adequately cooked, or served before mealtime; and meat, if not correctly cut; and food with no flavoring such as soy sauce and vinegar.
Even when meat was generously served at a banquet, he did not consume more meat than grains. He would drink without rigid restraint but never let himself drunk. He did not take wine or cooked meat bought from the market but did not mind taking a tiny bit of ginger.
After attending the sacrificial rites overseen by the monarch, he would take some sacrificial meat home but would not keep them for a long time. He would not eat such meat if preserved for more than three days. He did not talk while eating or trying to sleep.