Confucians are Engaged

Analect 13.9, also called Book XIII Chap IX in Legge says:

CHAP. IX. 1. When the Master went to Wei, Zan Yu acted as
driver of his carriage.
2. The Master observed, 'How numerous are the people!'
3. Yu said, 'Since they are thus numerous, what more shall be
done for them?' 'Enrich them,' was the reply.
4. 'And when they have been enriched, what more shall be
done?' The Master said, 'Teach them.'

Notice the 1st question: what more shall be done for them?'
and the answer: ' 'Enrich them,'

One reason I like Confucianism is that Confucianism is engaged.

Confucian scholars who believe only in studying are missing, I think, an important aspect of Confucianism: the Unity of Knowledge and Action.

Robert

Education and Confucianism

I was chatting with a lady one day and she said, "Life is learning." How true that is! I was reminded of this line from Chu Hsi, "Everything is a matter of learning."

The wise, older lady I spoke with echoed a Confucian sentiment because true wisdom is universal.

The Chu Hsi quote is 7.27, p. 186, from "Learning to by a Sage, Selections from the Conversations of Master Chu, Arranged Topically," translated by Daniel K. Gardner, ISBN 0-520-06525-5.

That title is quite a mouth full, isn't it! But this book is a treasure of good thoughts.

Robert

We Need to Speak

Chu Hsi said, (7.39)"... If you just spoke about and immersed yourself in human nature and principle, there'd naturally be a difference in your dealings with matters."

I liked this emphasis on speaking. So many who study Confucianism keep their learning to themselves. We live in communities and we must speak out.

Chu Hsi said, (7.45) "... Only the superior man is able to connect with the will of all under Heaven, opening up [his mind] so that its scope becomes vast, thus allowing everyone to feel a sense of plenitude in their hearts. How content they'll be!"

How does one open one's mind and affect others? Through writing and speaking, I believe.

How does one immerse oneself in moral principle? Is it a pool that one can dive into? Does one possess such a large amount of moral principle that is seems like a lake? I think the immersion is into the love of and the investigation of moral principle. Chu Hsi said (7.19), "In all matters examine into the right and wrong."

If you go to the Timeless Way, Dallas, yahoo group, you can search for the "Four Step Process of Self-Transformatin" and see that step 1 is seek truth and step 4 is share hope.

Investigating moral principle is one way to seek truth. Speaking and writing about moral principle is one way to share hope.

The lessons of the ancient sages are as profound and useful today as they ever were.

Robert
The quotes are from "Learning to be a Sage, Selections from the Conversations of Master Chu, Arranged Topically", translated by Daniel K. Gardner, a book I heartily recommend.