Winter2013 CHN445/545 Translation 1

ethics

I have always said that China lacks religion, that it has a very weak and relaxed perspective of religion. Confucius once said that before one knows how to serve people, how can one know how to serve spirits? He also once said that before one knows life, how can one know death? Confucius places emphasis on the present, tangible human life. This is Confucius non-religious attitude. Some people see Confucianism as a religion, but in actuality, it isnt. Confucianism is not a religion. It was once said that, Confucius does not speak of the supernatural. Religion is the opposite way, as it seeks to explain and discuss the supernatural. The essence of Confucianism is placed entirely on the reality of life. Concepts like a fathers compassion and a sons filialness, as well as the mutual respectfulness between siblings, are both parts of life that one can see. Since the olden times, scholars would simultaneously worship heaven and earth, the head of the country, family, and teachers. As for religion, one may not worship multiple entities at the same time. The God of a religion is all-knowing and all-powerful, above everything else, and cannot be equated with or on the same

level as humans. Confucianism is the symbol of traditional Chinese culture; it is ever respectful and reverential of lifes reality before ones eyes. On the contrary, religion respects and reveres God. This is why it is said that the Chinese dont feel strongly about and are distant from religion. This is also why Chinese Confucianism is different from other religions. Under this circumstance, all almighty religions in China are from foreign lands. Of Catholicism, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, none are not from other places. It is also common for Chinas society to be superstitious, but not so much as to become a religion. No great religion has ever originated in China before, but what China does have, are ethics.

Confucianism is the cornerstone of traditional Chinese culture. It is a complete ideological system created by Confucius, based on the traditional culture of the Xia , Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Confucianism has dominated a feudal society that in essence has lasted 2000 years and for that reason its influence over the history, social structure and the people of China cannot be overlooked. Confucius has proved to be the greatest influence over the Chinese character. Besides being a great educationist, thinker and unsuccessful politician, he was first of all an intellect with a noble morality. He pursued truth, kindness and perfection throughout his life and his success and failure were largely due to his character, which had an everlasting impact on Chinese intellect. In recent years people can look at Confucianism with a more rational state of mind, some even suggest returning to Confucianism for wisdom while opponents hold that Confucianism should be held responsible for the backwardness of China's development and for that reason its dominance should not be revived. In any event, that would not be possible.