Essays on Self-Cultivation

As an introductive point, “The Four Books of Confucianism,” is a collection of philosophical works which greatly influenced Chinese civilization, both in the educational and spiritual realms, into the contemporary era. My most prominent observation after reading the book is that the most important aspect any individual ought to pursue is that of self-awareness, where the person seeks to know who they are. The whole idea of the book is to provide moral insights and guidelines into human nature, and this is primarily through the presentation of the apt manners and dispositions of life that a person is required ...

Daoism comprises a mode of traditional Chinese thought that is thought of as both philosophical and religious. Rather than being primarily concerned with this conflict in ideology, however, Daoist thinkers have been primarily concerned with conceptualization of the natural world and the underlying influence that propels it forward in its evolutionary path throughout time. Morality, leadership, and personal development are all fundamental tenets held by Daoist thinkers. Two of the primary contributors to the history of Daoist thought were Laozi and Zhuang Zou, the writers of the Daodejing and the Zhuangzi respectively. While these philosophers each demonstrate a variety ...

Introduction

Yi Hwang was a prominent figure among the Korean Neo-Confucian Scholars. He led a modest life, applying what he learned to enrich his life. Hwang was a man of absolute character. He always embraced high moral standards during his time. He worked hard in his studies, securing a government job; however, later in his life, he turned down several job offers to pursue his passion of enriching the society through his works. In this essay, the writer seeks to explore the contributions Yi Hwang to Buddhist and Neo-Confucian thoughts. The author observes that Hwang made profound contribution on Buddhist ...

Ge Hong’s seminal fourth-century work Baopuzi is a fundamentally important work for understanding Chinese late-antiquity religion and its practices. Chief among the concerns of the Baopuzi is the achievement of immortality and the cultivation of the self, which Ge Hong explores in excruciating detail to demonstrate the distinctions between what is of earth and what is of heaven. Along the way, Hong also showcases his immense fealty to, and support of, Confucian ideals of cultivating the self through study and political action within the Baopuzi. As a result, Ge Hong’s Baopuzi focuses on ways to fix the ...

The proper order form of government offers one of the most effective forms of government. Under the proper order, the human interests, moral or material, reign supreme as compared to the other forms of government where the leaders protect their interests alone. Leadership protects and respects the people that gave them the power. Proper government is characterized by virtuous leadership in that leaders balance their interests and those of the people both in the short term and long run. Leadership if found at all levels of society and still offers virtuous leadership. ...

Final Essay:

Explain East Asian moral theory and practice. East Asian moral theory and practice derives heavily from Confucianism, which is a way of thinking that focuses much on several moral aspects. Confucianism in itself possesses key tenets on maintaining a moral life, ensuring propriety at all times, determining behavioral patterns and providing directions in everyday life and in society through a sensible set of guidelines. Thus, it is important to study Confucian moral theory and practice in further understanding societal virtues in East Asia, particularly as it provides communities and society with a set of basic structures, grants adequate orientation to people as ...

The three great philosophies of China include Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Strangely, all the three philosophies of China developed at the same time. The ideas of Confucianism have roots in ancient China, and the common heritage of Chinese ancestry was shared by peoples of Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. Confucianism was a system of a benevolent kingship that was followed by empires to authorize themselves in different parts of eastern Asia.

The political and economic climate in East Asia is of emerging as a significant one in the world. How democracy values of the government today can work in Confucian societies is interesting ...

The Great Learning was one chapter in the Classics of Rites one of the many writings on Confucianism. Scholars in the Northern Song Dynasty separated it from the Southern Song Dynasty and the Classics of Rites. The Confucian master Zhu Xi attempted to reorganize the work into The Four Books, along with The Analects of Confucius , The Doctrine of the Mean, and The Mencius. The Great Learning has from time immemorial a classic work on Confucianism as it expounds the process by which self-development or self-cultivation can be achieved (Nivison and Brayan 45). This self-cultivation brings about harmony in one’ ...