Chinese Humanism(from 1751B.C.)

From Chan’s

A Sourcebook in Chinese Philosophy

What is Chinese Humanism?

Does not deny the importance of Supreme Power.

Does profess the unity of man and Heaven.

Core Doctrine: The Mandate of Heaven

A self-existent moral law whose constant reliable factor was virtue.

Man’s destiny is determined by his own good words and his own good deeds.

Therefore, mandates of rule and rights are passed on through the results of our own actions here on earth—our virtue.

Heaven (Tien) is the Supreme Spiritual Reality, but man’s destiny is totally the result of his own virtue, effort, and moral deeds.

Ancestor Worship

Great ancestors, therefore, pass down their moral example and inspiration to each new generation.

In this way the Mandate of Heaven (and all of its material rewards) is passed down—or lost.

The “Great Norm”(12th c. B.C.)

The Lord (Heaven) passes this down to those whose actions are virtuous.

It has Nine Categories and the various virtues that accompany it.

The Nine Categories

I: The Five AgentsWater, Fire, Wood, Metal, Earth

These correspond with their separate human activities.

II: The Five ActivitiesAppearance, Speech, Hearing, Seeing, Thinking

These correspond with their separate human virtues:

The Nine Categories continued

The Five Activities explainedThe virtue of Appearance is respectfulness

That of Speech is reason

That of Seeing is clearness.

That of Hearing is distinctness

That of Thinking is profundity

Nine Categories continued

The Five Activities and their results:Respectfulness leads to gravity.

Reason leads to orderliness.

Clearness leads to wisdom.

Distinctness leads to deliberation

Profundity leads to sageliness

All of the above must be cultivated by the Ruler

Nine Categories continued

III: The Eight Government OfficesFoodCommoditiesSacrificesPublic WorksEducationJusticeReception of GuestsArmy

Nine Categories continued

IV: The Five Arrangements of TimeYear

Month

Day

Stars, planets, and zodiacal signs

Calendric Calculations

Nine Categories continued

V: The Supreme StandardThe Sovereign, having established the Highest Standard, gathers in him the Five Blessings, and spreads them over the people.

Nine Categories continued

VI: The Three VirtuesCorrectness and Uprightness

In times of peace

Strong GovernmentIn times of violence and disorder

Weak GovernmentIn times of harmony and order

Nine Categories continued

VII: The Examination of DoubtsSelect officers with the use of experts

Consult your conscience

Consult with the common people

If all agree, your decision is correct, and there will be great prosperity.

Nine Categories continued

VIII: The General VerificationsGovernment must be in balance with rain, sunshine, heat, cold, wind and seasonableness.

If all are in balance, there will be great prosperity.

Nine Categories continued

IX: The Five BlessingsLongevityWealthPhysical and mental healthCultivation of excellent virtueAn end crowning a good life

Each of these has its opposite, the punishment for evil conduct.

Spirits, Soul, and Immortality

The spiritual realm is only attracted to the influence of human virtuous action.

A virtuous person cultivates a strong soul, and this is passed down through generations.

If virtue, achievement and words are established, and these are not abandoned through time, a person will be considered immortal.

The Four Books

The Confucius

The Mencius

The Great Learning

The Doctrine of the Mean

Confucius: Molder of Chinese Civilization

Confucius: Human Nature is Good

Man can make the Way great.

A good society is based upon good government and harmonious human relations.

Rule by virtue and moral example (not punishment or force) creates good government.

Righteous rule is the criterion for goodness (in family or government).

Confucius: II

All people are perfectible, and capable of becoming “superior.”

Superiority is a moral concept.

Nobility is a quality of character.

(virtue)

Confucius: Fundamental Concepts

Rectification of NamesBe your name.

The MeanAct in moderation.

The WayAll substance and function must be in harmony.

HeavenMoral Law operates by itself.

Humanity (jen)The central virtue of helping others.

Confucius: Rectification of Names

Social order is dependent upon regulation of names and ranks.

A person’s name should imply what he is, morally.

(good manners)

Confucius: The Mean

All human action should be in balance.

Its result should be “one thread:”Establish your character by establishing the character of others.

This is known as the Confucian Golden Rule– “Do not do to others what you would not want

them to do to you.” 15:23

The Analects

If you set your mind on humanity you will be free from evil. He who learns but does not think is lost; he who thinks but does not learn is in danger.The superior man in dealing with the world is not for anything or against anything. He follows righteousness as the standard.

Mencius: Human Nature is Originally Good

Mencius: Core Principles I

Man has the innate ability to do good.

Utmost mental development will ensure a good destiny.

We must beware of evil influences.

We must sincerely strive to recover our original good nature.

The goal is to recover our ‘lost mind.’

Mencius Core Principles II

The practice of love must begin with family righteousness.

Humanity and righteousness will create good government.

Everyone has equal moral potential and is capable of becoming a sage.

The Book of Mencius

If you let people follow their true nature they will do good.

Parents are the foundation of life and one’s first moral obligation is to them.

He who exerts his mind to the utmost knows his true nature.

The superior person is most watchful over herself.

The Great Learning I

Its core principlesConscientiousness

Altruism

Its Three ItemsManifesting clear character

Loving the people

Abiding in the highest good

The Great Learning II

The Eight StepsInvestigation of thingsExtension of knowledgeSincerity of the willRectification of the mindCultivation of the personal lifeRegulation of the familyNational orderWorld peace

The Doctrine of the Mean

Nature and Man form a unity.The universe is harmonious.

Man’s nature is harmonious.

Sincerity is the quality that brings both man and nature together.

Doctrine of the Mean: Subjects

The relation between man and nature.

The relations between people.

Knowledge and conduct.

Exemplary Doctrines

The superior man is watchful over himself when he is alone.

The way of the superior man is seen in the simple relations between a man and a woman.

What you do not want others to do to you, do not do to them.

The Five Universal Relations

Ruler and minister

Father and son

Husband and wife

Elder and younger brothers

Friends

The Three Universal Virtues

Wisdom (from the love of learning)

Humanity (from vigorous practice)

Courage (from knowing shame)

He who knows these three things cultivates his personal life, others, and the world.

The Nine Standards of Sincerity

Cultivate the personal life.Honor the worthy.Love your relatives.Respect your superiors.Relate with your peers.Nurture your inferiors.Attract various artisans.Welcome strangers.Influence kindly those with great power.

Five Steps of Sincere Study

Study extensively.

Inquire accurately.

Think carefully.

Sift clearly.

Practice earnestly.