Name: Yi (Eva) Ding

I.D: 404 720 206

University of California, Los Angeles

CHIN 175: WEEKLY PAPER

WEEK ONE
CHINESE 175: INTRODUCTION TO CHINESE THOUGHT
NINA DUTHIE, ROOM 280B | ROYCE HALL

TOPIC: According to Books 1-9 of the Analects, what are the consequences of an
individual's proper enactment of the rites/rituals (li)? Cite one or two passages
from the Analects to discuss in detail.

The Analects of Confucius (Kongzi) comprise of a series of dialogues, speeches,

and conversations between Confucius and his disciples, which reflect on his
thoughts and teachings. In his books, Confucius discusses the Rituals or Rites (li) of
an earlier era a time, The Golden Age, that was Confucius ideal. These rituals
were not just the grand and ceremonious kind, but also included small, everyday
actions and ways of life that could be adhered to, to become more Virtuous (de).
In realising Confucius rituals, one could then strive to become a Gentleman (junzi)
by possessing the ultimate Virtue Goodness (ren). The goal in being a Gentleman
was to be able to not only practice the rituals from the Analects well but to have
them so ingrained into your being that the actions were intuitive no one action,
speech, or inclination is forced. Confucius believed that if one person, then
another, and then another can put into practice these rituals and accordingly
achieve this level of Virtue, soon more people, and then ultimately the whole
country would follow and fall into a blissful kind of order.
One such ritual that Confucius viewed as the very basis of the development
and enhancement of Virtue was filial piety, or a duty to ones parents, ancestors,
and other elders. However, as seen in the following two passages where Confucius

Name: Yi (Eva) Ding

I.D: 404 720 206
University of California, Los Angeles

clarifies the term, filial piety does not merely equate to being dutiful to ones
parents via ones actions, these very actions must be made with sincerity, respect,
true intent, and concern:
2.7 Ziyou asked about lial piety. The Master said, Nowadays lial means
simply being able to provide ones parents with nourishment. But even dogs
and horses are provided with nourishment. If you are not respectful, wherein
lies the difference?1
2.8 Zixia asked about lial piety. The Master said, It is the demeanor that is
difcult. If there is work to be done, young people shoulder the burden, and
when wine and food are served, elders are given precedence, but surely lial
piety consists of more than this.2
Shown in the following passage, filial piety was emphasised in Confucius
teachings because a respect and dutifulness to one's parents was often translated
into ones opinions of and actions towards the state.
1.2 Master You said, A young person who is lial and respectful of his elders
rarely becomes the kind of person who is inclined to defy his superiors, and
there has never been a case of one who is disinclined to defy his superiors
stirring up rebellion.
The gentleman applies himself to the roots. Once the roots are rmly
established, the Way will grow. Might we not say that lial piety and respect
for elders constitute the root of Goodness?3

1

Philip J. Ivanhoe, and Norden W. Van Brya, eds, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy.
2nd ed. (Indianapolis, Indiana: Hackett Publishing Company Inc., 2005), 6.
2
Ibid.
3
Ibid., 3.

Name: Yi (Eva) Ding

I.D: 404 720 206
University of California, Los Angeles

Although described by some as archaic and somewhat conservative,

Confucius teachings on the way of living, being, and conducting oneself has stood
the test of time in China. To this day, children are taught to always obey their
parents, be grateful for what their parents have sacrificed, and to never call elders
by their first names employing, instead, auntie and uncle: a kind of cultural
phenomenon altogether missing in the Western world. These actions, the origins
of which are possibly unbeknownst to many people now, are ways of cultivating
Goodness and Virtue.
So, what does this say about the success, and everlasting effects and
influences of Confucius teachings: that his rituals all the way from 250 B.C.E.
are still practiced, and his words still being quoted?

Name: Yi (Eva) Ding

I.D: 404 720 206
University of California, Los Angeles

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Ivanhoe, Philip J., and Brya W. Van Norden, eds, Readings in Classical Chinese
Philosophy. 2nd ed. Indianapolis, Indiana: Hackett Publishing Company Inc.,
2005.