Comparative religions: Confucianism

[marieann-d.livejournal.com]

Rogue stands in front of the classroom, still a little nervous, and reading off a sheet of paper. "Um, the Professor is out, doing ... his thing, today, so I'm running the class. If you have any questions I can't answer, please ask the professor next class."

She begins the lessong with, "Today we're going to talk about Confucianism. Confucianism is less of an organised religion, and more of a "code of conduct" to live our lives. It was founded in China by Confucius at the end of the fourth century, BCE." She pauses. "That's Before Common Era, more commonly referred to as BC," she adds quickly.

She looks back down at her paper, and continues. "There is no official church, nor is there any clergy; no teaching on the worship of God or gods, or life after death. Confucianism is actually a philosophy of life, not a religion... like Buddhism, which we just studied. Basically, if you are a good person, God or the gods, or the force of life, can't help but like you.

"The best way to sum up Confucionism is in the theory of 'Jen.' The nearest equivalent to this difficult word is 'social virtue.' All those virtues which help to maintain social harmony and peace like benevolence, charity, magnanimity, sincerity, respectfulness, altruism, diligence, loving kindness, and goodness are included in Jen."

Rogue looks up at the class. "Your assignment for today is to discuss what we can do in our lives here at school that would express our Jen. I want you to talk to your classmates, and try to understand their concept of the word, and explain yours to them." She pauses, thinking for a moment. "Then, I want you to brainstorm something that the class can do that can help maintain social harmony here at school." She smiles. "Go for it!"

Comments

[lady-jessica-bg.livejournal.com]

(ooc: I totally had to do a Powerpoint on this for English class this past week.)

[stykera]

So all one has to do is be "good?"
I like that.

[emo-padawan.livejournal.com]

I need to tell my old teacher that the Jedi aren't all that unique, at least in terms of philosophy. He'll be so disappointed.

That whole list of virtues? Pretty much what it means to be a Jedi. And let me tell you--living up to them is about as hard as anything can be.

[sheldonjsands.livejournal.com]

*comes in, sits near the back, and listens to Rogue talk with an almost coy little smile*

*anyone who didn't know better would swear that he's watching her behind those sunglasses*

[persian-eunuch.livejournal.com]

*sits near the front, takes lots of almost illegible notes*

[threeweapons.livejournal.com]

Alanna tries to participate in the class, but her sneezing is making it almost impossible for her to concentrate on anything.

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

I think 'social virtues' probably start with the individual. You know? If you're nice to someone, they tend to be nice back at you.

[sumeragi-13.livejournal.com]

I think there are quite a bit of people in the world that don't understand that it's just that simple. Be a good person, be nice to people, and they will be nice to you.

[oatmanspatient.livejournal.com]

Marty sits at the back of the classroom silent.

He's killed people for cash. How the heck is he supposed to understand "Jen". Well... he can understand it. Being it... that's another story.

[m-samuelle.livejournal.com]

Michael sits and listens. It is so completely outside the way his world is forced to operate that he can't even make himself pretend.

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

I think it's all about helping one another, taking a moment to do something nice for another person.

[gandalfglamdrin.livejournal.com]

*strides in late, looking commanding*

Everybody back to the dorms, NOW!

[lane-drums.livejournal.com]

*Lane walks in just in time to hear Gandalf's command. She returns to her room quickly - there's no arguing with that tone of voice*