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fandomhigh2005-09-23 05:49 pm
marieann-d.livejournal.com) wrote in fandomhigh2005-09-23 05:49 pm
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Comparative religions: Confucianism
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!"
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!"