Pre-chinConfucianismIITheAnalects论语.pptVIP

A Synthesis of the Confucian Ren and Li The existing edition of Liji is re-edited by Confucius. Chapter 7 of Liji consists of conversations between Zengzi and Confucius– where Confucius is asked about modifications of li in exceptional cases. Confucius clearly expresses the underlying rationale of certain aspects of li, showing that ceremonial details of li can be adjusted to accommodate different purposes. A Synthesis of the Confucian Ren and Li After Confucius, Li is no longer strict recipe-following: like a chef, one is allowed to modify dishes to accommodate whatever ingredients are local and fresh. 4. Junzi junzi: more than 80 times no single “ideal” character but many The highest/ the most estimable= the sage (shengren 聖人) This character is too high to be realized. Lower down the scale = the good person (shanren 善人) / the complete person (chengren 成人). 4. Junzi 君子 - Confucius claims neither to be a sage himself nor to have seen such a person. “How dare I claim to be a sage or a renzhe 仁者?” (A 7.34) “I have no hopes of meeting a sage. I would be content if I met someone who is a junzi” (聖人,吾不得而見之矣;得見君子者,斯可矣) (A 7.26) 4. Junzi The only time he discusses a sage: Zigong asks, “If there were one who gave extensively to the common people and brought help to e multitude, what would you think of him [or her]? Could he [or she] be called ren ?” Confucius says, “It is no longer a matter of ren with such a person. If you must describe such a person, ‘sage’ is, perhaps, the right word” (如有博施於民而能濟眾,何如?可謂仁乎? …. 何事於仁!必也聖乎!堯舜其猶病諸!) (A 6.30) 4. Junzi The junzi vs. the petty person (xiaoren 小人): c correlative and contrasted terms Traditionally (before Confucius): junzi = people in authority xiaoren = the common people/ the ruled. In the Analects: junzi and xiaoren = personal achievements in self-cultivation. junzi = one with a cultivated character xiaoren = the opposite. 4. How to Become a Junzi ? A person becomes a junzi only after a great deal of har