My Midterm

Reflect on which religion thus far and, more specifically, which "school within it" has most impressed you. Explain why? (emphasize what you personally found attractive and WHY!)

Answer:

After reflecting on each of the religions we have studied thus far, I’m most impressed with Confucianism. Like Confucius we to face a similar time when individual self-interests, social injustices and political battles between countries exist. We too ask ourselves, what can we do? Confucius answer was to infuse deliberate tradition, one that would infuse values shifts and patterns away from the problems of self-centeredness.

What I find most attractive is the call to make a permanent long lasting change on attitudes. As explained in Confucianism, In order for one to transcend and get above selfishness, it requires us to shift our concern from self to others. What we find in our society and even in ourselves if we are willing to look is our inherent self conscious that is focused on our own self-centeredness rather than group conscious.

In order to shift ones concern, Confucianism offers the concepts of “jen”, which translates to love for each other, and the concepts of “chun tzu”, which translates as looking to the interests of others and serving as opposed to looking to be served. In order to be lived out, love will require the help of being part of a social structure in which one has an opportunity to experience first hand doing this. I have experienced this first hand and can see what a difference it makes in relationships.

Furthermore, I like the way Confucius was also able to find stories that expressed the ideas that helped shape for the people to the image he was trying to create. I really appreciate the structure to which he defined how they should related rightly to each other. The first part of this included defining what it would be to be a father, not just one that who had children, but one that really loves the child. Next he defined key constant relationships such as child to parent, younger to older, and subjects to rulers, etc…

I also like the way Confucius defined the qualities leaders should display. In order to be effective in this realm, rulers require voluntary cooperation (much like a volunteer organization), one will follow only when they believe that leader merits their cooperation, therefore the leader needs to be of distinct character, devoted to the common good and a character that compels respect. I can see that when leaders of this caliber are in place, the goals of the organization and the welfare of followers can be reached.

Living in communities and interacting in the five constant relationships allows one the opportunities to practice qualities of loving each other and serving. Working to resolve conflict will always be an active element.

I agree with the Confucian notion that one must work on his/her “chun tzu” to continually create the best relationships. I recognize and can appreciate how this meanings dealing with ones own selfish desires first by reaching out to family, then community, then state, etc…