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Tag Archive for: learn

  • teachers

Confucius Analects – There are teachers everywhere

11/20/2012
11/20/2012

7.4 There are teachers everywhere

子曰、三人行、必有我師焉、擇其善者而從之、其不善者而改之。

The Master said, ‘When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and follow them, their bad qualities and avoid them.’

* * *

Discussion:

Last week there was a question about where or whom to learn from.  Confucius said, look around, whenever there are three or more people, there is a teacher and we can learn.  How?  If we observe good in people, we learn to be it.  If we observe bad in people, we help to correct it.  As no one is the same, there is always something to learn!   This is line with the prior teaching on the Superior Man, where one seeks to bring the good out of people, and dissolve the bad.  This is beneficial to both the individual, and the collective, i.e. a win-win situation.

Of course, this is speaking from the dualistic and separated paradigm.   From a nondualistic and united paradigm, the world is observe as a manifestation of one’s perception, i.e. from one’s own self.  In such state, this teaching stills applied:  All can be seen as teachers, and that one can manifest the good and dissolve the negative of all.  This requires wisdom to see, compassion to embrace, and devotion to carry out.

1 Comment/in Chinese Philosophy, Confucianism, Online Class, Spiritual Cultivation /by Derek
  • Study: Learn and Think

Confucius Analects – Study: ask, learn, and think

11/13/2012
11/13/2012

Last week we finished the discussion on the general image of a proper Confucius/Superior Man.  This week we start the discussion on the topic of study.  Study leads to knowledge.  The world “knowledge” in Chinese, consists of two components: Learn (学)and Ask (问). Learn implies acquiring, while ask includes thinking and inquiring.  These 2 components are considered essentials in learning wisdom and truth, and often represent the theme of a student/scholar/teacher in his/her entire lifetime.  Study, and its related topics, will be the theme of our discussion in the following few weeks.

2.9 Learn (acquire) and think

子曰、學而不思則罔、思而不學則殆。

The Master said, ‘Learning without thinking is labour lost; thinking without learning is dangerous.’

-> Learning without thinking is like a recording information without knowing what it is, whether it is true or not, and how it can be used, therefore provide no meaning and represent labour lost.

-> Thinking without learning (proper study, research, validation), is dangerous because when we run into questionable and possible negative information and people, thinking alone in them could lead us to confusion and destructive patterns, e.g. following question teachings/practices of a cult.  Learning widely and broadly (e.g. the classics of the Confucius/Daoist/Buddhist schools), therefore, could be useful in comparing and validating information presented.

5.1 Learning and asking question.

子曰、敏而好學、不恥下問。

The Master said, ‘Learn diligently, not ashamed to ask question, even from inferiors (people with lower social rank/status).’

-> No human could be number one in every area, to upgrade ourselves and to understand the world, we need to find teachers who are more advanced than ourselves in respective areas to learn (and think).  When need clarification or advice, overcome our laziness, pride, and fear to ask question when needed.  This is good student.

* * *

Great masters from Confucius, Daoist, and Buddhist traditions are mostly also well-learnt scholars.  This is a Chinese saying in the Daoist tradition: “未有神仙不读书” (no immortal had succeeded without study). This suggests the importance of study in personal and spiritual development.

2 Comments/in Chinese Philosophy, Confucianism, Online Class, Spiritual Cultivation /by Derek
  • work diligently, speak carefully

Confucius Analects – who love to learn? speech vs. action

09/18/2012
09/18/2012
1.6 Characteristics of man who love learning

子曰、君子食無求飽、居無求安、敏於事、而慎於言、就有道、而正焉、可謂好學也已。

The Master said, ‘He who aims to be a man of complete virtue in his food does not seek to gratify his appetite, nor in his dwelling place does he seek the appliances of ease; he is earnest in what he is doing, and careful in his speech; he frequents the company of men of principle that he may be rectified:– such a person may be said indeed to love to learn.’

-> Confucius does not advocate for poverty, just for non-attachment to sensual and emotional comfort or stability.   Do your work diligently, speak carefully,  and refine yourself from virtuous persons.

2.7 Act before speak

子貢問君子、子曰、先行其言、而後從之。

Zigong asked what constituted the superior man. The Master said, ‘He acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his actions.’

->  Why?  To build up one’s credibility.  When we accomplish what we say or promise, we build trust so others can rely on us.  If we promise too much but later cannot deliver, it hurts our confidence, and credibility.

* * *

Discussion:

Eat, but do not indulge in taste;  Live, but do not endulge in stability.  What else do we seek?  Aren’t we here to seek comfort, stability, and enjoyment?  To Confucius, there are many things that are of more importance, which are knowledge, learning, benevolence and harmony.  What is important to you?

When speaking of our plan, how often can we deliver them as said?  How often did we speak of something that we fail to deliver?  It takes time to build up one’s credibility, but it takes only a few incidence to destroy it.  Therefore, Confucius suggested earnest in doing, and careful in speaking.  This is in line with the Buddhist teachings of mindfulness in action, speech, and intention.

0 Comments/in Chinese Philosophy, Confucianism, Online Class /by Derek

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