Product Description
Confucianism and Christianity are the foundation of Chinese and Western culture. The father-son relation is at the centre of Confucian thinking and the ethical natural relationship is the model for other familial, social and political relationships. The divine father-son relationship between God and Jesus is also at the centre of Christian consideration and likewise is the model of Christian familial, social and political relationships. The particular appeal of this book is to offer a religious and cultural comparative study from this most cardinal and crucial relationship. To date, scholarship has opined that the Confucian father-son relationship established on a consanguineous basis has no comparable aspects with the spiritual based Christian divine father-son relationship. The author provides a compelling argument, backed up by close scriptural and religious readings, to overturn this longstanding perception. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
A comparison of Confucianism and Christianity ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Interesting but not great
Dr. Xinzhong is a professor at the University of Wales. I can see the influence of other professor's reflected in the author's work, especially his views that Confucianism can be used to achieve transcendence. Sometimes professors get too wrapped up in their private academic world and fall into ruts of jargon.That is my opinion of this book.This book reminds me of John Berthrong's book, "All Under Heaven, Transforming Paradigms in Confucian-Christian Dialogue."Berthrong talks about the immanent nature of Confucianism, to contrast it with transcendence.Xinzhong talks about transcendence.

I did not find Dr. Xinzhong's vision of either Confucianism or of Christianity to be convincing.

The book has seven chapters: (1) Introduction, (2) Confucianism and Christianity, (3) Jen in Confucianism and Agape in Christianity, (4) Jen as Humanity and Agape as Divinity, (5) Jen as Virtue and Agape as the Human Response of Love for God, (6) Jen as Universal Love and Agape as Neighbour-Love, and (7) Jen and Agape: an Open Horizon.

I have yet to find a book that discusses both Confucianism and Christianity that I like.I would recommend the books of Tu Wei-ming for the spiritual flavor of Confucianism, the books of Wm. Theodore de Bary for a Liberal Arts view of humanity (he is very articulate), and a book by Robert Canright, "Achieve Lasting Happiness, Timeless Secrets to TransformYour Life," for a contemporary American view of Confucianism. ... Read more

Product Description
* Accessible and accurate surveys of mainstream religions * All aspects - including roots and founding, primary bellefs, and cultural activities, the ways in which the faiths are perceived by the rest of the world, and the experience of growing up as a member of the religion - are examined * Excellent introductions to the world's major faiths Examines the ethical system of Confuclus, with its emphasis on moral order. ... Read more

Product Description
Tamney and Chiang explore the impact of the modernization of Chinese societies--mainland China, Singapore, and Taiwan--and the emergence of a global society on Confucianism. The division of Confucianism into traditionalist and modernist forms is examined as well as the extent of convergence of Confucianism and Western ideologies. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Modernization, Globalization, and Confucianism in Chinese Societies
A well written book. The author gives an accurate picture of what is going on in Chinese Societies which give a better understanding to the latest social developments that may be occuring in these socities as well as with the diaspora Chinese in Western countries. ... Read more

Product Description
Confucianism has been in practice for thousands of years, but its profound meaning has never been more relevant. A code of behavior, Confucianism offers a structure within which to make personal and interpersonal moral decisions. In this era of global strife, Confucian teachings of cultivating the self and interpersonal relationships, as well as governing with peace, couldn't be more timely.Simple Confucianism teaches the basics of Confucianism and then shows you how to put its tenets into practice in your daily life. Clearly explaining the key concepts, along with a brief yet thorough history, authors Alexander and Annellen Simpkins offer this ancient practice to the minds of modern readers. Living Meditation, Zen Around the World, Meditation from Thought to Action, all published by Tuttle. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

An excellent primer
Simple Confucianism is written clearly and engagingly enough to intice a beginner to learn more about Confucianism. Confucius isn't quoted as much as many other books but after reading Simple Confucianism, it can give someone the drive to seek out more work (such as the Analects) and come up with their own interpretations, based on the conceptual approach offered by Simple Confucianism.

Overall, an excellent start for someone interested in the man and the philosophy, without getting heavy right off the bat.

Excellent
Incredible book describing confucian concepts and their application to ones life.Must read.

An inspiring book!
Confucianism is a great philosophy and this book really makes it clear. I enjoyed the historical background that gave fascinating descriptions of the important contributers to Confucianism including Confucius, Mencius, and the neo-Confucianists. The themes of Confucianism in Part II of benevolence, central harmony, the mean, and the sage helped me to deepen my understandings. But the best part was Part III where Confucianism is appliedto many facets of living. I have incorporated Confucianism into my life, and it has been a very positive addition.

Really awful.
This book is a mish-mash of new-age concepts. Here's a new-age quote from the book: "You only need to look within to find the best self undiscovered."This is not a reliable guide to Confucianism. If you are interested in seeing how to apply Confucianism in your life I recommend another book: "Achieve Lasting Happiness, Timeless Secrets to Transform Your Life" by Robert Canright.

A rare gem on applied Confucianism
Confucianism has all too often been left out from the countless books on Eastern wisdom that flood the book market today, presumably because of the mistaken yet widespread impression that Confucianism was little more than a bunch of dry ethical homilies by a stodgy old man named Confucius. Even among the Chinese themselves today, there is a sad tendency to view Confucianism as outdated and irrelevant. Nothing could be further from the truth -- Confucians actually practice certain forms of meditation not unlike Raja Yoga and have certain very interesting things to say about the nature of the universe, possibly even Confucius himself -- yet most books that discuss these lesser-known aspects of Confucianism tend to be of an academic nature, with limited attention being paid to the application of the teachings to daily life. In this respect SIMPLE CONFUCIANISM is a delightful breakthrough. Not only does it provide the reader with a knowledge of the above mentioned lesser-known side of Confucianism, it also shows you how to apply the many ideas and teachings to your life (including the more obscure ones), and how to explore them. Recommended -- if only as a necessary supplement to SIMPLE TAOISM. Hey, we all need to balance the Yin and the Yang, right?To be sure, the book could have discussed a bit more on the GREAT LEARNING and the DOCTRINE OF THE MEAN, two of the Four Books of Confucianism, as well as further developments of Confucianism since Wang Yang-Ming and into the 20th Century. Still, this book already breaks a lot of new ground, so one should be more charitable towards it! ... Read more

Product Description
This book discusses the historical development of Korean Confucianism in terms of its social functions. It also examines the types of transfiguration Confucianism underwent and the role it played in each period of Korean history. The Land of Scholars spans from the Three Kingdoms period in 18 BC to the Joseon dynasty in 1910. The book not only gives a comprehensive and in-depth survey of the history of Korean Confucian thought but also touches on the transmission of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Christianity in Korea.Kang Jae-eun approaches the significance of Confucianism from the perspective of its cultural and social context. He explains Confucianism from a viewpoint that reflects on exchanges between Korea and Japan and the broader context of East Asian relationships. Kang also challenges the views of some Korean academics whose works on Confucianism are considered to be distortions and misinterpretations. ... Read more

Product Description
L
The meaning in these Lectures of the
name Confucianism.
I. THE first thing to be done in these Lectures
is to give an account of Confucianism, and
I must define at the outset in what sense I wish
that term to be understood. No name current
among men is more fully historical than that of
Confucius. Ve knov the years, and the months,
and the days of the months, in which he vas born
and died. Ve see him moving on the stage of
his country for between seventy and eighty
years in the sixth and fifth centuries before our
Christian era. But the religion of China does
not date only from his time. It has been said,
indeed, but incautiously, that" without Confucius,
China had been without a native religion."1
The sage, no doubt, helped to preserve the
ancient religion of his country, and it may be
said that it took some tinge through him from
his own character and views; but more than
l " Studies in the Philosophy of Religion and History."
A. M. Fairbairn. Page

Table of Contents

CONTENTS; LECTURE I; CONFUCIANISM; I'Ileaning in these lectures of the name ConfttcianismError; of not regarding Confucius as a rcligiou~; teacher-The earliest thoughts on religion of the; Chinese to be sought in their primitive written; characters-Primitive for heaven or the sky-For; the name God-For spirits and spiritual thingsFor; the idea of manifestation or revelation-For the; spirits or manes of departed men-Three primitives; relating to divination-Results derived from the; primitive characters and further method of treat in!:; the subject-The old religion of China was not; merely animistic, with a fetishist tendency-Views; of Professor Tiele-Wh ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The conclusions of a great scholar.
Several weeks ago I stood on the site of the palace of Hong Xiuquan, the moderately mad school-teacher who attempted to fuse Christian, Confucian, and Chinese folk ideals to overthrow the Qing Dynasty a hundred fifty years ago.To the right of the replica of Hong's old reading desk were written, in beautiful script, these words: "The tiger runs a thousand li and returns to the land of the swallow," and on the left, "The dragon flies to the ninth heaven and revives the dynasty of Yao and Xun."(Ideal ancient eemperors like Kings David or Arthur.) Clearly Hong saw the Biblical God not as doing away with Chinese ideals, but as bringing them to fruition.

The desire to reconcile the "need for roots" (as Simone Weil put it) with truth that is universal, is one of the key problems of modern life.James Legge, one of the greatest China scholars, believed Jesus could be the bridge between East and West.

This book is interesting for several reasons.The cousin of Hong Xiuquan, Hong Rengan, was a friend of James Legge.When Hong was named (nominal) head of the rebel government, he laid plans for sweeping reform of Chinese society to make it both a modern, prosperous state -- and the land of the sparrow, a China, like that of Yao and Xun, under the rule of Heaven.

Aside from the small role Legge played in Chinese history, he knew ancient Chinese thought remarkably well.His translations of ancient Confucian and Taoist texts are a century and a half old now, but several are still standard works.While some scholars dislike his faith, or complain of his less than eloquent style, even one fan of the Book of Changes admits his translations are "never wrong."He was a precise scholar with a remarkable grasp of Chinese thought.Legge was also honest as a winter rain in Scotland.His clear, meat-and-potatoes (or dumpling and soy sauce) approach remains a pretty good introduction to Chinese religions.(Apart from folk religion.)

In this book, Legge describes the two "native" faiths of China, and gives his thoughts on the relationship between Christianity and Chinese culture.Like Matteo Ricci, he is less familiar with, and sympathetic towards, the Buddhist tradition.He doesn't care for folk Taoism either, though he appeciates the Dad Dejing some.Recently, a Chinese philosopher has called Lao Zi a "prophet of God" who foretold the coming of Christ.Legge is too cautious for that.But he does say, "The more that a man possesses the Christian spirit, the more anxious will he be to do justice to every other system of religion," and he tries to be fair.

Like Ricci, Hong, and even the great Kang Xi emperor, Legge believes the ancient Chinese worshipped the same God as He whom Christians pray to.For Legge, too, acceptance of the Gospel would not mean rejecting ancient Chinese culture, but affirming its highest ideals -- including worship of the God that Yao and Shun believed in.

Legge was born before the concept of being "politically correct" occured to most Europeans, and it shows.He does not much care for Buddhism.(It was rather corrupt in his day.) He argues, in his straightforward but undiplomatic way, that Christianity is "superior" to even the best teachings of traditional Chinese culture.I prefer to describe the relationship in terms of completion, rather than comparison.(True Son of Heaven: How Jesus Fulfills the Chinese Culture.)But even some secular Chinese historians admit that missionaries of Legge's era did(in imitation of Jesus) an enormous amount of good in China, in education, medicine, raising the status of women.How could they have brought reform if they didn't have what they thought a worthy form on whom to model progress?

Anyway, Legge found great delight in Chinese culture.He certainly earned a right to his opinions.For anyone interested in China, Christianity, or comparative religion, this old book is worth tracking down.

Author, Jesus and the Religions of Man ... Read more

Product Description
Guo examines China's process of democratic transition, and the role of state and society in this process. ... Read more