Understand Confucius = New Review of Confucius

Author: Ding Wangdao
Publisher:
Publishing Time:
Features: Recently, interest in Confucius has been growing both domestically and internationally, with increasing research and exploration. This is undoubtedly a great thing. The reasons for this are as follows: First, studying Confucius helps understand Chinese history and culture. From the time Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty declared "Abolish the Hundred Schools of Thought and Exalt Only Confucianism" over two thousand one hundred years ago, until the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 (with short exceptions), Confucian thought has always been the mainstream of Chinese thought. Its influence extended to all levels and fields. From court politics to the lives of the people, it was evident everywhere. Clearly, to understand China, one must first understand Confucius. Second, certain aspects of Confucian thought may be beneficial and useful to China and the world today. Although Confucius lived over two thousand five hundred years ago, his teachings on morality, self-cultivation, the Doctrine of the Mean, and harmony can be said to have eternal value. Currently, some scholars believe that Confucian thought is one of the key factors in the rapid development of certain countries and regions in East Asia, and also a possible solution to many of the problems troubling the world today.