Central concept of Confucianism

Li Chin., roughly rites, customs, morality; cen­tral concept of Confucianism (also K’ung­-tzu); the rules governing interhuman relations as well as ceremonies and how to act in a given situation. Li also serves as a means of expressing man’s inherent benevolence (Jen). It is the right expression of the right view. The concept of Ii is extensively discussed in a Confucianist classic known as Li-chi (see Chai & Chai 1965; Legge 1964 ).

In the Analects (Lun-yu) of Confucius we read (8.2), “Deference that lacks form [Ii] becomes servility, caution without form becomes timidity, courage with­ out form becomes rebelliousness, honesty without form becomes rudeness.”

To apply these rules correctly and distinguish be­tween that which is proper and that which is not requires wisdom (chih), i.e., the ability to discriminate without confusion. Meng-tzu (also transcribed as Mencius), a famous Confucianist of the 4th century B.C.E., writes concerning this wisdom, “When it is a question of whether or not to accept a gift or favor, it is less selfish not to accept. If there is doubt as to whether or not one should make a present, it is more considerate not to make one. If it is a question of whether or not to die, it is more courageous not to die” (trans. from Wilhelm 1982).

In pre-Confucianist China Ii mainly governed the performance of religious rituals or ceremonies con­nected with the veneration of ancestors. Because of the tremendous importance of these rituals in the political life of the country, Ii gradually came to be applied to the notion of correct behavior in general, instead of remaining confined to the proper performance of such rituals.

Source: The Encyclopedia of Eastern Philosophy and Religion: Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zen. Shambhala Publications, Inc.

Li documents

Books on  Li

External links