Afterlife In The Confucian Religion

In this paper, I will argue that the main goal in the Confucian Religion regarding afterlife is to essentially focus on the present. I will explain how Chun-tzu, Tao, and the Tao of Pooh all support the ideology that life is meant to be cherished, with afterlife not being the ultimate goal to one’s mind.

Chinese culture is heavily influenced by the ethical and social dimensions of Chun-tzu, a goal that is more important than afterlife. Chun-tzu is the ideal person in Chinese culture, he/she is superior and a gentle. “From the perspective of Confucian ethics, learning to becoming an exemplary, autonomous moral agent, chun-tzu, is a and unceasing process of cultivation” that does not end until one is dead. To become a Chun-tzu is more important

Tao in Chinese philosophy translates to “the way”, meaning the correct way to live life and moral duties. Many Chinese texts mention how humans are to become one with the Tao, which is a another great lifetime accomplishment. “Tao, the supreme intelligence, and though constant investigation and understanding around him manifest the nature a power of Tao , a universal way that is sought after like an agenda. Tao is another major part of the Confucian belief that “emphasizes the relative nature of all things in the balance of yin and yang” obtaining balance between good and bad. People tend to have way much more yang than yin so the philosophy of Taoism tends to focus on it more on balancing. Having balance is more important than afterlife in the Confucian lifestyle. Living comes with many challenges that one should try to accomplish, afterlife only plays a small role in this religion. That is to say, afterlife does not attain as much attention as the philosophy of Tao, a great virtue in the Chinese

The underlying teaching of the Tao of Pooh hones in on the concept of Wei Wu defined as “actionless activity,pure effectiveness” that Pooh(character in story) portrays. In the story Pooh acts “like that of water flowing over and around the rocks in its path” being effortless and doing nothing but also obtaining more through that teaching. When the narrator of the story asks Pooh how he had became so effortless in his endeavors, Pooh responses saying “[t]hey just sort of happen”. Pooh takes life just how it is. Pooh is humble, non-combative, and does things without meddlesome. Pooh is an exemplary example that allowing the flowing of life to happen is more important than the focus of a afterlife. All in all, becoming a Chun-tzu promotes the ideal person in Chinese culture. The teachings of Tao and its philosophies balances out one’s character to be one with the way and be a person of great yin and yang. The Tao of Pooh shows people that Tao can be obtained through effortless endeavours. Afterlife simply put, is not the goal on the Confucian religion and should not be the focal point of life . Life has way too much to offer to be worried about what happens in the afterlife and only makes the teachings of Confucius a hazy and difficult topic to