Good Confucianism book (pdf) - Department of Physics

Teachings I: The Foundation of a Good Person 27Book of Rites , the instructions for serving parents were made even moreminute and even more difficult:In order to serve their parents, as soon as the rooster crows in the morning,sons should wash their hands, rinse out their mouths, comb their hair …[and get dressed].Wives should serve their parents - in - law as they served their own parents.At the first sound of the rooster, they should wash their hands, rinse theirmouths, comb their hair … [and get dressed].Now that they are dressed, the son and his wife should go to their parentsand parents - in - law. When they arrive, they should ask in a quiet and gentlevoice if the parents ’ clothes are too warm or too cold, whether they are ill,have any pain, or any discomfort. If that be the case, the young people shouldthen reverently massage the place.The young people similarly should help and support their parents inleaving or entering rooms, either by going before them or by supportingthem. When they bring in the basin for them to wash, the younger will carrythe wash stand and the older the water. The children will ask to be allowedto pour out the water; when the parents have finished washing, the childrenwill hand them a towel. …They will ask if their parents want anything and bring it respectfully. Allof this must be done with a pleasant expression so that the parents will feelcomfortable.Both parents, at their regular morning and evening meals, must be encouragedto eat everything by the eldest son and his wife who will eat whatever isleft over. If the father is dead, and the mother still alive, the eldest son shouldwait upon her at her meals. …Whenever they are with their parents, the sons and their wives shouldimmediately answer any call and reverently proceed to do whatever they areasked. … They should be careful and serious; while going out or coming in,while bowing or walking, they should not presume to belch, sneeze, cough,yawn or stretch themselves. They are not to stand on one foot, to lean againstanything, or to look annoyed. They should not dare to spit, nor, if it is cold,to put on more clothes, nor, if they itch anywhere, to scratch. … 13The practice of filial piety is not for wimps. These kinds of rules wouldapply to upper - class households and are set out as an ideal. It is unlikelythat most people carried out this kind of non - stop display of filial piety. Butas ritual became understood more and more as sets of rules and regulations,this kind of behavior was expected.A lack of filial piety and respect for one ’ s elders does not bode well forone ’ s future. A young man once came to see Confucius and sat very casually,with his legs sprawled out, waiting. When Confucius saw the youngman, he said that it was clear that this fellow had no respect for his eldersand would have nothing to contribute to society as he grew up. Becoming