Good Confucianism book (pdf) - Department of Physics

Teachings II: The Foundation of a Good Society 59Even though Confucius had little to say about the supernatural or anafterlife, later commentators would interpret what little he does say inradically different ways (see chapters 12 and 13 ). Whether these commentsshow Confucius as a religious person, a person with a spiritual nature, ora skeptic remains a subject of debate.The Choice of Heaven and HeavenThe idea of the choice of Heaven or the command of Heaven developedin the early Zhou dynasty (see chapter 1 ) to explain why the Zhoudynasty had conquered the Shang. A virtuous ruler was chosen by Heavento be the ruler of a unified China. The choice of Heaven continued to beused as a tool to make political power legitimate, but by the time of theWarring States, it was clear that no one had been chosen by Heaven to bethe sole ruler of China. The idea of the choice of Heaven, by Confucius ’time, had been broadened to apply to individuals who were chosen,or ordered, by Heaven to live up to what Heaven required of them.Confucius uses the term “ choice of Heaven ” in that way, saying that“ at the age of 50, I understood the choice of Heaven. ” 36 After decadesof study and self - cultivation, he was able to understand what it was thatHeaven wanted him to do. This was a serious responsibility and one thatshould be carried out with reverence and with all the energy one has: thechoice of Heaven is one of the few things, Confucius says, that a gentlemanstands in awe of. 37In one passage where Confucius refers to Heaven, he says, “ Does Heavenspeak? Yet the four seasons move in their cycle and all things receive lifefrom Heaven. Does Heaven say anything? ” 38 Here Confucius refers toHeaven as nature, neither knowing nor caring what human beings do.Confucius ’ students said that Confucius never talked about the Way ofHeaven. 39In other places, Heaven is obviously understood as acting in thisworld. When his favorite student, Yan Hui died, Confucius cried out ingrief, “ It is Heaven that has taken him! It is Heaven! ” 40 This seems to fitwith other references Confucius makes to a Heaven that has given him amission. When threatened with death by Huan Tui in the state of Song,Confucius said, “ It is Heaven that has given birth to the virtue that is inme. What can Huan Tui do to me? ” 41 As long as he had the commandsof Heaven, no human being would be able to stop him. During histravels, he was again threatened with death in Kuang. Confucius refers toKing Wen, a hero to Confucius, and founder of the Zhou dynasty. “ KingWen is long dead; does not our culture rest in me? If Heaven wantedour culture to die, why would those of us after King Wen have it? If