The Five Constant Virtues Arnold Wang English Tao Class November 6, 2004
Introduction According to Confucianism, human beings have five constant virtues: benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith. These virtues are described as being constant because all human beings have Conscience within us at all times. Conscience is the Tao within us. It is our True Nature. It is our inherent and perfect Wisdom. When our Conscience is manifested, the Five Constant Virtues are naturally expressed.
Introduction These virtues are neither learned nor acquired, but rather they are inherent within everyone. Confucius said, Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! virtue is at hand. (The Analects, Chapter 7) Mencius said, All things are already complete in us. (Book of Mencius)
Confucian Philosophers Sages The Greatest Sage Confucius The Lesser Sage Mencius The Sage of Restoration Yanzi The Sage of Lineage Zengzi The Sage of Explanation Zisi Other Confucian philosophers Zigong, Zilu, Zixia (disciples of Confucius) Gaozi, Xunzi (contemporaries of Mencius)
The Significance of Receiving Tao Receiving Tao is seeking the rediscovery, the recognition, and the reconfirmation of the ultimate Conscience. Mencius said, When we get by our seeking and lose by our neglecting;-- in that case seeking is of use to getting, and the things sought for are those which are in ourselves. When the seeking is according to the proper course, and the getting is only as appointed;-- in that case the seeking is of no use to getting, and the things sought are without ourselves. (Book of Mencius)
The Significance of Receiving Tao Therefore, although our Conscience is perfect within us, we still need an enlightening master to guide us to recognize it. Because of the Grace of Heaven and the Virtues of the Masters, we are able to receive first, then cultivate. Receiving Tao is not converting to a religion.
The Significance of Receiving Tao Converting to a religion has three prerequisites: adoption of the teachings acceptance of the teachers abandonment of other philosophies Prerequisites for receiving Tao are different: conditions are ripe promise to be good faith in the True Nature
Human Nature: the Great Debate Confucius said, By nature, men are nearly alike; by practice, they get to be wide apart. (The Analects, Chapter 17) Mencius believed that human nature is good. Gaozi believed that human nature is indifferent to good and evil. Xunzi believed that human nature is evil.
The Four Principles within Human Beings Mencius said, The feeling of commiseration is the principle of benevolence. The feeling of shame and dislike is the principle of righteousness. The feeling of modesty and complaisance is the principle of propriety. The feeling of approving and disapproving is the principle of wisdom. (Book of Mencius)
The Virtue of Benevolence 仁 (ren): benevolence; mercy Mencius said, The feeling of commiseration belongs to all men. (Book of Mencius) Mencius said, When I say that all men have a mind which cannot bear to see the sufferings of others, my meaning may be illustrated thus:-- even nowadays, if men suddenly see a child about to fall into a well, they will without exception experience a feeling of alarm and distress. They will feel so, not as a ground on which they may gain the favor of the child s parents, nor as a ground on which they may seek the praise of their neighbors and friends, nor from a dislike to the reputation of having been unmoved by such a thing. (Book of Mencius)
The Virtue of Righteousness 義 (yi): righteousness; justice Mencius said, The feeling of shame and dislike belongs to all men. (Book of Mencius) Mencius said, All men have some things which they cannot bear;-- extend that feeling to what they can bear, and benevolence will be the result. All men have some things which they will not do;- - extend that feeling to the things which they do, and righteousness will be the result. (Book of Mencius)
The Virtue of Propriety 禮 (li): propriety; courtesy; rituals Mencius said, The feeling of reverence and respect belongs to all men. (Book of Mencius) Chun Yu Kun said, Is it the rule that males and females shall not allow their hands to touch in giving or receiving anything? Mencius replied, It is the rule. Chun Yu Kun asked, If a man s sister-in-law be drowning, shall he rescue her with his hand? Mencius said, He who would not so rescue the drowning woman is a wolf. For males and females not to allow their hands to touch in giving and receiving is the general rule; when a sister-in-law is drowning, to rescue her with the hand is a peculiar exigency. (Book of Mencius)
The Virtue of Wisdom 智 (zhi): wisdom Mencius said, The feeling of approving and disapproving belongs to all men. (Book of Mencius) Mencius said, Acts of propriety which are not really proper, and acts of righteousness which are not really righteous, the great man does not do. (Book of Mencius) Mencius said, Flowing water is a thing which does not proceed till it has filled the hollows in its course. The student who has set his mind on the doctrines of the sage, does not advance to them but by completing one lesson after another. (Book of Mencius)
The Virtue of Faith 信 (xin): faith; truthfulness; trustworthiness. Confucius said, I do not know how a man without truthfulness is to get on. How can a large carriage be made to go without the crossbar for yoking the oxen to, or a small carriage without the arrangement for yoking the horses? (The Analects, Chapter 2) Zizhang having asked how virtue was to be exalted, and delusions to be discovered, Confucius said, Hold faithfulness and sincerity as first principles, and be moving continually to what is right,--this is the way to exalt one s virtue. (The Analects, Chapter 12)
Conclusion All human beings have an inherent Conscience within us. Conscience is Tao, the ultimate Truth of the Universe. We recognize our Conscience through receiving Tao. We should also help others recognize their Conscience through receiving Tao. Mencius said, When the world is drowning, help it with Tao. May we all be with Tao. May all living beings be with Tao. May Great Harmony and eternal peace be with this World.