Beijing turns to Confucius for moral guidance

Students at a private boarding school recite the sayings of Confucius

January 29, 2000
Web posted at: 12:18 p.m. HKT (0418 GMT)

From staff reports

BEIJING (CNN) -- Once banned by Chinese communist founder Mao Tse-tung, the teachings of the ancient philosopher Confucius are back in style.

China's leaders hope that the newly legalized old ways will help guide a new generation away from questionable moral values that Beijing blames on the Western "get-rich" mentality.

"Confucianism is a part of Chinese culture we ought to carry forward," said Liu Yinfang, principal of the Sheng Tao primary school. "It helps to purify people's souls and maintain a stable society."

By studying the sayings of Confucius, 92 students at the expensive private boarding school learn how every person in society must know their place.

Also, China's modern leadership has authorized the revival of temples built to honor Confucius, in hopes that the philosopher's ideas will inspire ideas of selflessness and higher morality.

According to most accounts, Confucius lived in what is now the Shandong province of China from about 551 to 479 B.C. His basic teachings involved loving one's parents, and treating others as one would like to be treated. Confucius taught that living for the greater good is better than living selfishly.

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CNN's Rebecca MacKinnon looks at a school in China that's reaching into the past to provide a moral compass for its students. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

Ironically, Confucius did not approve of rulers who used force over their subjects.

Despite that, officials have said this Confucian revival, with an emphasis on loyalty and obedience, makes it compatible with Chinese Communist rule.

"How did we get like this?" asked Wang Zhiyuan of the Academy of Social Sciences. "We have lost the Confucian teachings and customs. If we don't carry on the good things in our traditional culture, we won't know who we are."

Beijing Bureau Chief Rebecca MacKinnon contributed to this report.

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