I was recently doing research, and in my readings found profound answers to some pretty tough questions posed. It became a paper, and here it is... enjoy!
Based on the readings from Confucius and the Book of Ruth, how would you define the family?
It is hard to compare modern society and the definition of "Family" with today's values. Rather, I identify with the more culturally rich morality based in a more aged tradition, easily and rapidly achromatizing. Confucius' opinions on Filial Piety relate to the patriarchy of aged times, where adherence of the self to the family unit is imperative. Respect to one's elders and respectively financial and moral responsibility is implied and fervently expected. In the Book of Ruth, we see a more free and relaxed mode of respecting our elders. Where Confucius speaks of "Musts", Ruth speaks to the spirit of "Wants". Ruth "chooses" to remain faithful to her family unit, even through famine and despair. Call me a feminist, but Ruth shows a unitarian method of being. The now famous words "Where you go I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God" (Ruth 1:16)", speak of loyalty and dedication, love and want to remain a unit.
What does Confucius mean by Filial Piety and why is that so important to him and his statements on the family?
How could you relate Emerson's concept of "Friendship" to Confucius' "filial piety" as possible elements of family and community?
What are the lessons learned from Ruth when she chose to stay with Naomi? How is this an example of Confucius concept of Filial Piety?
What similarities can you see between Ruth and Naomi's family and the concept of the family in today's society?
Notice that Ruth and Naomi traveled from one foreign land to another; how are they received as foreigners in a strange land?
Sources
Based on the readings from Confucius and the Book of Ruth, how would you define the family?
It is hard to compare modern society and the definition of "Family" with today's values. Rather, I identify with the more culturally rich morality based in a more aged tradition, easily and rapidly achromatizing. Confucius' opinions on Filial Piety relate to the patriarchy of aged times, where adherence of the self to the family unit is imperative. Respect to one's elders and respectively financial and moral responsibility is implied and fervently expected. In the Book of Ruth, we see a more free and relaxed mode of respecting our elders. Where Confucius speaks of "Musts", Ruth speaks to the spirit of "Wants". Ruth "chooses" to remain faithful to her family unit, even through famine and despair. Call me a feminist, but Ruth shows a unitarian method of being. The now famous words "Where you go I will go; where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God" (Ruth 1:16)", speak of loyalty and dedication, love and want to remain a unit.
Filial Piety refers to Confucius tenet of xiao, it refers to the method in which to set-up a good society, and addresses how being good to one's parents, and taking care of them, respecting them, and hence learning from them, becomes the one and only way to be. It is still, after 2000 years, part of the Chinese Imperial Civil Service Exam. Family is the focus point from which one may flourish, a sort of "Treat others the way you want to be treated." Even in modern times, his observations and philosophies survive, and in one way or another, have found themselves into a myriad of cultures. Although sometimes world cultures disagree on many things, most agree on these tenets and have held them close, insofar as passing them on to future generations.
How could you relate Emerson's concept of "Friendship" to Confucius' "filial piety" as possible elements of family and community?
Where Emerson (one of my favorites) is more of a romantic in ideals, saying "Through thee alone the sky is arched..." inspiring a breath taking visualization of an event tied with words, inciting the urge to unite oneself with their surroundings, in order to join the circle of "... The fountains of my hidden life; Are through thy friendship fair..." It makes you want to jump and adhere to the whole, if none present there. Perhaps upon reflection, when found alone, these words would motivate a phone call, to perhaps find some thread, a link to something greater, such as family. Confucius on the other hand, orders and demands this behavior as a must. A fact that may not be questioned or bartered. It is the responsibility placed on you to follow tradition, and makes for cultural heaviness of mandatory behavior, perhaps instilled since birth. He who is without a family therefore is to feel empty. What of tragedies that do not allow us to grip to this doctrine? Is Emerson's "Friendship" then the key to finding one's place once more? Can one create a family of friends in the stead of elders? Is it one and the same?
What are the lessons learned from Ruth when she chose to stay with Naomi? How is this an example of Confucius concept of Filial Piety?
What kind of a Family Did Ruth and Naomi have? Ruth, Rather than following the common thread, in a way disrespecting Naomi, as an elder, by not following directions and leaving, she converted her action into one born of filial and exponential love. She chose to stay out of loyalty and desire to support her elder. She is an example of the saying that "Home is where the heart is" Family transcends race, color or creed. In this case, it also transcends religious beliefs, where Ruth chooses to love and assimilate Naomi's beliefs with her own. Total acceptance and submission for the sake of kindness.
What similarities can you see between Ruth and Naomi's family and the concept of the family in today's society?
Most of the similarities are left to the imagination, as it states that Ruth lost everyone and everything. It must have been hard for her to accept the routines of Naomi, however in the end, Ruth remains to this day, the Great Grandmother to the great "King David." In today's society this story teaches us to reach out, and assimilate people and remain tolerant. in retrospect, there are more similitudes than opposite threads of thought. Can we accept a non Jew or Muslim into our society, or immediate Family? I have experienced a great resistance in my life, as I learn to adapt and change with the times, and the people in my surroundings. I am a universally spiritual person, free from labels or restrictions on do's and don'ts. However, I married a Muslim Man from Palestine, through the Muslim religion I am an outsider, though I have not submitted to conversion, I do respect and have set-out to understand the principles and beliefs that drive my husband. This is in similitude to Ruth, whom assimilated similar doings. I cannot say, that acceptance and assimilation is easy. It has been a rocky and bumpy road for me. But as time passes, it is me who controls the flow of gnosis. I intake everyday and amplify my understanding. I am taking Arabic classes to better understand the culture, and the religious writing of my new people. Learning the recipes for cooking, etc. Same as I did with my previous husband, whom is Puerto Rican and had some similarities to my own culture, but had some quite different doctrines as well.
Notice that Ruth and Naomi traveled from one foreign land to another; how are they received as foreigners in a strange land?
How can you relate their immigrant status to today's society? As immigrants in a time where populations were limited, Ruth and Naomi are received with a bit of caution. Communities in the past were so tight knit that one knew everyone in town, and it was safe to have your children looked after on the way from school by others as they walked by. In the case of Ruth and Naomi, it was a suitor for Ruth, whom Naomi picked that gave the "nod" or vouched for them that they were good people. Often times one needs an insider, when traveling into strange waters, to introduce and encourage inclusion into a foreign group. In my current life, I and my new husband encounter the same. As a Muslim man, he is learning about my rich hispanic cultural background, and I am finding myself a bit left out in his circle, because I do not speak the language or particularly follow their religious beliefs. In contrast, I myself do not follow any particular belief assigned to me by my culture (mostly follow a Catholic doctrine), but that in turn has made it easier to understand him and his beliefs. The Universality of Ruth comes to mind, and allows me to identify. Her want and conviction to loyalty and willingness to follow the ideas of others, speaks to me. My husband has felt alienated at times as a "stranger in a strange land", however similar backgrounds in morality, that pre-date modern culture, hence the principles of Filial Piety, allow us to find so much in common and remain united.
Sources
- Xiaojing: The Classic of Filial Piety
- Wikipedia: Filial Piety (Last Updated Sept 6. 2012)
- The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha, New Revised Standard Version (Oxford University Press, 1994).
- The Jewish Study Bible, TANAKH Translation (Oxford University Press, 2004).
- Emerson's Essays, First and Second Series Complete in One Volume (Apollo Editions 1951).