session 2 readings (and debate questions), 3/6

[clay dube]

Hi Folks,
One convenient way to keep up with the institute and developments in US-China relations is to follow us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/uschinainstitute/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/usc_uschina).

One thing we'd like is for you to look at the lunar new year stamps here: http://china.usc.edu/happy-lunar-new-year-%E7%A5%9D%E4%BD%A0%E6%96%B0%E5%B9%B4%E5%BF%AB%E4%B9%90%EF%BC%81

And to then let us know which is your favorite by commenting on this Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/uschinainstitute/posts/10154746794921480 or this Twitter post: https://twitter.com/usc_uschina/status/825167664603553795

Please encourage your students to check out the lunar new year stamps as well. Why do you think so many different countries issue lunar new year stamps?

[clay dube]

Thanks to Reyna and Noche who posted their favorite lunar new year stamps choices to Twitter and to Facebook. Please take a look at what they choose and please take a moment to offer your own preferences. Encourage your students to look at the collection too. Which designs do they like for the year of the rooster?

[Anonymous]

Confucius School of Thought:


As a women in this family, my thoughts and feelings really don't matter. But since I am one to respect my family and our belief system, I dare not say anything because I feel like my father will come to terms with his actions. I know my place and this is not a time where I need to say anything. I hope that my father has learned well from our leader and that his goodness overcomes all. I respect you father.
edited by gbenn on 3/10/2017

[Anonymous]

Considering the fact that I am from Confucius thinking, I would say that everyone has the opportunity to rethink and improve on oneself. With practice and learning we can all improve on our self. I believe my dad deserves a second chance by attending Confucius school and learning the ways of kindness, righteousness, and peacefulness in order to find his inner true self. "We must respect and care for ones elders, not subject them to punishment." pg.19 Confucius paragraph "The gentleman call attention to the good points in others; he does not call attention to the defects."(12.16) pg. 24

[Anonymous]

With Confucius thinking, I would like to say that my dad need to be cultivated through learning at the Confucius school to improve his ritual emphasis on sincerity. And through learning, he could realize and correct his own mistakes. I believe he could change.
Yet, since my dad in a family order is higher than me, as a child I need to respect him, I should not criticize him, or judge him. In our family, among our family members, even though I do not agree with him by doing something he knew was wrong. I should respect the decision he made.

[Anonymous]

A very interesting and stimulating debate session this evening. While I can appreciate the Taoist concepts, they exist in a dream world of peaceful coexistence that doesn't understand the fundamental nature of man. It's true that the larger part of mankind would like to live and let live, our history suggests otherwise. People are, as Mohism states, guided principally by self-interest which, if left unchecked evolves into greed and a desire for greater wealth and or power. Perhaps the principle reason the followers of Master Moe lost the argument those many centuries ago was because of their tendency to defend rather than use offense as a part of defense. Sun Tzu's teachings might have given them the advantage, had they listened.

[Anonymous]

Father:

I am and always will be a part of you. To you, I owe my very existence and honor you for the great gift of life you bestowed upon me. I have, as you taught, firmly embraced the teachings of Master Moe. This can never be changed, no matter what the circumstances. I have heard of what you did and my head is bowed, not is shame, but in respect for the cause which compelled your actions. You understand and accept the consequences of such actions, and I will not question your judgement. I only ask you to confirm that the path you chose was done, not out of self-interest, but out of concern for the greater good of your family, friends and community. Such reassurance will forever lock my heart in support of your choice and ground me firmly in the determination that I will rise to your defense... now and for all time.

Your Son.

[Anonymous]

If my father knowingly committed a crime, as a Taoist, what should I do?
The Sage has no need for social constructs, nor any need or desire for laws, because these things interfere with the natural order. The desire of Confucians, Mohists, and Legalists to impose manmade order is counterintuitive. The laws and rules they create accomplish the opposite of what they are intended to do. Because of this my father has committed a crime; not because he is good or bad, but because he has run afoul of an imperfect system that impinges on individual freedom and creates strife where none existed.

Tao is source of the ten thousand things.
It is the treasure of the good man, and the refuge of the bad.
Sweet words can buy honor;
Good deeds can gain respect.
If a man is bad, do not abandon him.
Therefore on the day the emperor is crowned,
Or the three officers of state installed,
Do not send a gift of jade and a team of four horses,
But remain still and offer the Tao.
Why does everyone like the Tao so much at first?
Isn't it because you find what you seek and are forgiven when you sin?
Therefore this is the greatest treasure of the universe.

As to the question of what would I do if I knew my father knowingly committed a crime? Why nothing, of course.

[Anonymous]

The basic nature of human beings is to live a simple life and to follow the Dao, or the way, however, little is really known what "the way" is and is open to interpretation.

As a Daoist, I strive for simplicity and never covet my neighbors or their belongings. In fact, I am content with just how things are at all times, never having a greater ambition for life improvement, simply accepting this as "the way". There is a wise ruler whom intervenes on our behalf and guides us with strong armed purpose. While his rule may seem strict, his existence is the most divine. My belief may not be your beliefs, but it is my own. It is important to be tolerant of each other and one's existing beliefs. Know that there is a supreme heaven, a supreme ruler, and that "the way", while complex, is the only true path. All other philosophies must be banished. Of course humans change and evolve, and with that the Dao does as well.

If this seems confusing, it might be. But trust there is a bigger, more pure and true plan.
edited by cgao on 3/7/2017

[Anonymous]

As a Mohist, I understand my father's decision to break the law, as his choice was undoubtedly motivated by self-interest. I also empathize with him because I am him as he is me, so his pain is also mine. However, though I understand and feel compassion for my father, I cannot condone criminal actions. I know that if I were the one in his position, I would fully expect to receive appropriate disciplinary action. Without any consequences, the very stability and morality of our society is undermined, harming everyone. Therefore, my father must accept the punishment meted out by our benevolent ruler, knowing that he and all people will be better for it in the end.

[Anonymous]

Our master taught us that "the way never acts yet nothing is left undone" and "taking no action and order will prevail". Therefore, I would not take any further action to my father's not upholding human made laws and not get involved. However, if he doesn't learn the balance of nature, then a major will happen to him to maintain balance.

Sadly, many students that we serve in South LA experience growing up without a father figure playing an important role in their lives for various reasons, including crime. Yet the majority of students still try their best everyday and attend school. Therefore, the teachers and staff at school site do play an extended role beyond the classroom. In relation to our debate, LAUSD tries Restorative Justice program rather than just punishing or suspending students.

In terms of integrating the information into lesson plans, I remember the bobble head project for 7th graders where students collaborate to create a poster of 3 figures Buddha, Confucius, and Laozi with big heads and little bodies. For each master, students would read primary/secondary sources and try to fill in the information about personal background, view of human nature, best form of government, and ideal economy. Then we would debate and write a paper at the end.

[Anonymous]

I would do and say nothing to my father. As the sages say, "I take no action and the people are transformed of themselves; I am not meddlesome and the people prosper of themselves; I am free from desire and the people of themselves become simple like the uncarved block."

[Anonymous]

One way I can implement the four schools of thought into my teaching is by drawing parallels between, for example, Daoism and Transcendentalism in America in the 19th century. The next literary movement for my American Lit. class is Transcendentalism where we will look at the writings and philosophies of Emerson, Thoreau, and Whitman. Emerson himself said, "Good men must not obey the laws too well," believing that man made laws were not essential to finding "truth". Like the Daoists, Transcendentalists sought truth within themselves. Thoreau was a hermit and recluse just like the Daoist man in Prof. Dube's example. Thoreau went into the woods to "wash his ear" from the pollution of man-made society/laws.

[Anonymous]

p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 13.0px} li.li1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font: 12.0px Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke: 0px #000000} span.s2 {font-kerning: none} span.s3 {text-decoration: underline ; font-kerning: none} ol.ol1 {list-style-type: decimal} A synopsis of Camelot: “On a frosty morning centuries ago in the magical kingdom of Camelot, King Arthur prepares to greet his promised bride, Guenevere… Arthur, captivated by her, sings of the many magical qualities of “Camelot.” Soon, his identity becomes evident, and, already having charmed one another, they go off hand-in-hand to be wed. Along with his new Queen Guenevere, Arthur settles into an idyllic life of peaceful ways, might for right, and the eventual formation of his famous Round Table.
As news of Arthur's new order spreads across the continent, Lancelot finds his way to Camelot singing “C'est Moi” and proclaiming himself to be the most obviously suited of all knights to sit at Arthur's table. … Lancelot finds himself secretly falling in love with Guenevere. Her new and mixed feelings are expressed as she sings “Before I Gaze at You Again.” Arthur insists that Lancelot be knighted immediately. Two years pass.. Lancelot and Guenevere must now deal with feelings they can no longer deny, as Lancelot sings “If Ever I Would Leave You.” The once innocent and happy mood darkens even more as Arthur becomes aware of the growing and obvious feelings between his beloved queen and his trusted knight.

Arthur's knights, having grown weary of talk and inaction, cry “Fie on Goodness!” Mordred confronts Arthur in the forest and Arthur agrees to spend the night away from Camelot to prove his trust of Lancelot and Guenevere. However, Lancelot's ill-timed visit to Guenevere's bedchambers that evening suits Mordred's trap perfectly. Guenevere is quickly arrested for treason, while Lancelot escapes.

Guenevere is sentenced to burn at the stake under Arthur's own code of justice, and he is helpless to intercede-although he cannot bring himself to give the order to light the flames. Lancelot rescues her at the last moment and takes her to France. Alas, Arthur is now forced to make war upon the friend he so dearly loves.” (source: <https://www.bard.org/study-guides/synopsis-camelot> )

Legalists stand by law and order. A country must be governed by law and rules, otherwise, it would be in chaos. A ruler of a country, such as King Arthur, is a normal human being with feelings and personalities like everyone else, but he must put national interest above himself and observe rules and execute laws just as King Arthur did. Arthur was a good person. He loved his wife Guinevere profoundly and treated her with respect and love like a normal husband, and he trusted his most favorite knight, Lancelot. But when he found that he was betrayed by the love affair between his wife and his best knight and that their deed led to treason according to the code of justice, he decided to persecute his lovely wife and burn her although he could not “bring himself to give the order to light the flames.” Arthur was a kind-hearted man. I believe he would not want to burn his wife if he were not a king, but he was a king and ruler above all. Everyone in his kingdom must obey his laws including his wife; otherwise, he would not be respected and his laws would not be observed. Arthur chose law when he was torn between love and law. Arthur is first of all a good king as well as a good person. From a Legalist's perspective, I applaud the kind of rulers like King Arthur and I would not oppose to bringing "father " to justice especially he knew his wrong doing. However, I would suggest him to find a competent attorney who may help lessen his punishment or even pardon him for the first time. I just want "father" to learn a lesson.
edited by Lin ZD on 6/15/2017

[Anonymous]

I agree. I too learned to look to the positive traits of my dad (and others) and allow second chances. Although, I learned it from a fellow that came much later, JESUS. lol

[Author]

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