TRA: Lesson - Eastern Philosophy and Belief

Eastern Philosophy and Belief

Han Fei Zi: Rule of Law

It is dangerous for a ruler to trust others. He who trusts others can be manipulated by others.
-Han Fei Zi

Han Fei Zi was from a royal, noble family in China. However, his brilliance was not taken seriously because he had a stutter. He wrote to his relative, the Emperor. In the letter, he explained why the emperor should stop hiring corrupt officials and making illogical choices. The emperor ignored him and the Zhou dynasty crumbled. Han Fei Zi imagined a better way to get people to follow a ruler.

In his philosophy, strict adherence to the law would promote a more peaceful society. This begins, most importantly, with the ruler. Leaders should not want power just to get all their desires, or else they will surround themselves with corrupt people. Rulers should only want a stable country, and only want competent people around them. Rulers should remember that people care most about themselves - focusing on what’s in it for them. So a wise ruler should reward people who obey the laws and punish people who disobey the laws. Most importantly, laws should be obeyed absolutely, even by the ruler. Han Fei Zi believed that this would lead to a stable society.

Confucius: Respect

Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?
-Confucius

Confucius was a court advisor. However, the Emperor was so wasteful and useless that it destroyed China. Confucius quit and tried to think of a way for all of China to repair itself. He was hated in his own time but has been the most influential thinker in China since the Han dynasty.

In his philosophy, people are generally good, but must always work to be better. One way to better yourself was through rituals. They help us slow down to think about what we are doing and show us how to behave. Confucius also believed in “Filial Piety.” That is showing respect for your elders, including your parents and older siblings. When you respect your parents as a child, you’re really learning to respect everyone and how to be humble.

Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha): Enlightenment

Attachment is the root of all suffering.
-Siddhartha Gautama

Siddhartha Gautama was a spoiled prince in India. When he finally left the palace, he saw suffering for the first time. This changed everything for him! He left the palace forever and consulted holy men but found that meditating on compassion led to peace and spiritual knowledge (Enlightenment). He then became the Buddha (Enlightened One).

In his philosophy, humans are united through suffering. We all suffer in little or big ways because of our desires, so we must manage/limit our desires. We have what we need, but instead our bad impulses make us want excess. Reduce them and be enlightened. If you live the “middle way” between extreme lifestyles (like being spoiled and having nothing) you have more energy to focus on compassion. To overcome suffering, you must act, think, and try correctly. You develop the ability to do it by meditating.

Modern Impacts of Eastern Philosophy

Select each name to read more about how these eastern philosophies still affect modern thinking.

Han Fei Zi - Legalism

Xi Jinping has been the president of the People’s Republic of China since 2013. He is fond of Legalistic writers and philosophers, especially Han Fei.

Confucius - Confucianism

About 6 million people today follow Confucianism. There are temples (for rituals as well as historical purposes) in Vietnam, Indonesia, China, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea. It saw a revival in the early 21st century.

Siddhartha Guatama - Buddhism

About 400 million people today follow Buddhism. Over 75% of people in Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Bhutan practice it. Due to globalization in the last 50-70 years, there are also significant numbers of Australian, American, Russian, Canadian, and French followers. Even though only 6% of the Chinese population still follows Buddhism, that alone still equals over 85 million people.

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