Erin M. Cline
- Published in print:
- 2021
- Published Online:
- October 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780190863111
- eISBN:
- 9780190863159
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190863111.003.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, World Religions
While many have not regarded the Confucian Analects as a sacred or religious text, the Analects bears the features of a sacred text. Exploring the origins of the word “sacred” and its contemporary ...
More
While many have not regarded the Confucian Analects as a sacred or religious text, the Analects bears the features of a sacred text. Exploring the origins of the word “sacred” and its contemporary usage and connection to words like “religious” and “spiritual,” this chapter treats “sacred” as a family resemblance concept. It explores the various features of the sacred, including those things (rituals, experiences, texts, people, deities) that are worthy of reverence, awe, and solemnity, and that elicit humility and gratitude. Like other sacred texts, the Analects has historically enjoyed an elevated status in a particular tradition and culture. It presents a particular person, Kongzi, not only as a transmitter of teachings but also as an exemplar of them who is worthy of reverence. In addition, the central ideas and teachings of the Analects are deeply sacred in nature.Less
While many have not regarded the Confucian Analects as a sacred or religious text, the Analects bears the features of a sacred text. Exploring the origins of the word “sacred” and its contemporary usage and connection to words like “religious” and “spiritual,” this chapter treats “sacred” as a family resemblance concept. It explores the various features of the sacred, including those things (rituals, experiences, texts, people, deities) that are worthy of reverence, awe, and solemnity, and that elicit humility and gratitude. Like other sacred texts, the Analects has historically enjoyed an elevated status in a particular tradition and culture. It presents a particular person, Kongzi, not only as a transmitter of teachings but also as an exemplar of them who is worthy of reverence. In addition, the central ideas and teachings of the Analects are deeply sacred in nature.
Erin M. Cline
- Published in print:
- 2021
- Published Online:
- October 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780190863111
- eISBN:
- 9780190863159
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190863111.001.0001
- Subject:
- Religion, World Religions
The Analects (Lunyu) is not only a collection of the teachings of Kongzi (Confucius) that describes how to follow the Way; it is a sacred text. This book examines why we ought to regard the Analects ...
More
The Analects (Lunyu) is not only a collection of the teachings of Kongzi (Confucius) that describes how to follow the Way; it is a sacred text. This book examines why we ought to regard the Analects as a sacred text and what it means to do so. It explores what distinguishes sacred texts from other texts, and explores the history of the Analects and how it has been regarded in the Chinese tradition and in East Asia more broadly, from its composition and compilation to the evolution of its enduring status and influence. It also examines the content of the Analects concerning the sacred, including rituals, Tian (“Heaven”), de (“moral power”), different kinds of spirits, and its presentation of Kongzi not just as a teacher but also as an exemplar. It argues that we find a deep concern in the Analects with things we might call sacred, spiritual, or religious, but that are part of our everyday lives. All of these things, together, offer good reasons to study the Analects as a sacred text.Less
The Analects (Lunyu) is not only a collection of the teachings of Kongzi (Confucius) that describes how to follow the Way; it is a sacred text. This book examines why we ought to regard the Analects as a sacred text and what it means to do so. It explores what distinguishes sacred texts from other texts, and explores the history of the Analects and how it has been regarded in the Chinese tradition and in East Asia more broadly, from its composition and compilation to the evolution of its enduring status and influence. It also examines the content of the Analects concerning the sacred, including rituals, Tian (“Heaven”), de (“moral power”), different kinds of spirits, and its presentation of Kongzi not just as a teacher but also as an exemplar. It argues that we find a deep concern in the Analects with things we might call sacred, spiritual, or religious, but that are part of our everyday lives. All of these things, together, offer good reasons to study the Analects as a sacred text.
