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Interpretation on Filial Piety that isn't just "unwavering absolute obedience and submission to your parents just because they're your parents"
Thread:
Thread:
Filial piety is a concept that is often used by our elders as a tool to demand respect and Confucianism itself was basically meant for the regulation of the behavior of the youth. But it doesn't have to be limited to there.
Filial piety is acknowledging, respecting, and honoring our origins. It's why we have so many holidays dedicated to our ancestors, why we mark and observe death anniversaries, etc. We would not exist had they not existed before us. We give thanks to them for that.
Those of you who practice martial arts know very well the concept isn't limited to our biological family. Our martial arts lineage is regarded as a familial relation as well, we pay respect to our martial ancestors for founding and passing on our specific styles.
I'm digressing with the previous tweet a bit but I hope you can see my point here.
Self-care can also be a form of filial piety if you consider the fact that our very bodies, our skin, hair, etc. come from nature, and from our parents. So we take care of these things, we nurture and care for ourselves to maintain the gift nature and our parents gave us.
Going back to our parents: Filial piety absolutely does not mean submission.
Let's take a look at what is said in the Classic of Filial Piety （孝經）which was written by Confucius in ~4th Century B.C.
Let's take a look at what is said in the Classic of Filial Piety （孝經）which was written by Confucius in ~4th Century B.C.
In the section on Filial Piety in Relation to Reproof and Remonstrance a disciple asks the master if simple obedience to one's father can be considered filial piety.
In short, the master said it was bullshit. But since we're making a thread here is what he said in more words:
In short, the master said it was bullshit. But since we're making a thread here is what he said in more words:
He said that even the Emperor would have 7 ministers to remonstrate him. A prince would have 5, an officer would have 3, a lower officer would have a good friend to remonstrate him, and then a father would have his son.
Since remonstrance is needed in the face of wrong actions, obedience to a person sinking into unrighteousness would be to do disservice to them, it would be the opposite of filial piety since you allow them to take actions that would lead to consequences that would damage them.
