Confucian Ecology

Confucianism is a system of thought based on the teachings of Kong Zi, Master Kong (better known in English as Confucius) who lived from 551 to 479 BC. He is revered in Chinese history for the moral code he taught, which was based on ethics, humanity and love.

“If the foundations of living are strengthened and are economically used, then Nature cannot bring impoverishment. But if the foundations of living are neglected and used extravagantly, then Nature cannot make the country rich” observed his follower, Xunzi, Master Zi. 

The Golden Rule

One day a disciple asked the Master: “Is there one word that should cover the whole duty of humankind?” And Confucius replied: “Fellow-feeling, perhaps, is that word. Do not do to other people what you do not want them to do to you.” And this golden rule in Confucianism is key to understanding the Confucian understanding of ecology.

Statue of Confucius
Temple of Confucius, Beijing. PHOTO: Creative Commons, Ulrichsson

The Notion of Benevolence

The follower of Confucianism aspires to becoming a junzi (a sage) – a morally noble person who understands what is right and behaves accordingly. Directing this morality is the principle of ren – humanity (literally ‘personâ’) – that should inform the relationship between people and nature, extending our filial love for parents and family to all living things. We should therefore show love and care for nature in all our dealings with it.

The rewards for this moral behaviour are great, as Confucius follower Xunzi said: “Respond to it with peace and order, and good fortune will result. Respond to it with disorder, and disaster will follow.”

The Notion of Action Before Words

“The truly good man first practices what he preaches and then preaches what he practices,” Confucius taught.

This lesson from 2,500 years ago is a good teaching for many in the environment movement today.

Before we ask others to change their actions, we should first change our own actions.

And then, and only then, we can preach what we practice.

This Confucianist teaching was an important underlying message of the ARC Windsor Event in 2009, in which nine faiths launched long-term plans to protect the environment.

Heaven, Earth and Humanity

Confucius taught that humanity exists in an inter-relationship between heaven and earth. ‘Heaven’ is seen as the guiding force, giving direction to change and progress, while ‘earth’ provides the natural context and seasonal changes. 

Humanity has a moral task to work in balance with these other two forces. This was explained by the 2nd century BC Confucian philosopher Dong Zhongshu: “The three act together as hands and feet join together to complete the body and none can be dispensed with.”

The Notion of the Life Force in Nature

Underlying and unifying this triad of heaven, earth and humanity is the notion of qi (pronounced chee in English, as in ‘cheetah’). This is understood as the material life force of the universe that runs through all things, integrating human beings with nature and driving the continuous process of change and creativity. 

This Confucian understanding of the universe as a holistic unity emphasises the responsibility of every person to behave respectfully and with care to contribute to the general wellbeing of creation, acting as an orderly part of a collective effort. In this way the interests of humanity are served by looking after the interests of all of nature. The original and longer statement can be found here. Other faith’s statements on the environment, please click here.

Copied with permission from the Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC)

ICSD works on a global basis, with current engagement in Africa, the Middle East, North America, and Europe.

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