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Upholding and Promoting Traditional Chinese Culture and
Filial Piety |
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Filial piety is the oldest, most fundamental, and most important traditional
ethical concept in Chinese culture. The virtue of respecting and caring for
elders is the essence of filial piety and should be continued to be upheld and
promoted. It is the duty of every individual and a requirement of conscience.
In the Analects of Confucius, filial piety is recognized as the foundation of
morality and the source of education, and it is regarded by Confucianism as the
core of benevolence. For thousands of years, various rituals such as bowing,
kneeling, mourning, and guarding the spirit have carried the content of Chinese
filial piety culture. In contemporary countries such as Japan, South Korea, and
Singapore, many traditional filial piety rituals and norms are still strictly
observed. For example, in South Korea, every family visits the eldest brother or
son's house before the first day of the Lunar New Year to participate in the tea
ceremony for ancestors and exchange New Year greetings. During the greeting,
elders sit cross-legged while younger generations kneel and bow in front of
them, and the elders return the courtesy by bowing and bending down.
As Xia Xueluan, a sociologist, stated, "Certain content needs certain forms to
be expressed." He does not deny the significance of young people bowing to their
parents during the Spring Festival. He said that selectively restoring some
traditional social rituals that reflect the ethical relationship between family
members of different generations is necessary to promote filial piety. In fact,
the core of filial piety is to emphasize the idea of gratitude. Understanding
the value orientation behind bowing is the most important aspect. The form of
expressing love is diverse, and every elderly person feels warmth in a different
way. Filial piety and brotherly respect should not be neglected. Secondly, one
must not disobey parents; thirdly, one must observe mourning for parents;
fourthly, one must practice filial piety at home and loyalty to the country. |
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