Episode 1065
In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of the man known in the West as Confucius, or "Master Kong". Born into poverty in 551 BCE during China’s Spring and Autumn period, Confucius rose from working as a bookkeeper and sheep caretaker to become the "paragon of Chinese sages",. We trace his turbulent political career in the state of Lu, where he sought to restore order through ritual and virtue, eventually rising to the position of Minister of Crime before a political rival’s scheme involving "beautiful dancing girls" forced him into a long self-exile,.
Join us as we break down the core tenets of Confucianism, including his emphasis on Ren (benevolence), Li (ritual), and the "Silver Rule": "Do not do unto others what you do not want done to yourself",. We also discuss his revolutionary approach to education; as the first teacher to advocate for public welfare, he accepted students from all social classes—even former criminals—provided they had a desire to learn,.
Finally, we examine the complex history of his legacy, from the compilation of the Analects by his disciples to the harsh attacks on his philosophy during the Cultural Revolution, and the survival of the Kong family tree, which is recorded as the longest extant pedigree in the world today,,.
Published on 1 week, 1 day ago
If you like Podbriefly.com, please consider donating to support the ongoing development.
Donate