TARGET OUTCOMES
Describe the life and works of the Eastern Philosophers.
Explain the different perspectives about the self of the
oriental/eastern philosophers.
Compare and contrast how the self has been described by the
philosphers.
Relate the different oriental/eastern philosophical perspectives to
one's personal life and experiences.
“The tongue like a sharp knife… Kills
without drawing blood.”
“To conquer oneself is a greater task
than conquering others.”
“The past is already gone, the future is
not yet here. There’s only one moment
for you to live.”
“What you think, you become. What you
feel, you attract. What you imagine, you
create.”
—Siddharta Gautama
BUDDHISM
It is a religion to about 300 million people around the world.
The word comes from 'budhi', 'to awaken'
It has origins about 2,500 years ago when Siddharta
Gautama, known as the Buddha felt implied to leave his life
a prince and then took up ascetics practices.
For Buddhists, Buddhism goes beyond religion, for they
believe that it is a “way of life”.
The basic concepts in Buddhism that can explain the nature
of man and its purpose can be summed up by the Four
Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.
These major teachings of Buddha tells us that self needs not
to focus on pleasures, but instead live a contemplative life.
The first truth is that life is suffering.
The second truth is that suffering is caused by craving and
aversion.
The third truth is that suffering can be overcomed and
happiness can be attained.
The fourth truth is that the Noble 8-fold path is the path
which leads to the end of suffering.
It is being moral, focusing the mind on being fully aware of
our thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom by
understanding the Four Noble Truths and by developing
compassion for others.
Right understanding (Samma ditthi)
Right thought (Samma sankappa)
Right speech (Samma vaca)
Right action (Samma kammanta)
Right livelihood (Samma ajiva)
Right effort (Samma vayama)
Right mindfulness (Samma sati)
Right concentration (Samma samadhi)
“Everything has beauty, but not
everyone sees it.”
“A man who has committed a
mistake and doesn't correct it is
committing another mistake.”
“When anger rises, think of the
consequences.”
“Virtues is not left to stand alone.
He who practices it will have
neighbors.”
—Confucius
CONFUCIANISM
It is a way of life taught by Confucius (Kong Fuzi) in China in
the 6th-5th century BCE and the rituals and traditions
associated with him.
Confucianism concerns itself primarily with ethical
principles and does not address many traditional religious
beliefs.
1. The Self as Relational:
The self is not an isolated, independent entity but is defined through relationships with
others, especially within the family and society.
For Confucians, the self exists meaningfully only in the context of roles, such as being a
child, sibling, parent, friend, or citizen.
2. Moral and Ethical Development:
Confucianism focuses on the cultivation of the self through moral virtues. A person
achieves their full potential by striving for moral excellence and aligning with Confucian
values, such as ren (benevolence) and li (propriety or ritual conduct).
Self-cultivation is a lifelong process aimed at becoming a person of junzi (moral integrity or
"gentleman").
3. Humaneness (Ren):
The core of selfhood lies in ren, often translated as "benevolence" or "humaneness."
Ren represents compassion and empathy for others, emphasizing that the self becomes
noble through acts of kindness and consideration for the well-being of others.
4. Self-Cultivation Through Ritual (Li):
Li, or proper conduct and rituals, helps shape and refine the self.
By practicing rituals and maintaining respect for social norms, individuals not only fulfill their
roles in society but also develop a disciplined and harmonious self.
5. The Role of Filial Piety (Xiao):
The self is deeply rooted in the family, and filial piety (respect and devotion to one’s parents and
ancestors) is essential.
Through filial piety, the self acknowledges its indebtedness to the family and contributes to the
harmony and continuity of the social order.
6. The Self and the Greater Good:
In Confucianism, the self’s ultimate purpose is to contribute to the well-being of the community
and society.
The self is not viewed as an end in itself but as a means to create a harmonious and just society.