jen

The Confucian philosophy can also be referred as humanism. Confucius’ teaching speaks more of how a man should be in order to attain the ideal of being superior. To attain superiority, Confucius teaches virtues. One of which is the virtue of jen. Jen in various English translations is ‘benevolence, human goodness, virtuosity, even love’. The most appropriate word to refer to jen is ‘human-heartedness’ for it implies that jen is what makes us human that is able to love. As Wing Tsit Chan asserts, ‘jen means humanity, that is, that which makes man a moral being.  As a particular virtue, it means love.’ And in the description by Chu Hsi, ‘the character of man’s mind and the principle of love.’

The virtue of jen should be cultivated by man. It requires man to work on his own humanity and enrich his learning in order to understand the rest of humanity. The cultivation of jen lies in the practice of its expressions namely conscientiousness (chung) and Altruism (shu).

It is important to remember that in achieving harmony and following the Way, Confucius indicates that the first step always come from the self. The expression through chung is centered towards the self. The virtue of humanity begins with the self. It is the cultivation of the innate goodness of man and understanding oneself. There is a relationship with the self at the same time, there should be a relationship towards others. The latter is the expression through shu. Shu is virtue of expressing ones humanity by relating to others. It is treating others in a humane way. It is establishing a good relationship by extending ones humanity by way of conduct.

These expressions of jen are important in becoming a man of humanity for it is in these that one becomes virtuous and moral. Upon these, one becomes at ease with humanity. One has achieved that balance inwardly and outwardly. One becomes wise in deed and in mind. One becomes the Superior man, a man of humanity. It is in jen that the superior man follows the Way therefore the superior man has achieved harmony.

Isn’t that what Confucius wants from us? To follow the Way and to be in harmony as a man of humanity.