American Students' Di Zi Gui (弟子规) appraisal 美国学生的弟子规读后感 #5

Appraisal #5: 弟子规 reflection
KMM, 11th grader

            弟子规 is an important text. It contains many valuable lessons that one should at least attempt to adhere to – even if that adherence is not completely to the letter. Many of the rules are similar, if not the same in all but name, to rules that are taught to children in America. Obviously, some of the rules are impractical, such as waiting 100 steps after you bow to an elder before you can continue on your way, but rules such as that is mostly an anomaly. Most – if not all – of the rules are well intentioned and should at least be understood.

            The morals of弟子规 are clearly in the right spot, and the lessons it teaches are important. And, on top of that, most of it is practical. Teaching children to respect their elders, be mindful to everyone, and value being a good person over having material wealth are lessons that must be learned and are practical. Even the little things, such as washing your hands – while seeming trivial and obvious – are practical. 弟子规, even though it is thousands of years old, does a fantastic job in having rules that are still, for the most part, practical. There are, of course, impractical rules, but there are only a few. And, except for those few rules, all have an important part in becoming an adult with high morals.

            While弟子规 has a very wide scope and an extreme amount of depth, it is quite different in form any so-called Western “counterparts.” This is because弟子规 is written in short lines of six characters each, with each line having a meaning that has to be unraveled from within the characters. In western literature – at least in that for children – the meaning is almost-always obvious, and there are easily understood sentences. The meanings of the two are quite similar, even, but it is the form that is different. Also, 弟子规 makes the reader figure out what the meaning is, making the experience far more rewarding when a line is actually figured out than it is to just have the meaning right in front of your face.

            There is no doubt that弟子规 is a well thought out text. Every single line is in the text for a reason, and every single line is important in becoming a good person. There are so many rules simply because there is a lot to being a good person. Most of the rules are similar to those in America, but these rules are just concentrated in one text instead of parsed out over many. That is, in reality, the key difference between弟子规 and other texts. And because弟子规 has stood the test of time far better than other texts, there is no doubt that it has outstanding quality, as well as the fact that it is successful in what it attempts to do.

American Students' Di Zi Gui (弟子规) appraisal 美国学生的弟子规读后感 #4

Appraisal #4: 弟子规Appraisal
BAA, 9th grader

            Di Zi Gui’s principles can be both practical and impractical depending on their cultural relevance.

            Di Zi Gui has many useful teaching, which all people can learn from. Most of Di Zi Gui’s principals in his chapters called 入则孝 and 出则弟 are applicable to American culture, because both Western and Eastern cultures stress obedience to parents and elders. For example, Confucius’ idea about not being lazy, or “父母呼，应勿缓” is very practical because it stresses the importance of listening to your parents. Furthermore, both American and Chinese parents are proud when they see their child interacting with others in a respectful way. Therefore Confucius’ idea of “兄道友，弟道恭” is widely accepted in both American and Chinese culture. In addition, most routing practices, like how to get dressed and washing hands, are deemed practical

 because both American and Chinese cultures believe hygiene and social etiquette are important. Confucius’ teachings about tieing one’s shoes, “袜与履，俱紧切，” washing your hands after using the bathroom, “便溺回，辄净手,” as well as washing your face in the morning, “晨必盥，兼漱口“ are all useful because they regard personal hygiene and looking presentable in society.

            Di Zi Gui also has impractical teachings because he he takes certain ideas further than American culture would deem necessary. Confucius’ ideas about loving your parents even though they might hit you, “号泣随，挞无怨" or hate you, “ 亲增我 ，孝方贤” would be considered unfathomable in America. Although most American parents teach their children to forgive and move on, striking a child is a punishable crime. Moreover, Confucius does not believe in change as much as most American parents do. Although American parents do not encourage their children to change their careers and living situations often, they would not be opposed to it. However Confucius believes “居有常，业无变” or in other words your career and home should be consistent, otherwise your parents will worry.

            Confucius may have developed so many rules for children because children are the generation which can learn from these principles and change their ways to become better people. Older people may be more opposed to change and unwilling to reform their ways. But if younger children grow up learning Confucian teachings they will set a good example for future generations, thus allowing Confucian ideas to stay relevant in society for decades.

            Confucius’ teachings and American values are generally very similar. Both Confucius and Western parents believe in obedience to parent, respect for elders, looking appropriate in society, being trustworthy and prudent, as well as being accepting of others.  However, Confucius takes his ideas to the nth degree. 

American Students' Di Zi Gui (弟子规) appraisal 美国学生的弟子规读后感 #3

Appraisal #3:
KMY, 11th grader

            The focus of society on the elders if very different in Chinese and American cultures, and this is seen prominently in弟子规. Although in America we do respect our elders, we focus more on the importance of youth. Our focus on youth causes us to occasionally disregard the actions of our elders. On the other hand, respecting elders is a main component of Chinese culture. Although much of western culture is “youth-centric”, from弟子规we are reminded to respect our elders in the most simple to the most extreme ways.

            Although the degree in which elders are respected differs, both societies still do show elders respect. In both America and China, it is expected that younger people are polite to older people, especially if said older person is in your family, it is expected that children will listen to and respect the things their parents and their teachers say and put forth. These, and many more, similarities are present, but in America, although being respectful is expected of the young, they often don’t uphold their responsibilities in terms of this, while in China the responsibilities of respecting one’s elders are upheld.

In American society, although we respect our elders to an extent, simple but respectful actions occasionally get overlooked. Actions such as responding to your parents as soon as they call, or simply doing things that parents ask of you are among these. Most of us mean well, but, because respecting our elders is not a fundamental aspect of American society, respect of the elders is often a lower priority than personal entertainment.

As opposed to in American society, in Chinese society, elders are extremely respected. In fact, almost everything one does is to either respect, please, or honor their parents. It is not only expected that one does what their parents ask, “父母呼，应勿缓；父母命，行勿懒” but it also important that have a stable home and career so that their parents do not have to worry, “居有常，业无变.” Not only are you expected to respect your parents, you are expected to respect all elders by treating them as you would treat your family, “事诸父，如事父；事诸兄，如事兄.” In China, elders are respected not only because it is part of Chinese culture, but also because it is the right thing to do.

In conclusion, the main difference in actions comes from the different attitudes of the Chinese and the Americans. In “youth-centric” America, one may not feel shame after not showing elders proper mistakes, while in China it would show an inferior character. In China, if you openly disrespect an elder, it is understood that you should be ashamed of yourself, and others should be ashamed of you and for you, while in America, disrespecting an elder in unfortunate, but it doesn’t condemn you as it does in China. 

American Students' Di Zi Gui (弟子规) appraisal 美国学生的弟子规读后感 #2

Appraisal #2: 弟子规Appraisal
HML, 11th grader

            Given that Di Zi Gui contains such a variety of ideals and philosophies, it contains both similarities and differences to Western culture. Similarities include basic concepts such as taking care of your body and respecting your elders, while differences are met by the extremes, which are not matched in Western society.

            The similarities between Di Zi Gui and modern day Western society are matched by numerous couplets. Understanding that Confucius established these philosophies so long ago in such a different culture, it’s amazing to see so many resemblances between the two societies values. As demonstrated many times in Jin, everyday actions such as neatly organizing your shoes and socks or even walking with good posture, are practiced in America with ease. Also, more conceptually speaking, it’s important to always return other people’s belongings on time, obviously after you’ve asked in the first place if you could borrow it; if you didn’t, that’s considered stealing. “执虚器如执盈;”pick up an empty container like it’s full. Everyday people are encouraged to do everything to the best of their ability, and though a task may seem small it’s important to put forth your best effort. Beliefs and practices such as the ones mentioned above are basic concepts are practiced in every society, not just in China.

            Those who would argue that Confucius’s principles are nothing like those found in American believe that Confucius met the extreme of every situation. For example, Confucious states “勿虽小无私藏苟私藏亲心伤。” Although I agree that most things should be shared with your parents, I don’t agree that even the small things must be passed on. It’s important to have some privacy and independence. If your independence and privacy are compromised and always shared with others, how is a teenager supposed to learn how to decipher important and small things in life? If everything is shared, there is bound to be an opinion that follows, and sometimes it’s important to devlop that opinion on your own. In Western culture, teenagers are notorious for hiding things from their parents. Although I don’t agree with parents allowing this extreme, I believe that a happy medium should me met. Children should be left to differentiate between the large and small things in life, and most large events should be passed on for their parents to know about. Also, Confucius adds, “亲所恶谨为去.” Yes, one shouldn’t intentionally upset their parents by doing things they don’t like, but often it’s important for a child not to follow in their parent’s footsteps and pave their own path. American parents more often than not encourage their children to try new things and pursue their interests. This is often seen during the college process when a child chooses to attend a school different than their parents wish.

            In conclusion, the similarities and differences might be small, but Confucius’s philosophies are often recognized to be more idealistic than practical in American society.