Neo-Confusionism
Religion-wiki — for all religions and none
Contents |
[edit] Basic Points
Neo-Confusionism is a modern reconstruction or revival of an ancient religion which was almost lost to the encroaching domination of modern Western values, capitalist/communist/materialist philosophy, and the ensuing revolutions of culture in the 20th century.
According to Neo-Confusionism, the world around us that we experience, as well as other worlds that we don't, beings of all sorts, people, animals, plants, natural features, inanimate objects, elements, energies, unseen forces, thoughts, and other things we don't sense or comprehend directly, including ourselves, are all made up of an infinity of "spirits" or "essences."
- View of the Beginning of the World
In the womb, we had direct contact with and understanding of all of these. Upon leaving the limitless peace and freedom of the womb and entering the illusory openness and infinity of this finite life, the pain we immediately experienced started to cause a false "self" with which we identify to build up around us, like a callous that gradually forms around a blister caused by sensitive young skin coming into contact with the roughness of the basest of elements.
From then on, we also begin to form false "others" of everything with which we come into contact, so as to avoid the pain of direct experience. In doing so, we entrap their spirits and essences into what appears to be the physical and common-sense world we are, or would like to be, "used" to. We need to use our uncommon-sense, or intuition, to free them -- and thereby free ourselves.
- View of the End of the World
Within us and around us, entrapped and constricted energies are blocked from their natural flowingness and the resplendent expression of essence. Because of this, they become stagnant and, in extreme cases, fester and grow malevolent. But even these are not to be avoided or turned away from. We cannot return to the "safety" of the womb -- we were "born," or more accurately entrapped ourselves, in that we may find and give freedom.
We must use the powers inherent in any and all energies and essences that we encounter to free both us and them, being transformed by or transforming them through generosity, kindness and courage. Using these transformed energies/essences, or "neo-confusions," old confusions become new truths. The lie itself becomes "cheated" by its own natural energy ("qi" in Chinese) as "lie," releasing its inner nature ("li") as truth. The living essential juices within the constricting, dried-up forms become new infusions in the warm, flowing water of love. We are no longer limited in our transforming nature and ability by the weight of all these trapped, static forms, with which we had previously defined ourselves, what we thought we were capable of, and what we thought was our "world."
- Rules of Living
One is able to do these things only through establishing and cultivating a strong determination ("lizhi") to both uncover and exemplify the underlying unique truths and goodnesses ("liangzhi") found in oneself and others. This in turn is done through developing a sense of deep reverence ("jing") for all of these as they are manifested in their endlessly varying forms; through allowing these to manifest themselves, just as the pure, clear nature of water manifests itself when allowed to settle. Only then can one look into each situation and see how to act appropriately ("yi") at that moment so as to be able to maintain indefatigable benevolence ("zhuzai"), transform negative energies, and liberate hidden or trapped essences. These things are all done not with the goal of entrapping within oneself exemplary qualities (which would then only become stagnant and eventually transform into negative energy) or establishing one's place in a hedonistic afterlife, but rather of becoming a living conduit ("junzi") for creative energies that encourage all things to allow their own inherently pure essences to manifest themselves.
- View of the Afterlife
In reality, the "everyday life" we experience is a kind of "afterlife." Our goal is to experience what came before the afterlife, or present life.
- God
God, Heaven, the "Ultimate Reality," or gods and goddesses can only exist if we allow He/She/It/them to. Without leaving the womb, it would become a tomb. Before all of our misconceptions, there was conception; underlying all of our confusions is understanding.
[edit] Rituals
Every act can be a ritual, or rich well of life. Of this invaluable resource provided by each moment and new situation, we must quaff, and also help others to imbibe the "juice" of its wisdom. Tea is also nice. A form of meditation known as "Qing Zuo" (literally, "Please Sit") is practiced at this time.
[edit] Holidays
Every day can be a holiday, or a holy day if you prefer. Especially Monday, which is the holy day of Neo-Confusionism simply because it is generally considered the least interesting day of the week.
[edit] Primary Teachers and Prophets
All things that exist (or that we don't yet know exist), including the energies and essences within us, can be our teachers. We can only be teachers to others if we allow them to profit from transforming us through their own inherent love and courage. However, the ubiquitous ancient philosophers known cryptically as "Confuse Us" and "Lazy" (also known as "Lousy" in some circles), as well as the mysterious figures "Juicy" (Zhu Xi) and "One Young Man" (Wang Yangming), are particularly significant. The works of Hayao Miyazaki and Ladislas Starevich, among others, are considered prophetic and are meticulously studied in order to divine their esoteric meanings.
[edit] Sacred Sites, Places of Worship, Holy Ground
Everywhere is both a womb and a tomb, but especially sacred is any place where there is an unopened fortune cookie.
(Note: A heretical sect has set up an Uncyclopedia page titled "Neo-Confusionism," but this article does not represent the views of the vast minority of faithful Neo-Confusionists, whose Supreme Council of Elders is therefore considering renaming itself the "Reformed Orthodox Reconstructionist Neo-Confusion Church of the Western Rite," although this movement has so far proven unpopular.)
[edit] See also:
Wikipedia:Neo-Confucianism#World view
