Confucius by Meher McArthur (PDF)

Description

Meher McArthur’s accessible and thoughtful biography not only traces the outline of her subject’s life, but also examines why Confucius and his teachings are still relevant today.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐perfect gift for grand child taking eastern religion

⭐Confucius by Meher McArthur, Quercus, 2011, 254 ffThe author of this book is a specialist in Asian culture and she was formerly Curator of East Asian Art at the Pacific Asia Museum at Pasadena, California. Confucius, or Kung-fu tzu lived in the 6th century BCE and his teachings founded one of the great systems of practices and mystical beliefs in China. He was therefore roughly a contemporary of Lao-tzu, whose school established the philosophy of Taoism and created one of the great works of Asian literature, the Tao Te Ching. Confucius’ other great spiritual near contemporary was Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, who was born in India.Confucius was born into a humble background in what is now called the Shantung (or Shandong) province in Northeastern China, known today in the west for the quality of its silk. Although he travelled widely, Confucius is known for the system of moral philosophy that he taught to his disciples in his home state of Lu and which has been handed down to us today through the work known as `The Analects’ or Lun Yu. The emphasis in his philosophy was on social responsibility – of parents to their children and equally of children to their parents if they became infirm – and on education in promoting these moral values.No actual writings by Confucius have survived, but The Analects compiled by his students and successors reflect his philosophy; and McArthur deals with them in some detail throughout this book. There are chapters on Confucius’ early life, his teachings, his followers, the years of wanderings, and the return to Lu.Considering that details of the life of Confucius himself are scarce, this book gives an effective overview of the practices of the times in which he lived and of the people around him. At the end of the book there are several pages of Notes, a short Bibliography and a good Index.Howard Jones is the author of The Tao of Holism

⭐A book that explains clearly the Master’s teaching, especially on the themes of ren and li. Easy to understand, yet detailed and insightful. I felt sad reading the last chapter of the Master’s final years when he felt his life was a failure.Here’s an excerpt on his last days:He tearfully told Zigong that he had dreamed that he was sitting before offerings between two pillars, a vision that Zigong, who had learned much about ritual from Confucius, recognised. Members of the Shang Dynasty, from which Confucius supposedly descended, laid out the corpses of their dead between two pillars. Confucius was dreaming about his own imminent death. Then, with Zigong by his side, he uttered his final words, which were filled with regret and disappointment: ‘No intelligent monarch arises; there is not one in the kingdom that will make me his master. My time has come to die.’He took to his bed and, within seven days, Confucius was dead. He was seventy-three years old.On hearing of his death, Duke Ai is said to have lamented, ‘Kind Heaven had no pity on me and would not spare this grand old man. I am left alone in the world, full of grief and sorrow. Oh, Master, to whom shall I look for guidance now?’ Such an outburst of emotion was too little too late for Confucius’ followers.One comment: I wish the author could say a bit more on the subsequent impact of Confucius’ teaching on the Chinese mindset.

⭐A very informative look at a well known figure from history (in name at least) who remains a somewhat mysterious and beguiling character even today. Living in China during a time of great political and social turmoil, Confucius tried to bring about a moral code that harked back to a more peaceful and noble time in Chinese history. His “Way” aimed to guide society; specifically the common man and those in positions of power, along a path of humility, goodness, benevolence including greater observance of ritual and an increased value of learning and education. Whilst it is seen that he struggled to get his philosophy accepted during his life his legacy was and continues to be revered long after his passing. Meher MacArthur expertly brings together the many vague, contradicting and sometimes questionable facts on the life of Confucius into a satisfying biography of the great philosopher and gentleman scholar.

⭐Really loved it, easy to read and enlightened me on someone who I knew nothing about. What I loved was the approach by the author to mix history with his thought but in a way that was understandable.If you want in depth info about him then I guess their is lots of other books out there but if you want an introduction. Perfect.

⭐This book i have only read just recently and i have found it to be most enticing it is a brilliant read and it tells more of the man himself then his Analects. Great read

⭐Very good readingGives the background and a lot og answers to todays China.Recommended to all China fans who wants to know a little bit more

⭐A good introduction to the subject, the style of the writer is a little repetitive. An introduction to Confucius for the beginner

⭐perfect

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