Sukihotu,
Even though I'm of a Chinese descendant but I know very little about our culture. I was educated in a National school. Taught and read in English and Bahasa Malaysia. Can't read nor write Chinese. Played cricket and watch rugby. Not sure what's going on around me, except to follow what others do at home, work or play.
But after reading Hutson Smith's book, The World's Religion, it has given me a glimpse of where my culture came from. It has alot to do with Confucianism and Taoism.
If there is one name with which Chinese culture has been associated it is Confucius -Kung Fu-tzu or Kung the Master. Chinese reverently speak of him as the first teacher - not that there were no teacher before his time, but because he stands first in rank. No one claims that he crafted Chinese culture singlehandedly, and he himself played down his originality by claiming no more than "a lover of the ancient". This designation, however, gives him less than his due: it stands as an example of modesty and reticence he advocated. For though Confucius did not author Chinese culture, he was its supreme editor. Winnowing the past, underscoring here, playing down or discarding there, reordering and annotating throughout, he brought his culture to a focus that has remained remarkably distinct for twenty five centuries.
Mettacittena
Bugs Tan
4th Sept 2011
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