The Boundary Between Harmony and Conformity
A high kick to a society that feels the pressure to conform.
I want to say that while harmony may be necessary, conformity is something else entirely.
One of the great achievements attributed to Prince Shotoku, whose very existence is now in question, is the enactment of the Seventeen-Article Constitution. Well, to be precise, while there are records that Prince Shotoku, or Prince Umayado, did exist, it seems unlikely that he was involved in all the achievements attributed to him... That is to say, I imagine the reality is that he was elevated to a legendary status after his death.
The beginning of the Seventeen-Article Constitution states that "harmony is to be valued," emphasizing that harmony is indeed important. This is interpreted as being based on the Analects of Confucius, and it feels like a concept rooted in the cultural background of Japan to this day.
However, before we knew it, the meaning of "harmony" was misinterpreted, and it seems to me that it is being used in ways that are convenient for those in power and the majority.
Ignoring minorities to affirm the majority, treating the emergence of different opinions as evil within the pressure of unanimity—it feels like the pitch-black mud flowing at the foundation of Japanese society, where every meeting has become a mere formality and a waste of time.
Harmony is necessary in an organization, but conformity is not.
There is also a passage in the Analects that says something like this.
The Master said, 'The noble person seeks harmony but not conformity; the petty person seeks conformity but not harmony.'
The noble person seeks harmony but not conformity; the petty person seeks conformity but not harmony.
I interpret harmony as concord and conformity as mere compliance. In other words, blindly following others is the height of foolishness; it is important to have your own firm opinion, not to conform to others, but to engage in discussion aimed at harmony. This is the importance being taught.
Confucius's philosophy was compiled as the "Analects" by his disciples, but in later years, differences in interpretation arose, and it was used by those in power as the notorious ideology of Confucianism. Absolute hierarchical relationships did not exist in Confucius's teachings; ideas like seniority or that children should obey their parents are very much later additions.
Even if we are not involved in the politics of the country, there is a saying that we who live in human relationships should always keep in mind.
The Master said, 'If one's own conduct is correct, things will get done without orders; if one's own conduct is not correct, they will not be obeyed even if orders are given.'
To translate it freely, 'If you are doing things right, people will move without you having to say anything, but if you are not, people won't move even if you give orders.' That is what it means.
I think this applies to work, family, and child-rearing as well.
Decide your own way of being for yourself. If you have a firm will there, you will be able to navigate this extremely confusing world.
It is said that the rulers of the time did not place Confucius at the center of politics because his philosophy was idealistic and did not align with reality. However, his philosophy is too precious to be discarded as mere fantasy.
In this life, where the probability of meeting someone you can call a mentor is extremely low, it is fine to have time to pursue contemplation by relying on the remnants of thoughts that existed in the past. Thinking this, I turn the pages of the "Analects" again today.
Are you asking if it's okay to read the Analects while at work?
Yes, there is no need to conform to those around you.
Since culture is also necessary to provide good medical care, this is a part of self-improvement!
Thank you very much for staying with my humble writing until the end. I hope that your life and the lives of your loved ones will continue safely even in this chaotic society, and that you will be able to accumulate small happinesses.
#ThingsWeCanDoForTheFuture #DecipheringAndSharingAncientDocuments
#RecommendedReading #TheAnalects
#FallingDownTheRabbitHoleNote #Confucius #MyOshiIsConfucius
#IThinkConfuciusWasProbablyALittleBadAtSpeaking
#FineWordsAndAnInsinuatingAppearanceAreSeldomAssociatedWithTrueVirtue #FirmnessResoluteEnduranceSimplicityAndSilence #SpeakCautiouslyAndActPromptly
#TheTheoryThatConfuciusWasBadAtSpeakingBecauseHeWouldSayThingsLikeThis
#IfConfuciusHadFineWordsAndAnInsinuatingAppearanceIThinkHeWouldHaveEasilyBecomeAPolitician #ButThatIsWhyConfuciusIsCute
#Essay #Doctor #KampoDoctor #LearningFromClassics
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