Ultimate Reality and Self-Cultivation in Early Confucianism: A Conceptual/Existential Approach

Abstract

“Self-cultivation” is the most commonly accepted English equivalent for the Chinese term xiushen修身, which covers the exercises including physical as well as psychological and spiritual levels. In the Confucian context, this self-cultivation has an undeniably strong moral sense (Ames 1985). However, this morality has also a metaphysical dimension that has frequently been overlooked by scholars. Therefore, in this chapter, I will attempt to illustrate this profound and often neglected dimension of classical Confucianism by a conceptual and existential analysis of its founder Confucius’ Analects. I will begin by discussing the Ultimate Reality as conceived in the Analects and proceed to discuss the three consummate virtues that Confucius expounded, namely, wisdom, benevolence, and courage. I will conclude the essay by highlighting the metaphysical basis of Confucian self-cultivation.