The Great Learning was one chapter in the Classics of Rites one of the many writings on Confucianism. Scholars in the Northern Song Dynasty separated it from the Southern Song Dynasty and the Classics of Rites. The Confucian master Zhu Xi attempted to reorganize the work into The Four Books, along with The Analects of Confucius , The Doctrine of the Mean, and The Mencius. The Great Learning has from time immemorial a classic work on Confucianism as it expounds the process by which self-development or self-cultivation can be achieved (Nivison and Brayan 45). This self-cultivation brings about harmony in one’s life, thoughts, family, state and the universe as a whole.
The Great Learning comprises of mainly principles that dwell on mainly achieving balance and refining an individual’s morality, enough rest and reflection to promote an individual’s peace of mind. When one is calm and peaceful in mind, the Way will be revealed to them. Setting of goals in order to identify what is crucial in one's mission to achieve moral improvement, as it allows one to concentrate on that which is of the greatest significance and that which is in accordance with the Way in the Confucian teachings (Nivison and Brayan 53). Harmony in a person’s affairs and relations with others is another principle where if one desires to achieve order and tranquility in the state, he or she must first bring order into his own family and personal life through self-cultivation and the growth of one's comprehension and the inquiry of things. Another principle teaching is that every man is able to learn and self-cultivate despite his or her standing in the society. This means that accomplishment in knowledge is the outcome of the effort of the person as opposed to lack of ability to learn.
The principles put forward by these great Confucian teachings are philosophical. They are rational and inquisitive of our world. The Great Learning is more into viewing life in a broad-spectrum, life from an individualistic aspect, and the nature of relations between one and others and/or the natural surroundings. The teachings are not in any way a religious as they are not based on a Divine way that guides us right into beliefs. They seek answers and use intelligibility of concepts in making proclamations that portray apt understanding of universe, natural phenomena and humanity (Nivison and Brayan 189).
The applicability of The Great Learning principles is much evident and still upholds in our daily life. In the contemporary world, the Great Learning devises ways of dealing with the major societal predicaments. The Great Learning tries to cultivate individuals and rectify the hearts, which is primarily promoting moral well-being. The morality ensures discipline prevails and helps in identification of societal problems around one’s surroundings. This means that, for an individual to be cultivated with wisdom, he must be responsive to issues and open to changes (Nivison and Brayan 207). We live in an environment of social indifference where we ignore things around us. Individuals should strive to be concerned about happenings around them and chip in their efforts in making a better society if need be.
Setting of goals brings into focus how The Great Learning can enhance efficiency in individuals. According to Nivison and Brayan (211), the efficiency brings moral growth and proper usage of available resources with much rationalized consideration. Goals come with focus, perseverance and persistence that is key to one’s moral growth.
Harmony too, a key ingredient in the principles promotes cohesiveness between individuals, communities, the universe and the state machinery by putting forward amicable ways of conflict resolution and discontent. When we master all these teachings, we become equipped to address ultimate problems in our society that arise due to our inability to understand the strength in diversity and the beauty in oneness. Harmony and conducive living is crucial for individuals and states to achieve social, economic and political growth
The Confucius' Great Learning may have been written many centuries ago, but its applicability and usefulness in the modern times to decipher problems and predicaments still holds. It is amazing to note that it contains simple yet relevant teachings that are applicable and useful in one’s daily life. The Great learning takes further course of influencing people’s worldviews when they come to learn about Ramayana in India and China, as well. It is a good literature material as it uses relevant artistic expression of factual words based on reason.
Work Cited
Nivison, David, and Brayan Van Norden. The ways of Confucianism: investigations in Chinese
philosophy. Chicago: Open Court, 1996. Print.
