My Confucian Lent

君子成人之美

As a Christian, I observe Lent.

Instead of doing something easy like giving up chocolate or alcohol.

I am going to take something on rather than give something up.

This year I will observe it by trying to be a Junzi.

A Junzi is described many ways, but the most useful is “a person of virtue.”

A Junzi is a person who is noble by character, not by birth, wealth, or influence.

To be a Junzi, one must demonstrate—

Ren (benevolence),

 Yi (righteousness),

 Li (propriety),

Zhi (wisdom), and

 Xin (integrity).

A tall order, but I have forty days to work on it.

But the best part is the hope that being a Junzi brings out the best in people.

By considering the five virtues, I want to build on whatever virtues I may already have

To perfect these.I am starting with Ren,

Because kindness is a great start for anything.