志异 Draft by Drama box December 2014 (english) | Page 39

Rather, a better way of understanding rituals from a Confucian
context, would be to understand it as a kind of practice that
exemplifies certain ideals about human relationships. Perhaps
in a Western context, it is better known as social etiquette.
Nonetheless, Confucius was well aware of the power of such
social etiquettes. A hug expresses affection, a salute expresses
respect. A pat on the back expresses support. We learn and we
practise these ritual actions from our family and friends, in welldefined circumstances.

When these ritual actions are repeated and internalised, people
begin to intuitively know when to act and how to respond in
situations outside of such fixed scenarios. In this way, they would
be able to interact with diverse groups of people in ways that

Jonathan Sim

When people practise these ritual actions, they learn about
the meaning that they are supposed to communicate, and
understand the visual and bodily cues that accompany it. When
they see others acting in this way, they would know how to act
accordingly - when to give way, and when to take the lead. More
importantly, they are also aware of what is being communicated.

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Early Chinese Conceptions of Harmony

Confucius is a strong advocate of such a model of harmony. He
was of the firm belief that people should study rituals as a way of
moral education and self-transformation. Rituals should not be
understood merely as a series of religious actions.