Confucius Lives Next Door - Book Report/Review Example

With reference to the observation made by Reid (1999), it can be viewed that a clear depiction about different principles and beliefs exists within the sphere of “Confucianism”. Therefore, the major purpose of this report is to briefly review of T. R. Reid’s book ‘Confucius Lives Next Door: What Leaving In The East Teaches Us About Living In the West’ through concisely unfolding the experience of Reid’s family concerning the Confucian ethos. Moreover, the report would also reveal the influence of Confucian ethos within the modern Japanese culture and identify the lesson which might contribute to a better social experience within the Western culture (Reid 29-66).

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF CONFUCIANISM AS PER REID’S EXPERIENCE The perception of ‘Confucianism’ can be duly considered as one of the widely accepted religions in the East Asian region. The concept can be termed as a religious belief which tends to incorporate adequate measures of ethical and philosophical method that has been cultivated by the teaching of the past Chinese sage ‘Confucius’. At the time when various religions seek to merge the gap between God and human being, the aspect of “Confucianism” tends to find the actual path of accomplishing peace and coherence.

According to the observation of Reid, the fundamental principles of “Confucianism” generally involve humanism and broadly incorporate the principles concerning that human belief and perceptions are teachable as well as improvable by emphasizing different communal endeavors. In this regard, the continuous practice of self-cultivating and self-creating plays a decisive part for each individual to improve his/her innate capability. The beliefs and thoughts within the facet of “Confucianism” significantly focus on the refinement of individual virtue and maintenance of human ethical conducts.

According to Reid, a few of the major “Confucianism” ethos and practices involve ‘Ren’, ‘yi’ and ‘li’ which represents the concept of ‘altruism’ along with clear depiction of the humanness for other individuals (Reid 29-66). THE INFLUENCE OF CONFUCIANISM IN THE JAPANESE CULTURE In relation to the observation made by Reid, the concept of “Confucianism” is often observed as one of the major Chinese religions alongside Taoism as well as Buddhism. The religion has been emerged in the Japanese culture during the period of 285 AD.

A few of the major principles of this religion such as humanity, morality, trustworthiness along with the consideration of developing an individual have been widely witnessed to provide significant influence within the Japanese culture (Reid 67-90). The principles and beliefs within the facet of “Confucianism” had played an imperative part particularly for Japan which eventually strengthened its political philosophies as well as ethical code of conducts by a considerable level. In relation to the political phenomenon, the notion of “Confucianism” had played an essential role for the Japanese culture in terms of developing morality along with increasing individual potentials of achieving their desired goals and objectives.

Moreover, the religion had also been widely observed to create significant loyalty among the Japanese communities through increasing the amount of self-awareness and humanness while dealing with other individuals. The principles and policies underneath “Confucianism” play a new role in addressing modern philosophy to religion, humanities, science as well as aspects of social science within a huge figure of Japanese individuals. Moreover, the principle of continuous cultivation and improvement of individual