Editor's Note: The 10th Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, which is being held in Qufu, Shandong province, the hometown of Confucius, from July 10 to 11, aims to promote traditional Chinese culture and strengthen international cultural exchanges and cooperation. China Daily is inviting experts and scholars in related fields to share their insights into Confucianism, traditional Chinese culture and the dialogue among different civilizations.

Fang Xudong, professor of philosophy at East China Normal University, doctoral supervisor, and director of the Institute of Inter-Civilizations. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Q: Why do you think Confucianism is popular in China and even in the world?

A: I haven't conducted a survey myself, so I'm not sure how popular Confucianism is in China and around the world. If Confucianism is very popular in China and around the world, I think there are several reasons for this. First, Confucianism advocates "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself", which may not have as strong a sense of initiative as "Do what you want done to yourself and then do it to others". In other words, it may not be as aggressive. In fact, Confucianism also says that "one should go to study but not teach others". In this sense, Confucianism does not create a sense of psychological coercion and appears more approachable.

Second, the core of Confucian ethics is about love for those who are inferior to you, allowing people to show more care for those who are closer to them based on their own nature, without requiring them to pursue impartial justice. In a sense, people may naturally be Confucian, while becoming a Christian or Buddhist is a result of continuous cultivation and improvement.

Third, compared to religions in the monotheistic sense, Confucianism is not as "pure" in terms of belief. Many Confucians in ancient China often combined Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism in their lives. And even after Catholicism entered China, there were Confucian scholars who actually believed in it. Similarly, some Muslim scholars are called Hui-Confucians. Confucianism it seems can be combined with various cultures and religions around the world. To become a Confucian, you don't need to "convert". As long as you are filial to your parents, respectful to elders, and loving to young people at home, have a strong sense of duty and are concerned about others in society, you can be considered a Confucian.

Q: What is your favorite famous saying from The Analects and how do you understand it?

A: The Analects contains numerous profound chapters that evoke deep admiration. If I had to select a favorite, it would be the chapter "Eating humble fare and drinking water, resting on my bent arms, happiness lies within. Wealth and honor, if acquired unjustly, are but floating clouds to me". This chapter speaks to Confucius' understanding of happiness. Later, the Song and Ming Neo-Confucian scholars merged it with Yan Hui's concept of happiness, coining it "The Joy of Confucius and Yan Hui". Grasping the "Joy of Confucius and Yan Hui" represents a scholarly pursuit for the Neo-Confucianists of the Song and Ming dynasties.

Wealth and honor are desires of mankind, yet Confucius did not utterly reject them. The crux lies in his refusal to accept them if they come at an unjust cost. He was willing to forgo such wealth and honor. This demonstrates that Confucius esteemed "righteousness" above "wealth and honor".

What constitutes "righteousness"? It's hard to articulate in just a few words. Simply put, "righteousness" is the moral principles one should uphold. For instance, not betraying friends is one such principle. Wealth and honor are undoubtedly alluring temptations, and resisting them is no easy feat. Those who can do so possess remarkable inner strength. Such individuals are the true exemplars of manhood (or true men in Mencian words).

In our materially abundant and convenient society, humanity seems ensnared in materialism, overly reliant on goods, particularly those that are reproduced. Recalling the teachings of Confucius and Yan Hui on simple pleasures, "Eating humble food and drinking water, resting on bent arms, happiness lies within", may inspire a conscious detachment from material possessions and a reclamation of spiritual freedom.

Q: In contemporary society, how can Confucian culture engage in dialogue and exchanges with other cultures and values to promote cross-cultural understanding and harmonious coexistence?

A: The foremost figures of Confucian culture, such as Confucius and Mencius, were cosmopolitan wanderers who traveled extensively to spread their cultural ideals. The Analects records that Confucius once contemplated relocating to an area inhabited by the Jiuyi (i.e., ethnic minorities), and he also expressed a willingness to "float on seas with a boat if the Way cannot be realized on the mainland". All these indicate that Confucianism has never confined itself to a single region, transcending mere local knowledge.

Today, Confucian culture must actively "go global" while also opening its doors to diverse cultures and civilizations and embracing their contributions. Authentic Confucianism embraces exchange. Historically, Confucianism was greatly enriched by foreign cultures. Furthermore, Confucian culture, with its inherent appeal, has been embraced across East Asia. Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Ryukyu have all actively sought to learn from Confucian culture in China, making it a pivotal part of their cultural heritage.

Civilizations flourish through exchanges and are enriched by mutual learning. In dialogues and exchanges with other cultures and values, Confucianism steadfastly upholds the principles of equal respect and unity in diversity, tolerating and valuing differences without insisting on uniformity. Whether in music or cuisine, "harmony" signifies the aesthetic of polyphony resulting from the integration of diverse elements.

Q: What do you think is the significance of holding the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations?

A: The Nishan Forum plays a pivotal role in fostering understanding and exchanges among diverse civilizations, thereby contributing to global peace and stability. Nishan is the birthplace of Confucius, the pioneer of Confucian culture. As previously mentioned, Confucius was a global thinker. Though born in Lu, he did not confine himself to this region but traveled extensively to promote his Confucian ideals, without hesitation even in the face of wandering.

Hosting the Nishan Forum in Qufu serves as a fitting tribute to Confucius, the torchbearer of Confucianism. Should Confucius have witnessed distinguished guests from various parts of the world, of diverse colors, languages, and beliefs, gathering at Nishan, he would have joyfully composed the ancient melody "A herd of deer is happily mooing, eating felon herb in the field. I have honored guests, and I will play the zither and flute to entertain them".