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Professor An-Wu Lin
Professor Lin was born in Taichung, Taiwan. He is the first Ph.D. in Taiwan, a famous philosopher and religious
scientist. Professor Lin, served as Professor and Director of the General Education Center of Tsinghua University in
Taiwan, Professor of National Taiwan Normal University, Director of the Institute of Religion and Humanities of Tzu
Chi University, Professor of the Institute of Religion and Humanities of Tzu Chi University, Dean of Yuanheng
Academy of Classical Learning, Taiwan, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Tzu Chi University
of Taiwan, Distinguished Overseas Visiting Scholar of the Center for Collaborative Innovation of Confucian
Civilization of Shandong University and Visiting Professor of the Institute of Confucian Studies, and Distinguished
Professor of Yi Studies and Chinese Ancient Philosophy Research Center of Shandong University.

A Culture of Filial Piety Brings

Harmony and Stability in Society

Hello friends, I am very happy to be able This is also emphasized in The Mencius:
to participate in this great event. I “The humane attends the parents; the
believe that filial piety does not just righteous respects the elders.” this

belong to the eastern culture, it is part means to respect and seek after the
of human culture. It is just that eastern source of life, to nurture a real essential

culture particularly highlights filial human concern we have. Fraternity,
piety. Confucius’ analects states that: respect for the elders, is in actuality the
filial and fraternal devotion is the root nurturing of ourselves. The righteousness

of being human. we speak of when we talk about humane
righteousness is the appropriate
Filiality seeks to trace and honour the
principle that informs the political
source of life; it is a vertical pursuit.
social community. Here, to be humane
Fraternity is the horizontal dissemination
is the fundamental overall principle,
and connection of that which comes
and this humanity needs to be raised
from the source of life. Benevolence is
through filiality. This is very important.
the horizontal spread and development
of the source of life. I often say that If one can have such a pursuit in life,
filiality, fraternity and benevolence are then that life has something to stand

part of our entire global chinese and on. It is a life of respect. A person of
eastern civilization, including Japan, noble character respects three things:

Korea and Vietnam. We can even further heaven’s will, great people, and the
expand these as the most important and words of the saints. Such a life is
basic creed, the fundamental ethical connected with heaven and earth, with

purpose of human civilization. the saints. Life is the glory of being

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