Hsiao as Root of Jen

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~What does Confucius mean by hsiao (filial piety)? Why does he consider it a root of jen?

~What are the different ways in which hsiao is expressed?

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The family is considered as the basic unit of the society. Within that family is a group of people who shares the same name, the same blood, and bond. Each member of the family plays a role that can be exclusive only to them depending on their position and the circumstances. As an example, in the Filipino sense, the mother takes on the role of the “ilaw ng tahanan” and the father as the “haligi ng tahanan”. As the superior members of the family fulfil their roles, as such, the children should also do so. 

Brians et al. (1999) described filial piety as the foremost responsibility of the Chinese people. While still young, the child must be obedient to his parents. He should also be respectful and caring. After  their death, the child must continue his service through ritual sacrifices and honour the family name through excellence in his career and social standing. As it is his responsibility, the child, having grown into a man, must continue the family line and provide sons that would become the next generation. If the wife is barren, he could either take a second wife or adopt. 

In the case of a woman-child, however, it is different. Filial piety, if having married into the man’s family, means that she should be obedient to her in-laws. It is her duty to provide her husband a son that will bear the family name. If she and her mother-in-law are not in good terms, the son must favour his mother and his duty would entail him to remove the wife from her position. He could always get a wife, but he would only have one mother (Brains et al., 1999). Being filial connotes that one is fit to be a son. He is devoted, loyal, and compliant as what a son should be towards his parents. 

Doctrine of the Mean, 19

“…Men of filial piety are those who skilfully carry out the wishes of their forefathers and skilfully carry forward their undertakings… To occupy place of their forefathers, to practice their rites, to perform their music, to reverence those whom they honoured, to love those who were dear to them, to serve the dead as they were served while alive, and to serve the departed as they were served while still with us: this is the height of filial piety.”

Comparable to the Doctrine of the Mean above is Analect 2:5 in which Confucius explained to Fan Ch’ih about what filial piety means. In the Master’s explained, li comes in. For him, li is the way to achieve jen. To be filial also means that one should adhere to the proprieties when it comes to dealing with the passage of life of one’s forefathers. Li, jen, and xiao works together and they can also be incorporated with one another.

Analect 12:2 [li and jen]

“Confucius said, ‘To master oneself and retune to propriety is humanity.’”

Analect 2:5 [li and xiao]

“When parents are alive, see them according to the rules of propriety. When they die, bury them according to the rules of propriety and sacrifice to them according to the rules of propriety.”

The Confucian tradition takes filial piety as fundamental and as the root of of all virtues. Filial piety is not only considered as way of life but it also establishes the ranking of the society (Zi, 2008).

Xiao Jing, 1

“Xiao is the foundation of virtue, and is what all teachings grow out of… The body, the hair, and skin, all have been received from the parents, and so one doesn’t dare damage them- that is the beginning of the xiao.”

“Establishing oneself, practicing the Way, spreading the fame of one’s name to prosperity, so that one’s parents become renowned- that is the end of xiao.”

Care and concern for one’s parents are also important in filial piety. “Never disobey,” was what Confucius told his disciple. If his parents are sick, the son should be worried (2:6). Analects 4:18 also heeds the son to treat his parents well. 

Analect 4:21

“Confucius said, ‘When his parents are alive, a son should not go far abroad; or if he does, he should let them know where he goes.” 

Analect 1:6

“Young men should be filial when at home and respectful to their elders when away from home…”

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