Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s9.t2.13

v1.c7.s9.t2.13

In education, he upholds education for all people without discrimination as he said, “In teaching, I take disciples of all backgrounds without discrimination” (Duke Ling of Wei), and “I have never refused to teach any disciples who offered me 10 strips of dried meat”, which means such a gift presented shows sincerity of student’s willingness to learn. Confucius divides the human being into three categories according to their intelligent quote, ie acquiring knowledge which were “inborn”, “through learning” and “learning with clearer targets in difficulty”. Different teaching method to different students, therefor it needs the tailored-made approach of “teaching students in accordance of their aptitude”. He takes stock on an inductive teaching approach, considering the need of student in quest of problems, who, in this way, through tutor’s elicitation and illumination, could be fruitful in study. In Confucius’ own words, “I do not try to enlighten my disciples until they have tried hard but failed to understand something. I do not supply my disciples with any new vocabulary or put their ideas into words for them unless they have difficulty doing so” (I Transmit but Do not Create), To students, he laid stress on “Is it not a great pleasure to be able to practice frequently what you have learned?” (Is it not), and “he is able to acquire new idea through reviewing old knowledge” (He Who Rules the Country). The knowledge imparted from teacher could only be truly grasped through self-fermentation and digestion, and then it could have comprehension by analogy, so to speak, when hearing one thing, he could thereby know 10; therefore it is imperative to combine study with pondering, and in Confucius’ words, “Learning without reflection will end up in confusion; reflection without learning will end up in peril” (He Who Rules the Country). The learning attitude in a down-to-earth manner is indispensable, as he believes, “Say you know when you know, and say you don’t know when you don’t, that is true knowledge” (He Who Rules the Country). Regarding teacher, he attaches an importance on role model. In the eye of his disciples, Confucius lives up to the image of “never making groundless speculation, never claiming absolute certainty, never being inflexible and never being self-centered” (Master Seldom), ie never conjecture, never be subjectively assertive, never stubbornly stick to one side of the matter, and never consider oneself always right. He demonstrates the significance of teaching by example with his own words and deeds.