In 1552 St. Francis Xavier traveled to China and initiated two centuries of Jesuit missionary work. Some of those missionaries returned to Europe, carrying information about someone called K’ung Fu-tzu, whom they called Confucius. K’ung Fu-tzu was originally named K’ung Ch’iu; he earned his reputation as master philosopher or wise man through decades of writing and teaching. (K’ung Fu implies any persistent hard work, not just that associated with martial arts)
Today, there are many Confucius institutes, including one at Xavier University of Louisiana, a historically black university. So, here’s what to think about: A European guy from the Iberian Peninsula goes off to India, China, and Japan in the sixteenth century and more than four centuries later descendants of Africans have the opportunity to study in the context of an oriental wise man’s philosophy. In many ways people really do transcend time and place. We are related by more than our DNA.
Unfortunately, some people can’t see either the physical or the intellectual connections that bind us. For them place is a separator.
Francis had no way of knowing that his introducing Jesuits into the Orient would, in turn, introduce Confucius to the West and ultimately bind people from disparate cultures and geographies. Maybe we, like him, might also carry an introduction of a way of thinking that could have a far and wide influence. Surely, there’s a wisdom that many of us believe could enhance the lives of our own and future generations.
If you find a wise guy in some unexpected place, don’t be hesitant to do a little introducing. True, you might never know how your introducing wisdom to others might positively change the world and unite people. Some persistent hard work at spreading wisdom, your own K’ung Fu, can alter lives you will never know.
Today, there are many Confucius institutes, including one at Xavier University of Louisiana, a historically black university. So, here’s what to think about: A European guy from the Iberian Peninsula goes off to India, China, and Japan in the sixteenth century and more than four centuries later descendants of Africans have the opportunity to study in the context of an oriental wise man’s philosophy. In many ways people really do transcend time and place. We are related by more than our DNA.
Unfortunately, some people can’t see either the physical or the intellectual connections that bind us. For them place is a separator.
Francis had no way of knowing that his introducing Jesuits into the Orient would, in turn, introduce Confucius to the West and ultimately bind people from disparate cultures and geographies. Maybe we, like him, might also carry an introduction of a way of thinking that could have a far and wide influence. Surely, there’s a wisdom that many of us believe could enhance the lives of our own and future generations.
If you find a wise guy in some unexpected place, don’t be hesitant to do a little introducing. True, you might never know how your introducing wisdom to others might positively change the world and unite people. Some persistent hard work at spreading wisdom, your own K’ung Fu, can alter lives you will never know.
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