NINE COMMENTARIES ON THE COMMUNIST PARTY

The ‘Nine Commentaries’ is the book that is changing China. This award-winning “Epoch Times’
editorial discloses the true history and nature of the Chinese Communist Party. The ‘Epoch Times’
is proud to serialize the book. Below is the second part of commentary six.

Commentary 6: On How the Chinese Communist Party Destroyed Traditional Culture.

After the Qin Dynasty 9221-207 BC), China was often occupied by minority groups. This happened during the Sui (AD 581-618), Tang (AD 618-907), Yuan (AD 1271-1361) and Qing (AD 1644-1911) dynasties and at other times when the ethnic minorities established their own regimes. Nevertheless, almost all these ethnic groups were assimilated to the Chinese ways. This shows the great integrative power of traditional Chinese culture. As Confucius said, “(Thus) if the people from afar are not compliant, bring them around by cultivating (our) culture and virtue.”

Since attaining power in 1949, the CCP has devoted the nation’s resources to destroying China’s traditional culture. This ill intention did not come from the CCP’s zeal for industrialization, nor from simple foolishness in worshipping Western civilization. Rather, it came from the CCP’s inherent ideological opposition to traditional Chinese culture. Thus, the CCP’s destruction of Chinese culture has been planned, well organized, and systematic. It has been supported by the state’s use of violence. Since the CCP’s establishment, it has never stopped “revolutionizing” Chinese culture in the attempt to destroy its spirit completely.

Even more despicable than the CCP destruction of traditional culture is it intentional misuse and underhanded modification of traditional culture. The CCP has highlighted the vile parts from China’s history, that things occurred whenever people diverged from traditional values, such as internal strife for power within the royal family, the use of tactics and conspiracy, and the exercise of dictatorship and despotism. It has used these historical examples to help create the CCP’s own set of moral standards, ways of thinking, and system of discourse. In doing so, the CCP has given the false impression that the “Party culture” is actually a continuation of traditional Chinese culture. The CCP has even taken advantages of the aversion some people have for the Party culture to incite further abandonment of the authentic Chinese tradition.

The CCP’s destruction of traditional culture has brought disastrous consequences to China. Not only have people lost their moral bearings, they have also been forcibly indoctrinated with the CCP’s evil theories:

1.Why did the CCP want to sabotage Traditional culture?

The Long Tradition of Chinese Culture – Based on Faith and Venerating Virtue

The authentic culture of the Chinese nation started about 5,000 years ago with the legendary Emperor Huang, who is deemed to be the earliest ancestor of Chinese civilization. In fact, Emperor Huang was also credited with founding Taoism – which was also called the Huang-Lao (Lao Zi) school of thought. The profound influence of Taoism and Confucianism can be seen in such Confucian sayings as “Aspire to the Tao, align with virtue, abide by benevolence, and immerse yourself in the arts” and “If one hears the Tao in the morning, one can die without regret in the evening.” ‘The Book of Changes (I Ching)’, a record of heaven and earth, yin and yang, cosmic changes, social rise and decline, and the laws of human life, was regarded as “No.1 among all Chinese classics” by Confucians. The prophetic power of the book has far surpassed what modern science can conceive. In addition to Taoism and Confucianism, Buddhism – especially Zen Buddhism – has had a subtle yet profound influence on Chinese intellectuals.

Confucianism is the part of the traditional Chinese culture that focused on “entering the mundane world.” It emphasized family-based ethics, in which filial piety played an extremely important role, teaching that “al kindness starts with filial piety.” Confucius advocated benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom and faithfulness, but also said, “Aren’t filial piety and brotherly love the roots of benevolence?”

Family-based ethics can be naturally extended to guide social morality. Filial piety can be extend-ed to subordinates’ loyalty to the monarch. Confucius said, “It is seldom that a person with filial piety and brotherly love will be inclined to offend those above.” Brotherly love is the relationship among brothers, and can be further extended to righteousness and justice among friends. Confucians teach that in a family, a father should be kind, a son filial, and older brother friendly, and a younger brother respectful. Here, fatherly kindness can be further extended to benevolence of the monarch toward his subordinates. As long as the traditions of a family can be maintained, social morality can naturally be sustained. “Cultivate oneself, regulate one’s family, rightly govern one’s state and make the whole kingdom tranquil and happy.”