How Emperor Kangxi Educated His Children

(Minghui.org) Throughout his life, Emperor Kangxi was diligent and prudent, and he worked hard to practice good governance. With outstanding wisdom and foresight, he ruled the Qing dynasty for 61 years, during which time he implemented benevolent policies and extended kindness far and wide. It was truly a period when people enjoyed peace and happiness and the country glowed with prosperity.

As the most accomplished monarch with excellent judgment in the late Chinese imperial system, Kangxi was also the most diligent when it came to educating his descendants. As a result, most of his sons and grandsons were talented in both literature and military affairs.

To continue Kangxi’s tradition of education, his son Yongzheng, who succeeded him as emperor, compiled Kangxi’s daily teachings into a book, Tingxun Motto, which gave later generations a glimpse into Kangxi’s integrity and the way he engaged in running the country and his household affairs. We can also see how meticulous he was when it came to educating his children.

Rectifying One’s Conduct

Kangxi attached great importance to the integrity of the behaviors of the princes and opposed parents over-pampering their children, saying that if a child was over-pampered, he would not only suffer eating disorders but would also be unable to withstand cold or heat and would end up being foolish when he grew up.

Kangxi himself refrained from smoking and drinking. He said, “This doesn’t mean that I don’t know how to smoke. In fact, when I was young, I smoked quite a bit at my foster mother’s house. Now that I forbid others to smoke, how can I smoke myself? That’s why I will never smoke again.”

He also said, “Originally, wine was used to worship gods, to provide for the elderly, to entertain guests, and to bring joy. Therefore, it is indispensable. However, to indulge in drinking with no self-restraint is absolutely forbidden.

“I can drink, but I won’t do so, because my refusing to drink is from my heart. Generally speaking, if you are addicted to alcohol, your mind will be confused or you will become ill. Drinking does not do a person any good. … Therefore, I am earnestly telling you, never indulge in drinking. Nothing does more harm to your health and your mind than excessive drinking,” Kangxi warned.

With regard to food and clothing, Kangxi said that one should “always be content [with what one already has].” He told his children, “Although I’m the emperor, my only requirement for clothes is that they look appropriate and fit me well; even though I rule vast lands, I only have the usual daily meals and only require one kind of meat at each meal, except when offering rewards.”

Kangxi always taught his children by example instead of talking empty theories.

He also warned his princes not to say bad words, because as soon as they did they would lose virtue. “Even if you say bad words casually, the damage is huge.”

Regarding the issue of appearance, Kangxi required his descendants “not to look back or squint as you are walking, standing, sitting, or lying down.” He went on to explain that the eyes are the window to one’s soul and that if one squints often, people would have the feeling that he is not decent and lacks integrity.

Kangxi taught his children in every detail and required them to act virtuously and with kindness. “Do not make fun of people with disabilities,” “Never stand under a big tree when there is heavy rain and thunder,” and “Keep yourself clean when you are away from home.”

Guiding Their Studies

Kangxi paid great attention to the academic studies of the princes. He personally selected teachers who were “mature and prudent,” “excellent in knowledge,” or who, even though not profoundly knowledgeable, were of fine character, no matter whether they were of Manchu or Han ethnicity. He also set aside a room on the southeast side of Qianqing Palace as a classroom so that he could inspect and supervise their studies easily.

He believed that “one must be taught to be good from an early age.” The princes had to get up before dawn and study until late at night. They had no days off and they studied a wide range of things, including calligraphy and painting, music, geometry, astronomy, riding and archery, swimming and firearms, etc. in addition to the Chinese classics.

Kangxi believed that children were naturally predisposed to learn, so he promoted early education, saying that when people were young, their minds were focused and sharp; when they grew up, their thoughts would be more scattered. He also pointed out that “The most important thing in studying is to understand the principles. Once they understand the principles, they will know what to do and be able to tell right from wrong and good from evil by themselves.”

Nowadays, schools in China under the control of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) are simply indoctrinating young minds with the Party culture, leaving the students incapable of independent thought. With no knowledge of traditional values as a foundation, the children tend to be self-centered and go to extremes, and they have lost the most basic ability to decide what is right from wrong and good from evil.

Kangxi pointed out the importance of studying ancient poems, the classics, and history, and advised his descendants not to read just any publications. “Young children must not be allowed to read novels, as such books are mostly aimless ramblings and offer nothing substantial. When people read them, they may take what they read as true, and those who are unruly even follow suit in their conduct.”

What he described is very similar to the situation today where children are addicted to comics, animation, video games, and so on.

Regarding the training of skills, Kangxi encouraged his descendants to be brave and diligent; “If one has an unwavering determination and is courageous and diligent, steadfast and unyielding, then how can he not be successful?”

Kangxi’s way of educating the young proved to be very successful. Counted among his descendants were not only such outstanding emperors as Yongzheng and Qianlong but also many artists, scientists, generals, and conscientious officials.

Cultivating One’s Mind

Kindness is most important for a human being. Kangxi believed that as long as one did good deeds, one would be protected by the Divine.

“To act with kindness is of utmost importance. Sages of the past have left us many sayings that urge people to be kind. The teachings of gods and Buddhas also focus on guiding people with kindness.

“If you can live by the five moral standards and devote yourself to doing good deeds, then the Divine will bless you and reward you with good fortune.”

Kangxi also advocated endurance: “There is nothing in the world that one cannot overcome. Endure it for a while, then you will feel it’s nothing.”

He demonstrated great endurance himself. For example, he would not use fans or take off his headwear even during the intense heat in June.

Kangxi taught the princes to monitor and rectify their thoughts at all times. He believed that “Any thought, however slight, is based either on heaven’s principles or human desires.” Therefore, they should “stifle bad thoughts at the very onset so that emotions will not confuse you.

“When you continually let go of bad and selfish thoughts and desires, your thoughts will align with the Dao. Only when the mind is not enslaved by the ears, eyes, mouth, and nose can you be at peace.”

Kangxi said, “It is only a matter of an instant between a bad and good thought. One will know if a thought is righteous instantly and be able to rectify what is not right. This way, one will not deviate too far from the Dao.”

Keeping Righteous Faith

Many people today worship gods and Buddhas to get blessings, to avoid disasters, to pass exams, to get rich, or to have a son, and so on.

But hundreds of years ago, Kangxi warned his descendants, “The reason we respect gods is not to seek good fortune or avoid misfortune, but to maintain our own sense of righteousness… Ever since I succeeded to the throne as a child, I have always been very sincere and faithful when offering sacrifices to gods and Buddhas.

“Everyone who has kind thoughts will be blessed by Heaven and rewarded with good. These days, people count strings of beads as they chant the Buddha’s name because they want to do good deeds. But if they do not eliminate evil thoughts, what is the use of counting prayer beads? Respecting gods and Buddhas must come from one’s very heart.”

Epilogue

Emperor Kangxi was a sage at heart and an emperor in public life. With his extraordinary wisdom and deep understanding of traditional culture, he started the education of his descendants at a young age, teaching them principles to rectify their minds, refining them with skills, and strengthening them physically. He personally used Chinese traditional ways of education, putting them into practice and integrating them with China’s divinely-inspired culture. The Tingxun Motto indeed offers some profound inspiration in reviving the principles of traditional education.