The Meaning of Etiquette in China and Its Evolution (I)

(Minghui.org) Once celebrated as the “Country of Etiquette” due to its long and rich cultural heritage, China has undergone significant changes since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) assumed control in 1949. The esteemed title soon became a hollow phrase. Although many still take pride in their ancient civilization, few truly understand or can articulate the deeper significance of etiquette.

Etiquette is without a doubt the most important element in traditional Chinese culture.

From the earliest dynasties—Xia, Shang, and Zhou—through the final Qing dynasty, imperial rites and rituals have remained the most important state affairs for thousands of years, with military campaigns to protect its territory the next priority.

An old saying goes, “There is no etiquette grander than what’s used to show respect for Heaven, and no ceremonies more important than the imperial rites held in the suburbs to worship the divine.”

Heaven represents a broad concept of higher divine beings. Showing respect for Heaven played an important part in people’s lives in ancient China. The Temple of Heaven and the Temple of Earth in Beijing used to be the royal altars for the Qing emperors to worship and offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth. Every year the ceremonies were held and the emperors performed the rituals to communicate with the divine beings in Heaven and Earth, and pray for good weather and bountiful harvests.

The Temple of Heaven occupies an area of 273 hectares (675 acres). The Imperial Palace, one of the world’s largest palace complexes where the emperors lived, worked, and held court meetings, covers only 72 hectares (178 acres). When something dangerous or important arose, the emperor had to walk 10 km (6.25 mi) from the Palace to the Temple of Heaven to perform a rite and pay respect to Heaven.

Performing rites and showing respect for Heaven has long been considered one of the emperor’s most significant responsibilities. The existence of the Temple of Heaven highlights how much people in ancient China valued the ideas of “Heaven and man are one” and “respecting Heaven and following the guidance of ancestors.” Ancient Chinese people believed that Heaven was the creator of all things, with divine beings governing the universe. People, as part of the universe, must follow the “Heavenly Way” in everything they do. For thousands of years, from the emperors to commoners, they all respected and feared Heaven. They performed sacred rites to honor the divine and pray for its protection.

The ancient Chinese believed that Heaven was aware of every action a person took, hence the saying “Heaven sees a man as clearly as a reflection in a mirror,” “Heaven and Earth know every good and bad deed a man does.” As a result, people understood that one must be virtuous to align with the Heavenly Way.

The way of living described here happened so long ago that it is difficult for people now to grasp the extent to which ancient Chinese people revered Heaven.

The Twenty-four Histories is the most comprehensive collection of official records chronicling the dynasties of China. The stories document numerous discussions within imperial courts regarding disasters, floods and earthquakes. The discussions often ended with the emperors reflecting on whether their actions had provoked punishment from Heaven. The phrase “Listen to honest advice and avoid wrongful imprisonment” appears frequently throughout the collection.

The Draft History of the Qing Dynasty notes that soon after his enthronement, Emperor Jiaqing issued an edict seeking counsel from his officials. Hong Jiliang was a teacher for the young royalty. He wrote a long official letter detailing the wide corruption in state affairs. The heated wording offended the emperor, who then imprisoned and ordered the death penalty for Hong. However, the emperor later relented, commuting his punishment to exile in Yili, a remote region far from the central government.

In April of that year, a severe drought struck northern China. Despite the emperor and local officials performing rituals to beg for rain, none came. Even after the emperor provided food for those suffering the drought and pardoned prisoners, the drought persisted. Realizing he might have wronged Hong and angered Heaven, the emperor issued an edict to exonerate Hong. The moment he finished the final stroke, lightning flashed across the sky, thunder roared and heavy rain fell. The emperor sighed, “Heaven can see faster than I can breathe, which frightens me.”

Disasters that appeared during past dynasties, along with the way emperors responded to them, are frequently documented in Twenty-Four Histories. However, such historical events are seldom depicted in movies or on television under the CCP’s rule. This is due largely to the CCP’s promotion of atheism, which seeks to eliminate the longstanding belief in the Heavenly Way, and sever the ties between humanity and divinity.

The CCP systemically and subtly twisted and changed Chinese history with a goal to erase their cultural heritage. The following is a list of what the CCP did to destroy it.

1. From the material perspective, the CCP carried out “Smashing the Four Olds – old thinking, old culture, old customs, and old habits.” The Red Guards tore down the pictures and statues of Buddha and deities in the temples and in private residences. In ten years the divine culture in the Chinese civilization was destroyed beyond recognition.

2. On the spiritual level, the CCP brainwashed the people to believe that “there is endless fun in fighting Heaven, Earth, and people,” and initiated widespread class struggles.

3. In the CCP-controlled media, depictions of life in ancient China are mostly focused on wars, tribulations, and scheming in imperial courts, with little mention of peaceful or prosperous times.

4. The education system often promotes the dark side of humanity in history. The children in elementary school learn about the heroes Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, who led an uprising at the end of Qin Dynasty. Middle schoolers learn to denounce the feudal society through Lu Xun’s cynical views.

5. Cultural relics are promoted as scenic attractions. As a result, visitors have limited resources to understand the historical meaning and cultural significance of the relics.

After decades of reform in the Chinese society, the CCP has made China look nothing like a Country of Etiquette. In modern times, the Chinese people talk loudly in public and act vulgarly. The interaction between people is often about scheming against others.