Love is everything in the teachings of Confucianism, too.

 In a post from a while back, I touched upon a passage from the *Analects* stating that the essence of Confucian teaching lies solely in *chūjo* (loyalty and reciprocity), and I wrote that this *chūjo* might actually be love; Ito Jinsai has provided an answer to that idea.

"Among all virtues, *Ren* (benevolence/humaneness) is the greatest. Yet, if one were to sum it up in a single word, it is love itself."


"When an action stems from love, it is genuine; when it does not, it is merely a sham. Thus, the *kunshi* (a person of virtue) cherishes a heart of compassion above all else and deeply laments any trace of cruelty or heartlessness."


"When a heart of compassion permeates and suffuses everything, leaving no room for cruelty or callousness—that is what we call *Ren*."


"It exists in every fleeting moment and remains active even while one sleeps; love is ever-present in the heart, filling it completely until heart and love become one—this is *Ren*. Therefore, in the realm of virtue, loving others is paramount; there is no greater evil than harming the human heart."


"Ultimately, *Ren* comes down to love."


These are the words of Jinsai.


This makes it clear that love is the essence of Confucianism.


Christianity, too, is all about love.


China, with its Confucian heritage, and the United States, with its deep Christian roots, are currently vying for global supremacy—but surely, they can come to understand one another. If only the love within people's hearts could overflow and envelop the entire world.


Guided by love and compassion


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