The Self in Western and Eastern Thoughts

Different cultures and varying environment tends to create different perceptions of the self
and one of the most common distinction between cultures and people is the western and eastern
dichotomy. Eastern represents Asia and western represents Europe and Northern America.

There are lots odf choices that you can analyze the perspective of each culture about the
concept of self . You can see it in their literature, artworks, dances, and even clothing may show
clues about self. Let us look in the religious beliefs and political philosophies that greatly influenced
the mindset of each nation and culture, since almost all theories about the self were discussed came
from western scientific research, let us now highlight the eastern thoughts.

First is Confucianism – (Tu Wei Ming) an Ethicist and a New Confucian. Confucianism is also
known as ruism, is described as tradition, philosophy, religion and a humanistic or rationalistic
religion, or simply a way of life. It can be seen as an ethical code of conduct , of how one should
properly act according to their relationship with other people , it is also focused on having
harmonious social life. The identity and the self concept of the individual is interwoven with the
identity and status of his community or culture, sharing its pride as well as its failures.

Confucianism is a system of virtue, ethics which focuses on the question of what is a good
person is and how a good person is developed. It emphasizes on education as a means of self-
cultivation, a pre-condition for harmonizing human relations. Self-cultivation is seen as the ultimate
purpose of life. The cultivated self in Confucianism is called “subdued self” wherein personal needs
are repressed for the good of the many for the purpose of maintaining order and balance in society.

The two aspects of the self:

1. The self as a center of relationships
2. The self as a dynamic process of spiritual development.

The goal of one’s existence is to seek the virtue of humanity and eventually to become sage.
Significant aspect of Confucian thought is the contextualized self. Selfhood as creative
transformation , it broadens to embody an ever expanding circle of human relatedness.

The second is Buddhism. The word comes from “budhi” meaning “awaken”. To many Buddhism
goes beyond religion and more of a philosophy or way of life. Buddhist path can be summed up as:

1. To lead a moral life

2. To be mindful of thoughts and actions
3. To develop wisdom and understanding

Buddhism is a teaching based on Siddhartha Gautama or Buddha (“awakened one”) was

himself awakened or enlightened at the age of 35.

Annata – “no self”, a central doctrine of Buddhism. The core of all human beings, no eternal,
essential and something called soul. The concept of self is an illusion. It is seen as an illusion born
out of ignorance trying to control things on human-centered needs. All things are not
permanent.
 But there are 5 aspects of self:
1. Physical manifestation
2. Sensation
3. Conceptualization
4. Disposition to act
5. Consciousness

Atman in Buddhism is the concept of “self or soul”. The rejection of a permanent, self existent
soul. The prime consequence of ignorance---the cause of all misery and sufferings.

Nirvana – according to Buddhism , is a complex state of being in which a person escapes the
sufferings of the world and realizes his oneness with the universe. The word means “blowing out”.
The final goal of Buddhism is Nirvana, when the quenching of all desires are complete and the
person is transformed to another state.

8 paths to Nirvana (freedom from” attachments”) the common term used to describe the goal
of Buddhism or Buddhist path.

1. Right to view – cognitive aspect of wisdom

2. Right intention – correct understanding
3. Right speech – recognition of truth
4. Right action – right to take ethical approach in life
5. Right livelihood – do not harm
6. Right effort – cultivate enthuasiasm
7. Right mindfulness – being aware and focused
8. Right concentration select worthy directions

The third philosophy is Taoism. Lao-Tse , the founder of Taoism . One of the greatest and oldest
philosophies of China. It is more than just a philosophy or a religion , it should be understood as
being a system of beliefs, attitudes, practices set towards the service and living to a person’s nature.
Taoism is living in the way of the Tao or universe. The Tao is a system of guidance.

Phrases that can describe Tao:

 A way or a path
 To live living with goodness, serenity and respect
 Believed that a person’s action should be influenced by instinct and conscience
 The Yin-Yang – 2 opposite yet complimentary forces whose constant movement as they
flow around each other seeking balance and harmony.
Yin (dark side/ women’s side) passive , accepting force in the universe
Yang (light side/ men’s side) dynamic active force as the movement in constant counter
balance.
 Chi or Qi – cosmic vital energy that enables being to survive and links them to universe as
a whole.

Aspects of Taoism
 Inner Nature – things as they are, knowing where you belong; everything has its own
place and function.
 Simplicity - things in their original, simplicity contain their own natural power, power
that is easily spoiled and lost when it changed.