Yue lu Academy

Our sightseeing outing today was to visit the Yue Lu Academy. This was an academy for scholars who wanted to work in the imperial government. It was quite beautiful and interesting to learn more about China during the time of the Emperors. The photo above is of the Confucious Temple within the academy. The Chinese were staunch followers of Confucious and Dao (depending on the Emperor) until the Communist Revolution. Now most Chinese like Confucious again but they don't know much about his teachings because they've been schooled under the communists. Those in government only follow the communist teachings. Most have no religion at all but there are some Muslims and Christians. Our guide told us that her grandfather was in the Communist army and at the end of his life he gave up Communism and became a Christian. "Good for him" I blurted without thinking that perhaps that wasn't appropriate.
When the scholars attended this school they were taught to follow 4 important virtues. The first was loyalty, the second frugality, the third - the character above - was to honor your parents. They were taught to honor and take care of their parents the way their parents took care of them when they were small children. Since there was no social security or really anything for people to rely on for their support in their old age it was crucial for their children to help take care of them. The final virtue was independence - or independent thinking.
I include the above in honor of the upcoming Mother's Day. Everybody honor your parents -especially you Potter children. hee hee