Five virtues: 1 definition

Introduction:

Five virtues means something in the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

India history and geography

Source: Google Books: The Crystal Mirror of Philosophical Systems (h)

The Five Virtues (in Confucian tradition) are known in Tibetan as ring lugs lnga and in Chinese as wuchang.—Accordingly, [while describing non-Buddhist Chinese traditions] [regarding the standpoint of the confucian system]: A brief explanation of the standpoint of the system known as Ru: Among the actual root texts of this school there is no explanation at all of the principles of samsara or nirvana, bondage and freedom, the designation of the six classes of beings, past and future lives, karma and its result, and so forth. [...] The principal subject matter of the five great texts are the wuchang (Five Virtues) and so forth.

They are:

  1. ren (humaneness),
  2. yi (righteousness),
  3. li (propriety),
  4. zhi (wisdom), and
  5. xin (trustworthiness).

Ren is gentleness of character; Yi is kindness or affection; Li is proper ritual behavior; Zhi is wisdom; and Xin is reliability. The four textbooks known as the sishu also elucidate them extensively. What noble worldly persons have said, that “One must hold those five as dear as life,” has become proverbial.

India history book cover
context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Discover the meaning of five virtues in the context of India history from relevant books on Exotic India

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