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Pastoral Psychol (2012) 61:10371049 DOI 10.1007/s11089-012-0476-6
Biao Chen
Published online: 3 August 2012# Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012
Abstract All of us must personally face and experience death and loss. Death and loss are sad events in our lives. But people living in different cultures and religions all have their own methods of coping. Chinese Confucianism has its own system and has evolved a set of mourning and burial ceremonies which have common characteristics. These mourning and burial ceremonies emphasize filial piety and the use of rituals as effective methods of coping with death. These beliefs and practices have deep meaning for the psychology of religion. They provide comfort and stimulate people to reflect on and promote spirituality. Through these interactions between relatives and ritualized behavior, Chinese find effective methods of coping with death and loss in culture. The mourning and burial ceremonies of Confucianism give the participants a comprehensive religious experience and personality integration so that their spirituality can be cultivated.
Keywords Death . Loss . Confucianism . Ritual . Spirituality . Psychology of religion
We must all face death and loss. Although we do not understand why human beings die, we all know that people surely will, which makes us ask: Since human beings are destined to die, what meaning is there in life? How can we make life more meaningful? Why do we fear death? Why do we feel sad when we see our relatives and friends die? How do we finally accept the pain of loss?
From the perspective of psychology of religion, death and loss are not just natural phenomena. They are cultural phenomena connected with each individuals life. However, because of different life circumstances and experiences, there are some differences among interpretations provided by different cultures and religions. How does Chinese culture give meaning to death and loss? Chinese culture is full of very rich and complex traditions. Confucianism is considered by many to represent the core values of Chinese culture. How
B. Chen (*)
China Social Sciences Press, Beijing, China e-mail: [email protected]
B. Chene-mail: [email protected]
Coping With Death and Loss: Confucian Perspectives and the Use of Rituals
1038 Pastoral Psychol (2012) 61:10371049
does Confucianism understand and cope with death and loss? How do Chinese people grow spiritually when...