ching

ching Chinese term meaning ‘reverence’, ‘seriousness’, ‘attentiveness’, ‘composure’. In early texts, ching is the appropriate attitude toward spirits, one’s parents, and the ruler; it was originally interchangeable with another term, kung (respect). Among Neo-Confucians, these terms are distinguished: ching reserved for the inner state of mind and kung for its outer manifestations. This distinction was part of the Neo-Confucian response to the quietistic goal of meditative calm advocated by many Taoists and Buddhists. Neo-Confucians sought to maintain an imperturbable state of ‘reverential attentiveness’ not only in meditation but throughout all activity. This sense of ching is best understood as a Neo-Confucian appropriation of the Ch’an (Zen) ideal of yi-hsing san-mei (universal samadhi), prominent in texts such as the Platform Sutra. P.J.I.

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