Beautiful aspects of filial piety

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Filial piety is an expression which everyone should know, yet it is not a common American phrase.  Many Americans are very likely to have never even heard of this phrase, though it conveys an universal theme.  But most importantly, in comparison to the Chinese culture, relatively few Americans thoroughly comprehend its true meaning and significance, and therefore do not live by such a philosophy.

So what is filial piety?  Perhaps our Chinese readers will recognize it better as (xiao shun).  Anyway, filial piety basically describes the correct way to act towards one's parents.  Filial piety consists of several factors; the main ideas include loving one's parents, being respectful, polite, considerate, loyal, helpful, dutiful, and obedient.

Well, the Chinese, along with most other Asian cultures, are quite familiar with this concept, and for centuries, have lived by it.   Confucius considered filial piety an imperative moral conduct.  To the Chinese, it is the central ideology, and moreover, provides the foundation for all other attitudes.  One famous Chinese saying asks that if one does not have piety towards one's own parents, then how can one be loyal towards one's friends, country, or any other? 


http://www.taoism.net/articles/xiao.htm

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a doting son taking care of his elderly mother...

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Filial piety in Korean culture. Grandson showing respect to his great- grandmother..

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Mano Po - an expression of Filial Piety in Philippine Culture

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