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S. Zhao
rare plants from various places, many of which the Shandong people cannot name
through generations.” A prominent example was the Pistacia chinensis personally
planted by Zi Gong, which has been taken as the model for protecting nature and
respecting teacher even though only a stump is left today. General Secretary Xi
Jinping pointed out, “afforestation is an important way to realize blue sky, green
land and lucid water. It is the most inclusive livelihood campaign.” “In comparison
with our goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respect and with the
people’s aspiration for a beautiful ecological environment, we still have a lot to do on
ecological progress and environmental deterioration remains serious. The shortage
of forests and greening is a pressing issue that has to be addressed.” “Afforestation
by one generation will benefit many generations to come. Let’s roll up our sleeves
and carry on this cause year after year, generation after generation.” Mr. Liang Xi,
who has dedicated his life to China’s forestry development, dreams of a day when
“every mountain is green, all rivers and lakes are clean, flowers are blooming all
year long and birds are singing in every valley” across the country. Having given
top priority to afforestation since its founding China has planted and preserved the
largest volume of artificial forests worldwide, a perfect illustration of the Chinese
genes of “planting trees for human benefits.”
Self-restraint is not only an important aspect of Confucianism, but also Confucius’ norm on human protection of nature. At present, we are faced with tremendous
ecological and environmental pressure with tightening resource limitations, which
is all the more reason why we should exercise restraint and save resources. Confucius’ remark that “the whole world will call you benevolent when one day you can
restrain yourself and do everything according to rite” highlights the necessity for man
to restrain themselves, an ability also demonstrated in the fact that Confucius “only
fishes but never nets; only shoots flying birds in the day but never resting ones at night
as they may be breeding babies.” As General Secretary Xi Jinping noted, “successful
ecological and environmental protection eventually depends on economic structure
and development mode.” “We cannot take the old American or European path in
building a modern country; that way several more earths wouldn’t provide enough
resources to meet our consumption.” “Resource conservation is the fundamental environmental policy. Most environmental damages are caused by excessive exploitation
and extensive use of resources. There won’t be any fish left if we drain the pond for
fish.” That’s the underlying principle for ecological progress in contemporary times.
4 People-Centered Ecological Education
Ecological progress is both a goal and a process, especially the process of people
receiving ecological and cultural education. Confucius had about 3,000 disciples, but
only 72 turned out sages. It is said that Confucius liked reading and teaching under
the gingko tree, so his descendants called the place “gingko rostrum.” In front of
the ritual hall of the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, a male and a female gingko trees
planted in the Song Dynasty are still standing tall in memory of the ancient teacher,
S. Zhao
rare plants from various places, many of which the Shandong people cannot name
through generations.” A prominent example was the Pistacia chinensis personally
planted by Zi Gong, which has been taken as the model for protecting nature and
respecting teacher even though only a stump is left today. General Secretary Xi
Jinping pointed out, “afforestation is an important way to realize blue sky, green
land and lucid water. It is the most inclusive livelihood campaign.” “In comparison
with our goal of building a moderately prosperous society in all respect and with the
people’s aspiration for a beautiful ecological environment, we still have a lot to do on
ecological progress and environmental deterioration remains serious. The shortage
of forests and greening is a pressing issue that has to be addressed.” “Afforestation
by one generation will benefit many generations to come. Let’s roll up our sleeves
and carry on this cause year after year, generation after generation.” Mr. Liang Xi,
who has dedicated his life to China’s forestry development, dreams of a day when
“every mountain is green, all rivers and lakes are clean, flowers are blooming all
year long and birds are singing in every valley” across the country. Having given
top priority to afforestation since its founding China has planted and preserved the
largest volume of artificial forests worldwide, a perfect illustration of the Chinese
genes of “planting trees for human benefits.”
Self-restraint is not only an important aspect of Confucianism, but also Confucius’ norm on human protection of nature. At present, we are faced with tremendous
ecological and environmental pressure with tightening resource limitations, which
is all the more reason why we should exercise restraint and save resources. Confucius’ remark that “the whole world will call you benevolent when one day you can
restrain yourself and do everything according to rite” highlights the necessity for man
to restrain themselves, an ability also demonstrated in the fact that Confucius “only
fishes but never nets; only shoots flying birds in the day but never resting ones at night
as they may be breeding babies.” As General Secretary Xi Jinping noted, “successful
ecological and environmental protection eventually depends on economic structure
and development mode.” “We cannot take the old American or European path in
building a modern country; that way several more earths wouldn’t provide enough
resources to meet our consumption.” “Resource conservation is the fundamental environmental policy. Most environmental damages are caused by excessive exploitation
and extensive use of resources. There won’t be any fish left if we drain the pond for
fish.” That’s the underlying principle for ecological progress in contemporary times.
4 People-Centered Ecological Education
Ecological progress is both a goal and a process, especially the process of people
receiving ecological and cultural education. Confucius had about 3,000 disciples, but
only 72 turned out sages. It is said that Confucius liked reading and teaching under
the gingko tree, so his descendants called the place “gingko rostrum.” In front of
the ritual hall of the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, a male and a female gingko trees
planted in the Song Dynasty are still standing tall in memory of the ancient teacher,