The Camaldolese Institute
for East-West Dialogue

Benedictine Humility and Confucian Sincerity

by Donald Corcoran, OSB Cam

Though humility is so central to Benedictine; spirituality, for the contemporary mind it is often a great stumbling block. We are suspicious of a psychologically unsound self-deprecation. Negatively influenced Western Christian spirituality of recent centuries has made humility difficult to understand, appreciate or practice. 

The Confucian concept of ch'eng (sincerity) offers, a deep ontological understanding of the reverent opening of the heart which constitutes true humility. Set in a consideration of the general correspondence between Benedictine and Confucian practice and spiritual culture, I suggest that an understanding of ch’eng will help western monastics to deepen their understanding of humility and surpass an individualistic and moral emphasis.

The Confucian spiritual universe 'educates" the heart/mind in inner work, rectification which leads to a realignment with both heaven and earth. Self-cultivation (the Confucian word for spirituality) leads to harmony, integration with all levels of being. The Chinese classics The Tao Te Ching and The Doctrine of the Mean are two superb spiritual companions to Benedict's chapter on humility.