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8 Brilliant Ways Emperor Kangxi Educated His Children and Nurtured Himself

Throughout his entire life, Khang Hy Huyen Diep has been dedicated to the pursuit of self-cultivation, family prosperity, national governance, and peace throughout the world. It can be said that he has poured his heart and soul into this endeavor, using all his passion and energy to make a difference.

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24 February, 2024

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In addition, he is also very concerned about family education, and his methods can be said to have achieved quite a bit.

Observing his children and grandchildren, from Ung Chinh to Can Long… as an emperor, we can see that they are all influenced to some extent by his family education ideas.

Khang Hy teaches and instructs the princes and princesses (Illustration)

Normally, when in the palace, Khang Hy often teaches and instructs the princes and princesses. When Ung Chinh ascended the throne, he often repeated Khang Hy’s teachings, and even compiled 246 sentences to create the “Code of Rhetoric”.

In this book, there are 8 great wisdoms that Khang Hy left behind, which are extremely useful in educating children or self-cultivation.

Having a good heart and doing good deeds brings the greatest peace and tranquility

When dealing with others, if one can have inner happiness and joy towards all things, then that is fortunate. Inner joy gives rise to good ideas, while inner anger gives rise to bad thoughts.

There is an ancient saying: “A person who thinks of doing good, even if they haven’t done it, the Good Spirit will bring them good luck. A person who thinks of doing evil, even if they haven’t done it, the Evil Spirit will follow them.”

The highest level a person can reach is “cautiousness”

The “Great Learning” and “Middle Doctrine” both teach people to be cautious when they are alone. Because that is the first step to becoming a sage. People say “do not invade the dark room”. This “dark room” has two meanings: one is the dark room of the family, and the other is the obscure place in the heart.

In the dark room, others cannot see one’s face, and in the heart’s obscurity, others cannot know. To be a noble person, one must strictly abide by this. Be cautious, cautious, single-minded, courteous without words, even if the room is illuminated, one should not feel ashamed. Be a true person and a true husband.

A wise person sees the world through the eyes of others

Khang Hy wanted to say that he had never dared to look down on others or call them foolish. Because everyone has their own knowledge.

He also often said to the courtiers that if they know something and see something, they can always perform it for him to know. If it is reasonable, he will be happy to listen and even reward them.

Do not treat non-work as work, and treat work as non-work

When there is no work happening, the state of mind should be as if work is about to happen, in order to prevent unexpected problems. That way, unintended events will not occur.

If an unexpected event occurs, if one achieves a calm and peaceful state of mind as if nothing happened, it will help handle the problem well, and even if the outcome is bad, it will disappear.

As the ancients said: “Be cautious in the mind, cautious as much as possible in action.” Face any situation with this mindset.

Self-restraint is necessary to improve the quality of life

“Moderate eating and drinking, strict adherence to daily practices, is a good way to prevent illness.”

Khang Hy also believed that one should live a disciplined life, not be greedy for food or sleep, and limit festive gatherings. Only in “daily life, moderate eating and drinking, appropriate hot and cold” can bring benefits to the body and longevity.

In fact, Khang Hy wanted to tell future generations about the importance of “self-restraint”. Self-restraint is the foundation of life. It not only helps improve the quality of life but also allows individuals to strengthen their resistance and avoid illness.

Recognizing mistakes and correcting them is an opportunity for growth

As human beings, who can avoid making mistakes? However, in present-day life, many of us make mistakes but do not want to admit that we are wrong. Of course, in reality, there are also people who are not like that.

During a conversation, this person suddenly forgets this teaching and blames and accuses others. However, once the incident is over, they will take the initiative to admit their mistakes and say, “This is my fault!“. It is also through this person’s actions that the other party feels moved and feels regret… In general, people who can admit their mistakes and bear the consequences are mostly people with high morals.

Being cautious will help bring stability to life

A person who looks at everything that is about to happen, whether big or small, must observe and study it carefully, so as not to bring trouble later on.

Being cautious is an indispensable quality of a person who achieves great things. Gia Cat Luong is cautious throughout his life, and Tang Guo Phien is cautious in words and deeds. Being cautious from beginning to end is what helps them overcome many challenges and become virtuous sages.

Enduring hardships brings blessings

Everyone in this world likes peace and detests suffering. However, in reality, a person must experience hardships in order to truly appreciate peace.

If a person only pursues peace without seeking progress, they will not understand what true peace is like. Such a person only needs to experience a little hardship and they will feel unbearable.

Frequently asked questions

Emperor Kangxi of China, who ruled from 1661 to 1722, is known for his progressive and innovative approach to education. He believed in a well-rounded education that went beyond academics, and focused on eight key areas to educate and nurture his children. These included moral education, physical education, intellectual pursuits, literary arts, military training, governance and leadership, cultural appreciation, and self-reflection.

Kangxi’s methods were hands-on and immersive. He encouraged his children to engage in physical activities like hunting and martial arts to stay fit and develop discipline. He also emphasized the importance of intellectual pursuits and literary arts, often inviting scholars and artists to the palace to teach his children. Military training and strategy were also a part of their education, as well as governance and leadership skills. The emperor also ensured his children appreciated culture and the arts, and practiced self-reflection through journaling and meditation.

Emperor Kangxi was a lifelong learner himself. He regularly engaged in intellectual debates with scholars and officials, and studied a wide range of subjects including history, philosophy, and the arts. He also practiced self-reflection, often evaluating his own actions and decisions, and learning from his mistakes. He believed in continuous self-improvement and set a strong example for his children to follow.

Kangxi’s approach to education was holistic and forward-thinking. He understood the importance of a diverse skill set and encouraged his children to explore a range of interests. By focusing on both academic and non-academic pursuits, he ensured his children developed into well-rounded individuals with strong leadership qualities. His emphasis on self-reflection and continuous learning is also valuable, teaching us the importance of self-awareness and personal growth.