УДК 378

Cai Ming

CONFUCIUS'S IDEAS ON HEALTH-ORIENTED ADULT EDUCATION

Abstract. Hygiene was an integral attribute of the educational process in Ancient China. Cleaning the classroom, serving the teacher, keeping the workplace, their clothes and body clean were necessary for students. Thus, the sage who wrote “Guan Zi” believed that harmony strengthens a person’s physical and mental health, and not discord and chaos. The main idea of “Guan Tzu” is that a healthy lifestyle and moderate nutrition will preserve your health and lead to longevity. So, since ancient times, Chinese civilization has cultivated the basics of health conservation, which later became the pillars of the health conservation rules to which we are accustomed now. In matters of health care, it is necessary to pay great attention to the teachings of the most famous ancient Chinese thinker Confucius

A look at this problem will be of interest to specialists in additional education, higher education teachers, social work specialists, psychologists and educators.

Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC) paid great attention to food; the thinker believed that food is the support of the state and it is as important as the state army and the trust of the country’s residents: «足食，足兵，民信之矣» [1, p. 34]. When people are hungry, they rebel, so food in sufficient quantities can not only pacify the people, but make them favorable towards the state, healthy and capable of working for the good of the country .

Growing or purchasing, preserving and preparing food took longer in ancient times than it does today, so Confucius pointed to a more careful attitude towards food. «食不厭精，膾不厭細» – wrote Confucius. This means that food may never be perfectly clean and meat may never be cut too thin. This statement carries the following meaning: cleanliness goes hand in hand with health. At a time when there were no special devices for thinly slicing meat, the cook learned how to masterfully thinly slice meat. Thinly sliced meat not only helped save money, but also looked aesthetically beautiful, and it was also a guarantee that it was fully fried, boiled or stewed, which reduced the risk of getting sick from half-cooked meat. Thin meat was also easier to eat, which was definitely better for teeth and digestion.

«食不言，寢不語» – Confucius wrote, this is a kind of “Don’t talk at the table.” This recommendation has been known since ancient times not only in China, but also in other countries, including Belarus, and has not lost its relevance today. It's not just a matter of etiquette, Confucius pointed out that talking while eating food is harmful to digestion. You can also choke on food if you talk during lunch. You must first chew and swallow your food thoroughly before speaking.

In general, ancient Chinese thinkers maintained harmony in everything. This also applied to food. Confucius wrote: «不得其醬，不食». This quote tells us about harmony in food. “Strive to achieve harmony between the ingredients of a dish,” says Confucius. It is necessary to follow the principle of food compatibility in order to achieve harmony in the dish. It is also necessary to pay attention to the compatibility of spices and herbs. Compatible products will not only be well absorbed by the body, but will also replenish it with a sufficient amount of vitamins.

«不時，不食» – Confucius pointed out. This quote talks about eating seasonal and local foods. Today it is also the best way to get the highest quality and freshest products.

The statement above echoes the statement «食饐而餲，鱼馁而肉败，不食. 色恶，不食. 臭恶，不食. 失饪，不食. 不时，不食. 割不正，不食. 不得其酱，不食» – if food has spoiled, changed taste, is poorly prepared or has a bad smell, you should not eat it. This seems obvious, however, this rule is not always followed. In ancient times, eating spoiled food was very dangerous, since medicine had not yet been developed and such a step could lead to dangerous consequences. Fresh produce, the origin of which was easiest to find out - local - is the most preferable option. «沽酒市脯不食» – do not eat dry meat purchased at a wine shop, that is, pay attention to the quality of the products purchased. If food, especially meat, looks bad, buying and eating it is dangerous for your health, as it may contain parasites that are dangerous to the body. Even heat treatment is not able to destroy them, and eating expired foods can lead to poisoning, indigestion, various infectious diseases and many other dangerous consequences. The following statement relates to the same topic: «祭于公，不宿肉. 祭肉不出三日. 出三日，不食之矣 – do not bring old meat to the funeral feast, do not store it for more than three days and do not consume it after these days.

«鄉人飲酒，扙者出，斯出矣» – Confucius advised that older people leave the table first. This quote takes us back to the ancient Chinese tradition of respect: the oldest people sit at the table first, and they are also the first to leave the table. But this phrase also has a health-saving meaning: to be attentive to those who have lived a long life. Observing what older people eat in order to stay healthy and live long, give them the best part of the dishes, seating them first at the table and not interrupt the meal before the older members of the family.

Confucius did not recommend eating too much meat: «君子食無求飽，居無求安» – need to eat meat in moderation. And be sure to supplement it with vegetables. Once Confucius did not eat meat for three months; there is a famous saying about this: «三月不知肉味， 曰：不图为乐之至于斯也» – Confucius said regarding this situation that he does not strive to ensure that pleasure stands above all else. Confucius had the same attitude towards alcohol - moderate consumption and self-control: «唯酒无量，不及乱» – endless drunkenness is even worse than debauchery.

Confucius wrote a lot about the importance of fasting and not eating meat. The ancient thinker believed that this would not harm the body. On the contrary, excessive consumption of meat and overeating on food can cause heaviness in the body and various diseases. The thinker has the following statements about the benefits of meat-free food and the importance of fasting: «齐必变食，居必迁坐» – fasting should encourage you to change your diet, as well as change your seat at the table; 肉虽多，不使胜食气 – even a large amount of meat can never surpass plant foods, etc.

While participating in the funeral meal, Confucius also did not overeat («子食于有丧者之侧，未尝饱也»). There is not only a health-saving, but also an ethical aspect here. This statement once again proves that Confucius was against both excessive saturation and severe hunger.

Like other philosophers of Ancient China, Confucius pointed out that overeating is harmful to the body. «食無求飽，節食安胃» – there is no need for either overeating or fasting. A moderate diet is useful not only for digestion, but also for self-control, which develops the spiritual side of a person. All this contributes to longevity.

Eating simple food cannot be harmful to the body, Confucius believed: «食不厌精，脍不厌细» – don't complain that the food isn't fancy enough or isn't cut thin. Simple food is all that is needed for the body and is healthy, Confucius believed.

Confucius also spoke about the importance of education: «学而时习之，不亦悦乎» – isn't it fun to learn and practice what you have learned? As we have already indicated above, many philosophers of ancient China advocated the same thing. Education and practice train thinking, which means they allow you to maintain a clear mind until old age.

Confucius, like other philosophers, said the following about control over emotions: «乐而不淫,哀而不伤» – it’s better not to be overly happy, and not to be sad until your heart is hurt. Confucius also said: «知者乐水，仁者乐山；知者动，仁者静；知者乐，仁者寿, which means: the smart one receives joy in the water, the one who has achieved humanity - in the mountains; the intelligent one acts, and the humane one is in a calm state; a smart person is happy, but a humane person is distinguished by longevity. These statements carry a similar meaning: in order to live long, harmony in everything is important; excessively showing emotions is harmful to the body.

To keep the body vigorous, Confucius advised sleeping while sitting with his head on his shoulder, eating simple and rough food, and drinking water: 子曰：饭疏食，饮水，曲肱而枕之， 乐亦在其中矣. And most importantly, do not complain about fate and find grace in it.

It is also necessary to mention Confucius’s attitude to hygiene. You must wear clean clothes while fasting «齐，必有明衣，布» – said the sage. Clean clothes are not only a symbol of purity of spirit, but also help keep the body clean. Clothing absorbs dirt and odors and, in turn, this transfers to the body. If you keep your body and clothes clean, this will help prevent the growth of bacteria and their penetration into the body, as well as related diseases. Thus, attention has been paid to issues of personal hygiene since the times of Ancient China. Ancient Chinese sages believed that it is important to keep not only thoughts clean, but also the body, one is interconnected with the other [2, p. 50].

Confucius attached great importance to physical education and health. Confucius was especially fond of traveling the world, which is equivalent to modern tourism. The ancient thinker loved nature, picturesque places in the mountains and near rivers. To preach his teachings, the Great Teacher, in search of followers all over the world, rode on horseback, swam, and was also a good archer and knew Chinese martial arts. This lifestyle helped Confucius cover the need for physical activity throughout his life. [3, p. 101].

Let us summarize the research on Confucius (551 BC – 479 BC) to health care with the following quote: «子之所惧：斋，战，疾» – Confucius is afraid of fasting, wars and disease. Indeed, in the field of health conservation, the ancient Chinese thinker advocated harmony in nutrition, excluding excessive hunger and overeating, advocated for the prevention of diseases and believed that wars happen from unreasonable government, if the people are well-fed and prosperous, riots are less likely to occur, therefore the health conservation of the people should take place state level. As summarized by Klepikov V.Z. In his study of Confucius as a teacher, the great thinker of Ancient China was guided in his speculations by the postulate: “The best thing is to follow the ancients.” In general, this idea permeates the entire health-preserving culture of China: follow traditions, preserve and improve unique ancient Chinese health-preserving techniques [4, p. 73].

List of sources:

1. 刘强. 孔子、论语和我所理解的儒家思想。 通过孔子思考. – 2024. – 354 页. Liu Qiang. Confucius,the Analects,and Confucianism as I Understand Them. Thinking Through Confucius. – 2024. – 354
2. 韩胜斌. 孔子为何喜欢吃生姜. 家庭医生报. – 2021. – 164 页. Han Shengbin. Why did Confucius love ginger? Family doctor's report. – 2021. – 164 p.
3. Клёпиков, В.З. Педагогика: Конфуций – выдающийся педагог Древнего Китая. Москва. Б/и. – 2001. – №3. – С. 73-80. Klepikov, V.Z. Pedagogy: Confucius is an outstanding teacher of Ancient China. Moscow. Used. – 2001. – . №3. – P. 73-80.
4. 李守银, 张天弓. 刘安等《淮南子泰族训》. 书法杂志. – 2022. – №5. – P. 29-33. Li Shouyin, Zhang Tiangong. Liu An et al. "Huainanzi Tai Clan Training". Calligraphy Magazine. – 2022. – №5. – P. 29-33.

Аннотация. Гигиена была неотъемлемым атрибутом образовательного процесса в Древнем Китае. Уборка класса, обслуживание учителя, поддержание рабочего места, одежды и тела в чистоте были необходимы ученикам. Так, мудрец, написавший «Гуань Цзы», считал, что физическое и психическое здоровье человека укрепляет гармония, а не раздор и хаос. Основная идея «Гуань Цзы» заключается в том, что здоровый образ жизни и умеренное питание сохранят здоровье и приведут к долголетию. Итак, китайская цивилизация с древних времен культивировала основы сохранения здоровья, которые впоследствии стали основой тех правил сохранения здоровья, к которым мы привыкли сейчас. В вопросах здравоохранения необходимо уделять большое внимание учению самого известного древнекитайского мыслителя Конфуция.

Взгляд на данную проблему будет интересен специалистам дополнительного образования, преподавателям высшего образования, специалистам по социальной работе, психологам и педагогам.