The
Confucius Institutes, non-profit organization that promotes Chinese language and culture, are all over the world today. People may wonder who started the first Confucius Institute in the world. No one is qualified to make the statement that he created the first Confucius institute but
Benjamin Franklin, one of the great admirers of Confucius throughout the history.
Franklin founded his Confucius Institute, Junto, in 1727 after returning
from England.
Most scholars believe that Junto comes from a mistaken use of the
Spanish noun “junta,” which means “a meeting.” This word derives from
the Latin “iunct,” which means “to join.” However, I do not believe Franklin would commit such an error,
since in his leisure moments, Franklin taught himself
Spanish and Latin, as well as other languages.
Interestingly enough, Junto (君道) in Chinese means the “Way of a
Gentleman” or the “Path Leading to a Virtuous Person.” This seems more accurately explain the purpose of the group. Franklin hoped to use
his Junto as a means to cultivate more virtuous members for the society. For more
information, one can read Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography, now available
online.
Through Dr. Dave Wang's research, we have learned that Franklin avidly promoted
Confucian moral philosophy among the colonists in the North American colonies. For instance, in 1737,
Franklin published
chapters from
The Morals
of Confucius in his widely circulated
The Pennsylvania
Gazette. A
decade later,
Franklin told
George Whitefield that
Confucian moral philosophy belonged to all human beings. It is evident that
Franklin held Confucian
philosophies in high regard.
He
regarded
Confucius
as his example. Since
Franklin's
statement is very significant I will quote in the following:
"I am glad to hear that you have frequent opportunities of
preaching among the great. If you can gain them to a good and exemplary life,
wonderful changes will follow in the manners of the lower ranks; for, ad
Exemplum Regis, &c. On this principle Confucius, the famous
eastern reformer, proceeded. When he saw his country sunk in vice, and
wickedness of all kinds triumphant, he applied himself first to the grandees;
and having by his doctrine won them to the cause of virtue, the commons
followed in multitudes. The mode has a wonderful influence on mankind; and
there are numbers that perhaps fear less the being in Hell, than out of the
fashion! Our more western reformations began with the ignorant mob; and when
numbers of them were gained, interest and party-views drew in the wise and
great. Where both methods can be used, reformations are like to be more speedy.
O that some method could be found to make them lasting! He that shall discover
that, will, in my opinion, deserve more, ten thousand times, than the inventor
of the longtitude."
Finally, I should make it clear that Franklin's Junto aimed to improve its
members' virtues following Confucian moral philosophy. In this point, Junto was different from contemporary Confucius institutes.
