EIGHT VIRTUES + ONE
Compassion and Kindness
We show kindness and care to all through 仁 (ren). We are compassionate, forgiving and empathetic. We care for the natural world by being kind to all creatures and protecting the environment. The character for仁 depicts two people together, showing that 仁 is expressed outwardly, towards others.
Love and Passion
愛 (ai) is an expression of our passion in life. We show a love of learning and intellectual curiosity that goes beyond the classroom. 愛means that we find happiness in our friendships, with our families and our loved ones.
Etiquette and Ceremony
A person with 禮 (li) treats others with courtesy and respect. The spirit of 禮 is found in the exemplary, cultured behavior of the true gentleman or lady. In 禮, we control our impulses and act after careful consideration.
Principles and Justice
義 (yi) embodies the quality of being principled, committed to justice, and standing up for our beliefs. We believe in fairness and uphold personal integrity, and that we are trustworthy and all held accountable for our own actions.
Harmony and Tolerance
義 (yi) embodies the quality of being principled, committed to justice, and standing up for our beliefs. We believe in fairness and uphold personal integrity, and that we are trustworthy and all held accountable for our own actions.
Balance and Equality
平 (ping) means balance and equality. Equality in our community is both the right and the responsibility of each member. 平 is closely tied to the concept of和 (he): when we place these two characters together, they form the word ‘peace’ (和平).
Loyalty and Commitment
忠 (zhong) embodies the concept of loyalty and commitment to others and to ourselves. We show our devotion to people around us and devote ourselves in the pursuit of our ideals, dreams, and passions.
Respect and Obligation
孝 (xiao) recognizes that we have an obligation toward our parents in our role as children; we respect our teachers, and we respect and cherish our histories and traditions that define who we are.
Intelligence and Wisdom
智 (zhi) means making the right choices in life. Wisdom stems from knowledge, experience, judgment and a clear set of values to know what is right. The Eight Virtues culminate in the achievement of 智.