The “Gongfu Finger” and Learning in the Analects

Abstract

After having discussed three main features of Ni Peimin’s understanding of the gongfu orientation in reading the Analects, this essay examines the first of the key terms in the whole of the book, i.e., xue/”learning” (學) and critically elaborates how our understanding of Confucius could be deepened and enriched under the guidance of this new orientation which Ni calls the “gongfu finger.”

Key words： English translation of the Analects; the gongfu orientation; temporality of learning; Ni Peimin