An Ecofeminist Extension of Gyeong/Jing (敬) in Confucian Contemplation via Donghak’s Samgyeong/Sanjing (三敬) to Heaven, Humanity, and Nature

This paper examines the significance of ‘gyeong/jing 敬’, or reverence, as an essential virtue within the Confucian tradition. In the rigidly hierarchical class system of the Joseon dynasty (1392 – 1897) and even in contemporary Korean neo-Confucian society, the understanding of reverence has frequently been compromised, legitimizing the authority of the upper class while marginalizing the voices and experiences of lower classes, women, children, and non-human entities. This study posits that reverence must be reciprocal to realize its true relational meanings and ethical values, suggesting that gyeong/jing 敬 should transcend gender, class, and race distinctions, fostering a broader ecological interdependence between humanity and the natural world.