Rén

The Chinese character 仁 for Rén combines 人 which means 'person' and 二 which means 'two'. It translates as kindness and is one of the most important ideals of Confucianism that Confucius defined. According to him, human connection is what make humans human.

Dimensions

Rén comes in all forms and sizes, one of those forms being relational virtue which are basically the bonds (Wu lun) you have with others. A righteous person (jūnzǐ) would preserve rén, even when times are hard.

From the inside

A robber who's polite lacks rén but a blunt person who's honest might have it. This is because rén is internal and about the person from within. For example, a robber who says 'thanks' follows the outward ritual of etiquette but the act of stealing undermines human connection by breaking trust.

"Kindness"

Rén isn't purely kindness, but it's excellence. You aren't born with it but you can turn benelovence (kindness) into rén. You'll know it's turned into rén when you A. feel sympathy for others, for example not just feeling pity for a beggar but helping said beggar's survival and welfare

B. Rén doesn't hinge on 'single-point kindness' which is essentially giving unconditional gifts, like spoiling a child or tolerating corrupt officials. The Analects of Confucius warned that this leads to chaos.

A government could also achieve rén, mostly by enacting policies that selflessly help society and helping during times of need, e.g. droughts.

Rituals

Rén is cultivated by rituals. Where benelovence could be giving your grandparents expensive food, rén is serving the food with proper respect as described by Confucius' Analects. Doesn't really matter what you give, because it's more the spirit of the action that counts.

When does benelovence exactly become rén?

As I've said earlier, you aren't born with rén but you need to cultivate it by yourself. You'll know you've achieved rén when you've reflected on why rén is good, you've helped contribute to social harmony (even as smalll as giving proper greetings count for this) and you've created a lasting impact or impression on the others around you.