Confucius

The Life of Confucius

•  Lived from 551-479 B.C.E. 

• He was born at Shang-ping in the country of Lu

• He was actually called “Kung fu tzu” by his people

• Shuliang He, father of Confucius, was an officer of in the Lu military, he died when Confucius was 3 years old.

• Yan Zhengai, mother of Confucius,

• At age 19 he married his wife, Qui Quan and a year later the couple had their first child, Kong Li.

• In Chinese, his name was Kong Qiu. Kong was the family name while Qiu was his given name. This was because his parents had prayed for a son at Niqiu Hill and 'Qiu' was an appropriate token of their thanks and joy at having their prayers answered.

Kong He, and his mother, Yan, had prayed at the Niqiu Mountain

• Confucius was born into the class of shi ( 士 ), between the aristocracy and the common people. He is said to have worked as a shepherd, cowherd, clerk, and a book-keeper. When his mother died, Confucius (aged 23) is said to have mourned for three years the tradition.

• He has nine sisters and one brother and he was the youngest.

Education

• He studied religion with Daoist Master Lao Dan.

• Learn music with Chang Hong and music master Xiang.

Lao Dan

Taoism (modernly Daoism) is a philosophical, ethical, and religious tradition of Chinese origin that emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao (also romanized as Dao). The term Tao means "way", "path" or "principle", and can also be found in Chinese philosophies and religions other than Taoism. In Taoism, however, Tao denotes something that is both the source and the driving force behind everything that exists. It is ultimately ineffable: "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao."

Kong HeConfucius Father

• During 484BCE he worked as a teacher.

• He had gained some fame by the time he was 30 but it was not until he was 51 that his official life really assumed great importance. This eventful career was to last for only four years as he was forced to resign when he found it impossible to agree with the authorities. Such was the opposition to his ideas that he was obliged to leave his country and to travel around the states.

• During these 14 years, he was in danger on many occasions and even risked his life. At the age of 68 he was welcomed back to Lu but he was set up as a respected gentleman without any authority.

• He died of illness at the age of 73.

• Zigong, one of the famous disciples, set up a cabinet near his tomb and stayed there for six years to mourn his beloved teacher.

Confucius and his Disciples

The rebolt of Confucius

Confucius is commonly known as Kong Qiu— Kong being his surname and Qiu his given name. He was also given the courtesy name of Zhong Ni. Confucius’ father

Kong HeConfucius Father