ConfucianismBy Andrew Daus, Evan Haley, and Matt Haley

Early Origins of Confucianism• Founded by Confucius

• 5th century B.C.• China

• Confucius and history’s ideas• Confucius

• Government worker, teacher,• Developed concepts on education, society, and govt • Entered politics to implement ideas

• Loyalty to king not power-holders leaving county• Exile

• Expanding group of followers

Confucianism as an Official Religion(Origins cont’d)

• Continued by Confucius’ followers• Finally influential in China (2nd century)

• Religion = Han State Cult• Education = Confucius’ Five Classics form core• Life = Code of ethics

• Continues today!

Confucianism’s Diffusion• Remained strong China but didn’t spread

• Except for Korea• Until 1000 AD and later

• 1000-1600 AD = the time to spread• SE Asia mostly• Korea and Vietnam thru. Chinese links• Japan, Manchuria, etc.• Neo-Confucianism in Korea and Japan

Common Practices of Confucianism Confucianism does not contain all of the elements of some other

religions

Four life passages: Birth, Maturity, Marriage and Death

Birth: The T'ai-shen protects the expectant woman>A special procedure is followed >The mother is given a special diet>The mother's family supplies all the items required by the baby

Upon reaching maturity: >Celebrated only in traditional families>Young adult is served chicken

Marriage Practices Marriage: Performed in six stages:

>Proposal: the couple exchange the time of each of their births

>Engagement: after the wedding day is chosen, the bride announces the wedding

>Dowry: Carried to the groom's home in a solemn procession

>Procession: The groom visits the bride's home and brings her back to his place

>Marriage and Reception: The couple recite vows, toast each other, and take center stage at a banquet

>Morning after: The bride serves breakfast to the groom's parents, who then reciprocate

Death and Burial Practices Death: The relatives inform the neighbors

>The family starts mourning>The corpse is washed and placed in a coffin

>Mourners bring incense and money>Objects of the deceased are placed into the coffin

A Buddhist or Taoist priest performs the burial ritual>Friends and family follow the coffin to the cemetery, along with

a willow branch>The soul is carried back to the family altar to "install" the spirit of the deceased

Rituals are performed on the 7th, 9th, 49th day after the burial

Holy Places

Zitong Clan Temple>Located in Shanghai>Set aside for Confucian Study and Worship

Wen Miao Temple>Located in Shanghai>Dedicated purely to Confucius>Construction started in 1292 and finished in 1296>Shanghai’s predominant learning place

Present Day Confucian Buildings>Buildings reconstructed or restored in 1999

Holy Places cont’d…

>Wen Miao Temple>Temple moved four times>Built on present day site in 1855>Undertook damage during Taipiing Rebellion, furtherdamage suffered during the Cultural Revolution (19661976)

Located>Southwestern corner of Shanghai

Temple complex has three parallel paths running north and south.>Each path has a different purpose…

Confucius Mansion>Also called Shengfu>Kong Family Resided in Mansion>Headed by oldest male in Confucius descendants>Largest and grandest noble mansion preserved>Built during Ming and Qing dynasties

Holy Places cont’d…

Confucius Mansion>Has 3 parts, has 463 halls, contains 9 courtyards, towers, covers 16 hectares (39.5 acres), verandas (porches), gardens, and contains 9,000 volumes

from 1534-1948.>Last Kong descendant to live in Mansion was in

1940s. (Left for Taiwan.) Before Communist Revolution (anti-

Confucian order)

Conflicts Criticized by modernized Asian societies… Criticisms..

>For inhibiting democracy>Obstacle to economic development (in some cases)>Justifying subjugation of women

Confucius and Democracy>Disagrees b/c believes leaders elite ruling common people and chosen because of intelligence and morals; not by hereditary means.>Disagrees b/c believes in harmony within society, where democracy causes conflict.>Disagrees with individual rights involved with democracy.>Disagrees because, ideally wanted everyone to remain in same status.

Conflicts cont’d Conflicts with Modern families

>Gender equality, son valued more than daughter.>Father-son relationship is more important than husband-wife relationship.>Wife is to be obedient to husband.>Children want independence where Confucian stresses obedience.>Modern couples want happiness from

relationships, Confucian emphasizes endurance and harmony. Other than these problems, conflicts involved with

Confucianism are contained within the religion. These are spirtual conflicts…

Works Cited "Confucian Temple (Wen Miao), Shanghai." Sacred

Destinations. N.p., 23 Dec. 2009. Web. 9 Jan. 2012. “Confucianism.” New World Encyclopedia. Paragon House

Publishers, 13 November 2008. Web. 9 January 2012. “Confucianism.” ReligionFacts. ReligionFacts, n.d. Web. 9

January 2012. “Confucianism.” ThinkQuest: Discovering China. Oracle ThinkQuest

Education Foundation, 1999. Web. 9 January 2012. "Confucius Mansion." Top China Travel. N.p., 2004. Web. 9 Jan.

2012. Rickey, Jeffrey. Patheos Confucianism. Patheos Inc., 2008.

Web. 9 January 2012. Robinson, B. A. "Confucianism." ReligiousTolerance.org. N.p., 31

May 2009. Web. 7 Jan. 2012. Tamney, Joseph B. "CONFUCIANISM." Encyclopedia of Religion

and Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Jan. 2012.