CONFUCIANISM: PRESENTED BY FROZE

ORIGIN’S Confucianism all started with Confucius.

Confucius (the Master) is more correctly known as Kong Qiu or Kong

Fuzi (551-479 B.C.). He was the founder of a way of life, philosophy, or

religion named Confucianism. Confucius was born in the state of Lu,

which was in eastern China, with a section of coast along the Yellow

Sea. Although the Master was honored as a sage in his own time, and a

shrine built for him upon his death, the religion based around him died

out at the end of the Chou Dynasty. During the Qin Dynasty, the First

Emperor persecuted Confucian scholars. Confucianism survived,

however, and was revived in about 195 B.C. in the Han Dynasty.

He is also known as China’s First Teacher.

During his lifetime he has mastered different arts and these are :

Archery, Charioteering, Calligraphy and Mathematics.

He also believes that one can discover what it is to be human through

learning, that only through learning to be human can one possibly

mature toward greater well-being.

CONFUCIANISM: EAST ASIA.

East Asia have typically embraced a variety of religious traditions and

one of these is Confucianism.

Throughout East Asia the thread of Confucianism shows prominently,

and for centuries has been providing the ethical foundation of the East.

From early childhood until death.

According to Confucianism “When Individuals learn more deeply what it

is to be human, then families and governments are improved, and

ultimately humanity itself is improved, likewise the individual moves

closer to realizing the full potential of human happiness”

THE BOOKS OF CONFUCIANISM

Confucianism has four books.

Analects: A compilation of speeches by Confucius and his disciples, as

well as the discussions they held. Since Confucius's time,

the Analects has heavily influenced the philosophy and moral values

of China and later other East Asian countries as well.

Mencius: A collection of conversations of the scholar Mencius with

kings of his time. In contrast to the sayings of Confucius, which are short

and self-contained, it consists of long dialogues with extensive prose.

BOOKS CONTINUED.

Great Learning: Originally one chapter in the Book of Rites. It consists

of a short main text attributed to Confucius and nine commentary

chapters by Zeng Zi, one of Confucius's disciples. Its importance is

illustrated by Zeng Zi's foreword that this is the gateway of learning. It

expresses many themes of Chinese philosophy and political thinking,

and has therefore been extremely influential both in classical and

modern Chinese.

Doctrine of the Mean: Another chapter in Book of Rites, attributed

to Confucius' grandson Zisi. The purpose of this small, 33-chapter book

is to demonstrate the usefulness of a golden way to gain perfect virtue. It

focuses on the Way (道) that is prescribed by a heavenly mandate not

only to the ruler but to everyone.

CONFUCIANISM: TERMS

Tao (Dao): Literally means the way, In Confucianism it refers to the

moral order that permeates the universe and is thus the Way that should

be followed. In other words Tao in Confucianism is kind of like a code or

behavior that is in harmony with the natural order of the universe.

Chun-Tzu: is a person with perfect moral character, a “mature person”

or “gentlemen”. It is reference to a person with such abundant virtues

that he is able to contribute to the improvement of society. It can also be

said to embody spiritual perfection in the Confucian sense.

Jen: Confucianism’s Supreme virtue, often translated as “goodness”,

“love” or “benevolence”. It is a perfect form of benevolence doings one’s

best to treat others as one would wish to be treated. It is the central

component of a perfect moral perspective.

TERMS CONTINUED.

Shu: The Notion of Shu is about empathy towards others and being able

to appreciate what the other person in the opposite role would desire.

For example If we do not wish to be harmed, then we should not harm

others.

Li: Behaving properly, even when performing apparently mundane

routines, carries at all times the significance of a sacred ritual.

Wen: Involves acquiring skills of behavior which are categorized as

cultural arts.

Te: refers to what might be called "moral power." It is ABOUT! what a

true leader needs in order to be able to lead and to create a good and

just society, It is their ability to set a good example for the people and

rule them in a proper way.

CONFUCIANISM: BELIEFS Confucianism envisions the grand harmony among human relationships,

and this vision is emphasized by the doctrine of the Five Constant

Relationships.

Parent & Child.

Husband & Wife.

Faith between Friends.

Precedence of Old over the young.

Ruler and Subject.

Confucianism also believes in:

Self(hood) – The selfhood in Confucianism is all about regarding our

selves first and foremost as a center of human relationship rather

focusing in our individuality, and through that relationship we determine

our self-identity and therefore able to uniquely understand the human

condition.

BELIEFS CONTINUED.

Family – It focuses in the primary virtue of being filial to one’s elder,

or to act in a way suitable for a son or daughter. That one’s relationship

with family members is defined by respecting and being patient towards

each other. In other words it is about building a strong family bond.

Nation – Confucianism also believes that government should offer their

best in ensuring the happiness of the people and the ongoing

improvement of society. In short Intelligent Government.

Heaven – Confucianism also believes in heaven, Confucius himself

believe heaven as a vital fact of reality, and that at the age of fifty he had

understood the mandate of heaven or the Divine Rights of kings.

OTHER FACTS.

Confucianism is also known as Ruism

Confucianism says little about divinity so it is often considered a

philosophy instead of a religion.

The core of Confucianism is humanistic.

One of the main goals of Confucianism is to achieved a stable, lasting

government by teaching people how to act Properly;

Another is to attain inner harmony with nature.

Today Confucianism has approximately 6 million followers worldwide

Confucianism has also expanded to about 6 schools of thought, and one

the most influential is Neo-Confucianism

PARALLEL’S TO CHRISTIANITY

One of the remarkable things that you will notice when you start reading

Confucius is how remarkably similar Confucianism is at quite a few

points to Christianity.

Belief in Heaven

Leadership through example not coercion

Importance of Family

A kind of “Golden Rule”

Harmonious Relationship

The concept of “Filial Piety”

WORKS CITED

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04223b.

htm

http://www.awisdom.com/library/av/

http://andrewhong.net/2012/06/02/confuci

anism-similarities-to-christianity/

https://prezi.com/urqoffcv_-bf/copy-of-

confucianism/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confucianism