 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Confucianism | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Confucius the man | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Central Confucian Texts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| There are two main confucian texts: the Four Books, and the Five Classics. The four books consist of the Great Learning, the Doctrine of the Mean, the Analects of Confucius, and the Mencius. The Five Classics consist of the Classic of Poetry, Classic of History, Classic of RItes, Classic of Changes, and the Spring and Sutmn Annals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Central Confucian Concepts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| all pictures from google images | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The main teaching of Confucius centers around the Five Basic Relationships. Thes realtionships would inspire people to behave correctly if people knew what was expected of them. (1) ruler and subject, (2) father and son, (3) elder brother and younger brother, (4) husband and wife, (5) friend and friend. The first four demonstate obedience and respect to superiors. Chinese phrases that extend from these relationships are Li (propriety), Je (power), and wen (arts of peace), Also, Confucis placed great importance on the family and the state. It is the family atmosphere that one learns his behaviors for the societal world. The family is responsible for his upbringing and virtues. The State or the government was seen as the fathers of the people, thus continuing this family relationship. It was the duty of the emperor to be a good leader for his people. The Three Awe's are great men, great speech, and heaven's decree. The three main virtues are wisdom, fortitude, and most importanly benevolence. These are english translations of Yi, Xin, Jen/Ren, and Hsiao. The eight tools for great learning are Investigation of phenomenon, learning, sincerity, rectitude of purpose, self-development, family-discipline, local self government, and universal self government. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Is Confucianism a Religion? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Many scholars have speculated that the development of Confucianism is more based on rituals and traditions vs. religious worship. "Show respect to the spirits, but keep them at a distance."(Analects) Confucius seems to hardly be concerned about the spirit world as he also said, "Till you learn to serve men, how can you serve ghosts." One can be a christian, etc. and yet still be considered a practicing Confucianism. Although Confucianism perferms sacrifices and worship to ancestoral spirits, historians know that these practices were instituded long before Confucius came along. To deteremine whether it is a relgion or not comes down to a matter of defintion, although many in China and other Asian peoples do not consider it a religion. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Key Terms | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chun Tzu- A mature person who not only is calm and under control of his actions, but also portays those in a confident manner. Te- "The power by whihc men are ruled."-Confucius. -This term means a unison between boht the leadering power of a ruler and his acceptance by his subjects. Wen- The creative aspect of the Chinese culture or culture in general. The items such as art, music , etc. that would want to be passed on and remembered. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||