The Main Beliefs of Confucianism
- Yi - Righteousness
- Xin - Honesty and Trustworthiness
- Chung - Loyalty to the state, etc.
- Li - includes ritual, propriety, etiquette, etc.
- Hsiao - love within the family, love of parents for their children, and love of children for their parents
- Jen - benevolence, humanness towards one another (the most important Confucianism virtue)
What are some of the beliefs and practices of Confucianism?
Practices. The two main practices in Confucianism are Worship of Ancestors and Temple Worship. People of Confucianism hope that participating in these practices will unite people and strengthen a community. The Worship of Ancestor is done to show respect for elders and ancestors, this is done at home, temple, or a grave.
What are some Confucian beliefs?
Confucianism Beliefs, Symbols and Practices
- Confucianism Beliefs. Confucianism carries forward the belief that ‘Do not do to others what you would have them not do to you.’
- Symbols of Confucianism Philosophy. Confucianism has 4 symbols that represent its teachings. ...
- Writings on Confucianism Philosophy. Writings associated with Confucianism include four books and five classics. ...
What are some bad things about Confucianism?
To be more specific, the core revolves around the idea of defining interpersonal relationships:
- The son kowtows to the father
- The student kowtows to the teacher
- The subject kowtows to the ruler
Is Confucianism a religion or an ethical system?
Confucianism, also known as Ruism, is described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or simply a way of life.
What are 3 main beliefs of Confucianism?
Key Ideas of Confucianism To the virtues of the ruler correspond values that each individual is supposed to cultivate: 1) benevolence toward others; 2) a general sense of doing what is right; and 3) loyalty and diligence in serving one's superiors.
What are the 5 important beliefs of Confucianism?
There are five principles around which Confucianism revolves- Jen, Li, Xin, Chung, Yi. The concept of Jen is based on human nature and benevolence. Li is a principle of respect and propriety. Xin refers to faithfulness and being honest towards oneself and others and helps the individuals to earn admiration.
What are 4 beliefs of Confucianism?
It focuses on innate human goodness and the importance of interpersonal human relationships. The goal of Confucianism to achieve social harmony. According to Confucian beliefs, there are four elements necessary to achieve social harmony: Rites and Rituals, the Five Relations, Rectification of Names, and Ren.
What were beliefs of Confucius?
Confucius stressed the cultivation of personal qualities such as benevolence, reciprocity, and filial piety. Confucius believed that education and reflection led to virtue, and that those who aspired to command others must cultivate discipline and moral authority in themselves.
What are the 6 values of Confucianism?
In descending order of importance, the virtues are benevolence or ren (仁), righteousness or yi (义), propriety or li (理), wisdom or zhi (智) and fidelity or xin (信).
What was Confucius golden rule?
And five centuries before Christ, Confucius set forth his own Golden Rule: "Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself."
What is Confucianism?
Confucianism is the way of life propagated by Confucius in the 6th–5th century BCE and followed by the Chinese people for more than two millennia....
Does Confucianism have a god?
There is no deity worshipped in Confucianism, though the worship of ancestors and of Confucius himself as a sage master and teacher are practiced.
Where does Confucianism come from?
Though Confucius is sometimes credited with founding Confucianism, he said that he was interpreting the philosophy of Zhougong, the duke of Zhou, r...
How did Confucianism spread?
Confucianism was not successfully spread by Confucius. Instead, the scholar Mencius, who was born more than a century after Confucius died, adapted...
What did Confucius believe?
Using his studies of the past, Confucius determined that in order to achieve peace and harmony, every relationship must fall under a strict hierarchy, with each relation acknowledging and exercising their dominance or submission.
What did Confucius teach about rituals?
Confucius taught the importance of rituals in uniting people. In the Analects —a collection of ideas, thoughts, and quotes attributed to Confucius—the importance of observing rites and rituals with body and mind is revered.
What are the four tenets of Confucianism?
Key Takeaways: The Four Tenets of Confucianism. The four tenets of Confucianism are Rites and Rituals, the Five Relations, Rectification of Names, and Ren. All rites and rituals are intentional acts of social unification. Relationships all fall within a hierarchy that must be observed to preserve harmony, and every person must understand their role ...
What did Confucius study?
Confucius studied the history of China, comparing the most and least harmonious periods of Chinese history, evaluating the relationships between heaven, leadership, and the general population during times of peace and times of war.
What is chaos in Confucius?
According to Confucius, chaos results from confusion when proper “names” (positions in society) are not known or exercised. If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success.
What are the rituals of the funeral?
Rites and rituals include funeral practices during which observers wear white and grieve for the dead for up to three years, weddings beginning with appropriate matchmaking, coming of age ceremonies for young men and women, and offerings to ancestors, among many other regional practices.
What is the meaning of Confucianism?
Confucianism is considered more as a system of social and ethical philosophy rather than a religion. Confucianism (Ruism) is a way of life taught by Confucius (Kong Fuzi) in China in the 6th-5th century BCE and the rituals and traditions associated with him. Here are main five beliefs of Confucianism.
What are the five virtues?
The rule is simple, and it implies that what you do not wish to choose for yourself, never impose it on someone else. 2. The five virtues. (i) Jen – Helpfulness, empathy, and kind nature. (ii) Yi – Rightness, duty as guardians of nature and humanity. (iii) Li – Right conduct, appropriateness ...
How did Confucianism differ from other religions?
Although often grouped with the major historical religions, Confucianism differs from them by not being an organized religion. Nonetheless, it spread to other East Asian countries under the influence of Chinese literate culture and has exerted a profound influence on spiritual and political life. Both the theory and practice ...
What is Confucianism quiz?
Confucianism, a Western term that has no counterpart in Chinese, is a worldview, a social ethic, a political ideology, a scholarly tradition, and a way of life.
Why did Confucius love antiquity?
Confucius’s love of antiquity was motivated by his strong desire to understand why certain life forms and institutions, such as reverence for ancestors, human-centred religious practices, and mourning ceremonies, had survived for centuries.
When was Confucianism first introduced?
Confucianism, the way of life propagated by Confucius in the 6th–5th century bce and followed by the Chinese people for more than two millennia. Although transformed over time, it is still the substance of learning, the source of values, and the social code of the Chinese. Its influence has also extended to other countries, particularly Korea, ...
How long have Confucian values been around?
Although it is an exaggeration to characterize traditional Chinese life and culture as Confucian, Confucian ethical values have for well over 2,000 years served as the source of inspiration as well as the court of appeal for human interaction between individuals, communities, and nations in the Sinitic world.
What was Confucius' response to the issue of learning to be human?
Confucius’s response was to address himself to the issue of learning to be human . In so doing he attempted to redefine and revitalize the institutions that for centuries had been vital to political stability and social order: the family, the school, the local community, the state, and the kingdom.
Who was Confucius' hero?
Confucius’s hero was Zhougong, or the duke of Zhou (fl. 11th century bce ), who was said to have helped consolidate, expand, and refine the “ feudal ” ritual system. This elaborate system of mutual dependence was based on blood ties, marriage alliances, and old covenants as well as on newly negotiated contracts.
What are the beliefs of Confucianism?
the importance of harmony and balance) Confucius mastered the six arts: ritual, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and arithmetic. His father died when he was a child, his mother died when Confucius was in his early 20’s.
What happened to Confucius' father?
His father died when he was a child, his mother died when Confucius was in his early 20’s. After this, he became a teacher and built a reputation as a man of virtue (high morals) who cherished Chinese culture and values.
What are the virtues of Li?
Li – right conduct and propriety, demonstrating your inner attitude with your outward expressions. Chih – wisdom. Hsin – faithfulness and trustworthiness. These virtues are a requirement for everyone, especially leaders.
What are the five sacred writings?
The Five Classics pre-date Confucius. Includes the I Ching or “Book of Changes”, a fortune-telling instruction manual.
Is Confucianism a religion?
Like Taoism, it is unclear whether Confucianism is a philosophy or a religion. Confucianism teaches that people should live in harmony with the “Way of Heaven” – each individual must act with virtue and serve as a living example to others. Confucians do not believe in or pray to, gods.
What is Confucianism in philosophy?
Variously described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or simply a way of life, Confucianism developed from what was later called the Hundred Schools of Thought from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE). Confucius considered himself a transmitter ...
What is the worldly concern of Confucianism?
The worldly concern of Confucianism rests upon the belief that human beings are fundamentally good, and teachable, improvable, and perfectible through personal and communal endeavor, especially self-cultivation and self-creation. Confucian thought focuses on the cultivation of virtue in a morally organised world.
What was the main focus of Confucianism in the Han Dynasty?
In the later dynasties, more emphasis was placed on the virtue of chastity. The Song dynasty Confucian Cheng Yi stated that: "To starve to death is a small matter, but to lose one's chastity is a great matter." Chaste widows were revered and memorialised during the Ming and Qing periods. This " cult of chastity " accordingly condemned many widows to poverty and loneliness by placing a social stigma on remarriage.
How did Confucianism influence Chinese society?
After Confucianism had become the official 'state religion' in China, its influence penetrated all walks of life and all streams of thought in Chinese society for the generations to come . This did not exclude martial arts culture. Though in his own day, Confucius had rejected the practice of Martial Arts (with the exception of Archery), he did serve under rulers who used military power extensively to achieve their goals. In later centuries, Confucianism heavily influenced many educated martial artists of great influence, such as Sun Lutang, especially from the 19th century onwards, when bare-handed martial arts in China became more widespread and had begun to more readily absorb philosophical influences from Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism. Some argue therefore that despite Confucius's disdain with martial culture, his teachings became of much relevance to it.
How long has Confucianism been around?
According to He Guanghu, Confucianism may be identified as a continuation of the Shang - Zhou (~1600–256 BCE) official religion, or the Chinese aboriginal religion which has lasted uninterrupted for three thousand years.
Why is loyalty important to Confucius?
Loyalty ( 忠, zhōng) is particularly relevant for the social class to which most of Confucius's students belonged, because the most important way for an ambitious young scholar to become a prominent official was to enter a ruler's civil service.
What are some examples of Confucianism?
Some examples include "to tame", "to mould", "to educate", "to refine". Several different terms, some of which with modern origin, are used in different situations to express different facets of Confucianism, including: 儒 家; Rújiā – " ru school of thought"; 儒 教; Rújiào – " ru religion" in the sense of " ru doctrine";
How to explain Confucianism?
Below, you will find several statements about Confucianism. If the statement is factual, write 'T' or 'true' next to it. However, if the statement is false, write 'F' or 'false' next to it, and then explain why it is not an accurate statement about Confucianism. Make sure to explain thoroughly why the false statement is inaccurate.
What were the rituals of Confucianism?
Confucianism rituals focused on the progression of life stages from birth until death. The rituals followed the rules set forth from the concept of Li. Confucius believed that rituals were the path to the preservation of morality and that they were a necessary part of the training a person must undergo in order to follow The Way, which was the process of discovering a good and virtuous life. Training consisted of the rigorous study of ancient books, poems, music, and ritual ceremonies and were embodied through interactions with others.
Who is the founder of Confucianism?
In the West we refer to the Confucianism founder as Confucius, named by Jesuit missionaries, but technically, his name is Master Kong Qui. Ultimately, Confucius wanted to rise in the ranks as an adviser to the rulers at the time in order to see his high ideals for social harmony come to fruition, but it never happened. Instead, he became a teacher who had many followers. Although direct political change did not happen in his lifetime, his ideas have prevailed for centuries, proving Confucianism to be one of the most long-lasting and influential Chinese philosophies in existence.
Who was the leader of Confucianism in China?
However, Confucianism endured long after the death of Confucianism. In fact, Master Menicus was born about a hundred years after Confucius, also during the Zhou dynasty but at a time of war. Unlike Confucius, Menicus believed that evil rulers should be rebelled against. In contrast, Confucius believed a strong government needed to be led by Li. Another Confucius leader was Xunzi who was born at the end of the Zhou dynasty. Xunzi believed that human nature was essentially evil but could be remedied with moral training.
Where did Confucianism influence?
Confucian thoughts have a wide influence in all the nations of East Asia. In Korea and Japan, ethics and etiquette have been under the influence of Confucian viewpoints such as humanity, justice, and etiquette, etc. The influence is still quite obvious up to the present.
How long has Confucianism been around?
Confucianism has existed in China for several thousand years. It still has tremendous potential influence on all the aspects such as politics and economy in China. Confucian thoughts have been the most basic mainstream value of the common people of the Han nationality and other nationalities in China all through the ages.
How many disciples did Confucius have?
Confucius had three thousand disciples and hence summarized many effective educational methods, such as "Look back to the old, if you would learn the new", "Among any three people walking, I will find something to learn for sure", and "Leaning without thinking you feel lost, thinking without learning you turn to indolent", etc. Confucius was respectfully called "a person of exemplary virtue of all ages" by posterity. Regions such as Taiwan fix the "birthday of the saint Confucius" as "the Teachers’ Festival". "Advocating literature" and placing an emphasis on education is the Confucian thought and also one of the basic values of Chinese people.
What are the three phases of Confucianism?
The Three Periods of Confucianism. Confucianism was shaped during three phases: pre-Qin Confucianism is the first phase of Confucianism. The representatives of Confucianism in the first phase are Confucius, Mencius, and Xunzi. Their thoughts are dominant at the initial stage of Confucianism. This phase is not only the period when Confucianism took ...
What is the meaning of virtue in the context of humanitarian rule?
Virtue -Humanitarian Rule. "Virtue" refers to "humanitarian rule" and "virtuous governing" in the strategies of managing state affairs and criticizes that "tyranny is fiercer than a tiger". Confucius proposes that rulers themselves should "cultivate virtue", "command oneself" and "rule by virtue".
What are the main literature representative of Confucius' thoughts?
The main literature representative of his thoughts is the Analects. The basic thoughts of Confucius can be embodied in the following six aspects: Humanity is the core of the political thoughts of Confucius, it put forward the problems of how to conduct oneself and deal with the relationship between people.
What does "if language is not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success"
If language is not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. " (Confucius, Zilu) The specific stipulation of "rectifying names " is "monarch, official, father, and son" with "faithfulness" and "filial piety" as the root.
What is Confucianism religion?
Confucianism, also known as Ruism, Confucianism religion is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China. Variously described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or simply a way of life, ...
What is the worldly concern of Confucianism?
The worldly concern of Confucianism rests upon the belief that human beings are fundamentally good, and teachable, improvable, and perfectible through personal and communal endeavor, especially self-cultivation and self -creation. Confucian thought focuses on the cultivation of virtue in a morally organized world.
What is the meaning of the four books of Confucius?
The Shih Shu (Four Books), compilations of the sayings of Confucius and Mencius and of commentaries by followers on their teachings, are the Lun Yü (Analects), a collection of maxims by Confucius that form the basis of his moral and political philosophy;
How many books are there in Confucianism?
These writings can be divided into two groups: the Five Classics and the Four Books.
What are the symbols of Confucianism?
These include: “Confucius”, the Chinese character for “water”, the Chinese character for “scholar”, and “Yin Yang”. Yin Yang.
When was Confucianism first introduced?
Confucianism history: Confucianism was developed in China by Master Kong in 551-479 BC, who was given the name Confucius by Jesuit missionaries who were visiting there. However, the fundamental principles of Confucianism began before his birth, during the Zhou Dynasty.
Who was the founder of Confucianism?
Confucianism was part of the Chinese social fabric and way of life; to Confucians, everyday life was the arena of religion. The founder of Confucianism, Master Kong (Confucius, 551-479 B.C.E.).
Rites and Rituals
The Five Relations
- Using his studies of the past, Confucius determined that in order to achieve peace and harmony, every relationship must fall under a strict hierarchy, with each relation acknowledging and exercising their dominance or submission. There are five key relations under which all social interaction falls: the ruler to the subject, the parent to the child, the husband to the wife, the olde…
Rectification (or Redemption) of Names
- The rectification of names is the designation of the five relations to all members of a society in order to clear up confusion about the roles and responsibilities of the people to achieve social harmony. According to Confucius, chaos results from confusion when proper “names” (positions in society) are not known or exercised. The rectification of names must occur in order for every …
Ren
- There are many definitions of the word "Ren," but the most commonly accepted definition is virtue or kindness. The ultimate goal of Confucianism is to be, according to Confucius, "the gentleman," or to exercise true altruism in every encounter. This is best illustrated by the relationships between two people, which is why understanding and exercising one’s place within the social hie…
Sources
- Confucius. Analects: With Selections from Traditional Commentaries. Translated by Edward Slingerland, Hackett Publishing, 2003.
- Henshall, Kenneth. A History of Japan: From Stone Age to Superpower. Palgrave Macmillan, 2012.
- Yao, Xinzhong. An Introduction to Confucianism. Cambridge University Press, 2000.
The Five Virtues
- Jen– goodwill, empathy, generosity
- Yi – rightness, duty as guardians of nature and humanity
- Li– right conduct and propriety, demonstrating your inner attitude with your outward expressions
- Chih– wisdom
The Five Relationships
- Father/Son
- Ruler/Citizen
- Husband/Wife
- Older Brother/Younger Brother
Birth
- At birth, the spirit of the fetus protects the mother from harm
- Mother is given one month of complete rest after the birth
- Family members provide for the baby’s needs for the first year
Marriage
- At the proposal, details of the individuals’ birth (hour, day, month, year) are checked.
- If anything negative happens to the woman’s family during the 3 days after the proposal, the offer is rejected
- The families exchange gifts
- The wedding day involves a procession to each family’s home, breakfast, and a ceremony
Death
- Relatives cry loudly to inform the community of the death
- The deceased is placed in a coffin with food and significant objects
- The family of the deceased wear clothing of course material
- Visitors bring incense and money to the funeral
Sacred Writings
- A vast body of literature (importance of learning)
- The Five Classics (Wu Wing) and the Four Books (Si Shu) are considered the most important
- The Five Classics pre-date Confucius
- Includes the I Ching or “Book of Changes”, a fortune-telling instruction manual
Cultural Impact
- Confucianism is influential in Korea and Japan
- Suffered persecution during the Chinese Cultural Revolution
- About 6 million Confucian in the world, 26, 000 in N. America
- Confucian ethics, ideals and wisdom are becoming popular in the West