Confucianism

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Confucianism
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• Overview

• Developed from the teachings of the early Chinese
  sage and philosopher Confucius (551 BC 479 BC)
• Focus on ethics and morality
• Civilized individual -gt Civilized society -gt
  World Peace
• Moral, social, political, philosophical, and
  religious thought
• Considered by some to be the state religion of
  China and east Asian countries

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• History

• Eastern Zhou dynasty disintegrating
• Confucius tried to gain political power and found
  a new dynasty
• Felt that there was a strong need for his mission
• Never gained enough power called a King
  without a Crown
• Used rhetoric and analogy to get his point across

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• History

• After death, his disciples were the ones who
  shaped his teachings into an ethical and
  political doctrine.
• Han dynasty approved of Confucianism as the
  official state philosophy
• Sponsored Confucian Scholars
• Confucian classics became the core of the
  educational curriculum

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• Teachings of Confucius

• Rites (practice) politeness, propriety,
  understanding ones correct place in society
• Governance in order to govern others, one must
  first govern oneself
• King is the calm center around which the
  kingdom turns
• Replaced Nobility of Blood with Nobility of
  Virtue
• Virtuous man who cultivates his qualities can be
  a gentleman
• Shameless son of a king is only a small man

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• Themes in Confucian Thought

• Ritual everyday actions that contributed to a
  content and healthy society
• Five Cardinal Relationships
• Sovereign to subject
• Parent to child
• Elder to younger brother
• Husband to wife
• Older Friend to younger friend
• Loyalty to your ruler
• Humanity What you do not wish for yourself, do
  not do to others
• The Perfect Man combines the qualities of
  saint, scholar, and gentleman

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• Well-know sayings of Confucius

• "I have been the whole day without eating, and
  the whole night without sleeping occupied with
  thinking. It was of no use. The better plan is to
  learn." Thrice daily I ask myself Have I been
  unfaithful in dealing for others? Have I been
  untrue to friends? Do I practice what I preach?
• The young should be dutiful at home, modest
  abroad, heedful and true, full of goodwill for
  the many, close friends with love and should
  they have strength to spare, let them spend it
  upon the arts.
•   "Never impose on others what you would not
  choose for yourself."