Confucianism In a Nut Shell
CONFUCIANISM REPORT KAS2
FOUNDER:
Kong Qui or K’ung Fu-tzu or better known as Confucius was born August 27, 551 B.C. in Tuo, China (during Zhou Dynasty, Feudal Era). [1]
In the Analects, he is said to be born in an aristocratic family but there are those who claim that he was born into poverty.
Believes in Taosm but does not teach about his faith.
Some say that he is not the founder of Confucianism due to Confucius awareness that he himself is only a transmitter of his teachings which has been existing even before him. [2 & 3]
Some claim that he did not have any intention of establishing a new religion, but only to interpret and revive the unnamed religion of the Zhou (Chou) dynasty. [2]
BASIC BELIEFS (afterlife)
Confucianism does not have any particular belief(s) about after life. It only focuses on the earthly life, and specifically puts emphasis on achieving Harmony. In fact, followers of Confucianism’s ultimate goal is social harmony; meaning, they must know their place in the social order.
In finding this (their place in the social order), they are guided by the
1) Five cardinal relations
a. Ruler and subject
b. father and son
c. husband and wife
d. elder and younger brother
e. friend to friend; and their
2) Five virtues
a. Ren or humaneness; the quality of compassion for others, (may include both people and animals). Key concepts of Ren are love, mercy, and humanity.
b. Yi or honesty and righteousness.
c. Li or propriety and correct behavior.
d. Zhi or wisdom or knowledge.
e. Xin or fidelity and sincerity. [2 & 3]
Also, Confucianism greatly believes that the center of everything is their family, and that it comes before the individual person.
They do not necessarily ignore the possible existence of gods; it is just that in their system, a divine being does not have any significant role in their lives. Its philosophy is man centered and relies in self-effort (in terms of improving oneself or solving everyday
FOUNDER:
Kong Qui or K’ung Fu-tzu or better known as Confucius was born August 27, 551 B.C. in Tuo, China (during Zhou Dynasty, Feudal Era). [1]
In the Analects, he is said to be born in an aristocratic family but there are those who claim that he was born into poverty.
Believes in Taosm but does not teach about his faith.
Some say that he is not the founder of Confucianism due to Confucius awareness that he himself is only a transmitter of his teachings which has been existing even before him. [2 & 3]
Some claim that he did not have any intention of establishing a new religion, but only to interpret and revive the unnamed religion of the Zhou (Chou) dynasty. [2]
BASIC BELIEFS (afterlife)
Confucianism does not have any particular belief(s) about after life. It only focuses on the earthly life, and specifically puts emphasis on achieving Harmony. In fact, followers of Confucianism’s ultimate goal is social harmony; meaning, they must know their place in the social order.
In finding this (their place in the social order), they are guided by the
1) Five cardinal relations
a. Ruler and subject
b. father and son
c. husband and wife
d. elder and younger brother
e. friend to friend; and their
2) Five virtues
a. Ren or humaneness; the quality of compassion for others, (may include both people and animals). Key concepts of Ren are love, mercy, and humanity.
b. Yi or honesty and righteousness.
c. Li or propriety and correct behavior.
d. Zhi or wisdom or knowledge.
e. Xin or fidelity and sincerity. [2 & 3]
Also, Confucianism greatly believes that the center of everything is their family, and that it comes before the individual person.
They do not necessarily ignore the possible existence of gods; it is just that in their system, a divine being does not have any significant role in their lives. Its philosophy is man centered and relies in self-effort (in terms of improving oneself or solving everyday
References: [1] http://catdir.loc.gov/catdir/samples/cam032/99021094.pdf [2] http://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Fac/Adler/Writings/Confucianism%20Today.pdf [3] http://www.mitchellteachers.org/confucius/philosophy/Confucianism_ReligionFactsWebsite.pdf [4] http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4217725/ [5] http://www.niu.edu/cseas/outreach/pdfs/origins_religion.pdf [6] http://www.ulster.ac.uk/confucius/confuciusfact.php [7] https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/Chinese_religion_1109.pdf