QUICK FACTS:
Founder: ConfuciusFounded in: 551–479 BC China
Adherents Worldwide: 6 million
Adherents in US: 26,000
God(s) and Universe: not addressed
Human Situation and Life's Purpose: Purpose of life is to fulfill one's role in society with propriety, honor, and loyalty
Afterlife: not addressed
Practices: Honesty, politeness, propriety, humaneness, perform correct role in society, loyalty to family, nation
Texts: Analects
SUMMARY:
Developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius, it focuses on human morality and right action. Confucianism is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought. Sometimes viewed as a philosophy, sometimes as a religion, Confucianism is perhaps best understood as an all-encompassing humanism that neither denies nor slights Heaven. In some other areas in Asia, the social ethics and moral teachings of Confucius are blended with the Taoist communion with nature and Buddhist concepts of the afterlife, to form a set of complementary, peacefully co-existent and ecumenical religions.
CONFUCIUS:
Later in life, he roamed through many states of China, giving advice to their leaders. During this time, he accumulated a small band of students. The last years of his life were spent back in Lu, where he dedicated himself to teaching. His writings deal primarily with individual morality and ethics, and the proper exercise of political power by the rulers. Confucius regarded Heaven (T'ien) as a positive and personal force in the universe; he was not, as some have supposed, an agnostic or a skeptic.
BELIEFS:
The main ethical principles of Confucianism:
Jen: humaneness or benevolence towards others, signifying excellent character in accord with li, and is seen as the highest of Confusion virtue
Li: ritual norms, includes ritual, propriety, etiquette, etc…
Zhong: (Chung): loyalty to one's true nature/state
Shu: reciprocity
Xiao: filial piety
Yi: righteousness
Xin: honesty and trustworthiness
Hsiao: love within the family: love of parents for their children and of children for their parents
Together these constitute de (virtue).
Confucianism is characterized by a highly optimistic view of human nature. The faith in the possibility of ordinary human beings to become awe-inspiring sages and worthies is deeply rooted in the Confucian heritage. The insistence that human beings are teachable, improvable, and perfectible through personal and communal endeavor is typically Confucian. Four life passages have been recognized and regulated by Confucian traditions that have certain practices and rituals: birth, reaching maturity, marriage, and death.
ANALECTS: The Lun-yü (Analects) are the most revered sacred scripture in the Confucian tradition. It was probably compiled by the second generation of Confucius' disciples. Based primarily on the Master's sayings, preserved in both oral and written transmissions, it captures the Confucian spirit in the same way that the Platonic dialogues embody Socratic teachings. The Confucian Canon achieved its present form in the Sung dynasty under the direction of Chu Hsi (1130-1200). It consists of the Five Classics and the Four Books.