INTRODUCTION

• Confucianism, along with Taoism and Buddhism, has been one of the most influential systems of thought in China for centuries.

• These traditions remain an important aspect of Chinese civilization.

• Each of these traditions encompasses both a religion and a philosophy, centered on the worship of ancestors and personal and local deities.

• The central purpose of Chinese religion is to uphold the sacredness by maintaining harmony among human beings and between humanity and nature.

• Confucius’ philosophy focused on creating harmony in human society.

• His teachings emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, and sincerity.

• Confucius’ thoughts have developed into a system of philosophy known as Confucianism.

• The teachings of Confucius have deeply influenced the thought and life of Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese people.

• Several names for Confucianism exist in Chinese, including:

  • School of the scholars

  • Teaching of the scholars

  • Study of the scholars

  • Teaching of Confucius.

LIFE OF CONFUCIUS

• Confucius (551 BC – 479 BC) was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher.

• According to tradition, Confucius was born in 551 BC, in or near the city of Qufu, in the Chinese State of Lu (now part of Shantung Province).

• Confucius is a Latinized name; his Chinese name was Kung Fut-tzu, meaning Master Kong.

• He was a contemporary of Gautama Buddha and lived just before the time of Socrates and Plato.

• Confucius came from an aristocratic but impoverished family.

• His father died when Confucius was three years old, and he was raised in poverty by his mother.

• Confucius married a young girl named Qi Quan at 19, and they had their first child, Kong Li, when Confucius was 20.

• He worked as a shepherd, cowherd, clerk, and book-keeper before becoming a teacher at the age of twenty-two.

• His mother died when Confucius was 23.

• He soon became a renowned teacher, and many came to study under him.

• Moral education was the backbone of his educational program.

• He also taught his disciples how to serve as officials on all levels in government.

• Confucius lived during the Chou Dynasty (1100 BC to 256 BC), a time when the land was divided among feudal lords and the moral and social order was in a state of decay.

• Confucius sought a way to restore the cultural-political order and believed that reform would come through educating the leaders in the classics and in his philosophy.

• He sought a political position of influence to implement his principles.

• Confucius is said to have risen to the position of Chief Magistrate in Lu and later Minister of Justice at the age of fifty.

• The neighboring state of Qi became worried that Lu was becoming too powerful and decided to sabotage Lu’s reforms by sending 100 good horses and 80 beautiful dancing girls to the Duke of Lu.

• The Duke indulged in pleasure and did not attend to official duties for three days, deeply disappointing Confucius.

• In protest, Confucius resigned from his post as Minister of Justice and left the state of Lu.

• After his resignation, Confucius began a long journey around the small kingdoms of northeast and central China, wandering for thirteen years.

• He was disappointed and saddened everywhere by a refusal to respond to his moral challenge.

• The Analects depicts Confucius spending his last years teaching disciples and transmitting the old wisdom.

• Confucius was burdened by the loss of both his son and his favorite disciples.

• He died at the age of 72 or 73.