Kung fu-tzu (Confucius) was a man that lived in the same time as Loa Tzu, the great Toaist leader. As such there are a lot of similarities between the two philosophies. Like Taoism, Confucianism is often thought of as more of a philosophy of life: a system of beliefs that will help people live a happy life. However, there are some definite moral and religious components to the Confucian Way.
North Americans tend to think about “religion” in Christian terms. We ask about beliefs, rituals, history, doctrine, scripture, and the like. Yet Confucianism calls into question our definition of “religion” as it has no religious hierarchy, no official priesthood, little congregational life, and texts written by men rather than being divinely inspired. In fact, it evidences little interest in the divine at all and less interest in the afterlife. Instead, they are more interested in human flourishing in this world, in the here-and-now. However, they are not secularists, they infuse the mundane world with the sacred, becoming “religious humanists.”
Master Kung lived between 551 and 479 BCE. He was an important teacher and transmitter of ancient truths who tried to teach his students how to become a junzi or exemplary person by learning to cultivate ren, human-heartedness, and li, propriety. Like Muhammad and Moses, who were merely the human beings who transmitted the Koran and the Hebrew Bible respectively, Confucius was not a god or even a prophet but merely an individual who wanted to teach others how to cultivate character in order to secure peace for themselves and their society.
Confucianism has two sets of sacred writings. The first is the Five Classics - the WuJing. These were around before the time of Confucius and were recognized as having important ideas of social, political, and other philosophy. The second writings are the Four Books - the Si Shu. These are a collection of the sayings and teachings of Confucius and other leaders.
Confucianism today holds strong support in Korea, Japan and China. There are believed to be about 6 million believers world wide.
The following worksheets should help us understand some main concepts in Confucianism:
North Americans tend to think about “religion” in Christian terms. We ask about beliefs, rituals, history, doctrine, scripture, and the like. Yet Confucianism calls into question our definition of “religion” as it has no religious hierarchy, no official priesthood, little congregational life, and texts written by men rather than being divinely inspired. In fact, it evidences little interest in the divine at all and less interest in the afterlife. Instead, they are more interested in human flourishing in this world, in the here-and-now. However, they are not secularists, they infuse the mundane world with the sacred, becoming “religious humanists.”
Master Kung lived between 551 and 479 BCE. He was an important teacher and transmitter of ancient truths who tried to teach his students how to become a junzi or exemplary person by learning to cultivate ren, human-heartedness, and li, propriety. Like Muhammad and Moses, who were merely the human beings who transmitted the Koran and the Hebrew Bible respectively, Confucius was not a god or even a prophet but merely an individual who wanted to teach others how to cultivate character in order to secure peace for themselves and their society.
Confucianism has two sets of sacred writings. The first is the Five Classics - the WuJing. These were around before the time of Confucius and were recognized as having important ideas of social, political, and other philosophy. The second writings are the Four Books - the Si Shu. These are a collection of the sayings and teachings of Confucius and other leaders.
Confucianism today holds strong support in Korea, Japan and China. There are believed to be about 6 million believers world wide.
The following worksheets should help us understand some main concepts in Confucianism:
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The teachings of Confucius can be summed up in the Five Virtues
Jen (Ren)
Jen is a virtue of goodwill, empathy and benevolence towards others. Politeness and kindness is expected from all people. Yi Yi means rightness, justice and proper moral behavior. Yì may be broken down into doing one's best, conscientiousness, loyalty and consideration for others. A person is obligated to act and speak in the way they would expect to be treated Li Li involves appropriate behaviors, showing good manners and etiquette. Not only are actions important, a persons attitude is equally important. Li behaviors will build a strong social order. Zhi (Chih) Chih means Knowledge and Wisdom. Not only training yourself to have knowledge but study so that you have the wisdom to use your knowledge appropriately. Xin (Hsin) Xin is the virtue of integrity, sincerity and honesty. |
There are dozens of other virtues that Confucians must learn and practice if they wish to continue on their journey to becoming the ideal person. Most of the virtues should be common sense, but sadly they are not as common as they should be.
Confucius Sayings
Confucious is considered the great sage, or wise man. His sayings were recorded after his death by his followers in a book called the Analects. His teachings are still felt in China today. Here are some of his most famous Quotes:
Confucious is considered the great sage, or wise man. His sayings were recorded after his death by his followers in a book called the Analects. His teachings are still felt in China today. Here are some of his most famous Quotes:
"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart" "It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop" "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do" "Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous" "The firm, the enduring, the simple, and the modest are near to virtue" "What a superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others" "Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it" "He who will not economize will have to agonize" "He who learns but does not think, is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger" "Knowledge: when you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it" "Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star" "When anger rises, think of the consequences" "Respect yourself and others will respect you" "A man who has committed a mistake and doesn’t correct it, is committing another mistake" "The superior man acts before he speaks, and afterwards speaks according to his action" |