CONFUCIANISM (HAND OUT)

History
-What is Confucianism? Confucianism is an ancient Chinese philosophy and religious
doctrine that served as the foundation for much of Chinese culture, which centers around the
significance of individual morals and ethical quality.

-Regardless of whether it is just or a way of thinking or likewise a religion is discussed.

Confucianism is a way of thinking created in the sixth century BCE China, which is considered
by somewhere in the range of a mainstream humanist conviction framework, by about a
religion, and by others a social code.
-
The way of thinking depends on the conviction that people are acceptable, that they
participate in shameless conduct through the absence of a solid moral norm, and that
adherence to a moral code, and customs that empower it, empowered one to carry on with a
useful and quiet existence of harmony which would mean a solid, moral, and prosperous state.

It was established by Confucius (When translated from Mandarin, the term “Confucius”
means “Master Kung.”, l. 551-479 BCE), a Chinese scholar of the Spring and Autumn Period
(c. 772-476 BCE).

-He is, unquestionably, the most persuasive thinker in China's set of experiences
whose perspectives, statutes, and ideas have informed Chinese culture for more than 2,000
years.

-Confucius is considered among the best scholars of the Hundred Schools of Thought
(additionally given as the Contention of the Hundred Schools of Thought) which references the
time throughout the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period (c. 481-221 BCE)
when different philosophical schools fought with one another for disciples.

-Confucius himself professed to have composed nothing and offered the same old
thing, demanding his perspectives were taken from more established works (known as the Five
Classics) he was simply advocating through his school.

- The later Confucian savant and research (Writer, 2020)er Mencius (Mang-Tze, l. 372-
289 BCE), nonetheless, credited the Five Classics to Confucius, a view that kept on being held
until the mid-twentieth century CE. Mencius (or Meng Ke who lived from 372 to 289 B.C.E.) is
simply the most popular Confucian logician after Confucius himself. These works, three others
on the Confucian idea, and one by Mencius make up The Four Books and Five Classics which
have been the central texts of Chinese culture since the hour of the Han Dynasty (202 BCE-220
CE) when Confucianism was made the state theory.

-Why are there no gods in Confucianism? there are no gods in

Confucianism because Confucius didn't give his adherents a divine being or divine beings to be
venerated.

-Confucianism isn't against love, yet instructs that social obligation are more significant.
- The emphasis is on moral conduct and great government and social responsibility yet rather a
power called the Tao, otherwise called the Great Ultimate.
-Confucius accepted that the Tao was the impulse for the creation and that this power moves
through all life, empowering change and advancement. However, Confucianism doesn't
have a being-based god, Confucius talked about the idea of paradise as another positive
power.

- Dissimilar to the idea of paradise found in mystical religions, Confucius accepted paradise as a
directing power of the universe and judge of good and bad.

Sacred Text
The Confucian canon of sacred books is said to be made up of works from before
Confucius as well as literature revised and added afterwards by Confucian academics. The
Sishu, or "Four Books," and the Wu Jing, or "Five Classics," are the foundational Confucian
literature.

The Four Books, which serve as an introduction to Confucian ideas and were formerly the heart
of the Chinese civil service examinations' curriculum, are:

The Analects or Lunyu [Hanyu "Edited Conversations"] is a collection of works by Confucius

Grand Master Kong and his disciples gave remarks, and there were conversations with him.
Mencius or Mengzi [Hanyu "Lord/Master Meng") is a compilation of conversations between
Confucian Scholar Lord Meng and kings of his day. Great Learning, or Da xue [Hanyu "great
learning"], is a Chinese philosophical and political treatise that was eventually annexed to the
Lijing. Doctrine of the Mean, or Zhong yong [Hanyu "unchanging middle"], is an essay about the
relationships between heaven and earth that demonstrates the D? o to attain complete virtue,
which is also found in the Lijing. Basic

Even if they are not Confucian, the Five Classics include many Confucian ideas.

primarily Confucian classics and were at the core of Asian education for generations,

are:

The Book of Changes, also known as the Yijing, is a complex divination manual that evolved
over centuries as a uniquely Chinese combination of practical wisdom and esoteric lore, in
which the future could be predicted by studying patterns in nature; it contains 64 hexagrams
for interpreting patterns cast from coins or plant stalks. Shujing, or Book of Historical Records, is
a chronicle of events that is said to date back three million years before the Common Era.
Anthology of poetry created between 1000 B.C.E. and 500 B.C.E., known as the Book of Odes or
Shijing. The Book of Rites, also known as Lijing, is a chronicle of the Zhou dynasty's social forms,
administration, and religious rituals from the eighth to fifth century BCE.

Doctrines
Confucius was best recognized in China for delivering moral counsel to the country's leaders.
-He espoused the well-known principle "Do not do unto others what you do not want done
to yourself", the Golden Rule.

-He wrote extensively, mostly regarding individual morality and ethics, as well as the correct
use of governmental power by the world's rulers.
-Confucianism has an estimated 6.3 million adherents worldwide, the majority of whom live in
China and Korea.
-There is some disagreement over whether Confucianism is a religion or merely a practice to
improve one's intellect, body, and soul. The most important Confucianism six is Jen.
Confucianism is divided into six major groupings of beliefs, which are as follows:
•Yi - "righteousness."
• Xin - Sincerity and dependability
• Chung - State loyalty, etc.
• Li - encompasses ritual, politeness, etiquette, and so forth.
• Hsiao - family love, parental love for their children, and kid love for their parents
• Jen - kindness and humanity toward one another

Practices
-Worship of Ancestors and Temple Worship are the two fundamental activities in
Confucianism.

-Both of these practices are done to honor a deceased person.

- Confucians think that it is vital to show respect to deceased elders and ancestors.
Participating in these activities will bring people together and develop a community.
Ancestor Worship - Confucians conduct ancestor worship, in which individuals kneel at a shrine
and place burning incense in a holder. This might be done at home, temples, and/or relatives'
graves. Confucians value ancestor worship because they think that individuals should honor
their elders, especially those who brought them into the world.
Temple Worship - Chinese people show their appreciation to Confucius by visiting Confucian
temples and praying for a blessing. Incense burning and kneeling and bowing in front of a
portrait of Confucius or an important ancestor are common temple practices. Donations and
offerings are offered to the temple.

Challenges
- Confucianism has gained popularity and science and democracy are two of these
difficulties that have been widely recognized.

-Confucianism has recognized the significance of its message and has begun to respond to it.
The major challenge for Confucianism comes from environmentalism.
-The feminist challenge is the major challenge. Despite the fact that modern Confucianism
acknowledges sexual or gender equality, philosophically extensive research needs to be
achieved.

-The greatest difficulty, historical periods, Confucianism must now discover new strategies to
survive into the future.

-Even while further constructive work might further enhance Confucianism in this aspect, I feel
that Confucianism's problem with science has been essentially handled.

- The issue of democracy is still being addressed.

-There is debate over if Confucianism is a religion, but it does have many religious aspects such
as prayers and ceremonies that are done on certain occasions like funerals or weddings.

References
Bibliography
Mark, J. J. (2020, July 07). Confucianism. Retrieved from World History Encyclopedia:
https://www.worldhistory.org/Confucianism/

Davis, B. ( 2021, April 30). What are the basic beliefs of Confucianism? Retrieved from MVOrganizing:
https://www.mvorganizing.org/what-are-the-basic-beliefs-of-confucianism/
#What_are_the_basic_beliefs_of_Confucianism

Li, C. (2012, January ). Five Challenges for Confucianism. Retrieved from ResearchGate:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259400267_Five_Challenges_for_Confucianism

Society, N. G. (2020, August 19). Confucianism. Retrieved from National Geographic:

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/confucianism/

Writer, S. (2020, April 7). What Are the Sacred Texts of Confucianism? Retrieved from Reference:
https://www.reference.com/world-view/sacred-texts-confucianism-c607bf348a4eb17

Weiming, T. (2021, October 7). Confucianism. Encyclopedia Britannica.

 https://www.britannica.com/topic/Confucianism

Confucianism and Contemporary Issues. (2016, Jul 18). Retrieved from

https://phdessay.com/confucianism-and-contemporary-issues/