MILLARE, Maricris A.

Bachelor of Arts major in Political Science IV

College of Arts and Sciences
PRELIM
Short Evaluaion
September 16, 2021
COMPARATIVE RELIGION
PROF. Maricel Olaguer

CONFUCIANISM

Confucianism is both a religion and philosophy. Originating in China, it is based on the

teachings of Confucius (551 BCE – 479 BCE), a Chinese philosopher and contemporary of Buddha.
Over six million followers now exist throughout East Asia. Confucian thought focuses on the
cultivation of virtue and maintenance of ethics. The belief is concerned with human beings, their
achievements and interests, rather than abstract beings and problems of theology. It coexists with
Taoism and Buddhism in Chinese spiritual life, guiding personal relations and social structure.

In the entire Chinese society, it emerges that Confucianism has grown within the traditional
Chinese society has thus been influenced by the changes in the political and social demands of the
society. The point that is brought out here is that Confucianism had an influence on the functionality of
the society through learning and the exercise of the Confucian ethos. In order to link the development of
the Confucian tradition to the development and enhancement of the Chinese society, its development is
divided into two. There is the creative period of Confucian development, which depicts the formulation of
the philosophy together with the development of the principles within the tradition. The second part is the
most valid part as it links the Confucian tradition to the social and political developments over the period
of development of the philosophy. This puts the philosophy in the context of the tradition, thereby
moving it away from the focus on the developer and picturing it from a wider perspective.

His teachings gave guidance on all levels of ancient Chinese life, from interactions between
family members and in the public sphere, to educational standards and how states should be governed.
Confucius saw every aspect of life as being made up of obligations between people and entities, and
rituals to convey the mutual dependency between them. His teachings focused on humanism, including
treating others the way you would want to be treated. He taught that if everyone fulfilled their roles and
obligations with respect and kindness towards others, it would build a stronger state. While religious
rituals were mentioned alongside all of the other rituals a person was expected to perform, Confucius did
not focus on spiritual concerns like the afterlife, gods and goddesses, or mysticism. This is why
Confucianism is considered a philosophy rather than a religion, even though it is often lumped in with
other major religions. Because Confucian teachings were conservative and told people to maintain their
role in social order, the philosophy was used by the state to keep the status quo from that time forward.
The structure of Chinese society and its focus on rituals, familial respect and obligation, worship of
ancestors, and self-discipline, remains greatly influenced by Confucius and his teachings.