Identify the origins of Confucianism;

Describe the teachings of Confucianism; and

Identify the issues of Confucianism to this day.

Major system of though in China

Developed from the teachings of Confucius and his

disciples: Mencius and Hzun Tzu

Has influenced the Chinese attitude toward life, set the

patterns of living and standards of social value and
provided the background for Chinese political theories
and institutions.

Also known as Ruism, Confucianism can be regarded

as a religion, tradition, teaching or an ideology.
Is the Latinized name for Kong-Tzu or K'ung Fu-tzu • born on
September 28, 551 BC during the Zhou dynasty.

He was born into a middle-class family but after his father's

death, the family was consigned to poverty.

Confucius worked in the fields and as a bookkeeper but later

on became a teacher.

He became an influential philosopher, politician and educator

during a tumultuous period of Chinese history.
People should know their place in life and society. They
should respect people above and below them.

Father - Child > kindness and obedience

Husband - Wife > love and loyalty

Elder - Younger Brother > nobility and respect

Friend - Friend > humaneness and deference

Ruler - Subject > benevolence and sincerity

Confucius' view of education is based on the conviction that
"Man is born with uprightness". Even immoral persons have an
upright essence. So, Confucius said, "By nature men are alike."

He honored and respected all human beings, and for him all men
were able to learn about the good and to do good. Therefore, "In
education there should be no class distinction."

True education, according to Confucianism, is self-education.

"Self-illuminative sincerity is called nature. The self-
illumination of sincerity is called education."
Confucianism does not have all the elements of a religion
such as sacraments and liturgy. However, Confucianism
recognizes the need to regulate the four life passages
which are birth, maturity, marriage, and death.

Birth - At birth, the mother is given special diet

and is required to rest for a month. The mother's
family as well is required to celebrate the baby's
first, fourth and twelfth month.
Marriage - There are six stages in the marriage
which are the following:

1. Proposal. The groom asks the father of the

bride for a permission to marry their daughter.

2. Engagement. The wedding day is chosen

based on the bride and groom's birth dates. It is
often unsuitable to set a date for a wedding on
the 7th month since it is the Hungry Ghost
Festival.
3. Dowry. The brides' family gives dowry, usually a
piece of land or money that she would take into the
marriage.

4. Procession. The groom visits the bride's home and

brings her back to his place.

5. Marriage and reception. The entire bride's family,

bridesmaids and others walk to the house of the
groom, where the wedding is usually held. The
couple recites and exchanges vows, toasts each
other with wine and then takes the center stage for
the banquet.
Death Mourners - bring food and money to help
defray the cost of the funeral. Food and significant
belongings of the deceased are placed in the
coffin, after the burial, liturgies are performed on
the seventh, ninth and forty-ninth day and third
anniversaries of the death.
 Confucius believed that education is for all, rich and poor alike.
During this time, the rich hires a tutor for their children. Confucius
also believed that everyone can benefit from self-education just as
he did. The major thrusts can be summarized into the following:

I. Filial piety - The devotion to one's parents. Confucius believed that

filial piety is the foundation of human virtue.

II. Social behavior and etiquette - Proper social and moral behavior
are essential to right living.

III. Jen - Pronounced as "wren" when translated would mean "love;"

"goodness;" and "human heartedness" are virtues within a person.