BackgroundThe Dao of greatest importance, for Confucians, is the Dao within the human world, manifested in "right" relationships and in a harmonious society. It was social harmony that Confucius described when he listed his particular wishes: "[In] regard to the aged, to give them rest; in regard to friends, to show them sincerity; in regard to the young, to treat them tenderly." Confucians believe that human beings do not automatically become who they should be. "Confucians would say that training in virtue is necessary in order to enable the Dao to manifest itself clearly in the human being.
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Life of Confucius
Confucius was born, Kong Qiu, around 551 BCE in present day, China.It is believed that the family of Confucius relocated due to political turmoil, in their native land. The father of Confucius perished when he was still an adolescent but his mother still managed to raise him as an educated gentleman. Later on in life, he pursed a career in teaching after mourning the loss of his mother. He yearned to get involved in government and decided to become a government minister. It is understood that he married and possibly had two children. He died in 479 BCE. |
Confucian Values
Confucius aimed to produce excellent individuals who could thrive as social leaders and he desired to create an harmonious society. Confucius advocated for social interaction, claiming, "that each human being is capable of being good, refined and even great through the contributions of other people and through fulfilling one's obligations to them." He also believed that excellence was the product of virtue and intellect, implying the importance of education. The acquisition of Confucian knowledge includes but is not limited to poetry, music, artistic appreciation, manners, etc. Confucius was a strong believer of education transmitting the lessons of the past to the future. He was convinced that wise individuals of the past would provide the present time with a happy way of living. Confucius fought for a "perfect society", in which special care would be given to the young, as they were the individuals who would procreate, and special care would be given to the elders, as they were the individuals who possessed a lot of wisdom and knowledge. For this purpose he created the five great relationships.
The Five Great Relationships
Father-SonThis relationship demonstrates how parents are responsible for the education and moral formation of their children. It also stresses that children must be respectful and obedient to their parents.
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ElderBrother-YoungerBrotherThis relationship describes any sibling relationship. It claims that an elder brother is one who must accept responsibility for raising the younger children. The younger brother must be compliant.
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Husband-WifeThis relationship is more of a joint venture. Both individuals are responsible for the others care. The husband is the protector while, the woman is the caretaker.
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Elder-YoungerThis relationship defines the role of the elderly. All older individuals have responsibility for the younger people. This relationship is compared to the relationship of a mentor and a mentee.
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Ruler-SubjectThis relationship depicts the Confucian perspective on the role of the ruler. It highlights, that a ruler must act like a father, accepting responsibility and care of those subjects who are like his children.
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The Confucian Virtues
Ren (jen)Translates as sympathy, empathy, benevolence, humaneness, kindness, consideration, thoughtfulness and human-heartedness. It means to think of the other [person]. |
LiTranslates as good manners. For every circumstance, there are appropriate words to say, proper ways to dress and correct things to do. It means to do what is appropriate. |
ShuTranslates as reciprocity. It addresses the question How will my actions affect the other person? "Do not do unto other others what you would not wish done to yourself." |
Xiao (hsiao)Translates as filial piety. It encompasses several notions such as, remembrance of ancestors, respect for parents and elders and care for children in the family. |
WenTranslates as culture. It demands that every educated person have a knowledge of the arts (culture) and to develop an amateur skill. |
Development of Confucianism
Before becoming a widespread religion Confucianism first had to compete with multiple schools of philosophy. Later it had to contend with Buddhism. Due to the success of Buddhism, Confucianism decided to enter a new phase and take on explicitly religious characters. In the 7th century, it became a standard for every province in China to have a Confucian temple and to conduct and support regular ceremonies. Confucianism was placed on the same pedestal as Daoism and Buddhism. Collectively, the the three traditions became known as a religious triad. In another phase, known as Neo Confucianism, in 1000 CE Confucianism was enriched by scholarship and philosophy. The movement aimed to determine which Confucian schools taught doctrine that was in accordance with the elements of Confucian thought. "The movement also sought to provide a metaphysical vision of all reality for Confucianism, akin to that found in Daoism and Buddhism." Timeline of Events of 2500 year history of Confucianism
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Arts |
Literature |
According to Confucianism, the most noble individual must cultivate all aspects of writing, as it is the premier art form of Confucianism. The value of writing to Confucianism is so extensive that an argument can be made that calligraphy has had the greatest impact on the religion. In the west calligraphy is not of as much value, when compared to the countries in eastern Asia, especially China.
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Much of what is classified as Confucian literature actually preceded the late great Confucius. Instead it was contributed and edited by Confucian scholars. The most acclaimed Confucian literature is made up of the Five Classics and the Four Books. It encompasses works of poetry, history and divination; the sayings of Confucius and his disciples; and the sayings of Mencius. The Chinese Education system adopted Confucian literature as the core curriculum. As a result of this elements of Confucianism permeated Chinese culture.
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Modern Day Confucianism
- upon the collapse of the Qing dynasty, the public system of Confucian ceremony and education crumpled
- with the rise of science, Confucianism as an educational system appeared to be inadequate
- confucian ritual ceased because it lost the support of the state
- the New culture movement accused Confucianism of "enslaving women to their fathers and husbands, subjugating sons to tyrannical fathers, and of keeping alive a culture and literature that only looked to the past
- communists took over China in 1949 and didn't hesitate in expressing their anti-confucian themes which included: elitism rather than egalitarianism, valuing males over females, focusing on the old rather than the new and focusing on the humanities rather than the scientists
- many communists believed that only when Confucianism was eradicated that China could prosper
- scholars argue that Confucian virtues may have aided in the modern economic development of many countries
- Confucian teachings are currently being modified to act in accordance with the modern world