Confucianism

Philosophy: Putting the nature of the

universe, including meaning, people, and relationships,

into an understandable or explainable point

of view

*Born in 551 BCFamily name - Kung (Kong)

Personal name - Zhong-ni

Kung Fu-Tzu (Kong Fu-zi) – “Master Kung”

“Confucius” - Latinization of “Kung Fu-Tzu”

Does Confucius mean confusing?

He saw that the governor of his province wasn’t doing a good job

He decided to begin traveling and spreading his ideas (his teaching) about how things should

be

At first, his ideas were not widely accepted. He did gain a following, but not everyone he talked

to agreed with him

He actually was thrown in jail!

• father-child• ruler-subject• husband-wife• elder brother-younger

brother• friend-friend

The Five Relationships

An older woman comes into a court, kneels and bows her head to the ground

three times before talking to the judge.

• father-child

• ruler-subject

• husband-wife

• elder brother-younger brother

• friend-friend

Two silk merchants are traveling together to prevent highway robbery.

• father-child

• ruler-subject

• husband-wife

• elder brother-younger brother

• friend-friend

• father-child

• ruler-subject

• husband-wife

• elder brother-younger brother

• friend-friend

Hong-li is learning how to plant crops. His father shows him the best way to plant the crops. Hong-li will use this crop method for the rest of his life and will teach it to his

son as well.

• father-child

• ruler-subject

• husband-wife

• elder brother-younger brother

• friend-friend

A family has run out of food on their farm and needs to make a trip to the city to buy supplies. The father tells

the mother how much money to spend and what items to buy.

Hong-Li and Hong-Lu have inherited their father’s farm. They are arguing about the

best way to plant the crops.

• father-child

• ruler-subject

• husband-wife

• elder brother-younger brother

• friend-friend

Always be considerate to

others.

Respect yourancestors.

Try for harmony and balance in all

things.

Peace and harmony = be in touch with the spiritual world.

Be kind.Be righteous.

Be calm.Be wise.

Be trustworthy.

•Confucianism is more a description of how to be a good person than a spiritual practice. However, after Confucius's death, people built temples in his honor. There are ceremonies that take place in these temples.

•Confucius believed that "Heaven is the author of the virtue that is in me." He meant that he saw heaven itself as a kind of god, the god or supreme being who created virtue in us.

•Also, over time aspects of Buddhism and Taoism have influenced Confucianism. Many people practice a combination of these religions.

Where do Confucianists worship?