Confucianism

The Master said, “He who learns but does not think is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.”- The Analects of Confucius, Book 2

Place of origin:

China

Founded:

551 BCE by K’ung Fu Tzubetter known as (Confucius)

The Facts

Born as K’ung Fu Tzu in 551 BCE in the state of Lu

His teachings deal primarily with individual morality and ethics

At the age of 50 he was appointed magistrate of the town of Chung-Tu

Died 4709 BCE

MENCIUS

Born in 371 BCE

Believed in the major concept of “jen” (virtue) in realtionships

Believed wise people were the products of hard work

Believed the companion of wisdom is joy

The Five Virtues

jen – goodwill, sympathy, politeness, generosity

yi – righteousness

li – right conduct, inner attitude reflecting to the outer attitude

chih – wisdom

hsin – faithfulness, trustworthiness

The Five Relationships

Father/son

Ruler/citizen

Husband/wife

Older brother/younger brother

Friend/friend

Practices, Rituals & Cermonies

Birth- the T’ai shen (spirit of the fetus) protects the expectant woman and deals harshly with anyone who harasses the mother to be

Marriage- performed in 6 stages1. Proposal2. Engagement3. Dowry4. Procession5. Marriage & Reception6. Morning After

Death- relatives cry out loud to inform the neighbours

- corpse washed and placed in coffin with food and significant objects

- funeral procession

- carry a willow branch to represent the soul of the person who has died

- liturgies are performed on the 7th, 9th, 49th day after the burial and on the 1st and 3rd anniversaries of the death

Symbols

= total harmony

6,000,000 Confucians in the WORLD

26,000 in North America

The rest in China and other parts of Asia

Trivia

1.What is the Religion called?a) Confucianismb) Christianityc) Judaismd) It’s not a religion

ANSWER: CONFUCIANISM

2. What are three virtues?a) Li, Xin, Jenb) Jen, Tango, Christiec) Xin, Tai Shen, Yid) Hsiao, Singi, Fugi

ANSWER: Li, Xin, Jen

3. What is the order of the last three steps of marriage?a) Procession, Marriage & Reception, Morning afterb) Dowry, engagement, morning afterc) Marriage & Reception, dowry, morning afterd) Dowry, procession, morning after, proposal

ANSWER: Procession, Marriage & Reception, Morning after

1. Who was the main leader of Confucianism?a) Jenb) Confuciusc) Aliamyd) Shantung

ANSWER: CONFUCIUS

2. What are two practices?a) Birth, reaching maturityb) Death, swimmingc) Birth, working outd) All of the above

ANSWER: Birth, reaching maturity

3. Spell Confucius in Chinese

ANSWER: A)

1. Where was Confucius born?a) Canadab) Chinac) He was never bornd) Heaven

ANWSER: CHINA

2. What is “the Jen”a) Social virtueb) My friendc) A girld) The golden rule

ANSWER: SOCIAL VIRTUE

3. What does this symbol mean:

a) Love, happinessb) Peace to all menc) Total harmonyd) Division of good and evil