Lesson 3: Confucianism Part 1: Introduction
Study Contents Introduction Historical Setting Confucian Ideology
Introduction Confucianism has had more influence on Korean life than any other religion or philosophy, yet that influence is subtle and even hidden when compared to Buddhism, Christianity or shamanism. Everyone in Korea, to one degree or another, is Confucian. They perform Confucian rituals and adhere to Confucian values.
Introduction cont’d Confucian scholars on bank notes. Chosun Dynasty was the most Confucian of all Korean dynasties. The two most prominent Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty Yi Hwang & Yi I on the currently circulating 1,000 won and 5,000 won note respectively.
Historical Setting Confucianism first entered Korea in the Three Kingdoms period (around the 4th century). Neo-Confucianism became the official ideology of the Chosun Dynasty in 1392. Confucianism was regarded as the perfect ideology in setting up a good government. The ideas prized by Confucius (孔子) were chung (忠, loyalty), hyo (孝, filial piety), in (仁, benevolence or human heartedness), and shin (信, trust).
Historical Setting cont’d “Never has there been a man who was filial at home who was not loyal to his king.” During the Chosun Dynasty, great scholars of Confucianism were produced and changes were made to the Korean family system with emphasis on the eldest son and the development of the patrilineal lineage system. Kings and other officials sought perfection as Confucian sages. The stability of the Chosun Dynasty is often attributed to Confucianism.
Engraving of Confucius, Kong Chiu Confucian Ideology What is Confucianism? It is the teachings of Kong Chiu. (孔子, 551-479 B.C.) Confucianism is a worldly religion, concerned with this life and this world. “It was difficult enough to understand this life, how can one even ask about the next life.” Engraving of Confucius, Kong Chiu (孔子, 551-479 B.C.)
The Three Bonds and the Five Cardinal Relationships (三綱五倫) Sovereign to subject (君爲臣綱) Parent to child (父爲子綱) Husband to wife (夫爲婦綱) The Five Cardinal Relationships Between sovereign and subject there is justice. (君臣有義) Between father and son there is closeness. (父子有親) Between husband and wife there is separation of duties. (夫婦有別) Between senior and junior there is order. (長幼有序) Between friend and friend there is trust.(朋友有信)
Confucian Ideology cont’d Zhu Xi and other philosophers of the Sung Dynasty began a revival and a refurbishing of the ancient beliefs, which later came to be known as Neo-Confucianism. The roots of all life were found in li (理) and chi (氣) (i and ki in Korean); li is translated as principle, and ki is often translated as “material force.” Each creation has its own shape and form because of its li, and each comes into being through ki.
End of Lesson 3 – Part 1