Confucianism

Confucius: Latinized title Real name K’ung Fu-tzu (Master K’ung) BCE Nicknames: The First Holy One, First Teacher, Teacher of the Ten Thousand Generations Never lived to see his doctrines put into practice

A Time of Turmoil Chou Dynasty ( BCE) Golden Age -> The reign of Yu Wang (780 BCE) Feudal lords in power, Emperor is empty title “China was no longer one country but a dozen, each potentially the enemy of any other” (Collis 6)

Is Confucianism a philosophy, a code of ethics, or a religion?

Confucianism as a system of ethics Moral conduct is the basis of social harmony Emphasis on self discipline and education Obligation to family – Family as microcosm of the universe – Strict Father vs. Nurturing Parent model

Confucianism as a philosophy “Confucianism’s root metaphor was and is a concern for the world” (Berthrong) Humanity, reciprocity, empathy Collective > Individual Humans are good, but we stray – Education and self- discipline

Confucianism as a religion Religion = community of people who share beliefs, cultural practices, worship a deity/deities “something done with great attention to detail” – Confucian philosophy of self discipline

Confucianism as a religion Confucius was not a god or a prophet He did not create these ideas, but merely restored them “As to being a Divine Sage or even a Good Man, far be it from me to make any such claim.” “I am not one of those who have innate knowledge. I am simply one who loves the past and who is diligent in investigating it” (Analects VII, 19)

Confucianism as a religion Rituals for all occasions of life – Veneration of ancestors – Meditation No initiation or membership Heaven is a manifestation of God – The words are interchangeable – Heaven means goodness. To be good is to live in harmony with heaven – Mencius “Heaven does not speak”

Confucianism as Social Engineering Social, political or religious systems designed to promote particular behaviors and cultures

Key Principles 12 Li for ritual etiquette, manners, gravity "Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart" Ren stands for Kindness to the fellow man “Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses” Xin stands for truthfulness, faithfulness and sincerity “The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions” Yi for righteousness or honesty, generosity of soul “When we see men of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves” Xiao for filial piety, for strong family values “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home”

Jen A principle of mutuality, human- heartedness, and empathy. The ability to empathize with another’s discomfort that would prevent the moral person to refrain from acting in ways that would cause discomfort. Similar to Christianity’s Golden Rule Basically… A person does all actions for the sake of Jen because the respect for humanity implies the right human way to act.

Yi Righteousness, moral description to do good. Acting in a way or doing what needs to be done simply because it ought to be done, not for personal gain or profit. Basically… A person does all action for the sake of Yi because they are the right thing to do.

Li Is the principle of gain or benefit, order or propriety. Two main aspects of Li: – Guide to human relationships and rules of proper action. – Guide to social order or general ordering of life.

Li The Five Relationships all represent the way things should be done in a social life – Father and Son (loving and reverential) – Older Brother and Younger Brother (gentle and respectful) – Husband and Wife (good and listening) – Older Friend and Younger Friend (considerate and differential) – Ruler and Subject (benevolent and loyal)

Ming “Mandate of Heaven”, fate or destiny. According to Confucius, Ming is simply the way things are in the course of things. He declared that his principles prevailed were ming, and if they did not they were also ming. Confucius believed that the best thing we can do is to do what we ought to do under the circumstances.

Doctrine of the Mean “Middle Way” Avoiding all extremes in either thought or action, but applying a principle standard of measurement to his or her own motives and actions.

Filial Piety Reverence and extreme respect for parents. A huge part of Chinese culture that has been adopted into three main religions: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. Varies from taking care of the parents to burying them properly after death. “When your father is alive observe his intentions. When he is deceased, model yourself on the memory of his behavior. If in 3 years after his death, you have not deviated from your father’s ways, then you may be considered a filial child” -Confucius

The Five Classics Classic of History Classic of Poetry or Book of Odes Classic of Rites Book of Changes or I Ching Spring and Autumn Annals

The Four Books Analects of Confucius Doctrine of the Mean Great Learning Mencius

Eros vs Agape Eros – Sexual, romantic love Agape – Deepest love, based on doing good things for another person – Unconditional

Is Confucianism Eros, Agape, or neither?

The Three Universal Virtues Love Wisdom Courage To be used through education, self-discipline, and the acceptance of shame

-- Love For All -- Family And Society Respect Starts in the Family One can then branch off to Society Conduct oneself with thought toward family and others.

Education Confucianism emphasizes education Should only be done for the advancement of one’s knowledge Not for fame, wealth, admiration. “Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.” - Confucius

Golden Rule Like most religions Humans need to respect and treat others as they themselves would wish to be treated

Individual Self-Interest Frowned upon Collective Well-Being Remember Jen and Yi?

The Virtuous Person “Doing for Nothing” Work as a Society The ‘virtuous person’ acts in ways only because it should be done as opposed to acting in ways for profit or other personal benefits.

Christianity and Confucianism

“The Golden Rule”

Christianity and Confucianism Other similarities…. – Canon: Bible and the Five Classics and the Four Books – 10 commandment: nine commandment – Heaven

Christianity and Confucianism Differences – Deity – Divinity of Jesus versus Confucius the teacher – Beliefs: – After life versus emphasis on life in this world Ariana Magana

Confucian versus American Values 34 Confucian Values American Values Hierarchical Collectivism Patriarchal Fixed Relationships Emphasis on Obligations and Accountability Egalitarianism Individualism Gender Neutral Undefined Social and Generational Boundaries Open Ended Terms of Accountability

Works Cited Berthrong, John H. and Evelyn Nagai. Confucianism: A Short Introduction. England: Oneworld, Collis, Maurice. The First Holy One. Connecticut: Greenwood Press, Eck, Diana L. A New Religious America. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2001 Huang, George. February 10, “Lesson: Confucianism and Christianity.”October 22, 2010 “Chistianity”. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 23 October Lin, Patricia. “Confucianism: Cultural Practices” Lin, Patricia. "Concucianism: The Tenets". 18 Oct "Confucian Ideals". 18 Oct Smith, Huston, Initials. (1991). The world's religions: our great wisdom tradition. San Francisco, CA: Harper One. Warren, Kay. “The Tenets of the Christian Faith” October 22,

Quiz Questions 1) A person does all actions for the sake of ____ because the respect for humanity implies the right human way to act. Fill in the blank A) Doctrine of Mean B) Filial Piety C) Jen

Quiz Questions 2) True or False: Agape is deep, unconditional love

Quiz Questions 3) How is one a Virtuous Person? A. Pursuing education for wealth B. Completing tasks for profit C. “Doing for Nothing” D. Has “Individual Self-Interest”

Quiz Question 4) Confucianism has the ______ Rules A. 8 B. 9 C. 10 D. 12

Quiz Questions 5) In your own opinion, would you classify Confucianism as a philosophy, a code of ethics, a religion, or none/all of the above? Give one reason to support your answer.