1. Anthony D’Iippilitos Hamzah Hassan Shivam Patel
Confucianism
Anthony D’Iippilitos
Hamzah Hassan
Shivam Patel

2. Confucius Founder of Confucianism
Kong Qui or Kongzi or Zhongi or Kong Fuzi
551 to c. 479 BCE
Known as Confucius; his Latinized name
Confucius was a Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher of the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history

3. Basic Beliefs of Confucianism
All people are good
You should respect and follow your elders
Ancestors should be worshipped
Education should be emphasized as it will help you decide between right and wrong
Yin and Yang represent opposite forces that balance out everything in life

4. Virtues of Confucianism
There are 5 main virtues in Confucianism
1: Ren, which is humaneness; Humaneness can be defined as the quality of compassion for others, which can include both people and animals. Three of the key concepts of Ren are love, mercy, and humanity.
2: Yi. Yi means honesty and righteousness.
3: Li, which means propriety and correct behavior.
4: Zhi, which stands for wisdom or knowledge.
5: Xin, which stands for fidelity and sincerity.

5. The Five Relationships
Believed that social harmony results in part from every individual knowing his or her place in the natural order, and playing his or her part well
Ruler/Subject
Father/Son
Husband/Wife
Older Brother/Younger Brother
Friend/Friend

6. Sacred Texts
The Analects(Lunyu)- Conversations between Confucius and disciples, recollections of life, and sayings (assembled by disciples after Confucius’ death)
The Analects transmitted “the way”, a concept that at the time symbolized the Western Zhou ( BCE) ideology and traditions
Five Classics (Wujing)- Of Western Zhou Origin
Later a collection of books were grouped together, known as the Four Books - Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Analects, Mencius

7. Origins of Confucianism
Originated in China
A family of traditions based on Confucius’ teachings that became well known after his death in the fifth century BCE
Originated as an “ethical-sociopolitical teaching during the Spring and Autumn Period ( BCE)

8. Turning Point: Qin Dynasty
The Qin dynasty was very short, 221 BCE- 206 BCE
Unified China under harsh penal laws and ruthlessly putting down rebellions
The promotion of Legalism by the First Emperor (Shi Huangdi) suppressed Confucianism
The First Emperor ordered the burning of all books advocating viewpoints that challenged Legalism or the state, this included Confucian material
Confucianism restrained and put down during this dynasty

9. Turning Point: The Han Dynasty
The Han emperors encouraged students and future officials to study the Confucian classics
This encouragement helped Confucianism spread throughout the Han Dynasty
Emperor Wu establishes the Imperial Academy which further spreads Confucianism
A theological and metaphysical doctrine of interaction between Heaven and humans was established
Since the Han Dynasty until the Twentieth Century, Confucian scholar-officials were influential in laying down the basis for government, and the amount of influence exerted by them depended on the patronage of the people who were in position to implement the teachings

10. Turning Point- Neo Confucianism
Influenced by Confucianism
Was an attempt to create a more rationalist form of Confucianism by rejecting the superstitious and mystical elements of Taoism and Buddhism
Even though critical of them, Neo Confucianists borrowed ideas from both Buddhism and Daoism
Used metaphysics as a guide for developing ethical philosophy
Metaphysics- basically answer What is ultimately there? and What is it like?

11. Neo-Confucianism
Originated in the Tang Dynasty and became prominent during the Song and Ming dynasties ( CE)( CE)
This period and its new teachings/traditions called “Neo-Confucian” to distinguish from other Confucian periods
A renaissance in which new traditions arose
Confucianism most forcefully/successfully spread into Korea, Japan, and Vietnam
Sacred texts grown to include thirteen other works

12. Confucianism vs. Taoism
Both originate in China
Both arise approximately 550 B.C.E
Both follow The Way, For Confucianism, it was a way to bring out an inner humanity, while for Taoism, it was meditation, breathing techniques
Many Confucianists and Taoists both follow Buddha
Confucianism stresses human conduct over belief in God
Taoism stresses humanity’s relationship with nature

13. Modern Confucianism
Confucianism today still believes in the basic beliefs taught by Confucius
Today Confucianism is more of a mixture between Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism than Classical Confucianism.

14. Confucianism Today
Today, Confucianism has around 6.3 million followers
It is mainly practiced in China,Korea, and Vietnam
Over 350 million follow the teachings of Confucius.

15. Bibliography http://www.patheos.com/Library/Confucianism.html

16. Bibliography An Introduction to Confucianism by Xinzhong Yao