1. Confucianism
The way of virtue

2. Confucianism
Master K’ung (Confucius, latin version of K’ung fu-tzu – “Great Master K’ung”), born about 551 BCE in feudal state of Lu
Father died or was wandering soldier, raised by single mom
At 50, he said he was appointed to a high office, and either resigned or fired
Wandered for 13 years, starting at 55, teaching political and social reform

3. Confucius
At 67, returns to Lu and spends rest of life teaching and editing Confucian classics
Dies, discouraged, about 479 BCE, due to lack of influence on governments
But band of followers remain committed to his teachings

4. Confucius texts
Analects (Lun Yu): reputed sayings of Confucius, compiled after his death, one of the “Four Books”
Great Learning (Ta Hsueh), was chapter of Book of Rites, beginning Confucianism
Doctrine of the Mean (Chung Yung), from of Rites, relationship between humans and moral order

5. Confucius text
Book of Menicus, third century BCE collection of sayings of one of Confucius’ principal disciples. First attempt at systematic philosophical statement of Confucius’ teachings
Five Classics: Book of History, Book of Changes, Annuals of Spring and Autumn, Book of Rites, Book of Poetry

6. Confucian School
Followers found loose school and Book of Filial Piety, during feudal order breakup
Master Meng ( BCE) emphasized ren or jen (humaneness) interacting with I or yi (righteousness) so a person’s position in society dictates how humanely he is treated
Xan Zi ( BCE) taught li (propriety) is most important virtue, people are born evil, education fixes this

7. Confucianism
Confucianism, for next 2,000 years, until 1905, became basis of Chinese education system
Also became object of state piety, as early as Han dynasty, emperor performed sacrifice at grave of Confucius in 195 BCE

8. Neo-Confucianism
Occurred during Sung Dynasty, calling for return to Confucianism basic principles in response to growing Buddhism and Daoism in China
Zhu Xi won acceptance for Meng’s view that humans are essential good and Great Ultimate: essence of all reality that can be studied and observed (li becomes cosmic force) Humans have li at core

9. Neo-Confucianism
Wang Yangming, underlying rational principal discovered more by examining mind, than nature. Rational principle is a guiding light, an innate bearing toward goodness

10. Is Confucianism a religion?
Concerned more with ordering society than spiritual transformation (or transcendence)
But principles such as li become cosmic and spiritual (in neo-Confucianism)
Confucius transformed from teacher to spirit to be venerated

11. Confucianism’s decline
China’s turn to West in early 20th century caused Confucianism as state orthodoxy to decline
Abandoned as part of education system and worship declined
Communist government, after 1949, banned sacrifices to Confucius and Confucian classics (considered part of feudal system)

12. Confucian worldview
All people are part of society and must have proper social relationships for harmony
Five Basic Relationships: parent and child, husband and wife, elder and young brother, friend and friend, and ruler and subject
Humanity interacts with yin and yang, has earthly and heavenly souls, & 5 elements

13. Confucian worldview
Social chaos caused by breakdown in virtue (Warring States Period). People fail to follow their social roles. Rulers were not concerned with subject, fathers not concerned with children (personal chord, here)
World needs Leaders of Character (jun-zi) who lead virtuous lives

14. Confucian worldview These inner virtues are: Ren or jen (humaneness)
Shu (reciprocity, Silver Rule)
Hsueh, “self-correcting wisdom”

15. Confucian worldview External virtues are Xiao (filial piety)
Rectification of names (right names for right roles)
De (moral charisma, for leaders)

16. Confucian worldview
Reality: life, giving, harmonious relationships. “We are our relationships.”
Humans make the Dao great through their harmonious relationships (not letting the Dao happen, like in Daoism)

17. Confucianism in China
Suppressed during Cultural Revolution of 1966, Confucius’ birth place destroyed
Rehabilitated in late 1970s, Cultural Revolution discredited, Confucius’ birthplace rebuilt
Chinese government trying to draw on Confucianism’s respect for authority and moral virtue to counter commercialism