1. CONFUCIANISM

2. How It Began -Confucius lived from 551 to 479 BCE
-Confucius did not intend to begin a religion
-He traveled through modern-day China, teaching followers and advising high ranking officials
-The details of Confucianism were not established until the 12th and 13th centuries C.E.
-Confucius Thought was the basis of Chinese education until 1911, i.e. a “state religion” (imperial rule ends, communist rule begins in 1949)

3. What is Confucianism? -Set of ethical and philosophical beliefs
-Emphasis on education, family and respect
-Confucians hold five relationships most important
Father and Son
Husband and Wife
Elder Brother and Younger Brother
Emperor and Minister
Friend and Friend

4. Who/What do Confucians Look To?
-Those who practice Confucianism, look to Confucius as a guide and example. Not as a god.
-Confucians look to the aforementioned relationships, for the creation of a stable, happy society
-The Yin-Yang; the yin is feminine and yielding, while the yang is masculine and unbending
-Farmers and scholars are the two professions with the most importance placed upon them
-A full rice bin is the Confucian symbol for prosperity

5. Confucian Life -Ancestral worship is a key component
-It is believed to help create a harmonious society
-Married couples hope for children to create a full and secure family unit
-Thus education is a focal point in the lives of youth
-The cultures of China, Japan, Korea, Singapore and Vietnam have been most influenced by Confucianism