Comfucianism

• Confucius believed that the purpose of life was to live in harmony with others.
• Confucianism


  A philosophical and ethical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius
• Confucianism has over 6.1 million followers
• Confucianism


  • Emphasizes the importance of personal and governmental morality
  • Emphasizes the correctness of social relationships
  • Emphasizes justice and sincerity
• Confucianism has had a profound influence on Chinese culture, society, and government, as well as the cultures of Korea, Japan, and Vietnam
• Confucianism is still practiced and studied by many today
• Confucius


  A Chinese philosopher, politician, and teacher who lived in the 5th century BCE
• Confucius was born in the state of Lu and spent most of his life traveling from state to state, offering advice to rulers and teaching his philosophy to students
• Water symbol (水)


  Represents the importance of harmonious relationships, humility, and adaptability in Confucianism
• Confucian Classics


  A collection of ancient Chinese texts that are considered sacred in Confucianism
• The Confucian Classics were originally compiled and written during the Han dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE)
• The Five Classics


  • Ching (The Book of Changes)
  • Shujing (The Book of History)
  • Liji (The Book of Rites)
  • Shijing (The Book of Poetry)
  • Chunqiu (The Spring and Autumn Annals)
• Ching (The Book of Changes)


  A divination manual that uses a system of trigrams and hexagrams to provide guidance on decision-making, prophecy, and ethics. It is also an important work of Chinese philosophy that explores the concept of yin and yang.
• Shujing (The Book of History)


  A compilation of historical records, mythological and legendary accounts of early Chinese rulers, and ethical teachings on the proper conduct of rulers.
• Liji (The Book of Rites)


  A book of ceremonial rites, social norms, and etiquette for the nobility, officials, and common people. It contains teachings on virtue, music, and social hierarchy.
• Shijing (The Book of Poetry)


  An anthology of over 300 Chinese poems and songs that capture the Imagery and emotions of daily life, nature, love, and relationships.
• Chunqiu (The Spring and Autumn Annals)


  An anthology of over 300 Chinese poems and songs that capture the imagery and emotions of daily life, nature, love, and relationships.
• The Four Books


  • Lun Yu (The Analects)
  • Da Xue (The Great Learning)
  • Zhong Yong (The Doctrine of Mean)
  • Mengzi (The Book of Mencius)
• Lun Yu (The Analects)


  A collection of sayings and teachings of Confucius covering a wide range of topics including morality, education, politics, and personal conduct. It has greatly influenced Chinese culture and philosophy.
• Da Xue (The Great Learning)


  A guide to self-cultivation and moral development, emphasizing the importance of learning, ethical conduct, and self-improvement in achieving personal and societal harmony.
• Zhong Yong (The Doctrine of Mean)


  An exposition of Confucian ethics that emphasizes the importance of moderation and balance in life, and the importance of finding the middle ground between extremes and upholding moral integrity.
• Mengzi (The Book of Mencius)


  A collection of Mencius' teachings on Confucianism, discussing the importance of education, benevolence, and moral cultivation in creating a just society. Mencius' teachings have been the basis for Confucian thought for centuries.
• Mandate of Heaven


  The concept in ancient Chinese philosophy that the legitimacy of a ruler or dynasty is granted by the divine will or mandate of the heavens
• Tien (天)


  A Chinese term that refers to "heaven", "sky", or "divine". In traditional Chinese culture, Ti'en is believed to be a transcendent and spiritual realm, which is inhabited by the gods, ancestors, and other supernatural beings. Ti'en is also associated with the concept of the Mandate of Heaven.
• Human nature as originally good (Mencius) or evil (Hsun Tzu)


  Two schools of thought in Chinese philosophy regarding whether human nature is inherently good or evil
• Rectification of Names


  The concept in traditional Chinese philosophy, particularly in the works of Confucius, that there is a close relationship between the names that we use to describe things and the nature of the things themselves
• The Five Cardinal Virtues of the Moral Way


  • Ren (Benevolence or kindness)
  • Yi (Righteousness or justice)
  • Li (Propriety or ritual)
  • Zhi (Wisdom or knowledge)
  • Xin (Faithfulness or trustworthiness)
• Filial Piety


  The relationship between a child and their parents or family elders, referring to the child's obligation to respect, care for, and provide for their parents or elders and to fulfill their duties as a member of the family
• Ancestor Worship


  A significant aspect of Confucianism that emphasizes the importance of venerating and respecting ancestors, who are believed to have the power to influence the lives of their living descendants
• Confucianism does not have a God or gods as the central official figure of worship, but rather recognizes the existence of a higher power or spiritual force known as Tian (天) or Heaven
• The Five Basic Relationships


  • King to Subject
  • Father to Son
  • Husband to Wife
  • Elder Brother to Younger Brother
  • Friend to Friend
• King to Subject


  The belief that a ruler has a responsibility to serve his people with benevolence, and that his subjects have a duty to obey him with loyalty and respect
• Father to Son


  The belief that a father has a responsibility to provide for and protect his family, and that a son has a duty to respect and obey his father
• Husband to Wife


  The belief that a husband has a responsibility to provide for and protect his family, and that a wife has a duty to respect and obey her husband
• Elder Brother to Younger Brother


  The belief that an older sibling has a responsibility to guide and protect his younger sibling, and that a younger sibling has a duty to respect and obey his older sibling
• Friend to Friend


  The belief that friends have a responsibility to support and encourage each other, and that true friendship is built on mutual respect and trust
• The Five Confucian Relationships are ruler-subject, father-son, husband-wife, older brother-younger brother, friend-friend.
• Father-Son relationship is based on respect and filial piety.
• Ruler-Subject relationship is based on loyalty and obedience.