Confucianism is an ethical belief system developed by Confucius in 6th century BC China, emphasizing virtuous relationships and harmonious living. Its texts were recorded by students and their students, and were used to establish laws in China during the Han Dynasty. The philosophy was largely discarded in favor of Buddhism, but enjoyed a renaissance in the 7th century. The core concepts of Confucianism emphasize virtues such as modesty, sincerity, loyalty, charity, and learning, and include the golden rule. The philosophy opposes war and too many laws, and emphasizes five main relationships: husband and wife, parent and child, elder and younger siblings or the relationship of all youth to elders, ruler and subject, and friend to friend. Filial piety is an important aspect of Confucianism. The main texts of Confucianism include L’I Ching, The Book of Odes or Shih Ching, History book or Shu Ching, Registers of rites or Li Ching, Spring and Autumn Annals or Ch’un Ch’iu.
Confucianism is a set of ethical beliefs, sometimes called a religion, developed from the teachings of the scholar Confucius, who lived in 6th century BC China. His theories and his philosophy gave rise to laws based on his teachings first in China, and then in Japan, Korea and Vietnam. All who studied and practiced this philosophy aimed for harmonious relationships that would lead to greater peace in their countries. Elements of Confucianism, while no longer widely practiced, persist in many Asian cultures.
Like many of the great philosophers and religious leaders, Confucius did not keep records of his words and deeds. Instead, the texts that make up this philosophy are recordings of his students and their students. This is a bit tricky because many texts recording Confucian thought were burned during the Qin Dynasty. Dissenters were allowed to burn all materials referring to it, so the records are fragmented and sometimes contradict each other or require explanations that are not given.
However, during the Han Dynasty, which lasted until about AD 220, Confucian thought was the inspiration for establishing China’s rules and laws. After the fall of the Han, the philosophy was largely discarded in favor of Buddhism, but it enjoyed a new renaissance in the 7th century. At that time, scholars blended ideas from Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucian thought to create laws and emphasize how right relationships can establish peace.
The core concepts of Confucianism were primarily intended to be applied to rulers, nobility, and scholars. It does not target the general population, as Buddhism does. One of the underlying ideas is that people must be virtuous, especially rulers. Self-virtue, expressed in modesty, sincerity, loyalty, charity and learning, were essential requirements for everyone. The sum total of this social virtue is often called Jen. It was impossible to expect virtues in governed people, if the rulers (or emperors) did not display the highest virtues and did not promote the education of others to obtain these virtues.
The golden rule is also part of this philosophy: what you don’t want done to yourself, don’t do it to others. The accent is placed on the virtuous relationship with others and on acting “just” with everyone. Through virtuous behavior and observance of right relationships, harmony is established within oneself and within the realm.
Confucianism includes the concept of the divine and is expressed. Men should have three awe, a word which can be translated as respect and veneration of the following:
decree of heaven
Great men
Saints (past thinkers or ancestors)
This philosophy opposes war as it is the antithesis of harmonious relationship. He also opposes the application of too many laws, as the ideal is that all people will live in harmony and govern themselves. There are five main relationships to which man has different responsibilities: husband and wife, parent and child, elder and younger siblings or the relationship of all youth to elders, ruler and subject, and friend to friend.
Of these, one of the most important relationships is still emphasized today in modern China, Japan and Korea. The parent/child relationship is also called filial piety, the idea that children, even adults, must respect and obey their parents and, in general, their elders. This relationship is maintained in many families in Asian countries. The word of the parents is the law of the children when this relationship remains harmonious. Caring for parents as they age is another aspect of filial piety.
The main texts of Confucianism are the following, available in numerous translations:
L’I Ching
The Book of Odes or Shih Ching
History book or Shu Ching
Registers of rites or Li Ching
Spring and Autumn Annals or Ch’un Ch’iu
There are other texts that Confucian scholars will no doubt study. Of these, perhaps the most valuable for understanding this philosophy is Hsiao Ching, a seminal work on filial piety.
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