Confucianism:

Confucius, a Chinese sage born in 551 BC. His early career was as a politician, but he abandoned Chinese politics because he disaproved of the manner in which the gevernment was ruled. He then roamed China taching about how societies should work and how people should interact. After his journey, he settled down and wrote the books of his philosophical system.

Confucius taught: Rulers should have the welfare of the people at the center of their heart (actions and goals). One must strive to make oneself as good as possible by a love of virtue and seeking knowledge, maning education, the study of sacred texts, and following tradition. One must seek self-dicipline to avoid bad habits. Follow the important influence of good example of past moral people and the ancient classics.

The Four Virtues: Benevolance, Sincerity, Filial Piety, and Propriety; form the basis for a life of perfet goodness.

• Benevolance-"Jen," the virtue of virtues. It includes goodness of the human spirit, the perfect human relationship of equality, and the idea of humaneness, the golden rule. "Do not do to others what you would not like them to do to you."
• Sincerity-"Xin," or being truthful, honest, conscientious in promises and discharge of duty. Based on love of virtue and of right right conduct.
• Filial Piety-"the root of all virtue." respect for parents, elders, including through success in life and thus honoring their name. The five relationships are part of filial piety.
  The Five Relationships:
  1. Father and Son ("Hsiao")
  2. Ruler and Subject ("Chung," or loyalty)
  3. Husband and Wife
  4. Elder and Younger Brother
  5. Between Friends
• Propriety-"Li" refers to human conduct that leads man to do the right thing, or the concept of following the spirit of the law, as opposed to following law because of fear of punishment. Li is exemplified through rituals and acceptance of one's place in society.

• "Chung Tzu" is the ideal of a proper man or gentleman, a part of Filial Piety, and a goal for all to strive towards. Gentlemen were to:
  • Cultivate themselves morally
  • Participate in ritual
  • Show filial piety and loyalty
  • Cultivate humaneness
• "Wen" is the "arts of peace," the aspects of society that cultivate humaneness, incuding fine arts, music, tradition, philosophy, and poetry.
• "Yi" is righteousness, a part of both Jen and Chun Tzu.
• "Te" is the power by which men are ruled, the power of moral example. Government is to rule by honesty and moral uprightness.

Refrences:

• "Confucianism" at Wikipedia
• "Confucianism: A Brief Summary of Confucius and his Teachings," by Kathy Shinn
• "Confucianism"
• "The Main Concepts of Confucianism"

By Andrew Mueth

Back to Andrew Mueth's Junior Theology Homepage