CONFUCIANISM – it is a religion of optimistic humanism which has had a monumental
impact upon the life, social structure, and political philosophy of China.
History of Confucius, Confucianism and his followers
Confucianism is a religious and philosophical tradition dating back to more than 2,500
years ago in China, which later spread out to East Asia.
Confucius is known as the founder of Confucianism, although he had stated that he was
not a creator but rather a transmitter of older values and traditions.
Confucius
o His actual name is Kong Qiu (Chiu King in some books). He was also known as
Master Kong (Kongzi), and Kong Fuzi (by 17th century Jesuit missionaries).
o He was born in (about) 550 BCE in the principality of Lu (present day Shantung)
during the Eastern Zhou dynasty period.
o He was a contemporary of Buddha (although they probably never met).
o He died in Chufou, Shantung, in 479 BC.
o His disciples referred to him as King Fu-tzu or Kung the Master, which has been
Latinized into Confucius.
o Confucius was eventually deified by his followers.
Mencius
o The second
great sage after
Confucius.
o Mencius was
the Latinized
form of Mengzi
(Meng-tzu),
also known as
Master Meng.
o He was born in
the state of
Ch’i in 371
BC.
o He made
explicit certain
ideas that were
only implicit in
the teachings of
Confucius.
o He studied with a disciple of Confuciu’ grandson, Tzu-Ssu.
o His most important claim is that human nature is inherently good; and that
goodness is a natural human instinct, as natural as our four limbs and our desires
for food and sex. This natural, moral inclination is given to us by Heaven.
Heaven 天 (tian) in Confucianism is a semi-naturalistic, semi-personalistic
ultimate reality whose will is for moral virtue to regulate human life.
The Sources of Confucianism
A. The Five Classics (五經 Wujing)
a. The Book of Changes (易經 I Ching or Yi Jing) - a collection of eight triagrams
and 64 hexagrams which consist solely of broken and unbroken lines. These lines
were supposed to have great meaning if the key were discovered.
b. The Book of Annals (書經 Shujing) – this is a work of the history of the five
preceding dynasties. The example of the ancients was crucial to Confucius’
understanding of how the superior man should behave.
c. The Book of Poetry (詩經 Shijing/ Shi Ching) – the book of ancient poetry was
assembled by Confucius because he believed the reading of poetry would aid in
making a man virtuous.
d. The Book of Ceremonies (禮記 Li Chi/ Liji) – this work taught the superior man
to act in the right or traditional way. Again, Confucius stressed doing things in the
same way as the ancients.
e. The Annals of Spring and Autumn (春秋 Ch’un Ch’iu) – this book, supposedly
written by Confucius, gave a commentary on the events of the state of Lu at
Confucius’ time.
B. The Teachings of Confucius (The Four Books 四書 Sishu)
a. The Analects (論語 Lunyu) – sayings of both Confucius and his disciples.
b. The Great Learning (大學 Daxue) – this work deals with the education and
training of gentleman.
c. The Doctrine of the Mean (中庸 Zhongyong) – deals with the relationship of
human nature to the order of the universe.
d. The Book of Mencius (孟子 Mengzi) – this work, which has had great influence
and gives an idealistic of life, stresses the goodness of human nature.
The Doctrines of Confucianism
A. Ancestor Worship – this is the veneration of the dead by their living relatives.
B. Filial Piety – devotion and obedience by the younger members of the family to the elders;
loyalty and devotion to the family is one of the top priorities in China.
C. Doctrinal Principles
a. Jen – golden rule
b. Chun-tzu – the gentleman
c. Cheng-ming – the role-player
d. Te – virtuous power
e. Li – standard of conduct
f. Wen – the arts of peace
The Supernatural
It is not a religion in the sense of man relating to the Almighty but is rather an ethical
system teaching man how to get along with man.
“Absorption in the study of the supernatural is most harmful.” – Lionel Giles, ‘Sayings of
Confucius, Wisdom of the East series’
Confucius did feel that heaven was on his side in the ethical teachings that he espoused:
o “The Master said, ‘At fifteen, I set my heart on learning; at thirty I took my stand;
at forty I came to be free from doubts; at fifty I understood the decree of heaven;
at sixty my ear was attuned; at seventy I followed my heart’s desire without
overstepping the line.’” (The Analects, II:5)
Confucianism and Christianity
Confucianism Christianity
Self-effort; no room or need of God People need God
Man can do it all by himself if he only follows Man does not have the capacity to save himself
the way of the ancients but is in desperate need of a Savior
Human nature is basically good The Bible teaches that man is basically sinful
and left to himself, is completely incapable of
performing ultimate good
