Confucianism
Overview
• Confucianism is an ethical and
philosophical system that is normally
considered one of the world religions.
• It originated in China but has spread to
Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Overview
• Most people who adhere to the
teachings of Confucius follow
Chinese traditional religion, which is
a blending of Confucianism,
Buddhism, Taoism, and traditional
local practices and beliefs.
• It is a complex system of moral,
social, political and religious
which had tremendous influence
on the history of Chinese
civilization down to the 20th
century.
• Confucianism means
–"The School of the Scholars“
–"The Religion of Confucius"
• originally developed from the
teachings of the early Chinese
sage Confucius.
Leadership
• Leadership of the Confucian school
centers around its foremost teacher,
K'ung Fu-Tzu (551-479 B.C.)
• Though not the original founder, he
is its most famous teacher
Teachings
• Three dimensions of the human
condition
–Self
–Community
–Tradition
are expressed in Confucian spirituality.
• His vision centered on:
–respect children show to their
parents
–the high regard given elders and
lawful authority figures
–an appreciation for learning,
protocol and ceremony.
• His writings deal primarily with:
– Individual morality and ethics
–The proper exercise of political
power by the rulers.
• There are approximately 6 million
Confucians in the world.
• About 26,000 live in North
America
• Almost all of the remainder are
found throughout China and the
rest of Asia.